EXHIBIT 32

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

OF BANNER CORPORATION

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The undersigned hereby certifies in his capacity as an officer of Banner Corporation pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and in connection with this Annual Report on Form 10-K, that:

•  the report fully complies with the requirements of Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and

•  the information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations as of the dates and for the periods presented in the financial statements included in such report.

March 16, 2009	/s/D. Michael Jones
	D. Michael Jones
	Chief Executive Officer
March 16, 2009	/s/Lloyd W. Baker
	Lloyd W. Baker
	Chief Financial Officer

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