Engage. Advocate. Lead: Why Your Participation in WBA’s Capitol Day Matters
Lorenzo Cruz
By Lorenzo Cruz, WBA vice president – government relations
Each year, hundreds of bankers from across Wisconsin gather in Madison for the WBA’s Capitol Day — our most important advocacy event of the year. On February 11, 2026, we will once again bring a strong, united voice to the State Capitol, and we encourage bankers from every corner of the industry to participate. Your presence matters, and your engagement helps shape policies that directly impact our institutions, customers, and communities.
The day begins with a dynamic morning program featuring a panel of legislative leaders or political analysts who will share insights on the legislative landscape and upcoming elections. This is followed by a briefing from WBA’s government relations team, who will outline key legislative issues and provide guidance on conducting productive conversations with elected officials and their staff. Over lunch, participants may also hear from a state agency head offering additional perspective on regulatory and policy developments.
The afternoon is dedicated to what makes Capitol Day so powerful: face-to-face meetings with legislators at the State Capitol. These conversations allow local bankers to share real-world stories about how issues such as fraud, interchange fees, and credit union acquisitions affect consumers and businesses within their districts. These are the moments when lawmakers learn firsthand how their decisions influence the financial well-being of the communities they serve.
Last year, 320 bankers attended Capitol Day — an impressive turnout that made a clear impact. Legislators repeatedly commented on WBA’s visible presence, noting that you “could not walk the halls without bumping into a banker.” This level of engagement elevates our industry’s profile and helps advance the association’s priorities. But to build on this momentum, we must continue to grow. Breaking last year’s attendance record will ensure that our industry’s collective voice remains strong and unmistakable.
As one legislative leader reminded us, “If you’re not at the table, you could be on the menu.” Showing up in significant numbers sends a powerful message: Wisconsin’s banking industry is informed, engaged, and committed to safeguarding the financial stability of households and businesses across the state. Your participation ensures that bankers — not outside interests — are shaping the policies that affect how we serve our customers.
Engagement on Capitol Day also extends to political giving. We encourage both new and returning attendees to consider making a personal contribution to WBA’s PAC or conduit, either at the event or ahead of time via our website or the fundraising QR code. These contributions support pro-industry candidates and strengthen WBA’s advocacy efforts at both the state and federal levels. Last year, Capitol Day participants contributed over $4,000. If every attendee contributed $50, $100, or more, we could easily triple that impact. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps amplify our voice in the policymaking process.
Your participation and support are essential to protecting and advancing Wisconsin’s banking industry. Register today and be part of a powerful tradition of engagement, leadership, and advocacy.
