The Maryland Department of Labor’s Office of Financial Regulation has named two new assistant commissioners.

Bob Yeager is Assistant Commissioner for Policy. He advises the Commissioner of Finance on creating policy, legislation, and programs to protect Maryland consumers and promote a safe and competitive environment for the State’s financial services industries. He also oversees the Office’s legislative and regulatory response and the Student Loan Ombudsman’s office.

Prior to joining the Office, Yeager was Maryland’s first State Tax Sale Ombudsman and served as Legislative Officer for the State’s Department of Assessment and Taxation. Yeager also served as Director of the Maryland Homeowner Protection Program

A licensed Maryland attorney, Yeager has served on the Attorney General’s Access to Justice Task Force committees, the Government Finance Officers Association, and is a member of the Maryland Council on Economic Education.

Meredith Merchant has been named Assistant Commissioner for Consumer and External Affairs. In her role, she oversees all activities related to the Office’s consumer complaint investigatory and resolution process, consumer and stakeholder outreach and education, and reporting and statistical analyses. Merchant also advises the Commissioner in creating policy, legislation, and programs to protect Maryland consumers and promote a safe and competitive environment for the State’s financial services industries.

Merchant has been with the Office for over nine years. She previously held the positions of Director of Outreach and Education and Director of Foreclosure Administration.

Prior to joining the Office, Merchant was Program Officer for the Baltimore Neighborhood Collaborative and staff lead for the Baltimore Homeownership Preservation Coalition