Tag Archive for: Advocacy

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Congratulations to the 2022 BIGG Award Winners

The Wisconsin Bankers Association is pleased to report that 35 institutions have been recognized with WBA’s BIGG (Bankers Involved in Grassroots and Government) for for their total involvement in advocacy in 2022. BIGG is the highest level of recognition for advocacy by our member banks.

To achieve BIGG status, institutions must meet at least five (5) of these seven criteria:

  • Have named an Advocacy Officer
  • Obtain Gold Triangle award
  • Contribute to WBA’s issue advocacy fund
  • Have at least one bank employee attend WBA Capitol Day
  • Have a member of the bank participate in a Federal delegation meeting or go on a D.C. regulatory trip
  • Have the bank hold a Take Your Legislator to Work Day
  • Other (e.g. testify on a bill, host a fundraiser, analyze legislation, etc.)

2022 BIGG Recipients

American National Bank Fox Cities, Associated Bank, Bank Five Nine, Bank of Brodhead, Bank of Sun Prairie, Bank of Wisconsin Dells, Bankers’ Bank, Bristol Morgan Bank, Capitol Bank, Charter Bank, Citizens First Bank, East Wisconsin Savings Bank, First Business Bank, Fortifi Bank, Greenwoods State Bank, Horicon Bank, Ladysmith Federal Savings and Loan Association, MidWest One Bank, Mound City Bank, National Exchange Bank & Trust, Nicolet National Bank, North Shore Bank, Oostburg State Bank, The Park Bank, The Peoples Community Bank, Premier Community Bank, Royal Bank, Security Financial Bank, State Bank of Cross Plains, The Equitable Bank, The Stephenson National Bank & Trust, Town Bank N.A., Unity Bank, Waldo State Bank, and Wolf River Community Bank.

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Banks Join in WBA Political Action Fundraising

We are happy to report that 46 institutions have now achieved Gold Triangle status for political fundraising in 2022. Gold Triangle is the highest level of fundraising recognition for banks and achieved through bank employee or director contributions to the Alliance of Bankers for Wisconsin (ABW) political conduit or Wisbankpac, or corporate contributions to WBA’s issue advocacy fund. ABW and Wisbankpac funds are utilized as part of our overall effort to support pro-banking candidates, regardless of whether they have an R or D next to their name. Issue advocacy dollars are used to in several capacities to shape public opinion on pro-banking, pro-business issues.

Demand on our political action funds is as high as it has ever been, and we are battling on numerous fronts in Madison. If you have not already done so, please consider contributing to WBA political action funds. You may contribute via credit card here.

2022 Gold Triangle Club Members

American National Bank Fox Cities, Associated Bank, Bank Five Nine, Bank of Brodhead, Bank of Sun Prairie, Bank of Wisconsin Dells, Bankers’ Bank, Bluff View Bank, Bristol Morgan Bank, Capitol Bank, Charter Bank, Citizens Bank, Citizens First Bank, Citizens State Bank of Loyal, East Wisconsin Savings Bank, The Equitable Bank, First Citizens State Bank, First National Community Bank, Fortifi Bank, Forward Bank, Greenwoods State Bank, Horicon Bank, Mound City Bank, National Bank of Commerce, National Exchange Bank & Trust, Nicolet National Bank, North Shore Bank, Northwestern Bank, Oak Bank, Old National Bank, Oostburg State Bank, Park Bank, The Peoples Community Bank, Peoples State Bank, Premier Community Bank, Security State Bank, Security Financial Bank, State Bank of Cross Plains, State Bank Financial, The Stephenson National Bank & Trust, Superior Savings Bank, Town Bank N.A., Unity Bank, Waldo State Bank, Wisconsin Bankers Association, and Wolf River Community Bank.

Gold Triangle Club Contribution Levels by Bank Asset Size

Bank Assets Total Banker Contributions
$0-100 Million $1,500
$100-250 M $2,000
$250-500 M $3,000
$500-750 M $4,000
$750 M – $1 Billion $5,000
$1 B+ $7,000

THANK YOU to all the banks, Gold Triangle or not, that have contributed to our advocacy efforts.

If you have questions or would like to make a contribution, please contact WBA’s Lorenzo Cruz, vice president – government relations.

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Executive Letter: Opportunities to Advocate This Spring

Rose Oswald PoelsBy Rose Oswald Poels

With the transition into the new year, so too begins the 2023–24 legislative session. As the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) looks ahead to further engaging with our elected officials and acting on several key priorities including credit unions, regulatory modernization, and elder fraud in 2023, WBA members are also encouraged to make the most of the various opportunities offered by the Association to make their voices heard.

This spring, bankers from across the state are invited to join the WBA Government Relations team in Madison for the 2023 WBA Capitol Day as well as two WBA Washington Trips to meet with our congressional delegation — one in conjunction with the American Bankers Association (ABA) Washington Summit and the other in conjunction with the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) Capital Summit.

Our 2023 Capitol Day, which will be held on Thursday, May 11*, provides Wisconsin bankers with the invaluable opportunity to meet face-to-face with their representatives and demonstrate how public policy impacts a bank’s ability to aid in the economic growth and vitality of their community.

Annually, over 100 bankers and WBA Advocacy Officers are in attendance to receive updates from state Assembly and Senate leaders as well as assist the Association in conveying the role and value of our industry. Registration is open now, and more information will be provided for attendees as the event nears.

Additionally, the WBA will be in Washington, D.C. March 20–22 (bankers are encouraged to schedule late flights on the 22nd or stay until the 23rd given the House Republican schedule that week) for the WBA/ABA Washington Summit as well as May 14–17 for the WBA/ICBA Capital Summit. During these two trips, bankers can expect to hear from a variety of speakers as well as make trips to Capitol Hill to visit with those in our congressional delegation. Please note that during the WBA/ABA Washington Summit, Hill visits will likely occur both on March 21 and through mid-afternoon on Wednesday, March 22 given that the House Republicans will not be in office until Wednesday of that week.

All WBA members, regardless of their membership to either national trade group, are welcome and invited to join WBA’s Washington Trip on either date. Please let WBA know if you are interested in attending one of these two key summits at your earliest convenience. You may register now for the WBA/ABA Washington Summit.

Grassroots advocacy is a fundamental aspect of WBA’s efforts in supporting the industry, and your involvement is critical to the success of our advocacy priorities. Although very few legislators have experience in banking, bankers are looked upon as trusted members of the communities our elected officials represent and are essential in reinforcing the impact legislative proposals will have on your community, bank, and industry.

Thank you for your continued grassroots involvement for the betterment of the banking industry, and I hope to see you and/or other members of your team this spring either at the State Capitol in Madison or on the Hill in D.C.

*WBA’s 2023 Capitol Day is now scheduled for April 26.

2023 WBA Capitol Day WBA/ABA Washington Summit WBA/ICBA Capital Summit (Opening Soon!)
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Silhouettes of Business People Working in Board Room
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Supporting WBA’s Advocacy Infrastructure, a Key to Success

By Lorenzo Cruz

With the fall elections finally behind us, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) can begin pivoting in preparation for the 2023 legislative session and another round of elections occurring this spring. The passage of a state budget that includes a $6.6B budget surplus will occupy the time of most legislators, the Governor, and state agency heads. A State Supreme Court race and a special election for the 8th State Senate District will keep the candidates busy and usher in another flood of campaign spending.

Last year, outside groups shattered the previous record and spent more than $93M on the Governor and other state races, according to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. The skyrocketing campaign costs and the increasing need to support pro-banking candidates requires WBA to double down on the financial equation of its advocacy infrastructure. With the start of the new year, our Association is kicking off two new initiatives — the WBA Leadership Circle and the Hall of Fame — and making changes to contribution levels for the Silver Triangle Club and Gold Triangle Club.

New Opportunities to Engage

WBA’s Leadership Circle is for major investors and passionate bankers who are committed to investing and creating a healthy future for member banks and the communities they serve. To join the Leadership Circle at the platinum level, a major investor would need to contribute $3,000 or more annually to Wisbankpac (PAC) and/or Alliance for Bankers Conduit (ABW).

To achieve Hall of Fame designation, a major investor would need an aggregate lifetime investment of $25,000 or more. Leadership Circle and Hall of Fame investors benefits could include: lapel pins, certificates, pens, online recognition, Wisconsin Banker picture recognition, Capitol Day/Conference recognition, and exclusive invitation to special events.

The personal contribution level has been increased from $500 to $1,000 for the Silver Triangle award. Individual bankers can earn the award by contributing $1,000 to any combination of the PAC, ABW, or WBA’s issue advocacy fund. Silver Triangle recipients are honored annually at WBA’s Bank Executives Conference.

To receive WBA’s Gold Triangle recognition, the total contribution amounts for banks based on assets have been increased to:

Gold Triangle is the highest level of bank fundraising recognition which can be achieved by employees contributing to the PAC or conduit or through corporate contributions to WBA’s issue advocacy fund.

Looking Ahead

As we transition into 2023, it is critical that bankers join forces with the Government Relations team to replenish the depleted coffers for the PAC, conduit, and issue funds. Growing the funds allows us to support pro-banking elected officials and provides a seat at the table for those able to positively shape and influence legislation and rules impacting the industry. WBA urges Advocacy Officers to meet with bank employees to encourage them to help us meet the year-end 2023 goal of raising $300,000 in political donations.

While WBA’s advocacy infrastructure is strong, it is important to build and expand upon it. Last year, our industry faced many legislative threats, from credit unions to credit card swipe fees. These challenges will likely return in 2023 as well as a wide range of other issues like elder fraud, taxation, banking modernization, fair access, trust code, and privacy. Our Association and its members cannot afford to be bystanders while other organized and well-financed groups push legislative solutions that are harmful to banks.

While WBA is taking a proactive lead to ensure that public policies adopted are beneficial to the industry, it is critical to enlist the help of bank leaders to expand the base by designating an Advocacy Officer if they have not already done so. Moreover, WBA’s Government Relations team calls upon all bank executives, Advocacy Officers, and bankers to step up and answer the call to support WBA’s advocacy infrastructure by joining the Leadership Circle, being a Hall of Fame member, becoming a Silver Triangle member, and achieving Gold Triangle and BIGG recognition.

Now more than ever is the time to unify behind strengthening and expanding WBA’s advocacy infrastructure. The political stakes are high, but together we can function as one united voice amplifying WBA’s priorities at the State Capitol while protecting the interests of member banks doing business in Wisconsin.

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questions@wisbank.com

608-441-1200

4721 S Biltmore Ln.
Madison, WI 53718

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