In an era when banks are continually consolidating, some would view Kitsap County as fortunate to have a local bank that has not only resisted the urge to be gobbled up by some out of state mega-bank, but remains essentially family-owned. One of the benefits of that has been the continuing involvement of Kitsap Bank in community philanthropy.

According to Helen Langer Smith, daughter of Frank Langer, the man who in 1925 bought controlling interest of what was then known as Kitsap County Bank, the bank sees itself having an obligation to give back to the communities that support it.

I had an opportunity recently to chat with Mrs. Smith, who is somewhat of an icon, and a mystery at the same time, in local business circles. Not knowing exactly what to expect, I found her to be gracious, charming, witty and very lavish in her praise of others and their accomplishments.

When I asked about family, she proudly talked about her three daughters and her two grandchildren, Hannah and Michael.

She chairs the board of Kitsap Bank, and at one time, there were three generations of her family — her late mother, Hannah Langer, herself, and her daughter, Cydly, all serving on the board together.

Mrs. Smith is involved in a number of local and statewide community activities, including the board of the Admiral Theatre, of which she is very proud. “It’s come to represent a fine, high-quality performing arts center — something we needed here,” she says with pride.

She has also been or is involved with the advisory board of Kitsap Community Foundation, the Sidney Arts Museum, Martha & Mary Nursing Home, and the Historical Society of Kitsap County, as well as Children’s Orthopedic Hospital, the Junior League of Seattle, and the Pioneer Association of the State of Washington. She is also a trustee of the Governor’s Mansion Foundation.

A South Kitsap native and graduate of South Kitsap High School where she was a cheerleader, Mrs. Smith still helps organize class reunions, including an upcoming one this year.

But the majority of her philanthropy is done through the bank. “We try to be very involved,” she stated, “In the past we sponsored KitsaParty with Kitsap Mall. It was open to everybody and anybody. There’s nothing like it in Seattle or anywhere else around here.”

She lamented the passing of what was Kitsap County’s only black tie formal event, and one that helped local organizations help themselves. “I would love to see it resurrected,” she said.

So what exactly does Kitsap Bank contribute to locally and how is it decided what is funded and what isn’t?

“Traditionally, we have let our managers make the decisions on what contributions we make because they are members of each local community and are closer to what’s needed,” she answered. “We have branches in Kitsap, Clallam, Jefferson, Mason and Pierce counties, and a loan office in Federal Way. The people who work in those branches have the best knowledge of their own communities, so it just seems natural for them to decide who we can help.”

Does Kitsap Bank have a corporate strategy for philanthropy or is it strictly just at the discretion of the local managers?

Mrs. Smith did say that the corporate headquarters works on larger projects such as Harrison Hospital’s Festival of Trees and other major projects. “We supported Olympic College and the rebuilding of the library,” she noted. “We’re a major sponsor of the Admiral Theatre and are the only local business besides The Sun who sponsors the entire season, not just individual shows. We sponsor opening night at the Bremerton Symphony and contribute to Kitsap Opera. We also helped financially with the restoration of the Virginia V, which was the last steam powered passenger boat of the old mosquito fleet, which was originally built in Olalla. But just like the managers, I have go to bat for my pet projects,” she laughed.

Kitsap Bank also supports the United Way, as well as a myriad of things most people wouldn’t think about.

“You endeavor to make your community a better place, not just by supporting the arts and the hospital, but by diversification — like youth sports, beautification projects, school groups, the boys and girls clubs and things like that,” she said.

She added that the employees of the bank are also involved in numerous community groups, and officers serve on a number of local boards.

“Down in Allyn where we have a branch, they’re developing a waterfront park area and our manager has some involvement there. Some of our other officers serve on the boards of things like Kitsap Mental Heath Services, Holly Ridge Center and service clubs like Rotary and Kiwanis as well as the Chambers. We have one manager who works in a church-sponsored soup kitchen. Our people are very involved, and we encourage that.”

She added that over the years, in the areas where it does business, Kitsap Bank has supported youth baseball teams at all levels, 4th of July fireworks, local festivals, 4H Clubs, a huge fair that for years was held on the site of what is now the Givens Community Center — even before it was a school. The bank is still is a major sponsor of Port Orchard Party, which is held annually at South Kitsap Mall.

In her life, how has she seen Kitsap County change?

“Ever since I was a little girl, the Navy has overshadowed everything. We need economic diversification here and we need it badly,” she answered.

Mrs. Smith related a story that truly illustrates the changes in Kitsap.

“During the war (World War II), we got our money from the Bank of Commerce in Bremerton. My mother used to drive her car over there every week and pick up the money and bring it back to Port Orchard so we could cash people’s paychecks,” she explained. “I was just a little girl then and I remember sitting on top of bags of money. Just imagine that, a mother, a little girl and a car full of money. But we were never robbed. Things were so much different back then,” she lamented.

When asked what she attributes the bank’s success to, she was quick to credit president Jim Carmichael

“Jim Carmichael is very forward-thinking and intelligent,” she said. “He’s done a great job of planning our growth for the long term and recruiting good people. We don’t grow for growth’s sake. We’re very blessed. We have the best staff we’ve ever had. We’re like a big, extended family.”

I asked if she had any closing thoughts.

“Being a locally owned bank, the money stays in the community,” she said without hesitation. “It isn’t packed off to New York or some other place. The money stays here, and more people can get loans and more money can be contributed here. We’re always trying to do more where our community is concerned.”.