February 12, 2026

The Top Line

Greetings! Here’s this week’s Top Line:

  • Congratulations to Seahawks fans on a decisive Super Bowl victory, a championship performance defined by discipline, execution, and finishing strong.

  • On the Road with EDP: I have been on the road teaching Executive Development Program sessions in Utah, Idaho, and Montana, and each classroom has reinforced the strong appetite for strong, strategic leadership in our industry. These trips are more than teaching opportunities; they are chances to strengthen our relationships with our peer associations and deepen our collaboration across the region. As our membership picture continues to evolve, these partnerships serve as a key element of your association's stability and success.

  • Bankers Care Goes National: We officially launched Bankers Care in partnership with the New Jersey Bankers Association, marking a significant step toward expanding this platform beyond Washington. Bankers Care helps tell the story of how bankers serve their communities resonates nationally, and this collaboration positions the Bankers Care Initiative as a model for coordinated advocacy rooted in real impact. Don’t forget, as a WBA member, your bank can take advantage of the free Bankers Care license simply by signing up.

  • Legislative Session Continues: The session is moving quickly in Olympia, with tax policy, housing, and financial services proposals advancing through the first two deadlines, and the third will hit next Tuesday. In the final month of session, lawmakers will begin to turn their attention to the budget, with an increasing focus on tax policy. We remain actively engaged, working to ensure lawmakers understand how policy decisions affect the homebuying process, how banks use AI, and responsible tax policy across our state. You can get all of the latest from our Legislative Update email newsletter and can see our bill tracker here. Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to be added to the email list.

  • Illinois Interchange Ruling: On Wednesday, the judge in the Illinois interchange lawsuit upheld portions of the case, citing that the law could continue in part because banks do not set interchange fees; credit card companies do, and banks brought the case. The judge did strike down the data-sharing portion of the law, which was equally problematic, but with a July 1 implementation deadline, expect a fast appeal to be filed. We stand ready to explain to lawmakers why this policy remains a bad idea and would harm consumers.

  • Spring Education Momentum: With the spring Credit Analyst Development Program approaching and strong participation across our education offerings, the year’s professional development calendar is off to a strong start. Investing in leadership and technical expertise remains one of the most important ways to strengthen the long-term health of our banks and communities.

We'll be back again next week with a new Top Line - wishing you all the best until then. Huzzah!