Hello, my friends,

Winter in Montana usually brings a slower pace, but this year it has not felt slow at all. Despite an incredibly mild winter, I have managed to spend plenty of time skiing, snowmobiling and snow biking, taking advantage of every opportunity to be outside. The warm temperatures and clear days have even allowed me to sneak in a couple of BASE jumping trips, something that does not normally make it onto my winter calendar. Time outdoors gives me space to think, and lately I have found myself thinking less about where community banking has been and more about where it is going next.

As we move through the beginning of 2026, momentum matters. Community banking does not move forward by accident. It moves forward because people show up, engage and are willing to invest their time and energy into something bigger than their own bank. That mindset will be especially important in the year ahead.

One of the best ways to step outside our normal routines and gain perspective is by connecting with community bankers from across the country. ICBA LIVE will be held March 6-9 in San Diego, California, and it presents a great opportunity to do exactly that. While timing may be tight for some to make travel plans, it is still worth mentioning in case you can make it. Every time I attend ICBA LIVE, I return home with new ideas, renewed energy, and deeper relationships that make me a better banker back in Montana. It is valuable to be reminded that while our challenges may feel local, many of them are shared nationwide, and community bankers across the country are finding thoughtful and practical ways to meet them.

As worthwhile as ICBA LIVE is, the event I want to emphasize most is the ICBA Capital Summit, which will take place May 4-7 in Washington, D.C. This event gives us the opportunity to sit down face to face with our elected officials, explain why community banking matters and how decisions made in Washington affect the communities we serve every day.

I know traveling to D.C. can feel intimidating, especially if you have never attended the Capital Summit before. You may think you need to be an expert on legislation or policy to participate, but that’s not the case. What makes the greatest impact are real stories from Montana community bankers. When we go together as members of the MIB, we bring firsthand examples of how community banks support small businesses, agriculture, housing and local economies across our state. We make a difference by sharing what works, what doesn’t, and what unintended consequences look like when policies are written without community banks in mind.

We have seen firsthand that this engagement matters. Recent legislative successes did not happen by chance. They happened because we showed up, shared our experiences and spoke with a unified voice. Our collective efforts as Montana bankers made a difference, and our congressional delegation listened. That is something we should continue to build on, and I would love to see even more Montana bankers join us in Washington this year.

To help make that possible, the MIB offers a scholarship for first-time attendees to the ICBA Capital Summit. If you have ever considered attending, I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and consider joining us. This is one of the most meaningful ways you can engage on behalf of community banking, both for your bank and for our industry as a whole.

Another area where we are clearly building momentum is education and workforce development. One of the initiatives I am most excited about is the Fundamentals of Banking Course developed in partnership with Opportunity Bank and Helena College. The first session was well received, with 13 participants completing the course from several community banks across the state. Early feedback confirmed that the material is practical, engaging and helpful in building a solid understanding of the banking industry.

The second session is already underway, and interest continues to grow. There is real demand for accessible, Montana-based banking education, not just for new employees, but for students who may be considering community banking as a career. Looking ahead, I encourage you to consider enrolling employees in future sessions and helping to spread the word about upcoming offerings. This is an investment in our future workforce and in the long-term strength of community banking in Montana.

All of these efforts — advocacy, education and national engagement — tie back to the same idea: Community banking remains strong because people care enough to participate. Montana Independent Bankers provides the platform, but our impact is driven entirely by our members. Whether that means attending an event, advocating in D.C., enrolling an employee in a training program or simply reaching out to share ideas, your involvement matters.

As we move through winter and into spring, I encourage each of you to lean forward in making your bank and our communities better. Say yes to opportunities that stretch you a bit. Bring a colleague with you to an MIB event or consider attending the Capital Summit for the first time. These are the moments where momentum is built, not just for our association, but for community banking in Montana.

Thank you, as always, for your commitment to community banking and to the communities we are privileged to serve. I look forward to seeing many of you in the months ahead and continuing this important work together in 2026.

Looking forward to the future with my fellow community bankers,

Loren