The commissioner may appoint, remove, and assign appropriate titles to such deputy examiners and such other employees as in the commissioner’s judgment may be necessary for the proper discharge of the business of the department of financial institutions. The commissioner may select and designate one of said deputy examiners to be the assistant commissioner to act during the absence or disability of the commissioner, and in such cases the assistant commissioner so designated has charge of the office and shall administer its affairs. The assistant commissioner shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by the commissioner.