Alison Stokes, CRCM

Compliance Executive & Strategic Advisor

Alison
Stokes, CRCM

Enterprise Compliance · Fintech & Digital Banking · Fair Lending · CMS Architecture

Senior compliance executive with 15+ years building and leading enterprise compliance programs across banking, fintech, and digital lending environments. Deep expertise in BSA/AML, FinCEN requirements, fair lending, and consumer protection. Known for principled judgment, credible independent challenge, and the ability to make innovation both bold and defensible.

CRCM Certified Second-Line Oversight AI-Enabled Compliance BSA/AML & FinCEN CFPB · OCC · FDIC BaaS & Fintech
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Who I Am

Built on depth.
Driven by purpose.

I am a compliance executive who has spent 15+ years at the intersection of regulatory rigor and business growth. My career spans JPMorgan Chase, U.S. Bank (formerly MUFG Union Bank), and Experian — each role deepening my conviction that compliance is not a guardrail, it is a competitive advantage.

I have led enterprise Compliance Management Systems from the ground up, guided organizations through some of the most demanding federal and state regulatory examinations, and built second-line programs that give leadership the confidence to move fast without breaking things.

Outside of the executive work, I am a long-term mentor to small business owners through MicroMentor, a real estate investor, and an entrepreneur developing two consumer-facing apps rooted in my personal passions. I believe the same clarity of thought that makes a strong compliance leader makes a strong builder — and I bring both to everything I do.

15+
Years of Leadership
10+
Regulatory Exams Led
18
Team Members Developed
$30B+
Consumer Asset Portfolio Oversight
20+
Years Mentoring
4
Major Institutions
What I Do

Areas of deep expertise

⚖️

Fair Lending & Consumer Protection

ECOA/Reg B, FHA, HMDA, FCRA, and UDAAP program governance across the full credit lifecycle. Direct ownership of fair lending risk frameworks, disparate impact monitoring, and regulatory exam defense.

🏛️

Enterprise CMS Architecture

Designing, building, and scaling Compliance Management Systems across consumer lending, payments, and digital banking. Methodology development, QA frameworks, and board-level reporting aligned to risk appetite.

🔍

Regulatory Examinations

End-to-end management of CFPB, OCC, FDIC, and state examinations — from readiness through remediation closure. Exam strategy, response governance, and ongoing supervisory relationship management.

🤖

AI-Driven Compliance

Governance oversight for data-driven and AI-enabled decision environments. Translating regulatory expectations into practical controls within technology-enabled lending platforms; partnering with ML and product teams.

🔗

BaaS, Fintech & BSA/AML Oversight

Second-line compliance oversight for bank-as-a-service and fintech partner programs. BSA/AML program governance including CDD/EDD, FinCEN requirements, and suspicious activity reporting. Third-party risk management and consumer protection alignment across digital financial services.

📊

Monitoring, Testing & Risk Reporting

Risk-based monitoring frameworks, compliance testing programs, control inventory management, and executive dashboard development using Power BI and Looker. AI-enabled reporting automation.

Career

A track record
built over decades

Every role has added a new dimension — from lending operations to second-line oversight to fintech advisory. The thread running through all of it is the same: building programs that protect consumers, satisfy regulators, and give organizations the confidence to grow.

Request Resume
Feb 2024 – Sep 2025
Director, Compliance Operations — North America
Experian · Remote
Led enterprise compliance operations for a regulated financial services and data analytics organization. Oversaw CMS operations, fair lending and FCRA oversight, regulatory examinations, and a team of 18 compliance professionals. Modernized compliance reporting through AI-enabled automation and Power BI dashboards.
Mar 2010 – Jul 2023
SVP, Compliance Manager — Consumer Lending
U.S. Bank (formerly MUFG Union Bank) · San Diego, CA
13+ years of sustained fair lending and regulatory leadership across one of the nation's largest banks. Owned enterprise fair lending program, ECOA/Reg B governance, HMDA integrity, and disparate impact monitoring across mortgage, credit card, and consumer loan portfolios. Led multiple OCC and CFPB examinations.
Mar 2003 – Dec 2008
Senior Compliance Officer
JPMorgan Chase · San Diego, CA
Senior compliance partner for residential lending and credit card business lines. Fair lending oversight, control design, CRA program governance, and regulatory advisory across consumer products.
Earlier Experience
Operational Foundation
Washington Mutual Bank · TREO Funding · Bank of America
Hands-on experience across the full mortgage lifecycle — origination, underwriting, funding, and servicing — providing the operational foundation for every compliance leadership role that followed.
Advisory

Compliance that
enables growth

Through my consulting practice, I provide senior compliance advisory to financial institutions, fintechs, and emerging financial services companies. My engagements focus on organizations that need experienced, second-line perspective without building a full in-house team from scratch.

I have advised executives and boards across CMS maturity assessments, regulatory exam preparation, fair lending program design, and fintech partnership governance. Every engagement is grounded in the same principle: compliance is most valuable when it enables the business, not when it simply slows it down.

CMS Assessment Exam Readiness Fair Lending Programs BaaS Oversight Board Reporting Remediation Strategy
"Your thorough approach, grounded in the actual regulatory citations, is a model for how to deal with many such issues. This is the sort of work that elevates the company and allows all parties to focus on real risks."
— Michael H., Head of Retail Lending Operations
Beyond the Brief

The full picture
of who I am

01

Mentor & Community Builder

For 20+ years I have mentored small business owners through MicroMentor, with a particular focus on underserved entrepreneurs. I also serve through the African American Board Leadership Institute. Giving back is not separate from my professional identity — it is part of it.

02

Entrepreneur & Builder

I am developing two consumer-facing web applications rooted in personal passions — organic Chinese teas and designer accessories. Building these ventures has sharpened my understanding of what it takes to bring a product to market responsibly, which makes me a more effective compliance partner for the companies I work with.

03

Real Estate Investor & AI Practitioner

I actively invest in real estate and am enrolled in an AI certification program — applying AI tools practically across compliance automation, reporting, and business operations. I believe the leaders who will define the next decade of financial services are the ones who understand both the regulatory landscape and the technology reshaping it.

Published Work

Insights & thought leadership

Published Article · Banking Compliance

SBA Lending in a Changing Risk Environment: What Compliance Officers Should Be Watching Now

Banks navigating SBA lending today face faster origination expectations, more sophisticated fraud schemes, and heightened documentation standards. This article outlines the key compliance focus areas — from fraud controls and file integrity to third-party oversight and exam readiness — that protect the institution while enabling responsible growth.

By Alison Stokes, CRCM  ·  February 2026
Read Article
+

More insights coming soon.

+

More insights coming soon.

Testimonials

What colleagues
say about working with me

"The OCC stated that we did not treat Hispanics differently and met FHA requirements. Our processes are consistent and they did not see variances in our processing. Thank you for all of your efforts and dedication, as well as your amazing partnership."
DC
Diana C.
Regulatory Business Control Group Manager
"Your thorough approach, grounded in actual regulatory citations, is a model for how to deal with many such issues. This is the sort of work that elevates the company and allows all parties to focus on real risks rather than creating self-inflicted spirals."
MH
Michael H.
Head of Retail Lending Operations
"Alison continues to be an incredible leader and partner. With voice of reason and experience, she takes on the most difficult of cases. We have seen some of the most complex customer escalations and I cannot do this job without her input and guidance."
LS
Lynn S.
Customer Resolution Manager
"Thank you for helping to process 15,000 loans worth $2.5 billion for our clients. This ambitious effort required extraordinary collaboration and your flawless execution has not gone unnoticed. We are very proud of our team for stepping up."
SH
Scott H.
Head of Bank Operations
"As someone who has benefitted greatly from your mentorship, I truly appreciate your kindness and encouragement. Your thoughtful note accompanying the 'Moments that Matter' award meant more than you know."
TA
Thomas A., Esq.
Mentee
"Thank you for you and your team always being so helpful and getting all of our requests that require approval reviewed in a timely manner. It is always wonderful working with you!"
CK
Candice K.
Sr. Business Technology Analyst
Connect

Let's start
a conversation

Get in touch

Whether you are exploring a compliance leadership hire, a consulting engagement, or simply want to connect — I am open to the conversation.

✉
[email protected]
☎
(619) 807-0478
in
linkedin.com/in/alison-stokes-crcm