RALEIGH, N.C. — Mark Pearce, president and chief operating officer of the Center for Responsible Lending in Durham, is the new deputy commissioner of the North Carolina Banking Commission.

Commissioner Joseph Smith Jr. named Pearce to the post on Wednesday.

Pearce will work with Chief Deputy Commissioner David Hanson in overseeing the agency that is responsible for regulation of state chartered banks, mortgage bankers, brokers and loan originators, consumer finance companies, check cashers, money transmitters, consumer financial services, and thrifts and trust companies.

"I am delighted that Mark has agreed to become Deputy Commissioner of Banks," said Smith. "He brings high intelligence, valuable experience and a commitment to fairness that will be invaluable as this agency seeks to achieve its mission of promoting public confidence in the integrity of our financial system and fostering increased public participation in that system."

Pearce, a native of Raleigh, is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and Harvard Law School. At the Center for Responsible Lending, Pearce managed a staff of 50 people in offices in Durham, Washington D.C. and Oakland, CA.