press release:
AmericanWest Bank has announced its holding company completed the acquisition of Seattle-based Viking Financial Services Corporation, parent company of Viking Bank. Immediately following the close, Viking Bank was merged into, and became part of, AmericanWest Bank.

The Viking Financial Services Corporation shareholders overwhelmingly voted to approve the merger and acquisition at their November 3 special shareholder meeting. The necessary regulatory approvals have also been received, clearing the way for the completion of the sale.

“We are pleased to officially welcome Viking Bank customers and employees to AmericanWest Bank,” said Scott A. Kisting, Chairman and CEO, AmericanWest Bank. “Customers will benefit from the many commonalities that exist among our two banks, including the importance we place on exceptional customer service and being actively involved in the community. These core values serve as a strong foundation, and today we add our increased lending capabilities, robust products and services, and additional benefits inherent with being a well-capitalized bank.”

This expansion offers greater convenience to bank customers—especially those in the Puget Sound. Today’s acquisition adds seven locations to AmericanWest Bank’s footprint: South Seattle, West Seattle, Ballard-Seattle, Bellevue, Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo and Puyallup, bringing the total number of branches in this market to 11 and 70 overall.

AmericanWest Bank’s assets total $2.3 billion as of the close of the transaction. A systems conversion is expected in the second quarter of 2012.

“Providing exceptional customer service is always a top priority, and we will call upon our team’s integration expertise to ensure a seamless transition for Viking customers,” said Kisting.

Based in Spokane, Washington, AmericanWest Bank is a business-focused community bank offering commercial and small business banking, mortgage lending, treasury management products and consumer accounts. At the close of today’s transaction the bank operates 70 branches in Washington, Idaho, California and Utah.
--