# American Bankers Association

> The American Bankers Association (ABA) is the largest financial trade group in the United States, representing banks of every size and charter in Washington. Founded in 1875 in the wake of the Panic of 1873, ABA lobbies on behalf of the roughly $24 trillion U.S. banking industry and provides its members with professional certifications, training schools, research, conferences and community. Its members range from small community banks to the largest money-center institutions and together account for the overwhelming majority of the industry's assets and employees.

- **Founded:** 1875
- **Headquarters:** Washington, D.C., United States
- **Founders:** James Howenstein (Convening banker / early organizer)
- **Team size:** ~450 employees
- **Products:** Advocacy & Government Relations, Professional Certifications, Training, Schools & Online Courses, Conferences & Events, Research & Publications
- **Notable:** Celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2025, making it one of the oldest continuously operating trade associations in the U.S., Grew into the largest financial trade group in the United States., Members represent well over 90% of the U.S. banking industry's assets.

## Products & services

- **Advocacy & Government Relations** — Lobbying and policy analysis on behalf of the U.S. banking industry before Congress, the administration and federal regulators, including the annual 'Blueprint for Growth' policy agenda.
- **Professional Certifications** — Industry credentials such as Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM), Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA), Certified Financial Marketing Professional (CFMP), and Certified AML and Fraud Professional (CAFP).
- **Training, Schools & Online Courses** — On-demand courses, banking foundations training, licensed continuing education and specialized banking schools for professionals at every level and role.
- **Conferences & Events** — The ABA Annual Convention, Conference for Community Bankers, Risk and Compliance Conference, Washington Summit, Wealth & Trust 360, Women Lead Symposium and more.
- **Research & Publications** — Economic research, industry data and the ABA Banking Journal covering regulation, retail banking, risk and wealth management.
- **ABA Foundation** — Charitable arm running financial-literacy, elder-fraud-prevention and community-outreach programs.

## Achievements

- Celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2025, making it one of the oldest continuously operating trade associations in the U.S.
- Grew into the largest financial trade group in the United States.
- Members represent well over 90% of the U.S. banking industry's assets.
- Established widely recognized professional credentials (CRCM, CTFA, CFMP, CAFP) that are industry standards.
- Hosts the Treasury Secretary and top policymakers as speakers at its convenings.

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — ABA issued a mortgage advocacy update, welcoming executive orders directing regulators to tailor and roll back mortgage rules to expand credit access and housing construction.
- **2026-01** — Released its 2026 'Blueprint for Growth' policy agenda, prioritizing innovation, liquidity, charter flexibility and community-bank lending as the U.S. marks its 250th anniversary.
- **2025-10** — Elected officers and board members for the 2025-2026 association year, with Kenneth Kelly as Chair and Rob Nichols continuing as President & CEO.
- **2025-07** — Celebrated its 150th anniversary, marking 150 years since 350 bankers chartered the association in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

## Links

- Website: https://aba.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/american-bankers-association
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ABABankers
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ABABankers
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanBankersAssociation

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Last updated: 2026-07-07