AmericanWest banks chamber's top business honors

SANDPOINT — A focus on community has earned AmericanWest Bank honors as the Greater Sandpoint Chamber’s business of the month.

AmericanWest Bank is a business-focused community bank, committed to providing truly exceptional customer service. Founded in Colville, Wash., in 1974 and now headquartered in Spokane, AmericanWest Bank has been part of the Sandpoint area since 2006 and has grown each year since opening its doors here.

AmericanWest officials said the bank is one of the most well-capitalized in the country by bank regulatory standards and offers a full array of outstanding commercial and small business banking solutions, as well as personal banking products and services, including highly-competitive mortgage solutions.

The bank’s Sandpoint team is one of the best in the company’s 100-plus branch footprint, AmericanWest officials said. Collectively, the local team of five has more than 50 years of combined financial experience and they leverage that expertise every day to help their customers achieve their personal and business goals.

“We take a hands-on approach for every client,” said Shelley Allen, services and solutions manager. “We don’t expect our clients to know every product and service available in banking — that is our job. We focus on getting to know each client individually so we can tailor solutions to fit their banking needs.”

The highly-skilled team is equally impressive in their commitment to the community. For example, they take full advantage of the bank’s unique community involvement program, Community Connections, which pays employees to volunteer with their favorite charities during normal work hours. Some of their favorite causes here include the Idaho Panhandle Habitat for Humanity, the Bonner Community Food Bank, Junior Achievement, Head Start, the Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, Sandpoint Rotary Club, Kaleidoscope Art Program, Kinderhaven and the Sandpoint Senior Center. The commitment doesn’t stop there. The bank also makes cash contributions to worthwhile causes like the student garden at Northside Elementary School and helping our local Head Start Center afford new playground equipment and repairing the fence that protects the kids when they’re playing outside.

“The bank’s commitment to community involvement is a key reason I enjoy being part of the AmericanWest team,” said Ken Wood, branch manager. “This is the first time I have been able to utilize my financial expertise to help so many folks here in Sandpoint and also pursue my passion to give back. On a daily basis, I see the difference that our time and donations make in this community.”

Information: AmericanWest Bank, 605 Fifth Avenue; Phone: (208) 255-1700, email: ken.wood@awbank.net; or online at www.awbank.net.