National Bankers Association

What National Bankers Association does

The National Bankers Association (NBA) is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1927 that serves as the collective policy voice for approximately 150 Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) operating across 43 U.S. states and territories. Its primary GTM is membership-based: MDIs join as Institutional Members and large banks, fintechs, and other non-MDI organizations join as Strategic Partners on a Strategic Advisory Council that includes Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, Citi, Mastercard, Visa, Truist, Fiserv, and U.S. Bank. The NBA generates revenue through membership dues, an annual conference (October 14-15, 2026 at Four Seasons Washington DC) with tiered registration ($475-$700) and sponsorship packages ($5,000 to $75,000), the sale of publications such as the $10 Steering the Cores Playbook, and a small but growing portfolio of technology-enabled products housed within its 501(c)(3) arm, the National Bankers Association Foundation (NBAF).

The NBA's core products and services span policy advocacy, proprietary research (State of MDI Report, MDI Bank Leader Priorities Survey, Impact Reports), educational webinars and playbooks, the annual conference, and a Summer Research Internship. The Foundation layer adds the MDI ConnectTech digitization program (built with Alliance for Innovative Regulation and Citi Foundation), EquityEQ — a subscription impact and compliance dashboard co-developed with UpMetrics that uses Census Bureau data to visualize lending and deposit impact — and Our Money Matters, a free financial wellness platform supported by the Wells Fargo Foundation. The association's technology stack is therefore not a single product but an ecosystem of partner-built tools (UpMetrics, AIR, Visa Economic Empowerment Institute) orchestrated through the association. The NBA does not employ in-house AI models; its role is curating third-party AI and fintech capabilities for member banks, supported by a Director of Technology and a small staff of 1-10.

The association is governed by a board composed of MDI bank presidents and executives (e.g., Liberty Bank, Citizens Trust, Carver Financial, One United, Industrial Bank, Texas National, City First), chaired by Todd McDonald (President of Liberty Bank & Trust), and led day-to-day by President and CEO Nicole Elam, Esq., who also serves as Executive Director of the Foundation. No private equity, venture capital, or parent company ownership is indicated.

Name

National Bankers Association

Legal name

National Bankers Association

Website

https://nationalbankers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The National Bankers Association is a 501(c)(6) trade association founded in 1927 that represents approximately 150 Minority Depository Institutions across 43 U.S. states and territories, providing policy advocacy, capital aggregation, research, and a growing suite of partner-built technology products (EquityEQ, MDI ConnectTech) to modernize mission-driven banks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The NBA charges membership dues for Institutional Members (MDIs) and Strategic Partners (non-MDIs). Membership provides access to advocacy, programs, training, events, research, technology resources, and partnership opportunities.
2. Conference and Event Fees: The NBA generates revenue through its annual conference (2026: October 14-15 at Four Seasons Washington DC) with tiered registration fees ranging from $475-$700 for individual attendance. Group rates and sponsorship packages (Titanium $75,000, Platinum $50,000, Gold $25,000, Silver $15,000, Bronze $10,000, Exhibitor $5,000) provide additional revenue.
3. Publications and Playbooks: Sale of proprietary publications and playbooks such as the 'Steering the Cores Playbook' priced at $10. Members receive free access as a benefit of membership.
4. Capital Aggregation Services: The NBA facilitates capital introductions between member MDIs and investors, including preferred stock investments, common stock investments, grants, and equity fund allocations. While these are not direct revenue streams, they strengthen member capital positions and reinforce the association's value proposition, indirectly supporting membership retention.
5. EquityEQ Subscriptions: The NBA Foundation offers subscription-based access to the EquityEQ impact and compliance dashboard for MDIs, CDFIs, and institutional investors. Pricing is adjustable based on asset size of the institution or investment portfolio, structured as a yearly cost for a standard 2-year term with discounts for 3+ year subscriptions.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The National Bankers Association (NBA) is a membership-based trade association founded in 1927 that represents approximately 150 Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) across 43 states and territories. It delivers legislative and regulatory advocacy, research publications, educational webinars and playbooks, an annual conference, and the MDI ConnectTech digitization program. Its 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm, the National Bankers Association Foundation (NBAF), provides the EquityEQ impact dashboard, the Our Money Matters financial wellness platform, and capacity-building programs for mission-driven banks serving underserved communities.

Product overview

The National Bankers Association (NBA) is a trade association founded in 1927 that serves as the collective voice for Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs). The organization operates through its nonprofit arm, the National Bankers Association Foundation (NBAF), which delivers programs including the Our Money Matters financial wellness platform, the MDI ConnectTech digitization program, and the EquityEQ impact dashboard. Core services encompass policy advocacy and regulatory guidance, proprietary research and sector analysis, educational webinars and playbooks, an annual conference, and a summer research internship program. The association also provides resources like a Fintech Playbook for vendor evaluation and an AI Policy Resource Guide. Together, NBA and NBAF work to modernize, strengthen, and capitalize MDIs to eliminate the racial wealth gap through financial inclusion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• National Bankers Association Foundation (NBAF): The 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of the National Bankers Association focused on financial education, community empowerment, and supporting MDIs through strategic pillars including Financial Wellness, Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Research & Impact, and Capacity Building.
• MDI ConnectTech
• EquityEQ
• Our Money Matters

Products and services

• Institutional Membership
• Strategic Partnership Program
• Annual Conference
• EquityEQ Impact and Compliance Dashboard
• MDI ConnectTech Digitization Program
• Our Money Matters
• Webinars and Playbooks
• Policy and Advocacy Services
• Research Reports and Publications
• MDI Sustainable Finance Program
• Summer Research Internship

Quantifiable outcome

• MDIs collectively issued over 270,000 PPP loans and more than $16 billion in PPP loan dollars, with 79% going to minority or LMI communities versus 47% for non-MDIs.
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cornerstone AdvisorscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Cornerstone Advisors announced a strategic partnership with the NBA in April 2026 to support mission-driven financial institutions that promote financial inclusion and economic equity. The collaboration focuses on delivering insights and guidance to minority depository institutions, mission-driven banks, and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).
• MastercardcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMastercard participates on the NBA's Strategic Advisory Council, supporting the NBA's mission to end the racial wealth gap through strategic partnership.
• VisacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVisa participates on the NBA's Strategic Advisory Council. Additionally, the NBA collaborated with Visa Economic Empowerment Institute and Alliance for Innovative Regulation on a shared technology model paper to address MDIs' digital needs.
• Truist FinancialcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTruist Financial participates on the NBA's Strategic Advisory Council and provides the venue for the 2026 Member Bank Strategic Planning Retreat at the Truist Leadership Institute in Greensboro, NC, including lodging and meals for two representatives per member bank.
• FiservcoreTechnology or IntegrationFiserv participates on the NBA's Strategic Advisory Council and co-authored the Employment & Community Impact Research Report with the NBA and Lunum. Fiserv is a core banking technology provider to many financial institutions.
• US BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUS Bank participates on the NBA's Strategic Advisory Council, supporting the NBA's mission to end the racial wealth gap through strategic partnership.
• IntraFiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIntraFi is listed as a strategic partner of the NBA, providing network services that support deposit networks and liquidity solutions for financial institutions.
• RobinhoodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRobinhood is listed as a strategic partner of the NBA, supporting the mission to eliminate the racial wealth gap through fintech engagement with mission-driven banks.
• Southern BancorpminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSouthern Bancorp is listed as a strategic partner of the NBA, supporting the mission to eliminate the racial wealth gap through community banking.
• ChimeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChime is listed as a strategic partner of the NBA, supporting the mission to eliminate the racial wealth gap through fintech engagement.
• Capital OneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCapital One is listed as a strategic partner of the NBA, supporting the mission to eliminate the racial wealth gap.
• Fifth Third BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFifth Third Bank is listed as a strategic partner of the NBA, supporting the mission to eliminate the racial wealth gap.
• American Bankers AssociationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe American Bankers Association (ABA) is listed as a strategic partner collaborating on banking industry advocacy, policy positions, and shared initiatives benefiting minority depository institutions.
• Bank Policy InstitutecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Bank Policy Institute (BPI) is listed as a strategic partner, collaborating on banking policy research and advocacy efforts affecting MDIs.
• Alliance for Innovative Regulation (AIR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIR collaborated with the NBA Foundation and Citi Foundation on the MDI ConnectTech Digitization Program, which supports technology modernization for MDIs. AIR co-authored papers on MDI digital modernization with the NBA and Visa Economic Empowerment Institute.
• UpMetricscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe NBA Foundation partnered with UpMetrics to create EquityEQ, a proprietary impact and compliance dashboard for MDIs and CDFIs that transforms lending and deposit data into visual analytics using Census Bureau data.
• John Hopkins University 21st Century Cities InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJohn Hopkins University's 21st Century Cities Initiative has partnered with the NBA on research initiatives, contributing to studies on urban economics and minority banking impact.
• Moody's Analytics and RMSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoody's Analytics and RMS have partnered with the NBA on research initiatives, providing analytical tools and data for impact measurement studies.
• Milken InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Milken Institute has partnered with the NBA on research and resources, contributing to studies designed to help people build meaningful lives through economic opportunity.
• Rochdale CapitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe NBA collaborated with Rochdale Capital to create a guide on Direct Pay for mission-driven lenders to advance participation in solar and renewable energy finance.
• Visa Economic Empowerment InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe NBA collaborated with the Visa Economic Empowerment Institute and Alliance for Innovative Regulation on a paper proposing collective action to develop MDI digital strategies and enhance competitiveness.
• LunumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe NBA partnered with Lunum and Fiserv on the Employment & Community Impact Research Report, examining employment practices and community impact of MDIs.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CDFI Coalition: Coalition advocating for CDFIs and mission-driven lenders. Comparable advocacy, research, and policy focus, though CDFI Coalition focuses on the broader CDFI ecosystem while NBA targets MDIs specifically.
• National Community Investment Fund (NCIF): Certified CDFI focused on capital deployment to mission-driven banks and credit unions. Comparable in supporting MDIs through capital aggregation, impact measurement, and capacity building, directly complementing NBA's mission.
• Independent Community Bankers of America: National trade association exclusively focused on community banks. Most directly comparable peer as both organizations advocate for community-focused depository institutions, though ICBA is broader (all community banks) while NBA targets MDIs specifically.
• Inclusiv (formerly National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions): Trade association for community development credit unions serving low-income communities. Highly comparable as both organizations focus on mission-driven depository institutions serving underserved populations, though Inclusiv covers CDFI credit unions rather than MDIs.
• Opportunity Finance Network: National membership organization for CDFIs. Directly comparable peer as both NBA and OFN serve mission-driven financial institutions, advocate for community development finance, and provide capacity-building programs and capital aggregation services.

Broad incumbents

• American Bankers Association: The largest US banking trade association representing banks of all sizes. Listed as an NBA strategic partner but also competes for policy influence, member mindshare, and corporate sponsorship dollars in the community banking space.
• Bank Policy Institute: Policy and advocacy group representing large banks. Listed as an NBA strategic partner but represents larger institutions whose competitive positioning against MDIs creates a complex, sometimes conflicting relationship with NBA's mission.
• Credit Union National Association: National trade association for credit unions. Operates a parallel advocacy model in the credit union space and represents member-owned depository institutions serving communities, making it a structurally similar trade association peer.
• National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU): Trade association for federally chartered credit unions. Operates a similar advocacy, research, and member services model in the credit union space, providing a structural parallel to NBA's depository institution advocacy.

Others

• National Council of State Housing Agencies: Trade association for state housing finance agencies. Adjacent peer as both organizations advocate for affordable housing finance and serve mission-driven lenders, though NCSHA focuses on state HFAs rather than depository institutions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights3 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/natbankers1927
• Facebookfacebook.com/nationalbankers1927
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-bankers-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/natbankers1927

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Bankers Association