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Carra Lin, Westaf ’s Oice Manager, was born and raised in Taiwan. Ater receiving her bachelor’s degree in Japanese from Providence University in Taiwan, she traveled to the U.S. to study business at the University of Montana. She later achieved her MBA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. As the Oice Manager, Lin says she deals with accounting and payroll and generally tries to make sure everything is on track. When asked what it’s like working with three other ladies, Lin said jokingly, “Imagine four sisters…we have the quiet one, the responsible one, the boisterous one, and the bossy one. hough I reckon at times we are all a bit of each.”
Hurley serves as Branch Manager for Westaf.
Ater earning a bachelor’s degree in English from
Southern Oregon University, she worked in real
estate for 6 years before landing a job with Lee
Enterprises where she irst met Edmunds. he pair
instantly clicked and Edmunds later convinced
Hurley to come work with her. Hurley does a little
bit of everything at Westaf—from overseeing
policies to monitoring daily operations. For her,
the best part of her job is when an associate calls to
say they’ve found their dream job. “hat makes you
feel pretty awesome,” she said.
Wilkinson is a local Carroll College graduate
with a bachelor’s degree in communication and
a Masters in Communication from San Diego
State University. Ater working for Westaf as a
temp, Wilkinson was hired on permanently as
the Recruiter. She is responsible for interviewing
all the applicants and matching them with an
employer. She explained that communication plays
a huge role in that process. “We work on building
good relationships with the employer and putting
their needs irst.”
Westaff
sunday | march 29, 2015 an advertising supplement to the PAGE 1
Helena’sProfessionalRecruiting Team
WeStaffMT.com • 406-443-7169
the ir’s quarterly look
at new and growing
businesses
in the Helena area.spring 2015
Westaf was founded in 1987 by Jim and Nancy
Nys as a staing agency and HR consulting irm.
Ater 28 years of successful business, Jim and
Nancy decided to make a fresh start for themselves
and hand over the reins to Michelle Edmunds,
who served as an HR consultant and manager
since 2012. According to Edmunds, Jim and Nancy
had been grooming her to take over the business
since she started working for them. In January of
this year, Michelle oicially assumed her new role
as the new owner of Westaf. Michelle is grateful
to Jim and Nancy Nys for building a successful
business and allowing her the opportunity she now
has.
Jim Nys continues to work side by side with
Edmunds as a mentor and together the pair
consults their human resource clients.
Edmunds brings a wealth of human resource
knowledge and experience to the agency. She holds
a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources
and Industrial Relations from the Carlson School
of Management--University of Minnesota. She
worked for Great Harvest Franchising, Inc. and
traveled all over the country performing HR
training and general business consulting for the
new franchise owners. Ater her husband, Chris,
landed a job in Helena with Boeing the pair made
the move here in 2010. Jim Nys later recruited
Michelle to work at Westaf which laid the road
map for where she is today. Chris Edmunds serves
as an oicer within the business while continuing
his work with Boeing.
Edmunds was born and raised playing hockey
in northern Minnesota and skiing in Montana.
Her mom was born in Butte and Michelle grew
up visiting family in Bozeman, “It feels great to
have the opportunity to grow my own roots in
Montana.”
Edmunds attributes her business success to
the three other ladies she works alongside daily.
According to Edmunds, their combined education,
longevity and passion make Westaf one of, if not
the most, knowledgeable staing agencies in the
state of Montana.
Michelle Edmunds, SPHR Sr. HR Consultant/Owner
Melody HurleyBranch Manager
Carra Lin, MBAOffice Manager
Corinne Wilkinson, MACRecruiter
For the all-female team at Westaff, their confidence and knowledge base
shatters any doubts they have about their ability to do it all—for themselves,
for the employers, and job seekers in the Helena community.
Our only
limitations are the
ones we build in
our minds.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY ABOUT WESTAFF...
Rian Miller, Department of Revenue“I have had the opportunity to work with Westaff for the past 5 years, hiring dozens of temporary employees at one time for multiple positions. Westaff is a breath of fresh air in a time that customer service seems to be a lost idea to many. The em-ployees at Westaff work diligently every day to assist us in every aspect of our hir-ing needs. I would truly recommend them to anyone who is looking to hire tempo-rary staff. I hope to do a great deal of busi-ness with them in the future.”
Kate Logsdon, Wipfli, LLP [formerly Galusha, Higgins & Galusha, PC]
“The staff at Westaff has been fabulous for Galusha! We love working with them. They are positive, helpful, and most of all send us great staff for our office!”
Jenny Yannone, Owner of The Sewing Palace“Working with Westaff has been a great asset to my business. They have provided excellent counsel for running a sound busi-ness. I would highly recommend Westaff for your human resources and staffing needs.”
Regardless of their recent transitions, Westaff’s mission, of providing essential people with the right jobs and businesses with the right
employees, remains the same.
833 Great Northern Blvd. Helena, MT 59601
406 495 0677 •www.silverstarsteakco.com
FOR VOTING US BEST STEAK
THANK YOU HELENA
FrancoisGeneral Manager
BAR FOR A STIFF POUR | BLOODY MARY
OUTDOOR DINING
SEAFOOD | RESTAURANT
BAR FOOD | DESSERT
A rich, inviting atmosphere, anendless wine list, quality serviceand fantastic steaks, seafood,burgers, salads and more.
AND FOR VOTING US
AS ONE OF THE BEST
the ir’s quarterly look
at new and growing
businesses
in the Helena area.
SPRING 2015
sunday | march 29, 2015 an advertising supplement to the PAGE 2
Silver Star
Since opening its
doors in 2002,
Silver Star Steak
Company has
built a reputation for
serving up gourmet
steaks, fresh seafood and
sophisticated drinks in a
warm, rich atmosphere.
This past December,
Francois Zanni was
brought on as the new
general manager not only
to carry on Silver Star’s
well established legacy
but also to build upon
it in new and innovative
ways.
Francois is a fourth generation restauranteur and French chef. He grew up in the French Alps where he attended culinary school and honed his skills. He later moved to southern California where his family owned several French restaurants. Francois, himself, owned and operated a restaurant for 21 years. His family’s desire for a change of scenery, however, brought Francois to Montana and his current position at Silver Star. While he’s only been manning the helm for a few short months, Francois is already hard at work expanding their menu and adding special events.
Silver Star may be known for its steaks, but it also boasts a reputable seafood selection. It was voted as one of the best for seafood in the 2014 Best of Helena competition. Francois will be expanding the seafood entrees in the near future to follow up this recognition. While he admits that the restaurant’s main dishes are already top notch, he wants to focus on bringing the same attention to detail to the side dishes now. Francois explained that when one element is executed poorly, you lose the efect of the entire meal. New appetizers, like fusion beef tips and blackened fried pickles, will be added to the lounge menu along with a happy hour from 4 – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Dessert lovers will be happy to know that Francois is also adding some new dessert options.
Francois explained that one of the attractants to Silver Star is its reined atmosphere. To further highlight that fact, the restaurant will start featuring live music every Sunday night with rotating musicians. Also, on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, a wine tasting event will
be held downstairs in the Governor’s room. If you feel ready to embrace your inner-Sommelier, reserve your spot by emailing to [email protected].
When it comes to ine dining, Silver Star is a Helena staple. Whether you’re a regular visitor or haven’t dropped by in a while, know that it is being restored to a new and even more glorious state.
A sampling of Seafood from our menu...
Seared Alaskan SalmonPistachio crusted, fresh caught salmon, seared. Served with dried cherry sauce.
Coconut ShrimpFive large shrimp encrusted with shredded coconut and lightly fried. Served with sesame snap peas and an apricot jalapeno sauce.
Porcini Dusted Stuffed HalibutHalibut filet stuffed with cream cheese, crab, shrimp, and green onions served with chef’s vegetables.
King Crab LegsCanadian Jumbo King Crab poached in a lemon seasoned crab boil served with drawn butter, chef’s vegetables, and your choice of potato. Go ahead and indulge!
sunday | march 29, 2015 an advertising supplement to the PAGE 3
the ir’s quarterly look
at new and growing
businesses
in the Helena area.spring 2015
buildingexcellence.building
community.
www.HelenaBIA.com
*HOW IT’S DONE
HBIA*3180 D redge Drive, Ste B • Helena, MT • 406-449-3358
Helena Building Industry
About HBIAhe Helena Building Industry Association (HBIA) is a professional trade
association whose purpose is to improve and protect the construction industry and business climate in which it operates. he HBIA’s 175+ member companies collectively employ nearly six thousand people in Central Montana, and produce community-wide events such as the Annual Parade of Homes and the Annual Builder’s Home Show & Lifestyle Expo.
Members of HBIA are also members of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Montana Building Industry Association (MBIA). his three-tiered federation of industry associations provides members with political inluence, networking, recognition and educational opportunities to better operate their business.
he Association has always been a strong advocate for the home building industry. With the three-tiered membership federation of national, state and local associations, each level is always working to protect the industry through favorable legislation and, if necessary, legal avenues.
HBIA is proud to help community organizations and projects. In the past year, Members have donated their time and services to Helena Habitat for Humanity, Homes for Our Troops, Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds, Girl Scouts of America and many other organizations.
For up-to-date information about the Helena Building Industry Association, including a membership directory, event information and helpful links to other resources, visit www.helenabia.com.
Our MissionWE ARE AN ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS PEOPLE DRAWN TOGETHER
BY HOME BUILDING, WORKING TO RAISE THE STANDARDS OF THE BUILDING INDUSTRY THROUGH EDUCATION AND CIVIC
INVOLVEMENT FOR THE BETTERMENT AND POSITIVE GROWTH OF OUR COMMUNITY AND INDUSTRY.
2015 HBIA Executive Board of DirectorsPresident – Ben Wilson, Sears
1st Vice President – Adam Senechal, Golden Eagle Construction
2nd Vice President – Rob Martin, Great Divide Home Builders
Secretary/Treasurer - Bill Cockhill, First Interstate Bank
Immediate Past President – Brian Beason, Beason Enterprises
2015 HBIA Board of DirectorsMike Hughes – Mike Hughes Builders
Corey Hill – Mann Mortgage
Mike MaGee – The CAT Rental Store
Mark Runkle – Mountain View Meadows
Kevin Horne – Helena Sand & Gravel
Dustin Landstrom – Montana City Plumbing
Ex-Officio Board MembersToni Lake – Chicago Title
Tina Peterson – Big Sky Brokers
BUILDING EXCELLENCE BUILDING COMMUNITY
SAVE the DATEHBIA ANNUAL PARADE OF HOMES
September 11-13, 2015
NAHB Associates CommitteeHonors Dedicated Members
JANUARy 21, 2015 - hree longtime members of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) were honored this morning for their professionalism, political engagement, volunteer activities and service to the industry.
Presented by the NAHB Associates Committee, the Builders Engaging Associate Members (BEAM) award went to Mike Hughes of Mike Hughes Builders in Helena, Mont. he BEAM award is given to a builder member who values doing business with Associates: trade partners, suppliers and service providers who are also members of the NAHB federation.
Over 70 percent of Hughes’ subcontractors are associate members, and he has even developed a system to increase interest among his fellow builders in doing business with associates.
Hughes led a 2008 membership drive that recruited 260 new members to the Helena Building Industry Association, doubling its size. He recruits his subcontractors, suppliers and competitors to join the association. Six of his former employees own their own businesses and because of his recruiting eforts, they are now active associate members.
he Associates Committee also honored Kathy Craven Snodgrass of Piedmont Natural Gas Co. in Winston-Salem, N.C., as the Bill Polley Advocate of BUILD-PAC. he Bill Polley Award is given to an Associate member who advocates for BUILD-PAC on the local, state and national levels. Winners are recognized for their energy, enthusiasm and ability to recruit contributors to help build up the PAC’s resources.
Snodgrass is a Gold Key member and President’s Circle contributor and has spent the past 25 years raising funds for BUILD-PAC on the local, state and national levels. She has also actively attends legislative conferences and participates in home oice visits to educate legislators on state and national building issues. In 2013, she brought in 50 new contributors, while in 2014 she helped raise NAHB Build-PAC funds at the annual North Carolina HBA PAC drive. As a Senior Oicer of her state association, she helped raise over $20,000 for North Carolina Home Builders Association Build-PAC in one week. She is a member of the Home Builders Association of Winston-Salem.
Finally, the committee named Dianne Beaton of 2DiFore Marketing Solutions LLC in Manchester, N.H., as NAHB’s Associate of the year. his award recognizes Associate members who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to the home building industry on the local, state and national level.
Beaton, member of the Greater Manchester/Nashua Home Builders & Remodelers Association, is very involved in NAHB at the local, state and national levels, including serving on committees, working groups and task forces. She has chaired numerous HBA committees and has received many awards for her dedication and distinguished service to the association including her state’s Special President’s Award and Associate Member of the year Award.
“Mike, Kathy and Dianne are very deserving of these awards,” said Associates Committee Chair Kim Hefner-Hines, GM of Allen Homes in Harrisburg, S.D. “hey are outstanding representatives for NAHB because of their dedication to the industry and their professionalism they demonstrate day in and day out.”
the ir’s quarterly look
at new and growing
businesses
in the Helena area.
spring 2015
sunday | march 29, 2015 an advertising supplement to the PAGE 4
ApexFirst Interstate Bank
Carla A. Fuller, DVMCollege of Idaho, BS, 1987Washington State University, DVM, 1995
Carla Fuller was born and raised in Caldwell, a small town near Boise, Idaho. She attended the College of Idaho, where she was an Honors Scholar and double majored in biology and psychology. During her undergraduate training she spent three months in Queensland, Australia studying biology, ecology and natural history. She graduated cum laude in 1987.
She married Stuart Fuller in 1988. hey moved to Eugene, Oregon where Stuart inished his undergraduate degree and then on to Missoula where Stuart worked toward his Master’s degree. While in Missoula, Carla worked at the Missoula Humane Society and for the Missoula Veterinary Clinic.
In 1991 she began veterinary school at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. At WSU, Carla was involved in the Pet-People-Partnership Program, which embraces the human animal bond. She certiied her dog and cat and regularly visited local nursing homes, where Ace, the cat, was a big hit. She graduated in 1995 and moved to Helena.
Carla has been practicing in the Helena area since 1995, and has a special interest in sot tissue surgery, behavior and the human animal bond.
She has been participating in therapy dog activities in the local community since 2002, primarily taking her dogs to visit the kids at Shodair. hrough her mini aussies (Rupert, Sprocket, Jane and Lizzie), she has trained many years in agility. At her dogs’ peak, they went to North American Championships (NADAC). hey also allowed her to train in a wide range of activities including basic obedience, rally obedience, herding, treiball, and freestyle. She has helped to teach classes in agility, obedience, and reactive dog management.
In 2008 their only child, Fiona, was born and life has been more chaotic, fulilling and exciting ever since. Carla has been volunteering at her school, and loving every minute of it!
She enjoys hiking, backpacking, camping, knitting, spinning, basket weaving and every thing dog related. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
It’s the place you’ll call home.Our experienced staf can help you
get the job done right. First time homebuying success—it’s you and together.
MORTGAGE REVIEWS AND HOME LOANS
COMPETITIVE RATES • FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER PROGRAMS
ONLINE APPLICATIONS • INSTANT PREQUALIFICATIONS • REFINANCING
RANDY HOAG | NMLS 1043618, O: 556-4924, C: 459-9053
BILL COCKHILL | NMLS 747566, O: 457-7169, C: 422-2245
JUSTIN WIGEN | NMLS 838902, O: 457-7144, C: 533-5787
It’s more thanjust a mortgage.
irstinterstate.com
Our Business Hours Are:
7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Monday – Friday
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Saturday
24 Hour Emergency
Service Available
WHERE YOUR
PET’S HEALTH IS
OUR TOP PRIORITY
WHERE YOUR
PET’S HEALTH IS
OUR TOP PRIORITY
4195 N. Montana Ave.Helena
449-4455www.apex-animal-hospital.com
• PEN N Hip –x-ray
• Digital x-ray
• Diagnostic Ultrasound
• Neuter/Spay
• Dentals
• Vaccinations
• Orthopedic Surgeries
• Soft Tissue Surgeries
• Exotics – Pet Care
• Fracture Repair
• Acupuncture
• K9 Education
• Canine Physical Rehabilitation
• Echocardiogram
We offer:
H E L E N A L I F E S T Y L E S
Cross Cut will be the new monthly section from
the Independent Record outlining Helena’s vibrant
lifestyle. This section will bring our readers all of what
it means to live, work and play in Helena. Each edition
will feature a great feature article, an abundance of
local photography, interviews with local newsmakers,
engaging “Man on the Street” interviews and local
columnists.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR
TO SCHEDULE AN AD CALL
Lisa Kuntz .......................................... 447-4062
Shawna Swanz .................................... 447-4025
Rebecca Bruno ................................... 447-4022
Michelle Scott ..................................... 447-4031
Michaelle Yaeger ................................. 447-4044
Publishes
the first saturday
of every month
sunday | March 29, 2015 an advertising supplement to the PAGE 5
Green Meadow
Country ClubA 2 Z Helping Helena’s Heros
WE MATCH
WITH
+ Professional
+ Administrative
+ Technical and Scientiic
+ Industrial and ConstructionBusinesses
+ Temporary
+ Temporary-To-Hire
+ Direct Hire/Recruitment
+ eServices
+ Payrolling (Certiied)
+ Customized Solutions
+ On-Site Management
WE WORK for youfor BuSINESSES | for EMPLoyEES
for THE MoNTANA ECoNoMy
WE OFFER
OVER1100JOBS MATCHED
IN 2014 wITH ovEr
760MONTANANS
Workforce lexibility,
employment prospects and
recruitment solutions statewide
through eServices and proven
processes every time
406.443.7664
The only WBENC women-owned certiiedstaing agency in Montana & ACA Compliant
a2zmontana.com
mismatched?
Join now and receive
Reduced Initiation FeeThrough June 1
Visit us Today to learn more
(406) 475-0799gmcchelena.com
Membership Options:
• Golf Member:
Full Access to ALLClub Facilities
•Social Fitness Member:
Access to Dining,Fitness Room andSwimming Pool
•Social Member:
Access to DiningFacilities
• Well Manicured Golf Course • Fine Dining• Family Swimming Pool • Fitness Center
A Great Place to Belong!
For more information
on Helping Helena’s
Heroes please contact
the Courchane Group
Associates at 406-422-1688www.helpinghelenasheroes.com
Kyle Courchane 406-461-4742
Josh Dupler 406-431-7809
G. R. Swede Anderson 406-266-3171
Karen Goldsberry 406-438-2557
MikeWright 406-475-0777
Courchane Group Associates
at Real Estate of Montana LLP
1235 Birch Street Suite 1
Helena, MT 59601
the ir’s quarterly look
at new and growing
businesses
in the Helena area.
spring 2015
Helping Helena’s Heroes Inc. is a non-proit organization designed to give back to the heroes who sellessly serve our community by providing those heroes with inancial assistance in the purchase of a primary residence.
Courchane Group Associates in Association with Real Estate of Montana are the main point of contact to provide a streamlined home buying process with the Helping Helena’s Heroes Inc. partners. Partners are Rocky Mountain Bank, Rocky Mountain Credit Union, Capital Transfer & Storage, Helena Home Inspections, Inspect-It 1st, Eagle View, Harvest Cleaning Service, Certiied Radon Mitigation, Chicago Title, he Blind Guy, Red Dog Painting, Aaron’s, Sears, Big Sky Vidyo, Dr. Lube, Salon Of Broadway, Wojciechowski Counseling Services, JoAnn Fabric and Crat Store, It Works, and Edward Jones.
A hero that qualiies is someone who is a member of law enforcement, ire ighters, irst responders, emergency workers, educators, members or all military branches and anyone who sellessly serves our community.
2015 is Green Meadow Country
Club’s Centennial Anniversary Golf in Helena began with a set of golf holes being
constructed in the year 1900 at Fort Harrison. In 1915, those links became known as the Helena Country Club. Our roots, documents, members, organizers, and oicers from this Helena Country Club are the founding fathers of GMCC. his group of golfers, in 1915, constructed the golf course called Helena Country Club at Pine Hills which was located west of town to the north of Highway 12 in the neighborhood of the Baxendale Fire Station
In 1944, members of the Montana Club voted to purchase acreage belonging to Mrs. Harry W. Child and the Green Meadow Country Club was founded. In 1945 construction of a nine hole golf course began and was opened in 1946, the nine hole golf course opened as the Green Meadow Golf Course. he Club was operated by the Montana Club until 1970 when the two clubs parted ways and began operating independently.
Construction began on the second nine holes in 1974 and was open for play in 1976. he Club constructed a modern club house in 1981, replaced and updated the irrigation system in 1997 and built our modern day club house including the swimming pool and itness room and opened it in 2008.
Green Meadow is a private country club with three membership options:
• Our Golf Membership includes unlimited access to the golf course, the itness room and swimming pool as well as dining in our beautiful Club House.
• Our Social Fitness Memberships have the beneit of using our itness room and dining in our Club House year round and access to our swimming pool during the summer.
• Our Social Members enjoy our unique menu selections that are prepared by our professional executive chef in our casual dining atmosphere on the patio during the summer and in our Club House dining room and lounge all year long.
Green Meadow has enjoyed much success in recent years and continues with an outstanding membership base and ongoing improvements. We ofer more amenities to the golfer and non-golfer alike with our recent Club House renovations. Green Meadow members can attest to the outstanding customer care and the immense value of being part of our Club. It’s an exciting time at Green Meadow Country Club.
The Hearing Place
Two Locations to Serve You
www.hearingplacemt.com
1301 11th Ave. So.Great Falls, MT406‐452‐2437
2646 Winne Ave.Helena MT406‐502‐2021
Hearing Exam
ALL DAY EVERY DAY
Our Hearing Care Professionalare here to help you!
Call for
Sue Sherman Pat Fournier Rob Berg Lisa Leanna
Hear what your loved oneshave to say...
*MSRP
Helen Keller said, “Blindness you lose touch with things; deafness you lose touch with people.” he staf at he Hearing Place in Helena, is helping reconnect the hearing impaired to the people around them through the git of specialized hearing aids.
he Hearing Place is new to Helena, having just opened in November 2014; however, the business began in 2003 in Great Falls. Pat Fournier, the Hearing Place president, founded the business and decided to open a second location in Helena in order to bring better product variety and service to the Helena community.
What makes he Hearing Place unique is that they ofer eight premium brands of hearing aids. heir goal is to ofer the best technology at prices that beat out most of their competitors, even the big box stores and internet. And they do it all with an unprecedented level of service that’s hard to beat.
While there’s a certain stigma associated with wearing hearing aids, oice manager, Sue Sherman, pointed out that a lot of brands sold today are practically invisible. “Hearing aids have come a long ways,” said Sherman. “hey’re not like your grandma and grandpa’s hearing aids.” She explained that there are even some brands that function like a Bluetooth. hey utilize wireless technology to deliver sound from phone, computer, or even TV, straight into a person’s ear in high deinition. Some smart phones can even be used as a remote. here is even a model of hearing aid today with no batteries to change, is worn 24/7, and totally invisible.
Ever committed to their clients, according to Sherman, he Hearing Place implemented a “pay it forward” program where people can drop of hearing aids they no longer need. hese are then refurbished, reprogrammed and given to qualifying individuals who would not be able to aford them otherwise.
he Hearing Place does more than provide hearing aids. It reconnects people to the world around them. “he reward at the end of the day,” said Sherman,” is when a patient calls in excited about their new ability to hear things they haven’t heard in a long time, such as birds and their grandchildren.”
Y Y
Your Local Bank.Your Opportunity.
1400 Prospect Ave.28 Neill Ave.
2090 Cromwell Dixon Ln.
Proudly Serving HelenaSince 1922.
opportunitybank.com
Opportunity Bank
We too often look
to the future
with trepidation
and uncertainty.
Opportunity Bank of Montana strives
to relieve this anxiety and provide
its members with strong financial
futures they can rest assured in.Opportunity Bank of Montana has proudly served
Montanans for over 90 years; however, not always under the same name. he bank has long been known as American Federal Savings Bank. But on October 14, 2014, the bank switched from being a federally chartered savings and loan institution to a state chartered commercial bank under the new name of Opportunity Bank of Montana. According to Pete Johnson, bank president and CEO, there were a couple of reasons for the change.
As a federally chartered savings and loan, the bank was previously required to hold 60 percent of their assets in mortgages, mortgage-related securities and other assets that met a regulatory qualiication. Since all of the bank’s competitors were commercial banks and lacked those restrictions, Opportunity Bank found themselves at a disadvantage that afected its
customers. Also, as a federal thrit, their primary banking regulator was located in Washington D.C. By changing their charter, Opportunity Bank is now able to compete more efectively with other banks, better serve local communities and deal with a local bank regulator right here in Helena.
Other than the required name change and bank regulator switch, the bank’s mission and commitment to its customers has stayed true to tradition. Johnson explained that the bank’s primary approach to business is providing products and services that are in the customer’s best interest. “We ind solutions for our customers that it their needs, which sometimes requires out of the box answers,” said Johnson. “We realize that a cookie cutter approach doesn’t provide the right result.”
Opportunity Bank’s 90 year plus success derives from several factors. One is their conservative approach to managing risk, which helps establish the customer’s peace of mind and sense of security about their inancial future. “We are always mindful of the fact that our greatest asset is the trust and loyalty of our customers,” said Johnson. he bank also prides themselves on great employees and strong leadership. Johnson pointed out that several of the bank’s employees have been there for 20 years or more. “hat longevity produces a consistent approach to customer service,” said Johnson.
While Opportunity Bank of Montana has grown and changed throughout the years, its unwavering commitment to its customer has remained. “We understand that our success depends on the success of our communities and our customers,” said Johnson.
the ir’s quarterly look
at new and growing
businesses
in the Helena area.
spring 2015
sunday | march 29, 2015 an advertising supplement to the PAGE 6
Insert Date • April 26
Sales Deadline • April 6
at HOME in Helena
information about buying, sellingand maintaining your home
COMING
SOON!
At HOME in Helena is the Independent Record’s annual house and home magazine. This publication includes information on buying, selling, and maintaining a home. This full color gloss publication is a great way to showcase your home-related products and services in print.
A portion of At HOME in Helena is dedicated to Yard & Garden with landscaping and gardening tips–just in time for spring.
information about buying, selling, and maintaining your Helena home APRIL 2013
Gardening tips for beginners
Homein Helena
at
Popular remodeling trends for spring home improvement
tips to take your homefrom FOR SALE to SOLD
5
Shoppingfor a
FIREPIT
For more information or to schedule an ad call
Lisa Kuntz .............................. 447-4062
Shawna Swanz ....................... 447-4025
Michelle Scott ......................... 447-4031
Rebecca Bruno ...................... 447-4022
Michaelle Yaeger ..................... 447-4044
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