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Contact Banker Program

What is the Contact Banker Program?
 The legislative process assumes that constituents will make their views known to their legislative representatives when a particular proposal affects their personal, social, or economic interests. Yet in most cases this does not happen.

In an effort to facilitate this process, the Georgia Bankers Association Public Affairs Committee established the Contact Banker Program in order to present the industry's views on legislative and regulatory issues in an organized manner.

These personal contacts supplement the views of the industry as presented in formal hearings and provide the members of the Georgia General Assembly and the Georgia Congressional Delegation information about the effect of a proposal upon their constituents.

How is the Contact Banker Program organized?
The Public Affairs Committee of the Georgia Bankers Association sponsors the program and encourages all bankers to participate.

The program is designed to have at least one banker serve as a contact for each member of the Georgia General Assembly and the Georgia Congressional Delegation. However, when a legislator represents more than one county, the program is structured to have a contact banker in each county the legislator represents.

How do Contact Bankers stay informed?
 To keep Contact Bankers alerted to the ever-changing legislative picture, the GBA provides:

  • The GBA Legislative Update on a weekly basis while the Georgia General Assembly is in session. This bulletin contains specific information on bills in the Georgia General Assembly that affect banking.
  • Special `white papers' on issues as they develop so that Contact Bankers can discuss issues knowledgeably with their representative or senator. These white papers are in-depth analysis of proposed or pending legislation which is not provided to the general membership.

Why does the industry need this program?
The Contact Banker Program is important to our industry for a number of reasons:

  • The program develops a personal line of communication between elected officials and bankers.
  • Members of Congress and the Georgia General Assembly depend on Contact Bankers to keep them informed on banking issues.
  • By volunteering their support for this program, bankers show that the industry is united on an issue.

What are the Responsibilities of Contact Bankers?
The Contact Banker accepts the responsibility and obligation involved in contacting his/her elected representative on selected issues when called upon.

The Contact Banker is asked to stay abreast of banking issues as they develop and where a personal visit is not possible, then a telephone call, telegram, card or letter will be sent to the elected representative expressing the views of the industry.

Who are Contact Bankers?
Generally, Contact Bankers are bankers who have an existing relationship with a member of Congress or a member of the Georgia General Assembly or bankers who want to become politically active.

If you are a personal friend of a legislator, or belong to the same civic club or church, or you have a banking relationship with a legislator, you are needed for the Contact Banker Program. Simply complete the online registration form, and we will get you involved.

If you have questions or need further information, contact Elizabeth Chandler at the GBA office at (404) 522-1501.

Questions?  Email the Webmaster.

 

GBA's professional staff represents the membership at the both the state and federal levels.  Contact any of them with questions about issues:

Joe Brannen, President
 Elizabeth Chandler, Senior Vice President - Government Relations
 Don Browne, Legislative Consultant