Chair | American Bankers Association
Detroit, MI
Kenneth Kelly is Chairman and CEO of First Independence Corp and First Independence Bank, a minority depository institution headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. A respected leader in the banking industry, he has guided the organization through significant growth, doubling its book value over the past five years.
In October 2025, Kenneth became Chair of the American Bankers Association, representing the voice of the nation’s $25 trillion banking industry. He has also served on several national banking and regulatory advisory groups, including with the FDIC and Federal Reserve, helping shape policies affecting community banks.
Before entering banking, Kenneth spent 27 years with Southern Company in the electric utility sector, where he worked on major renewable energy acquisitions. He is a graduate of Auburn University and holds NACD Directorship Certification.