NR 98-89
August 28, 1998 


         Clifford Wilke Named Director of Bank Technology

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
(OCC) announced today that Clifford A. Wilke will be the agency's
Director of Bank Technology, effective September 21.  He will
report to Ralph Sharpe, Senior Policy Advisor to the Senior
Deputy Comptroller for Bank Supervision Policy.  

As Director of Bank Technology, Mr. Wilke will direct the
formulation of policy and development of examination tools to
supervise bank technology.  In February, the OCC issued guidance
to national banks on the management of risks in bank technology
and this week issued guidance on the risks associated with
personal computer, or PC, banking.  The OCC will soon issue
guidance on electronic authentication, including digital
signatures.

Mr. Wilke joins the OCC after 17 years with Mobil Oil
Corporation, where he most recently served as vice president of
business development at Mobil Oil Credit Corporation.  He led
development of the industry's first prepaid and multi-application
card products (The Mobil GO CARD and Mobil MCI GO Card), and
assisted with the initial development of the Mobil SpeedPass,
which uses a radio-like device to automatically bill purchases at
the gas pump to a credit card of the customer's choice.  In
addition, Mr. Wilke previously worked in the Information Systems,
Training and Retail Field Sales Departments.  

Mr. Wilke serves on the board of directors of the Smart Card
Forum and chairs the Smart Card Forum Educational Institute, an
organization dedicated to providing quality education in the
field of smart cards to members of the public and private sector. 
Mr. Wilke was co-author of Smart Cards - Seizing Strategic
Business Opportunities.  

Mr. Wilke graduated in 1981 with a B.S. and B.A. in marketing and
management and advanced studies from the University of Missouri -
St. Louis, Missouri.


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The OCC charters, regulates and examines approximately 2,600 national banks
and 66 federal branches and agencies of foreign banks in the United States,
accounting for 58 percent of the nation's banking assets.  Its mission is to
ensure a safe, sound and competitive national banking system that supports the
citizens, communities and economy of the United States.