When Sound Savings & Loan Association opened its doors on May 26, 1977, it was the first female-directed savings and loan institution west of the Mississippi. Some 500 shareholders, mostly women, invested $1.3 million to open the thrift bank, and the state of Washington contributed $100,000 to the effort. Billing itself “A Woman’s Place,” Sound Savings focused primarily on savings accounts and local mortgages.

In this image, a young woman (center) and her friend examine the Sound Savings stock certificate she just purchased. Beverly Smith, left, one of several women who founded Sound Savings, looks on.

Caption information source: “Women’s Bank Ready – Awaiting Go-Ahead”, by Maribeth Morris, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, May 4, 1977, page A10.
Caption information source: “Sound S&L Opens Today: State Among Savers at Women’s Bank”, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, May 26th, 1977, page B4.