The Texas Finance Commission said Wednesday that Charles G. Cooper will become the state's banking commissioner Dec. 1.
Mr. Cooper, a native Texan, has 35 years of banking industry experience. He has worked as both a banker and a regulator, and he has sat on boards of several banks.
Texas Finance Commission Chairman John Snider said Mr. Cooper "brings extensive experience in the financial services and regulatory environment to this position and a strong commitment to ensuring the safety and soundness of Texas financial institutions."
Mr. Cooper, 61, will report to the Finance Commission and will succeed Randall James, who stepped down in August after nine years as the commissioner to pursue opportunities in the private sector.
The Texas Department of Banking, which Mr. Cooper will oversee, regulates 329 state-chartered banks with about $153 billion of assets. It also supervises trust companies, foreign bank agencies and branches, prepaid funeral licensees, money-services businesses, perpetual care cemeteries, and private child-support enforcement agencies.
