Two state leagues, Texas and California, have taken to a littleCapitol Hill bank bashing this week over business lending inanticipation of stepped up American Bankers Association oppositionto pending CUNA bills.

In one ad appearing in the Roll Call, the Texas Leagueencourages lawmakers to back CUNA proposals based on the banks'record of saying "no" to business loans from middle incomeborrowers.

In the Roll Call ad under the caption, "The FracasFamily wanted to open a state-of-the-art daycare center in ElPaso," the league quotes the father, Joe Fracas, as saying he gothis loan from a CU which "made it happen" while 15 banks say "noall day."

League officials said the Roll Call ad, timed to an ABAgathering this week of its annual Summit Government AffairsConference, is slated to appear once more next week. The CaliforniaLeague has been streaming similar online ads slapping banks. One ofthe ads is reportedly planed in The Hill, anotherpublication read by Congressmen.

Texas League officials said putting out a direct message onbusiness lending to Congressmen can be useful as the trade group is"still building our plans for the coming weeks and is coordinatingwith others who may be exploring doing more."