Business advisory firm The Collingwood Group is acquiring GWN Consulting, a firm that specializes in Federal Housing Administration compliance.

The Washington, D.C.-based Collingwood Group is making the move at a time when mortgage lending clients are dealing with an uptick in compliance litigation and claims issues, prompting the business advisory firm to enhance its platform to deal with issues involving FHA and Ginnie Mae risk-management and quality control.

GWN Consulting, based in Northern Virginia, offers FHA compliance, along with risk and claims management. It deals with FHA lender and Ginnie Mae issuer approvals, The Collingwood Group said. The company also has helped lenders effectively respond to FHA and HUD Office of Inspector General audits.

GWN will operate as part of Collingwood’s risk management and compliance division.

Karen Garner, who founded GWN and serves as its president, previously held leadership positions in FHA’s quality assurance division.

“We are excited to bring our extensive FHA compliance expertise to a well respected firm like The Collingwood Group,” Garner said.

Write to Kerri Panchuk.