I believe in making an impact in almost everything I set out to do. I have a feeling that I am not alone in that personal goal when I am surrounded by community bankers and the folks that support us. All of us seem to share a lot of values and beliefs when it comes to how we take care of people and the way we interact with others. I have been focused on trying to make a positive difference for all Montana community banks since I joined the Montana Independent Bankers Board of Directors. Now, in my role as president, I want to do even more to help all of you and your banks. All of the board members are here to help make community banks stronger and more vibrant not only in Montana, but throughout the country.

Our 2024 MIB Convention and Trade Show was a huge success. I enjoy attending the convention every year as I get to see and spend time with many of my banking friends! And every year I make new friends from our member banks and from our associate member organizations. I love the impact that we get to make on each other as we share banking knowledge. We get to learn about new products and services and changes in our environment, whether it is from an economic, regulatory or other aspect. Every single attendee, whether they are a newer up-and-coming banker, a seasoned bank executive, a director from one of our member banks, an MIB board member, a regulator, a vendor, an MIB staff member, a presenter or a family member, is equally important to the impact the convention is able to make on all of us. A huge shout out goes to our MIB staff, as they are the ones that put in countless hours getting everything ready right up to the last second for all of us to get to experience the best convention and trade show in the country! If you are reading this and have never attended one of the MIB conventions, you need to. I promise it will be a positive experience that you will come out of energized and ready to make a difference.

In order to make sure that the MIB continues to be impactful for all of you, I am asking for your help. I want to hear from all of you how the MIB helps you as a banker or bank vendor. I want to know how we help your bank or business be more successful. Let me know why your bank or company is an MIB member. If there are things that we are doing as an association that you do not find helpful or beneficial, let me know those things as well! We want to focus our time, energy and money where we can have the greatest impact on you and your organization. You might be wondering about all of the things we do outside of things you have experienced with MIB. I would encourage you to check out our website at mibonline.org to explore the benefits and features that our association provides to the membership. Finally, if there are things that the Montana Independent Bankers is not doing, and you believe we should start doing, speak up! I love hearing about new ideas that help make community banking better! You can email me at lbrown@ascentbank.com.

I sincerely hope that all of you enjoyed the beautiful fall that we experienced in Montana. I know that for me to continue to make an impact in all of the things that I do, I have to recharge and take time for myself. As I mentioned in my introductory letter, I love spending time in the outdoors! I have a feeling many of you share my love of the outdoors, just as you share my love of taking care of your customers and our communities! Regardless of whether you enjoy spending time in the outdoors, comfortably inside, surrounded by friends or family, or in solitude while relaxing, I want to remind you how important it is to keep your “personal tanks” full. When you are personally fulfilled, you make the greatest impact on those things you are most passionate about and the people around you. We have an amazing state filled with wonderful human beings, many of whom are community bankers or supporters, that we can be thankful for! I am thankful for all of you and your support and membership in the MIB.