August 4, 2025

I hope the readers of this column will excuse the lack of decorum in the title, but in reading and listening to the words of the Federal Reserve Board’s members over the past month, I hear a lot of hedging. And far be it from me to second-guess the respective governors and regional presidents of our central bank. If they were asked individually for their druthers, I suspect they’d prefer an economic, fiscal and geopolitical backdrop that had less drama. Not to mention an inflation track that would get back to its elusive 2% target.

In June, Bart Stanley was promoted to the role of Missouri Division of Finance Deputy Commissioner by Commissioner Mick Campbell. Bart has served as chief examiner since July 2022 and has over 34 years of bank regulatory experience, including the last 24 years with the Division of Finance.  We recently had the chance to sit

As I write this, Gov. Mike Kehoe signed both SB 98 and HB 754, two pieces of legislation that changed Missouri finance law, into law on July 9.

The year began with an Executive Order, “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology,” that stated the Trump Administration’s policy to establish the U.S. as a global leader in the responsible growth and innovation of digital assets and related blockchain technologies. As to the banking industry, the Trump Administration’s approach has focused on finding ways to allow the industry to not only service the growing digital ecosystem but also actively participate in its development. In turn, the federal banking regulators have undergone a rapid and significant sea change in approach to the regulatory guidance on the U.S. banking industry’s engagement with digital assets.

Branson Bank recently celebrated 25 years of service to the community. Our associates work hard to build relationships with our customers, and we encourage them to participate in community events. We even allow paid time each year for associates to get involved and serve.

When faced with a crisis, community banks step up. Our communities rally around us because, as their pillars, community bank leaders take the initiative to oversee recovery efforts. In many cases, we become the disaster recovery center for those in need.