Pub 9 2021 Issue 1

7 The Community Banker • Down payment assistance • 30-year, low-interest rate mortgages • Quality in-state servicing • Ask your lender about Montana Housing loans HOUSING.MT.GOV the high quality of MIB’s education speak- ers, our conference events, and our fun activities, it’s easy to see why MIB’s annual tradeshow and convention is always rated highly by our attendees. If you are interested in joining us either virtually or in person in 2021, you can quickly and conveniently register on the MIB web page. Just type in the following address into your web browser — mibonline.org/convention. On behalf of the MIB Board and the Association staff, we look forward to seeing you in Billings this coming July. Although MIB is moving forward with its 2021 state convention, unfortunately, our national organization, ICBA was unable to hold its annual convention in person this year. But, COVID-19 did not stop ICBA from putting on quite a virtual convention event in March. The highlight of the ICBA convention, at least from this Montanan’s perspective, was the excellent PAC Auction, which was co-chaired by MIB board member Pete Johnson of Opportunity Bank. From all reports, the Auction and the ICBA virtual convention were a resounding success. Turning to industry developments, MIB’s 2021 Montana legislative session lobbyist, Chris Puyear, has been hard at work on the Association’s behalf during the past few months. Chris has done a great job of keeping the MIB membership aware of the ‘comings, goings, and doings of the Montana legislative session through his weekly capital report, mailed out every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning. The session has generally been a quiet one for Montana’s community bankers, with the Division of Banking not running any of its own legislation this session. However, the MIB has been tracking bills related to the im- plementation of the recreational marijuana initiative, tax deed proceeds allocation, and lending preference for Montana-chartered institutions, among other things. Speaking of the Legislature, let me extend my congratulations to MIB Board member Loren Brown for being picked by Governor Gianforte and confirmed by the Montana Senate to serve on the Montana State Banking Board. A well-deserved honor for MIB’s Board Secretary. Finally, let me again express my appreci- ation for your continued membership and support of the MIB. MIB’s mission remains consistent and enduring — the mission sim- ply is to be a Montana community banking association for Montana’s community banks. The membership dues you have paid in 2021 are a key financial resource by which MIB achieves its mission. On behalf of MIB’s Board and Officers, we look forward to see- ing you in the Magic City in July to resume our annual festivities. In the meantime, be safe and be well. James Brown, Esq. MIB Executive Director