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

Prior to leading the Financial Services Forum, Nichols served for more than four years as assistant secretary of the Treasury for public affairs during the George W. Bush administration. He was previously communications director for the Electronics Industries Alliance and a senior aide on Capitol Hill.

As Treasury's assistant secretary, Nichols established policies for administering public affairs, business affairs, consumer affairs and intergovernmental affairs programs in the Treasury Department and its bureaus. He also oversaw the Office of Public Liaison, which conducts outreach to business, advocacy and financial communities. He is a recipient of the Alexander Hamilton Award, Treasury's highest honor.

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