May 12, 2026

MIB was well represented in San Diego during the ICBA LIVE event. Thank you to all the bankers who attended and gained educational and informative insights. We extend our gratitude to the following sponsors of the MIB reception: BHG, Bell Bank and UBB. “ICBA LIVE is the premier event of the year, connecting community bankers […]

Community banks entered 2026 with numerous legislative and regulatory issues in play. While some are familiar pressure points, others reflect how newer policies and technologies are increasingly appearing in real proposals and oversight.

As community banks embrace innovation, they do so with the knowledge that each new solution becomes a product in their portfolio. With every integration comes the reliance on existing systems to support regulatory compliance, operational requirements and customer-facing usability. That generally means core integrations or top-layer API enablement to ensure functionality that delivers an optimal user experience. And quite often, that’s much easier said than done.

ECOA/TILA. Q: Due to the current cost of credit reports, bank management would like to charge the customer for a credit report at the time of application. Does the credit report fee need to be disclosed in writing before accepting a loan application for auto and unsecured loans?

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) presented Bank of Bozeman with the award for Best Small Community Bank to Work For at ICBA LIVE in March. The bank’s 24 employees were sent a questionnaire revolving around the work environment, promotions and pay, all key factors taken into consideration for the award. Bank President Clinton Gerst’s emphasis on a promotion-focused culture, plus the bankers’ positive responses to the questionnaire, truly show why the bank is the best community financial institution to work for in the country.

At United Bankers’ Bank (UBB), “First for Your Success” is more than a tagline — it’s a commitment that has guided the nation’s first bankers’ bank since 1975. While the banking landscape has shifted dramatically over the past five decades, UBB’s role has remained constant: to provide community banks with the products, services and support they need, without ever competing against them.

Photo above courtesy of The Annie Oakley Center at the Garst Museum ‘Bankers & Guns’ Trap Shooting Thursday, July 23, 11 a.m.Butte Trap Club70 Basin Creek Rd.Butte, Montana Our Annie Oakley Shootout is $100 per person and includes gun rentals, ammo, clay pigeons and instruction.  No experience necessary! Annual MIB Golf Tournament Thursday, July 23, 11 a.m.Butte

Shon Myers is vice chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), the only national organization exclusively representing community banks. He also serves as president, CEO and chairman of Farmers & Merchants Bank in Miamisburg, Ohio.

I had the opportunity to join several of our bank presidents in San Diego during the first week of March for the ICBA LIVE — and it truly was an outstanding experience. The event offered an impressive range of sessions, workshops, learning labs, a robust tradeshow and countless networking opportunities with bankers from across the country.