AFSA created the Distinguished Service Award (DSA) in 1941 to recognize individuals who contribute to the growth and advancement of the financial services industry and our association.
Today, at the 2021 Annual Meeting at the Mandarin Oriental in Washington, DC. the 80th DSAs were awarded to two exceptional leaders in the consumer credit industry: Chuck Jones, EVP and COO, Dealer Financial Services with Truist, and Darcy Locke, Senior Principal, New Business Developer with ACI.
Chuck Jones leads Dealer Financial Services for Truist Bank. In this role, he oversees indirect lending for auto dealers. Jones joined SunTrust (now Truist) in December 2014 as Head of National Indirect Lending. Jones began his career in 1982 and has significant experience in leading large-scale transformations and building efficient business models. He has served in leadership roles in compliance, card, real estate, student lending, servicing, direct, and indirect lending.
Jones served as Chairman of AFSA’s Vehicle Finance Board (2019-2020), and as a member of the AFSA Board of Directors and Executive Committee. He currently serves on AFSA’s Vehicle Finance Committee, the Consumer Banking Association’s Auto Finance Committee and TransUnion’s Auto Advisory Board.
In addition, Jones is also active in his community, serving on the Advisory Council for the College of Business Administration at Sam Houston State University. He serves on the board for the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce and the Lumpkin County Water & Sewage Authority and as Chairman of the Development Authority of Lumpkin County. Jones is also a member of several community organizations, including the Lumpkin County Audit Committee, the College and Career Academy Advisory Council for Lumpkin County School System, and the Finance Committee at Dahlonega United Methodist Church.
Jones is a graduate of Sam Houston State University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in finance. He was inducted into the Hall of Honor for the College of Business Administration for his service to the university. Together, Jones and his wife Debbie have sponsored 202 college scholarships for students in need.
Jones lives in Dahlonega, GA with his wife Debbie and their Lakeland terrier, Atticus Finch. They have one daughter, Lauren who is 36.
Darcy Locke serves as a Senior Principal, New Business Developer with ACI. Where she is a trusted advisor in Electronic Billing & Payments, specializes in the consumer lending markets.
Locke has spent 15 years guiding organizations to elevate the customer experience, remain compliant and reduce costs. Locke holds a Bachelor’s degree in business administration and 23 years of professional sales experience, including 17 years in local and national direct business-to-business sales and account management for three industry-leading companies.
Locke serves as the Chair of the AFSA Business Partner Advisory Board and has served on the board for the past six years. Darcy is also part of the Women’s Leadership Council at AFSA, which fosters executive leadership and mentorship of top female talent and shares knowledge to identify, promote and retain female leaders in the financial services industry.
Locke has also led the development of a charitable initiative to help grow support for the AFSA Education Foundation. Darcy has leveraged the financial expertise and networks of Business Partner Board members to promote MoneySKILL and she has even helped introduce the curriculum to a local high school in her community. She is a true advocate for the AFSA Education Foundation and efforts to provide high-quality personal finance education.
Locke’s volunteer work has centered around her children’s’ schools and community, establishing fundraisers for out-of-pocket costs for parents and establishing funds for renovations.
Locke lives in Louisville, KY with her husband, Rick. They have two children, Zack and Bailee, who both attend the University of Kentucky.
AFSA Honors Jones, Locke for Service to Industry
Oct 26, 2021
AFSA created the Distinguished Service Award (DSA) in 1941 to recognize individuals who contribute to the growth and advancement of the financial services industry and our association.
Today, at the 2021 Annual Meeting at the Mandarin Oriental… Read the rest
We’re Waiting for You in Washington
Oct 24, 2021
The 2021 AFSA Annual Meeting kicks off next week in Washington, DC and, whether you’re joining us in-person or virtually, we can’t wait to see you. AFSA has planned some thought-provoking and inspirational sessions that we think |
AFSA Outlines Priorities in NDAA
Oct 20, 2021
AFSA sent a letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee regarding the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) legislation for 2022.
The NDAA, which must pass Congress every year, is currently… Read the rest
AFSA on Interchange in WI
Oct 20, 2021
On Wednesday, October 20, AFSA’s State Government Affairs (SGA) team partnered with other trade associations sent a joint letter to the Wisconsin legislature regarding AB 587 and SB 572, which prohibit interchange on the sales tax portion… Read the rest
AFSA Sends Letter to CA DFPI on Proposed Collection Rules
Oct 14, 2021
On Tuesday, October 5, AFSA’s State Government Affairs (SGA) team sent a letter to the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) commenting on the DFPI’s proposed Debt Collection Licensing Act (DCLA) rules. Many… Read the rest
AFSA Letter to CFPB Stresses Importance of Credit Access, Financial Literacy
Oct 13, 2021
Today, AFSA sent a letter to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Rohit Chopra. Mr. Chopra was confirmed as Director earlier this month. AFSA’s letter stresses the crucial role AFSA member companies play in the lives of… Read the rest
Chief Compliance Officer Perspectives
Oct 13, 2021
With increasing demands from regulators and growing complexity in operating a consumer finance company, a Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) in 2021 has a lot to manage.
For this panel, moderated by AFSA’s VP of Compliance Education Philip… Read the rest
AFSA White Paper Tackles CROs
Oct 13, 2021
On Friday, October 1 AFSA’s State Government Affairs (SGA) team published their October White Paper covering credit repair organizations. Credit repair organizations claim to seek to improve a consumer’s credit score by having negative… Read the rest
Perspectives & Predictions
Oct 08, 2021
Sponsored by 
Join us at the 2021 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., from October 24 through October 27, highlighted by our AFSA Leadership Roundtable Roundtable.
Join AFSA President & CEO Bill Himpler, AFSA Chairman Tom Hudgins, … Read the rest
On the Nomination for Comptroller of the Currency
Oct 07, 2021
Today, the American Financial Services Association released a statement regarding the nomination of Saule Omarova to serve as the Comptroller of the Currency.
The nomination of Saule Omarova to serve as Comptroller of the Currency raises… Read the rest