I think spring is finally here but it sure has taken its sweet time in arriving. Along with many across our great state, I’m crossing my fingers hoping for a growing season that can make up for the late field start that’s been encountered in much of the state. These are tough times in agriculture and producers need every bushel they can get. Mother Nature reminds us once again who is in charge!

Spring is a hopeful time as well. As the trees and grasses explode in response to a few long sunny days, we also hope for continued change on the regulatory relief front. And while we don’t have the same positive momentum at the federal level that we did a year ago with S. 2155 making its way to approval and signature, we continue to advocate as strongly as ever. In the waning days of April and the first day of May, twenty-six ICBND member bankers and guests converged again on Washington, DC along with community bankers from across the country for the 2019 ICBA Capital Summit.

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Happy Spring everybody! Well…we’re not quite there yet and given the snowpack conditions across the state we should probably hope for a slow, methodical melt. My heart goes out to those across the upper Midwest who are struggling with water and flooding issues. I’m hopeful that you all, especially those in the Red River Valley, are able to escape any damage and stay safe during this white-knuckle time.

After spending last week at the ICBA Convention in Nashville, I was reminded again that one of the very best parts of my job which is visiting with our members about what’s going on in their communities and at their banks. For a number of reasons, it feels like it’s been a long winter and I haven’t gotten to have as many of those visits as I’d like. Of course, the colder than normal weather plays a part in that. But more significantly, I’ve been cooped up these last three months in crowded, poorly ventilated hearing rooms at the Capitol seeing all the same people every day and most of them are either on the front end or back end of cold or flu conditions! Happens like that every session. And, how many times does one have to respond to the old “cold enough for you” question?

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I hope this message finds you all enjoying a happy and prosperous 2019. It’s January of an odd-numbered year, so we are hunkering in to the 66^th Assembly of the North Dakota Legislature. As I write this, we are in the third full week of the session. Nearly 950 bills have been introduced so far. ICBND is tracking about 75 bills that could have varying degrees of effect to community banking. Obviously, the higher priority bills get more attention. In my limited space here, I won’t wander too far into the weeds of the bills and the issues we’re following. However, the ICBND Legislative Update is distributed and posted weekly for your reference.

We’ve just completed the marketing materials for a Fintech educational session on April 15, 2019 which will be sponsored by our newest endorsed member, Dakota Carrier Network. The session will also be held at their beautiful facility in Bismarck. Our keynote presenter will be Kevin Tweddle who is ICBA’s Chief Innovation Officer. We’re excited to offer this timely session and hope to see you there.

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We survived another election season and an interesting one it was.  At the macro level, voter turnout nationally was huge with nearly 100 million people voting representing an increase of almost 25 percent over the last midterm.  The divide of the suburban vote and urban vote continued to widen with Republicans losing more ground in suburban districts but maintaining a stronghold in rural areas.  100 new members of Congress will be making their way to DC.  Of those 100, 63 are Democrats and 37 are Republicans.

While the Republicans held the majority in the Senate (and even gained a couple seats), the majority in the House flipped with Democrats picking up 37 seats.  This was not altogether unexpected but will create some interesting leadership changes in the House.  Nancy Pelosi certainly has the upper hand for Majority Leader.  The House Financial Services Committee will be chaired by Maxine Watters which will make for a much different tone than we’re used to out of this committee. 

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Happy autumn everyone!  Wendy is in Minot today for one of our Fall Frontline Seminars and informed me it was snowing.  Goodness gracious!  It’s the first week of October only.  I don’t think I’m quite ready for the cold but the forecast seems to be screaming at me to get ready.  I think Mother Nature wins this one.  Again!

Of course, it’s also the political season in North Dakota with mid-term elections just a month away and the 66^th Assembly of the North Dakota Legislature exactly three months from today.  At the federal level, all eyes are on the North Dakota Senate race with Congressman Cramer challenging Senator Heitkamp for that coveted seat.  As you know by the deluge of ads, a boatload of money is being spent by the national parties, the campaigns themselves and other special interest groups on this particular race.  It’s a tight race and will play significantly into which party comes out of this election with a majority in the Senate when the election dust clears. 

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