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American Bankers Association





ORGANIZATION


While the ABA works on a national level, it also is supported by state operated offices (sometimes referred to as “Leagues”) which focus attention on state level support. Both the ABA and the state organizations are dues supported trade associations. Both the state and national offices also operate Political Action Committee s (PACs) which use registered Lobbyist s to work for laws that are advantageous for the banking industry.


TRADE ASSOCIATION STRATEGIC PRIORITIES


In 2003, 2004 and 2005, the ABA identified the elimination of the tax-exempt status for Credit Union ’s (co-operative non-profits) in the United States as its primary strategic political goal. The ABA states that the elimination of the unfair tax advantage enjoyed by credit unions over banks places banks at an unfair advantage in the consumer marketplace. The ABA feels that large credit unions, who provide consumer first Mortgage s, should be compelled to comply with the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).

The ABA contends that bringing credit unions into parity with banks on taxes will “level the playing field for banks”, despite statistics showing 173 banks with assets greater than $5 billion dollars in assets compared to only 3 credit unions (2002 GAO Data).


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