Olympia Federal Savings – A “LEEDer” in our Community

oly fed branch
Oly Fed offers a wide variety of services including those of financial planner, Jason
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oly fed branchPun intended. Olympia Federal Savings, commonly known as Oly Fed, has been a financial and community leader in Thurston County for over a century.  Oly Fed is also a “LEEDer” (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) in green building and innovative design, introducing their second green branch and living up to their reputation of distinctive architecture.

In mid-November, Oly Fed will be celebrating the grand re-opening of the West Olympia Branch – a proposed gold certified LEED commercial building.

Originally constructed in 1972, the Oly Fed West Olympia Branch Grand Re-opening will unveil the beautifully expanded full-service branch to customers, neighbors and the community as an expression of appreciation for continued support throughout the construction process.

During the customer appreciation week (November 12 – 15), Oly Fed will have refreshments, festivities and prizes.  The grand prize is a stay at the Hyatt Olive 8 in Seattle ($850 value), which is a LEED certified hotel. Additional prizes include a luxury bicycle from Old Town Bicycle ($500 value) and a stay at the Lake Quinault Lodge ($250 value).

The newly remodeled West Olympia branch has more than doubled in size allowing space for a loan officer that will provide better service to Oly Fed customers. Additionally, there is now a spacious conference room, expanded safe deposit area and a computer area all aimed at providing the high quality service that Oly Fed is known for.

“The construction process was an eye opening experience.  We thought we would likely have to close sometime during the eight-month construction process. Yet our talented contractors, Andy Johnson & Company, just kept building around the old branch until we ended up with an entirely new building,” shared Sandy DiBernardo, Vice President and Marketing Director.

oly fed branches
Oly Fed West Olympia Branch Staff

“Our neighbors were exceptionally supportive. Arby’s provided us additional parking. Jiffy Lube closed early one day so our contractor could have the power down.  Our employees, customers and neighbors were all so patient and accommodating during the process,” comment DiBernardo with appreciation.

“We are thrilled for our grand re-opening. Not only do we want to express our appreciation but we also want everyone to come see our gold standard LEED commercial building,” notes DiBernardo.

LEED certification is an internationally recognized rating system by the U.S. Green Building Council (GBCI) and is considered the highest achievement in green building.  LEED is intended to help building owners to find and implement ways to be environmentally responsible and resource-efficient. Certification is granted solely by GBCI. Oly Fed has built under the LEED gold standards, which is one of the highest levels of LEED certification.

Among the green features of the newly remodeled West Olympia branch are solar panels providing 10% of the power to the building.  The panels were manufactured in Washington, which is an important component of LEED certification – sourcing material close to home (less than 500 miles).  Everything from plumbing to lighting to flooring have met the most stringent of standards to achieve the top level of LEED certification.

“We are even providing an energy efficient shower to encourage our employees to ride their bikes to work. And of course, we have a plug in for our electric car customers,” commented Bobbi Kerr, Vice President, Administrative Services.

The West Olympia branch is Oly Fed’s second venture into LEED building. Oly Fed’s Belfair branch, built in the style of a Northwest lodge, was Mason County’s first LEED certified commercial structure.

oly fed branchBeing conscientious of resource use as well as creating buildings that are architecturally fitting to the community has always been of importance to Oly Fed. Andy Johnson & Company has been building the Oly Fed branches since the 1960’s including its original bold statement in architectural design of the downtown branch as well as the first of its kind green building in Belfair.

In 2011, Oly Fed set a new standard in the local banking industry with its LEED building and, in 1967, Oly Fed set a new architectural standard in downtown Olympia with the floating glass box inside a metal and brick frame building showcasing mahogany carved doors which feature a maze of skeleton key shapes inlaid with colored glass.  Today the building remains one of the most intact mid-century modern buildings in the city.

Since 1906 Oly Fed has been promoting home ownership, thrift and strong community involvement. As a local financial institution Oly Fed strives to better the community through personalized financial services and charitable contributions.  Oly Fed measures success by the way they give back to the community – as an institution and as individuals. They return in excess of 5% of their annual earnings to the community each year. Oly Fed employs over 90 people throughout its seven branches and has over $550 million in combined assets.

 

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