Effective advocacy in California is critically important, as new mandates adopted in this state frequently become a catalyst for federal efforts and activities in other states. As the largest banking trade association in California, CBA maintains a full-service government relations department, employing four full-time lobbyists in Sacramento within a dedicated advocacy team. Our seasoned government relations specialists work in partnership with CBA members to protect the industry, operating under the guiding principles of: striving to promote a competitive and free market, ensuring a level playing field with our competitors, and opposing state statutes that are overly-burdensome, inconsistent and/or duplicative of federal rules. The banking industry serves diverse communities throughout the entire state and the association plays a critical role in assisting decisionmakers’ understanding of the nuances of the banking industry and how a robust, competitive market benefits California’s economy.

CBA’s effectiveness at shaping and managing public policy is dependent on the active engagement of our members. The association benefits tremendously from the knowledge and expertise derived from bankers that interact actively and directly with CBA through its board of directors and many government relations policy-related committees. Just as banks are a reflection of the communities that they serve, our advocacy efforts are a reflection of the active engagement of our members.