Customers Invited to Surf, Sip, Read and Bank

EUGENE, Ore., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Umpqua Bank, a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq: UMPQ), will unveil the latest of its next-generation stores in Eugene, Thursday, Dec. 4. The store, a former Centennial Bank location acquired by Umpqua Holdings Corporation in November 2002, has undergone a five-month remodeling project that has transformed the store into the concept model first introduced at Umpqua's Portland Pearl District flagship store.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030827/UMPQLOGO

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030917/SFW078LOGO )

The newly renovated store, serving both business and personal banking customers, is designed to create a personalized experience. In addition to Umpqua's nationally recognized focus on exceptional customer service, the store features non-traditional bank amenities such as an Internet cafe, a large flat screen television for viewing financial broadcasts and the bank's own coffee blend brewing for customers.

"Umpqua's approach is to offer an experience for our customers, not just a transaction. The Eugene store takes that experience to the next level by offering more interactivity and choice for our customers," said Ray Davis, president and CEO of Umpqua Bank.

The new store features retail-inspired elements with displays for items such as hardback business books and Visa Gift Cards, and a complimentary Umpqua chocolate presented on a tray with each transaction. To ensure exceptional customer service, all associates take part in Umpqua's university training program, the World's Greatest Bank University.

The store concept and design were conceived by Ziba Design International and architect Thompson, Vaivota & Associates. The general contractor on the project was Essex General Construction. Concept model design features of the 7,100-square-foot-store include a concierge-style customer service desk reminiscent of a luxury hotel, comfortable bistro-style seating areas and shopping modules for displaying the bank's unique products and services.

The Eugene store will carry on Umpqua's long-standing commitment to community support and involvement by hosting in-store events during and after business hours, such as investment seminars, local non-profit presentations and tips by industry professionals on remodeling your home. To accommodate multimedia presentations at such events, the store features a large display screen that drops down from the ceiling.

The Eugene store is located at 675 Oak Street and is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

About Umpqua Bank

Umpqua Bank, headquartered in Roseburg, Ore., is a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation and has 64 locations between Ashland, Ore. and Vancouver, Wash., and along the Oregon Coast. Umpqua Holdings also owns retail brokerage subsidiary Strand, Atkinson, Williams & York, which has nine locations throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington and offers brokerage services within Umpqua Bank stores. Umpqua Bank's Private Client Services Division provides tailored financial services and products to individual customers. Umpqua Holdings Corporation is headquartered in Portland, Ore. For more information, visit www.umpquabank.com.

SOURCE  Umpqua Bank
    -0-                             12/01/2003
    /CONTACT:  media, Lani Hayward of Umpqua Bank, +1-503-228-2117, or
lanihayward@umpquabank.com; or Charley Ciresi of Lane Marketing,
+1-503-221-0480, or charley@lanemarketing.com, for Umpqua Bank/
    /Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030827/UMPQLOGOhttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030917/SFW078LOGO
             AP Archive:  http://photoarchive.ap.org
             PRN Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or 212-782-2840/
    /Web site:  http://www.umpquaholdingscorp.com /
    (UMPQ)

CO:  Umpqua Bank; Umpqua Holdings Corporation
ST:  Oregon
IN:  FIN
SU:  PDT



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