PORT ANGELES — Columbia Bank plans to open its first full-sized Port Angeles branch this fall.
The Tacoma-based bank is renovating the former Westsound Bank location at 602 E. Front St., which it plans to open Oct. 24, said Hugo Vanderwaal, Columbia facilities manager.
The expanding bank also plans to open a new branch in Sequim the same day in a space formerly used by First Federal at the Sequim Village Center.
“The bank is in a little bit of a growth mode,” Vanderwaal said.
Columbia acquired the Westsound location in November from Kitsap Bank, which decided not to open a branch there, Vanderwaal said.
Kitsap acquired Westsound’s assets after federal authorities took over the failed bank in May 2009.
Columbia took over the former American Marine Branch at the Port Angeles Safeway store on Lincoln Street in January 2010 after acquiring the failed financial institution.
That location will close in October, Vanderwaal said.
He said the design of the former Westsound location is a bit dated, and when it reopens under Columbia, it will include new drive-up entrances and an overall “new look.”
The bank is also enlarging the building’s footprint by 127 square feet, according to a building permit with the city of Port Angeles.
________
Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
