Case Western Reserve University School of Law alumnus Martin Gruenberg (LAW '79) will become acting chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) following the resignation of Jelena McWilliams, an appointee of the Trump administration who has held the post since 2018. McWilliams’ last day will be Feb. 4.
Gruenberg has served on the FDIC Board of Directors since Aug. 2005. This will mark his third time leading the agency, which insures trillions of dollars in deposits at the nation’s banks. The FDIC also examines and supervises financial institutions for soundness, performs certain consumer-protection functions, and manages receiverships of failed banks.
Gruenberg previously was appointed FDIC chair by former President Barack Obama, receiving Senate confirmation on Nov. 15, 2012, for a five-year term after serving as acting chair from July 2011 to Nov. 2012. He also served as acting chair from November 2005 to June 2006.
Gruenberg is a member of the Society of Benchers, the School of Law’s Hall of Fame. Inductees are selected on the basis of extraordinary achievement and dedication to the highest principles of the legal profession. He is an active alumnus who has spoken several times at law school events.