1st Security Bank of Washington logo

1st Security Bank of Washington in Mountlake Terrace, WA

4.2/5

Community bank with 27 branches in Washington and Oregon offering personal and business banking, home loans, and deposit products with FDIC insurance.

Data compiled from public sources · Rating from CreditDoc methodology

1st Security Bank of Washington Review

1st Security Bank is a community-focused financial institution operating across Washington and Oregon with a network of 27 branches. S. Government, providing depositors with federal protection on their accounts.

, has announced a merger agreement with Pacific West Bancorp to expand service capabilities and community reach. 2nd Security Bank offers a comprehensive suite of personal and business banking services. For personal customers, they provide checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), home loans, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), and mobile/manufactured home loans.

00% APY on the first $5,000 in Optimum Savings accounts. Business customers can access treasury management services, business checking, and business lending solutions. The bank also offers specialized products like 1st Hero Checking for local heroes and a mobile banking app available on iOS and Android platforms.

What distinguishes 1st Security Bank is its emphasis on local decision-making and community involvement. The bank positions itself as having "local bankers" and "local decision makers" rather than centralized corporate banking. They sponsor community events including Customer Appreciation Week and free scam awareness seminars.

The bank serves a specific geographic region from the Olympic coast to eastern Oregon, allowing for personalized service and community integration that larger national banks typically cannot provide. 1st Security Bank is a legitimate, federally-insured banking institution best suited for customers in Washington and Oregon seeking traditional community banking with branch access and local relationship-based service. The primary caveat is geographic limitation—the bank only operates in Washington and Oregon, making it unavailable for customers outside these states.

Additionally, while they offer competitive rates, customers should compare their deposit and lending rates against regional and national alternatives before opening accounts.

Services & Features

1st Hero Checking for local heroes
ATM network and cash access
Business banking services
Business checking accounts
Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs)
Home loans and mortgages
Mobile and manufactured home loans
Mobile banking app
Personal checking accounts
Personal savings accounts
Treasury management for businesses

Feature Checklist

Mobile App
Online Portal
Score Tracking
Credit Education
Personal Advisor
Identity Theft Protection

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • FDIC-insured deposits backed by full faith and credit of the U.S. Government
  • 27 physical branch locations across Washington and Oregon for in-person banking
  • Competitive CD rates with 3.69% APY on 180-day Customer Appreciation CDs (limited time)
  • Competitive savings rates with 5.00% APY on first $5,000 in Optimum Savings accounts
  • Comprehensive product suite including personal banking, business banking, home loans, HELOCs, and treasury management
  • Mobile banking app available for iOS and Android platforms
  • Community-focused with emphasis on local decision-making and local customer service
  • Specialized products like 1st Hero Checking and mobile/manufactured home loans

Cons

  • Geographic limitation: Only operates in Washington and Oregon; unavailable for out-of-state customers
  • No mention of online account opening or fully digital banking experience on homepage
  • Limited transparency on business banking rates and fees from available website content
  • Merger announcement with Pacific West Bancorp may create service disruption or branch consolidation during integration
  • No mention of investment or wealth management services, limiting appeal for affluent customers

Rating Breakdown

Value
5.0
Effectiveness
3.7
Customer Service
3.8
Transparency
3.8
Ease of Use
4.5

Mortgage Lending Transparency

1st Security Bank of Washington processed 1,358 mortgage applications in 2023, approving 89.4% of applicants across 8 states.

1,358

Applications

89.4%

Approval Rate

$473K

Avg Loan

8

States Served

Approval Rate by Applicant Income

Under $50K
46.9%
$50K–$100K
82.9%
$100K–$200K
91.3%
Over $200K
95.3%

Based on 1,358 applications. Income in thousands (reported by applicant).

Top Lending States

Washington 1,170 apps · 89.7%
Oregon 105 apps · 83.8%
Idaho 31 apps · 83.9%
Arizona 19 apps · 94.7%
California 8 apps · 100%
Colorado 2 apps · 100%

Source: CFPB Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) Data, 2023. Applications include originated, approved, and denied loans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 1st Security Bank of Washington legitimate?

Yes. 1st Security Bank of Washington is a registered company, headquartered in Mountlake Terrace, WA, founded in 2004.

How long does 1st Security Bank of Washington take to show results?

Account opening typically takes 1-3 business days. Loan decisions vary by product.

Quick Facts

Founded
2004
Headquarters
Mountlake Terrace, WA
BBB Accredited
No
Certifications
FDIC Insured FDIC Cert #57633
Starting Price
Contact provider
Setup Fee
None
Money-Back Guarantee
No
Visit 1st Security Bank of Washington

CreditDoc Diagnosis

Doctor's Verdict on 1st Security Bank of Washington

1st Security Bank is best for Washington and Oregon residents and businesses seeking traditional community banking with local decision-makers, competitive rates, and physical branch access. The main caveat is strict geographic limitation—the bank operates exclusively in Washington and Oregon, making it inaccessible for customers outside these states or those requiring fully digital banking experiences.

Best For

  • Washington and Oregon residents seeking community banking with local branch access
  • Small business owners in the Pacific Northwest needing treasury management and local lending relationships
  • Customers who prefer in-person banking relationships over purely digital financial institutions
  • First responders and military members interested in specialized 1st Hero Checking accounts
Updated 2026-05-08

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