AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION
The American Bankers Association (ABA) is comprised of banks and other financial institu-
tions. It seeks to promote the strength and prof-
itability of the banking industry by LOBBYING
federal and state governments, building industry
consensus on key issues, and providing products
and services, including public affairs support
and legal services, to its member banks. Mem-
bership in the ABA includes community,
regional, and money-center banks (the nation’s
major banks) and holding companies, as well as
savings associations, trust companies, and sav-
ings banks. The ABA, which was founded in
1875, is the largest banking trade association in
the United States, with 95 percent of the com-
mercial banking industry as members. Its head-
quarters are in Washington, D.C.
The ABA places great emphasis on repre-
senting the interests of banks before Congress
and state legislatures. It takes stands on banking
and bank-related bills as they move through
Congress, attempts to influence the interpreta-
tions of laws and regulations by banking regula-
tors, and is actively involved in state litigation
that has implications for the banking industry.
Throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s,
ABA representatives frequently testified before
Congress, filed official letters of comment, and
sponsored trips by state associations to the
nation’s capital. During this time, BankPac, the
banking industry’s POLITICAL ACTION COMMIT-
TEE and one of the strongest committees nation-
wide, raised and distributed millions of dollars
for congressional elections. ABA fought legisla-
tive efforts to regulate the fees banks charge cus-
tomers to use automated teller machines (ATM)
and has challenged in court the membership
policies used by credit unions to gain customers.
ABA also became involved in such issues as ATM
accessibility for blind persons, predatory lending practices, SOCIAL SECURITY reform, and MONEY
LAUNDERING.
The ABA operates the American Institute for
Banking (AIB), which is the largest provider of
banking education. The AIB teaches more than
100,000 students annually. In addition, the ABA
sponsors approximately 24 residential schools
with 3,700 students covering specialty areas within banking and the prestigious Stonier
Graduate School of Banking. New technology
has provided new opportunities as well. American
Financial Skylink is a satellite TELECOMMUNICATIONS
network that delivers news,
information, and training directly to banks
through regular telecasts.
Other ABA affiliates include the following:
ABA eCom, which facilitates electronic banking
and commerce over the INTERNET; the
ABA Education Foundation, which provides
resources for consumer education; and the
ABA Marketing Network (ABAMN), which
informs and educates banks in the marketing
of their products and services. The ABA Securities
Association assists sections of the banking
industry that are competing in the
securities business.
Though the ABA is a nonprofit organization,
it operates the for-profit Corporation for
American Banking (CAB). CAB was created to
facilitate group buying of services, allowing participating
banks to receive CAB-arranged discounts
on long-distance telephone service,
overnight package delivery, office products, and
copying products.
FURTHER READINGS
American Bankers Association. Available online at
(accessed May 29, 2003).
Lovett, William A. 2000. Banking & Financial Institutions
Law in a Nutshell. St. Paul, Minn.:West Wadsworth.
Malloy, Michael A. 1999. Banking Regulation. St. Paul,
Minn.:West Wadsworth.
