Community Bank Advocacy Depends on You
Help protect the future of the industry for the good of the places we call home.
Learn the Issues
Learn how can lawmakers help us serve our customers and communities
Engage in Advocacy
Our success depends on you. Engage now in our Grassroots Action Center.
Support the IBAT PAC(s)
We can do so much more together than we could ever do alone.
Advocacy Events
Bring your voice to Austin and Washington, D.C. for the good of all.
Learn the Issues
IBAT was founded, first and foremost, as an advocacy organization exclusively representing the voice of community banks. While the financial services industry continues to evolve, one thing doesn’t change – community bankers need representation and advocacy to make their unique voice heard.
IBAT is consistently engaged in legislative and regulatory advocacy in Texas and in Washington, D.C. Learn more about our priorities below.
Meet the Legislative Team
IBAT-Supported Candidates
The IBAT PAC Steering Committee directs IBAT to make a contribution to an open seat candidate if at least 2/3 of the respondents are supportive of said candidate. We abide by a one bank/one vote policy, with multiple responses from an individual bank requiring a 2/3 majority as well.
Early in 2022, the IBAT legislative team tabulated dozens of surveys in open seat races around the state and have identified who to support in this cycle.
IBAT is proud to be affiliated with the Independent Community Bankers of America, the only national association dedicated exclusively to community banks and to the creation and promotion of an environment in which community banks flourish.
Grassroots Action Center
Banker engagement in the legislative process is essential for our success in Austin and Washington, D.C. When appropriate, IBAT members are called upon to utilize our Grassroots Action Center to contact state and federal lawmakers on important issues facing Texas community banks.
Support the IBAT PACs
The IBAT POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE(s) are exclusively dedicated to helping elect men and women who understand and support the community banking industry. They are essential tools in IBAT’s government relations efforts and helps educate and support candidates who are committed to a successful economic and regulatory environment for community banks and the communities they serve across Texas.
Community Reinvestment Act
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) is a federal law that requires banks to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they take deposits. It requires periodic evaluation of each bank’s performance. This evaluation is also considered when certain applications are reviewed, such as branches, mergers, and acquisitions. Depending on the size of the bank, it may be required to meet not only a lending test but also tests of its services and investments in its assessment area.