By Al Araque
I recently met with WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels, WBA Vice President – Government Relations (GR) Lorenzo Cruz and my fellow Officers to discuss legislative priorities for the Association and how Board members like me and senior management/leadership at member banks can get more engaged in advocacy. That critical need for engagement and participation extends beyond C-suite leaders to employees at every phase in their careers.
The more I see WBA’s Government Relations team, which also includes Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff Daryll Lund and Director – Government Relations Tyler Foti, in action it becomes clear that the staff/member dynamic is truly symbiotic in nature. As a member, I rely on the insights and expertise of WBA’s seasoned GR professionals as they represent banks in Wisconsin, but they in turn rely on the grassroots efforts, financial contributions, and valuable perspectives from WBA members. Without the engagement of members, there is only so much that our GR pros can do. Legislators need to hear from you and candidates need to know that WBA has the financial support of its members.
As I shared in my introductory column this summer, my focus is on amplifying the impact of WBA, and there are many ways that WBA’s advocacy work can be amplified.
Generosity in Sharing Stories from the Frontline to the Board Room
You have your finger on the pulse of what is happening in your community and can speak convincingly to legislators about the public policy issues impacting your customers, employees, and local economy. Providing testimony, whether it is in person at hearings or written, can help legislators get clarity on a complex industry-related issue.
Attending Capitol Day on May 6, 2025: Attendance at this annual event is incredibly important. If you have never been before, make 2025 the year that you connect directly with legislators and network with other bankers. Members are briefed on the issues and guided through the legislative visits. The larger the group, the more impactful the Association is. I’ve heard that Capitol Day can often be a tipping point for members who end up becoming really engaged and interested in advocacy after witnessing the combined impact of WBA members.
Having a WBA Advocacy Officer from your bank: This volunteer position coordinates regulatory, legislative, and community advocacy efforts for your bank by teaming up with WBA. Advocacy Officers often work with other banks, WBA staff, legislators, and community leaders. The time commitment
is low, especially when considering the impact officers make.
I realize not everyone is immediately comfortable with these kinds of grassroots activities. It may seem daunting initially, but I know that GR staff is always willing to share talking points, bring members up to speed on the issues, and facilitate communications with legislators. The goal of the GR staff is to make your grassroots involvement easy!
Generosity with Financial Contributions
Not everyone has a clear picture of how to support WBA’s political initiatives.
Wispankpac is the registered political action committee of the WBA and supports pro-banking candidates throughout Wisconsin by pooling individual banker contributions to maximize their overall impact in the political process.
Alliance of Bankers for Wisconsin (ABW) is the registered conduit of the WBA and allows an individual banker (like you) to direct contributions to the candidate(s) of your choosing and receive individual credit for your contribution.
Finally, WBA also works with other business coalition partners on issue advocacy initiatives. Corporate contributions to WBA for issue advocacy purposes are permitted under the law.
So, the amplification of WBA’s influence can come from individuals as well as banks. WBA also has several programs to acknowledge the generosity of individuals and banks.
• Silver Triangle Club recognition is given to individuals who personally donate at least $1000 to ABW, Wisbankpac, and/or the WBA issue advocacy fund. For Leadership Circle recognition, individual bankers must contribute at least $3,000 to any combination of Wisbankpac or the ABW conduit.
• Gold Triangle recognition is achieved by banks whose officers, directors, and employees aggregately contribute a minimum amount to the ABW political conduit or Wisbankpac. Banks may also make corporate contributions to WBA’s issue advocacy fund.
• The BIGG (Bankers Involved with Grassroots and Government) Award is the Association’s highest level of recognition for advocacy by our member banks. To receive this award, banks must complete five out of seven criteria described in WBA’s Advocacy Toolkit.
As the November 5 election approaches and brings with it some polarizing viewpoints, I’m reminded of a quote from Rose that I think can be helpful when you talk to staff about the need for grassroots advocacy and contributions, “Funds raised by WBA are used to help support pro-banking political candidates who are not ‘D’ or ‘R’, but rather ‘B’ for the ‘Banking’ Party.” Speaking of the election, WBA has partnered with ABA for a Get out the Vote initiative, which has lots of useful information to share with staff.
Araque is SVP, director of consumer, private, and business banking with Johnson Financial Group, Racine, and the 2024–2025 WBA Chair.
By Donna Hoppenjan
