Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year

On August 26, 2009, at a special meeting of shareholders of Banner Corporation (the "Company"), the Company's shareholders approved an amendment to Article IV of the Company's Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 25,000,000 to 75,000,000. The amendment became effective at the close of business on August 28, 2009, the date on which Articles of Amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington. A copy of the Articles of Amendment is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this report. At the special meeting, the Company's shareholders also voted on, but did not approve, a proposed amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of preferred stock from 500,000 to 10,000,000.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

3.1 Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation

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