Jonathan L. Fiechter Will Join OCC in February; Former OTS Director to Oversee International Affairs and Economic Policy

WASHINGTON — Comptroller of the Currency John D. Hawke, Jr. announced today that Jonathan L. Fiechter has been appointed Senior Deputy Comptroller with responsibility for overseeing the OCC's Economic Policy and International Affairs departments. Mr. Fiechter will also serve as a senior policy advisor to the Comptroller.

Mr. Fiechter, director of Special Financial Operations at the World Bank, served four years as Acting Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision, the agency that regulates the nation's savings and loan industry. From 1978 to 1987, he worked for the OCC and was Deputy Comptroller for Economic Analysis when he left the agency.

"Jonathan brings a unique set of talents to the OCC," said Mr. Hawke. "Not only has he had the experience of running an important financial regulatory agency, but he brings to the OCC substantial experience in the international area.

"I am delighted that Jonathan has agreed to return to the OCC," Mr. Hawke added. "As we begin the process of implementing financial modernization, his talents, as well as his high standing here and abroad, will prove invaluable to the OCC and to the national bank system."

Mr. Fiechter is assuming a new position that will oversee both the International Affairs and Economics Policy and Analysis departments.

Mr. Fiechter succeeds James D. Kamihachi, Senior Deputy Comptroller for Economic and Policy Analysis, who is planning to leave the OCC to pursue other opportunities after Mr. Fiechter arrives; and Susan Krause, the former Senior Deputy Comptroller for International Affairs. Ms. Krause left the agency in September.

Mr. Fiechter joined the World Bank in October 1996 as Director of the Financial Sector Development department. He was given the additional responsibility of serving as chairman of the bank's Financial Sector Board in early 1997 and in January 1998, he set up the Special Financial Operations department, the unit responsible for developing financial sector programs in countries experiencing major financial distress.

From 1992 to 1996, as Acting Director of OTS, Mr. Fiechter also served as: a director of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; a director of the oversight board of the Resolution Trust Corporation; a director of the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation; and chairman of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council.

Mr. Fiechter graduated from Rockford College with a B.A. in economics and did graduate work in economics at the University of Virginia.