We've reached out to our membership, our Fifty State Banker Board, and our Advisory Council to get their initial thoughts on which races we should support later this year.

Remember, we are looking for candidates for the U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives from any party who would be champions for traditional banking or whose opponent is especially hostile to traditional banking; and are in a tight race that could go either way (we like to weigh in where we can make a difference and tip the scales).

If you know of races in your state that we should be considering, please reply to this email and let us know! Here is the initial list:

Since 2012, when a few dozen bankers from a handful of states began targeting their donations as Friends of Traditional Banking, our group has exploded.

This month, we passed the 30,000 membership milestone! Bankers in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories make up our strong, grassroots group!

Do YOU have friends you could refer? Coworkers, vendors, board members? Send them a nomination letter HERE. There is no charge to join and most are flattered that you consider them a Friend. By referring them, they will receive this monthly e-newsletter and learn of the top two Congressional races where bankers can help tip the scales!

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has launched an effort to reduce what they call "junk fees." Naively, they are including on this list for elimination basic fees like return item fees, stop payment fees, credit card replacement fees, ATM fees, wire transfer fees, title insurance, and more. FOTB appreciates our friends at ICBA, ABA, and other groups that have sent our industry's concerns to the CFPB. This latest incident is just one more reminder why we need friends of traditional banking in DC! The target continues to be on our backs and this upcoming election is more important than ever.