TACOMA, Wash., Feb. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Columbia Bank, the principal operating subsidiary of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (Nasdaq: COLB) announced that Mark W. Nelson, Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer, has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Nelson joined the Columbia Bank executive team in 2002 as Chief Credit Officer, and was promoted to Chief Banking Officer in January of 2004, directing the bank's commercial and branch banking functions, as well as the Private Banking, Cash Management, Marketing and International departments.

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Gary Schminkey, Chief Financial Officer, Andy McDonald, Chief Credit Officer, and Kent Roberts, Human Resources Director, will continue in their current executive management roles.

"I am delighted to announce this well-deserved promotion in recognition of Mark's significant contributions to Columbia Bank's success," said Melanie J. Dressel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Banking System and Columbia Bank. "As we continue to build this company, I am fortunate to be able to rely on an exceptional executive team."

Mr. Nelson's experience spans over 35 years and includes executive positions with Evergreen Bank and Bank of America, as well as loan-related positions with Puget Sound National Bank and Bank of California. He is a graduate of Western Washington University with a BA in Business Administration and an MBA. He graduated from the Pacific Coast Banking School in 1986 and received a Certified Risk Professional designation from the Bank Administration Institute in 2002.

Mr. Nelson serves on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Astoria, a subsidiary of Columbia Banking System. He also serves on the National Board of the Risk Management Association (RMA) and is a Past President of the Puget Sound Chapter of the RMA. He serves on the Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Development Board, the Western Washington University MBA Advisory Board, and the Business Advisory Board of the Milgard School of Business located at the University of Washington Tacoma. He is also a Member of the Washington Bankers Association Senior Credit Committee, of which he served as Chairman from 2004-2006.

About Columbia

Columbia Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (Nasdaq: COLB), is a Washington State chartered, full-service commercial bank providing products and services to individuals, businesses and the real estate community. With the July 23, 2007 completion of the acquisitions of Mountain Bank Holding Company and Town Center Bancorp, Columbia Bank has 50 banking offices in Pierce, King, Cowlitz, Kitsap, Thurston and Whatcom counties in Washington State, and Clackamas and Multnomah counties in Oregon. More information about Columbia can be found on its website at http://www.columbiabank.com.

     Contact:  JoAnne Coy, Vice President
               Corporate Communications
               Columbia Bank
               253-305-1965

SOURCE Columbia Bank

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