An important piece of advice I received – that wasn’t really advice – came from my first boss, who consistently asked me at the end of the workday, “Well, did you earn your paycheck today?” It would always make me reflect on my efforts that particular day, and if I didn’t feel I had given my best, you could bet that I would put in the extra effort the next day. Regarding the future of community banking in Montana, I foresee there will always be a need for community banks, but remaining a relevant industry will continue to be a challenge. I would like to see a community banking industry that grows and gets stronger as a whole, even while the number of players continues to shrink. With the ability of consumers to bank anywhere with any bank at any time, the definition of “community” is shifting. As an industry, we need to be smart enough to shift with it and promote the values community banking stands for. Community bankers in Montana can benefit – tangible and intangible – from being a member of MIB. The most important benefits are the connections one makes with fellow bankers across this and other states. Every banker has similar struggles, works with similar vendors, has similar regulators, and works to keep their community bank relevant. To me, having conversations about these and other items with your peers is invaluable. The Community Banker 7
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