Quarterlytics / Financial Services / Banks - Regional / Columbia Banking System

Columbia Banking System

colb · NASDAQ Financial Services
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Ticker colb
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Financial Services
Industry Banks - Regional
Employees 1001-5000
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FY2002 Annual Report · Columbia Banking System
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BUILDING ON

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Columbia Banking System, Inc.
2 0 0 2   A N N U A L R E P O R T

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SHAREHOLDER Value. 2002 was a year
in which Columbia Bank’s employees and board

have no new branch locations identified to open in

the near term, it is still our intent to grow materially

members met both challenges and opportunities.

by leveraging the infrastructure we already have. 

We worked diligently to improve the Bank’s 

profitability and stayed focused on the quality of

our loan portfolio in light of a difficult economic

CB Solutions. We also have been involved
for the past several months in what we call CB

environment. We believe that the steps we have

Solutions. This is an initiative to improve how we

taken and our clear focus have put us in a 

do business—to allow our branch staff and

better position for continued improvement and 

lenders to spend more time with our customers.

profitability, for the benefit of our shareholders.

We have been looking at virtually every area of the

After a disappointing first quarter, due principally

to a large charge-off in connection with a now 

concluded, single problem credit relationship, 

profitability improved quarter over quarter as we

concentrated on refining our operational processes

and improving credit quality, while continuing our

emphasis on high quality customer service.

Market GROWTH. During the first quarter
of 2002, we opened our long-awaited Redmond
branch and our 2nd and Columbia office in down-
town Seattle. We are pleased to report that both 
of these branches have been well received in their
communities, and deposit and loan growth have
exceeded our expectations. In Pierce County, we
opened an auxiliary branch to our Summit location
which provides a drive-up facility to complement
our very successful in-store operation. And finally,
in August 2002, we opened a second Gig Harbor
location in a storefront facility within the busy
downtown core; this office has been a very 
successful operation as well. Even though we 

Bank to ensure that we are handling transactions

in the most efficient way, while always keeping in

mind that our organization was built on customer

service. The effect of our initiatives to increase

noninterest income and decrease the growth of

noninterest expense became evident late in the

year as we saw fourth-quarter earnings increase
41% over the prior year’s fourth quarter.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS, pictured above right

(seated) William T. Weyerhaeuser, Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer, Columbia Banking System, Inc.; 
Melanie J. Dressel, President and Chief Operating Officer, Columbia Banking System, Inc.; President and Chief 
Executive Officer, Columbia Bank. (standing, from left to right)John P. Folsom, President and Chief Executive Officer, 
Brown & Brown Insurance, Inc.; Jack Fabulich, Honorary Chairman, Parker Paint Manufacturing, Inc.; Commissioner, 
Port of Tacoma; Donald Rodman, Owner and Executive Officer, Rodman Realty; John A. Halleran, private investor; 
Thomas M. Hulbert, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hulco, Inc. and Winsor Corporation; Thomas L. Matson,
Owner and President, Tom Matson Dodge, Inc.; Richard S. DeVine, President, Chinook Resources, Inc.; 
James M. Will, President, Titus-Will Enterprises.

 
O U R F O C U S

LENDING Activity. Loan growth continued
to be very slow during the year as we saw less line-

of-credit usage than is typical, as businesses were

conservative in their borrowing patterns during

the unsettled economic times. We saw one rate

decline in November. Although there was com-

pression in the net interest margin to a small

degree, we worked very diligently to control this

during the year. The result was a net interest 
margin of 4.54% for the first and second quarters,
4.52% for the third quarter, and a decrease to
4.43% in the fourth quarter, following the 50 basis

point reduction in the Federal Funds target rate. 

In light of the economic environment, we decided
to bolster our loan loss allowance by $15.8 million
for 2002 as compared to $5.8 million in 2001. The
2002 charge-offs included $5.3 million in connection

with the now concluded problem credit relation-

ship with a single borrower that we mentioned

previously. Our allowance for loan losses at  
year end 2002 increased to 1.63% of total loans,
up from 1.26% at year end 2001, which we feel is

more prudent coverage in light of these uncertain

economic times.

Corporate GOVERNANCE. As we have
all read and heard about, corporate governance is

certainly on everyone’s mind. We want to use this

opportunity to assure our shareholders that we

take our corporate governance very seriously. Even

though we are a more heavily regulated industry

than most, it is more a matter of personal integrity

for our directors than a regulatory mandate. Our

directors are very proud to serve on the Columbia

Bank board and understand the responsibilities

that their positions carry. 

COMMUNITY Focus. Columbia now has 
36 branches in Pierce, King, Cowlitz, Thurston 

and Kitsap counties. We are proud to be the 

community bank in whatever community we 

serve. We demonstrate this through our ongoing 

commitment to contributing generously to a variety 

of needs in each of our market areas. This is also

evidenced through our staff’s involvement in the

areas in which they live and work. 

In the coming months we will focus on the deep

roots we have established. We will work to increase

our market share around every one of our branches,

as well as to build upon our existing customer

base by providing real value through our products

and services and our local, friendly approach to

doing business. We will continue to emphasize

our strong commitment to our customers and

their communities, and to our valued employees. 

In turn, we feel this will drive our Company’s 

success and that our shareholders will benefit. 

We want to thank you, our shareholders, for 

your continued support.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, pictured above right

(clockwise, from bottom left)Tex Whitney, Executive Vice
President, Retail Banking; Melanie J. Dressel, President 
and Chief Operating Officer, Columbia Banking System, Inc.; 
President and Chief Executive Officer, Columbia Bank;
H. R. Russell, Executive Vice President, Senior Lending 
Officer; Mark W. Nelson, Executive Vice President, Senior 
Credit Officer; Gary R. Schminkey, Executive Vice President, 
Chief Financial Officer.

William T. Weyerhaeuser

Melanie J. Dressel

D E E P R O O T S .

La s t i n g   g ro w t h.

Columbia Bank 

is all about 

customers. 

That may be a

tired cliché to

some banks, 

but to us, it’s

simply the truth. 

We get to know

our customers by name. Over time, we earn their trust,

respect and loyalty. This firm foundation enables us 

to set deep roots in the communities we serve, while 

helping to maintain and grow our customer base 

consistent with our goals and objectives. We’re on a

long-term mission—to grow one relationship at a time. 

It’s something we’ve practiced from the first day we

opened our doors, and it continues today. Best of 

all, customers really do notice the difference.

PL A N T I N G  

t he s e e d s f o r s u c c e s s.

Columbia Bank grew up in The Great Northwest. 

It’s our home. From the very beginning, we have 

rooted ourselves within the neighborhoods we serve,

and we have remained committed to our role as a 

vital,  contributing 

community member.

We’ve witnessed 

the growth of these 

communities while

helping to play a role 

in their success. Whether serving as a trusted financial

partner or contributing our time, energy and talents 

to numerous worthy causes, we will continue to 

dedicate ourselves to helping build closer, stronger

communities—from the ground up.

Consolidated FINANCIALS 2002

F O R   T H E   Y E A R

Net interest income
Provision for loan losses
Noninterest income
Noninterest expense
Net income

P E R   S H A R E

Basic earnings
Diluted earnings
Book value

AV E R A G E S

Total assets
Interest-earning assets
Loans
Securities
Deposits
Core deposits
Shareholders’ equity

2002

2001

% 
change

$64,289
15,780
20,050
53,653
10,885

$0.83
0.82
9.95

$58,205
5,800
17,451
50,954
12,513

10%
172%
15%
5%
-13%

$0.92
0.91
9.01

-10%
-10%
10%

$1,601,061
1,454,714
1,183,922
246,995
1,360,968
885,008
124,096

$1,460,263
1,343,410
1,218,906
100,343
1,281,748
718,262
120,403

10%
8%
-3%
146%
6%
23%
3%

F I N A N C I A L R AT I O S

Net interest margin
Return on average assets
Return on average equity
Efficiency ratio
Average equity to average assets

4.50%
0.68
8.77
66.17
7.75

4.36%
0.86
10.39
68.92
8.25

AT Y E A R   E N D

Total assets
Loans
Allowance for loan losses
Deposits
Core deposits
Shareholders’ equity

$1,699,613
1,175,853
19,171
1,487,153
980,709
132,384

$1,498,294
1,170,633
14,734
1,306,750
846,546
118,966

13%
0%
30%
14%
16%
11%

Full-time equivalent employees
Banking offices

525
36

589
32

-11%
13%

all dollar figures on this page are in thousands

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C O R P O R A T E   D I R E C T O R Y  

S h a r e h o l d e r   I n f o r m a t i o n

Corporate Headquarters

Stock Listing

Columbia Banking System, Inc.
1301 South A Street, Suite 800
P.O. Box 2156
Tacoma, WA  98401-2156
253.305.1900

Independent Auditors

Deloitte & Touche, LLP

Transfer Agent & Registrar

American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company

Market Makers

Knight Securities LP
Hoefer & Arnett, Inc.
Spears, Leeds & Kellogg
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.
RBC Dain Rauscher, Inc.

Regulatory & Securities Counsel

Graham & Dunn PC

Annual Meeting

Sheraton Tacoma Hotel
1320 Broadway Plaza
Tacoma, Washington
Wednesday, April 23, 2003
1:00 p.m.

The Company’s common stock trades on the
Nasdaq National Market tier of The Nasdaq 
Stock Market under the symbol “COLB.”

Financial Information

Columbia news and financial results are 
available through the Internet and by mail. 

Internet: For information about Columbia, 
including news and financial results, product
information and service locations, access our
Web site at www.columbiabank.com. You 
can also view or retrieve copies of Columbia’s 
financial reports online by visiting www.sec.gov.
Immediate access to the Company’s quarterly 
earnings news releases via the Internet is 
provided by Company News On Call at
www.prnewswire.com. 

Mail: At your request, we will mail you our 
quarterly earnings news releases, quarterly 
financial data on Form 10-Q and additional 
annual reports. To be added to Columbia’s 
mailing list for quarterly earnings news 
releases, or to request other information, 
please contact:

Jo Anne Coy
Vice President, 
Director of Marketing
P.O. Box 2156, MS 8300
Tacoma, WA  98401-2156
Tel 253.305.1965
Fax 253.305.0317
jcoy@columbiabank.com

B R A N C H   L o c a t i o n s  

PIERCE COUNTY

13th & A
1301 A Street
Suite 100
Tacoma, WA 98402
253.396.6900
Michael Block

Allenmore
1959 South Union
Tacoma, WA 98405
253.627.6909

Bonney Lake
19925 State Rte 410 E
Bonney Lake, WA 98390
253.863.8500
Lillian McGinnis

Broadway Plaza
1102 Broadway Plaza
Tacoma, WA 98402
253.305.1940
Michael Block

Edgewood/Milton
1250 Meridian E
Milton, WA 98354
253.952.6646
Dolores Ehli

Fife
1501 54th Ave. E
Fife, WA 98424
253.922.7870
Julie Borell

Fircrest
2401 Mildred St. W
Tacoma, WA 98466
253.566.1172
Dan Patjens

Gig Harbor
5303 Point Fosdick Dr. NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
253.858.5105
Chris Thomas

Downtown Gig Harbor
3006 Judson St.
Suite 101
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
253.851.5551
Ellen Dunn

Lakewood
6202 Mount Tacoma Dr. SW
Lakewood, WA 98499
253.581.4232
Jay Mayer

Martin Luther King
1102 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Tacoma, WA 98405
253.597.8000
Calvin Pearson

Old Town
2200 North 30th St.
Tacoma, WA 98403
253.272.0412
Connie Nelson

104th & Canyon
10321 Canyon Road E
Puyallup, WA 98373
253.539.7100
Debra Hamilton

43rd & Meridian
4220 South Meridian
Puyallup, WA 98373
253.770.0770
Stan Ausmus

176th & Meridian
17208 Meridian E
Puyallup, WA 98373
253.445.6748
Alana Rouff

South Hill Mall
3500 South Meridian
Suite 503
Puyallup, WA 98373
253.770.8161
Stan Ausmus

Spanaway
17502 Pacific Ave. S
Spanaway, WA 98387
253.539.3094

Stadium
601 North 1st St.
Tacoma, WA 98403
253.597.8811
Monica Stevens

Summit
10409 Canyon Road E
Puyallup, WA 98373
253.770.9323
Debra Hamilton

84th & Pacific
201 South 84th St.
Tacoma, WA 98444
253.471.7000
Keith Brown

Westgate
5727 North 21st St.
Tacoma, WA 98406
253.761.8170
Connie Pentecost

KING COUNTY

Auburn
25 16th St. NE
Auburn, WA 98002
253.939.9600
Doug Hedger 

Bellevue Plaza
777 108th Ave. NE 
Suite 100
Bellevue, WA 98004
425.646.9696
Rebecca Holverson

Bellevue Way 
10350 NE 10th St.
Bellevue, WA 98004
425.452.7323
Rebecca Holverson

Federal Way
33370 Pacific Highway S
Federal Way, WA 98003
253.925.9323
Mike Harris

Forest Villa
2749 Auburn Way S
Auburn, WA 98002
253.887.1186
Rod Clemmer

Issaquah
775 NW Gilman Blvd. 
Suite F
Issaquah, WA 98027
425.369.9200

Kent
504 West Meeker
Kent, WA 98032
253.852.0475
Shirley McGregor

Redmond
8201 164th Ave. NE
Suite 105
Redmond, WA 98052
425.558.7500
Judi Lindsay

South Auburn
4101 A St. SE
Auburn, WA 98002
253.939.9800
Rod Clemmer

2nd & Columbia
721 Second Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
206.223.1000
Kellie Warren

COWLITZ COUNTY

Commerce
1338 Commerce Ave.
Longview, WA 98632
360.636.9200
Faith Pacheco 

30th Avenue
2207 30th Ave.
Longview, WA 98632
360.423.8760
Faith Pacheco

Woodland
782 Goerig St.
Woodland, WA 98674
360.225.9421
Carol Rounds

KITSAP COUNTY

Port Orchard
228 Bravo Terrace
Port Orchard, WA 98367
360.876.8384
Rob Putaansuu

THURSTON COUNTY

West Olympia
2820 Harrison Ave. NW
Olympia, WA 98502
360.357.5800
Diane Avery

Columbia Banking System, Inc.