HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.– The National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS) has named Mary Ellen O’Neill, the former director of the Connecticut Financial Institutions Division as the winner of the 2022 Pierre Jay Award recipient.
This award, named after Pierre Jay, the first Commissioner of Banks in Massachusetts and first credit union regulator in the United States, is the highest honor NASCUS bestows and “recognizes those with proven service, commitment, and leadership to NASCUS and the state-charter system,” NASCUS said.
The award was presented during the NASCUS State System Summit.
“I want to thank the NASCUS team, President & CEO Brian Knight, the staff, and leadership for this tremendous honor,” said O’Neill. “It has been a privilege and incredible experience to be engaged with NASCUS and serve on their regulator board. I had the unique opportunity to work closely with a very talented team of state credit union regulators and credit union leaders from across the country to ensure the state charter remains healthy, resilient, and innovative.”
Leadership at NASCUS
O’Neill has served as the Connecticut FID Division Director since 2004, following the merger of the Bank Examination Division and Credit Union division. The FID has regulatory oversight of state banks and credit unions, international banks, trust banks, and uninsured banks chartered by the Connecticut Department of Banking.
NASCUS noted that for more than a decade O’Neill has served on the NASCUS board, including as treasurer and vice-chair, and from 2016-18 as chair of the Regulator Board of Directors. In addition. O’Neill represented NASCUS as a member of the Seniors Group of the Financial & Banking Information Infrastructure Committee, as well as serving on the Performance Standards Committee, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committee, and the Accreditation Audit Working Group Committee.
‘Considerable Impact’
“On behalf of the NASCUS leadership and staff, I want to congratulate Mary Ellen on her achievement. This award honors her considerable impact on the health and wellbeing of the state system,” said Brian Knight, president and CEO of NASCUS. “She has dedicated her career to ensuring a safe, sound, and robust dual charter system, and we are deeply grateful for her friendship and contributions throughout her career.”