Richard Hunt is one the nation's most influential experts on financial services and banking policies and their impact on American consumers. Richard brings a unique blend of Congressional, industry and policy experience, and a successful track record in helping the C-suite and boards of directors navigate the complexities of the rapidly changing regulatory and legislative maze as well as develop strategies for new revenue growth.

 

Richard is the founder of The HuntGroupDC where he provides strategic counsel to some of the largest financial institutions in the world to guide their development of corporate strategy, transformational growth initiatives, succession planning, and risk management plans that address the industry's competitive landscape, consumer demands, and complex regulatory and congressional environment. Hunt uses his vast experience to assist companies as they identify and grow professional talent - with a specialty of succession planning - and provide a strategic mind of the competing landscape within the industry. In addition, Hunt helps clients identify new opportunities and innovative strategies for revenue growth.

 

Until July 4, 2022, Richard represented the nation's largest financial institutions as CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association (CBA), one of the nation's most powerful trade associations, working directly with top executives of Fortune 100 companies and helping the industry respond to global crises. He began his tenure just months after the start of the 2008 financial crisis, helping the industry navigate some of the most significant challenges in its history - from the creation of an entirely new regulatory agency to a constantly evolving financial services marketplace. He became a leading voice on how traditional banks can adapt in new, competitive arenas, and how policymakers can strengthen America's well-regulated, well supervised banking system to better serve consumers.

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Richard concluded his tenure at CBA by guiding the industry's response to global public health and economic crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. At Hunt's direction, the CBA team worked hand-in-hand with the Small Business Administration and Congress in a bipartisan manner to develop and implement new federal programs to deliver emergency relief directly to the American people.

 

Richard consistently earned widespread acclaim for his leadership and accomplishments at CBA. In 2021 and 2022, Washingtonian Magazine named Hunt one of Washington, D.C.'s 500 Most Influential People and he regularly merited a place among The Hill's annual list of Top Lobbyists. CEO Update rated Hunt among its "Top CEOs" for his work to spur CBA membership growth and strengthen its lobbying efforts.

 

Prior to joining CBA, Hunt served as senior vice president of federal policy for the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) and was also the senior managing director of the Securities Industry Association, which merged with the Bond Market Association in 2006 to form SIFMA.

 

A native Louisianan who tweets under the handle @CajunBanker, Hunt started his career in the nation's capital working for Congressman Jim McCrery (Louisiana), working his way up from Rep. McCrery's driver to district representative and finally serving as chief of staff for seven years.

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Richard is a proud graduate of the University of Louisiana (previously University of Southwestern Louisiana) where he received his business degree and served as student body president.