What's New: Montana Bankers

Teach Children to Save Day, April 27, 2010
Employees of the Montana Bankers Association and area bankers particpated in this year's Teach Children to Save Day on Tuesday, April 27, 2010. MBA staff visited Rossiter and Jim Darcy Elementary Schools in Helena and reached over 300 students. Staff focused on teaching the importance of saving, all in an effort to help the children develop lifelong savings habits. Students from Kindergarten through third grade were given lessons using information provided by the American Bankers Association's Teach Children to Save curriculum. Additionally, each student was given a piggy bank and penny to help begin his or her personal savings initiative.

Think your bank missed their chance to participate? There's still time! Banks unable to participate on the "Day", can still participate throughout the year and be in the running for the four $1,000 prizes awarded in November.

The ABA Education Foundation recently launched a new Web site, www.teachchildrentosave.com, making Teach Children to Save lessons accessible to families all across the country. The site offers tips for young people and their parents on how to develop a budget, start a savings account and make deposits regularly. It also includes a Saver's Pledge that can be printed out and signed by kids as a physical reminder of their savings goal. Banks can link their Web site to the new TCTS Web page here.

Chairman: Terry Lobdell, President, Community First Bank, Glendive
Vice Chairman: Ed Garding, EVP/CCO, First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., Billings
Secretary/Treasurer: Mitchell Johnson, EVP, Teton Banks, Fairfield
Immediate Past Chair: Andy O’Neill, President, Valley Bank of Helena, Helena

Newly Elected Directors of MBA
James Sandsness, President, First State Bank of Malta, Malta, Northeastern Region
Ron Young, Branch President, First Security Bank, Fort Benton, Northcentral Region

Re-Elected Directors
Darrell Grogan, President, First State Bank of Forsyth, Forsyth, Southwestern Region
Gary Miller, President, First Valley Bank, Seeley Lake, Western Region

Appointed Directors
Re-Appointed Directors
Bill Bickle, CFO, Stockman Bank of Montana, Miles City
Ed Garding, EVP/CCO, First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., Billings

Retiring Board Members
Bart Langemeier, President, Bank of Bridger, N.A., Bridger
R.J. Doornek, President, Western Bank of Wolf Point, Wolf Point

Thanks to all of our board members for dedicating their time and efforts serving Montana Banks!