Columbia Bank, the wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Banking System, Inc., announced the expansion of its Commercial Lending Division into Arizona with the appointment of veteran Phoenix-area banker Ryan Summers.

Summers, with 14 years of commercial banking experience, will build a team dedicated to delivering the full suite of business lending services that Columbia offers across. The team will pair Columbia's resources, technology and breadth of services with deep Arizona market expertise and local decision-making to serve residents and businesses ? from small business owners to middle market companies.

"Expanding our commercial banking footprint into Arizona has been a long-standing strategic priority of ours. It allows us to serve the vibrant companies operating in this dynamic state, while also providing a one-stop shop for business owners with operations across the Western U.S.," said Clint Stein, President and CEO of Columbia. "We are building the premier regional bank in the West, and Arizona is a critical part of taking that vision and making it a reality."

Based in the Phoenix metro area, Summers joins Columbia as a Senior Vice President and Arizona commercial banking lead. Summers is an experienced banker with a deep knowledge of the cashflow issues businesses of all sizes face. Most recently, he was a Senior Vice President and Business Banking Market Leader for U.S. Bank in Arizona. Summers graduated magna cum laude from George Fox University in Oregon.

"Ryan is a high-caliber commercial banker that knows the Arizona market well and will add value to clients from the start," said Chris Merrywell, Columbia's Chief Operating Officer. "We plan to expeditiously build a team as we identify the best talent to serve this important market, beginning with a commercial lending office in Phoenix."