WASHINGTON -- The American Bankers Association recently announced a new addition to its lobbying staff.

Carter McDowell, currently chief counsel and policy adviser for the House Financial Services Committee, will join the ABA effective Jan. 1, as chief legislative counsel for domestic and international banking issues. "Carter's banking experience, banking law expertise, knowledge of the political process and interest in international banking issues make him the ideal candidate," ABA Executive Director for Congressional Relations and Public Policy Floyd Stoner said. "He is greatly respected in Washington, and we are excited to have him join the ABA government relations staff."

McDowell has worked for the committee since 2001. Prior to that, he served as the Washington representative and legal counsel for Bank One. He also was an associate in the financial services practice group at Goodwin Procter Law Firm in Boston, Mass.

McDowell earned a B.A. from the University of Texas, a J.D. from the Louisiana State University School of Law and holds an L.L.M. in banking law studies from the Boston University School of Law.