issues. Early in 2020, Opportunity Bank responded quickly and generously to support the needs of our employees. Prior to any government reimbursement, the Bank created a bank of special COVID-19 paid time off to provide employees with paid leave, separate from vacation/sick leave already provided to employees. The Bank has continued to “refresh” this special time off in 2021, and it is still available for employees in 2022. Upwards of $100,000 have been paid to 150 different employees for COVID-related paid leave. Growth 2021 also saw the bank poised for continued growth with the announcement of an agreement to acquire First Community Bank, headquartered in Glasgow. With the acquisition complete, Opportunity Bank will grow approximately 25% in assets, and add branches in six new communities for the bank. The closing of the acquisition is expected in May 2022. Investment in Helena In 2021, Opportunity Bank announced plans to build a 20,000 square-foot operations center in Helena on the site of the former Capitol Hill Mall. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2022. Ultimately, 65 bank employees will work in the new building, bringing many local departments under one roof. • Opportunity Bank employees will benefit from a state-of-the-art 99-seat training facility. • There are plans to have the training space available to the public for meetings and events. • The building is an investment in the Helena economy, using local design, engineering and construction teams. “We’re really proud of our culture. That’s why we love being so involved in the community,” Johnson said in addressing Chamber guests. “It felt kind of like old home week up here … you don’t have to go very far to get a connection.” Opportunity Bank of Montana is headquartered in Helena, Montana, with 24 locations across the state. In business since 1922, the bank offers a full line of personal, commercial and agricultural banking products with online and mobile banking services. The bank employs over 400 people, all working in support of the mission To Provide Strong Financial Futures for Montanans. For more information, contact Katie Walsh, Marketing Director at (406) 457-4056 or katiewalsh@oppbank.com. Together, let ’s make it happen. Craig McCandless Call me at 406.850.3790 Based out of Billings, Mont. serving Montana, Wyoming and Idaho Why choose Bell as your bank’s lending partner? Leverage our large lending capacity, up to $20 million on correspondent loans. Our lending limits are high enough to accommodate what you need, when you need it. We do not reparticipate any loans. ■ Commercial & ag participation loans ■ Bank stock & ownership losses ■ Bank building financing ■ Business & personal loans for bankers EQUAL HOUSING LENDER Member FDIC 28934 22 The Community Banker mibonline.org
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