FORTUNE Includes Umpqua Bank on the 2009 "100 Best Companies to Work For" List

PORTLAND, OR, Jan 22 (MARKET WIRE) --
FORTUNE announced today that Umpqua Bank, a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings
Corporation (NASDAQ: UMPQ) has been ranked 34th on the 12th annual "100
Best Companies to Work For" list. Umpqua was the only Oregon company and
community bank to make the list. The full list and related stories will
appear in the Feb. 2 issue of FORTUNE, available on newsstands on Monday,
Jan. 26, and now at www.FORTUNE.com/bestcompanies.

A driving factor for the companies on this year's list is that they excel
at creating jobs. Of the 100 companies on the 2009 list, 73 are currently
hiring.

"It's an incredible honor to be recognized for the third year in a row by
FORTUNE as one of the country's '100 Best Companies to Work For,'" said
Ray Davis, president and CEO of Umpqua Bank. "At Umpqua, we believe that a
company's culture is the number one asset that can carry it through the
most challenging of economic times. To be among the few financial services
companies to make this year's list is a testament to our associates and
the strength of our culture. I couldn't be more pleased by this award."

In his FORTUNE.com blog, managing editor Andy Serwer writes, "No matter
what happens with the economy, the demand for talent will remain. Great
companies know that super-motivated, happy, world-class employees are an
incredible competitive advantage."

To pick the "100 Best Companies to Work For," FORTUNE works with Robert
Levering and Milton Moskowitz of the Great Place to Work(R) Institute -- a
global research and consulting firm with offices in 30 countries -- to
conduct the most extensive employee survey in corporate America.

More than 81,000 employees from 353 companies responded to the 57-question
survey created by the Institute. Two-thirds of a company's score is based
on the survey, which is sent to a minimum of 400 randomly selected
employees. The remaining third is based on a company's responses to the
Culture Audit questionnaire, which asks detailed questions about
demographics, pay and benefits, as well as open-ended questions on
philosophy, communication and more.

This year marks Umpqua Bank's third consecutive year to make FORTUNE's
"100 Best Companies to Work For" list. Key contributors for this
recognition cited in the Institute's survey include: Umpqua Bank's
Connect Volunteer Network, which offers all associates up to 40 hours of
paid time off to volunteer; and its unique store locations which resemble
Internet cafes.

Any company that is at least seven years old with more the 1,000 U.S.
employees is eligible to be included on the list. The deadline for
applying for next year's list is March 31, 2009. For an online nomination
form, go to www.greatplacetowork-100best.com.

About FORTUNE

FORTUNE is a global leader in business journalism with a worldwide
circulation of more than 1 million and a readership of nearly 5 million,
with major franchises including the FORTUNE 500 and the FORTUNE 100 Best
Companies to Work For. FORTUNE Live Media extends the brand's mission
into live settings, hosting a wide range of annual conferences, including
the FORTUNE Global Forum. FORTUNE magazine's online home is CNNMoney.com,
the most visited and utilized business destination website.

About Umpqua Bank

Umpqua Bank, headquartered in Roseburg, Ore., is a subsidiary of Umpqua
Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: UMPQ) and has 150 locations between Napa,
Calif. and Bellevue, Wash., along the Oregon and Northern California
Coast and in both Central California and Central Oregon. Umpqua Bank has
been recognized for its innovative customer experience and banking
strategy by national publications including the Wall Street Journal, New
York Times, BusinessWeek, Fast Company and CNBC. The company, recognized
for the second year in a row, ranked 13th on Fortune Magazine's 2008 list
of the country's "100 Best Companies To Work For." Umpqua Holdings also
owns retail brokerage subsidiary Strand, Atkinson, Williams & York Inc.,
which has locations in Umpqua Bank stores and in dedicated offices
throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. 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 http://www.umpquabank.com/.

Media contacts:
Lani Hayward
Umpqua Bank
503-727-4132
LaniHayward@umpquabank.com

Shannon Riggs
LANE PR
503-546-7885
Shannon@lanepr.com

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