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Montana banking commissioner outlines charter trends and offers tribal outreach
Summary
Melanie Hall, commissioner of the Division of Banking, told the committee Montana has 34 state‑chartered banks overseeing about $80 billion in assets and that the division is funded by fees rather than the general fund; she encouraged tribes and communities to consult the division on charters and technical assistance.
Melanie Hall, commissioner of the Division of Banking and Financial Institutions, told senators that Montana's banking sector has experienced consolidation: the state now has about 34 state‑chartered banks and nine state‑chartered credit unions; combined assets supervised by the division are approximately $80 billion.
Hall said the division licenses about 5,000 individuals, issues over 800 company licenses annually and supervises roughly 350 branches statewide. She emphasized that the division is funded entirely by fees and assessments paid by regulated entities and receives no general fund dollars.
On tribal banking, Hall highlighted Eagle Bank — chartered under Section 17 of the Indian Reorganization Act and owned by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai — as Montana's Native‑owned bank and said the division is willing to provide technical assistance and work with tribal nations on credit union or bank formation and training.
Hall said the division continues red‑tape relief efforts through administrative rule reductions, modernization and cybersecurity priorities; the division has no bills this session but is available to assist legislators drafting financial services legislation.
Committee members asked about state versus federal charters, technical assistance for tribes and the role of intrastate branching in consolidation. Hall offered to meet with tribal leaders and the state tribal relations committee on chartering options and training.
