TACOMA, Wash., April 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Columbia Bank announced the recent promotion of Nigel English and Kai Neizman of the Commercial Loan and Special Credits areas, respectively. "Both Nigel and Kai exemplify the talented people we have in these departments, and throughout the bank. They have the experience and the ability to create great relationships with our customers," said Executive Vice President Hal Russell of the promotions. Mr. English, a commercial Loan Officer, has been promoted from Assistant Vice President to Vice President. Mr. Neizman moves from Special Credits Officer to Assistant Vice President, Special Credits.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030415/SFTU092-a

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030415/SFTU092-b )

Nigel English has been with Columbia Bank for five years and has 11 years of banking experience, including eight years in dealer finance. He was previously with Bank of America. He attended Bellarmine High School and holds a degree in Business Administration from Eastern Washington University. Mr. English lives in Gig Harbor with his wife of 6 years and their daughter, and is active locally with the American Heart Association, American Red Cross and Junior Achievement.

Kai Neizman has 12 years of banking experience and has been with Columbia Bank for 2 years. His previous experience was with First American and Bank of America. Mr. Neizman is a graduate of the University of Hawaii with a degree in Business Administration, and will receive and an MBA in Finance from City University this coming June. He lives in Olympia with his wife of six years and their two children. He is involved with the American Heart Association and Junior Achievement.

Columbia Bank is a Washington state-chartered, full-service commercial bank providing products and services to individuals, business and the real estate community. A wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Banking System Inc., (Nasdaq: COLB) Columbia Bank currently operates 36 branches in Pierce, King, Cowlitz, Kitsap and Thurston counties.

CONTACT: JoAnne Coy, Vice President, Marketing Director of Columbia Bank, +1-253-305-1965.

SOURCE  Columbia Bank
    -0-                             04/15/2003
    /CONTACT:  JoAnne Coy, Vice President, Marketing Director of Columbia
Bank, +1-253-305-1965/
    /Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030415/SFTU092-ahttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030415/SFTU092-b
             AP Archive:  http://photoarchive.ap.org
             PRN Photo Desk, +1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840/
    /Web site:  http://www.columbiabank.com /
    (COLB)

CO:  Columbia Bank; Columbia Banking System Inc.
ST:  Washington
IN:  FIN
SU:  PER



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