Published March 2001

Skagit State Bank opens second branch in county

By John Wolcott
Herald Business Journal Editor

Marcia Smothers, Manager of Skagit State Bank’s new Arlington branch office at Highway 9 and 204th NE, opposite the Safeway shopping center, has been looking forward to returning to the community.

“I’ve been out of the area for about a year, so I’m looking forward to seeing old friends and getting involved in Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce,” she said.

The new office opened Feb. 23, giving the Burlington-based bank a dozen offices in Skagit, Whatcom and Snohomish counties. With its office in Stanwood, the Arlington branch is Skagit’s second in this county.

Fisher & Sons of Burlington was the contractor for the 3,500-square-foot, full-service Arlington office, which includes drive-through teller service, an ATM, night deposit and the bank’s signature attraction, a fireplace and sitting space in the lobby.

Although competition is already keen among the county’s banking community, Skagit State Bank’s co-CEOs — brother and sister James and Cheryl Bishop — feel confident they will carve their own niche here.

The bank, founded by their father, James P. Bishop, in 1958, has had considerable success in community banking, with offices in Burlington, Mount Vernon, Anacortes, Sedro Woolley, Bellingham, Stanwood and Arlington.

“Local people started the bank, with roots in Whatcom County,” Cheryl Bishop said. “We’ve always been a community bank. With the growth in Snohomish County, we have looked at the Smokey Point area lots of times, but we feel there is a lot of growth in the Highway 9 area at 204th Street.

“There’s also a potential for more offices in Snohomish County. If Boeing’s Renton plant work force relocates to Snohomish County, there will be even more potential for growth,” she said.

James Bishop said the bank is experienced in serving major economic sectors, including agricultural businesses and the timber industry.

Skagit State Bank is the largest financial institution in Skagit County, able to lend up to $9 million per project. That’s enough, James Bishop said, for most clients in the bank’s service area.

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