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): March 25, 2015
Banner Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Washington	0-26584	91-1691604
(State or other jurisdiction	(Commission	(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)
10 S. First Avenue, Walla Walla, Washington		99362
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number (including area code)  (509) 527-3636
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

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 8.01.  Other Events

On March 25, 2015, Banner Corporation (“Company”) announced that the Company’s Board of Directors had declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per share.  The cash dividend will be payable on April 15, 2015 to shareholders of the Company’s common stock at the close of business on April 6, 2015.  The Company also announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to 5% of its common stock, or 1,044,922 shares.  In addition, the Company announced that it would report its first quarter 2015 results on April 20, 2015 after the market closes.

The news release announcing the quarterly cash dividend, stock repurchase plan and planned release of its first quarter 2015 results is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein.

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 March 25, 2015.

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: March 25, 2015	By: /s/Lloyd W. Baker
	Lloyd W. Baker
	Executive Vice President and         Chief Financial Officer