The American Bankers Association is the banking industry's champion. Joining ABA makes you part of a team that: • has Extraordinary People - ABA experts are the "go to" sources for bankers, policy makers and the media for credible information and insights for the banking industry. • has Unmatched Scope and Scale - ABA's unparalleled information and services keep members current, knowledgeable and prepared. • is Impact-Driven - ABA has a proven record of bringing about positive change for our members and the industry. We take action and achieve results. Plus competitive pay, an outstanding benefits package, a convenient DC location, a professional collegial work environment and an opportunity to work on issues of national significance equals a winning combination!
Employer of Choice: ABA is recognized with a 2025Great Company Culture Award and 2025 Great Place to Work designation!
Job Description:
The Director, Economic Research will be responsible for collecting and analyzing data on a wide variety of issues related to ABA’s advocacy efforts, as well as establishing domain expertise on specific issues.
The Director will track banking industry trends and economic and policy developments, assist the surveys group, and share information within the Office of the Chief Economist (OCE) and across the full policy staff. They will analyze relevant issues and provide perspectives and insights via presentations and interactions with team members, ABA staff and senior executives, as well as ABA members.
The Director will be a resource with a high level of expertise into various data sources related to the banking industry, including the Call Report data.
This role will work independently to pursue emerging issues consistent with ABA’s policy objectives and will lead project teams to conduct complex analysis related to banking and the broader financial services system.
Key Responsibilities:
Analyze banking industry data to provide insights on industry trends and issues, including impact of regulations and broader market developments.
Lead projects to explore new and innovative data sources and incorporate them into OCE’s broader analytical framework.
Serve as a key resource to assess and validate the quality and accuracy of quantitative analyses produced by OCE staff and reflected in external publications.
Track economic indicators and provide commentary and analysis through appropriate channels.
Follow policy developments, identify data to support ABA’s positions and provide analysis to internal staff and members as appropriate.
Create presentations for senior management and members to present complex messages in more easily understood terms using tables and charts.
Deliver oral presentations to ABA members including various committees and councils.
Assist the surveys team with questionnaire development, data collection & scrubbing, result compilation & analysis, and drafting summary reports.
Collaborate with and support colleagues while coordinating work across the office to ensure accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
Design and maintain information products including dashboards; measure, summarize, and track different aspects of banking and related markets.
Create written research notes as appropriate for different constituents as appropriate – ABA staff, members, and the public.
Qualifications:
Bachelors in related field (Business, Economics, Finance, Statistics); master’s degree in quantitative economic analysis or closely related field preferred.
Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills, as well as either R, Python or other programming languages
7+ years of research experience required, demonstrated experience conducting quantitative economic analysis at a bank or financial services firm, or a regulatory agency as appropriate.
Demonstrated expertise in quantitative analysis of Call Report data and other data sources related to the banking industry and the broader financial services sector.
Demonstrated interest in bank issues and policies.
Driven individual motivated to pursue issues beyond what may be specifically requested.
Team oriented mind-set.
Strong attention to detail.
Ability to effectively communicate complex ideas through speech, writing and presentations.
Target salary for role: $110,000.00 - $115,000.00
Salary Band Range: $85,120.00 - $112,810.00 - $140,500.00
American Bankers Association (ABA) is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected Veteran status, personal appearance, political affiliation, family responsibilities, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
The American Bankers Association is the united voice of America’s hometown bankers—small, regional and large banks that together employ more than 2 million women and men, hold nearly $17 trillion in assets, safeguard $12.8 trillion in deposits and extend more than $9 trillion in loans. ABA believes that government policies should recognize the industry’s diversity. Laws and regulations should be tailored to correspond to a bank’s charter, business model, hometown markets and risk profile. This policymaking approach avoids the negative economic consequences of burdensome, unsuitable and inefficient bank regulation. Through a broad array of information, training, staff expertise and other resources, ABA supports America’s hometown bankers as they perform their critical role as drivers of America’s economic growth and job creation.
