8-K

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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):


                                February 26, 2003


                          COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                   WASHINGTON
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)


              0-20288                                   91-1422237
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     (Commission File Number)                 IRS Employer Identification No.


                                  1301 A Street
                                Tacoma, WA 98402
               (Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (253) 305-1900

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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS

         On February 26, 2003, we issued a press release announcing that Melanie
J. Dressel assumed the duties Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Banking
System, Inc. Ms. Dressel previously served as the Company's President and Chief
Operating Officer and will continue to serve as President and Chief Executive
Officer of Columbia State Bank. A copy of the press release is attached as
Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.


ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS


(a) Financial statements. - not applicable

(b) Pro forma financial information. - not applicable

(c) Exhibits.

     99.1   Press Release dated February 26, 2003 announcing appointment of
            Melanie J. Dressel as Chief Executive Officer










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                                   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.


         Dated: February 28, 2003            COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.



                                             By:  /s/  Gary R. Schminkey
                                                  -------------------------
                                                  Gary R. Schminkey
                                                  Executive Vice President and
                                                  Chief Financial Officer


















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EX-99.1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1
                                                                    ------------


           MELANIE J. DRESSEL APPOINTED PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE
                       OFFICER OF COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM


TACOMA, WASHINGTON --- The Board of Directors of Columbia Banking System, Inc.
(CBSI) announced today that Melanie J. Dressel has officially assumed all duties
as President and Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Banking System, and will
continue to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Bank,
CBSI's commercial bank subsidiary.

         William T. Weyerhaeuser, Chairman of the Board since 2001 and Interim
Chief Executive Officer for CBSI since July 2002, will continue to serve as
Chairman of CBSI and Columbia Bank. "This action reflects our confidence in the
leadership and vision Melanie has demonstrated." Mr. Weyerhaeuser said. "We are
pleased that she has taken on overall responsibility for the strategic direction
of the Company."

          Ms. Dressel has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of
CBSI and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank since January 2000.
Since that time, the Company has grown from just over $1.2 billion in total
assets to $1.7 billion as of year-end 2002, and has expanded to a branch network
now totaling 36 banking offices in five counties.

         Columbia Banking System is a Tacoma-based bank holding company whose
wholly owned subsidiary is Columbia Bank, a Washington state-charted,
full-service commercial bank, with 36 banking offices in Pierce, King, Cowlitz,
Kitsap and Thurston counties. Columbia's common stock trades on the Nasdaq Stock
Market under the symbol: COLB.