Pub. 4 2015 Issue 5

l e a d i n g a d v o c a t e f o r t h e b a n k i n g i n d u s t r y i n k a n s a s 14 TAKE YOUR LAWMAKER TO WORK By Frank Keating, President and CEO American Bankers Association T HIS FALL, YOUR BANK CAN BECOME A hands-on workshop for your lawmakers to learn about what you do for your customers and your community. That’s the idea behind our first-ever “Take Your Lawmaker to Work Week,” Sept. 21-25. It’s a time already set aside by members of Congress to be back home in their districts and states. While those lawmakers are back home, we want them to spend time with you learning more about your bank. Your lawmakers on both sides of the aisle need to see, in person, how banks operate, serve customers and deliver value to their communities. Just one day at a local bank will help lawmakers understand how regulations can hinder your abilities to serve customers effectively, create jobs and grow the economy. This can be a powerful teaching and learning tool. By participating in Take Your Lawmaker to Work, you will have the chance on your home turf to offer insights and expertise demonstrating how important your institution is to your hometown. A glimpse into a typical “day in the life” of a banker -- and a chance to meet a bank’s customers -- will show lawmakers first-hand how many of the issues on their agenda in Washington affect the work bankers like you do on a daily basis. Registration is free and includes resource materials to help you and your bank’s staff make an effective and lasting impression on lawmakers. These resources include invitation templates, step-by-step instructions for hosting a bank visit and tips for follow-up communication. You can register to participate at aba.com/lawmakersatwork. Mark your calendar and start planning today to invite your senators and representative into your bank. A “day in the life” of your bank and the community it serves will help keep our industry’s legislative priorities -- the Agenda for America’s Hometown Banks -- top-of-mind and front and center in Washington. By participating in this program you’ll have the chance to offer valuable insights and expertise that show just how important banks are to your hometown. All the materials you need -- including invitation templates, resources to prep your staff and tips for follow-up communication -- are available for download, making participation easy. Get involved, become engaged and take your lawmaker to work this year. E-mail Frank Keating at keating@aba.com © 2015 American Bankers Association. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.