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Profile

Atif

National Bank Examiner, Risk Specialist

Charlotte, N.C.

At the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), you work with bright, motivated people on a common goal: to improve the safety and soundness of the national banking system. You definitely feel that your work has value.

 

Education: DePaul University, BS in finance. Loyola University Chicago, MSF in risk management
Joined OCC: 2005

My Path to the OCC

Prior to joining the OCC, I was a financial intern at Merrill Lynch, and I worked in sales and marketing related jobs during college. I learned about the OCC during a finance class in college, and I learned more at an on-campus job fair. After graduating from DePaul University, I accepted a position as an assistant national bank examiner in Chicago, Ill. I earned the national bank examiner commission and worked as a safety and soundness examiner in Chicago for almost a decade before moving to Washington, D.C.

Why I Chose the OCC

I was interested in joining the OCC for many reasons, including the agency’s dedication to career development, being able to communicate and interact with senior bank management and board members during examinations, learning and analyzing risk management practices adopted by varying financial institutions, and working at a different bank every two to three weeks. The banking industry changes constantly, and I can’t overemphasize the value of on-going learning and development that the agency provides.

My Workday

One of the great things about the OCC is that there is never a usual workday. As a risk specialist, I work on topical projects, assist in preparing examiner guidance, give presentations to examiners, participate in interagency projects, and assist bankers and examiners with credit-policy matters. There is a lot of collaboration across the agency on projects, which ensures we cover items from all affected banking disciplines to improve bank supervision. I also love sharing my experience and skills with other examiners as an instructor for an OCC commercial credit course.

At the OCC, you work with bright, motivated people on a common goal: to improve the safety and soundness of the national banking system. You definitely feel that your work has value.

Advice for New Examiners

Take full advantage of the many opportunities available at the OCC. You’re in charge of your own career. Obtain your commission because the opportunities are endless. Feel free to ask for opportunities, assignments, and rotations, even if they are outside of your comfort zone. Don’t ever feel like you are trapped in one position, because the experience gives you the power to educate and reinvent yourself.