Community Bank

By definition, community (or “independent”) banks are locally owned,
often by multiple generations of the same family, just like many other
local businesses.

The MIB Association

What is a Community Bank?

It has been more than 58 years since a small group of Montana-based community bankers gathered to create the Montana Independent Bankers (MIB). Much has changed since those days back in the turbulent 1960s.

 Spurred by a technological revolution, an ever-diversifying state economy, and steady population growth, Montana’s banking industry is radically different – and far more robust – than it was just a generation ago. As a result, Montana in the 21st century is a far different place to live and work than it was when the MIB was founded.

 Montana’s community bankers have been among the leaders in shaping our state’s present and future economy. By using innovative business strategies, we have helped bring growth and prosperity to our communities while strengthening the financial health of our state’s community banks. For example, in response to the growing use of ATMs, in the early 1980s, the MIB created the CashCard Network.  In 2016, MIB endowed the community banking program offered through the Jabs College at Montana State University.

 Community Bankers of Montana, Inc., MIB’s for-profit subsidiary, has spawned a variety of similar successful ventures. All add value to members’ communities and make the association an integral force in Montana’s network of financial institutions.

But, while much has changed since 1967, much, too, has stayed the same. MIB’s member community banks continue to serve as the financial cornerstone of their communities, a powerful force for both growth and stability.

And MIB members continue to be guided by the mission and vision that brought the association’s founders together over 50 years ago. That mission is to create and promote a regulatory and business environment where Montana community-based banks can flourish and, in turn, provide high-quality products and services to their customers.

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Local Decision-Making
Civic Loyalty
Community-Supporting Deposits.

The MIB Association

Community Bank Presence in Montana.

Number of Community Banks Operating: 47

Community Bank Share of Operating Banks: 94.0%

Community Bank Branches: 325

Community Bank Share of Bank Branches: 87.4%

Community Banks Headquartered in State: 39

Assets of Community Banks Headquartered in State: $76,824,114,000

Full Time Employees: 9,725

Community Bank Share of Deposits at Bank Branches: 81.4%

Total Deposits Held at Community Bank Branches:  $30,304,964,000

The MIB Association

Why Choose Community Banks?

As the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) notes, with community banks you can expect:

Relationship-based Service
Community banks are relationship lenders that focus on the needs of local families, businesses and farmers. Because they know their customers and their customers know them, they are able to provide superior, personal customer service. When consumers call their local community bank, they’ll be reassured to know that they won’t be talking to someone halfway across the globe. Instead, they will be talking with their community banker who lives and works in the same community they do.
Community-Supporting Deposits.
Community banks lend locally where their depositors live and work, keeping local communities vibrant and growing. By choosing a community bank, you’ll be putting money where it belongs—back into the community you call home. And since community banks pay federal, state and local taxes, they are also a key supporter of their community’s local infrastructure, making it a better place for all residents to reside. Some tax-subsidized credit unions masquerade as community banks but do not pay any taxes to support their local communities.
Expertise.
Because community bankers live and work in the same communities as their local customers, they understand their local marketplace and the ups and downs of economic cycles in their community. This is especially helpful in allowing them to serve the needs of their small business customers who rely on them as strategic partners in their small business endeavors. Community banks rely on the health of the local marketplace so they stick with their customers through good times and bad.
Local Decision-Making.
Since many community banks are willing to consider character, family history and discretionary spending, they are often able to be more nimble in their decision-making when it comes to loan needs and qualification and in the selection of financial products and services.
Trust You Can Depend On

Community banks offer relationships you can bank on for years to come. Because many community banks have been around for over 100 years and are often family-owned and -operated, you’ll know that the financial needs of you and your family are being met by local residents running the financial institution that has your best interest in mind. They wouldn’t be in business if they didn’t.

Civic Loyalty.
Community bankers are typically deeply involved and committed to making their local communities a better place to live. In fact, many community banks across the country donate service hours and money to important local causes.
Whether located in small towns, suburbia or big-city neighborhoods, community banks improve America’s communities. In fact, community banks under $10 billion provide nearly 60 percent of small business loans between $100,000 and $1 million.
The MIB Association
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The MIB Association

Which Banks in Montana are Community Banks?

Montana has approximately 39 community banks, 29 of which are members of the Montana Independent Bankers Association (MIB). MIB provides benefits and services to these often small banks, and is unique in requiring that our member banks be owned and operated by Montanans. We encourage you to consider investing back into your community by banking locally one of our Montana member