The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City announced that bank examiner Mike Thomas was named a recipient of the William Taylor Award for Excellence in Bank Supervision in the Federal Reserve System. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated sustained and extraordinary achievement and professionalism in the performance of their responsibilities.
Thomas was recognized for leading a bank examination project team focused on understanding more deeply the nature of key risks banks face in the Tenth District. His successful team effort will have a positive impact across the United States. In leading this team, Thomas demonstrated outstanding technical knowledge, effective communication and extensive coordination skills.
“He took a vision and created a reality,” said recently retired Bank officer Jim Hunter, who praised Thomas’ examination talent and his work ethic throughout his 17-year career at the Bank. In winning the award, Thomas follows in the footsteps of other Tenth District examiners who have been Taylor Award recipients.
The award highlights the important role the Tenth District plays in understanding risks in state member banks and in relaying that to our bank examination counterparts at the Federal Reserve System level.
The Bill Taylor Award commemorates William Taylor’s integrity and outstanding contributions to both the Federal Reserve and the banking system as a whole, and represents the supervision function’s highest and most prestigious honor. The award was established in Taylor's memory after he died at age 53. Taylor had served as director of the Division of Banking, Supervision, and Regulation for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in Washington, D.C., from 1984 to 1991. Following that, Taylor had been chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
Read more about the legacy of William Taylor in “Integrity, Fairness and Resolve: Lessons from Bill Taylor and the Last Financial Crisis.”