Hello my friends,
As I look back on 2025 for the MIB, I pause to reflect on this past summer in Montana, and I’m struck by how fortunate we were to experience one of the mildest fire seasons in recent memory. After several years of smoky skies and active fire maps being a daily reality, 2025 brought a refreshing change. According to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, the state experienced less than one-third of the average acreage burned over the last decade, thanks in part to cooler temperatures and wetter conditions.
That moisture not only helped keep fires at bay but also produced one of the greenest summers I can remember. Across the state — from the high plains to the mountain valleys — pastures stayed lush well into August, rivers ran strong, and wildflowers held their colors longer than usual. For those of us who spend as much time as possible outside, whether on a trail, a river or even in our backyards, it was a summer to savor.
Speaking of savoring, our 2025 Montana Independent Bankers Convention and Trade Show at Big Sky Resort in July was nothing short of amazing. While we didn’t quite set a record for attendance, we came very close. The weather during the convention couldn’t have been more perfect — bright blue skies, warm afternoons and cool evenings. The energy at Big Sky this year was outstanding. Our rafting and golf events were well-attended, and many folks took the opportunity to hike and explore the stunning surroundings.
Earlier in the year, a Montana contingent traveled to Washington, D.C., for the ICBA Capital Summit, and it was an experience I won’t soon forget. We met with our congressional delegation and their staffs to share the importance of community banking in our state. It’s one thing to talk about issues here at home; it’s another to sit across the table from federal policymakers and make sure Montana’s voice is heard loud and clear.
One of the major legislative victories that emerged from these efforts was the passage of a law prohibiting the use of “trigger leads” to solicit bank customers based on mortgage application credit checks. This issue has been a thorn in the side of community banks for years, allowing third parties to target borrowers mid-transaction. Thanks to the advocacy work of the ICBA and the personal efforts of Montana bankers in Washington, D.C., this harmful practice has finally been addressed through bipartisan legislation. The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act was signed into law by President Trump on Sept. 5 and will take effect in March 2026.
I am also excited to share that, thanks to the outstanding leadership of Laura Clark and Opportunity Bank in partnership with Helena College, the MIB helped bring a new Fundamentals of Banking Course to bankers, high school students and college students across the state that began in October. This six-week training program, offered quarterly, provides a strong foundation in core banking principles through three parts.
As the year winds down and we prepare for winter, we’ll be sending out membership renewal invoices in December. I want to personally ask every bank that is currently a member of the Montana Independent Bankers Association to renew its membership for 2026. Your membership allows us to continue to advocate for community banks, provide outstanding educational opportunities and foster the professional community that makes Montana banking so unique.
If, for any reason, your bank is considering not renewing, I ask that you personally reach out to me. I want to understand what we can do better and how we can make membership even more valuable for you. This organization exists to serve you, and your feedback is essential to its continued strength.
The same goes for our associate members, who are a vital part of our association. Thank you for your continued support and partnership. If you ever have concerns or ideas about how we can better serve you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. We value your involvement deeply and want to ensure that your investment in MIB continues to be rewarding.
Finally, I want to thank each and every one of you — our member banks, associate members, board members and staff — for your unwavering support of community banking and the communities where we live and work. The strength of our association comes from the dedication of community bankers across the state who believe in making a difference in their towns, neighborhoods and throughout Montana.
Whether you’re preparing for the busy holiday season, planning next year’s initiatives or just taking a well-deserved moment to catch your breath, I hope you can take pride in what we’ve accomplished together this year. From legislative wins to near-record convention participation and launching a brand-new educational opportunity for new bankers and students, 2025 has been a year worth celebrating. I have loved the weather we’ve had and am now hoping for a winter filled with snow and mild temperatures.
I look forward to seeing many of you in the months ahead, and I can’t wait to build on this momentum in 2026.
Standing strong with my fellow community bankers,
Loren
