WARRENTON Bank of the Pacific continues its expansion in Clatsop County, opening its new Warrenton branch at 651 S.E. Marlin Ave. Monday.

The Aberdeen, Wash., headquartered bank now has 16 banking locations in Washington and three in Oregon.

The bank first opened a commercial lending center in Gearhart in 2003. In January, it bought Sterling Savings Banks branches in Astoria and Seaside, consolidating its Gearhart operations in the latter. In July, it opened its Astoria Branch in the former location of Sterling Bank.

Local businessmen, including former Sen. Sid Snyder, formed the Bank of the Pacific in Long Beach, Wash., in 1971.