An investigation on behalf of current long term investors in shares of Umpqua Holdings Corporation NASDAQ: UMPQ) concerning possible breaches of fiduciary duties related to potential excessive compensation that was awarded to certain senior officers and executives at Umpqua Holdings Corp. was announced.

The investigation by a law firm focuses on whether the directors and officers of Umpqua Holdings Corporation harmed the company by breaching their fiduciary duties to shareholders. In particular the investigation on behalf of current long term investors in Umpqua Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:UMPQ) focuses on possible shareholder claims that certain of Umpqua Holdings senior officers and executive were unjustly enriched through their receipt of unwarranted, excessive or unearned compensation in past years.

Umpqua Holdings CEO and Presidents pay rose from $2.3million in 2009 to $3.7million in 2010, the COOs pay increased from roughly $707,000 in 09 to $1.5million in 2010, the CFOs pay rose from roughly $365,000 in 09 to $879,000 in 2010, and the EVP, Senior Credit Officers pay increased from about $343,000 in 2009 to $897,000 in 2010. Additionally the EVP/Commercial Banking was given $137,326 for moving and relocation costs.

However, Umpqua Holdings shareholders recently expressed their disdain for executive pay packages by voting no on Umpqua Holdings Corporation's say on pay provision. Umpqua Holdings Corp. received 61.85% opposition against its pay practices at its April 19 annual meeting, according to a company filing.

The investigation concerns possible claims that the prior compensation awarded at Umpqua Holdings Corporation is improper based upon its current operating condition.

Despite that shares of Umpqua Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:UMPQ) rose from as low as $6.91 per share on March 09 to almost $12 in the end of March 2011 NASDAQ: UMPQ fell from as high as $19 in September 08, respectively $29.44 per share in Jan. 2007. Additionally Umpqua Holdings Corporation reported a Net Loss of $153.37million in 2009.

The investigation seeks to determine whether certain senior officers and executives at Umpqua Holdings Corporation were awarded salaries, bonuses, stock options and other forms of long-term, incentive or retirement compensation that were excessive or unwarranted based on the Umpqua Holdings performance as compared to what senior officers and executives at comparable companies were making and/or results that were fraudulent, misleading or not long-lasting.

Finally the investigation focuses also on possible shareholder claims that would allow Umpqua Holdings (NASDAQ:UMPQ) stockholders to more efficiently influence or control future compensation decisions at Umpqua Holdings Corp.