First Interstate BancSystem Inc. (NASDAQ: FIBK) , parent company of First Interstate Bank, and Great Western Bancorp Inc. (NYSE: GWB), parent company of Great Western Bank, have entered into a definitive agreement under which the companies will combine in an all‐stock transaction.

Under the terms of the agreement, which was unanimously approved by both companies’ boards of directors, GWB will merge into FIBK and the combined holding company and bank will operate under the First Interstate name and brand with the company’s headquarters remaining in Billings, Montana.

“This is a transformative moment for our 53-year-old company,” said FIBK President and CEO Kevin Riley. “The strategic and cultural alignment between our organizations is what makes this transaction so exciting, as we both pride ourselves on being community banks with a strong focus on relationship building, customer service, and community outreach. We are eager to expand our community banking model into eight new states and look forward to building relationships with the employees and clients who call these beautiful regions home.”

“We’re excited to join forces, and confident that both companies’ stakeholders will benefit from this partnership,” said Mark Borrecco, GWB president and CEO. “We’ll be able to offer customers access to additional branch locations and new products and services, provide new growth and professional development opportunities to our employees, deliver additional returns to our shareholders, and have an even greater impact on our communities.”

“Throughout our many years of ownership, we have prided ourselves on the ability to stay true to our values and roots while simultaneously adapting, innovating, and responding to the unique needs of our clients and communities,” said Jim Scott, director of the Board for FIBK and son of First Interstate’s founders, Homer Scott, Sr. and Mildred Scott. “This combination is an extension of our legacy in the region where our family’s roots began. It increases the Bank’s community commitment while expanding our brand of community banking.”

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel company, served as lead financial advisor to FIBK. Barclays also served as a financial advisor to FIBK, and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP served as FIBK’s legal advisor. Piper Sandler & Co. served as GWB’s exclusive financial advisor and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz served as legal advisor to GWB. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC served as financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal advisor to the Scott Family FIBK Shareholder Group in connection with the transaction.