January 31, 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

Founded on the Belief That More is Possible, and Expectations are Meant to be Exceeded Alliant Insurance Services provides insurance and consulting services engineered to mitigate risk, improve performance, and promote long-term growth. With offices across the U.S., Alliant’s diverse service profile encompasses property and casualty insurance, employee benefits, underwriting, surety, and financial products and

A long-standing biannual tradition, the Montana Independent Bankers joined with the Montana Bankers Association to host the Montana Banker’s Days at the Capitol held January 10 – 11 in Helena. The event brought together bankers from all across the Treasure State to discuss federal and state policy matters impacting Montana’s community banking industry. Attendees heard

PMI. Q: Our mortgage area is considering adding this paying for private mortgage insurance (PMI) upfront as an option for our borrowers. I am not familiar with this subject and want to make sure we are following the proper procedures. When a borrower pays for PMI upfront in a single payment, do they still need

As we enter a new chapter and start a new financial statement cycle, know that ICBA will be there to support you with tools, resources, and advocacy efforts. The beginning of a new year feels like a fresh start, a new chapter in our stories. We have a blank page on which we can write

I’ve always been a glass-half-full guy, and though 2023 is expected to be a challenging economic year, it also will bring opportunity. We simply need to remember what makes us special as community bankers, and with that as our foundation, we can embrace this season of change in four primary ways: Demonstrating the community bank

As the calendar rolls over into another new year, I am reflecting on the importance of focusing on what community bankers do for a living and what the profession does for our local communities. This is because, as the author E. Stanley Jones stated, “Whatever gets your attention … gets you.” For the last several

The end of each year is a time I tend to reflect on the prior year’s achievements and failures to look forward to the possibilities of a new year and to be thankful for all life’s gifts, the most important of which are friends and family. While I have many reasons to be thankful for