The CFPB has lifted a nearly two-year hiring freeze and accelerated its recruitment efforts. Mick Mulvaney imposed the freeze when he replaced Richard Cordray, an appointee of President Barack Obama, and became interim Director of the CFPB in November 2017. In an August 15 email to staff, CFPB Director, Kathy Kraninger explained; “Broadly speaking, the completion of the staffing planning process means: The ‘hiring freeze’ is lifted.” Divisions will receive new staffing allocations to cover current and new positions. The Bureau’s headcount is expected to rise closer to its employment totals from previous years. In March the agency had 1,452 employees, down 15 percent from its peak of 1,712 employees in June 2017. Director Kraninger explained that the decision to start hiring is in line with the goal to move the Bureau towards a more sustainable and disciplined practice of identifying and hiring the staff needed to execute the Bureaus’ policy priorities for the next fiscal year starting October 1, 2019.