Washington

Douglas Biddle has succeeded Denise Portmann as CFO at Bank of the Pacific, the $705 million-asset company said in a press release Thursday.

Anchor Bancorp (ANCB) in Lacey, Wash., is facing pressure from an activist investor to sell itself.

Columbia Banking System (COLB) in Tacoma, Wash., reported higher quarterly earnings buoyed by last year's purchase of West Coast Bancorp in Lake Oswego, Ore.

Washington Federal (WAFD) in Seattle reported substantial deposit runoff tied to its purchase of 51 Bank of America (BAC) branches.

Washington Federal (WAFD) in Seattle posted higher quarterly earnings despite costs tied to a recent acquisition.

National Capital Bank of Washington has named Robert Comstock, its legal counsel, as its chief executive. He succeeded Richard Didden Sr., who recently died.

Northwest Bancorp (NBCT) in Spokane, Wash., has completed its redemption of preferred stock it issued to the Treasury Department under the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Buoyed by its success on the West Coast, Operation Hope is partnering with the likes of SunTrust and Popular Community Bank to set up its financial literacy centers in such cities as Memphis, Atlanta, Washington and New York.

Timberland Bancorp (TSBK) in Hoquiam, Wash., will buy back its remaining Troubled Asset Relief Program shares for about $12.1 million.

Northwest Bancorp. (NBCT) in Spokane, Wash., has raised $12.5 million after selling common stock and issuing subordinated notes and warrants.

The $890 million-asset company exceeded its goal of raising $15 million after it received investments from local shareholders in addition to institutional investors, according to a press release Wednesday.

The Federal Reserve Board has announced the termination of regulatory orders with four lenders Thursday: FNB United (now named CommunityOne Bancorp), Highland Bancshares, National Consumer Cooperative Bank and NCB Financial.

Heritage Financial (HFWA) in Olympia, Wash., has agreed to buy Washington Banking (WBCO) in Oak Harbor. Heritage will pay about $265 million in cash and stock for Washington Banking, the companies said Wednesday.

Bank of Georgetown hired Jeffrey Satterly to launch a unit that lends to federal contractors. But the shutdown could wreak havoc.

Bank mergers, failures and charter consolidations are cutting into the exam fees that provide the financial lifeblood for regulators in Idaho, Montana and other states. Their attempts to balance the budget can cause small banks to pay higher fees.

Home Federal Bancorp was looking for ways to grow its earning assets as the benefits of FDIC loss shares from two failed-bank deals faded. Lacking good prospects, it decided to sell itself to Banner Corp. More banks could find themselves in the same boat.

Pacific Continentalin Eugene, Ore., has named a new head for its operations around Seattle.

The $4.24 billion-asset Banner said Tuesday it has agreed to buy Home Federal Bancorp (HOME) in Nampa, Idaho, for $197 million in cash and stock.

Sterling Financial in Spokane, Wash., has gone ahead with rebranding its California operations as Argent Bank despite its recent merger announcement.

TD Bank is content with its branch network along the East Coast and, for now, is not interested in deals that would take it into new markets, according to its chief financial officer.