8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report: April 22, 2015

(Date of earliest event reported)

Umpqua Holdings Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

OREGON (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) 000-25597 (Commission File Number) 93-1261319 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

One SW Columbia Street, Suite 1200

Portland, Oregon 97258

(address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(503) 727-4100

(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[ ]    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ]    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ]    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ]    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02     Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(b), (c) On April 22, 2015, Umpqua Holdings Corporation announced that EVP/Chief Lending Officer David Shotwell will step in as the company’s EVP/Chief Credit Officer following the retirement of current Chief Credit Officer Mark Wardlow, effective July 1, 2015.  The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.  Mr. Shotwell, age 56, has served as the company’s Chief Lending Officer since January 2009.  The terms of Mr. Shotwell’s employment agreement with the company will be filed by amendment when available.

Item 9.01     Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)	Exhibits.
	99.1 Press Release Announcing Chief Credit Officer

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	UMPQUA HOLDINGS CORPORATION (Registrant)
Dated:  April 22, 2015	By:/s/ Andrew H. Ognall Andrew H. Ognall Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press Release Announcing Chief Credit Officer

EX-99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Tom Biro

(206) 686-6420 | (862) 485-0711

Tom@allisonpr.com

UMPQUA BANK TO PROMOTE

DAVE SHOTWELL TO CHIEF CREDIT OFFICER

Shotwell to follow Mark Wardlow’s retirement July 1, 2015

PORTLAND, Ore. – April 22, 2015 – Umpqua Bank, a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:UMPQ), announced today that David Shotwell will step in as the company’s Chief Credit Officer following the retirement of Mark Wardlow, effective July 1, 2015.

Wardlow has been with Umpqua Bank for 11 years, serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer since 2009. Shotwell also joined Umpqua Bank in 2004 and brings more than 30 years of expertise in both lending and credit administration to the position. He will continue the company’s focus on growing and strengthening Umpqua’s loan portfolio.

“This announcement highlights one of Umpqua’s strongest attributes – the depth of our leadership team – which allows us to promote from within. As a senior leader of our credit quality teams for years, David has demonstrated great expertise. His credit administration experience combined with his background in commercial and residential lending are a terrific fit for the company’s focus on quality loan growth, and I look forward to welcoming him to the executive team,” said Ray Davis, Umpqua president and CEO.

“Mark navigated Umpqua through the worst of the economic crisis with great skill and discipline,” Davis added. “Because of his leadership and integrity, Umpqua’s credit portfolio is now among the best in the country. We owe Mark a great deal of gratitude for his many contributions to Umpqua and wish him well in his retirement.”

In his current role as Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer, Shotwell is responsible for credit administration and approval for commercial banking and commercial real

- more -

estate within Umpqua’s five-state footprint. Before joining Umpqua, he worked for more than 20 years in the commercial banking and commercial real estate industry. He studied economics and finance at the University of Washington and is a graduate of executive programs at the University of California, Davis, and Pacific Coast Banking School.

About Umpqua BankUmpqua Bank,headquartered in Roseburg, Ore., is a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation, and has locations across Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California and Northern Nevada. Umpqua Bank has been recognized for its innovative customer experience and banking strategy by national publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, BusinessWeek, Fast Company and CNBC. The company has been recognized for the past eight years in a row on FORTUNE magazine's list of the country's "100 Best Companies to Work For," and was recently named by The Portland Business Journal the Most Admired Financial Services Company in Oregon for the tenth consecutive year. In addition to its retail banking presence, Umpqua Bank owns Financial Pacific Leasing, Inc., a nationally recognized commercial finance company that provides equipment leases to small businesses.

Umpqua Holdings also owns a retail brokerage subsidiary, Umpqua Investments, Inc., which offers services through Umpqua Bank stores and in dedicated offices throughout Oregon. Umpqua's Wealth Management Division serves high net worth individuals and nonprofits by providing customized financial solutions and offerings. Umpqua Holdings Corporation is headquartered in Portland, Ore. For more information, visithttp://www.umpquabank.com.

# # #