TACOMA, Wash., April 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Columbia Bank announced that Michele Oosterink has joined the bank as a Vice President and Manager of its Auburn Branch.

(Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070425/SFW121 )

"We're excited to welcome Michele to our Auburn team. She brings a wealth of experience to the Bank and understands well our role as a community and business bank," said Wayne Mannie, Senior Vice President and Regional Retail Manager.

Ms. Oosterink has over 30 years of banking experience and was most recently with Washington Mutual for 17 years where she served as a Vice President and Branch Manager in the Maple Valley area.

A resident of Black Diamond for 22 years, she is active in the community, donating her time and talent to Kiwanis and the local Chamber, as well as over 12 years as a teacher for Junior Achievement. She has been married for 32 years and her daughter recently graduated from Pacific Lutheran University.

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