We are a non-partisan grassroots effort, organized by bankers. We choose two Congressional races each cycle and encourage our membership to donate directly to those campaigns.

We find the closest races that matter to banking.

And the races where it really will make a difference for our industry on who wins and who loses.

Races endorsed by Friends of Traditional Banking

This Is Working

27,837 members in all 50 states. 103 grassroots leaders.

Tipping The Scale

The focused efforts of Friends of Traditional Banking made the difference in reelecting Senators Ernst and Tillis.

About Friends Of Traditional Banking

We are a non-partisan grassroots effort, organized by bankers. We are Main Street, not Wall Street; we are traditional community bankers, not investment bankers.

We choose two Congressional races each cycle, and encourage our membership to donate directly to those campaigns.

We're the inverse of a PAC--instead of spreading a little bit of money to a lot of campaigns, we focus a lot of money on a couple of key campaigns.

As a true grassroots movement, we have very moderate operating expenses. We invite you to donate to help us continue this successful effort.

 


Please watch our informational videos

its working video what is fotb what is fotb what is fotb

This Is Working

this is working 2022

Ron Johnson
U.S. Senate, Wisconsin

-Squeaked out a 50.5% win over challenger Mandela Barnes thanks in part from over $230,000 of donations from hundreds of bankers.

-A champion for traditional banking, whether on reg reform or tax cuts.

-"Senator Johnson is very grateful for FOTB’s support!" said Rose Oswald Poels, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Bankers Association. "It was way too close…very glad FOTB jumped in and helped him."

Randy Feenstra
U.S. House, Iowa

-Won first reelection handily, thanks in part to $74,000 from bankers around the country

-Lead sponsor of ECORA legislation

-"I'm not afraid to call out the largest credit unions who are behaving like banks," he said. "Thanks to Friends of Traditional Banking, we can take the fight to them!"

Ted Budd
U.S. Senate, North Carolina

-Edged out a close 50.7% win over Cheri Beasley thanks in part to over $160,000 raised from bankers coast to coast.

-Ally of traditional banking from his first day as a member of the House Financial Services Committee.

-"I mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say that we could not have done this without committed friends like you," he said to us after his victory.

Thom Tillis
U.S. Senate, North Carolina

  • Key ally on the Senate Banking Committee
  • Thanks to over 1,000 bankers pitching in nearly $500,000 in donations, he won re-election in one of the closest races of 2020.
  • "I so appreciate Friends of Traditional Banking for getting involved in our race," Tillis told our members. "It's going to be close, and your involvement could make the difference." Boy was he right!

JONI ERNST
U.S. Senate, Iowa

  • Stalwart defender of traditional banking, and one of our successfully endorsed candidates in 2014.
  • Thanks to over 1,000 bankers pitching in nearly $500,000 in donations, she won re-election in one of the closest races of 2020.
  • "Joni is very appreciative of the nationwide support that Friends of Traditional Banking provided in this hard won election," said Mike Olsen, our Banker Board rep from Iowa . "FOTB definitely helped to tip the scales and sent a true friend of traditional community banking back to the Senate to fight for our interests.”

andy barr

 

ANDY BARR, U.S. House of Representatives, Kentucky

  • Advocate for traditional banking on House Financial Services Committee
  • Sponsored the Portfolio Lending and Mortgage Access Act
  • First House member endorsed by FOTB, attracting hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations in 2018, resulting in a 51% victory!

jon tester

JON TESTER, U.S. Senate, Montana

  • Pro-traditional banking voice on Senate Banking Committee
  • Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act would not have happened without his leadership
  • First Democrat endorsed by FOTB, resulting in hundreds of thousands of new donations in 2018, ending in a 50.1% victory!

Pat Toomey

 

PAT TOOMEY, U.S. Senate, Pennsylvania

  • Former banker and Senior Member of the Banking Committee
  • Supported by hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations from over 1,000 friends of traditional banking in 2016
  • Defeated financial services critic Katie McGinty

Portman

 

ROB PORTMAN, U.S. Senate, Ohio

  • Champion of pro-growth policies and importance of banks
  • Supported by hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations from over 1,000 friends of traditional banking in 2016
  • Defeated regulatory advocate Ted Strickland

Join Us

Can thousands of individuals standing together really change the political environment for traditional banks and the communities they serve? Absolutely.

When an avalanche of small contributions drops on a campaign we support, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, you can bet it will be noticed!

Just sign up today and add your name as a "Friend of Traditional Banking". As the list grows, so does our political influence.

No Immediate Contribution Required

All we need is your contact information. No contribution is required right now. Each election cycle we will decide if any member of Congress deserves our collective support or opposition. We will narrow our choices to two races.

At that point we will simply direct you to the candidate we are recommending for support. We will not collect your money. You will contribute directly to the candidate through their website.

CEOs and Owners typically donate $500 per candidate, other executives donate $250, mid-level managers contribute $100, and frontline employees often contribute $20 per candidate. However, the donation amounts are always up to each individual.

Privacy Policy:
We respect your privacy. Your personal information will never be shared with anyone. Your involvement is not public information; however, some contributions to federal candidates are.

Join Us

Friends of Traditional Banking

Submit this form to join our effort.

Nominate Friends

Do you have friends, colleagues, co-workers, or vendors you consider a friend of traditional banking?

Just enter the email address of someone you would like to nominate as a "Friend of Traditional Banking." We will send them the introductory message that appears at the bottom of this page.

Our Partners

We appreciate all of our friends and partners and want to recognize these, in particular.

PLATINUM FRIENDS

bank on it logo Texas Bankers Association


GOLD FRIENDS

BBW WEB bom bank logo Central Bank Logo first community bank Fiserv independent financial Independent Bankers Association of Texas indiana bankers logo IntraFi RGB Blue kansas bankers association kentucky bankers minnesota bankers PRI Profit Resources

SILVER FRIENDS

Altabank

Amundsen Davis

Bank of Utah

Colorado Bankers Association

First State Community Bank

Glacier Bank

Guaranty Bank & Trust

Idaho Bankers Association

Iowa Bankers Association

Kanza Bank

Main Bank

Legacy Bank

Missouri Bankers Association

New Hampshire Bankers Association

New Jersey Bankers Association

Ohio Bankers League

Oklahoma Bankers Association

Plains State Bank

Security Bank

TIB Bank

Utah Bankers Association

Wisconsin Bankers Association


BRONZE FRIENDS

Alliance Bank

BankNorth

Bank of Advance

Bankers Healthcare Group, LLC

Bank of Commerce

Bank of Southside Virginia

California Bankers Association

Citizens Bank

Choice Bank

Community Bank & Trust

Decatur County Bank

Eagle Bank & Trust

First Bank & Trust

First Bank Richmond

First Bank Kansas

Frontier Bank

Horse Cove Properties, LLC

Golden Pacific Bancorp

J B C Companies

Joye Hunt
Illinois Bankers Association

Lone Star State Bank

Michigan Bankers Association

North Carolina Bankers Association

North Dakota Bankers Association

Oregon Bankers Association

PBK Bank

South Dakota Bankers Association

Springs Valley Bank & Trust

Star Bank Minnesota

State Bank of Southern Utah

Taylor Advisors

Tennessee Bankers Association

Town & Country Bank

Union Bank

Valliance Bank

Washington Business Bank

Michael Webb

West Virginia Bankers Association

Wyoming Bank & Trust

Young and Associates

Leadership

Our non-partisan, grassroots organization is governed by an Executive Committee, an Advisory Council, and a Nationwide Banker Board. These groups, listed below, provide the guidance as we grow, and together select which candidates we support.

Executive Committee

These bankers, business owners and community leaders provide the final guidance and direction to our network of friends.

Jamie Shinabarger

Jamie Shinabarger
Chair

CEO, Springs Valley Bank & Trust, Jasper, Indiana

Amada Alvidrez

Amada Alvidrez
Vice Chair

Regional Retail Manager, Equity Bank, Guymon, Oklahoma

joyce hunt

Joye Hunt
Past Chair (2019-22)

CFO/SVP/Treasurer
PBK Bank, Stanford,
Kentucky

Ty Abston

Ty Abston
Past Chair (2017-18)

COB/CEO,
Guaranty Bank & Trust, Mount Pleasant, Texas

John E. Boyer IV

John E. Boyer IV
Past Chair (2015-16)

Chairman, KANZA Bank, Kingman, Kansas

V. Varella v1

Virginia Varela

President & CEO,
Golden Pacific Bank,
Sacramento, California

Ron Shettlesworth

Ron Shettlesworth

Vice Chair, Main Bank,
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Dale Cole

Dale Cole

CEO & Chairman, First Community Bank, Batesville, Arkansas

howard headlee 2021

Howard M. Headlee

President,
Utah Bankers Association

Randy Hultgren

Randy Hultgren

President & CEO,
Illinois Bankers Association

Ken Hale

Ken Hale

Pres & CEO,
BOM Bank, Natchitoches, Louisiana

Greg Hayes

Greg Hayes

President & COO, Kish Bank
State College, Pennsylvania

Michael Affuso

Michael P. Affuso

President & CEO,
New Jersey Bankers Association

Mike Winder

Mike Winder

Executive Director,
Friends of Traditional Banking

Advisory Council

The Advisory Board relies on the input and analysis of an Advisory Council. Members of the council include:

Karl Adam, President & CEO
South Dakota Bankers Association
Mike Adelman, Pres. & CEO
Ohio Bankers League
Mike Affuso, President & CEO
New Jersey Bankers Association
John Anderson, EVP
New Mexico Bankers Association
Richard Baier, President
Nebraska Bankers Association
Colin Barrett, President & CEO
Tennessee Bankers Association
Eric Bennett, Dir. Govt Rel.
Mississippi Bankers Association
Adrian Beverage, Pres. & CEO
Oklahoma Bankers Assoication
Scott Bruun, President & CEO
Oregon Bankers Association
Ballard Cassady, Pres. & CEO
Kentucky Bankers Association
Rick Clayburgh, Pres. & CEO
North Dakota Bankers Association
Chris D'Elia, President & Treasurer
Vermont Bankers Association
Chris Furlow, President & CEO
Texas Bankers Association
Kevin Gould, Pres. & CEO
California Bankers Association
Fred Green, Pres. & CEO
South Carolina Bankers Association
Phyllis Gurgevich, Pres & CEO
Nevada Bankers Association
Ryan Hale, VP Government Relations
New Hampshire Bankers Association
Jackson Hataway, President
Missouri Bankers Association
Paul Hickman, Pres. & CEO
Arizona Bankers Association
Randy Hultgren, Pres. & CEO
Illinois Bankers Association
Janene Jackson, President
District of Columbia Bankers Association
Kathy Kraninger, President & CEO
Florida Bankers Association
Scott Latham, CEO
Alabama Bankers Association
Ramon Looby, President & CEO
Maryland Bankers Association
Mark Mangano, President & CEO
West Virginia Bankers Association
John McNair, President & CEO
Community Bankers Association of Georgia
Scott Meier, President & CEO
Wyoming Bankers Association
Tom Mongellow, President & CEO
Connecticut Bankers Association
Yuri Morgan, Executive Director
Alaska Bankers Association
Patricia Octeau, Administrator
Rhode Island Bankers Association
Rose Oswald Poels, President & CEO
Wisconsin Bankers Association
Stacey Satterlee, Pres. & CEO
Idaho Bankers Association
Sam Sill, President
Montana Bankers Association
John Sorensen, Pres. & CEO
Iowa Bankers Association
Josh Steirman, Dir. Govt. Relations
Maine Bankers Association
Bob Taylor, Pres. & CEO
Louisiana Bankers Association
Amber Van Til, Pres. & CEO
Indiana Bankers Association
Jenifer Waller, President
Colorado Bankers Association
Doug Wareham, President
Kansas Bankers Association
Joe Witt, President
Minnesota Bankers Association

Nationwide Banker Board

An industry leader from each state provides guidance and helps with the growth of Friends of Traditional Banking.

Tim Aiken (West Virgina)
CEO-President, Union Bank
James Beckwith (California)
CEO-President, Five Star Bank
David Black (Georgia)
Chief Commercial Officer, Georgia Banking Company
Laurence Bolchoz (South Carolina)
President & CEO, Coastal Carolina National Bank
Todd Cooper (Idaho)
CEO, Idaho First Bank
Mike Cunningham (Nevada)
Region Pres Emeritus, Bank of Nevada
Jeff De Bruin (Illinois)
Chief Credit and Risk Officer, Municipal Bank
Gene Dikeman (Kansas)
Pres & CEO, Plains State Bank
Kristin Dittmer (Utah)
EVP/CFO, EnerBank USA
Keith Epstein (North Carolina)
CEO & EVP, Roxboro Savings Bank
Jed Fanning (New Mexico)
President, Citizens Bank of Las Cruces
Copper France (Wyoming)
CEO-President, Bank of Commerce
Lanie Gardner (Kentucky)
Community President, First Southern National Bank
Micah Garner (Alabama)
President & CEO, Southern Independent Bank
Michael Gennaro (Louisiana)
President & CCLO, Metairie Bank
Jon Jones (Washington)
Pres/CEO, Washington Business Bank
Corey Hoze (Wisconsin)
SVP Gov Rel & Reg Affairs, Associated Banc-Corp
Dave Joves (Guam)
SVP, Bank of Guam
Keith Knudsen (Nebraska)
President & CEO, Security Bank
David Lamb (Michigan)
President & CEO, Oxford Bank
Dale Leighty (Colorado)
Pres & CEO, First National Bank of Las Animas
Rita Lowman (Florida)
Bank Board Lead Director, Encore Bank
Jeff Lynch (Arkansas)
Pres. & CEO, Eagle Bank & Trust
Patti McLaughlin (Pennsylvania)
Chief Credit Officer, Bank of Landisburg
Mike Mercer (Kentucky)
CEO, First State Bank
Harold Miles (Missouri)
President & CEO, Bank of Advance
Josephine Moran (New Hampshire)
President & CBO, Ledyard National Bank
Greg Morse (Texas)
CEO, Worthington National Bank
Larry Myers (Indiana)
President & CEO, First Savings Bank
Gabe Olson (Iowa)
VP Commercial Banking, West Bank
Rex Phipps (Montana)
CEO, Garfield County Bank
Mickey Schwarzbek (Ohio)
President & CEO, The Sherwood State Bank
Kevin Tetzlaff (South Dakota)
Pres & CEO, First Bank & Trust
Alicia Wade (Oklahoma)
Pres & COO, Valliance Bank
Katie Wahlquist (Minnesota)
President & CEO, Star Bank
James Williams (North Dakota)
CEO, BankNorth
Pete Williston (Tennessee)
Chairman & CEO, Citizens Bank
Gordon Zimmerman (Oregon)
President & CEO, Citizens Bank

(Titles used for identification purposes only.)

If you would like to participate as an adivsor, please submit a written request and a resume to: info@friendsoftraditionalbanking.com

Contact Us

Friends of Traditional Banking
175 South Main #1420
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

801.633.1300

Please use this form to email us.

Our History

Ten Years Of Impact For FOTB

In 2012, the state execs for the bankers associations in Utah (Howard Headlee), Colorado (Don Childears), and Oklahoma (Roger Beverage) were frustrated. The banking industry had just been saddled with the onerous regulations of the Dodd-Frank Act; Richard Cordray and Elizabeth Warren were giddy with the new powers of the CFPB; and Congressional regard for the banking industry had reached new lows.

"There has to be a better way for bankers to make an impact," they mused.
"There has to be a way for bankers and their friends nationwide to cause Congress to better respect this vital industry!"

fotb founders

The result was Friends of Traditional Banking, the inverse of a PAC--instead of spreading a little bit of money to a lot of campaigns, the group would focus a lot of money on a couple of key campaigns. They would choose two Congressional races each cycle, and encourage tens of thousands of friends around the country to donate directly to those campaigns.

It's working!

FOTB Board Chairs

past board chairs

News

Below are links to
our newsletters

"Most critical 3 races for banking", Friends of Traditional Banking, October 24, 2024

"Important message from state banking leaders", Friends of Traditional Banking, October 7, 2024

"Banker Eric Hovde Gains in Polls", Friends of Traditional Banking, September 26, 2024

"Three races all bankers should donate to", Friends of Traditional Banking, September 13, 2024

"Final Five Races for Bankers to Watch", Friends of Traditional Banking, August 22, 2024

"Top Ten Races for Bankers to Watch", Friends of Traditional Banking, July 19, 2024

"These 8 retiring Congressman are champions for banking", Friends of Traditional Banking, June 27, 2024

"Texas Bankers Association leading the fight", Friends of Traditional Banking, May 23, 2024

"Which Congressional race should bankers support", Friends of Traditional Banking, April 25, 2024

"House Financial-Services Vice Chair shares insights", Friends of Traditional Banking, March 28, 2024

"Banking friends honored & meeting with key Congressman", Friends of Traditional Banking, February 24, 2024

"Which 2024 races will determine the Senate?", Friends of Traditional Banking, January 26, 2024

"FOTB's endorsed support ditching 1071 rule", Friends of Traditional Banking, December 19, 2023

"CFPB Rule-1071 is death by a thousand cuts", Friends of Traditional Banking, November 17, 2023

"Are credit card rewards just for the rich.html?", Friends of Traditional Banking, October 19, 2023

"What do ICBA, ABA & FOTB Have in common?", Friends of Traditional Banking, September 15, 2023

"GOP presidential candidates on-banking issues", Friends of Traditional Banking, August 24, 2023

"Refer friends & win flights", Friends of Traditional Banking, July 27, 2023

"Nominate friends, win free flights", Friends of Traditional Banking, June 15, 2023

"Congressman Barr Shares Insights", Friends of Traditional Banking, May 25, 2023

"Congressman Barr to Meet with FOTB Leaders", Friends of Traditional Banking, April 27, 2023

"Bankers prove enemies wrong - Tester", Friends of Traditional Banking, March 23, 2023

"Senator Jon Tester to Speak to FOTB Leaders", Friends of Traditional Banking, February 24, 2023

"Shinabarger & Alvidrez to lead FOTB", Friends of Traditional Banking, December 20, 2022

"10th year of FOTB ends triumphantly", Friends of Traditional Banking, December 20, 2022

"Big win for all three FOTB endorsed candidates", Friends of Traditional Banking, November 2, 2022

"Your final chance to tip the scales", Friends of Traditional Banking, November 2, 2022

"Races tighten on the home stretch", Friends of Traditional Banking, October 6, 2022

"Rep. Randy Feenstra is in one of the most critical races for bankers", Friends of Traditional Banking, October 6, 2022

"Congressman Ted Budd Visits with Bankers, Senator Ron Johnson Will Tuesday", Friends of Traditional Banking, September 30, 2022

"Ted Budd is in one of the most critical races for bankers", Friends of Traditional Banking, September 12, 2022

"Three Races All Bankers Should Donate To", Friends of Traditional Banking, September 12, 2022

"Ten Congressional Races Bankers Are Watching", Friends of Traditional Banking, August 30, 2022

"Help Tanya Wheeless win her Aug 2 primary", Friends of Traditional Banking, July 1, 2022

"We Need Your Help In An Arizona Primary", Friends of Traditional Banking, July 1, 2022

"New Video Shows Banker Impact On Congress", Friends of Traditional Banking, May 26, 2022

"Key Congressional Races In 2022", Friends of Traditional Banking, February 23, 2022

"The Mission of Friends of Traditional Banking", Friends of Traditional Banking, February 23, 2022

"Do you know a candidate we should consider?", Friends of Traditional Banking, February 23, 2022

"Ten years of impact for FOTB", Friends of Traditional Banking, January 14, 2022

Below are news items about Friends of Traditional Banking

"Rural banking is front-and-center in this Iowa House race", American Banker, October 24, 2024

"Meet the banker running for Senate in Wisconsin", American Banker, October 15, 2024

"Big Banks Are Buying Up the Midterms", Jacobin, February 14, 2019

"Hunt, Varela to lead FOTB", The Interior Journal, February 14, 2019

"Banking super PAC endorses Barr in House re-election bid", American Banker, September 27, 2018

"The Finance 202: This new crop of Democratic candidates is targeting Wall Street", The Washington Post, September 12, 2018

"BankThink Why bankers should support a Democrat in the midterms", AmericanBanker.com, August 9, 2018

"6 key Senate races for bankers this fall", AmericanBanker.com, August 5, 2018

"Bankers poised to pour money, ads into contested races", Politico.com, July 12, 2018

"Tester is first Dem endorsed by banking super PAC", AmericanBanker.com, July 11, 2018

"Toomey Shares Insights with Friends of Traditional Banking", Politico, Oct 21, 2016

"Friends of Traditional Banking endorses Toomey, Ayotte, & Portman", Community Bank Insights, Sept 21, 2016

"Friends of Traditional Banking gets involved in their first primary race to knock out last House Republican to support Dodd-Frank", Community Bank Insight, April 27, 2016

"What's big enough to unite banks and credit unions?", Friends of Traditional Banking News Release, Aug 28, 2015

"Rubio, Kasich top poll of bankers", Community Bank Insight, Aug 20, 2015

"Rubio, Kasich, Trump Top Banker Poll for President", americanbanker.com, Aug 20, 2015

"Check out who won the bankers presidential straw poll", Friends of Traditional Banking News Release, Aug 20, 2015

"Senate Democrats will kill or save traditional banking", Community Bank Insight, May 27, 2015

"Wall Street has a good election", politico.com, November 5, 2014

"Friends of Traditional Banking Endorses Gardner, Ernst", press release, September 17, 2014

"FAQ: What the Midterm Elections Mean for Banks", American Banker, August 22, 2014

"Banking SuperPAC Narrows Focus to Four Races", American Banker, August 19, 2014

"Banking SuperPAC Aims at Senate Races", American Banker, July 24, 2014

"Banking SuperPAC Highlights Key Elections Ahead of November", American Banker, July 2, 2014

"Friends of Traditional Banking Seeks to Grow", Insights From the Indiana Bankers Association

"How are bankers feeling after the gov't shutdown?", Banking & Politics Report, Oct 29, 2013

"Banking SuperPACs Aiming to Get Bigger, More Effective," American Banker, Dec. 31, 2012

"Friends of Traditional Banking made an impact, continues to grow," The Oklahoma Banker, Nov. 26, 2012

"Financial firms support GOP incumbent in Mass. Senate race," Los Angeles Times, Oct. 25, 2012

"New pro-bank, anti-regulation group is Utahn's brainchild," Salt Lake Tribune, Oct. 25, 2012

"This Election Is Our Industry's Only Chance to Fight Back," American Banker, Sep, 17, 2012

"Friends' Banking SuperPAC Will Focus on Brown, Heller Races," American Banker, Sep. 13, 2012

"Bank SuperPAC Considers Targeting Elizabeth Warren," American Banker, Aug. 22, 2012

"Bankers' Non-SuperPAC SuperPAC Taking Novel Approach," National Journal, Apr. 16, 2012

"Friends of Traditional Banking Opposes Unfair Burdens of Dodd-Frank Act," Trinovus, Apr. 16, 2012

" Banks Make a Financial Statement," Politico, Apr. 14, 2012

"Friends of Traditional Banking: a SuperPAC for Bankers," Christian Science Monitor, Apr. 5, 2012

"Main Street Banks Break Away From Wall Street With Their Own SuperPAC," Washington Post, Apr. 5, 2012

"Bankers Form SuperPAC for 'Surgical' Strike at Industry's Enemies," American Banker, Apr. 4, 2012

Get Involved

Five Ways to Get Involved

 
1- Join our list of 30,000+ bankers from coast to coast who receive our monthly newsletter and key candidate recommendations. Sign up HERE
 
2- Nominate colleagues, coworkers, and key vendors to join our list HERE.
 
3- Volunteer to be your state's Nationwide Banker Board member if there is a vacancy. This group has quarterly video calls to meet Members of Congress that affect banking, discuss ways to grow Friends of Traditional Banking in their state, and help select the candidates we endorse (see current roster of leaders HERE).
 
4- Donate to FOTB's operations to enable us to continue to grow. These donations can be from most corporations, holding companies, PACs, or individuals. See details and donate by check or credit card HERE.
 
5- Donate to FOTB's endorsed candidates each cycle. These donations can only be from Federal PACs or individuals and go directly to the candidates. Info on these candidates will be on our website and newsletter at election time. CEOs and Owners typically donate $500-$1,000 per candidate, other executives donate $250-$500, mid-level managers contribute $100-$250, and frontline employees often contribute $20-$100 per candidate. However, the donation amounts are always up to each individual.