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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 and Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report: May 3, 2006
(Date of earliest event reported)

Umpqua Holdings Corporation
 (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

OREGON    000-25597    93-1261319 
(State or Other Jurisdiction of    (Commission File    (I.R.S. Employer 
Incorporation or Organization)    Number)    Identification Number) 
 

One SW Columbia, Suite 1200
Portland, Oregon 97258
(address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)

(503) 727-4100
 (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[X]    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
[X]    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 (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) 
 
[ ]    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange 
    Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) 
 

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Item 8.01    Other Information. 

        On May 3, 2006, Umpqua Holdings Corporation issued a press release announcing the receipt of conditional regulatory approvals relating to the proposed merger of Western Sierra Bancorp with and into Umpqua Holdings Corporation. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits. 
 
    (a)    Not applicable. 
    (b)    Not applicable. 
    (c)    Exhibits. 
        99.1 Press Release 

SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this reported to be signed on its behalf of the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

    UMPQUA HOLDINGS CORPORATION 
    (Registrant) 
 
Dated: May 3, 2006    By:/s/ Kenneth E. Roberts                       
         Kenneth E. Roberts 
         Assistant Secretary 

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