(Missoula, MT) First Interstate Bank’s new office and business center in downtown Missoula will open its doors on Tuesday, October 13, 2009. Mike Hickey, President of First Interstate’s Missoula market, says he and his staff are excited to share their new home with the Missoula community. “We considered other locations outside the immediate downtown area for this new building, but decided that we wanted to remain downtown. There’s been a bank on the corner of Higgins and Front Streets since 1890. We are proud to be a part of that heritage and that’s why we chose to stay here.” Tom Scott, Chairman of the Board for First Interstate agrees. “We expect this new facility to be an epicenter of downtown business. It is our hope that this long-term investment in the Missoula community will help enhance and grow an already vibrant and active downtown.”

Construction of the new six-story, 118,000 square foot building began in February of 2008. First Interstate will occupy the first, second, and sixth floors. Galusha Higgins & Galusha will occupy the 3rd floor and GT Solar International, Inc. has leased the 4th floor. Space to lease is still available on the 5th floor. In addition, the ground floor features limited retail space for a café.

First Interstate is seeking LEED (Leadership for Energy and Developmental Design) certification for the new facility which will feature low-flow plumbing fixtures, ground-source cooling, energy efficient elevators, low-e glass for daylight and views using recycled and nontoxic materials. The Bank exceeded a 75% overall construction waste diversion threshold from demolition through the end of construction. Hickey says the entire project, from demolition to the finished bank and business center, illustrates First Interstate’s commitment to environmentally-friendly building and business practices. “We are committed to improving the quality of life in the communities that we serve. We believe that a building that is environmentally-friendly is important and is one more way we can make our community a better place to live and work.” The new bank and business center was designed by CTA Architects and Engineers. The general contractor for the project was Gordon Construction.

First Interstate invites the community to celebrate the new bank and business center with a week of grand opening events beginning Monday, November 2, 2009.

•  Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on November 2nd at 12:00pm.
• Monte will be at the new building on November 2nd from 11:00am -12:30pm, at the North Reserve branch, Tuesday, November 3rd at 9:30am and at the South Brooks branch November 3rd at 10:30am.
• Free gifts throughout the week at all Missoula branches
• Special product offers throughout the week for all who visit the new bank.
• Sign up at all Missoula branches for a chance to win the grand prize Vespa Scooter
• Take a tour of the new building.

FFirst Interstate BancSystem is a $6.7 billion organization that currently operates 75 First Interstate Bank offices across Montana, Wyoming and western South Dakota: 36 Montana offices in Belgrade, Billings, Bozeman, Colstrip, 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.

For more information:

Contact: Sue Larew
Vice President, Retail Banking Group Manager
First Interstate Bank - (406) 523-4349

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