MARYSVILLE — Erin Reynolds had been working for Coastal Community Bank for only a couple of weeks when the Oso slide hit last year.

Reynolds had been hired to serve as manager for the planned Marysville branch of the bank, which finally opened this month. But the aftermath of a tragedy that hit close to home taught her how her employers take community involvement seriously.

“I live in Darrington, and they paid me to volunteer for the relief efforts for three weeks,” Reynolds said. “We were cooking meals, bringing in supplies and writing off loans. Julie [Kuntz], our marketing coordinator, lost her home and her aunt in the slide.”

Reynolds sees this local focus as Coastal’s strongest-selling point, especially now that it can serve Marysville in town, rather than at its Everett or Smokey Point branches.

“I worked at those two branches before we opened our doors here, and I’ve already seen quite a few of the same customers,” Reynolds said. “We offer checking and savings accounts, just like anyone else, but we don’t have an 800-number. If you’re overdrawn, or you bounce a check, it’s going to be me or one of the other folks at this office who will call you.”

The staff at Marysville includes relationship manager and commercial lender Jan Buckner, assistant manager Whitney Warner and customer service representative Michelle Wetzel. Reynolds explained the Marysville branch has the capacity for nine employees, but expected it would only add one a year at the most, if business is brimming.

Reynolds deemed its location at 319 State Ave. to be ideally situated in the heart of downtown, and invited the public to take advantage of offers such as getting their first batch of checks for free, waiving the minimum balance requirements on their saving accounts for the first year and entering to win a Seattle Seahawks tailgate party kit.

“We’re also collecting office supplies for Eagle Wings disAbility Ministries, which is a wonderful local organization,” Reynolds said. “It was a lengthy process for us to get here, so we want to show you all how happy we are to be here.”