PRESS RELEASE
August 19, 2005

Contact:
VENTURE FINANCIAL GROUP
Ken F. Parsons, Sr.
(360) 412 - 2100
kparsons@venture-bank.com

Venture Financial Group, Inc. and Washington Commercial Bancorp Merger

Olympia, WA. - August 19, 2005 - Venture Financial Group, Inc., parent company of Venture Bank, and Washington Commercial Bancorp, parent company of Redmond National Bank, announced today that over 85% of the shares voting at the Washington Commercial Bancorp special shareholder meeting were cast in favor of the merger between the two companies. The companies have received all regulatory approvals and the anticipated closing date is September 2. The deadline for Washington Commercial Bancorp shareholders to submit Election Forms related to the merger consideration is August 31, 2005.

About Venture Financial Group, Inc.
Venture Bank has 14 offices in four western Washington counties and offers a full spectrum of financial services including commercial, construction, residential and consumer lending, deposit products and other banking services. The bank also provides a broad range of investment services through its subsidiary Venture Wealth Management, Inc. Further information is available online at www.venture-bank.com.

This press release includes a forward-looking statement regarding the expected date of consummation of the merger. This statement is subject to risk and uncertainty. The ability of Venture Financial Group, Inc. and Washington Commercial Bancorp to fulfill their respective closing conditions of the transaction is a risk factor, and the actual closing may occur later than anticipated.