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American Marine Bank...
Bainbridge’s own since 1948
By Steve Littfin |
American Marine Bank (AMB) was founded by Louis Henry Goller on September 17, 1948. It was the first bank on Bainbridge Island and is the only one headquartered there.
Consistently recognized for its financial strength and scope of services, AMB recently received its 30th consecutive 5-star rating from Bauer Financial Reports, Inc. AMB’s growth has been steady and significant by any measure. By the end of its first year, AMB deposits totaled just over $322,000. Deposits totaled some $2.5 million by 1958, and $4.6 million by the end of 1964. AMB Financial Services Corporation, American Marine Bank’s parent company, currently has assets of $248 million.
AMB opened for business with a staff of two: Mr. Goller, President, and Carl W. Berg, Cashier. The bank’s first account was opened by David Goller, the president’s seven-year-old son. The original board of directors consisted of Hjalmer Anderson, Director; Walter Johnson, Supervisor of Banking; Walter Keys, Vice President and Director; Louis H. Goller, Chairman and President; E. S. Olson, Director; Robert B. Rodal, Director; Carl W. Berg, Cashier and Secretary of the Board.
Located on its original site at 255 Winslow Way, AMB’s main office was built at a cost of just less than $59,000. Its first branch office opened in the Village in 1968 and was managed by Terri Takemoto-Sua. Notably, Sua was the first woman bank office manager in Washington State. In 1989, the Village branch was relocated – literally, on a flatbed truck – to High School Road. AMB currently has two offices on Bainbridge Island, and others in Poulsbo, Port Ludlow and Seattle.
In 1973 the bank expanded its main office on Winslow Way. Growth continued in other areas well with AMB establishing Kitsap County’s first resident Trust Department in 1973, and with creation of a Data Processing Center in 1984.
By 1988, AMB had opened additional branches in Poulsbo, Silverdale Bremerton and Port Orchard. It later sold those branches to what was then SeaFirst Bank (now Bank of America), and kept the Bainbridge Island branches and an additional branch in downtown Seattle.
AMB Financial Services Corporation acquired Silverdale State Bank in April of this year. Silverdale State Bank remains a separate state-chartered commercial bank with its own senior management and board of directors. Rebecca Ashby, Silverdale Bank President and CEO, is very optimistic about her bank’s relationship with AMB Financial Services Corp., “Our relationship with American Marine provides us with better access to the commercial loan market.”
Louis Goller retired as president in 1989, and long-time colleague Bess Alpaugh was appointed President. Goller retired from the Board of Directors in 1993 and Carl W. Berg assumed duties as chairman. Alpaugh was named CEO in 1992 and chairman in 1997. Rex Townsend, was appointed president and CEO in 1998 when Alpaugh retired. Alpaugh remains chairman of the board.
In a tradition started by Louis Goller, AMB is well known for its community involvement as well. Officers and staff are active in many community events and serve on committees of many local organizations including the Bainbridge Foundation, the Rotary Clubs of Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island, the Bainbridge Island Boys and Girls Club, Kiwanis and Helpline House to name a few.
Louis Goller passed away in February.
(Editor’s Note: Steve Littfin is a freelance writer based in Port Orchard.)
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