Kitsap Bank has been named a finalist in the Puget Sound Business Journal’s 2013 Washington’s Best Workplaces competition.

The program was launched in 2007 to identify and recognize best practices in the hiring and retention of great people.

This year, after an extensive and rigorous process, which included more than 300 nominees and the completion of surveys by nominee-company employees across the state, workplaces in four different categories have been identified as Washington’s best, based on their various employee benefit offerings, leadership culture and work/life balance philosophies.

In total, 85 companies have made the grade as finalists.

“We are honored to be named one of Washington’s Best Workplaces,” said Steve Politakis, Kitsap Bank CEO. “It is not unusual for our employees to spend upwards of 20 or 30 years with us — a true testament to the organization’s commitment to its employees and its rich history as the community’s financial partner.”

The Washington’s Best Work Place finalists will be celebrated at an awards event at Safeco Field on Aug. 8. Honorees and the public are invited to attend and cheer for the workplace accomplishments of these companies.