OCC Announces Executive Changes

WASHINGTON — Comptroller of the Currency Thomas J. Curry today announced Jennifer Kelly will succeed John Lyons as the agency’s Senior Deputy Comptroller for Bank Supervision Policy and Chief National Examiner when Mr. Lyons retires August 1.

“Jennifer’s dedication to safety and soundness and her strong support for community banking in the United States is one of the reasons that the OCC is regarded as the nation’s preeminent bank supervisory agency,” Mr. Curry said.  “She has the respect of her colleagues in the regulatory community, the industry, and the men and women who work in OCC supervision.  Her background will serve her well as she takes on responsibility for ensuring that our supervisory policies and guidance are up to the challenge of an evolving national banking system.”

Ms. Kelly is currently the Senior Deputy Comptroller for Midsize and Community Bank Supervision.  Since joining the OCC in 1979 and earning her commission as a National Bank Examiner in 1983, she has served in a variety of leadership roles in the field and at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.  She holds a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts.

The Comptroller also announced that Toney Bland will replace Ms. Kelly as Senior Deputy Comptroller for Midsize and Community Bank Supervision.  Mr. Bland is currently the OCC’s Deputy Comptroller for its Northeastern District, where he oversees nearly 350 banks, thrifts, national trust companies, and independent service providers.  Mr. Bland started his OCC career as an Assistant National Bank Examiner in Milwaukee in 1981 and earned his commission as a National Bank Examiner in 1986.  Mr. Bland holds a bachelor of science degree in business and economics from Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

“Toney brings a fresh field perspective to this important position, as well as deep experience supervising community banks and savings associations,” Mr. Curry said.  “He is a recognized leader within the OCC, and I am looking forward to working with him in his new role.”

Mr. Lyons is retiring after 37 years of service at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.  During that time, he held a number of important positions at the OCC, including key supervisory and policy roles during the financial crisis.  Before assuming his current position, he was Examiner-in-Charge at Citibank.

Additionally, Comptroller Curry announced that the agency will loan Senior Deputy Comptroller for Management and Chief Financial Officer Tom Bloom to NeighborWorks America to serve as its acting Chief Financial Officer.  While Mr. Bloom is at NeighborWorks, Deputy Comptroller and Chief Accountant Kathy Murphy will serve as acting Senior Deputy Comptroller for Management and Chief Financial Officer.

“As the current Chairman of NeighborWorks and a long-time supporter of its mission, I am personally committed to its success, and I appreciate Tom sharing his considerable expertise and experience with NeighborWorks while they search for a permanent CFO,” Mr. Curry said.

Ms. Murphy assumed her role as Deputy Comptroller and Chief Accountant in 2009 after serving in various roles at the OCC, including positions as a member of the National Risk Committee and Co-Chair of the agency’s Capital and Accounting Steering Committee.  She joined the OCC in 2002 after serving in public accounting with two large national accounting firms and is an accounting and finance cum laude graduate of the University of  Maryland.  Deputy Chief Accountant Jeffrey Geer will serve in Ms. Murphy’s place as acting Deputy Comptroller and Chief Accountant.  Mr. Geer has served as an OCC Deputy Chief Accountant since 2011.  He served as Chief Accountant at the Office of Thrift Supervision from 2004 to 2011 and graduated magna cum laude from Clemson University.

“The OCC is exceedingly fortunate to have such proficient and professional executives,” Comptroller Curry said.  “While I am always saddened when one decides to retire, I am grateful to have such a deep bench of accomplished and qualified professionals to choose from.  I know each will be successful in their new roles, and I wish John the best in his retirement.”