Maryland Bankers Association (MBA) and Virginia Bankers Association (VBA) together announce the formation of the Mid-Atlantic Bankers Association (“the Holding Company”), which was officially formed today to combine the MBA’s and VBA’s organizations and operations.

Merging into a two-state enterprise through the Holding Company will enhance industry advocacy and member services in both states, a move endorsed by both MBA and VBA’s boards and members.

This action is responsive to ongoing banking industry consolidation and the desire for both scale and efficiency at MBA and VBA; it will enable the associations to join forces and share resources to serve their member banks and associate members more efficiently and effectively.

Maryland Bankers Association President & CEO Ramon Looby said of the strategic combination, “I am excited about the future of this partnership and the benefits that it will provide to MBA’s members. Through sharing best practices, exchanging ideas, and learning from one another, we can elevate the standard of excellence within our association and drive positive change within our industry.”

Both MBA and VBA will be subsidiaries of the Holding Company, where the associations will maintain their roles as the unified voices for banking in Maryland and Virginia, respectively. The Holding Company will create an elevated focus for industry advocacy and member services platforms across Maryland and Virginia, as well as in D.C. via the D.C. Bankers Association (DCBA).

“I’m excited to be uniting with the Maryland Bankers Association through the Holding Company,” said Virginia Bankers Association President & CEO Bruce Whitehurst. “Our rich histories, dating back to the late 19th century, continue to be the foundation for our future endeavors as we continue to uphold the essence and mission of both associations.”

Whitehurst will also serve as the Holding Company President and CEO, with Looby serving as the Holding Company Executive Vice President.

About the Maryland Bankers Association

Founded in 1896, the Maryland Bankers Association (MBA) is the only Maryland-based trade group representing banks in the state. MBA’s member banks employ 28,266 banking professionals in nearly 1,490 branch offices across the state. To find out more information, please visit www.mdbankers.com.

About the Virginia Bankers Association

The Virginia Bankers Association represents banks of all sizes and charters and has served as the unified voice for Virginia’s $881 billion banking industry and its 45 thousand employees since 1893. To learn more about the VBA, click here.

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