provides to its membership. For the last several years, the Association and the MIB Board of Directors have stepped up its public profile and are doing even more outreach to our elected officials and to the public about the benefits of community banking both nationally and in Montana. However, to maximize our efforts, the Association needs your input as to the legislative and regulatory issues most important to your banking operation, and as to what the Association can be doing better to maximize your membership dues. So, let us hear from you before the session starts in January. And we look forward to seeing you in Helena and in Washington, D.C., in 2025. Speaking of member benefits, the Association successfully hosted its annual member Cat and Griz tailgate parties earlier this fall. The Griz tailgate was held on an absolutely beautiful bluebird Montana day and was capped off by a decisive win over Morehead State. The Cats also prevailed over their gridiron opponent, Northern Colorado, on another beautiful fall day. The MIB tailgate was held in conjunction with MSU’s homecoming celebration and, as a result, tailgate party saw record attendance. We thank our tailgate sponsors UBB and Bell Bank for their generous contribution to the success of the events and for their continued strong support of the Association in other ways. The tailgate parties provide one of the best opportunities, outside of the annual state convention, for MIB’s members to socialize and interact. If you were unable to make one of the two tailgate parties this year, we look forward to seeing you at one of next year’s games. And for those who did make it to Missoula or Bozeman, see if you can spot yourself in one of the tailgate photos contained inside this issue of the Community Banker. As this will be the last edition of the Community Banker before year-end, let me take this opportunity to remind you that you will be seeing your membership renewals hit your mailbox around the middle of December. The MIB has a well-deserved reputation of being known as the “biggest, little community banking association in the West.” The MIB has one mission, and one mission only — to champion Montana community banks. Whether it’s advocacy services, member relations, community outreach or access to product vendors and providers, when you renew your membership with the MIB, your membership gives you unmatched access to a variety of benefits designed to benefit your banking institution, your customers and the communities you serve. Thanks for being a part of Team MIB. I look forward to seeing you in the new year, if not before. Sincerely, Jim Brown MIB Executive Director THANKING OUR SPONSOR, UNITED BANKERS’ BANK UBB.COM At United Bankers’ Bank, “First for Your Success” is more than just our tagline; it’s a promise and a guiding principle that establishes the success of each and every customer as our number one priority. UBB pioneered the bankers’ bank model and for more than 47 years we have placed the needs and success of our community bank customers first and above all else. You can count on UBB to be a dedicated ally for community banking today, tomorrow and into the future. Your success is our success, and at UBB, we are always First for Your Success. THANKING OUR SPONSOR, BELL BANK Visit us at bell.bank With a team dedicated to correspondent banking, Bell Bank provides flexible underwriting, competitive lending terms and prices, fast decision-making and consistent communication. Having partnered with hundreds of community banks, we’ll help you enhance your customer relationships through our experience-based expertise in participation loans, bank stock, ownership loans and equipment financing. Community Banker 7
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