Community Involvement

At Seattle Bank, we recognize the immeasurable value of the human resources at our company, as well as the power we have to establish and grow partnerships to address our community's most pressing needs in the area of affordable housing and economic development. It’s all part of our tradition of caring, hands-on service and responsible corporate citizenship that’s we’ve embraced since1944, when Seattle Mortgage Company first helped returning World War II veterans purchase their homes.

Seattle Bank is engaged in many local programs to meet these needs, including:

United We Serve

As the Official Bank of Seattle Sounders FC, Seattle Bank teams up with Sounders FC players and fans for a community service program called United We Serve. The two organizations come together up to eight times a year to give volunteer time back to the community. If your organization would like to partner with us and Sounders FC players on community service events, or if you would like to learn more about the program, contact Katie Henry at khenry@seattlebank.com .

Employees from Seattle Bank, Sounders FC players and fans, and Union Gospel Mission residents gathered in Pioneer Square in August to pick up trash in the neighborhood around the Union Gospel Mission.

Corporate Contributions Program

In addition to volunteer time, Seattle Bank also gives charitable contributions. We proudly began our corporate contributions program in 2008. Through this effort, we support local non-profit organizations that provide services to the community consistent with our community service goals. Learn more about our corporate contributions program and submit a proposal.

The finishing touches are put on the 46th Street Mural designed by artist Todd Lown in the Wallingford neighborhood under Highway 99. As part of its corporate contributions program, Seattle Bank donated much-needed funds to complete the project.

United Way—Day of Caring

Each year, Seattle Bank employees participate in United Way’s Day of Caring event. This year, a team of Seattle Bank employees cleaned kitchens and common areas at The Wintonia on Capitol Hill. In 2009, employees painted rooms at the Sacred Heart Shelter on Lower Queen Anne.

The Seattle Bank volunteer team gathers at The Wintonia apartments for the 2010 Day of Caring event.

Stuff the Bus

Before each school year the Seattle Seahawks and Communities in Schools of Seattle (CISS) hold a school supply drive for needy students so that they can be better prepared for the upcoming school year. As the official bank of the Seahawks, we participated this year as well, offering our banking centers as donation drop-off points and collecting school supplies. This year’s drive collected enough supplies to stuff two buses—that’s enough supplies for CISS to donate to 32 schools, and 7,500 students!

Jessica Reed helps “stuff the bus” in the 2010 school supply drive.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation—NW Chapter, Beat the Bridge Run

Each year, Seattle Bank and Seattle Mortgage Company employees run in the Beat the Bridge fundraiser run, a local tradition since 1994. Since that time, we have raised nearly $90,000 to support juvenile diabetes research. Last year alone we raised nearly $6,500, with approximately 25% of our employees running the race.

Arthritis Foundation—Pacific NW Chapter, Jingle Bell Run

We’re here for the community with bells on—a team of Seattle Bank and Seattle Mortgage Company employees also sweat each year for the Jingle Bell Run to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. We form a team, raise money, and then run each year.

Some of the Seattle Bank team members as they prepare for the 2009 run.

Financial Literacy Education

Representatives from Seattle Bank are available to teach financial literacy courses. For example, every month, we teach basic personal finances classes at the Union Gospel Mission’s Hope Place Shelter for women. We teach the women who are enrolled in the long-term program how to budget their money and help them establish savings accounts. Similar programs can be arranged by contacting Jean Ciesynski at jciesynski@seattlebank.com or 206-273-7359.

Bank on Seattle—King County

Bank on Seattle—King County is a community wide partnership between the area's financial institutions and local government to ensure access for everyone to basic financial services, without the high fees found at check-cashing companies or payday lenders. For more information, contact Customer Solutions at 206-568-7800 or Customer Solutions.

Home$tart Savings Program

Offered in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle, Home$tart offers down-payment assistance (up to $5,000) for qualified lower-income homebuyers. To learn more, please contact Seattle Mortgage Loan Officer.