SEATTLE - Seattle-based HomeStreet Bank, the largest privately-owned bank in King County, will contribute a total of $61,190 to regional zoos through its “Wild About Zoos” partnership with Woodland Park Zoo, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Oregon Zoo and the Honolulu Zoo Society. The money will support zoo programs and operations.

Through its annual “Wild About Zoos” program, HomeStreet Bank donates $10 to regional zoos for every new bank account, mortgage, loan, and insurance policy opened for the three-month period between April 1 and June 30, 2005. HomeStreet generated 6,119 new accounts in that time, exceeding its minimum guaranteed financial commitment of $45,000.

This is the fourth year of “Wild About Zoos.” Since its inception, HomeStreet has contributed more than $242,000 to the zoos through this program, more than half of which has gone to Woodland Park Zoo.
“ We are very grateful to HomeStreet Bank for their long-time support of Woodland Park Zoo. Our partnership helps ensure that we continue to build the zoo of the future for our community and for visitors to enjoy and connect with nature,” said Woodland Park Zoo Deputy Director Bruce Bohmke.

HomeStreet Bank has supported Woodland Park Zoo in a variety of ways over the years. The bank, along with the Williams family, contributed $250,000 to the new Jaguar Cove exhibit in honor of Walter B. Williams, chairman emeritus of HomeStreet Bank, and his wife, Marie Williams. Williams served as Chair of the Woodland Park Zoo Society in the mid-1980s and the Bond Oversight Committee from 1985-1995, helping to turn Woodland Park Zoo into the world-class institution that it is today.

HomeStreet Bank’s tradition of community involvement dates from its early years, taking the form of community leadership, volunteerism, and charitable contributions. Each year, HomeStreet contributes two percent of its annual pre-tax profits to organizations in its communities. Wild About Zoos has been a major element of the bank’s corporate focus on parks and open spaces. Support from HomeStreet Bank helps fund Woodland Park Zoo's many conservation efforts, including endangered western pond turtles found in the Columbia River Gorge.

Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting a standard for zoos all over the world. With conservation, education and excellent animal care at the core of the zoo’s mission, the zoo is helping to save endangered species in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring visitors and others to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.