John Banks III

John H. Banks, III is the President of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), the City’s leading real estate trade association with more than 17,000 members including major commercial and residential property owners, builders, managers, brokers and salespeople. Since his appointment in 2014, REBNY has made significant achievements advocating for fair and important legislation to address critical issues surrounding affordable housing, illegal short-term rentals, transportation, sustainability, rezoning and landmarking, among many others. Prior to REBNY, Banks was Consolidated Edison Inc.’s Vice President of Government Relations for 13 years, during which he also served as Vice Chairman of the New York City Charter Revision Commission in 2010 and worked on New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s transition in 2013. Before Con Edison, Banks worked as Chief of Staff for the New York City Council, Director of Government Relations at Con Edison, and Deputy Director of the New York City Council’s Finance Division. Banks’ first role in government was working for Mayor Edward Koch in his Office of Operations after graduating from Manhattan College with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Government. Banks serves on the boards for the New York Public Library, Vincent J. Fontana Center for Child Protection, Manhattan College, and EmblemHealth, Inc. He is a resident of Pelham Manor, New York where he lives with his wife and two children.