Freedom Bank is Focused on You
- (406) 892-1776
- Routing # 092905456
Columbia Falls, MT – In an inspiring display of both business growth and physical agility, Freedom Bank has officially outgrown its office space, prompting an innovative solution: relocating the Bank President’s desk to the mezzanine level above the teller line.
Bennett admiring the Freedom Bank lobby from his new office atop the mezzanine.
President Don Bennett, a staunch advocate for open-door policies (now an open-air policy), has reassured customers that he remains as accessible as ever… provided they’re willing to scale a fifteen-foot ladder to reach him.
“For years, I’ve said my door is always open,” Bennett said, shouting slightly to be heard over the customers below. “And now, my entire office is open!”
Hauf on Bennett’s shoulders to mount the American flag on the trailer bank in 2005.
No stranger to defying gravity, Bennett earned his pilot’s license in his early twenties and promptly used it to impress his now-wife, Barbra, by whisking her into the skies in a Cessna 172. “He told me he wanted to show me the world from a new perspective,” Barbra recalled. “In hindsight, I should have realized that meant he would eventually run a bank from a balcony.”
Bennett’s history of altitude-related decision-making doesn’t stop there. In 2005, he successfully convinced Board member Ron Hauf to scale the bank’s temporary headquarters – affectionately referred to as “the trailer bank” – to mount an American flag. “He has an uncanny ability to always look toward the horizon,” Hauf said. “And now that I think about it, that might just be because he’s physically higher than the rest of us most of the time.” Hauf, pointing to an old photograph with him on Bennett’s shoulders for the stunt, added, “But hey, at least he believes in lifting others up.”
Tin can phone system.
To accommodate various levels of customer comfort, the bank has introduced two communication options: an extension ladder leading up to Bennett’s desk for those who prefer a face-to-face experience, and a state-of-the-art tin can telephone system for those less inclined toward heights. “The string is top-of-the-line,” Bennett assured skeptics. “Very little lag.”
Longtime loan customer Frank Delaney attempted the ladder climb to discuss financing for his expanding business but abandoned the mission halfway up. “I made it to the third rung, and that was plenty,” he said. “Luckily, I was able to holler my concerns up to Don, and he hollered back.”
In an effort to streamline communications even further, the bank is considering implementing a pulley system for document exchanges and a megaphone for addressing customer inquiries. Additionally, for the safety-conscious, Freedom Bank is proud to introduce a complimentary parachute policy for first-time ladder climbers. “We want our customers to feel secure, both financially and physically,” Bennett explained. “The parachutes are small, but they should slow folks down enough to enable a graceful landing near the fireplace.”
Bank employees have mixed feelings about the change. Lead Teller Lisa Decker reports occasional heart palpitations when Bennett leans too far over the mezzanine’s ledge to pass down loan advance slips. “I appreciate how engaged he is,” Decker said, “but I’d appreciate it more if he wore a safety harness.”
Despite logistical concerns, Bennett remains enthusiastic about the setup. “It’s a symbol of how high we’re aiming as a bank,” he said, standing triumphantly atop his new executive perch.
For now, the citizens of Columbia Falls will have to adjust to their high-flying banking experience – just be sure to hold the ladder steady for the next customer in line.
This year marks a significant milestone for Freedom Bank as we celebrate our 20th anniversary. Since opening our doors in 2005, we’ve been dedicated to growing alongside you and supporting local businesses and initiatives.
We invite all community members to participate in our 20th-anniversary events. Your support has been the cornerstone of our success, and we can’t wait to celebrate this achievement with you. Stay connected with us through our website and social media channels for event updates and more information.
📅 Monday, April 7 through Thursday, April 10: Stop by the bank for coffee, cookies, and opportunities to win in our daily drawings and giveaways.
🍔 Friday, April 11: Join us for a celebratory BBQ starting at 11:00AM. We’ll be serving up hot dogs and hamburgers—rain, shine, or even snow!
As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to the values that have guided us for the past 20 years: personalized service, community involvement, and financial solutions tailored to your needs. We look forward to continuing our journey with you, fostering growth and prosperity in Columbia Falls and beyond.
Through the gift of a new toy or book, Marine Toys for Tots’ programs deliver joy and send a message of hope to America’s disadvantaged children.
Freedom Bank is a donation site, accepting toys and books for children up to 16 years old. New, unwrapped gifts can be dropped off between November 1 and December 17, 2024 at Freedom Bank; 530 9TH ST W, Columbia Falls, MT 59912.
Every child deserves to experience holiday joy. Last year, the Marine Toys for Tots Program fulfilled the Christmas holiday dreams of nearly 10 million children in need. If you prefer to make a monetary donation, you can do so on the local website: https://columbia-falls-mt.toysfortots.org/
The Annual Snack Drive for Boys & Girls Clubs of Glacier Country is running from May 22nd to June 2nd, 2023.
Freedom Bank is accepting non-perishable donated snacks and juice boxes for the children of Boys & Girls Clubs of Glacier Country. Boys & Girls Clubs serve many school-aged children. They work with children after school during the school year. They also work with children during the summer all day. Snacks are always a wonderful way to fuel children so they can continue to learn.
Sizes of items do not have to be individual small sizes; large or bulk sizes are acceptable also.
All types of snacks are welcome. Here is a list to inspire (but not limit) your generosity:
Snack donations are being collected in the lobby of Freedom Bank at 930 9TH ST W in Columbia Falls.
Please contact the Bank with any questions by calling 406-892-1776 and asking for Amy.
The community celebration began in 1956 to mark the prosperity brought about by industrial expansion, which included the railroad, lumber business, and the Anaconda Aluminum Company.
Freedom Bank is honored to be a part of Columbia Falls’ growth over the past 17 years. Just like many of our customers, Freedom Bank is a small local business. To participate in this community and to be able to support and watch it grow has been inspiring.
Freedom Bank is a main sponsor of the Open Rodeo at the Blue Moon Arena, a team and prize sponsor for the 3 on 3 basketball tournament, and a sponsor of the Columbia Falls Community Market at the Coop.
Heritage Days is an adventure and celebration for the whole family. Take a look at the complete schedule below or visit the official website here: http://cfallsheritagedays.com/index.html
Businesses in the Flathead Valley are seeing increasing attempts of bank fraud, phishing attacks, and ransomware. We see it at the bank, and we hear about it from our friends and neighbors. Freedom Bank is hosting a Cybercrime Awareness Session to help small businesses learn the common tactics scammers and hackers are using, as well as actionable advice to protect their business and their bank accounts.
Cybercrime Awareness Session for Small Businesses
Tuesday, July 26th
5:30-7:30 PM
Freedom Bank Community Room
Overview: This session will help small businesses understand the risks in today’s banking environment and assess their business’s exposure to risk due to transaction activity and use of technology. Businesses will get practical advice to make improvements in their protection against cybersecurity risks such as email account takeover and phishing.
Agenda:
Cosponsored by
Freedom Bank is collecting donated non-perishable, packaged treats and snacks for the children of Boys & Girls Clubs of Glacier Country.
Boys & Girls Clubs serve many school aged children in our community. The organizations works with children after school during the school year and all day during the summer. Snacks are a wonderful way to help fuel children so they can continue to learn.
Sizes do not have to be individual small sizes; large or bulk sizes are accepted!
Some ideal items, but not limited to, are:
Please drop off donations to Freedom Bank at 530 9th Street West, Columbia Falls, MT 59912. If you have any questions, contact us at 406-892-1776.
The community celebration began in 1956 to mark the prosperity brought about by industrial expansion, which included the railroad, lumber business, and the Anaconda Aluminum Company.
Freedom Bank is honored to be a part of Columbia Falls’ growth over the past 16 years. Just like many of our customers, Freedom Bank is a small local business. To participate in this community and to be able to support and watch it grow has been inspiring.
Look for Freedom Bank in the parade down Nucleus Avenue on Saturday, July 24th at 12:00 pm. After the parade, roughly at 1:30 pm, Freedom Bank sponsors a Wild Horse Drive down Highway 2 from Columbia Heights to the Blue Moon. We are also a main sponsor of the Open Rodeo at the Blue Moon Arena, a team and prize sponsor for the 3 on 3 basketball tournament, and a sponsor of the Columbia Falls Community Market at the Coop.
Heritage Days is an adventure and celebration for the whole family. Take a look at the complete schedule below or visit the official website here: http://cfallsheritagedays.com/index.html
The first recipient of the Freedom Bank Hometown Hero Award is Kelly Hamilton.
Kelly Hamilton works fulltime for Weyerhaeuser and is a ‘twisted tails’ member of the Columbia Falls Lions Club. She graduated from Columbia Falls High School and currently lives in Columbia Falls. Kelly is very active serving the community and Flathead Valley. She is involved in numerous nonprofit programs. Recently she ran the largest Toys for Tots drive this past Christmas. With more kids in need due to COVID, she exceeded the goal for the drive and did it with more volunteers than in the past. “The volunteers came out of the woodwork to help,” she stated. She has been volunteering all of her life and is well known in the Valley for her services over the years. Some of the nonprofit programs she has been involved with are Fire Relief, Gap Fillers, Canyon Kids, the local Food Bank, and the Lions Club. The next time you see her helping our community, tell her thanks for everything she is doing.
Each winner of the Hometown Hero award selects a nonprofit to receive $500 on their behalf. Kelly has selected the Lions Club, specifically their Backpack Program to receive the prize money. If you would like to contribute to the cause, please contact the Lions Club for more information. You can read more about Kelly in the March 10th issue of the Hungry Horse News.
Congratulations Kelly!
The Hometown Hero award will continue running through January 2022. If you know of someone that is going out of their way, above and beyond expectations, cultivating our community and making a positive impact, please nominate them for the Hometown Hero Award. Each nomination is a true testament of the beauty in our community and demonstrates the impact individuals have on our families, friends, and neighborhoods. If the individual you nominated did not win this month, we encourage you to nominate them again!
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6th
LOCATED IN THE NORTH VALLEY SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER & TEAKETTLE ROOM
AWARDS FOR FLOATS; FLOAT ENTRY $10 OR FOOD ITEM FOR FOOD BANK
HEAT UP AT THE COOP AFTER THE PARADE
VISIT WITH SANTA AND WARM UP WITH A BON FIRE, HOT COCOA, CHILI &
A LIVE HOLIDAY CONCERT WITH HOLIDAY DESSERTS, CFHS CHORAL SONIFERS AND COLUMBIANS!
SATURDAY, DEC. 7TH 9:30 AM
BRUNCH WITH SANTA: TIMBERCREEK VILLAGE
MEADOWLAKE DR.
