Columbia Banking System Moved Executives to Scottsdale
The bank leased new office space in the Scottsdale-Phoenix area to oversee operations spanning eight western states.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Columbia Banking System executives relocated from the company headquarters in Tacoma to Arizona in May 2026. The bank also established a 13,500-square-foot office space in the Scottsdale-Phoenix area to support its regional footprint.
Why it matters
Establishing an executive presence in Arizona positions leadership in a more central location to manage the institution's operations across eight western states. This shift reflects a strategy to improve oversight for a firm that has grown significantly through recent acquisitions.
Columbia Banking System, which operates more than 350 locations, now maintains a 13,500-square-foot executive office in the Scottsdale-Phoenix area. This follows significant expansion through acquisitions, including Umpqua Holdings Corp. in 2023 and Bank of Commerce in 2021.
The players
Columbia Banking System
A multi-state regional banking institution with over 350 locations and extensive operations across the Western United States.
Clint Stein
The CEO of Columbia Banking System who transitioned his residency to Arizona in May 2026.
William Philip
The founder of Columbia Bank who passed away in August 2026 at the age of 100.
The details
The decision to relocate leadership to Arizona provides a central hub for managing a dispersed banking franchise. While corporate headquarters remain in Tacoma, the firm is shifting its executive functions to Scottsdale to better support its presence in eight western states. The company maintains an additional office in Deer Valley, Arizona, as it balances legacy operations in Washington with its broader geographic footprint.
Timeline
1993: Columbia Bank established its presence in Tacoma.
2021: Columbia acquired Bank of Commerce.
2023: Columbia acquired Umpqua Holdings Corp.
May 2026: CEO Clint Stein became an Arizona resident.
August 2026: Founder William Philip died.
Market Landscape
The relocation follows the geographic expansion pattern established by the 2023 acquisition of Umpqua Holdings Corp. This move signals a broader transition for regional banks that scale through acquisitions and subsequently shift management focus to match their expanded footprint.
Operators in the region should monitor whether Columbia Banking System increases its local commercial lending footprint following this executive move. Assess how the bank's centralized management structure may alter your local service experience or lending terms in the coming quarters.
The takeaway
Large regional banks often shift executive offices to reflect their actual geographic market reach rather than their historical founding locations. Watch for similar footprint shifts among other institutions that have completed major acquisitions in the last five years.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts in the region, visit Openings & Closings.
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