Umpqua Bank Named Most Admired Financial Services Company in Oregon

Business Wire, Dec 8, 2006

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Umpqua Bank, a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: UMPQ) and Oregon's largest community bank, received top honors at the second 'Oregon's Most Admired Companies' luncheon held Dec. 7 by the Portland Business Journal. Oregon CEOs selected Umpqua Bank as Oregon's most admired financial services company, as well as the state's fourth most admired company across all industries.

More than 2,500 Oregon CEOs were asked to vote on the greatest companies in Oregon. Voters ranked each company based on attributes such as innovation, customer service and community involvement. Award recipients were selected from eight industry categories including technology, professional services, commercial real estate, health care, nonprofits, agriculture and forest products, financial services and traditional manufacturing.

"It is an honor to receive this recognition by the Oregon business community," said Ray Davis, president and CEO of Umpqua Bank. "Umpqua Bank is committed to remaining a community bank at any size through our focus on innovaton, community and customer service. Ultimately, we want to transform banking from an errand into a memorable experience. It's terrific to see this strategy - and the tremendous contributions of our associates - recognized."

'Oregon's Most Admired Companies' is an annual Portland Business Journal event. Hosted by publisher Craig Wessel, the event is one of the publication's business programs aimed at recognizing Oregon's leading businesses.

About Umpqua Bank

Umpqua Bank, headquartered in Roseburg, Ore., is a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: UMPQ) and has 131 locations between Sacramento, Calif. and Bellevue, Wash., along the Oregon and Northern California Coast and in Central Oregon. Umpqua Bank has been recognized for its innovative customer experience and banking strategy by national publications including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, BusinessWeek, Fast Company and CNBC. Umpqua Holdings also owns retail brokerage subsidiary Strand, Atkinson, Williams & York, Inc., which has locations in Umpqua Bank stores and in dedicated offices throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. Umpqua Bank's Private Client Services Division provides tailored financial services and products to individual customers. Umpqua Holdings Corporation is headquartered in Portland, Ore. For more information, visit www.umpquabank.com.