OCC Announces Deputy Comptrollers for its Northeastern and Central Districts

WASHINGTON – The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today named Kris Kiefer its Deputy Comptroller for the Northeastern District and named Blake Paulson its Deputy Comptroller for the Central District.

As Deputy Comptroller for the Northeastern District, Ms. Kiefer will oversee more than 300 community banks and federal savings associations, 34 independent national trust companies, and 15 independent data service providers. In that capacity, she will manage a staff of more than 350 bank examiners and other professional and support personnel located in the Northeastern District.

Ms. Kiefer joined the OCC as an entry-level bank examiner in 1979. She has held a variety of positions supervising national banks with increasing responsibility during her career. She has served as Problem Bank Analyst, Risk Assessment Specialist, Regional (Midsize) Bank Analyst, Field Manager, Assistant Deputy Comptroller in New York City, and Associate Deputy Comptroller in the Northeastern District. Ms. Kiefer’s assignment is effective this month.

As Deputy Comptroller for the Central District, Mr. Paulson will oversee 545 community banks and federal savings associations, as well as 20 independent data service providers and trust companies. In this capacity, he manages a staff of 480 bank examiners and other professional and support personnel in the Central District. He will succeed Deputy Comptroller Bert Otto upon Mr. Otto’s retirement in January 2015 and will transition into this role over the next couple of months.

Mr. Paulson began his career as an entry-level bank examiner in 1986 and has served in a variety of supervision roles for banks of all sizes. His roles have included Analyst, Midsize Bank Assistant Deputy Comptroller, Problem Bank Specialist, and Associate Deputy Comptroller in the Central District.

“Kris and Blake possess strong leadership and managerial skills and solid experience supervising banks and developing staff,” said Senior Deputy Comptroller for Community and Midsize Bank Supervision Toney Bland. “They will contribute greatly to the OCC’s strategic goals and objectives.”