A banker argues that locally owned lenders are the backbone of Montana's small economies. As the state grows, its entrepreneurs are rewriting what a Montana company can be.

Shaw leads a community bank rooted in central Montana.

What sets it apart

The bank focuses on ranch, farm and small-business loans. It is the kind of specific that turns a passing curiosity into a lasting fascination.

He warns that consolidation threatens rural lending.

Why it matters

In the end, the story here is really a story about the northern Rockies and the people drawn to them. Their bets on Montana may well shape the state's next chapter.