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Statement from Jeff Tassey, chairman of the board of the Electronic Payments Coalition, on SCOTUS’s Ohio v. American Express decision:

“EPC applauds today’s Supreme Court ruling for establishing once and for all that the electronic payments system is a two-sided market and for clearly explaining how it operates. As card networks serve both consumers and merchants, regulation favoring one harms the other. Today’s decision establishes the need for policymakers to account for the interdependent nature and competitive realities of two-sided markets, undo harmful regulation, and reject future attempts by one party trying to gain unjust benefits at the expense of the other. Because electronic payments provide businesses and consumers with great benefits, we must ensure nothing impedes the ability of card networks to balance the interests of both sets of customers.”

The Electronic Payments Coalition (EPC) announced today that Molly Wilkinson has resigned as Executive Director and accepted the position of Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for American Airlines.

Ms. Wilkinson joined EPC in June 2015 after serving as Senior Vice President of Regulatory Policy at Regions Financial Corporation and Executive Director of the Card Policy Council at American Bankers Association. She had a 22-year career in government service beginning at the New York State Legislature as a Research Assistant and concluding as the General Counsel for U.S. Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee for Ranking Member Senator Susan M. Collins.

During Ms. Wilkinson’s tenure, EPC led the fight for repeal of the Durbin amendment, which successfully passed out of the House Financial Services Committee (HFSC) in back-to-back Congresses as part of the CHOICE Act. Throughout this time, EPC rolled out a full-force campaign to highlight the policy’s failures to policymakers, consumers, and small businesses.

Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer, who championed the repeal of the Durbin amendment during the 115th Congress said, “Community banks and financial institutions continue to be hurt by the Durbin amendment’s price controls, but it’s not just banks that are hurt. It’s also low-income consumers who face increasing account fees and fewer rewards. I thank Molly for her leadership and EPC for all their hard work in the fight for repeal. I remain committed to repealing this harmful law.”

“Molly is an exceptional leader that knows how to get things done,” said Representative Ted Budd. “Her leadership brought the Electronic Payments Coalition tremendous success, and I know that she’s going to achieve the same level of excellence at American Airlines.”

“We’re excited for Molly and want to thank her for all she’s done over the past couple of years to advance the payments industry,” said Aaron Stetter of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and immediate past EPC Board Chairman. “Under her leadership, we’ve had tremendous success demonstrating to Congress the Durbin amendment’s failures for consumers.”

“It’s been an honor to work on behalf of community banks, credit unions, and financial institutions to bring attention to a policy that has failed consumers for far too long,” said Wilkinson. “We’ve made great progress and EPC will continue to work to end this crony handout to retailers.”

To learn more about EPC, click here.