Mark Walter Olson (March 17, 1943 – September 12, 2018) was an American economist and bank executive who served as a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors from 2001 to 2006.

Filling an unexpired term to end on January 31, 2010, he resigned on June 21, 2006, in order to run the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

[3] Between 1971 and 1976, Olson served former Republican Representative Bill Frenzel of Minnesota, as Legislative Assistant for Banking Issues (1971–72), then as Director of his district office (1974–76).

In addition, he was selected to join a 1991–92 United States Treasury Department effort to assist Eastern European bankers in adapting to a free-market economy.

[3] Before becoming a member of the Board, Olson served as Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Securities Subcommittee of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee (2000–2001).

[2] In September 2005, following Hurricane Katrina, Olson dissented in a decision to raise interest rates, citing the devastation and uncertainty caused by the natural disaster.