First Interstate BancSystem, Great Western Bancorp complete merger
First Interstate BancSystem Inc., the parent company of First Interstate Bank, announced that effective today, it has completed its previously announced merger with Great Western Bancorp Inc., the parent company of Great Western Bank. The combined holding company will operate under the First Interstate name with the company’s headquarters remaining in Billings, Mont. Great Western Bank branches will continue to operate under the Great Western Bank name as a division of First Interstate Bank. The conversion of bank systems and branches is expected to occur in May. After the conversion, Great Western Bank branches will be branded as First Interstate Bank branches. Five Great Western board members have joined the combined holding company board: James Brannen, retired CEO of FBL Financial Group; Frances Grieb, retired partner of Deloitte LLP; Thomas Henning, non-executive chairman of Assurity Life Insurance Co.; Stephen Lacy, retired Meredith Corp. chairman; and Daniel Rykhus, former president and CEO of Raven Industries. Great Western Bank currently operates 48 branches or ATMs in Iowa, according to its website. First Interstate Bank has more than 150 locations throughout Idaho, Montana, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming.