The Alabama Bankers Association (ABA) set out years ago to become a player in Alabama politics through active participation. In addition to ABA’s commitment of having a full-time lobbyist on staff and the retention of Hamp Boles as our attorney, ABA started ALABAPAC, our political action committee.

ALABAPAC serves as the political arm of ABA by providing our member banks and bankers concerned with our industry’s future a means for involvement and influence in Alabama politics. Electing conservative, pro-business, pro-banking candidates to office is the mission of ALABAPAC.

ALABAPAC is governed by a Board of Directors composed of eleven bankers throughout Alabama. The Board, Chaired by Bibb Lamar with BankTrust, oversees the operations of ALABAPAC, makes endorsements and determines the amount of financial support given endorsed candidates.

All administrative costs associated with the operation and conduct of ALABAPAC are paid by the Alabama Bankers Association, as provided for by Alabama law. This means that 100 percent of contributions from ABA members go directly to candidates.

Up to this point, we have been able to make appropriate contributions to the campaigns of members of the Alabama Legislature and various statewide offices including the appellate courts. Now we simply need to do more.

As other players in the elections process continue to increase their strength, ALABAPAC must also continue to increase our political muscle in the election process to ensure that our courts and elected officials remain fair to our industry. This is where you can make a difference. As a banker and a politically astute member of ABA, we know you to recognize the value and importance of a strong PAC.

Our financial goal is to raise a minimum of $100,000 every year – less than a $1,000 per member bank. Over a four-year election cycle, this will ensure we maintain a substantial political action committee to help protect and promote our industry and its many thousands of employees.

Under Alabama law, banks can contribute up to $500 per election to a candidate or political action committee. In a cycle involving three elections (primary, run-off and general), this adds up to $1500.

Often, the number of elections varies each year, so the amount that a bank can contribute varies accordingly. At this point, the Alabama Secretary of State has certified 36 elections for 2007 allowing for contributions up to $18,000.

National banks can contribute to ALABAPAC as well. A holding company of a national bank, a holding company of a federally chartered savings and loan and a wholly owned subsidiary of a federally chartered savings and loan MAY contribute to state and local campaigns provided that the funds used to make the contributions did not result from the operation of the federally-chartered entities.

ALABAPAC is an effective way for every member of the Alabama Bankers Association to unite and exert our political clout on behalf of the concerns and interests we all share. Unless we come together and speak with one strong voice, other groups who do not share our interests or values will shape public policy in the Legislature and in our courts.

Simply put, we need your financial participation to ensure that we can make a difference in next year’s vacancy on the Supreme Court and future elections. If you have not yet made a financial contribution to ALABAPAC this year, please consider $500, $1000 or more. We have developed contribution guidelines based on assets that are sent with each solicitation.

Politics is something that ABA and the banking community simply cannot avoid. Whether we like it or not, politics do affect our industry and our bottom line. The attacks are from all sides, whether it’s trial-lawyer funded judges or candidates supported by groups that survive on the very tax dollars you pay, and we must defend ourselves. With your help, we will and continue to be a strong player in Alabama elections.