For those of you who are not aware, the Director of Consumer Services, Cindy Fazio, retired on September 20, 2023. I have worked closely with Cindy Fazio for many years and can safely say that she will be missed and that I have big shoes to fill.
For those of you who do not know me, I began my career in the Division of Banks as a financial examiner over 21 years ago. I have served in many roles at DFI -- left the Agency a few times -- and in my most recent role, served as the Director of Regulatory and Legal affairs where I oversaw all Agency litigation and various other policy and legal initiatives. I am keenly interested in FinTech matters and have served as the Center for FinTech Information lead for DFI for over two years. I am also a lawyer, a former consultant, and an adjunct law professor.
In this Acting role, my primary goal is to keep executing on the existing DFI mission to protect consumers and to provide fair regulation of the financial services industry.
So far, everyone has warmly welcomed me as the Acting Director of Consumer Services. As you are all a new set of licensees and stakeholders to me, I truly look forward to meeting and working with you and learning more about the industries you represent.
All the best!
Ali Higgs