First Security Bank â€" Montana
First Security Bank is a privately held bank based in Bozeman, Montana and is the area's largest locally-owned bank in deposit market share and number of locations. First Security serves Gallatin, Chouteau, Teton, and surrounding counties. The bank has branches in Bozeman, Belgrade, Three Forks, Big Sky, West Yellowstone, Fort Benton, Choteua, Fairfield, and Vaughn, along with loan production offices in Chester and Havre.
First Security Bank is one of the top private employers in Gallatin County and was recognized as Montana's Employer of Choice (over 25 employees) in 2013 by the Montana State Employer's Council (MSEC).
Company history
First Security Bank opened on Bozeman's Main Street in 1919 with four employees under the name "Security Bank and Trust". Thanks to the investment of local businessmen, the bank survived the Great Depression and continued to grow. Eventually, expanded staff moved to a new building just east of the original location in 1957. This building was financed by Robert Bradford and George Dieruf, owners of the Powderhorn. A holding company was created for shareholders in 1966 with an eye towards retaining local ownership in perpetuity. Inter-Mountain Bancorp, Inc. remains the sole shareholder of First Security Bank today. In the 1970s the banks's name was changed to the current First Security Bank, which better reflected the focus on loans and deposits versus trust services.
The late 1990s through 2006 was a time of significant physical expansion for First Security. In 1994, a second Bozeman location was completed near the Montana State University campus. First Security Bank of Belgrade, an affiliate bank chartered by Inter-Mountain Bancorp, Inc., opened April 1, 1997. It became a branch of First Security Bank in December 1998. In 2000, the branch in Three Forks, formerly Security Bank of Three Forks, was added. In 2001, the merger of First Security Bank of West Yellowstone was completed. The merger of First State Bank of Fort Benton occurred in 2002. A branch built in Big Sky opened in December 2005. The newest branch in Bozeman, at the corner of Cottonwood and Huffine, opened in May 2006.
First Security Bank added three additional branches in October, 2016 through a merger with Teton Banks. Located in Fairfield, Choteau, and Vaughn, the locations create added convenience for First Security customers throughout the Golden Triangle.
First Security Bank and its employees serve local communities through a variety of non-profit activities.
Locations
Bozeman, MT; Belgrade, MT; Three Forks, MT; Big Sky, MT; West Yellowstone, MT; Fort Benton, MT Fairfield, MT Choteau, MT Vaughn, MT
Loan Production Offices in Chester and Havre, MT
References
- Small towns, big thinking
- Bank deposits hit records in Gallatin County
- History of current bank location
- Banking industry booms
- Intermountain Bancorp to merge with Teton Banshares
- Teton Banks gets new name with merger
External links
- http://www.ourbank.com
- http://www.fdic.gov
