A By James E. Brown EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE As the calendar rolls over into another new year, I am reflecting on the importance of focusing on what community bankers do for a living and what the profession does for our local communities. This is because, as the author E. Stanley Jones stated, “Whatever gets your attention ... gets you.” For the last several years, Montana’s community banking was forced to focus its attention on the fiscal and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Part of this focus was, of course, protecting internal banking operations and employee health, administering the federal paycheck protection program (PPP), and helping bank customers navigate the most unprecedented economic disruption event of the last 50 years. I now write with some optimism that 2023 marks the year where MIB’s members can put the pandemic crises in the rear-view mirror and doubledown their attention on the one intangible that defines ‘us’ best — that intangible being to serve our local communities and the people that live in them. MIB is proud of the way our members have historically supported local businesses, schools, charitable groups and other community-minded organizations. I know that community bankers will work hard every day in this coming year to help build vibrant communities where their customers live, work and play. As for the MIB, in the coming year, the Association will also be refocusing on its core mission, which is to serve Montana’s community banks. One of the ways the Association serves its membership is through legislative advocacy services both at the federal and state level. As I write this article, the 2023 Montana Legislature has commenced. The legislative session is slated to end in late April. Some of the big issues for the session appear to be Governor Gianforte’s proposals to provide a tax cut, to fund state building repairs and improvements, and to improve telecommunications services and opportunities. The 2023 Legislature once again sees the Republican Party controlling both the House and Senate. Republicans have an unprecedented super majority this session – holding 103 of the possible 150 seats. Thus, as has been the case since the 2005 legislative session, a Republican legislature will be driving the agenda and the policy. The MIB has a light legislative agenda going into the 2023 session. Much of the Association’s focus will be on defeating or mitigating the impact of potentially harmful bills to the industry, such as those bills that tend toward imposing additional regulatory burdens and/or authorize non-bank entities to act as if they were banking entities. MIB will also oppose any legislation that seeks to upend the lien priority process. One bill that the MIB will be following is being advanced by the Montana Division of Banking. Commissioner Melanie Hall has informed the Association that she will be sponsoring a rewrite and reform of the Montana Bank Act. As the legislative process moves forward, we here at MIB are interested in hearing directly from you as to legislation the Association should or should not support on your bank’s behalf. 6 The Community Banker
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