Earlier this year, Columbia's merger with Umpqua Bank opened up expansion for the business in different markets. The firm is building out its offerings in the Western side of the US.

Columbia Trust Company, a subsidiary of Nasdaq-listed Columbia Banking System, has appointed Rob Pitois as senior vice president and regional trust manager for California and Nevada. 

Pitois will be responsible for hiring and building a trust and investment team to lead the company’s planned expansion into markets now available through Columbia’s merger earlier this year with Umpqua Bank.

Pitois will report to Rob Howell, president and director of investments at Columbia Trust Company.

Prior to this, Pitois led a team of Umpqua Private Bank advisors and bankers, serving high net worth families, business owners, family offices, and select non-profit organizations. Before Umpqua, he was a senior private banker and San Diego market team leader at City National for eight years. Pitois has served the California market for more than 23 years.

“Columbia Trust Company has gone through a period of rapid growth in the past three years, and this appointment is one of many to come as we plan our expansion into California, Nevada, and across the West,” Howell said. 

Pitois is a Certified Financial Planner and received a certificate in financial planning from the University of California, Los Angeles. In addition, he holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation administered by the Investments & Wealth Institute and taught in conjunction with The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. 

Columbia Trust Company has offices in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.