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Youth Empowerment Center News

EUREKA, Calif., March 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Umpqua Bank, a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq: UMPQ - News), has expanded its innovative Connect Volunteer Network to include Northern California communities served by Umpqua stores. The Connect Volunteer Network is an industry-leading employer-paid volunteer program with a strong commitment to youth and education in Oregon, Southwest Washington, and now, California.

The Connect Volunteer Network provides full-time Umpqua Bank associates with 40 hours of paid volunteer time per year to devote to youth and education organizations and schools. Umpqua's 300 California associates have the potential to collectively donate more than 12,000 hours to youth and education programs in the next year. The combined efforts of all Umpqua Bank associates will result in 48,000 potential hours of paid volunteerism in 2005.

Launched in Oregon 15 months ago, more than half of Umpqua Bank's eligible employees participate in the program's volunteer opportunities. During 2004, more than 100 nonprofit and school partners benefited from Umpqua volunteers through this program.

"We consistently explore ways to better serve and support our communities. Providing our associates with paid volunteer time is an extension of the innovative services that we strive to deliver to our customers," said Ray Davis, president and CEO of Umpqua Bank. "Our Connect Volunteer Network is a compelling program that truly supports community involvement among our associates. By expanding this program to California, we are able to further grow our large-scale commitment to youth and education."

Through the Connect Volunteer Network, Umpqua associates choose the organization they would like to work with. They engage in a variety of activities, with some spending their time in schools working alongside teaching staff, while others may take on a mentoring project or dedicate their time to a relief nursery. Youth-focused organizations and schools stand to benefit immensely as they are able to use Umpqua's volunteers for the otherwise difficult to fill daytime volunteer needs.

Umpqua Bank has a strong support system for the volunteer program with full board and executive backing, and extensive participation at every level of the organization. Umpqua created a position with the primary responsibility of administering the program, researching volunteer opportunities for associates, and assisting them in getting started with their chosen organization.

About Umpqua Bank

Umpqua Bank, headquartered in Roseburg, Ore., is a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation and has 92 locations between Sacramento, Calif. and Vancouver, Wash., along the Oregon and Northern California Coast and in Central Oregon. In 2004, Umpqua Bank launched the Connect Volunteer Network, an innovative, paid volunteer program focused on youth and education. Bank associates impacted more than 100 organizations in the program's first year.

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 .

CONTACT: Nicole Vanderstoep of Umpqua Bank, +1-503-830-2980, cell, or NicoleVanderstoep@UmpquaBank.com; or Heather Stammer, +1-503-546-7871, or heather@lanemarketing.com, for Umpqua Bank.

Source: Umpqua Bank

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