Forbes Ranks Columbia Bank Among Best In Nation

TACOMA, Wash., Dec. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbia Bank has been recognized as the best bank headquartered in Washington state on Forbes' list of America's Best and Worst Banks 2012.  Appearing on the list at No. 30, Columbia Bank moved up four rankings since its 2011 debut, and also slides in ahead of major institutions such as JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo.  The list, ranking 100 of the largest publicly traded banks and thrifts in the country, also placed Columbia Bank as the second best headquartered in the Pacific Northwest. 

"We are honored to be listed so favorably amongst the nation's banks and those in our Pacific Northwest community," said Melanie Dressel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tacoma-based Columbia Bank and its parent company, Columbia Banking System, Inc.  "We strive to be the best community bank in each of the communities we serve.  This recognition can be attributed to our ongoing commitment to providing businesses and individuals in the Northwest with a strong and secure community bank."

The news comes shortly after the late September announcement that Portland-based West Coast Bank has agreed to merge with Columbia. Although not yet final, the merger will further Columbia Bank's position as the Pacific Northwest's premier community bank.

Criteria for the list was supplied by financial data provider SNL Financial. Institutions were analyzed by Forbes editors on eight metrics regarding asset quality, capital adequacy, and profitability. The data is based on regulatory filings of banks and thrifts through the third quarter of 2012. To view the complete list and further details on the study click here. 

About Columbia Bank

Headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, Columbia Banking System, Inc. is the holding company of Columbia State Bank, a Washington state-chartered full-service commercial bank which was awarded third place in the large employer category by Seattle Business Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For 2011 and was designated one of Puget Sound Business Journal's "Washington's Best Workplaces 2012".

With the recent FDIC-assisted acquisitions of Bank of Whitman, First Heritage Bank, and Summit Bank, Columbia Bank has 101 banking offices, including 76 branches in Washington State and 25 branches in Oregon. Columbia Bank does business under the Bank of Astoria name in Astoria, Warrenton, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita and Tillamook in Oregon. More information about Columbia can be found on its website at www.columbiabank.com.

SOURCE Columbia Bank