Many banks emphasize their friendly customer service, but few can offer an authentic hometown feel like Bank of the Pacific. Since opening their doors in Lynden more than 20 years ago, they have made the community just as much of a priority as helping customers with their financial needs.
Bank of the Pacific’s Small Town Roots
Bank of the Pacific’s story began in 1971 in Long Beach, WA. In 1990, Bank of Grays Harbor was founded in Aberdeen, and the two merged in 1999. Bellingham’s Bank Northwest joined in 2004, further expanding the network. Today, with more than 20 branches stretching from Marion County in Oregon to Whatcom County, the bank proudly serves the Lynden community as part of its continued regional growth.
The first Bank of the Pacific location in Lynden was a two-person team operating out of a home office on Bender Road. In 2002, the pair opened a larger branch on Guide Meridian Road. They relocated to their current location in 2005, a bright and airy building at 1800 Front Street, offering personal banking services ranging from HELOCs (Home Equity Lines of Credit) to vehicle loans, as well as commercial services tailored to the area’s large agricultural industry.
From Bank Offices to Berry Fields
Carley Crawford-Wilson, Lynden’s branch manager, oversees day-to-day operations and enjoys being part of a hands-on team. “I had the pleasure to go on a couple of farm tours this past fall,” she says. “We do their deposits and whatnot on a daily basis, but to actually go out and see the work they’re doing, and the different phases of the berries out on the acreage, is really special.”
In addition to those one-on-one connections, Crawford-Wilson is excited to further engage with Lynden’s public events in the future. “This past year we had a booth at the Downtown Trick or Treat, handing out candy and a little coloring book about banking for the kids,” she says. “Having the opportunity to be out amongst our customers and peers was one of my favorite things that we did this past year.”
Personal Connections With Bank of the Pacific
Heather Vandergiessen is a customer service representative with strong ties to the agricultural industry. “I’m from Ferndale, but I married a Lynden boy,” she says. “My husband makes the berry harvesters here, right down the road.”
When it comes to community involvement, she represents the bank in various programs, including parades and other special events. The Lynden branch recently volunteered to pass out candy at the city’s annual trick-or-treating event. Vandergiessen has also volunteered to paint children’s faces and assist at a local community children’s carnival. “We sponsor the Grandstand Entertainment Series at the Northwest Washington Fair across the street every single year, and that’s my favorite time of the year,” Vandergiessen says. “I get off work and I walk over there, and get to represent the bank to the community.”
Vandergiessen also brings a highly personal philosophy to the office. “You never know what people are facing in daily life,” she says. “They could have just walked through anything—good or bad—and at a local community bank, we can help bring them a smile during their day. We pride ourselves in knowing their names and their situations at a personal, friendly level.”
Renee Aase serves as the senior retail operations officer for Bank of the Pacific’s Lynden branch. In her free time, she is an active member of Whatcom Women in Business. She also enjoys volunteering for a variety of events and causes, especially for Lydia Place, a local non-profit whose mission is to disrupt the cycle of homelessness and nurture healing and belonging for current and future generations. “I think the community cares about each other,” Aase says. “It kind of brings you back a little bit, to a time when kids could head outside, and you know that they’re going to be okay because people are looking out for each other.”
Sirita Walter is a customer service representative who also sees the Downtown Trick or Treat event as a highlight of Bank of the Pacific’s outreach. “I love seeing the kids all in their costumes, living their best life,” Walter says. “Knowing everybody’s faces and knowing how intertwined and tight-knit everybody is—that’s special.”
A Game of Dutch Bingo in Lynden
To measure just how closely connected and intertwined people are, Lynden residents might play a game they call ‘Dutch Bingo.’ It often begins when someone hears another person’s last name, and the two individuals start to trace their family histories to discover whether they are related or just how far back in time their families have known each other.
Vandergiessen’s first job was at a coffee stand where Crawford-Wilson was her boss. Vandergiessen’s childhood best friend once worked alongside Aase, and Vandergiessen also attended school with Walter. It’s a great example of the close-knit connections you often find in the Lynden community.
Those connections don’t stop at the front door. You’re sure to see the Bank of the Pacific banner at a Lynden event near you. With a mission “To be the best bank for our employees, customers, investors and communities,” Bank of the Pacific makes a difference in the communities they serve.
Stop by and meet the friendly team at Bank of the Pacific in Lynden or learn more here.
Bank of the Pacific
1800 Front Street, Lynden
360.318.8780
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