EMERGING ISSUES TRACK: Mortgage Compliance Dataset

President, Firstline Compliance, LLC

Josh Weinberg is the President of Firstline Compliance, a consulting company specializing in mortgage compliance and technology, and a Co-Founder of Talk’uments, the industry’s language solution for increasing market share. He previously served on the MBA's Residential Board of Governors as the Chair of the State Legislative and Regulatory Committee, and is the current and former Chair of MBA’s Regulatory Compliance Committee, and the former Vice Chairman of the Board for MISMO. Before joining Firstline, he held positions as the EVP of Compliance for Guaranteed Rate, Inc. and EVP of Compliance for First Choice Loan Services, Inc. He's worked for a major LOS vendor, in retail banking and non-depository environments, and independently as the owner of a mortgage brokerage.

Sr. Director, Conference of State Bank Supervisors

Kevin Byers is a Senior Director on the Nonbank Supervision and Enforcement team at the Conference of State Bank Supervisors. In this capacity, he supports the state regulatory system and Multistate Mortgage Committee by leading the internal effort to build the use of compliance technology in mortgage origination examinations, as well as monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on mortgage market conditions and participants, leading the development and implementation of mortgage servicing prudential standards, nonbank mortgage company financial condition analysis and risk monitoring, and tracking mortgage policy changes at the state and federal agency level. He has over 25 years of experience in residential and multifamily housing finance, litigation support, and consulting, and, prior to joining CSBS in 2018, managed a forensic accounting practice focused on mortgage and consumer finance matters. He has consulted for various state attorneys general, regulatory agencies, and private attorneys and served on the forensics team for the independent monitor of the National Mortgage Settlement. A graduate of the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia, he can be reached at [email protected].

Counsel, Paul Hastings LLP

Kristopher Knabe is Of Counsel in the Financial Services - Investigations, Regulatory and Litigation group at Paul Hastings, and is based in the firm’s Chicago office. His practice focuses on representing institutions and individuals in a wide range of legal proceedings, including government enforcement actions, class action litigation, regulatory examinations, and internal investigations. He has represented banks, non-bank lenders, fintech companies, and other financial services providers in enforcement matters before various federal and state agencies, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); the Department of Justice (DOJ); federal and state bank regulators; the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and state attorneys general.

VP of Ops Compliance/Licensing, Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, LLC

Melissa Patterson, CMCP is Vice President of Operational Compliance and Licensing at Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, with 19 years of experience in the mortgage industry. She brings deep expertise in regulatory compliance, licensing, and risk management. As a key member of the senior leadership team, she oversees compliance and licensing functions, ensuring adherence to federal and state regulations while supporting business growth and operational efficiency. Patterson brings valuable industry insight and a hands-on approach to navigating today’s complex compliance environment.

Chief Legal Officer, Waterstone Mortgage Corporation

Stephanie Ziebell is the Chief Legal Officer of Waterstone Mortgage Corporation. She serves on the executive leadership team and oversees legal, regulatory compliance, enterprise risk, audit, and corporate governance. Ziebell advises on complex federal and state regulatory matters, including consumer protection, privacy, licensing, and marketing compliance. She partners with business leaders to deliver practical, compliant solutions that support responsible growth in a competitive environment. She also leads regulatory exam responses, strengthens compliance infrastructure, and supports innovation within regulated frameworks.