Our Impact

Columbia Bank (“Columbia” or “we” or “the Company”) recognizes that building economic vitality together for the greater good requires increased attention and activation around how we steward our shared environment. We encourage our customers, associates, and communities to do the same. 
 
We also believe the negative impacts of climate change can threaten our communities’ access to clean air, water and land and disproportionately impact already marginalized and vulnerable communities. The ongoing presence and threat of wildfires in much of the Western United States is a reminder of the increasing impacts of climate change. 
 
As a financial institution, we acknowledge the economic, societal, and ecological impacts of climate change to our business and to our customers. With guidance from our Executive Leadership Group and oversight by the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Bank’s Board of Directors, Columbia is taking steps to align our operational processes with our commitment to reduce our impact on the environment. This oversight allows us to identify, prioritize and manage Columbia’s impact, guided by our Risk Appetite Statement. Columbia’s Enterprise Risk Management (“ERM”) program is designed to identify and manage risks, including credit and reputational risks associated with environmental and social issues. Columbia continues to develop an overlapping process to identify environmental and social risks across our lines of business and actions we can take to minimize our impact. 

Columbia Bank (“Columbia” or “we” or “the Company”) supports fundamental principles of worker and human rights. Individuals must be treated with the utmost dignity and respect, and we believe our company has a role in promoting respect for human rights. We strive to provide a fair and ethical workplace for all our associates across all our business activities and in the communities in which we operate. Columbia’s regard for human rights, and the protection and preservation thereof, are guided by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

We apply and enforce all applicable laws and ethical practices regarding our interactions with associates, customers, suppliers, and community. We stand against discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

We expect associates to uphold high standards of professional and personal conduct and on an annual basis, all associates are required to complete online training and attest they have read, understood, and will comply with the standards set forth above. Additionally, Columbia expects the entities with which we do business similarly respect individual human rights and conduct their business operations free from human rights abuses, such as forced labor, human trafficking, or child labor.

Political and Public Policy Process

Columbia Banking System and Columbia Bank (“Columbia” or “we” or “the Company”) participates in the political and public policy process, primarily in areas impacting the banking industry. As a highly regulated institution, we align all political engagements with applicable laws and regulations.

Disclosure of Political Contributions

Corporate donations to political candidates, parties, and committees are disclosed to the appropriate state disclosure authority, depending on the state. This ensures compliance with state-specific regulations and transparency requirements. The company discloses the sum of contributions that were intended for political purposes, including to candidates, committees, and tax-exempt organizations, on our website.

Payments to Tax-Exempt Organizations

Columbia participates in tax-exempt organizations such as 501(c)(4)s and 501(c)(6)s. Examples of these organizations include national trade associations, federal and state business associations, and local chambers of commerce. These organizations represent the interests of the financial services industry, business communities within our regions, and the communities we serve. Our involvement aims to contribute to the development of major public and financial laws, regulations, or policies. While we generally support the positions of these organizations, we may not agree with every stance taken by the organizations or their members.

Dues Collections and Uses

Columbia is subject to various U.S. securities regulations and other laws. To ensure compliance, Columbia's donations for the general support of tax-exempt organizations will be used in a manner consistent with these restrictions, as well as Columbia’s policies and federal, state, and local laws. (These include MSRB Rule G-37, CFTC Rule 23.451, and SEC Rule 206(4)-5.)

Tax-exempt organizations receiving donations from Columbia must meet the following criteria:

• Not be registered or acting as a political committee under federal, state, or local election law.
• Not be established, maintained, financed, or controlled by a national, state, or local party committee, or a federal, state, or local candidate or officeholder.
• Ensure that Columbia’s donations will not be used for any election-related activity, including contributions or expenditures to support or oppose any candidate campaign, ballot initiative, political party, or other political action committee.
• Ensure that Columbia's funds will not be used to pay for any expenses or events that violate applicable gift and entertainment rules for foreign, federal, state, or local officials.

Compliance with Federal Deductibility of Lobbying Expenses Rules

In accordance with the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, Columbia does not deduct direct lobbying expenses at the federal and state levels as a business expense. This includes expenses related to grassroots lobbying and political campaign activities. We ensure that all lobbying activities comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, and we maintain transparency in our political contributions and expenditures.

Employee Participation

Columbia encourages associates to engage in the political process and provides time for voting. We do not consider or discriminate based on associates' political views or affiliations. Personal political activities must be conducted during personal hours (other than time off for voting) and must not involve any Columbia resources.

Oversight

Our Director of Government Relations oversees any of Columbia’s political contributions and expenditures annually and ensures that all political activities align with our corporate values and long-term interests.