The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously approved Wendy Spicher to lead the Department of Banking and Securities (DOBS) on Wednesday.

She has previously served the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DOBS) as Interim Acting Secretary and Deputy Secretary for Depository Institutions.

“I am truly honored to serve as Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities where our mission of maintaining public confidence and stability in our state’s financial system is critical to the state’s economy,” said Spicher. “The financial services industry touches every Pennsylvanian’s life whether it’s a mortgage to purchase a home, an auto loan, or saving for retirement. The industry is the life blood of small and large businesses that help grow our economy and create new jobs. It’s also the industry that to which I have dedicated my professional career.”

Spicher’s career in the banking industry spans over 25 years and includes senior level positions in both the public and private sector. She began her banking career as a commissioned bank examiner for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in the New York region. She made the transition to private sector when she joined Dauphin Deposit Bank. Spicher has served as vice president of Allfirst Bank, a subsidiary of Allied Irish Banks (now M&T Bank) and has also served as vice president of private wealth management at PNC Bank and Mellon Bank (now BNY Mellon).

Building on her decades-long career in the banking industry, Spicher was DOBS’ Deputy Secretary for Depository Institutions for nearly 15 years, where she oversaw the chartering, regulation, supervision and examination of all Pennsylvania state-chartered banks, credit unions and non-depository trust companies.

Spicher is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University where she earned a degree in business administration with a major in finance and an emphasis on economics. She also studied at the School of Business Administration (ESAN) in Lima, Peru, and graduated with highest honors from the Pennsylvania Bankers Association Advanced School of Banking.