Maria T. Vullo
Former Superintendent
New York State Department of Financial Services
Maria T. Vullo has thirty years of experience at the highest levels of the private and public sectors. Ms. Vullo recently served as Superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services, where she led an agency of 1,400 employees, responsible for the regulation and oversight of New York’s robust financial services industry. As Superintendent, Ms. Vullo authored a groundbreaking cybersecurity regulation for the financial industry that has become the national model, a leading transaction monitoring regulation for the banking industry, and regulations for the life, health, and property/casualty insurance industries on a broad range of subjects. She led in protecting New Yorkers in their right to comprehensive health insurance, and in setting prudent industry standards through regulation and guidance provided to the insurance and banking industries. Ms. Vullo also actively promoted responsible financial services innovation in a strong regulatory environment, including in the areas of fintech/insurtech and digital assets.
As the lead regulator of the insurance industry, Ms. Vullo promoted strong fiscal oversight, appropriate industry mergers & acquisitions, and strong consumer protections. She supported industry innovations in new company and product approvals, as well as principle-based reserving for the life insurance industry. Under her leadership, the department resolved numerous market conduct examinations and other investigations of insurance companies and agents. Ms. Vullo also championed key legislative initiatives, including legislation involving student loan servicers, comprehensive health insurance, reproductive health care, pharmacy benefit managers, principle-based reserving, and long-term care riders for life insurance policies.
In addition, under her leadership, the department conducted and resolved numerous investigations of large banking institutions, involving the Bank Secrecy Act, anti-money laundering laws, sanctions compliance, foreign exchange markets and whistleblower practices. Ms. Vullo utilized monitors where necessary to better achieve regulatory compliance.
As Superintendent, Ms. Vullo was a national leader on cybersecurity and data privacy, international insurance and reinsurance regulation, the dual banking system and the appropriate regulation of fintech, insurtech and cryptocurrency firms. She was a leader at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, promoting Part 500 as the national cybersecurity model, leading the Reinsurance Task Force in implementing the bilateral agreement between the United States and the European Union, and promoting a strong state-based health insurance market as well as key suitability and best interests regulations for life insurance and annuities products. Ms. Vullo also was a leader at the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, serving on its board and promoting our nation’s community banking industry as well as responsible state regulation of non-depository financial services companies. Ms. Vullo was a frequent keynote speaker at industry, bar association and governmental events. Ms. Vullo continues to speak and write about financial services regulation and other topics of public concern.
Prior to her service as Superintendent, Ms. Vullo was a senior litigation partner with Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, where she handled significant civil, regulatory and criminal investigations and litigations, involving banking, insurance, real estate, securities, health care, antitrust and constitutional law. Ms. Vullo has substantial trial and appellate experience in federal and state courts and in mediation and arbitration proceedings. Ms. Vullo also served as Executive Deputy Attorney General for Economic Justice in the Office of the New York Attorney General, where she was responsible for all Investor Protection, Antitrust, Real Estate Finance, Consumer Protection & Internet investigations and litigations. Ms. Vullo is the recipient of numerous awards, has received the highest ratings for legal acumen and ethics, and is a frequent public speaker and presenter on matters of industry and public interest.
In addition to her consulting practice, Ms. Vullo is Regulator-in-Residence at the Fintech Innovation Lab NYC, is a Senior Fellow at NYU School of Law’s Program on Corporate Compliance & Enforcement, and serves on several for-profit, public and nonprofit boards.
Ms. Vullo holds a J.D. from New York University School of Law, an M.P.A. from NYU Wagner’s Graduate School of Public Service, and a B.A. and Honorary Ph.D. from the College of Mount Saint Vincent.
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