Bankers spent $2.2M lobbing in 1Q

WASHINGTON - The American Bankers Association spent $2.2 million to lobby the federal government in the first quarter.

The trade group lobbied on accounting rules, legislation affecting home loans, credit cards, appraisals, foreclosures, tax rebates, student loans, Internet gambling and numerous other issues, according to a disclosure report filed April 22 with the Senate's public records office.

The trade group's members include Bank of America Corp., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Wachovia Corp., Washington Mutual Inc., U.S. Bancorp and Citigroup Inc. among others.

Lobbyists are required to disclose activities that could influence members of the executive and legislative branches, under a federal law enacted in 1995.

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