Montana has become the second state to opt out of the
Gov. Marc Racicot signed a sweeping banking law March 21 that forbids
Texas is the only other state to reject the new federal branching law.
That state's prohibition expires in 1999.
However, Montana's law permits statewide branching for the first time.
Previously, banks there could only branch within their home county and
The package signed by Gov. Racicot also simplifies state branching and
Arkansas and Nebraska approved interstate branching in March. Both state
Also, both states required that any acquired institution be at least
So far, 44 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have
The remaining states-Kansas, Ohio, Missouri, and Wisconsin-are expected
-Staff and wire reports