Travel is a regular part of the job for many financial services examiners, but frequent trips can quickly become exhausting without the right habits. 

In this episode of In the Loop, hosts Kareeme Tucker and Derek Storms sit down with Melissa Sanchez, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor, Certified Travel Coach, and owner of Spellbound Vacations LLC. Together, they share practical strategies for making business travel easier, including how to pack more efficiently, avoid common travel mistakes, maximize airline and hotel rewards. They also share how to streamline the airport experience and stay healthy and safe while on the road. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to pack smarter and build travel routines that make frequent business trips less stressful
• Strategies for navigating airports more efficiently using loyalty programs, security programs, and travel tools
• Practical ways to stay comfortable, healthy, and safe while traveling for work

Chapter Markers

(00:00) Introduction

(02:34) Meet travel expert Melissa Sanchez

(05:16) Common mistakes business travelers make

(08:40) Packing routines that reduce travel stress

(11:14) Carry-on essentials and versatile packing strategies

(13:52) Packing hacks every frequent traveler should know

(20:58) Airport efficiency tips and TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry

(27:38) Saving money on airport food and travel rewards

(36:00) Airport lounges and choosing the right seat

(41:17) Hotel routines for better sleep, safety, and comfort

(48:52) Healthy eating and staying energized while traveling

(52:16) Hotel gyms and maintaining routines on the road

(54:48) Fishbowl questions and favorite pizza spot

Resources:

Derek Storms’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-storms-81026269/
Kareeme Tucker’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kareemetucker/ 

Melissa Sanchez’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-sanchez-vta-cta-a4162b55/

Examiners know the drill—new city, long day, and one important question: Where are we eating?

Finding a good spot near the job site that won’t wreck your per diem can be tough… but don’t worry, we’ve got a slice of help.

Introducing the In the Loop Pizza List—a delicious collection of favorite pizza spots from across the country, built from more than 10 years of examiner feedback.

Because when it comes to road food, pizza always delivers.

With every episode of In the Loop, we ask our guests to share their go-to pizza place, so the list keeps growing one slice at a time.

Got a favorite pizza joint? Send it our way—we’d love to add it.

This list is not an endorsement by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors… just our best attempt to make sure no examiner suffers through bad pizza on the road.

Stay hungry. Stay traveling. Stay In the Loop.

A career in financial regulation offers far more opportunities than many examiners realize.

In this episode of In the Loop, hosts Kareeme Tucker and Derek Storms are joined by Rhoshunda Kelly, Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance, Kelly Lammers, Director of the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance, and Susannah Marshall, Commissioner of the Arkansas State Bank Department to reflect on their own career journeys. They discuss the skills and experiences that prepare examiners for long-term success, and share practical advice on leadership development, career progression, and navigating opportunities available within state financial services regulation.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The communication and leadership skills that matter most for successful financial examiners
• Practical ways to grow your career through new opportunities, specialized roles, and leadership development
• How experienced regulators build long-term careers and what today's examiners can do to prepare for the future

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introduction
(02:38) Meet the guests: Three regulatory leaders share their backgrounds
(05:57) How each guest accidentally became a financial examiner
(13:00) Early career challenges and earning credibility as a young examiner
(16:08) Why communication is the most important examiner skill
(18:16) When examining became a long-term career
(22:24) Career transitions from examiner to regulatory leadership
(24:18) The best career advice for aspiring examiners and future leaders
(28:01) Career paths beyond traditional field examinations
(31:00) Certifications, specialization, and expanding your opportunities
(33:56) What separates future leaders from great examiners
(38:03) Building communication and leadership skills on the job
(40:29) Advice for mid-career examiners preparing for the next step
(42:19) Lessons that prepared today's commissioners and directors for leadership
(43:45) The skills tomorrow's regulatory leaders will need
(47:25) Fishbowl questions: Coffee, travel tips, examiner life, and favorite pizza

Resources:

Derek Storms’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-storms-81026269/
Kareeme Tucker’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kareemetucker/ 

Rhoshunda Kelly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhoshunda-kelly-3775a293/

Kelly Lammers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-lammers-6878aba/

Susannah Marshall: https://securities.arkansas.gov/about/commissioner/ 

Examiners know the drill—new city, long day, and one important question: Where are we eating?

Finding a good spot near the job site that won’t wreck your per diem can be tough… but don’t worry, we’ve got a slice of help.

Introducing the In the Loop Pizza List—a delicious collection of favorite pizza spots from across the country, built from more than 10 years of examiner feedback.

Because when it comes to road food, pizza always delivers.

With every episode of In the Loop, we ask our guests to share their go-to pizza place, so the list keeps growing one slice at a time.

Got a favorite pizza joint? Send it our way—we’d love to add it.

This list is not an endorsement by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors… just our best attempt to make sure no examiner suffers through bad pizza on the road.

Stay hungry. Stay traveling. Stay In the Loop.

Mortgage compliance is changing faster than ever, with technology, AI, and multistate oversight reshaping how companies and regulators work together.

In this episode of In the Loop, hosts Kareeme Tucker and Derek Storms sit down with Melissa Koupal, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at CMG Mortgage, and Jeff Midbo, SVP and Chief Compliance Officer at United Wholesale Mortgage. They dive into how the mortgage industry is adapting to AI-driven workflows, navigating multistate exams, and fostering collaboration with regulators to maintain efficiency, risk management, and consumer protection.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How AI and operational tools are streamlining compliance and quality control
• Strategies for balancing efficiency with thorough, risk-focused supervision
• Ways industry and regulators can collaborate for smoother multistate exams

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:33) Guest introductions: Melissa Koupal & Jeff Midbo

(06:05) Individual vs. multistate exams: challenges and benefits

(13:40) Lessons from the OCOE process and exam moratoriums

(15:05) The evolving mortgage environment and technology adoption

(20:16) Leveraging AI for fraud detection, asset verification, and operational efficiency

(26:32) Effective collaboration between industry and regulators during exams

(31:44) SES and NMLS: the importance of consistent systems across states

(36:10) Best practices for remote vs. in-office exams

(38:48) Compliance pro tips: building relationships and learning across organizations

(40:40) Reading preambles, operationalizing regulations, and attention to detail

(41:41) Pizza question: fun insights and personal favorites 

Resources:

Derek Storms’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-storms-81026269/
Kareeme Tucker’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kareemetucker/ 

Jeff Midbo’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-midbo-15268a5/ 

Melissa Koupal’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-koupal/ 

Examiners know the drill—new city, long day, and one important question: Where are we eating?

Finding a good spot near the job site that won’t wreck your per diem can be tough… but don’t worry, we’ve got a slice of help.

Introducing the In the Loop Pizza List—a delicious collection of favorite pizza spots from across the country, built from more than 10 years of examiner feedback.

Because when it comes to road food, pizza always delivers.

With every episode of In the Loop, we ask our guests to share their go-to pizza place, so the list keeps growing one slice at a time.

Got a favorite pizza joint? Send it our way—we’d love to add it.

This list is not an endorsement by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors… just our best attempt to make sure no examiner suffers through bad pizza on the road.

Stay hungry. Stay traveling. Stay In the Loop.

The state examination landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by technology, consumer expectations, and multi-state supervision challenges.

In this episode of In the Loop, hosts Kareeme Tucker and Derek Storms sit down with Bo Fears, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, and Brandon Milhorn, President and CEO of CSBS, to explore the future of state supervision. Bo and Brandon share insights on risk-focused exams, network supervision, and the critical role of technology in empowering examiners to supervise at the speed of business while protecting consumers.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How state supervisors are leveraging technology to streamline multi-state exams
• Practical strategies for fostering innovation while maintaining safety and soundness
• Key lessons for examiners navigating the evolving regulatory landscape

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction

(03:36) Bo Fears’ background and the trust initiative

(09:17) Brandon Milhorn on the value of local control and state supervision

(14:24) Defining effective supervision in the non-bank sector

(19:29) CSBS’ role in examiner development and continuous engagement

(24:49) Risk-focused and shorter exams in practice

(27:00) Network supervision: leveraging multi-state resources

(33:14) Designing the ideal state supervision model

(36:49) Continuous engagement vs. traditional exams

(40:26) Advice for licensees navigating differing state expectations

(47:15) Fishbowl questions: personal insights and favorite pizza spots

Resources:

Derek Storms’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-storms-81026269/
Kareeme Tucker’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kareemetucker/ 

Bo Fears’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oscar-bo-fears-iii-b32755b9/ 

Brandon Milhorn’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmilhorn/ 

Examiners know the drill—new city, long day, and one important question: Where are we eating?

Finding a good spot near the job site that won’t wreck your per diem can be tough… but don’t worry, we’ve got a slice of help.

Introducing the In the Loop Pizza List—a delicious collection of favorite pizza spots from across the country, built from more than 10 years of examiner feedback.

Because when it comes to road food, pizza always delivers.

With every episode of In the Loop, we ask our guests to share their go-to pizza place, so the list keeps growing one slice at a time.

Got a favorite pizza joint? Send it our way—we’d love to add it.

This list is not an endorsement by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors… just our best attempt to make sure no examiner suffers through bad pizza on the road.

Stay hungry. Stay traveling. Stay In the Loop.

The state regulatory industry is constantly evolving, but is it keeping up with the demands of innovation?

In this inaugural episode of In the Loop, Derek Storms and Kareeme Tucker discuss the complexities of balancing regulations with the needs of the industry. Derek Storms, a former supervisor with the Missouri Division of Finance, and Kareeme Tucker, a former examiner and Mortgage Originations Training Team Supervisor with the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks, share how they entered the regulatory field, how they manage constant changes in laws and technology, and how they approach exams as opportunities to coach and guide, but also enforce when necessary.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How state regulators are bridging gaps to build trust
• Practical strategies for staying up-to-date with regulatory changes
• Key lessons from decades of combined regulatory experience

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction

(00:57) Why Derek and Kareeme decided to start this podcast

(03:48) Rapid fire favorites: personal preferences and fun facts

(07:32) How examiners manage work-life balance in their role

(09:04) Staying current on evolving rules and regulations

(12:15) How Derek and Kareeme became regulators in their field

(17:31) Common misconceptions about examiners and regulators

(19:03) What examiners actually do on a day-to-day basis

(20:47) The difference between auditors and examiners – A funny story

(21:40) Most rewarding moments from working as a regulator

(23:38) How Kareeme became a Pittsburgh Steelers fan

(26:02) Living the tiny house life: a personal challenge

(29:53) Dream superpowers: What would they be and why

(32:27) Bridging the regulatory gap: improving collaboration across states

Resources:

Derek Storms’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-storms-81026269/
Kareeme Tucker’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kareemetucker/ 

Examiners know the drill—new city, long day, and one important question: Where are we eating?

Finding a good spot near the job site that won’t wreck your per diem can be tough… but don’t worry, we’ve got a slice of help.

Introducing the In the Loop Pizza List—a delicious collection of favorite pizza spots from across the country, built from more than 10 years of examiner feedback.

Because when it comes to road food, pizza always delivers.

With every episode of In the Loop, we ask our guests to share their go-to pizza place, so the list keeps growing one slice at a time.

Got a favorite pizza joint? Send it our way—we’d love to add it.

This list is not an endorsement by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors… just our best attempt to make sure no examiner suffers through bad pizza on the road.

Stay hungry. Stay traveling. Stay In the Loop.

Being a financial examiner isn’t just about regulations and deadlines. It's about managing stress, keeping up with ever-changing policies, and trying to find balance when work spills over into everything else. It can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone.

Whether you're conducting field exams, managing multiple projects, or balancing work with personal commitments, we’re here to provide the insights and support you need.

Each episode goes beyond the technical. We offer practical tips on stress management, work-life balance, and how to succeed in your career as a bank examiner without burning out. This is your space to connect with others who understand what you’re going through and get the advice you need to keep moving forward.

Stay in the loop by subscribing now and becoming part of a community dedicated to helping financial examiners succeed.