EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE Butte Raises the Bar SHANE SCANLON Executive Director, MIB wow — what a convention! More than 150 community bankers, associate members, speakers, sponsors and friends joined us in Butte, making the 2026 gathering the largest convention we have ever held in the Mining City. While turnout was remarkable, it was the energy in every education session, reception and outdoor activity that truly made the week memorable. An event of this size and quality is a team effort, and our thank-you list is long. Our Premier Level Sponsors stepped up in a meaningful way, and our Event Sponsors helped make each block of the event possible. Our exhibitors, speakers, volunteers, board members, bank and associate members, and attendees each made this such a special event, and we are grateful for everyone’s support and enthusiasm for our 59th Annual Convention. A WARM WELCOME — AND PERFECT TIMING The Wednesday evening Welcome Reception set the tone with a phenomenal turnout. As storm clouds gathered over Butte, bringing some relief from the summer heat, we enjoyed the evening and wrapped up just ahead of the downpour that soon arrived in full force. It felt like a small convention miracle, and a fitting start to a week when so many things came together just right. Thursday morning began with breakfast and our Member Meeting. It was encouraging to see so many members engaged as we shared an update on the association’s work and the developments shaping the year. From ICBA LIVE in San Diego and our advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., to meetings at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis’ Helena Branch, interim legislative work ahead of the 2027 session and legislative updates from the Blockchain Task Force, there was plenty to discuss. As we moved into our seminars, Kristina Morris, vice president of innovation investments at ICBA, opened the educational program with “Community Banking Innovation: What Innovation Looks Like Now.” Her presentation offered an impressive and practical look at how innovation is evolving for community banks and what leaders should be thinking about now. Dan Stimpson, CPA, managing director at Stifel Solutions, followed with “Optimizing Banks’ Interest Rate Risk Management.” His timely update gave attendees a useful perspective on how to navigate interest rate risk in a complex operating environment. FRESH AIR, FRIENDLY COMPETITION AND A MEMORABLE EVENING Thursday afternoon’s outdoor activities went off without a hitch, giving attendees an opportunity to spend time together outside the meeting room. We cannot thank Joel Rosenberg and Loren Brown enough for leading the golf outing and trap shoot. Their planning and steady leadership helped make both activities enjoyable from start to finish. The Vendor Reception held that evening offered time to visit exhibitor booths, catch up and continue conversations from earlier in the day. We also kicked off the PAC Auction, and Mike Hawthorne knocked it out of the park in leading this effort. As I said that night, we really need Mike to keep this tradition going next year! We were thrilled to welcome Shon Myers, vice chairman of ICBA and president, CEO and chairman of Farmers & Merchants Bank in Miamisburg, Ohio, to Montana. We were among Shon’s first stops on the convention circuit this year, and he did a terrific job. His experience as a current bank president and former chair of the Community Bankers Association of Ohio gave him an authentic and valuable perspective on the opportunities and pressures community banks face. Chris Fisk, the ultimate Butte historian and a distinguished history teacher at Butte High School, brought the evening to a close. Simply put, you cannot go wrong inviting Chris to tell the history of Butte. His presentation, “A Night in Butte History,” delivered in every way. I cannot remember hearing a room laugh so hard. Chris gave us an unforgettable mix of local history, personality and humor. A STRONG FRIDAY PROGRAM The convention continued Friday morning with a wide-ranging seminar lineup covering the strategic, 6 Community Banker
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