Scholarships and Awards

In order to help our member banks provide the highest quality education to their bank employees, the Montana Independent Bankers  Association (“MIB”) is pleased to offer a $2,500 scholarship to an approved graduate-level banking school for the 2026 year. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

The applicant must have five years minimum banking experience with competencies in accounting, corporate finance and  economics, and be currently employed by a MIB member bank. The applicant must have no prior graduate-level banking  school education, though possession of a four-year college degree in any field is encouraged. Applicant must be a U.S.  citizen, or a permanent resident with a permanent resident ID card or current passport. Only one scholarship award per  recipient will be granted. MIB requires that the scholarship be used during the year it was awarded.  

NOMINATION 

Nominations will be accepted by the Montana Independent Bankers until April 30, 2026. Nominees must submit both this application and proof of acceptance at the graduate banking school of their choice before consideration. Qualifying  applications will be forwarded to a representative of Pinion, a disinterested third party, for review and selection, and nominees will be informed of their decision by MAY 31, 2026. Scholarship funds will be awarded by check payable to the winning nominee, and may only be applied to tuition, accommodations, meals, and classes at an approved banking  school. The scholarship recipient is responsible for paying the remaining balance at their banking school. 

APPLICATION

Download and complete this application form and mail or email to MIB, along with proof of acceptance at a graduate-level banking school for the 2025 year, by April 30, 2026.

To recognize upcoming leaders in Montana’s banking community, we honor one special young banker each year. The  recipient of this award will receive free convention registration, two nights lodging during the 2026 MIB Annual Convention, held July 22-24th 2026, in Butte, $100 in travel expenses, an honor plaque to display in his or her office, and prominent mention in the MIB magazine and website. 

This award is based on the community banking values of good citizenship, community service, and sound banking skills.  This award not only recognizes the impact that the candidate has in his or her business each day, but also the  difference she or he makes by investing in their community. 

Eligible applicants must be under age 35, employed by a current MIB member bank for three consecutive years  or more, and not have been the recipient of a prior MIB Outstanding Young Banker Award. 

Outstanding Young Banker Award AppYoung-Banker-Award-2026

In order to provide our member banks with a unique educational opportunity and member benefit, the Montana Independent Bank ers Association (“MIB”) announces the MIB ICBA Convention Scholarship. This scholarship will help our member banks attend the ICBA  Annual Convention, held in San Diego, CA from March 6-9, 2026, by covering the convention’s registration fee. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

The applicant must have three years minimum banking experience and currently employed by a MIB member bank. Applicant must  be a U.S. citizen, or a permanent resident with a permanent resident ID card or current passport. Only one scholarship award per  recipient will be granted. MIB requires that the scholarship be used during the year it was awarded. The association encourages the  winner to attend the PAC auction held during the national convention in order to support our federal advocacy efforts. 

Apply by January 21, 2026, by downloading and submitting the following form 2026 ICBA Scholarship

In order to provide our member banks with a unique educational opportunity and member benefit, the Montana Independent Bankers Association (“MIB”) is pleased to announce the creation of a new scholarship program. This new MIB scholarship is  designed to help one of our member bankers attend the ICBA D.C. Advocacy Summit to be held in Washington D.C. May 4-7,  2026. The scholarship will cover the amount of round trip airfare from Montana to Washington D.C. up to $850.00. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

The applicant must have three years minimum banking experience and currently employed by a MIB member bank. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, or a permanent resident with a permanent resident ID card or current passport. Only one scholarship award per recipient will be granted. MIB requires that the scholarship be used during the year it was awarded. The association encourages the winner to contribute to the MIB and/or ICBA PACs in order to support our state and federal advocacy efforts.  

SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT 

The amount of the scholarship is limited to covering up to $850.00 in air travel expenses to attend the ICBA Advocacy  Summit in Washington D.C. Scholarship funds will be paid to the member bank following the 2025 Advocacy Summit by submitting a copy of the recipient’s air travel receipt to MIB for reimbursement.  

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Applications will be accepted by the Montana Independent Bankers until March 4th, 2026.  Apply by downloading and submitting the following form HERE