John G. Walsh
| John G. Walsh | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 31st Comptroller of the Currency | |
| In office August 15, 2010 – March 2012 | |
| Preceded by | John Dugan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
| Residence | Catonsville, Maryland |
| Alma mater | University of Notre Dame (B.A.) Kennedy School of Government (M.P.P.) |
John G. Walsh[1] is an American economist who was the acting Comptroller of the Currency from 2010 until 2012. He had been Chief of Staff and Public Affairs at the office since October 2005 and became interim Comptroller on August 15, 2010 following John Dugan. He ceased being interim Comptroller with the March 29, 2012 Senate confirmation of Thomas Curry to be Comptroller.
Walsh previously served as executive director of the Group of 30, a nonprofit consultative group that studies international economic and monetary affairs. He has served on the staff of the Senate Banking Committee from 1986 to 1992 and as an International Economist for the US Treasury Department from 1984 to 1986. He has also been an International Program Analyst at the Office of Management and Budget, has worked with the Mutual Broadcasting System, and served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Ghana.[2]
Career at the OCC
The OCC's main tasks under Walsh's leadership have been:[3]
- Continued supervision of the national banking system as the country emerges from recession
- Implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act's new requirements, including the transfer of the Office of Thrift Supervision's functions into the OCC
- Completion of the Basel III capital accord
Controversial issues
On June 21, 2011 Walsh spoke before the Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation in London, warning about the dangers of excessive financial regulation. He called it a "swinging pendulum problem" and expressed his view that "we are in danger of trying to squeeze too much risk and complexity out of banking as we institute reforms to address problems and abuses stemming from the last crisis".[4]
The following day, three senators -- Jack Reed (D-RI), Carl Levin (D-MI), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) -- called for a "fundamental rethink of the OCC's leadership" arguing that Walsh "is not interested in leading an agency charged with ensuring the safety and soundness of our financial institutions".[5]
The OCC released a statement on June 23 suggesting the senators took Walsh's speech out of context and defending the Comptroller.[6]
Current status
On September 8, 2011 a Senate panel approved the nomination of Thomas Curry, who currently serves as a director of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., as Comptroller of the Currency. Curry must now be confirmed by the full Senate.[7]
The Senate confirmed Curry on March 29, 2012, ending Walsh's tenure as interim Comptroller.
References
- ↑ Wutkowski, Karey (2010-07-23). "Treasury names John Walsh acting head of OCC". Reuters.
- ↑ "About John Walsh". oss.treas.gov. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
- ↑ "John Walsh Becomes Acting Comptroller of the Currency". OCC News and Releases. 2010-08-16.
- ↑ "Acting Comptroller Highlights Regulatory Opportunity and Risk for the Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation" (PDF). OCC News and Issuances. 2011-06-21.
- ↑ "Reed Urges a "Fundamental Rethink" of Leadership at the OCC". reed.senate.gov. 2011-06-22.
- ↑ Panchuk, Kerry (2011-06-23). "OCC says comptroller attacked unfairly after London speech". Housing Wire.
- ↑ Mattingly, Phil (2011-07-01). "US Senate Panel Approves Slate of Obama Regulatory Nominees". Bloomberg.