Hassan to Nominate GOP State Senator to Banking Commission

CONCORD, NH - As part of her efforts to protect consumers and ensure a robust financial sector that can support New Hampshire’s strengthening economy, Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, announced on Feb. 9, 2016, that she will nominate state Sen. Gerald H. “Jerry” Little, R-Weare, as commissioner of the New Hampshire Banking Department.

For about two decades before being elected to the state Senate, Little was the president of the New Hampshire Bankers Association (NHBA). He was also the executive director of the NHBA Insurance Trust.

“The New Hampshire Banking Department is critical to ensuring strong protections for New Hampshire’s citizens while also supporting a strong financial sector, which is crucial to innovative economic growth, helping people and businesses access the credit and capital that they need to grow and thrive,” Hassan said. “Senator Little has extensive experience in the banking industry and working in state and local government, and I am confident that his expertise and integrity will help him fulfill the Banking Commissioner’s important responsibilities to protect New Hampshire consumers and support our financial sector.”

Little is currently serving his first term as the state Senator representing District 8. He serves as the vice chairman for the Senate Finance Committee, as the Vice Chairman for the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and as a member of the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee.

“I am deeply honored by this nomination,” said Little. “Serving as New Hampshire Banking Commissioner will allow me to continue my long-time commitments to public service and economic development in a way that benefits every citizen, business and organization in the state, and allow me to continue the important work of ensuring strong protections for all New Hampshire consumers.”

Hassan noted that Little worked extensively with Live Free and Start – an initiative of the Governor’s Office, the Department of Resources and Economic Development and the Business Finance Authority that brings together business leaders and entrepreneurs to make it easier for innovative businesses to start up and grow – on bipartisan legislation that modernized the state’s securities regulations, according to a press statement.

Little received his undergraduate degree from the University of New Hampshire, and he is currently the vice chairman of the Board of Directors of Granite State Management and Resources (an affiliate of the New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Network) and a member of the town of Weare Capital Improvements Program Committee. He also previously served as the founding chairman of the Weare Public Library Foundation, town of Weare Moderator, and on the New Hampshire Bar Foundation Board of Directors.

The nomination is subject to approval by Executive Council and will be formally submitted by Hassan to the Council at tomorrow’s meeting.

Senate President Chuck Morse, R-Salem, in a statement, called Little “an incredible asset to the New Hampshire Senate, bringing an invaluable perspective, a dedicated work ethic and expert knowledge on critical legislation, including the State’s operating budget“ adding that he had served his constituents well and always took the time to ask the tough questions on either side of any issue.

“The attributes that have made him a successful Senator will undoubtedly serve him well as he is considered for Banking Commissioner,” Morse added. “Jerry’s background and experience make him uniquely poised to serve as Banking Commissioner for the State of New Hampshire. Although his absence would leave big shoes to fill in the Senate, I fully support the Governor’s nomination of Senator Jerry Little for Banking Commissioner and I look forward to the Executive Council’s approval of his nomination.”