Business
Columbia Bank Launches Franchise Banking Team
Columbia Bank (Columbia), a subsidiary of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (Nasdaq: COLB), today announced the launch of its Franchise Banking Team, strengthening the bank's expertise and capabilities to support franchisors and operators with full-service banking relationships. To lead the newly formed team, the bank has hired James Short and Rich Watson, two of the premier franchise banking leaders in the country and highly specialized restaurant banking experts.
About this update from Columbia Banking System, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Bank hires industry leaders James Short and Rich Watson to expand franchise banking capabilities and build a premier platform with an initial focus on restaurants","length":162,"tagName":"p","attribs":{}},{"type":"text","content":"TACOMA, Wash., April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbia Bank (Columbia), a subsidiary of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (Nasdaq: COLB), today announced the launch of its Franchise Banking Team, strengthening the bank's expertise and capabilities to support franchisors and operators with full-service banking relationships. To lead the newly formed team, the bank has hired James Short and Rich Watson, two of the premier franchise banking leaders in the country and highly specialized restaurant banking experts.","length":515,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"image","alt":"Columbia Bank logo (PRNewsfoto/Columbia Bank)","displaySize":"","headline":null,"caption":"Columbia Bank logo (PRNewsfoto/Columbia Bank)","className":"","disableSlideshowImg":false,"size":{"original":{"width":400,"height":64,"url":"https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/099cef82545749b23f68d7fed9195041"},"resized":{"url":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ET_4d8mE7m7QvO.lTAcLsQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTExMw--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/099cef82545749b23f68d7fed9195041","width":400,"height":64}},"href":"https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2756566/CB_Horizontal_Color_PNG_Logo.html","hrefExternal":true,"rel":"nofollow"},{"type":"text","content":"The announcement marks the formal expansion of Columbia's existing franchise support following the acquisition last year of Pacific Premier Bank and its franchise banking portfolio. The new Franchise Banking Team will offer dedicated treasury management, credit, derivatives, wealth management and merchant banking solutions to restaurant franchisors, franchisees and independently branded concepts.","length":403,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":""James and Rich are widely recognized leaders in the restaurant and franchise banking spaces. We're thrilled to have bankers of their caliber help expand our capabilities and build a best-in-class franchise platform," said Tory Nixon, President of Columbia Bank. "Columbia's commitment to fostering full and long-term banking relationships, combined with the deep industry experience of James and Rich, will give...