Why do you believe Issaquah was a good market in which to establish a community
bank?
Issaquah is a great community in which to live and work. During my 11-year tenure
with another community bank in Issaquah, I enjoyed developing relationships within
our market, providing financing needs for local businesses and participating in
the economic vitality and growth of the community. It was a very rewarding experience;
however, the bank was sold to a larger bank conglomerate; hence, shifting the bank’s
culture of high-touch, relationship banking.
When Issaquah Community Bank opened in 2007 it filled a void for a community partner
that interacted with local businesses to service their financing needs while also
engaging as a participant in the continued growth of the local market. Today, we
distinguish ourselves and are filling the void:
- Issaquah Community Bank is governed by a local board of directors.
- Credit decisions are made locally by a core of seasoned banking veterans.
- Our bank staff is responsive to and supportive of local business.
- Our bankers interact daily with the community.
I have always believed that Issaquah Community Bank’s success is coincident with
the involvement that we have in the community that we serve. Each relationship is
another thread in our fabric. The more relationships the bank develops within our
market that support economic activity, the stronger the fabric of our bank will
become. If our community is economically vibrant, then Issaquah Community Bank will
be successful.
— Robert M. Ittes, President & CEO