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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 OZ1yWwubHvhQRvvQaLSgieJMUcnfy9YFe8Khm/e5O3rW1d7f1FSmttbvgwoGrS7y
 9XUlwqj/9+Z/fEXYD8aXJA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>9999999995-09-000066.txt : 20090112
<SEC-HEADER>9999999995-09-000066.hdr.sgml : 20090112
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090112001520
ACCESSION NUMBER:		9999999995-09-000066
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	EFFECT
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090109
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090112
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20090109

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000887343
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				911422237
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		EFFECT
		SEC ACT:		1933 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-156350
		FILM NUMBER:		09520182

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1102 BROADWAY PLAZA
		CITY:			TACOMA
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98402
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2533051900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1102 BROADWAY PLAZA
		CITY:			TACOMA
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98402
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EFFECT
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<edgarSubmission>

    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <submissionType>EFFECT</submissionType>

    <act>33</act>

    <testOrLive>LIVE</testOrLive>

    <effectiveData>
        <finalEffectivenessDispDate>2009-01-09</finalEffectivenessDispDate>
        <finalEffectivenessDispTime>10:15:00</finalEffectivenessDispTime>
        <form>S-3</form>
        <filer>
            <cik>0000887343</cik>
            <entityName>COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM INC</entityName>
            <fileNumber>333-156350</fileNumber>
        </filer>
    </effectiveData>
</edgarSubmission>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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