One of fair lending's consumer advocate champions may be moving from his position of public motivator to government activator. Chris Lewis, director of banking and housing policy for the Consumer Federation of America and frequently a thorn in the side of the mortgage lending industry, is reportedly close to taking a position with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in its community development division.
Industry sources believe that Lewis will have a role in the implementation of the newly proposed Community Reinvestment Act regulations. However, the OCC said it is talking with Lewis about a position in the Office of Community Development where he would be acting as a liaison between banks and community organizations. Details of the offer have not been made public.
Lewis, who also served as head of banking policy at the Association for Community Organizations for Reform Now!, is expected to start at OCC in October.
