ETA Names Scott Talbott as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs

WASHINGTON , Feb. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Electronic Transactions Association (ETA), the global trade association of the payments technology industry, today announced the next step in its continued expansion of government relations activities with the hiring of seasoned financial industry and government affairs professional Scott Talbott as the association's new Senior Vice President of Government Affairs. In this position, Mr. Talbott will be responsible for developing and executing ETA's federal and state legislative and regulatory strategies on behalf of ETA's more than 500 member companies.

"ETA is delighted to welcome Scott to head up our government affairs efforts at a time of historic innovation and change in the payments industry and at ETA," said Jason Oxman, CEO of ETA. "His experience advocating on behalf of the financial services industry will be invaluable as we ramp up our advocacy on behalf of the world's largest and most innovative financial and technology companies.  I look forward to his counsel and I'm thrilled that ETA is taking a big step forward with Scott on board."

The addition of Mr. Talbott comes at a time of exceptional growth for the association, which now represents more than 500 of the world's largest card networks, processors, financial institutions, processors, equipment manufacturers, mobile network operators, and technology companies. ETA has significantly enhanced its government affairs operations in recent months with the formation of the payments industry's first political action committee, ETAPAC, and the expansion of ETA's Government Relations Committee to include representatives  from more than 30 of the nation's largest financial and technology companies.

"I am thrilled to join ETA during such an exciting time in the payments industry," said Mr. Talbott. "ETA members are bringing exciting innovations in payments technology to merchants and consumers, and it is crucial to have policymakers who champion current and future innovation."

Prior to joining ETA, Mr. Talbott  served as the Senior Vice President for Public Policy at The Financial Services Roundtable, where he directed the overall policy strategy, managed the daily legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts, as well as directed communications.  Mr. Talbott also served as counsel to the organization and managed the Roundtable's Political Action Committee. He has received numerous accolades in his tenure, including being named a top lobbyist by The Hill in both 2009 and 2011, as well as a "winner" for his work during the economic collapse of 2008 by Washingtonian magazine. In 2010, he appeared in the Oscar-winning film "Inside Job." Once named NPR's favorite bank lobbyist, he is a frequent contributor to both national and international media. Mr. Talbott joined the Roundtable in 1994 after working in the tax departments of Arthur Anderson and Ernst & Young. He received his B.A. from Georgetown University, cum laude, and his J.D. from George Mason University School of Law.

For media inquiries, contact Meghan Cieslak, 202.677.7406 or [email protected].

About ETA

The Electronic Transactions Association is an international trade association representing more than 500 companies that offer electronic transaction processing products and services. ETA's mission is to advance the payments industry profession by providing leadership through education, advocacy and the exchange of information.  Learn more about ETA at www.electran.org.

SOURCE ETA