Columbia Bank, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia Banking System, expanded its business lending division into Utah with the hires of veteran Salt Lake City-area bankers Jeffrey Thomas and James Divver.

Thomas and Divver have more than 20 years of banking leadership experience in Utah and will build a team dedicated to delivering business lending services across a footprint that also includes Washington, Oregon, California and Idaho.

“Our expansion into Utah is a logical extension of our growing western footprint and a timely opportunity to enter one of the region’s strongest markets with proven local leaders who are well-positioned to ramp up quickly and make a substantial impact,” Clint Stein, president and CEO of Columbia Bank, said. “Utah is one of the best places in the country to live and work, with a rapidly growing business community we are thrilled to join. The economy is diverse and poised for continued expansion. We aim to be the best regional bank in the West, and Utah is an important part of the big picture for Columbia.”

Thomas joined Columbia Bank as senior vice president and commercial banking lead. He will spearhead Columbia’s Utah operations. Thomas most recently was senior vice president and business banking market leader for U.S. Bank in the Salt Lake City area.

Divver was previously senior vice president of government relations for Zions Bank. During his tenure, he oversaw the bank’s sales resource team, private/executive banking, new business and Zions Insurance Agency. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership positions at Zions Bank in Utah.

“Utah boasts a robust talent pool from which I am confident we will attract the deep team of local bankers we need to exceed the expectations of customers throughout the state,” Thomas said. “Our plan is to quickly build a full-service team, beginning with a loan production office in the Salt Lake City area.”