Sonja Blevins
San Antonio,USA
Summary
Proven expertise in consumer lending across major banks, leading mortgage firms, and high-performing brokerage companies. Focused on regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and examination processes. Proficient in operational workflows and loan origination technologies. Demonstrates strong organizational skills and industry knowledge.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
Work History
Bank Officer, Business Control and Project Manager
Flagstar Bank, FSB
Troy, Michigan
06.2020 - Current
- Maintains audit-ready operations and ensures compliance in loan manufacturing.
- Manages audit response efforts and implements mitigation strategies.
- Monitors risk through analysis of business processes for regulatory compliance.
- Develops business controls and executes process improvements to enhance efficiency.
- Oversees issue resolution, providing status updates to senior management.
- Escalates issues to risk partners and manages action plans for resolution.
- Reviewed policies, procedures, and user guides for compliance accuracy.
- Authored new procedures and user guides in response to regulatory changes.
Chief Compliance Officer
Inspire Home Loans
Newport Beach, CA
08.2018 - 06.2020
- Oversaw Compliance Management System to ensure adherence to regulations.
- Led compliance team in establishing a robust framework for oversight and monitoring.
- Monitored loan origination processes to identify regulatory compliance risks.
- Collaborated with IT and business departments to develop controls for LOS system.
- Conducted routine audits of business units to assess regulatory risks for lending requirements.
- Advised business departments on integrating compliance into loan manufacturing processes.
- Reviewed investor delivery compliance issues and resolved concerns.
- Managed state examinations and prepared comprehensive compliance training programs.
Business Fulfillment Operations Control
Flagstar Bank, FSB
08.2017 - 08.2018
- 1st Line of Defense ensuring compliant business practices concerning regulatory requirements and bank policy.
- Liaison for internal audit, audit response and closure.
- Issue management, including escalation to risk partners, project management, corrective action and issue closure.
- Business control gap analysis and Testing.
- Drafted business procedures, user guides and job aids.
- Prepared and performed procedure training for operations.
- Consulted operations on compliance related matters.
- Prepared and presented comprehensive reports to upper management and the audit team, covering issues and recommendations.
Compliance and Quality Control Manager
Inspire Home Loans
Newport Beach, CA
05.2017 - 08.2017
- Built compliance and quality control department framework for start-up builder direct financial institution.
- Drafted quality control and compliance-related procedures.
- Managed quality control audit vendor relations.
- Performed quality control audits pre-funding, post-closing and 'audit the auditor' reviews.
- Prepared monthly QC reports for management.
- Consulted business units on state and federal regulatory requirements.
Compliance Manager
Opes Advisors
Cupertino, CA
08.2016 - 05.2017
- Maintained company's Compliance Management System.
- Performed routine audits to monitor compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements.
- Completed fair lending reviews and advised the company on fair lending business practices.
- Drafted regulatory compliance policies and procedures.
- Managed state examinations.
- Prepared and presented comprehensive reports to upper management that covered compliance-related issues and requirements.
- Provided subject matter expertise on compliance best practices and quality control.
- Developed and performed company-wide compliance training.
Compliance Officer
The Compliance Group
Carlsbad, CA
09.2012 - 08.2016
- Consulted banks and financial institutions on state and federal regulatory matters.
- Drafted regulatory compliance policies and procedures.
- Managed compliance and quality control audits.
- Prepared audit reports for senior management.
- Organized finding response and recommended corrective action.
- Performed AML / BSA Audits and consulted clients on how to establish a compliant Anti-Money Laundering Program.
- Prepared and performed compliance training for compliance related topics.
- Assisted companies in developing compliant business practices.
- Performed fair lending reviews and assessments.
Office Manager, Loan Processor
Laski and Associates
Carlsbad, CA
01.2005 - 01.2012
- Managed fast-paced mortgage brokerage and real estate office.
- Checked packages for appropriate documentation.
- Processed mortgage loan transactions through closing.
- Created, prepared and distributed company marketing materials.
- Coordinated transactions with realtors, buyers and sellers.
- Coordinated closings with escrow and title companies.
Quality Control Manager
The Compliance Group
Carlsbad, CA
01.2002 - 02.2005
- Managed team of auditors and re-verification processors.
- Performed Quality Control reviews according to agency requirements.
- Performed compliance audits such as APR review, TILA timing requirements and state disclosure reviews.
- Prepared monthly reporting for various audits and reviews and delivered results to clients.
- Met with clients to discuss, review audit findings and recommended corrective action.
Office Manager, Loan Processor
Creative Financial Mortgage
Carlsbad, CA
01.1999 - 01.2001
- Processed mortgage loans from origination to closure.
- Prepared initial disclosure packages.
- Submitted loans to underwriting for approval. Worked with lenders to provide loan approval conditions.
- Scheduled closings with borrower, real estate agents, escrow and title companies.
- Managed accounts payable, receivable and trust account reconciliation.
- Managed supply room for the office, ensured necessary office supplies were stocked.
- Scheduled office equipment maintenance and repair.
Loan Funder II, Loan Processor II
Norwest Bank - Mortgage
Carlsbad, CA
01.1993 - 01.1996
- Prepared closing documents such as Note, Deeds, disclosures and related legal notifications.
- Coordinated loan closing with borrowers, escrow and title companies.
- Settled loan transactions with escrow and title companies and disbursed loan proceeds.
- Performed post-closing review and prepared loan for delivery.
- Participated in pilot program establishing single point of contact during loan process performing job functions from initial application through loan funding.
Sr. Loan Funder
Bank United, Commonwealth United Mortgage
Vista, CA
01.1991 - 01.1993
- Prepared closing documents such as Note, Deeds, disclosures and related legal notifications.
- Coordinated loan closing with borrowers, escrow and title companies.
- Settled loan transactions with escrow and title companies and disbursed loan proceeds.
- Performed post-closing review and prepared loan for delivery.
Loan Funder II, Loan Processor II
Great Western Bank
Carlsbad, CA
01.1988 - 01.1991
- Prepared initial disclosure packages.
- Worked with borrowers for documents needed to process loan application.
- Packaged loan for submission to underwriting.
- Prepared closing documents such as Note, Deeds, disclosures and related legal notifications.
- Coordinated loan closing with borrowers, escrow and title companies.
- Settled loan transactions with escrow and title companies and disbursed loan proceeds.
- Performed post-closing review and prepared loan for delivery.
Education
Certificate in Lending Compliance -
ABA
AllRegs BSA/Anti-money Laundering Certificate -
Fair Lending Certificate Program -
AllRegs
School of Mortgage Banking -
AllRegs
Skills
- Regulatory compliance and examinations
- Internal audits
- Quality control and gap analysis
- Risk and control self-assessment
- Process development and documentation
- Loan origination software expertise
- Training module design
- Policy writing and procedures
- Investor relations management
- Issue management
Community Service
- San Diego Hippotherapy
- Path International
- Central Kentucky Riding for Hope
- Horses for Heroes
- Healing Hooves
- American Cancer Society Equine Facilitated Therapy Research Program
- Helen Woodward Animal Center
Timeline
Bank Officer, Business Control and Project Manager
Flagstar Bank, FSB
06.2020 - Current
Chief Compliance Officer
Inspire Home Loans
08.2018 - 06.2020
Business Fulfillment Operations Control
Flagstar Bank, FSB
08.2017 - 08.2018
Compliance and Quality Control Manager
Inspire Home Loans
05.2017 - 08.2017
Compliance Manager
Opes Advisors
08.2016 - 05.2017
Compliance Officer
The Compliance Group
09.2012 - 08.2016
Office Manager, Loan Processor
Laski and Associates
01.2005 - 01.2012
Quality Control Manager
The Compliance Group
01.2002 - 02.2005
Office Manager, Loan Processor
Creative Financial Mortgage
01.1999 - 01.2001
Loan Funder II, Loan Processor II
Norwest Bank - Mortgage
01.1993 - 01.1996
Sr. Loan Funder
Bank United, Commonwealth United Mortgage
01.1991 - 01.1993
Loan Funder II, Loan Processor II
Great Western Bank
01.1988 - 01.1991
Certificate in Lending Compliance -
ABA
AllRegs BSA/Anti-money Laundering Certificate -
Fair Lending Certificate Program -
AllRegs
School of Mortgage Banking -
AllRegs