In Brief: Interwest of Washington Acquiring Pioneer

Interwest Bancorp said it is buying Pioneer Bancorp, Yakima, Wash., for $20.3 million in stock.

This is the Oak Harbor-based company's fourth deal since 1996, and its second announced in the past month. Interwest has $2.1 billion of assets and 42 branches in central and western Washington.

The acquisition for Pioneer, valued at 2.2 times book value, would give Interwest five branches in the south central part of the state, in markets where it does not operate.

"The merger with Pioneer further implements our plan to expand our presence and to become a statewide institution," said Stephen M. Walden, president and chief executive officer of Interwest.

On Jan. 16, Interwest said it was buying Pacific Northwest Bank, Seattle, for $61 million. On the same day, the company closed its deal to buy Puget Sound Bancorp, Port Orchard, Wash.

Interwest hopes to close its deal for $106 million-asset Pioneer by the end of the second quarter.

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