HomeStreet Bank history

In 1938, the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) was created by Congress as part of the ‘New Deal,’ which later began accepting FHA and Fannie Mae mortgage loans from Continental, Inc.

By 1944, Continental was the third largest mortgage lender in King County.

In 1948, Continental invested in an unprecedented development opportunity in North Seattle called “Suburban Center,” which ultimately became known as the Northgate Shopping Center—one of the nation’s first shopping malls.

In 1953, W. Walter Williams took a leave of absence and headed to Washington, D.C. after he was appointed Under Secretary of Commerce in the Eisenhower administration.

In 1962, W. Walter Williams and Irving Smith served on the board overseeing preparations for the Century 21 World’s Fair in Seattle and construction of the Space Needle.

Walter B. Williams was elected President of the Mortgage Bankers Association of America in 1973, becoming the second President of Continental, Inc. to hold the position.

Continental, Inc. secured Federal approval and founded Continental Savings Bank in 1986 with the charter to provide a reliable, low-cost source of funding for its lending operations.

Continental Savings Bank was named Washington’s “Family Business of the Year” in 1996.

On May 15, 2000, 79-year-old Continental, the largest private, independently owned bank in the Northwest, became HomeStreet Bank to preserve its image as a hometown lender.

Mark Mason was appointed CEO in 2010.

Under the leadership of Mason, the company completed an initial public offering in 2012—with stock listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol HMST.

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Puget Sound Business Journal's 50 fastest growing Middle Market companies - 2021