by Tiffany Ricci | Photo courtesy of First Federal Bank & Trust

First Federal Bank & Trust is a small-town bank in Montana’s largest city. With a branch in Billings and one in Sheridan, it’s one of three mutual banks in Montana and Wyoming. What’s a mutual bank? “Being a mutual bank gives us the opportunity to give back. We don’t pay our stockholders; we pay our communities,” says Robyn Barta.  Because First Federal Bank & Trust is a mutual bank, they are truly a local bank. They have a vested interest in the well-being of Billings because this is their community, too.

While we’re not here to discuss banking, it helps to understand how First Federal Bank & Trust operates so you can grasp the drive behind its Community Commitment Program. This program fully supports its mission and is a natural extension of its business as a mutual bank.

Community Commitment Program

This program started in 2023, giving $1000 per week to local non-profit organizations in Billings and Sheridan. “It’s about re-investing in our community,” shares Robyn Barta, Senior Vice President and Mortgage Loan Officer at First Federal Bank & Trust.

With dozens of recipients, the bank had a broad impact in Billings. Certainly, just as impactful to the employees was learning about all the good work these organizations do in our community. It opens eyes to the opportunities available to support and serve some of our community’s most vulnerable citizens.

The Community Commitment Program changed in 2024. Instead of weekly, recipients are chosen monthly. And, instead of receiving $1000, the recipient receives $5000. This is available to Yellowstone County non-profit organizations. Robyn states, “We’re able to make a bigger impact in one organization with the change to this program.” Not only does First Federal Bank & Trust support the non-profit organization monetarily with their generous donation, but they also help to tell their story to the community. Often, they partner with KTVQ to highlight the check presentation and provide commercials to announce the winner.

The 2024 Recipients include:

Haven Foster Ministries

Community Development and Leadership Inc. (using funds to improve Hannah’s House)

Billings Senior Citizens, Inc.

Billings Firefighters Benevolent Fund

Angel Horses

Veterans Navigation Network

Your non-profit could be one of the recipients! There’s still time to submit your application as a non-profit in Yellowstone County for 2024. Head to their website: https://www.efirstfederal.bank/community-commitment, and click on Yellowstone Community Commitment to get started on the application. You only need to apply once. If your organization is not chosen for the month’s recipient, your application will be considered for the following month.

Serve. Lead. Inspire.

First Federal Bank & Trust considers giving back to the community and volunteerism part of the fabric of their organization. Organizations needing volunteers can complete a “Volunteer Request Form” on their website. Employees are encouraged to serve locally.

“First Federal Bank & Trust's Serve.Lead.Inspire committee aims to be a central point of contact in the communities we serve for organizations that rely on volunteer support. Committee members coordinate volunteer opportunities for staff and serve as liaisons between the organizations and employer.”

Banking is the business of First Federal Bank & Trust. You’ll get in-person customer service, and loan decisions are made locally because they know their customers and the community in which they live. However, top-notch customer service is not limited to the bank. “Going back to our mission statement, we do want to support and improve our community, too,” says Robyn.

When employees know about the organizations serving our community, it’s natural to want to be a part of that positive change happening in our community. This aligns with some of First Federal Bank & Trust’s Values:

●     RESPONSIBILITY: to use our resources for the greater good

●     TEAMWORK: to accomplish so much more than we can individually

●     COURAGE & KINDNESS: to do the right things while being considerate to others

Mission Accomplished

First Federal Bank & Trust is a good neighbor in Billings. They might not be close enough to lend you the eggs you need for your cake or grab your newspaper when you’re out of town. But they will be there to support the community they call home. With their Commitment to Community Program, they’re improving Billings by supporting the organizations committed to our town. It’s what any good neighbor would do.

Originally printed in the August 2024 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Check this article out in the digital issue of Simply Local here!

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