February 13, 2026

MIBA’s 49th Annual Convention & Expo

As we continue through the beginning of the year, many who are still tackling year-end to-do lists now also face the tasks of end-of-year reporting, employee evaluations, promotions and bonuses. However, the first quarter is also an opportune time to look at your bank’s deferred or executive compensation plans and reevaluate them if necessary. Most independent community banks offer some form of executive compensation, whether through long-term retirement/wealth accumulation plans or short-term incentive plans.

By the time you read this, the 2026 Missouri Legislative session will be well underway. With 2026 being an election year, during which all state representative seats and 17 state senate seats are up for grabs, we have already seen more legislation filed in the first month of pre-filing than was filed during the last session. As a midterm election, the policies of the current state and federal administrations, along with their effects on voters, are front and center.

Off and Running

Thank You, Sponsors!

Most businesses outgrow their IT before they even realize it. They often rely on one employee to manage infrastructure, security, onboarding, compliance, innovation, user support, etc. The reality is that this setup is only sustainable for small businesses with no more than 20 employees.

Exchange Bank of Missouri is headquartered in Fayette, Missouri, with branches serving Fayette, Marshall, Slater, New Franklin, Fulton and Hallsville. Our market is largely rural and community-driven, made up of hardworking families, farmers, small businesses and local organizations who value relationships and trust. While technology and customer expectations continue to evolve, our communities still appreciate face-to-face service and a bank that truly knows them.

If you ask Ben Polen how long he’s been in community banking, he might pause for a moment, smile and then tell you he’s lost track of the exact number of years. What he won’t hesitate to tell you is why he’s stayed.

Each day in community banking seems to dawn with a new issue, but taking a step back, our challenges are all in a day’s work. The common theme among all our battles is that they aren’t new; they are ones we’ve faced for decades, just with new faces.

There’s something about the new year that brings with it a clean slate and a fresh start. As we kick off 2026, we have the opportunity to shape where we want to go.