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Reflecting the communities we serve
U.S. Bank launches military flagship branch program in Tacoma, Washington.
Military service members aren’t typical banking customers. They face frequent travel for extended periods of time, regular relocation based on work assignments and need the ability to bank, make deposits and access cash anytime and from anywhere.
That’s why U.S. Bank opened its first-ever military flagship branch this month in Tacoma, Washington, in the Lakewood neighborhood located just three miles from Joint Base Lewis McChord. At the U.S. Bank Lakewood branch, staff undergo special training to learn more about the life cycles of service members and their families to better serve them. The branch also features design enhancements to improve the banking experience for customers, as well as fresh décor including artwork that reflects the local military community and parking designated for active-duty military, reservists and veterans.
“Making a point to have our branch reflect and represent the communities they serve is another way we are powering the potential of our customers,” said Tim Welsh, vice chair of consumer and business banking. “Our flagship branch program takes it a step further and allows us to tailor talent, training and the branch experience to make clients more comfortable and in turn better reach the many diverse communities U.S. Bank serves, including our military community.”
On Nov. 9, the branch served as the backdrop for the company’s 50th vehicle donation overall as part of the U.S. Bank Driven to Serve program. In partnership with national military nonprofit Operation Homefront the program donates reliable, payment-free vehicles to veterans and their families. The deserving recipient was Army veteran Elliott Wager, who resides in Auburn and drove home in a 2020 Ford Escape.
Wager, who uses the pronouns they, served almost four years in the military as a heavy-equipment operator before being medically retired because of post-traumatic stress disorder. Their new vehicle replaces a 23-year-old car that helped them get to the VA for frequent medical appointments and was on the brink of a breakdown. Because Wager’s partner is in between jobs and Elliott’s medical conditions limit their ability to work outside the home, the household budget could not accommodate major car repairs or the purchase of a second vehicle.
The Lakewood branch marks the beginning of the new military flagship program as part of the broader U.S. Bank flagship branch program that originated in 2018 with the LGBTQ+ flagship program that features locations in Capitol Hill in Seattle, the Castro district in San Francisco, Chicago’s Lakeview East neighborhood, and West Hollywood in Los Angeles. This year, U.S. Bank expanded the program to also include a Chinese flagship program, with locations in Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago and Southern California.
In addition to the flagship program, U.S. Bank operates branches that support the military community in other ways. In July, U.S. Bank invested in the military community of Gurnee, Illinois, with the opening of the new Gurnee and Grand branch. As part of the grand opening celebrations, the branch team provided monetary donations to the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Healthcare Center and the Lake County Veterans and Family Services Foundation. A vehicle was also donated through the Driven to Service initiative to a local Navy veteran served by Operation Homefront.
U.S. Bank also supports the military community through a number of programs in partnership with military nonprofits including the HOME (Housing Opportunities after Military Engagement) program where homes are donated mortgage-free to deserving veterans (22 homes have been donated since 2013). The RAMP (Repair Assistance for Military Personnel) program provides critical home repairs for veteran homeowners, completing 19 repair projects in the past five years. Last year, U.S. Bank recognized 40 veterans with care packages and/or flagpole installations for Operation Always Remember.
Recently, U.S. Bank climbed to No. 7 on Military Times ‘Best for Vets’ employer list. The company supports military and veteran employees through expansive leave policies, free iPads for families to stay connected during deployments and the company’s award-winning Proud to Serve BRG, among other efforts. For more than a decade, the more than 5,000-member Proud to Serve BRG has played a leading role in shaping how the company supports military and veteran employees, customers and community members.
For more information on military banking at U.S. Bank, visit https://www.usbank.com/about-us-bank/community/military-banking.html.
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