Lawsky Confirmed as Head of New York Regulatory Agency

The New York Senate has confirmed Benjamin M. Lawsky as superintendent of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), the combined agency overseeing insurance, financial services and related industries in the Empire State.

Lawsky, who was chief of staff for Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, previously served as the deputy counselor and special assistant throughout the administration of then-Attorney General Cuomo.

He also spent five years as an assistant U.S. attorney and served as chief counsel to Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Senator James L. Seward, chair of the Senate Committee on Insurance said Lawsky is “uniquely qualified to take on the challenges that await him as head of the new state Department of Financial Services.”

Senator Neil D. Breslin, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Insurance, called Lawsky “a perfect choice.”