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December 9, 2013 • Issue 13:12:01

Industry builders by association

ver the past three decades, trade associations
have become essential to the payments indus-
try. Why? Because forward-thinking industry
O executives, many of whom are competitors,
have cooperatively worked to form organizations that,
year after year, have given the industry a voice, as well
as networking, partnership and educational opportunities
that have strengthened the industry for all.

A pivotal example is the small group of entrepreneurs on
the acquiring side of the credit card industry that launched
the Bankcard Services Association in 1990. "There were a
number of organizations that represented issuers and
retail banks, but no one really focused on the merchant
acquiring side of the industry, and that's what gave birth
to what was then the Bankcard Services Association and
today is known as ETA," said Jason Oxman, Chief Execuive
Officer of the Electronic Transactions Association.

While the ETA has since grown to 525 member companies,
it still adheres to the three core tenets established by
the BSA 23 years ago. "One is advocacy on behalf of the
industry, to make sure that state and federal government
officials understand the economic benefits that payments
companies bring to the U.S. and help them understand
how regulation can harm innovation and growth in our full-time Executive Director. Mary Gerdts, President of the
industry," Oxman explained. ETA at the time, felt the timing was right for the move and
the new location would give the association better access
In 2003, shortly after moving from Kansas City, Mo., to to government officials and policymakers. The ETA has
Washington, D.C., the ETA hired Carla Balakgie as its first since increased its government relations staff and recently
launched a political action committee, the ETA PAC.

Contributed articles inside by: "The second thing we do is education," Oxman said. "We
run the payments industry's only credentialing program,
Ken Musante ......................................................... 28 the ETA Certified Payments Professional." Plus its ETA
Anne Leisz ............................................................ 30 University offers courses online and at its annual meeting
and expo. Oxman noted that these courses will be included
Dale S. Laszig ....................................................... 46 in the price of registration for the association's 2014 event
Michael Gavin ...................................................... 50 in Las Vegas.
Adam Atlas ........................................................... 52
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