BOISE, Idaho, January 07, 2025–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Idaho Trust Company, a leading provider of trust and wealth management services in Idaho, is pleased to announce its agreement to acquire the Trust and Wealth Management Division of Bank of Idaho. This acquisition is a strategic decision to add experienced professionals, expand Idaho Trust into eastern Idaho and provide a depth of offerings to existing and new clients.

The acquisition expands Idaho Trust’s footprint in the trust and wealth management space and complements its specialized services. Aligning with the organization’s growth strategy and commitment to delivering custom trust and wealth management services to individuals, families, and businesses, the acquisition ensures Bank of Idaho Trust and Wealth Management clients will benefit from expanded service offerings, ensuring a seamless transition, and wider array of financial solutions.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Idaho Trust to broaden our reach and serve a new group of clients with the same dedication to excellence that has defined our organization,” said Thomas Prohaska, Chairman and President of Idaho Trust Company. “We are honored to welcome the new team and their clients into our family and are committed to providing them with tailored solutions, enhanced resources, and the personalized service they are accustomed to.”

This strategic move allows Bank of Idaho to focus on its core business of commercial and personal banking, ensuring continued excellence in serving its communities across Idaho and Washington. Bank of Idaho emphasized its commitment to the well-being of its clients throughout the acquisition and transition process.

“Our priority has always been to provide our customers with the best possible financial solutions,” said Jeff Newgard, Chairman, President and CEO of Bank of Idaho. “By transitioning our Trust and Wealth Management Division to Idaho Trust, we are confident our clients will benefit from an expanded suite of services and the exceptional expertise of a team widely recognized for their dedication to trust and wealth management. We deeply appreciate the trust our clients have placed in us and are committed to supporting them through this transition.”

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025. Current Bank of Idaho clients will receive detailed information about the transition process in the coming weeks. Both Idaho Trust and Bank of Idaho are focused on ensuring a seamless transition and continued excellence in service.

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MERIDIAN, Idaho — A house fire in Meridian displaced a family of four after Meridian Fire says an explosion shattered neighbors’ windows and engulfed the home in flames Monday evening.

Tonight, the family is being housed by the Meridian Burn-Out Fund.

Meridian Fire says an investigation into the cause is underway.

Idaho News 6 is on scene and working to learn more.

BOISE, Idaho — The State of the State is the Governor’s chance to set goals for this year’s session. The theme of Governor Brad Little’s 2025 State of the State Address was Keeping Promises.

After congratulating the legislators on their recent elections, Governor Little didn’t waste any time getting right into the topic of education. “We are the leader in education freedom,” he said.

Governor Little said the State will continue to prioritize first and foremost our public schools. “Adequately funding public schools is both our constitutional and our moral obligation and we will not abandon that obligation. We have significantly improved teacher pay and health benefits, increased funding for literacy, and began to address the longstanding facilities needs in schools across Idaho.”

The Governor recognized the growing desire to expand school choice, especially for students with unique physical or developmental conditions, and announced he would recommend 50 million dollars to further expand education options for Idaho families. Little said. “Just like we do with every taxpayer dollar that is spent in government, we will ensure there is oversight in school choice. Why? Because accountability in government is an Idaho value, and it is what taxpayers demand and deserve, ” Little said.
 
Probably the longest round of applause came when the Governor said the state has kept our promises to Idahoans by standing sense values…and that Idaho was the first state to take action to defend women’s sports. “I was incredibly proud of the Boise State woman’s volleyball team for standing up for what’s right, ” Little said. “Generations have worked hard to guarantee our girls, and women can play fair and square. To our female athletes, we will continue to fight for you.” The women’s volleyball team canceled games against San Jose State because of a transgender athlete.

Idaho News 6 will continue to bring you gavel-to-gavel coverage of the 2025 Legislative session.