Promoting community banking is crucial to the survival of the industry and all the individual banks it comprises. the conversation about how we as MIB can coordinate with their national campaign to rebrand it as “BankLocallyMontana.org” to specifically bring focus to our MIB member banks. In an effort to get the word out locally about community banking and the differences from large institutions, I drafted an op-ed piece that we will be pushing out to the print media throughout the state. The piece mentions, among other things, that deposits held in Montana community banks are backed by a model of generational local ownership, quality leadership, and measured lending and investment practices. It discusses how community banks should be exempt from restoring losses to the Deposit Insurance Fund caused by a culture of “too-big-to-fail.” It also points out that there is no need for new regulatory burdens to be imposed on banks that have not contributed to the issues. It emphasizes that local community banks and their customers should not have to pay for the miscalculations and speculative practices of large financial institutions. There has been a lot happening in our industry in the past few months, events I feel could be a fantastic opportunity for our state’s local community banks if we act. As such, I highly recommend you check out the ICBA marketing website at https://ICBA.org/national-campaign to gain more insight into this national marketing endeavor as well as to gain access to their toolkit, business insights, market research, and customizable marketing assets. Promoting community banking is crucial to the survival of the industry and all the individual banks it comprises. The disappointing response to these devastating events can only be reframed into an opportunity for renewal and growth if we here at the local level meet that call for outreach and evolution. I stand committed to answer the call. Will you join me? Member FDIC 38368 Whether your loan is large or small, get faster turnaround from our experienced correspondent team. Whatever Loan Amount You’re Looking For, We Can Help. Partner with Bell for: • Purchase and selling of participation loans • Bank stock and ownership loans • Holding company loans and lines of credit • Reg. O loans to bank employees, insiders or directors Craig McCandless Call me at 406.850.3790 Based in Billings, Mont. Serving, Montana, Wyoming and Idaho mibonline.org 7
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