State Coverage: Washington

Columbia Banking System's Earnings Aided by Acquisitions

American Banker | Jan 26

Columbia Banking System Inc. in Tacoma, Wash., and an aggressive buyer of failed banks, rode those acquisitions to a strong fourth quarter.

Sterling in Wash. Reports Profit on Best Credit Quality Since 2008

American Banker | Jan 26

Sterling Financial Corp. in Spokane, Wash., returned to the black for the year as credit quality improved.

First Independent in Washington Discloses Layoffs Tied to Sale

American Banker | Jan 23

First Independent Bank has notified employees whose jobs will be eliminated after the Vancouver, Wash., bank is sold to Sterling Financial Corp. of Spokane, Wash.

A New Twist on Good Bank/Bad Bank

American Banker | Nov 07

The deal between Sterling Financial and First Independent, both of Washington state, relies on a complex carve-out from a bank holding company. Creative maneuvers are needed these days, but this model isn't for everyone.

Sterling Financial to Buy Bulk of First Independent Bank

American Banker | Nov 07

The Spokane, Wash., bank added a chapter to its comeback story Monday in agreeing to buy the banking operations of an instate rival.

Sterling Tops Estimates; Shares Rise 11%

American Banker | Oct 26

Sterling Financial Corp.'s shares jumped 11% Wednesday, to close at $15.02, after the once-embattled Spokane, Wash., company reported its highest quarterly profit in nearly four years.

Seattle's Economic Doldrums Sink Anchor

American Banker | Oct 24

Anchor Bancorp's losses widened in the third quarter, though the Lacey, Wash.-based company shrunk its nonperforming assets.

Improved Asset Quality Boosts Profits at Washington Federal

American Banker | Oct 20

Washington Federal Inc. in Seattle said Thursday that profits in its fiscal-year fourth quarter nearly doubled from a year earlier as its volume of problem loans continued to shrink.

Washington Federal Completes New Mexico Branch Acquisition

American Banker | Oct 17

Washington Federal Inc. in Seattle said Monday that it had completed its purchase of six Charter Bank branches and $254 million in deposits in New Mexico.

Troubled CU-Convert Plans Stock Offering

American Banker | Oct 03

1st Security Bank of Washington, the ailing one-time credit union known until 2004 as Washington's CU, plans to raise up to $32 million in an initial public offering.

Washington Banking CEO Still Scouting for Acquisitions

American Banker | Sep 27

In a Q&A during a FIG Partners banking conference, Jack Wagner discussed growth opportunities. M&A will likely come from traditional deals rather than failed bank acquisitions. He is also keeping an eye on costs should the economy remain stalled.

Anchor of Washington Swings to Loss for Fiscal Year

American Banker | Sep 01

Weighed down by problem loans, Anchor Bancorp in Lacey, Wash., reported a loss of $4.7 million in the quarter that ended June 30, more than quadrupling its loss from the same period a year earlier.

Accounting Move, Better Credit Give Banner Surprise Profit

American Banker | Jul 21

Banner gained $1.9 million from fair value adjustments on certain financial instruments, which played a key role in its quarterly profit of $224,000.

Washington Federal Reports Most-Profitable Quarter in Three Years

American Banker | Jul 14

Improved asset quality, lower credit costs and gains on investment securities powered Washington Federal Inc. in Seattle to a $30.1 million profit in the quarter.

Former Home Loan Bank Chief Riccobono to Oversee Washington State Banks

American Banker | Jun 27

Richard M. Riccobono, the former CEO at the Seattle Fed and one-time deputy director at the OTS, has landed a new job as the chief banking regulator in Washington State.