American Banker Announces Laurie Stewart as One of American Banker’s 2021 MOST POWERFUL WOMEN

Rhea-AI Summary

Sound Community Bank's President and CEO, Laurie Stewart, has been recognized as one of the 2021 Most Powerful Women in Banking by American Banker. This accolade highlights her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in financial services while showcasing her leadership throughout a challenging economic landscape. Under her guidance, the bank transitioned from a $38 million credit union to a nearly $1 billion commercial bank, marking over 30 years of industry impact. Stewart's numerous accolades include previous recognitions by American Banker and leadership roles in prominent banking associations.

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• Laurie Stewart recognized as one of the 2021 Most Powerful Women in Banking.
• Under Stewart's leadership, the bank grew from $38 million to nearly $1 billion in assets.
• Extensive experience in community banking and leadership roles in significant banking organizations.

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SEATTLE, Oct. 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sound Community Bank is pleased to announce Laurie Stewart, President and CEO, was named one of the 2021 Most Powerful Women in Banking by American Banker.     

This year’s diverse list of leaders and change-makers spans the industry and highlights a shared commitment to driving real outcomes for diversity, equity, and inclusion in financial services. These honorees are finding new opportunities amid a challenging time and the recovering economy. They created more pathways for women leaders while supporting their teams and organizations, demonstrating resilience, and cultivated new ways of working.

“The women on this list are at the forefront of significant changes across the financial services industry and in society more broadly,” said Bonnie McGeer, Executive Editor of American Banker and Chair of the Most Powerful Women in Banking and Finance program.   "They are leading reinvigorated efforts to increase diversity of all kinds in the senior ranks, concepting the future of work and helping central banks explore the idea of developing digital currencies, to name just a few of the many initiatives they have underway."

“For 19 years, this list has honored trailblazers, change-makers and unparalleled achievers — individuals who have helped transform the industry despite countless obstacles,” said Gemma Postlethwaite, CEO of Arizent, publisher of American Banker.   “This year's honorees are a testament to the perpetual resilience required of leaders today."

Laurie Stewart celebrates more than 30 years at the helm of Sound Community Bank. In that time, she led the conversion of the organization from a $38 million credit union to a commercial bank which grew to be nearly $1 billion in assets. Stewart maintains a long history in community banking and participation in industry affairs.   In 2019-2020, Stewart served as the Chair of the American Bankers Association, representing the Nation’s $18.6 trillion banking industry and the employment of more than two million workers. She also holds a position on the board of directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Seattle Branch. Previously, Stewart served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Washington Bankers Association (WBA), where she helped create the WBA’s Executive Development Program. In addition, Stewart was one of 14 bankers selected to serve on the inaugural FDIC Advisory Board in 2009, and in 2012, she was named to the Community Bank Advisory Council of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.  In 2019, she was named Community Banker of the Year by American Banker and received an Executive Excellence award from Seattle Business Magazine. American Banker also named her as one of its Most Powerful Women in Banking in 2011, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019. In 2019, Stewart was recognized as an Executive of Excellency by Seattle Business Magazine and as Director of the Year by Puget Sound Business Journal. She is a returning member of the board of the Woodland Park Zoo after serving as Chair and she is a founding member of Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe Community Development Financial Institution, currently serving a second term.  

“I’m honored and humbled for this recognition alongside incredible female leaders in our industry,” remarked Stewart.

The full list, including profiles of all the honorees for 2021, appears on American Banker’s website here: The Most Powerful Women in Banking 2021 | American Banker.

For more information, and to register for the event, visit: conference.americanbanker.com/the-most-powerful-women-in-banking/home.

About Sound Community Bank
Sound Community Bank is a Seattle-based community bank, providing personal and business banking services in King, Pierce, Snohomish, Jefferson, and Clallam Counties, and on the web at www.soundcb.com. Sound Community Bank is a subsidiary of Sound Financial Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFBC).

About American Banker
American Banker empowers banking professionals with unique insight and analysis into the ideas transforming their business and industry. Across its journalism, events, research, and benchmarking, it helps drive the way forward through the complexity of business innovation, retail and commercial disruption, technology, regulation, and reform. With a banking community 850M strong, American Banker’s transformative content connects leaders online, in person, and in print every day.

For additional information:

Media Contact:                                 
Brady Robb
Senior Vice President, Marketing Director                                        
(206) 448-0884 ext. 202

FAQ

What recognition did Laurie Stewart receive in 2021?

Laurie Stewart was named one of the 2021 Most Powerful Women in Banking by American Banker.

What is the significance of Laurie Stewart's recognition?

This recognition highlights her leadership in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the financial services industry.

How has Sound Community Bank performed under Laurie Stewart's leadership?

Sound Community Bank grew from a $38 million credit union to nearly $1 billion in assets during her tenure.

What roles has Laurie Stewart held in the banking industry?

Stewart has held leadership roles in the American Bankers Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, among others.