Edgar Filing: COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM INC

Dated: October 17, 2008

COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.

/s/ Melanie J. Dressel

Melanie J. Dressel

President and Chief Executive Officer

Form 8-K

UNITED STATES

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 17, 2008

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 8.01

Other Matters

On October 17, 2008, Columbia Banking System, Inc. (“Columbia”) announced that it has filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The shelf registration statement, when declared effective by the SEC, will allow Columbia to raise capital from time to time, up to an aggregate of $100 million, through the sale of Columbia’s no par value common stock and preferred stock. Specific terms and prices will be determined at the time of each offering under a separate prospectus supplement to be filed with the SEC at the time of the offering.

A copy of the press release is attached as an exhibit to this Report, and is incorporated in its entirety by reference

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits

(a)

Financial Statements: None

(b)

Pro Forma Financial Information: None

(c)

Shell Company Transactions. None

(d)

Exhibits.


99.1		Columbia Press Release issued October 17, 2008

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.