Bank Merger

* As a Northridge-based employee of Great Western, I was troubled by your Sept. 23 article, “Great Western Employees Can’t Bank on Jobs.” The article described the concerns of an anonymous few but failed to mention the continued dedication of an overwhelming majority of employees or steps taken by Washington Mutual to address employee concerns. Those steps include:

* Campuswide meetings, held only eight days after the merger closed, led by Washington Mutual Chairman, President and CEO Kerry Killinger.

* Creation of the “Connections” newsletter and an anonymous fax line.

* Temporary assignment of Lee Lannoye, executive vice president of corporate administration and credit, to the Northridge campus. Lannoye has made himself available to all employees as part of an unprecedented level of open communication within Great Western.

Unlike our failed hostile suitor, H.F. Ahmanson Company, Washington Mutual has committed to a thoughtful integration process focused on the best possible outcome for employees and customers of Great Western. While this may mean increased anxiety and angst for all employees involved, it also means many Great Western employees will have an opportunity to be part of America’s premier financial services organization, Washington Mutual.

MICHAEL C. VOGT

West Hills