Pub. 6 2018 Issue 4

4 The Community Banker www.mibonline.org President’s Address G reetings to the MIB membership and to our community banking partners from Deer Lodge. I know by the time you read this article we will already be a few days into the new year. Even so, I still want to wish everyone a very Happy and Prosperous new year! First things first. I wish to extend an invite to everyone and anyone who is attending the ICBA National Convention to be held in Las Vegas in March to attend the Montana delegation reception. This is an event the MIB puts on every year as a membership benefit. The reception will be held the eve- ning of Wednesday March 14th, 2018 at the Venetian Hotel. The ICBA National Convention Reception is one of our most well attended and most popular member benefits. So, if you will be in Vegas the week of March 11th, please stop by the MIB event. It should be a fun time and a great way to meet with other bankers and trade ideas. The networking is probably more valuable that some of the seminars. Janet and I are planning on being there and we know we will be having a great time interacting with our banking colleagues. Second, as you will see from the content of this edition of the Community Banker, we have dedicated a portion of this issue to the matter of elder abuse. Elder abuse is a growing problem in this country; and we, as an industry, have a role in preventing and combatting the problem. As community bankers we are particularly well situated to identify potential instances of financial elder abuse due to our close relationship with our customers. If you suspect one of your customers is being exploited, I remind you that the Montana Department of Health and Human Services is authorized to protect aged persons and adults with disabilities from fi- nancial abuse. I urge you to reach out to that state entity if you suspect a problem. Third, I know it is always a bad idea to make predictions, but with the start of each new year I just can’t help myself. Since we are at the start of 2018, I decided to share my predictions for this year with you. 1. The economy will continue to cruise along a moderate and steady pace. We will not fall into a recession, at least not this year. 2. The unemployment rate will remain at a very low level and the number of underemployed will drop further. 3. The Fed will only raise rates a couple times this year and the Prime rate will therefore end the year at 5%. 4. The stock market will not grow at any- where near the rate it has in the past year. It will moderate to a 5-7% range. 5. The extremely low interest rates on checking and savings accounts will finally move off zero. They will finish the year ¼ to ½ % higher. 6. The turmoil in DC will quiet down (maybe I’m just hoping for the sake of harmony in our country). 7. The slow but steady deregulation train will continue moving forward and bankers will finally notice some relief. And on a more personal note 1. It will be an excellent ski season with a lot of powder and one of our best summers in a long time. 2. Our Executive Director Jim Brown will have several exciting outdoor adven- tures and share photographic proof of the same in our magazine; and 3. MIB’s 51st year will be its best year yet. As you can see, I am pretty optimistic about the future or our country, our state, our indus- try and our association. I hope you are too. As we enter another new year, let me express how thankful I am for the opportuni- ty to serve as the Association President and appreciate the trust you have placed in me. Thanks also for your support of the MIB. Please contact me if I can help you with any- thing or you have comments or suggestions about the products and services we offer. I would welcome your feedback. I look forward to seeing you in Vegas in March of 2018. Re- member what happens in Vegas, makes it into the pages of the Community Banker. Tom Christnacht President