Writing my last message as the soon-to-be outgoing president of the Montana Independent Bankers Association, I find myself trying to come up with a simple phrase that could wrap up the experience I’ve had in the last two years in this position. The most fitting phrase that comes to mind is simply this: Get involved.

The last two years have brought several important bank events that affect all of us, from the historic pace at which the Federal Reserve raised rates to the highly publicized bank failures in 2023. While the timing of these events is never good, it did play right into the message that we as an association worked to convey to the public: There is a vast difference between independent community banks and large mega banks that TRY to promote themselves as local community banks.

In addition to the legislative advocacy that our association provides, promoting the community bank message was a large portion of our focus as an association in the last couple of years. The idea came about because there were some bankers who saw the need to differentiate themselves from the rest of the pack and chose to act.

Our work is not over; it has, in fact, only just begun. There is much to do as we ensure our message of differentiation and small community empowerment. Let’s keep the momentum that we have created and continue to educate our public. As I prepare to step down and pass the baton, I leave you with this final battle cry: Get involved!