SEATTLE, Oct. 18, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Laurie Stewart, President and CEO of Sound Community Bank, has been named one of 2016’s “Women of Influence” by the Puget Sound Business Journal (PSBJ).

Laurie Stewart speaks to the crowd at Woodland Park Zoo's Jungle Party 2015.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/75f9f4ab-7b0f-4e78-84a1-e9e33932fbd7

Now in its 13th year, the Women of Influence Award honors Seattle-area businesswomen, community leaders and philanthropists who are a force in the region.  According to the PSBJ, “Throughout history, women have made a difference in the workplace...but paving the way to the top and into leadership positions, has taken more than hard work. The pioneers had to shatter glass ceilings, knock down doors, create their own paths and help others along the way. More than ever, women are making a huge impact on the Puget Sound region's economy.”

Every year, the Business Journal recognizes the accomplishments of these women at an awards ceremony in November. Each honoree is also profiled in a Puget Sound Business Journal special report.

Stewart recently celebrated 26 years with the organization.  Stewart was hired in 1989 as President and CEO of Associated Grocers Federal Employee Credit Union (AGFECU).  In the ensuing years, the Credit Union converted to a thrift and is now a fully public company traded on the NASDAQ.  Stewart oversaw the growth of the organization from $38 million dollars to nearly $565 million dollars in the span of 26 years.  She has a long history in community banking and participation in industry affairs.  Recognized by American Banker as one of the Most Powerful Women in Banking in 2011 and 2015, she served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Washington Bankers Association (WBA) and is currently Chair for the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle.  Stewart is the past Chair of the American Bankers’ Association (ABA) Governmental Affairs Committee, a flagship national banking committee, and also served on the ABA Board of Directors.  Stewart is a frequent speaker at conferences and colleges locally and nationally, and has testified in both Washington DC and Olympia, Washington on a variety of legislative and regulatory financial issues.  She helped create the WBA’s Executive Development Program which is now in its sixth year of existence.  Stewart is one of 14 bankers selected to serve on the inaugural FDIC Advisory Board and subsequently the CFPB Advisory Board.

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).

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