WALLA WALLA, Wash., April 7, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Banner Corporation (Nasdaq:BANR), the parent company of Banner Bank and Islanders Bank, today announced that it will report first quarter results after the market closes on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. Management will host a conference call on Thursday, April 30 at 8:00 a.m. PDT (11:00 a.m. EDT) to discuss the results. The call will also be broadcast live via the internet.

Investment professionals are invited to dial 303-262-2075 at 8:00 a.m. PDT (11:00 a.m. EDT) 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 11129077#, until Thursday, May 7, 2009.

About Banner Corporation

Banner Corporation is a $4.6 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