WASHINGTON, DC – The Financial Services Forum, a non-partisan economic policy association comprised of the CEOs of 20 of the largest financial services firms with business operations in the United States, today named MetLife Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer C. Robert “Rob” Henrikson as the Forum’s new Chairman. Henrikson formerly served as the Forum’s Vice Chairman.

“I am honored to be selected by my colleagues to lead this unique organization representing CEOs of an industry at the center of the global economic system,” Henrikson said. “As the U.S. and global economies are buffeted by the slowdown in housing and the resulting credit market turmoil, the Forum’s mission to encourage open markets, trade, and the free flow of capital has never been more important."

“Rob Henrikson’s three decades of experience in the financial services industry and deep understanding of public policy have earned him the respect of his peers,” Forum President and COO Rob Nichols said. “He is an outstanding choice to lead the Forum’s executive membership.”

The Forum was founded in 2000 with a mission is to educate the public about the importance of robust capital markets; encourage a competitive global marketplace; and shape the national and international regulatory dialogue. As a group, the Forum's member institutions employ more than 2 million people in 175 countries and hold combined assets of more than $19 trillion -- an amount greater than the annual economic output of the United States, Germany, and China combined.

Henrikson succeeds Ken Thompson, who recently retired as CEO and President of Wachovia Corporation.