New bank proposed

A proposed new national bank with a Bend headquarters may open a branch in Sisters as early as 2010.

Crown Point National Bank recently announced the filing of their application to establish a new commercial bank to service the Central Oregon and Portland metropolitan area businesses and their owners.

Subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals, the bank proposes to begin operations during the first quarter of 2009.

The bank's offices will be located in downtown Bend at 956 N.W. Bond. The exact location of the Portland branch office will be finalized in the coming months, but is expected to be located in downtown Portland.

Elijah Aldinger, a Sisters resident and an organizer of the bank, recognized the need and potential for a bank locally headquartered in Bend.

Aldinger researched the market and searched out the bankers who will run the operation as well as local individuals to provide seed capital for the bank. A group of 43 founders has collectively advanced over $4 million to fund the bank's organization.

"He moved up here from Southern California where he was successful in the mortgage banking business," said Andrew J. Gerlicher, the proposed president and chief executive officer of the bank. "He has a young family and moved to a place where they could have a better life.

"We're here because he put it together," Gerlicher said.

The bank will focus on building relationships with small- and middle-market businesses.

Gerlicher said that a branch in Sisters is on the horizon.

"We have in our plan the potential for a site in Sisters some time in the second year of operation," he said.