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