N.Y. Department of Financial Services Hires Leandra English as Special Policy Advisor
Leandra English, who formerly served as deputy director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), has been named special policy advisor to New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) Superintendent Linda Lacewell. As a member of the NYDFS executive team, English will head several policy initiatives, including financial services and consumer issues.
The DFS supervises and regulates approximately 1,500 banking and other financial institutions, as well as 1,400 insurance companies, including more than 130 life insurance companies, 1,300, property/casualty insurance companies, roughly 100 health insurers and managed care organizations, 300,000 individual insurance licensees, 122 state-chartered banks, 80 foreign branches, 10 foreign agencies, 14 credit unions, 13 credit rating agencies, nearly 400 licensed financial services companies, and more than 9,600 mortgage loan originators and servicers.
In a press release announcing the appointment, NYDFS Superintendent Lacewell described English as “a fierce consumer advocate with extensive experience in leadership positions across the federal government.”
“Her commitment to public service, knowledge of key consumer-facing financial products, and experience with managing a strategic policy creation and implementation process will help lead the Department’s consumer protection agenda for the benefit of New Yorkers and the state’s financial services industry, especially as Washington continues to step down from critical consumer protections,” Lacewell added.
William J. Merlin, President and CEO of the New York Credit Union Association, said that he was excited about English’s appointment to the DFS.
“Leandra English brings a wealth of government, consumer and financial policy experience to the DFS,” he said. “She is someone who clearly understands the unique structure and mission of credit unions, as well as the important role credit unions serve in the consumer financial space. We look forward to working with Ms. English as we continue our already strong relationship with the DFS and Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration.”
English stepped down from her position at the CFPB after now Director Kathy Kraninger was nominated. She previously worked under former director Richard Cordray.
Prior to her work with the CFPB, English worked in the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, as well as at the Department of the Treasury.
