Washington Mutual Savings Bank building. Washington Mutual Savings Bank entered the Pierce County market by establishing a branch at Sixth & Mildred in December of 1972. Local architect Robert Billsbrough Price designed the single story building using a new brickwork technique. Rather than having individual bricks laid in place by hand, Mr. Price decided to have entire brick walls and column piers prefabricated, cut to fit and later erected on the foundation. Space would also be allowed for a 44-car parking lot. Fitzpatrick-McIntyre were the general contractors of the $750,000 project. Photograph ordered by Washington Mutual Savings Bank. (TNT 7-23-72, D-8 -article on plans; TNT 12-12-72, p. 36-article on opening)

Washington Mutual Savings Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Interior view of Seattle-First National Bank Highland Hills branch, taken on day of bank dedication, December 9, 1972. The bank has yet to open formally for business but this is the view that customers would see when they walked through the large glass doors of the contemporary designed bank. There is a feeling of openness with the lack of cubicles or cages and the use of "natural" earthtones in the decor. Sea-First had moved its Sixth Ave. branch from Sixth & "L" to the Highland Hills area on Sixth. There would be 3,720 sq. feet of bank space in the brick and cedar building. Color photograph ordered by Seattle-First National Bank. (TNT 4-30-72, D-12- article on new bank plans)

Banks--Tacoma; Seattle-First National Bank (Tacoma); Building dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980;

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);

The Stadium branch of United Mutual Savings Bank would celebrate its grand opening on June 26, 1972. Free Elgin watches would be given out to depositers of fifty or more dollars. The chalet-styled bank building was located at North 1st and Tacoma Avenue North. Photograph ordered by United Mutual Savings Bank. (TNT Ad 6-25-72, A-16)

United Mutual Savings Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

Branch managers of the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association met at the Main office on February 18, 1972, to have their annual photograph taken in the courtyard. Gerrit VanderEnde (seated third from left) had just retired as chairman of the board. He had come to Tacoma in 1948 to serve as president of Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan. Mr. VanderEnde had previously been president of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco and also been the city manager of Berkeley, California. Deposits were $42 million when Mr. VanderEnde first arrived; in 1972, deposits had skyrocked to more than $565 million. Pacific First Federal had become the 20th largest savings & loan in the country. It now had ten branches and two loan offices in Washington and Oregon. H. Dewayne Kreager, president, (believed to be seated in dark suit next to Mr. VanderEnde) would remain as president and also become chairman of the board. Mr. VanderEnde would continue as director and as chairman of the board's executive committee. (TNT 2-6-72, D-11 article; TNT 2-9-72, D-11 article) Color photograph ordered by Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association.

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

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;

The third War Bond Drive opened on September 9, 1943. People of Tacoma and Pierce County were asked to purchase $19,000,000 in bonds during the drive. It didn't take long for the first million dollars in bonds to be sold. Tacoma Savings & Loan Association bought a block of $1,000,000 of U.S. bonds on September 13, 1943. Shown above are War Bond Drive representatives and officials of the savings & loan: (L-R) general campaign manager for Pierce County Hugo Ferber, vice-president & general manager of Tacoma Savings & Loan Association A.W. Winden, president of the association Alfred Lister, and chairman of the banks/industrial section of the campaign committee Doyle Watt. Association officials commented on the safety of the bonds and urged that the more money invested in war bonds, the quicker the victory over the enemy. (TNT 9-9-43, p. 1, TNT 9-13-43, p. 11)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Ferber, Hugo; Winden, A.W.; Lister, Alfred; Watt, Doyle;

It was a brisk 49 degrees in April 1971 when this photograph of the National Realty Building, then Puget Sound National Bank, was taken from a building across the street. The building was sandwiched between Peoples department store and the National Bank of Washington (later home to the Tacoma Art Museum). The landmark structure, with its familiar spire, was at one time the tallest building on the West Coast, and the first built to withstand earthquakes. Puget Sound National Bank, established in 1890, would promote itself as an independent, "hometown" bank. It would merge with Key Bank in 1993. Photograph ordered by De Vac, Minneapolis, MN.

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Peoples (Tacoma);

Bank of Washington Plaza Building. The staff and management of Pacific National Bank of Washington stand before the brand new 24-story Bank of Washington Plaza tower in late December of 1970. Although the building would not be formally dedicated until January 9, 1971, staff had already moved into their new home. The Pacific National Bank of Washington was created in 1970 with the merger of Tacoma's National Bank of Washington, who had begun construction of the plaza, and Seattle's Pacific National Bank. This photograph was used for a full page ad in the News Tribune on January 7, 1971, inviting one and all to attend the official dedication of the new skyscraper in two days. The address listed for the plaza was One Washington Plaza. Photograph ordered by Pacific National Bank of Washington. (TNT ad 1-7-71, D-1)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Pacific National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

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;

On October 13, 1970 a photographer from the Richards Studio leaned out of an unfinished window of the Bank of Washington building at 1201-23 Pacific Avenue and captured this abstract image of the plaza below. The spiral at top center is the unfinished staircase that when completed would lead to the fountain, restaurant and shops that were planned for the lower level of the plaza. The small circles that surround half of the spiral were designated to hold trees. On the lower edge, two men are working on a scaffold suspended from the side of the building. The plaza became Wells Fargo Plaza in 1997. (Photograph ordered by Labor Advocate Publishing Co.) TPL-9547

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma; Stairways--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Bank of Washington Plaza. Towering over its neighbors is the new Bank of Washington Plaza on 12th & Pacific in downtown Tacoma. The National Bank of Washington and Pacific National Bank had merged effective August 16, 1970. The bank's new name was the Pacific National Bank of Washington with headquarters in Seattle. The Tacoma headquarters would remain in the 24-story plaza tower shown above. Goodwin Chase, former Chrm. of the Board of (National) Bank of Washington, became the president of the consolidated bank. The highest tenant level of the Bank of Washington Plaza tower was actually the 22nd floor with air conditioning units and other service facilities on levels above. View of the Bank of Washington Plaza taken on February 23, 1971. Occupants peering through the nearly 2000 solar bronze windows would have sweeping views of Mount Rainier and the Tacoma landscape. Photograph ordered by Lennen & Newell-Pacific. (TNT 5-17-70, p. 1- article; TNT 8-17-70, p. 30 -article)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Pacific National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

Bank of Washington Plaza. Diners are pictured leaving the new O'Brien's restaurant located below street level in the Bank of Washington Plaza complex on February 23, 1971. People could use the large curving staircase to journey from the tower building to the restaurant and shops located beneath. A large circular fountain added to the peaceful view. Photograph ordered by Lennen & Newell-Pacific.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma; Stairways--Tacoma--1970-1980; O'Brien's Restaurant (Tacoma);

Modern barber shop in the Bank of Washington Plaza. Portraits of four presidents overlook the customers of this modern barber shop in February of 1971. Walls are painted with bold stripes and checkered linoleum is found in the shop's work areas. A man reads a newspaper while he is waiting for his hair to be cut. Photograph ordered by Lennen & Newell-Pacific.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Pacific National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Barbershops--Tacoma; Barbers--Tacoma;

Circular fountain at the Bank of Washington Plaza. Diners at the new O'Brien's restaurant have a lovely view of the large fountain and courtyard outside their floor-to-ceiling windows. A spiral staircase leads from the street level down to the fountain and restaurant. The fountain is illuminated at night. Photograph ordered by Lennen & Newell-Pacific. (TNT 11-1-70-, A-16 - Emily Walker column)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Pacific National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma; O'Brien's Restaurant (Tacoma);

Unidentified executive enjoying view of the Tacoma tideflats from his office in the new Bank of Washington Plaza on February 23, 1971. His desk is placed next to one of the many bronze windows of the 24-story tower. Photograph ordered by Lennen & Newell-Pacific.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Windows--Tacoma--1970-1980;

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;

Seattle-First National Bank established itself in Tacoma with its purchase of the Bank of Tacoma's four branches. December 1, 1969, was Seattle-First's first day in town. Pictured above are staff members of the South Tacoma branch, 5813 South Tacoma Way, with Joseph H. Blissenbach continuing as branch manager. This branch had been the original main office of the (then) South Tacoma State Bank. The Bank of Tacoma had only been in business since 1963; its president and board of directors would assume roles in the Seattle-First organization. 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;

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;

Lakewood Summer Festival princess Jana Oglesbee grabs a winning entry at the United Mutual Savings Bank's grand opening of their Lakewood community branch on November 10, 1969. Although the branch officially opened on November 1st, November 10th was selected as the date of the prize drawings. First prize was an 18" portable Admiral color TV; a Polaroid color camera was awarded as the second prize and a short wave radio given away as third prize. Robert E. Kahle was the branch manager in charge of a staff of three full-time employees. Photograph ordered by United Mutual Savings Bank. (TNT 10-29-69, D-15; TNT Ad 10-31-69, C-1)

United Mutual Savings Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Awards; Oglesbee, Jana;

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;

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 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;

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);

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building at night. The ultra-modern Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building shines brightly into the night in January in 1970. Sheer glass walls and modern fixtures have replaced the massive ornate original structure. The venerable Bernice Building next door was also demolished to create a much larger Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building in 1964. Photograph ordered by Jewel Electric Products. TPL-5668

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1960-1970;

VIP party. The massive banking hall of the Bank of California was filled with people on January 18, 1969, as they enjoyed cocktails and catered buffet dining. The Bank of California had recently concluded a month of celebration regarding the extensive remodeling of the 1928-era building. Photograph ordered by the Bank of California.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Receptions--Tacoma--1960-1970;

A cheerful Bank of California employee is ready to welcome visitors to the bank's grand reopening on December 11, 1968, as extensive remodeling has finally concluded. She is perched on the edge of a desk with two winged angel statues before her. The bank was offering free gifts to those opening new accounts or adding to previous ones. Gifts were prominently displayed on the pegboard behind her. Photograph ordered by the Bank of California.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

Bank of California grand reopening. Bank of California manager Howard O. Scott (L) shares ribbon-cutting duties with two unidentified men on December 11, 1968. The bank had just concluded a massive remodeling project at its facility on Pacific Avenue and would mark the occasion with a one-month celebration from December 11th to January 10, 1969. The Bank of California had been in its Italian Renaissance-styled home at 1011-13 Pacific Avenue since 1928. Photograph ordered by the Bank of California.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Building dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Scott, Howard O.; Scissors & shears;

Bank of California grand reopening. A grand celebration would be held from December 11, 1968 to January 10, 1969, in the newly remodeled Bank of California building, 1011-13 Pacific Avenue. Customers and staff mingled in the banking hall on the first day of the celebration, enjoying refreshments and conducting business. New 8-foot chandeliers with Belgian glass globes would hang in the main lobby along with several side lights visible in the above December 11th photograph. Improvements to the bank would include a new drive-up teller window, walk-up teller window, two-level customer parking lot, static-free carpeting, improved lighting and expanded customer conference areas. The Bank of California was managed by Howard O. Scott. Photograph ordered by the Bank of California. (TNT full page ads 12-10-68, p. 10, 11; TNT article 12-10-68, p. 39)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

Pacific Lutheran University's Choir of the West performs at the Bank of California. Bringing cheer to customers and staff alike, the Choir of the West made its seventh annual appearance in the Bank of California's grand lobby on December 17, 1968. Business was conducted as usual with the addition of the choir's songs and refreshments offered. Directed by Maurice H. Skones, the Choir of the West also performed in concerts at McNeil Island and Fort Lewis. Photograph ordered by the Bank of California.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Choirs (Music); Choir of the West (Parkland); Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970; Christmas trees--Tacoma;