WaMu Creates New Community Unit

Washington Mutual Inc., Seattle, has announced that it is expanding and strengthening its community-related activity through a newly created Community and External Affairs Division.WaMu said the new division, which will be headed by Benson Porter, will coordinate the activity of previously decentralized divisions, including Community Lending and Investment; Community Development Resources; Community Performance Resources; Government Relations; and Corporate and Employee Giving. Kerry Killinger, WaMu's chairman, president, and chief executive officer, said the new division is "integral to our long-term business strategy." He said it will help the company focus its efforts on delivering resources where they are most needed, in local neighborhoods, through WaMu's more than 2,500 consumer banking, mortgage lending, commercial banking, consumer finance, and financial services offices. WaMu can be found online at http://www.wamu.com.