Office of the

Ombudsman

2018 ANNUAL REPORT
INDEPENDENCE

NEUTRALITY

CONFIDENTIALITY
.........................................................................

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR 3

OMBUDSMAN IN PRACTICE.................................................................................4

OMBUDSMAN OFFICE STRUCTURE......................................................................6

OMBUDSMAN OFFICE ACTIVITIES.....................................................................10

FEEDBACK TO FDIC STAKEHOLDERS.................................................................18

2019 GOALS....................................................................................................19

CONTACT THE OMBUDSMAN OFFICE.................................................................20

OMBUDSMEN BIOGRAPHIES.............................................................................21

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OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN

On behalf of Chairman Jelena McWilliams and the entire 

Board of Directors of the FDIC, I am pleased to present 

the Office of the Ombudsman’s (Ombudsman Office) 2018 

Annual Report (Report).

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has a 

long-standing history of carrying out its mission of maintaining 

public confidence and stability in the U.S. financial system, 

by insuring deposits, supervising and examining financial 

institutions for safety and soundness and consumer protection, 

making large firms resolvable, and managing receiverships when banks fail. Since the 

formation of the Ombudsman Office in 1994, this office has assisted in this mission 

by serving as an independent, neutral, and confidential liaison between the FDIC and 

its stakeholders. In our role as a liaison and a part of a unique alternative dispute 

resolution process, the Ombudsman Office can help identify avenues for bringing 

parties together to address concerns and formulate acceptable solutions in a timely 

manner. Engaging with our stakeholders in this way helps the FDIC maintain strong 

working relationships and assists in identifying potentially recurring questions or 

issues that may warrant policy or process changes at the FDIC.

As Director of the Office of the Ombudsman, I am committed to actively engaging 

with our stakeholders, as well as promoting transparency relative to agency activities. 

Therefore, it is our hope that you will find this Report to be of value in understanding 

the role of the Ombudsman and the various areas where we can provide assistance 

to the Agency’s stakeholders. 

Later in this Report, we provide information on certain initiatives that this Office is 

focusing on during 2019. Of note, the Ombudsman Office will soon be assuming 

the lead role in soliciting post-examination survey responses after each safety and 

soundness and consumer compliance examination conducted by FDIC examiners. 

We are strategizing to improve the process so that bankers feel empowered to 

provide comprehensive and useful feedback on our examination processes, and to 

improve the timeliness for responding to banks that request a follow-up contact. We 

will issue a Financial Institution Letter or other announcement to alert the industry 

prior to the launch of the revised program. 

It has been almost ten years since a public report was issued on the activities of 

this Office. As the format and content are markedly changed since the earlier 

versions, we invite your suggestions for future editions. You can provide me feedback 

directly via mlowe@fdic.gov, or you can use any of the methods provided on the final 

page of this Report. 

Thank you!

M. Anthony Lowe

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OMBUDSMAN IN PRACTICE

HISTORY

The FDIC Ombudsman Office was established pursuant to Title III, Section 309(d) of 

the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 (Riegle 

Act). In accordance with provisions set forth in the Riegle Act, the Ombudsman Office 

was created to: 

• act as a liaison between the agency and any affected person with respect to 

any problem such party may have in dealing with the agency resulting from the 

regulatory activities of the agency; and

• assure that safeguards exist to encourage complainants to come forward 

and preserve confidentiality.

On August 30, 1994, the scope of activities was expanded in the FDIC bylaws 

to include resolution, receivership, and asset disposition activities. 

CORE VALUES

The FDIC Ombudsman Office core values align with the standards of the International 

Ombudsman Association and the American Bar Association’s 2004 Standards for 

the Establishment and Operation of Ombudsman Offices. The following core values 

enable the Ombudsman Office to function effectively.

INDEPENDENCE The Ombudsman Office is independent of the FDIC’s supervisory 

process, including being free from control, limitation, or retaliation. The Ombudsman 

Office reports directly to the FDIC Chairman’s Office.

NEUTRALITY The Ombudsman Office serves as a neutral party, meaning that it does 

not take sides on issues brought to its attention. The Ombudsman Office advocates 

for fair processes and the administration of those fair processes and also provides 

stakeholders with options and strategies for resolving concerns.

CONFIDENTIALITY The Ombudsman Office does not share the identity of the 

stakeholders who contact it with others inside or outside the agency, except where 

there is:

• imminent risk of serious harm to persons or property; 

• allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse; 

• specific permission to waive confidentiality; or 

• judicial process (e.g., subpoena, deposition, testimony).

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5

ROLES AND PRACTICE

THE OMBUDSMAN OFFICE:

• provides an FDIC perspective for stakeholders;

• provides a stakeholder perspective for the FDIC;

• reports to the FDIC Chairman’s Office on feedback from stakeholders particularly 

in regards to systemic issues;

• interacts with other FDIC Divisions and Offices to address issues raised by 

stakeholders and to encourage improved policies or practices;

• advocates for fair and impartial processes at the FDIC; 

• facilitates efficient and effective communication between the FDIC 

and its stakeholders;

• serves as a resource for information concerning any of the FDIC’s formal 

processes, including appealing material supervisory determinations and deposit 

insurance assessments prior to any conflicts entering a formal channel;

• serves as the FDIC’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Public Liaison; and

• participates in bank closings with the FDIC’s Division of Resolutions and 

Receiverships (DRR) and the Office of Communication (OCOM). 

THE OMBUDSMAN OFFICE CANNOT:

• impose, interfere with, or modify any statutes, regulations, or laws, including any 

related policies, practices, or procedures followed or enforced by the FDIC;

• make decisions or legal determinations, serve as a formal office of legal notice, 

make binding decisions, or mandate policies for the FDIC;

• overturn any decisions of existing dispute resolution or appellate bodies; 

• provide any financial, legal, or investment advice; 

• serve in any role that compromises the impartiality of the Ombudsman Office; or

• intervene or participate in any formal processes.
OMBUDSMAN OFFICE STRUCTURE

OMBUDSMAN TEAM

The Ombudsman Office is headquartered in Washington, DC, with one Regional 

Ombudsman assigned to each of the six FDIC Regional Offices. The majority of 

the Regional Ombudsmen have been employed by the FDIC more than 25 years, 

previously served in roles as Bank Examiners and/or Case Managers, and they 

have held various managerial positions in compliance or risk management. This 

has resulted in the Regional Ombudsmen having a strong understanding of the FDIC’s 

procedures, operations, and mandates. Additionally, some Regional Ombudsmen have 

graduated from leadership programs sponsored by Graduate School USA and/or are 

certified as a Certified Organizational Ombudsman Practitioner (CO-OP®) 

by the International Ombudsman Association.

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ASSOCIATE OMBUDSMAN

Reporting directly to Director Lowe is Associate Ombudsman Amy Brown. In this 

capacity, Associate Ombudsman Brown directs the supervision of the Regional 

Ombudsmen, Senior Ombudsman Specialists and administrative staff. Associate 

Ombudsman Brown also manages outreach programs and corporate reporting and 

helps to develop solutions to problems presented to the Ombudsman Office.
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REGIONAL OMBUDSMAN (RO)

RO - ALTERNATIVE RESOURCE FOR INDUSTRY INQUIRIES

The Regional Ombudsman is an alternative intermediary resource between the 

banking industry and the FDIC within their respective regions. They serve as 

confidential, neutral, and independent resources for the banking industry. Regional 

Ombudsmen are sounding boards for questions, concerns, or complaints regarding 

the FDIC’s operations, procedures, and communications. Industry issues range 

from simple to highly complex. The Regional Ombudsmen establish a “case” for 

each of these issues and use their judgment, experience, and resources to provide 

the stakeholder with answers to questions and options for consideration. When 

appropriate, they confidentially channel significant issues to the proper areas within 

the FDIC in order to effect change or reinforcement.

RO - CONNECTS WITH EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS

The Regional Ombudsmen are frequently working in their regions conducting outreach 

with stakeholders. They routinely meet with executives of state-nonmember banks, 

state trade associations, state banking authorities, and other industry stakeholders 

such as bank consultants, vendors, and attorneys. This outreach can take the form of 

an individual visit, a presentation at an event, networking at a banking conference or 

convention, or other similar activities. 

The primary purpose of this robust outreach program is to introduce the Regional 

Ombudsman and the services of the Ombudsman Office to the target audience. The 

goal is to build a professional rapport so that, if the need arose, an individual or 

organization would have a level of comfort and confidence in contacting the Regional 

Ombudsman for assistance. In addition, this outreach provides a unique feedback 

channel for the FDIC. When an issue or complaint is discussed confidentially with 

the Regional Ombudsman during an outreach visit, the Regional Ombudsman 

determines if the feedback requires action or resolution, and thereafter offers to 

provide Ombudsman services, such as shuttle diplomacy or facilitating various 

communication options between the FDIC-supervised institution and the appropriate 

FDIC offices.

RO - CONNECTS WITH INTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS

Regional Ombudsmen are tasked with developing and maintaining relationships with 

FDIC Regional and Field Office management and staff. The Regional Ombudsmen 

periodically meet with new and existing FDIC employees through presentations 

at staff meetings or other interactions. These opportunities enable the Regional 

Ombudsmen to discuss the manner in which the Ombudsman Office approaches its 

work and maintains confidentiality, and how it can be of assistance to staff and the 

banking industry. 
OMBUDSMAN OFFICE STRUCTURE

REGIONAL OMBUDSMAN (RO)

RO - CONNECTS WITH INTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS, CONTINUED

On an ongoing basis, the Regional Ombudsmen hold meetings with FDIC management

and subject matter experts to discuss questions, concerns, and process issues. 

These relationships enable the Regional Ombudsmen to maintain a working 

knowledge of proposed changes and areas of regulatory focus, as well as provide 

feedback and constructive input to the FDIC. 

The Regional Ombudsmen also serve as a resource for FDIC employees who may 

opine that a supervisory procedure, policy, or action, or a breach or misapplication 

thereof, is unfairly and/or adversely impacting a financial institution. Regional 

Ombudsmen are focused on the fairness and implications to a financial institution 

and, in particular, the possible cause and potential remedies. 

The Senior Ombudsman Specialists have, on average, 14 years of experience as 

Ombudsmen, and previously served extensive tours with the agency in the risk 

management, compliance, or receiverships disciplines. This diverse experience allows 

the Senior Ombudsman Specialists to respond to a wide variety of inquiries. 

The primary roles of the Senior Ombudsman Specialists include: 

SENIOR OMBUDSMAN SPECIALISTS (SOS)

SOS - CONTACT FOR PUBLIC INQUIRIES

• respond to public inquiries received via phone, email, and web form; 

• assist stakeholders in navigating organizational roles and identifying appropriate 

processes and contacts by listening and making referrals, as needed; 

• respond to complaints against the FDIC by reviewing processes for fairness and 

ensuring fair implementation of processes in complaint scenarios; 

• provide feedback regarding any observations or potential options to improve 

processes; and

• maintain the Ombudsman Office’s system of record notices and provide reporting 

data from that system.

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SOS - PUBLIC CONFIDENCE BANK CLOSING REPRESENTATIVES

Senior Ombudsman Specialists support the FDIC’s mission of maintaining public 

confidence in the nation’s financial system, insuring deposits, and managing 

receiverships by working with DRR to:

• serve as lead public confidence liaisons for those affected by failed 

bank activities; 

• provide assurance to depositors regarding the safety of their insured deposits;

• communicate critical information and timelines related to the failure;

• anticipate sensitive or significant matters and discuss potential options for 

addressing customer needs before they become problems;

• provide problem-solving support, where necessary;

• ensure lines of communication remain open among all parties affected by 

a closing; and

• serve in a back-up role to the FDIC OCOM as an on-site media resource and 

coordinate media inquiries with OCOM.

SOS - FOIA PUBLIC LIAISON

Director Lowe is the FDIC’s FOIA Public Liaison and serves as a supervisory official 

to whom a FOIA requester can raise concerns about the service received from the 

FDIC’s FOIA/Privacy Act (PA) Group. While the FOIA/PA Group processes requests 

seeking FDIC agency records, the FOIA Public Liaison assists stakeholders by 

explaining processes or answering questions. Director Lowe has designated the 

Senior Ombudsman Specialists to serve as subject matter experts to: 

• discuss the role of the FOIA Public Liaison;

• answer questions or review concerns about the FOIA process; and

• reduce delays, increase transparency, help requesters to understand the status of 

requests, and assist in resolving disputes. 

SOS - INTERACTION WITH FDIC INTERNAL OMBUDSMAN

On occasions, FDIC employees contact the Ombudsman Office regarding work-related 

matters, and are referred to the FDIC’s Internal Ombudsman’s Office. The Internal 

Ombudsman Office serves as a confidential, neutral, and independent resource 

providing informal assistance to all employees to address work-related issues and 

concerns.
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OMBUDSMAN OFFICE ACTIVITIES

2018 INDUSTRY CASES

In 2018, the Regional Ombudsmen handled 142 industry cases. The chart below 

illustrates the various types of cases: 

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION - 42%

This category typically involved a banker seeking information or an answer to a 

specific question (e.g., seeking information on examination frequency schedules and 

regulatory guidance on hot topics). Often the Regional Ombudsmen researched the 

matter and provided the information being sought or put the banker in touch with the 

appropriate resource. 

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE - 23%

This category typically involved more complex inquiries about bank-specific issues. 

The Regional Ombudsmen handled these cases based on the unique circumstances 

presented, while always maintaining confidentiality unless it was waived. For 

instance, some bankers contacted Regional Ombudsmen to discuss a new initiative 

that was being pursued. As appropriate, the Regional Ombudsmen referred bankers 

to FDIC’s filing requirements (if required) related to the initiative and encouraged 

bankers to work directly with the respective FDIC contacts once they were prepared to 

move forward. In other instances, bankers wanted to confidentially discuss proposals 

or options regarding regulatory concerns, such as reducing concentrations of credit, 

expanding an assessment area for Community Reinvestment Act purposes, or raising 

capital before presenting their formal proposal to the FDIC Regional Office. 

Request for Information

42%

23%

11%

11%

8% 5%

Request for Assistance

Complaints about Communication Complaints about 

FDIC Processes

Request to 

Discuss

Preliminary 

Exam Findings

Request for

FDIC Contact

Information
11

REQUEST FOR FDIC CONTACT INFORMATION - 11%

This category represents bankers who often requested assistance in identifying the 

appropriate point of contact for a specific inquiry relative to an area of FDIC regulatory 

oversight. The Regional Ombudsmen discussed the bankers’ questions and issues in 

order to ensure they were provided contact information for the appropriate parties to 

resolve their concerns. 

REQUEST TO DISCUSS PRELIMINARY EXAM FINDINGS - 11%

This category represents bankers who contacted the Ombudsman Office during an 

examination; or following an examination exit meeting when they sought a confidential 

“sounding board”. Regional Ombudsmen helped clarify misunderstandings in 

communication or policy, and provided the banker with options to address concerns. 

Regional Ombudsmen continuously stressed the importance of bankers bringing 

areas of disagreements to the attention of FDIC senior management in a timely 

manner, in order to provide an opportunity to affect a mutually agreeable resolution 

before conclusions are finalized. 

COMPLAINTS ABOUT FDIC PROCESSES - 8%

This category primarily consists of complaints about the timeframe to process a 

Report of Examination or application; examination scopes that were not perceived 

to be risk-focused; the national rate cap calculation and restrictions; and technical 

challenges with FDICConnect. When contacted by a banker about such complaints, 

the Regional Ombudsmen explored the facts and circumstances of the issue and 

worked to determine if there was a misunderstanding that could be clarified, a 

deviation from FDIC policy or practice that should be addressed, or if there was a 

systemic issue with the underlying FDIC policy or practice that warranted review. 

COMPLAINTS ABOUT COMMUNICATION - 5%

This category includes banker complaints about communication, including the manner 

in which examiner findings were presented, the professionalism of FDIC personnel, 

and the tone of discussions or correspondence. When discussing these complaints 

with the banker, the Regional Ombudsmen attempted to understand more fully the 

concern and circumstances. As appropriate, the Regional Ombudsmen continued 

to work with bankers to identify potential options to address concerns, as well as 

strategies, alternatives, and points of contact to facilitate improved communications 

with FDIC personnel. 
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OMBUDSMAN OFFICE ACTIVITIES

2018 INDUSTRY OUTREACH

In 2018, Regional Ombudsmen conducted outreach visits to 472 external industry 

stakeholders (banks, trade associations, state banking authorities). Overall, banks 

are satisfied with the FDIC and have provided constructive feedback on various topics 

during these visits. Specifically, those 472 outreach visits generated 853 discussion 

items of various topical issues, of which 511 discussion items represented positive 

or neutral feedback. The remaining 342 discussion items represented constructive 

feedback or complaints. The chart immediately below represents the top five topics 

of the constructive feedback or complaints. The three subsequent charts display 

those issues by topical area. Following the charts are the Customer Satisfaction 

Survey results regarding the effectiveness of the Ombudsman Office’s outreach 

program.

Regulatory

Issues

Examination

Issues

Banking

Environment

Applications Other

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

TOP5TOPICS

OF INTEREST (INDUSTRY)
REGULATORY ISSUES

CECL

TILA/TRID

Regulatory Burden

HMDA

BSA

26%

18%

16%

15%

7%

5%

4%

9%

Other

CRA

Marijuana

NOTE: Regulatory Burden Issues generally include concerns that are broader than a 

specific regulation or involve a discussion of the impact of multiple regulations. 

Constructive feedback and complaints received from industry stakeholders 

concerning Regulatory Issues are often diverse and varied. However, when viewed 

collectively, central themes were noted and are provided below for illustration.

REGULATORY BURDEN

• Costs are excessive and not accompanied by offsetting increases in revenues.

• Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) reporting requirements and Credit Union 

competitive advantages make it challenging for banks to increase their residential 

mortgage lending activities. 

• Rules and regulations written for large banks negatively impact community banks 

by spurring mergers and making it harder for them to improve profitability. 

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14

OMBUDSMAN OFFICE ACTIVITIES

CURRENT EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES (CECL)

• Costs of implementation outweighs the benefits to a community bank.

• CECL requirements will not result in any material change in banks Allowance for 

Loan and Lease Losses balances.

• Additional guidance, communications, and training on CECL are needed.

TRUTH IN LENDING ACT (TILA)/TILA RESPA INTEGRATION 

DISCLOSURE RULE (TRID)

• Disclosure requirements are time consuming and costly and impact mortgage 

profitability.

• Qualified Mortgage rule restrictions (debt-to-income limitation) make it challenging 

to fund purchase money residential mortgages.

• Compliance training is a major undertaking and ensuring consistency in 

application among staff is challenging.

• Disclosure requirements result in a large volume of paperwork and information 

that confuses customers.

BANK SECRECY ACT (BSA)

• Beneficial ownership rules are complex, burdensome on staff and customers, 

costly, delay the opening of accounts and puts the bank in a position of “policing” 

customers’ behavior.

• Beneficial ownership rules are burdensome to small community banks that 

already know their customers and have customer identification procedures 

in place.

• The $10,000 threshold for Currency Transaction Reports is outdated and should 

be increased.

HMDA

• HMDA requirements are overly burdensome and costly.

• Additional HMDA data elements that must be collected may result in possible 

increased reporting errors and additional staff time devoted to data 

collection processes.

• Concern is that potential HMDA requirements may become applicable to certain 

commercial loans.

MARIJUANA

• Greater transparency in examination procedures regarding marijuana-related 

businesses is needed. 
15

• Clearer regulatory guidance and expectations are needed to aid bankers in 

determining whether or not to bank cannabis or industrial hemp. 

• Conflicting State and Federal laws have resulted in BSA requirements becoming 

burdensome.

COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT (CRA)

• CRA is very subjective and needs to be updated. 

• CRA should reflect modern financial realities and thresholds.

• Assessment area designations need to be revised.

• Thresholds need to be established for assessing the adequacy of qualified 

investments.

OTHER

• Methodology for calculating national interest rate caps is flawed.

• National interest rate caps do not reflect true market rates.

• Brokered deposit regulation should be amended to allow for some non-core 

products to be defined as core deposits.

35% Risk

26%

21%

18%

Consumer Compliance

Exam Process

(General)

Trust, IT, BSA, RTA*

EXAMINATION ISSUES

*Information Technology (IT), Registered Transfer Agent (RTA)
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OMBUDSMAN OFFICE ACTIVITIES

BANKING ENVIRONMENT

47% Cyber Risk

42%

11%

Succession

After a Regional Ombudsman conducts an outreach contact with a bank, the chief 

executive officer of the bank is invited to complete an online Customer Satisfaction 

Survey (Survey). The Survey is used to gather feedback on the effectiveness of the 

outreach program in promoting the awareness and services of the Ombudsman Office. 

Survey results are administered by the FDIC Division of Insurance and Research 

on an annual basis and provided to the Ombudsman Office without disclosing the 

identity of the individual banks that completed the Survey. For 2018, 363 banks 

were invited to participate in the Survey. The Survey revealed that the Ombudsman 

Office effectively conveys its message to the financial industry through its outreach 

contacts. The Survey results are as follows:

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY

60% Survey response rate;

82% of the respondents were aware of the Ombudsman Office services before 

the outreach contact; 

97% of the respondents would use the Ombudsman Office services, if needed; 

92% of the respondents that used the Ombudsman Office services rated it 

either “Mostly Effective” or “Very Effective”; 

81% of the respondents rated the Regional Ombudsman’s ability to describe 

the services and role of the Ombudsman Office as “Very Effective”; and 

90% of the respondents rated the Regional Ombudsman’s knowledge about 

the function of the FDIC and professionalism as “Very Good”. 

Other
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2018 PUBLIC INQUIRIES

The FDIC logo has come to represent a symbol of confidence and has resulted in 

many consumers contacting the Ombudsman Office with inquiries or complaints. For 

complex issues, the Ombudsman Office may conduct extensive independent research 

and/or provide facilitation or informal mediation services. In 2018, the Ombudsman 

Office received 1,485 public inquiries, which are further discussed below and 

presented in a chart. Ombudsman Specialists identified stakeholders’ issues and 

expectations, explained complaint processes, provided publicly available information 

and made referrals to appropriate internal divisions, other agencies or external 

resources. 

FDIC-INSURED BANK MATTERS 

• FDIC insurance status verifications

• FDIC deposit insurance coverage account inquiries

• Questions or concerns pertaining to open banks

NON-FDIC MATTERS

• Credit Unions

• Mortgage Lenders

• Loan Servicers

FAILED BANK MATTERS

• Lien releases from failed banks

• Unclaimed accounts and receivership claims

• Status of receivership and dividend distribution

GENERAL INFORMATION REQUESTS

• Contact information for the FDIC Chairman’s Office

• Mergers and name changes; old bank documents

• FDIC contact information

• FDIC publications

342 FDIC-Insured Bank Matters

Supervised by FDIC

39%

22%

2%

329 Non-FDIC 

Matters

111 General 

Information 

Requests

7% 23%

7%

25 Miscellaneous Calls 98 Failed Bank Matters

580 FDIC-Insured Bank Matters

Supervised by Other Agencies
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FEEDBACK TO FDIC STAKEHOLDERS

ANONYMOUS FEEDBACK

The Ombudsman Office provides anonymized feedback to Division Directors and 

Regional Directors of the Division of Risk Management Supervision and Division of 

Depositor and Consumer Protection (FDIC management) on problems or complaints 

presented by external stakeholders, without attribution, regarding existing policies, 

procedures or activities. On an ongoing basis, the Ombudsman Office keeps FDIC 

management abreast of external stakeholders’ concerns. Issues with common 

themes or trends that are considered recurring and systemic are reported to the 

FDIC Chairman’s Office.

In 2018, the Ombudsman Office provided feedback or observations to FDIC 

management on the following areas (not all inclusive):

• BANK SECRECY ACT/ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING: Provide additional outreach 

to the banking industry relative to regulatory expectations for the Beneficial 

Ownership rules;

• SUPERVISORY APPEALS REVIEW COMMITTEE: Provide clarification to 

the banking industry on the processes and timelines for appealing material 

supervisory determinations; 

• CHANGES IN CAMELS RATINGS: Ensure that examination staff are reminded 

that any changes in CAMELS ratings subsequent to an exit or Board of Directors 

meeting be clearly articulated to bank principals prior to distribution of the final 

Report of Examination;

• PROPOSED DOWNGRADES IN CAMELS RATINGS OR CHANGES IN 

REGULATORY EXPECTATIONS: Ensure examiners clearly articulate proposed 

downgrades in composite and component ratings, particularly if there has been 

a change in regulatory expectations for a particular area of operations (i.e. 

Liquidity); and

• TECHNOLOGY SERVICE PROVIDER (TSP) REPORTS OF EXAMINATION: 

Coordinate with other Agencies to find a mutually agreeable approach whereby 

TSP Reports of Examination (TSP Reports) can be automatically sent to all banks 

on the TSP client list by their primary Federal regulator rather than requiring 

bankers to request the TSP Reports in writing from their respective agencies. 

Of note, the FDIC had earlier initiated an interagency process to address this 

industry recommendation. 
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2019 GOALS

THE OMBUDSMAN OFFICE HAS ESTABLISHED MAJOR GOALS FOR 2019 THAT 

INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: 

• INDUSTRY OUTREACH: Continue to contact financial institutions, Minority 

Depository Institutions and Affinity Groups, de novo banks, industry trade 

associations and state banking authorities to enhance awareness of the 

Ombudsman Office, obtain feedback on FDIC supervisory programs and 

processes, and resolve complaints and problems. 

• MERGER TRANSACTIONS: Contact ongoing entities after mergers to discuss 

their experience regarding the FDIC application processes.

• CONVERSIONS TO AND FROM FDIC SUPERVISION: Develop a relationship 

with banks converting to FDIC supervision, and identify if there are any systemic 

reasons for banks changing from FDIC as their primary Federal regulator. 

• INTERNAL RESOURCES AND RELATIONSHIPS: Meet with FDIC senior regional 

management, field supervisors and subject matter experts to discuss industry 

banking concerns, and new examination processes or regulatory expectations. 

We look forward to reporting on these goals in our next Report.
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CONTACT THE OMBUDSMAN OFFICE

We welcome your feedback on the content of this Report, as well as your suggestions 

for improving future editions. Additionally, if you need our services, please submit 

any comments in this regard to the FDIC Ombudsman Office.

ADDRESS: 3501 Fairfax Drive, E-2022, Arlington, VA 22226

PHONE: 1 (877) 275-3342

EMAIL: ombudsman@fdic.gov

WEBSITE: https://www.fdic.gov/regulations/resources/ombudsman/
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OMBUDSMEN BIOGRAPHIES

MANAGEMENT

Director

M. ANTHONY LOWE

 (312) 382-6777

 MLowe@FDIC.gov

Anthony joined the FDIC in 1985. He was appointed to his current 

position, FDIC Ombudsman and Director of the Office of the 

Ombudsman by the FDIC Board of Directors in May 2017. Prior 

to this appointment, Anthony served as Regional Director for the 

FDIC’s Chicago Region for almost nine years. He has also served 

as an Assistant Regional Director, Deputy Regional Director, Case Manager, Bank 

Examiner, Bank Secrecy Act Subject Matter Expert, and Fraud Specialist. Anthony 

has led a major initiative relative to identifying strategies for improving the FDIC’s 

oversight and technical assistance programs for minority depository institutions. 

Additionally, Anthony has made numerous presentations, on financial-related 

issues, to both large and small groups of bankers and regulators. He has also held 

discussions with international groups of senior level bankers and supervisors in 

Europe and Asia regarding problem bank and contingency planning issues. Anthony 

graduated from Arkansas State University with a degree in Finance. He graduated, 

with honors, from the Graduate School of Banking of the South at LSU, and attended 

the African-American Leadership Institute at UCLA.

Associate Director

AMY BROWN

 (312) 382-6770

 AmBrown@FDIC.gov

Amy began her career with the FDIC in 1991 as a Risk 

Management Bank Examiner, served as a Supervisory Examiner, 

and assumed various roles before accepting her current position 

as Associate Ombudsman in 2019. Amy has completed many 

details and special assignments during her more than 25 years 

with the FDIC, including Acting Assistant Regional Director, Acting Case Manager, 

and Acting Field Supervisor. Amy has also served as an instructor at the FDIC core 

examination schools, Special Assistant to the Ombudsman, and as the Chairman 

of the Supervisory Examiner Council. Amy has a Bachelor’s degree in Business 

Administration/Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, is a graduate of 

the Graduate School of Banking, Madison, Wisconsin, and has successfully taken the 

Certified Organizational Ombudsman Practitioner (CO-OP®) exam administered by the 

International Ombudsman Association.
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OMBUDSMEN BIOGRAPHIES

REGIONAL OMBUDSMEN

Regional Ombudsman

CHARMION HALEY

 (678) 916-2188

 CHaley@FDIC.gov

Atlanta Region: Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North 

Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Florida

Charmion joined the FDIC in March of 1989, in the Memphis 

Region, as a Bank Examiner where she conducted regulatory 

examinations of institutions of various size and complexity. In 

2001, she was promoted to Case Manager in the Atlanta Regional Office where she 

provided supervisory oversight of institutions in Georgia, Virginia, West Virginia, 

Alabama, and Florida. While in the Atlanta Regional Office, Charmion served in 

several high profile positions including Acting Special Assistant to the Deputy 

Regional Director, Acting Assistant Regional Director, and Special Assistant to the 

Director of the Ombudsman Office. Charmion has also served as the Regional 

Subject Matter Expert for applications and for the Atlanta Region’s Minority 

Depository Institutions Program. In May of 2019, Charmion was promoted to 

Regional Ombudsman for the Atlanta Region. She is a graduate of Tennessee State 

University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she received her Bachelor of Science 

degree in Business Administration.

Regional Ombudsman

DAN MARCOTTE

 (312) 382-6908

 DMarcotte@FDIC.gov

Chicago Region: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and 

Wisconsin

Dan joined the FDIC in 1990 as a Bank Examiner and thereafter 

held various positions such as Assistant Regional Director, 

Supervisory Examiner, and Case Manager in the Division of Risk 

Management Supervision. Dan has also participated in several detail assignments 

in the FDIC’s Washington, DC Headquarters. In 2014, Dan became the Regional 

Ombudsman for the Chicago region. He is a Certified Organizational Ombudsman 

Practitioner (CO-OP®) by the International Ombudsman Association and currently 

serves on the CO-OP® Board of Directors. Dan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in 

Business Administration/Finance from Boston University and a Master of Business 

Administration degree from Bentley College, Waltham, Massachusetts. He is a 

graduate of the Executive Leadership Program (Graduate School USA) and the 

Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
23

OMBUDSMEN BIOGRAPHIES

REGIONAL OMBUDSMEN

Regional Ombudsman

MARVIN PAYNE

 (972) 761-2301

 MPayne@FDIC.gov

Dallas Region: Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, 

New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas

Marvin joined the FDIC in 1990 as a Bank Examiner trainee. 

He has also held various positions within the FDIC including 

Commissioned Bank Examiner, Supervisory Examiner and Risk 

Management Field Supervisor. His major work accomplishments include leading the 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Risk Management field office through the Hurricane Katrina 

crisis and developing a risk identification program for the Treasury Department’s 

Community Development Financial Institution Fund. Marvin has served as the 

Dallas Regional Ombudsman since 2009. He received a Bachelor of Science degree 

from Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, Mississippi. Additionally, he is 

a graduate of the Consumer Bankers Association Graduate School of Retail Bank 

Management and a 2012 graduate of the Graduate School USA Executive 

Potential Program.

Regional Ombudsman

DENNIS (TODD) GOCHENOUR

 (816) 234-8532

 DGochenour@FDIC.gov

Kansas City Region: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, 

Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota

Todd began his career with the FDIC in 1985 after graduating from 

the University of Missouri – Columbia with a Bachelor of Science 

Degree in Finance. He spent 31 years with the Division of Risk 

Management Supervision as a Field Examiner and Case Manager. Todd has served 

numerous details to the FDIC’s Washington, D.C. Office including assignments with 

the Applications, Supervision, and Complex Financial Institutions sections. Since 

2016, Todd has served as the Kansas City Region’s Ombudsman. 
OMBUDSMEN BIOGRAPHIES

REGIONAL OMBUDSMEN 

Regional Ombudsman 

SHERRYANN NELSON 

(917) 320-2532 

ShNelson@FDIC.gov 

New York Region: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 

Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and 

Virgin Islands 

Sherryann joined the FDIC in 1988. She served as a Bank 

Examiner for 11 years and a Case Manager for 20 years in the Division of Risk 

Management Supervision. She has also served in various positions such as Acting 

Assistant Regional Director, Acting Field Supervisor, Supervisory Examiner, and Chief 

of the FDIC Corporate Employee Program. Sherryann has participated in coordinating 

FDIC corporate-wide programs and provided regulatory supervision training to bankers 

and regulators from Egypt and Albania. In November of 2018, Sherryann became 

the Regional Ombudsman for the New York region. Sherryann holds a Bachelor 

of Science degree in Finance, with a minor in Economics from C.W. Post, Long 

Island University. She is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking - Stonier at 

Georgetown University and the Graduate School USA Executive Potential Program. 

Regional Ombudsman 

TERRE PRICE 

(415) 808-8114 

TePrice@FDIC.gov 

San Francisco Region: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, 

Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming (as 

well as Guam and the Federated State of Micronesia) 

Terre started his career with the FDIC in 1988 in Albuquerque, 

New Mexico after working for the Texas Department of Banking. 

He has dual commissions in compliance and risk management and was the 

Compliance Field Supervisor for the Princeton/Springfeld Illinois Territory for fve 

years prior to selection as the Regional Ombudsman for the San Francisco Region 

in May of 2009. He is a Certifed Organizational Ombudsman Practitioner (CO-OP®) 

by the International Ombudsman Association and served on the (CO-OP®) Board of 

Directors for three years. He received Bachelor of Science and MBA degrees from 

Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas and graduated from the 2002-2003 

Graduate School USA sponsored Executive Leadership Program. 

24 

ADDRESS: 3501 Fairfax Drive, E-2022, Arlington, VA 22226

PHONE: 1 (877) 275-3342

EMAIL: ombudsman@fdic.gov

WEBSITE: https://www.fdic.gov/regulations/resources/ombudsman/

Ombudsman

Office of the

DESIGNED BY THE FDIC GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PRINTING UNIT

FDIC-038-2019