Mike Banks, NMLS# 404629, Mortgage Branch Manager for Great Falls and Helena, has been honored as the Lender of the Year by NeighborWorks Great Falls for the fifth straight year. The Lender of the Year award is presented annually to a mortgage professional who demonstrates outstanding dedication to supporting homeownership, particularly among first-time buyers.

June is National Homeownership Month, a time to celebrate the value and impact of homeownership in our communities. At Opportunity Bank of Montana, it’s also a time to recognize the people behind the process—our mortgage lending team. These are the neighbors, and advisors who help Montanans navigate one of the most important financial decisions of their lives: buying a home.

At Opportunity Bank of Montana, our commitment to community extends beyond financial services, it is reflected in the actions and passions of our employees. One such example is Breanna Carioto, Opportunity Bank’s Project Manager, whose personal journey has led to a meaningful and impactful bank partnership with the American Red Cross of Montana.

This year, our Opportunity Bank branches across the state showed their support in meaningful and memorable ways.

April is a special month in the world of banking — it’s both Community Banking Month and Financial Literacy Month. This dual celebration highlights the essential role that community banks play in local economies and underscores the importance of financial education in helping individuals and businesses make informed money decisions.

Volunteer instructors from Opportunity Bank visited Helena Middle School and C.R. Anderson Middle School in February for two Helena-area financial literacy courses, providing them with hands-on experience.