- Portland Business Journal Names Bank of the Cascades #2 Most Admired Banking Service Company BEND, Ore., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Portland Business Journal has announced recently the results of their first annual "Oregon Most Admired Companies" program and has recognized Bank of the Cascades and CEO Patricia L. Moss for the 2005 year. Bank of the Cascades was ranked #2 among the Oregon banks. Patricia L. Moss, CEO of Cascade Bancorp and Bank of the Cascades tied as the number 3 most admired CEO across all industries, with Allen Alley of Pixelworks Inc. and Dan Wieden of Wieden + Kennedy. According to Portland Business Journal Publisher Craig Wessel, the Most Admired Companies program was developed to recognize those companies who have formed the economic and cultural foundation upon which this state is built. To determine the outcome, Portland Business Journal surveyed two distinct groups in a variety of business sectors. One group comprised of 800 Oregon CEOs and senior officers of companies with Oregon operations. The respondents were asked to select and rank companies based on innovation, quality of products and services, branding and marketing, quality of management and community involvement. They were also asked to identify the CEO they admired most in Oregon. Portland Business Journal readers were the second group who responded to an online survey to select a single company in each category. The categories included legal, retail, banking, health care, nonprofits, and technology. Moss commented, "We share in our admiration of the Oregon companies who have been recognized and are sincerely honored to be included with this outstanding group." She continued, "I would also like to recognize Bank of the Cascades team of bankers whose daily commitment to customers and community have contributed greatly to this recognition." Cascade Bancorp (headquartered in Bend, Oregon) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bank of the Cascades, have a business strategy that focuses on delivering the best in community banking for the financial well being of customers and shareholders. The Bank implements its strategy by combining outstanding service, competitive financial products, local expertise and advanced technology applied for the convenience of customers. Founded in 1977, Bank of the Cascades offers full-service community banking through 21 branches, including 11 in Central Oregon, four in the Salem/Keizer area, five in Southern Oregon and one office in Portland. The Company plans to open up to 2 new branches in the next 5 quarters concentrated in its fast growing Southern and Central Oregon markets. The Bank has been rated among the top performing banks in the nation for the eighth consecutive year by Independent Community Bankers of America as well as in surveys by US Banker Magazine. In addition, The Seattle Times named Cascade Bancorp in the top tier of the annual Northwest 100 ranking of all publicly traded companies in the Pacific Northwest, and it was among the top 20 "Best Companies to Work For" in Oregon Business magazine. For further information on the Company, please visit our web site at http://www.botc.com/. DATASOURCE: Cascade Bancorp CONTACT: Patricia L. Moss, President & Chief Executive Officer of Cascade Bancorp, +1-541-385-6205; or Debbie C. Amerongen, SVP/Marketing & Deposit Manager of Bank of the Cascades, +1-541-385-6205 Web site: http://www.botc.com/

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