Pub. 5 2017 Issue 4

6 The Community Banker www.mibonline.org Executive Director’s Report H appy new year. Each time we put up a new calendar, it presents any opportunity for new ideas and new progress. Such is the case here at the MIB. I am delighted to write that 2017 con- stitutes the 50th year that the MIB has been in existence. And I am excited to see the momentum of the Association carry into this new year. In an exciting development for Montana’s community bank- ing industry, the MIB is pleased to announce that the Association is teaming up with Montana State University to create and implement a community banking program at that fine institution. Specifically, MIB is collaborating with the Montana State University Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship (JCBE) to develop a curriculum that will prepare MSU students for work in Montana’s community banking industry. MIB will provide the seed money for the program, which will be used by MSU to develop coursework relevant to the business of community banking; to build a foundation for MSU students to learn about community banking, to institute a collabora- tive system by and between the JCBE and Montana community banks. MIB is particularly excited about that portion of the program that creates a statewide internship program for those students involved. The internship program will bring students from the classroom into participating community banks, where the students will begin build- ing hands-on knowledge of the industry. This program has already been done on a trial basis, and has proved to be quite successful in matching the student with a job in the industry. MIB believes this program will be an excellent tool for MIB’s member banks to recruit employees and to train young Montanans for a career in the banking industry. MIB will roll this program out with MSU in February, with the hope of having full implementation by the 2017 fall semester. MIB has arranged with MSU for its member banks to be able to contribute money to the program, which such sponsorship dollars will be used to provide named scholarships for students in the Community Banking Program. As designed, this program provides MIB member banks a meaningful opportunity to meet and interact with students who have chosen the banking industry as their career of choice. Further, the program provides MIB and its member banks with positive exposure to the MSU community and students. Community banking plays a vital role in Montana’s communities. And, as evidenced by the development of the MSU community pro- gram, MIB continues to be on the forefront of promoting and pro- tecting the interests of Montana’s community banks. MIB will provide more information on the program as it moves forward. Turning to other matters on which the Association is working. MIB has become aware of one of the first issues the Association will have to handle at the Montana Legislature. Governor Bullock’s budget office