Elizabeth Meza
Costa Mesa
Summary
Accomplished Mortgage Compliance and Licensing Director with over 25 years of experience in the mortgage industry. Expertise in Mortgage Licensing, Fair Lending, and Risk Assessment, providing comprehensive research and strategic guidance on federal and state regulations. Proven ability to ensure Mortgage Compliance Assurance through effective implementation of lending laws, meticulous loan testing, and robust quality control management. Recognized for commitment to fostering regulatory adherence while enhancing operational efficiency and risk mitigation.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Compliance Officer and Licensing Director
Optimum First Inc
Huntington Beach, CA, USA
04.2023 - Current
- In my role as the Mortgage Compliance Director at Optimum, I am responsible for the development, implementation, and management of the company's mortgage compliance programs.
- This involves ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations through the creation of policies, conducting risk assessments, performing audits, providing staff training, and preparing regulatory reports.
- I also serve as a vital link between leadership and regulatory agencies to reduce legal risks and foster ethical lending practices.
- I am responsible for preparing and submitting XML reports in NMLS (call reports) and to state regulators for quarterly reporting.
- I ensure that compliance requirements are met and that all reports are submitted in a timely manner.
- I also obtain and maintain Corporate Licensing, leveraging my extensive experience with company licensing needs and the sales team.
- As the head of the Licensing Department, I am well-versed in the practices and procedures within the Mortgage licensing sector.
- I serve as the NMLS Administrator.
- I have researched and assessed state and federal laws, as well as federal and state guidelines, rules, and regulations for RESPA, TILA, HMDA, DFPI, and CFPB Investor requirements, along with government (FHA, VA, and USDA) requirements.
- I have contributed to enhancing business practices and provided counsel and guidance to Senior Management on business risk assessments.
- I support the Marketing Team and assist with marketing compliance by reviewing marketing materials and providing feedback, and I'm responsible for monitoring Social Media activity for both Individuals & Company.
- I served as the primary point of contact for Compliance with agencies and investors, ensuring the accuracy of information related to regulations in risk assessment tools while promoting consistency in controls.
- I oversee and manage the company's LEI-GMEIU account.
- I drafted and researched policies and procedures with compliance implications, including the updating or introduction of necessary forms and disclosures.
- I monitored and ensured the implementation of operational changes required to comply with Agency and regulatory updates.
- I possess a thorough understanding of state and federal laws and regulations related to mortgage compliance.
- I managed investor relations and warehouse lines, which included completing applications for investor approval and fulfilling annual certification-specific requirements, as well as serving as the head of the Trailing Docs Department and QC.
- I'm the Comergence Administrator.
- Ensured compliance with federal and state regulations in mortgage lending processes.
- Developed and implemented risk management strategies to mitigate potential compliance issues.
- Conducted regular audits of policies and procedures, identifying areas for improvement.
- Provided training sessions for staff on compliance requirements and best practices.
- Reviewed loan documentation for adherence to internal guidelines and regulatory standards.
- Collaborated with legal teams to address compliance-related inquiries and challenges.
- Monitored industry trends to update compliance programs in alignment with changing regulations.
- Prepared detailed reports on compliance status for senior management review and decision-making.
- Managed relationships with regulators, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure transparent operations.
- Assisted with internal and external audits to confirm compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Promoted a culture of continuous improvement through ongoing evaluation and refinement of compliance program elements.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to address compliance concerns, fostering a culture of shared responsibility.
- Enhanced regulatory compliance by developing and implementing comprehensive policies and procedures.
- Reduced the risk of financial penalties by conducting thorough internal audits on a regular basis.
- Demonstrated adaptability in response to evolving industry standards, maintaining best practices in a dynamic regulatory environment.
- Spearheaded investigations into potential violations, promptly addressing issues to maintain company reputation and avoid sanctions.
- Provided expert guidance on complex regulatory matters, enabling informed decision-making within the organization.
- Championed ethical business practices, instilling a sense of corporate social responsibility across all departments.
- Leveraged technology solutions for efficient tracking and reporting of compliance-related activities and metrics.
- Designed risk assessment frameworks to evaluate organizational vulnerabilities and prioritize areas requiring attention.
- Strengthened company reputation with development and implementation of effective compliance training program for all employees.
- Optimized resource allocation for compliance activities by analyzing data trends and focusing on high-risk areas.
- Ensured continuous improvement in compliance practices by setting up feedback loop with key stakeholders.
- Coordinated with external regulators to clarify compliance expectations and ensure company practices were fully aligned.
- Enhanced regulatory compliance by auditing and revising company policies and procedures.
- Oversaw implementation of compliance software solution, enhancing tracking and reporting of compliance data.
- Facilitated communication between departments, ensuring timely updates on compliance changes and their impact on operations.
- Improved stakeholder confidence by presenting clear and concise compliance reports at board meetings.
Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)/Licensing Director
Home Mortgage Alliance Corporation (HMAC)
01.2021 - 04.2023
Executive Compliance Manager
Secure One Capital
01.2016 - 01.2021
Compliance Officer
OGI Mortgage Bankers
01.2010 - 01.2016
QC Senior Executive/Compliance Manager
Wells Fargo, Mortgage
01.2001 - 01.2010
Compliance Officer
Countrywide Home Loans
01.1999 - 01.2001
Compliance Risk Assessor
Freedom Direct Lending Group
01.1993 - 01.1999
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business Fundamentals and Business Applications
University of Phoenix
Costa Mesa, CA 09.1993 - 06.1997
Skills
Mortgage Regulations
Compliance
Audits and Examinations Management
Vendor Management
Cybersecurity
Cloud Computing
SQL
Data Analysis
Risk Management
Excel
Project management
Marketing Review and Management
Policies
Due Diligence
Leadership
Communication
Adaptability
Accomplishments
- NAMU CMCO Certification- Mortgage Compliance Officer
- Compliance Training for Mortgage Lending
- Regulatory Compliance for Loan Origination
- Dodd-Frank Rollback- New Rules Defined
- Mortgage Fraud Audits Course
- Quality Control of Mortgage Lending Course
- Detecting Mortgage Fraud Course
- Compliance Management System Training Program
- Mortgage Licensing Management Training Program
Timeline
Compliance Officer and Licensing Director
Optimum First Inc
04.2023 - Current
Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)/Licensing Director
Home Mortgage Alliance Corporation (HMAC)
01.2021 - 04.2023
Executive Compliance Manager
Secure One Capital
01.2016 - 01.2021
Compliance Officer
OGI Mortgage Bankers
01.2010 - 01.2016
QC Senior Executive/Compliance Manager
Wells Fargo, Mortgage
01.2001 - 01.2010
Compliance Officer
Countrywide Home Loans
01.1999 - 01.2001
Bachelor of Arts - Business Fundamentals and Business Applications
University of Phoenix
09.1993 - 06.1997
Compliance Risk Assessor
Freedom Direct Lending Group
01.1993 - 01.1999