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 28, 2018
Banner Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Washington	000-26584	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))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company [   ]

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [   ]

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On March 28, 2018, Banner Corporation (the "Corporation") announced that the Corporation's Board of Directors has increased its regular quarterly cash dividend by 40% to $0.35 per share and renewed its authorization to repurchase up to 5% of its common stock, or 1,621,549 shares.

The news release announcing the stock repurchase is attached hereto 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:

99.1Press Release of Banner Corporation dated March 28, 2018.

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 28, 2018	By: /s/ Lloyd W. Baker
	Lloyd W. Baker
	Executive Vice President and        Chief Financial Officer