The Indiana Bankers Association gives the state banking community a voice in the Indiana General Assembly and in Washington, D.C. The IBA Government Relations Team advocates for a healthy banking environment by initiating, negotiating and lobbying for the enactment of positive banking laws and regulations, and by opposing measures that would be hurtful to banks and their customers. Through grassroots opportunities, IBA helps build relationships to connect member bankers to the legislators of the Indiana General Assembly and the 11 federal delegates and their staffs. For bankers who seek to involvement in advocating banking issues, IBA offers options including Indiana BANKPAC to help support elected officials who care about banking interests, VoterVoice to help communicate thoughts and concerns with elected officials, the annual IBA Legislative Briefing & Reception, multiple Regional Meetings and the IBA Annual Washington Trip.

Indiana BANKPAC

Indiana BANKPAC is the bipartisan political action committee (PAC) of the Indiana Bankers Association. It was developed so that Indiana’s banking industry could pool their resources in order to maximize their impact on the legislative environment. Indiana BANKPAC receives contributions from member banks and individuals in order to support candidates who support positions favorable to business and the banking industry, with minimal consideration given to candidates’ party affiliations or ideologies.

VoterVoice

VoterVoice is the IBA’s legislative action center that provides bankers and those supportive of the banking industry the opportunity to conveniently contact their elected officials through emails, letters and phone calls. Bankers may also stay informed of and participate in action alerts, which the IBA will design to encourage grassroots contacts from bankers to their elected officials on a particular issue.

IBA Legislative Briefing and Reception

Each year, the Indiana Bankers Association Legislative Reception offers bankers the opportunity to meet with legislators during the legislative session to discuss issues that are important to the banking industry. This is a valuable way for the legislators of Indiana to see the individuals who make up the banking industry. The event begins with a legislative briefing where bankers are informed of the current legislation being discussed at the statehouse. Then, a legislative reception follows, where Indiana’s elected officials are invited to meet with bankers in a casual environment.

IBA Regional Meetings

The IBA schedules regional meetings each summer to allow bankers and legislators the opportunity to meet for lunch and get to know one another. The regional meetings include an hour long update on the Indiana Bankers Association, including legislative information and advocacy opportunities. Following the update, local legislators from the Indiana General Assembly arrive to meet and have lunch with bankers from the community.

IBA Annual Washington Trip

The IBA Washington Visit gives Indiana bankers the opportunity to talk with the Indiana Congressional delegation and regulators about the successes and concerns of the banking industry in our nation’s capital. Bankers are able to share their experiences firsthand with Indiana’s delegation to produce workable laws and regulations. This is the best opportunity to tell policymakers face-to-face why the regulatory burden imposed on banks is too heavy and to make suggestions for modifications to burdensome rules. Bankers who have attended past Washington Visits were able to engage in problem solving and raise issues of concern to policymakers on an individual basis. The trip is planned for maximum contact and productivity.