Bay Bank will open its first full-service Clark County branch in the Vancouvercenter development on March 13. Bay Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Longview-based Cowlitz Bancorp. The bank will operate out of 5,890 square feet on the first floor of the north tower on the corner of Eighth and Washington streets.
Wayne Kepfer, senior vice president and regional manager said the bank is commercial focused and includes services such as cash management, trust services, equipment, inventory and construction loans and lines of credit.
Bay Bank’s mortgage and commercial loan production office at 201 N.E. Park Plaza Dr. in Vancouver will be integrated into the new branch.
Nine employees will staff the bank, including Kepfer; Tammy Haas, vice president and commercial loan officer; Chuck Miller, vice president and commercial loan officer; and Lisa Upshaw, operations manager.
The opening of the Vancouvercenter branch represents the beginning of Bay Bank’s plan to expand its presence in the market. The bank has said it plans as many as three to four additional locations east and north of Vancouver to serve Clark County.
“With the heart of business centered in downtown Vancouver, this location gives us access to a lot of traffic and exposure,” said Kepfer. “That’s where our first branch needs to be to establish itself as a community bank.”
– Shane Cleveland
