Washington Business Bank Shareholders Approve Acquisition by Sound Credit Union

OLYMPIA, WA, May 30, 2024 – Washington Business Bank (OTCPK: WBZB) today announced that at the annual meeting of shareholders held last night, its shareholders approved the previously announced purchase and assumption agreement with Sound Credit Union whereby Sound Credit Union will purchase substantially all assets and assume substantially all liabilities of Washington Business Bank. Following the completion of the transaction, Washington Business Bank will dissolve and, following the payment of any remaining liabilities and obligations of the bank, make a final liquidating distribution to its shareholders.  In connection with the transaction, the shareholders of Washington Business Bank will receive approximately $34.00 – $36.00 in cash for each share of Washington Business Bank common stock, subject to certain adjustments at closing.

The transaction, which is anticipated to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024, remains subject to receiving all regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

About Sound Credit Union

Sound Credit Union was founded in 1940 and today is one of Washington State’s largest credit unions. With 26 full-service branch locations throughout the Puget Sound area, Sound provides their 170,000 members with authentic and trusted financial support and services.  Sound is driven by the purpose of standing with members, employees, and the community through all waves of life.

About Washington Business Bank
Washington Business Bank was founded in 2002 and is one of Washington’s premier community-owned financial institutions. The bank was voted “Best Bank” in The Olympian’s “Best of South Sound” contest for the sixth year in a row and is rated “5 Stars” by Bauer Financial. Headquartered in Olympia, Washington, Washington Business Bank’s mission is to provide financial services that enable their clients to become more successful.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to future plans and expectations, and are thus prospective. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, such as the businesses of Sound Credit Union and Washington Business Bank may not be integrated successfully or such integration may take longer to accomplish than expected, the expected cost savings and any revenue synergies from the transaction may not be fully realized within the expected timeframes, disruption from the transaction may make it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, associates, or suppliers, or the required governmental approvals of the transaction may not be obtained at all or on the proposed terms and schedule, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Therefore, we can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be construed as a representation by the companies or any person that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by the companies will be achieved. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the companies or any person acting on their behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by the cautionary statements above. None of Sound Credit Union or Washington Business Bank undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

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