Rob Nichols, a former assistant secretary at the U.S.Treasury Department, has been named president/CEO of the AmericanBankers Association. Nichols, who is currently president/CEO ofthe Financial Services Forum, will join ABA this summer followingthe retirement of current ABA chief executive and former OklahomaGov. Frank Keating.

“I am deeply honored to take on the responsibility of leadingthe ABA,” Nichols said. “The nation's economic growth prospectsdepend on banks of all sizes and models in order to effectivelyserve the needs of local communities, clients and customers.”

CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle offered a congratulatory statementupon hearing the news.

“I offer my full congratulations to Rob and look forward toworking with him on a wide variety of financial services issuesboth of our organizations face,” Nussle said.

NAFCU President/CEO Dan Berger also commented, “Wecongratulate Rob on his new position as the incoming CEO for theABA. I strongly encourage him to work closely with us and focus onreducing the regulatory burdens our respective members face.”

Prior to leading the Financial Services Forum, Nichols servedfor more than four years as assistant secretary of the Treasury for public affairs during the George W. Bushadministration. He was previously communications director for theElectronics Industries Alliance and a senior aide on CapitolHill.

As Treasury's assistant secretary, Nichols established policiesfor administering public affairs, business affairs, consumeraffairs and intergovernmental affairs programs in the TreasuryDepartment and its bureaus. He also oversaw the Office of PublicLiaison, which conducts outreach to business, advocacy andfinancial communities. He is a recipient of the Alexander HamiltonAward, Treasury's highest honor.

“Rob Nichols will be a superb leader of the ABA,” ABAChairman John Ikard, who is also president and CEO of FirstBankHolding Co. in Lakewood, Colo., said. “We sought a visionary,strategic leader with demonstrated public policy acumen, a keenunderstanding of the entirety of the banking and financial system,and a strong track record of both strategic management andbipartisan advocacy. Rob Nichols hits the mark on all counts.”