Two local branches of Mountain West Bank are expected to be closed as a result of the corporation’s planned merger with First Interstate Bank.

The Kalispell branch of Mountain West at 444 W. Idaho Street and the Whitefish branch at 601 Spokane Avenue will both be consolidated with existing First Interstate banks in those cities.

In all, eight branches across Montana will be closed as a result of the merger, subject to regulatory approval and the successful completion of the merger in October. The branches were chosen for closure because of their “close proximity to existing First Interstate Bank branches,” according to a press release issued by First Interstate BankSystem, the parent company of First Interstate.

First Interstate Bank currently operates 19 branch banking offices in Kalispell, Whitefish, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula. Mountain West Bank currently operates 13 branch banking offices in these same communities. 

“Having multiple branches located so close to one another following the expected merger is impractical and inefficient. So, after much thought and careful consideration, we have decided to close or consolidate a number of Mountain West Bank branches,” said Ed Garding, president and chief executive officer of First Interstate BancSystem Inc. 

“This was certainly not an easy decision to make. However, the result will be a consolidated footprint with 79 branch locations across Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota, providing customers with convenient access to a larger network of branch banking offices, along with a comprehensive line of innovative products and services,” Garding continued.

Three Mountain West Bank branches will be closed in Missoula and one each in Bozeman, Helena and Great Falls. The closed branches will be consolidated with existing First Interstate Bank branches located within the same immediate neighborhoods.

In addition, a Mountain West Bank branch at 1225 Cedar St. in Helena will be relocated to the Mountain West Bank Retail Banking Center and drive-up facility at 2021 N. Montana Ave. in Helena.

Branch closures and relocation are expected to be effective after the close of business on Friday, Oct. 17, at which time all accounts currently maintained at the closing branches will be automatically transferred to the nearest First Interstate Bank branch location, most of which are less than half a mile away. 

Starting Monday, Oct. 20, customers will be able to conduct their banking transactions at any First Interstate Bank location throughout Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota. Customers affected by the branch closures will receive letters in the next few days with additional information regarding their accounts and where to obtain services subsequent to the closures.

For employees expected to be affected by the branch closures, First Interstate is working diligently to minimize the impact through job placement in the consolidated organization. Those employees without an opportunity for continued employment will be offered separation pay and outplacement services.

First Interstate Bancsystem is a financial services holding company, headquartered in Billings, with $7.6 billion in assets as of March 31, 2014.