TACOMA, Wash., May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Columbia Bank announced that it has welcomed Jennifer Abbatiello as a Vice President and Commercial Real Estate Banker. She will be based in the bank's Tacoma office.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070514/SFM104 )

"We are very excited that Jennifer has joined us. Her lending experience and commitment to developing long term relationships are a perfect fit for us and our customers," said Kerry Keely, Senior Vice President, and Builder Banking and Commercial Real Estate Manager.

Ms. Abbatiello has over 7 years of commercial banking experience, most recently as an Assistant Vice President and Commercial Lending Officer with Valley Bank in Kent. She began her banking career with Key Bank.

Abbatiello is active in the community, serving as a Kent Chamber Ambassador and on the Kent Downtown Partnership Networking Committee. She has lived in Auburn with her family for the last year.

Columbia Bank is a Washington state-chartered, full-service commercial bank providing financial 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 35 branches in Pierce, King, Cowlitz, Kitsap and Thurston counties. More information about Columbia can be found on its website at www.columbiabank.com.

    Contact:  JoAnne Coy, Vice President
              Marketing and Communications Director
              Columbia Bank
              253-305-1965

SOURCE Columbia Bank

Contact: JoAnne Coy, Vice President, Marketing and Communications Director of Columbia Bank, +1-253-305-1965