A Kennewick woman’s neighbor inspired her to begin work at a bank in the 1990s. Now, 30 years later, she’s built a career in banking and serves the community through both her banking work and her service in nonprofits.
Kathy Ruggles recently celebrated her 18th anniversary at Washington Trust Bank, where she is the vice president, branch manager of the Kennewick Financial Center.
“I think the reason I do love banking so much is that I have a passion to help people,” Ruggles said.
Starting from scratch
When Ruggles began banking, she didn’t have any experience in the industry.
“My neighbor said, ‘Hey, have you ever thought about working at a bank?’” Ruggles recalled. “And I never really had, but he said, ‘I think you’d be really good at it.’”
She applied for a 17-hour teller job, and once she got it, she learned what she needed to know on the job. “It was just a natural thing for me,” she said.
She loved banking, and quickly moved up the ladder, becoming the backup vault teller within the first six months. “I took every opportunity as it came along, as there was a chance for promotion,” she said.
From there, she became the vault teller, an operations manager and an assistant manager. By 2000 she was a manager and since then, she’s become a vice president.
“I have worked my way up,” Ruggles said of her career. “I’ve done all the jobs that would get me to where I am now.”
She also took on opportunities to learn more, from small business banking courses to Washington Bankers Association classes. “I’ve always strove to go further because I love banking,” she said.
Ruggles also loved the opportunity to help people’s customer experience and serve them through banking, and her ability to do that has only grown through her various roles.
“I’ve been able to do more,” she said. “Because starting out, I just did everything that I was supposed to do, and I didn’t have the luxury of making decisions. And in my role now, I can make decisions that are right for the bank, of course, but also right for the customer.”
Work at Washington Trust
Throughout her years at different jobs and different banks, Ruggles wanted to end up at Washington Trust Bank, she said. “I love working here, I really do,” she said.
The bank was established in Spokane in 1902, and the Kennewick branch was established in 2001. The Kennewick branch has 14 employees.
The close proximity of the bank’s headquarters is one thing Ruggles appreciates. “It’s local decision-making,” she said. “… All of our leadership is in Spokane, so it’s super close.”
Washington Trust has been family held for four generations, which Ruggles said makes a difference in the decision-making as well.
Because the Kennewick branch is the only Washington Trust location in the Tri-Cities, Ruggles said that “being an ambassador in the community” is an important aspect of what the bank does.
“One of the things that I love … is they have allowed me to be out in the community and volunteer,” Ruggles said. “And every employee here is asked to volunteer and are paid to be out in the community as volunteers.”
Giving back
Ruggles has been on the committees and boards of several local organizations over the years, even before joining Washington Trust.
She’s been involved with the Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership since she was first a bank manager in 1999. She currently serves on the outreach committee.
Years ago, she was the president of the Lourdes Health Network Foundation and was on the hospital board. From there, she got connected to Heads Up Tri-Cities, a nonprofit that strives to meet mental health care needs in the Tri-Cities. She serves on the organization’s grant committee.
Ruggles is also on the Three Rivers Community Foundation board and is a part of their finance and board development committees. A client initially connected her with the organization.
“If they trust you enough for their banking, they come in and they know there’s a place to put you on a board, and they already have that, they know you, they trust you with their finances,” she said.
Through her years at 3RCF, she’s seen the organization grow. “I’m really giving back to something important, for me,” Ruggles said.
Ruggles has been on the 3RCF board for eight years. She served a six-year term on the board, which is the maximum length, and was invited back after a year’s break, said Abbey Cameron, 3RCF’s CEO.
“She is thoughtful and deliberate, helpful and wise, and resourceful and willing to serve,” Cameron said. “She truly cares about this community, evidenced by her service on the Lourdes Foundation Board, Head’s Up Tri-Cities Board, and 3RCF Board. She has made a tremendous impact, helping to ensure our funding goes to the best uses possible, across the Tri-Cities.”
‘Dreams coming true’
Ruggles’ service to others hasn’t just been through volunteering in the community, but in banking itself.
“Have a banker. Don’t just have a bank,” she advised. “Have a banker that’s going to walk you through, especially if you were never taught about finances.”
That’s part of what she’s been able to do in her banking career, and one of the rewarding aspects of the work. “It’s really the dreams coming true for me,” Ruggles said.
“The thing that makes me feel the best is that I know I helped a young person, and I see them 20 years later and they’re a homeowner and they have a family, and maybe I’m the one that put them on the right road to financial success,” she said.
It’s impactful to her to see someone who is able to get their first home, to help someone start up a business of their own, or even just to provide a “road map.” “Those are all success stories,” Ruggles said.
Over the years, she has received several awards, both from the bank and the community. While it’s gratifying to have her work recognized, Ruggles said, “you don’t do it for an award. You do it because it’s literally the right thing to do.”