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 Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):  August 18, 2010

Banner Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Washington	0-26584	91-1691604
(State or other jurisdiction	(Commission File	(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)	Number)	Identification No.)

10 S. First Avenue

Walla Walla, Washington  99362

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(509) 527-3636

(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

(c)(3)     Appointment of Certain Officers

On August 18, 2010, Banner Corporation (“Company”) announced the appointment of Mark J. Grescovich as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and its financial institution subsidiary, Banner Bank (“Bank”). Mr. Grescovich has been serving as President of the Company and the Bank since April 6, 2010, a position he will continue to hold, and is a member of the Company’s and the Bank’s boards of directors.  A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

There are no family relationships between Mr. Grescovich and any director or other executive officer of the Company and the Bank.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)         Exhibits

The following exhibit is being furnished herewith and this list shall constitute the exhibit index:

99.1           Press Release of Banner Corporation dated August 18, 2010

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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.

	BANNER CORPORATION
Date:  August 18, 2010	By: /s/Mark J. Grescovich
	Mark J. Grescovich
	President and Chief Executive Officer

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