Speaking Engagements

On October 27, 2025, Monika McCarthy will take the stage at Money20/20 USA on the panel: “Audit-Ready Algorithms: Structuring AI for Easy Regulatory Reviews.” Monika will share practical strategies for embedding transparency and explainability into AI systems to meet regulatory expectations and reduce friction during audits and examinations. With AI’s growing role in expanding credit access, she will emphasize the importance of aligning models with fair lending laws and regularly testing against bias.

Rebecca Escario, CAMS presented on navigating the fair lending risk assessment, as examiners sharpen their focus and expectations continue to rise. In this August 2025 webinar, she shared actionable guidance on identifying potential gaps, strengthening oversight, and maintaining compliance amidst shifting regulatory priorities. 

In July 2025, Rebecca Escario participated on a panel at the Mortgage Bankers Association CRA Residential Lending Workshop, held at MBA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The session explored how data and technology can strengthen CRA compliance—highlighting best practices for collecting and analyzing data, interpreting public CRA metrics and trends, and leveraging analytics tools to uncover opportunities and monitor progress.

Tracey spoke at the Chicagoland Compliance Association Breakfast Meeting on July 10, 2025 at the Northern Trust Building in Chicago. Her session, “FCRA Fundamentals: Permissible Purpose, Information Sharing, and Risk-Based Pricing,” explored key Fair Credit Reporting Act requirements—from obtaining and using consumer reports, to navigating disclosure obligations and aligning with Regulation P. Tracey provided practical tips for strengthening FCRA compliance management systems and avoiding common audit pitfalls.

Liza Warner took part in a fireside chat on the state of banking and regulatory compliance at the Godfrey & Kahn 2025 Credit & Liquidity Conference, held in Milwaukee on June 5th. Joined by fellow presenter Edward Hida, the session titled “Regulatory Environment – Are We There Yet?” offered insights into current regulatory challenges and trends. The conference brought together leaders in banking, law, investment banking, and private equity to discuss credit risks, strategic responses to today’s financial landscape, and emerging market developments.

Heidi Wier, CMCP, presented a webinar with the Bank Administration Institute (BAI) on May 29th, 2025. The session, Board Communication Strategies That Improve Risk Management and Compliance, focused on how strong communication between compliance professionals and the board can enhance decision-making and risk oversight. Heidi explored best practices such as preparing board members with pre-read materials, delivering concise and unbiased executive summaries, using secure board portals for streamlined information sharing, and developing targeted board training.

Rebecca Escario presented on Community Credit Needs Assessments and Special Purpose Credit Programs: Evolving Solutions to Address and Mitigate Redlining Risk. Her session explored how lenders can identify credit gaps and strengthen equitable lending efforts while managing regulatory and fair lending risk.

Monika McCarthy moderated the Insurance Coverage 101 for In House Counsel panel at the American Bar Association Business Law Section Spring Meeting on April 25, 2025 in New Orleans. The event brought together legal and compliance professionals from across the country for a series of insightful sessions on consumer financial services, banking law, and more.

Sara McGinnis presented a webinar on March 13, 2025, from 1-2 PM CT on the topic of addressing regulatory change management and its impact on policies and procedures. This free webinar was hosted by the Bank Administration Institute (BAI). Participants learned how to navigate the complex landscape of federal and state regulatory changes, assess their impact on their organizations, and implement effective strategies for compliance. Sara shared valuable insights on identifying changes, conducting risk assessments, overcoming obstacles, and updating policies and procedures.

Rebecca Escario presented at the American Bar Association’s Consumer Financial Services Committee meeting in Denver on January 26th, 2025. Rebecca joined a panel with Tim Lambert, moderated by Ken Scott, to discuss the latest on Section 1071 – how institutions can assess potential fair lending risks through their small business data and implement compliance enhancements. 

Rebecca Escario presented at the Central Florida Compliance Association (CFCA) 2025 Annual Conference on in January 2025 on the topics of fair lending and redlining. Drawing from her 30+ years of experience in compliance and fair lending, Rebecca delivered insights that helped strengthen organizational practices in these areas. Her session addressed discriminatory lending practices, offering actionable strategies for compliance professionals.

In December 2024, Heidi Wier and Rebecca Escario presented a webinar in collaboration with the CCA: Let’s See Now, an Update on Reg C and Reg CC – a Primer on HMDA and Expedited Funds Availability. This double-feature session explored key updates on HMDA compliance and the Expedited Funds Availability Act (Regulation CC), providing practical tips and best practices to enhance compliance efforts.

Monika McCarthy moderated a panel at the California MBA Legal Issues and Regulatory Compliance Conference in December 2024, in Irvine, CA. The panel focused on Enforcement, Litigation, and Fair Lending Trends, providing valuable insights into critical issues shaping the mortgage industry.

November 12, 2024 Rebecca Escario presented a webinar for the American Bankers Association (ABA) Fair Lending and UDAAP Working Group on the topic of Small Banks and Section 1071: Preparing for Small Business Data Collection and Reporting. Rebecca shared insights and strategies to help small banks navigate the small business data collection and reporting requirements under Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act.

Rebecca Escario shared her insights on Fair Lending at the Tri-State League of Financial Institutions Annual Training Meeting on October 30th, 2024 at Union Savings Bank in Cincinnati, OH.

Monika McCarthy and John Pace spoke at the Utah Bankers Association Fall Compliance Conference at Zermatt Utah Resort, October 28-30, 2024. Monika covered “Hot Topics in Fair Lending” and “Doing More with Less: Selecting and Working with Outside Counsel,” while John discussed “Dodd-Frank Section 1071: Objects in Mirror are Closer than They Appear,” focusing on the CFPB’s Small Business Lending Rule and its impact on small business lenders. CrossCheck Compliance was proud to sponsor the event.

At the CCA’s Annual Conference on October 3rd, 2024 Sara McGinnis, CRCM, CAMS, CAFP and Tracey Levandoski, CRCM spoke on the topic of Compliance Risk Management for the Future, offering insights into compliance management system tips and reminders for addressing evolving risks and increased regulatory expectations.

Heidi Wier spoke at the America’s Credit Unions’ Compliance & Risk Council Conference in Chicago on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. Heidi presented “Fair Lending for Credit Unions Approaching $10 Billion,” focusing on the DOJ’s Combatting Redlining Initiative and strategies for effective fair lending programs. Attendees learned what to include in their fair lending programs, what types of data analytics to perform, and how to assess risk related to underwriting, pricing, levels of service, and redlining.

Monika McCarthy’s session on Sunday, September 22nd, 2024 at the Mortgage Bankers Association Compliance and Risk Management Conference in Washington, DC, titled “Compliance Conversations: Fair Lending, LEP, and SPCPs,” featured a facilitated discussion where attendees asked questions and exchanged information on how peers were addressing compliance challenges related to Fair Lending, Limited English Proficiency (LEP), and Special Purpose Credit Programs (SPCP). Monika facilitated this session alongside Daniella Casseres and Joshua Weinberg.

Ryan Addabbo conducted a CFCA webinar on Fair Lending Analysis: How to Use Data Analysis as Part of a Strong Fair Lending Compliance Program on July 17th, 2024. Ryan covered essential topics such as building a robust fair lending compliance program, strategies for data monitoring to assess fair lending risk, understanding HMDA data, identifying disparities and outliers, and reviewing for redlining risk.