W EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE Welcome to the post MIB Convention and Tradeshow edition of our magazine. I write this article on a hot and smoky Montana day, just a few short days removed from the close of the 2024 MIB Convention and Tradeshow. In keeping with the summer theme, let me start by giving you a fun fact about summer. It is said that pagans called the Midsummer moon the “Honey Moon” in honor of the mead made from fermented honey. That mead was, in turn, served during wedding ceremonies performed during the Summer Solstice. Hence, our modern use of the term “honeymoon.” Turning back to the topic de jure, many of the 2024 convention attendees have informed us that this convention was MIB’s best convention yet. The convention saw a record in terms of vendor and associate member participation. This high participation outcome is a testament to the strength of the association and its enduring value to Montana’s community bankers and their partners. Overall, the convention was well-rated by our member attendees. Initial feedback indicates we arranged for informative and interesting speakers, lined up a great opening reception at the University of Montana’s Washington-Grizzly stadium, and allowed for quality interaction time between MIB members and vendors. Further, the convention activities proved, once again, to be a hit. It is hard to fathom that only a few short days ago, convention attendees were either whitewater rafting down the Clark Fork River or playing the 18th hole at the Canyon River Golf Club on a beautiful but warm Montana summer day. To this end, you will find within the pages of this edition of the Community Banker photos from the convention documenting all the fun that was had under the Big Sky sun. Can you spot yourself in one of the photos? But, it wasn’t all play at our state convention — the convention also consisted, as it always does, of substantive discussion of the state of community banking both in Montana and nationally. First, Melanie Hall, the Montana commissioner of banking, briefed the attendees Friday morning on timely matters related to the operation of the Banking Division. Ms. Hall indicated that the Division does not expect to sponsor any legislation during the 2025 Montana legislative session. Ms. Hall explained that her office had undertaken legislative efforts during the past several legislative sessions to clean up and modernize the substance of Montana’s Bank Act. As a result, further legislative action is not needed at this time, according to Melanie. Further, Ms. Hall engaged in a healthy discussion with convention attendees on whether there was a need for legislation in 2025 to (1) impose a tax upon Montana’s credit unions for commercial loan activities and (2) whether the Montana MIB’S BEST CONVENTION YET! BY JAMES E. BROWN, ESQ., EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MIB 6 Community Banker
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