WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The White House is close to naming derivatives regulator Christy Goldsmith Romero to replace Martin Gruenberg to head the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. Gruenberg, a Democrat, said in May he would step down once a successor was confirmed by the Senate, succumbing to pressure from lawmakers who said the bank regulator needed fresh leadership after an investigation found widespread sexual harassment and other misconduct at the agency. Goldsmith Romero, 53, has a background in enforcement and has led major actions against Wall Street banks and other financial firms during her career.