WALLA WALLA, Wash., April 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Banner Corporation (NASDAQ GSM: BANR) (“Banner”), the parent company of Banner Bank, today reported net income of $55.6 million, or $1.61 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2023, a 2% increase compared to $54.4 million, or $1.58 per diluted share, for the preceding quarter and a 26% increase compared to $44.0 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2022. Banner’s first quarter 2023 results include $524,000 in recapture of provision for credit losses, compared to $6.7 million of provision for credit losses in the preceding quarter and $7.0 million in recapture of provision for credit losses in the first quarter of 2022.

Banner announced that its Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.48 per share. The dividend will be payable May 12, 2023, to common shareholders of record on May 2, 2023.

“While the pace of change continues to accelerate in markets we serve, and throughout the global economy, our business model, which emphasizes moderate risk and strong relationship banking continues to generate strong financial results,” said Mark Grescovich, President and CEO. “Banner’s first quarter 2023 operating results reflect the continued successful execution of our super community bank strategy. Our performance for the first quarter of 2023 benefited from higher yields on interest-earning assets and an improved mix of earnings assets that led to net interest margin expansion. Further, the continued focus on growing client relationships is serving us well, with core deposits representing 93% of total deposits at quarter end. Banner’s overarching goals continue to be to do the right thing for our clients, communities, colleagues and shareholders; and to provide a consistent and reliable source of commerce and capital through all economic cycles.”

At March 31, 2023, Banner Corporation had $15.53 billion in assets, $10.02 billion in net loans and $13.15 billion in deposits. Banner operates 137 full service branch offices, including branches located in eight of the top 20 largest western Metropolitan Statistical Areas by population.

First Quarter 2023 Highlights

• Revenues decreased 6% to $162.6 million, compared to $172.1 million in the preceding quarter, and increased 18% compared to $138.1 million in the first quarter a year ago.
• Net interest income decreased 4% to $153.3 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to $159.1 million in the preceding quarter and increased 29% compared to $118.7 million in the first quarter a year ago.
• Net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, was 4.30%, compared to 4.23% in the preceding quarter and 3.18% in the first quarter a year ago.
• Mortgage banking revenues increased 16% to $2.7 million, compared to $2.3 million in the preceding quarter, and decreased 39% compared to $4.4 million in the first quarter a year ago.
• Return on average assets was 1.44%, compared to 1.34% in the preceding quarter and 1.06% in the first quarter a year ago.
• Net loans receivable increased to $10.02 billion at March 31, 2023, compared to $10.01 billion at December 31, 2022, and increased 11% compared to $9.02 billion at March 31, 2022.
• Non-performing assets increased to $27.1 million, or 0.17% of total assets, at March 31, 2023, compared to $23.4 million, or 0.15% of total assets at December 31, 2022, and $19.1 million, or 0.11% of total assets, at March 31, 2022.
• The allowance for credit losses - loans was $141.5 million, or 1.39% of total loans receivable, as of March 31, 2023, compared to $141.5 million, or 1.39% of total loans receivable as of December 31, 2022 and $125.5 million, or 1.37% of total loans receivable as of March 31, 2022.
• Core deposits (non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing transaction and savings accounts) decreased to $12.20 billion at March 31, 2023, compared to $12.90 billion at December 31, 2022, and to $13.72 billion a year ago. Core deposits represented 93% of total deposits at March 31, 2023.
• Banner Bank’s uninsured deposits were 33% of total deposits at March 31, 2023, compared to 35% at December 31, 2022.
• Banner Bank’s uninsured deposits excluding collateralized public deposits and affiliate deposits were 31% at March 31, 2023, compared to 33% at December 31, 2022.
• Available borrowing capacity was $4.25 billion at March 31, 2023, compared to $4.31 billion at December 31, 2022.
• On balance sheet liquidity was $3.40 billion at March 31, 2023, compared to $3.77 billion at December 31, 2022.
• Dividends paid to shareholders were $0.48 per share in the quarter ended March 31, 2023, up from $0.44 per share in the quarter ended December 31, 2022.
• Common shareholders’ equity per share increased 5% to $44.64 at March 31, 2023, compared to $42.59 at the preceding quarter end, and decreased 2% from $45.49 a year ago.
• Tangible common shareholders’ equity per share* increased 7% to $33.52 at March 31, 2023, compared to $31.41 at the preceding quarter end, and decreased 2% from $34.25 a year ago.

*Non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) measure; See, “Additional Financial Information - Non-GAAP Financial Measures” on the final two pages of this press release for a discussion and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.

Income Statement Review

Net interest income was $153.3 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to $159.1 million in the preceding quarter and $118.7 million in the first quarter a year ago. Banner’s net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis was 4.30% for the first quarter of 2023, a seven basis-point increase compared to 4.23% in the preceding quarter and a 112 basis-point increase compared to 3.18% in the first quarter a year ago. “Rising market interest rates during the quarter resulted in yields on loans and investment securities increasing at a faster pace than our funding costs which improved our net interest margin,” said Grescovich.

Average yields on interest-earning assets increased 28 basis points to 4.68% for the first quarter of 2023, compared to 4.40% for the preceding quarter and increased 139 basis points compared to 3.29% in the first quarter a year ago. Since March 2022, in response to inflation, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) of the Federal Reserve System has increased the target range for the federal funds rate by 475 basis points, including 50 basis points during the first quarter of 2023, to a range of 4.75% to 5.00%. The increase in average yields on interest-earning assets during the current quarter reflects the benefit of variable rate interest-earning assets repricing higher, as well as new loans being originated at higher interest rates. Average loan yields increased 24 basis points to 5.38% compared to 5.14% in the preceding quarter and increased 88 basis points compared to 4.50% in the first quarter a year ago. The increase in average loan yields during the current quarter compared to the preceding and prior year quarters was primarily the result of rising interest rates. The year-over-year increase in average loan yields was partially offset by a decline in the recognition of deferred loan fee income due to loan repayments from U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan forgiveness compared to the prior year quarter. Total deposit costs were 0.28% in the first quarter of 2023, which was an 18 basis-point increase compared to the preceding quarter and a 22 basis-point increase compared to the first quarter a year ago. The increase in the costs of deposits was due to elevated competition for deposits, an increase in the mix of higher cost CDs and the lag effect of prior market rate increases on current period deposit costs. The total cost of funding liabilities was 0.40% during the first quarter of 2023, a 22 basis-point increase compared to 0.18% in the preceding quarter and a 28 basis-point increase compared to 0.12% first quarter a year ago.

Banner recorded a $524,000 recapture of provision for credit losses in the current quarter (comprised of a $774,000 provision for credit losses - loans, a $1.3 million recapture of provision for credit losses - unfunded loan commitments and a $20,000 recapture of provision for credit losses - held-to-maturity debt securities). This compares to a $6.7 million provision for credit losses in the prior quarter (comprised of a $6.0 million provision for credit losses - loans, a $680,000 provision for credit losses - unfunded loan commitments and a $19,000 recapture of provision for credit losses - held-to-maturity debt securities) and a $7.0 million recapture of provision for credit losses in the first quarter a year ago (comprised of a $7.4 million recapture of provision for credit losses - loans, a $428,000 provision for credit losses - unfunded loan commitments and a $13,000 recapture of provision for credit losses - held-to-maturity debt securities). The recapture of provision for credit losses for the current quarter primarily reflects a decrease in unfunded construction loan commitments, which was partially offset by higher net loan charge-offs during the current quarter. The provision for credit losses for the preceding quarter primarily reflects loan growth and, to a lesser extent, a deterioration in forecasted economic indicators utilized to estimate credit losses.

Total non-interest income was $9.3 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to $13.1 million in the preceding quarter and $19.4 million in the first quarter a year ago. The decrease in non-interest income during the current quarter, compared to the prior quarter was primarily due to a $7.3 million net loss on the sale of securities recorded during the current quarter, compared to a $3.7 million net loss on the sale of securities in the preceding quarter. The decrease in non-interest income during the current quarter, compared to the prior year quarter was primarily due to a $1.7 million decrease in mortgage banking revenues and the previously mentioned net loss recognized on the sale of securities during the current quarter. Deposit fees and other service charges were $10.6 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to $10.8 million in the preceding quarter and $11.2 million in the first quarter a year ago.

Mortgage banking revenues, including gains on one- to four-family and multifamily loan sales and loan servicing fees, were $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to $2.3 million in the preceding quarter and $4.4 million in the first quarter a year ago. The increase from the preceding quarter primarily reflects an increase in the volume of one-to four family loans sold. The decrease from the first quarter of 2022 primarily reflects a reduction in the volume and a decrease in the gain on sale margin for one- to four-family loans sold. The reduction in the volume of one- to four-family loans sold compared to the prior year quarter primarily reflects reduced refinancing activity, as well as decreased purchase activity as interest rates increased. Home purchase activity accounted for 88% of one- to four-family mortgage loan originations in the first quarter of 2023, compared to 90% in the preceding quarter and was 54% in the first quarter of 2022. Mortgage banking revenue included a $295,000 lower of cost or market upward adjustment on multifamily held for sale loans for the current quarter due to decreases in market interest rates during the first quarter as well as $87,000 of gain recognized on the sale of multifamily loans. This compares to a $723,000 lower of cost or market upward adjustment recorded during the preceding quarter due to the transfer of multifamily held for sale loans to held for investment portfolio loans, partially offset by a negative fair value adjustment on multifamily held for sale loans. There were no multifamily loans sold during the preceding quarter. During the first quarter of 2022, a $603,000 lower of cost or market downward adjustment was recorded due to increases in market rates, partially offset by $340,000 of gain recognized on the sale of multifamily loans.

First quarter 2023 non-interest income also included a $552,000 net loss for fair value adjustments as a result of changes in the valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value, principally comprised of certain investment securities held for trading and limited partnership investments, and a $7.3 million net loss on the sale of securities. In the preceding quarter, results included a $157,000 net gain for fair value adjustments and a $3.7 million net loss on the sale of securities. In the first quarter a year ago, results included a $49,000 net gain for fair value adjustments and a $435,000 net gain on the sale of securities.

Total revenue decreased 6% to $162.6 million for the first quarter of 2023, compared to $172.1 million in the preceding quarter, and increased 18% compared to $138.1 million in the first quarter of 2022. Adjusted revenue* (the total of net interest income and total non-interest income excluding the net gain or loss on the sale of securities and the net change in valuation of financial instruments) was $170.4 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to $175.7 million in the preceding quarter and $137.6 million in the first quarter a year ago.

Total non-interest expense was $94.6 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to $99.0 million in the preceding quarter and $91.2 million in the first quarter of 2022. The decrease in non-interest expense for the current quarter compared to the prior quarter primarily reflects a $1.5 million decrease in occupancy and equipment expenses, primarily reflecting increased building rent expense due to lease buyouts as well as weather related increases in building maintenance expense during the prior quarter and a $4.2 million decrease in professional and legal expenses, primarily due to a $3.5 million accrual recorded during the prior quarter in relation to a potential settlement of a pending litigation matter, partially offset by a $1.4 million decrease in capitalized loan origination costs, primarily due to decreased loan production and a $1.1 million increase in salary and employee benefits expense. The increase in non-interest expense for the current quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago primarily reflects an increase in salary and employee benefits expense and a decrease in capitalized loan origination costs, partially offset by a decrease in occupancy and equipment expenses and a $793,000 loss on extinguishment of debt as a result of the redemption of $50.5 million of junior subordinated debentures during the first quarter of 2022. Banner’s efficiency ratio was 58.20% for the first quarter, compared to 57.52% in the preceding quarter and 66.04% in the same quarter a year ago. Banner’s adjusted efficiency ratio* was 54.23% for the first quarter, compared to 54.43% in the preceding quarter and 62.09% in the year ago quarter.

*Non-GAAP financial measures. See, “Additional Financial Information - Non-GAAP Financial Measures” on the final two pages of this press release for a discussion and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.

Federal and state income tax expense totaled $12.9 million for the first quarter of 2023 resulting in an effective tax rate of 18.9%, reflecting the benefits from tax exempt income. Banner’s statutory income tax rate is 23.5%, representing a blend of the statutory federal income tax rate of 21.0% and apportioned effects of the state income tax rates.

Balance Sheet Review

Total assets decreased 2% to $15.53 billion at March 31, 2023, compared to $15.83 billion at December 31, 2022, and decreased 7% from $16.78 billion at March 31, 2022. The total of securities and interest-bearing deposits held at other banks totaled $3.99 billion at March 31, 2023, compared to $4.28 billion at December 31, 2022 and $6.06 billion at March 31, 2022. The decrease compared to the prior quarter was primarily due to the sale of $150.1 million of securities as well as $150.0 million of reverse repurchase agreements maturing during the current quarter, while the decrease compared to the prior year quarter was primarily due to a decrease in interest-bearing deposits held at other banks. The average effective duration of the securities portfolio was approximately 6.6 years at March 31, 2023, compared to 6.2 years at March 31, 2022.

Total loans receivable increased to $10.16 billion at March 31, 2023, compared to $10.15 billion at December 31, 2022, and $9.15 billion at March 31, 2022. One- to four-family residential loans increased 7% to $1.25 billion at March 31, 2023, compared to $1.17 billion at December 31, 2022, and increased 74% compared to $718.4 million a year ago. The increase in one- to four-family residential loans was primarily the result of one- to four-family construction loans converting to one- to four-family portfolio loans upon the completion of the construction phase and new production. Multifamily real estate loans increased 8% to $696.9 million at March 31, 2023, compared to $645.1 million at December 31, 2022, and increased 16% compared to $598.6 million a year ago. The increase in multifamily loans was primarily due to transferring $54.0 million of multifamily held for sale loans to the held for investment loan portfolio during the fourth quarter of 2022 as well as multifamily construction loans converting to multifamily portfolio loans as construction was completed. Commercial business loans totaled $2.23 billion at both March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and increased 14% compared to $1.96 billion a year ago, primarily due to new loan production during 2022. Total construction, land and land development loans decreased to $1.47 billion at March 31, 2023, compared to $1.49 billion at December 31, 2022, as a result of a decrease in one- to four-family construction loans.

Loans held for sale were $49.0 million at March 31, 2023, compared to $56.9 million at December 31, 2022, and $64.2 million at March 31, 2022. One- to four- family residential mortgage loans sold totaled $40.5 million in the current quarter, compared to $39.3 million in the preceding quarter and $210.4 million in the first quarter a year ago, while multifamily loans sold totaled $7.6 million during the first quarter of 2023, compared to none sold in the preceding quarter and $15.8 million sold in the first quarter a year ago.

Total deposits decreased to $13.15 billion at March 31, 2023, compared to $13.62 billion at December 31, 2022, and $14.52 billion a year ago. The decline in deposits was primarily due to interest rate sensitive clients moving a portion of their non-operating deposit balances to higher yielding investments. Non-interest-bearing account balances decreased 7% to $5.76 billion at March 31, 2023, compared to $6.18 billion at December 31, 2022, and 11% compared to $6.49 billion a year ago. Core deposits were 93% of total deposits at March 31, 2023, 95% of total deposits at December 31, 2022 and 94% of total deposits at March 31, 2022. Certificates of deposit increased 31% to $949.9 million at March 31, 2023, compared to $723.5 million at December 31, 2022, and increased 19% compared to $800.4 million a year earlier. The increase in certificates of deposits during the current quarter was principally due to clients seeking higher yields moving funds from core deposit accounts to higher yielding certificates of deposits.

Banner Bank’s uninsured deposits were $4.42 billion or 33% of total deposits at March 31, 2023, compared to $4.84 billion or 35% of total deposits at December 31, 2022. The uninsured deposit calculation includes $277.7 million and $304.2 million of collateralized public deposits at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Uninsured deposits also include cash held by the holding company of $88.0 million and $77.2 million at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Banner Bank’s uninsured deposits, excluding collateralized public deposits and cash held at the holding company, were 31% of deposits at March 31, 2023, compared to 33% of total deposits at December 31, 2022.

Banner had $170.0 million of FHLB borrowings at March 31, 2023, compared to $50.0 million at December 31, 2022 and none a year ago. At March 31, 2023, Banner’s off-balance sheet liquidity included additional borrowing capacity of $2.84 billion at the FHLB and $1.29 billion at the Federal Reserve as well as federal funds line of credit agreements with other financial institutions of $125.0 million.

At March 31, 2023, total common shareholders’ equity was $1.53 billion, or 9.86% of assets, compared to $1.46 billion or 9.20% of assets at December 31, 2022, and $1.56 billion or 9.32% of assets a year ago. The increase in total common shareholders’ equity at March 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022 was primarily due to a $38.9 million increase in retained earnings as a result of $55.6 million in net income, partially offset by the payment of cash dividends during the quarter and a $37.1 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss due to an increase in the fair value of the security portfolio. The decrease in total common shareholders’ equity from March 31, 2022 reflects a $171.5 million increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss, primarily due to a decrease in the fair value of the security portfolio as a result of an increase in interest rates during 2022, the repurchase of 200,000 shares of common stock in the second quarter of 2022 at an average cost of $54.80 per share, and the payment of cash dividends, partially offset by a $38.9 million increase in retained earnings. At March 31, 2023, tangible common shareholders’ equity*, which excludes goodwill and other intangible assets, net, was $1.15 billion, or 7.59% of tangible assets*, compared to $1.07 billion, or 6.95% of tangible assets, at December 31, 2022, and $1.18 billion, or 7.18% of tangible assets, a year ago.

Banner and Banner Bank continue to maintain capital levels in excess of the requirements to be categorized as “well-capitalized.” At March 31, 2023, Banner's estimated common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 11.80%, its estimated Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets ratio was 9.96%, and its estimated total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio was 14.45%. These regulatory capital ratios are estimates, pending completion and filing of Banner’s regulatory reports.

*Non-GAAP financial measures. See, “Additional Financial Information - Non-GAAP Financial Measures” on the final two pages of this press release for a discussion and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.

Credit Quality

The allowance for credit losses - loans was $141.5 million, or 1.39% of total loans receivable and 528% of non-performing loans, at March 31, 2023, compared to $141.5 million, or 1.39% of total loans receivable and 615% of non-performing loans, at December 31, 2022, and $125.5 million, or 1.37% of total loans receivable and 674% of non-performing loans, at March 31, 2022. In addition to the allowance for credit losses - loans, Banner maintains an allowance for credit losses - unfunded loan commitments, which was $13.4 million at March 31, 2023, compared to $14.7 million at December 31, 2022 and $12.9 million at March 31, 2022. Net loan charge-offs totaled $782,000 in the first quarter of 2023, compared to net loan charge-offs of $496,000 in the preceding quarter and net loan recoveries of $748,000 in the first quarter a year ago. Non-performing loans were $26.8 million at March 31, 2023, compared to $23.0 million at December 31, 2022, and $18.6 million a year ago.

Substandard loans were $148.0 million at March 31, 2023, compared to $137.2 million at December 31, 2022, and $178.4 million a year ago. The increase from the prior quarter related primarily to commercial real estate loan downgrades in the quarter. The decrease from a year ago primarily reflects the payoff of substandard loans as well as risk rating upgrades during 2022.

Total non-performing assets were $27.1 million, or 0.17% of total assets, at March 31, 2023, compared to $23.4 million, or 0.15% of total assets, at December 31, 2022, and $19.1 million, or 0.11% of total assets, a year ago.

Conference Call

Banner will host a conference call on Thursday April 20, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. PDT, to discuss its first quarter results. Interested investors may listen to the call live at www.bannerbank.com. Investment professionals are invited to dial (833) 470-1428 using access code 703224 to participate in the call. A replay will be available for one week at (866) 813-9403 using access code 657206 or at www.bannerbank.com.

About the Company

Banner Corporation is a $15.53 billion bank holding company operating one commercial bank in four Western states through a network of branches offering a full range of deposit services and business, commercial real estate, construction, residential, agricultural and consumer loans. Visit Banner Bank on the Web at www.bannerbank.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

When used in this press release and in other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in press releases or other public stockholder communications, or in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, the words or phrases “may,” “believe,” “will,” “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” “plans,” “potential,” or similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date such statements are made and based only on information then actually known to Banner. Banner does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements. These statements may relate to future financial performance, strategic plans or objectives, revenues or earnings projections, or other financial information. By their nature, these statements are subject to numerous uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the statements and could negatively affect Banner’s operating and stock price performance.

Factors that could cause Banner’s actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, include but are not limited to, the following: (1) potential adverse impacts to economic conditions in our local market areas, other markets where the Company has lending relationships, or other aspects of the Company’s business operations or financial markets, including, without limitation, as a result of employment levels, labor shortages and the effects of inflation, a potential recession or slowed economic growth caused by increasing political instability from acts of war including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as increasing oil prices and supply chain disruptions, and any governmental or societal responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the possibility of new COVID-19 variants; (2) the uncertain impacts of quantitative tightening and current and future monetary policies of the Federal Reserve; (3) the credit risks of lending activities, including changes in the level and direction of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in estimates of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, which could necessitate additional provisions for credit losses, resulting both from loans originated and loans acquired from other financial institutions; (4) results of examinations by regulatory authorities, including the possibility that any such regulatory authority may, among other things, require increases in the allowance for credit losses or writing down of assets or impose restrictions or penalties with respect to Banner’s activities; (5) competitive pressures among depository institutions; (6) the effect of inflation on interest rate movements and their impact on client behavior and net interest margin; (7) the transition away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) toward new interest rate benchmarks; (8) the impact of repricing and competitors’ pricing initiatives on loan and deposit products; (9) fluctuations in real estate values; (10) the ability to adapt successfully to technological changes to meet clients’ needs and developments in the market place; (11) the ability to access cost-effective funding; (12) disruptions, security breaches or other adverse events, failures or interruptions in, or attacks on, information technology systems or on the third-party vendors who perform critical processing functions; (13) changes in financial markets; (14) changes in economic conditions in general and in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and California in particular, including the risk of inflation; (15) the costs, effects and outcomes of litigation; (16) legislation or regulatory changes, including but not limited to changes in regulatory policies and principles, or the interpretation of regulatory capital or other rules, other governmental initiatives affecting the financial services industry and changes in federal and/or state tax laws or interpretations thereof by taxing authorities; (17) changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines; (18) future acquisitions by Banner of other depository institutions or lines of business; (19) future goodwill impairment due to changes in Banner’s business or changes in market conditions; (20) the costs associated with Banner Forward; (21) other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting our operations, pricing, products and services; and (22) other risks detailed from time to time in Banner’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including Banner’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K.