NAICS 561491 Quarterly Industry Report
Repossession Services
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 561491Sector: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (56)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Repossession Services (NAICS 561491) draws on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], U.S. Census Bureau, Federal Reserve economic data[8], and SBA size standards database[7]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, auto finance analysts, and business brokers with current market data. The editorial analysis reflects the independent assessment of FairMarketValue.com's research team, with all quantitative claims sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the repossession services industry.
Share of Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
0.1%
By establishment count, 2022 Census[2]
NAICS Sector
56
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
Industry Definition & Overview
Repossession Services (NAICS 561491) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in repossessing tangible assets such as automobiles, boats, equipment, furniture, and appliances from delinquent borrowers on behalf of creditors and financial institutions per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. More than 2.2 million vehicles are repossessed annually in the United States; for every 2.4 vehicles sold, one will eventually be repossessed.
About 4,400 firms operate nationally. Market structure is highly fragmented. The top four firms control less than 30 percent of total revenue, leaving the majority of volume with regional and local operators. Employment data shows 7,358 workers across 861 primary establishments per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], though actual workforce numbers are likely higher when satellite offices and field agents are counted.
Operating conditions are difficult. Rising fuel costs, severe worker shortages, strict compliance requirements, and flat fees from creditors squeeze margins despite steady repossession volumes. Auto loan delinquencies have risen sharply; 60-day delinquent auto loans climbed 26.7 percent in late 2022 compared to prior-year levels, driving increased demand for recovery services. Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is $19.0 million in average annual receipts. Texas, Florida, California, and Georgia account for the highest repossession volumes, though per-capita rates are highest in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia.
What's Included in This Industry
- Automobile and vehicle repossession services
- Boat and marine vessel recovery
- Equipment and machinery repossession
- Skip tracing and debtor location services
- Asset recovery and secure storage management
- Towing and transportation of repossessed assets
- Repossession compliance and documentation
- Creditor notification and inventory reporting
- Furniture and appliance repossession
- Condition assessment and asset valuation support
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 56 |
| Subsector | Administrative and Support Services | 561 |
| Industry Group | Business Support Services | 5614 |
| NAICS Industry | Other Business Support Services | 56149 |
| National Industry | Repossession Services | 561491 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 561450 | Credit Bureaus | Credit Bureaus collect default and recovery data from repossession companies that flows into consumer credit files, affecting scoring models and lending decisions |
| 561440 | Collection Agencies | Collection Agencies focus on recovering monetary payments through negotiation, while repossession firms physically recover tangible collateral from delinquent borrowers |
| 488490 | Other Support Activities for Road Transportation | Other Support Activities for Road Transportation includes towing services that repossession firms either operate in-house or subcontract for vehicle transport to storage facilities |
| 522110 | Commercial Banking | Commercial Banks contract with repossession services to enforce secured lending agreements and recover automobile and equipment collateral when borrowers default |
| 522220 | Sales Financing | Sales Financing institutions including auto lenders and equipment finance companies generate the largest volume of repossession assignments through delinquent installment accounts |
| 561110 | Office Administrative Services | Office Administrative Services provide back-office functions including document management and compliance filing that repossession operations require for regulatory documentation |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 12.4% | 79 |
| 2 | California | 9.4% | 60 |
| 3 | Florida | 8.3% | 53 |
| 4 | New York | 5.6% | 36 |
| 5 | Georgia | 4.9% | 31 |
| 6 | Tennessee | 4.1% | 26 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 3.6% | 23 |
| 8 | Ohio | 3.1% | 20 |
| 9 | Illinois | 3.1% | 20 |
| 10 | Arizona | 3.0% | 19 |
% Of Establishments
0%
12%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
56
Total SBA Loans
$9.6M
Total Loan Volume
$171K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
11.32%
Average Interest Rate
144
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], Repossession Services (NAICS 561491) has a size standard of $19.0 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA 7(a) loans[9] support fleet expansion, tow truck acquisition, GPS tracking equipment, storage facility development, and working capital for qualifying operators. The physically intensive nature of the business requires ongoing capital investment in vehicles and storage infrastructure. Additionally, 504/CDC loans[10] provide long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets such as real estate and equipment.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northeast Bank | 24 | $6.4M | $267K |
| 2 | Readycap Lending, LLC | 8 | $1.6M | $200K |
| 3 | BayFirst National Bank | 8 | $680K | $85K |
| 4 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 8 | $600K | $75K |
| 5 | Community Trust Bank, Inc. | 8 | $280K | $35K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses operate as repossession services?
Repossession firms range from single-truck owner-operators to regional companies with fleets of 50 or more tow vehicles. About 4,400 firms operate nationally per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Specialization varies; some focus exclusively on auto repos, while others handle boats, equipment, or commercial assets.
How is the repossession industry structured?
The market is highly fragmented. Top four firms control less than 30 percent of revenue per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]. Regional and local operators handle most volume. Creditors typically assign repos through forwarding companies that distribute work to field agents based on location and asset type.
What is the SBA size standard for Repossession Services?
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], NAICS 561491 has a size standard of $19.0 million in average annual receipts. This determines eligibility for SBA loans, federal contracting, and small business programs.
What NAICS codes are related to repossession services?
Related codes include NAICS 561450 (Credit Bureaus), NAICS 561440 (Collection Agencies), NAICS 488490 (Other Road Transportation Support), NAICS 522110 (Commercial Banking), and NAICS 522220 (Sales Financing). Each interacts with repossession through credit data, debt recovery, or lending relationships per the U.S. Census Bureau[5].
Which industries work most closely with repossession services?
Auto lenders and banks generate the largest volume of assignments. Collection agencies handle monetary recovery alongside physical asset seizure. Law firms advise on compliance. Towing companies provide transport. Credit bureaus record repossession events on consumer credit files.
What activities are included in NAICS 561491?
Core activities include repossessing vehicles, boats, equipment, and appliances; skip tracing; towing and transporting recovered assets; maintaining secure storage; documenting condition; and reporting to creditors per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Compliance documentation is a major operational requirement.
Can repossession businesses get SBA loans?
Yes, firms meeting the $19.0 million size standard qualify for SBA 7(a) loans[9] covering fleet expansion, tow truck purchases, GPS equipment, storage facilities, and working capital. The capital-intensive nature of the business makes SBA financing valuable for growth.
Which states have the highest volume of repossessions?
Texas leads with the highest absolute repossession volume, followed by Florida, California, and Georgia per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]. However, per-capita repossession rates are highest in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, reflecting regional economic conditions and subprime auto lending concentration.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [8]Federal Reserve economic data fred.stlouisfed.org
- [9]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [10]504/CDC loans sba.gov
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