ALERT 96-31
Type: Unauthorized Banking   Subject: First State Bank of Montana 

TO:  Chief Executive Officers of all National Banks; all State
     Banking Authorities; Chairman, Board of Governors of the
     Federal Reserve System; Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance
     Corporation; Conference of State Bank Supervisors; Deputy
     Comptrollers (Districts); District Administrators; District
     Counsel and Examining Personnel

RE:  First State Bank of Montana
     PO Box 278
     Fairfield, MT  59436


     Information has been received that the subject entity may be
     operating a banking business in the United States without
     authorization.  The Montana Department of Commerce Division
     of Banking & Financial Institutions has advised that they
     have not issued a bank charter to this entity.

     Any information which you may have concerning this matter
     should be brought to the attention of:
     
     
                    Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
                    Enforcement & Compliance Division
                    250 E Street, SW
                    Washington, DC  202l9
                    Fax (202) 874-5301




                                      
     Daniel P. Stipano
     Director
     Enforcement & Compliance Division
     Date: August 27, 1996