PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE WINS WORTH CELEBRATING BY LOREN BROWN PRESIDENT, MIB Hello my friends, As I look back on 2025 for the MIB, I pause to reflect on this past summer in Montana, and I’m struck by how fortunate we were to experience one of the mildest fire seasons in recent memory. After several years of smoky skies and active fire maps being a daily reality, 2025 brought a refreshing change. According to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, the state experienced less than one-third of the average acreage burned over the last decade, thanks in part to cooler temperatures and wetter conditions. That moisture not only helped keep fires at bay but also produced one of the greenest summers I can remember. Across the state — from the high plains to the mountain valleys — pastures stayed lush well into August, rivers ran strong, and wildflowers held their colors longer than usual. For those of us who spend as much time as possible outside, whether on a trail, a river or even in our backyards, it was a summer to savor. Speaking of savoring, our 2025 Montana Independent Bankers Convention and Trade Show at Big Sky Resort in July was nothing short of amazing. While we didn’t quite set a record for attendance, we came very close. The weather during the convention couldn’t have been more perfect — bright blue skies, warm afternoons and cool evenings. The energy at Big Sky this year was outstanding. Our rafting and golf events were well-attended, and many folks took the opportunity to hike and explore the stunning surroundings. Earlier in the year, a Montana contingent traveled to Washington, D.C., for the ICBA Capital Summit, and it was an experience I won’t soon forget. We met with our congressional delegation and their staffs to share the importance of community banking in our state. It’s one thing to talk about issues here at home; it’s another to sit across the table from federal policymakers and make sure Montana’s voice is heard loud and clear. One of the major legislative victories that emerged from these efforts was the passage of a law prohibiting the use of “trigger leads” to solicit bank customers based on mortgage application credit checks. This issue has been a thorn in the side of community banks for years, allowing third parties to target borrowers mid-transaction. Thanks 4 Community Banker
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