January 2023

Laura F. Clark has assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of Opportunity Bank of Montana as of January 1, 2023. Clark has been President of Opportunity Bank since April 1, 2022, with oversight of the bank’s day-to-day business operations. She became President and CEO with the retirement of Pete Johnson on December 31, 2022.

Pete Johnson has retired after 15 years as CEO for Opportunity Bank of Montana and more than 43 years in banking. Effective January 1, 2023, Laura Clark, previously Opportunity Bank President, has assumed the responsibilities of President and CEO of the bank. Clark has spent eight years with the bank and her experience spans over

January 20 ICBA Convention Scholarship Application Due January 31Membership Renewals Due March 12–15ICBA Convention in Hawaii March 22 Washington D.C. Advocacy Scholarship Application Due April 3 Board Meeting, Fairmont Hot Springs April 30Graduate Banking School Scholarship Application Due May 14–17ICBA Washington Policy Summit May 23Ag Conference, Northern Hotel, Billings June 23Outstanding Young Banker Award Nomination

Banks are facing unprecedented risk management challenges amid rapid technological and competitive changes. Federal and state authorities have recently issued guidance to address paradigm-altering shifts such as climate change, artificial intelligence (A.I.), cryptocurrency, digital and mobile banking, credit models, data security, and more. Financial institutions should understand how these changes could affect their operating model

Imagine walking into the sweltering heat after being in an air-conditioned room and your eyewear becomes incredibly foggy with condensation. Using the tail of your shirt, glasses are cleaned and repositioned on the eyes. Voila! Operations resume. Since the Consumer Federal Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) formation, the Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts and Practices (UDAAP) journey

While several federal regulatory agencies are working to finalize proposals on climate-related financial risk management that purportedly target the nation’s largest financial institutions, the proposals would inevitably subject community banks and the communities they serve to new and expensive regulatory burdens. Rather than rush to impose new standards on community banks, the agencies must ensure

What’s your choice for the term of the decade so far (that is, other than COVID-19)? In the last three years, a number of expressions have come into fashion, some of which have been worn out, used out of context, and deemed to be a blight on our vocabulary by linguists. I’m sorry to say

Whether your clients need to build a more solid financial base or they are ready for homeownership but need more buying power, NWMT is here to help. For 25 years, NeighborWorks Montana (NWMT) has been working to ensure that the dream and opportunity of homeownership is available to all Montanans with low and moderate incomes.

MIB held a tailgate party at Montana State University on November 19, 2022, for the Bobcats vs. Grizzlies game. This event was co-sponsored by UBB who created a game board for a little added excitement. We had lots of wonderful food and great conversation. The 121st Brawl of the Wild ended with a score of