WASHINGTON--Beth Climo, American Bankers Insurance Association executive director, will leave that post next March but will continue heading another American Bankers Association branch, the organization said.

Ms. Climo, a financial services lobbyist and congressional staff worker in Washington for 30 years, will remain as executive director of the American Bankers Association Securities Association, according to Ed Yingling, ABA president and CEO.

In dropping the ABIA post Ms. Climo is scaling back her professional commitments, the ABA said.

"Beth has had a long and distinguished career in both the public and private sectors, including positions with the Senate Banking Committee, the FDIC and the Federal Housing Finance Board," said Mr. Yingling.

Over the past seven years, he noted, Ms. Climo "has been responsible for the success of two very important ABA affiliates: ABASA and ABIA."

"I am pleased she will continue to lead our securities affiliate and, until March, facilitate leadership succession at the ABIA," Mr. Yingling added.

Kevin McKechnie and Valerie Barton, both of whom currently work at the ABIA, are being promoted to assume responsibility for directing ABIA's day-to-day operations, Mr. Yingling said.

It is expected that they will be officially appointed co-executive directors of ABIA at the next meeting of ABIA's board of directors.

Mr. McKechnie will lead ABIA's legislative and regulatory activities, as well as the ABA's Health Savings Account Council.

Ms. Barton will be responsible for ABIA membership, its annual conference, and other products and services of the association.

Mr. McKechnie and Ms. Barton, both of whom have extensive experience and background in the bank-insurance industry, will share responsibility for ABIA's governance and administrative functions, Mr. Yingling said.

ABA also announced an expanded role for Ken Clayton, ABA's longtime chief legislative counsel. While continuing to run ABA's Card Policy Council, Mr. Clayton will assume oversight within the ABA for ABIA and the HSA Council.

"Ken's extensive experience and strong credibility with legislators, regulators and bankers make him the ideal person to oversee for the ABA important issues relating to credit cards, bank insurance and HSAs," said Mr. Yingling.

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American Bankers Insurance Assn. Changes Set

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