GLACIER BANCORP INC
DEF 14A, 1999-03-29
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (Rule 14a-101)

                    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
                Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
               Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.   )

Filed by the Registrant [_]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]

Check the appropriate box:

[_]  Preliminary Proxy Statement             [_]  Confidential, For Use of the
[X]  Definitive Proxy Statement                   Commission Only (as permitted
[_]  Definitive Additional Materials              by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[_]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to
     Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12

                              GLACIER BANCORP, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)


Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

[_]  No fee required.
[_]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.


________________________________________________________________________________
1)   Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:



________________________________________________________________________________
2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:



________________________________________________________________________________
3)   Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction  computed  pursuant
     to Exchange  Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
     calculated and state how it was determined):



________________________________________________________________________________
4)   Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:



________________________________________________________________________________
5)   Total fee paid:

     [_]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:



________________________________________________________________________________
     [_]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
          Rule  0-11(a)(2)  and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
          was paid  previously.  Identify  the previous  filing by  registration
          statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.

          1)   Amount previously paid:

          2)   Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

          3)   Filing Party:

          4)   Date Filed:


<PAGE>


                                                             STEPHEN M. KLEIN
                                                              (206) 340-9648
March 30, 1999                                             [email protected]

VIA EDGAR

Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth St NW
Judiciary Plaza
Washington, D.C. 20549-1004

         Re:      Glacier Bancorp, Kalispell, Montana
                  Definitive Proxy Materials
                  File No. 0-18911

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     On behalf of Glacier Bancorp,  Kalispell,  Montana (the "Company"),  we are
transmitting  the  Definitive  Proxy  Materials  for the  Company's  1999 annual
shareholder  meeting which are being filed  electronically via the EDGAR system.
The definitive proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders  were sent
or distributed to  shareholders  on or about March 30, 1999. The Proxy Materials
are being forwarded pursuant to Rule 14a-6(c).

     In  accordance  with Rule 14a-3,  seven copies of the 1998 Annual Report to
Shareholders will be submitted to your office.

     In the event there are any  questions  concerning  the enclosed  materials,
please feel free to contact me at (206) 340-9648.

                                                     Sincerely,

                                                     GRAHAM & DUNN

                                                     /s/ Stephen M. Klein

                                                     Stephen M. Klein
Enclosure

cc:  Glacier Bancorp, Inc.

<PAGE>

                      [LETTERHEAD OF GLACIER BANCORP, INC.]


                                 March 31, 1999

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

     You are cordially  invited to attend the Annual Meeting ("Annual  Meeting")
of  Stockholders  of Glacier  Bancorp,  Inc.,  a Delaware  corporation  and bank
holding company.  The Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday,  April 28, 1999,
at 9:00 a.m.  local time,  in The Stage Room at The Outlaw Inn,  1701 Highway 93
South, Kalispell, Montana.

     It is  very  important  that  you  be  represented  at the  Annual  Meeting
regardless of the number of shares you own or whether you are able to attend the
meeting in person.  We urge you to mark, sign and date your proxy card today and
return  it in the  envelope  provided,  even if you plan to  attend  the  Annual
Meeting.  This will not prevent you from voting in person,  but will ensure that
your vote is counted if you are unable to attend.

     Your  continued  support of and  interest  in  Glacier  Bancorp,  Inc.  are
sincerely appreciated.


                                   Sincerely,




     /s/JOHN S. MACMILLAN                         /s/MICHAEL J. BLODNICK

        John S. MacMillan                           Michael J. Blodnick
        Chairman                                    President and Chief
                                                    Executive Officer


<PAGE>
                              GLACIER BANCORP, INC.
                                 49 Commons Loop
                            Kalispell, Montana 59901
                                 (406) 756-4200

                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                          TO BE HELD ON APRIL 28, 1999

     NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting of  stockholders  of Glacier
Bancorp,  Inc. (the "Company") will be held at The Stage Room of the Outlaw Inn,
1701 Highway 93 South, Kalispell, Montana, on Wednesday, April 28, 1999, at 9:00
a.m., local time, for the following purposes:

     1.  ELECTION OF  DIRECTORS.  To elect three  directors of the Company for a
three-year term and until their successors are elected and have qualified.

     2.  AMENDMENT TO THE 1995  EMPLOYEE  STOCK OPTION PLAN. A proposal to amend
the 1995 Employee  Stock Option Plan (as fully  described in the attached  Proxy
Statement).

     3. AMENDMENT TO THE 1994 DIRECTORS'  STOCK OPTION PLAN. A proposal to amend
the 1994 Directors'  Stock Option Plan (as fully described in the attached Proxy
Statement).

     4. OTHER  MATTERS.  To transact  such other  business as may properly  come
before the meeting or any  adjournment  thereof.  Management is not aware of any
other such business.

     The Board of Directors of the Company has fixed March 9, 1999 as the record
date for the determination of stockholders  entitled to notice of and to vote at
the  Annual  Meeting.  Only  those  stockholders  of  record  as of the close of
business on that date will be  entitled to vote at the Annual  Meeting or at any
adjournment of such meeting.

                                              By Order of the Board of Directors

                                              /s/JAMES H. STROSAHL

                                              James H. Strosahl
                                              Secretary
March 31, 1999
Kalispell, Montana



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOU ARE CORDIALLY  INVITED TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL  MEETING.  IT IS IMPORTANT  THAT
YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER YOU OWN. EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO
BE PRESENT, YOU ARE URGED TO COMPLETE,  SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY
PROMPTLY IN THE  ENVELOPE  PROVIDED.  IF YOU ATTEND THIS  MEETING,  YOU MAY VOTE
EITHER IN PERSON OR BY YOUR  PROXY.  ANY PROXY  GIVEN MAY BE  REVOKED  BY YOU IN
WRITING OR IN PERSON AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE EXERCISE THEREOF.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>


                              GLACIER BANCORP, INC.
                                 49 Commons Loop
                            Kalispell, Montana 59901
                                 (406) 756-4200


                                 PROXY STATEMENT
General

     Date, Time and Place of Meeting.  This Proxy Statement and the accompanying
Proxy are being sent to  shareholders  on or about  March 31,  1999,  for use in
connection with the annual meeting of shareholders ("Annual Meeting") of Glacier
Bancorp,  Inc. (the  "Company") to be held on  Wednesday,  April 28, 1999.  Only
those  shareholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 1999 ("Voting
Record Date"),  are entitled to vote. The number of shares of the Company's $.01
par value common stock ("Common  Stock"),  outstanding on the Voting Record Date
and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is 8,640,087.

     Solicitation  of Proxies.  The enclosed Proxy is solicited by and on behalf
of the Company's  board of directors  ("Board"),  with the cost of  solicitation
borne by the Company.  Solicitation may be made by directors and officers of the
Company and its subsidiaries,  Glacier Bank,  Glacier Bank of Whitefish ("GBW"),
Glacier Bank of Eureka ("GBE"), First Security Bank of Missoula ("FSB"),  Valley
Bank of Helena ("VB"), and Big Sky Western Bank ("Big Sky")  (collectively,  the
"Subsidiaries").  Solicitation  may be made through the mail,  or by  telephone,
facsimile,  or  personal  interview.  The  Company  does not  expect  to pay any
compensation for the solicitation of proxies,  except to brokers,  nominees, and
similar  recordholders  for  reasonable  expenses in mailing proxy  materials to
beneficial owners.

     Quorum. The presence,  in person or by proxy, of at least a majority of the
total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote is necessary
to  constitute a quorum at the Annual  Meeting.  Abstentions  will be counted as
shares  present  and  entitled  to vote at the Annual  Meeting  for  purposes of
determining  the presence of a quorum.  Broker  non-votes will not be considered
shares  present  and will not be  included  in  determining  whether a quorum is
present.

Voting Rights

     Voting on Matters  Presented.  The three nominees for election as directors
at the Annual Meeting who receive the highest  number of affirmative  votes will
be elected.  Shareholders  are not  permitted  to  cumulate  their votes for the
election  of  directors.  Votes may be cast for or withheld  from each  nominee.
Votes that are withheld and broker  non-votes will have no effect on the outcome
of the election because  directors will be elected by a plurality of votes cast.
With  respect to the  proposals  to approve the  amendments  to the employee and
director stock option plans, stockholders may vote for the proposal, against the
proposal or may abstain from voting. The affirmative vote of at least a majority
of the total  votes  present,  in person or by proxy,  at the Annual  Meeting is
required for the approval to amend the stock option plans.  Holders of record of
the Common  Stock will be  entitled to one vote per share on any matter that may
properly come before the Annual Meeting.


                                       1

<PAGE>


     Voting of Proxies.  Shares of Common Stock represented by properly executed
proxies, if such proxies are received in time and not revoked,  will be voted in
accordance with the  instructions  indicated on the proxies.  If no instructions
are  indicated,  such  proxies  will be voted (i) FOR the election of all of the
nominees for director;  (ii) FOR the amendment to the 1995 Employee Stock Option
Plan; and (iii) FOR the amendment to the 1994 Director Stock Option Plan, and in
the  discretion of the proxy  holder,  as to any other matter which may properly
come before the Annual  Meeting.  A  stockholder  of the Company who has given a
proxy may revoke it at any time prior to its  exercise at the Annual  Meeting by
(i) giving  written  notice of  revocation  to the  Corporate  Secretary  of the
Company, (ii) properly submitting to the Company a duly-executed proxy bearing a
later date,  or (iii)  attending  the Annual  Meeting and voting in person.  All
written  notices  of  revocation  and  other   communications  with  respect  to
revocation of proxies should be addressed as follows:  Glacier Bancorp, Inc., 49
Commons Loop,  Kalispell,  Montana 59901,  Attention:  Corporate Secretary.  The
shares  represented  by properly  executed,  unrevoked  proxies will be voted in
accordance with the specifications in the Proxy.

Recent Developments

     Acquisition of HUB Financial Corporation

     Effective  August 31, 1998,  HUB Financial  Corporation  ("HUB") was merged
with and into the Company. As a result of the merger and share exchange with the
minority  shareholders of Valley Bank of Helena VB became a separate  subsidiary
of the  Company.  Consistent  with the terms of the  merger  and share  exchange
agreement  governing  the  transaction,  shareholders  of HUB and  the  minority
shareholders  of VB, each of whom became  shareholders  of the Company,  will be
eligible to vote at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

     Acquisition of Big Sky Western Bank

     Effective  January 20,  1999,  Big Sky Western  Bank became a wholly  owned
subsidiary of the Company.  Consistent with the terms of the agreement governing
the transaction, shareholders of Big Sky who became shareholders of the Company,
will be eligible to vote at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.


                     Proposal No. 1 - Election of Directors

General

     The Certificate of  Incorporation of the Company provides that the Board of
Directors  will be  divided  into  three  classes  as nearly  equal in number as
possible,  and that the members of each class will be elected for terms of three
years and until their  successors  are elected  and  qualified,  with one of the
three  classes of  directors to be elected  each year.  The Bylaws  provide that
there  shall be a minimum of seven (7) and a maximum of twelve  (12)  directors,
the exact number to be determined by resolution of the Board. The Bylaws further
allow that by  resolution,  the Board may be increased  or decreased  within the
minimum and maximum  limits.  The number of directors  set by the Board is nine.
Consistent  with the terms of the agreement  governing the merger with HUB, Fred
J. Flanders was appointed a director of the Company at the time of  consummation
of the merger and is up for reelection at the 1999 Annual Meeting.


                                       2
<PAGE>

     At the Annual  Meeting,  stockholders of the Company will be asked to elect
three  directors of the Company for a three-year term expiring in 2002 and until
their  successors are elected and qualified.  The three nominees for election as
directors  who  were  selected  by the  Nominating  Committee  of the  Board  of
Directors are Michael J. Blodnick, Fred J. Flanders, and Harold A. Tutvedt, each
of whom currently serve as directors of the Company. Darrel R. Martin, a current
director of the  Company,  whose term  expires at the 1999 Annual  Meeting,  has
retired from the Board, and therefore, will not stand for reelection.  There are
no arrangements or understandings between the persons named and any other person
pursuant  to which such  person was  selected  as a nominee  for  election  as a
director at the Annual  Meeting,  and no  director  or nominee  for  director is
related to any other  director  or  executive  officer of the  Company by blood,
marriage or adoption.

     If any person  named as nominee  should be unable or unwilling to stand for
election at the time of the Annual  Meeting,  the proxies will nominate and vote
for any replacement nominee or nominees recommended by the Board of Directors of
the Company.  At this time, the Board of Directors knows of no reason why any of
the nominees may not be able to serve as a director if elected.

     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ELECTION OF THE
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.


                                       3
<PAGE>

Information with Respect to Nominees for Director and Continuing Directors

     The  following  table sets forth  certain  information  with respect to the
nominees for director for a three-year  term expiring in 2002 and the continuing
directors of the Company.  The table includes (i) principal  occupations  during
the  past  five  years;  (ii) the term of  office;  and  (iii)  the  number  and
percentage of shares of Common Stock  beneficially  owned by each  individual on
January 15, 1999.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       Amount and Nature of
                              Age as of                                               Beneficial Ownership of
                              January 15,                      Director    Term         Common Stock as of
Name                            1999       Position            Since       Expires      January 15, 1999(1)
- ----                            ----       --------            --------    -------    -----------------------
<S>                              <C>       <C>                  <C>         <C>        <C>    
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR

Michael J. Blodnick              46        Director,            1993        1999       107,762 (1.29%)(2)
                                           President and CEO

Fred J. Flanders                 62        Director, Chairman   1998        1999        15,639 (0.19%)(3)
                                           of VB

Harold A. Tutvedt                69        Director             1983        1999       129,342 (1.54%)(4)

CONTINUING DIRECTORS

William L. Bouchee               57        Director,            1996        2000       155,323 (1.85%)(5)
                                           President of FSB

L. Peter Larson                  60        Director             1985        2000       263,630 (3.15%)

Everit A. Sliter                 60        Director             1973        2000       162,984 (1.95%)(6)

Allen J. Fetscher                53        Director, Chairman   1996        2001       147,867 (1.77%)(7)
                                           of FSB

John S. MacMillan                62        Chairman             1977        2001       192,230 (2.29%)(8)

F. Charles Mercord               67        Director             1975        2001       146,401 (1.75%)(9)
</TABLE>

(1)  Pursuant to rules  adopted by the SEC under the Exchange Act, an individual
     is considered to  beneficially  own shares of Common Stock if he or she has
     or shares:  (1) voting power,  which  includes the power to vote, or direct
     the voting of the shares; or (2) investment power, which includes the power
     to  dispose,  or direct the  disposition  of the shares.  Unless  otherwise
     indicated,  the individual has sole voting and sole  investment  power with
     respect to such holdings. Share amounts have been adjusted to reflect a 10%
     stock dividend paid October 1, 1998.

(2)  Includes 39,473 shares held jointly with Mr. Blodnick's wife; 29,700 shares
     owned by Mr.  Blodnick's wife; 1,324 shares which Mr. Blodnick is custodian
     for his  children;  8,354  shares  held for Mr.  Blodnick's  account in the
     Company's  Pension and Profit  Sharing  Plans;  8,593 shares held in an IRA
     account  for the  benefit  of Mr.  Blodnick's  wife;  229  held in a family
     partnership;  and 20,089  shares which could be acquired  within 60 days by
     the exercise of stock options.


                                       4
<PAGE>


(3)  Includes  12,540  shares  held in an IRA  Account  for the  benefit  of Mr.
     Flanders.

(4)  Includes 69,360 shares owned jointly with Mr.  Tutvedt's wife, 7,830 shares
     owned jointly by Mr. Tutvedt's wife and daughter;  36,986 held jointly with
     brother;  3,121  shares  held  in an IRA  account  for the  benefit  of Mr.
     Tutvedt;  2,934  shares  held  in an IRA  account  for the  benefit  of Mr.
     Tutvedt's  wife; and 9,111 shares which could be acquired within 60 days by
     the exercise of stock options.

(5)  Includes 9,323 shares which could be acquired by Mr. Bouchee within 60 days
     by the exercise of stock options.

(6)  Includes 43,154 shares held jointly with Mr.  Sliter's wife;  36,829 shares
     owned by Mr.  Sliter's  wife;  38,728 shares held in an IRA account for the
     benefit of Mr. Sliter; 12,865 shares held in an IRA account for the benefit
     of Mr. Sliter's wife;  3,986 shares held in a simplified  employee  pension
     plan; 706 shares held in a savings retirement account; 750 shares held in a
     family  partnership;  and 14,611  shares which could be acquired  within 60
     days by the exercise of stock options.

(7)  Includes  36,768 shares owned by Mr.  Fetscher's  wife;  31,984  considered
     beneficially  held as Trustee for shares held in a trust for the benefit of
     Mr. Fetscher's minor children; and 42,523 held by a family corporation,  of
     which Mr.  Fetscher is a principal and 2,024 shares which could be acquired
     within 60 days by the exercise of stock options.

(8)  Includes  34,519 shares owned  jointly with Mr.  MacMillan's  wife;  34,855
     owned by Mr.  MacMillan's  wife;  50,100  shares  held for Mr.  MacMillan's
     account in the Company's Pension and Profit Sharing Plans; 2,426 held in an
     IRA account for the benefit of Mr.  MacMillan;  4,241 shares held in an IRA
     account  for the  benefit of Mr.  MacMillan's  wife,  548 shares  held in a
     family partnership; and 6,985 shares which could be acquired within 60 days
     by the exercise of stock options.

(9)  Includes  96,473  shares  held in an IRA for the  benefit  of Mr.  Mercord;
     19,554  shares  owned by Mr.  Mercord's  wife;  4,873 shares held in an IRA
     account for the benefit of Mr.  Mercord's  wife;  and 14,611  shares  which
     could be acquired by the exercise of stock options.

Stockholder Nominations

     Section 4.15 of the Company's  Bylaws governs  nominations  for election to
the Board of Directors and requires all  nominations by  stockholders to be made
in compliance  with the notice  provisions in that section.  Written notice of a
stockholder  nomination  for an election to be held at an annual meeting must be
given either by personal  delivery or by United States mail,  postage prepaid to
the Secretary of the Company not later than sixty days prior to the  anniversary
date of the mailing of proxy  materials  by the Company in  connection  with the
immediately  preceding annual meeting. Each such notice shall set forth: (a) the
name and address of the  stockholder  who intends to make the  nomination and of
the person or persons to be nominated; (b) a representation that the stockholder
is a holder of record of stock of the Company  entitled to vote at such  meeting
and  intends  to appear in person or by proxy at the  meeting  to  nominate  the
person or persons specified in the notice; (c) a description of all arrangements
or understandings  between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person
or persons  (naming such person or persons)  pursuant to which the nomination or
nominations  are to be made  by the  stockholder;  (d)  such  other  information
regarding each nominee  proposed by such  stockholder as would be required to be
included in a proxy  statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the SEC; and
(e) the  consent of each  nominee to serve as a  director  of the  Company if so
elected.  The  presiding  officer of the meeting may refuse to  acknowledge  the
nomination of any person not made in compliance  with the foregoing  procedures.
The  Company  did not  receive  any  stockholder  nominations  for  director  in
connection with the upcoming Annual Meeting.


                                       5
<PAGE>


Background of Directors

     Michael J. Blodnick was appointed  President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company in July 1998.  Prior to that time, he served as the  Executive  Vice
President and Secretary of the Company  since 1994 and 1993,  respectively.  Mr.
Blodnick is also the Chief Executive Officer of Glacier Bank, and Executive Vice
President  of GBE,  and serves as a  director  of GBW,  FSB,VB and Big Sky.  Mr.
Blodnick has been employed by the Bank since 1978.

     William L. Bouchee has served as the President and Chief Executive  Officer
of FSB since 1991.  Mr.  Bouchee is also a director of FSB and has served on the
Board of Directors of the Company since 1996.

     Allen J. Fetscher was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company in
December 1996. Mr.  Fetscher also serves as the Chairman of FSB. Mr. Fetscher is
the  President  of  Fetscher's  Inc. He is also the Vice  President  of American
Public Land Exchange Co.,  Inc. and the owner of  Associated  Agency,  a company
involved in real estate.

     Fred J.  Flanders was appointed to the Board of Directors in August 1998 in
connection  with the  acquisition  of HUB.  Mr.  Flanders is the Chairman of the
Board of VB, and served as the President of VB from 1992 to 1998.  Mr.  Flanders
also serves as a director of Big Sky.

     L. Peter Larson has been the President and CEO of American  Timber  Company
since 1978 and also serves as a director of GBE. Mr. Larson is the President and
CEO of L. Peter  Larson Co. and Glacier Gold  Compost,  as well as a Partner and
CEO of Larson and  Sparling  Co.,  and has served as a director  of the  Company
and/or Glacier Bank since 1985.

     John S.  MacMillan,  who joined the Bank in 1967,  has been the Chairman of
the  Company  since  January 1, 1993.  In July 1998,  Mr.  MacMillan  retired as
President,  a position that he held since 1989, and Chief Executive  Officer,  a
position that he held since 1993. Mr.  MacMillan is also the Chairman of Glacier
Bank,  GBW and GBE,  and a director of FSB and VB.  Prior to 1993,  he served as
President and Chief Operating Officer of Glacier Bank from 1989 to July 1998, as
Executive  Vice  President  of  Glacier  Bank from 1979 to 1989,  and has been a
director of the Company and/or Glacier Bank since 1977.

     F. Charles  Mercord  served as President  and Managing  Officer of the Bank
from 1977 to 1989 and as Chairman  and Chief  Executive  Officer of Glacier Bank
from 1989 until  December 1992.  Mr.  Mercord,  who joined Glacier Bank in 1961,
also served as Chairman  and Chief  Executive  Officer of the Company  from 1990
until  December 1992, and has been a director of the Company and/or Glacier Bank
since 1975.

     Everit A. Sliter has been a partner of Jordahl & Sliter, a certified public
accounting  firm since 1965 and has served as a director of the  Company  and/or
Glacier Bank since 1973.

     Harold  A.  Tutvedt  is the owner of Harold  Tutvedt  Farm and  served as a
director of the Company and/or Glacier Bank since 1983.



                                       6
<PAGE>

Board Meetings and Committees

     The Board of  Directors  of the Company met 22 times  during the year ended
December 31, 1998.  Each of the present  directors  attended at least 75% of the
meetings  of the Board of  Directors  held in 1998,  except for Mr.  Mercord who
attended 73% of the meetings. The Company has established standing committees of
the Board of  Directors  that  includes an Audit  Committee  and a  Compensation
Committee.

     The Audit Committee consists of seven non-employee  members of the Board of
Directors of the Company,  whose  members  include:  Messrs.  Fetscher,  Larson,
Martin,  MacMillan  (who  was  appointed  in  July  of  1998),  Mercord,  Sliter
(Chairman)  and Tutvedt.  The Audit  Committee  meets monthly with the Company's
independent  auditor  to review the audit and  reports,  and  evaluate  internal
controls,  and at such other times as are  necessary or  appropriate.  The Audit
Committee met 12 times during 1998.

     The Compensation  Committee consists of seven  non-employee  members of the
Board of Directors  of the Company  whose  members  include:  Messrs.  Fetscher,
Larson, Martin,  MacMillan (who was appointed in July of 1998), Mercord,  Sliter
and Tutvedt  (Chairman).  The  responsibilities  of the  Compensation  Committee
include reviewing management compensation, investigating new and different forms
of  compensation  and making  recommendations  on  compensation  to the Board of
Directors. The Compensation Committee met once during 1998.

     The Board of Directors of the Company acts as The Nominating  Committee for
selecting nominees for election as directors.  The Nominating Committee met once
during 1998.

Compensation of Directors

     Board  Fees.   The  Company  has   established  a  program   through  which
non-employee  directors  receive annual retainers as members of the Board.  Each
director  earns  $1,350  per  month  for  services  as a member  of the Board of
Directors of the Company, except that Messrs. Sliter and Larson were paid $2,246
and $1,526 per month,  respectively,  for  additional  services  performed.  Mr.
MacMillan,  as Chairman of the Board earned $2,220 per month, beginning upon his
retirement  July 1, 1998.  Directors who are employed by the Company  receive no
additional compensation for their services as members of the Board.

     A similar program for directors of the  Subsidiaries  has been  established
which is commensurate with the size of the institution and the procedures of its
peer and affiliate banks.

     Directors'  Stock  Option  Plan.  In  1994,  the  Board  of  Directors  and
Shareholders  of the  Company  adopted  the 1994  Directors'  Stock  Option Plan
("DSOP") for outside  directors.  Under the DSOP,  50,000 shares of Common Stock
were  reserved for  issuance  upon the exercise of  nonqualified  stock  options
granted to non-employee  directors of the Company and each of the  Subsidiaries,
subject to appropriate  adjustment for any future stock split,  stock dividends,
or other changes in the capitalization of the Company. Under the DSOP, directors
of the Company and its Subsidiaries were each granted options to purchase shares
of Common  Stock at a per share price equal to the fair market  value of a share
of such stock on the date of grant as follows:  7,000 shares to directors of the
Company; 1,500 shares to directors of GBW and GBE; and 1,000 shares to directors
of FSB.  Each option  granted  under the DSOP  expires  upon the earlier of five
years following the date of grant or three years following the date the optionee
ceases to be a director,  except in the event of death, in which case the period
is one year from the date of death.  In 1998,  no options to purchase  shares of
the  Company's  Common Stock were granted to  directors  and 12,000  shares were
issued  pursuant to the  exercise of options.  At the 1999 Annual  Meeting,  the
shareholders will be


                                       7
<PAGE>

asked to approve  amendments  to the DSOP.  See  "Proposal No. 3 - Amendments to
1994 Directors' Stock Option Plan."

     Flanders Employment  Agreement.  Effective August 31, 1998, the Company and
VB entered  into a  two-year  employment  agreement  with Fred J.  Flanders,  as
President of VB, that provides for severance benefits payable to Mr. Flanders if
he should be improperly terminated or voluntarily  terminates his employment for
good reason following a change in control.  In the event of termination  after a
change in control,  as defined in the agreement,  Mr. Flanders would be entitled
to receive an amount equal to one year's annual compensation,  plus benefits. In
addition,  upon  termination  with VB, Mr. Flanders is prohibited from competing
with the Company or VB for a period of two years from  termination  (up to three
years from the effective date of the acquisition of VB).


                          SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
                        BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers who are not Directors

     The following  table sets forth  information  with respect to the executive
officers who are not  directors  or nominees  for  director of the Company,  and
executive  officers and directors as a group. All executive officers are elected
annually by the Board of Directors  and serve at the  discretion of the Board of
Directors.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       Amount and Nature of
                                                                                     Beneficial Ownership of
                                                                                        Common Stock as of
Name and Age                     Position                                               January 15, 1999*
- ------------                     --------                                            -----------------------
<S>                              <C>                                                      <C>      
James H. Strosahl, 57            Executive  Vice   President,   Chief  Financial             33,349(1)
                                 Officer,   Secretary   and   Treasurer  of  the               0.40%
                                 Company;   Senior  Vice   President  and  Chief
                                 Financial  Officer  of Glacier  Bank;  employed
                                 since 1993

Stephen J. Van Helden, 49        President of Glacier Bank; employed since 1974             102,935(2)
                                                                                               1.23%
Executive officers and directors                                                          1,575,537(3)
as a group (12 individuals)                                                                   18.81%
</TABLE>

- ----------
*    Share  amounts  have been  adjusted  to reflect a 10% stock  dividend  paid
     October 1, 1998.

(1)  Includes  13,726  shares held  jointly with Mr.  Strosahl's  wife with whom
     voting  and  dispositive  power  is  shared;  9,777  shares  held in an IRA
     account;  and 9,846  shares  which could be acquired  within 60 days by the
     exercise of stock options

(2)  Includes  49,765  shares held jointly with Mr. Van Helden's  wife with whom
     voting and dispositive power is shared; 39,317 shares held in the Company's
     Pension  and  Profit  Sharing  Plans;  220 held in a trust for his son;  50
     shares owned by the Affordable Housing Foundation,  of which Mr. Van Helden
     is the Chairman,  and 13,583 shares which could be acquired  within 60 days
     by the exercise of stock options.  


                                       8
<PAGE>


(3)  Includes  118,075 shares  beneficially  held by Darrel R. Martin,  who will
     retire from the Board of Directors  effective  at the 1999 Annual  Meeting,
     and 103,813  shares held by executive  officers  and  directors as a group,
     which could be acquired within 60 days by the exercise of stock options.

Beneficial Owners

     The following  table  includes  information  concerning the only persons or
entities, including any "group" as that term is used in Section 13(d) (3) of the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange  Act"), who or which
was  known to the  Company  to be the  beneficial  owner of more  than 5% of the
issued and outstanding Common Stock on the Voting Record Date.

                                   Amount and Nature
Name and Address of                  of Beneficial
Beneficial Owner                      Ownership (1)         Percent of Class
- ----------------                      -------------         ----------------
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.         773,570 (2)                9.24%
100 E. Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland  21202

- ----------
(1)  Pursuant to rules  promulgated by the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission
     ("SEC")  under the  Exchange  Act,  a person or  entity  is  considered  to
     beneficially  own  shares of Common  Stock if the  person or entity  has or
     shares (i) voting power,  which includes the power to vote or to direct the
     voting of the shares, or (ii) investment power, which includes the power to
     dispose or direct the disposition of the shares.

(2)  Based on an  amended  Schedule  13G filed  under the  Exchange  Act.  These
     securities  are owned by various  individual  and  institutional  investors
     including  the T. Rowe Price  Small Cap Fund,  Inc.,  (which  owns  429,000
     shares,  representing 5.1% of the outstanding shares),  which T. Rowe Price
     Associates,  Inc. ("Price  Associates")  serves as investment  adviser with
     power to direct investments  and/or sole power to vote the securities.  For
     purposes  of  the  reporting   requirements  of  the  Exchange  Act,  Price
     Associates is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such securities;  however,
     Price  Associates  expressly  disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial
     owner of such securities.


                                       9
<PAGE>


                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The following table sets forth a summary of certain information  concerning
the  compensation  awarded to or paid by the Company for the year ended December
31, 1998 for services  rendered in all  capacities  during the last three fiscal
years to the  Chief  Executive  Officer  and the four  most  highly  compensated
executive  officers of the  Company  whose  total  compensation  during the last
fiscal year exceeded $100,000.

                                            Summary Compensation Table

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=================================================================================================================================
                                                         Annual Compensation                     Long Term Compensation
                                               -----------------------------------------   --------------------------------------
                                                                                              Awards      Payouts
                                                                                           ------------  ----------
                                                                                           Securities
Name and                                                                     Other Annual  Underlying       LTIP       All Other
Principal Position                    Year     Salary (1)     Bonus (2)      Compensation    Options       Payouts    Compensation
                                                                                 (3)                       (4)(5)     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>       <C>           <C>                  <C>      <C>                <C>       <C>     
John S. MacMillan (6)                 1998      $143,893      $      0             0         6,985             0         $ 27,213
  Chairman of the Board               1997       189,616        80,000             0         9,323             0           46,426
                                      1996       179,615       110,000             0        10,766             0           23,588
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael J. Blodnick                   1998      $171,346      $ 50,000             0         6,985             0         $ 36,244
  President and Chief                 1997       164,423        50,000             0         9,323             0           41,707
  Executive Officer                   1996       148,846        75,000             0        10,766             0           20,857
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William L. Bouchee                    1998      $132,378      $ 21,437             0         6,985             0         $ 24,153
  President, First Security           1997       106,692        18,739             0         9,323             0           19,211
  Bank                                                                                                                
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen J. Van Helden                 1998      $105,539      $ 30,000             0         6,985             0         $ 20,580
  President, Glacier Bank             1997        84,938        30,000             0         9,323             0           17,146
                                      1996        77,346        40,000             0         7,260             0           17,362
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James H. Strosahl                     1998      $ 84,248      $ 30,000             0         4,656             0         $ 17,878
  Executive Vice President,           1997        76,729        28,000             0         6,216             0           16,825
  Chief Financial Officer,            1996        69,934        32,500             0         7,260             0           13,905
  Treasurer and Secretary                                                                                          
=================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

- ----------
(1)  Includes  $6,733,  $10,474  and $7,729  deferred,  and  earnings on amounts
     previously   deferred  by  Messrs.   MacMillan,   Blodnick  and   Strosahl,
     respectively, pursuant to the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan.

(2)  Does not include amounts attributable to miscellaneous benefits received by
     executive officers,  including the use of Company-owned automobiles and the
     payment of certain club dues.  In the opinion of  management of the Company
     the costs to the  Company of  providing  such  benefits  to any  individual
     executive  officer  during the year ended  December 31, 1998 did not exceed
     the  lesser  of  $50,000  or 10% of the total of  annual  salary  and bonus
     reported for the individual.

(3)  Includes  awards granted  pursuant to the Company's  Incentive Stock Option
     Plans.  Amounts  have been  adjusted to reflect a 10% stock  dividend  paid
     October 1, 1998.

(4)  Includes  amounts  allocated  or paid by the Company  during the year ended
     December 31, 1998 on behalf of Messrs.  MacMillan,  Blodnick,  Bouchee, Van
     Helden and  Strosahl  pursuant  to the  Company's  noncontributory  defined
     contribution "Money Purchase" Pension Plan, 401(k), Profit Sharing and SERP
     in  the  amounts  of  $25,056,   $35,200,  $22,674,  $19,954  and  $16,654,
     respectively.

(5)  Includes life insurance  premiums paid by the Company during the year ended
     December 31, 1998 on behalf of Messrs.  MacMillan,  Blodnick,  Bouchee, Van
     Helden and  Strosahl in the  amounts of $2,157,  $1,044,  $1,479,  $626 and
     $1,224, respectively.

(6)  Reflects  salary  paid to Mr.  MacMillan  in 1998 as  President  and  Chief
     Executive  Officer until his retirement in July 1998. 

                                       10
<PAGE>


Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year

The following table sets forth certain information  concerning individual grants
of stock  options  pursuant to the  Company's  stock option plans awarded to the
named executive officers during the year ended December 31, 1998.

                     STOCK OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
                                                                                                       Potential Realizable Value
                                                                                                        at Assumed Annual Rates
                                                                                                       of Stock Price Appreciation
                                                  Individual Grants                                        for Option Term(1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Number of
                                             Securities     % of Total
                                             Underlying      Options
                                              Options        Granted       Exercise     Expiration
         Name                                Granted (2)    to Employees    Price(3)       Date               5%              10%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>              <C>         <C>             <C>              <C>              <C>    
John S. MacMillan                             6,985            4.7%        $   22.16       1/28/03          $42,750          $97,370
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael J. Blodnick                           6,985            4.7%        $   22.16       1/28/03          $42,750          $97,370
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William L. Bouchee                            6,985            4.7%        $   22.16       1/28/03          $42,750          $97,370
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen J. Van Helden                         6,985            4.7%        $   22.16       1/28/03          $42,750          $97,370
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James H. Strosahl                             4,656            3.5%        $   22.16       1/28/03          $28,495          $64,905
====================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

- ----------
(1)  The potential  realizable value portion is based on the assumption that the
     stock  price of the  Common  Stock  appreciates  at the  annual  rate shown
     (compounded annually) from the date of grant until the end of the five-year
     option term.  These numbers are calculated based on the requirements of the
     Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  and do  not  reflect  the  Company's
     estimate of future stock price performance.

(2)  The options  were  granted on January 28, 1998 and vest over two years from
     the date of grant.  The Company's  stock option plan is  administered  by a
     Committee of the Board of Directors,  which  determines to whom options are
     granted,  as well as the number of shares and the exercise  price.  Options
     are granted at the fair market value and are exercisable for a period up to
     five years.  Options  may be  exercised  for a period of 90 days  following
     termination of employment  and for one year following  death or disability,
     or upon the  original  expiration  date,  whichever  is earlier.  The share
     amounts have been adjusted to reflect a 10% stock  dividend paid on October
     1, 1998.

(3)  The exercise price was based on the market price of the Common Stock on the
     date of grant.


                                       11
<PAGE>

Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year

     The following table sets forth certain information  concerning exercises of
stock  options  pursuant  to the  Company's  stock  option  plans  by the  named
executive  officers  during the year ended  December 31, 1998 and stock  options
held at year end.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=============================================================================================================================
                                   AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                                             AND YEAR END OPTION VALUES
=============================================================================================================================
                                                                         Number of                        Value of
                                                                        Unexercised                Unexercised Options at
                                   Shares                           Options at Year End(1)                Year End(2)
                                Acquired on      Value
        Name                    Exercise(1)     Realized
                                                                 ----------------------------    ----------------------------
                                                                 Exercisable    Unexercisable    Exercisable    Unexercisable
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>           <C>                <C>              <C>            <C>              <C>     
John S. MacMillan                  2,983         $ 48,444            6,985                0         $151,050         $      0
                                  10,766          100,770
                                   9,323           48,573
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael J. Blodnick                3,083         $ 52,565           10,766           16,308         $232,815         $352,660
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William L. Bouchee                13,266         $271,024                0           16,308         $      0         $352,660
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen J. Van Helden              3,000         $ 30,990            4,260           16,308         $ 92,122         $352,660
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James H. Strosahl                  3,630         $ 38,601            3,630           10,872         $ 78,499         $235,107
=============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

- ----------
(1)  The share amounts have been  adjusted to reflect a 10% stock  dividend paid
     October 1, 1998.

(2)  The average of the high and low sales  prices of a share of Common Stock as
     reported on the NASDAQ  National  Market  System on  December  31, 1998 was
     $21.625.

Employment Agreements

     Blodnick Employment Agreement.  On August 31, 1996, the Company and Glacier
Bank,  following approval of the Board of Directors,  entered into an employment
agreement  ("Agreement") with Mr. Blodnick. The Agreement terminates annually on
August 31st (the  anniversary  date) and is  renewable on an annual basis on the
anniversary date, and each anniversary date thereafter,  upon  recommendation of
the Board of Directors, unless certain advance notice is given, or upon a change
in control (as defined),  in which case the Agreement is automatically  extended
for an additional year. Under the Agreement, Mr. Blodnick is entitled to receive
a minimum  annual base salary,  which may be adjusted,  as  appropriate,  by the
Compensation  Committee.  The Agreement provides that, subsequent to a change in
control, if Mr. Blodnick is discharged  otherwise than for cause (as defined) or
resigns for good reason,  e.g., a significant  diminution of  responsibility  or
adverse  change  in  working  conditions,  then  he  is  entitled  to  his  full
compensation for three years. In addition,  the Agreement restricts Mr. Blodnick
from  competing  with the  Company  or its  Subsidiaries  during the term of the
Agreement.



                                       12
<PAGE>


     Severance Agreements.  The Company and Glacier Bank entered into agreements
with each of  Messrs.  Strosahl  and Van  Helden.  These  agreements  are for an
initial one year term,  which is extended each year for an additional  year upon
the review and  approval of the Boards of  Directors  of the Company and Glacier
Bank, and provides for severance  benefits  payable to Messrs.  Strosahl and Van
Helden if either party is improperly terminated or voluntarily terminates his or
her  employment  for good reason  following a change in control of the  Company.
Messrs.  Strosahl and Van Helden are entitled to receive annual salaries,  which
may be adjusted, as appropriate,  by the Compensation Committee. In the event of
termination  after a change in  control,  as defined in the  agreement,  each of
Messrs.  Strosahl  and Van Helden  would be  entitled  to receive  two times his
annual compensation payable over 24 months.

     Bouchee  Employment  Agreement.  On  August 9,  1996,  FSB  entered  into a
three-year  employment  agreement  with Mr.  Bouchee that provides for severance
benefits  payable  to Mr.  Bouchee  if he should  be  improperly  terminated  or
voluntarily  terminates  his  employment  for good reason  following a change in
control.  Mr.  Bouchee is  entitled  to receive an annual  salary,  which may be
adjusted,  as  appropriate,  by the  Compensation  Committee.  In the  event  of
termination after a change in control, as defined in the agreement,  Mr. Bouchee
would be entitled to receive an amount equal to one year's annual  compensation,
payable in one lump sum, as well as  insurance  benefits  and pension and 401(k)
contributions for a year following termination.

Deferred Compensation Plan

     In December,  1995, the Board of Directors adopted a Deferred  Compensation
Plan ("DCP") for directors and certain officers and key employees, as designated
by  resolution of the Board of  Directors.  The DCP  generally  provides for the
deferral  of  certain   taxable  income  earned  by  participants  in  the  DCP.
Non-employee  directors  may elect to have any portion of his or her  director's
fees deferred.  Designated officers or key employees may elect to defer annually
under the DCP up to 25% of his or her salary to be earned in the calendar  year,
and up to 100% of any cash bonuses.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

     In  December,  1995,  the Board of  Directors  adopted a  nonqualified  and
nonfunded  Supplemental  Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP") for senior executive
officers.  The SERP is intended to supplement  payments due to participants upon
retirement  under  the  Company's  other  qualified  plans.  The SERP  generally
provides  that the Company  will credit  qualified  participants'  account on an
annual  basis,  an  amount  equal to  employer  contributions  that  would  have
otherwise been  allocated to the  executive's  accounts under the  tax-qualified
plans were it not for limitations  imposed by the Internal Revenue  Service,  or
participation in the deferred  compensation plan. Messrs.  MacMillan,  Blodnick,
Bouchee and Strosahl are the only participants in the SERP.  Messrs.  MacMillan,
Blodnick,  Bouchee and  Strosahl  received an  allocation  under the plan in the
amounts of $5,558, $15,702, $1,903 and $1,802, respectively, for the fiscal year
1998.

1989 Incentive Stock Option Plan

     In  1989,  the  Company  adopted  and the  shareholders  approved  the 1989
Incentive  Stock Option Plan (the "1989 Plan")  which  authorized  the grant and
issuance of 316,151  shares of Common Stock (as adjusted  for  subsequent  stock
splits and dividends) to key employees of the Company. At December 31, 1998, all
options to purchase  shares  under the 1989 Plan have been granted and no shares
remain  available for future grants.  The 1989 Plan was supplemented by the 1995
Employee Stock Option Plan as described below.


                                       13
<PAGE>

1995 Employee Stock Option Plan

     At the 1995 Annual  Meeting,  the  shareholders  adopted the 1995  Employee
Stock Option Plan (the "1995 Plan").  The 1995 Plan is administered by the Board
of Directors (or a Committee appointed by the Board). It allows stock options to
be granted to key employees of the Company in any combination up to an aggregate
of 507,779  shares of Company Common Stock,  subject to appropriate  adjustments
for any stock splits, stock dividends, or other changes in the capitalization of
the Company. The 1995 Plan provides for the issuance of options which qualify as
"incentive  stock  options"  within the meaning of Section  422 of the  Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, and nonqualified stock options.

     As of December 31, 1998, options to purchase an aggregate of 345,444 shares
have been granted and 162,335 shares remain  available for further grant. At the
1999 Annual Meeting, the shareholders will be asked to approve amendments to the
1995 Plan. See "Proposal No. 2 - Amendments to 1995 Employee Stock Option Plan."

Report of the Compensation Committee

     The  Compensation  Committee  of the Board of  Directors  of the Company is
composed of Committee  Chairperson Harold Tutvedt,  Allen J. Fetscher,  L. Peter
Larson,  Darrel R. Martin,  John S. MacMillan,  F. Charles Mercord and Everit A.
Sliter.

     The Company,  acting through the Committee,  believes  compensation  of its
Executives  and other key  personnel  should  reflect  and support the goals and
strategies of the Company.

     The Committee's  objectives in determining  executive  compensation  are to
attract,  reward and retain key executive  officers;  and to motivate  executive
officers to perform to the best of their abilities and to achieve short-term and
long-term  corporate  objectives  that will  contribute  to the overall  goal of
enhancing  stockholder  value.  To further these  objectives,  the Committee has
adopted the following policies:

     o    The Company will compensate  competitively  with the practices of peer
          groups, and like performing financial companies;

     o    Performance  at the corporate,  subsidiary  and  individual  executive
          officer level will  determine a significant  portion of  compensation;
          with due regard to financial performance relative to peer groups;

     o    The attainment of realizable but challenging objectives will determine
          performance-based  compensation;  and o  The  Company  will  encourage
          executive officers to hold substantial, long-term equity stakes in the
          Company so that the interest of executive  officers will coincide with
          the  interest  of  stockholders  -  accordingly   stock  options  will
          constitute a significant portion of compensation.

     Elements of the Company's  compensation of executive officers are: (1) Base
salary and bonuses,  (2)  Incentive  compensation  in the form of stock  options
granted  under the  Company's  1995  Incentive  Stock  Option  Plan,  (3) Salary
Deferral  Plan,  and (4) Other  compensation  and  employee  benefits  generally
available to all  employees of the Company,  such as health,  life and long term
disability  insurance and employee  contributions  under the Company's 401-K and
Pension Plans.

                                       14
<PAGE>

     The Committee believes the Company's goals are best supported by attracting
and retaining  well-qualified  executive  officers and other  personnel  through
competitive compensation arrangements,  with emphasis on rewards for outstanding
contributions to the Company's success,  with a special emphasis on aligning the
interests of executive  officers and other personnel with those of the Company's
shareholders.

                        Executive Compensation Committee
       Harold Tutvedt (Chairperson) o Allen J. Fetscher o L. Peter Larson
  Darrel R. Martin o John S. MacMillan o F. Charles Mercord o Everit A. Sliter



                                       15
<PAGE>


                                PERFORMANCE GRAPH

     The  following  graph  compares the yearly  cumulative  total return of the
Common Stock over a five-year  measurement period with (i) the yearly cumulative
total  return on the  stocks  included  in the  Standard  & Poor's  ("S&P")  500
Composite  Index  and  (ii)  the SNL  Bank  Index  comprised  of  banks  between
$500M-$1B.   All  of  these  cumulative   returns  are  computed   assuming  the
reinvestment of dividends at the frequency with which dividends were paid during
the applicable years.


     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Glacier Bancorp Stock Price Performance
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------


 [THE FOLLOWING TABLE WAS REPRESENTED BY A LINE CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL.]


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Period Ending
                                       ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Index                                  12/31/93     12/31/94     12/31/95      12/31/96     12/31/97      12/31/98
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>    
Glacier Bancorp, Inc.                   $100.00      $ 89.77      $124.97      $171.24       $268.95      $266.23
S&P 500                                 $100.00      $101.32      $139.39      $171.26       $228.42      $293.69
SNL $500M-$1B Bank Index                $100.00      $106.76      $141.74      $177.19       $288.03      $283.20
</TABLE>


                                       16
<PAGE>


                          TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT

Certain Transactions

     Jordahl & Sliter,  a certified  public  accounting  firm in which Everit A.
Sliter is a partner,  performs  tax  services  for the  Company in the  ordinary
course of business.  The Company believes that these services have been provided
on terms  which are no less  favorable  than which  could have been  obtained in
dealings with  non-affiliates and that any future transactions will be conducted
on such basis.

Employee Loan Program

     Federal  regulations  require  that all  loans or  extensions  of credit to
executive  officers and  directors of the Company and the  Subsidiaries  must be
made on substantially the same terms,  including  interest rates and collateral,
as  those  prevailing  at  the  time  for  comparable  transactions  with  other
nonaffiliated  persons  and must  not  involve  more  than  the  normal  risk of
repayment or present other unfavorable features.  The regulations authorize that
a bank may make  extensions  of credit  pursuant  to a benefit  or  compensation
program that (i) is available  to all  employees of the bank or its  affiliates;
and (ii) does not give  preference  to any insider  over other  employees of the
bank or its affiliates.  The regulations govern the amount of credit that a bank
may extend to an insider,  and, in those  instances  where the loan  exceeds the
allowed limit, requires that (i) the loan be approved by a majority of the board
of  directors;  and (ii) the  insider  abstain  from  participating  directly or
indirectly in the voting.

     The Company has adopted an Employee Loan Program,  providing  that loans be
made to executive  officers and directors and all other employees of the Company
and its Subsidiaries on equal terms.  Set forth below is certain  information as
of December 31, 1998 relating to loans which,  in the aggregate,  exceed $60,000
and which were made on  preferential  terms,  as explained  above,  to executive
officers and  directors  of the  Company.  All loans are secured by real estate,
except as noted.  The table does not  include  loans which have been made on the
same  terms,  including  interest  rates  and  collateral,   as  those  made  to
non-affiliated  parties  and which in the opinion of  management  do not involve
more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Largest Aggregate
                           Nature of         Amount during                           Interest      Note Rate at
                          Transaction      January 1, 1998 to      Balance at         Rate to      December 31,
        Name            and Indebtedness   December 31, 1998   December 31, 1998    Employee(1)       1998(2)
        ----            ----------------   -----------------   -----------------    -----------    ------------
<S>                                             <C>                 <C>                <C>            <C>  
Michael J. Blodnick,   First Mortgage on         46,232              42,767            5.61%          7.55%
President and CEO      primary residence                                             
                       Home Equity Line          49,804              49,091            8.25%          9.25%
                       (2nd)                                                         
                                                                                     
John S. MacMillan      First Mortgage on         50,000              49,674            5.45%          7.05%
Chairman               primary residence                                             
                       Home Equity Line          32,046              18,617            8.50%          9.25%
                       (2nd)                                                         
                                                                                     
F. Charles Mercord,    First Mortgage on        147,338             140,622            5.45%          7.87%
Director               primary residence                                             
                       Home Equity Line          58,388              57,988            7.75%          8.75%
                       (2nd)                                                         
                                                                                     
</TABLE>


                                       17
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Largest Aggregate
                           Nature of         Amount during                           Interest      Note Rate at
                          Transaction      January 1, 1998 to      Balance at         Rate to      December 31,
        Name            and Indebtedness   December 31, 1998   December 31, 1998    Employee(1)       1998(2)
        ----            ----------------   -----------------   -----------------    -----------    ------------
<S>                                              <C>                 <C>               <C>            <C>  
Everit A. Sliter,      First Mortgage on          86,427             81,039            5.61%          8.23%
Director                primary residence                                            
                       Home Equity Line           58,381             57,899            8.25%          9.25%
                       (2nd)                                                         
                                                                                     
James H. Strosahl,     First Mortgage on         168,029            159,971            5.45%          7.87%
Executive Vice         primary residence                                             
President, CFO,        Home Equity Line           49,548             22,371            8.25%          9.25%
Treasurer and          (2nd)                                                         
Secretary                                                                            
                                                                                     
Stephen J. Van         First Mortgage on         148,115            145,604            5.61%          7.48%
Helden, President,     primary residence                                             
Glacier Bank           Home Equity Line           58,100             42,201            7.14%          8.14%
                       (2nd)
</TABLE>

- ----------
(1)  This reflects  borrowing to finance home  improvements or to purchase homes
     and is 1% above  Glacier  Bank's cost of money.  For Home Equity Line,  the
     rate charged is 1% less than the rate charged to non-employees.

(2)  This will become the applicable  interest rate if the officer or director's
     employment with the Company is resigned or otherwise terminated.


          Proposal No. 2 - Amendment to 1995 Employee Stock Option Plan

     In 1995,  the Company  adopted,  and the  shareholders  approved,  the 1995
Employee  Stock Option Plan.  As described  in  "Executive  Compensation  - 1995
Employee Stock Option Plan" the 1995 Plan currently  provides that up to 507,779
shares of Common Stock be available for issuance  pursuant to the grant of stock
options, as adjusted for stock splits and stock dividends.  The Company believes
that the 1995 Plan has  contributed  to the  Company's  ability to  attract  and
retain valued key employees,  thereby  strengthening  their incentive to achieve
the objectives of the Company's shareholders.

     Subject  to  shareholder  approval,  the Board of  Directors  has  approved
certain  amendments to the 1995 Plan that will (i) increase the number of shares
available  under the 1995 Plan by 600,000  shares,  to an aggregate of 1,107,779
shares; and (ii) allow for the cashless exercise of stock options.

     The following is a summary  description  of certain  provisions of the 1995
Plan:

     o Section 6(f) would be amended to allow for the cashless exercise of stock
options as follows:

          (f) Manner of Exercise. An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when
          written  notice of  exercise  has been given to Bancorp in  accordance
          with the terms of the Option by the person  entitled to  exercise  the
          Option,  together  with full  payment  for the shares of Common  Stock
          specified in the notice.  The Option price is payable upon exercise of
          the Option, in either (i) U.S. dollars, (ii) effective as February 24,
          1999,  Common  Stock,  or  (iii)  if  approved  by  the  Board,  other
          consideration (including services or other property).

     The Board believes that it is desirable to have this flexibility  permitted
under the 1999 Plan so that, at the discretion of the Board, an employee, could,
for example,  exercise an option using Company Common Stock previously  acquired
as payment toward the exercise price of the stock option.

     Participants.  Employees  that the Board or the Committee  determines to be
"key employees" of the Company or its  Subsidiaries  are eligible to participate
in the 1995 Plan.


                                       18
<PAGE>

     Administration  of the Plan. The 1995 Plan is  administered by the Board of
Directors (or a Committee  appointed by the Board).  It allows  additional stock
options to be granted in any combination up to an aggregate of 1,107,779  shares
of Common Stock, subject to appropriate  adjustments for any stock splits, stock
dividends,  or other  changes in the  capitalization  of the Company.  The Board
believes that stock options are an important element in attracting and incenting
the best employees  available.  The Board also believes that stock  ownership by
employees  also  more  closely   aligns  their   interests  with  those  of  the
shareholders.  The 1995 Plan  provides for the issuance of options which qualify
as "incentive  stock  options"  ("ISO") within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and nonqualified stock options ("NQSO").

     Term of Plan.  The 1995 Plan will  expire  in the year  2005.  The Board of
Directors  has the  authority to terminate  the 1995 Plan at any time.  The 1995
Plan may subsequently be amended by the Board of Directors  without  shareholder
approval, except that no such amendment may (i) increase the number of shares of
Common  Stock that may be issued  pursuant to the 1995 Plan,  or (ii) change the
class of employees who may be granted options, without shareholder approval.

     Grant and Price of Options.  The Board of Directors  (or a committee of the
Board) will determine the terms and conditions of the options  granted under the
1995 Plan,  including the price,  the date or conditions  upon which the options
become exercisable and the termination date (subject to the terms of the plan).

     The 1995 Plan provides that the exercise  price of any option granted under
the 1995 Plan may be no less than the  greater of the fair  market  value or net
book value of the stock at the date the option is granted. The exercise price of
an ISO may not be less than the fair  market  value of the  Common  Stock at the
date the option is granted, and in some cases must be at least 110% of such fair
market value. No option may in any event be exercisable more than ten years from
the date of the grant of such option,  and under certain  circumstances ISOs may
not be exercisable more than five years from the date of grant.

     Federal Tax  Treatment.  The 1995 Plan provides for the issuance of options
which qualify as "incentive  stock options" within the meaning of Section 422 of
the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, and nonqualified  stock options.  Holders of
incentive  stock  options  incur no tax (and the  Company is not  entitled  to a
deduction)  on the grant or exercise of such options.  When stock  received upon
exercise of an incentive  stock option is sold, the holder incurs tax at capital
gain rates.  In order to qualify under Section 422,  incentive stock options are
subject to a number of  restrictions,  including the  following:  (i) the option
price  may not be less than the fair  market  value of the stock at the time the
option  is  granted,  and  (ii)  the  market  value of the  stock  for  which an
employee's incentive stock options become exercisable in any year may not exceed
$100,000.

     Vote Required and  Director's  Recommendation.  The  affirmative  vote of a
majority of the votes  present in person or  represented  by proxy at the Annual
meeting will be required to approve the amendments to the 1995 Plan.

     The  Board of  Directors  unanimously  recommends  a vote FOR the  proposed
amendments to the 1995 Employee Stock Option Plan.


                                       19
<PAGE>


        Proposal No. 3 - Amendments to 1994 Directors' Stock Option Plan

     The  Company  has  maintained  a  stock  option  plan  for the  benefit  of
nonemployee  directors since 1994. As described in  "Compensation of Directors -
Directors'  Stock Option  Plan" the DSOP  currently  provides  that up to 90,750
shares of the Company's  Common Stock be available for issuance  pursuant to the
grant and exercise of stock options, as adjusted for stock dividends and splits.

     Subject  to  shareholder  approval,  the Board of  Directors  has  approved
amending the DSOP to (i) increase the number of shares  available under the DSOP
by 100,000 shares to an aggregate of 190,750 shares; and (ii) extending the term
of the DSOP to fifteen years. The Board believes that having  additional  shares
available   for  future   stock  option   grants  to  directors  is   important,
particularly,  as the Company  continues to grow and expand.  The Board believes
that stock options are an important component of director  compensation designed
to further align the interests of directors with those of the shareholders.

     Administration  of the  DSOP.  The  DSOP is  administered  by the  Board of
Directors  (or a  committee  of the  Board).  Options  may be  granted  only  to
nonemployee  directors.  The DSOP will  allow  additional  stock  options  to be
granted  for a total of  190,750  shares of  Company  Common  Stock,  subject to
appropriate  adjustments for any stock splits,  stock dividends or other changes
in the capitalization of the Company.

     Grant  and  Price  of  Options.  All  options  granted  under  the DSOP are
nonqualified stock options. The DSOP provides that the exercise price of options
must be equal to the greater of (i) the par value of the Common Stock,  and (ii)
the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant.

     Term of Plan and  Options.  The DSOP has a term of  fifteen  years and will
expire in year 2014.  All  options  granted  under the DSOP will expire not more
than five years from the date of grant,  and will become vested and  exercisable
six  months  from the date of  grant.  The  Board of  Directors  would  have the
authority  to  terminate  the DSOP at any time.  The DSOP may be  amended by the
Board of Directors without shareholder  approval,  except that no such amendment
may (i) increase  the number of shares that may be issued  pursuant to the DSOP,
or (ii)  change the class of  individuals  who may be granted  options,  without
shareholder approval.

     Federal Tax Treatment. While no taxable income is recognized upon the grant
of a nonqualified  stock option,  recipients will generally  recognize  ordinary
income equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over
the exercise price. The amount of such income would be a deductible compensation
expense for the Company.

     Vote Required and  Director's  Recommendation.  The  affirmative  vote of a
majority of the votes  present in person or  represented  by proxy at the Annual
meeting will be required to approve the amendments to the DSOP.

     The  Board  of  Directors  unanimously  recommends  that  you  vote FOR the
amendments to the 1994 Director Stock Option Plan.


                                       20
<PAGE>

                COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) FILING REQUIREMENTS

     Section 16(a) of 1934 Act, as amended,  ("Section 16(a)") requires that all
executive officers and directors of the Company and all persons who beneficially
own more than 10 percent of the Company 's Common  Stock file  reports  with the
SEC with  respect to  beneficial  ownership  of the  Company's  securities.  The
Company has adopted procedures to assist its directors and executive officers in
complying with the Section 16(a) filings.

     Based solely upon The  Company's  review of the copies of the filings which
it received with respect to the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1998, or written
representations  from certain reporting  persons,  the Company believes that all
reporting  persons made all filings required by Section 16(a) on a timely basis,
except that Mr. Bouchee inadvertently failed to file a Form 4 to report the sale
of 5,766 shares in December  1998; Mr.  Mercord  inadvertently  failed to file a
Form 4 to report the sale of 1,475 shares in September  1998;  and Mr.  Strosahl
inadvertently  failed to file a Form 4 to report the  exercise  of an option for
3,630 shares in December 1998. All required forms have  subsequently  been filed
to report these transactions.

                                    AUDITORS

         KPMG LLP, independent auditors, performed the audit of the consolidated
financial  statements  for the Company and its  Subsidiaries  for the year ended
December  31,  1998.  Representatives  of KPMG LLP will be present at the Annual
Meeting and  available  to respond to  appropriate  questions  and will have the
opportunity to make a statement if they so desire.

                                  OTHER MATTERS

     Management  is not aware of any business to come before the Annual  Meeting
other than those  matters  described in this Proxy  Statement.  However,  if any
other matters  should  properly come before the Annual  Meeting,  it is intended
that the  proxies  solicited  hereby  will be voted with  respect to those other
matters in accordance with the judgment of the persons voting the proxies.

                              STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

     Proposals  of  shareholders  intended  to be  presented  at the 2000 annual
shareholder's  meeting must be received by the  Secretary of the Company  before
December 1, 1999,  for inclusion in the 2000 Proxy  Statement and form of proxy.
If such proposal is in compliance with all of the  requirements of Rule 14a-8 of
the Exchange  Act, it will be included in the Proxy  Statement  and set forth on
the form of proxy  issued  for the  next  Annual  Meeting  Of  Stockholders.  In
addition,  if the  Company  receives  notice  of a  shareholder  proposal  after
February 14, 2000, the persons named as proxies in such proxy statement and form
of proxy will have discretionary authority to vote on such shareholder proposal.

                                 ANNUAL REPORTS

     Stockholders  of the Company as of the record  date for the Annual  Meeting
are being forwarded a copy of the Company's  Annual Report to  Stockholders  for
the year ended December 31, 1998 ("Annual  Report").  The Annual Report is not a
part of the proxy solicitation materials for the Annual Meeting.


                                       21
<PAGE>


     Upon  receipt  of a  written  request,  the  Company  will  furnish  to any
stockholder  without  charge a copy of its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with
the SEC under the  Exchange  Act for the year  ended  December  31,  1998.  Upon
written  request  and a payment  of a copying  charge of 10 cents per page,  the
Company  will  furnish to any such  stockholder  a copy of the  exhibits  to the
Annual Report on Form 10-K. Such written  requests should be directed to Glacier
Bancorp, Inc., 49 Commons Loop, Kalispell,  Montana 59901, Attention:  Corporate
Secretary.  The  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  is  not a  part  of  the  proxy
solicitation materials for the Annual Meeting.

March 31, 1999                          BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                        /S/ JAMES H. STROSAHL

                                        James H. Strosahl, Secretary


                                       23
<PAGE>


     GLACIER BANCORP, INC.
     PROXY
     PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN IMMEDIATELY

     This Proxy Is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors

     The  undersigned  hereby appoints John S. MacMillan and Michael J. Blodnick
and each of them (with full power to act alone), my Proxies,  with full power of
substitution as Proxy,  and hereby authorize  Messrs.  MacMillan and Blodnick to
represent and to vote, as  designated  below,  all the shares of common stock of
Glacier  Bancorp,  Inc.,  held of record by the undersigned on March 9, 1999, at
the  Annual  Meeting  of  Shareholders  to be held on  April  28,  1999,  or any
adjournment of such Meeting.

1.   ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     A.   I vote FOR all nominees listed below (except as marked to the contrary
          below) |_|

          I WITHHOLD  AUTHORITY to vote for any individual  nominee whose name I
          have struck a line through in the list below:

          Michael J. Blodnick         Fred J. Flanders         Harold A. Tutvedt

     B.   I WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed above. |_|

2.   APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO 1995 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN.

     To consider and vote on amendments to the 1995 Employee Stock Option Plan.

          FOR |_|                     AGAINST |_|              ABSTAIN |_|

3.   APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO 1994 DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN.

     To consider  and vote on  amendments  to the 1994  Directors'  Stock Option
     Plan.

          FOR |_|                     AGAINST |_|              ABSTAIN |_|


                                     Page 1
<PAGE>


4.   WHATEVER  OTHER  BUSINESS may properly be brought before the Meeting or any
     adjournment thereof.

     THIS PROXY  CONFERS  AUTHORITY  TO VOTE  "FOR" AND WILL BE VOTED  "FOR" THE
PROPOSALS LISTED UNLESS AUTHORITY IS WITHHELD OR A VOTE AGAINST OR AN ABSTENTION
IS  SPECIFIED,  IN WHICH CASE THIS PROXY  WILL BE VOTED IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH THE
SPECIFICATIONS SO MADE.

     Management  knows of no other  matters  that my  properly  be, or which are
likely to be,  brought  before the Meeting.  However,  if any other  matters are
properly  presented at the Meeting,  this Proxy will be voted in accordance with
the recommendations of management.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" the listed proposals.
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
___________________, 1999               ___________________, 1999               
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
- -------------------------------------   -------------------------------------   
Signature of Shareholder                Signature of Shareholder                
                                                                                
                                                                                
- -------------------------------------   -------------------------------------   
Print Name                              Print Name                              
                                                                                
                                                                                
                           ALL JOINT OWNERS MUST SIGN.

WHEN SIGNING AS ATTORNEY, EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE



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