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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
     
þ   Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, or
     
o   Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     .
Commission File Number: 000-49733
FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Montana
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
  81-0331430
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
     
401 North 31st Street
Billings, Montana

(Address of principal executive offices)
  59116
(Zip Code)
(406) 255-5390
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common stock without par value per share
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
o Yes       þ No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
o Yes       þ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. þ Yes       o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§223.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that registrant was required to submit and post such files).
o Yes       o No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
o Large accelerated filer   o Accelerated filer   þ Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   o Smaller reporting company
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.) o Yes       þ No
The registrant’s common stock is not publicly traded, and there is no established trading market for its stock. Therefore, the aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates, computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $0.
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of January 31, 2010 was 7,837,397.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
The registrant intends to file a definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held May 7, 2010. The information required by Part III of this Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from such Proxy Statement.
 
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
Item 1. Business
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2. Properties
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A(T). Controls and Procedures
Item 9B. Other Information
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
EX-21.1
EX-23.1
EX-31.1
EX-31.2
EX-32


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PART I
Item 1. Business
     The disclosures set forth in this report are qualified by Item 1A. Risk Factors included herein and the section captioned “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Factors that Could Affect Future Results” included in Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. When we refer to “we,” “our,” “us” or the “Company” in this annual report, we mean First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries, including our wholly-owned subsidiary, First Interstate Bank, unless the context indicates that we refer only to the parent company, First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. When we refer to the “Bank” in this annual report, we mean First Interstate Bank.
Our Company
     We are a financial and bank holding company incorporated as a Montana corporation in 1971. We are headquartered in Billings, Montana. As of January 31, 2010, we had consolidated assets of $7.0 billion, deposits of $5.7 billion, loans of $4.5 billion and total stockholders’ equity of $576 million. We currently operate 72 banking offices in 42 communities located in Montana, Wyoming and western South Dakota. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, First Interstate Bank, or the Bank, we deliver a comprehensive range of banking products and services to individuals, businesses, municipalities and other entities throughout our market areas. Our customers participate in a wide variety of industries, including energy, healthcare and professional services, education and governmental services, construction, mining, agriculture, retail and wholesale trade and tourism. Our principal markets range in size from 23,000 to 150,000 people, have diversified economic characteristics and favorable population growth prospects and usually serve as trade centers for larger rural areas.
     We are the licensee under a perpetual trademark license agreement granting us an exclusive, nontransferable license to use the “First Interstate” name and logo in Montana, Wyoming and the six neighboring states of Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota.
     We have grown our business by adhering to a set of guiding principles and a long-term disciplined perspective that emphasizes our commitment to providing high-quality financial products and services, delivering quality customer service, effecting business leadership through professional and dedicated managers and employees, assisting our communities through socially responsible leadership and cultivating a strong and positive corporate culture. In the future, we intend to remain a leader in our markets by continuing to adhere to the core principles and values that have contributed to our growth and success and by continuing to follow our community banking model. In addition, we plan to continue to expand our business in a disciplined and prudent manner, including organic growth in our existing market areas and expansion into new and complementary markets when appropriate opportunities arise.
Community Banking
     Community banking encompasses commercial and consumer banking services provided through our Bank, primarily the acceptance of deposits; extensions of credit; mortgage loan origination and servicing; and trust, employee benefit, investment and insurance services. Our community banking philosophy emphasizes providing customers with commercial and consumer banking products and services locally using a personalized service approach while strengthening the communities in our market areas through community service activities. We grant our banking offices significant authority in delivering and pricing products in response to local market considerations and customer needs. This authority enables our banking offices to remain competitive by responding quickly to local market conditions and enhances their relationships with the customers they serve by tailoring our products and price points to each individual customer’s needs. We also require accountability by having company-wide standards and established limits on the authority and discretion of each banking office. This combination of authority and accountability allows our banking offices to provide personalized customer service and be in close contact with our communities, while at the same time promoting strong performance at the branch level and remaining focused on our overall financial performance.

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Lending Activities
     We offer short and long-term real estate, consumer, commercial, agricultural and other loans to individuals and businesses in our market areas. We have comprehensive credit policies establishing company-wide underwriting and documentation standards to assist management in the lending process and to limit our risk. These credit policies establish lending guidelines based on the experience and authority levels of the personnel located in each banking office and market. The policies also establish thresholds at which loan requests must be recommended by our credit committee and/or approved by the Bank’s board of directors. While each loan must meet minimum underwriting standards established in our credit policies, lending officers are granted certain levels of authority in approving and pricing loans to assure that the banking offices are responsive to competitive issues and community needs in each market area.
Deposit Products
     We offer traditional depository products including checking, savings and time deposits. Deposits at the Bank are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, up to statutory limits. We also offer repurchase agreements primarily to commercial and municipal depositors. Under repurchase agreements, we sell investment securities held by the Bank to our customers under an agreement to repurchase the investment securities at a specified time or on demand. All outstanding repurchase agreements are due in one business day.
Wealth Management
     We provide a wide range of trust, employee benefit, investment management, insurance, agency and custodial services to individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations. These services include the administration of estates and personal trusts; management of investment accounts for individuals, employee benefit plans and charitable foundations; and insurance planning. As of January 31, 2010, the estimated fair value of trust assets held in a fiduciary or agent capacity was in excess of $2.4 billion.
Centralized Services
     We have centralized certain operational activities to provide consistent service levels to our customers company-wide, to gain efficiency in management of those activities and to ensure regulatory compliance. Centralized operational activities generally support our banking offices in the delivery of products and services to customers and include marketing; credit review; credit cards; mortgage loan sales and servicing; indirect consumer loan purchasing and processing; loan collections and, other operational activities. Additionally, policy and management direction and specialized staff support services have been centralized to enable our branches to serve their markets more effectively. These services include credit administration, finance, accounting, human resource management, internal audit and other support services.
Competition
     Commercial banking is highly competitive. We compete with other financial institutions located in Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota and adjoining states for deposits, loans and trust, employee benefit, investment and insurance accounts. We also compete with savings and loan associations, savings banks and credit unions for deposits and loans. In addition, we compete with large banks in major financial centers and other financial intermediaries, such as consumer finance companies, brokerage firms, mortgage banking companies, insurance companies, securities firms, mutual funds and certain government agencies as well as major retailers, all actively engaged in providing various types of loans and other financial services. We generally compete on the basis of customer service and responsiveness to customer needs, available loan and deposit products, rates of interest charged on loans, rates of interest paid for deposits and the availability and pricing of trust, employee benefit, investment and insurance services.
Employees
     At January 31, 2010, we employed 1,727 full-time equivalent employees, none of whom are represented by a collective bargaining agreement. We strive to be the employer of choice in the markets we serve and consider our employee relations to be good.

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Regulation and Supervision
Regulatory Authorities
     We are subject to extensive regulation under federal and state laws. A description of the significant laws and regulations applicable to us is summarized below. In addition to laws and regulations, state and federal banking regulatory agencies may issue policy statements, interpretive letters and similar written guidance applicable to us. Those issuances may affect the conduct of our business or impose additional regulatory obligations.
     As a financial and bank holding company, we are subject to regulation under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “Bank Holding Company Act”) and to supervision, regulation and regular examination by the Federal Reserve. Because we have a class of stock registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, we are also subject to the disclosure and regulatory requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as administered by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC.
     The Bank is subject to supervision and regular examination by its primary banking regulators, the Federal Reserve and the State of Montana, Department of Administration, Division of Banking and Financial Institutions, with respect to its activities in Wyoming the State of Wyoming, Department of Audit, and with respect to its activities in South Dakota, the State of South Dakota Department of Revenue & Regulation, Division of Banking.
     The Bank’s deposits are insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund, or DIF, of the FDIC in the manner and to the extent provided by law. The Bank is subject to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, or FDIA, and FDIC regulations relating to deposit insurance and may also be subject to supervision and examination by the FDIC.
     The extensive regulation of the Bank limits both the activities in which the Bank may engage and the conduct of its permitted activities. Further, the laws and regulations impose reporting and information collection obligations on the Bank. The Bank incurs significant costs relating to compliance with various laws and regulations and the collection and retention of information.
Financial and Bank Holding Company
     The Bank is a bank holding company and has registered as a financial holding company under regulations issued by the Federal Reserve. As a matter of policy, the Federal Reserve expects a bank holding company to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to its subsidiary banks and to commit resources to support its subsidiary banks. Under this “source of strength” doctrine, the Federal Reserve may require a bank holding company to make capital injections into a troubled subsidiary bank. The Federal Reserve may also determine that the bank holding company is engaging in unsafe and unsound practices if it fails to commit resources to such a subsidiary bank. A capital injection or other financial or managerial support may be required at times when the bank holding company does not have the resources to provide it. Such capital injections in the form of loans are also subordinate to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of its subsidiary banks.
     We are required by the Bank Holding Company Act to obtain Federal Reserve approval prior to acquiring, directly or indirectly, ownership or control of voting shares of any bank, if, after such acquisition, we would own or control more than 5% of its voting stock. Pursuant to the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (the “Riegle-Neal Act”), a bank holding company may acquire banks in states other than its home state, subject to any state requirement that the bank has been organized and operating for a minimum period of time, not to exceed five years, and the requirement that the bank holding company not control, prior to or following the proposed acquisition, more than 10% of the total amount of deposits of insured depository institutions nationwide or, unless the acquisition is the bank holding company’s initial entry into the state, more than 30% of such deposits in the state, or such lesser or greater amount set by state law of such deposits in that state. The Riegle-Neal Act also authorizes banks to merge across state lines, thereby creating interstate branches. Banks are also permitted to acquire and to establish new branches in other states where authorized under the laws of those states. With regard to interstate bank mergers, a state can prohibit them entirely or prohibit them to the extent that they would exceed such a specified percentage of insured bank deposits, provided such prohibition does not discriminate against out-of-state banks. Under Montana law, banks, bank holding companies and their respective subsidiaries cannot acquire control of a bank located in Montana if, after the acquisition, the acquiring institution and its affiliates would directly or indirectly control, in the aggregate, more than 22% of the total deposits of insured depository institutions located in Montana.

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     Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, or GLB Act, and as a financial holding company, we may engage in certain business activities that are determined by the Federal Reserve to be financial in nature or incidental to financial activities as well as all activities authorized to bank holding companies generally. In most circumstances, we must notify the Federal Reserve of our financial activities within a specified time period following our initial engagement in each business or activity. If the type of proposed business or activity has not been previously determined by the Federal Reserve to be financially related or incidental to financial activities, we must receive the prior approval of the Federal Reserve before engaging in the activity.
     We may engage in authorized financial activities, such as providing investment services, provided that we remain a financial holding company and meet certain regulatory standards of being “well capitalized” and “well managed.” If we fail to meet the “well capitalized” or “well managed” regulatory standards, we may be required to cease our financial holding company activities or, in certain circumstances, to divest of the Bank. We do not currently engage in significant financial holding company businesses or activities not otherwise permitted for bank holding companies generally. Should we engage in certain financial activities currently authorized to financial holding companies, we may become subject to additional laws, regulations, supervision and examination by regulatory agencies.
     In addition, in order to assess the financial strength of the bank holding company, the Federal Reserve and the State of Montana also conducts throughout the year periodic onsite and offsite inspections and credit reviews of us.
     Our ability to redeem shares of company stock is limited under Federal Reserve regulations. In general, those regulations permit us to redeem stock without prior approval of the Federal Reserve only if the company is well-capitalized both before and immediately after the redemption. In February 2009, the Federal Reserve issued SR 09-4 which, among other things, requires all bank holding companies to consult with the Federal Reserve prior to redeeming stock without regard to the bank holding company’s capital status or regulations otherwise permitting redemptions without prior approval of the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve has not indicated whether SR 09-4 will be rescinded.
Restrictions on Transfers of Funds to Us and the Bank
     Dividends from the Bank are the primary source of funds for the payment of our expenses of operating and for the payment of dividends to and the repurchase of shares from our shareholders. Under both state and federal law, the amount of dividends that may be paid by the Bank from time to time is limited. In general, the Bank is limited to paying dividends that do not exceed the current year net profits together with retained earnings from the two preceding calendar years unless the prior consents of the Montana and federal banking regulators are obtained.
     A state or federal banking regulator may impose, by regulatory order or agreement of the Bank, specific dividend limitations or prohibitions in certain circumstances. The Bank is not currently subject to a specific regulatory dividend limitation other than generally applicable limitations.
     In general, banks are also prohibited from making capital distributions, including dividends and are prohibited from paying management fees to control persons if it would be “undercapitalized” under the regulatory framework for corrective action after making such payments. See “—Capital Standards and Prompt Corrective Action.”
     Certain restrictive covenants in future debt instruments may also limit the Bank’s ability to make dividend payments to us. Also, under Montana corporate law, a dividend may not be paid if, after giving effect to the dividend: (1) the company would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business; or (2) the company’s total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if the company were to be dissolved at the time of the dividend, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the dividend.
     In addition, under the Federal Reserve Act, the Bank may not lend funds to, or otherwise extend credit to or for our benefit or the benefit of our affiliates, except on specified types and amounts of collateral and other terms required by state and federal law. This may limit our ability to obtain funds from the Bank for our cash needs, including funds for payment of dividends, interest and operational expenses. The Federal Reserve also has authority to define and limit the transactions between banks and their affiliates. The Federal Reserve’s Regulation W and relevant federal statutes, among other things, impose significant additional limitations on transactions in which the Bank may engage with us, with each other, or with other affiliates.

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     Furthermore, because we are a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank, our right to participate in the distribution of assets of the Bank upon its liquidation or reorganization will be subject to the prior claims of the Bank’s creditors. In the event of such a liquidation or other resolution, the claims of depositors and other general or subordinated creditors of the Bank are entitled to a priority of payment of the claims of holders of any obligation of the Bank to its shareholders, including us, or our shareholders or creditors.
Capital Standards and Prompt Corrective Action
     Banks and bank holding companies are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by state and federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weighting and other factors.
     The Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC have substantially similar risk-based capital ratio and leverage ratio guidelines for banking organizations. The guidelines are intended to ensure that banking organizations have adequate capital given the risk levels of assets and off-balance sheet financial instruments. Under the guidelines, banking organizations are required to maintain minimum ratios for tier 1 capital and total capital to risk-weighted assets (including certain off-balance sheet items, such as letters of credit). For purposes of calculating the ratios, a banking organization’s assets and some of its specified off-balance sheet commitments and obligations are assigned to various risk categories. Generally, under the applicable guidelines, a financial institution’s capital is divided into two tiers. These tiers are:
    Core Capital (tier 1). Tier 1 capital includes common equity, noncumulative perpetual preferred stock (excluding auction rate issues) and minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, less both goodwill and, with certain limited exceptions, all other intangible assets. Bank holding companies, however, may include up to a limit of 25% of cumulative preferred stock in their tier 1 capital.
 
    Supplementary Capital (tier 2). Tier 2 capital includes, among other things, cumulative and limited-life preferred stock, hybrid capital instruments, mandatory convertible securities, qualifying subordinated debt and the allowance for loan and lease losses, subject to certain limitations.
     Institutions that must incorporate market risk exposure into their risk-based capital requirements may also have a third tier of capital in the form of restricted short-term subordinated debt.
     We, like other bank holding companies, currently are required to maintain tier 1 capital and total capital (the sum of tier 1 and tier 2 capital) equal to at least 4.0% and 8.0%, respectively, of our total risk-weighted assets. The Bank, like other depository institutions, is required to maintain similar capital levels under capital adequacy guidelines. For a depository institution to be considered “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action its tier 1 and total capital ratios must be at least 6.0% and 10.0% on a risk-adjusted basis, respectively.
     Bank holding companies and banks are also required to comply with minimum leverage ratio requirements. The leverage ratio is the ratio of a banking organization’s tier 1 capital to its total adjusted quarterly average assets (as defined for regulatory purposes). The requirements necessitate a minimum leverage ratio of 3.0% for financial holding companies and banks that either have the highest supervisory rating or have implemented the appropriate federal regulatory authority’s risk-adjusted capital measure for market risk. All other financial holding companies and banks are required to maintain a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%, unless a different minimum is specified by an appropriate regulatory authority. For a depository institution to be considered “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, its leverage ratio must be at least 5.0%.
     The capital guidelines also provide that banking organizations experiencing significant internal growth or making acquisitions will be expected to maintain strong capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory levels, without significant reliance on intangible assets. In addition, the regulations of the bank regulators provide that concentration of credit risks arising from non-traditional activities, as well as an institution’s ability to manage these risks, are important factors to be taken into account by regulatory agencies in assessing an organization’s overall capital adequacy. The Federal Reserve has not advised us of any specific minimum leverage ratio applicable to us or the Bank.

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     The FDIA requires, among other things, the federal banking agencies to take “prompt corrective action” in respect of depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. The FDIA sets forth the following five capital tiers: “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized.” A depository institution’s capital tier will depend upon how its capital levels compare with various relevant capital measures and certain other factors, as established by regulation. The relevant capital measures are the total capital ratio, the tier 1 capital ratio and the leverage ratio.
     Under the regulations adopted by the federal regulatory authorities, a bank will be: (1) “well capitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or greater, a tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or greater and a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater and is not subject to any order or written directive by any such regulatory authority to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure; (2) “adequately capitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.0% or greater and a leverage ratio of 4.0% or greater (3.0% in certain circumstances ) and is not “well capitalized”; (3) “undercapitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio that is less than 8.0%, a tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0% or a leverage ratio of less than 4.0% (3.0% in certain circumstances); (4) “significantly undercapitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 3.0% or a leverage ratio of less than 3.0%; and (5) “critically undercapitalized” if the institution’s tangible equity is equal to or less than 2.0% of average quarterly tangible assets. An institution may be downgraded to, or deemed to be in, a capital category that is lower than indicated by its capital ratios if it is determined to be in an unsafe or unsound condition or if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating with respect to certain matters. Our regulatory capital ratios and those of the Bank are in excess of the levels established for “well capitalized” institutions. A bank’s capital category is determined solely for the purpose of applying prompt corrective action regulations and the capital category may not constitute an accurate representation of the bank’s overall financial condition or prospects for other purposes.
     The FDIA generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital distributions (including payment of a dividend) or paying any management fee to its parent holding company if the depository institution would thereafter be undercapitalized. Undercapitalized institutions are subject to growth limitations and are required to submit a capital restoration plan. The agencies may not accept such a plan without determining, among other things, that the plan is based on realistic assumptions and is likely to succeed in restoring the depository institution’s capital. In addition, for a capital restoration plan to be acceptable, the depository institution’s parent holding company must guarantee that the institution will comply with such capital restoration plan. The aggregate liability of the parent holding company is limited to the lesser of (1) an amount equal to 5.0% of the depository institution’s total assets at the time it became undercapitalized and (2) the amount which is necessary (or would have been necessary) to bring the institution into compliance with all capital standards applicable with respect to such institution as of the time it fails to comply with the plan. If a depository institution fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is “significantly undercapitalized.”
     “Significantly undercapitalized” depository institutions may be subject to a number of requirements and restrictions, including mandated capital raising activities such as orders to sell sufficient voting stock to become “adequately capitalized,” requirements to reduce total assets, restrictions for interest rates paid, removal of management and cessation of receipt of deposits from correspondent banks. “Critically undercapitalized” institutions are subject to the appointment of a receiver or conservator.
Safety and Soundness Standards and Other Enforcement Mechanisms
     The federal banking agencies have adopted guidelines establishing standards for safety and soundness, asset quality and earnings, internal controls and audit systems, among others, as required by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act, or FDICIA. These standards are designed to identify potential concerns and ensure that action is taken to address those concerns before they pose a risk to the DIF. If a federal banking agency determines that an institution fails to meet any of these standards, the agency may require the institution to submit an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard. If the institution fails to submit an acceptable plan within the time allowed by the agency or fails in any material respect to implement an accepted plan, the agency must, by order, require the institution to correct the deficiency.
     Federal banking agencies possess broad enforcement powers to take corrective and other supervisory action on an insured bank and its holding company. Moreover, federal laws require each federal banking agency to take prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of insured banks. Bank holding companies and insured banks are subject to a wide range of potential enforcement actions by federal regulators for violation of any law, rule, regulation, standard, condition imposed in writing by the regulator, or term of a written agreement with the regulator.

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Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
     In response to the financial crisis affecting the banking system and financial markets, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, or EESA, was enacted on October 3, 2008. The EESA authorizes the U.S. Treasury, or Treasury, to provide up to $700 billion in funding to stabilize and provide liquidity to the financial markets. Pursuant to the EESA, the Treasury was initially authorized to use $350 billion for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP. Of this amount, the Treasury allocated $250 billion to the TARP Capital Purchase Program described below. On January 15, 2009, the second $350 billion of TARP monies was released to the Treasury. On February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment of 2009, or AARA, was enacted which amended, in certain respects, the EESA and provided an additional $787 billion in economic stimulus funding.
     Under the TARP Capital Purchase Program, the Treasury will invest up to $250 billion in senior preferred stock of U.S. banks and savings associations or their holding companies. Qualifying financial institutions may issue senior preferred stock with a value equal to not less than 1% of risk-weighted assets and not more than the lesser of $25 billion or 3% of risk-weighted assets. In conjunction with the issuance of the senior preferred stock, participating institutions must issue to the Treasury immediately exercisable 10-year warrants to purchase common stock with an aggregate market price equal to 5% of the amount of senior preferred stock. Participating financial institutions are required to adopt the Treasury’s standards for executive compensation and corporate governance for the period during which the Treasury holds equity issued under the TARP Capital Purchase Program. Although we submitted an application for participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program and were approved, we have elected not to participate in this program.
Deposit Insurance
     The FDIC is an independent federal agency that insures deposits, up to prescribed statutory limits, of federally insured banks and savings institutions and safeguards the safety and soundness of the banking and savings industries. The FDIC insures our customer deposits through the DIF up to prescribed limits for each depositor. Pursuant to the EESA, the maximum deposit insurance amount has been increased from $100,000 to $250,000 per depositor. The EESA, as amended by the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009, provides that the basic deposit insurance limit will return to $100,000 after December 31, 2013. The amount of FDIC assessments paid by each DIF member institution is based on its relative risk of default as measured by regulatory capital ratios and other supervisory factors. Pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005, the FDIC is authorized to set the reserve ratio for the DIF annually at between 1.15% and 1.50% of estimated insured deposits. The FDIC may increase or decrease the assessment rate schedule on a semi-annual basis.
     The FDIC made several adjustments to the assessment rate during 2009 including a special assessment permitted under statutory authority granted in 2008. The assessment schedule published as of April 1, 2009 and effective for assessments on and after September 30, 2009 provides for assessment ranges, based upon risk assessment of each insured depository institution, of between 7 and 77.5 cents per $100 of domestic deposits. The Bank is currently in Risk Category 1, the lowest risk category, which provides for a base assessment range of 7 to 24 cents per $100 of domestic deposits. The special assessment was applicable to all insured depository institutions and totaled 5 basis points of each institution’s total assets less tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009, not to exceed 10 basis points of domestic deposits.
     On November 21, 2008, the FDIC adopted a final rule relating to the Temporary Liquidity Guaranty Program, or TLG, Program. Under the TLG Program, the FDIC will (1) guarantee, through the earlier of maturity or June 30, 2012, certain newly issued senior unsecured debt issued by participating institutions on or after October 14, 2008 and before June 30, 2009 and (2) provide full FDIC deposit insurance coverage for non-interest bearing transaction deposit accounts, Negotiable Order of Withdrawal, or NOW, accounts paying 0.5% or less interest per annum and Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts, or IOLTA, held at participating FDIC-insured institutions through June 30, 2010. On March 17, 2009, the FDIC extended the debt guarantee program through October 31, 2009. The Bank elected to participate in the deposit insurance coverage guarantee program. The Bank has not elected to participate in the unsecured debt guarantee program because more cost-effective liquidity sources are available to us. Coverage under the TLG Program was available for the first 30 days without charge. The fee assessment for deposit insurance coverage is 10 basis points per annum on amounts in covered accounts exceeding $250,000.
     All FDIC-insured institutions are required to pay assessments to the FDIC to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation, or FICO, an agency of the Federal government established to recapitalize the predecessor to the DIF. The FICO assessment rates, which are determined quarterly, averaged 0.01% of insured deposits in fiscal 2009. These assessments will continue until the FICO bonds mature in 2017.
     On November 17, 2009, the FDIC imposed a prepayment requirement on most insured depository organizations, requiring that the organizations prepay estimated quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009 and for each calendar quarter for calendar years 2010, 2011 and 2012. The FDIC has stated that the prepayment requirement was imposed in response to a negative balance in the DIF.

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     The Bank made its prepayment on December 31, 2009 in the total amount of $32 million. The actual assessments becoming due from the Bank on the last day of each calendar quarter will be applied against the prepaid amount until the prepayment amount is exhausted. If the prepayment amount is not exhausted before June 30, 2013 any remaining balance will be returned to the Bank. The prepayment amount does not bear interest.
Insolvency of an Insured Depository Institution
     If the FDIC is appointed the conservator or receiver of an insured depository institution upon its insolvency or in certain other events, the FDIC has the power, among other things: (1) to transfer any of the depository institution’s assets and liabilities to a new obligor without the approval of the depository institution’s creditors; (2) to enforce the terms of the depository institution’s contracts pursuant to their terms; or (3) to repudiate or disaffirm any contract or lease to which the depository institution is a party, the performance of which is determined by the FDIC to be burdensome and the disaffirmation or repudiation of which is determined by the FDIC to promote the orderly administration of the depository institution.
Depositor Preference
     The FDIA provides that, in the event of the “liquidation or other resolution” of an insured depository institution, the claims of depositors of the institution, including the claims of the FDIC as subrogee of insured depositors and certain claims for administrative expenses of the FDIC as a receiver, will have priority over other general unsecured claims against the institution. If an insured depository institution fails, insured and uninsured depositors, along with the FDIC, will have priority in payment ahead of unsecured, non-deposit creditors, including the parent bank holding company, with respect to any extensions of credit they have made to such insured depository institution.
Customer Privacy and Other Consumer Protections
     The GLB Act imposes customer privacy requirements on any company engaged in financial activities, including the Bank and us. Under these requirements, a financial company is required to protect the security and confidentiality of customer nonpublic personal information. In addition, for customers who obtain a financial product such as a loan for personal, family or household purposes, a financial holding company is required to disclose its privacy policy to the customer at the time the relationship is established and annually thereafter. The financial company must also disclose its policies concerning the sharing of the customer’s nonpublic personal information with affiliates and third parties. Finally, a financial company is prohibited from disclosing an account number or similar item to a third party for use in telemarketing, direct mail marketing or marketing through electronic mail.
     The Bank is subject to a variety of federal and state laws and reporting obligations aimed at protecting consumers including the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act.
     On November 17, 2009, the Federal Reserve Board published a final rule amending Regulation E, which implements the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. The final rule limits the ability of a financial institution to assess an overdraft fee for paying automated teller machine transactions and one-time debit card transactions that overdraw a customer’s account, unless the customer affirmatively consents, or opts in, to the institution’s payment of overdrafts for these transactions.
     There have been numerous attempts at the federal level to expand consumer protection measures. A major focus of recent legislation has been aimed at the creation of a consumer financial protection agency that would be dedicated to administering and enforcing fair lending and consumer compliance laws with respect to financial products. If enacted, such legislation may have a substantial impact on the Bank’s operations. However, because any final legislation may differ significantly from current proposals, the specific effects of the legislation cannot be evaluated at this time.
     In addition, the Community Reinvestment Act, or CRA, generally requires the federal banking agencies to evaluate the record of a financial institution in meeting the credit needs of its local communities, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. In addition to substantial penalties and corrective measures that may be required for a violation of fair lending laws, the federal banking agencies may take compliance with such laws and the CRA into account when regulating and supervising our other activities or in authorizing new activities.

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     In connection with its assessment of CRA performance, the appropriate bank regulatory agency assigns a rating of “outstanding,” “satisfactory,” “needs to improve” or “substantial noncompliance.” The Bank received an “outstanding” rating on its most recent published examination. Although the Bank’s policies and procedures are designed to achieve compliance with all fair lending and CRA requirements, instances of non-compliance are occasionally identified through normal operational activities. Management responds proactively to correct all instances of non-compliance and implement procedures to prevent further violations from occurring.
USA PATRIOT Act
     The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 amended the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 and adopted additional measures requiring insured depository institutions, broker-dealers and certain other financial institutions to have policies, procedures and controls to detect, prevent and report money laundering and terrorist financing. These acts and their regulations also provide for information sharing, subject to conditions, between federal law enforcement agencies and financial institutions, as well as among financial institutions, for counter-terrorism purposes. Federal banking regulators are required, when reviewing bank holding company acquisition or merger applications, to take into account the effectiveness of the anti-money laundering activities of the applicants. Failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing could have serious legal and reputational consequences for the institution. The USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005, among other things, made permanent or otherwise generally extended the effectiveness of provisions applicable to financial institutions.
Effect of Economic Conditions, Government Policies and Legislation
     Banking depends on interest rate differentials. In general, the difference between the interest rate paid by the Bank on deposits and borrowings and the interest rate received by the Bank on loans extended to customers and on investment securities comprises a major portion of the Bank’s earnings. These rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond the control of the Bank. Accordingly, the earnings and potential growth of the Bank are subject to the influence of domestic and foreign economic conditions, including inflation, recession and unemployment.
     The commercial banking business is not only affected by general economic conditions but is also influenced by the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government and the policies of regulatory agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve implements national monetary policies (with objectives such as curbing inflation and combating recession) by its open-market operations in United States government securities, by adjusting the required level of reserves for financial institutions subject to the Federal Reserve’s reserve requirements and by varying the discount rates applicable to borrowings by depository institutions. The actions of the Federal Reserve in these areas influence the growth of bank loans, investments and deposits and also affect interest rates charged on loans and paid on deposits. The nature and impact of any future changes in monetary policies cannot be predicted.
     From time to time, legislative and regulatory initiatives are introduced in Congress and state legislatures, as well as regulatory agencies. Such initiatives may include proposals to expand or contract the powers of financial and bank holding companies and depository institutions, proposals to substantially change the financial institution regulatory system or proposals to increase the required capital levels of insured depository organizations such as the Bank. Such legislation could change banking statutes and our operating environment in substantial and unpredictable ways. If enacted, such legislations could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities or affect the competitive balance among banks and other financial services providers. We cannot predict whether such legislation will be enacted and, if enacted, the effect that it, or any implementing regulations, would have on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Website Access to SEC Filings
     All of our reports and statements filed or furnished electronically with the SEC, including Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and Proxy Statements, as well as amendments to these reports and statements filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, are accessible at no cost through our website at www.firstinterstatebank.com as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been filed with the SEC. These reports are also accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The public may read and copy materials we file with the SEC at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at Room 1580, 100 F Street N.E., Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our website and the information contained therein or connected thereto is not intended to be incorporated into this report and should not be considered a part of this report.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors
     Like other financial and bank holding companies, we are subject to a number of risks, many of which are outside of our control. If any of the events or circumstances described in the following risk factors actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be harmed. These risks are not the only ones that we may face. Other risks of which we are not aware, including those which relate to the banking and financial services industry in general and us in particular, or those which we do not currently believe are material, may harm our future business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Readers should consider carefully the following important factors in evaluating us, our business and an investment in our securities.
Risks Relating to the Market and Our Business
     We may incur significant credit losses, particularly in light of current market conditions.
     We take on credit risk by virtue of making loans and extending loan commitments and letters of credit. Our credit standards, procedures and policies may not prevent us from incurring substantial credit losses, particularly in light of market developments in recent years. During 2008 and 2009, we experienced deterioration in credit quality, particularly in certain real estate development loans, due, in part, to the impact resulting from the downturn in the prevailing economic, real estate and credit markets. This deterioration resulted in higher levels of non-performing assets, including other real estate owned and internally risk classified loans, thereby increasing our provision for loan losses and decreasing our operating income in 2008 and 2009. As of December 31, 2009, we had total non-performing assets of approximately $163 million, compared with approximately $97 million as of December 31, 2008 and approximately $36 million as of December 31, 2007. Given the current economic conditions and trends, management believes we will continue to experience credit deterioration and higher levels of non-performing loans in the near-term, which will likely have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
     Our concentration of real estate loans subjects us to increased risks in the event real estate values continue to decline due to the economic recession, a further deterioration in the real estate markets or other causes.
     At December 31, 2009, we had approximately $3.0 billion of commercial, agricultural, construction, residential and other real estate loans, representing approximately 65% of our total loan portfolio. The current economic recession, deterioration in the real estate markets and increasing delinquencies and foreclosures have had an adverse effect on the collateral value for many of our loans and on the repayment ability of many of our borrowers. The continuation or further deterioration of these factors, including increasing foreclosures and unemployment, will continue to have the same or similar adverse effects. In addition, these factors could reduce the amount of loans we make to businesses in the construction and real estate industry, which could negatively impact our interest income and results of operations. A continued decline in real estate values could also lead to higher charge-offs in the event of defaults in our real estate loan portfolio. Similarly, the occurrence of a natural or manmade disaster in our market areas could impair the value of the collateral we hold for real estate secured loans. Any one or a combination of the factors identified above could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
     Economic and market developments, including the potential for inflation, may have an adverse effect on our business, possibly in ways that are not predictable or that we may fail to anticipate.
     Recent economic and market developments and the potential for continued economic disruptions and inflation present considerable risks and challenges to us. Dramatic declines in the housing market, with decreasing home prices and increasing delinquencies and foreclosures throughout most of the nation, have negatively impacted the credit performance of mortgage and construction loans and resulted in significant write-downs of assets by many financial institutions. General downward economic trends, reduced availability of commercial credit and increasing unemployment have also negatively impacted the credit performance of commercial and consumer credit, resulting in additional write-downs. These risks and challenges have significantly diminished overall confidence in the national economy, the financial markets and many financial institutions. This reduced confidence could further compound the overall market disruptions and risks to banks and bank holding companies, including us.
     In addition to economic conditions, our business is also affected by political uncertainties, volatility, illiquidity, interest rates, inflation and other developments impacting the financial markets. Such factors have affected and may further adversely affect, both credit and financial markets and future economic growth, resulting in adverse effects on us and other financial institutions in ways that are not predictable or that we may fail to anticipate.

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     Many of our loans are to commercial borrowers, which have a higher degree of risk than other types of loans.
     Commercial loans, including commercial real estate loans, are often larger and involve greater risks than other types of lending. Because payments on such loans are often dependent on the successful operation or development of the property or business involved, repayment of such loans is more sensitive than other types of loans to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the general economy. Accordingly, the recent downturn in the real estate market and economy has heightened our risk related to commercial loans, particularly commercial real estate loans. Unlike residential mortgage loans, which generally are made on the basis of the borrowers’ ability to make repayment from their employment and other income and which are secured by real property whose value tends to be more easily ascertainable, commercial loans typically are made on the basis of the borrowers’ ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the commercial venture. If the cash flow from business operations is reduced, the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired. Due to the larger average size of each commercial loan as compared with other loans such as residential loans, as well as the collateral which is generally less readily-marketable, losses incurred on a small number of commercial loans could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. At December 31, 2009, we had approximately $2.3 billion of commercial loans, including approximately $1.6 billion of commercial real estate loans, representing approximately 51% of our total loan portfolio.
     If we experience loan losses in excess of estimated amounts, our earnings will be adversely affected.
     The risk of credit losses on loans varies with, among other things, general economic conditions, the type of loan being made, the creditworthiness of the borrower over the term of the loan and, in the case of a collateralized loan, the value and marketability of the collateral for the loan. We maintain an allowance for loan losses based upon, among other things, historical experience, an evaluation of economic conditions and regular reviews of loan portfolio quality. Based upon such factors, our management makes various assumptions and judgments about the ultimate collectability of our loan portfolio and provides an allowance for loan losses. These assumptions and judgments are even more complex and difficult to determine given recent market developments, the potential for continued market turmoil and the significant uncertainty of future conditions in the general economy and banking industry. If management’s assumptions and judgments prove to be incorrect and the allowance for loan losses is inadequate to absorb future losses, or if the banking authorities or regulations require us to increase the allowance for loan losses, our earnings, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be significantly and adversely affected.
     As of December 31, 2009, our allowance for loan losses was approximately $103 million, which represented 2.28% of total outstanding loans. Our allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover future loan losses. Future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary if economic conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used or further adverse developments arise with respect to our non-performing or performing loans. Material additions to our allowance for loan losses could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
     Our goodwill may become impaired, which may adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition and may limit the ability of our wholly-owned subsidiary, First Interstate Bank, to pay dividends to us, thereby causing liquidity issues.
     The excess purchase price over the fair value of net assets from acquisitions, or goodwill, is evaluated for impairment at least annually and on an interim basis if an event or circumstance indicates that it is likely an impairment has occurred. In testing for impairment, the fair value of net assets is estimated based on an analysis of market-based trading and transaction multiples of selected peer banks; and, if required, the estimated fair value is allocated to the acquired assets and liabilities comprising the goodwill. Consequently, the determination of goodwill will be sensitive to market-based trading and transaction multiples. As such, variability in market conditions could result in impairment of goodwill, which is recorded as a noncash adjustment to income. As of December 31, 2009, we had goodwill of approximately $184 million, which was 2.6% of our total assets. An impairment of goodwill could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
     Furthermore, an impairment of goodwill could cause the Bank to be unable to pay dividends to us, which would reduce our cash flow and cause liquidity issues. See below “Our Bank’s ability to pay dividends to us is subject to regulatory limitations, which, to the extent we are not able to receive such dividends, may impair our ability to grow, pay dividends, cover operating expenses and meet debt service requirements.”

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Changes in interest rates could negatively impact our net interest income, may weaken demand for our products and services or harm our results of operations and cash flows.
     Our earnings and cash flows are largely dependent upon net interest income, which is the difference between interest income earned on interest-earning assets such as loans and securities and interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities such as deposits and borrowed funds. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could influence not only the interest we receive on loans and securities and the amount of interest we pay on deposits and borrowings, but such changes could also adversely affect (1) our ability to originate loans and obtain deposits, (2) the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities, including mortgage servicing rights, (3) our ability to realize gains on the sale of assets and (4) the average duration of our mortgage-backed investment securities portfolio. An increase in interest rates may reduce customers’ desire to borrow money from us as it increases their borrowing costs and may adversely affect the ability of borrowers to pay the principal or interest on loans which may lead to an increase in non-performing assets and a reduction of income recognized, which could harm our results of operations and cash flows. Further, because many of our variable rate loans contain interest rate floors, as market interest rates begin to rise, the interest rates on these loans may not increase correspondingly. In contrast, decreasing interest rates have the effect of causing customers to refinance mortgage loans faster than anticipated. This causes the value of assets related to the servicing rights on mortgage loans sold to be lower than originally recognized. If this happens, we may need to write down our mortgage servicing rights asset faster, which would accelerate expense and lower our earnings. Any substantial, unexpected or prolonged change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. If the current low interest rate environment were to continue for a prolonged period, our interest income could decrease, adversely impacting our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
     We may not continue to have access to low-cost funding sources.
     We depend on checking and savings, NOW and money market deposit account balances and other forms of customer deposits as our primary source of funding. Such account and deposit balances can decrease when customers perceive alternative investments, such as the stock market, as providing a better risk/return tradeoff. If customers move money out of bank deposits and into other investments, we could lose a relatively low cost source of funds, increasing its funding costs and reducing our net interest income and net income.
     Our deposit insurance premiums could be substantially higher in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our future earnings.
     The FDIC insures deposits at FDIC insured depository institutions, including the Bank. Under current FDIC regulations, each insured depository institution is subject to a risk-based assessment system and, depending on its assigned risk category, is assessed insurance premiums based on the amount of deposits held. The FDIC charges insured financial institutions premiums to maintain the DIF at a certain level. Recent bank failures have reduced the DIF’s reserves to their lowest level in more than 15 years. On October 16, 2008, the FDIC published a restoration plan designed to replenish the DIF over a period of five years and to increase the deposit insurance reserve ratio to 1.15% of insured deposits by December 31, 2013. To implement the restoration plan, the FDIC changed both its risk-based assessment system and its base assessment rates. For the first quarter of 2009 only, the FDIC increased all FDIC deposit assessment rates by 7 basis points. On February 27, 2009, the FDIC amended the restoration plan to extend the restoration plan horizon to seven years. The amended restoration plan was accompanied by a final rule on March 4, 2009, which adjusted how the risk-based assessment system differentiates for risk and that set new assessment rates. Under the final rule, the base assessment rates increased substantially beginning April 1, 2009.
     On May 22, 2009, the FDIC adopted a final rule imposing a 5 basis point special assessment on each insured depository institution’s assets minus Tier 1 capital, as of June 30, 2009. On November 17, 2009, the FDIC also published a final rule requiring insured depository institutions to prepay their estimated quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009 and for all of 2010, 2011 and 2012.
     A change in the risk category assigned to our Bank, further adjustments to base assessment rates and additional special assessments could have a material adverse effect on our earnings, financial condition and results of operation.

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     We may not be able to continue growing our business.
     Our total assets have grown from $5.2 billion as of December 31, 2007 to $7.1 billion as of December 31, 2009. Our ability to grow depends, in part, upon our ability to successfully attract deposits, identify favorable loan and investment opportunities, open new branch banking offices and expand into new and complementary markets when appropriate opportunities arise. In the event we do not continue to grow, our results of operations could be adversely impacted.
     Our ability to grow successfully depends on our capital resources and whether we can continue to fund growth while maintaining cost controls and asset quality, as well as on other factors beyond our control, such as national and regional economic conditions and interest rate trends. If we are not able to make loans, attract deposits and maintain asset quality due to constrained capital resources or other reasons, we may not be able to continue growing our business, which could adversely impact our earnings, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
     Adverse economic conditions affecting Montana, Wyoming and western South Dakota could harm our business.
     Our customers with loan and/or deposit balances are located predominantly in Montana, Wyoming and western South Dakota. Because of the concentration of loans and deposits in these states, existing or future adverse economic conditions in Montana, Wyoming or western South Dakota could cause us to experience higher rates of loss and delinquency on our loans than if the loans were more geographically diversified. The current economic recession has adversely affected the real estate and business environment in certain areas in Montana, Wyoming and western South Dakota, especially in markets dependent upon resort communities and second homes such as Bozeman, Montana, Kalispell, Montana, and Jackson, Wyoming. In the future, adverse economic conditions, including inflation, recession and unemployment and other factors, such as political or business developments, natural disasters, wide-spread disease, terrorist activity, environmental contamination and other unfavorable conditions and events that affect these states, could reduce demand for credit or fee-based products and may delay or prevent borrowers from repaying their loans. Adverse conditions and other factors identified above could also negatively affect real estate and other collateral values, interest rate levels and the availability of credit to refinance loans at or prior to maturity. These results could adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
     We are subject to significant governmental regulation and new or changes in existing regulatory, tax and accounting rules and interpretations could significantly harm our business.
     The financial services industry is extensively regulated. Federal and state banking regulations are designed primarily to protect the deposit insurance funds and consumers, not to benefit a financial company’s shareholders. These regulations may impose significant limitations on operations. The significant federal and state banking regulations that affect us are described in this report under the heading “Regulation and Supervision.” These regulations, along with the currently existing tax, accounting, securities, insurance and monetary laws and regulations, rules, standards, policies and interpretations control the methods by which we conduct business, implement strategic initiatives and tax compliance and govern financial reporting and disclosures. These laws, regulations, rules, standards, policies and interpretations are undergoing significant review, are constantly evolving and may change significantly, particularly given the recent market developments in the banking and financial services industries.
     Recent events have resulted in legislators, regulators and authoritative bodies, such as the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and various taxing authorities, responding by adopting and/or proposing substantive revisions to laws, regulations, rules, standards, policies and interpretations. Further, federal monetary policy as implemented through the Federal Reserve can significantly affect credit conditions in our markets.
     The nature, extent and timing of the adoption of significant new laws, regulations, rules, standards, policies and interpretations, or changes in or repeal of these items or specific actions of regulators, may increase our costs of compliance and harm our business. For example, potential increases in or other modifications affecting regulatory capital thresholds could impact our status as “well capitalized.” We may not be able to predict accurately the extent of any impact from changes in existing laws, regulations, rules, standards, policies and interpretations.

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     Non-compliance with laws and regulations could result in fines, sanctions and other enforcement actions and the loss of our financial holding company status.
     Federal and state regulators have broad enforcement powers. If we fail to comply with any laws, regulations, rules, standards, policies or interpretations applicable to us, we could face various sanctions and enforcement actions, which include:
    the appointment of a conservator or receiver for us;
 
    the issuance of a cease and desist order that can be judicially enforced;
 
    the termination of our deposit insurance;
 
    the imposition of civil monetary fines and penalties;
 
    the issuance of directives to increase capital;
 
    the issuance of formal and informal agreements;
 
    the issuance of removal and prohibition orders against officers, directors and other institution- affiliated parties; and
 
    the enforcement of such actions through injunctions or restraining orders.
     The imposition of any such sanctions or other enforcement actions could adversely impact our earnings, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Furthermore, as a financial holding company, we may engage in authorized financial activities, provided we are in compliance with applicable regulatory standards and guidelines. If we fail to meet such standards and guidelines, we may be required to cease certain financial holding company activities and, in certain circumstances, to divest the Bank.
     The effects of recent legislative and regulatory efforts are uncertain.
     In response to market disruptions, legislators and financial regulators have implemented a number of mechanisms designed to stabilize the financial markets, including the provision of direct and indirect assistance to distressed financial institutions, assistance by the banking authorities in arranging acquisitions of weakened banks, broker-dealers, implementation of programs by the Federal Reserve and to provide liquidity to the commercial paper markets. On October 3, 2008, the EESA was enacted which, among other things, authorized the Treasury to provide up to $700 billion of funding to stabilize and provide liquidity to the financial markets. On October 14, 2008, the Secretary of the Treasury announced the TARP Capital Purchase Program, a program in which $250 billion of the funds under EESA are made available for the purchase of preferred equity interests in qualifying financial institutions. On February 17, 2009, the ARRA was enacted which amended, in certain respects, EESA and provided an additional $787 billion in economic stimulus funding. Also in 2009, legislation proposing significant structural reforms to the financial services industry was introduced in the U.S. Congress and passed by the House of Representatives. Among other things, the legislation proposes the establishment of a consumer financial protection agency, which would have broad authority to regulate providers of credit, savings, payment and other consumer financial products and services.
     Other recent developments include:
    the Federal Reserve’s proposed guidance on incentive compensation policies at banking organizations;
 
    proposals to limit a lender’s ability to foreclose on mortgages or make such foreclosures less economically viable, including allowing Chapter 13 bankruptcy plans to “cram down” the value of certain mortgages on a consumer’s principal residence to its market value and/or reset interest rates and monthly payments to permit defaulting debtors to remain in their home; and
 
    accelerating the effective date of various provisions of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, which restrict certain credit and charge card practices, require expanded disclosures to consumers and provide consumers with the right to opt out of interest rate increases (with limited exceptions).

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     These initiatives may increase our expenses or decrease our income by, among other things, making it harder for us to foreclose on mortgages. Further, the overall effects of these and other legislative and regulatory efforts on the financial markets remain uncertain and they may not have the intended stabilization results. These efforts may even have unintended harmful consequences on the U.S. financial system and our business. Should these or other legislative or regulatory initiatives have unintended effects, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially and adversely affected.
     In addition, we may need to modify our strategies and business operations in response to these changes. We may also incur increased capital requirements and constraints or additional costs in order to satisfy new regulatory requirements. Given the volatile nature of the current market and the uncertainties underlying efforts to mitigate or reverse disruptions, we may not timely anticipate or manage existing, new or additional risks, contingencies or developments in the current or future environment. Our failure to do so could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
     We are dependent upon the services of our management team.
     Our future success and profitability is dependent substantially upon the management skills of our executive officers and directors, many of whom have held officer and director positions with us for many years. The unanticipated loss or unavailability of key executives, including Lyle R. Knight, President and Chief Executive Officer, who has announced his plan to retire in March 2012, Terrill R. Moore, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Gregory A. Duncan, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Edward Garding, Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, and Julie A. Castle, President—First Interstate Bank Wealth Management, could harm our ability to operate our business or execute our business strategy. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in retaining these key employees or finding suitable successors in the event of their loss or unavailability.
     We may not be able to attract and retain qualified employees to operate our business effectively.
     There is substantial competition for qualified personnel in our markets. Although unemployment rates have been rising in Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota and the surrounding region, it may still be difficult to attract and retain qualified employees at all management and staffing levels. Failure to attract and retain employees and maintain adequate staffing of qualified personnel could adversely impact our operations and our ability to execute our business strategy. Furthermore, relatively low unemployment rates in certain of our markets, compared with national unemployment rates, may lead to significant increases in salaries, wages and employee benefits expenses as we compete for qualified, skilled employees, which could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.
     A failure of the technology we use could harm our business and our information systems may experience a breach in security.
     We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business and we depend heavily upon data processing, software, communication and information exchange from a number of vendors on a variety of computing platforms and networks and over the internet. We cannot be certain that all of our systems are entirely free from vulnerability to breaches of security or other technological difficulties or failures. A breach in the security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in our customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan, investment, credit card and other information systems. A breach of the security of our information systems could damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny and expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability.
     Furthermore, the computer systems and network infrastructure we use could be vulnerable to other unforeseen problems, such as damage from fire, privacy loss, telecommunications failure or other similar events which would also have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
     An extended disruption of vital infrastructure and other business interruptions could negatively impact our business.
     Our operations depend upon vital infrastructure components including, among other things, transportation systems, power grids and telecommunication systems. A disruption in our operations resulting from failure of transportation and telecommunication systems, loss of power, interruption of other utilities, natural disaster, fire, global climate changes, computer hacking or viruses, failure of technology, terrorist activity or the domestic and foreign response to such activity or other events outside of our control could have an adverse impact on the financial services industry as a whole and/or on our business. Our business recovery plan may not be adequate and may not prevent significant interruptions of our operations or substantial losses.

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     Recent market disruptions have caused increased liquidity risks.
     The recent disruption and illiquidity in the credit markets are continuing challenges that have generally made potential funding sources more difficult to access, less reliable and more expensive. In addition, liquidity in the inter-bank market, as well as the markets for commercial paper and other short-term instruments, have contracted significantly. Reflecting concern about the stability of the financial markets generally and the strength of counterparties, many lenders and institutional investors have reduced and, in some cases, ceased to provide funding to borrowers, including other financial institutions. These market conditions have made the management of our own and our customers’ liquidity significantly more challenging. A further deterioration in the credit markets or a prolonged period without improvement of market liquidity could adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition, including our regulatory capital ratios, and could adversely affect our business, results of operations and prospects.
     We may not be able to meet the cash flow requirements of our depositors and borrowers unless we maintain sufficient liquidity.
     Liquidity is the ability to meet current and future cash flow needs on a timely basis at a reasonable cost. Our liquidity is used to make loans and to repay deposit liabilities as they become due or are demanded by customers. Potential alternative sources of liquidity include federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements. We maintain a portfolio of investment securities that may be used as a secondary source of liquidity to the extent the securities are not pledged for collateral. Other potential sources of liquidity include the sale of loans, the utilization of available government and regulatory assistance programs, the ability to acquire national market, non-core deposits, the issuance of additional collateralized borrowings such as Federal Home Loan Bank, or FHLB, advances, the issuance of debt securities, issuance of equity securities and borrowings through the Federal Reserve’s discount window. Without sufficient liquidity from these potential sources, we may not be able to meet the cash flow requirements of our depositors and borrowers.
     We may not be able to find suitable acquisition candidates.
     Although our growth strategy is to primarily focus and promote organic growth, we also have in the past and intend in the future to complement and expand our business by pursuing strategic acquisitions of banks and other financial institutions. We believe, however, there are a limited number of banks that will meet our acquisition criteria and, consequently, we cannot assure you that we will be able to identify suitable candidates for acquisitions. In addition, even if suitable candidates are identified, we expect to compete with other potential bidders for such businesses, many of which may have greater financial resources than we have. Our failure to find suitable acquisition candidates, or successfully bid against other competitors for acquisitions, could adversely affect our ability to successfully implement our business strategy.
     We may be unable to manage our growth due to acquisitions, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
     Acquisitions of other banks and financial institutions involve risks of changes in results of operations or cash flows, unforeseen liabilities relating to the acquired institution or arising out of the acquisition, asset quality problems of the acquired entity and other conditions not within our control, such as adverse personnel relations, loss of customers because of change of identity, deterioration in local economic conditions and other risks affecting the acquired institution. In addition, the process of integrating acquired entities will divert significant management time and resources. We may not be able to integrate successfully or operate profitably any financial institutions we may acquire. We may experience disruption and incur unexpected expenses in integrating acquisitions. There can be no assurance that any such acquisitions will enhance our cash flows, business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects and such acquisitions may have an adverse effect on our results of operations, particularly during periods in which the acquisitions are being integrated into our operations.

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     We face significant competition from other financial institutions and financial services providers.
     We face substantial competition in all areas of our operations from a variety of different competitors, many of which are larger and may have more financial resources, higher lending limits and large branch networks. Such competitors primarily include national, regional and community banks within the various markets we serve. We also face competition from many other types of financial institutions, including, without limitation, savings and loans, credit unions, finance companies, brokerage firms, insurance companies, factoring companies and other financial intermediaries. The financial services industry could become even more competitive as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes and continued consolidation. Banks, securities firms and insurance companies can merge under the umbrella of a financial holding company, which can offer virtually any type of financial service, including banking, securities underwriting, insurance (both agency and underwriting) and merchant banking. Increased competition among financial services companies due to the recent consolidation of certain competing financial institutions and the conversion of certain investment banks to bank holding companies may adversely affect our ability to market our products and services. Also, technology has lowered barriers to entry and made it possible for nonbanks to offer products and services traditionally provided by banks, such as automatic funds transfer and automatic payment systems. Many of our competitors have fewer regulatory constraints and may have lower cost structures. Additionally, due to their size, many competitors may offer a broader range of products and services as well as better pricing for those products and services than we can.
     Our ability to compete successfully depends on a number of factors, including, among other things:
    the ability to develop, maintain and build upon long-term customer relationships based on quality service, high ethical standards and safe, sound assets;
 
    the ability to expand our market position;
 
    the scope, relevance and pricing of products and services offered to meet customer needs and demands;
 
    the rate at which we introduce new products and services relative to our competitors;
 
    customer satisfaction with our level of service; and
 
    industry and general economic trends.
     Failure to perform in any of these areas could significantly weaken our competitive position, which could adversely affect our growth and profitability, which, in turn, could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
     We may not be able to manage risks inherent in our business, particularly given the recent turbulent and dynamic market conditions.
     A comprehensive and well-integrated risk management function is essential for our business. We have adopted various policies, procedures and systems to monitor and manage risk and are currently implementing a centralized risk oversight function. These policies, procedures and systems may be inadequate to identify and mitigate all risks inherent in our business. In addition, our business and the markets and industry in which we operate are continuously evolving. We may fail to understand fully the implications of changes in our business or the financial markets and fail to adequately or timely enhance our risk framework to address those changes, particularly given the recent turbulent and dynamic market conditions. If our risk framework is ineffective, either because it fails to keep pace with changes in the financial markets or in our business or for other reasons, we could incur losses and otherwise experience harm to our business.
     Our systems of internal operating controls may not be effective.
     We establish and maintain systems of internal operational controls that provide us with critical information used to manage our business. These systems are subject to various inherent limitations, including cost, judgments used in decision-making, assumptions about the likelihood of future events, the soundness of our systems, the possibility of human error and the risk of fraud. Moreover, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions and the risk that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate over time. Because of these limitations, any system of internal operating controls may not be successful in preventing all errors or fraud or in making all material information known in a timely manner to the appropriate levels of management. From time to time, losses from operational malfunctions or fraud have occurred and may occur in the future. Any future losses related to internal operating control systems could have an adverse effect on our business and, in turn, on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

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     We may become liable for environmental remediation and other costs on repossessed properties, which could adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
     A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real property. During the ordinary course of business, we may foreclose on and take title to properties securing certain loans. If hazardous or toxic substances are found on these properties, we may be liable for remediation costs, as well as for personal injury and property damage. Environmental laws may require us to incur substantial expenses and may materially reduce the affected property’s value or limit our ability to use or sell the affected property. In addition, future laws or more stringent interpretations or enforcement policies with respect to existing laws may increase our exposure to environmental liability. The remediation costs and any other financial liabilities associated with an environmental hazard could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
     We may not effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to our customers.
     The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs. Our future success depends, in part, upon our ability to use technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations. Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. We may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to our customers. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could have a material adverse impact on our business and, in turn, on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
     We are subject to claims and litigation pertaining to our fiduciary responsibilities.
     Some of the services we provide, such as trust and investment services, require us to act as fiduciaries for our customers and others. From time to time, third parties make claims and take legal action against us pertaining to the performance of our fiduciary responsibilities. If these claims and legal actions are not resolved in a manner favorable to us, we may be exposed to significant financial liability and/or our reputation could be damaged. Either of these results may adversely impact demand for our products and services or otherwise have a harmful effect on our business and, in turn, on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
     The Federal Reserve may require us to commit capital resources to support our bank subsidiary.
     As a matter of policy, the Federal Reserve, which examines us and our subsidiaries, expects a bank holding company to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to a subsidiary bank and to commit resources to support such subsidiary bank. Under the “source of strength” doctrine, the Federal Reserve may require a bank holding company to make capital injections into a troubled subsidiary bank and may charge the bank holding company with engaging in unsafe and unsound practices for failure to commit resources to such a subsidiary bank. A capital injection may be required at times when the holding company may not have the resources to provide it and therefore may be required to borrow the funds. Any loans by a holding company to its subsidiary bank are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary bank. In the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, the bankruptcy trustee will assume any commitment by the holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank. Moreover, bankruptcy law provides that claims based on any such commitment will be entitled to a priority of payment over the claims of the institution’s general unsecured creditors, including the holders of its note obligations. Thus, any borrowing that must be done by the holding company in order to make the required capital injection becomes more difficult and expensive and will adversely impact the holding company’s cash flows, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

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     Failure to meet our debt covenants could result in our debt becoming immediately due and payable, which could adversely impact our results from operations, cash flows and financial condition.
     Our syndicated credit agreement contains covenants that, among other things, establish minimum capital and financial performance ratios, and place restrictions on capital expenditures, indebtedness, redemptions or repurchases of common stock and the amount of dividends payable to shareholders. Since the incurrence of this indebtedness in January 2008 and the subsequent and continuing downturn in general economic conditions, we have been in default three times under the terms of the agreement for failing to comply with these debt covenants. The defaults were attributable primarily to the deterioration in credit quality that we experienced during 2008 and 2009, which has resulted in higher levels of non-performing loans, as well as changed guidance in November 2009 by federal banking regulators that negatively impacted the calculation of our regulatory capital ratios. While we have been successful in all three instances in amending and obtaining waivers of each of the defaults under our syndicated credit agreement, the amendments and waivers were coupled with concessions, including the elimination of the revolving credit facility portion of the agreement, the advancement by approximately two years of the maturity date for the term loan portion of the credit facility, and an increase to the interest rate charged on the term notes. We also paid during 2009 aggregate amendment and waiver fees of $259,000 to the lenders under the syndicated credit agreement. Given the current economic conditions and trends, management believes we will continue to experience credit deterioration and higher levels of non-performing loans in the near-term, which could cause us to again default under the financial covenants contained in our syndicated credit agreement. It is possible, therefore, that we will be required to pursue further waivers or amendments with respect to the covenants, which waivers or amendments, if available, could contain additional terms that are unfavorable to us. If the waivers or amendments are not available on terms acceptable to us, or at all, the failure to comply with the debt covenants could result in, among other remedies, the debt becoming immediately due and payable and the subsequent liquidation of our assets in satisfaction of the debt. In any such instance, our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
     We may be adversely affected by the soundness of other financial institutions.
     The financial services industry as a whole, as well as the securities markets generally, have been materially and adversely affected by significant declines in the values of nearly all asset classes and a serious lack of liquidity. If other financial institutions in our markets dispose of real estate collateral at below-market prices to meet liquidity or regulatory requirements, such actions could negatively impact overall real estate values, including properties securing our loans. Our credit risk is exacerbated when the collateral we hold cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the credit exposure due to us. Any such losses could harm our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
     Financial institutions in particular have been subject to increased volatility and an overall loss of investor confidence. Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services companies are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships. We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties. For example, we execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks and other institutional clients. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services companies or the financial services industry generally, have led to market-wide liquidity problems and could lead to losses or defaults by us or by other institutions. Many of these transactions expose us to increased credit risk in the event of default of a counterparty or client.
     The short-term and long-term impact of the new Basel II capital standards and the forthcoming new capital rules to be proposed for non-Basel II U.S. banks is uncertain.
     On December 17, 2009, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, or the Basel Committee, proposed significant changes to bank capital and liquidity regulation, including revisions to the definitions of Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital applicable to the Basel Committee’s Revised Framework for the International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards, or Basel II.
     The short-term and long-term impact of the new Basel II capital standards and the forthcoming new capital rules to be proposed for non-Basel II U.S. banks is uncertain. As a result of the recent deterioration in the global credit markets and the potential impact of increased liquidity risk and interest rate risk, it is unclear what the short-term impact of the implementation of Basel II may be or what impact a pending alternative standardized approach to Basel II option for non-Basel II U.S. banks may have on the cost and availability of different types of credit and the potential compliance costs of implementing the new capital standards.

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     Our Bank’s ability to pay dividends to us is subject to regulatory limitations, which, to the extent we are not able to receive such dividends, may impair our ability to grow, pay dividends, cover operating expenses and meet debt service requirements.
     We are a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank, our only bank subsidiary. Since we are a holding company with no significant assets other than the capital stock of our subsidiaries, we depend upon dividends from the Bank for a substantial part of our revenue. Accordingly, our ability to grow, pay dividends, cover operating expenses and meet debt service requirements depends primarily upon the receipt of dividends or other capital distributions from the Bank. The Bank’s ability to pay dividends to us is subject to, among other things, its earnings, financial condition and need for funds, as well as federal and state governmental policies and regulations applicable to us and the Bank, which limit the amount that may be paid as dividends without prior approval. For example, in general, the Bank is limited to paying dividends that do not exceed the current year net profits together with retained earnings from the two preceding calendar years unless the prior consents of the Montana and federal banking regulators are obtained.
     Furthermore, the terms of our Series A Preferred Stock, of which 5,000 shares were outstanding as of December 31, 2009, prohibit us from declaring or paying dividends or distributions on any class of our common stock, unless all accrued and unpaid dividends for the three prior consecutive dividend periods have been paid.
Risks Relating to Investments in Our Common Stock
     Our dividend policy may change.
     Although we have historically paid dividends to our shareholders, we have no obligation to continue doing so and may change our dividend policy at any time without notice to our shareholders. Also, our debt covenants limit the payment of dividends to our shareholders to a percentage of our consolidated net income for the immediately preceding fiscal year. Holders of our common stock are only entitled to receive such cash dividends as our board of directors may declare out of funds legally available for such payments. Furthermore, consistent with our strategic plans, growth initiatives, capital availability, projected liquidity needs and other factors, we have made and adopted and will continue to make and adopt, capital management decisions and policies that could adversely impact the amount of dividends paid to our shareholders.
     Our common stock is not publicly traded.
     Shares of our common stock are not publicly traded. Our common stock is not listed, quoted or traded on any securities exchange, market, bulletin board, quotation system or listing service. Because there is no established market for our common stock, there are limited opportunities for shareholders to resell their shares. In the event shareholders desire to sell or otherwise dispose of their shares, they may not be able to do so.
     Shares of our common stock are subject to contractual transfer restrictions.
     With respect to our outstanding common stock, approximately 92% of the shares are subject to contractual transfer restrictions set forth in shareholder agreements. Purchasers of our common stock are generally required to enter into shareholder agreements. We have a right of first refusal to repurchase the restricted stock at fair market value currently determined as the minority appraised value per share based upon the most recent quarterly appraisal. Additionally, restricted stock held by our officers, directors and employees may be called by us under certain conditions. All stock not subject to such restrictions may be sold at a price per share that is negotiated between the shareholder and a prospective buyer, which may vary substantially from our appraised minority value.
     Shares of our stock held by participants in the savings and profit sharing plan, or Savings Plan, established for our employees are not subject to contractual transfer restrictions set forth in shareholder agreements. Since the Savings Plan does not allow distributions “in kind,” distributions from participants’ Savings Plan accounts require the Bank, as trustee for the Savings Plan, to sell our stock. In the event we do not elect to purchase the unrestricted stock, the Bank will be obligated to seek alternative purchasers.

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     We have no obligation to repurchase outstanding shares of common stock and we are subject to limitations on the amount of common stock we may repurchase.
     We have no obligation, by contract, policy or otherwise, to purchase restricted or unrestricted shares of our outstanding common stock held by shareholders. Our debt covenants limit the repurchase of common shares, net of proceeds from the sale of capital securities, to a percentage of our consolidated net worth as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year. These covenants, unless amended or waived, restrict us in the number of shares we may repurchase from existing shareholders, thereby limiting the future liquidity for such shares. Moreover, during any period in which we may be in default under such covenants, we will be precluded from repurchasing any shares. Furthermore, we have made and adopted, and will continue to make and adopt, capital management decisions and policies that could limit the repurchase of outstanding common stock held by shareholders given regulatory limitations, strategic plans, growth initiatives, capital availability, projected liquidity needs and other factors. We have announced we will only receive requests for the repurchase of common shares during a two-week window period commencing promptly after the quarterly announcement of the minority appraised value of our common stock and that the number of shares repurchased during any window period may be limited at the discretion of our board of directors. Any limitations on the number of shares repurchased could cause a decrease in the value of our stock.
     Shares we may repurchase will be priced at fair market value determined in good faith by our board of directors. The board of directors may, in their sole discretion, utilize an independent party to assist with the determination of fair value of the shares. Historically, shares repurchased have been priced at the most recent minority appraised value at the repurchase date. The appraised minority value of our common stock represents the estimated fair market valuation of a minority ownership interest, taking into account adjustments for the lack of marketability of the stock and other factors. This value does not represent an actual trading price between a willing buyer and seller of our shares in an informed, arm’s-length transaction. As such, the appraised minority value is only an estimate as of a specific date, and such appraisal may not be an indication of the actual value owners may realize with respect to shares they hold. Moreover, the estimated fair market value of our common stock may be materially different at any date other than the valuation dates.
     Members of the Scott family have voting control of our company and are able to determine virtually all matters submitted to shareholders, including potential change in control transactions.
     Members of the Scott family, who own approximately 78% of the outstanding shares of common stock, control approximately 80% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. Accordingly, such holders are able to determine the outcome of virtually all matters submitted to shareholders for approval, including the election of directors, amendment of our articles of incorporation (except when a class vote is required by law), any merger or consolidation requiring common shareholder approval and the sale of all or substantially all of the company’s assets. Accordingly, such holders have the ability to prevent change in control transactions as long as they maintain voting control of the company. In addition, because these holders will have the ability to elect all of our directors they will be able to control our policies and operations, including the appointment of management, future issuances of our common stock or other securities, the payments of dividends on our common stock and entering into extraordinary transactions, and their interests may not in all cases be aligned with the interests of other shareholders. This concentrated control may negatively impact the value of our common stock.
     Future equity issuances could result in dilution, which could cause the value of our common stock to decline.
     We are not restricted from issuing additional common stock, including any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive common stock. We may issue additional common stock in the future pursuant to current or future employee stock option plans or in connection with future acquisitions or financings. Should we choose to raise capital by selling shares of common stock for any reason, including in connection with the proposed initial public offering with respect to which a registration statement has been filed with the SEC, but not declared effective, the issuance would have a dilutive effect on the holders of our common stock and could have a material negative effect on the value of our existing shares of common stock.
     Our common stock is not an insured bank savings account or deposit.
     Our common stock is not a bank savings account or deposit and, therefore, is not insured against loss by the FDIC, any other deposit insurance fund or any other public or private entity. As a result, holders of our common stock could lose some or all of their investment.

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     “Anti-takeover” provisions and the regulations to which we are subject also may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us, even if the change in control would be beneficial to shareholders.
     We are a financial and bank holding company incorporated in the State of Montana. Anti-takeover provisions in Montana law and our articles of incorporation and bylaws, as well as regulatory approvals that would be required under federal law, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us and may prevent shareholders from receiving a premium for their shares of our common stock. These provisions could adversely affect the value of our common stock and could reduce the amount that shareholders might receive if we were to be sold.
     Our articles of incorporation provide that our board of directors may issue up to 95,000 additional shares of preferred stock, in one or more series, without shareholder approval and with such terms, conditions, rights, privileges and preferences as the board of directors may deem appropriate. In addition, our articles of incorporation provide for staggered terms for our board of directors and limitations on persons authorized to call a special meeting of shareholders. In addition, certain provisions of Montana law may have the effect of inhibiting a third party from making a proposal to acquire us or of impeding a change of control under circumstances that otherwise could provide the holders of our common stock with the opportunity to realize a premium for their shares.
     Further, the acquisition of specified amounts of our common stock (in some cases, the acquisition of more than 5% of our common stock) may require certain regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Federal Reserve and one or more of our state banking regulatory agencies. The filing of applications with these agencies and the accompanying review process can take several months. Additionally, as discussed above, the members of the Scott family have voting control of our company. This and the other factors described above may hinder or even prevent a change in control of us, even if a change in control would be beneficial to our shareholders.
     Our common stock is subordinate to our existing and future indebtedness and to our outstanding Series A Preferred Stock.
     Shares of our common stock and Series A Preferred Stock are equity interests and do not constitute indebtedness. As such, they rank junior to all our indebtedness, including our subordinated term loans, the subordinated debentures held by trusts that have issued trust preferred securities and other non-equity claims on us with respect to assets available to satisfy claims on us. Additionally, holders of our common stock are subject to the prior dividend and liquidation rights of any holders of our Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding.
     In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources or, if our Bank’s capital ratios fall below the required minimums, we or the Bank could be forced to raise additional capital by making additional offerings of debt or equity securities, including medium-term notes, trust preferred securities, senior or subordinated notes and preferred stock. Or, we may issue additional debt or equity securities as consideration for future mergers and acquisitions. Such additional debt and equity offerings may place restrictions on our ability to pay dividends on or repurchase our common stock, dilute the holdings of our existing shareholders or reduce the value of your common stock. Furthermore, acquisitions typically involve the payment of a premium over book and market values and therefore, some dilution of our tangible book value and net income per common stock may occur in connection with any future transaction. Holders of our outstanding capital stock are not entitled to preemptive rights or other protections against dilution.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
     We are not an accelerated filer or a large accelerated filer, as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, or a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. We have not received any written comments from the SEC staff regarding our periodic or current reports filed under the Exchange Act.
Item 2. Properties
     Our principal executive offices and one of our banking offices are anchor tenants in an eighteen story commercial building located in Billings, Montana. The building is owned by a joint venture partnership in which the Bank is one of two partners, owning a 50% interest in the partnership. We lease approximately 96,532 square feet of office space in the building. We also own a 65,226 square foot building that houses our operations center in Billings, Montana. We provide banking services at 71 additional locations in Montana, Wyoming and western South Dakota, of which 18 properties are leased from independent third parties and 53 properties are owned by us. We believe each of our facilities is suitable and adequate to meet our current operational needs.

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings
     In the normal course of business, we are named or threatened to be named as a defendant in various lawsuits. Management, following consultation with legal counsel, does not expect the ultimate disposition of one or a combination of these matters to have a material adverse effect on our business.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
     No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2009.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters
and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Description of Our Capital Stock
     Our authorized capital stock consists of 20,000,000 shares of common stock without par value, of which 7,837,397 shares were outstanding as of January 31, 2010, and 100,000 shares of preferred stock without par value, of which 5,000 shares have been designated as 6.75% Series A noncumulative redeemable preferred stock, or Series A Preferred Stock. As of January 31, 2010, all 5,000 shares of authorized Series A Preferred Stock were outstanding.
Preferred Stock
     Our board of directors is authorized, without approval of the holders of common stock, to provide for the issuance of preferred stock from time to time in one or more series in such number and with such designations, preferences, powers and other special rights as may be stated in the resolution or resolutions providing for such preferred stock. Our board of directors may cause us to issue preferred stock with voting, conversion and other rights that could adversely affect the holders of the common stock or make it more difficult to effect a change in control.
     In connection with the First Western acquisition in January 2008, our board of directors authorized the issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock, which ranks senior to our common stock and to all equity securities issued by us with respect to dividend and liquidation rights. The Series A Preferred Stock has no voting rights. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when and if declared by the board of directors, noncumulative cash dividends at an annual rate of $675 per share (based on a 360 day year). In the event dividends are not paid for three consecutive quarters, the Series A Preferred Stock holders are entitled to elect two members to our board of directors. The Series A Preferred Stock is subject to indemnification obligations and set-off rights pursuant to the purchase agreement entered into at the time of the First Western acquisition. We may, at our option, redeem all or any part of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock at any time after January 10, 2013, subject to certain conditions, at a price of $10,000 per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends at the date fixed for redemption. The Series A Preferred Stock may be redeemed prior to January 10, 2013 only in the event we are entitled to exercise our set-off rights pursuant to the First Western purchase agreement. After January 10, 2018, the Series A Preferred Stock may be converted, at the option of the holder, into shares of our common stock at a ratio of 80 shares of common stock for every one share of Series A Preferred Stock. Prior to conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, holders are required to enter into shareholder agreements that contain transfer restrictions with respect to the common stock.
Common Stock
     Each share of the common stock is entitled to one vote in the election of directors and in all other matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Accordingly, holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors may elect all of the directors standing for election if they choose to do so, subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of the preferred stock. Voting for directors is noncumulative.
     Subject to the preferential rights of the Series A Preferred Stock and any other preferred stock that may at the time be outstanding, each share of common stock has an equal and ratable right to receive dividends when, if and as declared by the board of directors out of assets legally available. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common stock will be entitled to share equally and ratably in the assets available for distribution after payments to creditors and to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and any other preferred stock that may at the time be outstanding. Holders of common stock have no conversion, preemptive or other rights to subscribe for any additional shares of common stock or for other securities. All outstanding common stock is fully paid and non-assessable.

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     Our common stock is not actively traded, and there is no established trading market for the stock. There is only one class of common stock. As of January 31, 2010, 92% of our shares of common stock were subject to contractual transfer restrictions set forth in shareholder agreements and approximately 8% were held by 17 shareholders without such restrictions, including our 401(k) plan, or Savings Plan, which holds 76% of the unrestricted shares. See also Part I, Item 1, “Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Investments in Our Common Stock.”
     We are planning to convene a special meeting of shareholders in March 2010 to consider certain amendments to our existing restated articles of incorporation, including the recapitalization of our common stock. The proposed amendments would, among other things, (i) redesignate our existing common stock as Class B common stock, with five votes per share, which upon transfer, except for certain permitted transfers, would automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock; (ii) increase the number of authorized shares of Class B common stock to 100,000,000 shares; (iii) create a new class of common stock designated as Class A common stock, with one vote per share, consisting of 100,000,000 shares; and (iv) effect a forward stock split ranging from 3:1 to 5:1 shares of Class B common stock. Our Board of Directors has determined the amendments are necessary and appropriate in connection with our proposed initial public offering, which was announced on January 15, 2010.
     Minority appraisal values as of each calendar quarter end for the past two years, determined by an independent valuation expert, follow:
                 
Valuation Based on           Appraised  
Financial Data as of   Valuation Effective Date     Minority Value  
December 31, 2007
  February 15, 2008   $ 83.50  
March 31, 2008
  May 15, 2008     84.75  
June 30, 2008
  August 13, 2008     77.00  
September 30, 2008
  November 14, 2008     79.75  
December 31, 2008
  March 2, 2009     74.50  
March 31, 2009
  May 15, 2009     61.00  
June 30, 2009
  August 17, 2009     60.00  
September 30, 2009
  November 16, 2009     61.50  
December 31, 2009
  February 5, 2010     60.00  
     Resale of our common stock may be restricted pursuant to the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. In addition, most shares of our common stock are subject to shareholder’s agreements:
    Members of the Scott family, as majority shareholders who own an aggregate of 6,103,238 shares, are subject to a shareholder’s agreement. Under this agreement, the Scott family has agreed to limit the transfer of shares owned by members of the Scott family to family members or charities, or with our approval, to our officers, directors, advisory directors or to our Savings Plan.
 
    Shareholders who are not Scott family members, with the exception of 17 shareholders who own an aggregate of 633,502 shares of unrestricted stock, are subject to shareholder’s agreements. Stock subject to these agreements may not be sold or transferred without triggering our option to acquire the stock in accordance with the terms of these agreements. In addition, the agreements grant us the right to repurchase all or some of the stock under certain conditions.
     Purchases of our common stock made through our Savings Plan are not restricted by shareholder agreements. Since the Savings Plan does not allow distributions “in kind,” however, any distribution from an employee’s account in the Savings Plan will require the Savings Plan administrator to authorize a sale of the stock.
     As of January 31, 2010, we had 757 record shareholders, including the Wealth Management division of First Interstate Bank as trustee for 481,110 shares held on behalf of 1,210 individual participants in the Savings Plan. Of such participants, 335 individuals also own shares of our stock outside of the Savings Plan. The Savings Plan Trustee votes the shares based on the instructions of each participant. In the event the participant does not provide the Savings Plan Trustee with instructions, the Savings Plan Trustee votes those shares in accordance with voting instructions received from a majority of the participants in the plan.

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Dividends
     It is our policy to pay a dividend to all common shareholders quarterly. Dividends are declared and paid in the month following the calendar quarter. The board may change or eliminate the payment of future dividends.
     Recent quarterly dividends follow:
                 
    Amount     Total Cash  
Month Declared and Paid   Per Share     Dividends  
January 2008
  $ 0.65     $ 5,207,192  
April 2008
    0.65       5,124,399  
July 2008
    0.65       5,090,168  
October 2008
    0.65       5,157,034  
January 2009
    0.65       5,127,714  
April 2009
    0.45       3,522,836  
July 2009
    0.45       3,513,986  
October 2009
    0.45       3,528,996  
January 2010
    0.45       3,519,163  
Dividend Restrictions
     For a description of restrictions on the payment of dividends, see Part I, Item 1, “Business – Regulation and Supervision – Restrictions on Transfers of Funds to Us and the Bank,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Capital Resources and Liquidity Management” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition—Long-Term Debt” included in Part II, Item 7 herein.
Sales of Unregistered Securities
     There were no issuances of unregistered securities during the fourth quarter of 2009.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
     The following table provides information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of us or any “affiliated purchasers” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act) of our common stock during the three months ended December 31, 2009.
Purchases of Equity Securities by Issuer
                         
                    Total Number   Maximum Number
                    of Shares Purchased   of Shares That
    Total Number             as Part of Publicly   May Yet Be
    of Shares     Average Price     Announced   Purchased Under the
Period   Purchased (1)     Paid Per Share     Plans or Programs   Plans or Programs
 
October 2009
        $     Not Applicable   Not Applicable
November 2009
              Not Applicable   Not Applicable
December 2009
    24,331       61.50     Not Applicable   Not Applicable
 
 
                       
Total
    24,331     $ 61.50     Not Applicable   Not Applicable
 
 
(1)   Our common stock is not publicly traded, and there is no established trading market for the stock. There is only one class of common stock. As of December 31, 2009, approximately 92% of our common stock was subject to contractual transfer restrictions set forth in shareholder agreements. We have a right of first refusal to repurchase the restricted stock. Additionally, under certain conditions we may call restricted stock held by our officers, directors and employees. We have no obligation to purchase restricted or unrestricted stock, but have historically purchased such stock. All purchases indicated in the table above were effected pursuant to private transactions.

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Performance Graph
     The performance graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return of our common stock with the cumulative total return on equity securities of companies included in the Nasdaq Composite Index and the Nasdaq Bank Index. The Nasdaq Bank Index is a comparative peer index comprised of financial companies, including banks, savings institutions and related holding companies that perform banking-related functions, listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Nasdaq Composite Index is a comparative broad market index comprised of all domestic and international common stocks listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The graph assumes an investment of $100 on December 31, 2004 and reinvestment of dividends on the date of payment without commissions. The plot points on the graph were provided by SNL Financial LC, Charlottesville, VA.
Our common stock is not publicly traded, and there is no established trading market for our stock. The cumulative total shareholder return for our common stock is based on the minority appraised value of the common stock, which represents the estimated fair market valuation of a minority interest, taking into account adjustments for the lack of marketability and other factors, as of December 31st of each year. The performance graph represents past performance, which may not be indicative of the future performance of our common stock.
(GRAPHIC LOGO)
                                                 
    Period Ending  
Index   12/31/04     12/31/05     12/31/06     12/31/07     12/31/08     12/31/09  
 
First Interstate BancSystems, Inc.
    100.00       115.99       149.94       145.47       134.00       111.30  
NASDAQ Composite
    100.00       101.37       111.03       121.92       72.49       104.31  
NASDAQ Bank
    100.00       95.67       106.20       82.76       62.96       51.31  

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Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data
     The following selected consolidated financial data with respect to our consolidated financial position as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of our operations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15. This data should be read in conjunction with Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and such consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto. The selected consolidated financial data with respect to our consolidated financial position as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, and the results of our operations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included herein.
Five Year Summary
 
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
                                         
As of or for the year ended December 31,   2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
Selected Balance Sheet Data:
                                       
Net loans
  $ 4,424,974     $ 4,685,497     $ 3,506,625     $ 3,262,911     $ 2,991,904  
Investment securities
    1,446,280       1,072,276       1,128,657       1,124,598       1,019,901  
Total assets
    7,137,653       6,628,347       5,216,797       4,974,134       4,562,313  
Deposits
    5,824,056       5,174,259       3,999,401       3,708,511       3,547,590  
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
    474,141       525,501       604,762       731,548       518,718  
Long-term debt
    73,353       84,148       5,145       21,601       54,654  
Subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
    123,715       123,715       103,095       41,238       41,238  
Preferred stockholders’ equity
    50,000       50,000                    
Common stockholders’ equity
    524,434       489,062       444,443       410,375       349,847  
 
                             
 
                                       
Selected Income Statement Data:
                                       
Interest income
  $ 328,034     $ 355,919     $ 325,557     $ 293,423     $ 233,857  
Interest expense
    84,898       120,542       125,954       105,960       63,549  
 
                             
Net interest income
    243,136       235,377       199,603       187,463       170,308  
Provision for loan losses
    45,300       33,356       7,750       7,761       5,847  
 
                             
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    197,836       202,021       191,853       179,702       164,461  
Non-interest income
    100,690       128,597       92,367       102,181       70,651  
Non-interest expense
    217,710       222,541       178,786       164,775       151,087  
 
                             
Income before income taxes
    80,816       108,077       105,434       117,108       84,025  
Income tax expense
    26,953       37,429       36,793       41,499       29,310  
 
                             
Net income
    53,863       70,648       68,641       75,609       54,715  
Preferred stock dividends
    3,422       3,347                    
 
                             
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 50,441     $ 67,301     $ 68,641     $ 75,609     $ 54,715  
 
                             
 
                                       
Common Share Data:
                                       
Earnings per share:
                                       
Basic
  $ 6.44     $ 8.55     $ 8.45     $ 9.32     $ 6.84  
Diluted
    6.37       8.38       8.25       9.11       6.71  
Dividends per share
    2.00       2.60       2.97       2.27       1.88  
Book value per share (1)
    66.91       62.00       55.51       50.38       43.20  
Tangible book value per share (2)
    42.13       37.07       50.81       45.74       38.43  
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                                       
Basic
    7,833,917       7,871,034       8,126,804       8,112,610       8,001,682  
Diluted
    7,919,625       8,028,168       8,322,480       8,303,990       8,149,337  
 
                             

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Five Year Summary (continued)
 
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
                                         
As of or for the year ended December 31,   2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
Financial Ratios:
                                       
Return on average assets
    0.79 %     1.12 %     1.37 %     1.60 %     1.26 %
Return on average common stockholders’ equity
    9.96       14.73       16.14       20.38       16.79  
Average stockholders’ equity to average assets
    8.16       7.98       8.52       7.85       7.52  
Yield on average earning assets
    5.44       6.37       7.21       6.94       6.12  
Cost of average interest bearing liabilities
    1.63       2.50       3.43       3.05       1.99  
Interest rate spread
    3.81       3.87       3.78       3.89       4.13  
Net interest margin (3)
    4.05       4.25       4.46       4.47       4.48  
Efficiency ratio (4)
    63.32       61.14       61.23       56.89       62.70  
Common stock dividend payout ratio (5)
    31.06       30.41       35.15       24.36       27.49  
Loan to deposit ratio
    77.75       92.24       88.99       89.26       85.53  
 
                             
 
                                       
Asset Quality Ratios
                                       
Non-performing loans to total loans (6)
    2.75 %     1.90 %     0.98 %     0.53 %     0.63 %
Non-performing assets to total loans and other real estate owned (OREO) (7)
    3.57       2.03       1.00       0.55       0.67  
Non-performing assets to total assets
    2.28       1.46       0.68       0.36       0.45  
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
    2.28       1.83       1.47       1.43       1.40  
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans
    82.64       96.03       150.66       269.72       220.73  
Net charge-offs to average loans
    0.63       0.28       0.08       0.09       0.19  
 
                             
 
                                       
Capital Ratios:
                                       
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (8)
    4.79 %     4.58 %     7.85 %     7.55 %     6.88 %
Tier 1 common capital to total risk weighted assets (9)
    6.43       5.35       9.95       9.68       8.94  
Leverage ratio
    7.30       7.13       9.92       8.61       7.91  
Tier 1 risk-based capital
    9.74       8.57       12.39       10.71       10.07  
Total risk-based capital
    11.68       10.49       13.64       11.93       11.27  
 
                             
 
(1)   For purposes of computing book value per share, book value equals common stockholders’ equity.
 
(2)   Tangible book value per share is a non-GAAP financial measure that management uses to evaluate our capital adequacy. For purposes of computing tangible book value per share, tangible book value equals common stockholders’ equity less goodwill, core deposit intangibles and other intangible assets (except mortgage servicing rights). Tangible book value per share is calculated as tangible common stockholders’ equity divided by common shares outstanding, and its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is book value per share. See below our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures under the caption “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Part II, Item 6.
 
(3)   Net interest margin ratio is presented on a fully taxable equivalent, or FTE, basis.
 
(4)   Efficiency ratio represents non-interest expense, excluding loan loss provision, divided by the aggregate of net interest income and non-interest income.
 
(5)   Common stock dividend payout ratio represents dividends per common share divided by basic earnings per common share.
 
(6)   Non-performing loans include nonaccrual loans, loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest and restructured loans.
 
(7)   Non-performing assets include nonaccrual loans, loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest and restructured loans and OREO.
 
(8)   Tangible common equity to tangible assets is a non-GAAP financial measure that management uses to evaluate our capital adequacy. For purposes of computing tangible common equity to tangible assets, tangible common equity is calculated as common stockholders’ equity less goodwill and other intangible assets (except mortgage servicing assets), and tangible assets is calculated as total assets less goodwill and other intangible assets (except mortgage servicing rights). See below our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures under the caption “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Part II, Item 6.
 
(9)   For purposes of computing tier 1 common capital to total risk-weighted assets, tier 1 common capital excludes preferred stock and trust preferred securities.

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
     In addition to results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals in the United States of America, or GAAP, this annual report contains the following non-GAAP financial measures that management uses to evaluate our capital adequacy: tangible book value per share and tangible common equity to tangible assets. Tangible book value per share is calculated as tangible common stockholders’ equity divided by common shares outstanding. Tangible assets is calculated as total assets less goodwill and other intangible assets (excluding mortgage servicing assets). Tangible common equity to tangible assets is calculated as tangible common stockholders’ equity divided by tangible assets. These non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies because other companies may not calculate these non-GAAP measures in the same manner. They also should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.
     The following table shows a reconciliation from ending stockholders’ equity (GAAP) to ending tangible common stockholders’ equity (non-GAAP) and ending assets (GAAP) to ending tangible assets (non-GAAP), their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, in each instance as of the periods presented.
Five Year Summary
 
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
                                         
As of December 31,   2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
Preferred stockholders’ equity
  $ 50,000     $ 50,000     $     $     $  
Common stockholders’ equity
    524,434       489,062       444,443       410,375       349,847  
 
                             
Total stockholders’ equity
    574,434       539,062       444,443       410,375       349,847  
Less goodwill and other intangible assets
    194,273       196,667       37,637       37,812       38,595  
Less preferred stock
    50,000       50,000                    
 
                             
Tangible common stockholders’ equity
  $ 330,161     $ 292,395     $ 406,806     $ 372,563     $ 311,252  
 
                             
Number of common shares outstanding
    7,837,397       7,887,519       8,006,041       8,144,788       8,098,933  
Book value per common share
  $ 66.91     $ 62.00     $ 55.51     $ 50.38     $ 43.20  
Tangible book value per common share
    42.13       37.07       50.81       45.74       38.43  
 
                             
Total assets
  $ 7,137,653     $ 6,628,347     $ 5,216,797     $ 4,974,134     $ 4,562,313  
Less goodwill and other intangible assets
    194,273       196,667       37,637       37,812       38,595  
 
                             
Tangible assets
  $ 6,943,380     $ 6,431,680     $ 5,179,160     $ 4,936,322     $ 4,523,718  
 
                             
Tangible common stockholders’ equity to tangible assets
    4.76 %     4.55 %     7.85 %     7.55 %     6.88 %
 
                             
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Factors that Could Affect Future Results
     This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 175 promulgated thereunder, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 3b-6 promulgated thereunder, that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Any statements about our plans, objectives, expectations, strategies, beliefs, or future performance or events constitute forward-looking statements. Such statements are identified as those that include words or phrases such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “trend,” “objective,” “continue” or similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “may” or similar expressions.

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     Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, estimates and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any results, performance or events expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed in this report including, among others, the following risk factors discussed more fully in Part I, Item 1A hereof:
    credit losses;
    concentrations of real estate loans;
    economic and market developments, including inflation;
    commercial loan risk;
    adequacy of our allowance for loan losses;
    impairment of goodwill;
    changes in interest rates;
    access to low-cost funding sources;
    increases in deposit insurance premiums;
    inability to grow our business;
    adverse economic conditions affecting Montana, Wyoming and western South Dakota;
    governmental regulation and changes in regulatory, tax and accounting rules and interpretations;
    changes in or noncompliance with governmental regulations;
    effects of recent legislative and regulatory efforts to stabilize financial markets;
    dependence on our management team;
    ability to attract and retain qualified employees;
    failure of technology;
    disruption of vital infrastructure and other business interruptions;
    illiquidity in the credit markets;
    inability to meet liquidity requirements;
    lack of acquisition candidates;
    failure to manage growth;
    competition;
    inability to manage risks in turbulent and dynamic market conditions;
    ineffective internal operational controls;
    environmental remediation and other costs;
    failure to effectively implement technology-driven products and services;
    litigation pertaining to fiduciary responsibilities;
    capital required to support our Bank subsidiary;
    failure to meet our debt covenants;
    soundness of other financial institutions;
    impact of Basel II capital standards;
    inability of our Bank subsidiary to pay dividends;
    change in dividend policy;
    lack of public market for our common stock;
    transfer restrictions on our common stock;
    limitations on stock repurchases
    voting control;
    dilution as a result of future equity issuances;
    anti-takeover provisions; and
    subordination of common stock to company debt and preferred stock.
     These factors are not necessarily all of the factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could harm our results.
     All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and we do not undertake or assume any obligation to update publicly any of these statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

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Executive Overview
     We are a financial and bank holding company headquartered in Billings, Montana. As of December 31, 2009, we had consolidated assets of $7.1 billion, deposits of $5.8 billion, loans of $4.5 billion and total stockholders’ equity of $574 million. We currently operate 72 banking offices in 42 communities located in Montana, Wyoming and western South Dakota. Through the Bank, we deliver a comprehensive range of banking products and services to individuals, businesses, municipalities and other entities throughout our market areas. Our customers participate in a wide variety of industries, including energy, healthcare and professional services, education and governmental services, construction, mining, agriculture, retail and wholesale trade and tourism.
     Our principal business activity is lending to and accepting deposits from individuals, businesses, municipalities and other entities. We derive our income principally from interest charged on loans and, to a lesser extent, from interest and dividends earned on investments. We also derive income from non-interest sources such as fees received in connection with various lending and deposit services; trust, employee benefit, investment and insurance services; mortgage loan originations, sales and servicing; merchant and electronic banking services; and from time to time, gains on sales of assets. Our principal expenses include interest expense on deposits and borrowings, operating expenses, provisions for loan losses and income tax expense.
     Our loan portfolio consists of a mix of real estate, consumer, commercial, agricultural and other loans, including fixed and variable rate loans. Our real estate loans comprise commercial real estate, construction (including residential, commercial and land development loans), residential, agricultural and other real estate loans. Fluctuations in the loan portfolio are directly related to the economies of the communities we serve. While each loan originated generally must meet minimum underwriting standards established in our credit policies, lending officers are granted discretion within pre-approved limits in approving and pricing loans to assure that the banking offices are responsive to competitive issues and community needs in each market area. We fund our loan portfolio primarily with the core deposits from our customers, generally without utilizing brokered deposits and with minimal reliance on wholesale funding sources.
     In furtherance of our strategy to maintain and enhance our long-term performance while we continue to grow and expand our business, we completed two strategic transactions in 2008. In January 2008 we completed the First Western acquisition, which comprised the purchase of two banks (First Western Bank in Wall, South Dakota and The First Western Bank Sturgis in Sturgis, South Dakota) and a data center located in western South Dakota with combined total assets as of the acquisition date of approximately $913 million. Because the results of First Western Bank are not included in our results for the periods prior to the date of acquisition, our results and other financial data for such prior periods may not be comparable in all respects to our results for periods after the date of acquisition. On December 31, 2008, we completed the disposition of i_Tech, our technology services subsidiary, to a national technology services provider. The disposition eliminated our technology services operating segment, enabling us to focus on our core business and only remaining segment, community banking. Because the operating results attributable to our former technology services operating segment are not included in our operating results for periods subsequent to the date of disposition, our results for periods prior to the date of that transaction may not be comparable in all respects. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements –Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements–Acquisitions and Dispositions” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.
Primary Factors Used in Evaluating Our Business
     As a banking institution, we manage and evaluate various aspects of both our financial condition and our results of operations. We monitor our financial condition and performance on a monthly basis, at our holding company, at the Bank and at each banking office. We evaluate the levels and trends of the line items included in our balance sheet and statements of income, as well as various financial ratios that are commonly used in our industry. We analyze these ratios and financial trends against both our own historical levels and the financial condition and performance of comparable banking institutions in our region and nationally.

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     Results of Operations
     Principal factors used in managing and evaluating our results of operations include return on average assets, net interest income, non-interest income, non-interest expense and net income. Net interest income is affected by the level of interest rates, changes in interest rates and changes in the composition of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. The most significant impact on our net interest income between periods is derived from the interaction of changes in the rates earned or paid on interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, which we refer to as interest rate spread. The volume of loans, investment securities and other interest earning assets, compared to the volume of interest bearing deposits and indebtedness, combined with the interest rate spread, produces changes in our net interest income between periods. Non-interest bearing sources of funds, such as demand deposits and stockholders’ equity, also support earning assets. The impact of free funding sources is captured in the net interest margin, which is calculated as net interest income divided by average earning assets. Given the interest free nature of free funding sources, the net interest margin is generally higher than the interest rate spread. We seek to increase our net interest income over time, and we evaluate our net interest income on factors that include the yields on our loans and other earning assets, the costs of our deposits and other funding sources, the levels of our net interest spread and net interest margin and the provisions for loan losses required to maintain our allowance for loan losses at an adequate level.
     We seek to increase our non-interest income over time, and we evaluate our non-interest income relative to the trends of the individual types of non-interest income in view of prevailing market conditions.
     We seek to manage our non-interest expenses in consideration of the growth of our business and our community banking model that emphasizes customer service and responsiveness. We evaluate our non-interest expense on factors that include our non-interest expense relative to our average assets, our efficiency ratio and the trends of the individual categories of non-interest expense.
     Finally, we seek to increase our net income and provide favorable shareholder returns over time, and we evaluate our net income relative to the performance of other banks and bank holding companies on factors that include return on average assets, return on average equity, and consistency and rates of growth in our earnings.
     Financial Condition
     Principal areas of focus in managing and evaluating our financial condition include liquidity, the diversification and quality of our loans, the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses, the diversification and terms of our deposits and other funding sources, the re-pricing characteristics and maturities of our assets and liabilities, including potential interest rate exposure and the adequacy of our capital levels. We seek to maintain sufficient levels of cash and investment securities to meet potential payment and funding obligations, and we evaluate our liquidity on factors that include the levels of cash and highly liquid assets relative to our liabilities, the quality and maturities of our investment securities, our ratio of loans to deposits and our reliance on brokered certificates of deposit or other wholesale funding sources.
     We seek to maintain a diverse and high quality loan portfolio, and we evaluate our asset quality on factors that include the allocation of our loans among loan types, credit exposure to any single borrower or industry type, non-performing assets as a percentage of total loans and OREO, and loan charge-offs as a percentage of average loans. We seek to maintain our allowance for loan losses at a level adequate to absorb potential losses inherent in our loan portfolio at each balance sheet date, and we evaluate the level of our allowance for loan losses relative to our overall loan portfolio and the level of non-performing loans and potential charge-offs.
     We seek to fund our assets primarily using core customer deposits spread among various deposit categories, and we evaluate our deposit and funding mix on factors that include the allocation of our deposits among deposit types, the level of our non-interest bearing deposits, the ratio of our core deposits (i.e. excluding time deposits above $100,000) to our total deposits and our reliance on brokered deposits or other wholesale funding sources, such as borrowings from other banks or agencies. We seek to manage the mix, maturities and re-pricing characteristics of our assets and liabilities to maintain relative stability of our net interest rate margin in a changing interest rate environment, and we evaluate our asset-liability management using complex models to evaluate the changes to our net interest income under different interest rate scenarios.
     Finally, we seek to maintain adequate capital levels to absorb unforeseen operating losses and to help support the growth of our balance sheet. We evaluate our capital adequacy using the regulatory and financial capital ratios including leverage capital ratio, tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, total risk-based capital ratio, tangible common equity to tangible assets and tier 1 common capital to total risk-weighted assets.

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     Trends and Developments
     Our success is highly dependent on economic conditions and market interest rates. Because we operate in Montana, Wyoming and western South Dakota, the local economic conditions in each of these areas are particularly important. Our local economies have not been impacted as severely by the national economic and real estate downturn, sub-prime mortgage crisis and ongoing financial market turmoil as many areas of the United States. Although the continuing impact of the national recession and financial market turmoil is uncertain, these factors affect our business and could have a material negative effect on our cash flows, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
     FDIC Insurance Premiums
     The FDIC made several adjustments to the assessment rate during 2009 including a special assessment permitted under statutory authority granted in 2008. The assessment schedule published as of April 1, 2009 and effective for assessments on and after September 30, 2009 provides for assessment ranges, based upon risk assessment of each insured depository institution, of between 7 and 77.5 cents per $100 of domestic deposits. We are currently in Risk Category 1, the lowest risk category, which provides for a base assessment range of 7 to 24 cents per $100 of domestic deposits. The special assessment was applicable to all insured depository institutions and totaled 5 basis points of each institution’s total assets less tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009, not to exceed 10 basis points of domestic deposits.
     On November 21, 2008, the FDIC adopted a final rule relating to the TLG Program. Under the TLG Program, the FDIC will (1) guarantee, through the earlier of maturity or June 30, 2012, certain newly issued senior unsecured debt issued by participating institutions on or after October 14, 2008 and before June 30, 2009 and (2) provide full FDIC deposit insurance coverage for non-interest bearing transaction deposit accounts, NOW accounts paying 0.5% or less interest per annum and IOLTA held at participating FDIC-insured institutions through June 30, 2010. On March 17, 2009, the FDIC extended the debt guarantee program through October 31, 2009. We elected to participate in the deposit insurance coverage guarantee program. We have elected not to participate in the unsecured debt guarantee program because more cost-effective liquidity sources are available to us. Coverage under the TLG Program was available for the first 30 days without charge. The fee assessment for deposit insurance coverage is 10 basis points per annum on amounts in covered accounts exceeding $250,000.
     All FDIC-insured institutions are required to pay assessments to the FDIC to fund interest payments on bonds issued by FICO, an agency of the Federal government established to recapitalize the predecessor to the DIF. The FICO assessment rates, which are determined quarterly, averaged 0.01% of insured deposits in fiscal 2009. These assessments will continue until the FICO bonds mature in 2017.
     On November 17, 2009, the FDIC imposed a prepayment requirement on most insured depository organizations, requiring that the organizations prepay estimated quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009 and for each calendar quarter for calendar years 2010, 2011 and 2012. We made our prepayment on December 31, 2009 in the total amount of $32 million, which is included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet for December 31, 2009. The actual assessments becoming due from the Bank on the last day of each calendar quarter will be applied against the prepaid amount until the prepayment amount is exhausted. If the prepayment amount is not exhausted before June 30, 2013 any remaining balance will be returned to the Bank. The prepayment amount does not bear interest.
     Dividend Policy and Capital Resources
     In response to the current recession and uncertain market conditions, we implemented changes to our capital management practices to conserve capital. Beginning with second quarter 2009, we paid quarterly dividends of $0.45 per common share, a decrease of $0.20 per common share from quarterly dividends paid during 2008 and first quarter 2009. In addition, during 2009, we limited repurchases of common stock outside of our 401(k) retirement plan. During 2009, we repurchased 160,688 shares of common stock with an aggregate value of $11 million compared to repurchases of the 333,393 shares of common stock with an aggregate value of $28 million during 2008. We intend to continue to limit repurchases of common stock in 2010.
     During second quarter 2009, we received notification that our application for participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program was approved though we elected not to participate in this program.
     On January 15, 2010, we filed a registration statement with the SEC for a proposed initial public offering of shares of our Class A common stock. The offering is expected to consist of shares of Class A common stock to be sold by us and may include shares of Class A common stock to be sold by certain existing shareholders. The consummation of the proposed offering is subject to market conditions and other factors.

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     Asset Quality
     Difficult economic conditions continue to have a negative impact on businesses and consumers in our market areas. General declines in the real estate and housing markets resulted in significant deterioration in the credit quality of our loan portfolio, which is reflected by increases in non-performing and internally risk classified loans. Our non-performing assets increased to $163 million, or 3.57% of total loans and OREO, as of December 31, 2009, from $97 million, or 2.03% of total loans and OREO, as of December 31, 2008. Loan charge-offs, net of recoveries, totaled $30 million during 2009, as compared to $13 million during 2008, with all major loan categories reflecting increases. Based on our assessment of the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses, we recorded provisions for loan losses of $45.3 million during 2009, compared to $33.4 million during 2008. Increased provisions for loan losses reflect our estimation of the effect of current economic conditions on our loan portfolio. Given the current economic conditions and trends, management believes we will continue to experience higher levels of non-performing loans in the near-term, which will likely have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
     Net OREO expense was $6.4 million in 2009 compared to $215,000 in 2008. The increase in net OREO expense was primarily related to one real estate development property written down by $4.3 million during third quarter 2009 due to a decline in the estimated market value of the property.
     Goodwill
     During third quarter 2009, we conducted our annual testing of goodwill for impairment and determined that goodwill was not impaired as of July 1, 2009. If goodwill were to become impaired in future periods, we would be required to record a noncash downward adjustment to income, which would result in a corresponding decrease to our stated book value that could under certain circumstances render our Bank unable to pay dividends to us, thereby reducing our cash flow, creating liquidity issues and negatively impacting our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. Conversely, any such goodwill impairment charge could enable us to record an offsetting favorable tax deduction in the year of the impairment, which would result in a corresponding increase to our tangible book value and benefit to our regulatory capital ratios. Goodwill as of December 31, 2009 was $184 million. Approximately $159 million of our goodwill is deductible for tax purposes, of which $41 million has been recognized for tax purposes through December 31, 2009, resulting in a deferred tax liability of $16 million.
     Mortgage Servicing Rights
     Mortgage servicing rights are evaluated quarterly for impairment. Impairment adjustments, if any, are recorded through a valuation allowance. In an effort to reduce our exposure to earning charges or credits resulting from volatility in the fair value of our mortgage servicing rights, we sold mortgage servicing rights with a carrying value of $3 million to a secondary market investor during fourth quarter 2009 at a loss of approximately $48,000. In conjunction with the sale, we entered into a sub-servicing agreement with the purchaser whereby we will continue to service the loans for a fee. Management will continue to evaluate opportunities for additional sales of mortgage servicing rights in the future.
     Critical Accounting Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies
     Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and follow general practices within the industries in which we operate. Application of these principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Our significant accounting policies are summarized in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included in financial statements included Part IV, Item 15 of this report.
     Our critical accounting estimates are summarized below. Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if: (1) the accounting estimate requires management to make particularly difficult, subjective and/or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and (2) changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, or the use of different estimates that management could have reasonably used in the current period, would have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, results of operations or liquidity.

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     Allowance for Loan Losses
     The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting estimate because it requires significant judgment and the use of subjective measurements, including management’s assessment of the internal risk classifications of loans, changes in the nature of the loan portfolio, industry concentrations and the impact of current local, regional and national economic factors on the quality of the loan portfolio. Changes in these estimates and assumptions are reasonably possible and may have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, liquidity or results of operations. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at an amount we believe is sufficient to provide for estimated losses inherent in our loan portfolio at each balance sheet date. Management continuously monitors qualitative and quantitative trends in the loan portfolio, including changes in the levels of past due, internally classified and non-performing loans. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for a description of the methodology used to determine the allowance for loan losses. A discussion of the factors driving changes in the amount of the allowance for loan losses is included herein under the heading “—Financial Condition—Allowance for Loan Losses.” See also Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Market and Our Business.”
     Goodwill
     The excess purchase price over the fair value of net assets from acquisitions, or goodwill, is evaluated for impairment at least annually and on an interim basis if an event or circumstance indicates that it is likely an impairment has occurred. In testing for impairment, the fair value of net assets is estimated based on an analysis of market-based trading and transaction multiples of selected profitable banks in the western and mid-western regions of the United States and, if required, the estimated fair value is allocated to our assets and liabilities. Determining the fair value of goodwill is considered a critical accounting estimate because of its sensitivity to market-based trading and transaction multiples. In addition, any allocation of the fair value of goodwill to assets and liabilities requires significant management judgment and the use of subjective measurements. Variability in the market and changes in assumptions or subjective measurements used to allocate fair value are reasonably possible and may have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, liquidity or results of operations. For additional information regarding goodwill, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report. See also Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Market and Our Business.”
     Valuation of Mortgage Servicing Rights
     We recognize as assets the rights to service mortgage loans for others, whether acquired or internally originated. Mortgage servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value and are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated servicing income. Mortgage servicing rights are carried on the consolidated balance sheet at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. We utilize the expertise of a third-party consultant to estimate the fair value of our mortgage servicing rights quarterly. In evaluating the mortgage servicing rights, the consultant uses discounted cash flow modeling techniques, which require estimates regarding the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, including assumptions about loan repayment rates, costs to service, as well as interest rate assumptions that contemplate the risk involved. Management believes the valuation techniques and assumptions used by the consultant are reasonable.
     Determining the fair value of mortgage servicing rights is considered a critical accounting estimate because of the assets’ sensitivity to changes in estimates and assumptions used, particularly loan prepayment speeds and discount rates. Changes in these estimates and assumptions are reasonably possible and may have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, liquidity or results of operations. As of December 31, 2009, the consultant’s valuation model indicated that an immediate 25 basis point decrease in mortgage interest rates would result in a reduction in fair value of mortgage servicing rights of $5 million and an immediate 50 basis point reduction in mortgage interest rates would result in a reduction in fair value of $9 million. For additional information regarding the methodology we use to determine fair value of mortgage servicing rights, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Mortgage Servicing Rights,” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report. See also Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Market and Our Business.”
     Other Real Estate Owned
     Real estate acquired in satisfaction of loans is initially carried at current fair value less estimated selling costs. The value of the underlying loan is written down to the fair value of the real estate acquired by charge to the allowance for loan losses, if necessary, at or within 90 days of foreclosure. Subsequent declines in fair value less estimated selling costs are included in OREO expense. Subsequent increases in fair value less estimated selling costs are recorded as a reduction in OREO expense to the extent of recognized losses. Carrying costs, operating expenses, net of related income, and gains or losses on sales are included in OREO expense. For additional information regarding OREO, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Other Real Estate Owned,” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.

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Results of Operations
     The following discussion of our results of operations compares the years ended December 31, 2009 to December 31, 2008 and the years ended December 31, 2008 to December 31, 2007.
Net Interest Income
     Net interest income, the largest source of our operating income, is derived from interest, dividends and fees received on interest earning assets, less interest expense incurred on interest bearing liabilities. Interest earning assets primarily include loans and investment securities. Interest bearing liabilities include deposits and various forms of indebtedness. Net interest income is affected by the level of interest rates, changes in interest rates and changes in the composition of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities.
     The most significant impact on our net interest income between periods is derived from the interaction of changes in the volume of and rates earned or paid on interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. The volume of loans, investment securities and other interest earning assets, compared to the volume of interest bearing deposits and indebtedness, combined with the interest rate spread, produces changes in the net interest income between periods.

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     The following table presents, for the periods indicated, condensed average balance sheet information, together with interest income and yields earned on average interest earning assets and interest expense and rates paid on average interest bearing liabilities.
Average Balance Sheets, Yields and Rates
 
(Dollars in thousands)
                                                                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
    Average             Average     Average             Average     Average             Average  
    Balance     Interest     Rate     Balance     Interest     Rate     Balance     Interest     Rate  
 
 
                                                                       
Interest earning assets:
                                                                       
Loans (1)(2)
  $ 4,660,189     $ 281,799       6.05 %   $ 4,527,987     $ 306,976       6.78 %   $ 3,449,809     $ 274,020       7.94 %
U.S. government agency and mortgage-backed securities
    1,016,632       41,887       4.12       923,912       43,336       4.69       892,850       42,650       4.78  
Federal funds sold
    105,423       253       0.24       55,205       1,080       1.96       87,460       4,422       5.06  
Other securities
    1,556       50       3.21       5,020       214       4.26       857       3       0.35  
Tax exempt securities (2)
    134,373       8,398       6.25       147,812       9,382       6.35       111,732       7,216       6.46  
Interest bearing deposits in banks
    199,316       520       0.26       5,946       191       3.21       26,165       1,307       5.00  
 
 
                                                                       
Total interest earnings assets
    6,117,489       332,907       5.44       5,665,882       361,179       6.37       4,568,873       329,618       7.21  
Non-earning assets
    687,110                       667,206                       423,893                  
 
 
                                                                       
Total assets
  $ 6,804,599                     $ 6,333,088                     $ 4,992,766                  
 
 
                                                                       
Interest bearing liabilities:
                                                                       
Demand deposits
  $ 1,083,054     $ 4,068       0.38 %   $ 1,120,807     $ 12,966       1.16 %   $ 1,004,019     $ 23,631       2.35 %
Savings deposits
    1,321,625       10,033       0.76       1,144,553       18,454       1.61       940,521       24,103       2.56  
Time deposits
    2,129,313       59,125       2.78       1,688,859       65,443       3.87       1,105,959       51,815       4.69  
Repurchase agreements
    422,713       776       0.18       537,267       7,694       1.43       558,469       21,212       3.80  
Borrowings (3)
    56,817       1,367       2.41       126,690       3,130       2.47       8,515       428       5.03  
Long-term debt
    79,812       3,249       4.07       86,909       4,578       5.27       9,230       467       5.06  
Subordinated debentures held by by subsidiary trusts
    123,715       6,280       5.08       123,327       8,277       6.71       47,099       4,298       9.13  
 
 
                                                                       
Total interest bearing liabilities
    5,217,049       84,898       1.63       4,828,412       120,542       2.50       3,673,812       125,954       3.43  
 
                                                                       
Non-interest bearing deposits
    965,226                       940,968                       842,239                  
Other non-interest bearing liabilities
    67,061                       58,173                       51,529                  
Stockholders’ equity
    555,263                       505,535                       425,186                  
 
 
                                                                       
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 6,804,599                     $ 6,333,088                     $ 4,992,766                  
 
 
                                                                       
Net FTE interest income
          $ 248,009                     $ 240,637                     $ 203,664          
Less FTE adjustments (2)
            (4,873 )                     (5,260 )                     (4,061 )        
 
 
                                                                       
Net interest income from consoli- dated statements of income
          $ 243,136                     $ 235,377                     $ 199,603          
 
 
                                                                       
Interest rate spread
                    3.81 %                     3.87 %                     3.78 %
 
 
                                                                       
Net FTE interest margin (4)
                    4.05 %                     4.25 %                     4.46 %
 
 
(1)   Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans. Interest income on loans includes amortization of deferred loan fees net of deferred loan costs, which is not material.
 
(2)   Interest income and average rates for tax exempt loans and securities are presented on a FTE basis.
 
(3)   Includes interest on federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds. Excludes long-term debt.
 
(4)   Net FTE interest margin during the period equals (i) the difference between interest income on interest earning assets and the interest expense on interest bearing liabilities, divided by (ii) average interest earning assets for the period.
     Market interest rates, which declined steadily in 2008 and have remained at low levels during 2009, reduced our yield on interest earning assets and our cost of funds. Our net interest income, on a FTE basis, increased $7.4 million, or 3.1%, to $248.0 million in 2009, compared to $240.6 million in 2008.

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     Despite growth in net FTE interest income, we experienced lower interest rate spreads and compression of our net FTE interest margin in 2009, as compared to 2008. Our net FTE interest margin decreased 20 basis points to 4.05% in 2009, compared to 4.25% in 2008. Our focus on balancing growth to improve liquidity combined with weak loan demand during 2009 resulted in higher federal funds sold balances, which produce lower yields than other interest earnings assets. In addition, interest-free and low cost funding sources, such as demand deposits, federal funds purchased and short-term borrowings comprised a smaller percentage of our total funding base, which further compressed our net FTE interest margin.
     Net FTE interest income increased $37.0 million, or 18.2%, to $240.6 million in 2008, from $203.7 million in 2007, due largely to the net interest income of the acquired First Western entities. Average earning assets grew 24.0% in 2008, with approximately 78.0% of this growth attributable to the acquired First Western entities. Despite growth in earning assets and an increase in the interest rate spread, our net FTE interest margin decreased 21 basis points to 4.25% in 2008, as compared to 4.46% for 2007, largely due to the First Western acquisition. In conjunction with the acquisition, we incurred indebtedness to acquire non-earning assets, including goodwill, core deposit intangibles and premises and equipment. In addition, interest free funding sources, including non-interest bearing deposits and common equity, comprised a smaller percentage of our funding base during 2008 as compared to 2007. During fourth quarter 2008, the federal funds rate fell 125 to 150 basis points, with the last decrease taking the rate to between 0 and 25 basis points, further compressing our net FTE interest margin ratio during fourth quarter 2008.
     The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense resulting from estimated changes in average asset and liability balances (volume) and estimated changes in average interest rates (rate). Changes which are not due solely to volume or rate have been allocated to these categories based on the respective percent changes in average volume and average rate as they compare to each other.
Analysis of Interest Changes Due To Volume and Rates
 
(Dollars in thousands)
                                                                         
    Year Ended December 31, 2009     Year Ended December 31, 2008     Year Ended December 31, 2007  
    compared with     compared with     compared with  
    December 31, 2008     December 31, 2007     December 31, 2006  
    Volume     Rate     Net     Volume     Rate     Net     Volume     Rate     Net  
 
Interest earning assets:
                                                                       
Loans (1)
  $ 8,963     $ (34,140 )   $ (25,177 )   $ 85,640     $ (52,684 )   $ 32,956     $ 18,599     $ 8,560     $ 27,159  
U.S. government agency and mortgage-backed securities
    4,349       (5,798 )     (1,449 )     1,484       (798 )     686       (1,029 )     2,694       1,665  
Federal funds sold
    982       (1,809 )     (827 )     (1,631 )     (1,711 )     (3,342 )     2,196       30       2,226  
Other securities
    (148 )     (16 )     (164 )     15       196       211       (1 )     (2 )     (3 )
Tax exempt securities (1)
    (853 )     (131 )     (984 )     2,330       (164 )     2,166       424       (40 )     384  
Interest bearing deposits
                                                                   
in banks
    6,212       (5,883 )     329       (1,010 )     (106 )     (1,116 )     790       157       947  
 
 
                                                                       
Total change
    19,505       (47,777 )     (28,272 )     86,828       (55,267 )     31,561       20,979       11,399       32,378  
 
 
                                                                       
Interest bearing liabilities:
                                                                       
Demand deposits
    (437 )     (8,461 )     (8,898 )     2,749       (13,414 )     (10,665 )     2,852       4,927       7,779  
Savings deposits
    2,855       (11,276 )     (8,421 )     5,229       (10,878 )     (5,649 )     1,947       4,732       6,679  
Time deposits
    17,068       (23,386 )     (6,318 )     27,309       (13,681 )     13,628       3,764       8,060       11,824  
Repurchase agreements
    (1,640 )     (5,278 )     (6,918 )     (805 )     (12,713 )     (13,518 )     (3,175 )     (891 )     (4,066 )
Borrowings (2)
    (1,726 )     (37 )     (1,763 )     5,940       (3,238 )     2,702       (1,913 )     (17 )     (1,930 )
Long-term debt
    (374 )     (955 )     (1,329 )     3,930       181       4,111       (1,215 )     106       (1,109 )
Subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
    26       (2,023 )     (1,997 )     6,956       (2,977 )     3,979       495       322       817  
 
 
                                                                       
Total change
    15,772       (51,416 )     (35,644 )     51,308       (56,720 )     (5,412 )     2,755       17,239       19,994  
 
 
                                                                       
Increase (decrease) in FTE net interest income (1)
  $ 3,733     $ 3,639     $ 7,372     $ 35,520     $ 1,453     $ 36,973     $ 18,224     $ (5,840 )   $ 12,384  
 
 
(1)   Interest income and average rates for tax exempt loans and securities are presented on a FTE basis.
 
(2)   Includes interest on federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds.

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Provision for Loan Losses
     The provision for loan losses creates an allowance for loan losses known and inherent in the loan portfolio at each balance sheet date. We perform a quarterly assessment of the risks inherent in our loan portfolio, as well as a detailed review of each significant asset with identified weaknesses. Based on this analysis, we record a provision for loan losses in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses at appropriate levels. In determining the allowance for loan losses, we estimate losses on specific loans, or groups of loans, where the probable loss can be identified and reasonably determined. The balance of the allowance for loan losses is based on internally assigned risk classifications of loans, historical loan loss rates, changes in the nature of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, industry concentrations, delinquency trends, current economic factors and the estimated impact of current economic conditions on certain historical loan loss rates. Fluctuations in the provision for loan losses result from management’s assessment of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Ultimate loan losses may vary from current estimates. For additional information concerning the provision for loan losses, see “— Critical Accounting Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies” included herein.
     Effects of the broad recession began to impact our market areas in 2008. Ongoing stress from weakening economic conditions in 2008 and 2009 resulted in higher levels of non-performing loans, particularly real estate development loans. Fluctuations in provisions for loan losses reflect our assessment of the estimated effects of current economic conditions on our loan portfolio. The provision for loan losses increased $11.9 million, or 35.8%, to $45.3 million in 2009, as compared to $33.4 million in 2008. Quarterly provisions for loan losses during 2009 increased from $9.6 million during the first quarter to $13.5 million during the fourth quarter. The provision for loan losses increased $25.6 million, or 330.4%, to $33.4 million in 2008, as compared to $7.8 million in 2007. The majority of the increase in provisions for loan losses in 2008, as compared to 2007, occurred during the fourth quarter when we recorded provisions of $20.0 million, as compared to $5.6 million recorded in third quarter 2008 and $2.1 million recorded in fourth quarter 2007. For additional information concerning non-performing assets, see—Financial Condition—Non-Performing Assets” herein.
Non-interest Income
     Our principal sources of non-interest income include income from the origination and sale of loans; other service charges, commissions and fees; service charges on deposit accounts; and wealth management revenues. Non-interest income decreased $27.9 million, or 21.7%, to $100.7 million in 2009, from $128.6 million in 2008. Non-interest income increased $36.2 million, or 39.2%, to $128.6 million in 2008 from $92.4 million in 2007. Significant components of these fluctuations are discussed below.
     Income from the origination and sale of loans includes origination and processing fees on residential real estate loans held for sale and gains on residential real estate loans sold to third parties. Fluctuations in market interest rates have a significant impact on revenues generated from the origination and sale of loans. Higher interest rates can reduce the demand for home loans and loans to refinance existing mortgages. Conversely, lower interest rates generally stimulate refinancing and home loan origination. Income from the origination and sale of loans increased $18.6 million, or 151.7%, to $30.9 million in 2009, from $12.3 million in 2008, and 9.3% to $12.3 million in 2008, from $11.2 million in 2007. Low market interest rates increased demand for residential mortgage loans, which we generally sell into the secondary market with servicing rights retained. In June 2009, long-term interest rates increased causing a slowdown in application activity associated with fixed rate secondary market loans during the second half of 2009. If long-term rates remain at their existing levels or increase, income from the origination and sale of loans will likely decrease in future periods. Approximately $224,000 of the 2008 increase, as compared to 2007, was attributable to the acquired First Western entities.
     Other service charges, commissions and fees primarily include debit and credit card interchange income, mortgage servicing fees, insurance and other commissions and ATM service charge revenues. Other service charges, commissions and fees increased $554,000, or 2.0%, to $28.7 million in 2009, from $28.2 million in 2008. The increase was primarily due to additional fee income from higher volumes of debit card transactions. This increase was partially offset by decreases in insurance and other commissions of $709,000.
     Other service charges, commissions and fees increased $4.0 million, or 16.4%, to $28.2 million in 2008, from $24.2 million in 2007. Approximately $1.8 million of the 2008 increase was attributable to the acquired First Western entities. The remaining increase in 2008 was primarily due to additional fee income from higher volumes of credit and debit card transactions and increases in insurance commissions.
     Service charges on deposit accounts decreased $389,000, or 1.9%, to $20.3 million in 2009, from $20.7 million in 2008, primarily due to decreases in the number of overdraft fees assessed. Service charges on deposit accounts increased $2.9 million, or 16.4%, to $20.7 million in 2008, from $17.8 million in 2007. Substantially all of the 2008 increase was attributable to the acquired First Western entities.

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     Wealth management revenues are principally comprised of fees earned for management of trust assets and investment services revenues. Wealth management revenues decreased $1.5 million, or 12.4%, to $10.8 million in 2009, from $12.4 million in 2008. Approximately 61% of the decrease occurred in investment services revenues, primarily the result of decreases in brokerage transaction volumes. In addition, fees earned for management of trust funds, which are generally based on the market value of trust assets managed, were lower in 2009 due to declines in the market values of assets under trust administration. Wealth management revenues increased 5.3% to $12.4 million in 2008, from $11.7 million in 2007, due to the addition of new trust and investment services customers in 2008.
     On December 31, 2008, we completed the sale of our technology services subsidiary, i_Tech, to a national technology services provider. We recorded a $27.1 million net gain on the sale in 2008. i_Tech provided technology support services to us, our Bank and nonbank subsidiaries and to non-affiliated customers in our market areas and nine additional states. During 2008 and 2007, i_Tech generated $17.7 million and $19.1 million, respectively, in non-affiliate revenues. Subsequent to the sale, we no longer receive technology services revenues from non-affiliates.
     Technology services revenues decreased $1.4 million, or 7.2%, to $17.7 million in 2008, from $19.1 million in 2007. This decrease was primarily due to a $2.0 million contract termination fee recorded in 2007. In addition, item processing income decreased $718,000 in 2008, as compared to 2007, primarily due to the introduction of imaging technology that permits items to be captured electronically rather than through physical processing and transporting of the items. These decreases were offset by an increase of $1.8 million in core data processing revenues resulting from increases in the number of core data processing customers and the volume of core data transactions processed.
     Other income primarily includes company-owned life insurance revenues, check printing income, agency stock dividends and gains on sales of miscellaneous assets. Other income decreased $420,000, or 4.1%, to $9.7 million in 2009, from $10.2 million in 2008. During third quarter 2009, we recorded a non-recurring gain of $2.1 million on the sale of our Visa Inc. Class B shares. This increase was offset by first quarter 2008 non-recurring gains of $1.6 million on the mandatory redemption of Visa Inc. Class B shares and $1.1 million from the release of escrow funds related to the December 2006 sale of our interest in an internet bill payment company. For additional information regarding the conversion and sale of our Visa Inc. Class B shares, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statement—Commitments and Contingencies” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.
     Other income increased $1.9 million, or 23.2%, to $10.2 million in 2008, from $8.2 million in 2007. Exclusive of the acquired First Western entities, non-interest income decreased $1.7 million, or 20.2%, in 2008, as compared to 2007. During first quarter 2008, we recorded a gain of $1.6 million resulting from the mandatory redemption of our class B shares of Visa Inc. The net gain was split between our community banking and technology services operating segments. In addition, during first quarter 2008, we recorded a nonrecurring gain of $1.1 million due to the release of funds escrowed in conjunction with the December 2006 sale of our interest in an internet bill payment company. These gains were offset by decreases in earnings of securities held under deferred compensation plans and one-time gains recorded in 2007 of $986,000 on the sale of mortgage servicing rights and $737,000 from the conversion and subsequent sale of our MasterCard stock.
Non-interest Expense
     Non-interest expense decreased $4.8 million, or 2.2%, to $217.7 million in 2009, from $222.5 million in 2008. Non-interest expense increased $43.8 million, or 24.5%, to $222.5 million in 2008, from $178.8 million in 2007. Significant components of these fluctuations are discussed below.
     Salaries, wages and employee benefits expense decreased $455,000, or less than 1.0%, to $113.6 million in 2009 compared to $114.0 million for the same period in 2008. Normal inflationary and other increases in salaries, wages and employee benefits were offset by a reduction of approximately 120 full-time equivalent employees due to the sale of i_Tech in December 2008.
     Salaries, wages and employee benefits expense increased $15.9 million, or 16.2%, to $114.0 million in 2008, from $98.1 million in 2007. Approximately $12.2 million of the 2008 increase was attributable to the acquired First Western entities. The remaining increase was primarily due to higher group health insurance costs and wage increases. These increases were partially offset by decreases in incentive bonus and profit sharing accruals to reflect 2008 performance results.
     Occupancy expense decreased $463,000, or 2.8%, to $15.9 million in 2009, from $16.4 million in 2008. The decrease in occupancy expense was due to the discontinuation of a building lease in conjunction with the sale of i_Tech in December 2008. Occupancy expense increased $1.6 million, or 11.0%, to $16.4 million in 2008, from $14.7 million in 2007 due to the acquired First Western entities.

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     Furniture and equipment expense decreased $6.5 million, or 34.3%, to $12.4 million in 2009, from $18.9 million in 2008. The decrease in equipment maintenance and depreciation was due primarily due to the sale of i_Tech in December 2008. Furniture and equipment expense increased $2.7 million, or 16.3%, to $18.9 million in 2008, from $16.2 million in 2007. Approximately $1.2 million of the increase was attributable to the acquired First Western entities. The remaining increase was primarily due to higher depreciation and maintenance expenses resulting from the addition, replacement and repair of equipment in the ordinary course of business.
     FDIC insurance premiums increased $9.2 million, or 316.6%, to $12.1 million in 2009, from $2.9 million in 2008. For the first quarter of 2009 only, the FDIC increased all FDIC deposit assessment rates by 7 basis points and on February 27, 2009, the FDIC issued a final rule setting base assessment rates for Risk Category I institutions at 12 to 16 basis points, beginning April 1, 2009. On May 22, 2009, the FDIC issued a final rule which levied a special assessment applicable to all insured depository institutions totaling 5 basis points of each institution’s total assets less tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009, not to exceed 10 basis points of domestic deposits. Increases in deposit insurance expense were due to increases in fee assessment rates during 2009 and the special assessment of $3.1 million. The increases were also partly related to the additional 10 basis point per annum assessment paid on covered transaction accounts exceeding $250,000 under the deposit insurance coverage guarantee program and the full utilization of available credits to offset assessments during the first nine months of 2008. We expect FDIC insurance premiums to remain at their current high levels for the foreseeable future.
     FDIC insurance premiums increased $2.5 million, or 555.9%, to $2.9 million in 2008, from $444,000 in 2007. During the first half of 2008, we fully utilized a one-time credit provided by the FDIC to offset the cost of FDIC insurance premiums for “well-managed” banks. In addition, we elected to participate in the deposit insurance coverage guarantee program during fourth quarter 2008. The fee assessment for deposit insurance coverage on deposits insured under this program is 10 basis points per annum.
     Outsourced technology services expense increased $6.6 million, or 163.1%, to $10.6 million in 2009, from $4.0 million in 2008. Concurrent with the December 31, 2008 sale of i_Tech, we entered into a service agreement with the purchaser to receive data processing, electronic funds transfer and other technology services previously provided by i_Tech. This increase in outsourced technology services expense was largely offset by decreases in salaries, wages and benefits; furniture and equipment; occupancy; and other expenses. Outsourced technology services expense increased $900,000, or 28.9%, to $4.0 million in 2008, from $3.1 million in 2007, primarily due to increases in ATM fees resulting from higher transaction volumes.
     Mortgage servicing rights are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income. Changes in estimated servicing period and growth in the serviced loan portfolio cause amortization expense to vary between periods. Mortgage servicing rights amortization increased $1.7 million, or 27.9%, to $7.6 million in 2009, from $5.9 million in 2008 and $1.5 million, or 33.3%, to $5.9 million in 2008, from $4.4 million in 2007.
     Mortgage servicing rights are evaluated quarterly for impairment based on the fair value of the mortgage servicing rights. The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows, taking into consideration the estimated level of prepayments based on current industry expectations and the predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans. During a period of declining interest rates, the fair value of mortgage servicing rights is expected to decline due to anticipated prepayments within the portfolio. Alternatively, during a period of rising interest rates, the fair value of mortgage servicing rights is expected to increase because prepayments of the underlying loans would be anticipated to decline. Impairment adjustments are recorded through a valuation allowance. The valuation allowance is adjusted for changes in impairment through a charge to current period earnings. During 2009, we reversed previously recorded impairment of $7.2 million, as compared to a recording additional impairment of $10.9 million in 2008 and $1.7 million in 2007.
     OREO expense is recorded net of OREO income. Variations in net OREO expense between periods is primarily due to write-downs of the estimated fair value of OREO properties, fluctuations in gains and losses recorded on sales of OREO properties, fluctuations in the number of OREO properties held and the carrying costs and/or operating expenses associated with those properties. OREO expense was $6.4 million in 2009, as compared to $215,000 in 2008. This increase was primarily due to a $4.3 million write-down of the carrying value of one real estate development property due to a decline in the estimated market value of the property. During 2008, we recorded OREO expense of $215,000, compared to OREO income of $81,000 recorded in 2007.
     Core deposit intangibles represent the intangible value of depositor relationships resulting from deposit liabilities assumed and are amortized based on the estimated useful lives of the related deposits. We recorded core deposit intangibles of $14.9 million in conjunction with the acquisition of the First Western entities. These intangibles are being amortized using an accelerated method over their weighted average expected useful lives of 9.2 years. Core deposit intangible amortization expense was $2.1 million in 2009, compared to $2.5 million in 2008 and $174,000 in 2007. Core deposit intangible amortization expense is expected to decrease 18.0% to $1.7 million in 2010. For additional information regarding core deposit intangibles, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” included in Part IV, Item 15.

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     Other expenses primarily include professional fees; advertising and public relations costs; office supply, postage, freight, telephone and travel expenses; donations expense; debit and credit card expenses; board of director fees; and other losses. Other expenses decreased $2.5 million, or 5.4%, to $44.3 million in 2009, from $46.8 million in 2008. This decrease was primarily the result of a $1.3 million other-than-temporary impairment charge related to an available-for-sale corporate security and fraud losses of $708,000 recorded during 2008. Also contributing to the decrease in other expenses were reductions in expense due to the sale of i_Tech in December 2008 and a continuing focus on reducing targeted controllable expenses during 2009. These reductions were partially offset by higher debit card expense resulting from higher transaction volumes.
     Other expenses increased $6.9 million, or 17.3%, to $46.8 million in 2008, from $39.9 million in 2007. Exclusive of other expenses of the acquired First Western entities, which included a $1.3 million other-than-temporary impairment charge on an available-for-sale corporate investment security, other expenses decreased $1.9 million, or 4.9%, in 2008, as compared to 2007. During 2007, we recorded loss contingency accruals of $1.5 million related to an indemnification agreement with Visa USA and two potential operational losses incurred in the ordinary course of business. During 2008, we reversed $625,000 of the loss contingency accrual related to our indemnification agreement with Visa USA. In addition, during 2008 we recorded expenses of $450,000 related to employee recruitment and relocation and $708,000 related to fraud losses.
Income Tax Expense
     Our effective federal tax rate was 29.1% for the year ended December 31, 2009, 30.3% for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 31.0% for the year ended December 31, 2007. State income tax applies primarily to pretax earnings generated within Montana and South Dakota. Our effective state tax rate was 4.2% for the year ended December 31, 2009, 4.4% for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 3.9% for the year ended December 31, 2007. Changes in effective federal and state income tax rates are primarily due to fluctuations in tax exempt interest income as a percentage of total income.
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders
     Net income available to common shareholders was $50.4 million, or $6.37 per diluted share, in 2009, as compared to $67.3 million, or $8.38 per diluted share, in 2008 and $68.6 million, or $8.25 per diluted share in 2007.

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Summary of Quarterly Results
     The following table presents unaudited quarterly results of operations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.
Quarterly Results
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
                                         
    First     Second     Third     Fourth     Full  
  Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Year  
 
Year Ended December 31, 2009:
                                       
Interest income
  $ 81,883     $ 81,148     $ 82,325     $ 82,678     $ 328,034  
Interest expense
    22,820       21,958       21,026       19,094       84,898  
 
Net interest income
    59,063       59,190       61,299       63,584       243,136  
Provision for loan losses
    9,600       11,700       10,500       13,500       45,300  
 
Net interest income after
                                       
provision for loan losses
    49,463       47,490       50,799       50,084       197,836  
Non-interest income
    26,213       27,267       25,000       22,210       100,690  
Non-interest expense
    50,445       54,737       57,376       55,152       217,710  
 
 
                                       
Income before income taxes
    25,231       20,020       18,423       17,142       80,816  
Income tax expense
    8,543       6,684       6,105       5,621       26,953  
 
 
                                       
Net income
    16,688       13,336       12,318       11,521       53,863  
Preferred stock dividends
    844       853       862       863       3,422  
 
 
                                       
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 15,844     $ 12,483     $ 11,456     $ 10,658     $ 50,441  
 
 
                                       
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 2.01     $ 1.59     $ 1.47     $ 1.36     $ 6.44  
Diluted earnings per common share
    1.98       1.57       1.46       1.35       6.37  
Dividends per common share
    0.65       0.45       0.45       0.45       2.00  
 
 
                                       
Year Ended December 31, 2008:
                                       
Interest income
  $ 91,109     $ 88,068     $ 89,928     $ 86,814     $ 355,919  
Interest expense
    34,306       29,697       29,234       27,305       120,542  
 
Net interest income
    56,803       58,371       60,694       59,509       235,377  
Provision for loan losses
    2,363       5,321       5,636       20,036       33,356  
 
Net interest income after
                                       
provision for loan losses
    54,440       53,050       55,058       39,473       202,021  
Non-interest income
    26,383       25,240       24,389       52,585       128,597  
Non-interest expense
    53,169       49,677       55,190       64,505       222,541  
 
 
                                       
Income before income taxes
    27,654       28,613       24,257       27,553       108,077  
Income tax expense
    9,578       9,988       8,362       9,501       37,429  
 
 
                                       
Net income
    18,076       18,625       15,895       18,052       70,648  
Preferred stock dividends
    768       853       863       863       3,347  
 
 
                                       
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 17,308     $ 17,772     $ 15,032     $ 17,189     $ 67,301  
 
 
                                       
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 2.19     $ 2.27     $ 1.93     $ 2.17     $ 8.55  
Diluted earnings per common share
    2.14       2.22       1.89       2.13       8.38  
Dividends per common share
    0.65       0.65       0.65       0.65       2.60  
 

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Financial Condition
     Total assets increased $509 million, or 7.7%, to $7,138 million as of December 31, 2009, from $6,628 million as of December 31, 2008, due to organic growth. Total assets increased $1,412 million, or 27.1%, to $6,628 million as of December 31, 2008, from $5,217 million as of December 31, 2007, primarily due to the First Western acquisition in January 2008. As of the date of acquisition, the acquired entities had combined total assets of $913 million, combined total loans of $727 million, combined premises and equipment of $27 million and combined total deposits of $814 million. In connection with the acquisition, we recorded goodwill of $146 million and core deposit intangibles of $15 million.
Loans
     Our loan portfolio consists of a mix of real estate, consumer, commercial, agricultural and other loans, including fixed and variable rate loans. Fluctuations in the loan portfolio are directly related to the economies of the communities we serve. While each loan originated generally must meet minimum underwriting standards established in our credit policies, lending officers are granted certain levels of authority in approving and pricing loans to assure that the banking offices are responsive to competitive issues and community needs in each market area.
     Total loans decreased $245 million, or 5.1%, to $4,528 million as of December 31, 2009, from $4,773 million as of December 31, 2008, primarily due to weak loan demand in our market areas. Total loans increased 34.1% to $4,773 million as of December 31, 2008, from $3,559 million as of December 31, 2007. Approximately $723 million of the 2008 increase was attributable to the acquired First Western entities. Excluding loans of the acquired entities, total loans increased $491 million, or 13.8%, in 2008, with the most significant growth occurring in commercial, commercial real estate, construction and residential real estate loans.
     The following table presents the composition of our loan portfolio as of the dates indicated:
Loans Outstanding
(Dollars in thousands)
                                                                                 
    As of December 31,
    2009     Percent     2008     Percent     2007     Percent     2006     Percent     2005     Percent  
 
Loans
                                                                               
Realestate:
                                                                               
Commercial
  $ 1,556,273       34.4 %   $ 1,483,967       31.1 %   $ 1,018,831       28.6 %   $ 937,695       28.3 %   $ 926,190       30.5 %
Construction
    636,892       14.1       790,177       16.5       664,272       18.7       579,603       17.5       403,751       13.3  
Residential
    539,098       11.9       587,464       12.3       419,001       11.8       402,468       12.2       408,659       13.4  
Agricultural
    195,045       4.3       191,831       4.0       142,256       4.0       137,659       4.1       116,402       3.9  
Other
    36,430       0.8       47,076       1.0       26,080       0.7       25,360       0.8       19,067       0.6  
Consumer
    677,548       14.9       669,731       14.0       608,002       17.1       605,858       18.3       587,895       19.4  
Commercial
    750,647       16.6       853,798       17.9       593,669       16.7       542,325       16.4       494,848       16.3  
Agricultural
    134,470       3.0       145,876       3.1       81,890       2.3       76,644       2.3       74,561       2.5  
Other loans
    1,601             2,893       0.1       4,979       0.1       2,751       0.1       2,981       0.1  
 
 
                                                                               
Total loans
    4,528,004       100.0 %     4,772,813       100.0 %     3,558,980       100.0 %     3,310,363       100.0 %     3,034,354       100.0 %
Less allowance for loan losses
    103,030               87,316               52,355               47,452               42,450          
 
 
                                                                               
Net loans
  $ 4,424,974             $ 4,685,497             $ 3,506,625             $ 3,262,911             $ 2,991,904          
 
 
                                                                               
Ratio of allowance to total loans
    2.28 %             1.83 %             1.47 %             1.43 %             1.40 %        
 
     Real Estate Loans. We provide interim construction and permanent financing for both single-family and multi-unit properties, medium-term loans for commercial, agricultural and industrial property and/or buildings and equity lines of credit secured by real estate. Residential real estate loans are typically sold in the secondary market. Those residential real estate loans not sold are typically secured by first liens on the financed property and generally mature in less than five years.

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     Commercial real estate loans. Commercial real estate loans increased $72 million, or 4.9%, to $1,556 million as of December 31, 2009, from $1,484 million as of December 31, 2008. Management attributes this increase to the current year permanent financing for loans on projects under construction as of December 31, 2008 combined with increased refinancing activity. Approximately 53% of our commercial real estate loans as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 were owner occupied, which typically involves less risk than loans on investment property. Commercial real estate loans increased 45.7% to $1,484 million as of December 31, 2008, from $1,019 million as of December 31, 2007. Excluding increases attributable to the acquired First Western entities, commercial real estate loans increased 15.3% as of December 31, 2008, as compared to December 31, 2007, primarily due to real estate development loans. Demand for improved lots declined in 2008 reducing the cash flow of real estate developers, which resulted in increases in outstanding loan balances.
     Construction loans. Construction loans are primarily to commercial builders for residential lot development and the construction of single-family residences and commercial real estate properties. Construction loans are generally underwritten pursuant to the same guidelines used for originating permanent commercial and residential mortgage loans. Terms and rates typically match those of permanent commercial and residential mortgage loans, except that during the construction phase the borrower pays interest only. Construction loans decreased $153 million, or 19.4%, to $637 million as of December 31, 2009, from $790 million as of December 31, 2008. Management attributes this decrease to general declines in demand for housing, particularly in markets dependent upon resort communities and second home sales; the movement of lower quality loans out of our loan portfolio through charge-off, pay-off or foreclosure; and replacement of construction loans with loans for permanent financing. Construction loans increased 19.0% to $790 million as of December 31, 2008, from $664 million as of December 31, 2007. Excluding increases attributable to the acquired First Western entities, construction loans increased 2.9% as of December 31, 2008, as compared to December 31, 2007. Growth in construction loans in 2008 was primarily the result of demand for housing and overall growth in our market areas.
     As of December 31, 2009, our construction loan portfolio was divided among the following categories: approximately $135 million, or 21.2%, residential construction; approximately $98 million, or 15.4%, commercial construction; and, approximately $404 million, or 63.4%, land acquisition and development.
     Residential real estate loans. Residential real estate loans decreased $48 million, or 8.2%, to $539 million as of December 31, 2009, from $587 million as of December 31, 2008. The decrease occurred primarily in 1-4 family residential real estate loans, which decreased $31 million as compared to 2008. In addition, home equity loans and lines of credit, which are typically secured by first or second liens on residential real estate and generally do not exceed a loan to value ratio of 80%, decreased $17 million to $364 million as of December 31, 2009, from $381 million as of December 31, 2008.
     Residential real estate loans increased 40.2% to $587 million as of December 31, 2008, from $419 million as of December 31, 2007. Excluding increases attributable to the acquired First Western entities, residential real estate loans increased 25.4% as of December 31, 2008, as compared to December 31, 2007. The 2008 increases in residential real estate loans primarily occurred in home equity loans and lines of credit. As of December 31, 2008, home equity loans and lines of credit totaled $381 million.
     Agricultural real estate loans. Agricultural real estate loans increased $3 million, or 1.7%, to $195 million as of December 31, 2009, from $192 million as of December 31, 2008. Agricultural real estate loans increased 34.8% to $192 million as of December 31, 2008, from $142 million as of December 31, 2007. Excluding increases attributable to the acquired First Western entities, agricultural real estate loans increased 12.5% as of December 31, 2008, as compared to December 31, 2007.
     Consumer Loans. Our consumer loans include direct personal loans, credit card loans and lines of credit; and indirect loans created when we purchase consumer loan contracts advanced for the purchase of automobiles, boats and other consumer goods from the consumer product dealer network within the market areas we serve. Personal loans and indirect dealer loans are generally secured by automobiles, boats and other types of personal property and are made on an installment basis. Credit cards are offered to individual and business customers in our market areas. Lines of credit are generally floating rate loans that are unsecured or secured by personal property. Approximately 62% and 61% of our consumer loans as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, were indirect dealer loans.
     Consumer loans increased $8 million, or 1.2%, to $678 million as of December 31, 2009, from $670 million as of December 31, 2008. Consumer loans increased 10.2% to $670 million as of December 31, 2008, from $608 million as of December 31, 2007. Excluding increases attributable to the acquired First Western entities, consumer loans increased 4.4% as of December 31, 2008, as compared to December 31, 2007.

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     Commercial Loans. We provide a mix of variable and fixed rate commercial loans. The loans are typically made to small and medium-sized manufacturing, wholesale, retail and service businesses for working capital needs and business expansions. Commercial loans generally include lines of credit, business credit cards and loans with maturities of five years or less. The loans are generally made with business operations as the primary source of repayment, but also include collateralization by inventory, accounts receivable, equipment and/or personal guarantees.
     Commercial loans decreased $103 million, or 12.1%, to $751 million as of December 31, 2009, from $854 million as of December 31, 2008. Management attributes this decrease to the continuing impact of the broad recession on borrowers in our market areas and, to a lesser extent, the movement of lower quality loans out of our loan portfolio through charge-off, pay-off or foreclosure. Commercial loans increased 43.8% to $854 million as of December 31, 2008, from $594 million as of December 31, 2007. Excluding increases attributable to the acquired First Western entities, commercial loans increased 23.0% as of December 31, 2008, as compared to December 31, 2007. Management attributes 2008 growth to an overall increase in borrowing activity during most of 2008 due to retail business expansion in our market areas. This expansion began to decline in late 2008 as retail businesses in our market areas were impacted by the effects of the recession.
     Agricultural Loans. Our agricultural loans generally consist of short and medium-term loans and lines of credit that are primarily used for crops, livestock, equipment and general operations. Agricultural loans are ordinarily secured by assets such as livestock or equipment and are repaid from the operations of the farm or ranch. Agricultural loans generally have maturities of five years or less, with operating lines for one production season.
     Agricultural loans decreased $11 million, or 7.8%, to $134 million as of December 31, 2009, from $146 million as of December 31, 2008. Agricultural loans increased 78.1% to $146 million as of December 31, 2008, from $82 million as of December 31, 2007. Excluding increases attributable to the acquired First Western entities, agricultural loans increased 16.6% as of December 31, 2008, as compared to December 31, 2007.
     The following table presents the maturity distribution of our loan portfolio and the sensitivity of the loans to changes in interest rates as of December 31, 2009:
Maturities and Interest Rate Sensitivities
(Dollars in thousands)
                                 
    Within     One Year to     After        
    One Year     Five Years     Five Years     Total  
  | | | |
Real estate
  $ 1,944,565     $ 901,020     $ 118,153     $ 2,963,738  
Consumer
    349,664       302,390       25,494       677,548  
Commercial
    608,652       131,102       10,893       750,647  
Agricultural
    121,664       12,728       78       134,470  
Other loans
    1,601                   1,601  
 
 
                               
Total loans
  $ 3,026,146     $ 1,347,240     $ 154,618     $ 4,528,004  
 
 
                               
Loans at fixed interest rates
  $ 913,394     $ 1,332,110     $ 139,927     $ 2,385,431  
Loans at variable interest rates
    1,997,722       15,130       14,691       2,027,543  
Nonaccrual loans
    115,030                   115,030  
 
 
                               
Total loans
  $ 3,026,146     $ 1,347,240     $ 154,618     $ 4,528,004  
 
Non-Performing Assets
     Non-performing assets include loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest, nonaccrual loans, loans renegotiated in troubled debt restructurings and OREO. Restructured loans are loans on which we have granted a concession on the interest rate or original repayment terms due to financial difficulties of the borrower that we would not otherwise consider. OREO consists of real property acquired through foreclosure on the collateral underlying defaulted loans. We initially record OREO at fair value less estimated costs to sell by a charge against the allowance for loan losses, if necessary. Estimated losses that result from the ongoing periodic valuation of these properties are charged to earnings in the period in which they are identified.

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     We generally place loans on nonaccrual when they become 90 days past due, unless they are well secured and in the process of collection. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, any interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed from income. Approximately $6.4 million, $4.6 million and $1.7 million of gross interest income would have been accrued if all loans on nonaccrual had been current in accordance with their original terms for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
     The following table sets forth information regarding non-performing assets as of the dates indicated:
Non-Performing Assets
(Dollars in thousands)
                                         
As of December 31,   2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
 
Non-performing loans:
                                       
Nonaccrual loans
  $ 115,030     $ 85,632     $ 31,552     $ 14,764     $ 17,142  
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more
    4,965       3,828       2,171       1,769       1,001  
Restructured loans
    4,683       1,462       1,027       1,060       1,089  
 
 
                                       
Total non-performing loans
    124,678       90,922       34,750       17,593       19,232  
OREO
    38,400       6,025       928       529       1,091  
 
 
                                       
Total non-performing assets
  $ 163,078     $ 96,947     $ 35,678     $ 18,122     $ 20,323  
 
 
                                       
Non-performing loans to total loans
    2.75 %     1.90 %     0.98 %     0.53 %     0.63 %
Non-performing assets to total loans and OREO
    3.57       2.03       1.00       0.55       0.67  
Non-performing assets to total assets
    2.28       1.46       0.68       0.36       0.45  
 
     Total non-performing assets increased $66 million, or 68.2%, to $163 million as of December 31, 2009, from $97 million as of December 31, 2008. This increase in non-performing assets is attributable to general declines in markets dependent upon resort communities and second home sales and declines in real estate prices. In addition, increasing unemployment has negatively impacted the credit performance of commercial and real estate related loans. This market turmoil and tightening of credit has led to increased levels of delinquency, a lack of consumer confidence, increased market volatility and a widespread reduction of general business activities in our market areas. We expect the continuing impact of the current difficult economic conditions and rising unemployment levels in our market areas to further increase non-performing loans in future quarters.
     Non-performing assets increased $61 million, or 171.7%, to $97 million as of December 31, 2008, from $36 million as of December 31, 2007. This increase in non-performing assets was primarily related to land development loans and was reflective of deterioration of economic conditions in certain of our market areas during 2008, as well as overall growth in our loan portfolio.
     Non-performing loans. The following table sets forth the allocation of our non-performing loans among our different types of loans as of the dates indicated.
Non-Performing Loans by Loan Type
(Dollars in thousands)
                                         
As of December 31,   2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
 
Real estate
  $ 101,751     $ 79,167     $ 27,513     $ 9,645     $ 8,702  
Consumer
    2,265       2,944       1,202       1,359       1,563  
Commercial
    19,774       8,594       5,722       5,583       8,499  
Agricultural
    888       217       313       1,006       468  
 
 
                                       
Total non-performing loans
  $ 124,678     $ 90,922     $ 34,750     $ 17,593     $ 19,232  
 
     As of December 31, 2009, our non-performing real estate loans were divided among the following categories: $42 million, or 41.5%, land and land development; $29 million, or 28.0%, commercial; $15 million, or 15.2% residential construction; $10 million, or 10.1%, residential; $4 million, or 4.4% commercial construction; and, $785,000, or less than 1.0%, agricultural.

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     Total non-performing loans increased $34 million, or 37.1%, to $125 million as of December 31, 2009, from $91 million as of December 31, 2008, and $56 million, or 161.6% to $91 million as of December 31, 2008, from $35 million as of December 31, 2007. Increases in non-performing loans during 2009 and 2008 were primarily attributable to higher levels of nonaccrual loans. Nonaccrual loans increased $29 million, or 34.3%, to $115 million at December 31, 2009, from $86 million at December 31, 2008. Approximately 69.1% of the increase occurred in commercial and commercial real estate loans and is primarily attributable to the loans of six borrowers placed on nonaccrual status in 2009. The remaining increase was spread among the remaining major loan categories. Nonaccrual loans increased $54 million, or 171.4%, to $86 million as of December 31, 2008, from $32 million as of December 31, 2007. Approximately 50.0% of this increase was related to the loans of six borrowers adversely affected by weakening demand for residential real estate lots.
     In addition to the non-performing loans included in the non-performing assets table above, as of December 31, 2009, we had potential problem loans of $223 million. Potential problem loans consist of performing loans that have been internally risk classified due to uncertainties regarding the borrowers’ ability to continue to comply with the contractual repayment terms of the loans. Although these loans have been identified as potential non-performing loans, they may never become delinquent, non-performing or impaired. As of December 31, 2009, approximately 99% of these loans were less than 60 days past due. Additionally, these loans are generally secured by commercial real estate or other assets, thus reducing the potential for loss should they become non-performing. Potential problem loans are considered in the determination of our allowance for loan losses.
     OREO. OREO increased $32 million, or 537.3%, to $38 million as of December 31, 2009 from $6 million as of December 31, 2008. Approximately 73.4% of this increase relates to the foreclosure on properties collateralizing the loans of residential real estate developers. The majority of these loans were included in nonaccrual loans as of December 31, 2008. The remaining 2009 increase, as compared to 2008, occurred in commercial and residential real estate properties. OREO increased $5 million to $6 million as of December 31, 2008, as compared to $928,000 as of December 31, 2007. This increase was due to foreclosure on the collateral underlying the loans of two commercial real estate borrowers during 2008.
Allowance for Loan Losses
     The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses based on our evaluation of known and inherent risk in our loan portfolio at each balance sheet date. In determining the allowance for loan losses, we estimate losses on specific loans, or groups of loans, where the probable loss can be identified and reasonably determined. The balance of the allowance for loan losses is based on internally assigned risk classifications of loans, historical loan loss rates, changes in the nature of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, industry concentrations, delinquency trends, current economic factors and the estimated impact of current economic conditions on certain historical loan loss rates. See the discussion under “Critical Accounting Estimates and Significant Accounting Polices — Allowance for Loan Losses” above.
     The allowance for loan losses is increased by provisions charged against earnings and reduced by net loan charge-offs. Loans are charged-off when we determine that collection has become unlikely. Consumer loans are generally charged off when they become 120 days past due. Credit card loans are generally charged off when they become 180 days past due. Recoveries are recorded only when cash payments are received.
     The allowance for loan losses consists of three elements: (1) historical valuation allowances based on loan loss experience for similar loans with similar characteristics and trends; (2) specific valuation allowances based on probable losses on specific loans; and (3) general valuation allowances determined based on general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors both internal and external to us. Historical valuation allowances are determined by applying percentage loss factors to the credit exposures from outstanding loans. For commercial, agricultural and real estate loans, loss factors are applied based on the internal risk classifications of these loans. For consumer loans, loss factors are applied on a portfolio basis. For commercial, agriculture and real estate loans, loss factor percentages are based on a migration analysis of our historical loss experience over a ten year period, designed to account for credit deterioration. For consumer loans, loss factor percentages are based on a one-year loss history. Specific allowances are established for loans where we have determined that probability of a loss exists and will exceed the historical loss factors applied based on internal risk classification of the loans. General valuation allowances are determined by evaluating, on a quarterly basis, changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, industry concentrations, current economic, political and regulatory factors and the estimated impact of current economic, political, environmental and regulatory conditions on historical loss rates.

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     The following table sets forth information concerning our allowance for loan losses as of the dates and for the periods indicated.
Allowance for Loan Losses
(Dollars in thousands)
                                         
As of and for the year ended December 31,   2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
Balance at the beginning of period
  $ 87,316     $ 52,355     $ 47,452     $ 42,450     $ 42,141  
Allowance of acquired banking offices Charge-offs:
          14,463                    
Real estate
                                       
Commercial
    5,156       995       382       42       560  
Construction
    14,153       3,035             9       15  
Residential
    1,086       325       134       86       382  
Agricultural
    11       642       155              
Consumer
    8,134       5,527       3,778       4,030       4,133  
Commercial
    3,346       3,523       643       963       2,228  
Agricultural
    92       648       116       80       133  
 
 
                                       
Total charge-offs
    31,978       14,695       5,208       5,210       7,451  
 
 
                                       
Recoveries:
                                       
Real estate
                                       
Commercial
    108       88       52       329       44  
Construction
    7       1       1       10        
Residential
    38       67       34       63       13  
Agricultural
                             
Consumer
    1,850       1,404       1,390       1,568       1,297  
Commercial
    328       211       854       360       552  
Agricultural
    61       66       30       121       7  
 
 
                                       
Total recoveries
    2,392       1,837       2,361       2,451       1,913  
 
 
                                       
Net charge-offs
    29,586       12,858       2,847       2,759       5,538  
Provision for loan losses
    45,300       33,356       7,750       7,761       5,847  
 
 
                                       
Balance at end of period
  $ 103,030     $ 87,316     $ 52,355     $ 47,452     $ 42,450  
 
 
                                       
Period end loans
  $ 4,528,004     $ 4,772,813     $ 3,558,980     $ 3,310,363     $ 3,034,354  
Average loans
    4,660,189       4,527,987       3,449,809       3,208,102       2,874,723  
Net charge-offs to average loans
    0.63 %     0.28 %     0.08 %     0.09 %     0.19 %
Allowance to period-end loans
    2.28 %     1.83 %     1.47 %     1.43 %     1.40 %
 
     The allowance for loan losses was $103 million, or 2.28% of period-end loans, at December 31, 2009, compared to $87 million, or 1.83% of period-end loans, at December 31, 2008, and $52 million, or 1.47% of period-end loans, at December 31, 2007. Increases in the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans were primarily attributable to additional reserves recorded based on the estimated effects of current economic conditions on our loan portfolio and increases in past due, non-performing and internally risk classified loans.
     Net charge-offs in 2009 increased $17 million to $30 million, or 0.63% of average loans, from $13 million, or 0.28% of average loans in 2009, primarily due the charge-off of six residential real estate development projects in our Montana and Wyoming market areas. In addition, we partially charged-off three land development loan participations acquired in the First Western acquisition.
     Net charge-offs increased $10 million to $13 million, or 0.28% of average loans in 2008, from $3 million, or 0.08% of average loans in 2007, and remained flat in 2007 as compared to 2006. The increase in net charge-offs in 2008, as compared to 2007, was primarily due to the loans of two commercial real estate borrowers and one commercial borrower and was reflective of the increase in internally classified loans related to the deterioration of economic conditions in 2008, as well as overall loan growth.

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     Although we believe that we have established our allowance for loan losses in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and that the allowance for loan losses was adequate to provide for known and inherent losses in the portfolio at all times during the five-year period ended December 31, 2009, future provisions will be subject to on-going evaluations of the risks in the loan portfolio. If the economy continues to decline or asset quality continues to deteriorate, material additional provisions could be required.
     The allowance for loan losses is allocated to loan categories based on the relative risk characteristics, asset classifications and actual loss experience of the loan portfolio. The following table provides a summary of the allocation of the allowance for loan losses for specific loan categories as of the dates indicated. The allocations presented should not be interpreted as an indication that charges to the allowance for loan losses will be incurred in these amounts or proportions, or that the portion of the allowance allocated to each loan category represents the total amount available for future losses that may occur within these categories. The unallocated portion of the allowance for loan losses and the total allowance are applicable to the entire loan portfolio.
Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses
(Dollars in thousands)
                                                                                 
                               
As of December 31,   2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
            % of             % of             % of             % of             % of  
            Loan             Loan             Loan             Loan             Loan  
            Category             Category             Category             Category             Category  
    Allocated     to Total     Allocated     to Total     Allocated     to Total     Allocated     to Total     Allocated     to Total  
    Reserves     Loans     Reserves     Loans     Reserves     Loans     Reserves     Loans     Reserves     Loans  
Real estate
  $ 76,357       65.5 %   $ 69,280       64.9 %   $ 39,420       63.8 %   $ 33,532       62.9 %   $ 22,622       61.7 %
Consumer
    6,220       14.9       5,092       14.0       4,838       17.1       5,794       18.3       7,544       19.4  
Commercial
    18,608       16.6       11,021       17.9       7,170       16.7       6,746       16.4       7,607       16.3  
Agricultural
    1,845       3.0       1,923       3.1       779       2.3       908       2.3       1,147       2.5  
Other loans
                      0.1             0.1       14       0.1       15       0.1  
Unallocated (1)
          N/A             N/A       148       N/A       458       N/A       3,515       N/A  
 
 
                                                                               
Totals
  $ 103,030       100.0 %   $ 87,316       100.0 %   $ 52,355       100.0 %   $ 47,452       100.0 %   $ 42,450       100.0 %
 
 
(1)   During 2006, we refined the methodology for determining the allocated components of the allowance for loan losses. This refinement included improved evaluation of qualitative risk factors internal and external to us and use of a migration analysis of historical loan losses. This refinement resulted in a reallocation among specific loan categories and the allocation of previously unallocated allowance amounts to specific loan categories. As a result, allocation of the allowance for loan losses in 2005 is not directly comparable to the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 presentation.
     The allocated allowance for loan losses on real estate loans increased 10.2% to $76 million as of December 31, 2009, from $69 million as of December 31, 2008, and 75.7% to $69 million as of December 31, 2008, from $39 million as of December 31, 2007. Increases in allowance for loan losses allocated to real estate loans were primarily the result of weakening demand for residential lots, particularly in three of the communities we serve in Montana and one of the communities we serve in Wyoming, a general slow down in housing across our market areas, the effect of increases in net charge-offs on our historical loss factors and the application of historical loss factors to higher levels of internally risk classified real estate loans, including land development loans and loans secured by commercial real estate.
     The allocated allowance for loan losses on commercial loans increased 68.8% to $19 million as of December 31, 2009, from $11 million as of December 31, 2008, and 53.7% to $11 million as of December 31, 2008, from $7 million as of December 31, 2007. Increases in allowance for loan losses allocated to commercial loans were primarily due to the application of historical loss factors to higher levels of internally risk classified commercial loans and the effect of increases in net charge-offs on our historical loss factors.
Investment Securities
     We manage our investment portfolio to obtain the highest yield possible, while meeting our risk tolerance and liquidity guidelines and satisfying the pledging requirements for deposits of state and political subdivisions and securities sold under repurchase agreements. As of December 31, 2009, our portfolio was principally comprised of mortgage-backed securities, U.S. government agency securities and tax exempt securities. Federal funds sold are additional investments that are classified as cash equivalents rather than as investment securities. Investment securities classified as available-for-sale are recorded at fair value, while investment securities classified as held-to-maturity are recorded at amortized cost. Unrealized gains or losses, net of the deferred tax effect, on available-for-sale securities are reported as increases or decreases in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, a component of stockholders’ equity.

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     Investment securities increased $374 million, or 34.9%, to $1,446 million as of December 31, 2009, from $1,072 million as of December 31, 2008. During third quarter 2009, we began investing our excess liquidity, as represented by higher levels of federal funds sold, into investment securities maturing within thirty-six months. Management expects investment securities to continue to increase in future quarters as excess liquidity continues to be reinvested. Investment securities decreased 5.0% to $1,072 million as of December 31, 2008, from $1,129 million as of December 31, 2007. Excluding investment securities of the acquired First Western entities, our investment securities decreased 11.5% as of December 31, 2008, compared to December 31, 2007. During 2008, proceeds from maturities, calls and principal paydowns of investment securities were used to fund loan growth.
     In conjunction with the merger of our three bank subsidiaries during third quarter 2009, we transferred available-for-sale state, county and municipal investment securities with amortized costs of $28 million and fair market values of $29 million into the held-to-maturity category. This transfer more closely aligns the investment portfolios of the merged banks with that of First Interstate Bank, the surviving institution. Unrealized net gains of $1.1 million included in accumulated other comprehensive income at the time of transfer are being amortized to yield over the remaining lives of the transferred securities.
     As of December 31, 2009, our investments in non-agency mortgage-backed securities totaled $1 million, or less than 1% of our total investment portfolio. As of December 31, 2009, investment securities with amortized costs and fair values of $1,069 million and $1,095 million, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits and securities sold under repurchase agreements, as compared to $894 million and $907 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2008. The weighted average yield on investment securities decreased 55 basis points to 4.37% in 2009, from 4.92% in 2008, and 4 basis points to 4.92% in 2008, from 4.96% in 2007. For additional information concerning securities sold under repurchase agreements, see “—Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements” included herein.

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     The following table sets forth the book value, percentage of total investment securities and average yield on investment securities as of December 31, 2009:
Securities Maturities and Yield
(Dollars in thousands)
                         
            % of Total     Weighted  
    Book     Investment     Average  
    Value     Securities     Yield (1)  
U.S. Government agency securities
                       
Maturing within one year
  $ 2,679       0.2 %     4.94 %
Maturing in one to five years
    554,674       38.3       2.56  
Maturing in five to ten years
    11,352       0.8       4.01  
Mark-to-market adjustments on securities available-for-sale
    2,741       0.2     NA
 
 
                       
Total
    571,446       39.5       2.59  
 
 
                       
Mortgage-backed securities
                       
Maturing within one year
    180,768       12.5       4.72  
Maturing in one to five years
    325,310       22.5       4.74  
Maturing in five to ten years
    86,749       6.0       4.67  
Maturing after ten years
    130,124       9.0       4.73  
Mark-to-market adjustments on securities available-for-sale
    22,032       1.5     NA
 
 
                       
Total
    744,983       51.5       4.59  
 
 
                       
Tax exempt securities
                       
Maturing within one year
    9,648       0.7       6.21  
Maturing in one to five years
    31,743       2.2       6.14  
Maturing in five to ten years
    41,147       2.9       6.12  
Maturing after ten years
    46,843       3.2       6.02  
Mark-to-market adjustments on securities available-for-sale
  NA   NA   NA
 
 
                       
Total
    129,381       9.0       6.10  
 
 
                       
Other securities (2)
                       
No stated maturity
    470           NA
Mark-to-market adjustments on securities available-for-sale
  NA   NA   NA
 
 
                       
Total
    470           NA
 
 
                       
Total
  $ 1,446,280       100.0 %     3.93 %
 
 
(1)   Average yields have been calculated on a FTE basis.
 
(2)   Equity investments in community development entities. Investment income is in the form of credits that reduce income tax expense.
     Maturities of U.S. government agency securities noted above reflect $383 million of investment securities at their final maturities although they have call provisions within the next year. Mortgage-backed securities, and to a limited extent other securities, have uncertain cash flow characteristics that present additional interest rate risk in the form of prepayment or extension risk primarily caused by changes in market interest rates. This additional risk is generally rewarded in the form of higher yields. Maturities of mortgage-backed securities presented above are based on prepayment assumptions at December 31, 2009.
     There were no significant concentrations of investments at December 31, 2009 (greater than 10% of stockholders’ equity) in any individual security issuer, except for U.S. government or agency-backed securities.
     As of December 31, 2008, we had U.S. government agency securities with carrying values of $270 million and a weighted average yield of 4.09%; mortgage-backed securities with carrying values of $655 million and a weighted average yield of 4.85%; tax exempt securities with carrying values of $143 million and a weighted average yield of 6.22%; other securities with carrying values of $4 million and a weighted average yield of 4.35%; and, mutual funds with carrying values of $4,000 and a weighted average yield of 1.15%.

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     As of December 31, 2007, we had U.S. government agency securities with carrying values of $453 million and a weighted average yield of 4.52%; mortgage-backed securities with carrying values of $562 million and a weighted average yield of 4.90%; tax exempt securities with carrying values of $114 million and a weighted average yield of 6.43%; other securities with carrying values of $767,000 and a weighted average yield of 0.00%; and, mutual funds with carrying values of $3,000 and a weighted average yield of 3.62%.
     We evaluate our investment portfolio quarterly for other-than-temporary declines in the market value of individual investment securities. This evaluation includes monitoring credit ratings; market, industry and corporate news; volatility in market prices; and, determining whether the market value of a security has been below its cost for an extended period of time. As of December 31, 2009, we had investment securities with fair values of $3 million that had been in a continuous loss position more than twelve months. Gross unrealized losses on these securities totaled $140,000 as of December 31, 2009, and were primarily attributable to changes in interest rates. No impairment losses were recorded during 2009 or 2007. We recorded impairment losses of $1.3 million in 2008, all of which was related to one corporate bond. Subsequent to the impairment loss, the carrying value of this bond was zero.
     For additional information concerning investment securities, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Investment Securities” included in Part IV, Item 15.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
     Cash and cash equivalents increased $309 million, or 98.5%, to $623 million as of December 31, 2009, from $314 million as of December 31, 2008, largely due to management’s focus on increasing liquidity through balanced internal growth combined with weak loan demand in 2009.
Premises and Equipment
     Premises and equipment increased $19 million, or 10.4%, to $196 million as of December 31, 2009, from $178 million as of December 31, 2008. This increase is primarily due to capitalization of the costs associated with the construction of two new branch banking offices and an operations center, which were placed into service during fourth quarter 2009. Premises and equipment increased $54 million, or 43.3% to $178 million in 2008, from $124 million in 2007. Exclusive of premises and equipment acquired in the First Western acquisition, premises and equipment increased $12 million, or 9.7%.
Deferred Tax Asset/Liability
     As of December 31, 2009, we had a net deferred tax liability of $2 million included in accounts payable and other accrued expenses, as compared to a deferred tax asset of $7 million as of December 31, 2008. Changes in net deferred tax asset/liability are primarily due to fluctuations in net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investment securities, tax amortization of goodwill and core deposit intangibles and the write-down of OREO to fair value. Net deferred tax asset increased $660,000, or 9.8%, to $7 million as of December 31, 2008, from $7 million as of December 31, 2007, primarily due to fluctuations in net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investment securities.
Other Assets
     Other assets increased $38 million, or 77.2%, to $88 million as of December 31, 2009, from $50 million as of December 31, 2008. Approximately $32 million of the increase is due to a required prepayment of estimated quarterly FDIC insurance assessments for 2010, 2011 and 2012. In addition, $5 million of the increase relates to the capitalization of costs of two condominium units located inside one of the newly constructed branch banking offices. We completed the sale of one unit in January 2010 and are actively marketing the second unit.
     Other assets increased $8 million, or 18.7% to $50 million as of December 31, 2008, from $42 million as of December 31, 2007, due to the acquisition of Federal Reserve Bank stock in conjunction with obtaining Federal Reserve membership for the acquired First Western entities.
Deposits
     We emphasize developing total client relationships with our customers in order to increase our core deposit base, which is our primary funding source. Our deposits consist of non-interest bearing and interest bearing demand, savings, individual retirement and time deposit accounts.

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     The following table summarizes our deposits as of the dates indicated:
Deposits
(Dollars in thousands)
                                                                                 
As of December 31,   2009   Percent   2008   Percent   2007   Percent   2006   Percent   2005   Percent
 
Non-interest bearing demand Interest bearing:
  $ 1,026,584       17.6 %   $ 985,155       19.0 %   $ 836,753       20.9 %   $ 888,694       24.0 %   $ 864,128       24.4 %
Demand
    1,197,254       20.6       1,059,818       20.5       1,019,208       25.5       964,312       26.0       792,263       22.3  
Savings
    1,362,410       23.4       1,198,783       23.2       992,571       24.8       798,497       21.5       879,586       24.8  
Time, $100 and over
    996,839       17.1       821,437       15.9       464,560       11.6       408,813       11.0       352,324       9.9  
Time, other
    1,240,969       21.3       1,109,066       21.4       686,309       17.2       648,195       17.5       659,289       18.6  
 
Total interest bearing
    4,797,472       82.4       4,189,104       81.0       3,162,648       79.1       2,819,817       76.0       2,683,462       75.6  
 
Total deposits
  $ 5,824,056       100.0 %   $ 5,174,259       100.0 %   $ 3,999,401       100.0 %   $ 3,708,511       100.0 %   $ 3,547,590       100.0 %
 
     Total deposits increased $650 million, or 12.6%, to $5,824 million as of December 31, 2009, from $5,174 million as of December 31, 2008. All categories of deposits demonstrated growth during 2009 and there was a shift in the mix of deposits from interest-free deposits to higher costing savings and time deposits. Management attributes our organic deposit growth to ongoing business development in our market areas and increases in consumer savings. In addition, we participate in the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service, or CDARS, program, which allows us to provide competitive certificate of deposit products while maintaining FDIC insurance for customers with larger balances.
     Total deposits increased 29.4% to $5,174 million as of December 31, 2008, from $3,999 million as of December 31, 2007. Excluding increases attributable to the acquired First Western entities, total deposits increased 9.1% as of December 31, 2008, as compared to December 31, 2007. All deposit categories demonstrated growth in 2008, as compared to 2007, and there was a shift in the mix of deposits, with interest bearing demand deposits decreasing to 20.5% of total deposits in 2008, as compared to 25.5% in 2007, and time deposits increasing to 37.3% of total deposits in 2008, as compared to 28.8% in 2007.
     Time deposits of $100,000 or more. Time deposits of $100,000 or more increased 21.4% to $997 million as of December 31, 2009, from $821 million as of December 31, 2008. Management attributes this growth to a continued focused effort to grow deposits combined with increases in deposit insurance coverage to $250,000 per account. As of December 31, 2009, we had no certificates of deposit issued in brokered transactions.
     Time deposits of $100,000 or more increased 76.8% to $821 million as of December 31, 2008, from $465 million as of December 31, 2007. Excluding increases attributable to the acquired First Western entities, time deposits of $100,000 or more increased 42.2% as of December 31, 2008, as compared to December 31, 2007. During third quarter 2008, we issued an aggregate of $100 million of certificates of deposit in brokered transactions. These certificates, which were included in time deposits of $100,000 or more, generally matured within four months and were issued to customers outside of our market areas. As of December 31, 2008, $24 million of these deposits were outstanding. The remaining increase in time deposits of $100,000 or more was primarily due to internal growth, the result of management’s focus to increase deposits combined with increases in deposit insurance coverage to $250,000 per account.
     Other time deposits. Other time deposits increased $132 million, or 11.9% to $1,241 million as of December 31, 2009, from $1,109 million as of December 31, 2008. Other time deposits increased 61.6% to $1,109 million as of December 31, 2008, from $686 million as of December 31, 2007. Excluding increases attributable to the acquired First Western entities, other time deposits increased 24.1% as of December 31, 2008, as compared to December 31, 2007. Increases in other time deposits in 2009 and 2008 were primarily due increases in CDARS deposits. Under the CDARS program, large certificates of deposit are exchanged through a network of banks in smaller increments to ensure they are eligible for full FDIC insurance coverage. As of December 31, 2009, we had CDARS deposits of $253 million compared to $141 million as of December 31, 2008.
     For additional information concerning customer deposits, including the use of repurchase agreements, see “Business—Community Banking—Deposit Products,” included in Part I, Item 1 and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Deposits,” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report
Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements
     In addition to deposits, we use federal funds purchased as a source of funds to meet the daily liquidity needs of our customers, maintain required reserves with the Federal Reserve Bank and fund growth in earning assets. As of December 31, 2009, our federal funds purchased were zero.

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     Under repurchase agreements with commercial and municipal depositors, customer deposit balances are invested in short-term U.S. government agency securities overnight and are then repurchased the following day. All outstanding repurchase agreements are due in one day. Repurchase agreements decreased $51 million, or 9.8%, to $474 million as of December 31, 2009, from $526 million as of December 31, 2008, primarily due to fluctuations in the liquidity needs of our customers and the introduction of full FDIC deposit insurance coverage for certain non-interest bearing transaction deposits under the TLG Program.
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements as of the dates indicated:
Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements
(Dollars in thousands)
                         
As of and for the year ended December 31,   2009   2008   2007
 
Federal funds purchased:
                       
Balance at period end
  $     $ 30,625     $  
Average balance
    9,323       64,994       5,172  
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end
    57,230       121,390       29,470  
Average interest rate:
                       
During the year
    0.21 %     2.14 %     5.17 %
At period end
          0.22        
Securities sold under repurchase agreements:
                       
Balance at period end
  $ 474,141     $ 525,501     $ 604,762  
Average balance
    422,713       537,267       558,469  
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end
    474,141       576,845       679,247  
Average interest rate:
                       
During the year
    0.18 %     1.43 %     3.80 %
At period end
    0.38       0.34       3.09  
 
Other Borrowed Funds
     Other borrowed funds decreased $74 million, or 93.2% to $5 million as of December 31, 2009, from $79 million as of December 31, 2008, primarily due to scheduled repayments and maturities of short-term borrowings from the FHLB. Other borrowed funds increased $70 million to $79 million as of December 31, 2008, from $9 million as of December 31, 2007, primarily due to short-term borrowings from the FHLB. On September 11, 2008, we borrowed $25 million on a note bearing interest of 2.96% that matured and was repaid on March 11, 2009 and on September 22, 2008, we borrowed $50 million on a note maturing September 22, 2009 bearing interest of 3.57%. Proceeds from these borrowings were used to fund growth in earning assets. For additional information on other borrowed funds, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Long-Term Debt and Other Borrowed Funds,” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.
Long-Term Debt
     Long-term debt decreased $11 million, or 12.8%, to $73 million as of December 31, 2009, from $84 million as of December 31, 2008 primarily due to scheduled repayments of term notes under our syndicated credit agreement and, to a lesser extent, scheduled repayments of long-term FHLB borrowings.
     Long-term debt increased $79 million to $84 million as of December 31, 2008, from $5 million as of December 31, 2007. In conjunction with the First Western acquisition, on January 10, 2008 we entered into a credit agreement with four syndicated banks. The syndicated credit agreement is secured by all of the outstanding stock of First Interstate Bank. As of December 31, 2009, $34 million was outstanding on variable rate term notes issued under the syndicated credit agreement. The term notes are payable in equal quarterly principal installments of $2 million, with one final installment of $29 million due at maturity on December 31, 2010. Interest on the term notes is payable quarterly. As of December 31, 2009, the term notes had a weighted average interest rate 3.75%.

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     The syndicated credit agreement contains various covenants that, among other things, establish minimum capital and financial performance ratios; and place certain restrictions on capital expenditures, indebtedness, redemptions or repurchases of common stock and the amount of dividends payable to shareholders. During 2008 and 2009, we entered into amendments to our syndicated credit agreement that, among other things, eliminated the revolving credit facility, changed the maturity date on the term notes to December 31, 2010 from January 10, 2013, changed the interest rate charged on the term notes to a maximum non-default rate of LIBOR plus 3.75%, modified certain definitions and debt covenants and waived debt covenant violations existing as of the dates of the amendments. In connection with the amendments, we paid aggregate amendment and waiver fees of $259,000 and $85,000 in 2009 and 2008, respectively.
     The debt covenant ratios included in the syndicated credit agreement, as last amended, require us to, among other things, (1) maintain our ratio of non-performing assets to primary equity capital at a percentage not greater than 45.0%, (2) maintain our allowance for loan and lease losses in an amount not less than 65.0% of non-performing loans, (3) maintain our return on average assets at not less than 0.70% through March 30, 2010 and 0.65% thereafter, (4) maintain a consolidated total risk-based capital ratio of not less than 11.00% and a total risk-based capital ratio at the Bank of not less than 10.00%, (5) limit cash dividends to shareholders such that the aggregate amount of cash dividends in any four consecutive fiscal quarters does not exceed 37.5% of net income during such four-quarter period and (6) limit repurchases of our common stock, less cash proceeds from the issuance of our common stock, in any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, as a percentage of consolidated book net worth as of the end of that period to 2.75% through March 31, 2010 and 2.25% thereafter.
     Also in conjunction with the First Western acquisition, on January 10, 2008 we entered into a subordinated credit agreement and borrowed $20 million on a 6.81% unsecured subordinated term loan maturing January 9, 2018. Interest on the subordinated term loan is payable quarterly and principal is due at maturity.
     Unrelated to the First Western acquisition, in February 2008 we borrowed $15 million on a variable rate unsecured subordinated term loan maturing February 28, 2018, with interest payable quarterly and principal due at maturity. The interest rate on the subordinated term loan was 2.26% as of December 31, 2009.
     For additional information regarding long-term debt, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Long- Term Debt and Other Borrowed Funds,” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.
Subordinated Debentures Held by Subsidiary Trusts
     Subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts were $124 million as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. Subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts increased $21 million to $124 million as of December 31, 2008, from $103 million as of December 31, 2007. During fourth quarter 2007, we completed a series of four financings involving the sale of Trust Preferred Securities to third-party investors and the issuance of 30-year junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures, or Subordinated Debentures, in the aggregate amount of $62 million to wholly-owned business trusts. During January 2008, we completed two additional financings involving the sale of Trust Preferred Securities to third-party investors and the issuance of Subordinated Debentures in the aggregate amount of $21 million to wholly-owned business trusts. All of the Subordinated Debentures are unsecured with interest payable quarterly at various interest rates and may be redeemed, subject to approval of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, at our option on or after five years from the date of issue, or at any time in the event of unfavorable changes in laws or regulations. Proceeds from these issuances, together with the financing obtained under the syndicated credit agreement and unsecured subordinated term loan agreement described above, were used to fund the First Western acquisition. For additional information regarding the Subordinated Debentures, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Subordinated Debentures Held by Subsidiary Trusts,” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report. For additional information regarding the First Western acquisition see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Acquisitions and Dispositions,” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
     Accounts payable and accrued expenses decreased $6 million, or 12.4% to $45 million as of December 31, 2009, from $51 million as of December 31, 2008, primarily due to the timing of corporate tax payments. Accounts payable and accrued expenses increased 70.3% to $51 million as of December 31, 2008, from $30 million as of December 31, 2007. Excluding increases attributable to the acquired First Western entities, accounts payable and accrued expenses increased 51.2% as of December 31, 2008, compared to December 31, 2007, primarily due to the timing of corporate income tax payments and the deferral of a portion of the gain recognized on the sale of i_Tech.

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Contractual Obligations
     Contractual obligations as of December 31, 2009 are summarized in the following table.
Contractual Obligations
(Dollars in thousands)
                                         
    Payments Due
    Within   One Year to   Three Years   After    
    One Year   Three Years   to Five Years   Five Years   Total
 
Deposits without a stated maturity
  $ 3,586,248     $     $     $     $ 3,586,248  
Time deposits
    1,882,363       281,425       73,995       25       2,237,808  
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
    474,141                         474,141  
Other borrowed funds (1)
    5,423                         5,423  
Long-term debt obligation (2)
    35,816       216       218       35,256       71,506  
Capital lease obligations
    34       77       93       1,643       1,847  
Operating lease obligations
    3,258       5,785       4,344       6,860       20,247  
Purchase obligations (3)
    14,779                         14,779  
Subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts (4)
                      123,715       123,715  
 
Total contractual obligations
  $ 6,002,062     $ 287,503     $ 78,650     $ 167,499     $ 6,535,714  
 
 
(1)   Included in other borrowed funds are tax deposits made by customers pending subsequent withdrawal by the federal government and borrowings with original maturities of less than one year. For additional information concerning other borrowed funds, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Long Term Debt and Other Borrowed Funds” included in Part IV, Item 15.
 
(2)   Long-term debt consists of various notes payable to FHLB at various rates with maturities through October 31, 2017; variable rate term notes under our syndicated credit agreement maturing on December 31, 2010; a fixed rate subordinated term loan bearing interest of 6.81% and maturing January 9, 2018; and a variable rate subordinated term loan maturing February 28, 2018. For additional information concerning long-term debt, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Long Term Debt and Other Borrowed Funds” included in Part IV, Item 15.
 
(3)   Purchase obligations relate to obligations under construction contracts to build or renovate banking offices and obligations to purchase investment securities.
 
(4)   The subordinated debentures are unsecured, with various interest rates and maturities from March 26, 2033 through April 1, 2038. Interest distributions are payable quarterly; however, we may defer interest payments at any time for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters. For additional information concerning the subordinated debentures, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Subordinated Debentures Held by Subsidiary Trusts” included in Part IV, Item 15.
     We also have obligations under a postretirement healthcare benefit plan. These obligations represent actuarially determined future benefit payments to eligible plan participants. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Employee Benefit Plans” included in Part IV, Item 15.
     In addition, on December 31, 2008 we entered into a contractual obligation pursuant to a technology services agreement maturing December 31, 2015. Amounts payable under the service agreement are primarily based on the number of transactions or accounts processed. Payments made under the service agreement in 2009 were approximately $8.5 million, net of deferred gain amortization of $643,000.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
     We have entered into various arrangements not reflected on the consolidated balance sheet that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. These include guarantees, commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.
     We guarantee the distributions and payments for redemption or liquidation of capital trust preferred securities issued by our wholly-owned subsidiary business trusts to the extent of funds held by the trusts. Although the guarantees are not separately recorded, the obligations underlying the guarantees are fully reflected on our consolidated balance sheets as subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts. The subordinated debentures currently qualify as tier 1 capital under the Federal Reserve capital adequacy guidelines. For additional information regarding the subordinated debentures, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Subordinated Debentures Held by Subsidiary Trusts” included in Part IV, Item 15.

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     We are a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of our customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. For additional information regarding our off-balance sheet arrangements, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk” included in Part IV, Item 15.
Capital Resources and Liquidity Management
Capital Resources
     Stockholders’ equity is influenced primarily by earnings, dividends, sales and redemptions of common stock and, to a lesser extent, changes in the unrealized holding gains or losses, net of taxes, on available-for-sale investment securities. Stockholders’ equity increased $35 million, or 6.6%, to $574 million as of December 31, 2009 from $539 million as of December 31, 2008, due to the retention of earnings and fluctuations in unrealized gains on available-for-sale investment securities. In addition, we raised capital through our annual stock offering to our employees and directors. The 2009 annual offering resulted in the issuance of 62,828 shares of common stock with an aggregate value of $4 million. We paid aggregate cash dividends of $15.7 million to common shareholders and $3.0 million to preferred shareholders during 2009.
     Stockholders’ equity increased 21.3% to $539 million as of December 31, 2008, from $444 million as of December 31, 2007, and 8.3% to $444 million as of December 31, 2007, primarily due to retention of earnings and the issuance of capital stock. In January 2008, we issued 5,000 shares of 6.75% Series A noncumulative redeemable preferred stock, or Series A Preferred Stock, with an aggregate value of $50 million in partial consideration for the First Western acquisition. For more information regarding the Series A Preferred Stock, see “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities — Description of Our Capital Stock,” included in Part II, Item 5. In addition, during 2008 we raised capital of $12 million through the sale of 153,662 shares of our common stock, including 58,799 shares sold in a private placement to members or affiliates of the Scott family and 94,863 shares sold to our employees and directors pursuant to our annual stock offering. The remaining increase in stockholder’s equity was primarily due to the retention of earnings, net of stock redemptions and dividends.
     Approximately 92% of our existing common stock is subject to shareholder agreements that give us a right of first refusal to repurchase the restricted stock. In response to the current recession and uncertain market conditions, we implemented changes to our capital management practices to conserve capital. Beginning with second quarter 2009, we paid quarterly dividends to $0.45 per common share, a decrease of $0.20 per common share from quarterly dividends paid during 2008 and first quarter 2009. In addition, during 2009 we limited repurchase of common stock outside of our 401(k) retirement plan. During 2009, we repurchased 160,688 shares of common stock with an aggregate value of $11 million compared to repurchases of 333,393 shares with an aggregate value of $28 million in 2008 and 294,760 shares with an aggregate value of $26 million in 2007. We intend to continue to limit repurchases of common stock in 2010.
     During second quarter 2009, we received notification that our application for participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program was approved though we elected not to participate in this capital program.
     On January 15, 2010, we filed a registration statement with the SEC for a proposed initial public offering of shares of our Class A common stock. The offering is expected to consist of shares of Class A common stock to be sold by us and may include shares of Class A common stock to be sold by certain existing shareholders. The consummation of the proposed offering is subject to market conditions and other factors.
     Pursuant to the FDICIA, the Federal Reserve and FDIC have adopted regulations setting forth a five-tier system for measuring the capital adequacy of the financial institutions they supervise. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, our Bank had capital levels that, in all cases, exceeded the well capitalized guidelines. For additional information concerning our capital levels, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Regulatory Capital” contained in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.

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Liquidity
     Liquidity measures our ability to meet current and future cash flow needs on a timely basis and at a reasonable cost. We manage our liquidity position to meet the daily cash flow needs of customers, while maintaining an appropriate balance between assets and liabilities to meet the return on investment objectives of our shareholders. Our liquidity position is supported by management of liquid assets and liabilities and access to alternative sources of funds. Liquid assets include cash, interest bearing deposits in banks, federal funds sold, available-for-sale investment securities and maturing or prepaying balances in our held-to-maturity investment and loan portfolios. Liquid liabilities include core deposits, federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and borrowings. Other sources of liquidity include the sale of loans, the ability to acquire additional national market, non-core deposits, the issuance of additional collateralized borrowings such as FHLB advances, the issuance of debt securities, additional borrowings through the Federal Reserve’s discount window and the issuance of preferred or common securities. We do not engage in derivatives or hedging activities to support our liquidity position.
     Our short-term and long-term liquidity requirements are primarily to fund on-going operations, including payment of interest on deposits and debt, extensions of credit to borrowers, capital expenditures and shareholder dividends. These liquidity requirements are met primarily through cash flow from operations, redeployment of prepaying and maturing balances in our loan and investment portfolios, debt financing and increases in customer deposits. For additional information regarding our operating, investing and financing cash flows, see “Consolidated Financial Statements—Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows,” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.
     As a holding company, we are a corporation separate and apart from our subsidiary Bank and, therefore, we provide for our own liquidity. Our main sources of funding include management fees and dividends declared and paid by our subsidiaries and access to capital markets. There are statutory, regulatory and debt covenant limitations that affect the ability of our Bank to pay dividends to us. Management believes that such limitations will not impact our ability to meet our ongoing short-term cash obligations. For additional information regarding dividend restrictions, see “—Financial Condition—Long-Term Debt” and “—Capital Resources and Liquidity Management” above and “Business—Regulation and Supervision—Restrictions on Transfers of Funds to Us and the Bank” and “Risk Factors—Our Bank’s ability to pay dividends to us is subject to regulatory limitations, which, to the extent we are not able to receive such dividends, may impair our ability to grow, pay dividends, cover operating expenses and meet debt service requirements.”
Asset Liability Management
     The goal of asset liability management is the prudent control of market risk, liquidity and capital. Asset liability management is governed by policies, goals and objectives adopted and reviewed by the Bank’s board of directors. The Board delegates its responsibility for development of asset liability management strategies to achieve these goals and objectives to the Asset Liability Committee, or ALCO, which is comprised of members of senior management.
Interest Rate Risk
     Interest rate risk is the risk of loss of future earnings or long-term value due to changes in interest rates. Our primary source of earnings is the net interest margin, which is affected by changes in interest rates, the relationship between rates on interest bearing assets and liabilities, the impact of interest rate fluctuations on asset prepayments and the mix of interest bearing assets and liabilities.
     The ability to optimize the net interest margin is largely dependent upon the achievement of an interest rate spread that can be managed during periods of fluctuating interest rates. Interest sensitivity is a measure of the extent to which net interest income will be affected by market interest rates over a period of time. Interest rate sensitivity is related to the difference between amounts of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities which either reprice or mature within a given period of time. The difference is known as interest rate sensitivity gap.

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     The following table shows interest rate sensitivity gaps and the earnings sensitivity ratio for different intervals as of December 31, 2009. The information presented in the table is based on our mix of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities and historical experience regarding their interest rate sensitivity.
Interest Rate Sensitivity Gaps
(Dollars in thousands)
                                         
    Projected Maturity or Repricing
    Three   Three   One        
    Months   Months to   Year to   After    
    or Less   One Year   Five Years   Five Years   Total
 
Interest earning assets:
                                       
Loans (1)
  $ 1,765,672     $ 732,447     $ 1,750,533     $ 164,322     $ 4,412,974  
Investment securities (2)
    168,566       330,452       667,101       280,161       1,446,280  
Interest bearing deposits in banks
    398,979                         398,979  
Federal funds sold
    11,474                         11,474  
 
Total interest earning assets
  $ 2,344,691     $ 1,062,899     $ 2,417,634     $ 444,483     $ 6,269,707  
 
Interest bearing liabilities:
                                       
Interest bearing demand accounts (3)
  $ 89,794     $ 269,382     $ 838,078     $     $ 1,197,254  
Savings deposits (3)
    239,862       845,291       277,257             1,362,410  
Time deposits, $100 or more (4)
    279,903       573,098       143,838             996,839  
Other time deposits
    389,681       639,624       211,639       25       1,240,969  
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
    474,141                         474,141  
Other borrowed funds
    5,423                         5,423  
Long-term debt
    49,320       1,535       630       21,868       73,353  
Subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
    77,322             46,393             123,715  
 
Total interest bearing liabilities
  $ 1,605,446     $ 2,328,930     $ 1,517,835     $ 21,893     $ 5,474,104  
 
Rate gap
  $ 739,245     $ (1,266,031 )   $ 899,799     $ 422,590     $ 795,603  
Cumulative rate gap
    739,245       (526,786 )     373,013       795,603          
Cumulative rate gap as a percentage of total interest earning assets
    11.79 %     -8.40 %     5.95 %     12.69 %     12.69 %
 
 
(1)   Does not include nonaccrual loans of $115,030.
 
(2)   Adjusted to reflect: (a) expected shorter maturities based upon our historical experience of early prepayments of principal, and (b) the redemption of callable securities on their next call date.
 
(3)   Includes savings deposits paying interest at market rates in the three month or less category. All other deposit categories, while technically subject to immediate withdrawal, actually display sensitivity characteristics that generally fall within one to five years. Their allocation is presented based on that historical analysis. If these deposits were included in the three month or less category, the above table would reflect a negative three month gap of $1,491 million, a negative cumulative one year gap of $1,692 million and a positive cumulative one to five year gap of $323 million.
 
(4)   Included in the three month to one year category are deposits of $212 million maturing in three to six months.
Net Interest Income Sensitivity
     The view presented in the preceding interest rate sensitivity gap table illustrates a static view of the effect on our net interest margin of changing interest rate scenarios. We believe net interest income sensitivity provides the best perspective of how day-to-day decisions affect our interest rate risk profile. We monitor net interest margin sensitivity by utilizing an income simulation model to subject twelve month net interest income to various rate movements. Simulations modeled quarterly include scenarios where market rates change suddenly up or down in a parallel manner and scenarios where market rates gradually change up or down at nonparallel rates resulting in a change in the slope of the yield curve. Estimates produced by our income simulation model are based on numerous assumptions including, but not limited to, the nature and timing of changes in interest rates, prepayments of loans and investment securities, volume of loans originated, level and composition of deposits, ability of borrowers to repay adjustable or variable rate loans and reinvestment opportunities for cash flows. Given these various assumptions, the actual effect of interest rate changes on our net interest margin may be materially different than estimated.

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     We target a mix of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities such that no more than 5% of the net interest margin will be at risk over a one-year period should short-term interest rates shift up or down 2%. As of December 31, 2009, our income simulation model predicted net interest income would decrease $3.0 million, or 1.1%, assuming a 2% increase in short-term market interest rates and 1.0% increase in long-term interest rates over a twelve-month period. This scenario predicts that our funding sources will reprice faster than our interest earning assets.
     We did not simulate a decrease in interest rates due to the extremely low rate environment as of December 31, 2009. Prime rate has historically been set at a rate of 300 basis points over the targeted federal funds rate, which is currently set between 0 and 25 basis points. Our income simulation model has an assumption that prime will continue to be set at a rate of 300 basis points over the targeted federal funds rate. Additionally, rates that are currently below 2% are modeled not to fall below 0% with an overall decrease of 2% in interest rates. In a declining rate environment, our income simulation model predicts our net interest income and net interest rate spread will decrease and our net interest margin will compress because interest expense will not decrease in direct proportion to a simulated downward shift in interest rates.
     The preceding interest rate sensitivity analysis does not represent a forecast and should not be relied upon as being indicative of expected operating results. In addition, if the actual prime rate falls below a 300 basis point spread to targeted federal funds rates, we could experience a continued decrease in net interest income as a result of falling yields on earning assets tied to prime rate.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
     The expected impact of accounting standards recently issued but not yet adopted are discussed in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Authoritative Accounting Guidance” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
     Our primary market risk exposure is interest rate risk. Our business and the composition of our balance sheet consists of investments in interest earning assets (principally loans and investment securities) which are primarily funded by interest bearing liabilities (deposits and indebtedness). Such financial instruments have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in market interest rates. Interest rate risk results when, due to different maturity dates and repricing intervals, interest rate indices for interest earning assets decrease relative to interest bearing liabilities, thereby creating a risk of decreased net earnings and cash flow.
     Although we characterize some of our interest-sensitive assets as securities available-for-sale, such securities are not purchased with a view to sell in the near term. Rather, such securities may be sold in response to or in anticipation of changes in interest rates and resulting prepayment risk. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report.

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     The following table provides information about our market sensitive financial instruments, categorized by expected maturity, principal repayment or repricing and fair value at December 31, 2009. The table constitutes a “forward-looking statement.” For a description of our policies for managing risks associated with changing interest rates, see Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Asset Liability Management—Interest Rate Risk.”
Market Sensitive Financial Instruments Maturities
(Dollars in thousands)
                                                         
    December 31, 2009 Expected Maturity, Principal Repayment or Repricing
    2010   2011   2012   2013   2014   Thereafter   Total
 
Interest-sensitive assets:
                                                       
Cash and short-term investments
  $ 623,482     $     $     $     $     $     $ 623,482  
Net loans
    3,056,528       531,957       373,510       275,905       111,351       73,037       4,422,288  
Securities available-for-sale
    188,807       180,109       289,694       277,767       145,223       234,829       1,316,429  
Securities held-to-maturity
    9,610       9,010       7,656       7,294       8,073       89,212       130,855  
Accrued interest receivable
    37,123                                     37,123  
Mortgage servicing rights
    3,441       2,987       2,396       1,855       1,456       5,611       17,746  
 
Total interest-sensitive assets
  $ 3,918,991     $ 724,063     $ 673,256     $ 562,821     $ 266,103     $ 402,689     $ 6,547,923  
 
Interest-sensitive liabilities:
                                                       
Deposits, excluding time
  $ 1,861,658     $ 369,555     $ 369,555     $ 985,480     $     $     $ 3,586,248  
Time deposits
    1,895,727       213,914       68,245       38,881       29,436       20       2,246,223  
Federal funds purchased
                                                   
Repurchase agreements
    474,141                                     474,141  
Derivative contract
    245                                               245  
Accrued interest payable
    17,585                                     17,585  
Other borrowed funds
    5,423                                     5,423  
Long-term debt
    36,029       381       169       351       147       37,836       74,913  
Subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
    80,597       3,101       2,937       42,167                   128,802  
 
Total interest-sensitive liabilities
  $ 4,371,405     $ 586,951     $ 440,906     $ 1,066,879     $ 29,583     $ 37,856     $ 6,533,580  
 
     The prepayment projections for net loans are based upon experience and do not take into account any allowance for loan losses. The expected maturities of securities are based upon contractual maturities adjusted for projected prepayments of principal, assuming no reinvestment of proceeds. Actual maturities of these instruments could vary substantially if future prepayments differ from our historical experience. All other financial instruments are stated at contractual maturities.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
     The following consolidated financial statements of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and subsidiaries are contained in Part IV, Item 15 of this report and are incorporated herein by reference.
Report of McGladrey & Pullen LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets — December 31, 2009 and 2008
Consolidated Statements of Income — Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity — Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
     Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
     There have been no disagreements with accountants on accounting and financial disclosure.

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Item 9A(T). Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
     We have established and maintain disclosure controls and procedures, as defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. As of December 31, 2009, our management evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as of December 31, 2009, were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods required by the SEC’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
     Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our system of internal control over financial reporting within the meaning of Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act is designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of our published financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, assessed the effectiveness of our system of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment, we believe that, as of December 31, 2009, our system of internal control over financial reporting was effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
     This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
     There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Limitations on Controls and Procedures
     The effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting is subject to various inherent limitations, including cost limitations, judgments used in decision making, assumptions about the likelihood of future events, the soundness of our systems, the possibility of human error and the risk of fraud. Moreover, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions and the risk that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate over time. Because of these limitations, any system of disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting may not be successful in preventing all errors or fraud or in making all material information known in a timely manner to the appropriate levels of management.
Item 9B. Other Information
     There were no items required to be disclosed in a report on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of 2009 that were not reported.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
     Information concerning “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance” is set forth under the heading “Directors and Executive Officers” in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2010 annual meeting of shareholders and is herein incorporated by reference.

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     Information concerning “Compliance With Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934” is set forth under the heading “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2010 annual meeting of shareholders and is herein incorporated by reference.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
     Information concerning “Executive Compensation” is set forth under the headings “Compensation of Executive Officers Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors” in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2010 annual meeting of shareholders and is herein incorporated by reference.
     Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
     Information concerning “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” is set forth under the heading “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans” in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2010 annual meeting of shareholders and is herein incorporated by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
     Information concerning “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence” is set forth under the headings “Directors and Executive Officers” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2010 annual meeting of shareholders and is herein incorporated by reference. In addition, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Related Party Transactions” included in Part IV, Item 15.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
     Information concerning “Principal Accountant Fees and Services” is set forth under the heading “Directors and Executive Officers — Principal Accounting Fees and Services” in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2010 annual meeting of shareholders and is herein incorporated by reference.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)   1.    Our audited consolidated financial statements follow.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We were not engaged to examine management’s assessment of the effectiveness of First Interstate BancSystem’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 included in Managements’ Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion thereon.
/s/ MCGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP
Des Moines, Iowa
February 19, 2010

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First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
(In thousands, except share data)
                 
December 31,   2009   2008
 
Assets
               
Cash and due from banks
  $ 213,029     $ 205,070  
Federal funds sold
    11,474       107,502  
Interest bearing deposits in banks
    398,979       1,458  
 
Total cash and cash equivalents
    623,482       314,030  
 
Investment securities:
               
Available-for-sale
    1,316,429       961,914  
Held-to-maturity (estimated fair values of $130,855 and $109,809 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively)
    129,851       110,362  
 
Total investment securities
    1,446,280       1,072,276  
 
Loans
    4,528,004       4,772,813  
Less allowance for loan losses
    103,030       87,316  
 
Net loans
    4,424,974       4,685,497  
 
Premises and equipment, net
    196,307       177,799  
Goodwill
    183,673       183,673  
Company-owned life insurance
    71,374       69,515  
Other real estate owned (“OREO”)
    38,400       6,025  
Accrued interest receivable
    37,123       38,694  
Mortgage servicing rights, net of accumulated amortization and impairment reserve
    17,325       11,002  
Core deposit intangibles, net of accumulated amortization
    10,551       12,682  
Net deferred tax asset
          7,401  
Other assets
    88,164       49,753  
 
Total assets
  $ 7,137,653     $ 6,628,347  
 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Deposits:
               
Non-interest bearing
  $ 1,026,584     $ 985,155  
Interest bearing
    4,797,472       4,189,104  
 
Total deposits
    5,824,056       5,174,259  
 
Federal funds purchased
          30,625  
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
    474,141       525,501  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    44,946       51,290  
Accrued interest payable
    17,585       20,531  
Other borrowed funds
    5,423       79,216  
Long-term debt
    73,353       84,148  
Subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
    123,715       123,715  
 
Total liabilities
    6,563,219       6,089,285  
 
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Nonvoting noncumulative preferred stock without par value; authorized 100,000 shares; issued and outstanding 5,000 as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008
    50,000       50,000  
Common stock without par value; authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 7,837,397 shares and 7,887,519 shares as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively
    112,135       117,613  
Retained earnings
    397,224       362,477  
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net
    15,075       8,972  
 
Total stockholders’ equity
    574,434       539,062  
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 7,137,653     $ 6,628,347  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share data)
                         
Year Ended December 31,   2009   2008   2007
 
Interest income:
                       
Interest and fees on loans
  $ 279,985     $ 305,152     $ 272,482  
Interest and dividends on investment securities:
                       
Taxable
    41,978       43,583       42,660  
Exempt from federal taxes
    5,298       5,913       4,686  
Interest on deposits in banks
    520       191       1,307  
Interest on federal funds sold
    253       1,080       4,422  
 
Total interest income
    328,034       355,919       325,557  
 
Interest expense:
                       
Interest on deposits
    73,226       96,863       99,549  
Interest on federal funds purchased
    20       1,389       267  
Interest on securities sold under repurchase agreements
    776       7,694       21,212  
Interest on other borrowed funds
    1,347       1,741       161  
Interest on long-term debt
    3,249       4,578       467  
Interest on subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
    6,280       8,277       4,298  
 
Total interest expense
    84,898       120,542       125,954  
 
Net interest income
    243,136       235,377       199,603  
Provision for loan losses
    45,300       33,356       7,750  
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    197,836       202,021       191,853  
 
Non-interest income:
                       
Income from the origination and sale of loans
    30,928       12,290       11,245  
Other service charges, commissions and fees
    28,747       28,193       24,221  
Service charges on deposit accounts
    20,323       20,712       17,787  
Wealth managment revenues
    10,821       12,352       11,734  
Investment securities gains, net
    137       101       59  
Gain on sale of nonbank subsidiary
          27,096        
Technology services revenues
          17,699       19,080  
Other income
    9,734       10,154       8,241  
 
Total non-interest income
    100,690       128,597       92,367  
 
Non-interest expense:
                       
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
    113,569       114,024       98,134  
Occupancy, net
    15,898       16,361       14,741  
Furniture and equipment
    12,405       18,880       16,229  
FDIC insurance premiums
    12,130       2,912       444  
Outsourced technology services
    10,567       4,016       3,116  
Mortgage servicing rights amortization
    7,568       5,918       4,441  
Mortgage servicing rights impairment (recovery)
    (7,224 )     10,940       1,702  
OREO expense, net of income
    6,397       215       (81 )
Core deposit intangibles amortization
    2,131       2,503       174  
Other expenses
    44,269       46,772       39,886  
 
Total non-interest expense
    217,710       222,541       178,786  
 
Income before income tax expense
    80,816       108,077       105,434  
Income tax expense
    26,953       37,429       36,793  
 
Net income
    53,863       70,648       68,641  
Preferred stock dividends
    3,422       3,347        
 
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 50,441     $ 67,301     $ 68,641  
 
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 6.44     $ 8.55     $ 8.45  
Diluted earnings per common share
    6.37       8.38       8.25  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
                                         
                            Accumulated        
                            Other     Total  
    Preferred     Common     Retained     Comprehensive     Stockholders’  
    Stock     Stock     Earnings     Income (Loss)     Equity  
 
Balance at December 31, 2006
  $     $ 45,477     $ 372,039     $ (7,141 )   $ 410,375  
Cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting principle related to post-retirement benefits
                        (274 )     (274 )
Comprehensive income:
                                     
Net income
                68,641             68,641  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
                      5,660       5,660  
 
                                     
Total comprehensive income
                                    74,301  
 
                                     
Common stock transactions:
                                       
294,760 common shares purchased and retired
          (25,887 )                 (25,887 )
17,248 common shares issued
          1,497                   1,497  
138,765 stock options exercised, net of 21,309 shares tendered in payment of option price and income tax withholding amounts
          5,074                   5,074  
Tax benefit of stock-based compensation
          2,519                   2,519  
Stock-based compensation expense
          1,093                   1,093  
Cash dividends declared:
                                       
Common ($2.97 per share)
                (24,255 )           (24,255 )
 
Balance at December 31, 2007
          29,773       416,425       (1,755 )     444,443  
Cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting principle related to deferred compensation and split-dollar life insurance policies
                (633 )           (633 )
Comprehensive income:
                                       
Net income
                70,648             70,648  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
                      10,727       10,727  
 
                                     
Total comprehensive income
                                    81,375  
 
                                     
Preferred stock transactions:
                                       
5,000 preferred shares issued
    50,000                         50,000  
Preferred stock issuance costs
                (38 )           (38 )
Common stock transactions:
                                       
333,393 common shares purchased and retired
          (27,912 )                 (27,912 )
154,288 common shares issued
          11,884                   11,884  
60,583 stock options exercised, net of 32,510 shares tendered in payment of option price and income tax withholding amounts
          1,779                   1,779  
Tax benefit of stock-based compensation
          1,178                   1,178  
Stock-based compensation expense
          911                   911  
Transfer from retained earnings to common stock
          100,000       (100,000 )            
Cash dividends declared:
                                       
Common ($2.60 per share)
                (20,578 )           (20,578 )
Preferred (6.75% per share)
                (3,347 )           (3,347 )
 
Balance at December 31, 2008
  $ 50,000     $ 117,613     $ 362,477     $ 8,972       $539,062  
 

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First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Continued)
 
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
                                         
                            Accumulated        
                            Other     Total  
    Preferred     Common     Retained     Comprehensive     Stockholders’  
    Stock     Stock     Earnings     Income (Loss)     Equity  
Balance at December 31, 2008
  $ 50,000     $ 117,613     $ 362,477     $ 8,972     $ 539,062  
Comprehensive income:
                                       
Net income
                53,863             53,863  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
                      6,103       6,103  
 
                                     
Total comprehensive income
                                    59,966  
 
                                     
Common stock transactions:
                                       
160,688 common shares purchased and retired
          (11,052 )                 (11,052 )
63,539 common shares issued
          3,813                   3,813  
16,034 restricted common shares issued
                             
74,859 stock options exercised, net of 43,866 shares tendered in payment of option price and income tax withholding amounts
          144                   144  
Tax benefit of stock-based compensation
          742                   742  
Stock-based compensation expense
          875                   875  
Cash dividends declared:
                                       
Common ($2.00 per share)
                (15,694 )           (15,694 )
Preferred (6.75% per share)
                (3,422 )           (3,422 )
 
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 50,000     $ 112,135     $ 397,224     $ 15,075     $ 574,434  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
(In thousands)
                         
Year Ended December 31,   2009     2008     2007  
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net income
  $ 53,863     $ 70,648     $ 68,641  
Adjustments to reconcile net income from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Provisions for loan losses
    45,300       33,356       7,750  
Depreciation and amortization
    22,286       23,622       19,083  
Net premium amortization (discount accretion) on investment securities
    1,293       728       (2,393 )
Net gains on investment securities transactions
    (137 )     (101 )     (59 )
Net gains on sales of loans held for sale
    (18,315 )     (7,068 )     (6,701 )
Other than temporary impairment of investment securitites
          1,286        
Gain on sale of nonbank subsidiary
          (27,096 )        
Write-down of OREO and equipment pending disposal
    5,895       34       164  
Net increase (decrease) in valuation reserve for mortgage servicing rights
    (7,224 )     10,940       1,702  
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
    5,547       (7,578 )     (2,180 )
Earnings on company-owned life insurance policies
    (1,859 )     (2,439 )     (2,371 )
Stock-based compensation expense
    1,024       911       1,093  
Tax benefits from stock-based compensation
    742       1,178       2,519  
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
    (719 )     (1,140 )     (2,508 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Increase (decrease) in loans held for sale
    19,280       (20,039 )     (529 )
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable
    1,571       1,502       (1,302 )
Decrease (increase) in other assets
    (35,766 )     (8,842 )     3,672  
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable
    (2,946 )     (3,207 )     2,232  
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (8,043 )     10,784       (5,704 )
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    81,792       77,479       83,109  
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Purchases of investment securities:
                       
Held-to-maturity
    (9,910 )     (16,831 )     (17,995 )
Available-for-sale
    (868,917 )     (341,587 )     (1,936,961 )
Proceeds from maturities, paydowns and calls of investment securities:
                       
Held-to-maturity
    19,785       20,684       15,300  
Available-for-sale
    493,389       505,870       1,947,408  
Net decrease in cash equivalent mutual funds classified as available-for-sale investment securities
                37  
Proceeds from sales of mortgage servicing rights, net of acquisitions
    2,051       (34 )     2,292  
Extensions of credit to customers, net of repayments
    146,943       (492,297 )     (254,240 )
Recoveries of loans charged-off
    2,392       1,837       2,361  
Proceeds from sales of OREO
    10,849       623       705  
Proceeds from sale of nonbank subsidiary, net of cash payments
          40,766        
Capital expenditures, net of sales
    (26,393 )     (32,852 )     (17,957 )
Capital contributions to unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures
          (620 )     (1,857 )
Acquisition of banks and data services company, net of cash and cash equivalents received
          (135,706 )      
 
Net cash used in investing activities
  $ (229,811 )   $ (450,147 )   $ (260,907 )
 

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First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
 
(In thousands)
                         
Year Ended December 31,   2009     2008     2007  
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Net increase in deposits
  $ 649,797     $ 362,931     $ 290,890  
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings
    (155,778 )     16,189       (123,750 )
Borrowings of long-term debt
          113,500        
Repayments of long-term debt
    (10,795 )     (38,107 )     (16,456 )
Debt issuance costs
    (261 )     (609 )     (225 )
Proceeds from issuance of subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
          20,620       61,857  
Preferred stock issuance costs
          (38 )      
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    3,957       13,663       6,571  
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
    719       1,140       2,508  
Purchase and retirement of common stock
    (11,052 )     (27,912 )     (25,887 )
Dividends paid to common stockholders
    (15,694 )     (20,578 )     (24,255 )
Dividends paid to preferred stockholders
    (3,422 )     (3,347 )      
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
    457,471       437,452       171,253  
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    309,452       64,784       (6,545 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    314,030       249,246       255,791  
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 623,482     $ 314,030     $ 249,246  
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
                       
Cash paid during the year for income taxes
  $ 25,813     $ 35,376     $ 45,233  
Cash paid during the year for interest expense
    87,844       121,115       123,722  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(1)  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
      Business. First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. (the “Parent Company” and collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is a financial and bank holding company that, through the branch offices of its bank subsidiary, provides a comprehensive range of banking products and services to individuals, businesses, municipalities and other entities throughout Montana, Wyoming and western South Dakota. In addition to its primary emphasis on commercial and consumer banking services, the Company also offers trust, employee benefit and investment and insurance services through its bank subsidiaries. The Company is subject to competition from other financial institutions and nonbank financial companies, and is also subject to the regulations of various government agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.
 
      Basis of Presentation. The Company’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Parent Company and its operating subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2009, the Company’s subsidiaries were First Interstate Bank (“FIB”), First Western Data, Inc. (“Data”), First Interstate Insurance Agency, Inc., Commerce Financial, Inc., FIB, LLC and FIBCT, LLC. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made in the consolidated financial statements for 2008 and 2007 to conform to the 2009 presentation. No changes were made in the current year to previously reported net income or stockholders’ equity.
 
      Merger of Bank Subsidiaries. On September 25, 2009, the Company merged First Western Bank (“Wall”) and The First Western Bank Sturgis (“Sturgis”) into FIB. Subsequent to the merger, FIB is the Company’s only bank subsidiary.
 
      Sale of Nonbank Subsidiary. On December 31, 2008, the Company sold its technology services subsidiary, i_Tech Corporation (“i_Tech”). Concurrent with the sale, the Company entered into a service agreement with the purchaser to receive certain technology services previously provided by i_Tech. The assets, liabilities and results of operations and cash flows of i_Tech are not presented as discontinued operations due to the continuation of cash flows between the Company and i_Tech under the terms of the service agreement. Subsequent to the sale, the Company no longer receives technology services revenues from non-affiliated customers of i_Tech.
 
      Equity Method Investments. The Company has an investment in a joint venture that is not consolidated because the Company does not own a majority voting interest, control the operations or receive a majority of the losses or earnings of the joint venture. This joint venture is accounted for using the equity method of accounting whereby the Company initially records its investment at cost and then subsequently adjusts the cost for the Company’s proportionate share of distributions and earnings or losses of the joint venture.
 
      Variable Interest Entities. The Company’s wholly-owned business trusts, First Interstate Statutory Trust (“FIST”), FI Statutory Trust I (“Trust I”), FI Capital Trust II (“Trust II”), FI Statutory Trust III (“Trust III”), FI Capital Trust IV (“Trust IV”), FI Statutory Trust V (“Trust V”) and FI Statutory Trust VI (“Trust VI”) are variable interest entities for which the Company is not a primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the accounts of FIST, Trust I, Trust II, Trust III, Trust IV, Trust V and Trust VI are not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, and are instead accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
 
      Assets Held in Fiduciary or Agency Capacity. The Company holds certain trust assets in a fiduciary or agency capacity. The Company also purchases and sells federal funds as an agent. These and other assets held in an agency or fiduciary capacity are not assets of the Company and, accordingly, are not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
 
      Use of Estimates. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to change relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of goodwill, other real estate owned, mortgage servicing rights and the fair values of other financial instruments.

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First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
    Cash and Cash Equivalents. For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, federal funds sold for one day periods and interest bearing deposits in banks with original maturities of less than three months. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had cash of $397,474 on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank to meet regulatory reserve and clearings requirements. No such reserve requirements existed as of December 31, 2008. In addition, the Company maintained compensating balances with the Federal Reserve Bank of approximately $65,000 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 to reduce service charges for check clearing services.
 
    Investment Securities. Investments in debt securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost. Investments in debt securities that may be sold in response to or in anticipation of changes in interest rates and resulting prepayment risk, or other factors, and marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value. The unrealized gains and losses on these securities are reported, net of applicable income taxes, as a separate component of stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income. Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase and at each reporting date management reassesses the appropriateness of the classification.
 
    The amortized cost of debt securities classified as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale is adjusted for accretion of discounts to maturity and amortization of premiums over the estimated average life of the security, or in the case of callable securities, through the first call date, using the effective yield method. Such amortization and accretion is included in interest income. Realized gains and losses are included in investment securities gains (losses). Declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are judged to be other-than-temporary are included in other expenses. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, the Company considers, among other things, the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recover in fair vale. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.
 
    The Company invests in securities on behalf of certain officers and directors of the Company who have elected to participate in the Company’s deferred compensation plans. These securities are included in other assets and are carried at their fair value based on quoted market prices. Net realized and unrealized holding gains and losses are included in other non-interest income.
 
    Loans. Loans are reported at the principal amount outstanding. Interest is calculated using the simple interest method on the daily balance of the principal amount outstanding.
 
    Loans on which the accrual of interest has been discontinued are designated as nonaccrual loans. Accrual of interest on loans is discontinued either when reasonable doubt exists as to the full, timely collection of interest or principal or when a loan becomes contractually past due by ninety days or more with respect to interest or principal, unless such past due loan is well secured and in the process of collection. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current period interest income. Interest accruals are resumed on such loans only when they are brought fully current with respect to interest and principal and when, in the judgment of management, the loans are estimated to be fully collectible as to both principal and interest. Loans renegotiated in troubled debt restructurings are those loans on which concessions in terms have been granted because of a borrower’s financial difficulty.
 
    Loan origination fees, prepaid interest and certain direct origination costs are deferred, and the net amount is amortized as an adjustment of the related loan’s yield using a level yield method over the expected lives of the related loans. The amortization of deferred loan fees and costs and the accretion of unearned discounts on non-performing loans is discontinued during periods of nonperformance.
 
    Included in loans are certain residential mortgage loans originated for sale. These loans are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or estimated market value. Loans sold are subject to standard representations and warranties. Market value is estimated based on binding contracts or quotes or bids from third party investors. Residential mortgages held for sale were $36,430 and $47,076 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

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First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
    Gains and losses on sales of mortgage loans are determined using the specific identification method and are included in income from the origination and sale of loans. These gains and losses are adjusted to recognize the present value of future servicing fee income over the estimated lives of the related loans.
 
    Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses which is charged to expense. Loans, or portions thereof, are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that the collectibility of the principal is unlikely or, with respect to consumer installment loans, according to an established delinquency schedule. The allowance balance is an amount that management believes will be adequate to absorb known and inherent losses in the loan portfolio based upon quarterly analyses of the size and current risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, an assessment of individual problem loans and actual loss experience, industry concentrations, current economic, political and regulatory factors and the estimated impact of current economic, political, regulatory and environmental conditions on historical loss rates.
 
    A loan is considered impaired when, based upon current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect, on a timely basis, all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan’s original agreement. The amount of the impairment is measured using cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, except when it is determined that the primary source of repayment for the loan is the operation or liquidation of the underlying collateral. In such cases, the current value of the collateral, reduced by anticipated selling costs, is used to measure impairment. The Company considers impaired loans to be those non-consumer loans which are nonaccrual or have been renegotiated in a troubled debt restructuring.
 
    Goodwill. The excess purchase price over the fair value of net assets from acquisitions, or goodwill, is evaluated for impairment at least annually and on an interim basis if an event or circumstance indicates that it is likely an impairment has occurred. In testing for impairment, the fair value of net assets is estimated based on an analysis of market-based trading and transaction multiples of selected peer banks; and, if required, the estimated fair value is allocated to the acquired assets and liabilities comprising the goodwill. The determination of goodwill is sensitive to market-based trading and transaction multiples. Variability in market conditions could result in impairment of goodwill, which is recorded as a non-cash adjustment to income. As of December 31, 2009, we had goodwill of $184 million, all of which was attributable to FIB. No impairment losses were recognized during 2009, 2008 or 2007.
 
    Core Deposit Intangibles. Core deposit intangibles represent the intangible value of depositor relationships resulting from deposit liabilities assumed and are amortized using an accelerated method based on the estimated weighted average useful lives of the related deposits of 9.5 years. Accumulated core deposit intangibles amortization was $16,369 as of December 31, 2009 and $14,238 as of December 31, 2008. Amortization expense related to core deposit intangibles recorded as of December 31, 2009 is expected to total $1,748, $1,446, $1,421, $1,417 and $1,417 in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
 
    Mortgage Servicing Rights. The Company recognizes the rights to service mortgage loans for others, whether acquired or internally originated. Mortgage servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value based on comparable market quotes and are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income. Mortgage servicing rights are evaluated quarterly for impairment by discounting the expected future cash flows, taking into consideration the estimated level of prepayments based on current industry expectations and the predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans including loan type, note rate and loan term. Impairment adjustments, if any, are recorded through a valuation allowance.
 
    Premises and Equipment. Buildings, furniture and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed using straight-line methods over estimated useful lives of 5 to 50 years for buildings and improvements and 2.5 to 15 years for furniture and equipment. Leasehold improvements and assets acquired under capital lease are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the terms of the related leases. Land is recorded at cost.

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Table of Contents

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
    Company-Owned Life Insurance. Key executive life insurance policies are recorded at their cash surrender value. Group life insurance policies are subject to a stable value contract that offsets the impact of interest rate fluctuations on the market value of the policies. Group life insurance policies are recorded at the stabilized investment value. Increases in the cash surrender or stabilized investment value of insurance policies, as well as insurance proceeds received, are recorded as other non-interest income, and are not subject to income taxes.
 
    Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. Long-lived assets, including premises and equipment and certain identifiable intangibles, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The amount of the impairment loss, if any, is based on the asset’s fair value. Impairment losses of $350 were recognized in other non-interest expense in 2009. No impairment losses were recognized during 2008 or 2007.
 
    Other Real Estate Owned. Real estate acquired in satisfaction of loans is initially carried at current fair value less estimated selling costs. The value of the underlying loan is written down to the fair value of the real estate acquired by charge to the allowance for loan losses, if necessary, at or within 90 days of foreclosure. Subsequent declines in fair value less estimated selling costs are included in OREO expense. Subsequent increases in fair value less estimated selling costs are recorded as a reduction in OREO expense to the extent of recognized losses. Carrying costs, operating expenses, net of related income, and gains or losses on sales are included in OREO expense. Write-downs of $5,545, $34 and $164 were recorded in 2009, 2008 and 2007 respectively. The valuation of OREO is subjective and may be adjusted in the future to changes in economic conditions.
 
    Restricted Equity Securities. The Company, as a member of the Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), is required to maintain investments in each of the organization’s capital stock. As of December 31, 2009, restricted equity securities of the Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of $13,338 and $6,886, respectively, were included in other assets at cost. As of December 31, 2008, restricted equity securities of the Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank were $13,332 and $8,079, respectively. Restricted equity securities are periodically reviewed for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recovery of par value is influenced by the significance of the decline compared to the cost basis of the restricted equity securities, the length of time a decline has persisted, the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on the issuing organizations and the liquidity positions of the issuing organizations. Although the FHLB was classified as undercapitalized by its regulator in 2009, the Company does not believe its investment in FHLB restricted equity securities was impaired as of December 31, 2009. No impairment losses were recorded on restricted equity securities during 2009, 2008 or 2007.
 
    Income from Fiduciary Activities. Consistent with industry practice, income for trust services is recognized on the basis of cash received. However, use of this method in lieu of accrual basis accounting does not materially affect reported earnings.
 
    Income Taxes. The Parent Company and its subsidiaries have elected to be included in a consolidated federal income tax return. For state income tax purposes, the combined taxable income of the Parent Company and its subsidiaries is apportioned among the states in which operations take place. Federal and state income taxes attributable to the subsidiaries, computed on a separate return basis, are paid to or received from the Parent Company.
 
    The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method. Under the liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on enacted income tax rates which will be in effect when the differences between the financial statement carrying values and tax bases of existing assets and liabilities are expected to be reported in taxable income.

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First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
    Positions taken in the Company’s tax returns may be subject to challenge by the taxing authorities upon examination. Uncertain tax positions are initially recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. Such tax positions are both initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement with the tax authority, assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts. The Company provides for interest and, in some cases, penalties on tax positions that may be challenged by the taxing authorities. Interest expense is recognized beginning in the first period that such interest would begin accruing. Penalties are recognized in the period that the Company claims the position in the tax return. Interest and penalties on income tax uncertainties are classified within income tax expense in the income statement. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state examinations by tax authorities for years before 2006.
 
    Earnings Per Common Share. Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding during the period.
 
    Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income includes net income, as well as other changes in stockholders’ equity that result from transactions and economic events other than those with shareholders. In addition to net income, the Company’s comprehensive income includes the after tax effect of changes in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investment securities and changes in net actuarial gains and losses on defined benefit post-retirement benefits plans.
 
    Segment Reporting. An operating segment is defined as a component of a business for which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and evaluate performance. Beginning January 1, 2009, the Company has one operating segment, community banking, which encompasses commercial and consumer banking services offered to individuals, businesses, municipalities and other entities. Prior to 2009, the Company reported two operating segments, community banking and technology services. Technology services encompassed services provided through i_Tech to affiliated and non-affiliated customers. On December 31, 2008, the Company sold i_Tech and moved certain operational functions previously provided by i_Tech to FIB.
 
    Advertising Costs. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $3,422, $3,447, and $2,892 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
    Transfers of Financial Assets. Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Company; the transferee obtains the right, free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right, to pledge or exchange the transferred assets; and, the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.
 
    Technology Services Revenue Recognition. Revenues from technology services are transaction-based and are recognized as transactions are processed or services are rendered.
 
    Stock-Based Compensation. Compensation cost for all stock-based awards is measured at fair value on the date of grant and is recognized over the requisite service period for awards expected to vest. Stock-based compensation expense of $1,024, $911 and $1,093 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, is included in salaries, wages and benefits expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. Related income tax benefits recognized for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were $392, $348 and $418, respectively.
 
    Fair Value Measurements. In general, fair value measurements are based upon quoted market prices, where available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair value measurements are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and require some degree of

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Table of Contents

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
      judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments and other factors. The use of different assumptions or estimation techniques may have a significant effect on the fair value amounts reported.
(2) INVESTMENT SECURITIES
      The amortized cost and approximate fair values of investment securities are summarized as follows:
                                 
            Gross   Gross   Estimated
Available-for-Sale   Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized   Fair
December 31, 2009   Cost   Gains   Losses   Value
 
Obligations of U.S. government agencies
  $ 568,705     $ 4,207     $ (1,466 )   $ 571,446  
Residential mortgage-backed securities
    721,555       23,212       (1,127 )     743,640  
Private mortgage-backed securities
    1,396             (53 )     1,343  
Other securities
                       
 
Total
  $ 1,291,656     $ 27,419     $ (2,646 )   $ 1,316,429  
 
                                 
            Gross   Gross   Estimated
Held-to-Maturity   Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized   Fair
December 31, 2009   Cost   Gains   Losses   Value
 
State, county and municipal securities
  $ 129,381     $ 1,439     $ (435 )   $ 130,385  
Other securities
    470                   470  
 
Total
  $ 129,851     $ 1,439     $ (435 )   $ 130,855  
 
      Gross gains of $138 and gross losses of $1 were realized on the disposition of available-for-sale securities in 2009.
                                 
            Gross   Gross   Estimated
Available-for-Sale   Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized   Fair
December 31, 2008   Cost   Gains   Losses   Value
 
Obligations of U.S. government agencies
  $ 264,008     $ 6,371     $     $ 270,379  
Residential mortgage-backed securities
    646,456       9,891       (1,088 )     655,259  
State, county and municipal securities
    33,287       107       (8 )     33,386  
Other securities
    2,891       1       (6 )     2,886  
Mutual funds
    4                   4  
 
Total
  $ 946,646     $ 16,370     $ (1,102 )   $ 961,914  
 
                                 
            Gross   Gross   Estimated
Held-to-Maturity   Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized   Fair
December 31, 2008   Cost   Gains   Losses   Value
 
State, county and municipal securities
  $ 109,744     $ 856     $ (1,409 )   $ 109,191  
Other securities
    618                   618  
 
Total
  $ 110,362     $ 856     $ (1,409 )   $ 109,809  
 
      Gross gains of $102 and gross losses of $1 were realized on the disposition of available-for-sale securities in 2008.
 
      Gross gains of $59 were realized on the disposition of available-for-sale securities in 2007. No gross losses were realized on disposition of available-for-sale securities in 2007.

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Table of Contents

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
      In conjunction with the merger of the Company’s bank subsidiaries on September 25, 2009, the Company transferred available-for-sale investment state, county and municipal investment securities with amortized costs and fair values of $28,288 and $29,426, respectively, into the held-to-maturity category. Unrealized net gains of $1,138 included in accumulated other comprehensive income at the time of the transfer are being amortized to yield over the remaining lives of the transferred securities of 3.4 years.
 
      The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair values of investment securities, aggregated by investment category, and the length of time individual investment securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, as of December 31, 2009 and 2008.
                                                 
    Less than 12 Months   12 Months or More   Total
            Gross           Gross           Gross
    Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized
December 31, 2009   Value   Losses   Value   Losses   Value   Losses
 
Available-for-Sale
                                               
Obligations of U.S. government agencies
  $ 185,376     $ (1,466 )   $     $     $ 185,376     $ (1,466 )
Residential mortgage-backed securities
    92,918       (1,127 )     10             92,928       (1,127 )
Private mortgage-backed securities
                1,337       (53 )     1,337       (53 )
 
Total
  $ 278,294     $ (2,593 )   $ 1,347     $ (53 )   $ 279,641     $ (2,646 )
 
                                                 
    Less than 12 Months   12 Months or More   Total
            Gross           Gross           Gross
    Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized
December 31, 2009   Value   Losses   Value   Losses   Value   Losses
 
Held-to-Maturity
                                               
State, county and municipal securities
  $ 16,641     $ (348 )   $ 1,409     $ (87 )   $ 18,050     $ (435 )
 
                                                 
    Less than 12 Months   12 Months or More   Total
            Gross           Gross           Gross
    Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized
December 31, 2008   Value   Losses   Value   Losses   Value   Losses
 
Available-for-Sale
                                               
Residential mortgage-backed securities
  $ 102,193     $ (699 )   $ 61,782     $ (389 )   $ 163,975     $ (1,088 )
State, county and municipal securities
    1,862       (8 )                 1,862       (8 )
Other securities
    997       (6 )                 997       (6 )
 
Total
  $ 105,052     $ (713 )   $ 61,782     $ (389 )   $ 166,834     $ (1,102 )
 
                                                 
    Less than 12 Months   12 Months or More   Total
            Gross           Gross           Gross
    Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized
December 31, 2008   Value   Losses   Value   Losses   Value   Losses
 
Held-to-Maturity
                                               
State, county and municipal securities
  $ 28,537     $ (1,002 )   $ 11,278     $ (407 )   $ 39,815     $ (1,409 )
 

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Table of Contents

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
      The investment portfolio is evaluated quarterly for other-than-temporary declines in the market value of each individual investment security. Consideration is given to the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost; the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer; and, the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had 75 individual investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had 155 individual investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position. Unrealized losses as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 related primarily to fluctuations in the current interest rates. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had the intent and ability to hold these investment securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery. Furthermore, the Company does not have the intent to sell any of the available-for-sale securities in the above table and it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell any such securities before a recovery in cost. No impairment losses were recorded during 2009 or 2007. Impairment losses of $1,286 were recorded in other expenses in 2008.
 
      Maturities of investment securities at December 31, 2009 are shown below. Maturities of mortgage-backed securities have been adjusted to reflect shorter maturities based upon estimated prepayments of principal. All other investment securities maturities are shown at contractual maturity dates.
                                 
    Available-for-Sale   Held-to-Maturity
    Amortized   Estimated   Amortized   Estimated
December 31, 2009   Cost   Fair Value   Cost   Fair Value
 
Within one year
  $ 183,447     $ 263,305     $ 9,648     $ 9,139  
After one year but within five years
    879,984       870,444       31,743       32,034  
After five years but within ten years
    98,101       108,182       41,147       41,924  
After ten years
    130,124       74,498       46,843       47,288  
 
Total
    1,291,656       1,316,429       129,381       130,385  
Investments with no stated maturity
                470       470  
 
Total
  $ 1,291,656     $ 1,316,429     $ 129,851     $ 130,855  
 
      At December 31, 2009, the Company had investment securities callable within one year with amortized costs and estimated fair values of $382,723 and $383,382, respectively. These investment securities are primarily classified as available-for-sale and included in the after one year but within five years category in the table above.
 
      Maturities of securities do not reflect rate repricing opportunities present in adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had variable rate securities with amortized costs of $336 and $1,558, respectively.
 
      There are no significant concentrations of investments at December 31, 2009, (greater than 10 percent of stockholders’ equity) in any individual security issuer, except for U.S. government or agency-backed securities.
 
      Investment securities with amortized cost of $1,069,191 and $894,045 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits and securities sold under repurchase agreements. The approximate fair value of securities pledged at December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $1,095,068 and $907,156, respectively. All securities sold under repurchase agreements are with customers and mature on the next banking day. The Company retains possession of the underlying securities sold under repurchase agreements.

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Table of Contents

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(3) LOANS
Major categories and balances of loans included in the loan portfolios are as follows:
                 
December 31,   2009     2008  
 
Real estate loans:
               
Commercial
  $ 1,556,273     $ 1,483,967  
Construction
    636,892       790,177  
Residential
    539,098       587,464  
Agricultural
    195,045       191,831  
Mortgage loans originated for sale
    36,430       47,076  
 
Total real estate loans
    2,963,738       3,100,515  
 
Consumer:
               
Indirect consumer loans
    423,104       417,243  
Other consumer loans
    195,331       198,324  
Credit card loans
    59,113       54,164  
 
Total consumer loans
    677,548       669,731  
 
Commercial
    750,647       853,798  
Agricultural
    134,470       145,876  
Other loans, including overdrafts
    1,601       2,893  
 
Total loans
  $ 4,528,004     $ 4,772,813  
 
At December 31, 2009, the Company had no concentrations of loans which exceeded 10% of total loans other than the categories disclosed above.
Nonaccrual loans were $115,030 and $85,632 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. If interest on nonaccrual loans had been accrued, such income would have approximated $6,448, $4,632 and $1,712 during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Loans contractually past due ninety days or more aggregating $4,965 on December 31, 2009 and $3,828 on December 31, 2008 were on accrual status. These loans are deemed adequately secured and in the process of collection.
Impaired loans include non-consumer loans placed on nonaccrual or renegotiated in a troubled debt restructuring. The following table sets forth information on impaired loans at the dates indicated:
                                 
December 31,   2009     2008  
    Recorded     Specific     Recorded     Specific  
    Loan     Loan Loss     Loan     Loan Loss  
    Balance     Reserves     Balance     Reserves  
 
Impaired loans
                               
With specific loan loss reserves assigned
  $ 52,446     $ 20,182     $ 17,749     $ 8,015  
With no specific loan loss reserves assigned
    61,529             66,667        
 
Total impaired loans
  $ 113,975     $ 20,182     $ 84,416     $ 8,015  
 

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Table of Contents

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
Impaired loans included in the above table primarily include collateral dependent commercial and commercial real estate loans. The Company experienced declines in current valuations for real estate supporting its loan collateral in 2009. If real estate values continue to decline, the Company may have to increase its allowance for loan losses. The average recorded investment in impaired loans for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $106,048, $60,728 and $22,065, respectively. If interest on impaired loans had been accrued, interest income on impaired loans during 2009, 2008 and 2007 would have been approximately $6,384, $4,069 and $1,728, respectively. At December 31, 2009, there were no material commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose existing loans have been renegotiated or are classified as nonaccrual.
Most of the Company’s business activity is with customers within the states of Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota. Loans where the customers or related collateral are out of the Company’s trade area are not significant.
(4) ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
A summary of changes in the allowance for loan losses follows:
                         
Year ended December 31,   2009     2008     2007  
 
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 87,316     $ 52,355     $ 47,452  
Allowance of acquired banking offices
          14,463        
Provision charged to operating expense
    45,300       33,356       7,750  
Less loans charged-off
    (31,978 )     (14,695 )     (5,208 )
Add back recoveries of loans previously charged-off
    2,392       1,837       2,361  
 
Balance at end of year
  $ 103,030     $ 87,316     $ 52,355  
 
(5) PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
Premises and equipment and related accumulated depreciation are as follows:
                 
December 31,   2009     2008  
 
Land
  $ 36,388     $ 31,934  
Buildings and improvements
    187,471       171,668  
Furniture and equipment
    65,985       57,802  
 
 
    289,844       261,404  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (93,537 )     (83,605 )
 
Premises and equipment, net
  $ 196,307     $ 177,799  
 
The Parent Company and a FIB branch office lease premises from an affiliated partnership. See Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies.
(6) COMPANY-OWNED LIFE INSURANCE
Company-owned life insurance consists of the following:
                 
December 31,   2009     2008  
 
Key executive, principal shareholder
  $ 4,480     $ 4,359  
Key executive split dollar
    4,212       4,088  
Group life
    62,682       61,068  
 
Total
  $ 71,374     $ 69,515  
 

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First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
The Company maintains key executive life insurance policies on certain principal shareholders. Under these policies, the Company receives benefits payable upon the death of the insured. The net cash surrender value of key executive, principal shareholder insurance policies was $4,480 and $4,359 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
The Company also has life insurance policies covering selected other key officers. The net cash surrender value of these policies was $4,212 and $4,088 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Under these policies, the Company receives benefits payable upon death of the insured. An endorsement split dollar agreement has been executed with the selected key officers whereby a portion of the policy death benefit is payable to their designated beneficiaries. The endorsement split dollar agreement will provide postretirement coverage for those selected key officers meeting specified retirement qualifications. The Company expenses the earned portion of the post-employment benefit through the vesting period.
The Company has a group life insurance policy covering selected officers of FIB. The net cash surrender value of the policy was $62,682 and $61,068 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Under the policy, the Company receives benefits payable upon death of the insured. An endorsement split dollar agreement has been executed with the insured officers whereby a portion of the policy death benefit is payable to their designated beneficiaries if they are employed by the Company at the time of death. The marginal income produced by the policy is used to offset the cost of employee benefit plans of FIB.
(7) OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED
Information with respect to the Company’s other real estate owned follows:
                         
Year ended December 31,   2009     2008     2007  
 
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 6,025     $ 928     $ 529  
Additions
    42,212       5,810       1,135  
Capitalized improvements
    6,515              
Valuation adjustments
    (5,545 )     (34 )     (164 )
Dispositions
    (10,807 )     (679 )     (572 )
 
Balance at end of year
    38,400       6,025       928  
Less valuation reserve
                 
 
Balance at end of year
  $ 38,400     $ 6,025     $ 928  
 
(8) MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS
Information with respect to the Company’s mortgage servicing rights follows:
                         
Year ended December 31,   2009     2008     2007  
 
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 27,788     $ 27,561     $ 26,788  
Sales of mortgage servicing rights
    (3,022 )           (1,607 )
Purchases of mortgage servicing rights
    8       34       311  
Originations of mortgage servicing rights
    9,681       6,111       6,510  
Amortization expense
    (7,568 )     (5,918 )     (4,441 )
Write-off of permanent impairment
    (8,155 )            
 
Balance at end of year
    18,732       27,788       27,561  
Less valuation reserve
    (1,407 )     (16,786 )     (5,846 )
 
Balance at end of year
  $ 17,325     $ 11,002     $ 21,715  
 

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First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
At December 31, 2009, the estimated fair value and weighted average remaining life of the Company’s mortgage servicing rights were $17,746 and 4.5 years, respectively. The fair value of mortgage servicing rights was determined using discount rates ranging from 8.75% to 21.00% and monthly prepayment speeds ranging from 0.6% to 5.5% depending upon the risk characteristics of the underlying loans. The Company recorded as other expense impairment charges of $10,940 and $1,702 in 2008 and 2007, respectively, and impairment reversals of $7,224 in 2009. Permanent impairment of $8,155 was charged against the carrying value of mortgage servicing rights in 2009. No permanent impairment was recorded in 2008 or 2007.
Principal balances of mortgage loans underlying mortgage servicing rights of approximately $2,394,331 and $2,077,131 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, are not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
(9) DEPOSITS
Deposits are summarized as follows:
                 
December 31,   2009     2008  
 
Non-interest bearing demand
  $ 1,026,584     $ 985,155  
 
Interest bearing:
               
Demand
    1,197,254       1,059,818  
Savings
    1,362,410       1,198,783  
Time, $100 and over
    996,839       821,437  
Time, other
    1,240,969       1,109,066  
 
Total interest bearing
    4,797,472       4,189,104  
 
Total deposits
  $ 5,824,056     $ 5,174,259  
 
Time deposits $100 and over include deposits obtained through brokered transactions. Brokered time deposits totaled $0 and $23,500 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Other time deposits include deposits obtained through the Company’s participation in the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”). CDARS deposits totaled $253,344 and $140,935 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Maturities of time deposits at December 31, 2009 are as follows:
                 
    Time, $100        
    and Over     Total Time  
 
2010
  $ 853,001     $ 1,882,363  
2011
    100,863       212,921  
2012
    17,682       68,504  
2013
    13,825       41,060  
2014
    11,468       32,935  
Thereafter
          25  
 
Total
  $ 996,839     $ 2,237,808  
 
Interest expense on time deposits of $100 or more was $25,212, $28,794 and $21,634 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

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Table of Contents

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(10) LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER BORROWED FUNDS
A summary of long-term debt follows:
                 
December 31,   2009     2008  
 
Parent Company:
               
6.81% subordinated term loan maturing January 9, 2018, principal due at maturity, interest payable quarterly
  $ 20,000     $ 20,000  
Variable rate term notes, principal and interest due quarterly, balloon payment due at maturity on December 31, 2010 (weighted average rate of 3.75% at December 31, 2009)
    33,929       42,857  
Subsidiaries:
               
Variable rate subordinated term loan maturing February 28, 2018, principal due at maturity, interest payable quarterly (rate of 2.26% at December 31, 2009)
    15,000       15,000  
Various notes payable to FHLB, interest due monthly at various rates and maturities through October 31, 2017 (weighted average rate of 4.56% at December 31, 2009)
    2,577       4,413  
8.00% capital lease obligation with term ending October 25, 2029
    1,847       1,878  
 
Total long-term debt
  $ 73,353     $ 84,148  
 
Maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2009 are as follows:
         
2010
  $ 35,850  
2011
    245  
2012
    49  
2013
    253  
2014
    58  
Thereafter
    36,898  
 
Total
  $ 73,353  
 
Proceeds from the variable rate term notes and the 6.81% subordinated term loan were used to fund the First Western acquisition. See Note 23—Acquisitions and Dispositions.
On January 10, 2008, the Company entered into a credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with four syndicated banks. The Credit Agreement supersedes the Company’s unsecured revolving term loan with its primary lender and is secured by all of the outstanding stock of FIB. Under the original terms of the Credit Agreement, the Company borrowed $50,000 on variable rate term notes (“Term Notes”) maturing January 10, 2013 and $9,000 on a $25,000 revolving credit facility.
The syndicated credit agreement contains various covenants that, among other things, establish minimum capital and financial performance ratios; and place certain restrictions on capital expenditures, indebtedness, redemptions or repurchases of common stock and the amount of dividends payable to shareholders. During 2008 and 2009, we entered into amendments to our syndicated credit agreement that, among other things, eliminated the revolving credit facility, changed the maturity date on the term notes to December 31, 2010 from January 10, 2013, changed the interest rate changed on the term notes to a maximum non-default rate of LIBOR plus 3.75%, modified certain definitions and debt covenants and waived debt covenant violations existing as of the dates of the amendments. In connection with the amendments, we paid aggregate amendment and waiver fees of $259,000 and $85,000 in 2009 and 2008, respectively.

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Table of Contents

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
      The debt covenant ratios included in the syndicated credit agreement, as last amended, require us to, among other things, (1) maintain our ratio of non-performing assets to primary equity capital at a percentage not greater than 45.0%, (2) maintain our allowance for loan and lease losses in an amount not less than 65.0% of non-performing loans, (3) maintain our return on average assets at not less than 0.70% through March 30, 2010 and 0.65% thereafter, (4) maintain a consolidated total risk-based capital ratio of not less than 11.00% and a total risk-based capital ratio at the Bank of not less than 10.00%, (5) limit cash dividends to shareholders such that the aggregate amount of cash dividends in any four consecutive fiscal quarters does not exceed 37.5% of net income during such four-quarter period and (6) limit repurchases of our common stock, less cash proceeds from the issuance of our common stock, in any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, as a percentage of consolidated book net worth as of the end of that period to 2.75% through March 31, 2010 and 2.25% thereafter. The Company was in compliance with all existing and amended debt covenants as of December 31, 2009.
 
      As of December 31, 2009, $33,929 was outstanding on the Term Notes bearing interest at a weighted average rate of 3.75%. The Term Notes are payable in equal quarterly principal installments of $1,786, with one final installment of $28,571 due at maturity on December 31, 2010. Interest on the Term Notes is payable quarterly.
 
      On January 10, 2008, the Company borrowed $20,000 on a 6.81% unsecured subordinated term loan maturing January 9, 2018, with interest payable quarterly and principal due at maturity. The unsecured subordinated term loan qualifies as tier 2 capital under regulatory capital adequacy guidelines.
 
      During February 2008, the Company borrowed $15,000 on a variable rate unsecured subordinated term loan maturing February 28, 2018, with interest payable quarterly and principal due at maturity. The Company may elect at various dates either prime or LIBOR plus 2.00%. The interest rate on the subordinated term loan was 2.26% as of December 31, 2009. The unsecured subordinated term loan qualifies as tier 2 capital under regulatory capital adequacy guidelines.
 
      The notes payable to FHLB are secured by a blanket assignment of the Company’s qualifying residential and commercial real estate loans. The Company has available lines of credit with the FHLB of approximately $138,607, subject to collateral availability. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, FHLB advances of $2,577 and $4,413, respectively, were included in long-term debt. As of December 31, 2009 there were no short-term advances outstanding with the FHLB. As of December 31, 2008, short-term FHLB advances of $75,000 were included in other borrowed funds.
 
      The Company has a capital lease obligation on a banking office. The balance of the obligation was $1,847 and $1,878 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Assets acquired under capital lease, consisting solely of a building and leasehold improvements, are included in premises and equipment and are subject to depreciation.
 
      Other borrowed funds consist of overnight and term borrowings with original maturities of less than one year. Following is a summary of other borrowed funds:
                 
December 31,   2009     2008  
 
Interest bearing demand notes issued to the United States Treasury, secured by investment securities (0.0% interest rate at December 31, 2009)
  $ 5,423     $ 4,216    
Various notes payable to the FHLB
          75,000  
 
 
  $ 5,423     $ 79,216  
 
      The Company has federal funds lines of credit with third parties amounting to $185,000, subject to funds availability. These lines are subject to cancellation without notice. The Company also has a line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank for borrowings up to $278,180 secured by a blanket pledge of indirect consumer loans.

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First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(11) SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES HELD BY SUBSIDIARY TRUSTS
      The Company sponsors seven wholly-owned business trusts, FIST, Trust I, Trust II, Trust III, Trust IV, Trust V and Trust VI (collectively, the “Trusts”). The Trusts were formed for the exclusive purpose of issuing an aggregate of $120,000 of 30-year floating rate mandatorily redeemable capital trust preferred securities (“Trust Preferred Securities”) to third-party investors. The Trusts also issued, in aggregate, $3,715 of common equity securities to the Parent Company. Proceeds from the issuance of the Trust Preferred Securities and common equity securities were invested in 30-year junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (“Subordinated Debentures”) issued by the Parent Company.
 
      A summary of Subordinated Debenture issuances follows:
                     
        Principal Amount Outstanding  
        as of December 31,  
Issuance   Maturity Date   2009     2008  
 
March 2003
  March 26, 2033   $ 41,238     $ 41,238  
October 2007
  January 1, 2038     10,310       10,310  
November 2007
  December 15, 2037     15,464       15,464  
December 2007
  December 15, 2037     20,619       20,619  
December 2007
  April 1, 2038     15,464       15,464  
January 2008
  April 1, 2038     10,310       10,310  
January 2008
  April 1, 2038     10,310       10,310  
 
 
                   
Total subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trusts
      $ 123,715     $ 123,715  
 
      In March 2003, the Company issued $41,238 of Subordinated Debentures to FIST. The Subordinated Debentures bear a cumulative floating interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 3.15% per annum. As of December 31, 2009 the interest rate on the Subordinated Debentures was 3.40%.
 
      In October 2007, the Company issued $10,310 of Subordinated Debentures to Trust II. The Subordinated Debentures bear a cumulative floating interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.25% per annum. As of December 31, 2009 the interest rate on the Subordinated Debentures was 2.54%.
 
      In November 2007, the Company issued $15,464 of Subordinated Debentures to Trust I. The Subordinated Debentures bear interest at a fixed rate of 7.50% for five years after issuance, and thereafter at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.75% per annum.
 
      In December 2007, the Company issued $20,619 of Subordinated Debentures to Trust III. The Subordinated Debentures bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.88% for five years after issuance, and thereafter at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.40% per annum.
 
      In December 2007, the Company issued $15,464 of Subordinated Debentures to Trust IV. The Subordinated Debentures bear a cumulative floating interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.70% per annum. As of December 31, 2009 the interest rate on the Subordinated Debentures was 2.99%.
 
      In January 2008, the Company issued $10,310 of Subordinated Debentures to Trust V. The Subordinated Debentures bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.78% for five years after issuance, and thereafter at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.75% per annum.
 
      In January 2008, the Company issued $10,310 of Subordinated Debentures to Trust VI. The Subordinated Debentures bear a cumulative floating interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.75% per annum. As of December 31, 2009, the interest rate on the Subordinated Debentures was 3.04%.

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Table of Contents

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
      The Subordinated Debentures are unsecured with interest distributions payable quarterly. The Company may defer the payment of interest at any time provided that the deferral period does not extend past the stated maturity. During any such deferral period, distributions on the Trust Preferred Securities will also be deferred and the Company’s ability to pay dividends on its common and preferred shares is restricted. The Subordinated Debentures may be redeemed, subject to approval by the Federal Reserve Bank, at the Company’s option on or after five years from the date of issue, or at any time in the event of unfavorable changes in laws or regulations. Debt issuance costs consisting primarily of underwriting discounts and professional fees were capitalized and are being amortized through maturity to interest expense using the straight-line method, which approximates level yield.
 
      The terms of the Trust Preferred Securities are identical to those of the Subordinated Debentures. The Trust Preferred Securities are subject to mandatory redemption upon repayment of the Subordinated Debentures at their stated maturity dates or earlier redemption in an amount equal to their liquidation amount plus accumulated and unpaid distributions to the date of redemption. The Company guarantees the payment of distributions and payments for redemption or liquidation of the Trust Preferred Securities to the extent of funds held by the Trusts.
 
      The Trust Preferred Securities qualify as tier 1 capital of the Parent Company under the Federal Reserve Board’s capital adequacy guidelines. Proceeds from the issuance of the Trust Preferred Securities were used to fund acquisitions. For additional information regarding acquisitions, see Note 23 — Acquisitions and Dispositions.
(12) CAPITAL STOCK AND DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS
      On January 10, 2008, the Company issued 5,000 shares of 6.75% Series A noncumulative redeemable preferred stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) with an aggregate value of $50,000 as partial consideration for the acquisition of the First Western entities, see Note 23 — Acquisitions and Dispositions. The Series A Preferred Stock was issued to the former owner of the First Western entities, an accredited investor, in a private placement transaction made in reliance upon exemptions from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 promulgated thereunder. The Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Company’s common stock with respect to dividend and liquidation rights and has no voting rights. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, if and when declared, noncumulative dividends at an annual rate of $675 per share, based on a 360 day year. The Company may redeem all or part of the Series A Preferred Stock at any time after the fifth anniversary of the date issued at a redemption price of $10,000 per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. Following the tenth anniversary of the date issued, the Series A Preferred Stock may be converted, at the option of the holder, into shares of the Company’s common stock at a ratio of 80 shares of common stock for every one share of Series A Preferred Stock.
      At December 31, 2009, 91.9% of common shares held by shareholders were subject to shareholder’s agreements (“Agreements”). Under the Agreements, shares may not be sold or transferred, except in limited circumstances, without triggering the Company’s right of first refusal to repurchase shares from the shareholder at fair value. Additionally, shares held under the Agreements are subject to repurchase under certain conditions.
      The payment of dividends by subsidiary banks is subject to various federal and state regulatory limitations. In general, a bank is limited, without the prior consent of its regulators, to paying dividends that do not exceed current year net profits together with retained earnings from the two preceding calendar years. The Company’s debt instruments also include limitations on the payment of dividends. For additional information regarding dividend restrictions, see Note 10 — Long-Term Debt and Other Borrowed Funds.

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Table of Contents

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(13) EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
      The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:
                         
For the year ended December 31,   2009     2008     2007  
 
Net income
  $ 53,863     $ 70,648     $ 68,641  
Less preferred stock dividends
    3,422       3,347        
 
Net income available to common shareholders, basic and diluted
  $ 50,441     $ 67,301     $ 68,641  
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    7,833,917       7,871,034       8,126,804  
Weighted average commons shares issuable upon exercise of stock options and restricted stock awards
    85,708       157,134       195,676  
 
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding
    7,919,625       8,028,168       8,322,480  
 
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 6.44     $ 8.55     $ 8.45  
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ 6.37     $ 8.38     $ 8.25  
 
      The Company had 483,383, 284,583 and 137,092 stock options outstanding that were antidilutive as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
(14) REGULATORY CAPITAL
      The Company is subject to the regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking regulators and the Federal Reserve. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Parent Company, like all bank holding companies, is not subject to the prompt corrective action provisions. Capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
 
      Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of total and tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, and of tier 1 capital to average assets, as defined in the regulations. As of December 31, 2009, the Company exceeded all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

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Table of Contents

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
      The Company’s actual capital amounts and ratios and selected minimum regulatory thresholds as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are presented in the following table:
                                                 
    Actual     Adequately Capitalized     Well Capitalized  
  &n