Pub. 8 2013-2014 Issue 4

www.nebankers.org 28 Extraordinary Service for Extraordinary Members. P olitical Action Committees (PACs) are an impor- portant aspect of American politics. PACs exist as a means for corporations, groups, and associations like the NBA to make donations to candidates for state and federal office. By combining contributions from banks and bankers throughout the state, the NBA’s BankPAC is able to support candidates who favor a pro-banking, pro-business environ- ment. As a result, your individual contribution works harder and goes farther because it’s pooled with contributions of other Nebraska bankers. BankPAC allows Nebraska bankers to speak with a unified voice, which is extremely critical in today’s political environment. BankPAChelps us recruit and promote candidates whowill help shape legislation that’s favorable to the banking industry and business in general. It also ensures that supportive elected officials and candidates can make their voices heard in their respective campaigns. Over the past several years, the banking industry has battled more regulation, legislation, and competition than most other industries. Every year, the State Legislature and Congress spend months considering legislation that affects your banks’ bottom lines. It is through your financial support to BankPAC that solid, supportive candidates are elected. Our strength is in our numbers and that is why we need the support of all of the 14,381 bankers in the state. To date, the NBA BankPAC has collected $110,331 toward its $137,500 goal. Dec. 31 is the end of the NBA BankPAC campaign so there is still time to send in your contribution! An Honor Roll of all NBA members who have made a voluntary contribution to the NBA’s BankPAC this year is at www.nebankers.org/index.php/legislation/bankpacmain. html.  Our Strength Is in Our Numbers BankPAC Helps Us Speak With a Unified Voice To learn how you can get involved, contact Jennifer Heaton at the NBA at 402-474-1555 or jennifer.heaton@nebankers.org . NBA Chairman John Stinner of Valley Bank & Trust Co. in Gering, Neb., presents a BankPAC check to then-ABA Chairman Matt Wil- liams of Gothenburg State Bank in Gothenburg, Neb. Pictured from left to right are Rick Lee, chairman of ABA’s National BankPAC Committee; NBA Chairman-Elect Craig Brewster of Butte State Bank in Butte, Neb.; Stinner; Williams; NBA Past Chairman Mike Jacobson of NebraskaLand National Bank in North Platte, Neb.; and NBA President & CEO George Beattie.