Forbes & Fortune - Washington Best in Banking

 

 

In the town of Winlock, Washington, farmers and retirees gather for morning coffee and conversation not at a cafe or diner but at their local bank. It’s one of 24 Timberland Bank locations across western Washington, each shaped by its neighbors and backed by the technology and services customers expect from a national bank.

 

“Banking isn’t just transactional for us,” says Jonathan Fischer, President and COO. “It’s important for us to connect with local customers to learn what they need and help them reach their goals through tailored products and loans. We give counsel to help people finance their dreams.”

 

Headquartered in the lumber town of Hoquiam since 1915, Timberland Bank follows the philosophy of people helping people, connecting them with community banks that serve towns with the resources of cities and serve cities with the customer service of a neighbor.

 

“The country is made up of towns and cities that need access to capital for their families and businesses to grow,” Fischer explains. “Having local community representation in banking helps create vibrant neighborhoods where people thrive.”

 

Whether in a town or a city, Timberland Bank’s people-centric approach to meeting the needs of neighbors naturally led them to become experts in construction lending, particularly in larger markets such as Tacoma and Olympia.

 

“Construction lending is a partnership we build with customers often over 12 to 18 months,” says Fischer. “It’s not a cookie-cutter loan—we help them navigate banking rules and opportunities as they work with a contractor and inspector to build their dream home.”

 

 

Like many in the community banking industry, Fischer began his career by accident.

 

“I was already involved in my church and local nonprofits when I got hired at a local bank as a college intern,” says Fischer. “I stayed on when I found that I could help my community find success by navigating them through intimidating financial topics.”

 

It’s a similar story for many Timberland Bank employees, who began their careers in entry-level roles and over time moved into positions that match their talents.

 

“We often create positions around the skills of the people we hire instead of fitting people into a job,” Fischer explains. “When someone joins the team, we find their strengths and learn where they want to grow or create a position that suits them.”

 

Employees may start their careers at Timberland Bank by accident; their success, however, comes from a sense of purpose, mentorship, and a shared desire to help neighbors achieve their goals.

 

“I love seeing the people that I work with grow into meaningful careers,” says Fischer. “Their success naturally branches out into helping their customers and communities succeed. We all love the communities that we serve. We get to know and count on our neighbors to care for one another.”