Stockman of Montana

Social media is a surprise. I received so many nice comments on my milestone post yesterday from customers, employees, and former employees that I must respond. It has truly been my honor to work for and with so many good people over these 30 years. Thank you for your kind words and for your trust in my family and in Stockman. It is a privilege I don’t take for granted. Thank you all!

We are excited to support Pioneer Producers with the purchase of a new meat freezer! This up-and-coming organization based out of Big Sandy will provide locally sourced beef to children in the Big Sandy school system as well as the local senior center. The community will benefit for years to come because of the dedication of Shane Chauvet, Bob Quinn, Glenn and Luke Terry and others from Big Sandy. #MemberFDIC #EqualHousingLender #weareyourneighbor #stockman #montanasbrandofbanking

Today we celebrate the 30 year milestone for Bill Coffee, CEO of Stockman! Bill grew up in Miles City and spent much of his youth working on his family’s ranch. Bill, and his sister Caren, were exposed to banking at an early age. Virtually every family dinner included a discussion of bank business, economic activity in the area and related topics. He learned firsthand the value of community banking and the great impact it can make in Montana. This background led to his studying finance, accounting, and economics. Working as an attorney in the early 1990’s for the Crowley Fleck Law Firm in Billings, Bill heard many of the firm’s clients complain about the lack of a community bank. Many banks in Billings through the 1980’s and early ‘90’s changed how they operated, sold, or merged. The community needed a bank that had employees empowered to serve their customers, make local decisions, and was active in the community. Most area banks were not active lenders. At the same time, Bill’s grandfather and founder of Stockman, Bill Nefsy, was interested in expanding the bank. Billings was an attractive place to Mr. Nefsy for several reasons, including being the largest city in Montana, growing with a diverse economic base. So, Bill assisted Butch Bratsky, in starting the first Stockman Bank in Billings. Bill’s duties included exposure to lending, operations, marketing, direct business development and HR. With only 4 officers for the first couple of years, each officer had to work late one evening and 50% of the time had to work late on Friday or Saturday 8:00 to 1:00 pm. This new bank received a very warm welcome from around the area and grew quickly. Bill’s role grew as the bank grew over time. During his first years with Stockman, he and his wife Vicki had two young children, Colton, and Abby, who now along with their spouses all work for Stockman. The legacy of a third generation, family-owned bank is well positioned for the future. Congratulations on 30 years, Bill. The entire Stockman family appreciates your down-to-earth approach to life and your sense of humor. We couldn’t do it without you!

Congratulations to our Billings Real Estate Lending team for being named the Gazette Reader's Choice Award winner for Best Mortgage Lender! We are proud to serve this wonderful community and appreciate your support. Thank you for trusting us with your home financing needs! #MemberFDIC #EqualHousingLender #ReadersChoice #Bestmortgagelender #Stockmanbank

Thank you for once again voting us Best Insurance Agency in the Billings Gazette Reader's Choice Awards! We appreciate your votes and are happy to serve the community. We also congratulate Brenda Heggie for being named Best Insurance Agent and are proud to have her on our team! #stockmaninsurance #bestinsurance #bestinsuranceagent #weareyourneighbor

Join us in celebrating the incredible career of Diane Johnson as she embarks on a well-deserved retirement after over four decades of hard work and dedication! Diane started in banking in 1975 and worked for four banks during the past 49 years including her 24 years with Stockman. She has been an invaluable member of our teams in Conrad and Cut Bank all while exemplifying her friendly dependibility, perseverance, and expertise. We wish you a long, happy, and healthy retirement. Thank you for everything, Diane! #MemberFDIC #EqualHousingLender #retirement #Stockman

We will be closed Monday, October 14 in observance of Indignous Peoples' Day/Columbus Day.

Today is Emma Morrison's 30-year milestone! Emma started working for the bank while attending Miles Community College and was offered a full-time position shortly before graduating. She has held many positions across a variety of departments, including Data Processing, Operations and Accounting. She has spent the past 8 years as Stockman's CRA/HDMA Officer. Emma would like to thank her former MCC teachers, Mrs. Potts and Mrs. Hofeldt, for teaching her 10-key, as well as those at the bank who offered her opportunities and passed on their knowledge along the way. She has enjoyed seeing the growth of the bank since she started – from 5 offices to over 40 offices statewide. In her spare time, she enjoys spoiling her grandchildren, decorating cakes, creating stained glass, and doing other crafts. Congratulations on 30 years, Emma! 🎉

A big congratulations to Bozeman Real Estate Loan Officer, Kelly Gaugler, for winning best mortgage lender in the Bozeman Chronicle's Community Choice Awards! Kelly is a Whitefish native and started with us in 2003 as one of our first employees in the Bozeman area. Over the years she has helped set the tone for us in the Gallatin Valley, and we are thankful to have her on our Real Estate team! #MemberFDIC #EqualHousingLender #mortgage #realestate #gallatinsgreatest #bozemanchronicle

Sara Edgar, AVP / Loan Portfolio Manager from our Havre bank is celebrating her 20 year milestone today! She was hired as a loan file administrator on September 30, 2004 and continues to enjoy every aspect of her job. The best part of working for Stockman is the relationships made with customers over the years. When not working, Sara enjoys spending time with family and watching all sporting events, especially cheering on the Havre Blue Ponies and MSU-Northern Lights. Congratulations Sara on your special 20 year milestone!