Lopes Named Chair of Banking Committee

State Rep. Rick Lopes (D-24) has been named to the important position of Chair of the state legislature’s Banking Committee.

Lopes was recently appointed to the leadership position by the Speaker of the state House of Representatives, Rep. Joe Aresimowicz (D-30).

“Banking and the financial sector have a strong history in Connecticut,” Lopes said, adding. “Keeping them strong and vibrant is essential to our state’s future economic growth.”

The state legislature’s website says that the Banking Committee,

has cognizance of all matters relating to the Department of Banking, and banks, savings banks, bank and trust companies, savings and loan associations, credit unions, the supervision of the sale of securities, fraternal benefit societies and secured and unsecured lending.

Aresimowicz said that, “The Banking Committee plays a critical role in our overall economic picture going forward and can help drive future growth.”

“I asked Rep. Lopes to lead the Banking Committee,” Aresimowicz said, “because he has a good feel for business and understands many of the issues relating to our financial institutions.”

The Connecticut state legislature, called the General Assembly, uses a joint committee system between the State Senate and the State House of Representatives. The Senate and House each choose a chair of each committee, and the two co-chairs share the leadership of the committee. Lopes will lead the committee for the House of Representatives.

Lopes, a small business owner, has represented the Twenty-Fourth Assembly District since 2012. As the Twenty-Fourth Assembly District Representative, he represents neighborhoods in New Britain, including the West End neighborhood, the Willow Brook neighborhoods and the southern parts of the East Side neighborhood, as well as the south west corner of Newington.