Pub. 6 2018 Issue 1

7 Spring 2018 The Community Banker Nordstrom CMO the current star of the upcoming major motion pic- ture “TAG”will be our keynote speaker. The convention will be held in Missoula for the first time in many year; and we hope you can join us at the Hilton Garden Inn July 26-28, 2018 for our special festivities. There will be plenty of educational pro- grams and recreational activities for you to enjoy – including White- water Rafting and Golfing. Further, our state convention provides an incredible opportunity for you and your bank staff to get better acquainted with the industry and to learn from leaders in the field. In sum, the MIB convention is always the Montana banking event of the year and, as such, I encourage you to register early to attend. The good news for Montana’s community banking industry, as we stand now in the Spring of 2018, is that there is a growing optimism in this State and across the nation that both the national and state economies are recovering from the negative impacts of the financial crises. In Montana, this can best be seen in Gallatin County where, according to one of our regular convention speakers, Patrick Barkey, the County ranks at the top of payroll growth for the last several years. Further, Missoula County has added more than 1,000 new jobs each of the last two years. With Montana’s strong economy and the passage of much-needed regulatory relief for banks on the federal level, things are looking up for Montana’s community banking industry, maybe in a manner that we have not experienced since the financial crises of 2008-09. And, with the improvements and advances in technology in the banking field, there is no better time for Montana’s community banks to imple- ment their own ‘spring renewal’ by improving their overall customer experience. We all know that community banks outpace their too- large-too-fail competitors as a result of their customer interactions; and digital enhancements are providing the way forward for Mon- tana’s community banks to continue to grow and prosper. I hope you enjoy this edition of the Community Banker; and I look forward to seeing you in Missoula in July. MIB OUTSTANDING YOUNG BANKER AWARD 2018 Application To recognize upcoming leaders in Montana ’ s banking community, we honor one special young banker each year. The recipient of this award will receive free convention registration, three nights lodging during the 2018 MIB Annual Convention, held July 26 -28th 2018, $100 in travel expenses , an honor plaque to display in his or her office, and prominent mention in the MIB magazine and website. This award is based on the community banking values of good citizenship, community service, and sound banking skills. This award not only recognizes the impact that the candidate has in his or her business each day, but also the difference she or he makes by investing in their community. Eligible applicants must be under age 35, employed by a current MIB member bank for three consecutive years or more, and not have been the recipient of a prior MIB Outstanding Young Banker Award. APPLICANT INFORMATION Name: _______________________________________________ Age: _________________________________ Email Address: _________________________________________ Phone Number: ________________________ Bank at which you are currently employed: _____________________________________________________________ Current Title/Position: ___________________________________ Employment Start Date: _________________ ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONSENT The completed application and associated documents become MIB property. By signing below, permission is granted to MIB to request and/or verify information in this application. I acknowledge that I meet each of the qualification requirements listed above. If selected, I consent that my image and biography be used by MIB to announce this award. HOW TO APPLY 1. Please attach information regarding community service in which you are involved and how you are making a difference in your community. 2. Please attach two letters - one letter of nomination from a senior officer within your bank and one letter of recommendation from a community leader within your bank's service area . These letters should indicate that you, the candidate, exemplify good citizenship and good character, and that you donate time to your community to make it a better place. 3. Please send your application with the requested information to Montana Independent Bankers, P.O. Box 4893, Helena, MT 59604 - 4893 or jbrown@mibonline.org . The application deadline is July 7, 2018 . Thank you for your application! For more information, Jim Brown, MIB Executive Director at (406) 449 - 7444 or jbrown@mibonline.org. The reasons to trust us with your SBA lending really stack up. Profit from people you can trust. Our SBA expertise helps you maximize your community bank’s earning potential. Our team becomes your team, managing and simplifying every step of the process, from loan packaging and closing, to securitization and sale, to portfolio servicing. All at no net cost to you. Talk to us today. 800.340.7304 www.holtandmon.com