In March, the ABA announced it is piloting a programme to start in September in – where else? – Washington DC to help bankers run for state or federal office. For $850, bankers can learn how to fundraise, file the necessary paperwork and how to get people to vote for them – so long as they have plans to run for state or federal office in the next two election cycles.
ABA president and CEO Rob Nichols pointed out that just 18 of the 535 members of the current Congress have a banking background. Nichols said that going from banker to congressman was an obvious move. “Bankers are already in the business of serving their communities. That makes serving in public office more of a logical next step than a giant leap. If you’re a banker interested in public service, we want to give you all the tools you need to run and win your first campaign for office.”