Jimmy Barton is resigning as chief national bank examiner at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
No date is set, but the agency veteran said he will leave by mid-May. Mr. Barton, 51, hasn't settled on what he'll do next, but said he may become a part-time banking consultant.
"After 27 years of service, it's time for me to do something else," he said.
Mr. Barton will be the comptroller's last chief examiner because the agency plans to divvy up the position's responsibilities.
For example, the 80 or so examiners who scrutinize national banks' information systems will be placed under James Kamihachi, the senior deputy comptroller for economics and policy analysis. Capital markets examiners will be supervised by Scott Calhoun, deputy comptroller for risk analysis.
Rep. Michael G. Oxley, chairman of House Commerce's finance subcommittee, has scheduled hearings on financial reform legislation.
Tentative dates are April 24, May 2, and May 15.
The Ohio Republican said the hearings will focus on "the views of real consumers, to see how financial reform might affect their needs."
He also pledged to examine how legislation can remove "anti-competitive regulatory barriers" that "inhibit the use of technology to maintain American jobs."
The Senate Banking Committee on March 18 unanimously approved the nomination of Yolanda T. Wheat to the National Credit Union Administration board. The full Senate will vote on her nomination when it returns from its Easter recess. Ms. Wheat has served on the NCUA board since April under a recess appointment by President Clinton.
Lawrence E. Morgan Jr. has been named regional director of supervision in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s Atlanta office. A 27-year FDIC veteran, Mr. Morgan had served as deputy regional director in Dallas since 1987. He replaces Lyle Helgerson, who is retiring after 33 years with the agency.
FDIC Chairman Ricki Helfer promised bankers that although she may be burned out, she won't fade away.
Addressing the Independent Bankers Association of America's annual convention in Phoenix, Ms. Helfer said she is retiring June 1 because she has "worked 24 hours a day for the last two and a half years."
But Ms. Helfer assured the audience that she will continue speaking out on banking issues, such as protecting federal deposit insurance.
"I'm not going to disappear from view," she said. "I have no expectation that I will lose my voice after June 1." The crowd of bankers responded with a standing ovation.
