4-4-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES IRS updates ‘dirty dozen’ for 2003    In an update of an annual consumer alert, the Internal Revenue Service urges taxpayers to avoid falling victim to one of the "Dirty Dozen" tax scams. In the new 2003 ranking, several new scams have reached the top of the consumer watch list...   (Full Article) 4-4-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES Trends to bank on — high tech and customer service By Virginia Rollo Huber    Banks are institutions, customers are people, and the twain must meet. Each wants identity. Each demands respect. So what can solidify this relationship? Bank and Credit Union officials unanimously agree the focus must be on personal contact coupled with the speediest and most efficient high-tech...   (Full Article) 4-4-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES Pilot online SBA program streamlines loans    The U.S. Small Business Administration is proud to announce the launch of the SBAExchange pilot program.    The program is a streamlined electronic tool that allows agencies to award simplified acquisitions up to $100,000 (including micro-purchases) and to make purchases and payments electronically with a government-wide commercial purchase card...   (Full Article) 4-4-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES Key Bank expands online offerings    Visitors to Key.com can now take advantage of a monthly product offer available exclusively online, whether or not they are current Key clients. The product offer (on loans, accounts, etc.) will be available for a rotating two-week period each month...   (Full Article) 4-4-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES Pacific Northwest Bancorp names new chairman of board    The Board of Directors of Pacific Northwest Bancorp announced that on April 18, Stephen M. Walden will step down as Chairman of the Board of Pacific Northwest Bancorp, a position he has held for three years. Walden will continue as a Director of the company...   (Full Article) 4-4-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES The Banking Community of the Kitsap Peninsula By Temple Stark    American Marine Bank: Earlier this year, American Marine Bank named Darlene Jenkins, formerly with Silverdale Bank, to manage its Poulsbo branch at Central Market and Claire Chavenue to manage its High School Road branch on Bainbridge Island...   (Full Article) 4-4-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES Business worries in an era of bridge building Narrows Bridge on the Web: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr16narrowsbridge/webdocs/whatsnew By Temple A Stark    Odd things happen when a bridge gets built.    In the opening weeks of intense work on the west side of The Narrows, trees have fallen, roads are closed and exits are barricaded. It’s a change.    With everything going on, the remaining nearby businesses have been apprehensive about the future landscape of commerce in which they will exist. So far, so good...   (Full Article) 4-4-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES American Marine Bank supports Martha & Mary Bed Campaign    Donna Casper, Sr. Vice President, American Marine Bank, recently presented a check for $1,250.00 to Chad Solvie, Administrator at Martha & Mary Health Center in Poulsbo. The funds will be used to purchase an electric bed for the facility...   (Full Article) 4-4-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES IRS ready to receive 2002 e-filings    Taxpayers can now begin e-filing their individual income tax returns.    “Choosing IRS e-file is the quick, easy and smart way to get your taxes done,” said Terry Lutes, Director of Electronic Tax Administration...   (Full Article) 4-4-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES Trio promoted at Kitsap Bank    Kitsap Bank has promoted three employees to Assistant Cashier and Manager positions. Maggie Haydock at the Belfair Branch, Lynnette McKee at the Allyn Branch and Ellen Aguinaldo with the Bethel and Lund Branch...   (Full Article) 4-4-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES Harvey promoted to senior VP at Kitsap Bank    Kitsap Bank’s national award-winning SBA lender, Scott Harvey, has been named to the position of senior vice president of the Small Business Administration Department. The announcement was made by Kitsap Bank President Jim Carmichael...   (Full Article) 4-4-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES Casteel named VP at American Marine    American Marine Bank President Rex Townsend has announced that Shirley Casteel has been named Vice President and Residential Loan Manager for it’s Silverdale branch...   (Full Article) 4-4-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES GI Bill now pays for high-tech classes at Paladin Data Systems    Paladin Data Systems has been approved by the Veterans Administration to accept the GI Bill as payment for its technical training programs.    “This new funding option provides a tremendous opportunity for veterans and active duty military personnel seeking technical training programs”, said Michelle Dvorak, Paladin’s Training Manager...   (Full Article) 4-4-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES Brixey presents Bremerton Money Wise Women forum    Help for identity theft protection and developing a personal finance plan are part of the free Money Wi$e Women forum, presented by Marcia Brixey...   (Full Article) 4-4-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES New COO at Pacific NW Bank    Pacific Northwest Bancorp recently announced the appointment of David H. Straus to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer of the firm’s principal subsidiary, Pacific Northwest Bank. Patrick Fahey will continue as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank...   (Full Article) 4-4-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES Washington Federal declares dividend    Washington Federal, Inc. the parent company of Washington Federal Savings, which has two Kitsap County branches, has announced a quarterly cash dividend of 21 cents per share. The dividend will be payable April 18, to common stockholders of record on April 4...   (Full Article) 4-4-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES Frontier Bank declares dividend    The Board of Directors of Frontier Financial Corporation has declared a $.17 per share second quarter cash dividend to shareowners of record as of April 14 and payable April 28.    “This represents a 13.3 percent increase over the second quarter of 2002 and is the fourteenth consecutive in which the cash dividend has increased. Frontier paid a dividend of $.165 per share to shareowners in the first quarter of 2003” said Bob Dickson, President and CEO. 4-4-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES Pair joins Pacific NW Bank    Larry Van Ness and Peter Warren have joined Pacific Northwest Bank as Vice-Presidents and Senior Relationship Officers for the institution’s commercial banking team. They will be responsible for establishing and maintaining business client relationships primarily in King County and the Puget Sound area middle market. 4-4-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCIAL SERVICES Reynolds recognized as top banker for 2002    Jeff Reynolds, Senior Vice President at the Poulsbo branch of Bank of America, has been recognized as one of the Bank’s Top Business Bankers for 2002, both regionally and nationally. He will be honored in an upcoming event in Salt Lake City, Utah. 3-14-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - WOMEN IN BUSINESS YWCA announces recipients of the 2003 Women of Achievement Awards    A total of 15 local women nominated by the community will join 152 other women who will have been honored with the YWCA Women of Achievement Award.    This year’s honorees will be recognized at the YWCA Fourteenth Anniversary Women of Achievement Luncheon on Wednesday April 2. The event will take place from 11a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Bremerton Performing Arts Center at Bremerton High School...   (Full Article) 3-14-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - WOMEN IN BUSINESS Todd is a woman who wears many hats in her construction business AnnaLee Todd EHT Enterprises, Inc., Port Orchard PO Box 4380, South Colby, WA, 98384 360-874-1222, 360-874-1233 annalee@ehtenterprises.com www.ehtenterprises.com By Sandra Spargo    “My greatest challenge is that the days don’t have enough hours,” said AnnaLee Todd, owner and president of EHT Enterprises, a construction company in Port Orchard.    Because her company is five years old, she is required to wear many hats. Hats include chief financial officer, lead estimator, public relations and project manager...   (Full Article) 3-14-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - WOMEN IN BUSINESS Survey shows percentage of African American women using business credit doubled in 5 years Center for Women’s Business Research report sponsored by Wells Fargo    The number of African American women business owners with bank credit of $100,000 or more doubled between 1998 and 2002 according to Wells Fargo’s latest research collaboration with Center for Women’s Business Research. Wells Fargo sponsored the report, “African American Women Business Owners in the United States,” one segment of a multi-cultural study to understand the unique needs of women business owners of all ethnic groups...   (Full Article) 3-14-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - WOMEN IN BUSINESS Making businesses successful and better corporate citizens is her passion Doña Keating Professional Options 12409 98th Avenue Court NW Gig Harbor, 98329 253-858-7772/800-686-5876 dlk@professionaloptions.org www.professionaloptions.org By Sandra Spargo    “I like to consult on changing laws and policies and procedures for government and corporations,” said Doña Keating, president and CEO of Professional Options, which has offices in Gig Harbor and downtown Seattle...   (Full Article) 3-14-2003 SPECIAL REPORT - WOMEN IN BUSINESS HAn evangelist for the business of art and for downtown Bremerton Amy Burnett Amy Burnett Gallery 412 Pacific Bremerton, WA, 98337 360-373-3187 Burnett574@aol.com www.amyburnett.com By Sandra Spargo    Her passion for art is advocated by her business savvy.    “I grew up in a business,” said Amy Burnett, owner and full-time artist of the Amy Burnett Art Gallery. “My family owned the B.H. Allen Plumbing and Heating on Sixth Street in Bremerton...   (Full Article)