Fintech policy for credit unions will be role of former Kentucky regulator at federal agency

A former regulator of credit unions in Kentucky will lead the federal regulator’s efforts in developing agency policy for dealing with financial technology (fintech) firms, the federal agency said Tuesday.

Charles Vice, formerly the commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), is the director of financial technology and access for the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), the agency said in a release. In that position, the agency said, he will advise the NCUA Board on agency policy regarding fintech; and fintech developments and transformation initiatives in the financial services sector, including cryptocurrency, blockchain, and distributed ledger technology.

That includes, the NCUA said, exploring methods to “enhance the virtual examination and supervision process and promoting the development and deployment of technologies and innovations that can expand financial inclusion and equitable and affordable consumer access within the credit union system.”

As commissioner of the Kentucky agency, the NCUA said, he oversaw all Kentucky state-chartered financial institutions. Before that, according to the NCUA, he was an employee of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) for 18 years, focusing on subprime lending and capital markets.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Southern Mississippi, the NCUA said.

Charles Vice Named Director, Financial Technology and Access