Great Western Bank

Great Western Bank was established on August 5, 1935, as the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Watertown in South Dakota. Over the decades, the bank underwent several name changes, including becoming Farmers and Merchants Bank and Trust of Watertown in 1967, and later rebranding to F&M Bank in 1996. The bank expanded through various acquisitions, including notable purchases such as American Federal Bank in Madison, South Dakota in 1996, and First Savings and Loan Association of South Dakota in 1998. In 2003, the institution officially changed its name to Great Western Bank and continued its growth strategy with further acquisitions, including Home Federal Bank in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 2016, and TierOne Bank in Lincoln, Nebraska in 2010, among others. On February 1, 2022, Great Western Bank merged with First Interstate Bank, based in Billings, Montana, marking a significant milestone in its history. The bank's main office moved to 225 South Main Avenue, Sioux Falls, South Dakota on July 5, 2017.

Below is a list of some important events in banks history, including mergers and acquisitions.

1935-08-05Institution established. Original name: Farmers and Merchants Bank of Watertown.

1967-03-07Changed Institution Name to Farmers and Merchants Bank and Trust of Watertown.

1978-12-19Acquired First Security Bank in Morristown, SD.

1996-06-03Changed Institution Name to F&m Bank.

1996-06-03Acquired American Federal Bank, A Federal Savings Bank in Madison, SD.

1998-03-27Acquired First Savings and Loan Association of South Dakota, Inc. in Aberdeen, SD.

2001-03-30Acquired Founders Trust National Bank in Sioux Falls, SD.

2002-03-01Acquired Marquette Bank Nebraska, National Association in O'neill, Ne.

2002-03-01Acquired First Western Bank, National Association in Atkinson, NE.

2003-03-03Changed Institution Name to Great Western Bank.

2003-05-30Acquired Great Western Bank in Rapid City, SD.

2006-02-04Acquired Security Bank, Madison, South Dakota in Madison, SD.

2007-01-12Acquired Great Western Bank in Clive, IA.

2007-01-12Acquired Great Western Bank in Omaha, NE.

2007-05-11Acquired Sunstate Bank in Casa Grande, AZ.

2009-05-29Acquired International Bank in Greeley, CO.

2010-04-23Acquired F&m Bank-Iowa Central in Marshalltown, IA.

2010-06-04Acquired TierOne Bank in Lincoln, NE as part of a government assisted merger.

2012-06-22Acquired First Federal Savings Bank of Iowa in Fort Dodge, IA.

2016-05-16Acquired Home Federal Bank in Sioux Falls, SD.

2017-07-05Main Office moved to 225 S. Main Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57104.

2022-02-01Merged and became part of First Interstate Bank in Billings, MT.