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Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (date of earliest event reported) December 9, 1996
First Interstate BancSystem of Montana, Inc.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Montana 333-3250 81-0331430
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(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization) File No.) Identification No.)
P.O. Box 30918, 401 North 31st Street, Billings, MT 59116-0918
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code 406/255-5300
Not Applicable
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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Item 5. OTHER EVENTS
Attached hereto as Exhibit 99 is the press release by First Interstate
BancSystem of Montana, Inc. announcing its signing of a letter of
intent with Mountain Bank Systems, Inc. to purchase the Mountain Bank
of Whitefish with offices in Whitefish, Montana and Evergreen,
Montana.
Item 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(c) Exhibits
99 Copy of Press Release announcing First Interstate BancSystem of
Montana, Inc.'s signing of a letter of intent with Mountain Bank
Systems, Inc. to purchase the Mountain Bank of Whitefish with
offices in Whitefish, Montana and Evergreen, Montana.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on December 18, 1996.
FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM OF MONTANA, INC.
By: /s/ Terrill R. Moore
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Terrill R. Moore
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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EXHIBIT 99
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 9, 1996
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First Interstate BancSystem of Montana, Inc. (FIBM), the Billings-based bank
holding company, announced today that it has reached agreement to purchase the
Mountain Bank with offices in Whitefish and Evergreen, MT.
According to FIBM President Tom Scott, "We are excited about the prospect of
serving the Whitefish and Evergreen markets. It complements our recent
acquisition of First Interstate Bank in Kalispell and expands our presence in
the Flathead area. As part of our bank system, the customers of Mountain Bank
will be provided with a new level of convenience, service, and technology. We
are the largest Montana-based bank in the state and are very well-capitalized.
We are dedicated to provide our customers with an exemplary level of service
and to reinvest in the communities we serve. The "community bank" philosophy
is the backbone of our operating strategy."
FIBM is a privately owned banking organization that currently operates 16
Montana First Interstate Bank offices in Billings, Missoula, Bozeman,
Livingston, Gardiner, Great Falls, Kalispell, Cut Bank, Miles City, Colstrip,
and Hardin and 9 Wyoming offices in Sheridan, Gillette, Buffalo, Casper,
Riverton, Laramie, and Greybull. FIBM's assets are approximately $2 billion.
Mountain Bank is currently owned by Mountain Bank Systems, Inc. The bank is
approximately $68 million in assets and was established in 1964.
Jerry James, President of Mountain Bank, stated, "The quality of service our
customers have grown accustomed to has just been improved. We have merged the
leading banking institution in the North Valley with the largest Montana-based
bank in the state. FIBM's philosophy of community based banking is a perfect
match with ours. With our quality staff and First Interstate's size, Mountain
Bank's customers can look forward to even better individualized service."
Completion of the purchase and name change of the bank to First Interstate Bank
is expected soon.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL:
Neil Klusmann, Vice President
First Interstate BancSystem of Montana, Inc.
(406)255-5308 FAX (406)255-5350
Jerry James, President
Mountain Bank, Whitefish
(406)862-2551 FAX (406)862-1282
