WASHINGTON — The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced today that John K. Hardage has been named Director for Congressional Liaison. Mr. Hardage, who joined the OCC in 1997, had been Deputy Director for Congressional Liaison.

Mr. Hardage joined the OCC from the Federal Housing Finance Board, where he served as Deputy Director for Legislative Affairs, including a 16-month stint as acting director. Prior to that, he served as a professional staff member on the House Banking Committee and as a legislative aide to Rep. Steve Neal, D-N.C. He also served as Deputy Staff Director for the banking committee’s Subcommittee on Financial Institutions.

“John is a tremendous asset for the OCC,” said Comptroller of the Currency John C. Dugan. “His in-depth knowledge of the legislative process, as well as the people and issues of Capitol Hill, make him the perfect choice to lead our Congressional Liaison office.”

Mr. Hardage succeeds Carolyn Z. McFarlane, who retired from the OCC last year. He has a B.A. degree in politics from Wake Forest University and an M.A. degree in government from Johns Hopkins University.