WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rex Ellison, President & CEO of Republic Finance, Baton Rouge, LA, was honored with the 2017 American Financial Services Association (AFSA) Distinguished Service Award (DSA) during AFSA’s 101st Annual Meeting last week in Washington, D.C.

The association’s highest honor, the DSA is given to individuals who have contributed significantly to industry and association’s growth on a national level, advanced its mission and objectives, and elevated its image.

Ellison has been an active member of AFSA for many years. A strong supporter of the AFSAPAC, he started an Employee AFSAPAC program at Republic Finance.

In 2008, he served as the AFSAPAC Chair during the 25th Anniversary Independents Conference in Arizona. Two years later, Ellison served as the 2010 Independent’s Section Chair. Ellison also serves on the AFSA Education Foundation Board, The EDGE Advisory Board, Operations Committee, State Government Affairs Committee and the State Traditional Installment Lending Subcommittee.

Ellison is also is the current President of the Mississippi Consumer Finance Association and President Elect of the Louisiana Finance Association. Republic Finance specializes in providing a variety of consumer loans, flexible lending options, and incomparable customer service.

Based in Washington, D.C., AFSA (www.afsaonline.org) is the national trade association for the consumer credit industry, protecting access to credit and consumer choice. Its 450 members include consumer and commercial finance companies, auto finance/leasing companies, mortgage lenders, credit card issuers, industrial banks and industry suppliers.