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):

October 7, 2010

COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Washington

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

0-20288		91-1422237
(Commission File Number)		IRS Employer Identification No.

1301 A Street

Tacoma, WA 98402

(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (253) 305-1900

 

(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 obligations 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 of (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act of (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 

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Item 5.02.

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On October 7, 2010, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the “Company”) approved the renewal of the Severance Agreement for Gary R. Schminkey, the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective November 15, 2010.

The terms of the Severance Agreement remain the same as the agreement that is currently in place, with a severance benefit of two times his annual base salary, and has a term of five years.

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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.

 

Dated: October 14, 2010						COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
						By:		/S/    KENT L. ROBERTS
								Kent L. Roberts Executive Vice President and Director of Human Resources