Deborah M. Robertson

Deborah M. Robertson is a member in the firm’s Albany office, where she centers her practice in the areas of banking law and consumer financial services law with a focus on mortgage lending, manufactured housing and 50-state licensing and regulatory compliance. Deborah advises financial institutions regarding consumer financial services issues, manufactured housing financing issues, licensing, regulatory compliance, legislative matters and documentation.

Mortgage Lending / Licensing

Deborah was invited by the New York State Banking Department to serve on the committee to develop New York specific test materials for the mortgage loan originator licensing process. As part of the committee, Deborah revised and approved a state outline, assisted in the creation of new test items and assisted with the creation and approval of test specifications and standards. Deborah worked directly with members of the New York State Banking Department on this project as a subject matter expert on New York’s mortgage loan origination laws, regulations and practices.

Deborah is frequently called upon to speak to industry groups on licensing and SAFE Act issues and has been quoted in national banking publications, including American Banker.

Manufactured Housing Finance

Deborah has over 10 years of experience assisting clients in structuring and documenting all aspects of retail and wholesale manufactured housing lending programs throughout the country, including drafting credit documents, consideration of the credit granting process, consumer protection statutes, default and repossession procedures, licensing requirements, titling requirements and perfection of security interests.

Deborah was one of the primary drafters and proponents of New York’s 2003 Senate Bill 4778 revising New York’s Manufactured Housing Certificate of Title Act.

Deborah is the primary drafter of H.R. 5369, a bill to amend the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (SAFE Act) to exempt manufactured and modular housing retailers from the requirements of the Act, which is currently under review in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Regulatory and Compliance

Deborah advises national consumer finance companies regarding state regulatory compliance, including 50-state licensing requirements and maintenance, negotiations with state regulators pertaining to licensing and compliance matters. Deborah also has particular expertise in the areas of residential mortgage lending and state and federal lending law compliance.