Kitsap Bank has been named as one of the finalists for Washington’s Best Workplaces by the Puget Sound Business Journal. The program was launched in 2007 to identify and recognize best practices in the hiring and retention of great people. After an extensive and rigorous process, which included the completion of surveys by nominee-company employees across the state, workplaces in four different categories have been identified as Washington’s best, based on their various employee benefit offerings, leadership culture and work/life balance philosophies. In total, 66 companies have made the grade as finalists (65 spots with one tie). Kitsap Bank is among one of 20 finalists in the large company category.

“We are pleased to be named one of Washington’s Best Workplaces,” comments James Carmichael, Kitsap Bank President and CEO, “When you join Kitsap Bank as an employee, you become part of the Kitsap Bank family. It is not unusual for our employees to spend upwards of 20 or 30 years with us — a true testament to the organization’s commitment to its employees and its rich history as the community’s financial partner.”

The finalists — 21 small companies, 20 medium-sized companies, 20 large companies, and five nonprofits — will be celebrated at a one-of-a-kind awards event at Safeco Field on Aug. 20.