By carefully maintaining its community focus, Three Rivers Bank of Montana has become the financial institution of choice for families and businesses in Flathead County, Montana.
First Security Bank of Kalispell, which changed its name to Three Rivers Bank of Montana in 1999, opened for business in 1974 thanks to a group of area businessmen (the “Sterling 11”) who recognized the need for an independent community bank alternative to the mega-banks headquartered hundreds of miles away.
From the beginning, Three Rivers Bank was guided by A.J. “Jack” King’s three core commitments: bank safety/soundness, growth and training of quality team members, and honesty and integrity. Its history is marked by consistent leadership.
Today, fourth-generation area businessman John King is the CEO and his brother, A.J. King, currently bank President, will become CEO in 2020. Two other family members, Ashley King-Jones and Joel Rosenberg, are vice president of operations and senior vice president of commercial lending, respectively. Leaders of this closely held bank faithfully follow Jack’s legacy. As a result, Three Rivers Bank is a well-capitalized, top-rated bank that has been a stable resource for the community through local economic booms and busts.
Strong, Local Financial Partner for Businesses
“For businesses, the value of personal relationships with seasoned financial experts who understand your industry and who have there sources to help you reach your goals cannot be overstated,” explains John King. “When an urgent or unusual need arises or a narrow window of opportunity opens, having your own dedicated banker and an active local Board of Directors is vital to the success of the business customer and its bank.”
Three Rivers Bank lending has been responsible for helping fuel the community’s economic engine. Almost all commercial loans are made to businesses within the County and its three surrounding counties. Its locally headquartered loan officers know first-hand the area’s challenges and opportunities, and they have in-depth experience in the area’s major industries. Their mission is to maintain and gather opportunities for current and new customers.
For example, in 1991, when a grain producer had an urgent need for operating capital to operate his farm, he turned to Three Rivers Bank. Two other institutions had denied his loan application. He met with John King, a Three Rivers Bank loan officer at that time, who examined his business plan and projections. The decision was made quickly to approve his application…no waiting for an answer from a loan committee in some distant city. Within a couple days, he received his loan funds. In 1995, that business owner was elected to the Three Rivers Bank Board of Directors, a position the business owner still holds today.
In 2017, when there were numerous forest fires in Northwestern Montana, a local logging business bank customer lost some of its equipment in a fire. John King contacted the business owner, assured the logger Three Rivers Bank would guarantee the logger’s check for the purchase of new equipment, and promised the bank would lend the logger the funds. The bank’s concern was the ability of the logger to continue its work to harvest timber with minimal interruption.
Flathead County’s Good Neighbor
“Three Rivers Bank is a full-service institution designed to meet the needs of our neighbors, including modern high-tech banking capabilities,” says King. “We offer our hand and our word. Integrity demands we never ‘sell’ a service someone doesn’t need.”
Three Rivers Bank is proud of its community involvement. For 44 years, it has sponsored Highlander Track & Cross Country for thousands of children from the ages of 6 to 14. Highlander Track & Cross Country is a free program for the track athlete. All of the high school assistant coaches who coach the Highlander track athletes earn scholarships when they graduate from high school to use for higher education. Over the 44 years, scholarships awarded to the assistant coaches have totaled approximately $175,000!
The bank offers a club known as the Heritage Club for bank customers ≥50 years of age. Heritage Club membership is approximately 1,000 Bank customers today. Each month the Bank sponsors an event for the Heritage Club members and their guests. The events include dinners, movies, and travel opportunities. Club members have traveled to Alaska, Canada, the Panama Canal, and throughout Montana.
Three Rivers Bank constantly seeks to help its customers financially around every bend in life!
Freddie Mac and SBA preferred lender
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