Steve Strong, David Griffin lead Columbia Bank's new Salt Lake City commercial real estate team

Columbia Bank, based in Tacoma, Washington, has formed a Salt Lake City-based commercial real estate team led by Steve Strong and David Griffin. The $66 billion regional bank entered the Utah market in 2022. Strong joins Columbia as senior vice president, overseeing commercial construction and term debt financing. He has more than two decades of experience structuring complex financing solutions, with expertise that spans construction lending, stabilized asset financing and long-term capital strategies. Prior to Columbia, he managed a portfolio of commercial real estate projects as senior relationship manager and senior vice president at WaFd Bank. Previously, he held regional leadership roles at Hillcrest Bank, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo. Griffin will lead the region's home builder finance team as senior relationship manager. He has served as an advisor to builders navigating dynamic market conditions for more than 25 years, providing innovative capital solutions that support growth across residential development platforms. He joins Columbia from Mechanics Bank, where he oversaw the Idaho market as vice president, relationship manager and managed the bank's underwriting staff as vice president, construction underwriter manager. Previously, he held roles at Home Federal Bank, First Horizon Bank and Far West Bank. Columbia Bank has offices in Utah and eight other states. It is the principal subsidiary of Columbia Banking System Inc.