Freedom Bank is Focused on You
- (406) 892-1776
- Routing # 092905456
Your phone is a part of your life: texting, social media, checking your accounts at Freedom Bank and so much more. Digital wallets may sound high-tech, but they’re really about simplicity and safety. A Digital Wallet is simply a way to store your credit or debit cards on your smartphone. Once you set it up, paying with your phone is fast, secure, and convenient. You’ll probably find yourself wondering how you ever did without it.
Digital wallets are designed to be very secure, and in many ways are even more secure than traditional cards.
Here’s why:
Using a digital wallet is surprisingly easy, even if you’re not especially tech-savvy.
You’ll either scan it or enter the card details manually. Freedom Bank will ask to verify it with a code or phone call.
At checkout, if you see the contactless symbol, simply open the wallet app and select the card you would like to use. Your device should prompt you for a passcode or biometric authentication. Hold your phone near the payment terminal close to the contactless icon (where you’d normally tap a card). That’s it!
When shopping online or in apps, look for the Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay options. Select it, confirm with your phone’s security, and your payment is done – no typing in card numbers or billing info.
Here are some of the top reasons people are embracing digital wallets:
If you have a smartphone, you already have everything you need. Give it a try! Our team at Freedom Bank is here to answer any questions you may have.
Calling all canines and their human companions! Freedom Bank is rolling out the red carpet for our first-ever Dog Day.
Tuesday, August 26
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Freedom Bank Parking Lot (aka the Barking Lot)
We know our customers love to bring their furry friends into the lobby or through the drive-thru, and we love seeing those wagging tails. To celebrate International Dog Day, we’re hosting an afternoon of tail-wagging fun.
This is the perfect excuse to take a mid-day “pup break”. Just stop by the Barking Lot between 1 and 4 PM with your pup (or two, or three… we’re not counting). Fetch your balance, stay for a treat!
The text seems harmless enough: “FedEx: Your package is undeliverable. Click here to confirm your delivery address.” You weren’t expecting a package, but maybe someone sent you a surprise? Moments like this are exactly where scammers thrive. Every day we receive messages asking us to do something; it’s part of being an employee, a contractor, a team member, or just a person who uses technology. Most of these messages are routine and harmless. But sometimes, a message arrives that carries hidden risk.
There are two specific traits that, when combined, make any message far more likely to be part of a social engineering scam. Not every scam message has both traits, but most do. Recognizing these traits can help you avoid being manipulated into doing something harmful to yourself, your organization, or your data.
Trait 1: The Message Is Unexpected
It doesn’t matter how the message arrives – email, text, WhatsApp, social media, a work chat channel, even a phone call or face-to-face interaction. If the message comes out of the blue, that’s the first red flag.
When you aren’t expecting someone to contact you, your guard should go up immediately. This doesn’t mean it’s definitely a scam, but it does mean you should slow down and evaluate it more carefully.
Trait 2: It’s Asking You to Do Something You Haven’t Done Before
Scammers rely on urgency and unfamiliarity to create confusion. Often, the message will ask you to do something you’ve never done before. It might sound urgent or sensitive. You might be told something bad will happen if you don’t act right now.
That unfamiliar action could be anything:
If you’ve never done this before for that person or organization, pause. That’s your second red flag.
What You Should Do Instead
If a message checks both boxes: 1) it’s unexpected, and 2) asks you to do something new, here’s how to handle it:
Do NOT trust any contact details in the message.
Scammers include fake phone numbers, spoofed email addresses, and links that lead to convincing but fraudulent sites or call centers.
Avoid relying on search engine lookups for phone numbers.
Scammers are known to poison search results with fake contact info. If you must look up a number, do it on the organization’s official site.
Slow Down, Stay Safe
We live in a world where new, unexpected messages are normal. But now you know the two-question test for risk:
If the answer to both is “yes”, stop, verify independently, and don’t act until you’re sure it is a legitimate request.
Scammers don’t need to hack your systems if they can hack your attention. Slow down, ask the two questions, and take control before you act.
It’s that time of year and we can’t wait to celebrate!
Born in Columbia Falls 20 years ago, Freedom Bank is proud to have grown into a cornerstone of the greater Flathead Valley, dedicated to serving the entire community. For two decades, we’ve had the privilege of being a local business, and it has been truly inspiring to participate in and witness the remarkable growth of our community. As a community bank, we’ve always been committed to providing personalized financial guidance. We tailor our solutions to the unique needs and goals of each business owner and individual, helping you achieve your financial aspirations. To continue supporting your success, we’ve expanded our services to include advanced digital banking tools for both businesses and consumers.
Stop by and learn more about how Freedom Bank can be your bank. We look forward to many more years of serving the Flathead Valley!
Freedom Bank is a main sponsor of the Open Rodeo at the Blue Moon Arena and a proud partner of the Columbia Falls Community Market.
Heritage Days is an adventure and celebration for the whole family. Take a look at the complete schedule below, or visit the official Heritage Days website here: https://cfallsheritagedays.com/events.html
Help the Wildcat/kat Athletic Endowment assist with the financial support of CFHS athletics.
Update: Happy April Fools’ Day!
Columbia Falls, MT – In an inspiring display of both business growth and physical agility, Freedom Bank has officially outgrown its office space, prompting an innovative solution: relocating the Bank President’s desk to the mezzanine level above the teller line.
Bennett admiring the Freedom Bank lobby from his new office atop the mezzanine.
President Don Bennett, a staunch advocate for open-door policies (now an open-air policy), has reassured customers that he remains as accessible as ever… provided they’re willing to scale a fifteen-foot ladder to reach him.
“For years, I’ve said my door is always open,” Bennett said, shouting slightly to be heard over the customers below. “And now, my entire office is open!”
Hauf on Bennett’s shoulders to mount the American flag on the trailer bank in 2005.
No stranger to defying gravity, Bennett earned his pilot’s license in his early twenties and promptly used it to impress his now-wife, Barbra, by whisking her into the skies in a Cessna 172. “He told me he wanted to show me the world from a new perspective,” Barbra recalled. “In hindsight, I should have realized that meant he would eventually run a bank from a balcony.”
Bennett’s history of altitude-related decision-making doesn’t stop there. In 2005, he successfully convinced Board member Ron Hauf to scale the bank’s temporary headquarters – affectionately referred to as “the trailer bank” – to mount an American flag. “He has an uncanny ability to always look toward the horizon,” Hauf said. “And now that I think about it, that might just be because he’s physically higher than the rest of us most of the time.” Hauf, pointing to an old photograph with him on Bennett’s shoulders for the stunt, added, “But hey, at least he believes in lifting others up.”
Tin can phone system.
To accommodate various levels of customer comfort, the bank has introduced two communication options: an extension ladder leading up to Bennett’s desk for those who prefer a face-to-face experience, and a state-of-the-art tin can telephone system for those less inclined toward heights. “The string is top-of-the-line,” Bennett assured skeptics. “Very little lag.”
Longtime loan customer Frank Delaney attempted the ladder climb to discuss financing for his expanding business but abandoned the mission halfway up. “I made it to the third rung, and that was plenty,” he said. “Luckily, I was able to holler my concerns up to Don, and he hollered back.”
In an effort to streamline communications even further, the bank is considering implementing a pulley system for document exchanges and a megaphone for addressing customer inquiries. Additionally, for the safety-conscious, Freedom Bank is proud to introduce a complimentary parachute policy for first-time ladder climbers. “We want our customers to feel secure, both financially and physically,” Bennett explained. “The parachutes are small, but they should slow folks down enough to enable a graceful landing near the fireplace.”
Bank employees have mixed feelings about the change. Lead Teller Lisa Decker reports occasional heart palpitations when Bennett leans too far over the mezzanine’s ledge to pass down loan advance slips. “I appreciate how engaged he is,” Decker said, “but I’d appreciate it more if he wore a safety harness.”
Despite logistical concerns, Bennett remains enthusiastic about the setup. “It’s a symbol of how high we’re aiming as a bank,” he said, standing triumphantly atop his new executive perch.
For now, the citizens of Columbia Falls will have to adjust to their high-flying banking experience – just be sure to hold the ladder steady for the next customer in line.
This year marks a significant milestone for Freedom Bank as we celebrate our 20th anniversary. Since opening our doors in 2005, we’ve been dedicated to growing alongside you and supporting local businesses and initiatives.
We invite all community members to participate in our 20th-anniversary events. Your support has been the cornerstone of our success, and we can’t wait to celebrate this achievement with you. Stay connected with us through our website and social media channels for event updates and more information.
📅 Monday, April 7 through Thursday, April 10: Stop by the bank for coffee, cookies, and opportunities to win in our daily drawings and giveaways.
🍔 Friday, April 11: Join us for a celebratory BBQ starting at 11:00AM. We’ll be serving up hot dogs and hamburgers—rain, shine, or even snow!
As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to the values that have guided us for the past 20 years: personalized service, community involvement, and financial solutions tailored to your needs. We look forward to continuing our journey with you, fostering growth and prosperity in Columbia Falls and beyond.
Today, one of the most pressing concerns for the Flathead Valley is the availability of affordable housing. Scammers will try to exploit people’s desperation by using real rental listings and post them on various online platforms, such as social media groups, the marketplace, and more. A listing will look like a fantastic deal and the scammer will try and rush you into paying an application fee, deposit, and/or first month’s rent with promises to provide keys later. However, once they’ve received the money, scammers disappear leaving you without your money and with no place to live.
To avoid losing time and money to scammers use the following steps:
Additional warning signs:
Steps to take if you’re a victim of a rental scam:
Key Takeaways
If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Always be weary if someone is trying to invoke a strong emotion (i.e., fear, anger, happiness, excitement, etc.), take a moment to reassess and do further research.
Through the gift of a new toy or book, Marine Toys for Tots’ programs deliver joy and send a message of hope to America’s disadvantaged children.
Freedom Bank is a donation site, accepting toys and books for children up to 16 years old. New, unwrapped gifts can be dropped off between November 1 and December 17, 2024 at Freedom Bank; 530 9TH ST W, Columbia Falls, MT 59912.
Every child deserves to experience holiday joy. Last year, the Marine Toys for Tots Program fulfilled the Christmas holiday dreams of nearly 10 million children in need. If you prefer to make a monetary donation, you can do so on the local website: https://columbia-falls-mt.toysfortots.org/
It’s that time of year and we can’t wait to celebrate!
The community celebration began in 1956 to mark the prosperity brought about by industrial expansion, which included the railroad, lumber business, and the Anaconda Aluminum Company.
Freedom Bank is honored to have been a part of Columbia Falls’ growth over the past 19 years. Just like many of our customers, Freedom Bank is a local business. It has been inspiring to participate and watch the community grow as we support it. As a small community bank, Freedom Bank provides personalized financial guidance tailored to the unique needs and goals of each business owner and individual and offers customized solutions to help the community achieve their goals. Freedom Bank recently expanded our services to help businesses and consumers with digital banking tools. Stop by to find out more. We want to be your bank!
Freedom Bank is a main sponsor of the Open Rodeo at the Blue Moon Arena and a proud partner of the Columbia Falls Community Market.
Heritage Days is an adventure and celebration for the whole family. Take a look at the complete schedule below or visit the official Heritage Days website here:
https://www.cfallsheritagedays.com/events.html
Help the Wildcat/kat Athletic Endowment assist with the financial support of CFHS athletics.
Protecting yourself while shopping online is of utmost importance. In today’s digital age, it is crucial to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure a safe online shopping experience. Opt for trusted platforms and payment gateways that offer encryption and fraud protection. Additionally, be cautious of suspicious emails or websites that may attempt to steal your personal data. Always double-check the legitimacy of the sender or the website before sharing any sensitive information.
ction, you may notice that two letters have been swapped or there is a minor misspelling. If you encounter a spelling error in the domain name, it indicates that you are not on the official site, and it is advisable to close the tab.The image shows a link that at first glance looks like it will take you to the Better Business Bureau, however, when you hover the cursor over the link you can see it will take you to the Freedom Bank website.
