VBA BankPAC Campaign Resources
CEO & Coordinator BankPAC Campaign Resources

Internal Links Matt Bruning Tristan Macdonald

Please instruct those who fill out the online forms to forward their confirmation email to your bank’s BankPAC Coordinator to help with your internal tracking. Matt Bruning and Tristan Macdonald will communicate with each Grassroots Coordinator on a regular basis throughout the campaign with a report of who has filled out an online form.

Need more information or want customized materials for your bank? Contact Matt Bruning and Tristan Macdonald.

Solicitation Authorization Form

BankPAC Solicitation Authorization Form

Before utilizing and reviewing these resources, makes sure you are in compliance with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), which requires your bank to complete the authorization form to solicit employees.

FEC guidelines also state a bank can only solicit individuals employed by a corporation who are paid on a salary rather than hourly basis and who have policymaking, managerial, professional, or supervisory responsibilities.  

If you have already authorized for another entity or intend to solicit those outside the individuals listed above, your bank can still support VBA BankPAC.

Contact Matt and Tristan to learn how.

Starting Your BankPAC Campaign

Step 1: Complete the Solicitation Authorization Form. Available here.

Step 2: Assign a Grassroots Coordinator. Each bank should have a engaged individual, designated as the bank’s BankPAC Coordinator - and empowered by the CEO to coordinate the bank’s campaign.

Step 3: Important Campaign Dates. Contributions will be accepted at any time throughout the calendar year, but solicitations should be concentrated from January 1-June 1. All contributions must be submitted by the end of the calendar year, December 31.​

Step 4: Start Early and Set Goals. Setting internal goals and communicating progress on your bank’s campaign is a great way to support and encourage participation. If appropriate, a letter from bank leadership emphasizing the importance of advocacy efforts can help make your campaign a success. Distribute PAC information to those whom you wish to solicit, including information on VBA advocacy efforts. Consider using this email template in your bank’s initial employee outreach.

Step 5: Encourage Employees to Use Online Contribution Forms. The online forms make tracking BankPAC contributions easier and includes access to the online payment system for credit card contributions.

Tips For Improving Employee & Board Participation

Schedule the VBA for BankPAC Presentation. VBA is happy to speak to your board or various bank employee groups. Email Matt Bruning and Tristan Macdonald if your bank is interested in scheduling a presentation.

Think Outside of the Box! Make your BankPAC campaign fun! Ideas other banks have explored to encourage BankPAC participation include:

  • Casual or jeans day
  • Friendly fundraising competitions between employee groups or departments
  • Offering a giveaway
  • Matching BankPAC contributions to the charity of the participant’s choice

Tips For Managing BankPAC Contributions

Confirm Your Bank Offers Payroll Deduction. If your bank has the systems available, employee contributions can be made through payroll deduction - making contributing much easier and affordable. If you have questions about how to implement payroll deduction for BankPAC at your bank, please contact the VBA.

Additional Resources For Running Your Campaign

Downloadable Forms: Employee, Bank Director &  Corporate Contributions

Those who fill out any of the three contribution forms below must send to the bank’s grassroot coordinator – and then forward a copy to the VBA Government Relations Team.

Government Relations Summary & Key Policy Updates

BankPAC Education Video

Show your staff this video to teach them about what BankPAC is and why it’s important to the banking industry. 

VBA BankPAC Campaign Resources