First Western Bank is now First Interstate Bank. On September 28, 2009, the merger of the two banks was completed and the name officially changed to First Interstate Bank. Throughout the day, ribbon cutting ceremonies and open houses were held at all First Interstate offices in South Dakota to celebrate the name change.

First Interstate Bank acquired First Western Bank in January of 2008. Since then, the bank has continued to operate under the First Western name, while systems and products were slowly integrated. First Interstate BancSystem Chairman of the Board Tom Scott says time was an important factor in the successful integration of the two banking systems. “We did not want to rush the process. It was important to us to commit the time that was needed to successfully integrate the two banks and minimize any inconvenience to our customers. Now, it’s done and we can take the final step and officially change the name to First Interstate Bank.”

Scott says First Interstate is pleased to be serving the communities of western South Dakota. "First Interstate Bank is one of the strongest banks in the region. We are committed to meeting the needs of our South Dakota customers by providing the same exemplary services from the same great staff they’ve come to know at First Western Bank. We’re confident they will be pleased with our convenient banking options, local decision making and commitment to community.”

Southern Hills Regional President Norbert Sebade says he is excited to be a part of the First Interstate system. “First Interstate is an organization with a strong emphasis on community banking, which allows a considerable amount of local decision making. We will be able to offer our customers the same personal service they are accustomed to, plus many new services and the technological innovation of a larger bank system. We are part of a company where people can be proud to bank, proud to work, and proud to invest their money."

Northern Hills Regional President John Johnson agrees. “First Interstate is a family-owned banking organization that shares the same family-based values and places the same emphasis on community banking and community reinvestment. It is very exciting to be a part of a new frontier that brings together two exceptional institutions, their founding families and the communities that they serve.”

First Interstate has long been committed to helping the communities it serves become better places to live and work. Since the merger was first announced more than a year ago, the First Interstate Foundation, First Western Banks and its employees have already contributed $320,000 to area agencies and programs through grants and employee gift matching programs, and Scott says there’s more to come. “In addition to these contributions, as a sign of our continued commitment to the communities of western South Dakota, I’m pleased to announce a five-year, $300,000 challenge grant from the First Interstate Foundation, in partnership with the South Dakota Community Foundation and six western South Dakota community foundations.” Scott says details of the challenge grant will be announced in the coming weeks.

First Interstate BancSystem is a privately-owned, $6.7 billion banking organization, that currently operates 36 Montana First Interstate Bank offices in Belgrade, Billings, Bozeman, Colstrip, Cut Bank, Eureka, Evergreen, Gardiner, Great Falls, Hamilton, Hardin, Helena, Kalispell, Lame Deer, Livingston, Missoula, Miles City, Polson, Red Lodge and Whitefish; 20 Wyoming offices in Buffalo, Casper, Cheyenne, Gillette, Jackson, Laramie, Lander, Riverton and Sheridan; and 19 South Dakota offices in Belle Fourche, Custer, Deadwood, Edgemont, Hill City, Hot Springs, Lead, New Underwood, Piedmont Valley, Rapid City, Spearfish, Sturgis and Wall.

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