Thomas Hoenig

Thomas Hoenig is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. He engages in research and comments on economic, money and banking, and related policy topics and provides economic outlook and related services to investment firms and businesses across the country. Prior to joining the Mercatus Center, Hoenig served as Vice Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) from 2012 until 2018. In that capacity, he oversaw FDIC operations and policy related to deposit insurance pricing, bank supervision, financial stability, and bank resolution. He served as Director of NeighborWorks America, which was established by Congress in 1978 to address housing issues nationwide. He also served as a member of the International Association of Deposit Insurers’ board from 2012 to 2017, and as the President and Chairman from October 2015 to October 2017.

Previously, Hoenig was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and a member of the Federal Reserve System's Federal Open Market Committee from 1991 to 2011. Hoenig was with the Federal Reserve for 40 years, beginning as an economist and then as a senior officer in banking supervision. As President and Chief Executive Officer, he led the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City during the Great Recession and the banking crisis of 2008 and 2009. He chaired several key committees including the Conference of Presidents, the Committee on Bank Supervision, Regulation and Legislation, and the Information Technology Oversight Committee. Additionally, Hoenig organized and hosted the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s Jackson Hole Economic Symposium for twenty years.

Hoenig is from Fort Madison, Iowa, and received a doctorate in economics from Iowa State University. He is recognized for his advocacy of market-based methods for allocating scarce resources and ensuring strong, consistent economic growth. He emphasizes the importance of free markets, market discipline, and accountability for economic success. Hoenig’s expertise extends to delivering speeches on topics such as the economic and financial outlook, banking trends in America, leadership development, and the demands of bank directorship. His contributions to financial regulation discussions have positioned him as a notable figure in debates concerning the financial stability of the U.S. economy.