As of the close of business on June 2, 2023, Citizens Alliance Bank (CAB) successfully completed the acquisition of Granite Mountain Bank (GMB), a reputable state-chartered bank headquartered in Philipsburg, Montana. The acquisition encompasses GMB’s branches in Butte, Drummond, and Philipsburg, ensuring a seamless continuation of the bank’s unwavering commitment to community banking and preserving the exceptional level of customer service that GMB customers have come to rely on.

From the period of June 3, 2023, until August 5, 2023, former Granite Mountain Bank customers may continue to use their existing debit cards and check stock. Beginning August 5th, 2023, former Granite Mountain Bank customers will be transitioned onto Citizens Alliance Bank’s core system computer platform. Former Granite Mountain Bank customers will be kept apprised of changes related to this conversion over this summer. You will be notified in a timely manner to enable you to stay connected to your banker and your accounts. Please check back on this website periodically for updates. However, be assured that your bankers in Butte, Drummond, and Philipsburg have your best interests in mind and intend to guide you through the August 5th conversion with great attention to detail.

As an independent community bank head quartered in Clara City, Minnesota, with assets exceeding $1.3 billion, CAB has already established a strong presence in Montana through its offices in Great Falls, Seeley Lake, and Lincoln. The addition of GMB further solidifies CAB’s position as a dedicated and community-focused financial institution, extending its reach and enhancing its ability to serve the needs of customers throughout the region.

As a result of this acquisition, GMB customers can anticipate a gradual introduction of exciting new banking products and services. These enhancements will include the availability of bank-sourced Visa credit cards, cutting-edge digital banking technologies, including rapid P2P (person to person) paperless payment transfers, expanded access to the secondary real estate lending market, and an increased bank-lending limit. Through these developments, CAB reaffirms its commitment to local community banking, with a focus on delivering an enhanced and comprehensive banking experience for GMB customers.

Citizens Alliance Bank eagerly looks forward to the opportunity to serve these communities and build upon the strong foundation that Granite Mountain Bank has established over the years. With a shared dedication to exceptional customer care and a steadfast commitment to the prosperity of the local communities, CAB is excited to embark on this new chapter, continuing to deliver the highest quality financial services and support to GMB customers.

Check back for more updates soon!

Welcome Brent Grube

Citizens Alliance Bank would like to welcome Brent Grube as the new Branch Manager/Lender at our Murdock, Minnesota branch. Grube graduated from South Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and brings over 28 years of banking experience.

In this role, Grube will be responsible for managing customer relationships, prospecting, and developing new and old relationships, promoting bank products and services, and providing support for branch employees. Grube has previously worked as Branch President of First Security Bank in Benson, Minnesota. Previous roles have included agricultural, consumer, commercial lending, compliance officer, and managerial responsibilities.

Grube is originally from Marietta, Minnesota, and currently resides in Benson, Minnesota with his wife Patty, and family. He has two sons attending the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Riley is pursuing physical therapy and Austin is pursuing aviation. His daughter, Kaylin, will be a senior at Benson High School this fall. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family, deer hunting, farming, and attending sporting events.

Citizens Alliance Bank is a family-owned community bank providing financial and related banking services within local communities in Minnesota and Montana. The Bank provides integrated products and banking services that customers seek, including local, empowered decision-making and personalized customer service delivered with a small-town personal touch. The Bank and its shareholders remain committed to strengthening and improving the communities in which its customers and employees work and live, through financial literacy, and economic and community development.

Congratulations Cliff Nystrom

Cliff Nystrom joined Citizens Alliance Bank in July of 2021 at the Clara City location as a Human Resource Associate working in the Human Resource Department. In April 2023 Nystrom transitioned his role to the Lending team.

In his role with the Human Resource department, he was responsible for all of the Human Resource functions for multiple Citizens Alliance Bank branches. His previous banking experience includes Business Product Sales Representative at Heritage Bank and Personal Banker at US Bank, both located in Willmar. While Nystrom enjoyed his time in Human Resources, he was quickly drawn back to fulfilling his passion of meeting with customers and helping them achieve financial success. Nystrom is hoping to bring his many years of customer service and banking skills to help our customers at Citizens Alliance Bank. He is looking forward to handling customers’ whole banking relationships, through trust, to help them meet their financial goals. As he transitions into his new role as a Loan Officer in the Clara City, Minnesota, location, Nystrom looks forward to developing new loan relationships with area customers, farmers, and businesses; while helping them with lines of credit, equipment financing, farmland finance, and real estate loans.

Nystrom’s Bachelor’s Degree is from The University of North Dakota where he studied Business Marketing.  He also received his Master’s Degree from St. Mary’s University in Minnesota where he studied Human Resource Management.

Nystrom grew up in Grand Forks, North Dakota. In 2009 he moved to west central Minnesota. Cliff currently resides in Kerkhoven with his wife, Kristy, and their three kids, Corbin, Shep, and Kolbie. During his time in Minnesota, Nystrom has been involved in many community boards and organizations.  Currently he is on the Kerkhoven Lutheran Church Finance Board, the Kerkhoven Golf Course Board, and The Kerkhoven Fire Department.  He previously was on the Willmar Hockey Association Board, a member of the marketing committee for Next in Willmar, a graduate of the Willmar Area Leadership Perspectives board, and former Vice President of the Kiwanis group in Willmar. Nystrom enjoys anything hockey, whether it is cheering on his kids in Willmar or cheering on the University of North Dakota or the Minnesota Wild. When he is not in hockey mode, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends and enjoys golfing and fishing.

Citizens Alliance Bank is a family-owned community bank providing financial and related banking services within local communities in Minnesota and Montana. The Bank provides integrated products and banking services that customers seek, including local empowered decision making and personalized customer service delivered with a small-town personal touch. The Bank and its shareholders remain committed to strengthening and improving the communities that its customers and employees work and live through financial literacy and economic and community development.