Regulatory Advocacy
Engaging with policymakers to shape banking regulations that support sound financial services and community lending
National trade association representing banks and financial institutions across the United States
About Organization
Founded in 1875 and based in Washington, DC, the American Bankers Association advocates for the banking industry through policy engagement, professional education, and business solutions. The organization serves financial institutions with annual revenue of $175.4 million and employs 400 staff supported by 1,200 volunteers.
Regulatory Advocacy
Engaging with policymakers to shape banking regulations that support sound financial services and community lending
Professional Development
Equipping banking professionals with education and certifications to navigate complex compliance requirements effectively
Industry Leadership
Providing forums and resources for financial institutions to share best practices and address emerging challenges
Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.
Revenue (2023)
$175.4M
+16.4% vs 2022
Expenses (2023)
$149.1M
+8.3% vs 2022
Assets (2023)
$903.4M
+15.5% vs 2022
Employees (2023)
400
-2% vs 2022
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Employees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $175,420,605 | $149,109,118 | $903,374,225 | 400 |
| 2022 | $150,659,083 | $137,635,007 | $782,282,636 | 408 |
| 2021 | $592,825,072 | $118,785,976 | $708,168,992 | 389 |
| 2020 | $140,712,476 | $105,749,195 | $263,742,289 | 390 |
| 2019 | $136,163,926 | $121,443,987 | $233,390,410 | 414 |
| 2018 | $135,325,103 | $119,965,861 | $224,230,935 | 420 |
| 2017 | $121,242,277 | $110,517,389 | $218,048,967 | 426 |
Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.
Gather input from member banks to identify key challenges and regulatory concerns
Develop advocacy positions and policy recommendations based on member priorities and needs
Represent banking industry interests before Congress, regulators, and federal agencies in Washington
Provide training programs and resources to help members navigate regulatory compliance requirements
Services and programs offered by American Bankers Association
Represents member banks' interests in regulatory and legislative matters affecting financial services operations
Provides professional development programs and certifications for banking industry professionals nationwide
Delivers tools, resources, and strategic guidance to help member institutions operate effectively
Facilitates information exchange and networking opportunities among banking professionals and leaders
Meet the people behind American Bankers Association.
1875
1875
American Bankers Association established to represent the nation's banking industry
1977
1977
Received IRS ruling recognizing organization as tax-exempt trade association
2021
2021
Achieved exceptional revenue growth reaching $592.8 million during unprecedented financial environment
2023
2023
Provided disaster relief and supported survivors of Louisville bank shooting
Board members, advisors, and key contributors
Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.
Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990
Total Reported (2023)
$13.2M
Highest Paid
$5.1M
Robert S Nichols
Compensated Officers
13
| Name | Title | Base | Other | Total | Hrs/Wk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert S Nichols | President And CEO | $5,041,890 | $86,618 | $5,128,508 | 36.5 |
| Naomi Camper | Chief Policy Officer | $1,235,205 | $85,278 | $1,320,483 | 37.5 |
| Jess Sharp | Executive Vice President | $669,700 | $86,618 | $756,318 | 37.5 |
| Karin Petersen Flynn | Cheif Finance And Aministration Officer | $629,792 | $119,748 | $749,540 | 33.5 |
| Peter C Cook | Chief Communication Office | $620,612 | $81,212 | $701,824 | 36.5 |
| Alethia Baggett | Chief HR Officer | $559,685 | $88,637 | $648,322 | 37.5 |
| Thomas Pinder | General Counsel & Corp. Se | $548,100 | $69,311 | $617,411 | 37.5 |
| Kirsten Sutton | EVP, Congressional Relatio | $532,960 | $65,482 | $598,442 | 37.5 |
| Virginia O'Neill | EVP, Regulatory Compliance | $542,197 | $45,822 | $588,019 | 37.5 |
| Sayee Srinivasan | Chief Economist | $502,655 | $84,109 | $586,764 | 37.5 |
| Russell Davis | EVP, Member Experience | $483,801 | $82,847 | $566,648 | 37.5 |
| Laena F Pomeroy | Chief Of Staff | $432,484 | $84,101 | $516,585 | 37.5 |
| James G Edrington | Executive VP - Until June 2023 | $416,724 | $41,219 | $457,943 | 37.5 |
| Name | Title | Base | Other | Total | Hrs/Wk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert S Nichols | President And CEO | $3,433,603 | $62,913 | $3,496,516 | 36.5 |
| Naomi Camper | Chief Policy Officer | $827,288 | $126,166 | $953,454 | 37.5 |
| Peter C Cook | Chief Communication Officer | $710,403 | $58,769 | $769,172 | 36.5 |
| Karin Petersen Flynn | Chief Financial Officer | $648,376 | $103,398 | $751,774 | 33.5 |
| Jess Sharp | Executive Vice President | $680,726 | $62,853 | $743,579 | 37.5 |
| James G Edrington | Executive Vice President | $671,666 | $52,188 | $723,854 | 37.5 |
| James Ballentine | Former Highest Compensated Employee | $642,307 | $65,567 | $707,874 | — |
| Alethia Baggett | Chief HR Officer | $635,287 | $59,552 | $694,839 | 37.5 |
| Kenneth Clayton | Former Highest Compensated Employee | $607,541 | $4,108 | $611,649 | — |
| Thomas Pinder | General Counsel & Corp. Secretary | $510,878 | $60,972 | $571,850 | 37.5 |
| Virginia O'Neill | EVP, Regulatory Compliance | $501,257 | $36,831 | $538,088 | 37.5 |
| Sayee Srinivasan | Chief Economist | $433,730 | $62,869 | $496,599 | 37.5 |
| Kristen Sutton | EVP, Congressional Relations | $433,146 | $52,047 | $485,193 | 37.5 |
| Gary Sundel | Chief Information Officer | $416,165 | $63,091 | $479,256 | 37.5 |
| Laena F Pomeroy | Senior Advisor | $379,500 | $59,254 | $438,754 | 37.5 |
| Name | Title | Base | Other | Total | Hrs/Wk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert S Nichols | President And CEO | $3,276,632 | $375,100 | $3,651,732 | 36.5 |
| Naomi Camper | Chief Policy Officer | $795,618 | $125,339 | $920,957 | 37.5 |
| James Ballentine | Executive Vice President | $784,286 | $64,074 | $848,360 | 37.5 |
| James G Edrington | Executive Vice President | $637,214 | $93,992 | $731,206 | 37.5 |
| Jess Sharp | Executive Vice President | $657,144 | $64,300 | $721,444 | 37.5 |
| Peter C Cook | Chief Communication Office | $535,759 | $90,952 | $626,711 | 36.5 |
| Karin Petersen Flynn | Chief Financial Officer | $494,352 | $88,867 | $583,219 | 33.5 |
| Alethia Baggett | Chief HR Officer | $492,948 | $87,363 | $580,311 | 37.5 |
| Thomas Pinder | Secretary | $484,839 | $45,926 | $530,765 | 37.5 |
| Kenneth Clayton | Executive Vice President | $463,068 | $62,121 | $525,189 | 37.5 |
| Virginia O'Neill | EVP, Regulatory Compliance Policy | $487,614 | $34,953 | $522,567 | 37.5 |
| Paul Benda | SVP, Operational Risk & Cybersecurity | $420,466 | $44,141 | $464,607 | 37.5 |
| Jeffrey Owen | Former Chief Operating Officer | $232,380 | $17,400 | $249,780 | 37.5 |
| Name | Title | Base | Other | Total | Hrs/Wk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert S Nichols | President And CEO | $4,460,447 | $372,476 | $4,832,923 | 36.5 |
| James Ballentine | Executive Vice President | $2,143,112 | $125,748 | $2,268,860 | 37.5 |
| James G Edrington | Executive Vice President | $880,706 | $130,848 | $1,011,554 | 37.5 |
| Naomi Camper | Chief Policy Officer | $780,905 | $121,076 | $901,981 | 37.5 |
| Jim Chessen Thru 4120 | Executive Vice President | $806,580 | $19,860 | $826,440 | 37.5 |
| Kenneth Clayton | Executive Vice President | $536,118 | $173,848 | $709,966 | 37.5 |
| Dawn Causey Thru 111520 | General Counsel | $535,909 | $143,271 | $679,180 | 37.5 |
| Jess Sharp | Executive Vice President | $636,139 | $27,289 | $663,428 | 37.5 |
| Peter C Cook | Chief Communication Office | $524,208 | $89,948 | $614,156 | 36.5 |
| Alethia Baggett | Chief HR Officer | $480,066 | $84,476 | $564,542 | 37.5 |
| Karin Petersen Flynn | Chief Financial Officer | $456,711 | $70,876 | $527,587 | 37.5 |
| Robert Schmermund | Executive Vice President | $453,009 | $68,849 | $521,858 | 37.5 |
| Robert G Eady | Former Chief Financial Officer | $426,909 | — | $426,909 | 36.5 |
| Wayne Abernathy Thru 3220 | Executive Vice President | $390,498 | $17,776 | $408,274 | 37.5 |
| Jeffrey Owen | Former Chief Operating Off | $232,380 | — | $232,380 | 37.5 |
| Name | Title | Base | Other | Total | Hrs/Wk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert S Nichols | President And CEO | $2,900,236 | $370,802 | $3,271,038 | 36.5 |
| Wayne Abernathy | Executive Vice President | $960,222 | $549,279 | $1,509,501 | 37.5 |
| James G Edrington | Executive Vice President | $807,220 | $586,556 | $1,393,776 | 37.5 |
| James Ballentine | Executive Vice President | $591,399 | $674,150 | $1,265,549 | 37.5 |
| Kenneth Clayton | Executive Vice President | $536,449 | $580,645 | $1,117,094 | 37.5 |
| Dawn Causey | General Counsel | $550,126 | $441,258 | $991,384 | 37.5 |
| Naomi Camper | Chief Policy Officer | $756,314 | $120,973 | $877,287 | 37.5 |
| Robert G Eady | Chief Financial Officer (Thru 8/19) | $704,523 | $134,864 | $839,387 | 36.5 |
| Robert R Davis | Executive Vice President | $622,459 | $101,347 | $723,806 | 37.5 |
| Peter C Cook | Chief Communication Officer | $504,715 | $90,225 | $594,940 | 36.5 |
| Alethia Baggett | Chief HR Officer | $474,784 | $84,800 | $559,584 | 37.5 |
| Robert Schmermund | Executive Vice President | $477,367 | $78,817 | $556,184 | 37.5 |
| Jim Chessen | Executive Vice President | $460,120 | $59,094 | $519,214 | 37.5 |
| Jeffrey Owen | Former Chief Operating Officer | $232,380 | $130,100 | $362,480 | 37.5 |
| Karin Petersen Flynn | Chief Financial Officer(Frm 11.2019) | $57,906 | — | $57,906 | 37.5 |
Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.
People from this organization who contributed to political campaigns
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Data from Federal Election Commission • Individual contributions only
Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings
Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.