The purpose behind OBA’s advocacy program is to be the voice of Oregon banking. Our voice helps to ensure that all of our members, regardless of size, are able to do business in a fair and competitive business environment. This includes parity in the laws and regulations that govern various types of financial service providers, as well as the opportunity to provide a broad range of financial products and services to Oregonians.  Our goal is to present an informed and unified voice on matters of critical importance to Oregon and the Oregon banking industry.

The Oregon Bankers Association and Community Banks of Oregon Boards of Directors use four criteria when determining the Association's position on all policy issues. These criteria essentially ask the following questions:

1. How do financial institution customers benefit from the proposal?
2.  Will the proposal enhance the broad competitive environment? If the proposal is not pro-competitive, is it otherwise demonstrably necessary to achieve the objective of maintaining the safety and solvency of financial institutions?
3.  Does the proposal provide the opportunity for competitive financial viability and profitability regardless of size?
4.  Does the proposal achieve or maintain equal, competitive ground rules among the various types of competing financial institutions? 

In addition to the hundreds of  Oregon bankers that are involved in the legislative and regulatory process through committee and board participation, the Oregon Bankers Association has a highly qualified team of professional lobbyists, attorneys and staff members. 

OBA's Advocacy Team

Kevin Christiansen
Government Affairs Director

Tim Martinez
Contract Lobbyist

Linda Navarro
President & CEO

Paul Cosgrove
Contract Lobbyist

Ken Sherman, Jr.
Counsel