COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM INC
S-2, 1996-10-18
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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<PAGE>   1
 
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 18, 1996
 
                                                     REGISTRATION NO.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
                                    FORM S-2
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
                    WASHINGTON                                          91-142237
          (State or other jurisdiction of                           (I.R.S. Employer
          incorporation or organization)                         Identification Number)
</TABLE>
 
          1102 BROADWAY PLAZA, TACOMA, WASHINGTON 98402 (206) 305-1900
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)
 
                                 ARNOLD G. ESPE
                      CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
                              1102 BROADWAY PLAZA
                                TACOMA, WA 98402
                                 (206) 305-1900
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
 
                          COPIES OF COMMUNICATIONS TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
             J. JAMES GALLAGHER, ESQ.                              TODD H. BAKER, ESQ.
           AND SANDRA L. GALLAGHER, ESQ.                       Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
        Gordon, Thomas, Honeywell, Malanca                  One Montgomery Street, Suite 3100
            Peterson & Daheim, P.L.L.C.                      San Francisco, California 94104
          1201 Pacific Avenue, Suite 2200                            (415) 393-8200
             Tacoma, Washington 98402
                  (206) 572-5050
</TABLE>
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE OF SECURITIES TO THE
PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes
effective.
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box.  / /
 
     If the registrant elects to deliver its latest annual report to security
holders, or a complete and legible facsimile thereof, pursuant to Item 11(a)(1)
of this Form, check the following box.  / /
 
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  / /
 
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  / /
 
     If delivery of the Prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  / /
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                          <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 PROPOSED MAXIMUM   PROPOSED MAXIMUM
TITLE OF SHARES TO BE           AMOUNT TO BE      OFFERING PRICE        AGGREGATE          AMOUNT OF
REGISTERED                      REGISTERED(1)       PER UNIT(2)     OFFERING PRICE(2)  REGISTRATION FEE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, no par value    1,265,000 shares        $15.75           $19,923,750         $6,037.50
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) Includes an option to purchase 165,000 shares granted to the Underwriters to
    cover over-allotments, if any.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in
    accordance with Rule 457(c).
                            ------------------------
 
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT THAT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
                            ------------------------
 
                             CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              FORM S-2 ITEM NO. AND CAPTION            LOCATION OR HEADING IN THE PROSPECTUS
      ---------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------
<C>   <S>                                            <C>
  1.  Forepart of Registration Statement and
        Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus.....  Outside Front Cover Page
  2.  Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of
        Prospectus.................................  Insider Front Cover Page; Outside Back
                                                       Cover Page
  3.  Summary Information and Risk Factors.........  Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors
  4.  Use of Proceeds..............................  Prospectus Summary; Use of Proceeds
  5.  Determination of Offering Price..............  Not Applicable
  6.  Dilution.....................................  Not Applicable
  7.  Selling Security Holders.....................  Not Applicable
  8.  Plan of Distribution.........................  Outside Front Cover Page; Underwriting
  9.  Description of Securities to be Registered...  Outside Front Cover Page; Description of
                                                       Capital Stock
 10.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.......  Legal Matters; Experts
 11.  Information with Respect to the Registrant...  Outside Front Cover Page; Prospectus
                                                       Summary; Recent Developments; Price
                                                       Range of Common Stock; Dividends;
                                                       Capitalization; Selected Consolidated
                                                       Financial Information; Management's
                                                       Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                                                       Condition and Results of Operations;
                                                       Business; Management; Security Ownership
                                                       of Certain Beneficial Owners and
                                                       Management; Certain Transactions;
                                                       Description of Capital Stock; Shares
                                                       Eligible for Future Sale; Consolidated
                                                       Financial Statements
 12.  Incorporation of Certain Documents by
        Reference..................................  Incorporation of Certain Documents by
                                                       Reference
 13.  Disclosure of Commission Position on
        Indemnification for Securities Act
        Liabilities................................  Underwriting
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   3
 
     INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
     MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
     BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
     THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO
     BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH
     SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR
     QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
                                                           SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
 
                                                                          , 1996
                                1,100,000 SHARES
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                               ------------------
 
     All of the shares of Common Stock, no par value per share (the "Common
Stock"), offered hereby are being sold by Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the
"Company"). The Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the
symbol COLB. On October 17, 1996, the last reported sale price for the Common
Stock on the Nasdaq National Market was $16.00 per share. See "Price Range of
Common Stock."
                               ------------------
 
        THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.
                    SEE "RISK FACTORS" COMMENCING ON PAGE 9.
                               ------------------
 
THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY ARE NOT SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OR DEPOSITS, AND ARE
          NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION
                     OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
                               ------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
      PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
        REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                      <C>               <C>               <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               PRICE          UNDERWRITING        PROCEEDS
                                                 TO          DISCOUNTS AND           TO
                                               PUBLIC        COMMISSIONS(1)      COMPANY(2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Share................................         $                $                 $
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(3).................................         $                $                 $
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) See "Underwriting" for information relating to indemnification of the
    Underwriters.
 
(2) Before deducting expenses of the offering estimated at $        .
 
(3) The Company has granted the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to
    165,000 additional shares of Common Stock solely to cover over-allotments,
    if any. To the extent the option is exercised, the Underwriters will offer
    the additional shares at the Price to Public shown above. If such option is
    exercised in full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discounts and
    Commissions and Proceeds to the Company will be $       , $       and
    $       respectively. See "Underwriting."
                               ------------------
 
     The shares of Common Stock are offered by the several Underwriters, subject
to prior sale, when, as and if delivered to and accepted by them and subject to
the right of the Underwriters to reject any order in whole or in part. It is
expected that delivery of the shares of Common Stock will be made at the offices
of Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated, Baltimore, Maryland, on or about
            , 1996.
 
ALEX. BROWN & SONS                                               RAGEN MACKENZIE
       INCORPORATED                                           INCORPORATED
               THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS             , 1996.
<PAGE>   4
 
                                  [INSERT MAP]
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK AT
A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH
STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS AND SELLING GROUP
MEMBERS (IF ANY) MAY ENGAGE IN PASSIVE MARKET MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON
STOCK ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 10B-6A UNDER THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. SEE "UNDERWRITING."
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   5
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the reporting and other informational
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").
Copies of such reports, proxy statements and other information can be obtained,
upon payment of prescribed fees, from the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, Room
1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. In addition, such reports,
proxy statements and other information can be inspected at the Commission's
facilities referred to above and at the Commission's Regional Offices at 7 World
Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048 and Northwestern Atrium
Center, 500 West Madison, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. The Common Stock
is included for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market, and such reports, proxy
statements and other information concerning the Company should be available for
inspection and copying at the offices of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. The Company has
filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-2 (together with
any amendments thereto, the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") with respect to the shares of Common
Stock to be offered pursuant to this Prospectus. This Prospectus does not
contain all the information set forth in the Registration Statement. The
Commission also maintains a site accessible to the public by computer on the
World Wide Web at http://www.sec.gov. that contains reports, proxy and
information statements and other information regarding registrants that file
electronically with the Commission, including the Company.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents, filed with the Commission by the Company under the
Exchange Act, are incorporated in and made a part of this Prospectus by
reference: (i) the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995; (ii) the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the
quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 1996; and (iii) the Company's Current
Report on Form 8-K dated October 14, 1996.
 
     Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein shall be modified or superseded for the
purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not, except as so modified or superseded, constitute a part of
this Prospectus.
 
     The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of
this Prospectus has been delivered, on the written or oral request of any such
person, a copy of any or all of the documents referred to above which have been
or may be incorporated in this Prospectus by reference, other than exhibits to
such documents, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference
into such documents. Requests for such copies should be directed to: Kristen
Kopay, Marketing Officer, Columbia Banking System, Inc., 1102 Broadway Plaza,
Tacoma, Washington 98402, (206) 305-1900.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   6
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information and consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing
elsewhere in this Prospectus. Unless the context otherwise requires, references
in this Prospectus to the Company include its banking subsidiary, Columbia Bank.
This Prospectus contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the federal securities laws. Actual results and the timing of certain events
could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements
due to a number of factors, including those set forth under "Risk Factors" and
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the "Company") is a registered bank holding
company whose wholly owned subsidiary, Columbia State Bank ("Columbia Bank"),
conducts a full-service commercial banking business. Headquartered in Tacoma,
Washington, the Company provides a full range of commercial banking services to
small and medium-sized businesses, professionals and other individuals through
15 branch offices located in the Tacoma metropolitan area and contiguous parts
of the Puget Sound region of Washington, as well as the Longview and Woodland
communities in southwestern Washington. At June 30, 1996, based on total assets
of $481.6 million, the Company was the largest publicly traded bank holding
company headquartered in Washington.
 
     The Company was reorganized and additional management was added in 1993 in
order to take advantage of commercial banking business opportunities resulting
from increased consolidation of banks in the Company's principal market area,
primarily through acquisitions by out-of-state holding companies, and the
resulting dislocation of customers. Management believes the ongoing
consolidation among financial institutions in Washington has created significant
gaps in the ability of large banks operating in Washington to serve certain
customers, particularly the Company's target customer base of small and
medium-sized businesses, professionals and other individuals. The business
strategy of the Company is to provide its customers with the financial
sophistication and breadth of products of a regional bank while retaining the
appeal and service level of a community bank. Management believes that as a
result of the Company's strong commitment to highly personalized
relationship-oriented customer service, its varied products, its strategic
branch locations and the long-standing community presence of its managers,
lending officers and branch personnel, it is well positioned to attract new
customers and to increase its market share in lending and deposits.
 
     Since the reorganization, the Company has experienced rapid growth and has
greatly expanded its commercial lending activities. The Company has grown from
four branch offices at January 1, 1993 to its present 15 branch offices and has
regulatory approval to open four additional branch offices in its market area.
Between January 1, 1993 and June 30, 1996, the Company increased its
consolidated assets from $158.6 million to $481.6 million, its loans from $120.8
million to $401.6 million and its deposits from $118.0 million to $402.9
million. While accomplishing this expansion, the Company's asset quality has
improved. At June 30, 1996, the Company's nonperforming assets constituted 0.15%
of total assets, as compared to 0.89%, 1.17%, and 2.13% at December 31, 1995,
1994 and 1993, respectively. Although the Company incurred anticipated losses in
the four quarters following its 1993 reorganization, the Company has been
profitable in each of the last eight quarters ending June 30, 1996.
 
     The Company's goal is to create, over the next several years, a
well-capitalized, customer focused, Pacific Northwest commercial banking
institution with a significant presence in selected markets and total assets in
excess of $1.0 billion. The Company intends to effect this growth strategy
through a combination of growth at existing branch offices, new branch openings
(usually following the hiring of an experienced branch manager and/or lending
officer with strong community ties and banking relationships) and acquisitions.
In particular, the Company anticipates continued expansion in Pierce County and
expansion into additional parts of neighboring King County and Thurston
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   7
 
County (the location of the state capitol, Olympia). In order to fund its
commercial and consumer lending activities and to allow for increased contact
with customers, the Company is establishing a branch system catering primarily
to retail depositors, supplemented by business banking customer deposits and
other borrowings. The Company believes this mix of funding sources will enable
it to expand its commercial lending activities rapidly while attracting a stable
core deposit base.
 
     In order to support its strategy of growth, without compromising its
personalized banking approach or its commitment to asset quality, the Company
has made significant investments in experienced branch, lending and
administrative personnel and has incurred significant costs related to its
branch expansion. Although the Company's expense ratios have improved since
1993, management anticipates that the ratios will remain relatively high by
industry standards for the foreseeable future due to the Company's aggressive
growth strategy and emphasis on convenience and personal service.
 
     The Company utilizes the extensive banking experience of the senior
executives and other key personnel of the Company to pursue its personal
service-oriented approach to banking. The Company's principal executives are
A.G. Espe, its Chairman, and W.W. Philip, its President. Both executives have
extensive experience in managing medium-sized and larger commercial banking
organizations in the Northwest and were instrumental in executing internal and
acquisition-based growth strategies for Alaska Pacific Bancorporation, Inc. and
Key Pacific Bancorp (in the case of Mr. Espe) and Puget Sound Bancorp (in the
case of Mr. Philip). Mr. Espe has over 30 years of experience in the commercial
banking business. During his tenure at Key Pacific Bancorp, Mr. Espe was
responsible for numerous mergers and acquisitions in several western states,
including Washington, totaling more than $4 billion in total assets. Prior to
1985, Mr. Espe founded and managed Alaska Pacific Bancorporation, Inc., a bank
holding company with total assets in excess of $600 million at the time it was
acquired by KeyCorp. Under the leadership of Mr. Philip, Puget Sound Bancorp had
the largest deposit market share of any financial institution in Pierce County
prior to its acquisition in 1993. Mr. Philip has over 40 years of experience in
the commercial banking business and managed the growth of Puget Sound Bancorp
from approximately $200 million in 1971 when he became President to
approximately $4.9 billion prior to its acquisition in January 1993. In
addition, all of the Company's senior lending officers and branch managers had
significant experience with other Washington banking organizations prior to
joining the Company.
 
     The economy of the Company's principal market area, while primarily
dependent upon aerospace, foreign trade and natural resources, including
agriculture and timber, has become more diversified over the past decade as a
result of the success of software companies such as Microsoft and the
establishment of numerous research and biotechnology firms. The Washington
economy and that of the Puget Sound region generally have experienced moderate
growth and stability in recent years. Pierce County is projected to have the
strongest economic performance in the Puget Sound region through 1999 according
to the Puget Sound Economic Forecaster, a regional publication providing
economic forecasts and commentary. According to the same publication, the
greater Puget Sound economy is projected to expand at nearly twice the national
rate for the years 1997 through 1999.
 
     The Company's principal executive offices are located at 1102 Broadway
Plaza, Tacoma, Washington, 98402. Its telephone number is (206) 305-1900.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   8
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Common Stock offered hereby...............  1,100,000 shares(1)
Common Stock to be outstanding after the
  offering................................  4,810,077 shares(1)(2)
Use of proceeds...........................  Approximately $10.0 million of the net proceeds
                                            will be contributed to Columbia Bank, primarily
                                            to fund additional loan growth. The remainder
                                            will be used to repay $3.0 million borrowed under
                                            a line of credit and for general corporate
                                            purposes. See "Use of Proceeds."
Nasdaq National Market Symbol.............  COLB
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) An additional 165,000 shares may be sold pursuant to an over-allotment
    option granted by the Company to the Underwriters. See "Underwriting."
 
(2) Excludes 293,393 shares of Common Stock (333,393 shares of Common Stock,
    assuming shareholder approval of additional shares to be available pursuant
    to the Company's Employee Stock Option Plan and certain other amendments to
    that Plan) issuable upon exercise of outstanding options as of September 30,
    1996. See "Management -- Option Grants/Awards."
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   9
 
                   SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                            JUNE 30,                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                      --------------------    --------------------------------------------------------
                                        1996        1995        1995        1994        1993        1992        1991
                                      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
                                          (UNAUDITED)  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                   <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
OPERATIONS DATA:
  Net interest income..............     $9,495      $7,925     $16,561     $11,580     $ 6,424      $4,660      $3,138
  Provision for loan losses........        760         600       1,250       1,000         502         170          80
  Noninterest income...............      2,473       1,833       3,991       2,996       2,043       1,021       1,131
  Noninterest expense..............      9,368       8,111      16,547      14,036      10,656       4,488       3,810
  Provision for income taxes(1)....         --          --          --          --          --          --          14
  Net income (loss)................      1,840       1,047       2,755        (614)     (2,439)      1,023         365
  Net income (loss) per share(2)...     $ 0.52      $ 0.30     $  0.79     $ (0.18)    $ (1.06)     $ 0.89      $ 0.44
PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
  Net interest margin(3)(4)........       4.55%       4.96%       4.78%       4.54%       3.69%       3.79%       3.25%
  Efficiency ratio(5)..............      78.30       83.10       80.50       96.30      125.90       79.00       89.20
  Return on average assets(4)......       0.82        0.61        0.74       (0.22)      (1.28)       0.74        0.36
  Return on average equity(4)......      11.36        7.29        9.25       (2.12)     (12.76)      11.16        6.48
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            JUNE 30,                                DECEMBER 31,
                                      --------------------    --------------------------------------------------------
                                        1996        1995        1995        1994        1993        1992        1991
                                      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
                                          (UNAUDITED)  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                   <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Total assets.....................   $481,612    $383,305    $425,206    $319,072    $235,944    $158,694    $120,800
  Loans, net of unearned fees(6)...    401,554     323,447     353,093     268,996     181,016     120,797      92,383
  Deposits.........................    402,914     313,708     361,875     268,692     165,339     118,014      94,379
  Federal Home Loan Bank
    advances.......................     37,000      34,000      25,000      17,000      32,000      18,000      15,000
  Shareholders' equity.............     33,783      30,214      31,967      28,861      29,801      11,641       6,001
  Book value per share(2)..........   $   9.70    $   8.82    $   9.30    $   8.44    $   8.73    $   8.22    $   7.73
  Equity to assets ratio...........       7.01%       7.88%       7.52%       9.05%      12.63%       7.34%       4.97%
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS:
  Nonperforming loans to loans.....       0.19%       0.17%       0.13%       0.18%       0.95%       0.62%       0.91%
  Allowance for loan losses to
    loans..........................       1.10        0.98        1.06        1.01        1.10        1.25        1.54
  Allowance for loan losses to
    nonperforming loans............     592.08      592.34      807.76      546.57      115.48      202.77      168.96
  Nonperforming assets to total
    assets.........................       0.15        1.00        0.89        1.17        2.13        2.34        2.79
OTHER DATA:
  Number of banking offices........         14          10          13           9           8           4           4
  Number of full-time equivalent
    employees......................        218         181         201         161         169         109         n/a
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) The Company continues to benefit from the utilization of its net operating
    loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes. Therefore, the Company
    had no federal income tax provision for the periods presented except for
    fiscal year 1991. Had earnings been taxable for the six months ended June
    30, 1996, net income would have been $1.2 million or $0.34 per share.
    Management anticipates that the Company will record a provision for income
    taxes during 1997. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
    Condition and Results of Operations -- Results of Operations," "Taxation"
    and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(2) On April 24, 1996, the Company announced a 5% stock dividend to shareholders
    of record on May 8, 1996, which was paid on May 22, 1996 through the
    issuance of 164,051 common shares to shareholders. Per share data have been
    adjusted retroactively for all periods presented.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   10
 
(3) Net interest margin is net interest income divided by average
interest-earning assets.
 
(4) Six-month data presented on an annualized basis.
 
(5) The efficiency ratio is recurring noninterest expense divided by the sum of
    net interest income and noninterest income excluding nonrecurring items.
 
(6) Excludes loans held for sale.
 
     Except as otherwise specified, all information in this Prospectus assumes
no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option. See "Underwriting." All
information with respect to the Common Stock and per share amounts contained in
this Prospectus have been adjusted, unless otherwise specified, to give effect
to a 5% stock dividend paid on May 22, 1996.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   11
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     In addition to other information in this Prospectus, the following factors
should be considered carefully in evaluating an investment in the shares of
Common Stock offered by this Prospectus.
 
     Aggressive Growth Strategy.  The Company intends to continue pursuing the
aggressive growth strategy which it began in 1993, both through expanding its
existing operations and through acquisitions. Its growth strategy is
significantly dependent upon the continued expansion of banking offices
throughout the Company's market area and the Company's ability to generate an
increasing volume of loans and deposits at acceptable risk levels and upon
acceptable terms. Since 1993, the Company has expanded, and continues to expand,
its loan portfolio at a rapid pace, with a heavy emphasis on commercial lending.
The loan-to-deposit ratio at June 30, 1996 was approximately 99.7%. Although the
Company has not incurred significant credit losses in recent periods, there can
be no assurance that the Company will not incur significant credit losses in the
future. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful
in expanding its asset base to a targeted size, managing the costs and
implementation risks associated with its growth strategy, identifying and
acquiring attractive potential acquisition candidates on terms favorable to the
Company, integrating any acquired institutions or branches or preventing deposit
erosion at acquired institutions or branches. Acquisitions and branching by the
Company will also be subject to regulatory approvals and there can be no
assurance that the Company will succeed in securing such approvals. The
Company's ability to pursue its growth strategy also may be adversely affected
by general economic conditions. See "Business -- General" and "-- Competition."
 
     Dependence on Key Personnel.  The Company is dependent on the services of
A.G. Espe, its current Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and
W.W. Philip, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Bank and
President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. The loss of the services
of either Mr. Espe or Mr. Philip, or of certain other key branch and lending
personnel, could adversely affect the Company. The Company recently amended its
employment agreement with Mr. Espe to extend its term to December 31, 2001.
While the Company also recently amended its employment agreement with Mr. Philip
to extend its term to December 31, 1998, Mr. Philip has indicated his intention
to retire at that time. See "Management -- Employment and Change of Control
Agreements."
 
     Changing Nature of Banking Business.  The banking industry generally has
seen a trend toward automation of delivery of banking services, a reduction in
the number of full-service branch offices and a de-emphasis on personal service.
This trend appears to be the result of efforts by banks to reduce costs and
increase efficiency. While the Company seeks to keep pace with industry trends
and technological innovations, its strategy is based on the belief that customer
demand for personal contact and strategically placed branch offices will
continue for the foreseeable future. Thus, Columbia Bank is continuing to expand
its branch network and the availability to customers of well-trained and highly
motivated personnel at a time when many banks are consolidating their branch
networks and automating customer responses. There can be no assurance that this
strategy will be successful or that technological advances by its competitors
will not result in the loss of customer relationships. As a result of this
strategy, Columbia Bank's cost for providing banking services may generally be
higher than that of many of its competitors for the foreseeable future.
 
     Overhead Expense.  Competition in the banking industry has led many
commercial banking companies to focus on expense reduction as a method of
increasing shareholder returns. Due to the Company's aggressive growth strategy
and emphasis on personal service, the Company's expense ratios are higher than
those of most similarly sized commercial banks. At June 30, 1996, the Company's
efficiency ratio was 78.3%. While the Company anticipates that its efficiency
ratio will improve gradually as overhead expenses are allocated over a larger
asset base, there can be no assurance that it will reach the levels of certain
of the Company's more efficient commercial banking competitors, many of whom are
following strategies different from those of the Company. See
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
"-- Changing Nature of Banking Business." Failure by the Company to improve its
efficiency ratio over time could adversely affect the value of the Common Stock.
 
     Allowance for Loan Losses.  The Company's allowance for loan losses is
maintained at a level considered adequate by management to provide for
anticipated loan losses. The amount of future losses is subject to changes in
economic, operating and other conditions that may be beyond the Company's
control and such losses may exceed current estimates. At June 30, 1996, Columbia
Bank had total nonperforming loans of $745,000 which constituted 0.19% of total
loans at that date. At that same date, Columbia Bank's allowance for loan losses
was $4.4 million, or 1.10% of total loans and 592.08% of total nonperforming
loans. There can be no assurance, however, that such allowance will be adequate
to cover actual losses. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations -- Results of Operations."
 
     Competition.  The Company's strategy involves the significant expansion of
Columbia Bank throughout the Tacoma metropolitan area and contiguous parts of
the Puget Sound region of Washington. During the past several years, substantial
consolidation among financial institutions in Washington has occurred. Due in
part to recent federal legislation concerning interstate banking, the Company
anticipates a continuation of the consolidation trend in Washington. Legislation
has recently been passed by the Washington legislature (effective June 1996)
that allows, subject to certain conditions, mergers or other combinations,
relocations of a bank's main office and branching across state lines in advance
of the June 1, 1997 date established by federal law (see "Supervision and
Regulation -- Other Regulatory Developments"). Many other financial
institutions, most of which have greater resources than the Company, compete
with the Company for banking business in the Company's market area. Among the
advantages of some of these institutions are their ability to make larger loans,
finance extensive advertising campaigns, access international money markets and
allocate their investment assets to regions of highest yield and demand. The
Company does not have a significant market share of the deposit-taking or
lending activities in the areas in which it conducts operations. Although the
Company has been able to compete effectively in its market areas to date, there
can be no assurance that it will be able to continue to do so in the future. See
"Business -- Competition."
 
     Impact of Interest Rates.  The results of operations for commercial banks,
including Columbia Bank, may be materially and adversely affected by changes in
prevailing economic conditions, including changes in interest rates and the
monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government. Although the current
interest rate environment is favorable for many financial institutions,
including the Company, such an environment is unlikely to continue indefinitely.
The Company's profitability, like that of many financial institutions, is
dependent to a large extent upon net interest income, which is the difference
between interest income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and
investments, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as
deposits and borrowings. When interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice
more quickly than interest-earning assets in a given period, a significant
increase in market rates of interest could adversely affect net interest income.
Conversely, when interest-earning assets mature or reprice more quickly than
interest-bearing liabilities, falling interest rates could result in a decrease
in net interest income. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations -- Asset/ Liability Management."
 
     Geographic Concentration.  Substantially all of the Company's lending
activities are to customers in the Puget Sound region of Washington.
Consequently, the Company's growth and profitability are dependent upon economic
conditions in the region. Unfavorable changes in economic conditions affecting
the region, such as in the aerospace, natural resources or software industries,
or a significant decline in foreign trade or in the large military base presence
in the area may have an adverse impact on operations of the Company.
 
     Conflicts of Interest.  In addition to his position with the Company, Mr.
Espe is the Chairman of the Board of Northrim Bank, a publicly traded bank based
in Anchorage, Alaska, with total assets of
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
$202.4 million at September 30, 1996. At September 30, 1996, Mr. Espe
beneficially owned 10.5% of Northrim Bank's common stock. While Mr. Espe
currently devotes, and intends to continue to devote, a majority of his time to
the Company's matters, there can be no assurance that this will continue to be
the case. Mr. Espe's employment agreement with the Company prohibits him from
competing with the Company in Washington and Oregon for a period of two years
following his voluntary termination of the agreement without "good reason" (as
defined in the agreement). See "Management -- Employment and Change of Control
Agreements."
 
     Shares Eligible for Future Sale.  The future sale of a substantial number
of shares of Common Stock by existing shareholders, or the sale of shares of
Common Stock by shareholders purchasing shares of Common Stock in this offering,
could have a material adverse effect on the market price of the Common Stock.
The Company, its executive officers and directors and any affiliates thereof
have agreed that for a period of 120 days after the date of this Prospectus they
will not sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock without the
prior written consent of the Underwriters. See "Underwriting" and "Shares
Eligible for Future Sale."
 
     Government Regulation and Recent Legislation.  The Company is subject to
extensive federal and Washington state legislation, regulation and supervision.
These laws and regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors and the
deposit insurance fund, not shareholders of the Company. The Company is subject
to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Columbia
Bank, as a state-chartered bank, is subject to supervision by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") and the Washington Department of
Financial Institutions, Division of Banks. Recently enacted, proposed and future
legislation and regulations have had, will continue to have, or may have a
material effect on the business, operations and prospects of the Company. Some
of the legislative and regulatory changes may increase the Company's cost of
doing business and assist competitors of the Company. The Company is unable to
predict the nature or extent of the effects on its business and earnings that
any fiscal or monetary policies, or new federal or state legislation or
regulations may have in the future. See "Recent Developments" and "Supervision
and Regulation."
 
     Anti-Takeover Provisions.  Certain provisions contained in the Company's
Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles") may deter potential acquirers from
attempting a takeover of the Company. The Articles require that any Business
Combination (as defined in the Articles) be approved by the affirmative vote of
not less than 66 2/3% of the total shares attributable to persons other than a
Control Person (as defined in the Articles). This "supermajority" approval is
not required if the Company's Board of Directors has approved the transaction or
if certain other conditions concerning nondiscrimination among shareholders and
receipt of fair value are satisfied. The Articles also include a provision that
requires the Company's Board of Directors to consider certain non-monetary
factors in evaluating any acquisition bid. Finally, the Articles provide, among
other things, that the Company may issue up to 2,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, none of which shares are currently issued and outstanding, without prior
shareholder approval, in one or more series, with such relative rights and
preferences as the Board of Directors may determine. The issuance of preferred
stock under certain circumstances could have the effect of delaying or
preventing a change in control of the Company. These provisions, and certain
provisions contained in Chapter 19 of the Washington Business Corporation Act,
Revised Code of Washington Title 23B.19, which prohibit certain significant
business transactions if not accomplished in accordance with the statute,
collectively and individually, may discourage transactions such as mergers or
tender offers on terms which certain of the Company's shareholders may consider
beneficial. As a result, holders of the Common Stock may potentially be deprived
of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over market price.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
 
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
EFFECT OF RECENT LEGISLATION
 
     Columbia Bank's deposits are insured by the FDIC through the Bank Insurance
Fund (the "BIF") and through the Savings Association Insurance Fund (the
"SAIF"). Approximately 39% of the Company's deposits are deemed to be
SAIF-insured under an allocation formula that applies because certain deposits
were previously acquired from a savings bank in a so-called "Oakar" transaction.
See "Business -- General." The FDIC's current annual assessment rate for
deposits ranges from 0.0% to 0.27% of insured deposits for the BIF and 0.23% to
0.31% of insured deposits for the SAIF. Legislation was recently enacted to
resolve the difference in rates between the two funds. Pursuant to this
legislation, the FDIC has proposed to lower SAIF assessment rates from their
current rates to a range of 0.04% to 0.31% and then through application of an
adjustment factor to further reduce SAIF assessment rates to an effective range
of 0.0% to 0.27%. The FDIC has also proposed to maintain an assessment rate of
between 0.0% and 0.27% of covered deposits for BIF members. These rates would
become effective January 1, 1997. Further, the FDIC has proposed an interim rate
schedule for SAIF assessments that would create an effective assessment rate
range of 0.18% to 0.27% for the period of October 1, 1996 until December 31,
1996. The legislation also requires a special assessment on SAIF-insured
deposits held by the institution at March 31, 1995 with a discount of 20% on the
special assessment and subsequent assessments for Oakar institutions, such as
Columbia Bank, which meet certain tests. The FDIC has estimated that the special
assessment rate will be approximately 0.657% of covered deposits. Moreover, the
legislation requires assessments on both SAIF and BIF members in order to
service bonds issued in connection with the government resolution of the savings
and loan crisis. The FDIC also has estimated that for the next three years
beginning on January 1, 1997 through December 31, 1999, an annual assessment of
approximately 0.064% of covered deposits and 0.013% of covered deposits will be
assessed upon SAIF- and BIF-insured deposits, respectively, and from January 1,
2000 through December 31, 2017, the assessment rate will be 0.024% of covered
deposits for all insured institutions. Based on the FDIC estimates as to
assessment rates in future periods, management anticipates that its assessment
rate for deposits deemed to be SAIF-insured will be 0.18% during the fourth
quarter of 1996 and 0.064% beginning in 1997. Management also anticipates that
its assessment rate for BIF-insured deposits will be 0.0% during the fourth
quarter of 1996 and 0.013% beginning in 1997.
 
     The discount of 20% on the one-time special assessment and subsequent SAIF
assessments is applicable to certain commercial banking institutions, such as
Columbia Bank, that had SAIF deposits of less than 50% of total domestic
deposits as of June 30, 1995. At March 31, 1995, the date upon which the SAIF
deposit base is calculated for the purpose of the special assessment, Columbia
Bank was deemed to have SAIF deposits of $116.5 million. Management has
calculated the effect of the one-time special assessment to be $612,000. That
amount was charged to earnings during the third quarter of 1996, substantially
reducing third quarter earnings. The current charge to earnings is expected to
be recovered within approximately three years through reduced assessment rates.
 
     At September 30, 1996, approximately $156.0 million of Columbia Bank's
deposits are deemed to be SAIF-insured under the allocation formula. The actual
deposits at that date remaining from the Oakar transaction were approximately
$23.0 million.
 
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
 
     The following table sets forth unaudited summary financial information for
the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 and
reflects the effect of the one-time special assessment by the FDIC. This
information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements of the Company and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this
Prospectus and with Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   15
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      THREE MONTHS ENDED             NINE MONTHS
                                                                                                        ENDED
                                                                         SEPTEMBER 30,              SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                      -------------------       ---------------------
                                                                       1996         1995         1996          1995
                                                                      ------       ------       -------       -------
                                                                      (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                                   <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
OPERATIONS DATA:
  Net interest income...............................................  $5,261       $4,281       $14,756       $12,206
  Provision for loan losses.........................................     330          320         1,090           920
  Noninterest income................................................   1,390        1,078         3,863         2,911
  Noninterest expense...............................................   5,226        4,267        14,594        12,378
  SAIF special assessment...........................................     612           --           612            --
  Provision for income taxes(1).....................................      --           --            --            --
  Net income........................................................     483          772         2,323         1,819
  Net income (excluding SAIF special assessment)....................   1,095          772         2,935         1,819
  Net income per share(2)...........................................  $ 0.13       $ 0.22       $  0.64       $  0.52
  Net income per share (excluding SAIF special assessment)..........  $ 0.30       $ 0.22       $  0.81       $  0.52
PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
  Net interest margin(3)(4).........................................    4.40%        4.71%         4.49%         4.87%
  Efficiency ratio(5)...............................................   78.57        80.21         78.38         82.09
  Return on average assets(4).......................................    0.38         0.78          0.66          0.67
  Return on average assets (excluding SAIF special assessment)(4)...    0.86         0.78          0.84          0.67
  Return on average equity(4).......................................    5.39        10.17          9.24          8.29
  Return on average equity (excluding SAIF special assessment)(4)...   12.22        10.17         11.67          8.29
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  SEPTEMBER 30, 1996           DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                                  ------------------           -----------------
                                                                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                               <C>                          <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Total assets..................................................       $530,854                    $ 425,206
  Loans, net of unearned fees(6)................................        431,772                      453,093
  Deposits......................................................        454,500                      361,875
  Federal Home Loan Bank advances...............................         32,000                       25,000
  Shareholders' equity..........................................         36,876                       31,967
  Book value per share(2).......................................       $   9.94                    $    9.30
  Equity to assets ratio........................................           6.95%                        7.52%
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS:
  Nonperforming loans to loans..................................           0.35%                        0.13%
  Allowance for loan losses to loans............................           1.01                         1.06
  Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans..............         284.00                       807.76
  Nonperforming assets to total assets..........................           0.29                         0.89
OTHER DATA:
  Number of banking offices.....................................             15                           13
  Number of full-time equivalent employees......................            238                          201
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) The Company continues to benefit from the utilization of its net operating
    loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes. Therefore, the Company
    had no federal income tax provision for the periods presented except for
    fiscal year 1991. Had earnings been taxable for the nine months ended
    September 30, 1996, net income would have been $1.5 million or $0.42 per
    share. Management anticipates that the Company will record a provision for
    income taxes during 1997. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Results of Operations,"
    "Taxation" and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(2) On April 24, 1996, the Company announced a 5% stock dividend to shareholders
    of record on May 8, 1996, which was paid on May 22, 1996 through the
    issuance of 164,051 common shares to shareholders. Per share data have been
    adjusted retroactively for all periods presented.
 
(3) Net interest margin is net interest income divided by average
interest-earning assets.
 
(4) Three-month and nine-month data presented on an annualized basis.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   16
 
(5) The efficiency ratio is recurring noninterest expense divided by the sum of
    net interest income and noninterest income excluding nonrecurring items.
 
(6) Excludes loans held for sale.
 
     Net Income.  Net income for the three months ended September 30, 1996 was
$483,000, or $0.13 per share, compared to $772,000, or $0.22 per share, for the
same period in 1995, a decrease of 37.4% and 40.9% in net income and earnings
per share, respectively. The decrease was attributable to the $612,000 special
assessment on SAIF-insured deposits. Net income for the first nine months ended
September 30, 1996 was $2.3 million, or $0.64 per share, compared to $1.8
million, or $0.52 per share, for the same period in 1995. Excluding the special
SAIF assessment, net income for the three months ended September 30, 1996
increased 41.8% to $1.1 million, or $0.30 per share, compared to $772,000, or
$0.22 per share, for the same period in the prior year. Net income for the first
nine months ended September 30, 1996 excluding the special SAIF assessment,
increased 61.4% to $2.9 million, or $0.81 per share, from $1.8 million, or $0.52
per share, for the same period in 1995. The increase in net income is primarily
due to increased revenue resulting from continued loan and deposit growth.
 
     Net Interest Income.  Net interest income for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 increased 20.9% to $14.8 million from $12.2 million for the
nine months of 1995. The increase in net interest income for the first nine
months of 1996 is due to the overall growth of the Company. Total assets
increased 24.8% to $530.9 million at September 30, 1996 from $425.2 million at
December 31, 1995.
 
     Net interest margin (net interest income divided by average
interest-earning assets) for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 decreased
to 4.49% from 4.87% for the same period in 1995. The decrease in net interest
margin was primarily due to lower yields obtained on loans as a result of a
planned change in loan mix from higher yielding commercial real estate loans to
high quality, but lower yielding, commercial loans and to increased competition
in the Company's market area. Also affecting net interest margin was a one-time
adjustment to the amortization of deferred loan origination fees in the three
months ended September 30, 1996, amounting to approximately $100,000.
 
     Noninterest Expense.  Excluding the special SAIF assessment, total
noninterest expense increased $1.6 million, or 13.0%, for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 compared with the same period in 1995.
 
     Nonperforming Assets.  Nonperforming loans increased to $1.5 million at
September 30, 1996 from $464,000 at December 31, 1995 due principally to the
inclusion of loans which, though nonperforming, are secured by real estate. In
the fourth quarter of 1996, management anticipates charge-offs of those
nonperforming loans which are unsecured or undersecured, although the amount of
such charge-offs is not expected to be material. The balance of such loans are
expected to be paid or to return to performing status in the near future. The
allowance for loan losses at September 30, 1996 decreased to 1.01% from 1.06% of
loans at December 31, 1995 (excluding loans held for sale at each date) due to a
$273,000 increase in charge-offs compared with the first nine months of 1995 and
a $78.7 million, or 22.3%, increase in loans compared to year-end 1995. At
September 30, 1996, nonperforming loans were 0.35% of period-end loans and
nonperforming assets were 0.29% of period-end assets.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   17
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds (after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and
estimated offering expenses) to the Company from the sale of the Common Stock
offered hereby are estimated to be $          ($          if the Underwriters'
over-allotment option is exercised in full) based on an assumed offering price
of $          per share.
 
     The Company plans to contribute approximately $10.0 million of the net
proceeds to Columbia Bank primarily to fund additional loan growth. The
remainder will be used to repay $3.0 million borrowed under a line of credit and
for general corporate purposes. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Capital Resources."
 
                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
COLB. The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the high and low
sale prices for the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          HIGH         LOW
                                                                          ----         ----
        <S>                                                               <C>          <C>
        1994
        First quarter...................................................  $ 12         $ 10
        Second quarter..................................................  11 1/2       10 1/4
        Third quarter...................................................    11           10
        Fourth quarter..................................................    11            9
        1995
        First quarter...................................................  $ 12         $9 1/8
        Second quarter..................................................  12 1/2       9 7/8
        Third quarter...................................................  12 3/8       11 1/8
        Fourth quarter..................................................  12 3/4       11 1/4
        1996
        First quarter...................................................  $14 3/4      $11 1/2
        Second quarter..................................................  16 1/2         13
        Third quarter...................................................    16         14 1/4
        Fourth quarter (through October 17, 1996).......................  16 1/4       15 3/4
</TABLE>
 
     On October 17, 1996, the last trading day prior to the date of this
Prospectus, the last reported sale price for the Common Stock on the Nasdaq
National Market was $16.00 per share. At September 30, 1996, there were 852
holders of record of the Common Stock.
 
                                   DIVIDENDS
 
     The Company does not currently pay cash dividends on its Common Stock and
does not intend to do so for the foreseeable future. It is not presently
anticipated that the Company will conduct significant operations independent of
Columbia Bank and therefore the Company does not expect to have any significant
source of income other than earnings on the net proceeds of the offering
retained by the Company and dividends from Columbia Bank, if any. Consequently,
the ability of the Company to pay dividends to its shareholders will be
dependent upon such retained proceeds and the earnings thereon, and upon the
ability of Columbia Bank to pay dividends to the Company.
 
     Applicable federal and Washington state regulations restrict capital
distributions by institutions such as Columbia Bank, including dividends. Such
restrictions are tied to the institution's capital levels after giving effect to
such distributions. For the foreseeable future, it is the Company's intent to
retain earnings to support the growth of its business. See "Supervision and
Regulation -- The Company."
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   18
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company at June
30, 1996, and as adjusted to reflect the receipt of net proceeds from the sale
of the 1,100,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to this offering at an assumed
offering price of $     per share:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         JUNE 30, 1996
                                                                 -----------------------------
                                                                  ACTUAL         AS ADJUSTED
                                                                 --------       --------------
                                                                    (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
    <S>                                                          <C>            <C>
    Deposits...................................................  $402,914          $402,914
    Borrowings:
      Federal Home Loan Bank advances..........................    37,000            37,000
      Other borrowings.........................................     2,300             2,300
      Convertible subordinated notes(1)........................     2,363                --
                                                                 --------          --------
         Total deposits and borrowings.........................  $444,577          $442,214
                                                                 ========          ========
    Shareholders' equity:
      Preferred stock (no par value); 2,000,000 shares
         authorized; none outstanding..........................        --                --
      Common stock (no par value); 10,000,000 shares
         authorized; 3,482,268 shares issued and outstanding;
         4,806,011 shares as adjusted(1)(2)....................  $ 33,354
      Retained earnings........................................       957
      Unrealized losses on securities available for sale.......      (528)
                                                                 --------          --------
         Total shareholders' equity............................  $ 33,783          $
                                                                 ========          ========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) On June 3, 1996, the Company gave notice of its intent to redeem all of its
    issued and outstanding 7.85% Convertible Subordinated Notes on August 1,
    1996. Prior to August 1, 1996 all of the Notes were converted into 223,743
    shares of Common Stock. The issuance of such additional shares is reflected
    in the as adjusted "Shareholders' Equity."
(2) Does not include 293,393 shares issuable at prices ranging from $3.81 to
    $15.25 per share upon exercise of outstanding stock options. Also does not
    include a warrant outstanding to Dain Bosworth Incorporated, lead
    underwriter of a prior issue of securities by the Company, to purchase
    18,716 shares at $10.14 per share.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   19
 
                  SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     The following selected consolidated financial information for the five
years ended December 31, 1995 have been derived in part from the audited
consolidated financial statements of the Company. Consolidated balance sheets at
December 31, 1995 and 1994 and the related consolidated statements of operations
and of cash flows for the three years ended December 31, 1995 and notes thereto
appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus have been audited by Price Waterhouse,
LLP, independent accountants. The summary financial data for the six months
ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 is derived from unaudited consolidated financial
statements and include, in the opinion of management, all adjustments including
normal recurring accruals necessary to present fairly the data for such periods.
Operating results for the six months ended June 30, 1996 are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or
the entire year ending December 31, 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  SIX MONTHS
                                                    ENDED
                                                   JUNE 30,                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                              ------------------    ---------------------------------------------------
                                               1996       1995       1995       1994       1993       1992       1991
                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
                                                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
OPERATIONS DATA:
  Total interest income.....................  $18,097    $14,717    $31,720    $20,656    $13,955    $11,583    $ 9,772
  Total interest expense....................    8,602      6,792     15,159      9,076      7,531      6,923      6,634
                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
    Net interest income.....................    9,495      7,925     16,561     11,580      6,424      4,660      3,138
  Provision for loan losses.................      760        600      1,250      1,000        502        170         80
                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
    Net interest income after provision for
      loan losses...........................    8,735      7,325     15,311     10,580      5,922      4,490      3,058
  Service charges and other fees............    1,148        905      1,895      1,242        556        417        432
  Other noninterest income..................    1,325        928      2,096      1,754      1,487        604        699
                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
    Total noninterest income................    2,473      1,833      3,991      2,996      2,043      1,021      1,131
    Total noninterest expense...............    9,368      8,111     16,547     14,036     10,656      4,488      3,810
                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
  Income (loss) before income taxes.........    1,840      1,047      2,755       (460)    (2,691)     1,023        379
  Provision for income taxes(1).............       --         --         --         --         --         --         14
                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
  Income (loss) before extraordinary item...    1,840      1,047      2,755       (460)    (2,691)     1,023        365
  Extraordinary loss on extinguishment of
    debt, net...............................       --         --         --       (154)        --         --         --
  Cumulative effect of accounting change....       --         --         --         --        252         --         --
                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
  Net income (loss).........................  $ 1,840    $ 1,047    $ 2,755    $  (614)   $(2,439)   $ 1,023    $   365
                                              =======    =======    =======    =======    =======    =======    =======
  Net income (loss) per share(2)............  $  0.52    $  0.30    $  0.79    $ (0.18)   $ (1.06)   $  0.89    $  0.44
  Average common and common equivalent
    shares outstanding (in thousands)(2)....    3,566      3,484      3,496      3,481      2,301      1,155        824
PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
  Net interest margin(3)(4).................     4.55%      4.96%      4.78%      4.54%      3.69%      3.79%      3.25%
  Efficiency ratio(5).......................    78.30      83.10      80.50      96.30     125.90      79.00      89.20
  Return on average assets(4)...............     0.82       0.61       0.74      (0.22)     (1.28)      0.74       0.36
  Return on average equity(4)...............    11.36       7.29       9.25      (2.12)    (12.76)     11.16       6.48
</TABLE>
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   20
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 JUNE 30,                             DECEMBER 31,
                                            -------------------   ----------------------------------------------------
                                              1996       1995       1995       1994       1993       1992       1991
                                            --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                          (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Total assets............................  $481,612   $383,305   $425,206   $319,072   $235,944   $158,694   $120,800
  Loans, net of unearned fees(6)..........   401,554    323,447    353,093    268,996    181,016    120,797     92,383
  Real estate owned.......................        --      3,296      3,304      3,227      3,305      2,959      2,523
  Deposits................................   402,914    313,708    361,875    268,692    165,339    118,014     94,379
  Federal Home Loan Bank advances.........    37,000     34,000     25,000     17,000     32,000     18,000     15,000
  Shareholders' equity....................    33,783     30,214     31,967     28,861     29,801     11,641      6,001
  Book value per share(2).................  $   9.70   $   8.82   $   9.30   $   8.44   $   8.73   $   8.22   $   7.73
  Equity to assets ratio..................      7.01%      7.88%      7.52%      9.05%     12.63%      7.34%      4.97%
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS:
  Nonperforming loans to loans............      0.19%      0.17%      0.13%      0.18%      0.95%      0.62%      0.91%
  Allowance for loan losses to loans......      1.10       0.98       1.06       1.01       1.10       1.25       1.54
  Allowance for loan losses to
    nonperforming loans...................    592.08     592.34     807.76     546.57     115.48     202.77     168.96
  Nonperforming assets to total assets....      0.15       1.00       0.89       1.17       2.13       2.34       2.79
CAPITAL RATIOS:(7)
  Tier 1 risk-based capital...............      8.58%      9.57%      9.10%     11.34%     17.98%     10.18%       n/a
  Total risk-based capital................     10.30      11.45      10.95      13.48      22.77      16.08        n/a
  Leverage ratio..........................      7.30       8.25       7.72       9.35      13.27       8.18        n/a
OTHER DATA:
  Number of banking offices...............        14         10         13          9          8          4          4
  Number of full-time equivalent
    employees.............................       218        181        201        161        169        109        n/a
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) The Company continues to benefit from utilization of its net operating loss
    carryforwards for federal income tax purposes. The Company has no federal
    income tax provision for the periods presented except for fiscal year 1991.
    Had earnings been taxable for the six months ended June 30, 1996, net income
    would have been $1.2 million, or $0.34 per share. Management anticipates
    that the Company will record a provision for income tax expenses during
    1997. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
    Results of Operations -- Results of Operations," "Taxation" and Notes to
    Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(2) On April 24, 1996, the Company announced a 5% stock dividend to shareholders
    of record on May 8, 1996, which was paid on May 22, 1996 through the
    issuance of 164,051 common shares to shareholders. Share data have been
    adjusted retroactively for all periods presented.
 
(3) Net interest margin is net interest income divided by average
    interest-earning assets.
 
(4) Six-month data presented on an annualized basis.
 
(5) The efficiency ratio is recurring noninterest expense divided by the sum of
    net interest income and noninterest income excluding nonrecurring items.
 
(6) Excludes loans held for sale.
 
(7) Capital ratios are for the Company. At June 30, 1996 Columbia Bank exceeded
    regulatory capital requirements and qualified as "well capitalized." See
    "Supervision and Regulation -- Banking Subsidiary." Capital ratios in effect
    as of December 31, 1991 are not comparable to the ratios as calculated in
    this table, however, at December 31, 1991, the Company was in compliance
    with applicable regulatory capital requirements.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   21
 
               MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following discussion provides additional information regarding the
financial condition and the results of operations for the Company for each of
the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995, and for each of the years ended
December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993. This discussion should be read in conjunction
with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the notes thereto
appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. The data presented for the six-month
periods ended June 30, 1996 and June 30, 1995 are derived from unaudited
consolidated interim financial statements of the Company and include, in the
opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the data for
such periods.
 
OVERVIEW
 
     The Company was substantially reorganized and raised approximately $17.2
million in a public offering of Common Stock in 1993 in order to take advantage
of perceived opportunities resulting from the consolidation of banks operating
in the Puget Sound region. Since that time, the Company has experienced rapid
asset growth, with assets increasing from $158.6 million at January 1, 1993 to
$481.6 million at June 30, 1996. In connection with its 1993 reorganization and
subsequent rapid expansion, the Company incurred anticipated net losses of $2.4
million in 1993 and $614,000 in 1994. However, the Company achieved a small
profit for the quarter ended September 30, 1994 and has been profitable each
quarter thereafter through June 30, 1996.
 
     Set forth below is certain unaudited quarterly financial data for the
Company for the eight quarters ended June 30, 1996. Quarterly performance for
the quarter ending September 30, 1996 was significantly affected by a one-time
FDIC special assessment of $612,000 on Columbia Bank, which has certain deposits
insured by the SAIF. See "Recent Developments."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     1996 QUARTER                                               1994 QUARTER ENDED
                                        ENDED                   1995 QUARTER ENDED
                                   ----------------    -------------------------------------    -------------------
                                   JUN 30    MAR 31    DEC 31    SEP 30    JUN 30    MAR 31     DEC 31(1)    SEP 30
                                   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    -------    ---------    ------
                                                   (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>          <C>
Total interest income...........   $9,311    $8,786    $8,630    $8,373    $7,775    $6,942      $ 6,152     $5,497
Total interest expense..........   4,306     4,296     4,275     4,092     3,699      3,093        2,619     2,405
                                   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------       ------     ------
  Net interest income...........   5,005     4,490     4,355     4,281     4,076      3,849        3,533     3,092
Provision for loan losses.......     430       330       330       320       300        300          260       240
Noninterest income..............   1,308     1,165     1,080     1,078       950        883          856       853
Noninterest expense.............   4,851     4,517     4,169     4,267     4,124      3,987        3,621     3,488
                                   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------       ------     ------
  Income before income tax......   1,032       808       936       772       602        445          508       217
Provision for income tax........      --        --        --        --        --         --           --        --
  Income (loss) from continuing
    operations before
    extraordinary item..........   1,032       808       936       772       602        445          508       217
Extraordinary loss on
  extinguishment of debt, net...      --        --        --        --        --         --           --      (154 )
                                   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------       ------     ------
  Net income....................   $1,032    $ 808     $ 936     $ 772     $ 602     $  445      $   508     $  63
                                   ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    ======       ======     ======
    Net income per share........   $0.29     $0.23     $0.27     $0.22     $0.17     $ 0.13      $  0.14     $0.02
                                   ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    ======       ======     ======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) The Company recorded a net loss of $614,000 for the year ended December 31,
    1994.
 
     The results of operations of the Company are dependent to a large degree on
the Company's net interest income. The Company also generates noninterest income
through service charges and fees and income from mortgage banking operations.
The Company's operating expenses consist primarily of compensation and employee
benefit expense and occupancy expense. Like most financial institutions, the
Company's interest income and cost of funds are affected significantly by
general
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   22
 
economic conditions, particularly changes in market interest rates, and by
government policies and the actions of regulatory authorities. See "Risk
Factors -- Impact of Interest Rates."
 
NET INTEREST INCOME
 
     Net interest income is the difference between interest income, principally
from loans and securities, and interest expense, principally on customer
deposits and borrowings. Changes in net interest income result from changes in
volume, net interest spread and net interest margin. Volume refers to the
average dollar amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing
liabilities. Net interest spread refers to the difference between the average
yield on interest-earning assets and the average cost of interest-bearing
liabilities. Net interest margin refers to net interest income divided by
average interest-earning assets and is influenced by the level and relative mix
of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. During the six
months ended June 30, 1996 and the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 and
1994, average interest-earning assets were $419.0 million, $346.6 million and
$254.9 million, respectively. During these same periods, average
interest-bearing liabilities were $359.2 million, $300.3 million and $222.6
million, respectively and net interest margins were 4.55%, 4.78% and 4.54%,
respectively.
 
     The following table sets forth for the periods indicated information for
the Company with respect to average balances of assets and liabilities, as well
as the total dollar amounts of interest income from interest-earning assets and
interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, resultant yields or costs, net
interest income, net interest spread, net interest margin and the ratio of
average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities.
Nonaccrual loans have been included in the tables as loans carrying a zero
yield.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   23
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          DECEMBER 31,
                                                                     -------------------------------------------------------
                                          SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                            JUNE 30, 1996                         1995                         1994
                                   -------------------------------   -------------------------------   ---------------------
                                                INTEREST                          INTEREST                          INTEREST
                                    AVERAGE     EARNED/    AVERAGE    AVERAGE     EARNED/    AVERAGE    AVERAGE     EARNED/
                                   BALANCE(1)     PAID     RATE(2)   BALANCE(1)     PAID      RATE     BALANCE(1)     PAID
                                   ----------   --------   -------   ----------   --------   -------   ----------   --------
                                                                    (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                <C>          <C>        <C>       <C>          <C>        <C>       <C>          <C>
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS:
Loans:
 Commercial......................   $121,526    $ 5,300      8.75 %   $ 92,831    $ 8,986      9.68 %   $ 63,541    $ 5,272
 Real estate(3):
   One-to four-family
     residential.................     92,829      4,209      9.09       97,280      9,073      9.33       78,408      6,495
   Five or more family
     residential and commercial
     properties..................    118,414      5,443      9.22       90,135      8,411      9.33       57,952      5,324
 Consumer........................     45,512      1,991      8.77       37,793      3,568      9.44       22,335      1,899
                                   ----------   --------   -------   ----------   --------   -------   ----------   --------
   Total loans...................    378,281     16,943      8.98      318,039     30,038      9.44      222,236     18,990
Securities.......................     28,329        826      5.85       23,266      1,368      5.88       24,045      1,332
Interest-earning deposits with
 banks...........................     12,352        328      5.32        5,336        314      5.88        8,597        334
                                   ----------   --------   -------   ----------   --------   -------   ----------   --------
   Total interest-earning
     assets......................    418,962     18,097      8.66      346,641     31,720      9.15      254,878     20,656
Noninterest-earning assets.......     29,271                            28,007                            24,384
                                   ----------                        ----------                        ----------
   Total assets..................   $448,233                          $374,648                          $279,262
                                   ===============                   ===============                   ===============
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES:
Certificates of deposit..........   $171,410    $ 4,879      5.71 %   $168,351    $ 9,565      5.68 %   $122,198    $ 5,595
Savings accounts.................     21,554        301      2.80       24,547        669      2.73       33,938        895
Interest-bearing demand
 deposits........................    131,362      2,413      3.68       79,706      3,151      3.95       38,962        814
                                   ----------   --------   -------   ----------   --------   -------   ----------   --------
   Total interest-bearing
     deposits....................    324,326      7,593      4.70      272,604     13,385      4.91      195,098      7,304
Federal Home Loan Bank
 advances........................     32,170        884      5.51       24,915      1,503      6.03       21,452      1,160
Other borrowings.................      2,736        125      9.15        2,744        271      9.88        6,017        612
                                   ----------   --------   -------   ----------   --------   -------   ----------   --------
   Total interest-bearing
     liabilities.................    359,232      8,602      4.80      300,263     15,159      5.05      222,567      9,076
Demand and other noninterest-
 bearing deposits................     53,673                            42,167                            26,238
Other noninterest-bearing
 liabilities.....................      2,854                             2,444                             1,476
Shareholders' equity.............     32,474                            29,774                            28,981
                                   ----------                        ----------                        ----------
   Total liabilities and
     shareholders' equity........   $448,233                          $374,648                          $279,262
                                   ===============                   ===============                   ===============
Net interest income..............               $ 9,495                           $16,561                           $11,580
                                                ===========                       ===========                       ===========
Net interest spread..............                            3.86 %                            4.10 %
                                                           ===========                       ===========
Net interest margin..............                            4.55 %                            4.78 %
                                                           ===========                       ===========
Average interest-earning assets
 to average interest-bearing
 liabilities.....................                          116.63 %                          115.45 %
                                                           ===========                       ===========
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                          1993
                                             -------------------------------
                                                          INTEREST
                                   AVERAGE    AVERAGE     EARNED/    AVERAGE
                                    RATE     BALANCE(1)     PAID      RATE
                                   -------   ----------   --------   -------
 
<S>                                <C>       <C>          <C>        <C>
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS:
Loans:
 Commercial......................    8.30 %   $ 23,894    $ 1,690      7.07 %
 Real estate(3):
   One-to four-family
     residential.................    8.28       73,076      6,221      8.51
   Five or more family
     residential and commercial
     properties..................    9.19       35,255      3,608     10.23
 Consumer........................    8.50        8,128        739      9.09
                                   -------   ----------   --------   -------
   Total loans...................    8.54      140,353     12,258      8.73
Securities.......................    5.54       20,940      1,335      6.38
Interest-earning deposits with
 banks...........................    3.89       12,800        362      2.83
                                   -------   ----------   --------   -------
   Total interest-earning
     assets......................    8.10      174,093     13,955      8.02
Noninterest-earning assets.......               15,825
                                             ----------
   Total assets..................             $189,918
                                             ===============
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES:
Certificates of deposit..........    4.58 %   $ 75,682    $ 3,459      4.57 %
Savings accounts.................    2.64       29,743      1,039      3.49
Interest-bearing demand
 deposits........................    2.09       18,090        369      2.04
                                   -------   ----------   --------   -------
   Total interest-bearing
     deposits....................    3.74      123,515      4,867      3.94
Federal Home Loan Bank
 advances........................    5.41       25,875      1,788      6.91
Other borrowings.................   10.17        9,868        876      8.88
                                   -------   ----------   --------   -------
   Total interest-bearing
     liabilities.................    4.08      159,258      7,531      4.73
Demand and other noninterest-
 bearing deposits................               10,621
Other noninterest-bearing
 liabilities.....................                  923
Shareholders' equity.............               19,116
                                             ----------
   Total liabilities and
     shareholders' equity........             $189,918
                                             ===============
Net interest income..............                         $ 6,424
                                                          ===========
Net interest spread..............    4.02 %                            3.29 %
                                   ===========                       ===========
Net interest margin..............    4.54 %                            3.69 %
                                   ===========                       ===========
Average interest-earning assets
 to average interest-bearing
 liabilities.....................  114.52 %                          109.32 %
                                   ===========                       ===========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Loans on a nonaccrual status have been included in the computation of
    average balances.
(2) Six-month yields are presented on an annualized basis.
(3) Real estate average balances include real estate construction loans.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   24
 
     The following table sets forth the amounts of the changes in consolidated
net interest income attributable to changes in volume and changes in interest
rates for the Company. Changes attributable to the combined effect of volume and
interest rates have been allocated proportionately to the changes due to volume
and the changes due to interest rates.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
                                                                            VS.
                                                              SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995
                                                                INCREASE (DECREASE) DUE TO
                                                              -------------------------------
                                                              VOLUME       RATE        TOTAL
                                                              ------       -----       ------
                                                                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>         <C>
Interest Income:
  Loans:
     Commercial.............................................  $1,632       $(330)      $1,302
     Real Estate(1):
       One- to four-family residential......................    (234)        (33)        (267)
       Five or more family residential
          and commercial properties.........................   1,732        (148)       1,584
     Consumer...............................................     443         (97)         346
                                                              ------       -----       ------
          Total loans.......................................   3,573        (608)       2,965
  Securities................................................     149           7          156
  Interest-earning deposits with banks......................     267          (8)         259
                                                              ------       -----       ------
          Total interest revenue............................  $3,989       ($609)      $3,380
                                                              ======       =====       ======
Interest Expense:
  Certificates of deposit...................................  $  179       $ 218       $  397
  Savings accounts..........................................     (73)         19          (54)
  Interest-bearing demand...................................   1,263          (3)       1,260
                                                              ------       -----       ------
          Total interest on deposits........................   1,369         234        1,603
  Federal Home Loan Bank advances...........................     268         (48)         220
  Other borrowings..........................................      (2)        (11)         (13)
                                                              ------       -----       ------
          Total interest expense............................  $1,635       $ 175       $1,810
                                                              ======       =====       ======
</TABLE>
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   25
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               1995 COMPARED TO 1994            1994 COMPARED TO 1993
                                            INCREASE (DECREASE) DUE TO       INCREASE (DECREASE) DUE TO
                                           -----------------------------     ---------------------------
                                           VOLUME      RATE       TOTAL      VOLUME     RATE      TOTAL
                                           ------     ------     -------     ------     -----     ------
                                                              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>       <C>
Interest Income:
  Loans:
    Commercial.........................    $2,728     $  986     $ 3,714     $3,244     $ 338     $3,582
    Real Estate(1):
      One- to four-family
         residential...................    1,693         885       2,578       435       (161)       274
      Five or more family residential
         and commercial properties.....    3,002          85       3,087     2,040       (324)     1,716
    Consumer...........................    1,439         230       1,669     1,205        (45)     1,160
                                           ------     ------     -------     ------     -----     ------
         Total loans...................    8,862       2,186      11,048     6,924       (192)     6,732
  Securities...........................      (41 )        76          35       (26 )       23         (3)
  Interest-earning deposits with
    banks..............................       56         (75)        (19)      203       (231)       (28)
                                           ------     ------     -------     ------     -----     ------
         Total interest revenue........    $8,877     $2,187     $11,064     $7,101     ($400)    $6,701
                                           ======     ======     =======     ======     =====     ======
Interest Expense:
  Certificates of deposit..............    $2,424     $1,546     $ 3,970     $2,130     $   6     $2,136
  Savings accounts.....................     (257 )        31        (226)      195       (339)      (144)
  Interest-bearing demand..............    1,261       1,076       2,337       436          9        445
                                           ------     ------     -------     ------     -----     ------
         Total interest on deposits....    3,428       2,653       6,081     2,761       (324)     2,437
  Federal Home Loan Bank advances......      200         143         343      (276 )     (352)      (628)
  Other borrowings.....................     (324 )       (17)       (341)     (421 )      157       (264)
                                           ------     ------     -------     ------     -----     ------
         Total interest expense........    $3,304     $2,779     $ 6,083     $2,064     ($519)    $1,545
                                           ======     ======     =======     ======     =====     ======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Real estate includes real estate construction loans.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 and 1995
 
     Net Income.  Net income for the six months ended June 30, 1996 was $1.8
million, or $0.52 per share, compared to $1.0 million, or $0.30 per share, for
the same period in 1995. This represented an increase of 75.7% and 73.3% in net
income and earnings per share, respectively. Net income for the first half of
1996 was positively affected by an increase in net interest income.
 
     The Company continued to benefit from the utilization of its net operating
loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes. Therefore, the Company had
no federal income tax provision for the six months ended June 30, 1996. Had the
earnings been fully taxable, net income would have been $1.2 million. See
"Income Taxes."
 
     The Company opened four new branch offices during 1995, three in Pierce
County and one in South King County. Construction began in the first quarter of
1996 on a permanent facility for the Gig Harbor branch. During the second
quarter a new Spanaway branch opened in a temporary facility. The Spanaway
branch office is the tenth branch to open since Columbia Bank's major Pierce
County expansion began in August 1993, and the Puyallup branch, which opened in
September 1996, is the eleventh branch to open since that time, bringing
Columbia Bank's total number of branches to 15. The Company also intends to
build a branch at Northwest Landing in Dupont, near the site of Intel
Corporation's new manufacturing facility. Additional expansion opportunities in
the near future include another Puyallup location, the Edgewood/Milton area, the
Tacoma Westside, Stadium and Lincoln business districts and a second Bellevue
branch. Establishment of new branch offices and relocation of existing temporary
branch offices can be expected to require significant capital investment in 1996
and beyond. New branch offices are often not profitable for the first year after
opening.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   26
 
     Net Interest Income.  Net interest income for the six months ended June 30,
1996 increased by $1.6 million, or 19.8%, as compared to the first six months of
1995. The increase in net interest income for the first six months of 1996 is
largely due to the overall growth of the Company. Net interest income in the
first half of 1996 was favorably affected by average interest-earning assets
increasing more rapidly than average interest-bearing liabilities, with the
difference funded by noninterest-bearing deposits and shareholders' equity.
Average interest-earning assets for the first six months of 1996 increased by
$96.6 million, compared with the same period in 1995, while average
interest-bearing liabilities increased by only $80.0 million.
 
     For the first six months of 1996, net interest margin (net interest income
divided by average interest-earning assets) decreased to 4.55% in 1996 from
4.96% in 1995. The decrease in net interest margin is primarily the result of
reduced spreads on earning assets. While interest-earning assets grew during the
first six months of 1996, the average yield on interest-earning assets decreased
to 8.66%, from 9.21% in the same period of 1995. In comparison, the average cost
of interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 4.80%, from 4.90% during the first
six months of 1996 as compared to the same period in 1995. The decrease in net
interest margin and spread is primarily due to lower yields obtained on loans as
a result of a planned change in loan mix from higher yielding commercial real
estate loans to high quality, but lower yielding commercial loans and to
increased competition in the Company's market area.
 
     Provision for Loan Losses.  Net loan charge-offs amounted to $97,000 for
the first six months of 1996, compared with net loan charge-offs of $142,000 for
the same period of 1995. The Company's provision for loan losses during the
first six months of 1996 increased to $760,000, compared with $600,000 for the
first six months of 1995. During the first six months, the allowance for loan
losses increased by $663,000, increasing to 1.10% of loans (excluding loans held
for sale) at June 30, 1996 from 1.06% of loans (excluding loans held for sale)
at December 31, 1995.
 
     Management considers the allowance for loan losses at June 30, 1996 to be
adequate to cover anticipated loan losses based on management's assessment of
various factors affecting the loan portfolio, including the level of problem
loans, business conditions, estimated collateral values, loss experience and
credit concentrations.
 
     Noninterest Income.  Total noninterest income increased $640,000, or 34.9%,
for the first six months of 1996, compared with the same period in 1995.
Increases in noninterest income in the first half of 1996 were centered in
account service charges, bank card revenue, and mortgage banking income.
 
     Noninterest Expense.  Total noninterest expense increased $1.3 million, or
15.5%, in the first six months of 1996 compared with the same period in 1995.
The increase was primarily due to personnel and occupancy costs associated with
the Company's expansion as well as bank card, data processing and other expense.
Total noninterest expense was 78.3% of adjusted revenue (the sum of net interest
income plus noninterest income, less nonrecurring items) for the first six
months of 1996 as compared to 83.1% for the same period in 1995. The portion of
compensation expense related to loan originations is deferred and deducted from
interest income over the life of the related loans. In the third quarter of
1995, the Company modified its estimates of loan origination costs to be
deferred, which resulted in increased deferral of compensation expense. The
other categories of expense are volume driven and reflect the Company's rapid
growth. Total noninterest expense for the Company is expected to decline in
relation to revenues as the Company's asset base grows. Regulatory assessments
will increase by approximately $612,000 in the third quarter of 1996 due to a
one-time special assessment, required by recently enacted legislation, to
recapitalize the SAIF fund of the FDIC. See "Recent Developments -- Effect of
Recent Legislation." Management is currently evaluating a proposed sale of
Columbia Bank's credit card portfolio which, if consummated, will result in a
one-time gain. The sale of the business is not expected to have a material
effect on results of operations in future periods.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   27
 
     Set forth below is a schedule showing additional detail concerning
increases and decreases in the Company's noninterest expense during the first
six months of 1996 compared with 1995.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                              --------------------------------
                                                                         INCREASE/
                                                               1996      (DECREASE)      1995
                                                              ------     ----------     ------
                                                                   (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>            <C>
Compensation and employee benefits..........................  $4,989       $  968       $4,021
  Less: loan origination costs..............................   1,362        1,078          284
                                                              ------       ------       ------
Net compensation and employee benefits (as reported)........   3,627         (110)       3,737
Occupancy...................................................   1,616          272        1,344
Professional services.......................................     278           58          220
Advertising and promotion...................................     374           36          338
Printing and supplies.......................................     192           --          192
Regulatory assessments......................................     184         (136)         320
Data processing.............................................     363           68          295
Gains on real estate owned..................................      --          264         (264)
Telephone & network.........................................     166           40          126
Postage & delivery..........................................     173           36          137
ATM network.................................................      87           59           28
Bank card...................................................     651          200          451
Taxes, licenses and fees....................................     321           50          271
Other.......................................................   1,336          420          916
                                                              ------       ------       ------
          Total noninterest expense.........................  $9,368       $1,257       $8,111
                                                              ======       ======       ======
</TABLE>
 
     In February 1996, the Company recorded a loss of $41,000 on the sale of its
only "real estate owned" property. Also, in March 1996, the Company recorded a
loss of $38,000 on a branch real estate transaction. In June 1996, the Company
wrote off $135,000 due to the abandonment of a potential branch site.
 
     Income Taxes.  Effective January 1, 1993, the Company adopted the FASB's
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income
Taxes" ("SFAS 109"), which requires the use of the "asset and liability" method
of accounting for income taxes. Deferred income tax represents the net tax
effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and
liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax
purposes. Upon adoption of SFAS 109, the Company recorded a deferred tax asset
with an equal valuation allowance due to uncertainties regarding the ability to
ultimately recognize the tax benefits from the net operating losses and certain
tax credits. The Company did not record an income tax expense from that date
through June 30, 1996 since the expected income tax expense, calculated by
applying statutory tax rates to income before income taxes, was offset by a
reduction in the valuation allowance established when the Company adopted SFAS
109.
 
     At June 30, 1996, the deferred tax asset was $3.0 million and was partially
offset by the valuation allowance of $2.1 million. The deferred tax asset is
measured by applying tax rates to the difference between the carrying value and
the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Management anticipates that expected
income tax expense for 1996 will be substantially offset by a reduction in the
valuation allowance established when the Company adopted SFAS 109. Management
anticipates that the Company will record a provision for income taxes during
1997.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   28
 
     Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities
at June 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995 and 1994 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                                            JUNE 30,     ---------------------
                                                              1996        1995          1994
                                                            --------     -------       -------
                                                                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
    <S>                                                     <C>          <C>           <C>
    Deferred tax assets:
      NOL carryforward....................................  $    733     $ 1,478       $ 2,799
      Tax credit carryover................................       673         595           595
      Allowance for loan losses...........................     1,499       1,274           922
      Contributions.......................................       129          97            56
                                                             -------     -------       -------
         Total deferred tax assets........................     3,034       3,444         4,372
      Less: valuation allowance...........................    (2,051)     (2,606)       (3,580)
                                                             -------     -------       -------
         Subtotal.........................................       983         838           792
    Deferred tax liabilities:
      FHLB stock dividends................................      (601)       (551)         (487)
      "SAIF" special assessment...........................      (104)         --            --
      Depreciation........................................       (26)        (35)          (53)
                                                             -------     -------       -------
         Total deferred tax liabilities...................      (731)       (586)         (540)
                                                             -------     -------       -------
           Net deferred tax assets........................  $    252     $   252       $   252
                                                             =======     =======       =======
</TABLE>
 
     For federal income tax purposes at June 30, 1996, the Company has available
net operating loss carryforwards to reduce future taxable income approximately
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            EXPIRATION DATE                           JUNE 30,     DECEMBER 31,
                              DECEMBER 31,                              1996           1995
    ----------------------------------------------------------------  --------     ------------
                                                                       (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
    <S>                                                               <C>          <C>
    2002............................................................   $   --             $ 715
    2003............................................................       --               648
    2004............................................................       41               876
    2005............................................................       75                75
    2006............................................................      223               223
    2008............................................................    1,740             1,740
    2009............................................................       76                76
              Total net operating loss carryforwards................   $2,155            $4,353
</TABLE>
 
     Additionally, at June 30, 1996, the Company had alternative minimum tax,
investment and rehabilitation tax credit carryforwards of approximately
$673,000, of which $581,000 expires in 1997, $14,000 expires in 1999, and the
remainder in 2010. However, because of annual limitations on the utilization of
net operating loss carryforwards and because the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended, (the "Code") requires that net operating loss carryforwards be
utilized before tax credit carryforwards, the Company may not receive an income
tax benefit from the tax credit carryforwards, which may expire unused.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   29
 
     A reconciliation of the Company's effective income tax rate with the
federal statutory tax rate is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                        SIX MONTHS      ------------------------------------------------------
                                          ENDED
                                      JUNE 30, 1996           1995               1994               1993
                                     ----------------   ----------------   ----------------   ----------------
                                     AMOUNT   PERCENT   AMOUNT   PERCENT   AMOUNT   PERCENT   AMOUNT   PERCENT
                                     ------   -------   ------   -------   ------   -------   ------   -------
                                                              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                  <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>
Income (tax) benefit based on
  statutory rate...................  $(625 )     (34)%  $(937 )     (34)%  $ 209        34%   $ 918        34%
Increase (reduction) resulting from
  other nondeductible items........     70         4      (37 )      (1)     (27 )      (4)      --
Valuation allowance................    555        30      974        35     (182 )     (30)    (918 )     (34)
                                     -----       ---    -----       ---    -----       ---    -----       ---
Income tax.........................  $  --        --%   $  --        --%   $  --        --%   $  --        --%
                                     =====       ===    =====       ===    =====       ===    =====       ===
</TABLE>
 
  Years Ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993
 
     Net Income.  For 1995, the Company reported net income of $2.8 million,
compared with a net loss of $614,000 in 1994 and a net loss of $2.4 million in
1993. Net income per share amounted to $0.79 in 1995, compared with a net loss
per share of $0.18 in 1994 and a net loss per share of $1.06 in 1993. The loss
in 1993 was primarily due to the opening of Columbia Bank in Tacoma in August
1993 and the planned expansion and aggressive growth strategy of Columbia Bank
that began in that year, while 1994 earnings moved closer to break-even as
increased revenues related to the expansion began to be realized. Net income for
1995 was positively affected by increases in net interest margin and service
charges and fees.
 
     Net Interest Income.  Net interest income increased $5.0 million, or 43.0%,
in 1995 and $5.2 million, or 80.3%, in 1994. Net interest margin increased to
4.78% for 1995, compared with 4.54% in 1994 and 3.69% in 1993. Net interest
spread increased to 4.10% in 1995, compared with 4.02% in 1994 and 3.29% in
1993. The increase in net interest margin reflected a more favorable mix of
funding sources supporting earning assets. This change in mix was the result of
lower-cost deposits growing at a faster rate than higher-cost deposits and
borrowings.
 
     The increase in net interest income in each year was largely due to the
overall growth of the Company. Net interest income in each year was also
favorably affected by average interest-earning assets increasing more rapidly
than average interest-bearing liabilities, with the difference funded by
noninterest-bearing deposits and shareholders' equity. Average interest-earning
assets increased $91.8 million and $80.8 million in 1995 and 1994, respectively,
while average interest-bearing liabilities increased only $77.7 million and
$63.3 million, respectively, during the same periods.
 
     Provision for Loan Losses.  For the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and
1993, net loan charge-offs amounted to $213,000, $281,000 and $49,000,
respectively. The Company's provision for loan losses was $1.3 million for 1995,
compared with $1.0 million for 1994 and $502,000 for 1993. During 1995, the
allowance for loan losses increased by $1.0 million to 1.06% of loans (excluding
loans held for sale) at December 31, 1995, from 1.01% of loans (excluding loans
held for sale) at December 31, 1994.
 
     Noninterest Income.  Total noninterest income increased $995,000, or 33.2%,
in 1995 and $953,000, or 46.6%, in 1994. Included in total noninterest income in
1995 and 1993 were $39,000 and $913,000 of nonrecurring gains on sales of
securities and loans. Excluding these gains, which can fluctuate significantly
from period to period, noninterest income increased $964,000, or 32.2%, in 1995
and $1.9 million, or 165.1%, in 1994. Mortgage banking revenue decreased
$388,000 in 1995 after increasing $270,000 and $452,000 in 1994 and 1993,
respectively. The decrease in 1995 is attributable to less emphasis on mortgage
banking after discontinuance of the separate mortgage subsidiary and a softer
market for residential mortgage loans, while increases in 1994 and 1993 were due
primarily to an increase in loan originations and sales of mortgage loans.
Income from bank
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   30
 
cards and other income increased $699,000, or 71.9%, in 1995 and $910,000 in
1994 as a result of marketing efforts in 1995 and 1994.
 
     Noninterest Expense.  Total noninterest expense increased $2.5 million, or
17.9%, in 1995 and $3.4 million, or 31.7%, in 1994. Increases in noninterest
expense are primarily related to compensation and employee benefits, Washington
Business and Occupation taxes, bank card expense, data processing expenses and
advertising and promotion. These increases are due to the continuing expansion
of the Company. Included in noninterest expense for 1993 are pre-opening
expenses related to Columbia Bank's opening in Tacoma of approximately $1.0
million, consisting primarily of salaries, advertising, premises, furniture,
equipment and software expense. Also impacting noninterest expense were expenses
relating to the Company's merger with Columbia National Bankshares, Inc. which
was accounted for in a manner similar to a pooling-of-interests due to common
ownership, a writedown of data processing equipment and software at the
Company's former savings bank subsidiary and expenses related to the merger of
this subsidiary into Columbia Bank in 1994. Set forth below is a schedule
showing additional detail concerning increases and decreases in the Company's
noninterest expense for 1995 as compared with 1994:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                            ----------------------------------
                                                                        INCREASE/
                                                             1995       (DECREASE)      1994
                                                            -------     ----------     -------
                                                                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
    <S>                                                     <C>         <C>            <C>
    Compensation and employee benefits....................  $ 8,427       $1,339       $ 7,088
      Less: loan origination costs........................    1,088          219           869
                                                            -------     ----------     -------
    Net compensation and employee benefits (as
      reported)...........................................    7,339        1,120         6,219
    Occupancy.............................................    2,845           43         2,802
    Professional services.................................      436            9           427
    Advertising and promotion.............................      634          126           508
    Printing and supplies.................................      375          (22)          397
    Regulatory assessments................................      482            7           475
    Data processing.......................................      615          152           463
    Gains on real estate owned............................     (400)         (86)         (314)
    Telephone & network...................................      271          (49)          320
    Postage & delivery....................................      223           76           147
    ATM network...........................................       51          (21)           72
    Bank card.............................................    1,019          346           673
    Taxes, licenses and fees..............................      711          386           325
    Other.................................................    1,946          424         1,522
                                                            -------     ----------     -------
              Total noninterest expense...................  $16,547       $2,511       $14,036
                                                            ========    =========      ========
</TABLE>
 
     Excluding nonrecurring expenses such as gains and costs related to real
estate owned which can vary significantly from period to period, noninterest
expense increased approximately $2.5 million, or 17.5%, and $5.4 million, or
59.5%, in 1995 and 1994, respectively. Total noninterest expense was 80.5%,
96.3% and 125.9% of adjusted revenues (the sum of net interest income and
noninterest income less non-recurring gains) for 1995, 1994 and 1993,
respectively.
 
     Income Taxes.  The Company did not record an income tax expense from
January 1, 1993 through December 31, 1995 since the expected income tax expense,
calculated by applying statutory tax rates to income before income taxes, was
offset by a reduction in the valuation allowance established when the Company
adopted SFAS 109. For additional information concerning deferred tax assets and
liabilities, operating loss carry-forwards and reconciliation of the Company's
effective income tax rate, see "-- Results of Operations -- Six Months Ended
June 30, 1996 and 1995 -- Income Taxes" and the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   31
 
LIQUIDITY AND SOURCES OF FUNDS
 
     The Company's primary sources of funds are customer deposits, brokered
deposits and advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle (the "FHLB").
These funds, together with loan repayments, loan sales, retained earnings,
equity and other borrowed funds, are used to make loans, to acquire securities
and other assets and to fund continuing operations. Total deposits increased
11.3% to $402.9 million at June 30, 1996 from $361.9 million at December 31,
1995, and 34.7% at December 31, 1995 from $268.7 million at December 31, 1994.
FHLB advances increased $12.0 million during the first six months of 1996 to
$37.0 million. Advances outstanding from the FHLB totaled $25.0 million at
December 31, 1995 and $17.0 million at December 31, 1994. FHLB advances are
secured by one- to four-family real estate mortgages and certain other assets.
See "Business -- Source of Funds -- Borrowings." At June 30, 1996 the maximum
borrowing line from the FHLB was $97.0 million. Management anticipates that the
Company will continue to rely on the same sources of funds in the future and
will use those funds primarily to make loans and purchase securities.
 
     To fund the growth of the Company, management's strategy has been to make
use of brokered and other wholesale deposits, as well as FHLB advances, while
working to build "core" deposits as rapidly as practicable. Brokered and
wholesale deposits can be more expensive and more volatile in comparison with
core deposits obtained in the Company's market area. The deposit increase of
$41.0 million during the first six months of 1996 occurred entirely in "core
deposits". Brokered and other wholesale deposits (excluding public deposits)
decreased $13.2 million to $35.1 million, or 8.7% of total deposits at June 30,
1996, from $48.3 million, or 13.3% of total deposits at December 31, 1995,
though management anticipates an increase in such deposits if loan demand
continues at its current strong pace. Brokered and other wholesale deposits
(excluding public deposits) amounted to $48.3 million and $60.8 million at
December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
     Brokered and other wholesale deposits are summarized below. Such deposits
had an average interest rate of 5.63%, 5.94%, 5.21% and 4.53% at June 30, 1996,
December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                                       ------------------------------------------------------------
                                       JUNE 30,
                                         1996                 1995                 1994                 1993
                                  ------------------   ------------------   ------------------   ------------------
                                            PERCENT              PERCENT              PERCENT              PERCENT
                                            OF TOTAL             OF TOTAL             OF TOTAL             OF TOTAL
                                  AMOUNT    DEPOSITS   AMOUNT    DEPOSITS   AMOUNT    DEPOSITS   AMOUNT    DEPOSITS
                                  -------   --------   -------   --------   -------   --------   -------   --------
<S>                               <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>
                                                               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Maturing within one year........  $31,691      7.9%    $41,546     11.5%    $37,642    14.0%     $6,947       4.2%
Maturing after one year, but
  within three years............   3,371       0.8      6,724       1.9     22,542       8.4     19,118      11.6
Maturing after three years, but
  within ten years..............      --        --         --       0.3        596       0.2      1,291       0.7
                                  -------      ---     -------     ----     -------     ----     -------     ----
        Total brokered and other
          wholesale deposits....  $35,062      8.7%    $48,270     13.3%    $60,780    22.6%     $27,356     16.5%
                                  =======      ===     =======     ====     =======     ====     =======     ====
</TABLE>
 
ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT
 
     The mismatch between maturities and interest-rate sensitivities of balance
sheet items results in interest rate risk. The Company maintains asset/liability
management policies that provide guidelines for controlling exposure to interest
rate risk.
 
     Although analysis of an institution's interest rate gap (the difference
between the repricing of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing
liabilities during a given period of time) is one standard tool for the
measurement of the exposure to interest rate risk, the Company believes that,
because interest rate gap analysis does not address all factors that can affect
earnings performance, such as early withdrawal of time deposits and prepayment
of loans, it should not be used as the primary
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   32
 
indicator of exposure to interest rate risk and the related volatility of net
interest income in a changing interest rate environment.
 
     The following tables set forth the estimated maturity or repricing and the
resulting interest rate gap of the Company's interest-earning assets and
interest-bearing liabilities at June 30, 1996. The amounts in the table are
derived from the Company's internal data, and because certain assumptions have
been utilized in presenting this data, the amounts may not be consistent with
financial information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus that has been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The
amounts in the tables also could be significantly affected by external factors,
such as changes in prepayment assumptions, early withdrawal of deposits and
competition.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   33
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            ESTIMATED MATURITY OR REPRICING WITHIN
                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                  0-3        4-12       1-5       5-10     MORE THAN
                                 MONTHS     MONTHS     YEARS      YEARS    10 YEARS     TOTAL
                                --------   --------   --------   -------   ---------   --------
                                                    (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>         <C>
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS:
  Interest-earning deposits...  $ 10,415   $     --   $     --   $    --    $    --    $ 10,415
  Securities..................     2,180      6,143     18,230     1,448      4,082      32,083
  Loans:
     Business and commercial
       real estate............   143,976      7,344     27,940     5,401      1,806     186,467
     One- to four-family......    75,360     24,910     52,749     3,539     11,293     167,851
     Consumer.................     5,384     21,748     19,464       813      1,052      48,461
                                --------   --------   --------   -------    -------    --------
          Total
            interest-earning
            assets............  $237,315   $ 60,145   $118,383   $11,201    $18,233    $445,277
                                ========   ========   ========   =======    =======    ========
  Non interest-earning
     assets...................        --        726         --        --     35,609      36,335
                                --------   --------   --------   -------    -------    --------
          Total assets........  $237,315   $ 60,871   $118,383   $11,201    $53,842    $481,612
                                ========   ========   ========   =======    =======    ========
  Percent of total interest-
     earning assets...........    53.29%     13.51%     26.59%     2.52%      4.09%     100.00%
                                ========   ========   ========   =======    =======    ========
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES:
  Deposits:
  Money market checking.......  $107,245   $     --   $     --   $    --    $    --    $107,245
  NOW accounts................     6,773         --     27,090        --         --      33,863
  Savings accounts............     7,104         --                7,104      7,104      21,312
  Time certificates of
     deposit..................    61,605     81,932     34,381        11         --     177,929
  FHLB advances...............    27,000         --     10,000        --         --      37,000
  Convertible subordinated
     notes....................        --         --         --     2,363         --       2,363
          Total
            interest-bearing
            liabilities.......  $209,727   $ 81,932   $ 71,471   $ 9,478    $ 7,104    $379,712
                                ========   ========   ========   =======    =======    ========
  Non interest-bearing
     liabilities and equity...    50,068         --     12,517        --     39,315     101,900
                                --------   --------   --------   -------    -------    --------
          Total liabilities
            and equity........  $259,795   $ 81,932   $ 83,988   $ 9,478    $46,419    $481,612
                                ========   ========   ========   =======    =======    ========
  Percent of total interest-
     earning assets...........    47.10%     18.40%     16.05%     2.13%      1.60%      85.28%
                                ========   ========   ========   =======    =======    ========
Rate sensitivity gap..........  $ 27,588   ($21,787)  $ 46,912   $ 1,723    $11,129    $ 65,565
Cumulative rate
  sensitivity gap.............  $ 27,588   $  5,801   $ 52,713   $54,436    $65,565
Rate sensitivity gap as a
  percentage of
  interest-earning assets.....     6.19%      (4.89)%   10.54%     0.39%      2.49%      14.72%
Cumulative rate sensitivity
  gap as a percentage of
  interest-earning assets.....     6.19%      1.30%     11.84%    12.23%     14.72%
                                ========   ========   ========   =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
     As stated above, certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of
analysis presented in the foregoing tables. For example, although certain assets
and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods to repricing, they may
react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. Also, the
interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in
advance of changes in market interest rates, while interest rates on other types
may lag behind changes in market interest rates.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   34
 
Additionally, certain assets, such as adjustable-rate mortgages, have features
which restrict changes in the interest rates of such assets both on a short-term
basis and over the lives of such assets. Further, in the event of a change in
market interest rates, prepayment and early withdrawal levels could deviate
significantly from those assumed in calculating the tables. Finally, the ability
of many borrowers to service their adjustable-rate debt may decrease in the
event of a substantial increase in market interest rates.
 
CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     Shareholders' equity at June 30, 1996 was $33.8 million compared with $32.0
million at December 31, 1995. The increase is primarily due to improved net
income during the first six months of 1996, partially offset by an increase in
the reserve for unrealized losses on securities available for sale.
Shareholders' equity was 7.0% and 7.5% of total period-end assets at June 30,
1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively.
 
     Shareholders' equity at December 31, 1995, was $32.0 million compared with
$28.9 million at December 31, 1994. The increase is due to net income for the
year of $2.8 million and a decrease in the reserve for unrealized losses on
securities available for sale. Shareholders' equity was 7.5% and 9.0% of total
assets at December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1994, respectively.
 
     The Company plans to contribute approximately $10.0 million of the net
proceeds of the offering to Columbia Bank, primarily to fund additional loan
growth. The remainder of the net proceeds will be used to repay $3.0 million
borrowed under a line of credit and for general corporate purposes. Management
presently intends to retain earnings, if any, to support anticipated growth.
Accordingly, the Company does not intend to pay cash dividends on the Common
Stock in the foreseeable future. See "Dividends."
 
     Columbia Bank is subject to minimum capital requirements. See "Supervision
and Regulation -- Banking Subsidiary." The Company has established a line of
credit with a commercial bank, secured by Columbia Bank stock, which can be used
to augment the capital of Columbia Bank. At September 30, 1996, $3.0 million was
outstanding. A portion of the proceeds will be used to pay off that loan. See
"Use of Proceeds." As the following table indicates, at June 30, 1996, and as
adjusted to reflect the issuance and sale of the Common Stock, and the
application of the net proceeds therefrom, Columbia Bank exceeded regulatory
capital requirements:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  JUNE 30, 1996
                                            ---------------------------------------------------------
                                              MINIMUM     WELL-CAPITALIZED     ACTUAL     AS ADJUSTED
                                            REQUIREMENT     REQUIREMENT        RATIO         RATIO
                                            -----------   ----------------     ------     -----------
<S>                                         <C>           <C>                  <C>        <C>
Tier 1 risk-based capital.................      4.00%            6.00%          9.56 %       11.82%
Total risk-based capital..................      8.00%           10.00%         10.68 %       12.91%
Leverage ratio............................      3.00%            5.00%          8.12 %       10.08%
</TABLE>
 
     Management expects that the net proceeds of the offering, together with
internally generated funds, will allow Columbia Bank to remain
"well-capitalized" for regulatory purposes, although there can be no assurance
that additional capital will not be required in the near future due to
greater-than-expected growth, net losses or a combination thereof.
 
IMPACT OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES
 
     The primary impact of inflation on the Company's operations is increased
operating costs. Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all the assets and
liabilities of a financial institution are monetary in nature. As a result,
interest rates generally have a more significant impact on a financial
institution's performance than the effects of general levels of inflation.
Although interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or to the
same extent as the prices of goods and services, increases in inflation
generally have resulted in increased interest rates.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   35
 
RECENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
     In October 1995, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS 123"). The
Statement requires the Company to elect to account for stock-based compensation
on a fair value basis or an intrinsic value basis. The intrinsic value basis is
currently used by the Company and is the accounting principal prescribed by
Accounting Principles Board No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees"
("APB 25"). SFAS 123 requires disclosure in the footnotes of the pro forma
impact on net income and earnings per share of the difference between
compensation expense using the intrinsic value method and the fair value method.
The adoption of SFAS 123 is required for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1996. The Company expects to continue to apply APB 25 for measurement of stock
compensation and will provide disclosure required by SFAS 123 beginning in
fiscal year 1996.
 
     In June 1996, the FASB issued Statement of Accounting Standards No. 125,
"Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments
of Liabilities" ("SFAS 125"). The Statement requires the Company to recognize
all financial assets and servicing that it controls and liabilities that it has
incurred after a transfer of financial assets. The Company must also
"derecognize" financial assets when control has been surrendered and must
derecognize liabilities when extinguished. The Statement is not expected to have
a significant impact on the Company.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   36
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
GENERAL
 
     The Company was originally organized in 1988 under the name "First Federal
Corporation" in connection with the acquisition by an investor group, which
included recently deceased director emeritus Stanley Rose and current director
Sidney Snyder, of a savings association, which was later named Columbia Savings
Bank, a Federal Savings Bank (the "Savings Bank"). In 1990, an investor group
headed by Mr. Espe and financed in part by NorCap, LLC acquired from Mr. Rose a
controlling interest in the Company and a second corporation, Columbia National
Bankshares, Inc. ("CNBI") and its sole subsidiary, Columbia National Bank,
located in Longview, Washington. See "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management" and "Certain Transactions -- NorCap Options". In
connection with the 1993 reorganization of the Company, CNBI was merged into the
Company, Columbia National Bank was merged into the newly chartered Columbia
State Bank and additional management was added. In 1994, the Savings Bank was
merged into Columbia Bank.
 
     The 1993 reorganization was undertaken in order to take advantage of
commercial banking business opportunities resulting from increased consolidation
of banks in the Company's principal market area, primarily through acquisitions
by out-of-state holding companies, and the resulting dislocation of customers.
In August 1993, the Company completed a public offering of common stock with net
proceeds of approximately $17.2 million, of which the Company contributed
approximately $16.3 million to the capital of Columbia Bank. In connection with
the reorganization, the Company moved its headquarters to Tacoma, Washington,
with the intent of focusing on growth opportunities in the Tacoma metropolitan
area and contiguous parts of the Puget Sound region. Management believes the
ongoing consolidation among financial institutions in Washington has created
significant gaps in the ability of large banks operating in Washington to serve
certain customers, particularly the Company's target customer base of small and
medium-sized businesses, professionals and other individuals. The business
strategy of the Company is to provide its customers with the financial
sophistication and breadth of products of a regional bank while retaining the
appeal and service level of a community bank. As a result of the Company's
strong commitment to highly personalized customer service, its varied products,
and the longstanding community presence of its managers, lending officers and
branch personnel, the Company believes it is well positioned to attract new
customers and to increase its market share in lending and deposits.
 
STRATEGY
 
     The Company's goal is to create, over the next several years, a
well-capitalized, customer-focused Pacific Northwest commercial banking
institution with a significant presence in selected markets and total assets in
excess of $1.0 billion. Management believes that the ongoing consolidation in
its principal market area affords an opportunity for aggressive growth in loans
and deposits. The Company's growth strategy consists of the following elements:
 
     - Focus on relationship lending to small and medium-sized businesses,
       professionals and other individuals whom the Company believes are
       underserved by larger banks in its market area and are attracted by the
       Company's "customer first" philosophy.
 
     - Fund loan growth through the creation of a branch system catering
       primarily to retail depositors, supplemented by business banking customer
       deposits and other borrowings.
 
     - Continue growth in the Tacoma metropolitan area and selectively expand
       into neighboring King and Thurston Counties.
 
     - Control credit risk through established loan underwriting and monitoring
       procedures, loan concentration limits, product and industry
       diversification, and the hiring of highly experienced lending personnel
       with a high degree of familiarity with their market area.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   37
 
     Focus on Relationship Lending.  The Company focuses on lending to small and
medium-sized businesses, professionals and other individuals who value high
levels of customer service from a locally based institution. The Company
believes that there are significant commercial banking business opportunities
arising from the ongoing consolidation of banks in its principal market area,
primarily through acquisitions by out-of-state holding companies and the
resulting dislocation of customers. Management believes that many business
customers of previously acquired banks are dissatisfied with low levels of
service and the lack of personal contact, flexibility and local decision-making
authority at these institutions, and thus are willing to transfer their primary
banking relationship to a customer-service oriented institution like the Company
which can be more responsive to their specific needs. As part of its effort to
provide responsive service to its target customers, the Company markets a varied
menu of relationship banking products, including private banking and cash
management services. Management continually strives to develop a business
culture in which customers are accorded the highest priority in all aspects of
the Company's operations. This "customer first" philosophy is combined with the
Company's emphasis on personalized, local decision-making in each of the markets
it serves.
 
     Create a Branch-Based Deposit Franchise.  In order to fund its lending
activities, the Company is establishing a branch system catering primarily to
retail depositors, supplemented by business banking customer deposits and other
borrowings. The Company believes this mix of funding sources will enable it to
expand its commercial lending activities rapidly while establishing a stable
core deposit base. Additionally, the Company's strategically placed branch
offices allow for increased contact with customers. While the Company's primary
lending focus will continue to be on business lending, management believes that
its consumer deposit and lending activities will produce significant benefits,
including increased core deposits and greater loan portfolio diversification.
 
     Geographic Expansion.  The Company currently has regulatory approval to
open four additional branches in Pierce County, and anticipates opening several
more branches in the next few years to strengthen its local market position and
capitalize on expansion opportunities resulting from the strong demand for a
locally based banking institution. The Company also currently anticipates
expansion into neighboring Thurston County (the location of Olympia,
Washington's state capital) and parts of neighboring King County, such as
Bellevue and surrounding areas and the Auburn and Kent Valley areas. The Company
plans to effect its growth strategy through a combination of growth at existing
branch facilities, new branch openings and acquisitions. Typically, expansion
into new markets will be in connection with the hiring of an experienced branch
manager and/or lending officers with strong community ties and banking
relationships.
 
     Control Credit Risk.  Management considers the maintenance of high asset
quality, with corresponding low levels of nonperforming assets and charge-offs,
to be of utmost importance as it pursues its growth strategy. The Company has
implemented loan underwriting and monitoring procedures and loan concentration
limits which management believes permit continued portfolio expansion without
materially increasing credit risk. The Company will also seek to control credit
risk as it grows through increased product and industry diversification, by
expanding its loan product offerings and related services, and through the
hiring of highly experienced lending personnel with a strong familiarity with
their market area.
 
MARKET AREA
 
     The Company's principal market area is the Tacoma metropolitan area and
contiguous parts of the Puget Sound region of Washington state. The economy of
that area, while primarily dependent upon aerospace, foreign trade and natural
resources, including agriculture and timber, has become more diversified over
the past decade as a result of the success of Microsoft and the establishment of
numerous research and biotechnology firms. The Washington economy and that of
the Puget Sound region generally have experienced moderate growth and stability
in recent years. According to the Puget Sound Economic Forecaster, a regional
publication providing economic forecasts and
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   38
 
commentary, the greater Puget Sound economy is projected to expand at nearly
twice the national rate for the years 1997 through 1999. The region is projected
to add 220,000 new jobs and 290,000 new residents during this time. Boeing, the
region's largest employer, has announced increased production after recent years
of declining orders for aircraft and related reductions in its work force.
Microsoft and other major employers in the area east of Seattle also anticipate
continued growth.
 
     Pierce County, the area in which the Company's expansion is primarily
focused, is located in the South Puget Sound region. The economy of this area is
well-diversified, with the principal industries being aerospace, shipping,
military-related government employment, agriculture and forest products. Pierce
County's economy is expected to benefit over the next few years because of
Intel's decision to build a computer chip facility in DuPont and the expansion
of the Matsushita semi-conductor plant in Puyallup, east of Tacoma. The Puget
Sound Economic Forecaster predicts that Pierce County will have the strongest
economic performance in the Puget Sound region through 1999. Forbes magazine
recently published its prediction that the Tacoma area would be among the top
twenty-five cities in the United States in terms of job growth, especially in
the area of computer software and semiconductors. Added to this is continued
growth at the Port of Tacoma and an increasing number of jobs at Fort Lewis, a
major U.S. army installation south of Tacoma.
 
     Bellevue, where the Company has one office and may seek to open or acquire
a second, is located in an area known as the "Eastside", a metropolitan area
with a population of approximately 215,000 that includes several cities located
east of Seattle. A large portion of the Eastside economy is linked to aerospace,
construction, computer software and biotechnology industries. Microsoft is
headquartered just north of Bellevue and several biotech firms are located on
the Eastside. In recent years, the Eastside has experienced relatively rapid
growth in population and employment, and household incomes in the Eastside are
among the highest in Washington.
 
     The Company anticipates further expanding into neighboring south King
County, which contains several residential communities whose employment base is
supported by light industrial, aerospace and forest products industries. With
its close proximity to Tacoma, this market area is considered an important
natural extension of the Company's Pierce County market area. The Weyerhaeuser
Corporation maintains its world headquarters in Federal Way, which is located in
south King County adjacent to the King/Piece County line. The Auburn and Kent
Valley areas to the east of Federal Way are also considered by management to be
natural areas of expansion for the Company.
 
     Expansion south of Tacoma into Thurston County is also considered by
management to be an extension of the Company's Pierce County market area.
Olympia, with a population of approximately 38,000 and the neighboring community
of Lacey, with a population of approximately 26,000, are the principal cities in
Thurston County. As of April 1996, the county had an approximate population of
193,000. The area enjoys a stable economic climate due largely to state
government employment and the proximity of the Fort Lewis army base and McChord
Air Force Base. According to the Thurston County Regional Planning Council, out
of a total civilian work force of 88,000, approximately 33% were employed by
federal, state and local government. The area also has a significant population
of retired military personnel.
 
     The Company's market area also includes the Longview and Woodland
communities in southwestern Washington. The population of Cowlitz County, in
which Longview and Woodland are located, is approximately 85,000. Cowlitz
County's economy has become more diversified in recent years, but remains
materially dependent on the forest products industry and, as a result, is
relatively vulnerable to the cyclical downturns of that industry as well as
environmental disputes.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   39
 
LENDING ACTIVITIES
 
  General
 
     The Company originates a wide variety of loans. Since its 1993
reorganization, the Company has significantly increased commercial business
loans and consumer loans as a percentage of its total loan portfolio. During the
same period the percentage of loans constituting multi-family and commercial
real estate loans has also increased while single-family and real estate
construction loan percentages have declined. The Company also emphasizes its
private banking services to high income and high net worth individuals.
 
     The following table sets forth at the dates indicated the Company's loan
portfolio composition by type of loan:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                     --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   JUNE 30, 1996           1995               1994               1993               1992               1991
                  ----------------   ----------------   ----------------   ----------------   ----------------   ----------------
                             % OF               % OF               % OF               % OF               % OF               % OF
                  BALANCE    TOTAL   BALANCE    TOTAL   BALANCE    TOTAL   BALANCE    TOTAL   BALANCE    TOTAL   BALANCE    TOTAL
                  --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----
<S>               <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>
                                                              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Commercial......  $132,251    32.9%  $113,775    32.2%  $ 72,829    27.1%  $ 44,772    24.7%  $ 16,511    13.7%  $ 12,707    13.7%
Real estate:
  One- to
    four-family
  residential...    69,364    17.3     67,991    19.3     76,260    28.3     55,804    30.8     53,161    44.0     53,084    57.5
  Five or more
    family
    residential
    and
    commercial
   properties...   117,486    29.2     97,103    27.5         --    25.5     45,193    25.0     30,681    25.4     22,776    24.6
                  --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----
        Total
          real
       estate...   186,850    46.5    165,094    46.8    144,791    53.8    100,997    55.8     83,842    69.4     75,860    82.1
Real estate
  construction:
  One- to
    four-family
  residential...    23,870     6.0     22,741     6.5     17,411     6.5     16,328     9.0      9,408     7.8         --      --
  Five or more
    family
    residential
    and
    commercial
   properties...    10,466     2.6      8,884     2.5      4,004     1.5      4,799     2.7      4,689     3.9         --      --
                  --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----
    Total real
      estate
 construction...    34,336     8.6     31,625     9.0     21,415     8.0     21,127    11.7     14,097    11.7         --      --
Consumer........    48,547    12.1     43,343    12.2     30,860    11.4     14,417     8.0      6,584     5.4      3,937     4.3
                  --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----
     Subtotal...   401,984   100.1    353,837   100.2    269,895   100.3    181,313   100.2    121,034   100.2     92,504   100.1
Less deferred
  loan fees and
  other.........      (430)  (0.1)       (744)  (0.2)       (899)  (0.3)       (297)  (0.2)       (237)  (0.2)       (121)  (0.1)
                  --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----   --------   -----
        Total
        loans...  $401,554   100.0%  $353,093   100.0%  $268,996   100.0%  $181,016   100.0%  $120,797   100.0%  $ 92,383   100.0%
                  ========   =====   ========   =====   ========   =====   ========   =====   ========   =====   ========   =====
Loans held for
  sale..........  $  1,950           $  1,367           $  1,612           $  1,777           $  2,021           $     --
                  ========           ========           ========           ========           ========           ========
</TABLE>
 
     The following table presents at June 30, 1996, (i) the aggregate maturities
of loans in the named categories of the Company's loan portfolio and (ii) the
aggregate amounts of variable and fixed rate loans that mature after one year:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  MATURING
                                        -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           AFTER 1 BUT       AFTER FIVE
                                        WITHIN 1 YEAR     WITHIN 5 YEARS       YEARS          TOTAL
                                        -------------     --------------     ----------     ---------
                                        (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                     <C>               <C>                <C>            <C>
Commercial............................    $ 113,285          $ 15,790          $3,176       $ 132,251
Real estate construction..............       34,107                74             155          34,336
                                           --------           -------          ------        --------
          Total.......................    $ 147,392          $ 15,864          $3,331       $ 166,587
                                           ========           =======          ======        ========
Fixed-rate loans......................                       $ 13,459          $3,331       $  16,790
Variable-rate loans...................                          2,405              --           2,405
                                                              -------          ------        --------
          Total.......................                       $ 15,864          $3,331       $  19,195
                                                              =======          ======        ========
</TABLE>
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   40
 
  Commercial and Private Banking Lending
 
     Commercial loans increased to $132.3 million at June 30, 1996, representing
32.9% of its total loans, from $113.8 million at December 31, 1995 and $72.8
million at December 31, 1994. These increases at actual and annualized rates
exceeding 30% per year reflect management's commitment to providing competitive
commercial lending in the Company's primary market area. Commercial loans
constitute a wide variety of lending products, including term loans, lines of
credit and equipment financing, the majority of which are based on floating rate
indices. A broad range of short-to medium-term commercial loans, both
collateralized and uncollateralized, is made available to businesses for working
capital (including inventory and receivable loans), business expansion
(including acquisitions and improvement of real estate), and the purchase of
equipment and machinery. In addition, in order to develop and maintain long-term
multiple account banking relationships with its business customers, the
Company's private banking department offers a wide range of lending and other
products to owners or key employees of such businesses.
 
     Generally, commercial and private banking loans are underwritten on the
basis of the borrower's ability to service the debt from cash flow generated
from business or investments and, in the case of private banking, also from
employment income. The Company generally collateralizes such loans with real
estate, equipment, securities or other assets. The value of assets
collateralizing commercial loans is often not subject to readily available
appraisals and usually varies substantially depending upon the success of the
business. Commercial and private banking loans are typically tied to a floating
interest rate.
 
     Columbia Bank expects to continue to expand its commercial lending products
and emphasize in particular its relationship banking with businesses, business
owners and professional individuals.
 
  Real Estate Lending
 
     One- to Four-Family Residential Real Estate Lending.  Residential one- to
four-family loans amounted to $69.4 million at June 30, 1996, representing 17.3%
of its total loans, compared to $68.0 million and $76.3 million at December 31,
1995 and 1994, respectively. The majority of these loans were originated by the
Savings Bank and are used by Columbia Bank to collateralize advances from the
FHLB. The Company's underwriting standards require that one- to four-family
portfolio loans generally be owner-occupied and that loan amounts not exceed 80%
(90% with private mortgage insurance) of the appraised value or cost, whichever
is lower, of the underlying collateral at origination. Generally, management's
policy is to originate for sale to third parties residential loans secured by
properties located within the Company's primary market areas.
 
     Multi-family and Commercial Real Estate Lending.  Columbia Bank makes
multi-family and commercial real estate loans in its primary market areas.
Multi-family and commercial real estate lending increased to $117.5 million at
June 30, 1996, representing 29.2% of its total loans, from $97.1 million and
$68.5 million at December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. At June 30, 1996,
36.0% of the $128.0 million multi-family and commercial real estate loan
portfolio, including commercial real estate construction loans, consisted of
loans to acquire, expand or improve owner-occupied income-producing real estate
such as manufacturing plants, distribution centers and office facilities. At
that same date, 17.6% of the $128.0 million multi-family and commercial real
estate loan portfolio consisted of loans to acquire, expand or improve
multi-family residential units and 46.4% consisted of loans to acquire, expand
or improve non-owner-occupied commercial real estate. The Company has recently
determined to reduce new loan originations of non-owner-occupied commercial real
estate. The Company's underwriting standards generally require that the loan-to-
value ratio for multi-family and commercial loans not exceed 75% of appraised
value or cost, whichever is lower, and that commercial properties maintain debt
coverage ratios (net operating income divided by annual debt servicing) of 1.20
or better.
 
     Construction Loans.  The Company originates one- to four-family residential
construction loans for the construction of custom homes (where the home buyer is
the borrower) and provides
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   41
 
financing to builders for the construction of pre-sold homes and speculative
residential construction. The Company endeavors to limit its construction
lending risk through adherence to strict underwriting procedures. Also, the
Company generally requires prompt and thorough documentation of all draw
requests and utilizes third party inspectors to inspect the project prior to
paying any draw requests from the builder. Construction loans on one- to
four-family residences increased to $23.9 million at June 30, 1996, representing
6.0% of total loans, from $22.7 million and $17.4 million for fiscal years 1995
and 1994, respectively.
 
     The Company is also active in multi-family and commercial real estate
construction lending. Such loans amounted to $10.5 million at June 30, 1996,
representing 2.6% of total loans, compared with $8.9 million and $4.0 million at
December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Columbia Bank's policy is generally to
require personal guarantees of the principals of the companies that are
developing multi-family or commercial real estate projects. Management's policy
is to make commitments for such loans only on projects located within Columbia
Bank's primary market areas.
 
  Consumer Lending
 
     At June 30, 1996, the Company had $48.5 million of consumer loans
outstanding, representing 12.1% of its total loans, as compared with $43.3
million at December 31, 1995 and $30.9 million at December 31, 1994. Consumer
loans made by Columbia Bank include automobile loans, boat and recreational
vehicle financing, home equity and home improvement loans and miscellaneous
personal loans. The terms of these loans typically range from 12 to 60 months
and vary based upon the nature of collateral and size of loan. Since 1993, the
Company has originated and underwritten its own credit card receivables.
Management is currently considering the sale of the Company's credit card loan
portfolio.
 
     Consumer loans are attractive to Columbia Bank because they typically have
a short term and carry higher interest rates than those charged on other types
of loans. Installment loans do, however, pose additional risks of collectibility
when compared to other traditional types of loans granted by commercial banks,
such as commercial and residential mortgage loans. In many instances, Columbia
Bank is required to rely on the borrower's ability to repay since the collateral
may be of reduced value at the time of collection. Accordingly, the initial
determination of the borrower's ability to repay is of primary importance in the
underwriting of consumer loans.
 
  Loan Approvals
 
     Columbia Bank's loan policies establish the basic policies and procedures
governing its lending operations. Generally, the policies address the types of
loans that Columbia Bank seeks, target markets, underwriting and collateral
requirements, terms, interest rate and yield considerations and compliance with
laws and regulations. All loans or credit lines are subject to approval
procedures and amount limitations. These limitations apply to the borrower's
total outstanding indebtedness to the Company, including the indebtedness of any
guarantor. The policies are reviewed and approved annually by the Board of
Directors of Columbia Bank. The Company supplements its own supervision of the
loan underwriting and approval process with periodic loan audits by experienced
internal loan examiners who examine quality, loan documentation and compliance
with laws and regulations. Loan reviews by outside professionals who are
experienced in loan review work may also be utilized as management or the Board
of Directors deems appropriate.
 
     The Loan Committee consists of Columbia Bank's Senior Vice President and
Senior Credit Administrator, who is chairman of the Loan Committee, and four
additional senior Bank officers. The Committee has a loan authority limit of
$3.0 million. Amounts over that amount are reviewed by the Executive Loan
Committee, consisting of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the
President, the Senior Credit Administrator and the Loan Production
Administrator, or the Board. In addition, reports on all loans over $100,000
which are past due but not criticized, all new and renewed loans over $250,000
and all non-accrual and problem loans are reviewed by the Board of Directors on
a
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   42
 
regular basis. Loans to one borrower by Columbia Bank are generally subject to a
statutory limit of 20% of unimpaired capital and surplus. Columbia Bank's
loan-to-one borrower limitation (also known as its legal lending limit) was $7.4
million at June 30, 1996. As a matter of policy, Columbia Bank seldom makes
loans approaching its legal lending limit.
 
  Delinquencies and Nonperforming Assets
 
     Nonperforming assets consist of nonaccrual loans, restructured loans and
real estate owned. The following tables set forth at the dates indicated
information with respect to nonaccrual loans, restructured loans, total
nonperforming loans (nonaccrual loans plus restructured loans), real estate
owned and total nonperforming assets of Columbia Bank:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,
                                       JUNE 30,    ----------------------------------------------
                                         1996       1995      1994      1993      1992      1991
                                       --------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------
                                       (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                    <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Nonaccrual loans.....................   $  676     $  435    $  452    $1,631    $  650    $  728
Restructured loans...................       69         29        44        94       109       116
                                       -------     -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
          Total nonperforming
            loans....................      745        464       496     1,725       759       844
Real estate owned....................       --      3,304     3,227     3,305     2,959     2,523
                                       -------     -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
          Total nonperforming
            assets...................   $  745     $3,768    $3,723    $5,030    $3,718    $3,367
                                       =======     =======   =======   =======   =======   =======
Accruing loans past-due 90 days or
  more...............................   $  260     $  152    $   82    $   --    $   --    $   --
Potential problem loans..............      465         37        23     1,508        (1)       (1)
Allowance for loan losses............    4,411      3,748     2,711     1,992     1,539     1,426
Nonperforming loans to loans.........     0.19%      0.13%     0.18%     0.95%     0.62%     0.91%
Allowance for loan losses to loans...     1.10       1.06      1.01      1.10      1.25      1.54
Allowance for loan losses to
  nonperforming loans................   592.08     807.76    546.57    115.48    202.77    168.96
Nonperforming assets to total
  assets.............................     0.15       0.89      1.17      2.13      2.34      2.79
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Information not available for 1992 and 1991.
 
     The consolidated financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of
accounting, including the recognition of interest income on its loan portfolio,
unless a loan is placed on a nonaccrual basis. Loans are placed on a nonaccrual
basis when there are serious doubts about the collectibility of principal or
interest. Generally, the Company's policy is to place a loan on nonaccrual
status when the loan becomes past due 90 days. Restructured loans are those for
which concessions, including the reduction of interest rates below a rate
otherwise available to that borrower or the deferral of interest or principal,
have been granted due to the borrower's weakened financial condition. Interest
on restructured loans is accrued at the restructured rates when it is
anticipated that no loss of original principal will occur. Potential problem
loans are loans which are currently performing and are not included in
nonaccrual or restructured loans above, but about which there are serious doubts
as to the borrower's ability to comply with present repayment terms and,
therefore, will likely be included later in nonaccrual, past due or restructured
loans. These loans are considered by management in assessing the adequacy of the
allowance for loan losses.
 
     At June 30, 1996 and at December 31, 1995 and 1994, the Company had loans
accounted for on a nonaccrual basis of $676,000, $435,000 and $452,000,
respectively. At each date, nonaccrual loans constituted less than 0.20% of
loans outstanding. In February 1996, the Company sold all its "real estate
owned" (which consisted of one property in the State of Washington), thus
reducing total nonperforming assets to $745,000, or 0.19% of total loans
(excluding loans held for sale) at June 30, 1996, from $3.8 million, or 1.1%, of
total loans at year end 1995.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   43
 
ANALYSIS OF ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
     The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered adequate
by management to provide for anticipated loan losses based on management's
assessment of various factors affecting the loan portfolio, including a review
of problem loans, business conditions and loss experience and an overall
evaluation of the quality of the underlying collateral, holding and disposal
costs and costs of capital. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to
operations and reduced by loans charged off, net of recoveries.
 
     While management believes that it uses the best information available to
determine the allowance for loan losses, unforeseen market conditions could
result in adjustments to the allowance for loan losses, and net income could be
significantly affected, if circumstances differ substantially from the
assumptions used in determining the allowance.
 
     The following tables show the allocation of the allowance for loan losses
at June 30, 1996 and at the last five year ends. The allocation is based on an
evaluation of defined loan problems, historical ratios of loan losses and other
factors which may affect future loan losses in the categories of loans shown.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                           --------------------------------------
                                        JUNE 30, 1996            1995                 1994
                                      -----------------    -----------------    -----------------
                                                 % OF                 % OF                 % OF
BALANCE AT END OF PERIOD APPLICABLE             TOTAL                TOTAL                TOTAL
                TO:                   AMOUNT   LOANS(2)    AMOUNT   LOANS(2)    AMOUNT   LOANS(2)
- ------------------------------------  ------   --------    ------   --------    ------   --------
                                      (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                   <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>
Commercial..........................  $2,393      32.8%    $1,796     32.2%     $1,369     27.0%
Real estate(1):
  One- to four-family residential...    660       23.2       560       25.6       687       34.7
  Five or more family residential
     and commercial properties......    273       31.9       187       30.0       146       26.9
Consumer............................    319       12.1       284       12.2       216       11.4
Unallocated.........................    766                  921                  293
                                      ------     -----     ------     -----     ------     -----
          Total.....................  $4,411     100.0%    $3,748    100.0%     $2,711    100.0%
                                      ======     =====     ======     =====     ======     =====
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                      -----------------------------------------------------------
                                            1993                 1992                 1991
                                      -----------------    -----------------    -----------------
                                                 % OF                 % OF                 % OF
BALANCE AT END OF PERIOD APPLICABLE             TOTAL                TOTAL                TOTAL
                TO:                   AMOUNT   LOANS(2)    AMOUNT   LOANS(2)    AMOUNT   LOANS(2)
- ------------------------------------  ------   --------    ------   --------    ------   --------
                                      (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                   <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>
Commercial..........................  $ 389       23.6%    $ 348      13.2%     $ 287      13.4%
Real estate(1):
  One- to four-family residential...    489       42.6       390       53.4       381       58.4
  Five or more family residential
     and commercial properties......    545       26.3       264       28.2       334       24.0
Consumer............................    138        7.5        88        5.2        50        4.2
Unallocated.........................    431                  449                  374
                                      ------     -----     ------     -----     ------     -----
  Total.............................  $1,992     100.0%    $1,539    100.0%     $1,426    100.0%
                                      ======     =====     ======     =====     ======     =====
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Real estate includes real estate construction loans.
 
(2) Represents the total of all outstanding loans in each category as a percent
    of total loans outstanding.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   44
 
     The following table sets forth for the periods indicated information
regarding changes in the Company's allowance for loan losses:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               SIX MONTHS
                                 ENDED                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                JUNE 30,    ----------------------------------------------------
                                  1996        1995       1994       1993       1992       1991
                               ----------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                            <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Total loans, net at end of
  period(1)..................   $401,554    $353,093   $268,996   $181,016   $120,797   $ 92,383
Daily average loans..........    378,281     318,039    222,236    140,353    107,182     82,828
Balance of allowance for loan
  losses at beginning of
  period.....................   $  3,748    $  2,711   $  1,992   $  1,539   $  1,426   $  1,704
Charge-offs:
  Commercial.................        (44)       (148)      (258)       (72)       (45)      (316)
  Real estate(2).............                                                     (49)      (233)
  Consumer...................        (67)       (115)      (106)       (38)       (32)       (56)
                                --------    --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
          Total
            charge-offs......       (111)       (263)      (364)      (110)      (126)      (605)
Recoveries:
  Commercial.................         14          45         83         56         47        230
  Real estate(2).............                                                       1         16
  Consumer...................         --           5         --          5         16          1
                                --------    --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
          Total recoveries...         14          50         83         61         64        247
          Net charge-offs....        (97)       (213)      (281)       (49)       (62)      (358)
Provision charged
  to expense.................        760       1,250      1,000        502        170         80
Allowance acquired in
  purchase of branch.........                                                       5
Balance of allowance for loan
  losses at end of period....   $  4,411    $  3,748   $  2,711   $  1,992   $  1,539   $  1,426
                                ========    ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
Ratio of net charge-offs
  during period to average
  loans outstanding..........       0.03%       0.07%      0.13%      0.03%      0.06%      0.43%
                                ========    ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Excludes loans held for sale.
 
(2) Real estate includes real estate construction loans.
 
INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES
 
     The Company's securities (investment securities and securities available
for sale) increased by $9.4 million from year end 1995 to June 30, 1996 and by
$416,000 from December 31, 1994 to 1995. The investment portfolio consists
primarily of U.S. Treasury and government agency securities and mortgage-backed
securities. The average maturity of the securities portfolio was 3 years, 1
month at June 30, 1996.
 
     Investment securities are those securities which the Company has the
ability and the intent to hold to maturity. Events which may be reasonably
anticipated are considered when determining the Company's intent to hold
investment securities for the foreseeable future. Investment securities are
carried at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretions of
discounts. Securities to be held for indefinite periods of time and not intended
to be held to maturity are classified as available for sale and carried at fair
value with any unrealized gains or losses reflected as an adjustment to
shareholders' equity. Securities held for indefinite periods of time include
securities that management intends to use as part of its asset/liability
management strategy and that may be sold in response to changes in interest
rates and/or significant prepayment risks. In November 1995, FASB
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   45
 
issued a Special Report permitting a one time opportunity for institutions to
reassess the appropriateness of the designations of all securities. Accordingly,
in December 1995 the Company reclassified all "investment securities" as
"securities available for sale."
 
     At June 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, all of the Company's securities
were classified in the "available for sale" portfolio.
 
     The following table summarizes the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains
and losses and the resulting market value of securities available for sale:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 GROSS         GROSS
                                                  AMORTIZED    UNREALIZED    UNREALIZED    MARKET
                                                    COST         GAINS         LOSSES       VALUE
                                                  ---------    ----------    ----------    -------
     <S>                                          <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>
                                                               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
     June 30, 1996:
       U.S. Treasury & government agency........   $16,773        $ --         $  (39)     $16,734
       Mortgage-backed..........................    11,757          --           (489)      11,268
       FHLB stock...............................     4,082          --             --        4,082
                                                               -------
                                                                 -------
                                                                 -------
                                                                 -------
                                                                 -------
                                                                 -------
                                                                   ---
                                                   -------                    -------
               Total............................   $32,612        $ --         $ (528)     $32,084
                                                   =======     =============================================  =======
     December 31, 1995:
       U.S. Treasury & government agency........   $ 6,935        $ 13         $   --      $ 6,948
       Mortgage-backed..........................    12,572          --           (126)      12,446
       FHLB stock...............................     3,281          --             --        3,281
                                                               -------
                                                                 -------
                                                                 -------
                                                                 -------
                                                                 -------
                                                                 -------
                                                                   ---
                                                   -------                    -------
               Total............................   $22,788        $ 13         $ (126)     $22,675
                                                   =======     =============================================  =======
     December 31, 1994:
       Mortgage-backed..........................   $ 3,079        $ --         $ (361)     $ 2,718
                                                   =======     =============================================  =======
     December 31, 1993:
       Mortgage-backed..........................   $ 3,621        $ --         $  (32)     $ 3,589
                                                   =======     =============================================  =======
</TABLE>
 
     At June 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, the Company had no securities held
for investment purposes. The following table summarizes the recorded value,
gross unrealized gains and losses and the resulting market value of investment
securities as of December 31, 1994 and December 31, 1993:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 GROSS         GROSS
                                                   RECORDED    UNREALIZED    UNREALIZED    MARKET
                                                    VALUE        GAINS         LOSSES       VALUE
                                                   --------    ----------    ----------    -------
     <S>                                           <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>
                                                               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
     December 31, 1994:
       U.S. Treasury.............................  $ 1,003        $ --         $  (17)     $   986
       Mortgage-backed...........................   16,389          --           (863)      15,526
       FHLB stock and other......................    2,149          --             --        2,149
                                                   -------        ----          -----      -------
               Total.............................  $19,541        $ --         $ (880)     $18,661
                                                   =======        ====          =====      =======
     December 31, 1993:
       U.S. Treasury.............................  $ 1,009        $ --         $   --      $ 1,009
       Mortgage-backed...........................   19,038          70            (12)      19,096
       FHLB stock and other......................    1,883          --             --        1,883
                                                   -------        ----          -----      -------
               Total.............................  $21,930        $ 70         $  (12)     $21,988
                                                   =======        ====          =====      =======
</TABLE>
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   46
 
     The following table summarizes the recorded and market values of securities
available for sale by contractual maturity groups:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            JUNE 30, 1996
                                                                       -----------------------
                                                                       RECORDED        MARKET
                                                                        VALUE          VALUE
                                                                       --------       --------
                                                                       (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
     <S>                                                               <C>            <C>
     Amount maturing:
       Within one year...............................................  $ 1,962        $  1,960
       Greater than one year and less than five years................   22,765          22,321
       Greater than five years and less than ten years...............    2,024           1,931
       After ten years...............................................    5,861           5,872
                                                                       -------         -------
               Total.................................................  $32,612        $ 32,084
                                                                       =======         =======
</TABLE>
 
     The following table provides the market values, maturities and weighted
average yields of the Company's "available for sale" portfolio at June 30, 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     MATURING
                                             ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                        AFTER 1 BUT   AFTER 5 BUT
                                             WITHIN 1    WITHIN 5      WITHIN 10    AFTER 10
                                               YEAR        YEARS         YEARS       YEARS      TOTAL
                                             --------   -----------   -----------   --------   -------
     <S>                                     <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>        <C>
     U.S. Treasury
       Balance.............................   $1,960      $12,984            --          --    $14,944
       Weighted Average Yield..............     5.27%        5.86%           --          --       5.78%
     U.S. government agency
       Balance.............................       --           --            --      $1,790      1,790
       Weighted Average Yield..............       --           --            --        6.55%      6.55%
     Mortgage-backed(1)
       Balance.............................       --        9,337       $ 1,931          --     11,268
       Weighted Average Yield..............       --         5.34%         6.27%         --       5.50%
     FHLB stock and other(2)
       Balance.............................       --           --            --       4,082      4,082
       Weighted Average Yield..............       --           --            --        7.61%      7.61%
     Total
       Balance.............................   $1,960      $22,321       $ 1,931      $5,872    $32,084
       Weighted Average Yield..............     5.27%        5.64%         6.27%       7.29%      5.96%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) The maturities reported for mortgage-backed securities are based on
    contractual maturities and therefore do not reflect principal amortization
    or assumed prepayments.
 
(2) The weighted average yield on FHLB stock is based upon the dividend yield
    and average balances for the six months ended June 30, 1996.
 
     The Company does not engage in, nor does it presently intend to engage in,
securities trading activities and therefore does not carry a trading account.
 
     At June 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995 there were no securities of any
issuer (other than governmental agencies) that exceeded 10% of the Company's
shareholders' equity.
 
SOURCES OF FUNDS
 
  Deposit Activities
 
     Deposit products at Columbia Bank include a wide variety of transaction
accounts, savings accounts and certificates of deposit. Columbia Bank is
continuing to expand the deposit products that it offers. Columbia Bank recently
introduced "Columbia Free Checking," which includes no monthly fees, no minimum
balance, no per check charges, free use of any ATM in Washington, and, upon
approval, a personalized no fee Visa(R) debit card. To fund the growth of the
Company,
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   47
 
management's strategy has been to make use of brokered and other wholesale
deposits while working to build "core" deposits as rapidly as possible through
the Company's development of commercial bank relationships and its branch office
network. The Company's use of brokered and other wholesale deposits has
decreased since year end 1993, though management anticipates continued, and
perhaps increasing use of such deposits to fund increasing loan demand. However,
management anticipates use of brokered deposits will decrease over time as a
percent of total deposits. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Sources of
Funds."
 
     The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the average
balances outstanding and weighted average interest rates for each major category
of deposits:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                      ---------------------------------------   ---------------------------------------
                                             1996                 1995                 1995                 1994
                                      ------------------   ------------------   ------------------   ------------------
                                                 AVERAGE              AVERAGE              AVERAGE              AVERAGE
                                      AVERAGE     RATE     AVERAGE     RATE     AVERAGE     RATE     AVERAGE     RATE
                                      BALANCE    PAID(2)   BALANCE    PAID(2)   BALANCE     PAID     BALANCE     PAID
                                      --------   -------   --------   -------   --------   -------   --------   -------
                                                                   (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                   <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>
Interest-bearing demand and money
 market accounts....................  $131,362     3.68%   $ 62,587     3.72%   $ 79,706     3.95%   $ 38,962     2.09%
Savings accounts....................    21,554     2.80      26,726     2.68      24,547     2.73      33,938     2.64
Certificates of deposit.............   171,410     5.71     164,970     5.48     168,351     5.68     122,198     4.58
                                      --------     ----    --------     ----    --------     ----    --------     ----
    Total interest-bearing
      deposits......................   324,326     4.70%    254,283     4.75%    272,604     4.91%    195,098     3.74%
                                                   ====                 ====                 ====                 ====
Demand and other noninterest-bearing
  deposits..........................    53,673               37,687               42,167               26,238
                                      --------             --------             --------             --------
        Total deposits..............  $377,999             $291,970             $314,771             $221,336
                                      ========             ========             ========             ========
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1993                     1992                     1991
                                          ----------------------   ----------------------   ----------------------
                                           AVERAGE      AVERAGE     AVERAGE      AVERAGE     AVERAGE      AVERAGE
                                          BALANCE(1)   RATE PAID   BALANCE(1)   RATE PAID   BALANCE(1)   RATE PAID
                                          ----------   ---------   ----------   ---------   ----------   ---------
                                                                   (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                       <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
Interest-bearing demand and money market
  accounts..............................   $ 18,090       2.04%     $ 12,976       3.62%     $  9,806       4.82%
Savings accounts........................     29,743       3.49        25,087       4.22        16,518       4.90
Certificates of deposit.................     75,682       4.57        57,072       5.84        51,346       7.44
                                           --------       ----       -------       ----       -------       ----
    Total interest-bearing deposits.....    123,515       3.94%       95,135       5.11%       77,670       6.57%
                                                          ====                     ====                     ====
Demand and other noninterest-bearing
  deposits..............................     10,621                    3,416                      328
                                           --------                  -------                  -------
        Total deposits..................   $134,136                 $ 98,551                 $ 77,998
                                           ========                  =======                  =======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Average balances were calculated as the average of month-end balances.
 
(2) Six-month data presented on an annualized basis.
 
     The following table shows the amount and maturity of certificates of
deposit that had balances of more than $100,000 on the specified dates:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             JUNE 30,                                DECEMBER 31,
                                        -------------------     -------------------------------------------------------
                                         1996        1995        1995        1994        1993        1992        1991
                                        -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
                                                                    (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                     <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Remaining maturity:
  Three months or less................  $29,341     $21,319     $24,555     $14,040     $ 5,965     $ 6,245     $ 4,826
  Over three through six months.......   13,456       9,690      14,281       9,043       2,799         912         724
  Over six through twelve months......   12,750      18,900      14,742      16,787       3,488       2,216       1,809
  Over twelve months..................    7,834       6,814       5,428       4,706       5,194       1,057         200
                                        -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
        Total.........................  $63,381     $56,723     $59,006     $44,576     $17,446     $10,430     $ 7,559
                                        =======     =======     =======     =======     =======     =======     =======
</TABLE>
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   48
 
  Borrowings
 
     Columbia Bank relies on advances from the FHLB to supplement its funding
sources. The FHLB has served as the Company's primary source of long-term
borrowings. The Company is authorized to apply for advances on the security of
its FHLB stock and certain of its loans and other assets (principally one- to
four-family residential loans and securities that are obligations of, or
guaranteed by, the U.S. Government). FHLB advances are made pursuant to several
different credit programs. Each credit program has its own interest rates and
range of maturities. Depending on the particular program limitations, the
amounts of the advances are generally based on the FHLB's assessment of the
institution's creditworthiness. At June 30, 1996, Columbia Bank had total
advances of $37.0 million at interest rates ranging from 4.74% to 6.90%. The
weighted average interest rate on such advances was 5.42%.
 
     On June 3, 1996, the Company gave notice of its intent to redeem all of its
issued and outstanding 7.85% Convertible Subordinated Notes on August 1, 1996.
Prior to August 1, 1996 all of the Notes were converted into 223,743 shares of
Common Stock.
 
COMPETITION
 
     The Company's strategy involves the significant expansion of Columbia Bank
throughout the Tacoma metropolitan area and contiguous parts of the Puget Sound
region of Washington. During the past several years, substantial consolidation
among financial institutions in Washington has occurred. Due in part to recent
federal legislation concerning interstate banking, the Company anticipates a
continuation of the consolidation trend in Washington. Legislation has recently
been passed by the Washington legislature (effective June 1996) that allows,
subject to certain conditions, mergers or other combinations, relocations of a
bank's main office and branching across state lines in advance of the June 1,
1997 date established by federal law (see "Supervision and Regulation -- Other
Regulatory Developments"). Many other financial institutions, most of which have
greater resources than the Company, compete with the Company for banking
business in the Company's market area. Among the advantages of some of these
institutions are their ability to make larger loans, finance extensive
advertising campaigns, access international money markets and allocate their
investment assets to regions of highest yield and demand. The Company does not
have a significant market share of the deposit-taking or lending activities in
the areas in which it conducts operations. Although the Company has been able to
compete effectively in its market areas to date, there can be no assurance that
it will be able to continue to do so in the future.
 
PROPERTIES
 
     The Company's executive offices and the main office of Columbia Bank are
located in approximately 37,500 square feet of newly renovated lease space in
downtown Tacoma. The lease has an initial lease term of seven years, with an
expiration of August, 2000. The lease agreement provides for one renewal option
for three years and two additional renewal options for five years each. As of
September 30, 1996, Columbia Bank had 10 offices in Pierce County, including the
main office, of which six are leased and four owned (with one owned office
building being situated on leased land). Columbia Bank also has two offices in
Longview (both owned), one office in Bellevue (leased), one office in Federal
Way (leased) and one office in Woodland (owned).
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     In the ordinary course of business, various claims and lawsuits are brought
against the Company, such as claims to enforce liens, condemnation proceedings
on properties in which the Company holds security interests, claims involving
the making and servicing of real property loans and other issues incident to
Columbia's business. In the opinion of the Company's management and outside
legal counsel, the ultimate liability, if any, resulting from such claims or
lawsuits will not be material to the Company.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   49
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     At June 30, 1996, the Company had 218 full-time equivalent employees. None
of the Company's employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with
the Company and management believes that its relationship with its employees is
satisfactory.
 
                           SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
 
     The Company and Columbia Bank are subject to extensive federal and
Washington state legislation, regulation and supervision. These laws and
regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors and the FDIC rather
than shareholders of the Company. The laws and regulations affecting banks and
bank holding companies have changed significantly over recent years, and there
is reason to expect that similar changes will continue in the future. Any change
in applicable laws, regulations or regulatory policies may have a material
effect on the business, operations and prospects of the Company. The Company is
unable to predict the nature or the extent of the effects on its business and
earnings that any fiscal or monetary policies or new federal or state
legislation may have in the future. The following information is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the particular statutory and regulatory provisions
described herein.
 
  The Company
 
     The Company is subject to regulation as a bank holding company within the
meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the "BHCA"), as amended. As
such, the Company is supervised by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System (the "Federal Reserve Board" or the "Board").
 
     The Federal Reserve Board has the authority to order bank holding companies
to cease and desist from unsound practices and violations of conditions imposed
by the Board. The Federal Reserve Board is also empowered to assess civil money
penalties against companies and individuals who violate the BHCA or orders or
regulations thereunder in amounts up to $1.0 million per day or order
termination of non-banking activities of non-banking subsidiaries of bank
holding companies, and to order termination of ownership and control of a
non-banking subsidiary by a bank holding company. Certain violations may also
result in criminal penalties. The FDIC is authorized to exercise comparable
authority under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and other statutes with
respect to state nonmember banks such as Columbia Bank.
 
     The Federal Reserve Board takes the position that a bank holding company is
required to serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to its
subsidiary banks and may not conduct its operations in an unsafe or unsound
manner. In addition, it is the Board's position that in serving as a source of
strength to its subsidiary banks, bank holding companies should be prepared to
use available resources to provide adequate capital funds to its subsidiary
banks during periods of financial stress or adversity and should maintain the
financial flexibility and capital raising capacity to obtain additional
resources for assisting its subsidiary banks. A bank holding company's failure
to meet its obligations to serve as a source of strength to its subsidiary banks
will generally be considered by the Board to be an unsafe and unsound banking
practice or a violation of the Board's regulations or both. The Federal Deposit
Insurance Act requires an undercapitalized institution to submit to the Federal
Reserve Board a capital restoration plan with a guarantee by each company having
control of the bank's compliance with the plan.
 
     The BHCA prohibits a bank holding company, with certain exceptions, from
acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of any company which is not a
bank or from engaging in any activities other than those of banking, managing or
controlling banks and certain other subsidiaries, or furnishing services to or
performing services for its subsidiaries. One principal exception to these
prohibitions allows a bank holding company to acquire an interest in companies
whose activities are found by the Federal Reserve Board, by order or by
regulation, to be so closely related to banking or
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   50
 
managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. The Company
must obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board before it acquires all, or
substantially all, of any bank, or ownership or control of more than 5 percent
of the voting shares of a bank.
 
     The Company is required under the BHCA to file an annual report and
periodic reports with the Federal Reserve Board and such additional information
as the Federal Reserve Board may require pursuant to the BHCA. The Board may
examine a bank holding company and any of its subsidiaries and charge the
company for the cost of such an examination.
 
     The Company and any subsidiaries which it may control are deemed
"affiliates" within the meaning of the Federal Reserve Act, and transactions
between bank subsidiaries of the Company and its affiliates are subject to
certain restrictions. With certain exceptions, the Company and its subsidiaries
are prohibited from tying the provision of certain services, such as extensions
of credit, to other services offered by the Company or its affiliates.
 
     Banking regulations require bank holding companies and banks to maintain a
minimum "leverage" ratio of core capital to adjusted quarterly average total
assets of at least 3%. In addition, banking regulators have adopted risk-based
capital guidelines under which risk percentages are assigned to various
categories of assets and off-balance sheet items to calculate a risk-adjusted
capital ratio. Tier I capital generally consists of common shareholders' equity
(which does not include unrealized gains and losses on securities), less
goodwill and certain identifiable intangible assets, while Tier II capital
includes the allowance for loan losses and subordinated debt, both subject to
certain limitations. Regulatory risk-based capital guidelines require Tier I
capital of 4% of risk-adjusted assets and minimum total capital ratio (combined
Tier I and Tier II) of 8%. At June 30, 1996, the Company's leverage ratio was
7.30% compared with 7.72% at December 31, 1995. The Company's Tier I and total
capital ratios were 8.58% and 10.30%, respectively, at June 30, 1996, compared
with 9.10% and 10.95%, respectively, at December 31, 1995. For a discussion of
Columbia Bank's capital ratios, see "-- Banking Subsidiary."
 
  Banking Subsidiary
 
     Columbia Bank is a Washington state-chartered commercial bank, the deposits
of which are insured by the FDIC. It is subject to regulation by the FDIC and
the Washington Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Banks (the
"Division"). Although Columbia Bank is not a member of the Federal Reserve
System, the Federal Reserve Board supervisory authority over the Company can
also affect Columbia Bank.
 
     Among other things, applicable federal and state statutes and regulations
which govern a bank's operations relate to minimum capital requirements,
required reserves against deposits, investments, loans, legal lending limits,
mergers and consolidations, borrowings, issuance of securities, payment of
dividends, establishment of branches and other aspects of its operations. The
Division and the FDIC also have authority to prohibit banks under their
supervision from engaging in what they consider to be unsafe and unsound
practices.
 
     Columbia Bank is required to file periodic reports with the FDIC and the
Division and is subject to periodic examinations and evaluations by those
regulatory authorities. Based upon such an evaluation, the regulators may
revalue the assets of an institution and require that it establish specific
reserves to compensate for the differences between the regulator-determined
value and the book value of such assets. These examinations must be conducted
every 12 months, except that certain well-capitalized banks may be examined
every 18 months. The FDIC and the Division may each accept the results of an
examination by the other in lieu of conducting an independent examination.
 
     As a subsidiary of a bank holding company, Columbia Bank is subject to
certain restrictions in its dealings with the Company and with other companies
that may become affiliated with the Company.
 
     Columbia Bank's deposits are insured by the FDIC through the BIF and SAIF.
Approximately 39% of the Company's deposits are deemed to be SAIF-insured under
an allocation formula that
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   51
 
applies because certain deposits were previously acquired from a savings bank in
a so-called Oakar transaction. See "Business -- General." The FDIC's current
annual assessment rate for deposits range from 0.0% to 0.27% of insured deposits
for the BIF and 0.23% to 0.31% of insured deposits for the SAIF. Legislation was
recently enacted to resolve the difference in rates between the two funds.
Pursuant to this legislation, the FDIC has proposed to lower SAIF assessment
rates from their current rates to a range of 0.04% to 0.31% and then through
application of an adjustment factor to further reduce SAIF assessment rates to
an effective range of 0.0% to 0.27%. The FDIC has also proposed to maintain an
assessment rate of between 0.0% and 0.27% of covered deposits for BIF members.
These rates would become effective January 1, 1997. Further, the FDIC has
proposed an interim rate schedule for SAIF assessments that would create an
effective assessment rate range of 0.18% to 0.27% for the period of October 1,
1996 until December 31, 1996. The legislation also requires a special assessment
on SAIF-insured deposits held by the institution at March 31, 1995 with a
discount of 20% on the special assessment and subsequent assessments for Oakar
institutions, such as Columbia Bank, which meet certain tests. The FDIC has
estimated that the special assessment rate will be approximately 0.657% of
covered deposits. Moreover, the legislation requires assessments on both SAIF
and BIF members in order to service bonds issued in connection with the
government resolution of the savings and loan crisis. The FDIC has estimated
that for the next three years beginning on January 1, 1997 through December 31,
1999, an annual assessment of approximately 0.064% of covered deposits and
0.013% of covered deposits will be assessed upon SAIF- and BIF-insured deposits,
respectively, and from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2017, the assessment
rate will be 0.024% of covered deposits for all insured institutions. At
September 30, 1996, approximately $156.0 million of Columbia Bank's deposits are
deemed to be SAIF-insured under the allocation formula. The actual deposits at
that date remaining from the Oakar transaction are approximately $23.0 million.
 
     Dividends paid by Columbia Bank will provide substantially all of the
Company's cash flow. Applicable federal and Washington state regulations
restrict capital distributions by institutions such as Columbia Bank, including
dividends. Such restrictions are tied to the institution's capital levels after
giving effect to such distributions. At June 30, 1996, Columbia Bank's leverage
ratio was 8.12% compared with 7.99% at December 31, 1995. Tier I and total
capital ratios for Columbia Bank at June 30, 1996 were 9.56% and 10.68%,
respectively, compared with 9.54% and 10.63%, respectively, at December 31,
1995. The FDIC has established the qualifications necessary to be classified as
a "well-capitalized" bank, primarily for assignment of FDIC risk-based insurance
assessment rates beginning in 1993. To qualify as "well-capitalized", banks must
have a Tier I risk-adjusted capital ratio of at least 6%, a total risk-adjusted
capital ratio of at least 10%, and a leverage ratio of at least 5%. Columbia
Bank qualified at "well-capitalized" at June 30, 1996.
 
     Federal laws generally bar institutions which are not well-capitalized from
accepting brokered deposits. The FDIC has issued rules which prohibit
under-capitalized institutions from soliciting or accepting such deposits.
Adequately capitalized institutions are allowed to solicit such deposits, but
only to accept them if a waiver is obtained from the FDIC.
 
  Other Regulatory Developments
 
     Congress has enacted significant federal banking legislation in recent
years. Included in this legislation have been the Financial Institution Reform,
Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 ("FIRREA") and the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA"). FIRREA, among other
things, (i) created two deposit insurance funds administered by the FDIC; (ii)
permitted commercial banks that meet certain housing-related asset requirements
to secure advances and other financial services from local Federal Home Loan
Banks; (iii) restructured the federal regulatory agencies for savings
associations; and (iv) greatly enhanced the regulators' enforcement powers over
financial institutions and their affiliates.
 
     FDICIA went substantially farther than FIRREA in establishing a more
rigorous regulatory environment. Under FDICIA, regulatory authorities are
required to enact a number of new regula-
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   52
 
tions, substantially all of which are now effective. These regulations include,
among other things, (i) a new method for calculating deposit insurance
assessments based on risk, (ii) restrictions on acceptance of brokered deposits
except by well-capitalized institutions, (iii) additional limitations on loans
to executive officers and directors of banks, (iv) the employment of interest
rate risk in the calculation of risk-based capital, (v) safety and soundness
standards that take into consideration, among other things, management,
operations, asset quality, earnings and compensation, (vi) a five-tiered rating
system from well-capitalized to critically undercapitalized, along with the
prompt corrective action the agencies may take depending on the category, and
(vii) new disclosure and advertising requirements with respect to interest paid
on savings accounts.
 
     FDICIA and regulations adopted by the FDIC impose additional requirements
for annual independent audits and reporting when a bank begins a fiscal year
with assets of $500 million or more. Such banks, or their holding companies, are
also required to establish audit committees consisting of directors who are
independent of management. The Company had less than $500 million in assets at
January 1, 1996, but it currently has an Audit Committee of independent
directors and it meets the audited financial statement requirements of
applicable regulations. Columbia Bank will become subject to additional
reporting requirements and will incur additional compliance expense when it
becomes subject to the FDIC regulation.
 
     Also, the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of
1994 (the "Interstate Banking Act") provides banks with greater opportunities to
merge with other institutions and to open branches nationwide. The Interstate
Banking Act also allows a bank holding company whose principal operations are in
one state to apply to the Federal Reserve for approval to acquire a bank that is
headquartered in a different state. States cannot "opt out" but may impose
minimum time periods, not to exceed five years, for the target bank's existence.
 
     The Interstate Banking Act also allows bank subsidiaries of bank holding
companies to establish "agency" relationships with their depository institution
affiliates. In an agency relationship, a bank can accept deposits, renew time
deposits, close and service loans, and receive payments for a depository
institution affiliate. States cannot "opt out."
 
     In addition, the Interstate Banking Act allows banks whose principal
operations are located in different states to apply to federal regulators to
merge. This provision takes effect June 1, 1997, unless states enact laws to
either (i) authorize such transactions at an earlier date or (ii) prohibit such
transactions entirely. The Interstate Banking Act also allows banks to apply to
establish de novo branches in states in which they do not already have a branch
office. This provision takes effect June 1, 1997, but (i) states must enact laws
to permit such branching and (ii) a bank's primary federal regulator must
approve any such branch establishment. The Washington legislature passed
legislation that allows, subject to certain conditions, mergers or other
combinations, relocations of banks' main office and branching across state lines
in advance of the June 1, 1997 date established by federal law.
 
     Further effects on the Company may result from the Riegle Community
Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 (the "Community Development
Act"). The Community Development Act (i) establishes and funds institutions that
are focused on investing in economically distressed areas and (ii) streamlines
the procedures for certain transactions by financial institutions with federal
banking agencies.
 
     Among other things, the Community Development Act requires the federal
banking agencies to (i) consider the burdens that are imposed on financial
institutions when new regulations are issued or new compliance burdens are
created and (ii) coordinate their examinations of financial institutions when
more than one agency is involved. The Community Development Act also streamlines
the procedures for forming certain one-bank holding companies and engaging in
authorized non-banking activities.
 
                                       50
<PAGE>   53
 
     In addition to the changes to the BIF and SAIF assessment rates implemented
by the legislation which was recently passed as part of the 1996 Omnibus
spending bill (see "Recent Developments"), various regulatory relief provisions
were enacted. The new legislation includes, among other things, changes to (i)
the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act to
coordinate and simplify the two laws' disclosure requirements; (ii) eliminate
civil liability for violations of the Truth in Savings Act after five years; and
(iii) streamline the application process for a number of bank holding company
and bank applications; (iv) establish a privilege from discovery in any civil or
administrative proceeding or bank examination for any fair lending self-test
results conducted by, or on behalf of, a financial institution in certain
circumstances; (v) repeal the FDICIA requirement that independent public
accountants attest to compliance with designated safety and soundness
regulations; (vi) impose a continuous regulatory review of regulations to
identify and eliminate outdated and unnecessary rules; and (vii) various other
miscellaneous provisions to reduce bank regulatory burden.
 
                                    TAXATION
 
NET OPERATING LOSS AND TAX CREDIT CARRYFORWARDS
 
     At June 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, for federal income tax purposes,
the Company had NOL carryforwards of $2.2 million and $4.4 million,
respectively. The carryforwards may be used, subject to certain restrictions and
limitations, to offset taxable income and the tax liability of the Company. If
there is no taxable income or tax liability, the carryforwards will not be
utilized. In addition, the carryforwards will expire if they are not utilized
within a specified period.
 
     Certain provisions of the Code, impose limitations on the amount of the
carryforwards which may be utilized annually after an "ownership change," as
defined in the Code. Where the annual limitations apply, their effect on the
carryforwards is dependent upon, among other factors, the "value" (for purposes
of these limitations) of a corporation at the time of the ownership change.
 
     The 1990 Acquisition, the sale of Common Stock in June 1992 and the sale of
Common Stock in August 1993 each constituted an "ownership change" within the
meaning of the Code and resulted in the application of an annual limitation on
utilization of the Company's carryforwards. The Company does not believe that
the reduction of the annual limitation as a result of the above named events
would be material for financial statement purposes.
 
     At June 30, 1996, the Company had alternative minimum tax, investment and
rehabilitation tax credit carryforwards of approximately $673,000, of which
$581,000 expires in 1997, $14,000 expires in 1999, and the remainder in 2010.
However, because of annual limitations on the utilization of net operating loss
carryforwards and because the Code requires that net operating loss
carryforwards be utilized before tax credit carryforwards, the Company may not
receive an income tax benefit from the tax credit carryforwards, which may
expire unused.
 
     The applicable provisions of the law regarding these limitations are
complex, and definitive interpretations of all aspects of the law and its
application to all factual situations do not exist. There can be no assurance
that the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") will not challenge the Company s
treatment of the carryforwards, or that such treatment, if challenged, will be
upheld. If successful, such challenge could result in a reduction in the
limitation. However, the Company does not anticipate that a challenge by the IRS
would result in a material reduction for financial statement purposes. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                       51
<PAGE>   54
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
directors and executive officers of the Company. All directors hold office until
the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Company or until their successors
are elected and qualified. Executive officers are elected generally to serve at
the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            NAME              AGE                           POSITION
- ----------------------------  ---   --------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>   <C>
A.G. Espe...................  59    Director, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
                                    Officer of the Company; Chairman of the Board of
                                    Columbia Bank
W.W. Philip.................  69    Director, President and Chief Operating Officer of the
                                    Company; President and Chief Executive Officer of
                                    Columbia Bank
Donald A. Andersen..........  51    Senior Vice President, Senior Credit Administrator of
                                    Columbia Bank
Julie A. Healy..............  41    Senior Vice President, Operations Manager of Columbia
                                    Bank
H.R. Russell................  42    Senior Vice President, Senior Loan Production Officer of
                                    Columbia Bank
Gary R. Schminkey...........  39    Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of the
                                    Company and Columbia Bank
Evans Q. Whitney............  53    Senior Vice President, Human Resources Director of the
                                    Company and Columbia Bank
W. Barry Connoley...........  54    Director(1)
Richard S. DeVine...........  69    Director(2)
Jack Fabulich...............  68    Director(1)
Jonathan Fine...............  42    Director(1)
Margel S. Gallagher.........  48    Director(2)
John A. Halleran............  67    Director(2)
John H. Powell..............  72    Director(2)
Robert E. Quoidbach.........  71    Director(1)
Donald Rodman...............  58    Director(1)
Frank H. Russell............  66    Director(2)
Sidney R. Snyder............  70    Director(1)
James M. Will, Jr...........  49    Director(1)
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Serves as a member of the Audit Committee.
 
(2) Serves as a member of the Personnel and Compensation Committee.
 
     From January 1995 through June 1996, directors of the Company received an
annual retainer of $1,600 in addition to fees of $100 for each Board and
Committee meeting attended. Commencing July 1996, director compensation was
amended to provide for an annual retainer of $1,600 and fees of $200 for each
Board meeting attended and $150 for each Committee meeting attended.
 
     The business experience of each of the directors and executive officers
during the last five years is set forth below. The following also sets forth the
term of service of each executive officer at, and the year each director first
became a director of, (i) the Company; (ii) its predecessor corporation;
 
                                       52
<PAGE>   55
 
(iii) its former subsidiary, Savings Bank (which was merged into Columbia Bank
in 1994); or (iv) its current subsidiary, Columbia Bank.
 
     A.G. Espe has been Chairman of the Board of the Company since September
1990 and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since March 1993. Mr. Espe, who
is also Chairman of the Board of Columbia Bank and of Northrim Bank, has
extensive banking and business experience. From 1985 to 1989, Mr. Espe served as
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Key Pacific
Bancorp. See "Prospectus Summary."
 
     W.W. Philip has been a director of the Company since July 1993. He became
President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and President and Chief
Executive Officer of Columbia Bank in August 1993 when the Company's
reorganization was completed and the Company began operations in Tacoma. Until
his retirement in December 1992, Mr. Philip was Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of Puget Sound Bancorp ("PSB") since its inception in 1981 and
was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Puget Sound National
Bank prior to and after the inception of PSB, having served with that
institution for more than 40 years. See "Prospectus Summary -- The Company."
 
     Donald A. Andersen joined Columbia Bank as Senior Vice
President -- Commercial Loans in January 1995. Mr. Andersen was employed by
Puget Sound National Bank and its successor institution for nearly 25 years,
having served as Vice President -- Commercial Loan Officer from 1991 to 1995.
 
     Julie A. Healy joined Columbia Bank as Senior Vice President -- Operations
in June 1993. Ms. Healy was employed by Puget Sound National Bank for nearly 12
years, having served as Vice President -- Operations from 1991 to 1993.
 
     H.R. Russell joined Columbia Bank as Senior Vice President -- Commercial
Loans in October 1993. Mr. Russell was employed by Puget Sound National Bank and
its successor institution for nearly 14 years, having served as Vice
President -- Commercial Loan Officer from 1991 to 1993.
 
     Gary R. Schminkey joined Columbia Bank as Vice President and Controller in
March 1993. He was appointed Senior Vice President -- Chief Financial Officer of
Columbia Bank and the Company in 1994. Mr. Schminkey was employed by PSB, Puget
Sound National Bank and its successor institution for nearly 10 years, having
served from 1991 to 1993 as Assistant Vice President -- Assistant Controller for
PSB and during that same period as Vice President -- Accounting and Finance for
Puget Sound National Bank and its successor institution.
 
     Evans Q. Whitney joined Columbia Bank as Senior Vice President -- Human
Resources in March 1993. Mr. Whitney is also the Senior Vice President -- Human
Resources of the Company. Mr. Whitney was employed by PSB and Puget Sound
National Bank for nearly 27 years, having served as Senior Vice
President -- Human Resources for PSB and Puget Sound National Bank from 1991 to
1993.
 
     W. Barry Connoley has been a director since 1993. Since 1986, Mr. Connoley
has been President and Chief Executive Officer of MultiCare Medical Center,
Tacoma, Washington.
 
     Richard S. DeVine has been a director since 1993. Since 1992, Mr. DeVine
has served as President of Chinook Resources, Inc. (timber acquisition and
sales). Mr. DeVine currently serves as Chairman of Raleigh Schwarz & Powell,
Inc. (insurance brokers), Tacoma, Washington, having served as President of that
company from 1976 to 1990.
 
     Jack Fabulich has served as a director since 1993. He currently is Chairman
of Parker Paint Manufacturing Co., Inc., Tacoma, Washington, having served as
President from 1982 to 1993. Since 1976, he has also served as Commissioner of
the Port of Tacoma.
 
     Jonathan Fine has been a director since 1993. From 1986 until December
1992, Mr. Fine served as Senior Vice President and Treasurer of PSB. From
January 1993 until April 1996 Mr. Fine was a
 
                                       53
<PAGE>   56
 
private investor. Mr. Fine is currently the Chief Operating Officer of the
American Red Cross, Seattle -- King County Chapter.
 
     Margel S. Gallagher has served as a director since 1993. Since 1982 she has
served as President of Viva Imports, Ltd., (retail women's clothing), Tacoma and
Seattle, Washington.
 
     John A. Halleran has served as a director since 1992. During the past five
years, Mr. Halleran, who is retired, has been a private investor. Prior to that
time he was a general contractor with headquarters in Bellevue, Washington.
 
     John H. Powell has been a director since 1991. Since 1950, Mr. Powell has
been the co-owner of Sound Oil Company, a heating oil dealer in Bellevue,
Washington. He is also a director of NorCap, L.L.C. Mr. Powell was Chairman of
the Board of Bank of Seattle, Seattle, Washington, from 1976 to 1983.
 
     Robert E. Quoidbach has served as a director since 1988. Since 1990 Mr.
Quoidbach, who is retired, has been a private investor and tree farmer. Prior to
that time he was an industrial contractor in Longview, Washington.
 
     Donald Rodman has served as a director since 1991. Since 1961, he has been
the owner and an executive officer of Rodman Realty, Inc., Longview, Washington.
 
     Frank H. Russell has served as a director since 1993. Since 1985, he has
been President of Professional Services Unified, Inc., a full-facility service,
including food service, janitorial and electronic access systems in Tacoma,
Washington. Mr. Russell is also the President of Quality Meal Expeditors (food
catering) headquartered in Tacoma, Washington.
 
     Sidney R. Snyder has been a director since 1988. He also served as a
director of the Savings Bank from 1988 until April 1994. Mr. Snyder has been the
owner of Sid's Food Market in Seaview, Washington since 1953 and of Midtown
Market in Long Beach, Washington since 1982. Mr. Snyder is the Chairman of the
Board and a principal shareholder of Bank of the Pacific in Long Beach,
Washington. Mr. Snyder has been a member of the Washington State Senate since
1990, currently serving as Senate Majority Leader.
 
     James M. Will, Jr. has served as a director since 1993. Since 1969, he has
served as President of TAM Manufacturing Co., Tacoma, Washington.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The following table sets forth the aggregate compensation for services
rendered to the Company or its subsidiaries in all capacities paid or accrued
for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995, December 31, 1994 and December 31,
1993, to each person serving as an executive officer of the Company whose
aggregate cash and cash equivalent forms of compensation exceeded $100,000 (the
"Named Executive Officers").
 
                                       54
<PAGE>   57
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    LONG-TERM
                                           ANNUAL COMPENSATION                    COMPENSATION
                              ----------------------------------------------     ---------------
                                                                OTHER ANNUAL        ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION   YEAR      SALARY       BONUS      COMPENSATION     COMPENSATION(2)
- ----------------------------  ----     --------     -------     ------------     ---------------
<S>                           <C>      <C>          <C>         <C>              <C>
A.G. Espe, Chairman and
  Chief Executive Officer...  1995     $168,623(1)  $50,000       $     --           $25,995
                              1994      165,000          --             --            18,715
                              1993      137,500      15,625         18,700            20,673
W.W. Philip, President and
  Chief Executive Officer...                 --(3)     --(3)            --                --
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Represents total cash compensation earned, including amounts deferred under
    a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan.
 
(2) Includes $11,900 in contributions to 401(k) savings plan and a 3% match of
    Mr. Espe's 1995 deferral under the plan; also includes $14,095 paid in 1995
    as premium for life insurance payable to Mr. Espe's estate and $11,845 paid
    in 1994 and 1993 as premiums for such life insurance.
 
(3) Payment of salary and bonus compensation to Mr. Philip is subject to
    attainment of certain performance criteria, except, as provided by contract,
    in the event of early termination. See "Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards" and
    "Employment and Change of Control Agreements."
 
OPTION GRANTS/AWARDS
 
     The Company's Employee Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") authorizes the grant
of options to purchase up to 315,000 shares of Common Stock in aggregate to
eligible employees. At June 30, 1996, options to purchase 295,194 shares at
prices ranging from $3.81 to $15.25 per share were outstanding.
 
     No grant of options under the Plan was made to the Named Executive Officers
during the period from the Company's reorganization in 1993 until August 1996.
In lieu of the grant of stock options to either Mr. Espe or Mr. Philip in
September 1993, when options were granted to numerous new senior personnel, the
Personnel and Compensation Committee determined to give each of them the right
to acquire 30,000 shares of Common Stock by purchase at the then fair market
value of $12.00 per share, with the assistance of a fixed-rate loan in the full
principal amount of the purchase. The loan is due on or before March 1, 2000.
Both Mr. Espe and Mr. Philip elected to make such purchases, thus becoming
owners of the stock, rather than becoming holders of option interests, and are
personally liable for repayment of the sums represented by the loan.
 
     In August 1996, the Personnel and Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company approved the grant to Mr. Espe of an option to purchase
40,000 shares of Common Stock at prices ranging from $15.25 to $21.25. The Board
also approved the grant to Mr. Philip of a restricted stock award for 20,000
shares of Common Stock. The market value of the Common Stock at the date of
grant to Mr. Philip was $15.25 per share.
 
     The option to Mr. Espe, which is subject to approval by shareholders of
additional shares to be available pursuant to the Plan and certain other
amendments to the Plan, provides for 10,000 shares to vest (become exercisable)
in August 1997 at an option price of $15.25, and 10,000 additional shares to
vest each year beginning in August 1998 and continuing through August 2000 at
option prices of $17.25, $19.25 and $21.25 respectively. Vested options will
remain exercisable for ten years from the date of vesting in the event of Mr.
Espe's retirement (as approved by the Board), death or disability, or a change
in control of the Company or Columbia Bank (as the term is defined in Mr. Espe's
Employment Agreement).
 
     The restricted stock award to Mr. Philip provides for the immediate
issuance of 20,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock to Mr. Philip in escrow.
The shares are to remain in escrow until Mr. Philip has served as an active
officer or Board member of the Company and/or Columbia Bank for a period of five
years from the date of the grant, unless that term is reduced (i) by action of
the Board or the Personnel and Compensation Committee, (ii) by reason of a
change of control of the Company or Columbia Bank (as defined in Mr. Philip's
Employment Agreement), or (iii) by
 
                                       55
<PAGE>   58
 
Mr. Philip's death or disability. Mr. Philip will have the right to vote the
shares and to receive any dividends or other distributions on the shares while
they remain in escrow.
 
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS
 
     The following table refers to long-term incentive arrangements that were
entered into with Mr. Espe and Mr. Philip in 1993 and amended, as to Mr. Philip
only, in 1995. Under the arrangements, specific compensation and allowance
payments were agreed to be made in 1996 and 1997 if the Company achieves certain
performance objectives in 1995 and 1996. These objectives are: (1) Growth -- by
June 30, 1995, the Company must have assets, loans and deposits of at least $325
million, $200 million and $230 million, respectively (achieved); (2) Asset
Quality -- at December 31, 1995 and 1996, problem assets of the Company
(excluding those existing at September 1, 1993) must not exceed 1.5% of the
Company's total assets at those dates; and (3) Profitability -- the Company must
achieve net income of at least 50 basis points on average assets for calendar
year 1995, and must achieve net income of at least 75 basis points on average
assets for calendar year 1996. Performance criteria may be waived by the Board
of Directors of the Company in its discretion and amounts may be deemed earned
and payments accelerated in the event of early termination of the executive's
Employment Agreement or in the event of the executive's death or disability. The
Company has accrued the anticipated expense. See "Employment and Change of
Control Agreements."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     PERIOD UNTIL         ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUT
                                 DOLLAR VALUE         MATURATION           BASED UPON ACHIEVEMENT
             NAME                   AWARD              OF PAYOUT         OF PERFORMANCE CRITERIA(1)
- -------------------------------  ------------     -------------------    --------------------------
<S>                              <C>              <C>                    <C>
A.G. Espe......................    $ 59,400        December 31, 1996              $ 67,413
W.W. Philip....................     383,000        December 31, 1996               440,824
                                    167,000         Twelve monthly                 197,292
                                                  payments beginning
                                                    January 1, 1997
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) If earned, the amounts will bear interest from the date deemed to be earned
    (as provided by Agreement) at the two year U.S. Treasury Bill rate at
    January 1 each year plus 3%.
 
OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
 
     The Company also maintains a defined contribution plan, in the form of a
401(k) plan, that allows employees, including executive officers, to contribute
up to 15% of their compensation each year. The Company currently makes matching
contributions to the extent of 50% of employees' contributions up to 3% of each
employee's total compensation and is authorized to make a discretionary
contribution as determined by the Personnel and Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors each year. The Company contributed approximately $126,000 in
matching funds to the 401(k) Plan during 1995, and made a discretionary
contribution of approximately $290,000 for the year 1995.
 
     The Company also maintains an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP")
that was adopted in 1995. The ESPP allows eligible employees to purchase shares
of Common Stock at 90% of the then current market price by means of payroll
deductions.
 
     Beginning in 1994, the Company established a discretionary incentive bonus
plan for the benefit of employees. Contributions by the Company are based upon
year-end results of operations for the Company and attainment of goals by
individuals. In 1995 the Company contributed $341,000 to the plan.
 
     The Company also provides a group health insurance plan along with standard
vacation and sick pay benefits.
 
                                       56
<PAGE>   59
 
EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENTS
 
     Mr. Espe entered into an Employment Agreement with the Company effective
December 30, 1993 ("Agreement"). The Agreement has a term expiring December 31,
1997. Mr. Espe's annual salary is $150,000 in 1996, with annual increases
thereafter, as the Board of Directors shall determine. In addition, the Company
has agreed to provide Mr. Espe with a Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan,
which will provide Mr. Espe with a benefit payable after retirement calculated
on the basis of ten percent of his salary being contributed each year, the
amount contributed increasing in value based on an assumed interest rate. At the
time of entering into the Agreement, Mr. Espe was offered and purchased 30,000
shares of Common Stock at $12.00 per share (the then fair market value). In
connection with that transaction, the Company loaned Mr. Espe $360,000 to
purchase the shares, with interest payable annually at six percent per annum and
the full principal amount due on or before March 1, 2000. The principal payment
may be accelerated under certain circumstances. Mr. Espe also receives life and
disability benefits, will be reimbursed for certain reasonable expenses incurred
in carrying out his duties, and may participate in the Company's health and
welfare plans available to the Company's employees generally. Mr. Espe may also
receive certain allowances in the amount of $59,400 plus interest, if certain
performance targets, including growth, asset quality, and profitability, as more
fully discussed under "Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards," are met. In the event
the Company terminates the Agreement without cause (as defined), Mr. Espe would
be entitled to the greater of two years' salary or salary payable for the
remainder of the term of the Agreement. The Agreement has recently been amended,
effective January 1, 1997 ("Amended Agreement"), to extend the term of Mr.
Espe's employment to December 31, 2001 and to establish his minimum annual
salary at $160,000. Other terms were changed consistent with the new term of the
Amended Agreement. Both the Agreement and the Amended Agreement contain a
covenant by Mr. Espe not to compete with the Company in its market area for two
years after voluntarily terminating employment without "good cause" (as
defined). The Company is the beneficiary under a key-person life insurance
policy on the life of Mr. Espe in the amount of $3.5 million.
 
     Mr. Philip also entered into an Employment Agreement with the Company
effective December 31, 1993, as further amended effective December 29, 1995
("Agreement"). The term of the Agreement expires on December 31, 1996. Mr.
Philip's salary for the term of the Agreement is $550,000, but payment of this
salary is subject to the attainment of performance targets, including growth,
asset quality, and profitability as more fully discussed under "Long-Term
Incentive Plan Awards." If these targets are met, Mr. Philip will receive a lump
sum payment of $383,000, plus interest, on December 31, 1996, and an additional
$167,000, plus interest, during the calendar year 1997. Other provisions of the
Agreement with Mr. Philip are on substantially the same terms as that of Mr.
Espe's, described above. In connection with his employment, Mr. Philip also was
offered and purchased 30,000 shares of Common Stock at $12.00 per share (the
then fair market value). In connection with that transaction, the Company loaned
Mr. Philip $360,000 to purchase the shares, on terms and conditions similar to
those for the loan to Mr. Espe, described above. Mr. Philip's Agreement recently
has been amended, effective January 1, 1997 ("Amended Agreement"), to extend the
term to December 31, 1998 and to establish his minimum annual salary at
$175,000. Other terms were changed consistent with the new term of the Amended
Agreement. Both the Agreement and the Amended Agreement contain a covenant by
Mr. Philip not to compete with the Company in its market area for two years
after voluntarily terminating employment without "good cause" (as defined). The
Company is the beneficiary under a key-person life insurance policy on the life
of Mr. Philip in the amount of $2.0 million.
 
     The employment agreements for both Messrs. Espe and Philip, as now in
effect and as amended effective January 1, 1997, contain provisions that require
payments in the event of a change in control (as defined in such Agreements) and
termination of employment without cause (as defined) following by up to two
years, and in certain cases preceding, that event. Generally in such
circumstances, all contingent payments payable to each of Messrs. Espe and
Philip are deemed earned. In addition, under the Agreements in effect until
January 1, 1997, Mr. Espe is entitled to
 
                                       57
<PAGE>   60
 
receive his base salary until three years following such termination, and Mr.
Philip is entitled to receive the sum of $100,000 reduced by certain pro-rated
amounts. Under the terms of their Amended Agreements, Messrs. Espe and Philip
are entitled to receive their base salary for three and two years, respectively,
following such termination or until the term of their Amended Agreement,
whichever is longer. In such circumstances, each is also entitled to all
benefits provided for in his Amended Agreement, to be fully vested as to any
nonvested options, and to have restrictions lapse with regard to any restricted
stock or other restricted securities. In the event either executive receives an
amount under these provisions which result in imposition of a tax on the
executive under the provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section 4999 (relating
to Golden Parachute payments), the Company is obligated to reimburse the
executive for that amount, exclusive of any tax imposed by reason of receipt of
reimbursement under the employment agreement.
 
         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial
ownership of the Common Stock at September 30, 1996 by (i) each director and
Named Executive Officer, (ii) all directors and executive officers as a group,
and (iii) each person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more
than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                SHARES
                                                             BENEFICIALLY         PERCENT OF CLASS
                                                             OWNED BEFORE            BEFORE THE
                     NAME AND ADDRESS(1)                    THE OFFERING(2)         OFFERING(2)
    ------------------------------------------------------  ---------------       ----------------
    <S>                                                     <C>                   <C>
    A.G. Espe.............................................      164,525(3)               4.4%
    W.W. Philip...........................................      120,435(4)               3.2%
    W. Barry Connoley.....................................        1,050                    *
    Richard S. DeVine.....................................       22,242                    *
    Jack Fabulich.........................................        4,375                    *
    Jonathan Fine.........................................       14,045(5)                 *
    Margel S. Gallagher...................................       61,562(6)               1.8%
    John A. Halleran......................................        9,235                    *
    John H. Powell........................................       11,688                    *
    Robert E. Quoidbach...................................        3,579(7)                 *
    Donald Rodman.........................................        4,853(8)                 *
    Frank H. Russell......................................        1,512                    *
    Sidney R. Snyder......................................       21,000                    *
    James M. Will, Jr.....................................        1,924                    *
    All directors and executive officers as a group (19
      persons)............................................      469,640(2)              12.4%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
  * Less than one percent.
 
(1) Unless otherwise noted, the address for all of the named persons is 1102
    Broadway Plaza, Tacoma, Washington 98402.
 
(2) Unless otherwise indicated, represents shares over which each individual
    exercises sole voting or investment power. Includes 22,050 shares issuable
    to executive officers under options exercisable within 60 days.
 
(3) Includes 62,753 shares beneficially owned by NorCap, L.L.C. ("NorCap"), a
    corporation controlled by Mr. Espe. Also includes 50,175 shares issuable
    upon exercise of options granted to NorCap, L.L.C., which options became
    exercisable on September 25, 1993 (and until September 26, 2000) at $6.15
    per share as to 36,317 shares and $8.81 per share as to 13,858 shares.
 
(4) Includes 51,184 shares held by Kelcin, a limited partnership in which Mr.
    Philip is a general partner. Also includes 20,000 shares issued to Mr.
    Philip as a restricted stock award and held in escrow until certain
    conditions are met. See "Management -- Options Grants/Awards."
 
                                       58
<PAGE>   61
 
(5) Includes 3,908 shares owned by a family trust for which Mr. Fine is
    co-trustee and shares voting and investment power.
 
(6) Includes 3,641 shares held by C&G Partnership, a Washington general
    partnership in which Ms. Gallagher's spouse, J. James Gallagher, is a
    general partner. Also includes 10,424 shares held by J. James Gallagher &
    Company Profit Sharing Trust, for which Ms. Gallagher's spouse, J. James
    Gallagher, is the trustee.
 
(7) All shares are owned by a living trust for which Mr. Quoidbach is the
    trustee with sole voting and investment power.
 
(8) All shares are owned by a living trust for which Mr. Rodman and his spouse
    are co-trustees and share voting and investment power.
 
                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
TRANSACTIONS WITH DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     Employment Agreements With Messrs. Espe and Philip.  Pursuant to their
respective employment agreements, Columbia agreed to sell to each of Mr. Espe
and Mr. Philip 30,000 shares of Common Stock at $12.00 per share, the fair
market value of the Common Stock on the dates the parties agreed on the terms of
their respective employment agreements. Pursuant to their respective employment
agreements, the Company loaned to each of Mr. Espe and Mr. Philip $360,000 to
purchase such shares. See "Management -- Employment and Change of Control
Agreements."
 
     Loans to Directors and Executive Officers.  Certain of the Company's
directors and executive officers and their immediate families are also customers
and depositors of the Company and it is anticipated that such individuals will
continue to be customers of the Company in the future. All transactions between
the Company and the Company's directors, executive officers and their immediate
families were made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same
terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time
for comparable transactions with other persons, and in the opinion of management
did not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or present other
unfavorable features. At December 31, 1995, loans to directors and executive
officers represented 14.4% of the Company's shareholders' equity.
 
NORCAP OPTIONS
 
     As compensation for the costs and risks associated with its efforts in
facilitating the 1990 acquisition of the Company by a group of investors that
included Mr. Espe, NorCap, L.L.C. was granted an option to purchase 36,317
shares of Common Stock at a price of $6.15 per share. As part of that same
transaction, NorCap was also granted an option to purchase shares of common
stock of CNBI. The option to purchase CNBI shares was converted into an option
to purchase 13,859 shares of Common Stock at a price of $8.81 per share, as part
of the merger of CNBI with and into the Company that was completed in August
1993. The NorCap Options are exercisable at any time between September 25, 1993
and September 26, 2000. NorCap is controlled by Mr. Espe, who owns 60% of
NorCap's common units, subject to conversion and limited voting rights of
holders of its convertible Series A units. Mr. Powell, a current director of the
Company, is a director of NorCap.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     General.  The Company currently is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000
shares of Common Stock. At September 30, 1996, there were 3,710,077 shares of
Common Stock outstanding, held of record by approximately 852 shareholders.
 
                                       59
<PAGE>   62
 
     Voting.  Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on all matters
presented for shareholder vote, including the election of directors.
Shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights. Under Washington law,
directors are elected by a plurality of votes, where the nominees who receive
the greatest number of votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote will
be elected directors. Unless a corporation's articles of incorporation provide
otherwise, Washington law requires that certain fundamental corporate
transactions (such as mergers, asset sales and "going private" transactions) be
approved by the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting shares,
and that material amendments to a public corporation's articles of incorporation
be approved by the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding voting
shares. The Company's Articles do not provide otherwise except that any Business
Combination (as defined in the Articles) between the Company and any Control
Person (as defined in the Articles) must be approved by the holders of at least
66 2/3% of the total shares attributable to persons other than a Control Person
in certain circumstances. The Company's Articles further provide that such
provision may not be amended except by the affirmative vote of the holders of at
least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock (subject
to the provisions of any preferred stock that may be issued by the Company).
 
     Preemptive Rights.  The holders of Common Stock do not have preemptive
rights to subscribe to any additional securities that the Company may issue.
 
     Liquidation.  In the event of the Company's liquidation, the holders of
Common Stock are entitled to share, pro rata, the assets of the Company
remaining after provision for liabilities.
 
     Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions.  Subject to such preferences as
may be applicable to any shares of preferred stock that may be authorized and
issued by the Company in the future, dividends may be paid on the Common Stock
as and when declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available
therefor. On May 22, 1996, the Company paid a 5% stock dividend. 164,051 common
shares were issued to shareholders. Management presently intends to retain
future earnings to support the development and growth of the Company.
Accordingly, the Company does not expect to pay cash dividends for the
foreseeable future. In addition, regulatory requirements also limit dividends,
distributions and redemptions with respect to the Common Stock.
 
     Registration Rights.  Dain Bosworth Incorporated, a lead underwriter of a
prior issue of securities by the Company, has warrants to purchase 18,716 shares
of the Company's Common Stock issuable at $10.14 per share. They are entitled to
certain rights with respect to registration under the Securities Act of shares
issuable upon exercise of such warrants. Under the terms of the warrants, if the
Company proposes to register any of its securities under the Securities Act, the
warrant holder is entitled to include such shares therein. Dain Bosworth
Incorporated has waived its right to include its shares in the offering. In
addition, Dain Bosworth Incorporated may require the Company on not more than
one occasion to register such shares at the Company's expense, and the Company
is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such registration.
 
     Transfer Agent and Registrar.  The transfer agent and registrar for the
Common Stock is American Stock Transfer and Trust Company.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Company currently is authorized to issue up to 2,000,000 shares of
preferred stock. At June 30, 1996, no shares of preferred stock were issued and
outstanding. There is no existing or pending plan or agreement for the Company
to issue any preferred stock. The Company's Board of Directors has the authority
to issue preferred stock in one or more series and, subject to applicable law,
to fix and determine or to amend the relative rights and preferences of the
shares of any series so established, without any further vote or action of the
shareholders. By such applicable law, the Company's Board of Directors also has
the authority to determine the liquidation and dividend rights of any preferred
stock that may be issued, including priority over the liquidation and dividend
rights of holders of Common Stock.
 
                                       60
<PAGE>   63
 
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
 
     Certain provisions contained in the Company's Articles of Incorporation
(the "Articles") may deter potential acquirers from attempting a takeover of the
Company. The Articles require that any Business Combination (as defined in the
Articles) be approved by the affirmative vote of not less than 66 2/3% of the
total shares attributable to persons other than a Control Person (as defined in
the Articles). This "supermajority" approval is not required if the Company's
Board of Directors has approved the transaction or if certain other conditions
concerning nondiscrimination among shareholders and receipt of fair value are
satisfied. The Articles also include a provision that requires the Company's
Board of Directors to consider certain non-monetary factors in evaluating any
acquisition bid. Finally, the Articles provide, among other things, that the
Company may issue up to 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, none of which
shares are currently issued and outstanding, without prior shareholder approval,
in one or more series, with such relative rights and preferences as the Board of
Directors may determine. The issuance of preferred stock under certain
circumstances could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in
control of the Company. These provisions, and certain provisions contained in
Chapter 19 of the Washington Business Corporation Act, Revised Code of
Washington Title 23B.19, which prohibit certain significant business
transactions if not accomplished in accordance with the statute, collectively
and individually, may discourage transactions such as mergers or tender offers
on terms which certain of the Company's shareholders may consider beneficial. As
a result, holders of the Common Stock may potentially be deprived of an
opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over market price.
 
INDEMNIFICATION
 
     The Articles provide, among other things, for the indemnification of
directors, and authorize the Board of Directors to pay reasonable expenses
incurred by, or to satisfy a judgment or fine against, a current or former
director in connection with any personal legal liability incurred by the
individual while acting for the Company within the scope of his or her
employment and which were not the result of conduct finally adjudged to be
"egregious" conduct. "Egregious" conduct is defined as intentional misconduct, a
knowing violation of law or participation in any transaction from which the
person will personally receive a benefit in money, property or services to which
that person is not legally entitled. The Articles also include a provision that
limits the liability of directors from any personal liability to the Company or
its shareholders for conduct not found to have been egregious.
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
     After completion of this offering, the Company will have outstanding
4,810,077 shares of Common Stock (assuming no exercise of the Underwriters
over-allotment option and no exercise of outstanding stock options). Of these
shares, the 1,100,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be freely
tradeable without restriction or limitation under the Securities Act except to
the extent such shares are subject to the agreement with the Underwriters
described below or are held by "affiliates" of the Company as such term is
defined under Rule 144 under the Securities Act. In addition, an aggregate of
3,223,041 shares of Common Stock presently outstanding are not restricted and,
under certain conditions, may be freely tradeable without restriction or
limitation under the Securities Act. Shares owned by affiliates may only be sold
if they are registered under the Securities Act or if an exemption from
registration, such as that provided by Rule 144, is available.
 
     The Company, its executive officers and directors and any affiliates
thereof, holding in the aggregate 469,640 shares of Common Stock on an as
converted or as exercised basis, have agreed not to directly or indirectly
offer, sell, pledge, contract to sell, grant any option to purchase or otherwise
dispose of any shares of Common Stock of the Company (except pursuant to its
stock plan or other employee benefit plans) for a period of 120 days after the
date of this Prospectus, without the prior written consent of Alex. Brown & Sons
Incorporated. See "Underwriting."
 
                                       61
<PAGE>   64
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Underwriters named below (the "Underwriters"), through their Representatives,
Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated and Ragen MacKenzie Incorporated, have severally
agreed to purchase from the Company the following respective numbers of shares
of Common Stock at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and
commissions set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   NUMBER OF
                                   UNDERWRITER                                      SHARES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------
<S>                                                                                <C>
Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated..................................................
Ragen MacKenzie Incorporated.....................................................
                                                                                   ---------
Total............................................................................
                                                                                   =========
</TABLE>
 
     The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the
Underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the
Underwriters will purchase all shares of Common Stock offered hereby if any of
such shares are purchased.
 
     The Company has been advised by the Representatives of the Underwriters
that the Underwriters propose to offer the shares of Common Stock to the public
at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus and
to certain dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of $
per share. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a
concession not in excess of $          per share to certain other dealers. After
the public offering, the offering price and other selling terms may be changed
by the Representatives of the Underwriters.
 
     The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable not
later than 30 days after the date of the final Prospectus, to purchase up to
165,000 additional shares of Common stock at the public offering price less the
underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus. To the extent the Underwriters exercise such option, each of the
Underwriters will have a firm commitment to purchase approximately the same
percentage thereof that the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased by
it shown on the above table bears to 1,100,000, and the Company will be
obligated, pursuant to the option, to sell such shares to the Underwriters. The
Underwriters may exercise such option only to cover over-allotments made in
connection with the sale of Common Stock offered hereby. If purchased, the
Underwriters will offer such additional shares on the same terms as those on
which the 1,100,000 shares are being offered.
 
     The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
     The Company, its executive officers and directors and any affiliates
thereof, holding in the aggregate 469,640 shares of Common Stock on an as
converted or exercised basis, have agreed not to directly or indirectly offer,
sell, pledge, contract to sell, grant any option to purchase or otherwise
dispose of any shares of Common Stock of the Company (except pursuant to its
stock plan or other employee benefit plans) for a period of 120 days after the
date of this Prospectus, without the prior written consent of Alex. Brown & Sons
Incorporated.
 
     In 1993, Ragen MacKenzie Incorporated, one of the Representatives of the
Underwriters, acted as a representative of the underwriters in connection with
an offering of 1,580,000 shares of Common Stock.
 
     In connection with this offering, certain Underwriters and selling group
members (if any) who are qualifying registered market makers on Nasdaq may
engage in passive market making transactions in the Common Stock on the Nasdaq
National Market in accordance with Rule 10b-6A under the Exchange Act during the
two business day period before commencement of sales in this offering. The
passive market making transactions must comply with applicable price and volume
limits and be identified as such. In general, a passive market maker may display
its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for the
security; if all independent bids are lowered below the
 
                                       62
<PAGE>   65
 
passive market maker's bid, however, such bid must then be lowered when certain
purchase limits are exceeded. Net purchases by a passive market maker on each
day are generally limited to a specified percentage of the passive market
maker's average daily trading volume in the Common Stock during a prior period
and must be discontinued when such limit is reached. Passive market making may
stabilize the market price of the Common Stock at a level above that which might
otherwise prevail, and if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the Common Stock offered by this Prospectus will be passed
upon for the Company by Gordon, Thomas, Honeywell, Malanca, Peterson & Daheim,
P.L.L.C., Tacoma, Washington. Members of Gordon, Thomas, Honeywell, Malanca,
Peterson & Daheim, beneficially owned           shares of the Company Common
Stock at               , 1996. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the
Underwriters by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, San Francisco, California.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31,
1995 and 1994 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1995 included in this Prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report
of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said
firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
 
                                       63
<PAGE>   66
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PAGE
                                                                                        ----
<S>                                                                                     <C>
Report of Independent Accountants.....................................................   F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 1996 (unaudited) and December 31, 1995 and
  1994................................................................................   F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995
  (unaudited) and the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993....................   F-4
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the six months ended June 30, 1996
  (unaudited) and the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993....................   F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995
  (unaudited) and the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993....................   F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements............................................   F-7
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   67
 
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Columbia Banking System, Inc.
 
     In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December
31, 1995 and 1994, and the related consolidated statements of operations, of
shareholders' equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1995, present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Columbia Banking System, Inc. and its subsidiaries, and the results
of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our
audits of these statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
 
Seattle, Washington
January 24, 1996
except as to Note 17,
which is as of May 22, 1996
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   68
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                                           -------------------
                                                                             1995       1994
                                                                           --------   --------
                                                              JUNE 30,
                                                                1996
                                                             -----------
                                                             (UNAUDITED)
                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>        <C>
A S S E T S
Cash and due from banks....................................   $  22,326    $ 18,244   $ 11,357
Interest-earning deposits with banks.......................      10,415      12,635      2,301
Securities available for sale:
  U.S. Treasury and government agencies....................      16,734       6,948
  Mortgage-backed..........................................      11,268      12,446      2,718
  FHLB stock...............................................       4,082       3,281
                                                               --------    --------   --------
     Total securities available for sale...................      32,084      22,675      2,718
Investment securities:
  U.S. Treasury............................................                              1,003
  Mortgage-backed..........................................                             16,389
  FHLB stock and other.....................................                              2,149
                                                               --------    --------   --------
     Total investment securities (market value:
       12/31/94 -- $18,661)................................                             19,541
Loans held for sale........................................       1,950       1,367      1,612
Loans......................................................     401,554     353,093    268,996
  Less: allowance for loan losses..........................       4,411       3,748      2,711
                                                               --------    --------   --------
     Loans, net............................................     397,143     349,345    266,285
Interest receivable........................................       2,893       2,469      1,734
Premises and equipment, net................................      13,532      13,736      8,972
Real estate owned..........................................                   3,304      3,227
Other......................................................       1,269       1,431      1,325
                                                               --------    --------   --------
          Total Assets.....................................   $ 481,612    $425,206   $319,072
                                                               ========    ========   ========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits:
  Noninterest-bearing......................................   $  63,208    $ 52,991   $ 37,251
  Interest-bearing.........................................     339,706     308,884    231,441
                                                               --------    --------   --------
     Total deposits........................................     402,914     361,875    268,692
Federal Home Loan Bank advances............................      37,000      25,000     17,000
Other borrowings...........................................       2,300
Other liabilities..........................................       3,252       3,669      1,784
Convertible subordinated notes.............................       2,363       2,695      2,735
                                                               --------    --------   --------
     Total liabilities.....................................     447,829     393,239    290,211
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 14)
Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock (no par value)
     Authorized, 2,000,000 shares; None outstanding
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     JUNE      DECEMBER 31,
                                      30,    ----------------
    Common stock (no par value)      1996     1995     1994
                                    -------  -------  -------
<S>                                 <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>           <C>        <C>
     Authorized shares............   10,000   10,000   10,000
     Issued and outstanding.......    3,482    3,274    3,258      33,354      30,806     30,703
  Retained earnings........................................         957       1,274     (1,481)
  Unrealized losses on securities available for sale.......        (528)       (113)      (361)
                                                             -----------   --------   --------
     Total shareholders' equity............................      33,783      31,967     28,861
                                                             -----------   --------   --------
          Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity.......   $ 481,612    $425,206   $319,072
                                                             ==========    =========  =========
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   69
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        SIX MONTHS ENDED             YEAR ENDED
                                                                            JUNE 30,                DECEMBER 31,
                                                                       -------------------   ---------------------------
                                                                        1996        1995      1995      1994      1993
                                                                       -------     -------   -------   -------   -------
                                                                           (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                    <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
                                                                                (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER-SHARE)
INTEREST INCOME
  Loans..............................................................  $16,943     $13,978   $30,038   $18,990   $12,258
  Investment securities..............................................                  571     1,078     1,127     1,108
  Securities available for sale......................................      826          99       290       205       227
  Deposits with banks................................................      328          69       314       334       362
                                                                       -------     -------   -------   -------   -------
         Total interest income.......................................   18,097      14,717    31,720    20,656    13,955
INTEREST EXPENSE
  Deposits...........................................................    7,593       5,990    13,385     7,304     4,867
  Federal Home Loan Bank advances....................................      884         664     1,503     1,160     1,788
  Other borrowings...................................................      125         138       271       612       876
                                                                       -------     -------   -------   -------   -------
         Total interest expense......................................    8,602       6,792    15,159     9,076     7,531
                                                                       -------     -------   -------   -------   -------
NET INTEREST INCOME..................................................    9,495       7,925    16,561    11,580     6,424
  Provision for loan losses..........................................      760         600     1,250     1,000       502
                                                                       -------     -------   -------   -------   -------
         Net interest income after provision for loan losses.........    8,735       7,325    15,311    10,580     5,922
NONINTEREST INCOME
  Service charges and other fees.....................................    1,148         905     1,895     1,242       556
  Mortgage banking...................................................      308         191       394       782       512
  Gains (losses) on sales of securities available for sale...........                             (8)                842
  Gains on sales of loans, net.......................................                             39                  71
  Credit card fees and other fees....................................    1,017         737     1,671       972        62
                                                                       -------     -------   -------   -------   -------
         Total noninterest income....................................    2,473       1,833     3,991     2,996     2,043
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
  Compensation and employee benefits.................................    3,627       3,737     7,339     6,219     4,134
  Occupancy..........................................................    1,616       1,344     2,845     2,802     2,380
  Professional services..............................................      278         220       436       427       867
  Advertising and promotion..........................................      374         338       634       508       735
  Printing and supplies..............................................      192         192       375       397       710
  Regulatory assessments.............................................      184         320       482       475       296
  Data processing....................................................      363         295       615       463       160
  Gains on, and net cost of, real estate owned.......................                 (264)     (400)     (314)     (253)
  Other..............................................................    2,734       1,929     4,221     3,059     1,627
                                                                       -------     -------   -------   -------   -------
         Total noninterest expense...................................    9,368       8,111    16,547    14,036    10,656
                                                                       -------     -------   -------   -------   -------
         Income (loss) from continuing operations before income
           tax.......................................................    1,840       1,047     2,755      (460)   (2,691)
                                                                       -------     -------   -------   -------   -------
  Provision for income tax
         Income (loss) from continuing operations before
           extraordinary item and cumulative effect of accounting
           change....................................................    1,840       1,047     2,755      (460)   (2,691)
  Extraordinary loss on extinguishment of debt, net..................                                     (154)
  Cumulative effect of accounting change.............................                                                252
                                                                       -------     -------   -------   -------   -------
NET INCOME (LOSS)....................................................  $ 1,840     $ 1,047   $ 2,755   ($  614)  ($2,439)
                                                                       =======     =======   =======   =======   =======
Per share (on average shares outstanding):
  Income (loss) from continuing operations...........................  $  0.52     $  0.30   $  0.79   ($ 0.13)  ($ 1.17)
  Extraordinary loss on extinguishment of debt, net..................                                    (0.05)
  Cumulative effect of accounting change.............................                                               0.11
  Net income (loss)..................................................     0.52        0.30      0.79     (0.18)    (1.06)
  Fully diluted net income (loss)....................................     0.52        0.30      0.79     (0.18)    (1.06)
Average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding....    3,566       3,484     3,496     3,481     2,301
Fully diluted average common and common equivalent shares
  outstanding........................................................    3,790       3,742     3,752     3,740     2,560
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   70
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     COMMON STOCK
                                 ---------------------                  UNREALIZED        TOTAL
                                 NUMBER OF                 RETAINED     GAINS AND      SHAREHOLDERS'
                                  SHARES       AMOUNT      EARNINGS      (LOSSES)         EQUITY
                                 ---------     -------     --------     ----------     ------------
                                                           (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                              <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>            <C>
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1992...     1,336      $10,069     $  1,572                      $ 11,641
  Net loss.....................                              (2,439)                       (2,439)
  Issuance of shares of common
     stock, net................     1,914       20,599                                     20,599
                                   ------      -------      -------        -----          -------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1993...     3,250       30,668         (867)                       29,801
  Adjustment to beginning
     balance for change in
     accounting method, net....                                           ($  32)             (32)
  Net loss.....................                                (614)                         (614)
  Issuance of shares of common
     stock, net................         8           35                                         35
  Change in unrealized
     losses....................                                             (329)            (329)
                                   ------      -------      -------        -----          -------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1994...     3,258       30,703       (1,481)        (361)          28,861
  Net income...................                               2,755                         2,755
  Issuance of shares of common
     stock, net................        16          103                                        103
  Change in unrealized gains
     and (losses)..............                                              248              248
                                   ------      -------      -------        -----          -------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1995...     3,274       30,806        1,274         (113)          31,967
  Net income (unaudited).......                               1,840                         1,840
  Issuance of shares of common
     stock, net................        44          391                                        391
  Issuance of shares of common
     stock -- 5% stock
     dividend..................       164        2,157       (2,157)
  Change in unrealized gains
     and (losses)..............                                             (415)            (415)
                                   ------      -------      -------        -----          -------
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 1996
  (UNAUDITED)..................     3,482      $33,354     $    957       ($ 528)        $ 33,783
                                   ======      =======      =======        =====          =======
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   71
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               SIX MONTHS ENDED               YEAR ENDED
                                                                   JUNE 30,                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -------------------   ------------------------------
                                                                1996       1995       1995       1994       1993
                                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                                  (UNAUDITED)    (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Net income (loss).........................................  $  1,840   $  1,047   $  2,755   $   (614)  $ (2,439)
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
    provided (used) by operating activities:
    Provision for loan losses...............................       760        600      1,250      1,000        502
    Losses (gains) on real estate owned.....................        41        (11)        29        (30)       (26)
    Depreciation and amortization...........................     1,057        588      1,365      1,610      1,162
    Deferred income tax (benefit)...........................                                                  (252)
    Net realized losses (gains) on sales of investments.....       196        (22)       (53)       (12)       (62)
    (Increase) decrease in loans held for sale..............      (583)      (716)       245        165        244
    Increase in interest receivable.........................      (424)      (444)      (735)      (635)      (325)
    (Decrease) increase in interest payable.................       (12)       438        388        538        104
    Net changes in other assets and liabilities.............      (282)       249      1,317       (352)       673
                                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
         Net cash provided (used) by operating activities...     2,593      1,729      6,561      1,670       (419)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Proceeds from maturities of securities available for
    sale....................................................     9,428                   215        537
  Proceeds from maturities of mortgage-backed securities
    available for sale......................................       807
  Proceeds from maturities of investment securities.........                           4,243      2,557      1,047
  Proceeds from maturities of mortgage-backed securities....                1,220
  Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale......                           5,980
  Proceeds from sales of investment securities..............                                                   507
  Proceeds from sales of loans..............................                           4,756                 3,570
  Purchase of securities available for sale.................   (19,937)               (6,000)
  Purchases of investment securities........................               (3,546)    (4,675)      (266)   (17,197)
  Loans originated and acquired, net of principal
    collected...............................................   (48,785)   (54,319)   (88,579)   (88,286)   (63,491)
  Purchases of premises and equipment.......................    (1,045)    (4,434)    (6,660)    (3,544)    (3,681)
  Proceeds from disposal of premises and equipment..........       140                   240        412          2
  Proceeds from sale of real estate owned...................     3,263         13         13        536        110
  Other, net................................................                  (71)      (119)                  273
                                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
         Net cash used by investing activities..............   (56,129)   (61,137)   (90,586)   (88,054)   (78,860)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Net increase in deposits..................................    41,039     45,016     93,183    103,353     47,325
  Net increase in other borrowings..........................     2,300
  Proceeds from FHLB advances and other long-term debt......    20,800     17,000     17,000     17,000     41,000
  Repayment of FHLB advances and other long-term debt.......    (8,800)               (9,000)   (32,000)   (27,000)
  Repayment of other borrowings.............................                                     (4,600)
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock....................        59         16         63         35     17,901
                                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
         Net cash provided by financing activities..........    55,398     62,032    101,246     83,788     79,226
                                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
         Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents...     1,862      2,624     17,221     (2,596)       (53)
         Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period...    30,879     13,658     13,658     16,254     16,307
                                                              --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
  Cash and cash equivalents at end of period................  $ 32,741   $ 16,282   $ 30,879   $ 13,658   $ 16,254
                                                              ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
Supplemental information:
  Cash paid for interest....................................  $  8,614   $  6,354   $ 14,771   $  8,538   $  7,427
  Transfer from investment securities to securities
    available for sale......................................                          19,912                 4,162
  Loans foreclosed and transferred to real estate owned.....                                        428        236
  Issuance of common stock from conversion of convertible
    subordinated notes......................................       332         15         40                 2,698
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   72
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
     The interim unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information.
Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required
by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments including normal recurring
accruals necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations for the
interim periods included herein have been made. The results of operations for
the six months ended June 30, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of results to
be anticipated for the year ending December 31, 1996. Certain amounts in the
1995 financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 1996
interim presentation.
 
     Consolidation
 
     The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts
of the corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries after the elimination of
all material intercompany transactions and accounts.
 
     Securities
 
     Securities to be held for indefinite periods of time and not intended to be
held to maturity or on a long-term basis are classified as available for sale
and carried at market value. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded directly
to a component of shareholders equity. Securities held for indefinite periods of
time include securities that management intends to use as part of its
asset/liability management strategy and that may be sold in response to changes
in interest rates and/or significant prepayment risk.
 
     Investment securities are those securities which the Company has the
ability and intent to hold to maturity. Events which may be reasonably
anticipated are considered when determining the Company's intent to hold
investment securities until maturity. Investment securities are carried at cost,
adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts using a method
that approximates the interest method. Gains and losses on the sale of all
securities are determined using the specific identification method.
 
     Loans
 
     Loans are stated at their principal amount outstanding, less any
unamortized discounts and deferred net loan fees. Loans held for sale are
carried at the lower of cost or market value. The amount by which cost exceeds
market for loans held for sale is accounted for as a valuation allowance and
changes in the allowance are included in the determination of net income in the
period in which the change occurs.
 
     The current policy of the Company, generally, is to discontinue the accrual
of interest on all loans past due 90 days or more and place them on nonaccrual
status.
 
     Premiums or discounts on loans purchased and sold are amortized, using the
interest method, over periods which approximate the average life of the loans.
 
     Loan Fee Income
 
     Loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs are
deferred and the net amount recognized as an adjustment to yield over the
contractual life of the loans. Costs related to
 
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   73
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
origination of credit cards are expensed as incurred. Fees related to lending
activity other than the origination or purchase of loans are recognized as
noninterest income during the period the related services are performed.
 
     Allowance for Loan Losses
 
     The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level believed to be
sufficient to absorb potential losses in the portfolio. Management's
determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on a number of factors,
including the level of nonperforming loans, loan loss experience, credit
concentrations, a review of the quality of the loan portfolio, collateral values
and uncertainties in economic conditions.
 
     Premises and Equipment
 
     Premises and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated over the
estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation and amortization are computed
using the straight-line method. Gains or losses on dispositions are reflected in
operations. Expenditures for improvements and major renewals are capitalized,
and ordinary maintenance, repairs and small purchases are charged to operations
as incurred.
 
     Real Estate Owned
 
     All real estate acquired in satisfaction of a loan is considered held for
sale and reported as "real estate owned." Real estate owned is carried at the
lower of cost or fair value less estimated cost of disposal. Cost at the time of
foreclosure is defined as the fair value of the asset less estimated disposal
costs.
 
     Intangible Assets
 
     Intangible assets represent assets purchased by the Company in mergers and
acquisitions. The recorded cost of each asset is amortized using the
straight-line method over its estimated useful life (up to 15 years for core
deposit intangible assets and 25 years for goodwill).
 
     At December 31, 1995 and 1994, intangible assets amounted to $266,000 and
$339,000, respectively, net of accumulated amortization.
 
     Income Tax
 
     The provision for income tax generally is based on income and expense
reported for financial statement purposes, using the "asset and liability
method" for accounting for deferred income tax. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to
differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets
and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable
income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a
change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the
enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded against any deferred tax
assets for which it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not
be realized.
 
     Earnings Per Share
 
     Primary and fully diluted earnings per share are computed using the
weighted average number of shares of common and common equivalent shares
outstanding. Common equivalent shares result
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   74
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options, if dilutive. Fully
diluted earnings per share assumes conversion of convertible subordinated notes,
if dilutive. (See Note 17).
 
     Use of Estimates
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant
estimates are used in determining the level of the allowance for loan losses,
valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, depreciation of premises and
equipment and others.
 
     Statement of Cash Flows
 
     The accompanying consolidated statement of cash flows has been prepared
using the "indirect" method for presenting cash flows from operating activities.
For purposes of this statement, cash and cash equivalents include cash and due
from banks, interest-earning deposits with banks and federal funds sold.
 
     Reclassification
 
     Certain amounts in the 1994 and 1993 consolidated financial statements have
been reclassified to conform with the 1995 presentation. These reclassifications
had no effect on net income (loss).
 
2.  MERGERS
 
     In August 1993 the Company merged with Columbia National Bankshares, Inc.
("CNBI"), and its sole subsidiary Columbia National Bank, located in Longview,
Washington (now Columbia State Bank, Tacoma, Washington, a state-chartered,
FDIC-insured commercial bank). The transaction called for the exchange of .1622
shares of the Company's common stock for each share of CNBI stock. Shareholders
of Columbia National Bank ("Columbia Bank"), except CNBI, also received .1622
shares of the Company's common stock for each share of Columbia National Bank
common stock. The merger was accounted for in a manner similar to a pooling of
interests due to common control, and, accordingly, pre-merger historical
financial information has been restated to include the accounts of CNBI.
 
     In March and October 1994, respectively, the Company merged its wholly
owned subsidiaries Columbia Savings Bank, A Federal Savings Bank ("the Savings
Bank") and Columbia First Service, Inc. into Columbia Bank. As a result of the
mergers, Columbia Bank remains as the Company's sole subsidiary, and its
operations include all activities related to mortgage banking and servicing.
 
3.  TERMINATION OF ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT AND EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT
 
     In connection with the acquisition of the Savings Bank in 1988, the Savings
Bank and the Company entered into an agreement (the "Assistance Agreement"),
pursuant to which the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation ("the
FSLIC") provided various forms of financial and other assistance to the Savings
Bank, including the purchase of a $5 million subordinated debenture due August
2, 1998. On September 30, 1994, Columbia Bank entered into an agreement with the
FDIC, as successor to the FSLIC, to terminate the Assistance Agreement and to
settle the obligations under the subordinated debenture for $4.6 million,
resulting in an extraordinary nonrecurring loss of approximately $154,000.
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   75
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
4.  RESTRICTIONS ON SUBSIDIARY CASH, LOANS AND DIVIDENDS
 
     Columbia Bank is required to maintain reserve balances with the Federal
Reserve Bank. The average required reserves at December 31, 1995 were
approximately $200,000. The required reserves are based on specified percentages
of Columbia Bank's total average deposits. The percentages of deposits required
to be maintained are established by the Federal Reserve Board.
 
     Under Federal Reserve regulations, Columbia Bank, generally, is limited as
to the amount it may loan to the Company, to 10 percent of its combined capital
stock and additional paid-in capital. Such loans must be collateralized by
specified obligations.
 
     Under Washington state banking regulations, Columbia Bank is limited as to
the ability to declare or pay dividends to the Company up to the amount of
Columbia Bank's net profits then on hand, less any required transfers to
additional paid-in capital.
 
5.  SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE
 
     Effective January 1, 1994, the Company adopted the FASB's Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in
Debt and Equity Securities" ("SFAS 115"). SFAS 115 generally requires that
investments in equity and debt securities be classified as either investment
securities, trading securities or securities available for sale. Securities that
are bought with the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity ("investment
securities") are reported at amortized cost. Securities that are bought
principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term ("trading
securities") are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses
included in net income. Securities to be held for indefinite periods of time and
not intended to be held to maturity ("securities available for sale") are
reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from net
income and reported in a separate component of shareholders equity. At December
31, 1995 and 1994, the Company had no trading securities.
 
     The following table summarizes the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains
and losses and the resulting market value of securities available for sale.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               GROSS          GROSS
                                               AMORTIZED     UNREALIZED     UNREALIZED     MARKET
                                                 COST          GAINS          LOSSES        VALUE
                                               ---------     ----------     ----------     -------
                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                            <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>
December 31, 1995:
  U.S. Treasury & government agency..........   $ 6,935         $ 13                       $ 6,948
  Mortgage-backed............................    12,572                       $ (126)       12,446
  FHLB stock.................................     3,281                                      3,281
                                                -------          ---           -----       -------
          Total..............................   $22,788         $ 13          $ (126)      $22,675
                                                =======          ===           =====       =======
December 31, 1994:
  Mortgage-backed............................   $ 3,079                       $ (361)      $ 2,718
                                                =======          ===           =====       =======
December 31, 1993:
  Mortgage-backed............................   $ 3,621                       $  (32)      $ 3,589
                                                =======          ===           =====       =======
</TABLE>
 
     In November 1995, the FASB issued a Special Report, "A Guide to
Implementation of Statement 115 on Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt
and Equity Securities." In addition to the report, the FASB permitted a one-time
opportunity for institutions to reassess the appropriateness of the designations
of all securities. Accordingly, in December 1995, the Company reclassified all
"invest-
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   76
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
ment securities" as "securities available for sale" resulting in additional net
unrealized losses of $113,000.
 
     In December 1995 the Company sold mortgage-backed-securities available for
sale with a market value of $5.9 million for a net loss of $8,000. Proceeds from
sales of securities available for sale during 1993 were $5.7 million, resulting
in gross gains of $842,000 and no gross losses.
 
     At December 31, 1995, securities available for sale with a fair value of
$3.0 million were pledged to secure public deposits and for other purposes as
required or permitted by law. No securities available for sale were pledged at
December 31, 1994 and 1993.
 
     The following table summarizes the recorded and market values of securities
available for sale by contractual maturity groups:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                                      -----------------------
                                                                      AMORTIZED       MARKET
                                                                        COST           VALUE
                                                                      ---------       -------
                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                   <C>             <C>
Amount maturing:
  Within one year...................................................   $ 1,911        $ 1,909
  Greater than one year and less than five years....................    13,537         13,413
  Greater than five years and less than ten years...................     2,034          2,034
  After ten years...................................................     5,306          5,318
                                                                       -------        -------
          Total.....................................................   $22,788        $22,675
                                                                       =======        =======
</TABLE>
 
6.  INVESTMENT SECURITIES
 
     At December 31, 1995, the Company had no securities held for investment
purposes. The following table summarizes the recorded value, gross unrealized
gains and losses and the resulting market value of investment securities at
December 31, 1994 and 1993:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               GROSS          GROSS
                                               AMORTIZED     UNREALIZED     UNREALIZED     MARKET
                                                 COST          GAINS          LOSSES        VALUE
                                               ---------     ----------     ----------     -------
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                            <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>
December 31, 1994:
  U.S. Treasury..............................   $ 1,003                       $  (17)      $   986
  Mortgage-backed............................    16,389                         (863)       15,526
  FHLB stock and other.......................     2,149                                      2,149
                                               --------          ---            ----       -------
          Total..............................   $19,541                       $ (880)      $18,661
                                               ========          ===            ====       =======
December 31, 1993:
  U.S. Treasury..............................   $ 1,009                                    $ 1,009
  Mortgage-backed............................    19,038         $ 70          $  (12)       19,096
  FHLB stock and other.......................     1,883                                      1,883
                                               --------          ---            ----       -------
          Total..............................   $21,930         $ 70          $  (12)      $21,988
                                               ========          ===            ====       =======
</TABLE>
 
     No investment securities were sold during 1995 and 1994. Proceeds from
sales of investment securities during 1993 were $507,000, resulting in gross
gains of $37,500 and no gross losses. In computing gains and losses, cost is
determined using the specific identification method.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   77
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     At December 31, 1994 and 1993, investment securities with face values of
$2.3 million and $1.0 million, respectively, were pledged to secure public
deposits and for other purposes as required or permitted by law.
 
7.  LOANS
 
     The following is an analysis of the loan portfolio by major types of loans:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            DECEMBER 31,
                                                                       -----------------------
                                                                         1995           1994
                                                      JUNE 30,         --------       --------
                                                        1996
                                                     -----------
                                                     (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                  <C>               <C>            <C>
                                                                                (IN THOUSANDS)
Real estate:
  One- to four-family residential..................   $  69,364        $ 67,991       $ 76,260
  Five or more family residential and commercial
     properties....................................     117,486          97,103         68,531
                                                       --------        --------       --------
     Total real estate.............................     186,850         165,094        144,791
Real estate construction:
  One- to four-family residential..................      23,870          22,741         17,411
  Five or more family residential and commercial
     properties....................................      10,466           8,884          4,004
                                                       --------        --------       --------
     Total real estate construction................      34,336          31,625         21,415
Commercial business................................     132,251         113,775         72,829
Consumer...........................................      48,547          43,343         30,860
                                                       --------        --------       --------
  Subtotal.........................................     401,984         353,837        269,895
Less deferred loan fees, net and other.............        (430)           (744)          (899)
                                                       --------        --------       --------
  Total loans......................................   $ 401,554        $353,093       $268,996
                                                       ========        ========       ========
Loans held for sale................................   $   1,950        $  1,367       $  1,612
                                                       ========        ========       ========
</TABLE>
 
     At June 30, 1996, December 31, 1995 and 1994, residential real estate loans
with recorded values of $44.4 million, $30.0 million and $20.4 million,
respectively, were pledged to secure Federal Home Loan Bank advances and for
other purposes.
 
     The following table summarizes certain information related to nonperforming
loans:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           DECEMBER 31,
                                                                   ----------------------------
                                                                   1995       1994        1993
                                                  JUNE 30,         ----       ----       ------
                                                    1996
                                                 -----------
                                                 (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                              <C>               <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
Loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis......     $ 676          $435       $452       $1,631
Restructured loans.............................        69            29         44           94
                                                     ----          ----       ----       ------
  Total nonperforming loans....................     $ 745          $464       $496       $1,725
                                                     ====          ====       ====       ======
Originally contracted interest.................     $  26          $ 49       $ 50       $  153
Recorded interest..............................         4            38         27          103
                                                     ----          ----       ----       ------
  Reduction in interest income.................     $  22          $ 11       $ 23       $   50
                                                     ====          ====       ====       ======
</TABLE>
 
     In May 1993, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan" (SFAS 114), which
requires that impaired loans (as defined) be measured based on the present value
of expected future cash flows discounted at the
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   78
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
loan's effective interest rate or the fair value of the bank's collateral. In
October 1994, the Board issued Statement No. 118 ("SFAS 118"), amending SFAS 114
with regard to income recognition and disclosure related to impaired loans.
Impaired loans, generally refer to all loans that are restructured in a troubled
debt restructuring involving a modification of terms, nonaccrual loans and loans
past due 90 days and still accruing. The Company adopted the new standard in
1995.
 
     At June 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, the recorded investment in impaired
loans was $1.0 million and $616,000, respectively. No specific allocated
allowance for loan losses has been made for impaired loans. The average recorded
investment in impaired loans for the periods ended June 30, 1996 and December
31, 1995 was $1.0 million and $513,000, respectively.
 
     In September 1995, the Company sold approximately $4.8 million in lower
yielding one to four-family adjustable rate real estate loans realizing a gain
on the sale of $39,000.
 
     At June 30, 1996, December 31, 1995 and 1994, there were no commitments to
loan additional funds on loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis.
 
     At December 31, 1995 and 1994, the Company had no foreign loans or loans
related to highly leveraged transactions.
 
     The Company's banking subsidiary has granted loans to officers and
directors of the Company and their associates. These loans are made on
substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those
prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with unrelated persons and do
not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility. The aggregate dollar
amount of these loans were $3.2 million, $4.6 million and $4.5 million at June
30, 1996, December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. During 1995, $1.2 million of
new related party loans were made and repayments and transfers totaled $1.1
million.
 
8.  ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
     Transactions in the allowance for loan losses are summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                   ----------------------------
                                                                    1995       1994       1993
                                                    JUNE 30,       ------     ------     ------
                                                      1996
                                                   -----------
                                                   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                <C>             <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
Balance at beginning of period...................    $ 3,748       $2,711     $1,992     $1,539
Loans charged off................................       (111)        (263)      (364)      (110)
Recoveries.......................................         14           50         83         61
                                                                   ------     ------     ------
  Net charge-offs................................        (97)        (213)      (281)       (49)
Provision charged to operating expense...........        760        1,250      1,000        502
                                                                   ------     ------     ------
          Balance at end of period...............    $ 4,411       $3,748     $2,711     $1,992
                                                                   ======     ======     ======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   79
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
9.  PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
 
     Land, buildings, and furniture and equipment, less accumulated depreciation
and amortization, were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                 -------------------
                                                                  1995        1994
                                                                 -------     -------
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)
        <S>                                                      <C>         <C>
        Land...................................................  $ 1,748     $   500
        Buildings..............................................    8,589       5,204
        Leasehold improvements.................................    1,509       1,132
        Furniture and equipment................................    5,533       4,362
        Automobiles............................................      101          62
        Computer software......................................      691         638
                                                                 -------     -------
                  Total cost...................................   18,171      11,898
        Less accumulated depreciation and amortization.........   (4,435)     (2,926)
                                                                 -------     -------
                  Total........................................  $13,736     $ 8,972
                                                                 =======     =======
</TABLE>
 
     Total depreciation and amortization expense on buildings and furniture and
equipment was $1,678,000, $1,610,000 and $1,300,000 for the years ended December
31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
 
     The Company is obligated under various noncancellable lease agreements for
property and equipment (primarily for land and buildings) which require future
minimum rental payments, exclusive of taxes and other charges, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,                     (IN THOUSANDS)
        -------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
        <S>                                                            <C>
        1996.........................................................      $  883
        1997.........................................................         744
        1998.........................................................         701
        1999.........................................................         608
        2000.........................................................         389
        2001 and thereafter..........................................       2,158
                                                                           ------
                  Total minimum payments.............................      $5,483
                                                                           ======
</TABLE>
 
     Total rental expense on buildings and equipment was $946,000, $909,000 and
$474,000 for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
 
10.  FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES AND LONG-TERM DEBT
 
     Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle (FHLB) advances and long-term debt
consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                                     -------------------
                                                                      1995        1994
                                                                     -------     -------
                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
    <S>                                                              <C>         <C>
    FHLB...........................................................  $25,000     $17,000
    7.85% Convertible subordinated notes due June 30, 2002.........    2,695       2,735
                                                                     -------     -------
              Total FHLB advances and other long-term debt.........  $27,695     $19,735
                                                                     =======     =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   80
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     The Convertible Notes are redeemable in whole or in part at any time at the
option of the Company. At the option of the holder, the Convertible Notes are
convertible into shares of Common Stock at any time prior to maturity at a
conversion price of $10.56 per share subject to adjustment under certain
circumstances.
 
     FHLB advances are at the following interest rates:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ----------------------
                                                                1995         1994
                                                              ---------    ---------
                                                              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
               <S>                                            <C>          <C>
               7.10........................................                $   2,000
               6.90........................................   $   5,000        5,000
               6.20........................................       2,000
               6.09........................................       8,000
               5.32........................................       5,000        5,000
               5.20........................................       5,000        5,000
                                                                -------      -------
                         Total                                $  25,000    $  17,000
                                                                =======      =======
</TABLE>
 
     Aggregate maturities of FHLB advances due in years ending December 31,
1995, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       AMOUNT
                                                                   --------------
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)
            <S>                                                    <C>
            1996.................................................     $ 13,000
            1998.................................................       10,000
            2000.................................................        2,000
                                                                       -------
                      Total......................................     $ 25,000
                                                                       =======
</TABLE>
 
     FHLB advances are collateralized by residential real estate loans with a
recorded value of approximately $30.0 million at December 31, 1995, and $20.4
million at December 31, 1994 (see Note 7). Penalties are generally required for
prepayments of certain long-term FHLB advances.
 
     At December 31, 1995, the Company had an unused $5 million line of credit
with a commercial bank bearing interest at prime plus 0.25% expiring October 1,
1996 at which time the balance on the line of credit becomes payable in
quarterly installments over 18 months. The line of credit is secured by common
stock of Columbia Bank.
 
11.  INCOME TAX
 
     The components of income tax expense are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
                                                                             31,
                                                                    ----------------------
                                                                    1995     1994     1993
                                                   SIX MONTHS       ----     ----     ----
                                                      ENDED
                                                  JUNE 30, 1996
                                                  -------------
                                                   (UNAUDITED)
    <S>                                           <C>               <C>      <C>      <C>
                                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
    Current.....................................
    Deferred....................................
                                                     ------         ------   ------   ------
              Total.............................       None         None     None     None
                                                     ======         ======   ======   ======
</TABLE>
 
     Effective January 1, 1993, the Company adopted the FASB's Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS
109"). This Statement requires the use of the "asset and liability" method of
accounting for income taxes. Deferred income tax represents the net tax effects
of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities
for
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   81
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. As
permitted under SFAS 109, financial statements for years prior to 1993 have not
been restated. However, the cumulative effect on prior years of adopting SFAS
109 -- an income increase of $252,000 -- is included in 1993 income.
 
     Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities
at June 30, 1996, December 31, 1995 and 1994 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                                           -------------------
                                                                            1995        1994
                                                            JUNE 30,       -------     -------
                                                              1996
                                                           -----------
                                                           (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                        <C>             <C>         <C>
                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
Deferred tax assets:
  Net operating loss carryforward........................        733       $ 1,478     $ 2,799
  Tax credit carryover...................................        673           595         595
  Allowance for loan losses..............................      1,499         1,274          92
  Contributions..........................................        129            97          56
                                                             -------       -------     -------
          Total deferred tax assets......................      3,034         3,444       4,372
  Less: valuation allowance..............................     (2,051)       (2,606)     (3,580)
                                                             -------       -------     -------
          Subtotal.......................................        983           838         792
Deferred tax liabilities:
  FHLB stock dividends...................................       (601)         (551)       (487)
  "SAIF" special assessment..............................       (104)
  Depreciation...........................................        (26)          (35)        (53)
                                                             -------       -------     -------
          Total deferred tax liabilities.................       (731)         (586)       (540)
                                                             -------       -------     -------
          Net deferred tax assets........................    $   252       $   252     $   252
                                                             =======       =======     =======
</TABLE>
 
     For federal income tax purposes the Company has available net operating
loss carryforwards to reduce future taxable income approximately as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           DECEMBER 31,
                  EXPIRATION DATE DECEMBER 31,                                 1995
        -------------------------------------------------   JUNE 30,       ------------
                                                              1996
                                                           -----------
                                                           (UNAUDITED)
        <S>                                                <C>             <C>
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
        2002.............................................         --          $  715
        2003.............................................         --             648
        2004.............................................         41             876
        2005.............................................         75              75
        2006.............................................        223             223
        2008.............................................      1,740           1,740
        2009.............................................         76              76
                                                              ------          ------
                  Total net operating loss
                    carryforwards........................    $ 2,155          $4,353
                                                              ======          ======
</TABLE>
 
     Additionally, at June 30, 1996, the Company had alternative minimum tax,
investment and rehabilitation tax credit carryforwards of approximately
$673,000, of which $581,000 expires in 1997, $14,000 expires in 1999 and the
remainder in 2010. However, because of annual limitations on the utilization of
net operating loss carryforwards due to changes in control, and because the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 requires that net operating loss carryforwards be
utilized before tax credit carryforwards, the Company may not receive an income
tax benefit from the tax credit carryforwards.
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>   82
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     A reconciliation of the Company's effective income tax rate with the
federal statutory tax rate is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         JUNE 30,                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                     ----------------   ------------------------------------------------------
                                           1996               1995               1994               1993
                                     ----------------   ----------------   ----------------   ----------------
                                     AMOUNT   PERCENT   AMOUNT   PERCENT   AMOUNT   PERCENT   AMOUNT   PERCENT
                                     ------   -------   ------   -------   ------   -------   ------   -------
                                       (UNAUDITED)            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                  <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>
Income tax based on statutory
  rate.............................  $(625 )    (34)%   $(937 )    (34)%   $ 209       34%    $ 918       34%
Increase (reduction) resulting
  from:
  Other nondeductible items........     70        4       (37 )     (1)      (27 )     (4)
  Valuation allowance..............    555       30       974       35      (182 )    (30)     (918 )    (34)
                                     -----      ---     -----      ---     -----      ---     -----      ---
        Income tax.................  $   0        0%    $   0        0%    $   0        0%    $   0        0%
                                     =====      ===     =====      ===     =====      ===     =====      ===
</TABLE>
 
12.  STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
 
     At December 31, 1995 and 1994, the Company had stock options outstanding of
247,433 shares and 247,170 shares, respectively, for the purchase of common
stock at option prices ranging from $2.38 to $11.19 per share. The Company's
policy is to recognize compensation expense at the date the options were granted
due to the difference, if any, between the estimated market value of the
underlying common stock in excess of the stated option price.
 
     At December 31, 1995 and 1994, the Company had a stock warrant outstanding
to purchase 18,716 shares of common stock at $10.14 per share, which expire in
1997.
 
     At December 31, 1995 and 1994, the Company had stock options outstanding
granted to a company controlled by a director for the purchase of 36,317 and
13,858 shares of common stock at an exercise price of approximately $6.15 and
$8.81 per share, respectively. These options are generally exercisable in whole
or in part at any time before September 26, 2000.
 
     In October 1995, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS 123"). The
statement requires the Company to elect to account for stock-based compensation
on a fair value basis or an intrinsic value basis. The intrinsic value basis is
currently used by the Company and is the accounting principle prescribed by
Accounting Principles Board No. 25 "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees"
(APB 25). SFAS 123 requires disclosure in the footnotes of the pro forma impact
on net income and earnings per share of the difference between compensation
expense using the intrinsic value method and the fair value method. The adoption
of SFAS 123 is required for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996. The Company
expects to apply APB 25 for measurement of stock compensation and will provide
disclosure required by SFAS 123 beginning in fiscal year 1996.
 
13.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
 
     The Company maintains a defined contribution plan which allows employees to
contribute up to 15% of their compensation to the plan. Employees who are at
least 20 1/2 years of age and have completed 6 months of service are eligible to
participate in the plan. The Company is required to match 50% of employee
contributions up to 3% of each employee's total compensation. The Company
contributed approximately $126,000 and $80,000 in matching funds to the plan
during the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
     The Company amended the defined contribution plan effective April 1, 1990
to add a nonmatching, discretionary contribution as determined by the Board of
Directors of the Company.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>   83
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
In January 1996, the Company announced a discretionary contribution of
approximately $290,000 which will be paid out of a reserve established during
1995.
 
     In April 1995, the Company established an "Employee Stock Purchase Plan"
("ESPP"). Substantially all employees of the Company who have been continuously
employed for six months are eligible to participate in the ESPP under which
Common Stock is issued at quarterly intervals for cash at a price of 90% of the
fair market value of the stock. Under the ESPP, 3,749 shares were acquired by
employees for $41,000 in 1995. There is no charge to income as a result of
issuance of stock under this plan. At December 31, 1995, 96,251 shares of
unissued common stock were reserved for issuance under this plan.
 
14.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
 
     An employment agreement with one officer calls for an annual salary of
$150,000 in 1994 through 1996. As part of the employment agreement, the Company
will provide a Supplementary Employee Retirement Plan (SERP) based on a
contribution of 10% of total compensation. In addition, in 1993, two officers
each purchased 30,000 shares of the Company's common stock at the fair value of
$12.00 per share at the date of purchase. The purchase of stock was financed by
the Company with annual interest-only payable at 6% and principal due in April
and July 2000.
 
     The Company has Long Term Incentive Plan Awards with two officers. Under
the arrangements, specific compensation and allowance payments were agreed to be
made in 1996 and 1997 if the company achieves certain performance objectives.
The estimated future payout is $706,000, of which $495,000 has been accrued as
of June 30, 1996.
 
     In the normal course of business, the Company makes loan commitments
(unfunded loans and unused lines of credit) and issues standby letters of credit
to accommodate the financial needs of its customers. Standby letters of credit
commit the Company to make payments on behalf of customers under specified
conditions. Historically, no significant losses have been incurred by the
Company under standby letters of credit. Both arrangements have credit risk
essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers and are
subject to the Company's normal credit policies, including the obtaining of
collateral, where appropriate. At June 30, 1996, December 31, 1995 and 1994, the
Company's loan commitments amounted to $105.6 million, $72.8 million and $72.4
million, respectively. Standby letters of credit were $1.3 million, $1.5 million
and $655,000 at June 30, 1996, December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. In
addition, commitments under commercial letters of credit used to facilitate
customers trade transactions amounted to $2.5 million at December 31, 1995 and
1994.
 
     The Company and its subsidiaries are from time to time defendants in and
are threatened with various legal proceedings arising from their regular
business activities. Management, after consulting with legal counsel, is of the
opinion that the ultimate liability, if any, resulting from these and other
pending or threatened actions and proceedings will not have a material effect on
the financial position or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries.
 
15.  FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
     The FASB's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107,
"Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments" ("SFAS 107"), requires
disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not
recognized in the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate that
value. "Fair Value" is defined in SFAS 107 as the amount at which an instrument
could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than
a forced or liquidation sale.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>   84
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     The following table summarizes carrying amounts and estimated fair values
of selected financial instruments as well as assumptions used by the Company in
estimating fair value:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                   -----------------------------------------
                                                          1995                  1994
                                                   -------------------   -------------------
                             ASSUMPTIONS USED IN   CARRYING     FAIR     CARRYING     FAIR
                            ESTIMATING FAIR VALUE   AMOUNT     VALUE      AMOUNT     VALUE
                            ---------------------  --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                                (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                         <C>                    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
ASSETS
  Cash and due from
     banks................  Approximately equal
                            to carrying value      $ 18,244   $ 18,244   $ 11,357   $ 11,357
  Interest-earning
     deposits with
     banks................  Approximately equal
                            to carrying value        12,635     12,635      2,301      2,301
  Securities available for
     sale.................  Quoted market prices     22,675     22,675      2,718      2,718
  Investment securities...  Quoted market prices                           19,541     18,661
  Loans held for sale.....  Approximately equal
                            to carrying value         1,367      1,367      1,612      1,612
  Loans...................  Discounted expected
                            future cash flows,
                            net of allowance for
                            loan losses             349,345    371,720    266,285    269,210
LIABILITIES
  Deposits................  Fixed-rate
                            certificates of
                            deposit: Discounted
                            expected future cash
                            flows All other
                            deposits:
                            Approximately equal
                            to carrying value      $361,875   $360,609   $268,692   $259,975
  Federal Home Loan Bank
     advances.............  Discounted expected
                            future cash flows        25,000     24,585     17,000     16,106
  Convertible subordinated
     notes................  Discounted expected
                            future cash flows         2,695      2,695      2,735      2,591
</TABLE>
 
     Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
 
     The fair value of commitments is estimated based upon fees currently
charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining
terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties.
For fixed rate commitments, the fair value estimation takes into consideration
an interest rate risk factor. The fair value of guarantees and letters of credit
is based on fees currently charged for similar agreements. The fair value of
these off-balance sheet items at December 31, 1995 approximates the recorded
amounts of the related fees.
 
     Concentration of Credit Risk
 
     Substantially all of the Company's loans, loan commitments and core
deposits are geographically concentrated in Washington state.
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>   85
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
16.  PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
                 CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET -- PARENT COMPANY ONLY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            DECEMBER 31,
                                                                         -------------------
                                                                          1995        1994
                                                                         -------     -------
                                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                      <C>         <C>
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks:
  Subsidiary banks.....................................................  $    41     $     9
  Unrelated banks......................................................       68          68
Interest-earning deposits with banks:
  Subsidiary banks.....................................................                  368
  Unrelated banks......................................................                  651
Loans..................................................................      905         905
Investments in bank subsidiaries.......................................   32,660      25,835
Premises and equipment, net............................................       49          69
Real estate owned......................................................    3,304       3,227
Other assets...........................................................      354         520
                                                                         -------     -------
          Total Assets.................................................  $37,381     $31,652
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Other liabilities......................................................  $   119     $    56
Borrowed funds from subsidiary bank....................................    2,600
Convertible subordinated notes.........................................    2,695       2,735
                                                                         -------     -------
          Total liabilities............................................    5,414       2,791
Shareholders' equity...................................................   31,967      28,861
                                                                         -------     -------
          Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity...................  $37,381     $31,652
                                                                         =======     =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>   86
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
            CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS -- PARENT COMPANY ONLY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                 ----------------------------
                                                                  1995      1994       1993
                                                                 ------     -----     -------
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                              <C>        <C>       <C>
INCOME
Interest on loans..............................................  $   54     $  54     $    50
Interest on securities available for sale......................               188         221
Losses on securities available for sale(1).....................              (270)
Interest-earning deposits:
  Subsidiary banks.............................................       6         9          62
  Unrelated banks..............................................      16        31          17
Other..........................................................     533       470          10
                                                                 ------     -----     -------
          Total Income.........................................     609       482         360
EXPENSE
Compensation and employee benefits.............................     341       234         200
Interest.......................................................     377       246         367
Other..........................................................     612       493         613
                                                                 ------     -----     -------
          Total Expenses.......................................   1,330       973       1,180
                                                                 ------     -----     -------
Loss before income tax benefit and equity in undistributed net
  income (loss) of subsidiaries................................    (721)     (491)       (820)
Income tax benefit.............................................                           (87)
                                                                 ------     -----     -------
Loss before equity in undistributed net income (loss) of
  subsidiaries.................................................    (721)     (491)       (733)
Equity in undistributed net income (loss) of subsidiaries......   3,476      (123)     (1,706)
                                                                 ------     -----     -------
Net Income (Loss)..............................................  $2,755     $(614)    $(2,439)
                                                                 ======     =====     =======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) In November 1994, the Parent Company sold a mortgage-backed security to
    Columbia Bank. A loss was recognized by the Parent Company while the
    security was recorded at fair value by Columbia Bank. The proceeds from the
    sale were subsequently contributed to the capital of Columbia Bank. On a
    consolidated basis the loss recorded by the Parent Company is eliminated as
    if no transaction had occurred.
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>   87
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
            CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS -- PARENT COMPANY ONLY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                             --------------------------------
                                                              1995        1994         1993
                                                             -------     -------     --------
                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                          <C>         <C>         <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Net income (loss)........................................  $ 2,755     $  (614)    $ (2,439)
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
     provided (used) by operating activities:
     Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries......   (3,476)        123        1,706
     Depreciation and Amortization.........................       34          40           16
     Loss on sale of security available for sale...........                  270
     Decrease in loans held for sale.......................                             2,021
     Net changes in other assets and liabilities...........    2,698          80          (46)
                                                             -------     -------     --------
          Net cash provided (used) by operating
            activities.....................................    2,011        (101)       1,258
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale.....                2,808          599
  Proceeds from maturities of securities available for
     sale..................................................                  209
  Loans originated or acquired, net of principal
     collected.............................................                              (905)
  Contribution of capital -- bank subsidiaries.............   (3,100)     (2,813)     (16,279)
  Purchase of real estate owned from bank subsidiary.......                            (3,100)
  Purchases of premises and equipment......................                   34         (135)
  Other, net...............................................                               (19)
                                                             -------     -------     --------
          Net cash provided (used) by investing
            activities.....................................   (3,100)        238      (19,389)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock...................      103          35       17,901
                                                             -------     -------     --------
     Net cash provided by financing activities.............      103          35       17,901
                                                             -------     -------     --------
       Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents....     (986)        172         (680)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period...........    1,095         923        1,603
                                                             -------     -------     --------
  Cash and cash equivalents at end of period...............  $   109     $ 1,095     $    923
                                                             =======     =======     ========
Supplemental information:
  Cash paid for interest...................................  $   377     $   246     $    367
  Issuance of common stock from conversion of convertible
     subordinated notes....................................       40                    2,698
</TABLE>
 
17.  STOCK DIVIDEND
 
     On April 24, 1996, the Company announced a 5% stock dividend payable on May
22, 1996, to holders of record on May 8, 1996. On May 22, 1996, 164,051 common
shares were issued to shareholders. Average shares outstanding, net income per
share and book value per share for all periods presented have been retroactively
adjusted to give effect to this transaction.
 
18.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
     On June 3, 1996, the Company gave notice that it would redeem all of its
issued and outstanding 7.85% Convertible Subordinated Notes (the "Notes") on
August 1, 1996. The Notes were convertible in whole or in part, in multiples of
$1,000 principal amount, at 100% of the principal amount of
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>   88
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
the Note (or portion thereof), at the conversion price per share of Common Stock
of $10.56. Prior to August 1, 1996 all of the Notes were converted into 223,743
shares of Common Stock.
 
     Columbia Bank's deposits are insured by the FDIC through the Bank Insurance
Fund and through the Savings Association Insurance Fund (the "SAIF").
SAIF-insured deposits of Columbia Bank are a result of a so-called Oakar
transaction in which deposits were acquired from a savings bank. Legislation was
recently enacted with the intent of recapitalizing the SAIF fund. The
legislation required a special assessment on SAIF-insured deposits of
approximately 65.7 cents per $100 of insured deposits at March 31, 1995 (SAIF
deposits then $116.5 million) with a discount of 20% on the special assessment
for Oakar institutions, such as Columbia Bank, which meet certain tests. The
one-time special assessment, which is tax deductible, is estimated to be
$612,000 and will be reflected in third quarter 1996 earnings. The special
assessment is payable before November 29, 1996.
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>   89
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
                 SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION(1)
 
     Quarterly financial information for the years ended December 31, 1995 and
1994 is summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         FIRST      SECOND       THIRD      FOURTH       YEAR ENDED
                                        QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER     DECEMBER 31,
                                        -------     -------     -------     -------     ------------
                                                  (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                     <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
1995
Total interest income.................  $6,942      $7,775      $8,373      $8,630        $ 31,720
Total interest expense................   3,093       3,699       4,092       4,275          15,159
                                        ------      ------      ------      ------         -------
  Net interest income.................   3,849       4,076       4,281       4,355          16,561
Provision for loan losses.............     300         300         320         330           1,250
Noninterest income....................     883         950       1,078       1,080           3,991
Noninterest expense...................   3,987       4,124       4,267       4,169          16,547
                                        ------      ------      ------      ------         -------
  Income before income tax............     445         602         772         936           2,755
Provision for income tax..............
                                        ------      ------      ------      ------         -------
Net income............................  $  445      $  602      $  772      $  936        $  2,755
                                        ======      ======      ======      ======         =======
Per share:
  Net income (loss)...................  $ 0.13      $ 0.17      $ 0.22      $ 0.27        $   0.79
                                        ======      ======      ======      ======         =======
1994
Total interest income.................  $4,202      $4,805      $5,497      $6,152        $ 20,656
Total interest expense................   1,972       2,080       2,405       2,619           9,076
                                        ------      ------      ------      ------         -------
  Net interest income.................   2,230       2,725       3,092       3,533          11,580
Provision for loan losses.............     240         260         240         260           1,000
Noninterest income....................     541         746         853         856           2,996
Noninterest expense...................   3,330       3,597       3,488       3,621          14,036
                                        ------      ------      ------      ------         -------
  Income (loss) before income tax.....    (799 )      (386 )       217         508            (460)
Provision for income tax..............
                                        ------      ------      ------      ------         -------
  Income (loss) from continuing
     operations before extraordinary
     item.............................    (799 )      (386 )       217         508            (460)
Extraordinary loss on extinguishment
  of debt, net........................                            (154 )                      (154)
                                        ------      ------      ------      ------         -------
Net income (loss).....................  $ (799 )    $ (386 )    $   63      $  508        $   (614)
                                        ======      ======      ======      ======         =======
Per share:
  Income (loss) from continuing
     operations before extraordinary
     item.............................  ($0.23 )    ($0.11 )    $ 0.07      $ 0.14        ($  0.13)
  Extraordinary loss on extinguishment
     of debt, net.....................                           (0.05 )                     (0.05)
                                        ------      ------      ------      ------         -------
  Net income (loss)...................  $(0.23 )    $(0.11 )    $ 0.02      $ 0.14        $  (0.18)
                                        ======      ======      ======      ======         =======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) These unaudited schedules provide selected financial information concerning
    the Company which should be read in conjunction with the Management's
    Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in
    this Prospectus.
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>   90
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
               CONSOLIDATED FIVE-YEAR STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS(1)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                     ------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1995         1994         1993         1992         1991
                                     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
                                           (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                  <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
INTEREST INCOME:
Loans..............................  $ 30,038     $ 18,990     $ 12,258     $ 10,649     $  8,701
Investment securities..............     1,078        1,127        1,108           59          671
Securities available for sale......       290          205          227          639
Deposits with banks................       314          334          362          236          400
                                     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
  Total interest income............    31,720       20,656       13,955       11,583        9,772
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Deposits...........................    13,385        7,304        4,867        4,860        5,104
Federal Home Loan Bank advances....     1,503        1,160        1,788        1,328        1,147
Other borrowings...................       271          612          876          735          383
                                     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
  Total interest expense...........    15,159        9,076        7,531        6,923        6,634
                                     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
NET INTEREST INCOME................    16,561       11,580        6,424        4,660        3,138
Provision for loan losses..........     1,250        1,000          502          170           80
                                     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
  Net interest income after
    provision for loan losses......    15,311       10,580        5,922        4,490        3,058
Noninterest income.................     3,991        2,996        2,043        1,021        1,131
Noninterest expense................    16,547       14,036       10,656        4,488        3,810
                                     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
  Income (loss) from continuing
    operations before income tax...     2,755         (460)      (2,691)       1,023          379
Provision for income tax...........                                                            14
                                     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
  Income (loss) from continuing
    operations.....................     2,755         (460)      (2,691)       1,023          365
Extraordinary loss on
  extinguishment of debt, net......                   (154)
Cumulative effect of accounting
  change...........................                                 252
                                     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
NET INCOME (LOSS)..................  $  2,755     ($   614)    ($ 2,439)    $  1,023     $    365
                                     ========     ========     ========     ========     ========
Per share (on average shares
  outstanding):
  Income (loss) from continuing
    operations.....................  $   0.79     ($  0.13)    ($  1.17)    $   0.89     $   0.44
  Extraordinary loss on
    extinguishment of debt, net....      0.79        (0.05)
  Cumulative effect of accounting
    change.........................                                0.11
  Net income (loss)................      0.79        (0.18)       (1.06)        0.89         0.44
  Fully diluted net income
    (loss).........................      0.79        (0.18)       (1.06)        0.76         0.44
Average number of common and common
  equivalent shares outstanding:
  Primary..........................     3,496        3,481        2,301        1,155          824
  Fully diluted....................     3,752        3,740        2,560        1,700          824
                                     ========     ========     ========     ========     ========
Total assets at end of period......  $425,206     $319,072     $235,944     $158,694     $120,800
Long-term obligations..............    27,695       19,735       39,081       27,975       19,117
Cash dividends.....................
                                     ========     ========     ========     ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) These unaudited schedules provide selected financial information concerning
    the Company which should be read in conjunction with the Management's
    Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in
    this Prospectus.
 
                                      F-25
<PAGE>   91
 
  CONSOLIDATED FIVE-YEAR SUMMARY OF AVERAGE BALANCES AND NET INTEREST REVENUE
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1995                               1994
                                         --------------------------------   --------------------------------
                                           AVERAGE                AVERAGE     AVERAGE                AVERAGE
                                         BALANCES(1)   INTEREST    RATE     BALANCES(1)   INTEREST    RATE
                                         -----------   --------   -------   -----------   --------   -------
                                                               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                      <C>           <C>        <C>       <C>           <C>        <C>
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS
Loans:
  Real estate:
    One- to four-family residential....   $  97,280    $  9,073     9.33 %   $  78,408    $  6,495     8.28 %
    Five or more family residential and
      commercial properties............      90,135       8,411     9.33        57,952       5,324     9.19
  Commercial business..................      92,831       8,986     9.68        63,541       5,272     8.30
  Consumer.............................      37,793       3,568     9.44        22,335       1,899     8.50
                                           --------     -------    -----      --------     -------    -----
         Total loans...................     318,039      30,038     9.44       222,236      18,990     8.54
Securities.............................      23,266       1,368     5.88        24,045       1,332     5.54
Interest-earning deposits with banks...       5,336         314     5.88         8,597         334     3.89
         Total interest-earning
           assets......................     346,641      31,720     9.15       254,878      20,656     8.10
Non interest-earning assets............      28,007                             24,384
                                           --------     -------    -----      --------     -------    -----
         Total assets..................   $ 374,648                          $ 279,262
                                           ========     =======    =====      ========     =======    =====
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
Certificates of deposit................   $ 168,351       9,565     5.68     $ 122,198       5,595     4.58
Savings accounts.......................      24,547         669     2.73        33,938         895     2.64
Interest-bearing demand................      79,706       3,151     3.95        38,962         814     2.09
                                           --------     -------    -----      --------     -------    -----
                                            272,604      13,385     4.91       195,098       7,304     3.74
Federal Home Loan Bank advances........      24,915       1,503     6.03        21,452       1,160     5.41
Other borrowings.......................       2,744         271     9.88         6,017         612    10.17
                                           --------     -------    -----      --------     -------    -----
         Total interest-bearing
           liabilities.................     300,263      15,159     5.05       222,567       9,076     4.08
Demand and other non interest-bearing
  deposits.............................      42,167                             26,238
Other non interest-bearing
  liabilities..........................       2,444                              1,476
Shareholders' equity...................      29,774                             28,981
                                           --------     -------    -----      --------     -------    -----
         Total liabilities and
           shareholders' equity........   $ 374,648                          $ 279,262
                                           ========     =======    =====      ========     =======    =====
  Net interest revenue.................                $ 16,561                           $ 11,580
                                           ========     =======    =====      ========     =======    =====
  Net interest spread..................                             4.10 %                             4.02 %
                                           ========     =======    =====      ========     =======    =====
  Net interest margin..................                             4.78 %                             4.54 %
                                           ========     =======    =====      ========     =======    =====
Average interest-earning assets to
  average interest-bearing
  liabilities..........................                           115.45 %                           114.52 %
                                           ========     =======    =====      ========     =======    =====
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Loans on a nonaccrual status have been included in the computation of
    average balances.
 
                                      F-26
<PAGE>   92
 
                         COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
  CONSOLIDATED FIVE-YEAR SUMMARY OF AVERAGE BALANCES AND NET INTEREST REVENUE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1993                                  1992
                                                   ----------------------------------    ----------------------------------
                                                     AVERAGE                  AVERAGE      AVERAGE                  AVERAGE
                                                   BALANCES(1)    INTEREST     RATE      BALANCES(1)    INTEREST     RATE
                                                   -----------    --------    -------    -----------    --------    -------
                                                                                           (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                <C>            <C>         <C>        <C>            <C>         <C>
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS
Loans:
  Real estate:
    One- to four-family residential..............   $  73,076     $ 6,221       8.51 %    $  61,461     $ 6,120       9.96%
    Five or more family residential and
      commercial properties......................      35,255       3,608      10.23         24,086       2,463      10.23
  Commercial business............................      23,894       1,690       7.07         15,949       1,501       9.41
  Consumer.......................................       8,128         739       9.09          5,686         565       9.94
                                                     --------     -------     -------      --------     -------     -------
        Total loans..............................     140,353      12,258       8.73        107,182      10,649       9.94
Securities.......................................      20,940       1,335       6.38          9,382         698       7.44
Interest-earning deposits with banks.............      12,800         362       2.83          6,416         236       3.68
                                                     --------     -------     -------      --------     -------     -------
        Total interest-earning assets............     174,093      13,955       8.02        122,980      11,583       9.42
Noninterest-earning assets.......................      15,825                                14,295
                                                     --------     -------     -------      --------     -------     -------
        Total assets.............................   $ 189,918                             $ 137,275
                                                     ========     =======     =======      ========     =======     =======
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
Certificates of deposit..........................   $  75,682       3,459       4.57      $  57,072       3,331       5.84
Savings accounts.................................      29,743       1,039       3.49         25,087       1,059       4.22
Interest-bearing demand..........................      18,090         369       2.04         12,976         470       3.62
                                                     --------     -------     -------      --------     -------     -------
        Total interest-bearing deposits..........     123,515       4,867       3.94         95,135       4,860       5.11
Federal Home Loan Bank advances..................      25,875       1,788       6.91         16,282       1,328       8.16
Other borrowings.................................       9,868         876       8.88          7,730         735       9.51
                                                     --------     -------     -------      --------     -------     -------
        Total interest-bearing liabilities.......     159,258       7,531       4.73        119,147       6,923       5.81
Demand and other noninterest bearing deposits....      10,621                                 3,416
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities............         923                                 5,673
Shareholders' equity.............................      19,116                                 9,039
                                                     --------     -------     -------      --------     -------     -------
        Total liabilities and shareholders'
          equity.................................   $ 189,918                             $ 137,275
                                                     ========     =======     =======      ========     =======     =======
        Net interest revenue.....................                 $ 6,424                               $ 4,660
                                                     ========     =======     =======      ========     =======     =======
        Net interest spread......................                               3.29 %                                3.61%
                                                     ========     =======     =======      ========     =======     =======
        Net interest margin......................                               3.69 %                                3.79%
                                                     ========     =======     =======      ========     =======     =======
Average interest-earning assets to average
  interest-bearing liabilities...................                             109.32 %                              103.22%
                                                     ========     =======     =======      ========     =======     =======
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1991
                                                   ----------------------------------
                                                     AVERAGE                  AVERAGE
                                                   BALANCES(1)    INTEREST     RATE
                                                   -----------    --------    -------
 
<S>                                                <<C>           <C>         <C>
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS
Loans:
  Real estate:
    One- to four-family residential..............   $  48,453     $ 4,925      10.16 %
    Five or more family residential and
      commercial properties......................      21,332       2,260      10.59
  Commercial business............................       9,073         994      10.96
  Consumer.......................................       3,970         522      13.15
                                                     --------     -------     -------
        Total loans..............................      82,828       8,701      10.50
Securities.......................................       6,829         671       9.83
Interest-earning deposits with banks.............       6,910         400       5.79
                                                     --------     -------     -------
        Total interest-earning assets............      96,567       9,772      10.12
Noninterest-earning assets.......................      10,092
                                                     --------     -------     -------
        Total assets.............................   $ 106,659
                                                     ========     =======     =======
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
Certificates of deposit..........................   $  51,346       3,821       7.44
Savings accounts.................................      16,518         810       4.90
Interest-bearing demand..........................       9,806         473       4.82
                                                     --------     -------     -------
        Total interest-bearing deposits..........      77,670       5,104       6.57
Federal Home Loan Bank advances..................      12,638       1,147       9.08
Other borrowings.................................       4,108         383       9.32
                                                     --------     -------     -------
        Total interest-bearing liabilities.......      94,416       6,634       7.03
Demand and other noninterest bearing deposits....         328
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities............       6,050
Shareholders' equity.............................       5,865
                                                     --------     -------     -------
        Total liabilities and shareholders'
          equity.................................   $ 106,659
                                                     ========     =======     =======
        Net interest revenue.....................                 $ 3,138
                                                     ========     =======     =======
        Net interest spread......................                               3.09 %
                                                     ========     =======     =======
        Net interest margin......................                               3.25 %
                                                     ========     =======     =======
Average interest-earning assets to average
  interest-bearing liabilities...................                             102.28 %
                                                     ========     =======     =======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Loans on a nonaccrual status have been included in the computation of
average balances.
 
                                      F-27
<PAGE>   93
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
     NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE HEREBY
TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS
PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO
BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY TO ANY PERSON OR BY ANYONE IN ANY
JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER
THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS
CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                               ------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Available Information.................     3
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference...........................     3
Prospectus Summary....................     4
Risk Factors..........................     9
Recent Developments...................    12
Use of Proceeds.......................    15
Price Range of Common Stock...........    15
Dividends.............................    15
Capitalization........................    16
Selected Consolidated Financial
  Information.........................    17
Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results
  of Operations.......................    19
Business..............................    34
Supervision and Regulation............    47
Taxation..............................    52
Management............................    53
Security Ownership of Certain
  Beneficial Owners and
  Management..........................    60
Certain Transactions..................    61
Description of Capital Stock..........    61
Shares Eligible for Future Sale.......    63
Underwriting..........................    64
Legal Matters.........................    65
Experts...............................    65
Index to Consolidated Financial
  Statements..........................   F-1
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
                                1,100,000 SHARES
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                                COLUMBIA BANKING
                                  SYSTEM, INC.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
                              -------------------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                              -------------------
 
                               ALEX. BROWN & SONS
                                  INCORPORATED
 
                                RAGEN MACKENZIE
                                  INCORPORATED
 
                                           , 1996
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   94
 
                                    PART II
 
ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     The following table sets forth the various expenses in connection with the
sale and distribution of the securities being registered, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions. All of the amounts shown are estimated
except the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee and the NASD
filling fee.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      ITEM                                  AMOUNT
        ----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------
        <S>                                                               <C>
        Commission registration fee.....................................  $
        NASD filing fee.................................................
        Blue sky fees and expenses......................................
        Printing and engraving expenses.................................
        Legal fees and expenses.........................................
        Accounting fees and expenses....................................
        Transfer agent and registrar fees...............................
        Miscellaneous...................................................
                                                                          ----------
                  Total.................................................  $
                                                                          ==========
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     The Company's Articles of Incorporation provide, among other things, for
the indemnification of directors, and authorize the Board to pay reasonable
expenses incurred by, or to satisfy a judgment or fine against, a current or
former director in connection with any personal legal liability incurred by the
individual while acting for the Company within the scope of his or her
employment, and which was not the result of conduct finally adjudged to be
"egregious" conduct. "Egregious" conduct is defined as intentional misconduct, a
knowing violation of law, or participation in any transaction from which the
person will personally receive a benefit in money, property, or services to
which that person is not legally entitled. The Articles of Incorporation also
include a provision that limits the liability of directors of the Company from
any personal liability to the Company or its shareholders for conduct not found
to have been egregious.
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
   NO.
- ---------
<S>        <C>
 1.1       Form of Underwriting Agreement.*
 4.1       Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant. Filed as an exhibit to the
           Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 ("Registration No. 33-47711)
           declared effective on June 16, 1992 and incorporated herein by reference.
 4.2       Restated Bylaws of the Registrant. Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Annual
           Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 and incorporated herein
           by reference.
 5.1       Opinion of Gordon, Thomas, Honeywell, Malanca, Peterson & Daheim, P.L.L.C.
           regarding legality of the Common Stock.**
10.1(a)    Lease dated May 7, 1993 between the Registrant and William B. Swenson Enterprises
           for Tacoma main office premises of Columbia Bank. Filed as an exhibit to the
           Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Registration No. 33-66224)
           declared effective on August 16, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference.
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   95
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
   NO.
- ---------
<S>        <C>
10.2       Amended Employee Stock Option Plan dated July 19, 1993. Filed as an exhibit to the
           Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Registration No. 33-66224)
           declared effective on August 16, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.3(a)    Amended Employment Agreement dated December 30, 1993 between the Registrant and
           A.G. Espe. Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB
           for the year ended December 31, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.3(b)    Amended Employment Agreement between the Registrant and A.G. Espe dated as of
           September 25, 1996, effective as of January 1, 1997.**
10.4(a)    Amended Employment Agreement between the Registrant and W.W. Philip dated December
           31, 1993, as further amended effective December 29, 1995. Filed as an exhibit to
           the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995
           and incorporated herein by reference.
10.4(b)    Amended Employment Agreement between the Registrant and W.W. Philip dated as of
           September 25, 1996, effective January 1, 1997, except with respect to Section 4.3
           (granting restricted stock award) which is immediately effective.**
10.5       Agreement of September 30, 1994 with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
           regarding termination of the Assistance Agreement dated August 2, 1988 among the
           Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, Columbia Savings Bank and the
           Registrant. The Termination Agreement also resulted in the termination of the
           Regulatory Capital Maintenance Agreement dated August 2, 1988 among the
           Registrant, Stanley B. Rose Company, Stanley B. Rose, Columbia Savings Bank and
           the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. Filed as an exhibit to the
           Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 and
           incorporated herein by reference.
10.6       Amended Agreement granting options to NorCap, Ltd. to Purchase Shares of Common
           Stock of the Registrant dated September 26, 1990. Filed as an exhibit to the
           Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-47711)
           declared effective on June 16, 1992 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.7       Cash or Deferred Profit Sharing Plan effective as of July 1, 1992. Filed as an
           exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Registration No.
           33-66224) declared effective on August 16, 1993 and incorporated herein by
           reference.
10.8       Data processing servicing agreement dated May 3, 1993 between the Registrant and
           M&I Data Services. Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
           10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference.
11.1       Statement regarding computation of per share earnings. Filed as an exhibit to the
           Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996 and
           incorporated herein by reference.
23.1       Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP.**
23.2       Consent of Gordon, Thomas, Honeywell, Malanca, Peterson & Daheim, P.L.L.C.
           (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1).
24.1       Power of Attorney.**
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 * To be filed by amendment.
 
** Filed herewith.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   96
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
 
     The undersigned hereby undertakes that:
 
     (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the
information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration
statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
     (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   97
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-2 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Tacoma, State of Washington, on October 17, 1996.
 
                                          COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
 
                                          By: /s/  A.G. ESPE
 
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            A.G. Espe
                                            Chairman of the Board
                                            and Chief Executive Officer
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on October 17,
1996 in the capacities indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                                         TITLE
- ---------------------------------------------    --------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>
PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER:
/s/ A.G. ESPE                                    Chairman of the Board and
- ---------------------------------------------    Chief Executive Officer
A.G. Espe
PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER AND
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING OFFICER:
/s/ GARY R. SCHMINKEY                            Chief Financial Officer
- ---------------------------------------------
Gary R. Schminkey
A MAJORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
/s/ W. BARRY CONNOLEY*                           Director
- ---------------------------------------------
W. Barry Connoley
/s/ RICHARD S. DEVINE*                           Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Richard S. DeVine
/s/ ARNOLD G. ESPE*                              Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Arnold G. Espe
/s/ JACK FABULICH*                               Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Jack Fabulich
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   98
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                                         TITLE
- ---------------------------------------------    --------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>
/s/ JONATHAN FINE*                               Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Jonathan Fine
/s/ MARGEL S. GALLAGHER*                         Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Margel S. Gallagher
/s/ JOHN A. HALLERAN*                            Director
- ---------------------------------------------
John A. Halleran
/s/ W.W. PHILIP*                                 Director
- ---------------------------------------------
W.W. Philip
/s/ JOHN H. POWELL*                              Director
- ---------------------------------------------
John H. Powell
/s/ ROBERT QUOIDBACH*                            Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Robert Quoidbach
/s/ DONALD RODMAN*                               Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Donald Rodman
/s/ FRANK RUSSELL*                               Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Frank Russell
/s/ SIDNEY R. SNYDER*                            Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Sidney R. Snyder
/s/ JAMES M. WILL, JR.*                          Director
- ---------------------------------------------
James M. Will, Jr.
*By: /s/ J. JAMES GALLAGHER
- ---------------------------------------------
          J. James Gallagher
          Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   99
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
   NO.
- ---------
<S>        <C>
 1.1       Form of Underwriting Agreement.*
 4.1       Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant. Filed as an exhibit to the
           Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 ("Registration No. 33-47711)
           declared effective on June 16, 1992 and incorporated herein by reference.
 4.2       Restated Bylaws of the Registrant. Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Annual
           Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 and incorporated herein
           by reference.
 5.1       Opinion of Gordon, Thomas, Honeywell, Malanca, Peterson & Daheim, P.L.L.C.
           regarding legality of the Common Stock.**
10.1(a)    Lease dated May 7, 1993 between the Registrant and William B. Swenson Enterprises
           for Tacoma main office premises of Columbia Bank. Filed as an exhibit to the
           Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Registration No. 33-66224)
           declared effective on August 16, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.2       Amended Employee Stock Option Plan dated July 19, 1993. Filed as an exhibit to the
           Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Registration No. 33-66224)
           declared effective on August 16, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.3(a)    Amended Employment Agreement dated December 30, 1993 between the Registrant and
           A.G. Espe. Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB
           for the year ended December 31, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.3(b)    Amended Employment Agreement between the Registrant and A.G. Espe dated as of
           September 25, 1996, effective as of January 1, 1997.**
10.4(a)    Amended Employment Agreement between the Registrant and W.W. Philip dated December
           31, 1993, as further amended effective December 29, 1995. Filed as an exhibit to
           the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995
           and incorporated herein by reference.
10.4(b)    Amended Employment Agreement between the Registrant and W.W. Philip dated as of
           September 25, 1996, effective January 1, 1997, except with respect to Section 4.3
           (granting restricted stock award) which is immediately effective.**
10.5       Agreement of September 30, 1994 with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
           regarding termination of the Assistance Agreement dated August 2, 1988 among the
           Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, Columbia Savings Bank and the
           Registrant. The Termination Agreement also resulted in the termination of the
           Regulatory Capital Maintenance Agreement dated August 2, 1988 among the
           Registrant, Stanley B. Rose Company, Stanley B. Rose, Columbia Savings Bank and
           the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. Filed as an exhibit to the
           Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 and
           incorporated herein by reference.
10.6       Amended Agreement granting options to NorCap, Ltd. to Purchase Shares of Common
           Stock of the Registrant dated September 26, 1990. Filed as an exhibit to the
           Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-47711)
           declared effective on June 16, 1992 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.7       Cash or Deferred Profit Sharing Plan effective as of July 1, 1992. Filed as an
           exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Registration No.
           33-66224) declared effective on August 16, 1993 and incorporated herein by
           reference.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   100
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
   NO.
- ---------
<S>        <C>
10.8       Data processing servicing agreement dated May 3, 1993 between the Registrant and
           M&I Data Services. Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
           10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference.
11.1       Statement regarding computation of per share earnings. Filed as an exhibit to the
           Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996 and
           incorporated herein by reference.
23.1       Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP.**
23.2       Consent of Gordon, Thomas, Honeywell, Malanca, Peterson & Daheim, P.L.L.C.
           (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1).
24.1       Power of Attorney.**
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 * To be filed by amendment.
 
** Filed herewith.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                  Exhibit 5.1

     [Letterhead of Gordan, Thomas, Honeywell, Malanca, Peterson & Daheim]




                                October 17, 1996

Columbia Banking System, Inc.
1102 Broadway Plaza
Tacoma, WA 98402

         Re:   Legality of Securities to be Issued

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as your counsel in connection with the registration by
Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the "Company") under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Act") of up to 1,265,000 shares of the Company's common stock,
no par value (the "Shares") to be sold by the Company in the manner set forth in
the Registration Statement on Form S-2 ("Registration Statement") that is being
filed under the Act with respect to the offering of the Shares.

         In connection with the offering of the Shares, we have examined (1) the
Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation, (2) the Registration Statement,
and (3) such other documents as we have deemed necessary to form the opinion
expressed below. As to various questions of fact independently established, we
have relied upon statements of officers of the Company.

         Based on this examination, we advise you that in our opinion the
Shares, or any portion of the Shares, have been duly authorized and when sold by
the Company in the manner described in the Registration Statement and after the
Registration Statement has become effective, will be validly issued, fully paid
and non-assessable.

         The foregoing opinion is limited to the federal laws of the United
States and the laws of the State of Washington, and we express no opinion as to
the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

         We consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference in the Prospectus contained in the
Registration Statement to this firm under the caption "Legal Matters" as having
passed upon the validity of the Shares. In giving this consent, we do not admit
that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under
Section 7 of the Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission enacted under the Act.

                                         Very truly yours,

                                         GORDON, THOMAS, HONEYWELL
                                          MALANCA, PETERSON
                                           & DAHEIM, P.L.L.C.

                                       By:  /s/ J. James Gallagher
                                          -------------------------------
                                               J. James Gallagher

JJG:jwh


<PAGE>   1
                                                                Exhibit 10.3(b)
                                


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is made and entered into effective this 1st
day of January, 1997, by and between Columbia Banking System, Inc., a Washington
corporation ("CBSI" or the "Employer"), and ARNOLD G. ESPE ( the "Executive").

                                    RECITALS

         1.       Pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Amended Employment
Agreement effective December 30, 1993 (the "Original Agreement"), Executive has
served as the Chief Executive Officer of CBSI. The term of the original
Agreement expires on December 31, 1997.

         2.       Executive and the Board of Directors of CBSI and Columbia 
State Bank ("Columbia Bank") have both indicated their desire to extend the term
of Executive's service from December 31, 1997 to December 31, 2001, and to enter
into this Agreement on the terms and conditions as set forth below.

         In consideration of the mutual promises made in this Agreement, the
parties agree as follows:

                                    AGREEMENT

         1.       Employment.

         Employer employs Executive and Executive accepts employment with
Employer on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

         2.       Term.

         The term of this Agreement will commence as of January 1, 1997, the
expiration date of the Original Agreement, and continue until December 31, 2001,
unless extended or sooner terminated as provided in this Agreement.

         3.       Duties.

         (a)      Executive will be the Chief Executive Officer of CBSI and such
other subsidiaries or affiliates as the Board of Directors of CBSI (the "Board")
shall determine. In such capacities, Executive will render the executive
management and perform the tasks in connection with the affairs of CBSI and its
subsidiaries which are normal and customary to the position of Chief Executive
Officer. Unless otherwise agreed by Executive and the Board, he shall preside at
all meetings of the Board and the Executive Committee. Executive will be the
person to whom the Vice Chairman, President, and all other officers of the


ta962540107                          - 1 -


<PAGE>   2
Employer and, as appropriate, subsidiaries or affiliates of Employer, shall
report.

         (b)      Executive will perform such other duties as may be appropriate
to his office and as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board or that
are provided in the Bylaws. Executive may delegate such duties as he sees fit to
the Vice Chairman, the President, or other officers of the Employer.

         (c)      Executive will devote his best efforts and all necessary time,
attention, and effort to the business and affairs of the Employer and its
affiliated companies, as such business and affairs now exist or hereafter may be
changed or supplemented, in order to properly discharge his responsibilities
under this Agreement.

         4.       Salary, Bonus, and Other Compensation.

                  4.1      Base Salary.

         (a)      During the term of this Agreement, Employer will pay Executive
an annual base salary of not less than $160,000 per year beginning January 1,
1997.

         (b)      CBSI will guarantee payment of any portion of
Executive's compensation that may be allocated to a subsidiary of

CBSI.

         (c)      If this Agreement terminates prior to December 31, 2001, then
Employer will pay Executive such greater or lesser amount of the agreed
compensation as provided in Section 5.

                  4.2      Bonus. During the term of this Agreement, Executive 
will be eligible to participate in the bonus pool, if any, established by the
Board for the CBSI's senior executives, either under an executive incentive plan
or otherwise.

                  4.3      Benefits.

         (a)      In addition to the base salary and bonus payable or 
potentially payable to Executive pursuant to this Section 4, Executive will be
entitled to the following benefits, unless otherwise altered by the Board based
upon policies adopted for senior executives of CBSI or its subsidiaries
generally:

                  (1)      Participation in health insurance, disability
insurance, and other health and welfare benefit programs generally available 
to senior executives;

                  (2)      Participation in retirement plans, including
defined contribution and 401(k) Plans and any supplements or
additions to those plans;


ta962540107                          - 2 -


<PAGE>   3
                  (3)      A contractual supplemental retirement benefit 
("SERP") for which an accrual will be made each year in the amount of 10% of
total cash compensation and which shall accrue interest thereafter at the rate
paid on 2-year Treasury Bills at January 1 of each year until paid, plus 2%
compounded annually;

                  (4)      Participation in stock or stock option plans
generally available to senior executives of the Employer;

                  (5)       Other employment benefits, as may be approved
from time to time by Employer;

                  (6)      Life insurance in an amount of $345,000 by paying
annual premiums of $11,845 on Pacific Mutual Life Insurance
Policy No. 1A2269509-0 which is currently owned by Executive;

                  (7)      Memberships in clubs as deemed appropriate and
reimbursement for Executive's reasonable expenses incurred in promoting the
business of Employer. Executive shall present from time to time itemized
accounts of any such expenses, within limits of Employer policy and the rules
and regulations of the Internal Revenue Service.

         5.       Termination of Agreement.

                  5.1      Early Termination.

                  (a)      This Agreement may be terminated at any time by 
either the Board or Executive and shall terminate upon Executive's death or
disability. Any termination by the Board other than termination for cause (as
defined below) shall not prejudice the Executive's right to compensation or
other benefits under this Agreement. Except as provided in Section 7, if
Executive voluntarily terminates his employment before December 31, 2001, he
will be entitled to such payments as he would have the right to receive upon
termination for cause under subsection 5.1(b), provided that SERP contributions
shall not be forfeited.

                  (b)      Except as provided in Section 7, if Employer 
terminates this Agreement without cause, Employer shall pay Executive upon the
effective date of such termination all salary earned and all reimbursable
expenses hereunder incurred through such termination date and, in addition,
liquidated damages in an amount equal to the greater of two years' salary or
salary for the then-remaining term of the Agreement (without regard to the term)
payable hereunder; in such event, all SERP contributions will be considered
fully vested and all forfeiture provisions regarding restricted stock awards or
vesting requirements concerning options shall lapse or be considered completed,
as applicable. If Employer terminates this Agreement for cause, Employer shall
pay Executive upon the effective date of such termination only such salary
earned and expenses reimbursable hereunder incurred through such termination
date. Executive shall have no right to receive compensation or other benefits
for

ta962540107                          - 3 -


<PAGE>   4
any period after termination for cause and shall forfeit SERP contributions for
the year of termination and the prior two years.

                  (c)      For purposes of this Agreement, the term "cause" 
shall mean willful misfeasance or gross negligence in the performance of his
duties, conduct demonstrably and significantly harmful to the Company (which
would include willful violation of any final cease and desist order applicable
to employer or a financial institution subsidiary), or conviction of a felony.
For purposes of this Agreement, "disability" shall mean a medically reimbursable
physical or mental impairment that may be expected to result in death, or to be
of long, continued duration, and that renders Employee incapable of performing
the duties required under this Agreement. The Board, acting in good faith, shall
make the final determination of whether Employee is suffering under any
disability as herein defined and, for purposes of making such determination, may
require Employee to submit himself to a physical examination by a physician
mutually agreed upon by Employee and the Board at Employer's expense.

                  (d)      In the event of termination of this Agreement by 
reason of Executive's death or disability, all SERP contributions made prior to
that date will be considered fully vested and all forfeiture provisions
regarding restricted stock awards or vesting requirements concerning options
shall lapse or be considered completed, as applicable.

                  5.2      Obligations. Except as otherwise provided in Section
7 or in a particular option grant, Executive's rights to vested but unexercised
stock options will continue for a period of one year after early termination,
except only in the case of termination for cause. In the case of termination for
cause, Executive's unvested stock options, if any, shall terminate immediately.

         6.       Restrictive Covenant.

                  6.1      Noncompetition. Employee agrees that except as 
otherwise set forth in this Agreement, he will not during the term of this
Agreement and for a period of two years after termination, directly or
indirectly, become interested in, as principal shareholder, director, or
officer, any financial institution (other than an institution controlled by,
controlling, or under common control with the Employer that competes within the
states of Oregon or Washington with Employer or any of its affiliates, with
respect to activities of the type performed by such companies within such
service areas immediately prior to Executive's termination. The restrictions
concerning competition after termination as contained in this Section 6.1 shall
apply only in the event that Executive voluntarily terminates his employment
with Employer or CBSI without good


ta962540107                          - 4 -


<PAGE>   5
reason. For purposes of this Agreement, termination for "good reason" shall mean
termination by Executive as a result of any material breach of this Agreement by
Employer, or any diminution of duties of Executive by CBSI. The provisions
restricting competition by Executive may be waived by action of the Board.

                  6.2      Noninterference. During the noncompetition period
described in Section 6.1, Executive shall not solicit or attempt to solicit any
other employee of Employer or its affiliates to leave the employ of those
companies, or in any way interfere with the relationship between Employer and
any other employee of Employer.

                  6.3      Interpretation. If a court or any other 
administrative body with jurisdiction over a dispute related to this Agreement
should determine that the restrictive covenant set forth above is unreasonably
broad, the parties authorize said court or any other administrative body to
narrow same so as to make it reasonable, given all relevant circumstances, and
to enforce same. The covenants in this paragraph shall survive termination of
this Agreement.

         7.       Change of Control.

                  7.1      Benefits. The parties recognize that a "change of 
control" of Employer, as defined below, could be detrimental to Executive's
continued employment. Accordingly, in order to give further assurances to the
Executive to enter into this Agreement, if:

                  (a)      There is a change of control of CBSI; and either

                  (b)      Within 730 days of such change in control
Executive terminates his employment with Employer; or

                  (c)      At any time from and after sixty days prior to the 
public announcement by Employer of the transaction which will result in the
change of control, Employer (or its successor) terminates Executive's employment
without cause, then Executive, as of the date of termination of his employment,
subject to the remaining provisions of this Section 7.1, shall be paid or
provided with (i) continued payment of his base salary and of all benefits
provided for in this Agreement until three years following termination or
December 31, 2001, whichever is longer; (ii) vesting of all stock options and
lapse of all restrictions with respect to restricted stock awards shall occur;
(iii) funding of Executive's SERP through the term of the contract. The
provisions of this Section 7.1 shall survive expiration of the term of the
Agreement.

                  7.2      Definition.  For purposes of this Agreement, the
term "change of control" shall mean the occurrence of one or more
of the following events:

ta962540107                          - 5 -


<PAGE>   6
                  (a)      One person or entity acquiring or otherwise
becoming the owner of twenty-five percent or more of CBSI's
outstanding common stock;

                  (b)      Replacement of a majority of the incumbent
directors of CBSI by directors whose elections have not been
supported by the Board; or

                  (c)      Dissolution, or sale of  fifty percent or more in
value of the assets, of either CBSI or its subsidiaries.

                  7.3      Reimbursement. In the event the provisions of this 
Section 7.3 result in imposition of a tax on Executive under the provisions of
Internal Revenue Code Section 4999, Employer agrees to reimburse Executive for
the same, exclusive of any tax imposed by reason of receipt of reimbursement
under this Section 7.3.

         8.       Miscellaneous.

                  8.1      This Agreement contains the entire agreement between
the parties with respect to Executive's employment with Employer and his
covenant not to compete with Employer and with CBSI, and is subject to
modification or amendment only upon amendment in writing signed by both parties.

                  8.2      This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of
the heirs, legal representatives, successors, and assigns of the parties, except
that Employer's rights and obligations may not be assigned. The provisions of
Section 6.1 of this Agreement are intended to confer upon CBSI and its
subsidiaries and affiliates the benefits of Executive's covenant not to compete.

                  8.3      If any provision of this Agreement is invalid or 
otherwise unenforceable, all other provisions shall remain unaffected and shall
be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

                  8.4      This Agreement is made with reference to and is 
intended to be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington.
Venue for any action arising out of or concerning this Agreement shall lie in
Pierce County, Washington. In the event of a dispute under this Agreement not
involving injunctive relief, the dispute shall be arbitrated pursuant to the
Superior Court Mandatory Arbitration Rules ("MAR") adopted by the Washington
State Supreme Court, irrespective of the amount in controversy. This Agreement
shall be deemed as stipulation to that effect pursuant to MAR 1.2 and 8.1 The
arbitrator, in his or her discretion, may award attorney's fees to the
prevailing party or parties.

                  8.5      Any notice required to be given under this Agreement
to either party shall be given by personal service or


ta962540107                          - 6 -


<PAGE>   7
by depositing a copy thereof in the United States registered or certified mail,
postage prepaid, addressed to the following address, or such other address as
addressee shall designate in writing:

                  Employer:                1102 Broadway
                  --------                 Tacoma, WA  98402
                                                              

                  Executive:               Arnold G. Espe
                  ---------                72 Country Club Circle S.W.
                                           Tacoma, WA 98498

         This amended Agreement is dated as of September 25, 1996.

COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.

By:/s/ Richard S. DeVine                         /s/ Arnold G. Espe
   -------------------------------               -------------------------------
       Richard S. DeVine                             Arnold G. Espe
       Chairman of Compensation                      Executive
       Committee


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<PAGE>   1
                                                                Exhibit 10.4(b)



                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into by
and between Columbia State Bank, a Washington banking corporation ("Columbia
Bank") together with Columbia Banking System, Inc., a Washington corporation
("CBSI") (collectively, the "Employer"), and W.W. PHILIP (the "Executive").
Except for the provisions of Section 4.3, this Agreement shall become effective
as of January 1, 1997.

                                    RECITALS

         1.      Pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Amended Employment
Agreement effective December 30, 1993 and as amended effective December 29, 1995
(the "Original Agreement"), Executive is serving as the President and Chief
Operating Officer of CBSI and the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Columbia Bank. The term of the original Agreement expires on December 31, 1996.

         2.      Executive and the Board of Directors of CBSI and Columbia Bank
have both indicated their desire to extend the term of Executive's service from
December 31, 1996 to December 31, 1998, and to enter into this Agreement on the
terms and conditions as set forth below.

         In consideration of the mutual promises made in this Agreement, the
parties agree as follows:

                                    AGREEMENT

         1.       Employment.

         Employer employs Executive and Executive accepts employment with
Employer on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

         2.       Term.

         The term of this Agreement will commence as of January 1, 1997, the
expiration date of the Original Agreement, and will continue until December 31,
1998, unless extended or sooner terminated as provided in this Agreement;
provided that the Restricted Stock Award described in Section 4.3 shall be
granted effective August 28, 1996.

         3.       Duties.

         (a) Executive will be President and Chief Executive Officer of Columbia
Bank and President and Chief Operating Officer of CBSI. In such capacities, and
subject to the authority of the Board of Directors of Columbia Bank and CBSI, as
appropriate, Executive will render the executive management and perform the
tasks in connection with the affairs of Columbia Bank and CBSI


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<PAGE>   2
that are normal and customary to the positions that he will hold. Executive will
work closely with and report to the Chief Executive Officer of CBSI.

         (b)      Executive will perform such other duties as may be appropriate
to his position and as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board, or that
are provided in the Bylaws, of Columbia Bank or CBSI. He will be the person to
whom all other officers of Columbia Bank and CBSI report.

         (c)      Executive will devote his best efforts and all necessary time,
attention, and effort to the business and affairs of Employer and its
affiliates, as such business and affairs now exist or hereafter may be changed
or supplemented, in order to properly discharge his responsibilities under this
Agreement. He may delegate such of his duties as he sees fit to the other
officers of CBSI or its subsidiaries.

         4.       Salary, Bonus, and Other Compensation.

                  4.1      Salary.

                  (a)      During the term of this Agreement, Employer will pay
Executive an annual base salary of not less than $175,000 per year beginning
January 1, 1997.

                  (b)      CBSI will guarantee payment of any portion of 
Executive's compensation that may be allocated to a subsidiary of CBSI.

                  (c)      If this Agreement terminates prior to December 31, 
1998, then Employer will pay Executive such greater or lesser amount of the
agreed compensation as provided in Section 5.

                  4.2      Bonus. Executive will be eligible to participate in 
the bonus pools, if any, that the Board of Columbia Bank or CBSI may establish
for senior executives, either under an executive incentive plan or otherwise.

                  4.3      Restricted Stock Award.

                  (a)      Grant of Restricted Stock Award. In order to reward
Executive for his outstanding prior service and to incent Executive to continue
as a director following his employment as a senior executive officer, CBSI
hereby grants and issues to and in the name of the Executive as a Restricted
Stock Award a total of Twenty Thousand (20,000) shares of the no par value
common stock of CBSI (the "Shares"). The date of grant is August 28, 1996.

                  (b)      Consideration for Issuance of Shares. In 
consideration for the issuance of the Shares, the Executive agrees to remain as
an active executive officer and/or Board member of CBSI and Columbia Bank from
August 28, 1996 through the period the Shares are subject to the escrow, as
provided herein. Should the Executive fail, without the express approval of the

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<PAGE>   3
Board of Directors or the Personnel and Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors (the "Committee"), to remain in such capacity, the Shares will be
redelivered by the Escrow Agent to CBSI and will be canceled. CBSI will have no
other remedy for such a breach.

                  (c)      Escrow. The certificate(s) evidencing the Shares 
shall be deposited in escrow immediately upon issuance by CBSI. Columbia Bank
shall act as Escrow Agent and, as such, shall hold the Shares subject to
delivery to the Executive or redelivery to CBSI in its corporate capacity, all
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Executive hereby grants an
irrevocable power of attorney to the Escrow Agent to transfer and deliver the
Shares and the stock certificate(s) evidencing the same in accordance with the
terms and provisions of this Agreement and the directions of the Board of
Directors or the Committee.

                  (d)      Escrow Stock Not Transferable.  No transfer, pledge 
or other disposition of the Shares may be made by the Executive so long as they
are held under and remain subject to the escrow.

                  (e)      Term of Escrow. The Shares shall be subject to escrow
until August 28, 2001 unless sooner terminated in accordance with the terms of
this Employment Agreement.

                  (f)      Dividends and Voting Rights. During the period while
the Shares are held in escrow, all dividends payable with respect the such
Shares shall be paid by the Escrow Agent directly to the Executive and the
Executive shall be entitled to exercise all voting rights with respect to such
Shares, all in the same manner and to the full extent as though such Shares were
held by the Executive free of the escrow.

                  (g)      Release of Stock From Escrow. Shares held in escrow
pursuant to this Agreement shall be released from such escrow by the delivery of
the stock certificate(s) evidencing such Shares to the Executive (or, in the
case of death or disability of the Executive, to the Executive's estate or legal
guardian) at:

                           (i)   August 28, 2001;

                           (ii)  The death or disability (as defined below)
of the Executive;

                           (iii) The determination by the Board of Directors
or the Committee to authorize the release of such Shares to the Executive upon
the occurrence of any event that the Board or Committee determines to warrant
such release; or

                           (iv)  The occurrence of a change in control, as 
defined in Section 7.2 of this Agreement.

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<PAGE>   4
                  (h)      Termination of Service/Forfeiture of Shares.  In
the event of the termination of service as an active executive
officer and/or Board member of CBSI or Columbia Bank during the
period that the Shares are held in escrow (and the Shares are not
then released pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.3(g)
above), such Shares shall be forfeited to CBSI and all rights of
the Executive with respect thereto terminated, unless, in the
case of termination by act of Employer, the Board of Directors or
the Committee, within thirty (30) days following such
termination, authorizes the release of such Shares to Executive.
Upon the expiration of such thirty (30) day period without action
by the Board or Committee to release such Shares to the
Executive, the Shares shall be deemed forfeited and the stock
certificate(s) evidencing the same shall be redelivered to CBSI,
whereupon they shall be canceled and retired.

                  (i)      Reliance by Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent shall have
no liability for action in reliance upon any instructions delivered to it and
believed in good faith by it to be from the Board or the Committee.

                  4.4      Benefits. In addition to the base salary and bonus 
payable or potentially payable to Executive pursuant to this Section 4,
Executive will be entitled to receive benefits similar to those offered to other
senior executives of Employer, including participation in Employer health
insurance plans.

         5.       Termination of Agreement.

                  5.1      Early Termination.

                  (a)      This Agreement may be terminated at any time by the 
Board of Employer or by Executive, and it shall terminate upon Executive's death
or disability. Any termination by the Board of Employer other than termination
for cause (as defined below) shall not prejudice Executive's right to
compensation or other benefits under this Agreement. Except as provided in
Section 7, if Executive voluntarily terminates his employment before December
31, 1998 he will be entitled to such payments as he would have the right to
receive upon termination for cause under subsection 5.1 (b).

                  (b)      Except as provided in Section 7, if Employer 
terminates this Agreement without cause, Employer shall pay Executive upon the
effective date of such termination all salary earned and all reimbursable
expenses hereunder incurred through such termination date and, in addition,
liquidated damages in an amount equal to the greater of two years' salary or
salary for the then-remaining term of the Agreement (without regard to the term)
payable hereunder; in such event, all forfeiture provisions regarding the
Restricted Stock Award shall lapse. If Employer terminates this Agreement for
cause, Employer shall pay Executive upon the effective date of such termination
only such salary earned and expenses reimbursable hereunder incurred through
such termination date. Executive shall have no right to receive

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<PAGE>   5
compensation or other benefits for any period after termination for cause.

                  (c)      For purposes of this Agreement, the term "cause" 
shall mean willful misfeasance or gross negligence in the performance of his
duties, conduct demonstrably and significantly harmful to Employer (including
willful violation of any final cease and desist order applicable to Employer or
a financial institution subsidiary), or conviction of a felony. For purposes of
this Agreement, "disability" shall mean a medically reimbursable physical or
mental impairment that may be expected to result in death, or to be of long,
continued duration, and that renders Executive incapable of performing the
duties required under this Agreement. The Board or the Committee, acting in good
faith, shall make the final determination of whether Executive is suffering
under any disability as herein defined and, for purposes of making such
determination, may require Executive to submit himself to a physical examination
by a physician mutually agreed upon by Executive and the Board or the Committee
at Employer's expense.

                  (d)      In the event of termination of this Agreement by 
reason of Executive's death or disability, all forfeiture provisions regarding
the Restricted Stock Award shall lapse.

                  5.2      Obligations. Except as otherwise provided in Section 
7 or in a particular option grant, Executive's rights, if any, to vested but
unexercised stock options will continue for a period of one year after early
termination, other than termination for cause. In the case of termination for
cause, Executive's unvested stock options, if any, shall terminate immediately.

         6.       Restrictive Covenant.

                  6.1      Noncompetition. (a) Executive agrees that except as
otherwise set forth in this Agreement, he will not, during the term of this
Agreement and for a period of two years after the later of (i) expiration of the
term of this Agreement, or (ii) completion of service as an active executive
officer and/or Board member of CBSI or Columbia Bank pursuant to Section 4.3(b)
of this Agreement, directly or indirectly, become interested in, as principal
shareholder, director, or officer, any financial institution (other than an
institution controlled by, controlling, or under common control with Employer
and its affiliates) that competes within the State of Washington with Employer
or any of its affiliates, with respect to activities of the type performed by
such companies within such service area immediately prior to Executive's
termination.

                  (b) The restrictions concerning competition after termination
as contained in this Section 6.1 shall apply only in the event that Executive
voluntarily terminates his employment with Employer without good reason. For
purposes of this

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<PAGE>   6
Agreement, termination for "good reason" shall mean termination by Executive as
a result of any material breach of this Agreement by Employer, or any diminution
of duties of Executive by the Board of either Columbia Bank or CBSI. The
provisions restricting competition by Executive may be waived by the Employer.

                  6.2      Noninterference. During the noncompetition period
described in Section 6.1, Executive shall not solicit or attempt to solicit any
other employee of Employer or its affiliates to leave the employ of those
companies, or in any way interfere with the relationship between Employer and
any other employee of Employer or its affiliates.

                  6.3      Interpretation. If a court or any other 
administrative body with jurisdiction over a dispute related to this Agreement
should determine that the restrictive covenants set forth above is unreasonably
broad, the parties authorize such court or administrative body to narrow the
covenants so as to make it reasonable, given all relevant circumstances, and to
enforce such revised covenants. The covenants in this paragraph shall survive
termination of this Agreement.

         7.       Change of Control.

                  7.1      Benefits. The parties recognize that a "change of 
control" of Employer (as defined in Section 7.2) could be detrimental to
Executive's continued employment. Accordingly, in order to give further
assurances to the Executive to enter into this Agreement, if:

                  (a)      There is a change of control of CBSI; and either

                  (b)      Within 730 days of such change in control,
Executive terminates his employment with Employer; or

                  (c)      At any time from and after sixty days prior to the 
public announcement by Employer of a transaction that will result in the change
of control, Employer (or its successor) terminates Executive's employment
without cause, then Executive, as of the date of termination of his employment,
subject to the remaining provisions of this Section 7.1, shall be paid or
provided with: (i) continued payment of his base salary and all benefits
provided for in this Agreement for a period of two years following termination;
and (ii) vesting of all stock options and lapse of all restrictions with respect
to the Restricted Stock Award shall occur. The provisions of this Section 7.1
shall survive expiration of the term of the Agreement.

                  7.2      Definition.  For purposes of this Agreement, the
term "change of control" shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the 
following events:

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<PAGE>   7
                  (a)      One person or entity acquiring or otherwise
becoming the owner of twenty-five percent or more of CBSI's
outstanding common stock;

                  (b)      Replacement of a majority of the incumbent directors 
of CBSI or Columbia Bank by directors whose elections have not been supported by
a majority of the Board of either company, as appropriate; or

                  (c)      Dissolution, or sale of fifty percent or more in
value of the assets, of either CBSI or Columbia Bank.

                  7.3      Reimbursement. In the event the provisions of this 
Section 7.3 result in imposition of a tax on Executive under the provisions of
Internal Revenue Code Section 4999, Employer agrees to reimburse Executive for
the same, exclusive of any tax imposed by reason of receipt of reimbursement
under this Section 7.3.

         8.       Deferred Compensation Arrangement. Executive will be entitled
to defer the entire salary and bonus, if any, provided in Sections 4.1 and 4.2
of this Agreement, for the years 1997 and 1998, which amounts shall accrue
interest at the rate paid on 2- year Treasury bills at January 1 of each year,
until paid, plus 2% compounded annually, all in accordance with a nonqualified
deferred compensation agreement to be entered into between the parties.

         9.       Miscellaneous.

                  9.1      This Agreement contains the entire agreement between
the parties with respect to Executive's employment with Employer and his
covenant not to compete with Employer and its affiliates, and is subject to
modification or amendment only upon amendment in writing signed by both parties.

                  9.2      This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of
the heirs, legal representatives, successors, and assigns of the parties, except
that Employer's rights and obligations may not be assigned. The provisions of
Section 6.1 of this Agreement are intended to confer upon CBSI and its
subsidiaries and affiliates the benefits of Executive's covenant not to compete.

                  9.3      If any provision of this Agreement is invalid or 
otherwise unenforceable, all other provisions shall remain unaffected and shall
be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

                  9.4      This Agreement is made with reference to and is 
intended to be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington.
Venue for any action arising out of or concerning this Agreement shall lie in
Pierce County, Washington. In the event of a dispute under this Agreement not
involving injunctive relief, the dispute shall be arbitrated pursuant to the
Superior Court Mandatory Arbitration Rules ("MAR") adopted by the Washington
State Supreme Court, irrespective of the amount in

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<PAGE>   8
controversy. This Agreement shall be deemed as stipulation to that effect
pursuant to MAR 1.2 and 8.1. The arbitrator, in his or her discretion, may award
attorney's fees to the prevailing party or parties.

                  9.5      Any notice required to be given under this Agreement
to either party shall be given by personal service or by depositing a copy
thereof in the United States registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,
addressed to the following address, or such other address as addressee shall
designate in writing:

                  Employer:                 1102 Broadway
                  --------                  Tacoma, WA  98402

                  Executive:                100 Shore Acres Road S.W.
                  ---------                 Tacoma, WA  98498

         This Agreement is dated as of September 25, 1996.

COLUMBIA STATE BANK

By:___________________________
         A.G. Espe
         Chairman of the Board

COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.

By: /s/ A.G. Espe                            /s/ W.W. Philip
    __________________________               _____________________________
        A.G. Espe                                W.W. Philip
        Chairman and                             Executive
        Chief Executive Officer

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<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 23.1


                        [Price Waterhouse Letterhead]


                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting part of this
Registration Statement on Form S-2 of our report dated January 24, 1996 except
as to the stock dividend described in Note 17, which is as of May 22, 1996,
relating to the financial statements of Columbia Banking System, Inc., which
appears in such Prospectus. We also consent to the application of such report
to the Financial Statement Schedules for the three years ended December 31,
1995 listed under Item 14)a of Columbia Banking System, Inc.'s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995 when such schedules are read
in conjunction with the financial statements referred to in our report. The
audits referred to in such report also included these Financial Statement
Schedules. We also consent to the references to us under the headings "Experts"
and "Selected Consolidated Financial Information" in such Prospectus. However,
it should be noted that Price Waterhouse LLP has not prepared or certified such
"Selected Consolidated Financial Information."

/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
- -----------------------------

Seattle, Washington
October 16, 1996

<PAGE>   1
                                                             Exhibit 24.1


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         Each director of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the "Company"), whose
signature appears below, hereby appoints Arnold G. Espe, W.W. Philip and J.
James Gallagher, or each of them, as his or her attorney to sign, in his or her
name and behalf and in any and all capacities stated below, the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-2 (the "Registration Statement") for the
registration of securities in connection with the Company's public offering of
common stock, no par value, ("Common Stock"), as described in the Prospectus
included in the Registration Statement, and likewise to sign any and all
amendments and other documents relating thereto as shall be necessary to cause
the Registration Statement to become effective (including post-effective
amendments), and to sign any related registration statement filed pursuant to
Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and to sign any document deemed necessary by
such attorney to cause the issuance of securities to be made in compliance with
the Blue Sky and securities laws of any state or foreign jurisdiction (the
signing of any such document to be conclusive evidence that the attorney
considers such document necessary or desirable), and to sign any and all such
documents upon the advice of legal counsel to carry out the sale of the Common
Stock to the public, each such person hereby granting to each such attorney
power to act with our without the other and full power of substitution and
revocation, and hereby ratifying all that any such attorney or his substitute
may do by virtue hereof.

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Power
of Attorney has been signed by the following persons in the capacities
indicated, on the 17th day of October, 1996.  

       SIGNATURE                                  TITLE
       ---------                                  -----
 /s/ A.G. Espe
- ----------------------------                     Director
A.G. Espe

/s/ W. Barry Connoley
- ----------------------------                     Director
W. Barry Connoley

/s/ Richard S. DeVine
- ----------------------------                     Director
Richard S. DeVine

/s/ Jack Fabulich
- ----------------------------                     Director
Jack Fabulich
<PAGE>   2

/s/ Jonathan Fine
- ----------------------------                     Director
Jonathan Fine


/s/Margel S. Gallagher
- ----------------------------                     Director
Margel S. Gallagher


/s/ John A. Halleran
- ----------------------------                     Director
John A. Halleran


/s/W. W. Philip
- ----------------------------                     Director
W.W. Philip


/s/ John H. Powell
- ----------------------------                     Director
John H. Powell


/s/ Robert E. Quoidbach
- ----------------------------                     Director
Robert E. Quoidbach


/s/ Donald  Rodman
- ----------------------------                     Director
Donald Rodman


/s/ Frank H. Russell
- ----------------------------                     Director
Frank H. Russell


/s/ Sindey R. Snyder
- ----------------------------                     Director
Sidney R. Snyder


/s/ James M. Will, Jr.
- ----------------------------                     Director
James M. Will, Jr.



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