Our History

 First check written for $2 to the State Auditor. First home loan for $500.

Company name was legally changed from Lincoln Savings and Loan Association to First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Port Angeles. 

The bank passed $1,000,000 in assets in 1944, at the tail-end of World War II. "First Federal's assets grew...driven by investment account growth as nervous citizens stockpiled their wealth."

Savings campaign swag with placeholders to save dimes.  
The small change some call “chicken feed” 
in time becomes Big Money; 
When saved, you’ll find it can indeed  
Make rainy days turn sunny! 
DON’T spend all that “chicken feed”... 
Save some of yours, inside; 
Then plant with use, like garden seed, 
And watch it grow—with pride! 

An Open House was held to celebrate new Administration headquarters at First and Oak.

An Open House was held to celebrate new Administration headquarters at First and Oak.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary, “new stationery was printed with the words: "Our 50th Year" placed next to a new logo that was designed by employees Karry Kreider and Jean Graham. The logo featured two bold letters "F", one placed vertically over the other and both surrounded by a thin rectangular border. Gone was the original florid script and in its place was simple, contemporary type." 

"At First Federal the year 1973 marked the Association's fiftieth anniversary and it celebrated in style. The S&L's staff had grown to nineteen people, yet the close-knit, family atmosphere remained. For the week-long celebration, the women on staff wore hand made matching gold vests and men wore matching goldprint ties."

Former CEO Karen McCormick was a loan officer at the time. She remembered, "In the early days the loan process was so different. Eleven loan officers would gather in the main office upstairs twice a week. Almost everyone smoked and with the doors closed the smoke got so thick we could hardly see each other. We brought our loan applications and presented to the group. Later people would ask me jokingly, 'What did you do, raise your hands and vote?' Yes, that's exactly what we did."

Automated teller machines (ATMs) introduced at its Eastside and Sequim Village branches. The bank joined "The Exchange," a network of cash machines that provided account access outside of the immediate market area. Ad reads, "I'm your newest cash machine and I'm open for business 24 hours a day, seven days a week...If you're short of money after banking hours...I can help!"

Bank President Harvey “saw additional growth opportunity in neighboring Jefferson County, believing that First Federal’s unique blend of personalized customer service, professional products and services, and strong community support would resonate with the citizens of Port Townsend.” 

"(CEO Karen) McCormick recognized that times had changed, and First Federal needed to change with them."

"Electronic banking was here to stay and the Association introduced its new debit card program in July 1997."

These charming ceramic First Federal Savings & Loan cookie jars were created in the early 2000s as part of a marketing initiative. Occasionally, they can still be spotted in and around the Port Angeles area. 

"An emerald green logo with contemporary design replaced the S&L's long-time FF logo."

The Silverdale branch on Bucklin Hill Road opened in 2014. 

The first Bellingham branch opened on Barkley Boulevard on November 9, 2015. Jami Peterson started there originally as a Universal Banker, then was promoted to Assistant Branch Manager, and now leads the Barkley team as Branch Manager.

The Main Street Lending Program was a government program created in 2020 to support small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. First Fed partnered with local businesses to support them with lending programs like Main Street and PPP loans throughout the pandemic. 

First Fed acquired the Bellevue branch from Sterling Bank and Trust. Branch Manager Nicole Zhao and Universal Banker Toshi Mei stayed with the branch, joining the First Fed team. 

To better serve the diverse community, our Bellevue team can assist customers in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Vietnamese.

Our customers, partners, and employees have called us First Fed for decades. The name was legally changed in October 2021.

Earlier that year, we also updated our logo. As part of our brand refresh we began incorporating natural elements into our branches, like our signature moss walls, to embrace our PNW heritage.