Native American National Bank takes aim at reservations

Two Alaska Native regional corporations have helped form a new national bank to extend financial services to Indian reservations and Native American tribal groups in the Lower 48.

While it's possible that the Denver-based Native American National Bank, formed in October, 2001, could have branches

Beirise was in Anchorage attending the annual convention of the Alaska Federation of Natives. His visit was aimed at building relationships with Native regional and village corporations.

Although Native American tribes own banks now, with some doing quite well, these are in places where the banks serve non-Indian communities with growing economies, Beirise said.

"Our bank is the first aimed specifically at Indian Country, particularly the underdeveloped reservations," he said.