The Tacoma Savings & Loan Association invited local residents to attend an "Open House" on June 28, 1957, celebrating the completion of its new headquarters at 101 So. 9th St., across the street from its former location in the Bowes Building. The new building was a marvel of wall-to-wall insulating plate glass and featured a semi-circular open staircase that reached from the basement to the mezzanine level. The savings & loan also incorporated the "old" into their new headquarters; scenes of Tacoma's past were captured in enlarged photographs and mounted for display. View of visitors admiring a photograph of the horse and trolley days on 11th & Pacific. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Savings & Loan Association.

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Celebrations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Art exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

ca. 1958. Exterior view of a newly constructed Pacific 1st Federal Savings building located in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center. A large outdoor clock would be later mounted above the lower roof extension. The financial institution opened their Villa Plaza branch on January 2, 1958. The 2000+ sq. foot structure had an exterior of pre-cast marble Mosaic and large roof-to-ground windows. It was designed by Tacoma architects Lea, Pearson & Richards. Pacific 1st Federal was the largest savings & loan in the Pacific Northwest with offices in Washington and Oregon. It served more than 57,000 families. Rudolph J. Tollefson of the well-known Tacoma family of Tollefsons was the first branch manager at the Villa Plaza location. He had been with Pacific 1st Federal since 1935. (TNT 1-2-58, A-6-text only)

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

On April 22, 1941, C.F. Trendall (Chen) Rowe and his wife, the former Evangeline Acheson, pose with the tulips on display by their company, Tacoma Seed Co., at the Bank of California. The 14th annual flower exhibit is composed of over 50 varieties of tulips. (T. Times 4/23/1941, pg. 12)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Rowe, Charles Frederick Trendall; Acheson, Evangeline; Tacoma Seed Co. (Tacoma);

A new exterior sign for Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan has just been delivered to the building site on Pacific Avenue early on June 30, 1958. The Sunnen crane is in the process of lifting the sign from the truck bed in preparation of its erection. Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan was located at 1007 Pacific Avenue, flush between the Bank of California and Hunt's Office Supply. The W.H. Opie Co. can be spotted at the corner with the Security Building across the street. Photograph ordered by Cappy Ricks & Associates, Seattle.

Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hoisting machinery;

Two employees of Sunnen Auto Freight & Heavy Hauling Co. steady the enormous vertical sign for the Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan Assn. on June 30, 1958. A portable crane has lifted the sign in preparation for its erection. In order not to cause a traffic hazard, the work was accomplished at 6 o'clock in the morning. Photograph ordered by Cappy Ricks & Associates, Seattle.

Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hoisting machinery;

A Sunnen crane carefully lifts a new Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan exterior sign into place early in the morning on June 30, 1958. The tall vertical structure has three separate horizontal signs welded a few feet apart. Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan was located on Pacific Avenue between the Bank of California and Hunt's Office Supply. The building was constructed in 1888; it had been remodeled in 1954. Deposits were now federally insured up to $10,000. Photograph ordered by Cappy Ricks & Associates, Seattle.

Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan (Tacoma);Banks--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hoisting machinery;

Even at 6 o'clock in the morning, cranes plus electric signs still equaled a fascinating draw for spectators. Military personnel are among those viewing the erection of a new Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan sign on the edge of the narrow building. The savings & loan was located between Hunt's Office Supply and the Bank of California on Pacific Avenue. A large sign on the side of the building indicated that a 3 1/2% dividend was paid currently on accounts with savings federally insured up to $10,000. Photograph ordered by Cappy Ricks & Associates, Seattle.

Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Hoisting machinery;

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);

Group portrait at the National Bank of Washington annual company picnic held at Benbow Lake on Sunday August 17, 1941. Benbow Lakes Resort was located on Tanwax Lake, about 20 miles from Tacoma.

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

ca. 1959. Reno Odlin, shown with Puget Sound Bank visitor Mrs. Wesley Clark from Fox Island, and the bank's new leased computer, the IBM 305 RAMAC (Random Access Memory Accounting Computer.) In 1959, Puget Sound Bank became the first bank in Washington and the second on the west coast to use computers. The IBM 305 and, because of the computer's 3,000 heat generating tubes, a new air conditioner were installed in the bank's basement. The computer used punch cards and it was able to process about 70 checks a minute, making it too slow for the larger banks to use. The selection and integration of the computer were the project of Senior Vice president Robert Gordon. The most unique feature of the computer was its magnetic memory file which looked like a vertical stack of 50 large metal disks the size of phonograph records. The disks rotated on a steel axle at a rate of 1,200 revolutions per minute. ("Banking on Independence" Provorse, pg. 110+, TNT 7/9/1959, pg. C-3)

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Computers--1950-1960; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Clark, Wesley--Family;

The grand opening of the National Bank of Washington Ft. Lewis Branch. Keys are being exchanged to the new bank. The bank was located on the base at the corner of Pendleton Ave. and No. 12th St. W.E. Roberts was the Manager of the new bank. The ultramodern structure was built for $130,000. It was 8,000 square feet, two times as large as the previous facility, which was built in 1932 and had been enlarged 4 times. (TNT 7/19/1959, PG. B-4)

National Bank of Washington (Fort Lewis); Banks--Fort Lewis; Banking--Fort Lewis; Fort Lewis (Wash.);

No, it's not a run on the bank; these people are waiting in line at the "Bank warming" Saturday January 23, 1960 for the Westgate branch of the National Bank of Washington. They are lined up all the way down the side of the building to view the branch bank designed to serve the growing suburban communities of University Place and the North End. The Open House offered potential customers an opportunity to go "behind the scenes" to see modern banking equipment in action. Souvenirs, prizes and refreshments were also offered. (TNT 1/21/1960, pg. 8-9)

National Bank of Washington, Westgate Branch (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The "Bankwarming" for the new Westgate branch of the National Bank of Washington, was held on Saturday, January 23, 1960 from 1-5 p.m. The "L" shaped building was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards. It had a total square footage of 5,400 sq ft. and was built of concrete finished in off-white zolotone. Laminated beams in driftwood gray extended to provide an overhang, giving covered protection for customers. Prizes, refreshments and a chance to go "behind the scenes" lured a huge crowd on this gray day. (TNT 1/21/1960, pg. 8-9)

National Bank of Washington, Westgate Branch (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Temporary quarters for the Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan in Sumner would be this 50' house trailer until a permanent building could be constructed at the corner of Alder & Maple Sts. Tacoma architects Lea, Pearson & Richards would be commissioned to design the 1600 square foot permanent structure. Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan had been in business since 1925. On December 2, 1960, Edwin G. Cook III, manager, is photographed just prior to entering the bank. The Sumner branch would hold its open house in its new building on May 5, 1961. Photograph ordered by Cappy Ricks & Associates, Seattle. (TNT 10-12-60, C-12, TNT 5-3-61, A-18)

Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan (Sumner); Banks--Sumner; Trailers--Sumner; Signs (Notices); Cook, Edwin G.;

The Tacoma home office executives of the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association hosted a luncheon on December 17, 1942 at the Tacoma Club for Ormond E. Loomis, Administrative Assistant to the Commissioner of the Federal Home Loan Bank System in Washington, D.C. Executives from Portland, Eugene, Bellingham, Seattle and Tacoma were on hand to confer with Loomis. Pictured left to right are, seated: B.E. Buckmaster, Tacoma President PFF, Loomis and C.E. Buckley, Vice President. Standing, left to right, Ivan Graybell (Portland), A.M. Banks (Bellingham), Chester Starks (Seattle), Roy E. Davison, Louis E. Larson and Frank Cashman (Eugene). (T. Times 6/18/1942,pg. 10-picture)

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Buckmaster, B.E.; Loomis, Ormond E.; Buckley, C.E.; Davison, Roy E; Larson, Louis E.;

On June 17,1942, the executives of the Tacoma office of Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan held a luncheon for Ormond E. Loomis, administration assistant to the Commisioner of the Federal Home Loan Banks System, Washington D.C. Seated around a table conferring with Loomis are, left to right, A.M. Banks (Bellingham), Frank Cashman (Eugene), Ivan Graybell (Portland), Roy E. Davison, Chester Starks (Seattle), B.E. Buckmaster, Louis E. Larson, Ormand E. Loomis, and C.E. Buckley. (T. Times 6/18/1942, pg. 10)

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Buckmaster, B.E.; Loomis, Ormond E.; Buckley, C.E.; Davison, Roy E; Larson, Louis E.;

Two women on May 4, 1962, admire display of artwork hung in the new National Bank of Washington located in the Villa Plaza. The woman with her hand on the picture frame is local artist Gertrud DuBrau Kogler. Mrs. Kogler, a native of Germany, was the exhibit chairman of the Lakewood Artists. She was a prolific painter whose work varied from still life, impressionistic and abstract. The paintings on display at the Bank of Washington probably included her artwork. The bank would be celebrating its grand opening that same week.

National Bank of Washington (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Paintings; Kogler, Gertrud DuBrau; Artists--Lakewood; Paintings;

Interior of Broadway Branch, Puget Sound National Bank. View of vault..

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Vaults (Strong rooms);

Interior of Broadway Branch, Puget Sound National Bank. View of vault.

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Vaults (Strong rooms);

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;

In 1963 United Mutual Savings Bank advertised that it was "Tacoma's ONLY Savings Bank." The above photograph is United Mutual's No. 26th & Madison branch, one of three in the city. Designed by architects Harris, Reed & Wilson, the new branch had a circular floor plan. The bank was mushroom-shaped with the upper story overhanging the lower. It would be holding an open house on Saturday, June 29, 1963, to become acquainted with its new northend neighbors. Photograph ordered by Gardner Advertising Agency. (TNT 6-28-63, p. 14)

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

National Bank of Washington manager A.M.(Lee) Nordi bids a customer goodbye on August 29, 1963. He is standing next to the open doors facing the north side of the building; that side of the bank was almost entirely plate glass and polished aluminum. The bank, located at So. 54th & Pacific Ave., had been built in 1955. This picture was used in a large ad run in the October 29, 1963, News Tribune, which advised that customers could expect to receive a cordial welcome from Mr. Nordi, a veteran banker, and financial counseling tailored to their specific needs. National Bank of Washington was advertised as the "Bank of Personal Service." (TNT 10-29-63, p. 2)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1960-1970; Nordi, A.M.;

Three employees of Puget Sound National Bank are prepared to put the bank's new IBM 1419 check-sorting machine into operation on September 30, 1963. The main office's basement was fully equipped to handle bank processing matters. Gene Amar, assistant cashier in the electronic department, Mary Lee Fanger and Eleanor Anderson (seated) look at the machine which is capable of sorting and reading 96,000 checks an hour. In 1962 Puget Sound National Bank processed some 10.4 million checks and deposits. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank. (TNT 10-6-63, B-7)

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Machinery; Amar, Gene; Fanger, Mary Lee; Anderson, Eleanor;

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;

Interior of bank taken on January 4, 1964. A typical day at Villa Plaza's National Bank of Washington branch shows customer utilizing drive-up window, customers transacting business at the foreign currency exchange desk and at teller's window, and visiting with bank officials. Metal sculpture of birds hanging from ceiling was done by Tom Hardy of Portland; it was entitled "Flight of Birds" and was made of welded steel with embellished wing tips in gold leaf.

National Bank of Washington (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood; Sculpture--Lakewood;

Exterior of bank. The above photograph, taken on January 4, 1964, is believed to be the National Bank of Washington branch at McChord Air Force Base managed by John Helm. The National Bank of Washington had 14 branches in the Tacoma area, including Fort Lewis and McChord. The modern branch had wall-to-wall glass windows and a convenient night deposit drop near the main entrance. The McChord branch at 550 A St. was officially opened on October 25, 1963, when Chairman Goodwin Chase and base commander Co. Kenneth Glassburn cut a dollar-bedecked ribbon.

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

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;

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Chrm. of the Board Gerrit VanderEnde (seated, extreme left) and his company's branch managers pose for a group portrait on July 22, 1964. The photograph appears to have been taken at the headquarters boardroom at 11th & Pacific. Pacific First Federal Savings had seven locations in the Pacific Northwest including branches in Bellingham, Seattle, Longview, Portland, Eugene and Springfield. Tacoma was the home office, established in 1907. It would have a grand opening of its new building in late September, 1964. Photograph ordered by Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan.

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

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;