Jonathan Gould was sworn in this week as the 32nd Comptroller of the Currency.
Gould was nominated for the seat by President Donald Trump on February 11 and the U.S. Senate confirmed him on July 10. He was sworn into office by Michael Faulkender, deputy secretary of the U.S. Treasury.
Gould takes over from Rodney Hood, who has served as acting comptroller of the currency for the past five months.
“I am delighted to return to the OCC where I last served as its Senior Deputy Comptroller and Chief Counsel from 2018 to 2021,” Gould said. “As noted in my Senate testimony, I believe in President Lincoln’s vision of a national banking system that exists to support the U.S. economy. That system is today one of the crown jewels of American finance. But we should not take it for granted. As Comptroller, I will do everything in my power to ensure its continued relevance and ability to support the financial aspirations of all of us.”
Prior to this role, Gould was a partner at the law firm Jones Day. Also, he previously served as the senior deputy comptroller and chief counsel at the OCC. In addition, he twice served on the staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, including as its chief counsel.
Gould has spent the bulk of his career in the private sector as a consultant and lawyer, advising banks and other financial services firms on regulatory matters and risk management.
“I look forward to working with the dedicated and accomplished professionals of the agency to ensure a safe and sound banking system, improve bank supervision and regulation, embrace innovation, and promote fair access to financial services,” Gould said. “I want to thank Rodney Hood for returning to public service and serving as Acting Comptroller of the Currency during the last five months. OCC employees have benefitted from his leadership guiding their work, and I wish him continued success.”
Gould holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a law degree from Washington and Lee University.