WALLA WALLA, Wash., Jan. 7, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Banner Corporation (Nasdaq:BANR), the parent company of Banner Bank and Islanders Bank, today announced that it will report fourth quarter and year-end results after the market closes on Wednesday, January 28, 2009. Management will host a conference call on Thursday, January 29 at 8:00 a.m. PST (10:00 a.m. EST) to discuss the results. The call will also be broadcast live via the internet.

Investment professionals are invited to dial 303-262-2211 at 8:00 a.m. PST (11:00 a.m. EST) to access the call. All current and prospective shareholders are welcome to listen to the live call or replay through a webcast posted on the Banner Bank's website, www.bannerbank.com. An archived recording of the call can be accessed by dialing 303-590-3000, access code 11124363#, until Thursday, February 5, 2009.

About Banner Corporation

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.

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