Frontier Financial Corporation and Washington Banking Company Announce Extension of Cash/Stock Election Deadline in Connection With Pending Merger

Market Wire, March, 2008

Frontier Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: FTBK) ("Frontier") and Washington Banking Company (NASDAQ: WBCO) announced that the deadline for Washington Banking Company ("WBC") shareholders to make an election to receive cash or shares of Frontier (or a combination of cash and shares of Frontier stock), subject to proration, in connection with the pending merger between Frontier and WBC, has been extended from 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Monday, March 24, 2008 to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on March 31, 2008.

Election forms are available at: www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/716457/000071645708000026/form_424b3.htm

Election forms can be sent as follows:

By Mail:             By Overnight Courier:     By Hand:

Frontier Financial   Frontier Financial        Frontier Financial
 Corporation          Corporation               Corporation
ATTN: Carol Fox      ATTN: Carol Fox           ATTN: Carol Fox
PO Box 2215          332 SW Everett Mall Way   332 SW Everett Mall Way
Everett, WA 98213    Everett, WA 98204         Everett, WA 98204

Frontier is a Washington-based financial holding company providing financial services through its commercial bank subsidiary, Frontier Bank. Frontier offers a wide range of financial services to businesses and individuals in its market area, including investment and insurance products.

Contact: John Dickson Frontier Financial Corporation President & CEO 425-514-0700 Lyle E. Ryan Frontier Bank President & COO 425-514-0700