Columbia Bancorp Hires Roger Christensen as Exec VP and COO; Craig Ortega Named Columbia River Bank President.

THE DALLES, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 14, 1999--

Columbia Bancorp (Nasdaq:CBBO) today announced the expansion of its management team. Roger Christensen, formerly a Vice President of Bank of the Cascades, joins the company in the newly created position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Columbia Bancorp. Craig Ortega will step up to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Columbia River Bank and will serve on the bank's Board of Directors.

"As we grow, it is critically important to focus energies on day-to-day operations as well as taking advantage of new opportunities. These management changes do both, allowing me to devote my time to strategic planning and growth of the Bancorp as a whole," said Terry L. Cochran, President and CEO of Columbia Bancorp, who also previously served as President and CEO of Columbia River Bank since 1981. "Roger Christensen was chosen to fill the newly created position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Columbia Bancorp because of his proven record in community banking. Roger will be responsible for the oversight, support and direction for both Columbia River Bank and Valley Community Bank. His strong management skills will be a welcome addition to our management team."

Prior to joining Columbia Bancorp, Christensen was Vice President and Manager of the Bend Main Branch of Bank of the Cascades since 1991. Under his leadership, deposits at the branch nearly tripled in four years while loans almost quadrupled in the same period. Prior to that Christensen held numerous positions with Bank of America and Benj. Franklin Savings & Loan since 1985. He is a CPA, received a Bachelor's in Accounting from Boise State University and attended graduate level courses in Oregon State University's MBA program.

"With almost 19 years experience in banking, Craig has the right skills to lead Columbia River Bank and grow deposits, loans and profitability," said Cochran. "He has done an outstanding job in his previous positions and I look forward to turning over the responsibilities of President and CEO of Columbia River Bank to him." Ortega joined Columbia River Bank in 1993 as Manager of the Hood River branch. Since 1997, he has served as Executive Vice President and Head of Community Banking. Ortega has received a Bachelors degree from Eastern Oregon State College and graduated from Pacific Coast Banking School in 1993.

Columbia Bancorp is the holding company for Columbia River Bank, which operates 10 branches located in The Dalles, Hood River, Bend, Madras, Redmond, Pendleton and Hermiston, Oregon, and in Goldendale and White Salmon, Washington; and Valley Community Bank, headed by President and CEO Bruce Bryant based in McMinnville, Oregon. Columbia River Bank expects to open its second Columbia River Bank branch in Bend, Oregon by mid-1999. In addition to its community banking services, Columbia River Bank also provides mortgage lending services through its Columbia River Bank Mortgage Group, and brokerage services through its affiliation with PrimeVest Financial Services, Inc.