Exhibit 24

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     The director of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the "Company"), whose
signature appears below, hereby appoints W. W. Philip and J. James Gallagher, or
either of them, as his attorney to sign, in his name and behalf and in any and
all capacities stated below, the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report pursuant to
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and likewise to sign any and
all amendments and other documents relating thereto as shall be necessary, such
person hereby granting to each such attorney power to act with or without the
other and full power of substitution and revocation, and hereby ratifying all
that any such attorney or his substitute may do by virtue hereof.

     This Power of Attorney has been signed by the following person in the
capacity indicated, on the 10 day of    March      , 1999.
                          ----       --------------       
 
 
Signature                   Title
- ---------                   -----
                          
/s/ Richard S. Devine       Director
- -----------------------                                                      
Richard S. Devine

 

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     The director of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the "Company"), whose
signature appears below, hereby appoints W. W. Philip and J. James Gallagher, or
either of them, as his attorney to sign, in his name and behalf and in any and
all capacities stated below, the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report pursuant to
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and likewise to sign any and
all amendments and other documents relating thereto as shall be necessary, such
person hereby granting to each such attorney power to act with or without the
other and full power of substitution and revocation, and hereby ratifying all
that any such attorney or his substitute may do by virtue hereof.

     This Power of Attorney has been signed by the following person in the
capacity indicated, on the 10  day of    March      , 1999.
                          -----       --------------       
 
 
Signature                     Title
- ---------                     -----
                            
/s/ Melanie J. Dressel        Director
- ----------------------------                                                 
Melanie J. Dressel

 

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     The director of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the "Company"), whose
signature appears below, hereby appoints W. W. Philip and J. James Gallagher, or
either of them, as his attorney to sign, in his name and behalf and in any and
all capacities stated below, the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report pursuant to
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and likewise to sign any and
all amendments and other documents relating thereto as shall be necessary, such
person hereby granting to each such attorney power to act with or without the
other and full power of substitution and revocation, and hereby ratifying all
that any such attorney or his substitute may do by virtue hereof.

     This Power of Attorney has been signed by the following person in the
capacity indicated, on the 10  day of    March      , 1999.
                          -----       --------------       
 
 
Signature                     Title
- ---------                     -----
                            
/s/  Jack Fabulich            Director
- ---------------------------                                                  
Jack Fabulich

 

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     The director of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the "Company"), whose
signature appears below, hereby appoints W. W. Philip and J. James Gallagher, or
either of them, as his attorney to sign, in his name and behalf and in any and
all capacities stated below, the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report pursuant to
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and likewise to sign any and
all amendments and other documents relating thereto as shall be necessary, such
person hereby granting to each such attorney power to act with or without the
other and full power of substitution and revocation, and hereby ratifying all
that any such attorney or his substitute may do by virtue hereof.

     This Power of Attorney has been signed by the following person in the
capacity indicated, on the 10  day of    March      , 1999.
                          -----       --------------       
 
 
Signature                     Title
- ---------                     -----
                             
/s/  Jonathan Fine            Director
- --------------------------                                                   
Jonathan Fine

 

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     The director of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the "Company"), whose
signature appears below, hereby appoints W. W. Philip and J. James Gallagher, or
either of them, as his attorney to sign, in his name and behalf and in any and
all capacities stated below, the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report pursuant to
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and likewise to sign any and
all amendments and other documents relating thereto as shall be necessary, such
person hereby granting to each such attorney power to act with or without the
other and full power of substitution and revocation, and hereby ratifying all
that any such attorney or his substitute may do by virtue hereof.

     This Power of Attorney has been signed by the following person in the
capacity indicated, on the 10 day of    March      , 1999.
                          ----       --------------       

 
 
Signature                     Title
- ---------                     -----
                             
/s/  John P. Folsom           Director
- ----------------------------                                              
John P. Folsom

 

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     The director of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the "Company"), whose
signature appears below, hereby appoints W. W. Philip and J. James Gallagher, or
either of them, as his attorney to sign, in his name and behalf and in any and
all capacities stated below, the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report pursuant to
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and likewise to sign any and
all amendments and other documents relating thereto as shall be necessary, such
person hereby granting to each such attorney power to act with or without the
other and full power of substitution and revocation, and hereby ratifying all
that any such attorney or his substitute may do by virtue hereof.

     This Power of Attorney has been signed by the following person in the
capacity indicated, on the  9  day of    March      , 1999.
                          -----       --------------       

 
 
Signature                     Title
- ---------                     -----
                             
/s/ J. James Gallagher        Director
- ------------------------                                                     
J. James Gallagher

 

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     The director of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the "Company"), whose
signature appears below, hereby appoints W. W. Philip and J. James Gallagher, or
either of them, as his attorney to sign, in his name and behalf and in any and
all capacities stated below, the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report pursuant to
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and likewise to sign any and
all amendments and other documents relating thereto as shall be necessary, such
person hereby granting to each such attorney power to act with or without the
other and full power of substitution and revocation, and hereby ratifying all
that any such attorney or his substitute may do by virtue hereof.

     This Power of Attorney has been signed by the following person in the
capacity indicated, on the  10 day of    March      , 1999.
                           ----       --------------       

 
 
Signature                     Title
- ---------                     -----
                             
/s/  Margel S. Gallagher      Director
- ---------------------------
Margel S. Gallagher

 

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     The director of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the "Company"), whose
signature appears below, hereby appoints W. W. Philip and J. James Gallagher, or
either of them, as his attorney to sign, in his name and behalf and in any and
all capacities stated below, the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report pursuant to
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and likewise to sign any and
all amendments and other documents relating thereto as shall be necessary, such
person hereby granting to each such attorney power to act with or without the
other and full power of substitution and revocation, and hereby ratifying all
that any such attorney or his substitute may do by virtue hereof.

     This Power of Attorney has been signed by the following person in the
capacity indicated, on the 10  day of    March      , 1999.
                          -----       --------------       

 
 
Signature                     Title
- ---------                     -----
                             
/s/  W. Kelso Gillenwater     Director
- -------------------------                                                    
W. Kelso Gillenwater

 

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     The director of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the "Company"), whose
signature appears below, hereby appoints W. W. Philip and J. James Gallagher, or
either of them, as his attorney to sign, in his name and behalf and in any and
all capacities stated below, the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report pursuant to
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and likewise to sign any and
all amendments and other documents relating thereto as shall be necessary, such
person hereby granting to each such attorney power to act with or without the
other and full power of substitution and revocation, and hereby ratifying all
that any such attorney or his substitute may do by virtue hereof.

     This Power of Attorney has been signed by the following person in the
capacity indicated, on the 10  day of    March      , 1999.
                          -----       --------------       

 
 
Signature                     Title
- ---------                     -----
                           
/s/  John Halleran            Director
- --------------------------                                                   
John Halleran

 

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     The director of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the "Company"), whose
signature appears below, hereby appoints W. W. Philip and J. James Gallagher, or
either of them, as his attorney to sign, in his name and behalf and in any and
all capacities stated below, the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report pursuant to
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and likewise to sign any and
all amendments and other documents relating thereto as shall be necessary, such
person hereby granting to each such attorney power to act with or without the
other and full power of substitution and revocation, and hereby ratifying all
that any such attorney or his substitute may do by virtue hereof.

     This Power of Attorney has been signed by the following person in the
capacity indicated, on the 10  day of    March      , 1999.
                          -----       --------------       

 
 
Signature                     Title
- ---------                     -----
                           
/s/  Thomas L. Matson         Director
- ---------------------                                                        
Thomas L. Matson

 

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     The director of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the "Company"), whose
signature appears below, hereby appoints W. W. Philip and J. James Gallagher, or
either of them, as his attorney to sign, in his name and behalf and in any and
all capacities stated below, the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report pursuant to
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and likewise to sign any and
all amendments and other documents relating thereto as shall be necessary, such
person hereby granting to each such attorney power to act with or without the
other and full power of substitution and revocation, and hereby ratifying all
that any such attorney or his substitute may do by virtue hereof.

     This Power of Attorney has been signed by the following person in the
capacity indicated, on the  10  day of    March      , 1999.
                          ------       --------------       

 
 
Signature                     Title
- ---------                     -----
                           
/s/  John Powell              Director
- ---------------------------                                                  
John Powell

 

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     The director of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the "Company"), whose
signature appears below, hereby appoints W. W. Philip and J. James Gallagher, or
either of them, as his attorney to sign, in his name and behalf and in any and
all capacities stated below, the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report pursuant to
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and likewise to sign any and
all amendments and other documents relating thereto as shall be necessary, such
person hereby granting to each such attorney power to act with or without the
other and full power of substitution and revocation, and hereby ratifying all
that any such attorney or his substitute may do by virtue hereof.

     This Power of Attorney has been signed by the following person in the
capacity indicated, on the 10 day of    March      , 1999.
                          ----       --------------       
 
 
Signature                     Title
- ---------                     -----
                           
/s/  Robert E. Quoidbach      Director
- ------------------------                                                     
Robert E. Quoidbach
 

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     The director of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the "Company"), whose
signature appears below, hereby appoints W. W. Philip and J. James Gallagher, or
either of them, as his attorney to sign, in his name and behalf and in any and
all capacities stated below, the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report pursuant to
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and likewise to sign any and
all amendments and other documents relating thereto as shall be necessary, such
person hereby granting to each such attorney power to act with or without the
other and full power of substitution and revocation, and hereby ratifying all
that any such attorney or his substitute may do by virtue hereof.

     This Power of Attorney has been signed by the following person in the
capacity indicated, on the  9  day of    March      , 1999.
                          -----       --------------       
 
 
Signature                     Title
- ---------                     -----
                           

/s/ Donald Rodman             Director
- --------------------------                                                   
Donald Rodman
 

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     The director of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the "Company"), whose
signature appears below, hereby appoints W. W. Philip and J. James Gallagher, or
either of them, as his attorney to sign, in his name and behalf and in any and
all capacities stated below, the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report pursuant to
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and likewise to sign any and
all amendments and other documents relating thereto as shall be necessary, such
person hereby granting to each such attorney power to act with or without the
other and full power of substitution and revocation, and hereby ratifying all
that any such attorney or his substitute may do by virtue hereof.

     This Power of Attorney has been signed by the following person in the
capacity indicated, on the  10  day of    March      , 1999.
                          ------       --------------       

 
 
Signature                     Title
- ---------                     -----
                           

/s/  Sidney Snyder            Director
- -------------------------                                                    
Sidney Snyder

 

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     The director of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the "Company"), whose
signature appears below, hereby appoints W. W. Philip and J. James Gallagher, or
either of them, as his attorney to sign, in his name and behalf and in any and
all capacities stated below, the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report pursuant to
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and likewise to sign any and
all amendments and other documents relating thereto as shall be necessary, such
person hereby granting to each such attorney power to act with or without the
other and full power of substitution and revocation, and hereby ratifying all
that any such attorney or his substitute may do by virtue hereof.

     This Power of Attorney has been signed by the following person in the
capacity indicated, on the  10 day of    March      , 1999.
                          -----       --------------       

 
 
Signature                     Title
- ---------                     -----
                           
/s/ William T. Weyerhaeuser   Director
- ---------------------------                                               
William T. Weyerhaeuser
 

 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     The director of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (the "Company"), whose
signature appears below, hereby appoints W. W. Philip and J. James Gallagher, or
either of them, as his attorney to sign, in his name and behalf and in any and
all capacities stated below, the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report pursuant to
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and likewise to sign any and
all amendments and other documents relating thereto as shall be necessary, such
person hereby granting to each such attorney power to act with or without the
other and full power of substitution and revocation, and hereby ratifying all
that any such attorney or his substitute may do by virtue hereof.

     This Power of Attorney has been signed by the following person in the
capacity indicated, on the  12  day of    March      , 1999.
                          ------       --------------       

 
 
Signature                     Title
- ---------                     -----
                           
/s/ James M. Will             Director
- -------------------------                                                    
James M. Will