What a political campaign bank account is and why you need one
A political campaign bank account is a separate checking or savings account that holds only money raised for and spent by a political campaign. It is not your personal account. Federal law requires federal campaigns to use one. Many states require them for state and local campaigns too. The account keeps campaign money separate from your personal finances, makes spending transparent to regulators, and protects you from mixing funds in a way that violates campaign finance law.
The account must be opened in the campaign's name, not your name. If you are running for office, the account typically goes under "John Smith for Mayor" or "[Candidate Name] for [Office]". If you are managing a political action committee (PAC) or independent expenditure committee, the account name reflects that instead. Banks will ask for documentation proving the committee exists and who is authorized to sign checks.
You cannot use a personal account, a business account, or a joint account. Doing so creates a record that looks like personal spending, triggers audit flags, and can result in fines or criminal charges depending on the office and the amount involved.
Key Takeaways
- Federal campaigns must open a campaign bank account; state and local requirements vary by jurisdiction, so check your state election office website first.
- The account must be in the campaign's name, not the candidate's personal name, and you will need a campaign registration number or EIN to open it.
- Most banks require a resolution from the campaign committee, a list of authorized signers, and proof of the campaign's legal existence before opening the account.
- The account must be used only for campaign funds; personal loans to the campaign and personal reimbursements must be documented and reported to regulators.
- You are required to file regular finance reports with your state or federal election office, and the bank account records are the source document for those reports.
Federal campaign accounts: FEC registration and EIN requirements
If you are running for federal office (U.S. House, Senate, or President), you must register with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) before opening a campaign bank account. You cannot open the account first and then register. The FEC issues a campaign identification number, which the bank will require.
To register, go to fec.gov, download Form 1 (Statement of Candidacy), and file it with the FEC. The form asks for your name, the office you seek, the state, and the election year. Once filed, the FEC sends you a confirmation with your campaign ID number. This process takes a few business days. You will also need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, which you can obtain online at irs.gov by applying for an EIN for your campaign committee. The EIN is free and takes minutes to receive.
Bring both the FEC campaign ID and the EIN to the bank. Some banks will accept a copy of your FEC filing confirmation in place of the ID number if the confirmation has not yet arrived, but calling ahead to ask what the bank accepts saves a trip.
State and local campaign accounts: registration rules vary
State and local campaigns do not file with the FEC. Instead, they register with the state election office or, in some cases, the county clerk or city clerk. The registration process and requirements differ by state. Some states require registration before opening an account; others allow you to open the account and register within a set number of days afterward.
Contact your state election office or search "[your state] campaign finance registration" to find the correct form and filing office. Many states have an online portal where you can register and receive a campaign ID number immediately. A few states do not require a separate campaign account for local races under a certain spending threshold, so confirm whether your race is covered before spending time on registration.
Once registered, you will receive a campaign ID number or registration confirmation. Bring this to the bank along with a copy of the registration form. Some states also require you to open the account within a certain number of days of registering (often 10 to 30 days), so check the deadline in your state's rules.
Documents the bank will ask for
Banks treat campaign accounts as business accounts and require more documentation than a personal checking account. Have these items ready before you visit:
- Campaign registration confirmation or FEC filing confirmation — a copy showing your campaign ID number and the campaign name.
- EIN letter or confirmation — from the IRS, showing the EIN assigned to the campaign committee.
- Campaign committee resolution — a document signed by the candidate and treasurer (or authorized officers) authorizing the account and naming who can sign checks. Many banks provide a template; your state election office may also have one. The resolution should state the campaign name, the account purpose, and the names and titles of authorized signers.
- Identification — a government-issued ID for the candidate and treasurer, usually a driver's license or passport.
- Proof of address — a recent utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement for the candidate or treasurer.
Some banks also ask for a list of all committee members or officers. If your state requires a campaign finance report before opening the account, bring a copy of that filing too. Call the bank's business account department before visiting to confirm what they need; different branches sometimes have different requirements.
Authorized signers and account access
The campaign committee must designate who can sign checks and withdraw money from the account. This is usually the candidate and the campaign treasurer, but you can name additional people if needed. The bank will require a resolution or authorization document listing each signer's name and title.
Only the people named on the resolution can sign checks or authorize transfers. If the treasurer changes, you must notify the bank in writing and provide a new resolution. The same applies if you add or remove a signer. Keep the bank updated so that the account records match your campaign finance reports.
Some campaigns use a debit card for the campaign account. If you do, the card should be issued only to authorized signers, and all transactions must be recorded and reported just like check transactions. Do not use a campaign debit card for personal expenses, even if you plan to reimburse the campaign later — the transaction still appears in the campaign account records and must be reported.
What you can and cannot put in the account
Campaign funds come from donations, candidate loans, and personal contributions. All money raised for the campaign goes into this account. When you receive a check or cash donation, it goes in. When someone makes an online donation, it goes in. When you loan your own money to the campaign, it goes in (and must be documented as a loan, not a contribution, so you can repay yourself later).
You cannot deposit personal money into the account to cover campaign expenses unless you are making a documented loan or contribution. You also cannot use the account for personal expenses and then reimburse yourself — the transaction still appears in the campaign records and regulators will see it. If you spend personal money on campaign expenses (office supplies, postage, travel), keep the receipts and file a reimbursement request with the campaign committee. The committee then writes a check from the campaign account to you, and that check is recorded and reported.
Do not deposit money from other campaigns, other candidates, or non-campaign sources into this account. Each campaign has its own account. If you are running for multiple offices or managing multiple committees, each one needs a separate account.
Filing finance reports and keeping records
Federal campaigns file with the FEC on a schedule set by the election year and the type of office. House and Senate campaigns typically file monthly during the election year and quarterly in non-election years. Presidential campaigns file more frequently. Your state or local campaign files on a schedule set by your state election office, which may be monthly, quarterly, or only before and after the election.
The finance report lists all money received and all money spent. The bank account statement is your source document — regulators will compare your reported numbers to your bank records. Keep all deposit slips, canceled checks, bank statements, and receipts. If a donation came by check, keep the check image. If it came by credit card or online, keep the transaction confirmation. If you spent campaign money, keep the receipt or invoice.
File reports on time. Late filings trigger penalties and can result in an audit. If you miss a deadline, contact your election office immediately and ask about filing an amended report or requesting an extension. Some offices grant short extensions if you ask before the deadline; others do not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my personal bank account if I keep campaign and personal money separate?
No. Federal law requires a separate account for federal campaigns. State and local laws vary, but most require separation too. Even if your state allows it, regulators will scrutinize a personal account more closely, and mixing funds creates a record that looks like personal spending. A separate account is simpler and safer.
What if I do not have an EIN yet when I want to open the account?
You can obtain an EIN online from the IRS in minutes at no cost. Go to irs.gov, search for "apply for EIN online", and complete the application. You will receive the EIN immediately. If you are opening a federal account, you also need the FEC campaign ID, which takes a few business days after filing Form 1. Apply for both before visiting the bank.
Can I close the campaign account after the election?
Yes, but only after all campaign debts are paid and all remaining funds are handled according to law. Federal campaigns can refund donations, donate to charity, or transfer funds to a leadership PAC under certain conditions. State and local rules vary. File a final finance report showing the account balance and what happened to remaining funds, then close the account. Keep the final bank statement for your records.
What happens if I accidentally deposit personal money or mix funds?
Notify your bank and election office immediately. Withdraw the personal money and deposit it back into your personal account. File an amended finance report showing the correction. The sooner you catch and fix the mistake, the less likely it is to trigger an audit or penalty. Do not ignore it hoping no one notices.
Do I need a separate account for a leadership PAC or independent expenditure committee?
Yes. Each committee is a separate legal entity and must have its own account. If you are running for office and also managing a PAC, you need two accounts — one for the campaign and one for the PAC. The accounts cannot share signers or funds.