(Washington, DC) The Government of the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) has a new commissioner. Thomas E. Hampton, who had been the acting commissioner since September 2005, was confirmed yesterday by the Council of the District of Columbia as the District's second commissioner of the merged agency.

"I am proud to serve as the head of this prestigious agency," said Hampton after receiving a unanimous vote by District councilmembers during their 26th legislative meeting. "DISB will continue strengthening its efforts to protect and educate District consumers, and to ensure that the regulated financial-service entities are treated fairly and serviced efficiently."

A veteran of DISB since 1988, Hampton held the position of deputy commissioner responsible for organization-wide policy development and program execution, as well as technical oversight of the insurance, securities, banking and fraud investigation activities. Before joining DISB, Hampton had extensive experience in the insurance industry, especially in property and casualty insurance. He managed the accounting and financial activities of captive insurance companies in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands for Cigna Worldwide in New York, and was a supervisor in general accounting with the American International Group. Hampton has a bachelor's degree in accounting from North Carolina Central University and an MBA from St. John's University in New York. He is a certified public accountant and certified financial examiner.

Hampton was nominated by Mayor Anthony Williams as acting commissioner after former Commissioner Lawrence Mirel left DISB for private industry. Hampton has to be sworn in by the mayor.