NEWS RELEASE

Comptroller of the Currency
Administrator of National Banks
NR 98-121





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			Contact:  Robert M. Garsson
December 8, 1998				    (202) 874-5770

                               

Acting Comptroller Julie Williams Welcomes John D. Hawke, Jr.
As New Comptroller of the Currency


Acting Comptroller of the Currency Julie L. Williams issued the following statement today:

I couldn't be more pleased to welcome Jerry Hawke to the OCC.  He brings us a wealth of 
knowledge about the banking industry, both from his practical, hands-on experience as 
a banking  attorney and from his distinguished government service, most recently as 
Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance.  He is also someone who cares 
deeply about the future of the  national banking system and the OCC.















# # #
The OCC charters, regulates and examines approximately 2,600 national banks and 66 federal 
branches of foreign banks in the U.S., accounting for more than 58 percent of the nation's 
banking assets. Its mission is to ensure a safe and sound and competitive national banking 
system that supports the citizens, communities and economy of the United States.