Umpqua Bank no longer exists as an independent bank—it merged with Columbia Bank in 2023
Umpqua Bank and Columbia Bank completed their merger on October 1, 2023. Umpqua, which had operated for over 170 years as a regional bank based in Oregon, is now part of Columbia Banking System. If you held an Umpqua account before that date, your account transferred to Columbia Bank automatically. You did not have to do anything to make this happen.
The merger was a business combination, not a failure or closure. Your deposits remained insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) throughout the process. The transition was handled so that existing customers kept their accounts, their account numbers, and their access to their money without interruption.
What changed is the name on your statements, the routing number for new transactions, and which bank's systems process your account going forward. If you had automatic payments, direct deposits, or linked accounts set up with Umpqua, you may have needed to update those details with other banks or payors after the merger closed.
Key Takeaways
- Umpqua Bank merged into Columbia Bank on October 1, 2023, and no longer operates as a separate institution.
- Your Umpqua account transferred to Columbia automatically; you did not need to take action to keep your money safe.
- Your FDIC deposit insurance coverage continued without interruption through the merger.
- You may need to update your account information with employers, billers, or other banks if you had automatic transactions set up with your old Umpqua routing number.
- Columbia Bank is now the legal owner and operator of what were Umpqua's branches, accounts, and customer relationships.
What happened to your account number and routing number
Your Umpqua account number stayed the same after the merger. This is important because it means you did not lose your account identity or history. However, your routing number changed. The routing number is the nine-digit code that tells other banks where to send money to you. When Umpqua merged into Columbia, the routing number switched to Columbia's routing number.
This change matters if you have direct deposit set up with an employer or government agency, or if you have automatic bill payments coming out of your account. Those payors and billers use the routing number to find your account. If they still have Umpqua's old routing number on file, the transaction may fail or be delayed. You should contact your employer's payroll department, your benefits administrator, or any billers who pull money from your account and ask them to update your routing number to Columbia's.
If you are not sure what your new routing number is, log into your Columbia account online or call Columbia customer service. They can provide it to you immediately. You can also find it on the bottom left of any check you write from your Columbia account.
FDIC insurance coverage after the merger
Your FDIC deposit insurance did not change or lapse during the merger. The FDIC insures deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, per ownership category. When Umpqua merged into Columbia, the FDIC treated this as a continuation of coverage, not a new account. If you had $200,000 in an Umpqua savings account on October 1, 2023, that $200,000 remained fully insured under the FDIC limit after the merger closed.
The one scenario where FDIC coverage can change is if you held deposits at both Umpqua and Columbia before the merger. In that case, those balances are now combined under one FDIC insurance limit at Columbia. If your combined balance exceeds $250,000, the amount over $250,000 is no longer insured. This is rare for most customers, but if you had significant balances at both banks, you may want to review your coverage with Columbia.
How to access your account now
If you had online banking set up with Umpqua, you can still log in using your old username and password, but you are now logging into Columbia's system. The website and app changed to Columbia's platforms. Some customers were able to migrate their login credentials automatically; others had to set up a new Columbia online banking profile. If you could not log in after the merger date, contact Columbia customer service and they will help you regain access.
You can also visit a Columbia branch in person. Many Umpqua branches became Columbia branches and kept the same physical locations. If there was an Umpqua branch near you, there is likely a Columbia branch at that same address now. You can use your old debit card at ATMs and in stores until it expires, but when you order a replacement, it will come as a Columbia card.
If you have questions about your account balance, transactions, or account settings, call Columbia customer service. The phone number changed from Umpqua's to Columbia's. You can find Columbia's customer service number on their website or on any statement or card you received after the merger.
What to do if you had automatic payments or transfers set up
Automatic payments and transfers that were set up through Umpqua's system may have been interrupted or may fail if the other party (your employer, a biller, or another bank) still has Umpqua's routing number. You should contact each organization that sends money to you or pulls money from your account and ask them to update your routing number to Columbia's.
Start with your employer or payroll administrator if you receive a paycheck via direct deposit. Give them Columbia's routing number and your account number. Do the same for any government benefits you receive, such as Social Security or unemployment payments. Then contact any billers who have automatic payments set up to pull money from your account—utilities, insurance companies, loan servicers, and subscription services.
If a payment fails because of the routing number change, contact the organization that was supposed to send or receive the payment. They can resubmit it once your account information is updated. You should not be charged a fee for a failed payment caused by the merger, but if you are, contact Columbia and explain the situation.
Branches, hours, and services after the merger
Most Umpqua branches are now Columbia branches. The physical locations stayed the same, and the branch hours may be the same or similar. However, some Umpqua branches were consolidated or closed as part of the merger integration. If you relied on a specific branch location, check Columbia's branch locator on their website to confirm that branch still exists and to see its current hours.
The services you used at Umpqua—checking accounts, savings accounts, loans, credit cards, and investment services—are still available through Columbia. However, the specific products, interest rates, and terms may have changed. If you had a special rate or promotion on your Umpqua account, contact Columbia to find out whether that rate or promotion carries over or whether you need to move to a Columbia product.
If you still have questions about your account
Columbia Bank has a dedicated team to handle questions from former Umpqua customers. You can reach them by phone, through the Columbia website, or by visiting a branch in person. Have your account number ready when you call. If you are having trouble accessing your account, updating automatic payments, or understanding how the merger affects your specific situation, Columbia's customer service can walk you through the steps.
You can also review any statements or notices you received from Umpqua or Columbia around the merger date. These documents usually contain important information about the transition and how to update your account information with other organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to close my Umpqua account and open a new Columbia account?
No. Your Umpqua account automatically became a Columbia account on October 1, 2023. You do not need to open a new account or close anything. Your money is still there, and you can use it the same way you did before.
Will my debit card still work after the merger?
Yes, your Umpqua debit card will continue to work at ATMs and in stores until it expires. When you need a replacement, you will receive a Columbia debit card instead. There is no action required on your part.
What if I had a loan with Umpqua?
Your loan transferred to Columbia along with your deposit accounts. You will receive statements and correspondence from Columbia now, and you should make payments to Columbia. Your loan terms and interest rate do not change because of the merger.
Can I still use Umpqua's mobile app?
No. Umpqua's mobile app no longer works after the merger. You need to download and use Columbia's mobile app instead. You can log in with the same credentials you set up for Columbia's online banking, or create a new login if you have not done so yet.
What if a payment failed because of the routing number change?
Contact the organization that was supposed to send or receive the payment and provide them with Columbia's routing number. Ask them to resubmit the payment. If you were charged a fee for the failed payment, contact Columbia and explain that it was caused by the merger transition—they may reverse the fee.