Chamber honors Washington Trust Bank as top business
Bob Witte, center, presents Washington Trust Bank's Nate Rench and Connor Curry with the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce's Business of the Month Award for February.
(Photo courtesy GREATER SANDPOINT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE)
Washington Trust Bank has been recognized by the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce as the organization's business of the month for February.
Washington Trust Bank was founded in 1902 and from the beginning have strived to provide quality service and financial stability for their customers. For Four generations of leadership, they continue to focus on integrity and commitment to community.
They are the oldest and largest privately-held commercial bank in the Northwest, with more than 40 financial centers and offices in Washington, Idaho and Oregon, therefore they enjoy an advantage over their publicly owned competitors. They can base their decisions and policies on what’s happening right here in the northwest. Being independent they are able to set their sights on long-term goals rather than quarterly results. They stay focused on doing the right thing for their clients and the communities they serve.
"Washington Trust Bank is passionate about serving the community both financially and throughout the years through the volunteer efforts of their employees," chamber officials said of the bank's selection for the honor.
Locally, Nate Rench is branch manager and Connor Curry is assistant manager.
Their department sponsors The Summer Concert Series in Farmin park each year, making it a series of free concerts for the general public. Rench is also a member of Kiwanis, serves on the board of Bonner Community Housing agency, working on projects to bring affordable housing to the Sandpoint Area. Connor is a member of the Chamber Ambassadors groups and Community Volunteer for Chamber events.
In addition, Eric Paull is the local vice president and relationship manager in commercial banking for Washington Trust Bank. His department sponsors the annual CHAFE 150 event, Panhandle Alliance for Education and the Festival at Sandpoint. Paull is also a board member and current chairperson for the Sandpoint Urban renewal agency, board member and treasurer for PAFE, Board member for the Kootenai-Ponderay Sewer district, Bonner county development corporation and active member of Sandpoint Rotary.