Community Banker Association of Ohio - CBAO

What Community Banker Association of Ohio - CBAO does

Community Bankers Association of Ohio (CBAO) is a private, non-profit state-chartered trade association founded in 1974 and headquartered at 8800 Lyra Drive, Suite 570, Columbus, Ohio. The organization represents Ohio's 150+ independent community banks and thrift institutions with assets under $10 billion, alongside a parallel associate membership tier for vendor and service-provider firms serving the community banking industry. Its core product portfolio comprises CBAO University (more than 800 training opportunities annually delivered via webinars, online courses, leadership development, and live events), The Ohio Community Banker quarterly magazine, the CBAO Service Corporation partner network (20+ vetted vendors spanning payments, compliance, core processing, HR, lending, and insurance), the annual convention and themed conferences (Electronic Payments & Fraud Prevention, BSA School), an annual compensation survey conducted in partnership with Pearl Meyer, and the Ray Campbell Education Center training facility. The association is also active in regulatory and legislative advocacy, maintaining ongoing communications with the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions (ODFI), FDIC, Federal Reserve Bank, and OCC, and is affiliated with national bodies including ICBA, ALEC, CSG, NCSL, and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

Revenue is generated through multiple streams: annual membership dues from Financial Members (community banks) and Associate Members (vendors), event and conference ticket sales, advertising and sponsorship across the quarterly magazine, weekly Community Banking Connected newsletter, website, and convention, paid tuition for CBAO University programs (with member discounts), the annual compensation survey, and training room rental at the Ray Campbell Education Center ($300 half-day / $600 full-day for non-members, free for members). Distribution is direct through the membership program, the CBAO University self-serve education portal, annual convention and events, and quarterly/weekly publications. The association is led by President/CEO Aza H. Bittinger, Jr., with a staff of approximately 1-10 employees.

Name

Community Banker Association of Ohio - CBAO

Legal name

Community Bankers Association of Ohio

Website

https://cbao.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Community Bankers Association of Ohio is a private, non-profit trade association founded in 1974 that represents Ohio's 150+ community banks and vendor associate members through advocacy, training, publications, events, and a partner service network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues and Fees: CBAO generates revenue through membership fees from Financial Members (community banks and thrift institutions) and Associate Members (vendor companies). Members receive discounts on education, training, convention events, and compensation reports.
2. Events and Conferences: Revenue from ticket sales to the Annual Convention, Electronic Payments & Fraud Prevention Conference, BSA School, and various networking forums and conferences.
3. Education and Training: CBAO University offers over 800 training opportunities annually including webinars, online training, leadership development programs. Members receive discounts on seminar and webinar registrations.
4. Advertising and Sponsorship: Marketing and sponsorship opportunities via the quarterly magazine The Ohio Community Banker, weekly newsletter Community Banking Connected, website advertising, and convention sponsorships.
5. Training Room Rental: Non-CBAO members may reserve The Ray Campbell Education Center for $300 for half-day meetings or $600 for full day.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CBAO is a private, non-profit membership trade association serving Ohio's 150+ community banks and thrift institutions. It provides legislative and regulatory advocacy, education and training through CBAO University (800+ opportunities annually), networking events, a quarterly magazine, a partner services network (CBAO Service Corporation), and an annual compensation survey.

Product overview

CBAO operates as a membership-based trade association providing a portfolio of interconnected services for Ohio community banks. The core offerings include CBAO University (education and training with 800+ annual opportunities), The Ohio Community Banker quarterly magazine, CBAO Service Corporation (partner network with 20+ service providers), and membership programs with legislative advocacy. Additional services include annual conventions, conferences, compensation surveys, advertising opportunities, and the Ray Campbell Education Center training facility. The association does not offer a unified software platform but rather a suite of member benefits, educational resources, and partnership programs designed to support and strengthen community banking in Ohio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CBAO University: Education and training resource offering over 800 training opportunities annually including webinars, online training, leadership development, networking forums, and schools/conferences
• CBAO Service Corporation (CBAO-SC)
• The Ohio Community Banker
• Community Banking Connected
• The Ray Campbell Education Center

Products and services

• CBAO Membership
• CBAO University
• The Ohio Community Banker
• CBAO Service Corporation
• Ray Campbell Education Center
• 52nd Annual CBAO Convention
• Electronic Payments & Fraud Prevention Conference
• BSA School
• Annual Bank Compensation & Benefits Survey
• Community Banking Connected Newsletter

Quantifiable outcome

• 52 years of supporting community banking industry since 1974
• +3 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

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBAO maintains membership in ICBA and collaborates on education programs. ICBA provides the Community Bank Career Center access, ICBA Education affiliate programs, ICBA Payments for credit card services, ICBA CRA Solutions for community reinvestment, and ICBA Securities for fixed income broker/dealer services. CBAO members use state association code OH-CBAO for ICBA education.
• Pearl MeyercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducts the annual 2026 Community Bankers Association of Ohio Compensation Survey in conjunction with CBAO. The survey provides reliable compensation benchmarks based on the banking industry, asset size, and competitors for talent.
• TCM Bank, N.A.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides community banks access to comprehensive and innovative credit card issuing for consumers and small businesses. Maximizes credit card portfolio revenue while limiting exposure risks and costs.
• Main Street Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSince 1998, has partnered with more than 2,100 community-oriented financial institutions for affordable, simple, and efficient checking programs.
• SRM (Strategic Resource Management)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGlobal advisory and execution firm helping financial institutions and fintechs modernize payments, optimize vendor sourcing, shape enterprise strategy, accelerate M&A integration, and deploy transformative technologies.
• ICBA PaymentsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHelps banks maintain control over credit portfolio with fraud loss protection coverage, client services, rewards program options, and marketing and risk support solutions.
• Boxx ModularminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSince 1962, provides modular buildings to financial institutions with disaster recovery program guaranteeing delivery within 24-72 hours, free for 6 months.
• ICBA SecuritiesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPowered by The Baker Group, connects community bankers to investment portfolio and balance sheet management tools and education resources.
• BHG FinancialminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSince 2001, has facilitated origination of more than $27 billion in loan solutions. Community banks can purchase loans through The BHG Loan Hub. 1,725+ banks have participated.
• FiNetminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTrusted merchant services partner for community banks across Ohio for over 20 years, providing transparent pricing and access to modern payment technology including POS systems and smart terminals.
• ODP Business SolutionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorB2B platform provider offering CBAO members exceptional savings on office supplies, ink & toner, and custom printing through the Business Savings Program.
• UPSminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPackage delivery partner offering CBAO members savings up to 30% on air and international Express shipping over FedEx published rates.
• CatalyzerminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBuilds leadership and organizational development programs, provides one-on-one coaching, delivers assessments, and supports organizations in recruiting and succession.
• College AveminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate student loan provider offering undergraduate, graduate, and parent loans with flexible repayment terms. Allows bank partners to generate referral fees while avoiding lending administration.
• American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBAO maintains membership to expand resource base for members.
• Council of State Governments (CSG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBAO maintains membership to expand resource base for members.
• National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBAO maintains membership to expand resource base for members.
• Ohio Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBAO maintains membership to expand resource base for members.
• Tri-State League of Financial Institutions (TSL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBAO maintains membership to expand resource base for members.
• Council of Community Banking Associations (CCBA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBAO maintains membership to expand resource base for members.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Ohio Bankers League: Ohio-based state banking trade association with similar geographic scope and overlapping member base of Ohio banks, providing comparable advocacy, education, and member services for the same Ohio banking market.
• Independent Bankers Association of Texas: Texas state-level community bank trade association providing advocacy, compliance education, and member benefits; comparable to CBAO as a state-focused community bank association with similar programs and revenue streams.
• Community Bankers Association of Illinois: Illinois state-level community banking trade association with a virtually identical operating model to CBAO: advocacy, education, conventions, and a vendor partner network serving community banks in its state.
• Community Bankers Association of Kansas: Kansas state community banking association providing education, advocacy, and member services for community banks; mirrors CBAO's structure and value proposition at smaller scale in a different state geography.
• Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA): National trade association for community banks; CBAO is a state affiliate that uses ICBA's education platform, payments, securities, and career center offerings, and both organizations advocate for community bank interests at federal and state levels.
• Michigan Bankers Association: Michigan state banking trade association offering advocacy, education, and member services to in-state banks; directly comparable to CBAO in model and scope, though covering the full banking spectrum including larger banks.
• Wisconsin Bankers Association: Wisconsin state banking association with parallel advocacy, education, and member benefit programs for Wisconsin banks; structurally similar to CBAO and a useful regional benchmark for state-level association economics.
• Pennsylvania Bankers Association: Pennsylvania state banking trade association offering membership, education, advocacy, and conferences for in-state banks, operating a structurally similar model to CBAO in an adjacent Midwestern/Appalachian banking market.

Emerging players

• BAI (Bank Administration Institute): Banking industry training, research, and benchmarking organization offering executive education and content; overlaps with CBAO University's training and CBAO's Pearl Meyer compensation survey, and competes for member education budgets.

Broad incumbents

• American Bankers Association (ABA): Larger national banking trade association representing banks of all sizes; competes with ICBA/CBAO for community bank advocacy and provides overlapping education, training, and compliance resources at a broader industry level.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cbao1974
• Facebookfacebook.com/thecbao
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cbao
• Instagraminstagram.com/cbao1974

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Community Banker Association of Ohio - CBAO