Many ATMIA members might be surprised to learn that we have a permanent, daily presence in Washington, DC, in the form of Kurt Helwig, President and CEO of EFTA (the Electronic Funds Transfer Association). The close relationship between ATMIA, Kurt, and the EFTA is a long one – and an important one for all our members. It is how ATMIA keeps its fingers on the pulse of federal legislative activity and the regulators who create, implement, and enforce the rules that follow.

Kurt has spent his entire career in the arena of government relations. Before being named as EFTA's CEO, he was brought onboard to get their government relations program up and running. Although Kurt is a registered lobbyist and must report his every coming and going, he draws a stark distinction between acting as a lobbyist and serving in a government relations capacity. A government relations role is more focused on providing objective information that includes the technical and operational aspects of a measure. Internal "consumers" of such information need to hear both sides of every argument from a reliable source.

In the late 90's, about the time that ATMIA was just getting its start and not long after the networks began allowing surcharges on ATM withdrawals, Senator D'Amato introduced a bill to eliminate those new surcharges altogether. Helwig testified before the Senate Banking Committee in opposition to that bill. And coordinated with other financial and banking associations to defeat it. In other words, he has a long history of supporting our industry.

Currently, there is no such Bogeyman rummaging around the halls of Congress for attention – which is a good thing. But it also means that there is no galvanizing issue in play; and that can lead to complacency. Kurt is quick to caution that relationships on the Hill never cease to be important. If the next legislature is not quite as friendly to our industry, it is better to have the necessary relationships already in place if the going gets tough.

Feel free to reach ATMIA USA executive director David Tente by email at [email protected] or telephone +1 407 833.7906 with any questions or concerns.