Walter J. Mix III

Walter J. Mix III is a former commissioner of the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), formerly known as the California Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), and previously served as a banking executive at Union Bank of California.

Mr. Mix, who heads the Financial Services practice at BRG, advises domestic banks, international banks, and financial services companies on corporate governance, enterprise risk management, strategic planning, financial advisory, fintech, digital currency, payments, and credit risk management. He has significant experience with the Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering, sanctions, cybersecurity, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and capital planning. He has extensive experience serving as a monitor based on the approval of regulatory agencies and law enforcement. He also advises clients on reengineering and implementing technology to improve profitability, including artificial intelligence. In addition, he performs litigation and expert services based on his extensive expertise in financial services. He speaks frequently before bankers’ groups and regulatory seminars.

In his position as commissioner, Mr. Mix reorganized the organization and improved its efficiency and effectiveness. He worked with financial institutions on more than sixty mergers and acquisitions. He reengineered the examination processes for banking and other licensees. He was instrumental in the development and passage of California’s identity theft law and many other laws, including the interstate banking and branching law and cooperative supervisory agreements for domestic and international banks. Mr. Mix also spearheaded proposals designed to enhance financial institutions’ electronic banking and commerce capabilities. He joined BRG from LECG, LLC and before that The Secura Group; he served as managing director in both firms.

Mr. Mix is a graduate of the University of California, Riverside and earned a master’s degree with a concentration in economics and public policy from Rutgers University.