First Interstate completes buy

Northwestern Financial Review, Dec 15-Dec 31, 2002

[chronicle]

First Interstate BancSystems, Inc., Billings, Mont., has purchased United States National Bank of Red Lodge, Mont. The U.S. National Bank has assets of $46 million. The $3.3 billion First Interstate Bank has evolved since 1968 from a single bank in Sheridan, Wyo., to 56 branches in Montana and Wyoming.

"First Interstate is an organization with a strong emphasis on community banking," Smith said. "We will be able to offer our customers the same personal service they are accustomed too, plus many new services and the technological innovation of a larger banking system."

First Interstate's CEO Tom Scott commended U.S. National for establishing itself as a respected community bank and said its employees will continue as First Interstate employees. Scott said he believes U.S. National's customers will appreciate 24-hour phone banking, Internet banking and bill payment, 56 branches and free access to 120 ATMs

U.S. National will change its name to First Interstate Bank by early next year.