The American Bankers Association announced that former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating has been named to be the next President and CEO of the association.

According to the ABA, he will join the association on December 1 and assume his new role on January 1, upon the retirement of current president and CEO Ed Yingling.

“Frank was the unanimous choice of the search committee.  He brings to this position tremendous energy, a strong history of involvement in financial issues, the respect of policymakers on both sides of the aisle and extensive management experience, including eight years as CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers.

“He is well known in Washington and around the country and is highly regarded for his public service in senior positions in the Justice Department, Treasury and HUD, in addition to his eight years as governor of Oklahoma.

“Frank comes from a family of bankers and served on the board of a savings bank.  His experience as assistant secretary of the Treasury and general counsel and acting deputy secretary of HUD will be helpful as Congress considers reform of GSEs and housing finance.  He also brings to ABA strong management skills honed as governor and in his leadership of a large and complex trade association.

“Coming out of the financial crisis, we are entering a period of great change for our industry.  We wanted a strong, proven leader and consensus builder who will listen to the concerns of bankers and be a dynamic champion for our industry during this critical time.  That is what we have in Frank Keating.”