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                                                                    Exhibit 99.1

    GLACIER BANCORP, INC. COMPLETES SHARE EXCHANGE WITH BIG SKY WESTERN BANK

KALISPELL, Mont. -- Effective January 20, 1999, Glacier Bancorp, Inc. completed
its pending share exchange with Big Sky Western Bank of Big Sky, Montana. The
shareholders of Big Sky Western Bank, at a special shareholder meeting held on
January 13, 1999, overwhelmingly approved the transaction. All necessary
regulatory approvals have been obtained. Big Sky Western Bank shareholders will
be entitled to receive 250,000 new shares of common stock valued at
approximately $5.6 million. The total number of Glacier shares outstanding will
increase to approximately 8.6 million.

Glacier President and CEO, Michael J. Blodnick, and Big Sky Western Bank
President, Michael Richards, jointly announced that "the combination of Glacier
and Big Sky Western Bank will further enhance our western Montana banking
franchise. A number of opportunities also exist for Glacier and Big Sky Western
Bank to take advantage of synergies and additional resources in the lending
area. Also we can now deliver additional financial services to a broader
customer base." This transaction, which was the second business combination of
the year for Glacier (HUB Financial Corporation's merger was completed August
31, 1998), further enhances Glacier's strong western Montana banking presence by
accessing the growing Bozeman market.

Blodnick also stated "Big Sky Western, as with our other banking subsidiaries,
will continue to operate under its existing name and locations with its existing
local board of directors and management, which will continue to allow for the
same individual customer service and decision making that Big Sky Western Bank's
customers have come to expect. The bank has also assembled an excellent staff
and is poised to continue its strong asset growth."

Combined assets of the two organizations will be approximately $710 million with
over $77 million in shareholders' equity and market capitalization of nearly
$200 million. Headquartered in Kalispell, Montana, Glacier Bancorp, Inc.
conducts business from Glacier Bank, First Security Bank of Missoula, Glacier
Bank of Whitefish, Glacier Bank of Eureka, Valley Bank of Helena, and now Big
Sky Western Bank, all located in Montana.

Glacier Bancorp, Inc. stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market System and
is traded under the symbol of GBCI.