Columbia Banking System, Inc. announced that President and Chief Executive Officer Hadley Robbins will retire on December 31, 2019 after nearly seven years of service with the company and nearly forty years in banking. Columbia's board of directors has appointed Clint Stein, Columbia's current Chief Operating Officer, to succeed Robbins as CEO. Stein will transition to the role of CEO on January 1, 2020, when Robbins officially steps down.

Chris Merrywell, Columbia's Chief Consumer Banking Officer, will succeed Stein in the role of Chief Operating Officer. Stein added the following remarks regarding the appointment of Chris Merrywell to Chief Operating Officer: I have worked closely with Chris since he joined Columbia in 2012. He is a talented banker, adept at developing strategic business initiatives that result in increased revenues and improved operational efficiencies.

In addition, Chris has a proven track record of developing the skill set of those around him. Mr. Stein joined Columbia in 2005 and was named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2017. Prior to this appointment, he held the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Merrywell joined Columbia Bank in 2012 and was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Consumer Banking Officer in 2017. His role includes leadership of the company's Wealth Management, Private & Healthcare Banking and Retail Banking divisions. He previously held the role of Senior Vice President and Wealth Management Director and boasts 30 years of experience in financial services.