The Consumer Bankers Association (CBA) is a U.S. trade organization representing financial institution

Financial institution

In financial economics, a financial institution is an institution that provides financial services for its clients or members. Probably the most important financial service provided by financial institutions is acting as financial intermediaries...

s offering retail

Retail

Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...

 lending products and services such as automobile

Automobile

An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...

 financing, credit

Credit card

A credit card is a small plastic card issued to users as a system of payment. It allows its holder to buy goods and services based on the holder's promise to pay for these goods and services...

 and debit card

Debit card

A debit card is a plastic card that provides the cardholder electronic access to his or her bank account/s at a financial institution...

s, home equity lending, residential mortgages, small business loans, and student loans. The CBA hosts conferences and provides educational courses, industry research and federal and state-level representation on issues relating to consumer banking.

History

The organization, which was founded in 1919, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia and maintains statewide chapters across the country.