Spokane-based Sterling Savings Bank plans to open a full-service branch in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland this spring.


When that branch and another planned for construction in Liberty Lake are completed, Sterling will have 62 branches in Washington, and 80 more branches in Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.


For the Kirkland branch, Sterling plans to renovate an about 5,300-square-foot space at the northwest end of Kirkland Square, at 230 Main Street.


Sterling spokeswoman Jennifer Lutz says the location was previously occupied by a Blockbuster Inc. video rental store.


The bank branch will have two outside automated-teller machines and two entrances, but no drive-through banking lanes, says Lutz.


Although Sterling hasnt selected a contractor to do the work, plans are to begin remodeling work by the end of the year, and for the branch to open by the end of March, she says.


Sterling will lease the space from Panos Properties LLC, of Seattle. The architect on the project is G.D. Longwell Architects PLLC, of Hayden Lake, Idaho.


Lutz says the new bank branch will begin operations with six employees and will add more positions as it grows.


Sterling Savings currently has about $6.8 billion in assets and about $4.4 billion in deposits, Lutz says.