Stephen P. Wilson was elected chairman of the American Bankers Association during its annual convention Tuesday in Boston.
Wilson is the chairman and chief executive of the $774 million-asset LCNB Corp. in Lebanon, Ohio. He succeeds Arthur C. Johnson, chairman and chief executive of the $425 million-asset United Bank of Michigan, as ABA chairman.
During his inauguration speech Tuesday, Wilson called on his fellow bankers to reach out to local media to help them understand the differences between Wall Street banks and community banks, and to become more involved in their local communities.
"My goal as your chairman is to restore pride throughout the banking industry - and to restore our damaged reputation," Wilson said.
Albert C. Kelly Jr., president and CEO of the $1.3 billion-asset SpiritBank in Bristow, Okla., was chosen chairman-elect of the organization.
Before Wilson's speech, a protester interrupted a motivational speaker. It was the second year that the ABA convention has been targeted by protesters, largely complaining about the handling of foreclosures.
