Cornerstone Licensing

06/02/2026

Cornerstone’s latest newsletter is out, with a fresh round of licensing and regulatory updates shaping financial services.

Inside this edition:

• Colorado’s new AI decisioning law
• Federal momentum on digital asset oversight
• New licensing questions for BNPL, loan assignees, and money transmission
• Enforcement actions tied to unlicensed activity in multiple states
• Cybersecurity, coerced debt, and disclosure developments to watch
• California and Illinois agency and oversight updates
• Maryland changes affecting mortgage sponsorship structures
• New licensing resources

Read it all here & make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss an update:
https://hubs.ly/Q04jGqqN0

Stay informed and prepared with our February newsletter, featuring key insights and important Regulatory Updates in financial services.

06/02/2026

A debt collection license is not always the full answer. Christy Barger breaks down how asset classes like auto, consumer installment, and payday can trigger separate licensing requirements, depending on the structure of the portfolio and the states involved. This is where a lot of licensing projects expand quickly.

Learn more and watch the full recording on demand, linked in the comments below.

05/28/2026

The passive debt purchaser question has shifted over the last several years, largely because of how the FDCPA defines debt collectors. In this clip from our recent debt buyer licensing webinar, Ari Derman explains how many state licensing frameworks mirror that language, which can change the analysis even when an entity has no direct consumer contact. It is a useful look at why firms need to read both the federal definition and the state licensing statute closely.

Learn more and watch the full recording on demand, linked in the comments below.

05/27/2026

Today we’re celebrating Joe Liffrig’s 4-year anniversary at Cornerstone.

As CTO, Joe brings a rare mix of technical skill, curiosity, and steady leadership to the work we do every day. He has a knack for taking complex licensing challenges and turning them into tools and systems that save time, reduce manual work, and make life easier for both our team and our clients.

Joe is thoughtful and focused on finding better ways to solve hard problems. His work has made a lasting impact across Cornerstone and helped strengthen the way we support our clients.

Outside of work, Joe raises pigs and chickens, coaches youth basketball, and is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Joe, thanks for 4 years of hard work and great leadership. We’re grateful to have you on the team!

05/26/2026

Debt buying structures are getting more defined, especially when firms decide which entity will sit out front, hold the license, and handle consumer contact. In this clip, Joann Needleman explains that the structure itself does not remove scrutiny from the entities behind the scenes. Even when an entity is not licensed, there may still be responsibility under the FDCPA or state law, depending on the facts.

Learn more and watch the full recording on demand, linked in the comments below.

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to remember those who gave their lives in service to our country. We honor their sacrifice, courage, and the lasting impact of their service. We also extend our gratitude to the families who continue to carry that loss. May we reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day and keep their memory close.



05/21/2026

Yesterday, we held a great webinar with Ari Derman and Joann Needleman of Clark Hill Law and Christy Young Barger on debt buyer licensing, passive debt purchaser risk, and the growing complexity around portfolio structure. We covered how states are taking a closer look at entity naming, SPV structures, affiliated entities, asset class triggers, and the licensing questions that come up long before collection activity begins. A big part of the conversation focused on how much has changed over the last few years, and why licensing strategy needs to be addressed early when deals are being structured.

If you missed it, you can watch the recording anytime, linked in the comments below.

05/19/2026

Meet Lauren Murphy, a Licensing Specialist at Cornerstone who helps clients work through complex, state-specific licensing challenges.

With 10 years of mortgage licensing experience and work across all 50 states, Lauren is known for helping move difficult applications forward and bringing clarity to the process. She has also helped train team members, build internal resources, and expand her work into debt collection, money transmission, and other licensing areas.

Check out the carousel for a quick look at Lauren’s experience, what she enjoys most about the work, and what makes Cornerstone’s culture meaningful to her. Link to her full story is in the comments below.