HARRIS NAMED NEW YORK’S TOP INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL REGULATOR

Recently installed New York Governor Kathy Hochul has named Adrienne Harris to head the state’s Department of Financial Services and oversee insurers and state-chartered banks. Hochul said the department’s focus in her administration would be consumer protection and managing an equitable recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Harris is currently a senior advisor at Washington-based public-relations firm Brunswick Group, where she provides consulting services to venture-capital firms, financial institutions and fintech companies. The nomination of Harris remains subject to the approval of the state Senate. Harris will succeed Linda Lacewell, who resigned last week in the wake of the resignation of Governor Andrew Cuomo following accusations of sexual misconduct. Hochul had served as Cuomo’s lieutenant governor.