—Michael Gathman, CEO of Community Bankers of Iowa

As we wrap up another year of serving Iowa’s community banks, we want to take a moment to say thank you for your trust, your involvement, and your ongoing commitment to strengthening the communities we all call home.

2025 was a year of momentum for CBI. We kept traditions alive with our Fall Golf Outing and Pheasant Hunt, expanded educational opportunities for our members, and continued advocating for the independent banks that power Iowa’s communities.

In the fall, we hosted the inaugural Fall Management Conference, a new event designed to bring fresh ideas, practical strategies, and valuable networking to leaders across the state. We were thrilled with the strong turnout and the positive feedback, and we’re already looking ahead to making next year’s event even better.

We also saw record attendance at our Annual Convention, a true celebration of community banking in Iowa. Your engagement made it one of our most successful events yet.

And perhaps most visibly, we introduced a refreshed CBI brand and launched a new website modernizing our look while reinforcing a core truth: we’re here for good. That message isn’t just about stability and longevity; it’s a promise to keep showing up, speaking out, and standing strong for Iowa’s community banks.

As we head into a new year, we’re excited to keep that momentum going with more advocacy, education, and connection to help you stay competitive and continue building thriving local economies.

From all of us at CBI, we wish you a joyful holiday season and a successful start to 2026.

Happy New Year! – The Community Bankers of Iowa Team