HomeStreet Bank, which is a regional financial institution based in Seattle, grew its presence in Clark County in 2012, increasing the number of employees here by 252 percent. Along the way, the bank more than doubled the size of its single family lending operation, and added four locations in Clark County, for a total of five (26,500 square feet).
Jeff Schaller, regional vice president of Southwestern Washington and Oregon, said that four aspects of HomeStreet’s operations contribute to their continued growth: a culture that encourages entrepreneurial activity at the street level supported by executive leadership; a team approach to achieve the best customer service; community involvement; and the bank’s brand itself – with a history going back to 1921.
“We have been very fortunate to have been able to attract mortgage personnel in the Vancouver area who are at the top of their profession and whose values and approach to service fit so well with that of our bank,” said Mark K. Mason, HomeStreet Bank president and CEO.
In Clark County, said Schaller, several of their products reflect the bank’s focus on housing and homes. Their “one-step construction loan” he said, has helped rejuvenate construction in Clark County by enabling home owners to be the borrower, not builders. Also, he said, HomeStreet is, for the second year, the title sponsor of the local Parade of Homes. Rehabilitation loans that allow people to fix up a home they want to buy is helping sell additional homes in the County.
{jathumbnail off}
