BANKING  LAW

The term "bank" no longer lends itself to an exact definition.  While the traditional concept of the bank as a place for deposit of funds and as a source of loans still applies, the term now encompasses many more functions and involves numerous representions of capital. Banking includes such functions as issuing notes payable on demand, receiving deposits payable on demand, discounting commercial paper, making loans on collateral security, buying and selling bills of exchange, and dealing in negotiable securities issued by various governments.

        Practicing law in the area of "banking law" therefore involves a variety of disciplines. A variety of commercial enterprises, not traditionally considered banks, are today often engaging in practices which have, in the past, been considered banking functions. Therefore, in dealing with banking law the lawyer and the client may not even be dealing with an actual "bank" institution.

        Whatever the function, several attorneys at Moulton Bellingham have spent thousands of hours and worked on hundreds of cases involving banking law. The firm regularly represents several of the nation's larger banking institutions in Montana as well as several smaller regional banks. Firm members are, on a daily business, called upon to review loan documents, recommend bank procedures, give opinions regarding commercial transactions, and otherwise provide legal services to these banking firms. The firm prides itself on its quick response time to all of these inquiries, but never loses sight that the fundamental basis of each response must first of all be carefully considered and thoughtful advice.