Columbia Bank Announces New Commercial Banking Teams in Everett and Bellingham, Wash.

TACOMA, Wash., July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbia Bank announces two new commercial banking teams with three executives in Everett, Wash. and  four in Bellingham, Wash.. Spearheaded by new Senior Vice President and Northern Regional Manager Dennis Joines, the teams were developed to further the availability of Columbia Bank's expertise in commercial banking to the north Puget Sound region.

Joines offers more than 35 years of experience in the industry, having held numerous executive-level roles with national, regional and community banks.

"Dennis has done a wonderful job of recruiting top banking talent from around Snohomish, Whatcom and Skagit Counties," said Melanie Dressel, president and CEO of Columbia Bank. "Each of our new team members brings valuable experience, gained in notable financial institutions around Puget Sound. Their collective experience is a valuable asset to the communities of both Everett and Bellingham."

Sue Cedergreen, SVP, team leader of the Bellingham group brings 30 years of experience to her new position. Managing a team of three, Cedergreen oversees:

• Chris Fowler, VP, customer relationship manager, brings 11 years of industry expertise to his new position.
• Erin Baras joins the team as a credit analyst with five years of commercial banking experience.
• Violet Martinson also joins as a credit analyst with 35 years of expertise in the north Puget Sound region.

Steve Hoekstra, SVP, team leader in Everett, has held commercial banking positions in the north Puget Sound region for more than 30 years. He manages a team of two, including:

• Dennis Carlin, VP, customer relationship manager, will manage clients' commercial banking needs, relying on his 10 years of industry experience in the Puget Sound region.
• Amy Phan, credit analyst, will leverage her eight years of banking in the region to support the efforts of the team.

Each team is currently accepting new clients and can be reached directly to discuss commercial banking needs. Businesses in Whatcom/Skagit counties should call Sue Cedergreen directly at (360) 303-0634. Snohomish county residents should call Steve Hoekstra at 425-293-1606.

About Columbia

Columbia State Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia Banking System, Inc., is a Washington state-chartered full-service commercial bank headquartered in Tacoma, Washington. Columbia Bank was awarded third place in the large employer category by Seattle Business Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For 2010 and was designated one of  Puget Sound Business Journal's "Washington's Best Workplaces 2009". 

With the January, 2010 FDIC-assisted acquisitions of Columbia River Bank and American Marine Bank, Columbia State Bank has 83 banking offices, including 59 branches in Washington State and 24 branches in Oregon. Columbia State Bank does business under the Bank of Astoria name at the Bank of Astoria's former branches located in Astoria, Warrenton, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita and Tillamook. More information about Columbia can be found on its website at www.columbiabank.com.

SOURCE Columbia Bank