I'm feeling a little bit nostalgic watching WaMu become JP Morgan Chase. I guess probably because I spent seven years of my professional working career for them in product management and deposit strategy, as well as managing branches. I moved to Seattle for employment with WaMu and joined a company firmly grounded in four states, and just ramping up for mergers in three more. I joined the ranks of 9,000 employees. At the time I left the company, I was able to watch it grow to 65,000+ employees conducting retail banking in 14 states and mortgage banking in 32 or so states. Watching it fail, and be taken over by the FDIC and sold has been very interesting. I feel very fortune I offloaded my stock options and common stock in the company back in 2004 when I left financial services, and moved over to health care services. Every time I drive by a branch here in WA state and see the signage changes over to Chase, I always make a brief mention. Too bad the company failed due to poor choices and bad decision making, as well as a very interesting economic melt down. It's interesting to see part of your past be wiped off the face of the planet.
No more "Pixie The Pig," that used to be sold at WaMu Ocassio Financial Centers in four different colors. It's now just a vanilla looking white piggy with a internationally recognized logo. At least the company has that going for it now.
1 comment:
I did like the pig. I still have one on my key chain.
Post a Comment