A federal bureau formed in 1989 as a branch of the Treasury Department as part of a major reorganization of the thrift (savings and loan) industry. OTS regulates, examines, and supervises both thrifts and their holding companies. The office director coordinates with other federal bureaus which regulate the nation’s financial institutions by serving on the boards of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Resolution Trust Corporation, and others. The purpose of this office is to ensure a sound operation of savings institutions and compliance with federal laws.