Helen Langer Smith, long-time chairwoman of Kitsap Bank, has announced she will assume the role of vice chairwoman, paving the way for her daughter, Cydly Langer Smith, to become chairwoman.

The announcement came at the 2011 annual shareholders meeting in Port Orchard.

Helen Langer Smith has served as chairwoman since 1986, when she succeeded her mother, Hannah Langer.  The Langer family legacy continues today, as Cydly now succeeds her mother.

“I am honored to follow in the footsteps of my mother and grandmother, and to work with our excellent management team, as we lead Kitsap Bank into our second century,” Cydly Langer Smith said in a bank announcement. “While it is imperative to continually look to the future and provide cutting-edge financial services to our customers, I believe it is also vital to maintain Kitsap Bank’s commitment to build long-lasting relationships with our customers and community, just as we have over the past century.”

Kitsap Bank President and CEO Jim Carmichael added, “Our longevity and consistent ownership and management have laid the groundwork for this successful transition.”

Cydly Langer Smith was elected Kitsap Bank’s vice chairwoman in 1996. She previously owned and operated Langersmith Consulting and Project Management, Inc., a land-use consulting business. She graduated from University of Washington and earned her J.D. at The George Washington University. She will become only the third chairperson in the history of the 102-year-old bank.

The Langer family’s nearly 90-year commitment to Kitsap Bank began in 1922, just 14 years after its founding in Port Orchard, when Frank E. Langer Jr. purchased controlling interest in the bank. Frank Langer served as president of Kitsap County Bank from 1930 to 1952. Upon his death, his wife, Hannah Norum Langer, was elected the fifth president of the bank, thereby becoming the first female bank president west of the Mississippi River. She served as Kitsap Bank’s president for 20 years, and continued on as board chairwoman until 1986.

Established Aug. 8, 1908, Kitsap Bank is headquartered in Port Orchard, operating 20 locations throughout Western Washington. With nearly $900 million in assets, the bank provides a full range of financial services to commercial and individual customers. Kitsap Bank has been named a Preferred Lender by the U. S. Small Business Administration.