Deputy Commissioner Griffith Retiring

Deputy Commissioner Charles Griffith began his career at the State Banking Department on November 10, 1969. This March – some 42 years later – he is retiring to Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

He shares some of his thoughts below.

If you have worked in the financial industry and have any stories or sentiments regarding Charles, please share them with us - dlb1@onenet.net.

Charles Griffith addresses
the Department in a meeting
held in honor of his retirement.

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What were your other job/career interests at the time you applied at the Banking Department?

My last two years of college I worked as a building engineer (a.k.a. “janitor”) at American National Bank and Trust Company in Shawnee, Oklahoma.  Through conversations with bank employees and OCC examiners I determined that banking might be a good career.  I became an examiner in hopes of gaining the experience to eventually go to work in a bank.

What are some of the advances you have seen in the industry during your time at the Department?

The use of information technology and the cooperation our Department has with our Federal counterparts in the examination and overall regulation process.  A change in the industry, that I don’t necessarily consider an advance, is the increased regulatory burden for financial institutions.

How has the Department changed since 1969?

During the tenure of Commissioner Mick Thompson the pay and educational opportunities for Department personnel have increased significantly.  Our examiners are much better trained and their salaries and benefits are competitive with the Federal regulators.  In addition, the expanded use of information technology in the examination process has reduced the travel by our examiners significantly.

What are you looking forward to most after retirement?

I am most looking forward to being able to spend more time with my grandchildren, children and wife.  I am also looking forward to going fishing, playing some golf, gardening, traveling and relaxing.