At the New Jersey Bankers Association (NJBankers), our mission is to serve as leading advocates, trusted partners, and exceptional resources for our members. However, often our mission extends beyond supporting our membership. We also play a crucial role in assisting elected officials with issues related to their constituents, who are oftentimes customers of our member banks. This often-overlooked service highlights the intersection between our advocacy efforts and the customer service provided by banks.
Our advocacy focuses on facilitating effective communication between member banks and lawmakers. We recognize that the success of our banking community depends on sound public policy and legislative support. By engaging with legislators, we ensure that the interests of the banking sector—and the well-being of our communities—are well-represented.
This dual focus—advocacy and exceptional service—supports both the financial sector and our communities. Just as banks strive to understand their customers’ needs, we work to understand the concerns of constituents that impact public policy. We analyze data and personal stories to provide legislators with a clear picture of how their decisions affect both the economy and individuals. We also strive to use feedback from customers and constituents in our efforts to educate policymakers and decisionmakers.
Banks anticipate customer needs to offer timely solutions; similarly, NJBankers proactively engages with lawmakers to address potential issues before they escalate. This proactive approach helps shape favorable policies and prevents challenges that could impact the industry and the public.
Our role also mirrors how banks educate customers about financial products. We educate lawmakers about the implications of their decisions on the banking sector, providing clear, actionable information to support sound policymaking.
Banks are dedicated to providing outstanding customer service, which is central to building lasting relationships and promoting financial well-being. During the COVID-19 pandemic, NJBankers assisted numerous elected officials with personal and constituent related concerns with respect to PPP loans, helping to save homes, businesses, and jobs, and keep New Jersey’s economy moving.
During testimony early this year, NJBankers was invited by the Assembly Financial Institutions Committee, a very important legislative committee, to provide a State of the State on Banking. This testimony allowed NJBankers to successfully highlight the good work our association does in serving members of the legislature on behalf of their constituents. Unlike customers of a bank, constituents can cast votes and are very mindful of which elected official provided excellent customer service and those who did not.
Resolving customer issues efficiently is a hallmark of good banking. Similarly, resolving constituent issues is a hallmark of good government. Our advocacy involves addressing policy challenges and finding solutions that benefit both the industry and the public. Trust is fundamental in both banking and advocacy—banks build trust through reliable service, while we build it through integrity and effective representation.
The synergy between advocacy and customer service creates a dynamic where each reinforces the other. Our support for elected officials with constituent-related matters helps create a favorable legislative environment for the banking sector. In turn, the excellent service provided by banks ensures that customers receive the support they need, fostering financial health and community prosperity. This integrated approach underscores our commitment to both sound policies and exceptional service. By bridging the gap between elected officials and customers, NJBankers plays a pivotal role in shaping a thriving, supportive environment for both the banking sector and the communities it serves. Our ongoing focus on effective communication and relationship-building aims to contribute to a prosperous and resilient economic landscape for all.
