Banks are just banks if you don't have something extra these days. But we've always known that. It's part of this company's roots. We'll continue to do things the way we have been. Banks don't improve their customer service because of mergers.
Small banks have an edge.
I would much rather get up in the morning to compete against a big bank than I would a little bank. The company's current strategy involves staying on the lookout for communities in need of fresh banking choices, and trying to take advantage of vacancies left by big-bank mergers. In September, the company opened a new Home Security branch in Yakima in a building acquired from U.S. Bank and a new downtown Spokane branch of United Security in a vacant building once used by Great Northwest Savings. While the company hopes to open branches in the Tri-Cities and northern Idaho, it will take a short rest from expanding after last month's two branch openings. Of course, higher operating costs this year may be another reason for the expansion hiatus.