TACOMA, Wash., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Columbia Bank, a subsidiary of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (Nasdaq: COLB), announced today it has promoted Chris Orr to SVP, Director of Trust Sales & Strategic Partnerships for Columbia Private Trust, the bank’s specialty custody business. Based in San Francisco, Orr will provide leadership across the full spectrum of growth and relationship-management initiatives serving Columbia Private Trust’s institutional and retail client segments.
Columbia Private Trust provides custodial services to individual investors, institutional clients and the customers of institutional clients. Originally founded as PENSCO Trust Company in 1989, the business oversees more than $20 billion in assets under custody and has long been recognized as a leading non-discretionary custodian of traditional and alternative assets held through self-directed IRAs, investment funds and employee stock ownership plans. The business became part of Columbia Bank in 2025.
“Over the past 17 years, Chris has built trusted relationships with our clients while serving in nearly every area of our private trust business,” said Tamara Wendoll, EVP, Senior Director at Columbia Private Trust. “As one of the team members who helped carry the business forward from its PENSCO roots, Chris understands both the specialized custody marketplace and the client-focused culture that continues to define Columbia Private Trust today. His industry experience and longstanding connections throughout the Bay Area position him well to help drive our next phase of growth.”
According to Chris Merrywell, President of Columbia Bank, Columbia Private Trust serves as a highly complementary and important extension of Columbia Bank’s broader wealth and relationship-based banking strategy.
“Chris Orr has been instrumental to the growth and success of Columbia Private Trust and brings deep knowledge of our business, market and clients to his new role,” said Merrywell. “His appointment reflects the bank’s continued commitment to invest in Columbia Private Trust as an important part of our strategic and diversified long-term growth plan. As demand for specialized custody solutions grows, Columbia Private Trust will continue to provide clients with industry-leading expertise backed by the strength and resources of a premier regional bank.”
Orr has held multiple roles within the Columbia Private Trust team, most recently serving as 1st VP, Institutional Sales. He also served as Director of Relationship Management & Sales Servicing, as well as Product Manager. He has earned the Certified IRA Services Professional and Self-Directed IRA Professional certifications and previously held Series 7 and 66 licenses.
About Columbia Bank
Columbia Bank is an award-winning preeminent regional bank with offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. It combines the resources, sophistication, and expertise of a national bank with a commitment to deliver superior, personalized service. The bank supports consumers and businesses through a full suite of services, including retail and commercial banking, Small Business Administration lending, institutional and corporate banking, and equipment leasing. Columbia Bank customers also have access to comprehensive investment and wealth management expertise as well as healthcare and private banking through Columbia Wealth Management. Columbia Bank is the principal subsidiary of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (Nasdaq: COLB). Learn more at columbiabank.com and columbiabankingsystem.com.
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SOURCE Columbia Banking System, Inc.
