Seattle Sounders FC today announced that it has come to an agreement with Washington Federal to make the financial institution the club’s exclusive banking partner through 2025. Washington Federal is a homegrown Seattle-area bank established in 1917 as Ballard Savings and Loan Association. Washington Federal is now a national bank with a branch network in eight western states.
“We are thrilled to welcome Washington Federal to the Sounders family of partners,” said Sounders FC Owner Adrian Hanauer. “Their approach to both business and serving our community mesh perfectly with our club and we look forward to a fantastic partnership.”
As the Rave Green’s exclusive banking partner, Washington Federal is teaming up with goalkeeper Stefan Frei to create an exclusive co-branded credit card that features an original design by Frei. A man of many talents, Frei is known not only for his skill on the field, but for artistic passion off of it. The 2016 MLS Cup MVP is creating two competing designs which will be put to a fan vote before the winning design is adopted as an official Sounders FC-Washington Federal credit card available to customers. Additionally, the Sounders FC credit card is delivering a dynamic rewards program that includes a variety of special offers and exclusive matchday experiences.
Washington Federal and Sounders FC share a strong commitment to serving the Puget Sound community, and, as an official partner, Washington Federal is set to launch the “Saves For Youth” program that provides RAVE Foundation a $250 donation per Sounders FC save during the regular season. The cumulative gift is funding the RAVE Foundation Spring Soccer Clinic Series. These clinics are designed to reach underserved communities by using soccer as a vehicle to empower and inspire. Each participant is being provided a personal soccer ball through RAVE’s One Ball program.
“Washington Federal is proud to partner with Sounders FC,” said Washington Federal President & CEO Brett Beardall. “Both organizations are rooted here in Seattle, and we share common values of teamwork, integrity and client service. We look forward to supporting the Rave Green on the field as well as in their commitment to invest in our communities through the RAVE Foundation. This will be a winning relationship for years to come.”
Additionally, Washington Federal is scheduled to serve as a matchday sponsor for two Sounders FC home matches in 2018.
ABOUT WASHINGTON FEDERAL
Washington Federal, Inc. is the parent company of Washington Federal, a national bank that operates 237 branches in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico. Established in 1917, the bank provides consumer and commercial deposit accounts, financing for small to middle market businesses, commercial real estate and residential real estate, including consumer mortgages, home equity lines of credit and insurance products through a subsidiary. To find out more about Washington Federal, please visit our website www.washingtonfederal.com.
ABOUT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
Winner of the 2016 MLS Cup, 2014 MLS Supporters' Shield and four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championships (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014), Sounders FC is Seattle's Major League Soccer franchise. With an ownership group led by Seattle-based entrepreneur Adrian Hanauer, Hollywood executive Joe Roth, Seattle Seahawks Chairman Paul G. Allen and entertainer Drew Carey, the club received an MLS charter on November 13, 2007 and has qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs in every year of its existence. Sounders FC reached a milestone in 2016, as the franchise claimed its first MLS Cup championship with a road victory over Toronto FC, which was followed by a second consecutive berth in the league championship in 2017. Since the club's debut MLS season in 2009, Sounders FC has set the standard for soccer support in North America, leading the league in attendance for eight consecutive seasons (2009-2016) and routinely ranking in the top 30 in attendance among all team internationally and top three within the Americas. Prior to joining MLS, the Seattle Sounders organization has been a part of the greater Seattle community and U.S. Soccer professional scene since 1974.
