BREMERTON, Wash. -- A banking giant shut down all of its branches in Western Washington on Tuesday, leaving thousands of local customers in the lurch, KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reported.

Ameriquest Mortgage is closing 229 branches nationwide, including 26 branches in Washington state.

Peter Demerick of Bremerton thought all he needed to do was fax his mortgage papers in to Ameriquest. But he didn't expect to get a disconnected number, and now he’s still trying to get answers.

"Here it is – I sent in financial information to an office where there is no longer there. Who is getting my financial information? Is my loan application still being processed?" Demerick asked.

His loan was set to close on Friday.

He's tried all the local numbers for Americquest..

Contact AMERIQUEST 800-864-6310

"This is absolutely crazy. Ameriquest is one of largest mortgage companies in the United States," he said.

At Ameriquest's Tacoma office Tuesday night, there is a security guard on the 15th floor. Customers are greeted with a sign that gives little explanation.

At the Ameriquest Seattle office near Northgate Mall, the company is long gone, but customers keep showing up. A woman next door said, "That's kind of a sad thing. People come here cause they want to go to Ameriquest to pay their bill."

Ameriquest is closing all 26 offices in the Puget Sound area. About 4,000 employees nationwide were let go Tuesday and told to take their belongings and go home.

Demerick is sure his mortgage broker had no idea. "I'm sure he was totally shocked. If he knew about this yesterday, he was a great actor. At this point they're cutting and running."