Exhibit 99.1

Glacier Bancorp, Inc. Announces Acquisition of First National Banks - West Co.

    KALISPELL, Mont., Nov. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Glacier Bancorp, Inc.
(Nasdaq: GBCI) today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire
First National Banks - West Co. in an all-cash transaction valued at $41
million. First National Banks - West Co. ("FNB") is a bank holding company for
First National Bank - West, a commercial bank with approximately $240 million in
assets with seven locations in western Wyoming, including Evanston (2),
Kemmerer, Mountain View, Pinedale, Alpine and Afton. Glacier is a bank holding
company with $3.0 billion in assets and 55 offices in Montana, Idaho, Utah and
Washington.
    The boards of Glacier, FNB and First National Bank - West unanimously
approved the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval and other
customary conditions of closing. The combination of Glacier and FNB will further
expand Glacier's focused community banking strategy into an attractive western
Wyoming market, which is benefiting from significant energy development and
strong growth in recreational building. It also augments Glacier's existing
Idaho and northern Utah presence. FNB will benefit from additional lending
capacity, while maintaining its autonomy and local decision-making authority.
FNB will continue to operate under its current name with all employees and
existing management retained.
    "This is a well run bank that is located in some very attractive markets,"
commented Mick Blodnick, Glacier's President and CEO. "We believe that George
McKinley, Mike Seppala and their team have done a great job in growing the
franchise and establishing FNB as one of Wyoming's strongest banks. This
acquisition will give Glacier a leading presence in a market that is contiguous
to both our existing northern Utah offices and our developing Idaho markets. We
are very excited about adding these locations and employees to the Glacier
family." Blodnick also noted that the transaction is expected to be immediately
accretive to Glacier's earnings per share.
    George McKinley, FNB's Chairman and CEO, commented, "This transaction will
allow our management team and employees to join a quality franchise, while
providing our customers the same level of community bank service that they've
come to expect. It's a win for shareholders, employees and, most importantly,
the customers in the communities we serve."

    About Glacier Bancorp, Inc.
    Glacier Bancorp, Inc. is the parent company for seven community banks,
including Glacier Bank, Kalispell; Glacier Bank, Whitefish; First Security Bank
of Missoula; Valley Bank of Helena; Big Sky Western Bank; and Western Security
Bank, Billings, all located in Montana; as well as Mountain West Bank, Coeur d'
Alene, with operations in Idaho, Utah and Washington. At September 30, 2004,
Glacier Bancorp, Inc. had total assets of $3.0 billion, and capital of $263
million.

SOURCE  Glacier Bancorp, Inc.
    -0-                             11/22/2004
    /CONTACT:  Michael J. Blodnick, +1-406-751-4701, or James H. Strosahl,
+1-406-751-4702, both of Glacier Bancorp, Inc./
    (GBCI)

CO:  Glacier Bancorp, Inc.; First National Banks - West Co.
ST:  Montana
IN:  FIN
SU:  TNM