TACOMA, Wash., March 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- John Manolides and Vicki Powers, Vice Presidents and Commercial Loan Officers, have both been promoted to Senior Vice President as part of Columbia Bank's restructuring to better serve its Commercial Loan customers.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040329/SFM115-a

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040329/SFM115-b )

"In addition to being well-deserved, these promotions signify our desire to continue facilitating a healthy atmosphere for businesses at Columbia Bank. Vicki and John both represent Columbia Bank's ideal of providing outstanding service and being great bankers," said Brett Willis, Senior Vice President and Team Leader.

John Manolides has been with Columbia Bank since 1997. He was previously with Puget Sound Bank and its successor before joining Columbia. A graduate of the University of Washington, Manolides has over 17 years of banking experience.

In addition to supporting Columbia Bank's efforts in the community, Mr. Manolides is involved with the Franciscan Foundation, and the Tacoma Youth Symphony. He lives in Federal Way with his wife and son.

Vicki Powers has over 31 years of banking experience and has been with Columbia Bank since 1998. Prior to Columbia, she was with Seafirst and Pacific First banks. She is a graduate of the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Business emphasis.

Ms. Powers is active in the community as a volunteer for Junior Achievement and a Goodwill Foundation Board Member. She was born in Tacoma and currently lives in Lakewood with her husband.

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 34 branches in Pierce, King, Cowlitz, Kitsap and Thurston counties.

Contact: JoAnne Coy, Vice President, Marketing Director

              253-305-1965


SOURCE  Columbia Bank
    -0-                             03/29/2004
    /CONTACT:  JoAnne Coy, Vice President, Marketing Director, of Columbia
Bank, +1-253-305-1965/
    /Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040329/SFM115-ahttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040329/SFM115-b
             AP Archive:  http://photoarchive.ap.org
             PRN Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or 212-782-2840/
    /Web site:  http://www.columbiabank.com /
    (COLB)

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

JO 
-- SFM115 --
2160 03/29/200413:33 ESThttp://www.prnewswire.com