WALLA WALLA, Wash., Oct. 26, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Banner Corporation (Nasdaq:BANR), the parent company of Banner Bank and Islanders Bank, today announced its Board of Directors increased the quarterly cash dividend to $0.20 per share. The dividend will be paid January 10, 2008, to shareholders of record on December 31, 2007. This is Banner's 49th consecutive quarterly cash dividend and represents an increase of 5%.
"We have been building our franchise, while generating top- and bottom-line improvements. This increase in our cash dividend is a way for us to share this growth with our shareholders," said D. Michael Jones, President and CEO.
Yesterday, Banner reported its third quarter earnings and provided detailed financial information in a separate press release.
About Banner Corporation
Banner Corporation is a $4.3 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.