8-K

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):

January 27, 2004

COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Washington

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

0-20288	91-1422237
(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

Item 5. OTHER EVENTS

On January 27, 2004, we issued a press release announcing that Mark W. Nelson, Executive Vice President and Senior Credit Officer, has been named Chief Banking Officer for Columbia Bank. In this new position, Mr. Nelson will lead the bank’s commercial and consumer lending and branch banking functions, as well as the Private Banking, Marketing, Cash Management, and International departments. A new Chief Credit Officer will be named at a later date.

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 January 27, 2004 announcing appointment of Mark W. Nelson as Chief Banking 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: January 29, 2004	COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
	By:	/s/ Melanie J. Dressel
		Melanie J. Dressel Chief Executive Officer

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 27, 2004

Contacts:	Melanie J. Dressel, President and
	Chief Executive Officer
	(253) 305-1911
	JoAnne Coy, Vice President, Marketing
	(253) 305-1965

COLUMBIA BANK NAMES MARK W. NELSON

CHIEF BANKING OFFICER

Tacoma, Washington. Melanie J. Dressel, President and Chief Executive Officer, announced that Mark W. Nelson, Executive Vice President and Senior Credit Officer, has been named Chief Banking Officer for Columbia Bank. In this new position, Mr. Nelson will lead the bank’s commercial and consumer lending and branch banking functions, as well as the Private Banking, Marketing, Cash Management, and International departments. A new Chief Credit Officer will be named at a later date.

“Ms. Dressel said, “Over the past 10 years, Columbia Bank has rapidly grown a retail network of 34 branches in five counties, strong commercial lending and private banking teams and a wide array of products and services. We are delighted that Mark’s new position will allow him to focus his leadership and experience on enhancing the delivery of our extensive mix of products and services to our customers through the combination of our broad branch network and commercial banking functions.”

Mr. Nelson’s experience spans over 30 years. Prior to joining Columbia, he held senior positions with Evergreen Bank and Bank of America, as well as loan-related positions with Puget Sound Bank and Bank of California. He earned a BA in Business Administration and an MBA from Western Washington University. He is a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School and is the holder of a Certified Risk Professional designation from the Bank Administration Institute.

Columbia Bank is a Washington state-chartered full-service commercial bank with 34 banking offices in Pierce, King, Cowlitz, Kitsap and Thurston counties. It is wholly owned by Columbia Banking System, Inc. (Nasdaq: COLB), a publicly traded registered bank holding company.

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