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);

Industrial edition, Banks, Times, Buzz. A view of the exterior of the Bank of California built in 1928 of Wilkeson sandstone and granite. The four ionic columns, which cost $3,500 each to build, stretch three stories up the front of the building. There were numerous banks and savings and loans with their headquarters in Tacoma at this time and they played an important role in the development of industry and the construction of buildings and homes in the area. (T.Times, 2/25/1949, p.12)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Columns--Tacoma; Business districts--Tacoma;

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;

Charles W. Greening, manager of the Lincoln Branch Puget Sound National Bank of Tacoma, stands behind the bank counter and discusses recent bank robberies. He became a hero when he pursued and shot a young bandit who held up his bank January 13th, 1937. The wounded robber was arrested when he sought medical attention in Spokane. Mr. Greening was later rewarded with a watch by the bank's insurance company. (T. Times 11/11/1937, pg. 13)

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Greening, Charles W.;

An unidentified bank employee is surrounded by a bevy of beautiful co-workers at the National Bank of Washington company party held October 19, 1940 at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. The bank was celebrating its 55th anniversary in business. The party was attended by 200 officers and employees from the Tacoma main branch and all surrounding branch offices.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1930-1940; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--Commemoration; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma);

First National Bank of Washington company party held October 19, 1940 at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. The bank was celebrating its 55th anniversary in business. Guest of honor A.E. Connick, left, of San Francisco, is welcomed by bank director Henry O. Foss. Mr. Connick was the vice president of the Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association of San Francisco. (T. Times 12/21/1940, pg. 14)

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1930-1940; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--Commemoration; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma); Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986; Connick, A.E.;

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.;

ca. 1940. Remodeled interior of Bank of Washington. Area with 11 desks, file cabinets and customer area.

Business Enterprises - Financial Institutions - Banks - Tacoma - National Bank of Tacoma - National Bank of Washington

ca. 1940. Remodeled interior of National Bank of Washington, Trust Department. Name plates on desks: H. Anderson, M.W. McCarty, R.W. Peck.

Business Enterprises - Financial Institutions - Banks - Tacoma - National Bank of Tacoma - National Bank of Washington

ca. 1940. Remodeled interior at National Bank of Washington circa 1940. In the foreground are several desks accessible through the open wood gate. In the background appear to be teller/customer service units. The National Bank of Tacoma had changed its name to the National Bank of Washington circa 1937. It occupied a handsome structure built of Wilkeson sandstone at 11th & Pacific.

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

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);

New Central Bank branch at 12th and K Street. Interior of bank, man standing in foreground and four employees in background.

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

The National Bank of Washington branch at South 12th and Pacific is under construction. Lea, Pearson & Richards were the architects for the project. Warter Construction Company were the general contractors. This two-story building was demolished in 1970 to make way for the new 24-story office building that was to be National Bank of Washington's headquarters but had merged in Pacific National Bank of Washington before that building was completed.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Architects; Lea, Pearson & Richards (Tacoma);

In July of 1951, a tunnel was built under South 12th Street to connect the main National Bank of Washington building at the northwest corner of South 12th Street and Pacific Avenue with the new bank annex that was under construction across 12th Street. The six foot wide passageway was built to permit the movement of money and securities between the two buildings without going out-of-doors. It also provided access to the employees' room in the basement of the new building for those working in the main office. Plywood was used to build the forms into which the concrete was poured. (TNT, 7/15/1951, p.B-4)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tunnels--Tacoma; Plywood; Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Model standing in doorway showing size of vault, Condon Co., Morris. The vault section held 10,000 safe deposit boxes of varying sizes, making it one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest. It was of fortress-like construction with the outer walls of thick concrete and an inner lining, including the floors, of 1-inch and 1 1/2 inch inch steel. The massive burglar-proof circular steel door weighed 22 tons with its frame scaling 17 tons. (TNT, 11/30/1949, p.9)

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

In December of 1950, William D. Hopping (center in suit), president of Tacoma Savings & Loan, joined the "Kornaires"a barbershop quartet, to sing the praises of his company during the thrift's annual Christmas party. Louis Tebeau has been identified as the singer third from left. The following month, Mr. Hopping announced the substantial growth of the thrift during 1950. Savings increased $793,059.34 to a total of $10,830,421.78. Reserves increased to 8.8% of share liability. 35% of assets were represented by cash, US government, state and municipal bonds. Directors were: George B. Guyles, Charles B. Welch, Raymond T. Winden, and President Hopping. (TNT, 1/16/1951)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma)--People; Financial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Barbershop quartets; Hopping, William D.; Tebeau, Louis;

The employees and their spouses are shown at Tacoma Savings and Loan's annual Christmas party in December of 1950. They are seated at banquet tables arranged in a U-shape. The thrift had been operating in Tacoma since 1899. Ordered by William D. Hopping.

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma)--People; Financial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The exterior of the Bank of California building. The Bank of California opened their Tacoma offices in 1928 in this building of Italian Renaissance style with four Ionic columns. It was built of Wilkeson sandstone and granite with an interior of walnut and Travertine masonry. John Graham was the architect. Ornaments have been added on either side of the engraved name of the bank and at the cornice. TPL-8449

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Columns--Tacoma; Architectural decorations & ornaments--Tacoma;

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;

Attention is drawn to the polygon-shaped overhead lighting whose angles reflect that of one of the arched windows found in the Bank of California's trust department on November 20, 1968. The golden colored carpet and oak paneling project a sense of comfortable warmth for both employees and their customers. The Bank of California had been built in 1928 and a $600,000 remodeling project beginning in the summer of 1968 installed new carpeting, chandeliers and wall paneling but left most of the unique Italian Renaissance appearance intact. Color photograph ordered by the Bank of California.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Office equipment & supplies; Light fixtures;

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;

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;

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);

Tennis display at Bank of California. Two tanned tennis players in tournament whites stand next to a man holding a large trophy, possible the Thorne Cup, on July 15, 1966. The Bank of California had allowed the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club to display in the bank memorabilia pertaining to the club's Pacific Northwest Tournament. The tournament, held from July 11-17th, would be its 75th annual. Photograph ordered by Bank of California.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Awards; Tennis players--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Three Bank of California officials lend a helping hand in the remodeling process of their Pacific Avenue building in August of 1968. They are building plywood walls in the main lobby to provide noise and dust protection. Daily operations would continue during the construction period with directory boards listing temporary locations of the various departments. Only one area of the bank at a time would be affected during the extensive interior remodeling. John Graham & Co., architects of the original edifice, would also be in charge of the $600,000 project. Photograph ordered by Bank of California. (TNT 8-18-68, A-19)

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

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;

Seattle-First National Bank. Two Sixth Avenue banks would open their doors in December of 1972; Seattle-First National Bank celebrated its grand opening on December 9th with Washington Mutual Savings following on December 13th. This is a view of the Sea-First branch taken a few months later on April 29, 1973. A large sign with the now-familiar red "1" welcomed customers and invited them to use the expeditious motor banking. The "Highland Hills" branch had moved from old quarters at Sixth & "L" but remained a full service facility with three drive-up windows. Color photograph ordered by Seattle-First National Bank, Seattle.

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

United Mutual Savings Bank. This photograph of the new headquarters of United Mutual Savings Bank was taken on January 28, 1975, just two weeks before its formal dedication. This is a view of the six-story precast concrete building from the 11th & Broadway side. Photograph ordered by United Mutual Savings Bank.

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