Columbia Bank's Melanie Dressel - Community Banker of the Year

Melanie Dressel of Columbia Bank has been named one of three Community Bankers of the Year by American Banker magazine. What, you don’t read American Banker? Okay, we’ll admit it, we don’t typically read it either, but this month they have a very nice article about Dressel, and the reasons she won the award.

For having the confidence to stick with a traditional community banking approach while others chased the easy money, and for deftly capitalizing on competitors’ woes, Dressel has been named by American Banker as one of its Community Bankers of the Year for 2011.

The magazine and other press about Dressel praise her tenacity in sticking to her principles, and not bowing to the pressure to make a quick buck during the bubble, thereby guiding Columbia Bank through tough economic times in better shape than others. Columbia Bank has grown significantly in size in the past couple years, and is now well positioned for further acquisitions, but Dressel continues to stress the importance of smart growth, and maintaining the community banking spirit.

“Our long-term vision is we want to be a Pacific Northwest regional community bank, with the emphasis on community,” said Dressel…

Read the full story from American Banker and the Seattle Times.