Celebrating 115 Years
August 8th marked our 115th year as your local community bank. In honor of the occasion, we held a community-wide glass starfish scavenger hunt. Each starfish was hand-crafted by local artist, Lisa Stirrett’s Creative Warrior Studio and symbolized Kitsap Bank’s commitment to #causegood in the communities it serves.
Inspired by the well-known “Starfish Story”, the starfish serve as a reminder that everyone has the ability to make a difference. No deed is too small or cause too great when we act together for the good of our neighbors and communities. With every starfish found, Kitsap Bank donated $50 to a local environmentally-focused non-profit in the finder’s name.
25 glass starfish were released into the wild over a two-week period at local beaches and parks in the communities that Kitsap Bank serves. Individuals and families from all over the region participated in the search, exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest that we’ve called home for over a century.
Women and Family Owned – Continuing a Legacy
Kitsap Bank has been proudly family and women-owned for three generations. The bank was purchased by Frank Langer in 1922. Upon Frank’s death thirty years later, his wife, Hannah, broke against convention at the time to become Kitsap Bank’s next President. Frank and Hannah’s daughter, Helen, joined the Board at that same time.
Helen would go on to become one of the longest serving woman on any bank board in the country. She was Chairman of the Board from 1986-2011, and then Vice-Chairman from 2011 when she passed the Chairmanship torch to her daughter, Cydly Langer Smith. Helen served on Kitsap Bank’s Board of Directors for an astounding 70 years until her passing in July 2023.
Helen was known for her business savvy, her philanthropic benevolence, as well as her sincere interest in Kitsap Bank’s employees and their families. As Helen once remarked, “In many ways, we are a family, which extends to our employees and customers, alike. We have had the privilege of getting to know people over the years, and have shared in the joy of milestones reached, goals accomplished, and challenges faced.”
We’re proud to say that Helen’s legacy lives strongly on. Our family ownership continues under the unwavering stewardship and leadership of Helen’s daughter, our Chairwoman, Cydly Langer Smith. Helen’s daughter, Melinda Smith Pigors, a Director since 2010, was elected by the Board to take her mother’s place as Vice-Chairwoman. Together, along with Kitsap Bank’s Executive Team and Board, they share a vision of Kitsap Bank’s continued independence and dedication to causing good in our communities. We know nothing would please Helen more.
