The New Rules of State Exams and Compliance with Melissa Grindel, Brett Contreras, and Amanda Tucker

In this episode of Lending Forward, hosts Hannah McManus and Amanda Tucker, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer here at Atlantic Bay are joined by two powerhouse leaders in the compliance world: Melissa Grindle, Executive Vice President and Head of Compliance at ActiveComply and Brett Contreras, Vice President of Compliance at West Capital Lending.

Together, they unpack the rapidly shifting regulatory landscape—one where state-level exams are expanding, interpretations are widening, and what many are calling “50 mini-CFPBs” are beginning to take shape. Drawing from real-time examinations, industry collaboration, and their collective decades of experience, the group breaks down why lenders are seeing broader exam scopes, more frequent audits, and a sharper focus on AI usage, cybersecurity, and state-by-state rule variations.

They also dive into the human side of compliance:
• how to build meaningful relationships with state regulators
• why communication and transparency can prevent enforcement actions
• how technology (and AI) is influencing both lender operations and examiner expectations
• what lenders should prepare for as 2026 approaches

This conversation is equal parts strategic and practical—shedding light on what’s changing, why it matters, and how organizations can stay ahead while protecting consumers and supporting their sales teams.

Lending Forward is the home for real discussions about the industry we love. Hear first-hand insights from Mortgage Bankers, Compliance Executives, Realtors, Financial Advisors, Vendors, and more as we cultivate transparency around the future of lending.

So tell us—how are you lending it forward?