The history of Valley Bank of Ronan

Valley Bank stands for community

The beginning of Valley Banks was truly a community effort and one of the things that makes small town life so special.

Members of the community from up and down the valley came together to raise the capital necessary to get a local community bank off the ground.

With the support of locals Michael Ruhkala, Kenneth Hurt, Robert Erickson and Chuck Norman, Allen Buhr’s dream was nearly realized.

Even after the community business leaders had come together, they were still short of funds. At that point the journey was reminiscent of an old fashioned barn raising.

Friends, families and neighbors came together giving sometimes a few dollars, sometimes a few hundred dollars, to raise the remaining capital needed to make the dream of a community owned bank a reality.

Today, the dream continues with branches in Ronan, Arlee, Hot Springs, Thompson Falls, Pablo, Polson and Saint Ignatius. All operated by members of their local communities. In the words of Allen Buhr, Valley Banks prides itself “in supporting those who support us.”

what we offer

Competitive Products

Small enough to know you and big enough to serve you; Valley Bank is able to offer products that our customers need all while giving our customers the personal touch they want!