Peninsula financial institution pledges a cool million for community betterment

PORT ANGELES — While some banks across the country are failing because of reckless home mortgages, First Federal on Thursday pledged $1 million for affordable housing and other public programs.

The promise is part of the Community Dividend Program the bank announced to support a variety of economic and community development projects across Clallam and Jefferson counties.

Community Dividend will distribute $1 million in 2008, First Federal President and CEO said Thursday, and in each July-June fiscal year thereafter.

That the bank has the money to give away at all is due to two factors, she said:

  • First Federal is a mutual institution, owned by its depositors, not by investors seeking big profits. The 85-year-old bank intends to stay mutually owned.

  • Although the bank took some criticism and lost some market share during the real estate boom, it wrote no subprime loans.

    “Our loans are good loans. We’re very safe and sound,” McCormick said of its $715 million in assets.

  • More in News

    Crews work to remove metal siding on the north side of Field Arts & Events Hall on Thursday in Port Angeles. The siding is being removed so it can be replaced. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
    Siding to be replaced

    Crews work to remove metal siding on the north side of Field… Continue reading

    Tsunami study provides advice

    Results to be discussed on Jan. 20 at Field Hall

    Chef Arran Stark speaks with attendees as they eat ratatouille — mixed roasted vegetables and roasted delicata squash — that he prepared in his cooking with vegetables class. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
    Nonprofit school is cooking at fairgrounds

    Remaining lectures to cover how to prepare salmon and chicken

    Port Townsend Main Street Program volunteers, from left, Amy Jordan, Gillian Amas and Sue Authur, and Main Street employees, Sasha Landes, on the ladder, and marketing director Eryn Smith, spend a rainy morning decorating the community Christmas tree at the Haller Fountain on Wednesday. The tree will be lit at 4 p.m. Saturday following Santa’s arrival by the Kiwanis choo choo train. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
    Decoration preparation

    Port Townsend Main Street Program volunteers, from left, Amy Jordan, Gillian Amas… Continue reading

    Port Angeles approves balanced $200M budget

    City investing in savings for capital projects

    Olympic Medical Center Board President Ann Henninger, left, recognizes commissioner Jean Hordyk on Wednesday as she steps down after 30 years on the board. Hordyk, who was first elected in 1995, was honored during the meeting. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
    OMC Commissioners to start recording meetings

    Video, audio to be available online

    Jefferson PUD plans to keep Sims Way project overhead

    Cost significantly reduced in joint effort with port, city

    Committee members sought for ‘For’ and ‘Against’ statements

    The Clallam County commissioners are seeking county residents to… Continue reading

    Christopher Thomsen, portraying Santa Claus, holds a corgi mix named Lizzie on Saturday at the Airport Garden Center in Port Angeles. All proceeds from the event were donated to the Peninsula Friends of Animals. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
    Santa Paws

    Christopher Thomsen, portraying Santa Claus, holds a corgi mix named Lizzie on… Continue reading

    Peninsula lawmakers await budget

    Gov. Ferguson to release supplemental plan this month

    Clallam County looks to pass deficit budget

    Agency sees about 7 percent rise over 2025 in expenditures

    Officer testifies bullet lodged in car’s pillar

    Witness says she heard gunfire at Port Angeles park