North Dakota Commissioner of Financial Institutions was installed as chairman-elect of the board of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) for 2007-2008 during the organization's 106th annual convention in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho last week.

In that position, Karsky is in line to become CSBS chairman at CSBS’s 107th annual meeting next year. Appointed North Dakota Commissioner in July 2001, Karsky was serving as assistant commissioner at the time of his appointment. As commissioner, he chairs the State Banking Board and State Credit Union Board, which oversee all of North Dakota’s state chartered banks and credit unions. The Department of Financial Institutions also supervises consumer finance companies, money transmitters, money brokers, collection agencies and deferred presentment providers.

He began his banking career with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in January 1982, and joined the Department of Banking and Financial Institutions in the fall of 1986 as chief examiner. In 1989, Karsky was first appointed assistant commissioner and served in that capacity until 1997, when he joined a Bismarck financial institution. Karsky returned to the Department as assistant commissioner in 1999.

Karsky has held several leadership positions in CSBS, most recently as vice chairman. Previously he served as secretary of the organization, following a two-year term as treasurer. He also served as district chairman for the eight-state central plains region.

Born in North Dakota and later raised in South Dakota, he holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Northern State College in 1981. He and his wife Sharon have two children and reside in Bismarck.