Timberland Bank was founded in 1915 to serve the financial needs of communities in Western Washington. Over a century later, the commitment to assisting individuals, businesses, nonprofits and all others that come to them for financial support continues, as does their willingness to give back.
Originally given the name Southwest Savings & Loan, downtown Hoquiam graciously welcomed this ever-evolving establishment to the city. At the time, both Hoquiam and the majority of the state was a booming timber empire, harvesting and shipping more trees than nearly anywhere else in the world. Over each decade, and with the birth and growth of technology, Timberland Bank evolved alongside the community, branching out, establishing roots and eventually becoming the Timberland Bank that we see today. Many milestones have been reached since 1915 including a 100th anniversary celebration in 2015 and an acquisition of South Sound Bank in 2018.
Although the headquarters have sat in Hoquiam since day one, Timberland Bank takes great pride in every one of their 24 branches located in 6 counties across the Pacific Northwest. At each of the branches, a common theme runs true: encourage staff members to give back to their community.
Tess Faughn is one of Timberland Bank’s employees who is well-known for performing a long list of selfless acts. Her everyday job as Branch Operations Supervisor at the Yelm branch keeps her plenty busy, but Faughn always prioritizes her free time to stay active throughout Thurston County volunteering at a number of local nonprofits. Some of her specific community involvement over the years include serving as the President for the Midday Yelm Lions Club, President of the Rotary Club of Yelm, Yelm Community Services Board Member and Hope Restored Christian Ministries Treasurer. No matter the role that she’s in, Faughn is always ready and willing to step up to make positive things happen.
Another standout Timberland team member is Brent Stenman, senior vice president and business banker based at the Silverdale branch. Kitsap County greatly benefits from his presence as he can regularly be found volunteering with a number of local sports teams. Known as the “Babe Ruth of North Kitsap,” Stenman is not only widely known on the local level and has been inducted into the Pacific Northwest Babe Ruth Baseball Hall of Fame’s Roll of Honor, but he is also prominent on the national level as the Assistant Babe Ruth World Series Tournament Director. A Kitsap Sun article describes many of his other roles within the community that he’s faithfully fulfilled with passion, even while battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Paul Long, senior vice president and business banker for a branch in Tacoma, is passionate about helping local businesses grow and succeed. Each year he hosts the South Sound Business Summit he masterfully created in 2015 to “inspire and educate” leaders in local business. The Summit’s purpose is to support the South Puget Sound’s (South King, Pierce and Thurston County) businesses through an educational event that connects attendees with their community.
In addition to Faughn, Stenman and Long, many other individuals at Timberland Bank generously give back to their time. Other than individual volunteer work, the Timberland Bank branches are sponsors of various charitable giving to assist with local needs. One of those comes in the form of a fundraising event called Take a Hack at ALS Charity Golf Tournament put on by the Grays Harbor branch at Highlands Golf Course in Cosmopolis. In 2019, the momentous event raised over $19,000. With multiple known individuals suffering from ALS in Grays Harbor alone, this tournament is a wonderful way raise funds while building camaraderie.
Learn more about the many ways that Timberland Bank gives back by visiting their Community Giving webpage. To learn about opening an account, visit the Timberland Bank website or your local branch.