First Security Bank of Helena

What First Security Bank of Helena does

First Security Bank of Helena, operating as Ascent Bank, is a privately held, locally owned community bank headquartered at 1721 11th Avenue in Helena, Montana, with a second drive-up branch at 2037 N Last Chance Gulch. The bank is FDIC-insured and serves individuals, families, local small businesses, and nonprofit organizations across the Helena market through a two-branch footprint, 24/7 ATM access, and a Digital Insight-powered online and mobile banking platform available on iOS and Android. Its core product set spans personal checking (non-interest and interest-bearing, plus a 50+ VIP tier), savings accounts, tiered money market accounts, certificates of deposit (3 to 60 months), Health Savings Accounts, EMV chip and contactless debit cards compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay, personal loans, and consumer real estate loans including mortgages, HELOCs, construction, and land loans.

On the commercial side, the bank offers business checking and savings, business money market, commercial real estate and equipment loans, lines of credit, and government-backed SBA Preferred Lender and USDA Rural Development loans, alongside a dedicated nonprofit banking package with free checking and money market accounts. Ancillary fee-generating services include wire transfers, safe deposit boxes, notary services, cashier's checks, ATM fees, and U.S. Savings Bond cashing.

The business model is a traditional community bank net interest margin model. Primary revenue derives from interest income on the consumer, mortgage, commercial, and government-backed loan portfolio, supplemented by deposit account service charges, minimum balance fees, and transaction-based fees from ancillary services. Go-to-market is relationship-led and locally executed, supported by community sponsorships and embedded leadership (the CEO serves as President of the Montana Independent Bankers Association, and key officers sit on multiple nonprofit boards). The bank was rebranded from First Security Bank of Helena to Ascent Bank and is undertaking a multi-phase renovation of its main branch beginning June 15, 2026.

Name

First Security Bank of Helena

Legal name

Ascent Bank

Website

https://firstsecurityhelena.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Ascent Bank is a privately held, locally owned community bank in Helena, Montana, offering personal and business deposit accounts, consumer and commercial lending (including SBA and USDA loans), and nonprofit banking through two branches and a digital banking platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Helena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Interest Income from Lending: The bank generates primary revenue through interest earned on various loan products including personal loans, real estate mortgages, business loans, commercial real estate loans, SBA loans, and lines of credit.
2. Deposit Account Fees and Service Charges: Monthly service charges, minimum balance fees, and transaction-based fees on checking, savings, and money market accounts.
3. Other Banking Services: Revenue from wire transfers, safe deposit box rentals, notary services, cashier's checks, and ATM fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

First Security Bank of Helena, operating as Ascent Bank, is an FDIC-insured community bank in Helena, Montana that provides personal and business deposit accounts, lending products (personal loans, mortgages, commercial real estate, SBA and USDA-backed loans), and digital banking channels (online and mobile banking with debit cards and mobile payments). The bank serves individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations through two physical branches plus comprehensive online and mobile banking platforms.

Product overview

First Security Bank of Helena, operating as Ascent Bank, offers a comprehensive community banking platform with personal and business banking products. The personal banking suite includes checking accounts (standard and interest-bearing), savings accounts, tiered money market accounts, certificates of deposit (including First Savers CD for minors), Health Savings Accounts, debit cards with mobile payment support, personal loans, and real estate loans. Business banking encompasses checking, savings, money market accounts, commercial lending, SBA and USDA loans, and nonprofit banking services. The bank also provides ancillary services including wire transfers, notary services, safe deposit boxes, and U.S. Savings Bond cashing. All services are accessible through online and mobile banking platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• FDIC insured deposits up to $250,000
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Montana Business Assistance Connection (MBAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelena's own MBAC offers free and confidential business counseling, training programs, and connections to a network of experts. Tom McGree serves on MBAC's loan committee.
• Montana Independent Bankers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAscent Bank is a proud member. Loren Brown serves as President of the Montana Independent Bankers Association, representing community banks across Montana.
• Shodair Children's HospitalminorOthersEvent sponsor for the PlayYellow Golf Invitational, an annual fundraiser benefiting Shodair Children's Hospital that helps Montana children and families.
• DAV Montana Golf TournamentminorOthersSponsorship of the largest DAV fundraiser in Montana, a two-day 3-person golf scramble at Bill Roberts Golf Course and Green Meadow Country Club.
• Helena SymphonyminorOthersConcert sponsor for The Helena Symphony Orchestra.
• Carroll College Fighting SaintsminorOthersYearly sponsor of Carroll College Fighting Saints athletics.
• East Helena High School AthleticsminorOthersProud sponsor of the East Helena High School Vigilantes Tennis Team.
• Holter Museum of ArtminorOthersCommunity nonprofit organization supported by Ascent Bank, aspiring to be a beacon of artistic excellence.
• The Myrna LoyminorOthersCommunity nonprofit engaging through arts to enrich, educate, entertain, and empower the Helena community.
• Montana Community FoundationminorOthersSince 1988, Montana Community Foundation has worked to create permanent philanthropy and build stronger communities. Tom McGree serves on their board.
• West MontminorOthersProvides innovative approaches to improve quality of life for individuals with disabilities, empowering people to succeed.
• Helena Exchange ClubminorOthersAmerica's Service Club working to make communities better through programs of service in Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities, and Prevention of Child Abuse. Tom McGree serves on their board.
• Bighorns Junior CampminorOthersSponsor of Helena Bighorns Junior Exposure Camp developing hockey players for next level opportunities.
• Capital High FootballminorOthersSupport for Capital High School football program.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Direct peers

• Opportunity Bank of Montana: Montana community bank providing personal and business banking with community-focused mission. Comparable to Ascent in scale, geographic focus, and customer segments within the Montana market.
• Stockman Bank: Montana-based community bank with statewide branch network offering personal, business, and agricultural lending. Comparable to Ascent as an independent Montana community bank serving rural and small-business customers.
• Eagle Bank: Helena, Montana-based community bank offering similar personal and business banking products to the same local customer base. Ascent Bank's most direct head-to-head competitor in the Helena market.

Regional players

• Rocky Mountain Credit Union: Montana-headquartered credit union with Helena-area presence. Comparable alternative to Ascent for consumer banking and deposits, particularly price-sensitive customers attracted to credit-union structures.
• Altana Federal Credit Union: Helena-based credit union serving local consumers and businesses. Competes directly with Ascent on deposit products and consumer lending in the same Helena market but operates under a different cooperative charter structure.

Broad incumbents

• Glacier Bancorp: Large Montana-based bank holding company operating community banks across the Mountain West. Overlaps with Ascent in Helena-area deposits, business lending, and SMB banking, but at significantly greater scale and geographic breadth.
• First Interstate BancSystem: Montana-headquartered regional bank with multiple branches across the state including Helena. Competes with Ascent in local deposits and commercial lending but operates as a much larger publicly traded institution.
• U.S. Bank: National bank with Helena retail and business banking branches. Competes with Ascent for local deposits and consumer accounts but offers a much broader product suite, larger balance sheet, and digital scale.
• Wells Fargo: National bank with Helena branch presence competing for consumer deposits, mortgages, and small business banking. Represents the larger incumbent competition that Ascent's local-service model seeks to differentiate against.
• DA Davidson: Montana-based regional financial services firm offering banking, wealth management, and investment services. Comparable to Ascent as a Montana-rooted financial institution but with significantly broader product scope including capital markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about First Security Bank of Helena