Fourth quarter earnings per share were 29 cents, up 19.8% from the year-ago quarter. Fourth quarter net income was $2 million, up 20.2% from the same 1999 quarter. Loans and deposit growth in 2000 was 27% and 30%, respectively. The Company's loan portfolio grew by $20 million during the quarter and $77 million for the year, its third consecutive year of loan growth above 25%.

The growth is in part due to a vibrant Central Oregon economy that resulted from Deschutes County -- the company's primary market -- ranking No. 1 in the Northwest in rate of population growth in the past decade. Cascade operates nine banks in Central Oregon.

Non-interest bearing deposits grew 19.6% and represent 35% of total deposits. As a result, Bank of the Cascade's cost of funds remains among the best in banking at 2.74% for the year and 2.92% for the fourth quarter.