Interior of new Seattle-First National Bank Highland Hills branch. This appears to be prior to opening hours at the new Sixth Ave. location of Seattle-First National Bank on December 9, 1972. Behind the counter is plenty of desk space, room enough for a typewriter and several adding machines. Tables and chairs to the left side of the room are probably for loan officers to conduct business. A sign outside the building points customers to the "Firstbank Cash Machine;" Seattle-First was the first to employ ATM machines in Pierce County where access to cash was possible 24 hours a day. Color photograph ordered by Seattle-First National Bank.

Banks--Tacoma; Seattle-First National Bank (Tacoma);

ca. 1973. 1973 Richards stock footage. Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan presented a colorful sight during the Christmas holiday season with twinkling lights on outdoor landscaping and brightly illuminated building. This is the Commerce Street view of the savings and loan; Puget Sound National Bank's lighted spire can be seen in the background. This snapshot was taken either during the 1972 Christmas season or shortly thereafter.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Christmas decorations;

Close-up view of Seattle-First National Bank's "Highland Hills" branch. A row of small trees has been planted along the sidewalk border of the new Sea-First branch on Sixth Avenue. This April, 1973, side view of the bank shows the three drive-up lanes of the bank which are under cover. A "cash machine," a concept first introduced in Pierce County by Seattle-First, is outside the front doors. Color photograph ordered by Seattle-First National Bank, Seattle.

Seattle-First National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

Tacoma Commercial Bank's new branch. Tacoma Commercial Bank, a "Tacoma Landmark since 1972," opened their first branch on March 16, 1974, at 7020 Pacific Ave., on what was apparently the site of the old King's Drive In No. 1. The one-story structure was built of wood with a shake roof. It had a drive-up window for patrons' convenience. An imposing stand-alone sign rising high above power lines advertised the bank's presence. Included on the sign was a digital clock feature; it may also have listed the date and temperature as well. Gary M. Hershey was appointed the branch's first manager. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Commercial Bank. (TNT 3-3-74, H-11 article; TNT Ad 3-12-74, A-3)

Tacoma Commercial Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

View of savings department, Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan. The savings department was positioned close to two elevators in the new Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building, 1102-08 Pacific Ave. A large framed statement of assets and liabilities, dated December 31, 1969, hangs on the wall close by. This area was set aside only for savings deposits and/or withdrawls; separate insurance and loan service departments handled matters pertaining to those fields. Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan had opened their expanded offices in September of 1964. Photograph ordered by Jewel Electric Products.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan building at night. This is the 11th & Commerce St. side of the ultra-modern Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building. The structure, built in 1964, had two entrances - one on Pacific Ave. and the other up the hill on Commerce where George Tsutakawa's bronze "lily" fountain was installed. The glass walls enabled the interior to be clearly visible especially at night when it was extremely well lit. Puget Sound National Bank's lighted spire is in the photograph's background. Photograph ordered by Jewel Electric Products.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fountains--Tacoma; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

This distinctive bronze "lily" fountain, designed by the noted Japanese-American sculptor and painter George Tsutakawa, was created for Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan at 1102-08 Pacific Avenue. It was installed outside the entrance at the corner of South 11th and Commerce. Mr. Tsutakawa, who served on the faculty of the University of Washington's School of Art from 1947 until his retirement in 1976, created over sixty public fountains, installed throughout North America and Japan. He sought to explore the relationship of man to nature; his fountain sculptures were "an attempt to unify water--the life force of the universe that flows in an elusive cyclical course throughout eternity--with an immutable metal sculpture." Mr. Tsutakawa died in 1997 at the age of 87; his "lily" fountain was moved to the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association's new Lakewood branch in 1974. (www.washington.edu/research/showcase/1947a.html)

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma;

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. - interior. The carpeted and tiled floor is empty of customers and staff in the evening of January 8, 1970. This area of the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building may be the home loans department with the safe deposit vault not visible. Large tables and comfortable arm chairs are spaced far enough apart so that there is a feeling of privacy and the floor is well lit. The open-air arrangement, sans walls, may present a more welcoming atmosphere for clients. Signs guide customers to the various departments; it is possible that the insurance, savings and loan service departments were located on the 2nd floor. Photograph ordered by Jewel Electric Products.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Desks; Chairs;

Staff of Seattle-First National Bank's South Tacoma branch. December 1, 1969, was the first day for Seattle-First in Tacoma. The bank, largest in the state with 134 offices, had absorbed the four branches of the Bank of Tacoma. All Bank of Tacoma employees would be retained. This is the staff of the South Tacoma branch, headed by Joseph H. Blissenbach. George D. Van de Mark and Ivar Turnquist were the assistant managers. The Bank of Tacoma had been organized in 1963 as the South Tacoma State Bank and the South Tacoma location was the original main office at that time. Photograph ordered by Seattle-First National Bank. (TNT 11-29-69, p. 1)

Seattle-First National Bank (Tacoma); Bank of Tacoma (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Bankers--Tacoma;

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. officials. Chrm. of the Board Gerrit VanderEnde of Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. poses with his association's branch managers in the courtyard of the main branch on May 15, 1970. Mr. VanderEnde is seated second from the right. Color photograph ordered by Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Bankers--Tacoma--1970-1980; VanderEnde, Gerrit;

Bank of Washington Plaza. Pacific National Bank of Washington wished its customers, and all of Tacoma, happy holiday greetings from its recently completed Bank of Washington Plaza, 1201-23 Pacific Ave., in December of 1970. Sparkling red bulbs in the windows of two of the upper floors spelled out "Merry Christmas." Tacoma's National Bank of Washington and Seattle's Pacific National Bank had merged effective August 16, 1970, to create the Pacific National Bank of Washington with headquarters in Seattle. The Bank of Washington Plaza in downtown Tacoma would become the Tacoma headquarters. With assets over 700 million dollars, the new merged bank would have over 1800 employees and 60 branches. The Pacific National Bank of Washington would formally open its doors in Tacoma on Monday, December 14, 1970. (TNT 8-17-70, p. 30 - article; TNT 12-9-70 - article) Color photograph ordered by the public relations department, Pacific National Bank of Washington.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Pacific National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1971. Color exterior view of Puget Sound National Bank. Brilliant blue skies cast a warm glow over the downtown Tacoma business district, seeking to melt the residue of snow that is still present on the sidewalks and on Pacific Avenue. The venerable Puget Sound National Bank, once the tallest building on the West Coast at a narrow 16 stories, is flanked by Peoples department store and the newly opened Tacoma Art Museum (former home of National Bank of Washington). The familiar blue and white sign with P & S entwined is attached to the skyscraper. Color photograph ordered by DeVac, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, on November 18, 1971.

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Peoples (Tacoma); Tacoma Art Museum (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1970-1980; Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980;

City Credit Union, City Hall, Tacoma. Directors, group of ten men. (filed with Argentum)

City Credit Union (Tacoma);

Elegant, but simple, interior of the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association building. Elaborate grill work and Art Deco-style ceiling light fixtures. Free-standing panels display house plans.

Banks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma);

On Sunday, August 17, 1941, National Bank of Washington employees traded in their business suits for more casual wear at the annual company picnic held at Benbow Lakes Resort in Kapowsin. One of the big events of the day was a three legged race; paired up boy-girl and fastened together at the leg, the groups made their way across the grass. Benbow Resort was located 20 miles from Tacoma on Tanwax Lake. The resort offered fishing, boating, swimming, dancing, tennis, basketball, horses and picnic facilities for 3,000.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--People; Three-legged racing; Picnics--1940-1950; Benbow Lakes Resort (Kapowsin);

1941 exterior view of National Bank of Washington. Sandstone building for National Bank of Tacoma by Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects, 1920. Thirty years later in 1971, the Tacoma Art Museum moved into the former bank building.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Puget Sound National Bank, interior work area.

Business Enterprises - Financial Institutions - Banks - Tacoma - Puget Sound National Bank

Interior of Puget Sound National Bank, view of lobby, defense poster on column.

Business Enterprises - Financial Institutions - Banks - Tacoma - Puget Sound National Bank

The 45th Annual convention of the Washington Bankers Association was held June 13th and 14th, 1940 at the Hotel Winthrop. Harry Cain, newly elected Tacoma Mayor on right, is presenting a loving cup to an unidentified man. On the left is Robert M. Hanes, president of the American Bankers Association.

Bankers; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Washington Bankers Association (Tacoma); Hanes, Robert M.;

The money men are singing a chorus at the Tacoma Club dinner hosted by S.M. Jackson on June 12, 1940. The dinner is the kick off for the 45th Annual convention of the Washington Bankers Association, held June 13th and 14th, 1940 at the Hotel Winthrop. Over 400 bankers from Washington state and national affiliates were in attendance. Third from left in the picture is J.H. Miner of Seattle, president of the state Bankers Association. To the far right are Robert M. Hanes of Winston-Salem, S.C., president of the American Bankers Association and S.M. Jackson, chairman of the board of National Bank. The major business of the convention, beyond election of officers, was to pass a resolution urging "active material aid to the Allied cause" and calling for an "aggressive program of preparedness" at home. (T. Times 6/13/1940, pg. 1)

Bankers; Singing; Jackson, Samuel M.; Washington Bankers Association (Tacoma); Miner, J.H.; Hanes, Robert M.; Tacoma Club (Tacoma);

Tulip display in lobby of National Bank of Washington. Building designed by Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects, 1920.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Tulips;

Two unidentified young women handed out free apples at the National Bank of Washington, 1123 Pacific Ave., on Saturday November 4, 1939, which had been designated "Apple Day" by Mayor Joseph J. Kaufman. In the fall of 1939, the war in Europe had almost completely stopped sales of Washington state apples to overseas markets. November was declared "Apple Month"; all retailers were asked to display apples, and Tacoma residents were asked to consume apple pies, applesauce, baked apples and other apple treats as part of their daily diet. (T. Times 11/2/1939, pg. 18)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Apples;

North Pacific Bank is one of the oldest banks in Tacoma, beginning operations in 1906. They offered general banking services, safe deposit vaults and had capital, surplus, reserves and undivided profits totaling over $500,000. North Pacific Bank was a member of the Federal Deposit Finance Corporation. In 1947 Peter Wallerich was the bank president and B. M. Wallerich, George O. Weller and Bert R. Magnuson were vice presidents. Exterior view of bank building, customers are standing outside the bank located at the corner of South 54th and South Tacoma Way.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; North Pacific Bank (Tacoma);

National Bank of Washington, building exterior, for sign purposes. Shot from across Pacific Avenue, the National Bank of Washington is shown on the corner of 12th and Pacific. This building would later house the Tacoma Art Museum through the year 2000. Puget Sound National Bank Building is next door on Pacific Avenue and the Federal Building is behind on the right.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma);

Progress photograph of quonset hut construction in the K Street shopping area. Puget Sound National Bank was providing temporary quarters for their K Street Branch while a new building was constructed. Ordered by Condon Company.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Progress photographs;

Puget Sound National Bank opened temporary quarters on L Street between 11th and 12th Streets June 25, 1951 in two quonset huts. Although architectural plans had already been drawn up for a permanent bulding, construction was delayed due to national defense building restrictions. Rene Odin, the bank's president, determined that a temporary building should be built to fill the demand for local services from K Street merchants and residents. The permanent building was eventually built at 1120 So. 11th Street. Odlin. Ordered by Condon Company, Roscoe Smith. (TNT, 6/20/1951, p.3)

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Progress photographs;

Central Bank held an open house for their new K Street branch at the corner of K Street and South 12th January 25, 1952. This view shows the staff at the new branch with seven women standing behind five men seated in the front. P.W. Bourgaize, president of Central Bank, is seated in the middle. Central Bank opened for business on March 9, 1925, at the corner of 6th Avenue and Pine Street. The growth of Central Bank, leading to the extension of its banking facilities to the K Street district, is shown by the consistent rise of its assets, from $654,156.43 at the end of 1939 to $4,996,978.81 at the close of 1951. (TNT, 1/24/1952, p.9)

Bankers--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma; Central Bank (Tacoma)--People; Central Bank (Tacoma); Bourgaize, P.W.;

Merry-go-round at Bank of California, also showing a neon sign. Tacoma Savings and Loan.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Open house at New Central Bank on K Street. Door to bank vault.

Business Enterprises - Financial Institutions - Banks - Tacoma - Central Bank

Progress photographs on construction of Puget Sound National Bank's temporary Lakewood Branch. A crew of 25 men finished the construction job for the temporary quarters of Puget Sound National Bank near Lakewood Center in 10 working days. The new branch opened March 24, 1952, just 28 days from the time the foundations were laid. Faced with a rapidly increasing population in the area and a growing need for modern branch banking facilities, bank officials made a quick decision to build a new bank and build it now. (TNT, 3/9/1952, p.C-12)

Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood; Building construction--Lakewood--1950-1960;