About Us

Bank of Whitman Welcome Center

Visit the Bank of Whitman Welcome Center on Columbiabank.com
I would like to extend a warm welcome to Columbia Bank.

You may already be aware that on August 5, 2011, the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Banks, closed Bank of Whitman and appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. Columbia Bank entered into an agreement with the FDIC to assume all of the deposits of Bank of Whitman and to preserve eight of the twenty branches. Rest assured all of your deposits are safe, available immediately, and remain FDIC insured to the maximum permitted by law.

We were pleased to work with the FDIC to help prevent the closure of all Bank of Whitman branches and the disruption such a closure would cause Eastern Washington communities. The eight remaining branches opened on Monday, August 8, 2011 as Columbia Bank branches, ready to serve you. In addition to the eight branches, two of our branches in the Tri Cities have the ability to access former Bank of Whitman accounts and services.

• Continue banking as usual. There will be no disruption in service. We encourage you to continue using your checks, ATMs, cards and online services as you always have.
• Strong, Stable and Secure. Columbia Bank is a strong, stable Pacific Northwest regional community bank, headquartered in Tacoma, Washington with 101 branches throughout Washington and Oregon. As of June 30, 2011, Columbia Bank had total assets of approximately $4.4 billion. We remain very well capitalized; more than double the threshold set by the FDIC.

We are committed to making the transition to Columbia Bank as simple and smooth as possible. Here are a few important facts I would like to share with you:

Claim your deposits. Please note that you will need to claim ownership of your deposits within the next 18 months. This can be done by performing any of the following: using your debit/ATM card; writing a check; making a deposit or withdrawal (electronically or in person); signing a new signature card or renegotiating the terms of a certificate of deposit account; completing a change of address form; or notifying us in writing. Please see the enclosed “FDIC Notice to Depositors” provided by the FDIC for more information on how to claim ownership of your deposits and your rights to withdraw your funds. If you have more than one deposit account, please note you only need to make a “claim” on one account to claim all of your accounts.

The interest rate on your deposit account may change. If rates change for existing interest bearing deposit accounts and CDs we will mail a notification to you within seven days. The maturity date on your CDs will remain the same, even though your rates have changed. You may withdraw all or any portion of the funds in your deposit account(s) without penalty for early withdrawal until you enter into a new deposit agreement with Columbia Bank.

Enclosed is a profile with more detailed information about Columbia Bank as well as a list of answers to frequently asked questions. Please feel free to stop by or call one of the remaining branches if you have any concerns. You may also find up to date information in the Bank of Whitman Welcome Center at www.ColumbiaBank.com or by calling 1-800-578-3302.

On behalf of everyone at Columbia Bank, we look forward to being a part of the community and serving your banking needs.

Sincerely,
Melanie J. Dressel
President & Chief Executive Officer
Columbia Banking System, Inc. and Columbia Bank

Transition Questions and Answers

Available Branches