As this fall's Congressional races begin to take shape, some races are standing out as especially meaningful for bankers to potentially support. Friends of Traditional Banking's leadership teams are looking at races that are competitive, where our money bomb could help tilt the scales.

We are also looking at races where there is a clear contrast between candidates in how they support traditional banking. This list will be winnowed further in the months ahead, ultimately resulting in two key races that will receive FOTB's full endorsement. Candidates who get that nod, typically see hundreds of thousands of dollars pour in from bankers across the country, resulting in a solid track record of FOTB-backed candidates winning.

Here are the TOP TEN RACES under consideration at the moment (in alphabetical order):

Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE)

Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ)

Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ for US Senate)

Yvette Herrell (R-NM for US House)

Eric Hovde (R-WI for US Senate)

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY)

David McCormick (R-PA for US Senate)

Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA)

Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ)

Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI)

The leadership teams of SuperPAC Friends of Traditional Banking (FOTB) announced last week their first ever “Friends of Traditional Banking Award” bestowed upon the following Members soon departing Congress:

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT)

Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND)

Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN)

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO)

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)

Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC)

Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV)

Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-NC)

“These Members are being recognized for their exceptional service to the American economy, capitalism, free markets, and strong financial institutions,” said FOTB Chairman Jamie Shinabarger, who is also CEO of Springs Valley Bank in Indiana. “Our nation’s economy is stronger because of their service and leadership.”

These outgoing members were instrumental in championing regulatory reform, access to credit for our rural economy, community lending enhancement, and balancing financial innovation with technology. They served on key Congressional committees affecting America’s financial services.

Five of the Congressmen joined FOTB’s leadership teams for a celebratory video call last Tuesday: Reps. Armstrong, Bucshon, Luetkemeyer, Mooney, and Nickel. “This is a wonderful honor,” said Representative Nickel on the call. “Grateful for the incredible work that everybody with Friends of Traditional Banking does in ensuring the financial health and well-being of Main Street,” he said.

“I’m very grateful for the recognition,” said Representative Bucshon. “A lot of time members of Congress don’t get recognized for some of these things, so I can’t tell you how important this is,” he said of the award. “The banking industry is the rock of our economy,” said Rep. Luetkemeyer. “It’s very important that we have this banking system in place that allows the entrepreneurs to find the capital it takes,” he said.

“I really appreciate the working relationship with groups in the traditional banking community,” said Rep. Mooney. “I’m proud that we repealed the worst parts of Dodd-Frank and tried to unleash capitalism,” he said. “When you go to a Little League baseball field and see who sponsors the teams, it’s traditional banks,” noted Rep. Armstrong. “I really appreciate this award,” he said.

Janene Jackson, president of the District of Columbia Bankers Association since its formation last year, has accepted an appointment to FOTB's Advisory Council. She is also the executive partner of Holland & Knight's Washington, D.C., office and a partner in firm's Public Policy & Regulation Group. Jackson has extensive experience helping clients navigate the legislative and regulatory aspects of local government.

Having worked in all branches of the government of the District of Columbia, Jackson brings a 360-degree approach to assisting clients with their government relations and lobbying needs, business development interests and legal representations in administrative proceedings. "Banks play a central role in improving communities, fostering growth and economic development, and keeping the economy running smoothly," she said.

Gabe Olson has been asked to fill the vacancy representing Iowa on Friends of Traditional Banking's Nationwide Banker Board. He has been the Vice President of Commercial Banking for West Bank in West Des Moines since April 2019. Olson joined West Bank as a management trainee after graduating from the University of Iowa with a BBA in finance in May 2005. He spent three years as a credit analyst before becoming a business banker in 2008. He was promoted to Second Vice President of Commercial Banking in January of 2009. In 2012, he joined the Commercial and Industrial Lending Department and was later promoted to First Vice President of Commercial Banking. 

A member of the 2018 Class of "Forty Under 40," Olson is a 2014 Graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Academy. He is a 2017 graduate of the Graduate School of Banking (GSB) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to the GSB Diploma, he was part of the first class to earn the Executive Leadership Certificate from the University Of Wisconsin School Of Business. Additional curriculum and project work was accredited by UW Madison to add this recognition to the program. Gabe graduated with a Class Standing of 21st out of 193 students.

Olson served as the Chair of the Community Bankers of Iowa – Leaders of Tomorrow. He received the Leaders of Tomorrow’s Up and Coming Banker Award in 2016. He is a graduate of the Iowa Bankers Association’s Leaders in Advocacy Class of 2020 and currently a member of the Iowa Bankers Association’s Advocacy Peer Group.

Active in the community, Olson currently serves on the Board of Directors of Variety the Children’s Charity of Iowa (Board President in 2021), and the West Bancorporation Foundation. Married to Karen Olson, a commercial real estate appraiser, the couple has two daughters, Lily and Mia. Olson has played the guitar since he was 10 years old and in his free time enjoys cheering on the Hawkeyes and playing golf.