He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1973 to 1986, and served as a cabinet minister in the government of Sterling Lyon.
[1] The son of Jacob G. Banman and Barbara Enns, he was raised in Steinbach, Manitoba.
He worked as an automobile dealer after graduating from high school and was on the Steinbach Town Council from 1970 to 1973.
[1] Banman was named Minister of Industry and Commerce and Manitoba Minister of Tourism, Recreation and Cultural Affairs|Minister of Tourism, Recreation and Cultural Affairs on October 24, 1977, also holding responsibility for the Manitoba Development Corporation Act.
The Progressive Conservatives were defeated in the provincial election of 1981, but Banman was re-elected in his own riding by 3,269 votes.