ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW), a leading global provider of real-time electronic payment and banking solutions, today announced that Paul Thomalla, ACI’s senior vice president, global corporate relations, has joined the executive committee of the European Credit Research Institute (ECRI) of the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS). This leading think tank and forum debates on EU affairs that cover all European policy areas.

 ACI has been at the forefront of the payments industry for more than 40 years and has a strong record of working with governments, regulators and industry bodies around the world. With its involvement in CEPS ECRI, ACI will be able to further its leading role in helping to modernise European systems and frameworks to make them more responsive to consumers and businesses alike.

 “I am honoured to become a board member of the CEPS ECRI. As someone who works closely with international bodies and is passionately involved in industry initiatives, I am excited to become a part of this organisation, whose primary aim is to provide a forum for the exchange, sharing of insights and potential solutions to EU policy makers,” said Paul Thomalla. “I look forward to working with my fellow board members as we shape the strategic direction of European payments.”

 “It is a great pleasure to welcome Paul as well as ACI Worldwide as a corporate member of ECRI. As a leader in global payments—supporting financial institutions, merchants and intermediaries—ACI brings a vast wealth of knowledge and expertise,” said Karel Lannoo, chief executive officer, CEPS. “The active collaboration between ECRI and ACI will help contribute to the development of adequate policies at both the national and European levels for retail financial services.”