ca. 1953. Bank of teller stations at the permanent Puget Sound National Bank, Lakewood branch. The main lobby had walnut panelling and recessed fluorescent lighting. It was arranged for the comfort of the banking customer. A counter on the left side of the picture supplies forms and writing space for the customer. Designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards, the facility was both elegant and practical. (TNT 10/20/1953, pg. C-9)

Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood;

New Puget Sound Bank at Lakewood, ordered by the Condon Co. The handsome permanent building was located in the Lakewood Center, facing Mt. Tacoma Dr. S.W. The elegant building had walnut panelling the the lobby, a customer's lounge with a fireplace off the main lobby, an employee's lounge that also had a fireplace and piped-in music. Lakewood's deposits by the end of 1953 were in excess of $3.1 million. (TNT 9/6/1953, pg A-10, "Banking on Independence," by Barry Provorse.)

Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood;

Remodeled departments at the Bank of California. This is the women's lounge. Two women share a conversation as they smoke in the seating area, while two women converse as one checks her makeup in the mirror in the vanity area. Several ashtrays are available in the seating area, as public smoking was not only tolerated but expected in the fifties.

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

Remodeled departments at the Bank of California. This appears to be the accounting department. Some young women run long strips of figures on what appear to be large adding machines. Other women check receipts at a high counter.The women are dressed in working attire, dresses, suits or skirts and blouses.

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

A row of Bank of California employees is hard at work on March 10, 1954. Each employee is sitting at a wide metallic desk equipped with seven drawers. This may be the bookkeeping section of the bank; several desks have adding machines on them. Large windows give plenty of natural light; each desk also has a narrow lamp. The man on the far left of the picture may be Frank Busch, as the nameplate on the lamp indicates. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Office Supply.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Calculators; Office equipment & supplies; Lamps; Tacoma Office Supply Co. (Tacoma);

Charles McCallum, manager, Puget Sound National Bank, Lakewood branch. McCallum had been with the bank for 16 years and came to Lakewood the previous Spring to serve as manager of the temporary bank. Puget Sound Bank's philosophy was to name branch managers who were capable of running their operations profitably and were personable enough to attract customers. Their power was the equivalent of vice presidents at the Main Office and the bank aimed for managerial continuity at the branches. (TNT 10/20/1953, pg. C-3 & "Banking on Independence" by Provorse)

Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood; McCallum, Charles;

Exteriors of United Mutual Savings Bank, 125 So. 11th, and Household Finance Corp., 117 So. 11th. United Mutual Savings advertised itself as Tacoma's only insured savings bank and HFC, as the name indicates, made loans. The building is classical in design, with its symmetrical facade and carved columns.

United Mutual Savings Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Household Finance Corp. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association; drilling at site of the new savings and loan association. Raymond T. Winden, left, vice president of the association, inspects the drilling on a vacant lot at 9th and A St., the future site of the association's downtown headquarters. Built across the street from the bank's old headquarters, the new building would be modern in appearance and built of aluminum and glass with black granite trim. An exploratory hole is being drilled in hopes of finding enough water to operate the proposed air conditioning system. Called "reverse-cycle" air conditioning, the process pumps water up from far below ground to both heat and cool the building. The association building would be the first downtown to use this process, also used in the Public Utilities building. (TNT 4/5/1956, pg. A-13)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Drilling--Tacoma; Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Drilling & boring machinery; Winden, Raymond T.;

Tacoma Savings and Loan, new building. The steel framework is going up for the new savings and loan headquarters, built across the street from their historic original office in the Bowes building. The new building would be a modern edifice of glass and aluminum. The first floor would house customer service, insurance department, offices for departments, safe deposit vault and safe deposit boxes. The mezzanine reached by the spiral staircase houses offices, conference room and record vault. A community room for meetings was located in the Basement, which also included the microfilm room, supply storage and employees' lounge.

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The steel framework rises for the new Tacoma Savings and Loan Association building. When completed, the building would consist of a basement, main floor and mezzanine, with a structure that could support two additional floors when needed. It would have luminous ceilings acoustically treated for sound absorption, indirect lighting and electrically operated fiberglass drapes, 22 feet long from floor to ceiling. (TNT 6/27/1957)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Studio portrait of C.T. Chandler, vice-president of National Bank of Washington. Chandler was elected Vice president of Transamerica and would be taking up his new duties in San Francisco in February of 1955. He would be heading up a new department set up by Transamerica to consolidate the activities of several branch banking systems. Chandler joined the National Bank of Washington October 1, 1938 as assistant vice president, coming from San Pedro, California. (TNT 1/5/1955, pg. 18)

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bankers--Tacoma; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--People; Chandler, C.T.;

When erected in 1910, Puget Sound National Bank's main branch was the tallest building west of the Missouri River. Later buildings were constructed to rival the bank's height but it remained a focal point on Pacific Avenue. It dwarfed its neighbors, Peoples store and the National Bank of Washington. A large plaque on the side of the building indicates that the bank was established in 1890. Puget Sound Bank was the first to use a T & T sign, clearly visible, which gave the time and temperature to passersby. A "hometown bank," Puget Sound National Bank was absorbed by Key Bank in the early 1990's. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co. TPL-6569

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

Bright lighting and wall mirrors make this room in the Bank of California appear larger than it probably was. It is likely that this room was used as an addition to the bank's safe-deposit vault location. The small cubbyholes with separate doors and locks were probably available for bank customers who wished to examine the contents of their boxes in complete privacy. Photograph ordered by Bank of California.

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

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;

The main lobby of the Bank of California is empty at the moment on November 20, 1968. The bank had undergone an extensive face-lift beginning in the summer of 1968 but had arranged that only one area of the bank would be affected at a time. Employees continued to work during the remodeling process delivering customary service to their patrons. This view is of the saving accounts area on the north side of the building. New 8-foot chandeliers with Belgian glass globes hung from the 45-foot ceiling in the banking hall. In addition, recessed fluorescent lighting in the ceiling improved the lighting in the bank. Photograph ordered by the Bank of California. (TNT full-page ads 12-10-68, p. 10, 11; TNT 12-10-68, p. 39)

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

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;

This room in the remodeled Bank of California may have been used for bank staff primarily. It does contain a steel vault and a U-shaped desk with telephone and typewriter. The room overlooks an office area with filing cabinets against the wall. Photograph ordered by the Bank of California.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma;

Richards stock file. Six years after construction of the new Tacoma Savings & Loan Association building at So. 9th & A Sts., work was begun in January, 1963, on expanding much needed parking for the facility. Shovels and cranes have already peeled away part of the building exposing brickwork. One passerby has paused to watch the machinery in action. Tacoma Savings & Loan had acquired the building at 816 A St. formerly occupied by Fuel Oil Service with the intention of demolishing the building to provide more parking space. The $50,000 project was headed by the architectural firm of Lea, Pearson and Richards who had designed the present Tacoma Savings & Loan building. (TNT 1-16-63, A-9)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Construction--Tacoma--1960-1970;

National Bank of Washington main locations at 12th & Pacific Avenue. The National Bank of Washington had three buildings plus a parking lot in the vicinity of 12th & Pacific in downtown Tacoma in 1963. Building on the left is the original bank built in 1921 in the Italian Renaissance style. Across the street is the bank annex while the motor bank, built in 1960 with its 40-car parking lot, is directly behind.

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

Main branch of the National Bank of Washington. Built in 1921 in the Italian Renaissance style and constructed of Wilkeson sandstone, the National Bank of Washington occupied a prominent location at 12th & Pacific. By 1963, the bank had both an annex and motor bank located nearby. Serving Washingtonians since 1885, National Bank of Washington had fourteen convenient offices in the Tacoma area and a total of 32 banking offices in the state. TPL-9205

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

Janette Dunmire and her sons Mark and Christopher are pictured walking toward the Parkland branch of Puget Sound National Bank on a late December, 1963, day. The branch was located at 122th & Pacific Ave. According to the 1963 City Directory, it was headed by Assistant Cashier Melvern W. Eagan. Mrs. Dunmire was the wife of Ken Dunmire, a photographer on the staff of Richards Studio from 1955-1964. Photograph ordered by Cole & Weber Advertising for insertion in Puget Sound National Bank's annual report. It was also used in advertising promoting the new branch of the bank. The building is now a florist shop. (photo identification supplied by Ken Dunmire)

Puget Sound National Bank (Parkland); Banks--Parkland; Dunmire, Ken--Family;

In May of 1964, construction was well under way on the distinctive new branch of the National Bank of Washington being built at 4301 South Steele Street, close to the new Tacoma Mall. The 7,000 square foot, circular building was designed by Tacoma architects Lea, Pearson & Richards. Its massive, curved concrete vault area was completed as was the framing for the roof and walls. Once completed, the marble exterior would contain large areas of glass and trim. (TNT 7-07-63, A-1) Photograph ordered by National Blower & Sheet Metal Co.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1960-1970; Progress photographs;

Publicity photograph for Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. Chairman of the Board Gerrit VanderEnde, at end of the table, and Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. department heads pose for a group portrait on July 21, 1964, in the firm's boardroom. All seem prepared with folders for the meeting. There are four women in the group, perhaps noting the rise of women in management positions. Photograph ordered by Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Bankers--Tacoma--1960-1970; VanderEnde, Gerrit;

ca. 1964. National Bank of Washington's Tacoma Mall branch under construction. Passersby stop to watch as the new Tacoma Mall branch of the National Bank of Washington nears completion in the summer of 1964. The circular building with its wall-to-ceiling glass windows and marble exterior would provide to be an arresting sight. Landscaping would be added later around the perimeters of the bank. The bank would take out several full page ads inviting the public to a "bankwarming" and ribbon-cutting ceremonies on August 8, 1964. 100 people would be asked to cut the 350 foot ribbon. Branch manager Howard Walters and his staff would provide tours of the new facility. Photograph ordered by the National Bank of Washington. (TNT Ad 8-7-64, p. 3)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Although the street sign states "S. 11th St." and "Commerce," the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association's new building was actually on Pacific Ave. close to the Puget Sound National Bank. It would have a grand opening in September, 1964. View of busy intersection with people waiting to cross the street and also admiring the new bronze fountain, shaped like a lily, which was recently installed by artist George Tsutakawa. Ten years later, the fountain would be moved to Pacific First Federal's new Lakewood branch near the Villa Plaza and replaced by a "dandelion" fountain. Photograph ordered by Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association employees were shown hard at work monitoring the Univac 490 Real Time System equipment on August 31, 1964. The Univac 490 was a 30-bit word core memory machine with 16K or 32K words and a 4.8 microsec cycle time. It was manufactured by the Remington Rand Univac Division of Sperry Rand Corporation. (http: //encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/UNIVAC%20490) Photograph ordered by the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Computers;

Close-up of bronze fountain designed by George Tsutakawa of Seattle for Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association's new building at 1102-08 Pacific Ave. Shaped in the graceful form of a lily, the fountain was installed in time for Pacific First Federal's grand opening in late September, 1964. Careful placement of shrubs and benches made this courtyard a peaceful place in which to reflect. Japanese cherry and Japanese pine, cut maple, azales and rhododendrons were all installed by landscape architects Chaffee-Zumwalt. Photograph ordered by Lea, Pearson & Richards, architects.

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

Puget Sound National Bank, Lakewood branch. As the fifties dawned, so did urban flight. All of the necessities of life began to be available outside of the city core, and the banks followed suit. Puget Sound first build a temporary branch adjacent to the Lakewood Center that took in 2 million in deposits by the end of its first year. On October 5, 1953, this permanent facility opened in an elegant building that included two fireplaces and piped in music. ("Banking on Independence" by Provorse)

Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood;

A large Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan sign tilts dramatically as it is being removed from its Pacific Ave. location on January 30, 1967. Two large cranes block part of the roadway while workers stare at the proceedings. Hunt's Office Supply is next door; Security Building in the distance. This same sign was photographed on June 30, 1958, prior to its erection at the savings & loan. (See D115285-12) The savings & loan had decided that they had outgrown their 40-year-old name and therefore sponsored a contest to let the public pick the new name. Prizes included a weekend at the Winthrop Hotel, free dinners, a limo ride, receipt of income on $1,000,000 for five days at 5% annual rate; entries were to be postmarked by 3-31-67. The new name, Lifetime Federal Savings & Loan Association, was announced in an ad in the June 15, 1967, News Tribune. Ralph H. Clawson of Tacoma was the first prize winner. Mrs. Janet A. Pierce of Tacoma and Gertrude Olinghouse of Sumner were the 2nd and 3rd prize winners. Photograph ordered by Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan. (TNT 2-2-67, D-3, TNT 6-15-67, A-4)

Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery; Hunt's Office Supply (Tacoma);

Exterior view of Bank of Tacoma's Lakewood branch. The Lakewood branch of the Bank of Tacoma celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday, March 21, 1967. Located at 9919 Bridgeport Way, it was managed by Joe Pelky. The bank's name and logo are prominently displayed outside the modern structure. Photograph ordered by the Bank of Tacoma. (TNT ad 3-20-67, p. 15)

Bank of Tacoma (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood;