Exhibit 23(e) RULE 438 CONSENT In accordance with Rule 438 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to being named as a prospective director of Columbia Banking System, Inc. ("CBSI") in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by CBSI with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 5, 1997. /s/ Thomas L. Matson --------------------------- Thomas L. Matson September 2, 1997 --------------------------- Date Signed