William M. Isaac, former FDIC and Fifth Third Bancorp Chairman, today announced the formation of Secura/Isaac, a global advisory firm. The firm specializes in helping clients navigate the regulatory landscape which has become exponentially more complex with the unprecedented challenges caused by rapid and enormous advances in technology, increasingly complex regulatory requirements, cybercrime, and a global pandemic. Mr. Isaac has assembled an expert team that is highly respected globally by financial institutions, regulatory authorities and central banks.
Through its guiding principles of honesty and integrity, high-quality work, and clear communications, Secura/Isaac focuses on corporate governance, risk management and regulatory compliance for the global financial sector. The team has an extraordinary breadth and depth of expertise in technology, regulatory domain, M&A and governance.
Chairman William Isaac has an unparalleled career in the financial industry and public service, spanning over 50 years. From 1978 through 1985, he served on the board of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) under Presidents Carter and Reagan and was named Chairman of the FDIC by President Reagan in 1981. As the youngest FDIC board member and chairman in history, Mr. Isaac led the FDIC during the banking and thrift crises of the 1980s, working closely with the late Federal Reserve Board Chairman, Paul Volcker, helping to maintain stability in the financial system during an extremely tumultuous period in which over 3,000 banks and thrifts failed, including many of the largest in the nation.
“It’s my distinct privilege to be leading such a distinguished and well-respected team,” said Mr. Isaac. “Having served for decades as bank lawyer, a top regulator, a board member, and as Chairman of a large bank, I know the perspectives and challenges of each. It’s an honor to be able to help bring financial executives and their regulators to common ground.”
Secura/Isaac offers highly customizable technology solutions, as well as advisory services in the areas of corporate governance, risk management and regulatory compliance; information governance, tech and cybersecurity; strategic planning; and safety and soundness.
“Uncertain times call for a fresh, entrepreneurial advisory approach,” said James C. Watkins, President of Secura/Isaac. “With exceptional experience and expertise, we are perfectly positioned to provide this perspective to our clients.” Mr. Watkins has nearly four decades of domestic and international bank regulatory experience and may be the only senior official to have served the FDIC through the bank and thrift crises of the 1980s and 1990s, the financial and banking crisis of 2008 to 2013, and the pandemic of 2020.