As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 16, 2019

Registration No. 333-228574

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO THE

FORM S-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

401 North 31st Street

Billings, Montana 59101

(406) 255-5390

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

Kevin P. Riley

President and Chief Executive Officer

401 North 31st Street

Billings, Montana 59116

(406) 255-5390

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

Copies to:

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective and upon completion of the merger.

If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box:  ☐

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:

Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer)  ☐

Exchange Act  Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer)  ☐

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

This registration statement shall hereafter become effective in accordance with the provisions of Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933.

Information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus is subject to completion or amendment. A registration statement relating to the shares of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. Class A common stock to be issued in the merger has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted before the time the registration statement becomes effective. This proxy statement/prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted or would be unlawful before registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS,

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 16, 2019

MERGER PROPOSED—YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT

Dear Idaho Independent Bank Shareholder:

On October 11, 2018, First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. (which we refer to as “First Interstate”), First Interstate Bank and Idaho Independent Bank (which we refer to as “IIBK”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (which we refer to as the “merger agreement”) under which IIBK will merge with and into First Interstate Bank, with First Interstate Bank remaining as the surviving entity. This transaction is referred to in this document as the “merger.” Before the merger can be completed, the shareholders of IIBK must approve the merger agreement.

If the merger is completed, IIBK shareholders will be entitled to receive 0.50 shares of First Interstate Class A common stock for each share of IIBK common stock they own. The maximum number of shares of First Interstate Class A common stock estimated to be issuable upon completion of the merger is 4,045,302. Based on First Interstate’s closing price of $44.62 on October 11, 2018, which was the last trading date preceding the public announcement of the proposed merger, each share of IIBK common stock exchanged for 0.50 shares of First Interstate Class A common stock would have a value of $22.31, or approximately $180.5 million in the aggregate. Based on First Interstate’s closing price of $37.90 on January 14, 2019, which is the most recent practicable trading day before the printing of this document, each share of IIBK common stock exchanged for 0.50 shares of First Interstate Class A common stock would have a value of $18.95. The common stock of First Interstate trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “FIBK.” The common stock of IIBK trades on the OTC Market’s Pink Market Place under the symbol “IIBK.” The market price of both First Interstate Class A common stock and IIBK common stock will fluctuate before the completion of the merger. Therefore, you are urged to obtain current market quotations for First Interstate Class A common stock and IIBK common stock.

Although the number of shares of First Interstate Class A common stock that holders of IIBK common stock will be entitled to receive is fixed, the market value of the stock consideration will fluctuate with the market price of First Interstate Class A common stock and will not be known at the time IIBK shareholders vote on the merger. IIBK has the right to terminate the merger agreement if, at any time during a five-day period commencing on the fifth day before closing, the average closing price of First Interstate Class A common stock over the 20 consecutive trading days ending on and including the fifth day before closing (1) is less than $36.54 and (2) underperforms the KBW Regional Banking Index by more than 20% during the same time period. If IIBK elects to exercise this termination right, then First Interstate has the option to increase the exchange ratio to a level that would eliminate the ability of IIBK to terminate the merger agreement.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum consisting of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of IIBK common stock is present is required to approve the merger agreement. IIBK shareholders will vote to adopt the merger agreement at a special meeting of shareholders to be held at 9:30 a.m., Pacific Time, on March 27, 2019 at the corporate office of IIBK located at 1260 W. Riverstone Drive, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

IIBK’s board of directors unanimously recommends that IIBK shareholders vote “FOR” the adoption of the merger agreement.

This document contains information that you should consider in evaluating the proposed merger. In particular, you should carefully read the section captioned “Risk Factors” beginning on page 15 for a discussion of certain risk factors relating to the merger. You can also obtain information about First Interstate from documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

As always, we appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you at the special shareholders’ meeting.

The shares of First Interstate Class A common stock to be issued in the merger are not deposits or savings accounts or other obligations of any bank or savings association and are not insured by the FDIC or any other governmental agency.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved the merger described in this document or the First Interstate Class A common stock to be issued in the merger, or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this document. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this proxy statement/prospectus is [●], 2019, and it is first being mailed or otherwise delivered to shareholders of IIBK on or about [●], 2019.

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

This proxy statement/prospectus, which we refer to as “this document,” forms part of a registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (which we refer to as the “SEC”) by First Interstate and constitutes a prospectus of First Interstate with respect to the shares of First Interstate Class A common stock to be issued to IIBK shareholders, as required by the merger agreement. This document also constitutes a proxy statement and a notice of meeting with respect to the special meeting of shareholders of IIBK.

You should only rely on the information contained in this document. No one has been authorized to provide you with information that is different from the information contained in this document. This document is dated [●], 2019. You should not assume that the information contained in this document is accurate as of any date other than that date. Neither the mailing of this document to IIBK shareholders nor the issuance by First Interstate of its Class A common stock in connection with the merger will create any implication to the contrary.

This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy, in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. Information contained in this document regarding First Interstate has been provided by First Interstate, and the information contained in this document regarding IIBK has been provided by IIBK.

IDAHO INDEPENDENT BANK

1260 W. Riverstone Drive

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814

Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held March 27, 2019

To the Shareholders of Idaho Independent Bank:

Idaho Independent Bank (which we refer to as “IIBK”) will hold a special meeting of shareholders (which we refer to as the “IIBK special meeting”) at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time, on March 27, 2019, at the corporate office of IIBK located at 1260 W. Riverstone Drive, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to consider and vote on the following matters:

Both of these items are described in more detail in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus and its annexes. We urge you to read these materials carefully and in their entirety. The enclosed document forms a part of this notice.

IIBK’s board of directors unanimously recommends that IIBK shareholders vote “FOR” both of the proposals.

IIBK shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 31, 2019 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the IIBK special meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the IIBK special meeting.

IIBK shareholders have the right to dissent from the merger and obtain payment of the cash appraisal fair value of their IIBK shares under applicable provisions of Idaho law. A copy of the provisions regarding dissenters’ rights is attached as Annex B to the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus. For details of your dissenter’s rights and how to exercise them, please see the discussion under “Description of the Merger—Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal.”

Your vote is very important. Your proxy is being solicited by IIBK’s board of directors. For the proposed merger to be completed, the proposal to approve the merger agreement must be approved by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum consisting of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of IIBK common stock is present. The IIBK adjournment proposal will be approved if a majority of the votes cast on such proposal at the IIBK special meeting are voted in favor of such proposal.

Whether or not you plan to attend the IIBK special meeting, we urge you to vote. Shareholders of record may vote:

If you hold your stock in “street name” through a banker or broker, please follow the instructions on the voting instruction card furnished by the record holder.

If you have any questions or need assistance voting your shares, please contact Jane Bodle-Hill at telephone number (208) 765-3619.

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

[●], 2019

REFERENCES TO AVAILABLE INFORMATION

This document incorporates important business and financial information about First Interstate from documents filed with the SEC that have not been included in or delivered with this document. You may read and copy these documents at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Copies of these documents also can be obtained at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC, at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549 or by calling 1-800-SEC-0330 for additional information on the operation of the public reference facilities. This information is also available at the Internet site the SEC maintains at http://www.sec.gov. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 84.

You also may request orally or in writing copies of these documents at no cost by contacting First Interstate at:

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.

401 North 31^st Street

Billings, Montana 59101

Attention: Kirk D. Jensen, General Counsel

Telephone: (406) 255-5304

If you are an IIBK shareholder and would like to request documents from First Interstate, please do so by March 20, 2019 to receive them before the IIBK special meeting.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER AND THE IIBK SPECIAL MEETING

The following are answers to certain questions that you may have regarding the merger and the IIBK special meeting. We urge you to read carefully the remainder of this document because the information in this section may not provide all the information that might be important to you in determining how to vote. Additional important information is also contained in the annexes to, and the documents incorporated by reference in, this document.

To approve the merger agreement, IIBK has called a special meeting of its shareholders (which we refer to as the “IIBK special meeting”). This document also serves as a notice of the IIBK special meeting, and describes the proposals to be presented at the IIBK special meeting.

You should read this document carefully and in its entirety. The enclosed materials allow you to have your shares voted by proxy without attending your special meeting. Your vote is important. We encourage you to submit your proxy as soon as possible.

1

2

Similarly, approval of the IIBK adjournment proposal requires that the votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed the votes cast against. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the vote on the IIBK adjournment proposal.

3

Please refer to the specific instructions set forth on the proxy card. We encourage you to vote via the internet or by telephone.

If you hold your shares of IIBK common stock in “street name” through a bank or broker, you should contact your bank or broker to change your vote or revoke your proxy.

Your last vote will be the vote that is counted.

4

If your shares are held in “street name,” you must vote your shares according to the voting instruction form by the deadline set by your broker, bank or other nominee.

You should read “Description of the Merger—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger” beginning on page 50 of this document for more information about the United States federal income tax consequences of the merger. Tax matters can be complicated and the tax consequences of the merger will depend on your particular tax situation. You should consult your tax advisor to determine the tax consequences of the merger to you.

5

Idaho Independent Bank

Attn: Jane Bodle-Hill, Assistant Secretary

1260 W. Riverstone Drive

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814

(208) 765-3619

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

RISK FACTORS

In deciding how to vote, you should consider carefully all of the information included in this document and its annexes, all of the information incorporated by reference into the document and the risk factors identified by First Interstate with respect to First Interstate’s operations included in its filings with the SEC, including First Interstate’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. See “Where You Can Find More Information.” In addition, you should consider the following risk factors.

Risks Related to the Merger

Because the price of First Interstate Class A common stock will fluctuate, IIBK shareholders cannot be certain of the market value of the merger consideration.

Upon the completion of the merger, each share of IIBK common stock outstanding immediately before the completion of the merger will be converted into the right to receive 0.50 shares of First Interstate Class A common stock. The market value of the merger consideration may vary from the closing price of First Interstate Class A common stock on the date the execution of the merger agreement was announced, on the date that this document was mailed to IIBK shareholders, on the date of the IIBK special meeting and on the date the merger is completed. The market price of First Interstate Class A common stock may fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors, including general market and economic conditions, changes in First Interstate’s business, operations and prospects, and regulatory considerations. Therefore, at the time of the IIBK special meeting, IIBK shareholders will not know or be able to calculate the market value of the First Interstate Class A common stock they will receive upon completion of the merger. For example, based on the range of closing prices of First Interstate Class A common stock during the period from October 11, 2018, the last trading day before public announcement of the merger, through January 14, 2019, the last practicable date before the date of this document, the merger consideration represented a market value ranging from a low of $17.31 to a high of $22.31 for each share of IIBK common stock. You should obtain current market quotations for shares of First Interstate Class A common stock and IIBK common stock. See “Market Price and Dividend Information” on page 82 for ranges of historic market prices of First Interstate Class A common stock and IIBK common stock.

The price of First Interstate Class A common stock might decrease after the merger.

Upon completion of the merger, holders of IIBK common stock will become shareholders of First Interstate. First Interstate Class A common stock could decline in value after the merger. For example, during the twelve-month period ending on January 14, 2019 (the most recent practicable date before the printing of this document), the closing price of First Interstate Class A common stock varied from a low of $35.03 to a high of $46.95 and ended that period at $37.90. The market value of First Interstate Class A common stock fluctuates based upon general market conditions, First Interstate’s business, operations and prospects and other factors. Further, the market price of First Interstate Class A common stock after the merger may be affected by factors different from those currently affecting the common stock of First Interstate or IIBK. The businesses of IIBK and First Interstate Bank differ and, accordingly, the results of operations of the combined company and the market price of First Interstate’s shares of common stock following the merger may be affected by factors different from those currently affecting the independent results of operations and market prices of common stock of each of IIBK and First Interstate. For a discussion of the business of First Interstate, First Interstate Bank and of certain factors to consider in connection with First Interstate’s business, see the documents incorporated by reference in this document and referred to under “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 84.

IIBK, First Interstate Bank and First Interstate will be subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the merger is pending.

Uncertainty about the effects of the merger on employees and customers may have an adverse effect on IIBK, First Interstate Bank or First Interstate. These uncertainties may impair IIBK’s, First Interstate Bank’s or

15

First Interstate’s ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel until the merger is completed, and could cause customers and others that interact with IIBK, First Interstate Bank or First Interstate to seek to change existing business relationships with IIBK, First Interstate Bank or First Interstate. Retention of certain employees by IIBK, First Interstate Bank or First Interstate may be challenging while the merger is pending, as certain employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with the combined company. If key employees depart because of issues relating to the uncertainty and difficulty of integration, or a desire not to remain with IIBK or First Interstate, IIBK’s business or First Interstate’s business could be harmed. In addition, subject to certain exceptions, IIBK has agreed to operate its business in the ordinary course before closing, which may prevent it from pursuing certain growth opportunities. See “Description of the Merger—Conduct of Business Before the Merger” for a description of the restrictive covenants applicable to IIBK and First Interstate.

Failure to complete the merger could negatively impact the stock prices and future businesses and financial results of First Interstate, First Interstate Bank and IIBK.

There can be no assurance that the merger will be completed. If the merger is not completed, the ongoing businesses of First Interstate, First Interstate Bank and IIBK may be adversely affected and First Interstate, First Interstate Bank and IIBK will be subject to a number of risks, including the following:

In addition, if the merger is not completed, First Interstate, First Interstate Bank and/or IIBK may experience negative reactions from the financial markets and from their respective customers and employees. First Interstate, First Interstate Bank and/or IIBK also could be subject to litigation related to any failure to complete the merger or to proceedings commenced by First Interstate and First Interstate Bank on the one hand, or IIBK on the other hand, against the other seeking damages or to compel the other to perform its obligations under the merger agreement. These factors and similar risks could have an adverse effect on the results of operation, business and stock prices of First Interstate, First Interstate Bank and IIBK.

First Interstate and First Interstate Bank may be unable to successfully integrate IIBK’s operations or retain IIBK’s employees, which could adversely affect the combined company.

The merger involves the integration of two banks that have previously operated independently. The difficulties of combining the operations of the two banks include, among other things: integrating personnel with diverse business backgrounds; combining different corporate cultures; and retaining key employees.

The process of integrating operations could cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of the business and the loss of key personnel. The integration of the two banks will substantially benefit from the experience and expertise of certain key employees of IIBK who are expected to be retained by First Interstate Bank. First Interstate Bank may not be successful in retaining these employees for the time period necessary to successfully integrate IIBK’s operations with those of First Interstate Bank. The diversion of management’s attention and any delays or difficulties encountered in connection with the merger and the integration of the two companies’ operations could have an adverse effect on the business and results of operations of First Interstate Bank following the merger.

16

Additionally, First Interstate and First Interstate Bank may not be able to successfully achieve the level of cost savings, revenue enhancements and other synergies that it expects, and may not be able to capitalize upon the existing customer relationships of IIBK to the extent anticipated, or it may take longer, or be more difficult or expensive than expected, to achieve these goals. These matters could have an adverse effect on First Interstate’s business, results of operation and stock price.

First Interstate and First Interstate Bank are also acquiring CMYF in the CMYF Merger and the conditions to completing that merger may result in delays in completing the IIBK merger, or make it more difficult or time consuming than expected.

First Interstate and First Interstate Bank announced the proposed acquisition of CMYF in the CMYF Merger on the same date as the IIBK merger. The CMYF Merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals for the CMYF Merger, as well as the approval of the shareholders of CMYF. The preparation and filing of regulatory applications, and a separate prospectus/proxy statement, as well as planning the integration of CMYF at the same time as obtaining the regulatory approvals and planning the integration of IIBK is time consuming and could divert management attention and resources away from the IIBK merger. It is possible that because of the complexities involved in acquiring two financial institutions simultaneously, First Interstate and First Interstate Bank could experience delays in regulatory approval. This could result in the merger process taking longer than anticipated, which could be costly to First Interstate, First Interstate Bank and IIBK, disrupt First Interstate’s or IIBK’s ongoing businesses relationships with their respective clients, customers, depositors and employees or result in a failure to achieve the anticipated benefits of the IIBK merger.

The termination fee and the restrictions on solicitation contained in the merger agreement may discourage other companies from trying to acquire IIBK.

Until the completion of the merger, with some exceptions, IIBK is prohibited from soliciting, initiating, encouraging or participating in any discussion of or otherwise considering any inquiry or proposal that may lead to an acquisition proposal, such as a merger or other business combination transactions, with any person other than First Interstate and First Interstate Bank. In addition, IIBK has agreed to pay a $6.8 million termination fee to First Interstate in specified circumstances. These provisions could discourage other companies that may have an interest in acquiring IIBK from considering or proposing such an acquisition even though those other companies might be willing to offer greater value to IIBK’s shareholders than First Interstate has offered in the merger. The payment of the termination fee would also have a material adverse effect on IIBK’s financial condition and results of operations.

Certain of IIBK’s directors and officers have interests that are different from, or in addition to, interests of IIBK shareholders generally.

Certain executive officers and directors of IIBK have interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of IIBK shareholders generally. These include: (1) employment agreements for certain executive officers of IIBK that provide for cash severance payments upon an involuntary termination without cause or a voluntary termination with good reason following the completion of the merger; (2) a cash payment in connection with the termination of all outstanding IIBK stock options; (3) settlement agreements entered into with each of Jack W. Gustavel and Kurt R. Gustavel, concurrent with the execution of the merger agreement; (4) continued employment of Kurt R. Gustavel as First Interstate Bank’s Regional President responsible for operations in the Idaho and Eastern Washington region; and (5) provisions in the merger agreement relating to indemnification of directors and officers and insurance for directors and officers of IIBK for events occurring before the merger. For a more detailed discussion of these interests, see “Description of the Merger—Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger that are Different from Yours” beginning on page 54.

17

Both First Interstate and IIBK shareholders will have a reduced ownership and voting interest after the merger and will exercise less influence over management of the combined organization.

First Interstate shareholders and IIBK shareholders each currently have the right to vote in the election of their respective board of directors and on various other matters affecting their respective company. Upon the completion of the merger, IIBK’s shareholders will become shareholders of First Interstate with a percentage ownership of the combined organization that is substantially smaller than such shareholders’ percentage ownership of IIBK. Following completion of the merger, IIBK shareholders will own approximately 10.2% of the outstanding shares of First Interstate Class A common stock and 6.7% of the aggregate outstanding shares of the First Interstate common stock, which equates to 2.8% of the voting power of First Interstate common stock. Additionally, upon the completion of the CMYF Merger, IIBK’s shareholders percentage ownership of First Interstate will further decrease.

The reduced voting power of IIBK shareholders is further effected by the two classes of common stock that First Interstate maintains. First Interstate Class B common stock is entitled to five votes per share, while shares of First Interstate Class A common stock, which is what will be issued to IIBK shareholders, are entitled to one vote per share. As of January 14, 2019, members of the Scott family held 21,285,014 shares of First Interstate Class B common stock and, therefore, controlled in excess of 71% of the voting power of First Interstate’s outstanding common stock. As a result, the Scott family will be able to exert a significant degree of influence or actual control over First Interstate’s management and affairs and over matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors, a merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of First Interstate’s assets and any other significant transaction. This concentrated control will limit IIBK shareholders’ future ability to influence corporate matters, and the interests of the Scott family may not always coincide with First Interstate’s interests or your interests.

The fairness opinion of IIBK’s financial advisor does not reflect any changes in circumstances since the date of such fairness opinion.

On October 11, 2018, Sandler O’Neill delivered to the board of directors of IIBK its opinion to the effect that, as of such date and subject to the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by Sandler O’Neill, as set forth in its opinion, the exchange ratio in the proposed merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of IIBK common stock. The opinion does not reflect changes that may occur or may have occurred after the date of such opinion, including changes to the operations and prospects of First Interstate or IIBK, changes in general market and economic conditions or regulatory or other factors that may materially alter or affect the value of First Interstate Class A common stock or IIBK common stock. The opinion speaks only as of the date on which it was rendered and not as of the date of this document or any other date. For a description of the opinion that the IIBK board of directors received from Sandler O’Neill, please refer to the section entitled “Description of the Merger—Opinion of IIBK’s Financial Advisor.”

There is no assurance when or even if the merger will be completed.

Completion of the merger is subject to satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions. See “Description of the Merger—Conditions to Completing the Merger” beginning on page 58. There can be no assurance that First Interstate, First Interstate Bank and IIBK will be able to satisfy the closing conditions or that closing conditions beyond their control will be satisfied or waived.

First Interstate and IIBK can agree at any time to terminate the merger agreement, even if IIBK shareholders have already voted to approve the merger agreement. First Interstate and IIBK can also terminate the merger agreement under other specified circumstances.

18

Regulatory approvals may not be received, may take longer than expected, or may impose conditions that are not presently anticipated or that could have an adverse effect on the combined company following the merger.

Before the merger may be completed, First Interstate, First Interstate Bank and IIBK must obtain approvals from the Federal Reserve Board, the Montana Division and the Idaho Department. First Interstate has received the approvals from the Montana Division and the Idaho Department. Other approvals, waivers or consents from regulators may also be required. In determining whether to grant these approvals the regulators consider a variety of factors, including the regulatory standing of each party. An adverse development in either party’s regulatory standing or other factors could result in an inability to obtain approval or delay their receipt. These regulators may impose conditions on the completion of the merger or require changes to the terms of the merger. Such conditions or changes could have the effect of delaying or preventing completion of the merger or imposing additional costs on or limiting the revenues of the combined company following the merger, any of which might have an adverse effect on the combined company following the merger.

The shares of First Interstate Class A common stock to be received by IIBK shareholders as a result of the merger will have different rights from the shares of IIBK common stock.

Upon completion of the merger, IIBK shareholders will become First Interstate shareholders. Their rights as shareholders of Class A common stock will be governed by Montana corporate law and the amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws of First Interstate. The rights associated with IIBK common stock are governed by Idaho law and the articles of incorporation and bylaws of IIBK and are different from the rights associated with First Interstate Class A common stock. See the section of this document entitled “Comparison of Rights of Shareholders” beginning on page 75 for a discussion of the different rights associated with First Interstate Class A common stock.

Goodwill incurred in the merger may negatively affect First Interstate’s financial condition.

To the extent that the merger consideration, consisting of shares of First Interstate Class A common stock to be issued in the merger, cash paid for fractional shares, and cash paid to terminate IIBK options, exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired in the merger, including identifiable intangibles of IIBK, that amount will be reported as goodwill by First Interstate. In accordance with current accounting guidance, goodwill will not be amortized but will be evaluated for impairment annually. A failure to realize expected benefits of the merger could adversely impact the carrying value of the goodwill recognized in the merger, and in turn negatively affect First Interstate’s financial condition.

Risks Relating to First Interstate’s Business

You should read and consider risk factors specific to First Interstate’s business that will also affect the combined company after the merger. These risks are described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” in First Interstate’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and in other documents incorporated by reference into this document. Please see the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 84 of this document for the location of information incorporated by reference into this document.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements contained or incorporated by reference in this document are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 giving First Interstate’s or IIBK’s expectations or predictions of future financial or business performance or conditions. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “target,” “estimate,” “continue,” “projections,” “prospects” or “potential,” by future conditional verbs such as “will,”

19

“would,” “should,” “could” or “may,” or by variations of such words or by similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the merger, including future financial and operating results of First Interstate, IIBK or the combined entity following the merger, the combined entity’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, cost savings and/or revenue enhancements to be achieved in the merger, the expected timing of the completion of the merger, financing plans and the availability of capital, the likelihood of success and impact of litigation and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are only predictions based on First Interstate’s and IIBK’s current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause First Interstate’s and IIBK’s actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In particular, you should consider the numerous risks and uncertainties described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 15.

These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that change over time. In addition to factors previously disclosed in First Interstate’s reports filed with the SEC, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements:

20

Additionally, the timing and occurrence or non-occurrence of events may be subject to circumstances beyond First Interstate’s or IIBK’s control.

Annualized, projected and estimated numbers are used for illustrative purposes only, are not forecasts and may not reflect actual results.

For any forward-looking statements made in this document or in any documents incorporated by reference into this document, First Interstate and IIBK claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date of this document or the date of the applicable document incorporated by reference in this document. Except to the extent required by applicable law, neither First Interstate nor IIBK undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, assumptions, or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. All written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the merger or other matters addressed in this document and attributable to First Interstate, IIBK, or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this document.

21

SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

The following tables present selected historical financial information for First Interstate and for IIBK at and for the dates indicated. The following information is only a summary and not necessarily indicative of the results of future operations of First Interstate, IIBK or the combined company. The summary financial information for First Interstate is derived from prior filings made with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference into this document. The financial information for First Interstate at December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the three years ended December 31, 2017 should be read in connection with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. The financial information for First Interstate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 should be read in connection with the unaudited financial statements and notes thereto included in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2018. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the year ending December 31, 2018 or for any other period. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 84.

Selected Consolidated Historical Financial Data of First Interstate

22

Selected Historical Financial Data of IIBK

23

UNAUDITED COMPARATIVE PRO FORMA PER SHARE DATA

The following table shows information about First Interstate’s, IIBK’s and CMYF’s earnings per common share, dividends per share and book value per share, and similar information giving effect to the merger (which we refer to as “pro forma” information). In presenting the unaudited comparative pro forma information as of and for the periods shown, we assumed that First Interstate, IIBK and CMYF had been merged on the date indicated or at the beginning of the periods presented, as applicable.

The information listed as “per equivalent IIBK share” was obtained by multiplying the pro forma amounts by the exchange ratio of 0.50. First Interstate anticipates that the combined company will derive financial benefits from the merger that include the opportunity to earn more revenue. The unaudited pro forma combined information, while helpful in illustrating the financial characteristics of First Interstate following the mergers under one set of assumptions, does not reflect these benefits and, accordingly, does not attempt to predict or suggest future results. The unaudited pro forma combined information also does not necessarily reflect what the historical results of First Interstate would have been had our companies been combined during this period.

The information in the following table is based on, and should be read together with, the historical financial information that we have presented in or incorporated by reference in this document.

24

SPECIAL MEETING OF IIBK SHAREHOLDERS

This document is being provided to holders of IIBK common stock as IIBK’s proxy statement in connection with the solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of its board of directors to be voted at the IIBK special meeting and at any adjournment or postponement of the IIBK special meeting. This document is also being provided to holders of IIBK common stock as First Interstate’s prospectus in connection with the issuance by First Interstate of its shares of Class  A common stock as consideration in the proposed merger.

Date, Time and Place of Meeting

The IIBK special meeting is scheduled to be held as follows:

Date: March 27, 2019

Time: 9:30 a.m., Pacific Time

Place: Corporate office of IIBK located at 1260 W. Riverstone Drive, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Purpose of the Meeting

At the IIBK special meeting, IIBK’s shareholders will be asked to:

Who Can Vote at the Meeting

You are entitled to vote if the records of IIBK showed that you held shares of IIBK common stock as of the close of business on January 31, 2019, which is the record date for the IIBK special meeting. As of the close of business on the record date, [●] shares of IIBK common stock were outstanding. Each share of IIBK common stock has one vote on each matter presented to shareholders. If your shares are held in “street name” by your broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote in person at the IIBK special meeting, you will have to obtain a “legal proxy” from your broker, bank or other nominee entitling you to vote at the IIBK special meeting.

Quorum; Vote Required

The IIBK special meeting will conduct business only if a majority of the outstanding shares of IIBK common stock is represented in person or by proxy at the meeting to constitute a quorum. If you submit valid proxy instructions or attend the meeting in person, your shares will be counted to determine whether there is a quorum, even if you abstain from voting. If you fail to provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee with respect to a proposal, that broker, bank or other nominee will not vote your shares with respect to that proposal.

Approval of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum consisting of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of IIBK common stock is present. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the vote to approve the merger agreement, as long as there is a quorum present at the special meeting.

Similarly, approval of the IIBK adjournment proposal requires that the votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed the votes cast against the proposal. The failure to vote in person or submit valid proxy instructions, broker non-votes and abstentions will have no effect on the voting on the proposal.

25

Shares Held by IIBK Officers and Directors and by First Interstate

As of January 14, 2019, directors and executive officers of IIBK beneficially owned 1,665,850 shares of IIBK common stock. This equals 21.51% of the outstanding shares of IIBK common stock as of the January 14, 2019. Each of the directors and certain executive officers of IIBK, solely in their individual capacity as an IIBK shareholder, have entered into a separate voting agreement with First Interstate and First Interstate Bank to vote the 1,444,540 shares of IIBK common stock owned by them (including stock options) in favor of the merger agreement. As of the January 14, 2019, neither First Interstate nor any of its subsidiaries, directors or executive officers owned any shares of IIBK common stock.

Voting and Revocability of Proxies

You may vote in person at the IIBK special meeting or by proxy. To ensure your representation at the IIBK special meeting, IIBK recommends that you vote by proxy even if you plan to attend the IIBK special meeting. You can change your vote at the special meeting.

If your shares are held in your name in IIBK’s shareholder records, which we refer to as a “shareholder of record,” you can vote your shares:

Please refer to the specific instructions set forth on the proxy card. We encourage you to vote via the internet or by telephone.

If your shares are held in “street name” by a broker, bank or other nominee, which we refer to as held in “street name,” then you must follow the instructions provided by your broker, bank or other nominee to vote your shares. Your broker, bank or other nominee may allow you to deliver your voting instructions via telephone or the internet. If your shares are held in “street name” and you wish to vote in person at the IIBK special meeting, you will have to obtain a “legal proxy” from your broker, bank or other nominee entitling you to vote at the special meeting.

If you are a “shareholder of record” of IIBK common stock, voting instructions are included on the enclosed proxy card. If you properly complete and timely submit your proxy, your shares will be voted as you have directed. You may vote for, against or abstain with respect to each matter. If you are the “shareholder of record” of your shares of IIBK common stock and submit your proxy without specifying a voting instruction, your shares of IIBK common stock will be voted “FOR” the proposal to approve the merger agreement and “FOR” the IIBK adjournment proposal. If your shares are held in “street name” and you return an incomplete instruction card to your broker, bank or other nominee, that broker, bank or other nominee will not vote your shares with respect to any matter.

You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the special meeting by:

If your shares are held in “street name,” you should contact your broker, bank or other nominee to change your vote.

26

Attendance at the IIBK special meeting will not, in and of itself, constitute a revocation of a proxy. All written notices of revocation and other communication with respect to the revocation of proxies should be addressed to:

Idaho Independent Bank

1260 W. Riverstone Drive

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814

Attention: Paul H. Montreuil, Corporate Secretary

Solicitation of Proxies

The directors, officers and employees of IIBK may solicit proxies personally and by telephone. None of these persons will receive additional or special compensation for soliciting proxies. IIBK will, upon request, reimburse brokers, banks and other nominees for their expenses in sending proxy materials to their customers who are beneficial owners and obtaining their voting instructions.

IIBK PROPOSAL NO. 1

APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT

At the IIBK special meeting, shareholders will consider and vote on a proposal to approve the merger agreement. Details about the merger agreement, including each party’s reasons for the merger, the effect of approval of the merger agreement and the timing of effectiveness of the merger, are discussed in the section entitled “Description of the Merger” beginning on page 27 of this document.

IIBK’s board of directors unanimously recommends

that IIBK shareholders vote “FOR”

approval of the merger agreement.

IIBK PROPOSAL NO. 2

ADJOURNMENT OF THE IIBK SPECIAL MEETING

If there are insufficient proxies at the time of the IIBK special meeting to approve the merger agreement, IIBK shareholders may be asked to vote on a proposal to adjourn the meeting to a later date to allow additional time to solicit additional proxies. IIBK’s board of directors does not currently intend to propose adjournment at the IIBK special meeting if there are sufficient votes to approve the merger agreement (Proposal No. 1).

IIBK’s board of directors unanimously recommends

that IIBK shareholders vote “FOR”

approval of the IIBK adjournment proposal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MERGER

The following summary of the merger agreement is qualified by reference to the complete text of the merger agreement. A copy of the merger agreement is attached as Annex A to this document and is incorporated by reference into this document. You should read the merger agreement completely and carefully as it, rather than this description, is the legal document that governs the merger.

27

General

The merger agreement provides for the merger of IIBK with and into First Interstate Bank, with First Interstate Bank as the surviving entity.

Pending Acquisition of Community 1st Bank

On October 11, 2018, First Interstate and First Interstate Bank also entered into an agreement to acquire CMYF. Pursuant to the CMYF merger agreement, CMYF will merge with and into First Interstate Bank, with First Interstate Bank as the surviving entity. The CMYF Merger was approved by the boards of directors of each of First Interstate, First Interstate Bank and CMYF and is expected to close in the first half of 2019. Completion of the CMYF Merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals and approval of CMYF’s shareholders. The completion of the IIBK merger is not conditioned upon or subject to the completion of the CMYF Merger. Under the terms of the CMYF merger agreement, holders of CMYF common stock will receive 0.3784 shares of First Interstate Class A common stock for each share of CMYF common stock, which equates to an aggregate transaction value of approximately $21.0 million as of the date of the CMYF merger agreement.

At September 30, 2018, CMYF had total consolidated assets of approximately $133.1 million, total deposits of approximately $118.7 million, and total common shareholders’ equity of approximately $13.8 million.

For additional information on the CMYF Merger, including certain pro forma financial information, see “Unaudited Comparative Pro Forma Per Share Data.”

Consideration to be Received in the Merger

When the merger becomes effective, each share of IIBK common stock issued and outstanding immediately before completion of the merger will automatically be converted into the right to receive 0.50 shares of First Interstate Class A common stock, plus cash in lieu of any fractional share, without interest.

If First Interstate declares a stock dividend or distribution on shares of its common stock or subdivides, splits, reclassifies or combines the shares of First Interstate Class A common stock before the effective time of the merger, then the exchange ratio will be adjusted to provide IIBK shareholders with the same economic effect as contemplated by the merger agreement before any of these events.

IIBK’s shareholders will not receive fractional shares of First Interstate Class A common stock. Instead, IIBK’s shareholders will receive a cash payment for any fractional shares in an amount equal to the product of (1) the fraction of a share of First Interstate Class A common stock to which he, she or it is entitled multiplied by (2) the average closing sales price of First Interstate Class A common stock over the 20 consecutive trading days ending on and including the fifth day before the closing date of the merger.

Background of the Merger

As part of the ongoing consideration and evaluation of IIBK’s long-term prospects and strategies, IIBK’s board of directors and senior management regularly review and assess business strategies and objectives, including strategic opportunities and challenges and various strategic options that might be available to IIBK, all with the goal of enhancing value for IIBK shareholders. The strategic discussions have focused on a variety of factors, including: the growth opportunities and risks of IIBK continuing on a stand-alone basis; the risks, costs, and benefits associated with merging with another financial institution; the local and national economic environment; the business and regulatory environment facing financial institutions generally, and IIBK in particular; and consolidation in the financial services industry.

28

As part of this evaluation, the IIBK board of directors considered the merits of a sale, merging with another financial institution of similar size and complementary business, or staying independent. The challenges of remaining competitive in the current economic, regulatory, and interest rate environment, competition, and the impact of new technology on the banking industry and the costs and risks associated with such technological changes were also important considerations. In the months preceding the merger announcement, IIBK’s senior management had been invited to meet with the senior management of other banks, some of which were potential acquirers of IIBK. In June 2018, Jack Gustavel, IIBK’s Executive Chairman met with Kevin Riley, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Interstate. During that meeting, Mr. Riley indicated that First Interstate wanted to further expand in Idaho and might want to acquire IIBK. The meeting concluded, and Chairman Gustavel and Mr. Riley agreed to stay in contact.

On June 21, 2018, at a meeting of IIBK’s board of directors, representatives of Sandler O’Neill, the financial advisor for IIBK, presented an analysis of IIBK’s primary strategic alternatives of remaining independent versus merging with a larger financial institution. The analysis and discussion considered the impact on IIBK shareholder value along with the possible risks, benefits, and challenges of the alternatives. As part of the discussion, the IIBK board of directors reviewed the landscape of potential partners and discussed which ones might be the best fit strategically and have the strongest desire and capacity to maximize value for IIBK’s shareholders. Chairman Gustavel related various aspects of his meeting with Mr. Riley and reminded the board of directors of past meetings with potential acquirers of IIBK. There was considerable discussion, and at the end of the meeting, the IIBK board of directors requested that Sandler O’Neill follow with a further assessment of the execution risk and shareholder value proposition of pursuing a merger transaction with another financial institution. The following day, representatives of Sandler O’Neill provided IIBK’s senior management with the additional analysis. After further consideration, the IIBK board of directors determined that it would be prudent to better understand the value that could be realized by a merger and authorized management to work with Sandler O’Neill to pursue contacting a group of seven potential acquirers to determine if an attractive merger transaction might be achievable. Over the next two weeks, representatives of Sandler O’Neill and senior management prepared a package of confidential information that could be shared with interested acquirers following the signing of a nondisclosure agreement.

In early July 2018, Chairman Gustavel and Kurt Gustavel, IIBK President and Chief Executive Officer, directed Sandler O’Neill to contact seven prospective acquirers to determine if there was any interest in an acquisition of IIBK. Six of the seven expressed an interest in learning more about a potential acquisition and executed nondisclosure agreements in order to receive the confidential information. The nondisclosure agreements did not restrict IIBK from negotiating and/or entering into a definitive agreement with any other party at any time. The nondisclosure agreement with First Interstate was entered into on July 12, 2018. Four of the parties who entered into a nondisclosure agreement met with Chairman Gustavel and CEO Gustavel at different times over the next few weeks. One such meeting that included Chairman Gustavel and CEO Gustavel and Mr. Riley and Marcy Mutch, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of First Interstate took place on July 24, 2018. In that meeting, Mr. Riley verbally expressed First Interstate’s interest in pursuing an acquisition of IIBK in a 100% stock transaction with a fixed exchange ratio of 0.4750 First Interstate shares in exchange for each IIBK share. Based on First Interstate’s stock price at the time, the value of the transaction would have been approximately $20.50 per IIBK share.

There were other meetings throughout July and early August 2018. Following one such meeting, Party A expressed its desire to acquire IIBK and indicated a 100% stock deal structure with a preliminary range of values, subject to due diligence, the high end of which was valued at just under $21.00 per IIBK share at the time.

In early August 2018, two of the six potential acquirers who had signed the nondisclosure agreement indicated they could not, or would not, pursue a combination at the time. Four parties: First Interstate, Party A, Party B, and Party C expressed a desire to submit a non-binding indication of interest describing value and other principal terms on which they would pursue the acquisition of IIBK. Each of the parties was reminded that the primary goal of the IIBK board of directors was to maximize value for IIBK’s shareholders. Sandler O’Neill

29

requested that the non-binding indications of interest be communicated verbally prior to the IIBK board of directors meeting scheduled for August 16, 2018. Prior to the August 16, 2018 meeting, non-binding indications of interest were received from First Interstate, Party A, Party B and Party C.

On August 16, 2018, IIBK held its board of directors meeting to review the four non-binding indications of interest and consider the proposed merger values as compared to the estimated value of IIBK on a stand-alone basis. Representatives of Sandler O’Neill described and compared the terms of the preliminary non-binding indications of interest. All four of the proposals were structured as all-stock transactions with a fixed exchange ratio. First Interstate increased its exchange ratio from 0.4750 to 0.50 First Interstate shares in exchange for each IIBK share, and at the meeting, that value was equal to $22.28 per IIBK share, the highest value of the four. Party A increased the low and high end of their indication of interest, subject to due diligence, the high end of which was valued at just under $21.50 per IIBK share at the time of the meeting. The value of the Party B indication was just over $21.50 per IIBK share at the time of the meeting with the possibility of an increase or decrease based upon the outcome of third-party valuations of IIBK’s owned facilities. Party C indicated a high and low range of value, subject to due diligence, the high end of which was valued at just under $21.00 a share at the time of the meeting.

It was noted that all four parties anticipated employing CEO Gustavel in comparable management roles to assist with integration following a combination, and two of the parties contemplated one or more current representatives from the IIBK board of directors joining their board of directors. Under all four of the indications of interest, existing employment agreements and retirement plans with IIBK’s management would be honored, including applicable change-in-control provisions. Also, eligible IIBK employees would receive severance payments and/or retention bonuses depending upon whether or not they would remain employed following consummation of a transaction. The IIBK board of directors evaluated other social considerations, including anticipated impact on IIBK employees, customers, and the communities served by IIBK, and whether or not, IIBK would continue as a subsidiary or regional division under each of the proposals. The IIBK board of directors also considered the four parties’ prior experience at integrating other acquisitions. In addition, Witherspoon Kelley, outside legal counsel to IIBK, reviewed with the board of directors their fiduciary duties to IIBK and its shareholders.

Representatives of Sandler O’Neill and IIBK’s senior management then reviewed with the IIBK board of directors the financial analyses that had been performed on the four parties, including multiple financial comparisons, past financial performance, stock valuations, performance history and trading liquidity, history of paying cash dividends, the estimates and recommendations of institutional research analysts, and the expected pro forma impact to the financial position of each party. It was noted that each party was in good financial position with ample capital, core deposit funding, good credit quality, and strong profitability. In addition, each party had a track record of successfully completing merger transactions. Representatives of Sandler O’Neill also reviewed publicly available analyst estimates of future valuations for each of the potential buyer’s stock prices. It was noted that First Interstate had an excellent performance history, even through the recent financial downturn. First Interstate was also noted to have an exceptional history of paying cash dividends, and its stock price was expected to have a good future value based on the projections of the institutional research analysts.

The IIBK board of directors then engaged in a lengthy discussion about the relative merits and risks of a transaction with each party, the cultural and reputational issues associated with a potential merger, the potential impacts on employees, customers and the communities IIBK serves, and whether IIBK could achieve the same value for shareholders by remaining independent. It was evident to the board of directors that the non-binding indications of interest represented a significant premium to IIBK’s then current market price, tangible book value per share, earnings per share, and in most cases, could be expected to provide a better return to shareholders when compared to IIB as a standalone institution. In addition, under all of the non-binding indications of interest, IIBK shareholders would benefit from better stock trading liquidity in varying degrees.

After further discussion related to the merits of each of the four non-binding indications of interest and a determination that the First Interstate indication of interest was the most favorable to IIBK and its shareholders,

30

the IIBK board of directors unanimously authorized and instructed Chairman Gustavel and CEO Gustavel to proceed with negotiating and executing a non-binding letter of intent with First Interstate and to take such actions as they deemed necessary and appropriate to further discussions on a confidential basis. Following the meeting, IIBK requested that First Interstate provide IIBK with a written indication of interest confirming the terms that had been verbally communicated. Party A, Party B, and Party C were contacted and informed that their non-binding indications of interest were inadequate.

On August 17, 2018, First Interstate provided IIBK with a written indication of interest and exclusivity agreement. Also on August 17, 2018, Party A advised Sandler O’Neill of its intent to submit a revised indication of interest, and later that day, it submitted a written indication of interest that included an increased per share value for IIBK.

On August 21, 2018, IIBK board of directors held a special meeting to review the non-binding indications of interest from First Interstate and Party A. The First Interstate non-binding indication of interest provided for 100% stock consideration based on a fixed exchange ratio of 0.50 shares of First Interstate common stock for each share of IIBK common stock. As of the meeting, the First Interstate indication of interest resulted in an implied price of $22.70 per IIBK share or aggregate merger consideration of $180.0 million. The non-binding indication of interest from Party A provided for 100% stock consideration with a fixed exchange ratio resulting in an implied value at the time of the meeting of $22.21 per IIBK share, or aggregate merger consideration of $176.1 million. Representatives of Sandler O’Neill described and compared the terms of the two non-binding indications of interest and reviewed the financial and non-financial terms of each, noting that although Party A had increased its offer, the implied purchase price was still less than that of First Interstate. Representatives of Sandler O’Neill also noted that the indication of interest from Party A was subject to downward adjustment under certain conditions. The IIBK board of directors then reviewed a side-by-side comparison of the aggregate purchase price to be paid, structure of each transaction, treatment of outstanding stock options, conditions to closing, financial tests, contingencies, termination fee, price protection, anticipated closing dates, and social issues contained in the two non-binding indications of interest. The IIBK board of directors also reviewed the pro forma financial impacts to First Interstate and to Party A.

IIBK’s senior management then provided the board of directors with its analysis of the two non-binding indications of interest, noting that First Interstate continued to offer the highest value for IIBK’s shareholders, did not include financial tests as closing conditions, and was superior in several other respects, including more generous severance terms for IIBK employees that would be terminated following the consummation of a transaction.

Then, the IIBK board of directors and its advisors evaluated and discussed the information presented, including: the value of each offer; the current prices, anticipated future prices, and liquidity of their respective shares; their dividend payment history and expectations; their integration history and potential execution risk; their anticipated speed of closing a transaction with IIBK; the likelihood of either candidate being acquired by a third-party in the foreseeable future; the expected impact to customers, employees, vendors and others; the proposed employee severance and retention packages; and the continued role of IIBK management in a combined institution.

Following this discussion about the merits of the two indications of interest and a determination that the First Interstate proposal was the most favorable to IIBK and its shareholders, the board of directors authorized Chairman Gustavel, or alternatively, CEO Gustavel, to execute the First Interstate non-binding indication of interest, subject to the satisfactory resolution of certain open points of negotiation, and concurrently, enter into a period of exclusivity with First Interstate for 50 days.

On August 22, 2018, First Interstate and IIBK entered into a non-binding indication of interest and exclusivity agreement. Subsequent to executing the non-binding indication of interest, both First Interstate and IIBK organized and reviewed the remaining due diligence to be completed.

31

On September 6, 2018, Sandler O’Neill and IIBK executed an engagement agreement for Sandler O’Neill to provide financial advisory and investment banking services to IIBK. Sandler O’Neill also agreed to provide the IIBK board of directors with a fairness opinion.

On September 13, 2018, IIBK received a draft version of the definitive merger agreement from First Interstate, and the parties began negotiating the terms of the merger agreement with the assistance of their respective legal and financial advisors.

On September 17, 2018, IIBK held a board of directors meeting to review with management and its legal and financial advisors the terms of the definitive merger agreement and ancillary agreements to consider the implications of such agreements for IIBK and its shareholders and to identify various terms that remained subject to negotiation. Also on this date, First Interstate delivered to IIBK documents for IIBK to review as part of its reverse due diligence.

On October 3, 2018, IIBK management, together with its legal and financial advisors, held a teleconference with Mr. Riley, Ms. Mutch and First Interstate’s general counsel to review and discuss the reverse due diligence conducted by IIBK on First Interstate.

On October 5, 2018, IIBK held a board of directors meeting to be updated on the negotiations and review with IIBK’s legal and financial advisors the changes made to the terms of the definitive merger agreement and ancillary agreements and the status of the reverse due diligence conducted by IIBK on First Interstate. Witherspoon Kelley reviewed the draft merger agreement and addressed questions from the board members. Following the meeting, the board of directors instructed IIBK management, Witherspoon Kelley, and representatives of Sandler O’Neill to finalize the remaining open items in the merger agreement and ancillary agreements.

On October 10, 2018, First Interstate’s board of directors held a meeting at which representatives of First Interstate’s senior management were present and representatives from its financial advisor, Piper Jaffray & Co., which we refer to as “Piper,” and its legal counsel, Luse Gorman, PC, were present via telephone. Representatives of Piper reviewed the financial aspects of the transaction and the financial analysis supporting its fairness opinion. After discussion among First Interstate’s board of directors and its advisors, representatives of Piper delivered its opinion, dated October 10, 2018, to First Interstate’s board of directors to the effect that, as of such date and based on and subject to the qualifications, limitations and assumptions stated in its opinion, the merger consideration to be paid to the IIBK shareholders by First Interstate in the proposed merger was fair to First Interstate from a financial point of view. First Interstate’s board of directors was updated on the results of the completion of the legal and business due diligence review of IIBK. A representative of Luse Gorman reviewed in detail the terms of the merger agreement. After further discussion, First Interstate’s board of directors unanimously approved the merger agreement.

On October 11, 2018, IIBK held a board of directors meeting at which the board of directors reviewed with its legal and financial advisors the final form of the merger agreement and ancillary agreements. Further, Sandler O’Neill rendered its opinion to the board of directors at this meeting, to the effect that, as of such date and subject to the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by Sandler O’Neill as set forth in such opinion, that the exchange ratio to be paid to the IIBK common shareholders in the transaction was fair from a financial point of view to such common shareholders. Following discussion of the relative benefits of the proposed transaction with First Interstate to IIBK shareholders, employees and customers, the board of directors voted to approve the merger agreement. Later that day, First Interstate and IIBK entered into the merger agreement and issued a joint press release announcing the transaction. The parties to the non-competition and solicitation agreements and voting agreements also entered into non-competition and solicitation agreements and voting agreements.

32

IIBK’s Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The IIBK board of directors believes the merger is in the best interests of the IIBK shareholders. After careful consideration, the IIBK board of directors unanimously approved the merger agreement at a meeting held on October 11, 2018 and recommends that IIBK shareholders vote “FOR” approval of the merger agreement and “FOR” the adjournment of the meeting to a later date or dates to permit further solicitation of proxies, if necessary.

In reaching its determination to unanimously approve the merger agreement, the IIBK board of directors consulted with IIBK’s management, Sandler O’Neill and Witherspoon Kelley and considered a number of factors. Following is a description of each of the material factors that the IIBK board of directors believes favor the merger:

33

In the course of its deliberations regarding the merger, the IIBK board of directors also considered the following information that the IIBK board of directors determined did not outweigh the benefits to IIBK and its shareholders expected to be generated by the merger:

The above discussion of the information and factors considered by the IIBK board of directors is not intended to be exhaustive, but includes the material factors the board of directors considered. In reaching its determination to approve and recommend the acquisition, the board of directors did not assign any relative or specific weights to the foregoing factors, and individual directors may have given differing weights to different factors. The IIBK board of directors also did not undertake to make any specific determination as to whether any factor was decisive in reaching its ultimate determination. The IIBK board of directors instead based its recommendation on the totality of the information presented.

34

In considering the recommendation of the IIBK board of directors with respect to the proposal to adopt and approve the merger agreement, IIBK shareholders should be aware that IIBK’s directors and executive officers have interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, those of other IIBK shareholders. The board of directors was aware of and considered these interests, among other matters, in evaluating and negotiating the merger agreement and the merger and in recommending that the merger agreement be approved by IIBK’s shareholders. See “—Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger that are Different from Yours.”

In the course of its deliberations with respect to the merger, the IIBK board of directors discussed the anticipated impact of the merger on IIBK, its shareholders, and its various other constituencies, and determined that the benefits to IIBK and its constituencies expected to result from the merger would likely outweigh any disadvantages identified during the board of directors’ deliberations.

For the reasons set forth above, the IIBK board of directors determined that the merger, the merger agreement, and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are advisable and in the best interests of IIBK’s shareholders, and approved the merger agreement. The IIBK board of directors unanimously recommends that the IIBK shareholders vote “FOR” the approval of the merger agreement and “FOR” the IIBK adjournment proposal.

This summary of the reasoning of the IIBK board of directors and other information presented in this section is forward-looking in nature and, therefore, should be read in light of the factors discussed under “Cautionary Statement About Forward-Looking Statements.”

Opinion of IIBK’s Financial Advisor

IIBK retained Sandler O’Neill to act as an independent financial advisor to IIBK’s board of directors in connection with IIBK’s consideration of a possible business combination. Sandler O’Neill is a nationally recognized investment banking firm whose principal business specialty is financial institutions. In the ordinary course of its investment banking business, Sandler O’Neill is regularly engaged in the valuation of financial institutions and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions.

Sandler O’Neill acted as an independent financial advisor in connection with the proposed transaction and participated in certain of the negotiations leading to the execution of the merger agreement. At the October 11, 2018 meeting at which IIBK’s board of directors considered and discussed the terms of the merger agreement and the merger, Sandler O’Neill delivered to IIBK’s board of directors its oral opinion, which was subsequently confirmed in writing, to the effect that, as of October 11, 2018, the exchange ratio provided for in the merger agreement was fair to the holders of IIBK common stock from a financial point of view. The full text of Sandler O’Neill’s opinion is attached as Annex C to this proxy statement/prospectus. The opinion outlines the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by Sandler O’Neill in rendering its opinion. The description of the opinion set forth below is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the opinion. Holders of IIBK common stock are urged to read the entire opinion carefully in connection with their consideration of the proposed merger.

Sandler O’Neill’s opinion speaks only as of the date of the opinion. The opinion was directed to IIBK’s board of directors in connection with its consideration of the merger agreement and the merger and does not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder of IIBK as to how any such shareholders should vote at any meeting of shareholders called to consider and vote upon the approval of the merger agreement and the merger. Sandler O’Neill’s opinion was directed only to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the exchange ratio to the holders of IIBK common stock and does not address the underlying business decision of IIBK to engage in the merger, the form or structure of the merger or any other transactions contemplated in the merger agreement, the relative merits of the merger as compared to any other alternative transactions or business strategies that might exist for IIBK or the effect of any

35

other transaction in which IIBK might engage. Sandler O’Neill did not express any opinion as to the fairness of the amount or nature of the compensation to be received in the merger by any officer, director or employee of IIBK or First Interstate, or any class of such persons, if any, relative to the compensation to be received in the merger by any other shareholder, including the consideration to be received by the holders of IIBK common stock. Sandler O’Neill’s opinion was approved by Sandler O’Neill’s fairness opinion committee. In connection with its opinion, Sandler O’Neill reviewed and considered, among other things:

Sandler O’Neill also discussed with certain members of the senior management of IIBK the business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of IIBK and held similar discussions with certain members of the management of First Interstate regarding the business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of First Interstate.

In performing its review, Sandler O’Neill relied upon the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial and other information that was available to and reviewed by Sandler O’Neill from public sources, that was provided to Sandler O’Neill by IIBK or First Interstate or their respective representatives, or that was otherwise reviewed by Sandler O’Neill, and Sandler O’Neill assumed such accuracy and completeness for purposes of rendering its opinion without any independent verification or investigation. Sandler O’Neill relied on the assurances of the respective managements of IIBK and First Interstate that they were not aware of any facts or circumstances that would have made any of such information inaccurate or misleading. Sandler O’Neill was not

36

asked to and did not undertake an independent verification of any of such information and Sandler O’Neill did not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of such information. Sandler O’Neill did not make an independent evaluation or perform an appraisal of the specific assets, the collateral securing assets or the liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of IIBK or First Interstate or any of their respective subsidiaries, nor was Sandler O’Neill furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals. Sandler O’Neill rendered no opinion or evaluation on the collectability of any assets or the future performance of any loans of IIBK or First Interstate. Sandler O’Neill did not make an independent evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses of IIBK or First Interstate, or of the combined entity after the merger, and Sandler O’Neill did not review any individual credit files relating to IIBK or First Interstate. Sandler O’Neill assumed, with the consent of IIBK, that the respective allowances for loan losses for both IIBK and First Interstate were adequate to cover such losses and would be adequate on a pro forma basis for the combined entity.

In preparing its analyses, Sandler O’Neill used certain internal financial projections for IIBK for the years ending December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2022, as provided by the senior management of IIBK, as well as an estimated dividend payout ratio for the years ending December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2022, as directed by the senior management of IIBK. In addition, Sandler O’Neill used publicly available mean analyst net income estimates for First Interstate for the years ending December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2020, as well as an estimated long-term net income growth rate for the years thereafter and estimated annual dividends per share for the years ending December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2022, as directed by the senior management of First Interstate. Sandler O’Neill also received and used in its pro forma analyses the Pro Forma Assumptions, as provided by the senior management of First Interstate. With respect to the foregoing information, the respective senior managements of IIBK and First Interstate confirmed to Sandler O’Neill that such information reflected (or, in the case of the publicly available analyst estimates referred to above, were consistent with) the best currently available projections, estimates and judgments of those respective managements as to the future financial performance of IIBK and First Interstate, respectively, and the other matters covered thereby, and Sandler O’Neill assumed that the future financial performance reflected in such information would be achieved. Sandler O’Neill expressed no opinion as to such information, or the assumptions on which such information was based. Sandler O’Neill also assumed that there had been no material change in the respective assets, financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects of IIBK or First Interstate since the date of the most recent financial statements made available to Sandler O’Neill. Sandler O’Neill assumed in all respects material to its analysis that IIBK and First Interstate would remain as going concerns for all periods relevant to Sandler O’Neill’s analyses.

Sandler O’Neill also assumed, with IIBK’s consent, that (1) each of the parties to the merger agreement would comply in all material respects with all material terms and conditions of the merger agreement and all related agreements, that all of the representations and warranties contained in such agreements were true and correct in all material respects, that each of the parties to such agreements would perform in all material respects all of the covenants and other obligations required to be performed by such party under such agreements and that the conditions precedent in such agreements were not and would not be waived, (2) in the course of obtaining the necessary regulatory or third party approvals, consents and releases with respect to the merger, no delay, limitation, restriction or condition would be imposed that would have an adverse effect on IIBK, First Interstate, the merger or any related transactions, and (3) the merger and any related transactions would be consummated in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement without any waiver, modification or amendment of any material term, condition or agreement thereof and in compliance with all applicable laws and other requirements. Finally, with the consent of IIBK, Sandler O’Neill relied upon the advice that IIBK received from its legal, accounting and tax advisors as to all legal, accounting and tax matters relating to the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Sandler O’Neill expressed no opinion as to any such matters.

Sandler O’Neill’s opinion was necessarily based on financial, economic, regulatory, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to Sandler O’Neill as of, the date thereof. Events occurring after the date thereof could materially affect Sandler O’Neill’s opinion. Sandler O’Neill has not

37

undertaken to update, revise, reaffirm or withdraw its opinion or otherwise comment upon events occurring after the date thereof. Sandler O’Neill expressed no opinion as to the trading value of IIBK common stock or First Interstate common stock at any time or what the value of First Interstate common stock will be once it is actually received by the holders of IIBK common stock.

In rendering its opinion, Sandler O’Neill performed a variety of financial analyses. The summary below is not a complete description of the analyses underlying Sandler O’Neill’s opinion or the presentation made by Sandler O’Neill to IIBK’s board of directors, but is a summary of all material analyses performed and presented by Sandler O’Neill. The summary includes information presented in tabular format. In order to fully understand the financial analyses, these tables must be read together with the accompanying text. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the financial analyses. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process involving subjective judgments as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial analysis and the application of those methods to the particular circumstances. The process, therefore, is not necessarily susceptible to a partial analysis or summary description. Sandler O’Neill believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of the factors and analyses to be considered without considering all factors and analyses, or attempting to ascribe relative weights to some or all such factors and analyses, could create an incomplete view of the evaluation process underlying its opinion. Also, no company included in Sandler O’Neill’s comparative analyses described below is identical to IIBK or First Interstate and no transaction is identical to the merger. Accordingly, an analysis of comparable companies or transactions involves complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics of the companies and other factors that could affect the public trading values or transaction values, as the case may be, of IIBK and the companies to which they are being compared. In arriving at its opinion, Sandler O’Neill did not attribute any particular weight to any analysis or factor that it considered. Rather, Sandler O’Neill made qualitative judgments as to the significance and relevance of each analysis and factor. Sandler O’Neill did not form an opinion as to whether any individual analysis or factor (positive or negative) considered in isolation supported or failed to support its opinion, rather, Sandler O’Neill made its determination as to the fairness of the exchange ratio on the basis of its experience and professional judgment after considering the results of all its analyses taken as a whole.

In performing its analyses, Sandler O’Neill also made numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, business and economic conditions and various other matters, many of which are beyond the control of IIBK, First Interstate and Sandler O’Neill. The analyses performed by Sandler O’Neill are not necessarily indicative of actual values or future results, both of which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by such analyses. Sandler O’Neill prepared its analyses solely for purposes of rendering its opinion and provided such analyses to IIBK’s board of directors at its October 11, 2018 meeting. Estimates on the values of companies do not purport to be appraisals or necessarily reflect the prices at which companies or their securities may actually be sold. Such estimates are inherently subject to uncertainty and actual values may be materially different. Accordingly, Sandler O’Neill’s analyses do not necessarily reflect the value of IIBK common stock or the prices at which IIBK common stock or First Interstate common stock may be sold at any time. The analyses of Sandler O’Neill and its opinion were among a number of factors taken into consideration by IIBK’s board of directors in making its determination to approve the merger agreement and should not be viewed as determinative of the exchange ratio or the decision of IIBK’s board of directors or management with respect to the fairness of the merger. The type and amount of consideration payable in the merger were determined through negotiation between IIBK and First Interstate.

Summary of Exchange Ratio and Implied Transaction Metrics. Sandler O’Neill reviewed the financial terms of the proposed merger. Subject to certain adjustments and termination provisions, as more fully described in the merger agreement, at the effective time, each share of IIBK common stock issued and outstanding prior to the effective time, except for certain shares of IIBK common stock as specified in the merger agreement, will be converted into the right to receive 0.50 shares of the Class A common stock of First Interstate. Based on the closing price of First Interstate common stock on October 10, 2018 of $45.90, Sandler O’Neill calculated an implied transaction price per share of IIBK common stock of $22.95 and an aggregate implied transaction value

38

of approximately $183.1 million in exchange for all IIBK common stock and options issued and outstanding as of October 10, 2018. Based upon historical financial information for IIBK as of or for the period ended September 30, 2018, Sandler O’Neill calculated the following implied transaction metrics.

IIBK Comparable Company Analyses. Sandler O’Neill used publicly available information as of June 30, 2018 and information provided by IIBK senior management as of September 30, 2018, to compare selected financial information for IIBK with a group of banks selected by Sandler O’Neill (the “IIBK Peer Group”). The IIBK Peer Group consisted of publicly-traded banks headquartered in the western region of the United States with total assets between $500 million and $1 billion, excluding announced merger targets. The IIBK Peer Group consisted of the following companies:

39

The analysis compared financial information as of September 30, 2018 for IIBK, as provided by IIBK senior management, with the corresponding publicly available data for the IIBK Peer Group as of June 30, 2018 with pricing data as of October 10, 2018. The table below sets forth the data for IIBK and the high, low, mean and median data for the IIBK Peer Group.

IIBK Stock Trading History. Sandler O’Neill reviewed the historical stock price performance of IIBK common stock for the one-year and three-year periods ended October 10, 2018. Sandler O’Neill then compared the relationship between the stock price performance of IIBK’s common stock to movements in the IIBK Peer Group as well as certain stock indices.

IIBK One-Year Stock Price Performance

IIBK Net Present Value Analyses. Sandler O’Neill performed an analysis that estimated the net present value per share of IIBK common stock assuming IIBK performed in accordance with internal financial

40

projections for the years ending December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2022, as provided by the senior management of IIBK and an estimated dividend payout ratio for the years ending December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2022, as directed by the senior management of IIBK. To approximate the terminal value of a share of IIBK common stock at December 31, 2022, Sandler O’Neill applied price to 2022 earnings per share multiples ranging from 12.0x to 22.0x and price to December 31, 2022 tangible book value per share multiples ranging from 140% to 240%. The terminal values were then discounted to present values using different discount rates ranging from 9.0% to 15.0% which were chosen to reflect different assumptions regarding required rates of return of holders or prospective buyers of IIBK common stock. As illustrated in the following tables, the analysis indicated an imputed range of values per share of IIBK common stock of $13.52 to $28.93 when applying multiples of earnings per share and $11.73 to $23.28 when applying multiples of tangible book value per share.

Sandler O’Neill also considered and discussed with the IIBK board of directors how this analysis would be affected by changes in the underlying assumptions, including variations with respect to projected net income. To illustrate this impact, Sandler O’Neill performed a similar analysis assuming IIBK’s net income varied from 15% above projections to 15% below projections. This analysis resulted in the following range of per share values for IIBK common stock, applying the price to 2022 earnings per share multiples range of 12.0x to 22.0x referred to above and a discount rate of 12.68%.

Sandler O’Neill noted that the net present value analysis is a widely used valuation methodology, but the results of such methodology are highly dependent upon the numerous assumptions that must be made, and the results thereof are not necessarily indicative of actual values or future results.

41

Analysis of Selected Merger Transactions. Sandler O’Neill reviewed a group of merger and acquisition transactions involving U.S. banks (the “Nationwide Precedent Transactions”). The Nationwide Precedent Transactions group consisted of bank transactions announced between January 1, 2018 and October 10, 2018 with disclosed deal values and target assets at the time of announcement between $500 million and $1 billion.

The Nationwide Precedent Transactions group was composed of the following transactions:

Using the latest publicly available information prior to the announcement of the relevant transaction, Sandler O’Neill reviewed the following transaction metrics: transaction price to LTM earnings per share, transaction price to tangible book value per share and tangible book value premium to core deposits. Sandler O’Neill compared the indicated transaction multiples for the merger to the high, low, mean and median multiples of the Nationwide Precedent Transactions group.