Photo Release -- Banner Corporation Names Mark J. Grescovich President

WALLA WALLA, Wash., April 6, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Banner Corporation
(Nasdaq:BANR), the parent company of Banner Bank and Islanders Bank, today
announced that Mark J. Grescovich has been named President of Banner Corporation
and Banner Bank. Mr. Grescovich will also join the board of directors of the
Bank.

A photo accompanying this release is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7295

Mr. Grescovich was formerly the Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate
Banking Officer for Akron, Ohio-based FirstMerit Corporation and FirstMerit Bank
N.A., a commercial bank with $11 billion in assets and 160 branch offices. He
assumed the role and responsibility for FirstMerit's commercial and regional
line of business in 2007, having served since 1994 in various commercial and
corporate banking positions, including that of Chief Credit Officer. He provided
key leadership in achieving FirstMerit's rating as one of the top six U.S.
financial institutions in 2008 and the Greenwich Excellence Award for overall
customer satisfaction in business banking. Prior to joining FirstMerit, Mr.
Grescovich was a Managing Partner in corporate finance with Sequoia Financial
Group, Inc. of Akron, Ohio and a commercial and corporate lending officer and
credit analyst with Society National Bank of Cleveland, Ohio. He has a Bachelor
of Business Administration degree in finance from Miami University and a Master
of Business Administration degree, also in finance, from The University of
Akron.

"Mark Grescovich's success in leading a growing franchise will most certainly be
an asset to our management team as Banner continues to expand," said D. Michael
Jones, who will remain as Chief Executive Officer of Banner Bank and Banner
Corporation. "His knowledge of banking, finance, credit administration and risk
management is exceptional. He brings with him a record of high-performance
banking culture and results-driven profitability management. The Board and
management are excited about the expertise, energy and professionalism that Mark
brings to our organization."

"Banner is committed to providing superior banking services to businesses and
individuals in the Pacific Northwest. I am excited to join and lead a team of
professionals that delivers that commitment," stated Mr. Grescovich.

About the Company

Banner Corporation is a $4.7 billion bank holding company operating two
commercial banks in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Banner serves the Pacific
Northwest region with a full range of deposit services and business, commercial
real estate, construction, residential, agricultural and consumer loans. Visit
Banner Bank on the Web at www.bannerbank.com.

Statements concerning future performance, developments or events, expectations
for earnings, growth and market forecasts, and any other guidance on future
periods, constitute forward-looking statements, which are subject to a number of
risks and uncertainties that are beyond the Company's control and might cause
actual results to differ materially from stated objectives. These factors
include but are not limited to: competition in the financial services market for
both deposits and loans as well as regional and general economic conditions,
changes in interest rates and Banner's ability to successfully attract and
retain key employees, increase its customer base, achieve cost savings and
successfully generate commercial, consumer and real estate loans. Banner
undertakes no responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP
PhotoExpress.

CONTACT: Banner Corporation
D. Michael Jones, President and CEO
Lloyd W. Baker, CFO
(509) 527-3636