Who We Are

Thank you for banking with us here at South Sound Bank! We want to share a few things about who we are and what we’re about, so take some time to get to know us below.

Our History

South Sound Bank was founded in January of 2000 by local business leaders who understood real life business challenges. Some of those business leaders became members of our Board of Directors. These business owners brought experience from different industries and wanted to see Thurston County grow and prosper.

South Sound Bank began with 7 staff members, we are happy to have 5 of those original members still working with us today. We hire knowledgeable, motivated people to enhance your banking experience. Today we staff over 30 employees in our 2 locations.

Refer to Our Team for information about our current Board Members and staff.

Our Mission

Vision Statement:

We help customers thrive, and our community prosper.

Mission Statement:

Our mission is to provide banking services in a prompt, courteous, and professional manner.

To our customers: We pledge to have accessible staff who are focused on customer specific solutions.

To our staff: We pledge to create a work culture that empowers individual accomplishment while emphasizing mutual respect and teamwork.

To our community: We pledge to help support our neighbors, our community, and our environment.

To our shareholders: We pledge that by putting customers and employees first, our investors will be rewarded.

Core Values:

We treat our customers and employees the way we want to be treated.
We work as a team and support each other.
We bring our passion to work every day.
We help bring prosperity and success to our community.

Our Commitment

South Sound Bank has an unwavering commitment to help our customers thrive. Quite simply, our success depends upon your success. We know how hard you have worked to build your business, which is why we can relate to your independent, entrepreneurial spirit.

South Sound Bank builds solutions around your needs, not ours. Whether to help you grow, save money, or become more efficient, we want South Sound Bank to be your trusted financial partner.

We offer:

• Local decision making
• Knowledgeable bankers with deep roots in the community
• Reasonable credit policies
• Convenient locations
• Strong team approach to ensure that you get the help you need quickly
• All the cutting-edge products you would expect from a banking partner including remote deposit and mobile banking.

That is why our customers agree that Banking is Better Here!

Shareholder Information

Thank you for your referrals and considering South Sound Bank for your banking needs. If you are interested in buying or selling stock, please refer your questions to Steve Hanson by email at SteveH@SouthSoundBank.com or by phone at 360-528-3679.

Our Shareholder Letters are sent out Quarterly and are updated in the link below at that time.

Shareholder Letter 04/19/18

In May 2018, South Sound Bank announced its intent to merge with Timberland Bank. Details of this merger are in the link below.

Merger Information 6/11/18

Press Release 10/1/18

Career Opportunities

South Sound Bank is a small commercial bank seeking employees who understand that customer service is an important aspect of banking. Although customers want convenient banking, they will go out of their way to choose a bank that acknowledges them with exceptional customer service.

For our employees, we create an atmosphere that is both personally and professionally rewarding. We encourage career development and provide advancement opportunities to maximize that potential.

Occasionally we have positions available, but we accept resumes anytime. You can deliver it to one of our branches, submit it via fax (360-352-9249), or e-mail the file directly to our Human Resources Department at KarenR@SouthSoundBank.com.

In addition to our competitive salaries, we offer a full benefit package; including, but not limited to:

Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
401 (k) Plan
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Paid Holidays
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Long-Term Disability
Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program

South Sound Bank is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Our Team

We’d love to have you get to know our Team, so meet some of the people that keep us going each day. Just click on a name below to read a bit about them!

Administration

Steve Hanson

Steve Hanson
Executive Vice President, CFO, and Board Member

Karen Reynolds
VP & Human Resources/Risk Management

Loans

Chuck Hoeschen

Chuck Hoeschen
VP & Commercial Lender / Dental Financing
NMLS#407730

Tim Timmer

Tim Timmer
VP & SBA Commercial Lender
NMLS#408227

Ashley Worth
VP & Relationship Manager
NMLS#1287822

Operations - Olympia

Yo Truong

Yo Truong
Olympia Personal Banker

Tara Barker
Olympia Personal Banker

Operations - Lacey

Ivy Superales

Ivy Superales
AVP & Lacey Branch Manager

Michelle Blevins

Michelle Blevins
Lacey Private Banking Assistant

Online Services

Brenda Gisse

Brenda Gisse
VP & eBanking Manager

Rebekah Jory

Rebekah Jory
eBanking Assistant

Steve Hanson

Executive Vice President, CFO, and Board Member

Steve graduated from the University of Washington with a business administration degree in 1979 and his first job out of college was as a Bank Examiner for the State of Washington. He has over 25 years of experience as a community bank Chief Financial Officer and joined South Sound Bank in 1999 while the Bank was in formation. His job duties include financial accounting, investments, interest rate risk, shareholder relations, information technology oversight, and Board Secretary. A member of the Olympia community since 1969, Steve enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Karen Reynolds

VP & Human Resources/Risk Management

Karen has been in banking since 1973 and has worked in community banking for nearly 30 years. She is a VP for South Sound Bank and is responsible for risk management, auditing, and Human Resources. Karen has done work in the community with Crime Stoppers and with the Providence St Peter Foundation's Christmas Forest.

In her spare time she enjoys volunteer work, cooking, sewing, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Chuck Hoeschen

VP & Commercial Lender / Dental Financing

Chuck started his banking career in 1992 as a teller working his way up the ranks through new accounts, operations manager, and mortgage and construction loan officer. He started with South Sound Bank in 2005 and is now a commercial lender, specializing in Dental financing. Chuck has been on the North Thurston Business Advisory Board, the Thurston-Mason Dental Society, and has been a judge for the Regional Future Business Leaders of America. He enjoys helping borrowers accomplish their business goals by giving them the tools they need to succeed.

In his time away from work Chuck focuses on family and likes to share travels and adventures with them. He likes working with the Boy Scouts of America and encourages his boys to continue their participation each year.

Tim Timmer

VP & SBA Commercial Lender

Tim has been in banking since 1998 starting as a personal banker and loan officer. He worked his way up to branch manager at US Bank before joining us here at South Sound Bank in 2004. Tim is one of our key lenders for SBA Loans and manages multiple portfolios for all types of businesses.

Outside the office, Tim has been a member of the Olympia Kiwanis and loves working with other various youth organizations and their fundraisers. He enjoys spending time with his family, first and foremost, and is an avid outdoorsman. Tim is also an Advocate for the Homeless to help guide them to a place where they can get back on their feet and return to work.

Ashley Worth

VP & Relationship Manager

Olympia native, Ashley Worth, has been in the banking industry since 2011. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Azusa Pacific University in 2013 and her Master's Degree from WGU in 2018. Ashley enjoys helping local business owners find financial solutions that can help their businesses grow and she strives to create lasting relationships with all of her clients. She is a member of the Lacey Rotary Club, board member of the Tenino Area Chamber of Commerce, serving as Treasurer and advisory member of Raise for Rowyn. Ashley enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, and trying new restaurants.

Yo Truong

Olympia Personal Banker

Yo began her banking career in 1983 as a teller and has held many positions. These positions include teller, vault teller, personal banker, and loan officer. She came to South Sound Bank in 2008 and is now one of our best Personal Bankers. Yo has been a part of the Lacey Chamber of Commerce as well as having been a member of the Olympia Chinese Fellowship, where she still volunteers when the needs arise.

Outside of work, Yo enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, bowling, and swimming. She also speaks 3 languages which is an asset to her both inside and outside of the bank.

Tara Barker

Olympia Personal Banker

Tara has been in banking since 2000. She joined South Sound Bank as a Teller and moved into the New Accounts position which has given her the opportunity to train new employees as they join our team. Knowing that her customers have the opportunity to choose from many banks in the area, Tara takes pride in her ability to welcome and show her appreciation for each person and business that makes the decision to bank with us. She strives to provide excellent customer service and loves the chance to build partnerships with her customers.

In her time off, Tara likes cooking, going to the ocean, spending time with her friends and her cat, Noodles.

Ivy Superales

AVP & Lacey Branch Manager

Ivy began her banking career in 2004 as a teller and has also held positions such as new accounts and operations manager. Currently, she is the Branch Manager at our Lacey location. Ivy is excited to work with us here at South Sound Bank and has an open-door policy to her employees and customers alike! She volunteers with the Junior Achievement USA program which allows her to groom school-aged kids to succeed as working professionals.

Outside of work, Ivy enjoys spending time with her family and has many personal interests including travel, music, and nature.

Michelle Blevins

Lacey Private Banking Assistant

Michelle has worked in the banking industry since 2004 and began working at South Sound Bank in 2009. As a Private Banking Assistant, she focuses on establishing and building long lasting relationships.

Michelle was born and raised in Olympia and enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

Brenda Gisse

VP & eBanking Manager

Brenda started in banking in 1981 working with word processing to create bank manuals. She has worked as a teller, in new accounts, loans, credit cards, and has been an operations manager. Brenda joined South Sound Bank at its beginning in 2000 and has found her place as VP and eBanking Manager. She wears many hats in her department and has been instrumental in aiding each of the other departments in one way or another. Brenda has also been a board member of the United Communities Aid Foundation.

In her time away from work, family is her focus. Brenda enjoys gardening, cooking, and reading as well.

Rebekah Jory

eBanking Assistant

Rebekah has been with South Sound Bank since 2008 starting as a Teller and moving her way up through Personal Banking. She is currently assisting in Online Banking Services. Rebekah enjoys what she does and loves the customers she works with every day. Customer Service has been her passion and focus for over 25 years, so the more contact she has with the customers of South Sound Bank, the happier she is. Rebekah is also a member of the Tenino Area Chamber of Commerce.

On her days off, Rebekah enjoys spending time with her husband and her dogs. She likes camping, reading, going to movies, and cooking.