NEW YORK, April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Clearing House Association announced that Erica Hurtt has joined the organization as Vice President of Communications, effective today.  Ms. Hurtt previously served as Senior Vice President of Communications for the Financial Services Forum.

Ms. Hurtt will be responsible for directing external communications strategies and positioning The Clearing House in the media, as well as managing the Association's soon to be unveiled new website.  As part of this role, she will develop messaging to support The Clearing House's advocacy and thought leadership initiatives and serve as the organization's official spokesperson.  Ms. Hurtt will also oversee and manage events, meetings and conferences sponsored by The Clearing House Association.

"Erica's role will be critical in helping The Clearing House advance its ongoing advocacy efforts," said Paul Saltzman, President of The Clearing House Association.  "She has a strong track record of success, and her extensive media relations and public policy experience in the financial services sector will help us advance our thought leadership in the industry.  I know our members will benefit greatly from her professionalism and strategic approach."

Prior to joining The Clearing House, Ms. Hurtt served as Senior Vice President of Communications for the Financial Services Forum, a policy organization representing the CEOs of 20 of the largest global financial institutions operating in the U.S.  Ms. Hurtt was the organization's primary on-the-record spokesperson and developed industry messaging and policy responses during the debate and passage of the Dodd-Frank financial regulatory overhaul legislation.  Prior to joining the Financial Services Forum, Ms. Hurtt was an Emmy Award-winning television news reporter and anchor, most recently for WTVG 13 ABC in Toledo, Ohio.  Ms. Hurtt's reporting earned her several awards from the National Television Academy, the Associated Press, the Society for Professional Journalists and the Radio-Television News Directors Association & Foundation.

"The Clearing House plays an integral role in our banking system and supports broader economic growth and development," Ms. Hurtt said.  "I am excited about the opportunity to work with The Clearing House's leadership team to represent the interests of our owner banks as they continue to navigate some of the most important issues facing the future of the banking system."

Ms. Hurtt holds a Bachelor of Arts in Writing and Media from Loyola College and a Masters in Journalism from Northwestern University.  Ms. Hurtt is also a member of Washington Women in Public Relations and serves on its pro bono committee.

About The Clearing House

Established in 1853, The Clearing House is the nation's oldest banking association and payments company.  It is owned by the world's largest commercial banks, which employ 1.4 million people in the United States and hold more than half of all U.S. deposits.  The Clearing House Association is a nonpartisan advocacy organization representing through regulatory comment letters, amicus briefs and white papers the interests of its owner banks on a variety of systemically important banking issues.  The Clearing House Payments Company provides payment, clearing, and settlement services to its member banks and other financial institutions, clearing almost $2 trillion daily and representing nearly half of the automated clearing-house, funds transfer and check image payments made in the U.S.  See The Clearing House's web page at www.theclearinghouse.org.

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SOURCE The Clearing House Association