Bank celebrates grand opening with scholarship donation

Stockman Bank is carrying a long legacy into Kalispell with the recent opening of its first Flathead location at 1 South Main Street.

The community bank, which only operates in Montana, started in Miles City in 1953.

Founder Bill Nefsy, a rancher and entrepreneur, was frustrated when he found himself denied loans at the only two banks in town. He decided to remedy the situation by purchasing a controlling interest in Miles City Bank. That decision paved the way for Stockman Bank in Kalispell more than a half century later.

“We’re the beneficiaries of 70 years of hard work,” said Joe Kola, President of Stockman Bank Kalispell.

Stockman Bank quietly opened in Kalispell in early January, the 36th Stockman Bank location in the state. The bank has plans to open another branch in Whitefish, at the intersection of U.S. 93 South and West 13th Street. Crews are expected to break ground there in early spring, and Kola said they are looking at a 15 to 18-month build time.

After that, Kola said Stockman Bank hopes to add more buildings in Kalispell, modeled after the complex the bank operates in Missoula.

Kalispell, Kola said, was a “conspicuous blank spot” on the map of Stockman Bank locations in the state.

“The time was right to fill it in,” he said.

Kalispell’s recent growth made it an attractive location for Stockman Bank to expand. In particular, the corner of Main Street drew the attention of the bank’s leadership, because the organization has a history of building brick and steel banks on the corner of main streets throughout Montana communities. For many years, these structures have been a symbol of progress for small towns and cities throughout the state.

Kola called the 1 South Main building “the corner of opportunity in downtown Kalispell.”

The building wasn’t always such a beacon of opportunity. RE/MAX Glacier Country was driven out of its offices there by a mysterious fire in July 2019. Owner Paul Roybal sought a new owner for years before Stockman Bank took on renovations to move in its 11-person staff.

“It’s a great space,” Kola said. “It all came together.”

With windows overlooking Main Street, Depot Park and the new Kalispell Parkline Trail, Stockman Bank’s new offices provide an ideal vantage point for Kola and his team to oversee the development of the city.

It’s a good fit for Kola, who grew up in Kalispell and spent 21 years across the street at First Interstate Bank. He’s excited for Stockman Bank to play a role in shaping the next hundred years in his hometown, he said.

During its Grand Opening event, Stockman Bank presented a $25,000 check to Flathead Valley Community College for a scholarship fund. Kola hopes that by efforts like this to provide capital to the evolving area, Stockman Bank can help make “downtown Kalispell as vibrant as it can be.”

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at 406-758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com.