James Ballentine is the Executive Vice President of Congressional Relations and Political Affairs for the American Bankers Association (ABA).  

 

James has been involved in banking and public policy for over 30 years.  A 20 year veteran of ABA, he leads the association’s Congressional Affairs and lobbying team and is responsible for managing and directing ABA’s legislative and political operations.      

 

Prior to his current duties, James served as ABA’s Senior Vice President for Grassroots and as Director of ABA’s Center for Community Development.  Prior to ABA, James served as the Associate Deputy Administrator at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and as the Senior Advisor to SBA’s Deputy Administrator.   Before SBA, James worked nine years on Capitol Hill as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director (1993–1998) to former House Banking Committee member Maryland Congressman Albert Wynn (D-MD) and as Legislative Director (1989-1992) to former New York Congressman Frank Horton (R-NY).