Edgar Filing: COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM INC

Dated: July 8, 2013

COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.

/s/ Melanie J. Dressel

Melanie J. Dressel

President and Chief Executive Officer

Form 8-K

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):

July 8, 2013

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))

Item 5.02.

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

Mark Nelson, age 62, the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Columbia State Bank, has advised the Company that he will retire effective September 30, 2013. Melanie Dressel, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, stated “During his eleven years with the Company, Mark has been a significant contributor to our growth and success. He has developed a very strong leadership group to carry on his areas of responsibility. Mark will serve as a consultant during this transition. All of us at Columbia wish Mark the best in his well-earned retirement.” The Company’s search for Mr. Nelson’s successor is underway.

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.