Haydn J. Richards Jr.

Partner

Washington, D.C. P: 202.719.8217 F: 202.719.8317

Through his actions and collective experience, Haydn Richards has demonstrated that he is one of the foremost leaders in state financial services law and financial services licensing matters. Haydn is a nationally recognized leader on mortgage and financial services licensing matters, including counseling clients relating to the formation of financial services companies and strategic acquisitions. He regularly interacts on behalf of financial services companies with federal and state regulatory agencies, both in adversarial and non-adversarial matters.

Haydn counsels clients on federal and state origination-related issues, as well as all aspects of the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing (SAFE) Act, financial services licensing matters and the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS). He also supports companies related to matters involving residential and commercial mortgage lenders, brokers, and servicers in both the forward mortgage and reverse mortgage industries; consumer finance companies; student loan companies; third-party loan fulfillment companies; money transmitters; fintech companies; and debt collectors.

Haydn regularly interacts with state regulators on behalf of industry members. By matter of example, critical engagements that he has led include:

The largest independent mortgage deal in history, involving the 2025 acquisition of the largest mortgage servicer in the United States.
The 2024 acquisition of a residential mortgage servicer by a diversified financial services platform.
The two largest strategic acquisitions in the mortgage industry during 2023, including multiple acquisitions of residential mortgage lenders and servicers by a diversified financial services platform.
Securing the necessary regulatory approvals to allow a residential mortgage lender to change its ownership through an initial public offering of shares utilizing a special-purpose-acquisition-company, the largest transaction ever of its type.
When state regulatory agencies entered approximately 30 cease and desist orders against a non-depository mortgage servicer on the same day, Haydn successfully negotiated the resolution of those actions over a period of months.

Haydn has experience preparing multistate regulatory surveys regarding all aspects of regulatory compliance for mortgage companies and other settlement service providers. He regularly assists clients with internal and external compliance surveys, facilitates interaction with regulatory agencies, and assists with all aspects of state and federal audits, examinations, and enforcement actions.

Haydn previously served for two years as the chair of the Industry Advisory Council of the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators. Identified as one of only eight “Top Mortgage Regulatory Compliance Lawyers” for 2014 by Mortgage Compliance Magazine, Haydn is a prolific speaker and author on financial services topics. His works provide practical insight to lawyers and non-lawyers. He is the author of the “State Licensing” chapter of the Consumer Financial Services Answer Book, 2024 Edition (Practising Law Institute), among other publications. He is also a member of the CSBS Nonbank Industry Advisory Council (NIAC), NMLS Industry Development Working Group (IDWG), and the AARMR Industry Advisory Council.

"Haydn Richards is a best-in-class consumer finance and licensing attorney.”

CLIENT QUOTED IN CHAMBERS USA

Area(s) of Focus

George Washington University Law School, J.D., 2002
College of William & Mary, B.A., 1999

District of Columbia
Virginia

United States Court of Federal Claims, Honorable Diane Gilbert Sypolt, 2002-2003

Lisner-Louise-Dickson-Hurt Home, Board of Directors

CSBS Nonbank Industry Advisory Council (NIAC)

NMLS Industry Development Working Group (IDWG)

AARMR Industry Advisory Council

American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators (AARMR) Industry Advisory Council, Chair, 2018-2020

Accolades

2027 Best Lawyers Badge

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® Banking and Finance Law, 2026-2027 Listed in Chambers USA Nationwide, Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance), 2015-2016, 2020-2026 Listed in Thomson Reuters Stand-Out Lawyers list, 2026 Mortgage Banker Magazine, “Top Mortgage Regulatory Compliance Lawyer,” 2014 Representing major mortgage lenders and servicers in connection with CFPB and One Company, One Exam preparedness evaluations. Represented dozens of major mortgage lenders, servicers, and financial services companies in connection with their acquisition of major mortgage lenders, servicers, and financial services companies. Provided strategic counsel with respect to regulatory compliance licensing obligations in connection with initial public offerings of securities by financial services companies or private offerings of shares. Regularly dialogue in both adversarial and non-adversarial proceedings before state regulatory agencies, including negotiating settlement agreements. Regularly assist with the development of policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives to proactively address compliance deficiencies. Counseling clients with respect to regulatory compliance matters associated with the build-out of their financial services operations, including mortgage lenders, mortgage servicers, consumer lenders, and student lenders. Regularly assist with due diligence compliance and licensing reviews in connection with investor acquisitions of state-licensed companies engaged in mortgage lending, mortgage servicing and consumer lending activities. Regularly perform audits of the licenses and approvals maintained by financial services companies, including mortgage companies, consumer lenders, student lenders, and debt collectors to ensure full compliance with state laws and regulations. Assisted clients with developing marketing materials that complied with state and federal advertising requirements. Assisted clients with the review of mortgage disclosure forms to ensure their compliance with applicable state law.