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;

In June of 1944 Pauline Gunstrom, the telephone operator at the Bank of California, 1011 Pacific Avenue, was photographed holding a flask-type pint bottle that had been filled to the brim with dimes. The bottle was brought to the bank by an unidentified shipyard worker at the Todd Pacific Shipyards to purchase a war bond. Once emptied the bottle was found to contain 1,125 dimes, more than enough for a bond. (T. Times, 6/20/44, p. 3).

Banks--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma);

Central Bank Anniversary Banquet. Central Bank was located at 2816 6th Avenue, they started in the banking business back in 1925 with only three employees. Central Bank is a member of the Washington Banker's Association. View of seven Central Bank employees at the 20th anniversary personnel dinner.

Bankers--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commemoration--Tacoma; Central 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);

Puget Sound National Bank advertised that they had the most competent, well trained people and specialists in every area of money management. They have steadily and continuously grown and by 1970, Puget Sound had 24 bank branches throughout the Tacoma area. Interior view of Puget Sound National Bank Tacoma Lincoln Branch and their staff.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bankers--Tacoma; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

Puget Sound National Bank opened its first branch in Tacoma in 1895. They have continually grown and expanded throughout the years. They provide a highly localized financial service to many new businesses and industries, and assist with the expansion of established firms. Exterior view of Puget Sound National Bank of Tacoma Lincoln Branch. TPL-8202

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Facades--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

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);

The Bank of California was the first bank in Tacoma to offer drive-up banking to its customers. Alfred B. Cummings, owner of Porter-Cummings Co., Inc. a men's clothing store, drove his car along Court A between 10th and 11th Streets behind the bank and handed his deposit to Wallace H. Waite, teller. Publicity shots ordered by Mr. Hernly, Batsford, Constantini & Gardner, Seattle. (T.Times, 3/23/1948, p.9)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cummings, A.B.; Waite, Wallace H.; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mr. A.B. Cummings, owner of Porter-Cummings Company, men's clothiers, decided to try the newly opened drive-up banking services at Bank of California in March of 1948. The teller, Wallace H. Waite, is protected by a special bullet-proof glass window and steel bars. Mr. Cummings liked the new service, the first of its kind in Tacoma, and predicted it would help relieve congestion from customers parking along Pacific Avenue to stop for a short visit to the bank. Bank of California had been at this downtown location since 1928 and the drive-up window was located in the alley back of the bank. (T.Times, 3/23/1948, p.9-article & alternate photograph)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cummings, A.B.; Waite, Wallace H.; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

When this photograph was taken in February of 1948, the venerable Bowes Building, 100 So. 9th St., was home to Tacoma Savings and Loan, one of the pioneer financial institutions on the Pacific Coast. The company had purchased the building in 1920 and added their neon sign above the entrance in 1941. The Bowes Building was designed by the architectural firm of Heath & Twichell and built of white Vermont marble. It was named after its developer Major Edward J. Bowes, who achieved national fame for his "Amateur Hour" radio program. It is on the City, State and National Registry of Historic Buildings. Photo ordered by William D. Hopping, president Tacoma Savings and Loan. (T.Times, 2/26/1948, p.29)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Bowes Building (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Pearl Gunn, a teller at Bank of California was held up by a man she described as "tall, dark, very handsome, well dressed, cool and calm". The man approached her window with a large manila envelope, he was holding what appeared to be a gun with a blue and white bandana over it, and asked her to fill it with money. The good looking criminal left with $1500 in $5's, $1500 in $10's, $3400 in $20's, $1000 in $50's and $1000 in $100's totaling $8400. Pearl Gunn stated she was petrified about the incident (T. Times, 5/6/48, p. 1).

Bankers--Tacoma; Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Robberies--Tacoma; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Gunn, Pearl;

National Bank of Washington; Branch & Senior management of bank. Twenty men and one woman gather around the boardroom table. Carl L. Phillips, president of the bank, sits at the head of the table with C.T. Chandler, vice-president, to the right. The man to the right of Chandler in the chair is unidentified. The bank was known from 1913-1938 as the National Bank of Tacoma and was housed in the Italian-Renaissance building at the northeast corner of 12th and Pacific, that since 1971 has housed the Tacoma Art Museum.

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

Bank of California- customer parking and drive up banking window. The Bank of California heavily advertised its convenience features- a free parking lot, drive up teller windows and a rear bank entrance just steps from the parking lot. The drive up windows now had two tellers, making banking quicker and easier. The banking institutions tried to make banking in the downtown area more attractive, as business deserted the downtown area for the suburbs. The fifties saw the beginning of the desertion of downtown Tacoma as a retail area. (TNT 10/11/1953, pg. A-4)

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

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;

ca. 1953. Puget Sound National Bank, Lakewood branch. The main lobby had walnut panelling and included the teller, note and statement units as well as the officers' sections. The lobby was arranged for customer service and convenience. The full basement was an employee only area with a conference room, book vault, employee's lounge with fireplace and a kitchenette. Some of the most modern features in the new bank were the recessed fluorescent illumination and the many outlets for electronic banking machinery. (TNT 10/20/1953, pg. C-9)

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

The ladies' lounge in Puget Sound National Bank, Lakewood branch. The ladies' lounge, which opened off the lobby, was fully furnished in an early American motif and accented with its own fireplace. It added a truly elegant touch to the bank. The employees had their own lounge in the basement, also with a fireplace. (TNT 10/20/1953, pg. C-6)

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

ca. 1953. Safe deposit vault at Puget Sound National Bank, Lakewood branch. Opening off the main lobby was the safe deposit vault and coupon booths. The bank featured a 950 box safe deposit vault. Other conveniences offered included a drive up teller on the south side of the building. (TNT 10/20/1953, C-6 - C-9)

Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood; Vaults (Strong rooms)--Lakewood; Safe-deposit boxes--Lakewood;

New Puget Sound Bank at Lakewood, ordered by the Condon Co. The permanent location of Puget Sound Bank was built in the Lakewood Center, facing Mt. Tacoma Dr. S.W. The red brick faced colonial with white trim was designed to match the existing architecture at the Center. The new building was three times the size of the temporary building. It measured 50 feet wide by 120 feet long, with 12,000 square foot of floor space, including a full basement. The building was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards and Ketner Bros. Inc. served as contractors. (TNT 9/6/1953, pg. A-10)

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 is a customer accessible area. It appears to be occupied by bank or loan officers. The officers occupy large wooden desks with comfortable leather chairs beside the desks for customers.

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

Interior of the trust department at the Bank of California, ordered by Botsford, Constantine and Gardner. Seated at desks on the right are Frank C. Carmody, Assistant Trust Officer- front, and Edward S. Walker, Trust Officer, at rear. On the left are Mr. McLeod, front, and Mr. Williams, at rear. To the left is a counter arrangement with three people behind it labelled Trust Department. At the right rear, the door is open to an interior office, perhaps belonging to one of the Vice Presidents of the bank.

Banks--Tacoma; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Carmody, Frank; Walker, Edward;

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;

Remodeled departments at the Bank of California. This is possibly the employees' cafeteria where a single person is on duty in the clean and sparkling kitchen. A large commercial mixer can be seen to the right, while a woman fills plates with today's special in front of a commercial range. The counter in front has coffee pots on the warming plates as well as coffee cups and prepared food on the self serve shelves.

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

Remodeled departments at the Bank of California. This appears to be the employees lounge with chairs and sofa provided for comfortable seating. A tall commercial ashtray stands beside a coffee table covered with magazines. Books available for reading occupy shelves along the back wall. Dining tables and chairs are provided for employees to have lunch.

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

Remodeled departments at the Bank of California. This appears to be a non public accessible accounting area. Pairs of women confer over sheets of figures. Large adding machines sit to the right of the desks. Windows high in the walls and florescents supply lighting.

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

Modernistic furniture and design are present in the newly remodeled Pierce County Savings & Loan Association. The savings and loan had an open house for the public in March, 1954. The building was initially built in 1888 by Col. J. M. Dougan and housed a variety of businesses. It was purchased by the Pierce County Savings & Loan in 1950. Walter C. Steel was listed as president in the 1954 City Directory. First organized in Auburn in 1925, assets now total over five million dollars. Photograph taken for the TNT. (TNT 3-22-54, p. 6,7)

Pierce County Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Financial facilities--Tacoma;

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);

A long, sweeping semi-circle with matching curves in the terrazzo floor provides a sleek design to the newly remodeled Pierce County Savings & Loan Association. Tellers await customers behind connected rich walnut counters; a multi-panel mural of Mount Rainier graces the wall. Marshall Perrow was the architect of the remodeling project; Kirkebo & Sons, the contractors. The savings and loan held an open house for the public in late March, 1954. Photograph taken for the TNT. (TNT 3-22-54, p. 6, 7)

Pierce County Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Financial facilities--Tacoma; Murals--Tacoma;

Modern office furniture and boldly geometric flooring provides a distinct contrast to the chandeliers and Italian Renaissance style of the Bank of California building in March, 1954. Two employees are pictured working on a balcony within the building; one is examining the contents of a filing cabinet while the other sits at a wide, metallic desk operating the telephone system. An adding machine and telephone are also visible. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Office Supply Co.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Office equipment & supplies; Chandeliers; Telephones; Tacoma Office Supply Co. (Tacoma);