The Bank of Fairfield says it plans to open a branch in Spokane Valley later this year, which would give it two offices in the Spokane area.


Construction of the planned 3,300-square-foot branch, to be located at the southeast corner of 32nd Avenue and state Route 27, is expected to start by the end of this month, says Bank of Fairfield President Geoff Forshag. The branch is expected to be completed in October.


Associated Construction Inc., of Spokane, will be the contractor on the project, which was designed by Wolfe Architectural Group PS, also of Spokane. Forshag declines for now to disclose the cost of the project.


The bank, which is based in Fairfield, Wash., about 30 miles south of Spokane, plans to hire four employees initially to staff the new branch, Forshag says. The bank has 52 employees companywide.


The bank decided to open a branch in Spokane Valley because such an office would fit within the banks current market footprint and would support the institutions other branch here, which is located at 201 W. North River Drive, he says.


In addition to that office and its main office in Fairfield, the Bank of Fairfield also operates a loan-production office in Sandpoint, Idaho, and branches in the Eastern Washington towns of Rockford, Rosalia, and Spangle.


Incorporated in 1908, the bank had about $130 million in assets as of Dec. 31.