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This entry refers to a departed business — a business that has closed or left town. Information here is mostly for historical reference. |
The Washington Mutual Bank on Ocean Street. [The sign got fixed.] Photo by John Pilge.
| Aptos |
| Location |
| 7851 Soquel Drive |
| Capitola |
| Location |
| 1990 41st Avenue |
| Santa Cruz |
| Location |
| 75 River Street (1997-1998) |
| 730 Ocean Street |
| Scotts Valley |
| Location |
| 247 Mount Hermon Road |
| Watsonville |
| Location |
| 630 Main Street |
| Business Lifespan |
| 1997-2008 (In Santa Cruz County) |
Washington Mutual came to Santa Cruz County by buying Great Western Bank in 1997. When Washington Mutual Bank bought Home Savings of America in 1998, the Washington Mutual Bank branch on 75 River Street was closed in favor of the newly acquired former branch of Home Savings of America on 730 Ocean Street which was nearby.
In September of 2008, Washington Mutual was deemed insolvent, primarily due to major losses from its home lending division, and the bank was seized by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, in what was the largest bank failure in American history. The FDIC received bids by JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup to purchase the deposits, locations, and assets of Washington Mutual; JPMorgan Chase was the winner of the auction. In 2009, all branches of Washington Mutual were re-branded under the Chase brand.
As of November 2010, you can still see Washington Mutual in the Watsonville street view of Google Maps. See Google Map Goofs for more! Image: copyright Google 2010.
