Annual Statements Open main menu

BANNER CORP - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q 
(Mark One)

☒    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED March 31, 2023
OR
☐    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ______________ to ______________
 Commission File Number 000-26584
BANNER CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Washington91-1691604
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
10 South First Avenue, Walla Walla, Washington 99362
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (509) 527-3636
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $.01 per shareBANRThe NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 YesNo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
 YesNo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerAccelerated filer   ☐Non-accelerated filer  ☐Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).YesNo
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Title of class:As of April 30, 2023
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share
34,334,590 shares
1


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Table of Contents
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1 – Financial Statements.  The Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Banner Corporation and Subsidiaries filed as a part of the report are as follows:
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and the Year Ended December 31, 2022
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 
Executive Overview
Comparison of Financial Condition at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022
Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022
Asset Quality
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Capital Requirements
Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 
Market Risk and Asset/Liability Management
Sensitivity Analysis
Item 4 – Controls and Procedures
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION 
Item 1 – Legal Proceedings
Item 1A – Risk Factors
Item 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 3 – Defaults upon Senior Securities
Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5 – Other Information
Item 6 – Exhibits
SIGNATURES
2


All references to “Banner” refer to Banner Corporation and those to the “Bank” refer to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Banner Bank. As used throughout this report, the terms “we,” “our,” “us,” or the “Company” refer to Banner Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters in this Form 10-Q constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, assumptions and statements about future economic performance and projections of financial items, including statements about our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact, are based on certain assumptions and are generally identified by use of the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” “potentially,” “probably,” “projects,” “outlook” or similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would” and “could.” These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated or implied by our forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: 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 prices and supply chain disruptions, and any governmental or societal responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including new COVID-19 variants; the uncertain impacts of quantitative tightening and current and future monetary policies of the Federal Reserve; the credit risks of lending activities, including changes in the level and trend of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in estimates of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses and provisions for credit losses; the ability to manage loan delinquency rates; competitive pressures among financial services companies; changes in consumer spending or borrowing and spending habits; interest rate movements generally and the relative differences between short and long-term interest rates, loan and deposit interest rates, net interest margin and funding sources; the transition away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) toward new interest rate benchmarks; the impact of repricing and competitors’ pricing initiatives on loan and deposit products; fluctuations in the demand for loans, the number of unsold homes, land and other properties and fluctuations in real estate values; the ability to adapt successfully to technological changes to meet clients’ needs and developments in the marketplace; the ability to access cost-effective funding; the ability to control operating costs and expenses, including the costs associated with our “Banner Forward” initiative; the use of estimates in determining fair value of certain assets and liabilities, which estimates may prove to be incorrect and result in significant changes in valuation; staffing fluctuations in response to product demand or the implementation of corporate strategies that affect employees, and potential associated charges; 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; changes in financial markets; changes in economic conditions in general and in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and California in particular, including the risk of inflation; secondary market conditions for loans and the ability to sell loans in the secondary market; the costs, effects and outcomes of litigation; legislation or regulatory changes, including but not limited to changes in regulatory policies and principles, or the interpretation of regulatory capital or other rules, results of safety and soundness and compliance examinations by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the FDIC), the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Banks (the Washington DFI), or other regulatory authorities, including the possibility that any such regulatory authority may, among other things, require restitution or institute an informal or formal enforcement action which could require an increase in reserves for loan losses, write-downs of assets or changes in regulatory capital position, or affect the ability to borrow funds, or maintain or increase deposits, or impose additional requirements and restrictions, any of which could adversely affect liquidity and earnings; the availability of resources to address changes in laws, rules, or regulations or to respond to regulatory actions; the quality and composition of our securities portfolio and the impact of adverse changes in the securities markets; the inability of key third-party providers to perform their obligations; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines, including additional guidance and interpretation on accounting issues and details of the implementation of new accounting methods; the effects of climate change, severe weather events, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics and other public health crises, acts of war or terrorism, and other external events on our business; other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors affecting operations, pricing, products and services; future acquisitions by the Company of other depository institutions or lines of business; and future goodwill impairment due to changes in the Company’s business, changes in market conditions; and other risks detailed from time to time in our reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including this report on Form 10-Q.

Any forward-looking statements are based upon management’s beliefs and assumptions at the time they are made. We do not undertake and specifically disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements included in this report or the reasons why actual results could differ from those contained in such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking statements discussed in this report might not occur, and you should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.
3


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(Unaudited) (In thousands, except shares and per share amounts)
March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022
ASSETSMarch 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
Cash and due from banks$194,629 $198,154 
Interest bearing deposits48,363 44,908 
Total cash and cash equivalents242,992 243,062 
Securities—trading28,591 28,694 
Securities—available-for-sale, amortized cost $3,040,211 and $3,218,777, respectively
2,653,860 2,789,031 
Securities—held-to-maturity, net of allowance for credit losses of $364 and $379, respectively
1,109,595 1,117,588 
     Total securities3,792,046 3,935,313 
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock16,800 12,000 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell150,000 300,000 
Loans held for sale (includes $48,439 and $51,779, at fair value, respectively)
49,016 56,857 
Loans receivable10,160,684 10,146,724 
Allowance for credit losses – loans(141,457)(141,465)
Net loans receivable
10,019,227 10,005,259 
Accrued interest receivable52,094 57,284 
Property and equipment, net136,362 138,754 
Goodwill373,121 373,121 
Other intangibles, net8,390 9,440 
Bank-owned life insurance (BOLI)299,754 297,565 
Deferred tax assets, net165,247 178,131 
Operating lease right-of-use assets47,106 49,283 
Other assets181,448 177,362 
Total assets
$15,533,603 $15,833,431 
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Non-interest-bearing$5,764,009 $6,176,998 
Interest-bearing transaction and savings accounts6,440,261 6,719,531 
Interest-bearing certificates949,932 723,530 
Total deposits
13,154,202 13,620,059 
Advances from FHLB170,000 50,000 
Other borrowings214,564 232,799 
Subordinated notes, net99,046 98,947 
Junior subordinated debentures at fair value (issued in connection with Trust Preferred Securities)74,703 74,857 
Operating lease liabilities52,772 55,205 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities191,326 200,839 
Deferred compensation45,295 44,293 
Total liabilities
14,001,908 14,376,999 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 12)
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock - $0.01 par value per share, 500,000 shares authorized; no shares outstanding at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022
— — 
Common stock and paid in capital - $0.01 par value per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 34,308,540 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2023; 34,194,018 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022
1,293,225 1,293,959 
Common stock (non-voting) and paid in capital - $0.01 par value per share, 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2023; no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022
— — 
Retained earnings564,106 525,242 
Carrying value of shares held in trust for stock-based compensation plans(6,919)(6,905)
Liability for common stock issued to stock related compensation plans6,919 6,905 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(325,636)(362,769)
Total shareholders’ equity1,531,695 1,456,432 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$15,533,603 $15,833,431 
See Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
4


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited) (In thousands, except shares and per share amounts)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
Three Months Ended
March 31,
20232022
INTEREST INCOME:
Loans receivable$133,257 $100,350 
Mortgage-backed securities18,978 14,109 
Securities and cash equivalents14,726 8,432 
Total interest income
166,961 122,891 
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Deposits9,244 2,086 
FHLB advances1,264 291 
Other borrowings381 84 
Subordinated debt2,760 1,776 
Total interest expense
13,649 4,237 
Net interest income153,312 118,654 
RECAPTURE OF PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES(524)(6,961)
Net interest income after recapture of provision for credit losses153,836 125,615 
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
Deposit fees and other service charges10,562 11,189 
Mortgage banking operations2,691 4,440 
BOLI2,188 1,631 
Miscellaneous1,640 1,683 
17,081 18,943 
Net (loss) gain on sale of securities(7,252)435 
Net change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value(552)49 
Total non-interest income
9,277 19,427 
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:
Salary and employee benefits61,389 59,486 
Less capitalized loan origination costs(3,431)(6,230)
Occupancy and equipment11,970 13,220 
Information and computer data services7,147 6,651 
Payment and card processing services4,618 4,896 
Professional and legal expenses2,121 2,180 
Advertising and marketing806 461 
Deposit insurance1,890 1,524 
State and municipal business and use taxes1,300 1,162 
Real estate operations, net(277)(79)
Amortization of core deposit intangibles1,050 1,424 
Loss on extinguishment of debt— 793 
Miscellaneous6,038 5,707 
Total non-interest expense
94,621 91,195 
Income before provision for income taxes68,492 53,847 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES12,937 9,884 
NET INCOME$55,555 $43,963 
Earnings per common share:
Basic$1.62 $1.28 
Diluted$1.61 $1.27 
Cumulative dividends declared per common share$0.48 $0.44 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic
34,239,533 34,300,742 
Diluted
34,457,869 34,598,436 
See Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
5


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited) (In thousands)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20232022
NET INCOME$55,555 $43,963 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF INCOME TAXES:
Unrealized holding gain (loss) on securities—available-for-sale arising during the period36,143 (153,064)
Income tax (expense) benefit related to securities—available-for-sale unrealized holding losses(8,675)36,736 
Reclassification for net loss (gain) on securities—available-for-sale realized in earnings7,252 (435)
Income tax (benefit) expense related to securities—available-for-sale realized in earnings(1,740)104 
Unrealized loss on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity— (34,596)
Income tax benefit related to securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity— 8,303 
Amortization of unrealized loss on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity572 324 
Income tax expense related to amortization of unrealized loss on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity(137)(77)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps used in cash flow hedges4,738 (14,775)
Income tax (expense) benefit related to interest rate swaps used in cash flow hedges(1,137)3,546 
Changes in fair value of junior subordinated debentures related to instrument specific credit risk154 (1,213)
Income tax (expense) benefit related to junior subordinated debentures(37)291 
Reclassification of fair value of junior subordinated debentures redeemed— 765 
Income tax expense related to junior subordinated debentures redeemed— (184)
Other comprehensive income (loss)37,133 (154,275)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)$92,688 $(110,312)


See Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
6


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited) (In thousands, except shares and per share amounts)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and the Year Ended December 31, 2022
Common Stock
and Paid in Capital
Retained EarningsAccumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)Total Shareholders’ Equity
SharesAmount
Balance, January 1, 202234,252,632 $1,299,381 $390,762 $184 $1,690,327 
Net income43,963 43,963 
Other comprehensive loss, net of income tax(154,275)(154,275)
Accrual of dividends on common stock ($0.44/share)
(15,066)(15,066)
Amortization of stock-based compensation related to restricted stock grants, net of shares surrendered
120,152 (1,169)(1,169)
Balance, March 31, 202234,372,784 $1,298,212 $419,659 $(154,091)$1,563,780 
Net income47,965 47,965 
Other comprehensive loss, net of income tax(101,824)(101,824)
Accrual of dividends on common stock ($0.44/share)
(15,378)(15,378)
Amortization of stock-based compensation related to restricted stock grants, net of shares surrendered
18,546 2,247 2,247 
Repurchase of common stock
(200,000)(10,960)(10,960)
Balance, June 30, 202234,191,330 $1,289,499 $452,246 $(255,915)$1,485,830 
Net income49,070 49,070 
Other comprehensive loss, net of income tax(113,275)(113,275)
Accrual of dividends on common stock ($0.44/share)
(15,208)(15,208)
Amortization of stock-based compensation related to restricted stock grants, net of shares surrendered
429 2,242 2,242 
Balance, September 30, 202234,191,759 $1,291,741 $486,108 $(369,190)$1,408,659 
Net income54,380 54,380 
Other comprehensive income, net of income tax6,421 6,421 
Accrual of dividends on common stock ($0.44/share)
(15,246)(15,246)
Amortization of stock-based compensation related to restricted stock grants, net of shares surrendered
2,259 2,218 2,218 
Balance, December 31, 202234,194,018 $1,293,959 $525,242 $(362,769)$1,456,432 
Balance, January 1, 202334,194,018 $1,293,959 $525,242 $(362,769)$1,456,432 
Net income55,555 55,555 
Other comprehensive income, net of income tax37,133 37,133 
Accrual of dividends on common stock ($0.48/share)
(16,691)(16,691)
Amortization of stock-based compensation related to restricted stock grants, net of shares surrendered
114,522 (734)(734)
Balance, March 31, 202334,308,540 $1,293,225 $564,106 $(325,636)$1,531,695 


See Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
7


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited) (In thousands)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
Three Months Ended March 31,
20232022
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income$55,555 $43,963 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities:
Depreciation4,364 4,169 
Deferred income and expense, net of amortization(608)(1,838)
Capitalized loan servicing rights, net of amortization592 (739)
Amortization of core deposit intangibles1,050 1,424 
Loss (gain) on sale of securities, net7,252 (435)
Net change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value552 (49)
Decrease in deferred taxes1,158 860 
Increase in current taxes payable10,014 7,595 
Stock-based compensation2,053 2,081 
Net change in cash surrender value of BOLI(2,188)(1,519)
Gain on sale of loans, excluding capitalized servicing rights(1,445)(1,909)
(Gain) loss on disposal of real estate held for sale and property and equipment, net(331)109 
Recapture of provision for credit losses(524)(6,961)
Loss on extinguishment of debt— 765 
Origination of loans held for sale(39,585)(208,270)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale48,871 226,074 
Net change in:
Other assets8,837 (10,245)
Other liabilities(20,880)(4,421)
Net cash provided from operating activities74,737 50,654 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of securities—available-for-sale(26,426)(281,353)
Principal repayments and maturities of securities—available-for-sale45,774 106,937 
Proceeds from sales of securities—available-for-sale150,170 12,767 
Purchases of securitiesheld-to-maturity
— (40,351)
Principal repayments and maturities of securities—held-to-maturity7,937 7,573 
Loan (originations) repayments, net(13,681)31,355 
Purchases of loans and participating interest in loans— (75,575)
Proceeds from sales of other loans1,519 5,034 
Purchases of property and equipment(1,984)(3,306)
Proceeds from sale of real estate held for sale and sale of other property343 5,616 
Proceeds from FHLB stock repurchase program37,920 2,000 
Purchase of FHLB stock(42,720)— 
Proceeds from maturity of reverse repurchase agreements150,000 — 
Investment in bank-owned life insurance(2)(50,040)
Other(39)1,098 
Net cash provided from (used by) investing activities308,811 (278,245)
Continued on next page

8


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
(Unaudited) (In thousands)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

Three Months Ended March 31,
20232022
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
(Decrease) increase in deposits, net$(465,857)$196,841 
Repayment of long term FHLB advances— (50,000)
Advances of overnight and short term FHLB advances, net120,000 — 
(Decrease) increase in other borrowings, net(18,235)2,288 
Repayment of junior subordinated debentures— (50,518)
Proceeds from redemption of trust preferred securities related to junior subordinated debentures— 1,518 
Cash dividends paid(16,739)(15,200)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards(2,787)(3,250)
Net cash (used by) provided from financing activities(383,618)81,679 
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS(70)(145,912)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD243,062 2,134,300 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD$242,992 $1,988,388 
Three Months Ended March 31,
20232022
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Interest paid in cash$10,574 $3,526 
Tax paid43 120 
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING TRANSACTIONS:
   Dividends accrued but not paid until after period end1,110 1,204 
Loans, held-for-sale, transferred to portfolio
— 13,420 
Securities, available-for-sale, transferred to held-to-maturity
— 462,159 

See Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
9


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1: BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Banner Corporation (the Company or Banner), a bank holding company incorporated in the State of Washington and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Banner Bank (the Bank).

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In preparing these financial statements, the Company has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to March 31, 2023 for potential recognition or disclosure. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented have been included. Certain information and note disclosures have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC and the accounting standards for interim financial statements. Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2022 Consolidated Financial Statements and/or schedules to conform to the 2023 presentation. These reclassifications may have affected certain ratios for the prior periods. The effect of these reclassifications is considered immaterial. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements. Various elements of the Company’s accounting policies, by their nature, are inherently subject to estimation techniques, valuation assumptions and other subjective assessments.

The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year or any other interim period.

Note 2: ACCOUNTING STANDARDS RECENTLY ISSUED OR ADOPTED

Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326)

On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2022-02, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. The ASU eliminated the troubled debt restructuring (TDR) recognition and measurement guidance and, instead, requires that a creditor evaluate (consistent with the accounting for other loan modifications) whether the modification represents a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan. The ASU also introduced new disclosure requirements related to certain modifications of receivables made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. In addition, the ASU requires vintage disclosures including current-period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables. The Company applied the ASU prospectively and new disclosures have been added when applicable.

Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)

In March 2020, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, in response to the scheduled discontinuation of LIBOR on December 31, 2021. The amendments in this ASU provide optional guidance designed to provide relief from the accounting analysis and impacts that may otherwise be required for modifications to agreements (e.g., loans, debt securities, derivatives, borrowings) necessitated by reference rate reform. Since the issuance of this guidance, the publication cessation of U.S. dollar LIBOR has been extended to June 30, 2023.

In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of Sunset Date of Topic 848. This ASU defers the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024, after which entities will no longer be permitted to apply the relief in Topic 848. This deferral of the sunset date is in response to the extension of the publication cessation date. The amendments in this ASU are effective upon the issuance date of December 2022.

The following optional expedients for applying the requirements of certain Topics or Industry Subtopics in the Codification are permitted for contracts that are modified because of reference rate reform and that meet certain scope guidance: 1) modifications of contracts within the scope of Topics 310, Receivables, and 470, Debt, should be accounted for by prospectively adjusting the effective interest rate; 2) modifications of contracts within the scope of Topic 842, Leases, should be accounted for as a continuation of the existing contracts with no reassessments of the lease classification and the discount rate or remeasurements of lease payments that otherwise would be required for modifications not accounted for as separate contracts; 3) modifications of contracts do not require an entity to reassess its original conclusion about whether that contract contains an embedded derivative that is clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract; and 4) the amendments in this ASU also include a general principle that permits an entity to consider contract modifications due to reference rate reform to be an event that does not require contract remeasurement at the modification date or reassessment of a previous accounting determination.

10


In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope. This ASU clarifies that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. The ASU also amends the expedients and exceptions to capture the incremental consequences of the scope clarification and to tailor the existing guidance to derivative instruments affected by the discounting transition. The amendments in this ASUs are effective upon the issuance date of March 12, 2020, and applies to contract modifications made and new hedging relationships entered into through December 31, 2022.

The Company has elected certain expedients related to individual hedge relationships. The Company will be able to use expedients in the Reference Rate Reform guidance to manage through the transition from LIBOR, specifically as they relate to loans, leases and hedging relationships. The adoption of this accounting guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)

In June 2022, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions. The ASU affects all entities that have investments in equity securities measured at fair value that are subject to a contractual sale restriction. These amendments clarify that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value.

The ASU is effective for fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for both interim and annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 3: SECURITIES

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair value of securities at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
 March 31, 2023
 Amortized CostFair Value
Trading:
Corporate bonds$27,203 $28,591 
$27,203 $28,591 
 March 31, 2023
 Amortized CostGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesFair Value
Available-for-Sale:
U.S. Government and agency obligations$53,689 $10 $(1,111)$52,588 
Municipal bonds205,152 482 (31,913)173,721 
Corporate bonds133,269 — (15,865)117,404 
Mortgage-backed or related securities2,425,602 1,647 (335,040)2,092,209 
Asset-backed securities222,499 269 (4,830)217,938 
 $3,040,211 $2,408 $(388,759)$2,653,860 
 March 31, 2023
 Amortized CostGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesFair ValueAllowance for Credit Losses
Held-to-Maturity:
U.S. Government and agency obligations$310 $$(5)$306 $— 
Municipal bonds501,361 358 (59,063)442,656 (173)
Corporate bonds2,929 — (19)2,910 (191)
Mortgage-backed or related securities605,359 — (94,169)511,190 — 
$1,109,959 $359 $(153,256)$957,062 $(364)
11



December 31, 2022
Amortized CostFair Value
Trading:
Corporate bonds$27,203 $28,694 
$27,203 $28,694 

December 31, 2022
Amortized CostGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesFair Value
Available-for-Sale:
U.S. Government and agency obligations$56,344 $$(1,244)$55,108 
Municipal bonds301,449 530 (40,770)261,209 
Corporate bonds133,334 — (11,481)121,853 
Mortgage-backed or related securities2,505,172 885 (366,721)2,139,336 
Asset-backed securities222,478 40 (10,993)211,525 
$3,218,777 $1,463 $(431,209)$2,789,031 

December 31, 2022
Amortized CostGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesFair ValueAllowance for Credit Losses
Held-to-Maturity:
U.S. Government and agency obligations$312 $— $(7)$305 $— 
Municipal bonds503,117 109 (70,907)432,319 (183)
Corporate bonds2,961 — (16)2,945 (196)
Mortgage-backed or related securities611,577 — (104,966)506,611 — 
$1,117,967 $109 $(175,896)$942,180 $(379)

Accrued interest receivable on held-to-maturity debt securities was $4.4 million and $4.8 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, and was $11.9 million and $12.4 million on available-for-sale debt securities at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Accrued interest receivable on securities is reported in accrued interest receivable on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and is excluded from the calculation of the allowance for credit losses.

At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the gross unrealized losses and the fair value for securities available-for-sale aggregated by the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position were as follows (in thousands):
March 31, 2023
Less Than 12 Months12 Months or MoreTotal
Fair ValueUnrealized LossesFair ValueUnrealized LossesFair ValueUnrealized Losses
Available-for-Sale:
U.S. Government and agency obligations
$24,785 $(216)$23,739 $(895)$48,524 $(1,111)
Municipal bonds
49,555 (1,218)106,391 (30,695)155,946 (31,913)
Corporate bonds
42,252 (4,953)74,552 (10,912)116,804 (15,865)
Mortgage-backed or related securities
403,356 (19,053)1,558,227 (315,987)1,961,583 (335,040)
Asset-backed securities
123,691 (2,118)83,914 (2,712)207,605 (4,830)
$643,639 $(27,558)$1,846,823 $(361,201)$2,490,462 $(388,759)

12


December 31, 2022
Less Than 12 Months12 Months or MoreTotal
Fair Value Unrealized LossesFair ValueUnrealized LossesFair ValueUnrealized Losses
Available-for-Sale:
U.S. Government and agency obligations
$33,407 $(882)$16,732 $(362)$50,139 $(1,244)
Municipal bonds
188,920 (25,592)33,907 (15,178)222,827 (40,770)
Corporate bonds
108,187 (9,547)13,066 (1,934)121,253 (11,481)
Mortgage-backed or related securities
930,566 (90,537)1,159,110 (276,184)2,089,676 (366,721)
Asset-backed securities
201,437 (10,993)— — 201,437 (10,993)
$1,462,517 $(137,551)$1,222,815 $(293,658)$2,685,332 $(431,209)

At March 31, 2023, there were 259 securities—available-for-sale with unrealized losses, compared to 298 at December 31, 2022.  Management does not believe that any individual unrealized loss as of March 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022 resulted from credit loss.  The decline in fair market value of these securities was generally due to changes in interest rates and changes in market-desired spreads subsequent to their purchase.

There were no sales of securities—trading during the three months ended March 31, 2023 or 2022. There were no securities—trading in a nonaccrual status at March 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.  Net unrealized holding losses of $103,000 were recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $373,000 of net unrealized holding gains recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2022.

The following table presents gross gains and losses on sales and partial calls of securities available-for-sale (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 20232022
Available-for-Sale:
Gross Gains$232 $436 
Gross Losses(7,484)(1)
Balance, end of the period$(7,252)$435 

There were no securities—available-for-sale in a nonaccrual status at March 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

The following table presents the amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities at March 31, 2023, by contractual maturity and does not reflect any required periodic payments (in thousands). Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because some securities may be called or prepaid with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 March 31, 2023
TradingAvailable-for-SaleHeld-to-Maturity
 Amortized CostFair ValueAmortized CostFair ValueAmortized CostFair Value
Maturing within one year$— $— $8,110 $8,029 $22,368 $22,157 
Maturing after one year through five years— — 207,623 192,942 22,945 22,417 
Maturing after five years through ten years— — 471,431 422,224 25,643 24,866 
Maturing after ten years27,203 28,591 2,353,047 2,030,665 1,039,003 887,622 
 $27,203 $28,591 $3,040,211 $2,653,860 $1,109,959 $957,062 

13


The following table presents, as of March 31, 2023, investment securities which were pledged to secure borrowings, public deposits or other obligations as permitted or required by law (in thousands):
March 31, 2023
Carrying ValueAmortized CostFair Value
Purpose or beneficiary:
State and local governments public deposits$238,597 $240,736 $216,883 
Federal Reserve120,463 120,463 103,769 
Interest rate swap counterparties6,422 6,807 6,268 
Repurchase transaction accounts317,761 317,761 266,592 
Other 2,435 2,435 2,413 
Total pledged securities$685,678 $688,202 $595,925 

The Company monitors the credit quality of held-to-maturity debt securities through the use of credit ratings which are reviewed and updated quarterly. The Company’s non-rated held-to-maturity debt securities are primarily United States government sponsored enterprise debentures carrying minimal to no credit risk. The non-rated corporate bonds primarily consist of Community Reinvestment Act related bonds secured by loan instruments from low to moderate income borrowers. The remaining non-rated held-to-maturity debt securities balance is comprised of local municipal debt from within the Company’s geographic footprint and is monitored through quarterly or annual financial review. This municipal debt is predominately essential service or unlimited general obligation backed debt. The following tables summarize the amortized cost of held-to-maturity debt securities by credit rating at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
March 31, 2023
U.S. Government and agency obligationsMunicipal bondsCorporate bondsMortgage-backed or related securitiesTotal
AAA/AA/A$— $491,252 $500 $16,626 $508,378 
Not Rated310 10,109 2,429 588,733 601,581 
$310 $501,361 $2,929 $605,359 $1,109,959 

December 31, 2022
U.S. Government and agency obligationsMunicipal bondsCorporate bondsMortgage-backed or related securitiesTotal
AAA/AA/A$— $492,105 $500 $16,681 $509,286 
Not Rated312 11,012 2,461 594,896 608,681 
$312 $503,117 $2,961 $611,577 $1,117,967 
14


Note 4: LOANS RECEIVABLE AND THE ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES - LOANS

The following table presents the loans receivable at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 by class (dollars in thousands).
 March 31, 2023December 31, 2022
 AmountPercent of TotalAmountPercent of Total
Commercial real estate:    
Owner-occupied$865,705 8.5 %$845,320 8.3 %
Investment properties1,520,261 15.0 1,589,975 15.7 
Small balance CRE1,179,749 11.6 1,200,251 11.8 
Multifamily real estate696,864 6.8 645,071 6.4 
Construction, land and land development:
Commercial construction191,051 1.9 184,876 1.8 
Multifamily construction362,425 3.6 325,816 3.2 
One- to four-family construction584,655 5.8 647,329 6.4 
Land and land development329,438 3.2 328,475 3.2 
Commercial business:
Commercial business (1)
1,266,047 12.5 1,283,407 12.7 
Small business scored960,650 9.4 947,092 9.3 
Agricultural business, including secured by farmland (2)
272,707 2.7 295,077 2.9 
One- to four-family residential1,252,104 12.3 1,173,112 11.6 
Consumer:
Consumer—home equity revolving lines of credit
564,334 5.6 566,291 5.6 
Consumer—other114,694 1.1 114,632 1.1 
Total loans10,160,684 100.0 %10,146,724 100.0 %
Less allowance for credit losses – loans(141,457) (141,465) 
Net loans$10,019,227  $10,005,259  

(1)    Includes $5.6 million and $7.6 million of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
(2)    Includes $330,000 of SBA PPP loans as of March 31, 2023 and $334,000 as of December 31, 2022.

Loan amounts are net of unearned loan fees in excess of unamortized costs of $8.0 million as of March 31, 2023 and $8.1 million as of December 31, 2022. Net loans include net discounts on acquired loans of $6.1 million and $6.6 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Net loans does not include accrued interest receivable. Accrued interest receivable on loans was $35.6 million as of March 31, 2023 and $39.8 million as of December 31, 2022 and was reported in accrued interest receivable on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

The Company had pledged $6.5 billion of loans as collateral for FHLB and other borrowings at both March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Purchased credit-deteriorated and purchased non-credit-deteriorated loans. Loans acquired in business combinations are recorded at their fair value at the acquisition date. Acquired loans are evaluated upon acquisition and classified as either purchased credit-deteriorated (PCD) or purchased non-credit-deteriorated. There were no PCD loans acquired during the three months ended March 31, 2023 or March 31, 2022.
Troubled Loan Modifications. Occasionally, the Company offers modifications of loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty by providing principal forgiveness, interest rate reductions, other-than-insignificant payment delays, term extensions or any combination of these. When principal forgiveness is provided, the amount of the forgiveness is charged-off against the allowance for credit losses - loans. Upon the Company’s determination that a modified loan (or portion of a loan) has subsequently been deemed uncollectible, the loan (or a portion of the loan) is charged off. Therefore, the amortized cost basis of the loan is reduced by the uncollectible amount and the allowance for credit losses - loans is adjusted by the same amount.


15


The following table presents the amortized cost basis of loans at March 31, 2023 that were both experiencing financial difficulty and modified during the quarter ended March 31, 2023 (in thousands):
 March 31, 2023
Term ExtensionTotal
One- to four-family construction$6,107 $6,107 
Total$6,107 $6,107 

The Company has committed to lend additional amounts totaling $436,000 to the borrowers included in the previous table. The Company closely monitors the performance of loans that are modified for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to understand the effectiveness of its modification efforts.
The following table presents the financial effect of the loan modifications presented above for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty for the three months ended March 31, 2023:
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
 Weighted-Average Term Extension
(in months)
One- to four-family construction7
Total7



16


Credit Quality Indicators:  To appropriately and effectively manage the ongoing credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, management has implemented a risk-rating or loan grading system for its loans.  The system is a tool to evaluate portfolio asset quality throughout each applicable loan’s life as an asset of the Company.  Generally, loans are risk rated on an aggregate borrower/relationship basis with individual loans sharing similar ratings.  There are some instances when specific situations relating to individual loans will provide the basis for different risk ratings within the aggregate relationship.  Loans are graded on a scale of 1 to 9.  A description of the general characteristics of these categories is shown below:

Overall Risk Rating Definitions:  Risk-ratings contain both qualitative and quantitative measurements and take into account the financial strength of a borrower and the structure of the loan or lease.  Consequently, the definitions are to be applied in the context of each lending transaction and judgment must also be used to determine the appropriate risk rating, as it is not unusual for a loan or lease to exhibit characteristics of more than one risk-rating category.  Consideration for the final rating is centered in the borrower’s ability to repay, in a timely fashion, both principal and interest.  The Company’s risk-rating and loan grading policies are reviewed and approved annually. There were no material changes in the risk-rating or loan grading system for the periods presented.

Risk Ratings 1-5: Pass
Credits with risk ratings of 1 to 5 meet the definition of a pass risk rating. The strength of credits vary within the pass risk ratings, ranging from a risk rated 1 being an exceptional credit to a risk rated 5 being an acceptable credit that requires a more than normal level of supervision.

Risk Rating 6: Special Mention
A credit with potential weaknesses that deserves management’s close attention is risk rated a 6.  If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses will result in deterioration in the capacity to repay debt.  A key distinction between Special Mention and Substandard is that in a Special Mention credit, there are identified weaknesses that pose potential risk(s) to the repayment sources, versus well defined weaknesses that pose risk(s) to the repayment sources.  Assets in this category are expected to be in this category no more than 9-12 months as the potential weaknesses in the credit are resolved.

Risk Rating 7: Substandard
A credit with well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the ability to repay in full is risk rated a 7.  These credits are inadequately protected by either the sound net worth and payment capacity of the borrower or the value of pledged collateral.  These are credits with a distinct possibility of loss.  Loans headed for foreclosure and/or legal action due to deterioration are rated 7 or worse.

Risk Rating 8: Doubtful
A credit with an extremely high probability of loss is risk rated 8.  These credits have all the same critical weaknesses that are found in a substandard loan; however, the weaknesses are elevated to the point that based upon current information, collection or liquidation in full is improbable.  While some loss on doubtful credits is expected, pending events may make the amount and timing of any loss indeterminable.  In these situations taking the loss is inappropriate until the outcome of the pending event is clear.

Risk Rating 9: Loss
A credit that is considered to be currently uncollectible or of such little value that it is no longer a viable bank asset is risk rated 9.  Losses should be taken in the accounting period in which the credit is determined to be uncollectible.  Taking a loss does not mean that a credit has absolutely no recovery or salvage value but, rather, it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off the credit, even though partial recovery may occur in the future.

17


The following tables present the Company’s portfolio of risk-rated loans by class and by grade as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands). Revolving loans that are converted to term loans are treated as new originations in the table below and are presented by year of origination. Term loans that are renewed or extended for periods longer than 90 days are presented as a new origination in the year of the most recent renewal or extension.
March 31, 2023
Term Loans by Year of OriginationRevolving LoansTotal Loans
By class:20232022202120202019Prior
Commercial real estate - owner occupied
Risk Rating
Pass$33,565 $160,079 $190,447 $141,823 $72,672 $200,153 $25,434 $824,173 
Special Mention— — — — — 41 — 41 
Substandard1,771 10,278 — 11,998 16,991 253 200 41,491 
Doubtful— — — — — — — — 
Loss— — — — — — — — 
Total Commercial real estate - owner occupied$35,336 $170,357 $190,447 $153,821 $89,663 $200,447 $25,634 $865,705 
Current period gross charge-offs$— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— 
Commercial real estate - investment properties
Risk Rating
Pass$33,547 $181,326 $296,106 $127,945 $180,315 $673,599 $23,147 $1,515,985 
Special Mention— — — — — — — — 
Substandard— — — — — 2,980 1,296 4,276 
Doubtful— — — — — — — — 
Loss— — — — — — — — 
Total Commercial real estate - investment properties$33,547 $181,326 $296,106 $127,945 $180,315 $676,579 $24,443 $1,520,261 
Current period gross charge-offs$— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— 
Multifamily real estate
Risk Rating
Pass$38,932 $149,727 $177,809 $100,126 $46,210 $182,443 $1,617 $696,864 
Special Mention— — — — — — — — 
Substandard— — — — — — — — 
Doubtful— — — — — — — — 
Loss— — — — — — — — 
Total Multifamily real estate$38,932 $149,727 $177,809 $100,126 $46,210 $182,443 $1,617 $696,864 
Current period gross charge-offs$— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— 
18


March 31, 2023
Term Loans by Year of OriginationRevolving LoansTotal Loans
By class:20232022202120202019Prior
Commercial construction
Risk Rating
Pass$43,742 $83,325 $38,168 $12,890 $4,229 $1,077 $— $183,431 
Special Mention— — — — — — — — 
Substandard2,933 — — — — 4,687 — 7,620 
Doubtful— — — — — — — — 
Loss— — — — — — — — 
Total Commercial construction$46,675 $83,325 $38,168 $12,890 $4,229 $5,764 $— $191,051 
Current period gross charge-offs$— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— 
Multifamily construction
Risk Rating
Pass$28,035 $155,074 $165,128 $12,770 $1,418 $— $— $362,425 
Special Mention— — — — — — — — 
Substandard— — — — — — — — 
Doubtful— — — — — — — — 
Loss— — — — — — — — 
Total Multifamily construction$28,035 $155,074 $165,128 $12,770 $1,418 $— $— $362,425 
Current period gross charge-offs$— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— 
One- to four- family construction
Risk Rating
Pass$167,004 $376,272 $30,106 $137 $331 $— $595 $574,445 
Special Mention— — — — — — — — 
Substandard6,240 — 3,970 — — — — 10,210 
Doubtful— — — — — — — — 
Loss— — — — — — — — 
Total One- to four- family construction$173,244 $376,272 $34,076 $137 $331 $— $595 $584,655 
Current period gross charge-offs$— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— 
19


March 31, 2023
Term Loans by Year of OriginationRevolving LoansTotal Loans
By class:20232022202120202019Prior
Land and land development
Risk Rating
Pass$63,156 $151,355 $75,204 $15,861 $10,754 $11,993 $339 $328,662 
Special Mention— — — — — — — — 
Substandard604 — — — — 172 — 776 
Doubtful— — — — — — — — 
Loss— — — — — — — — 
Total Land and land development$63,760 $151,355 $75,204 $15,861 $10,754 $12,165 $339 $329,438 
Current period gross charge-offs$— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— 
Commercial business
Risk Rating
Pass$49,403 $249,239 $141,427 $153,697 $121,717 $160,236 $354,670 $1,230,389 
Special Mention— 64 — 3,372 — — — 3,436 
Substandard— 827 12,712 2,861 1,109 7,625 7,088 32,222 
Doubtful— — — — — — — — 
Loss— — — — — — — — 
Total Commercial business$49,403 $250,130 $154,139 $159,930 $122,826 $167,861 $361,758 $1,266,047 
Current period gross charge-offs$— $— $581 $— $— $25 $$615 
Agricultural business, including secured by farmland
Risk Rating
Pass$9,494 $37,948 $32,956 $18,667 $27,705 $49,079 $82,499 $258,348 
Special Mention— — 302 271 — — — 573 
Substandard1,554 2,010 970 — 6,565 2,588 99 13,786 
Doubtful— — — — — — — — 
Loss— — — — — — — — 
Total Agricultural business, including secured by farmland$11,048 $39,958 $34,228 $18,938 $34,270 $51,667 $82,598 $272,707 
Current period gross charge-offs$— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— 

20


December 31, 2022
Term Loans by Year of OriginationRevolving LoansTotal Loans
By class:20222021202020192018Prior
Commercial real estate - owner occupied
Risk Rating
Pass$167,150 $198,787 $150,272 $74,171 $57,095 $148,902 $10,833 $807,210 
Special Mention— — — 2,829 — 42 201 3,072 
Substandard13,756 — 7,211 13,564 — 307 200 35,038 
Doubtful— — — — — — — — 
Loss— — — — — — — — 
Total Commercial real estate - owner occupied$180,906 $198,787 $157,483 $90,564 $57,095 $149,251 $11,234 $845,320 
Commercial real estate - investment properties
Risk Rating
Pass$190,627 $323,160 $142,476 $182,853 $169,667 $547,899 $25,691 $1,582,373 
Special Mention— — — — — — — — 
Substandard— — — 3,283 — 3,007 1,312 7,602 
Doubtful— — — — — — — — 
Loss— — — — — — — — 
Total Commercial real estate - investment properties$190,627 $323,160 $142,476 $186,136 $169,667 $550,906 $27,003 $1,589,975 
Multifamily real estate
Risk Rating
Pass$139,383 $177,784 $93,961 $46,460 $29,665 $156,140 $1,678 $645,071 
Special Mention— — — — — — — — 
Substandard— — — — — — — — 
Doubtful— — — — — — — — 
Loss— — — — — — — — 
Total Multifamily real estate$139,383 $177,784 $93,961 $46,460 $29,665 $156,140 $1,678 $645,071 

21


December 31, 2022
Term Loans by Year of OriginationRevolving LoansTotal Loans
By class:20222021202020192018Prior
Commercial construction
Risk Rating
Pass$112,229 $46,679 $12,952 $4,260 $1,107 $— $— $177,227 
Special Mention— — — — — — — — 
Substandard2,931 — — 4,717 — — 7,649 
Doubtful— — — — — — — — 
Loss— — — — — — — — 
Total Commercial construction$115,160 $46,680 $12,952 $4,260 $5,824 $— $— $184,876 
Multifamily construction
Risk Rating
Pass$142,680 $161,066 $20,622 $1,448 $— $— $— $325,816 
Special Mention— — — — — — — — 
Substandard— — — — — — — — 
Doubtful— — — — — — — — 
Loss— — — — — — — — 
Total Multifamily construction$142,680 $161,066 $20,622 $1,448 $— $— $— $325,816 
One- to four- family construction
Risk Rating
Pass$572,701 $56,530 $677 $331 $— $— $711 $630,950 
Special Mention— — — — — — — — 
Substandard13,473 2,906 — — — — — 16,379 
Doubtful— — — — — — — — 
Loss— — — — — — — — 
Total One- to four- family construction$586,174 $59,436 $677 $331 $— $— $711 $647,329 


22


December 31, 2022
Term Loans by Year of OriginationRevolving LoansTotal Loans
By class:20222021202020192018Prior
Land and land development
Risk Rating
Pass$199,339 $88,066 $16,278 $11,866 $6,242 $6,164 $339 $328,294 
Special Mention— — — — — — — — 
Substandard— — — — 97 84 — 181 
Doubtful— — — — — — — — 
Loss— — — — — — — — 
Total Land and land development$199,339 $88,066 $16,278 $11,866 $6,339 $6,248 $339 $328,475 
Commercial business
Risk Rating
Pass$249,609 $149,140 $161,494 $126,416 $86,712 $85,386 $391,852 $1,250,609 
Special Mention74 26 3,467 — — — 200 3,767 
Substandard464 12,599 1,956 1,161 5,954 796 6,101 29,031 
Doubtful— — — — — — — — 
Loss— — — — — — — — 
Total Commercial business$250,147 $161,765 $166,917 $127,577 $92,666 $86,182 $398,153 $1,283,407 
Agricultural business, including secured by farmland
Risk Rating
Pass$36,848 $35,440 $18,946 $28,354 $24,710 $27,063 $109,606 $280,967 
Special Mention— 336 271 — — — 357 964 
Substandard2,015 970 — 6,565 — 2,599 997 13,146 
Doubtful— — — — — — — — 
Loss— — — — — — — — 
Total Agricultural business, including secured by farmland$38,863 $36,746 $19,217 $34,919 $24,710 $29,662 $110,960 $295,077 










23


The following tables present the Company’s portfolio of non-risk-rated loans by class and delinquency status as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands). Revolving loans that are converted to term loans are treated as new originations in the table below and are presented by year of origination. Term loans that are renewed or extended for periods longer than 90 days are presented as a new origination in the year of the most recent renewal or extension.
March 31, 2023
Term Loans by Year of OriginationRevolving LoansTotal Loans
By class:20232022202120202019Prior
Small balance CRE
Past Due Category
Current$27,002 $173,956 $217,436 $175,592 $125,339 $457,810 $517 $1,177,652 
30-59 Days Past Due— — — 445 169 1,481 — 2,095 
60-89 Days Past Due— — — — — — — — 
90 Days + Past Due— — — — — — 
Total Small balance CRE$27,002 $173,956 $217,436 $176,037 $125,508 $459,293 $517 $1,179,749 
Current period gross charge-offs$— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— 
Small business scored
Past Due Category
Current$49,647 $298,194 $192,903 $95,064 $75,968 $124,084 $120,923 $956,783 
30-59 Days Past Due— 590 485 526 — 103 239 1,943 
60-89 Days Past Due— — 22 — 37 17 239 315 
90 Days + Past Due— — 177 93 676 497 166 1,609 
Total Small business scored$49,647 $298,784 $193,587 $95,683 $76,681 $124,701 $121,567 $960,650 
Current period gross charge-offs$— $42 $49 $107 $202 $143 $— $543 
One- to four- family residential
Past Due Category
Current$83,243 $568,763 $272,265 $59,437 $32,785 $223,049 $643 $1,240,185 
30-59 Days Past Due— — 1,041 664 1,325 1,859 — 4,889 
60-89 Days Past Due1,060 240 — — — 436 — 1,736 
90 Days + Past Due— — 1,816 759 711 2,008 — 5,294 
Total One- to four- family residential$84,303 $569,003 $275,122 $60,860 $34,821 $227,352 $643 $1,252,104 
Current period gross charge-offs$— $— $— $— $— $30 $— $30 

24


March 31, 2023
Term Loans by Year of OriginationRevolving LoansTotal Loans
By class:20232022202120202019Prior
Consumer—home equity revolving lines of credit
Past Due Category
Current$5,065 $2,216 $1,534 $1,186 $1,434 $5,484 $543,138 $560,057 
30-59 Days Past Due— — — 72 20 314 1,094 1,500 
60-89 Days Past Due— — 151 — — 396 126 673 
90 Days + Past Due— — 50 1,115 532 407 — 2,104 
Total Consumer—home equity revolving lines of credit$5,065 $2,216 $1,735 $2,373 $1,986 $6,601 $544,358 $564,334 
Current period gross charge-offs$— $— $13 $— $— $15 $— $28 
Consumer-other
Past Due Category
Current$4,215 $37,789 $11,467 $8,306 $5,061 $20,780 $26,691 $114,309 
30-59 Days Past Due— 43 44 12 78 107 286 
60-89 Days Past Due— — 19 54 81 
90 Days + Past Due— — — 18 — — — 18 
Total Consumer-other$4,215 $37,832 $11,488 $8,369 $5,078 $20,860 $26,852 $114,694 
Current period gross charge-offs$— $19 $20 $$20 $39 $162 $264 





25


December 31, 2022
Term Loans by Year of OriginationRevolving LoansTotal Loans
By class:20222021202020192018Prior
Small balance CRE
Past Due Category
Current$177,605 $215,801 $172,286 $134,552 $142,592 $354,924 $630 $1,198,390 
30-59 Days Past Due— — 460 — — 1,399 — 1,859 
60-89 Days Past Due— — — — — — — — 
90 Days + Past Due— — — — — — 
Total Small balance CRE$177,605 $215,801 $172,746 $134,552 $142,592 $356,325 $630 $1,200,251 
Small business scored
Past Due Category
Current$307,109 $201,628 $99,867 $81,603 $56,420 $78,025 $119,281 $943,933 
30-59 Days Past Due146 518 54 262 46 280 173 1,479 
60-89 Days Past Due— 54 — 275 149 176 661 
90 Days + Past Due— — 26 157 70 305 461 1,019 
Total Small business scored$307,255 $202,200 $99,947 $82,297 $56,685 $78,617 $120,091 $947,092 
One- to four- family residential
Past Due Category
Current$555,833 $279,331 $59,672 $34,607 $37,740 $191,890 $1,335 $1,160,408 
30-59 Days Past Due2,030 846 755 — 116 1,462 78 5,287 
60-89 Days Past Due1,060 — — — 115 1,067 — 2,242 
90 Days + Past Due— 1,819 973 712 94 1,577 — 5,175 
Total One- to four- family residential$558,923 $281,996 $61,400 $35,319 $38,065 $195,996 $1,413 $1,173,112 

26


December 31, 2022
Term Loans by Year of OriginationRevolving LoansTotal Loans
By class:20222021202020192018Prior
Consumer—home equity revolving lines of credit
Past Due Category
Current$7,442 $1,089 $329 $1,355 $1,611 $3,788 $547,068 $562,682 
30-59 Days Past Due49 40 75 — 74 214 1,372 1,824 
60-89 Days Past Due— 50 — — 49 45 59 203 
90 Days + Past Due— 14 73 476 64 675 280 1,582 
Total Consumer—home equity revolving lines of credit$7,491 $1,193 $477 $1,831 $1,798 $4,722 $548,779 $566,291 
Consumer-other
Past Due Category
Current$39,740 $12,138 $9,334 $5,695 $5,384 $16,675 $25,219 $114,185 
30-59 Days Past Due49 — 16 67 120 259 
60-89 Days Past Due41 29 24 — 13 62 178 
90 Days + Past Due— 10 — — — — — 10 
Total Consumer-other$39,830 $12,157 $9,379 $5,724 $5,386 $16,755 $25,401 $114,632 

27


The following tables provide the amortized cost basis of collateral-dependent loans as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands). Our collateral dependent loans presented in the tables below have no significant concentrations by property type or location.
 March 31, 2023
Real EstateEquipmentInventoryTotal
Small balance CRE$2,167 $— $— $2,167 
Commercial business
Commercial business316 4,543 4,868 
Small business scored— 243 — 243 
Agricultural business, including secured by farmland
3,242 93 145 3,480 
One- to four-family residential2,679 — — 2,679 
Consumer—home equity revolving lines of credit 818 — — 818 
Total$9,222 $4,879 $154 $14,255 

 December 31, 2022
Real EstateEquipmentTotal
Small balance CRE$2,953 $— $2,953 
Commercial business
Commercial business— 4,537 4,537 
Small business scored— 307 307 
One- to four-family residential1,622 — 1,622 
Total$4,575 $4,844 $9,419 

28



The following tables provide additional detail on the age analysis of the Company’s past due loans as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
 March 31, 2023
 30-59 Days
Past Due
60-89 Days
Past Due
90 Days or More
Past Due
Total
Past Due
CurrentTotal LoansNon-accrual with no Allowance
Total Non-accrual (1)
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Accruing
Commercial real estate:       
Owner-occupied$— $— $— $— $865,705 $865,705 $— $100 $— 
Investment properties— — — — 1,520,261 1,520,261 — — — 
Small balance CRE2,095 — 2,097 1,177,652 1,179,749 2,138 2,715 — 
Multifamily real estate— — — — 696,864 696,864 — — — 
Construction, land and land development:
Commercial construction— — — — 191,051 191,051 — — — 
Multifamily construction— — — — 362,425 362,425 — — — 
One- to four-family construction1,756 — — 1,756 582,899 584,655 — — — 
Land and land development682 — 96 778 328,660 329,438 — 172 — 
Commercial business:
Commercial business885 132 6,492 7,509 1,258,538 1,266,047 6,751 7,315 — 
Small business scored1,943 315 1,609 3,867 956,783 960,650 239 2,050 — 
Agricultural business, including secured by farmland
2,173 1,648 842 4,663 268,044 272,707 4,074 4,074 — 
One- to four-family residential4,889 1,736 5,294 11,919 1,240,185 1,252,104 2,621 6,789 445 
Consumer:
Consumer—home equity revolving lines of credit1,500 673 2,104 4,277 560,057 564,334 — 2,243 852 
Consumer—other286 81 18 385 114,309 114,694 — 13 
Total$16,209 $4,585 $16,457 $37,251 $10,123,433 $10,160,684 $15,823 $25,462 $1,310 



29


 December 31, 2022
 30-59 Days
Past Due
60-89 Days
Past Due
90 Days or More
Past Due
Total
Past Due
CurrentTotal LoansNon-accrual with no Allowance
Total Non-accrual (1)
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Accruing
Commercial real estate:       
Owner-occupied$— $— $— $— $845,320 $845,320 $— $143 $— 
Investment properties— — — — 1,589,975 1,589,975 — — — 
Small balance CRE1,859 — 1,861 1,198,390 1,200,251 2,927 3,540 — 
Multifamily real estate— — — — 645,071 645,071 — — — 
Construction, land and land development:
Commercial construction— — — — 184,876 184,876 — — — 
Multifamily construction— — — — 325,816 325,816 — — — 
One- to four-family construction900 — — 900 646,429 647,329 — — — 
Land and land development921 — 97 1,018 327,457 328,475 — 181 — 
Commercial business:
Commercial business2,100 4,145 649 6,894 1,276,513 1,283,407 6,998 7,356 — 
Small business scored1,479 661 1,019 3,159 943,933 947,092 303 2,530 — 
Agricultural business, including secured by farmland
1,185 — 594 1,779 293,298 295,077 594 594 — 
One-to four-family residential5,287 2,242 5,175 12,704 1,160,408 1,173,112 1,569 5,236 1,023 
Consumer:
Consumer—home equity revolving lines of credit1,824 203 1,582 3,609 562,682 566,291 — 2,124 254 
Consumer—other259 178 10 447 114,185 114,632 — 10 
Total$15,814 $7,429 $9,128 $32,371 $10,114,353 $10,146,724 $12,391 $21,706 $1,287 

(1)     The Company did not recognize any interest income on non-accrual loans during the three months ended March 31, 2023 or the year ended December 31, 2022.
30



The following tables provide the activity in the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
 Commercial Real EstateMultifamily Real EstateConstruction and LandCommercial BusinessAgricultural BusinessOne- to Four-Family ResidentialConsumerTotal
Allowance for credit losses:        
Beginning balance$44,086 $7,734 $29,171 $33,299 $3,475 $14,729 $8,971 $141,465 
(Recapture)/provision for credit losses(1,295)741 (738)1,475 (490)920 161 774 
Recoveries184 — — 119 109 117 169 698 
Charge-offs— — — (1,158)— (30)(292)(1,480)
Ending balance$42,975 $8,475 $28,433 $33,735 $3,094 $15,736 $9,009 $141,457 

 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
 Commercial Real EstateMultifamily Real EstateConstruction and LandCommercial BusinessAgricultural BusinessOne- to Four-Family ResidentialConsumerTotal
Allowance for credit losses:        
Beginning balance$52,995 $7,043 $27,294 $26,421 $3,190 $8,205 $6,951 $132,099 
(Recapture)/provision for credit losses(5,816)140 (994)167 (722)(136)(15)(7,376)
Recoveries87 — 384 149 118 40 216 994 
Charge-offs(2)— (5)(82)— — (157)(246)
Ending balance$47,264 $7,183 $26,679 $26,655 $2,586 $8,109 $6,995 $125,471 

31


Note 5: GOODWILL, OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:  At March 31, 2023, intangible assets are comprised of goodwill and CDI acquired in business combinations. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase consideration paid over the fair value of the assets acquired, net of the fair values of liabilities assumed in a business combination, and is not amortized but is reviewed at least annually for impairment. The Company has identified one reporting unit for the purpose of evaluating goodwill for impairment. The Company completed an assessment of qualitative factors as of December 31, 2022 and concluded that no further analysis was required as it is more likely than not that the fair value of Banner Bank, the reporting unit, exceeds the carrying value.

CDI represents the value of transaction-related deposits and the value of the client relationships associated with the deposits. The Company amortizes CDI assets over their estimated useful lives and reviews them at least annually for events or circumstances that could impair their value. 

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s goodwill and other intangibles for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and the year ended December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
 GoodwillCDITotal
Balance, December 31, 2021$373,121 $14,855 $387,976 
Amortization— (5,279)(5,279)
Other changes(1)
— (136)(136)
Balance, December 31, 2022373,121 9,440 382,561 
Amortization— (1,050)(1,050)
Balance, March 31, 2023$373,121 $8,390 $381,511 

(1)    Acquired CDI was adjusted for the sale of branches in 2022.

The following table presents the estimated amortization expense with respect to CDI as of March 31, 2023 for the periods indicated (in thousands):
Estimated Amortization
Remainder of 2023$2,706 
20242,626 
20251,567 
2026904 
2027426 
Thereafter161 
 $8,390 

Mortgage Servicing Rights:  Mortgage and SBA servicing rights are reported in other assets.  SBA servicing rights are initially recorded and carried at fair value. Mortgage servicing rights are initially recognized at fair value and are amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets.  Mortgage servicing rights are subsequently evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights compared to the amortized cost (remaining unamortized initial fair value).  If the fair value is less than the amortized cost, a valuation allowance is created through an impairment charge to servicing fee income.  However, if the fair value is greater than the amortized cost, the amount above the amortized cost is not recognized in the carrying value.  During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not record any impairment charges or recoveries against mortgage servicing rights. The unpaid principal balance of loans for which mortgage and SBA servicing rights have been recognized totaled $2.74 billion and $2.77 billion at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.  Custodial accounts maintained in connection with this servicing totaled $22.6 million and $11.2 million at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

32


An analysis of the mortgage and SBA servicing rights for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 is presented below (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 20232022
Balance, beginning of the period$16,166 $17,206 
Additions—amounts capitalized136 1,953 
Additions—through purchase39 62 
Amortization (1)
(847)(1,231)
Fair value adjustments (3)
119 18 
Balance, end of the period (2)
$15,613 $18,008 

(1)    Amortization of mortgage servicing rights is recorded as a reduction of loan servicing income within mortgage banking operations and any unamortized balance is fully amortized if the loan repays in full.
(2)    There was no valuation allowance on mortgage servicing rights as of both March 31, 2023 and 2022.
(3)    Fair value adjustments relate to SBA servicing rights. These adjustments are estimated based on an independent dealer analysis by discounting estimated net future cash flows from servicing SBA loans.

Note 6: DEPOSITS

Deposits consisted of the following at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
 March 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Non-interest-bearing accounts$5,764,009 $6,176,998 
Interest-bearing checking1,794,477 1,811,153 
Regular savings accounts2,502,084 2,710,090 
Money market accounts2,143,700 2,198,288 
Total interest-bearing transaction and saving accounts6,440,261 6,719,531 
Certificates of deposit:
Certificates of deposit greater than or equal to $250,000314,506 178,324 
Certificates of deposit less than $250,000635,426 545,206 
Total certificates of deposit949,932 723,530 
Total deposits$13,154,202 $13,620,059 
Included in total deposits:  
Public fund transaction and savings accounts$361,837 $392,859 
Public fund interest-bearing certificates26,857 26,810 
Total public deposits$388,694 $419,669 

Scheduled maturities and weighted average interest rates of certificates of deposit at March 31, 2023 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
March 31, 2023
AmountWeighted Average Rate
Maturing in one year or less$767,151 1.99 %
Maturing after one year through two years143,143 2.21 
Maturing after two years through three years26,638 0.56 
Maturing after three years through four years7,165 0.37 
Maturing after four years through five years4,768 0.45 
Maturing after five years1,067 0.82 
Total certificates of deposit$949,932 1.97 %
33


Note 7: FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following table presents estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, whether or not recognized or recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (dollars in thousands):
 March 31, 2023December 31, 2022
 LevelCarrying ValueEstimated Fair ValueCarrying ValueEstimated Fair Value
Assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents1$242,992 $242,992 $243,062 $243,062 
Securities—trading328,591 28,591 28,694 28,694 
Securities—available-for-sale22,653,860 2,653,860 2,789,031 2,789,031 
Securities—held-to-maturity21,102,122 949,214 1,109,319 933,513 
Securities—held-to-maturity37,837 7,848 8,648 8,667 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell2150,000 150,000 300,000 300,000 
Loans held for sale249,016 49,053 56,857 56,948 
Loans receivable, net310,019,227 9,724,399 10,005,259 9,810,965 
Equity securities1624 624 553 553 
FHLB stock316,800 16,800 12,000 12,000 
Bank-owned life insurance1299,754 299,754 297,565 297,565 
Mortgage servicing rights314,659 33,555 15,331 35,148 
SBA servicing rights3954 954 835 835 
Investments in limited partnerships312,394 12,394 12,427 12,427 
Derivatives:
Interest rate swaps
215,342 15,342 19,339 19,339 
Interest rate lock and forward sales commitments
2,3534 534 142 142 
Liabilities:    
Demand, interest checking and money market accounts29,702,186 9,702,186 10,186,439 10,186,439 
Regular savings22,502,084 2,502,084 2,710,090 2,710,090 
Certificates of deposit2949,932 929,724 723,530 702,581 
FHLB advances2170,000 170,000 50,000 50,000 
Other borrowings2214,564 214,564 232,799 232,799 
Subordinated notes, net299,046 95,470 98,947 96,718 
Junior subordinated debentures374,703 74,703 74,857 74,857 
Derivatives:
Interest rate swaps
228,858 28,858 37,150 37,150 
Interest rate lock and forward sales commitments
2,3136 136 118 118 
Risk participation agreement285 85 67 67 

The Company measures and discloses certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (that is, not a forced liquidation or distressed sale). When measuring fair value, management will maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs whenever possible. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s estimates for market assumptions.

The estimated fair value amounts of financial instruments have been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies.  However, considerable judgment is required to interpret data to develop the estimates of fair value.  Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize at a future date.  The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.  In addition, reasonable comparability between financial institutions may not be likely due to the wide range of permitted valuation techniques and numerous estimates that must be made given the absence of active secondary markets for many of the financial instruments.  This lack of uniform valuation methodologies also introduces a greater degree of subjectivity to these estimated fair values.

34


Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis:

The following tables present financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy of the fair value measurements for those assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
 March 31, 2023
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:    
Securities—trading    
Corporate bonds (Trust Preferred Securities)$— $— $28,591 $28,591 
Securities—available-for-sale    
U.S. Government and agency obligations— 52,588 — 52,588 
Municipal bonds— 173,721 — 173,721 
Corporate bonds— 117,404 — 117,404 
Mortgage-backed or related securities— 2,092,209 — 2,092,209 
Asset-backed securities— 217,938 — 217,938 
 — 2,653,860 — 2,653,860 
Loans held for sale(1)
— 5,485 — 5,485 
Equity securities624 — — 624 
SBA servicing rights— — 954 954 
Investment in limited partnerships— — 12,394 12,394 
Derivatives    
Interest rate swaps— 15,342 — 15,342 
Interest rate lock and forward sales commitments— 49 485 534 
$624 $2,674,736 $42,424 $2,717,784 
Liabilities:    
Junior subordinated debentures
$— $— $74,703 $74,703 
Derivatives    
Interest rate swaps— 28,858 — 28,858 
Interest rate lock and forward sales commitments— 131 136 
Risk participation agreement— 85 — 85 
 $— $29,074 $74,708 $103,782 
35


 December 31, 2022
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:    
Securities—trading    
Corporate bonds (Trust Preferred Securities)$— $— $28,694 $28,694 
Securities—available-for-sale    
U.S. Government and agency obligations— 55,108 — 55,108 
Municipal bonds— 261,209 — 261,209 
Corporate bonds— 121,853 — 121,853 
Mortgage-backed or related securities— 2,139,336 — 2,139,336 
Asset-backed securities— 211,525 — 211,525 
 — 2,789,031 — 2,789,031 
Loans held for sale(1)
— 2,305 — 2,305 
Equity securities553 — — 553 
SBA servicing rights— — 835 835 
Investment in limited partnerships— — 12,427 12,427 
Derivatives    
Interest rate swaps— 19,339 — 19,339 
Interest rate lock and forward sales commitments— 61 81 142 
 $553 $2,810,736 $42,037 $2,853,326 
Liabilities:    
Junior subordinated debentures$— $— $74,857 $74,857 
Derivatives    
Interest rate swaps— 37,150 — 37,150 
Interest rate lock and forward sales commitments— 76 42 118 
Risk participation agreement— 67 — 67 
 $— $37,293 $74,899 $112,192 

(1)    The unpaid principal balance of residential mortgage loans held for sale carried at fair value on a recurring basis was $5.3 million and $2.2 million at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments above:

Securities:  The estimated fair values of investment securities and mortgaged-backed securities are priced using current active market quotes, if available, which are considered Level 1 measurements.  For most of the portfolio, matrix pricing based on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted prices is used to establish the fair value.  These measurements are considered Level 2.  Due to the continued limited activity in the trust preferred markets that have limited the observability of market spreads for some of the Company’s trust preferred securities (TPS), management has classified these securities as a Level 3 fair value measure. Management periodically reviews the pricing information received from third-party pricing services and tests those prices against other sources to validate the reported fair values.

Loans Held for Sale: Fair values for residential mortgage loans held for sale are determined by comparing actual loan rates to current secondary market prices for similar loans.

Equity Securities: Equity securities are invested in a publicly traded stock. The fair value of these securities is based on daily quoted market prices.

SBA Servicing Rights: Fair values are estimated based on an independent dealer analysis by discounting estimated net future cash flows from servicing. The evaluation utilizes assumptions market participants would use in determining fair value including prepayment speeds, delinquency and foreclosure rates, the discount rate, servicing costs, and the timing of cash flows.  The SBA servicing portfolio is stratified by loan type and fair value estimates are adjusted up or down based on the serviced loan interest rates versus current rates on new loan originations since the most recent independent analysis.

36


Junior Subordinated Debentures:  The fair value of junior subordinated debentures is estimated using an income approach technique. The significant inputs included in the estimation of fair value are the credit risk adjusted spread and three month LIBOR. The credit risk adjusted spread represents the nonperformance risk of the liability. The Company utilizes an external valuation firm to validate the reasonableness of the credit risk adjusted spread used to determine the fair value. The junior subordinated debentures are carried at fair value which represents the estimated amount that would be paid to transfer these liabilities in an orderly transaction amongst market participants. Due to inactivity in the trust preferred markets that have limited the observability of market spreads, management has classified this as a Level 3 fair value measurement.

Derivatives: Derivatives include interest rate swap agreements, interest rate lock commitments to originate loans held for sale, forward sales contracts to sell loans and securities related to mortgage banking activities and risk participation agreements. Fair values for these instruments, which generally change as a result of changes in the level of market interest rates, are estimated based on dealer quotes and secondary market sources. As the interest rate lock commitments use a pull-through rate that is considered an unobservable input, these derivatives are classified as a level 3 fair value measurement.

Off-Balance Sheet Items: Off-balance sheet financial instruments include unfunded commitments to extend credit, including standby letters of credit, and commitments to purchase investment securities. The fair value of these instruments is not considered to be material.

Limitations: The fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information available to management as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.  The factors used in the fair value estimates are subject to change subsequent to the dates the fair value estimates are completed, therefore, current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3):

The following table provides a description of the valuation technique, unobservable inputs, and quantitative and qualitative information about the unobservable inputs for the Company’s assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 and measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Weighted Average Rate
Financial InstrumentsValuation TechniqueUnobservable InputsMarch 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Corporate bonds (TPS)Discounted cash flowsDiscount rate8.79 %8.27 %
Junior subordinated debenturesDiscounted cash flowsDiscount rate8.79 %8.27 %
Loans individually evaluatedCollateral valuationsDiscount to appraised valuen/an/a
REOAppraisalsDiscount to appraised value68.35 %68.35 %
Interest rate lock commitmentsPricing modelPull-through rate86.60 %78.65 %
Investments in limited partnershipsNet Asset ValueInfrequent transactionsn/an/a
SBA servicing rightsDiscounted cash flowsConstant prepayment rate14.22 %14.10 %

Trust preferred securities: Management believes that the credit risk-adjusted spread used to develop the discount rate utilized in the fair value measurement of TPS is indicative of the risk premium a willing market participant would require under current market conditions for instruments with similar contractual rates and terms and conditions and issuers with similar credit risk profiles and with similar expected probability of default. Management attributes the change in fair value of these instruments, compared to their par value, primarily to perceived general market adjustments to the risk premiums for these types of assets subsequent to their issuance.

Junior subordinated debentures: Similar to the TPS discussed above, management believes that the credit risk-adjusted spread utilized in the fair value measurement of the junior subordinated debentures is indicative of the risk premium a willing market participant would require under current market conditions for an issuer with Banner’s credit risk profile. Management attributes the change in fair value of the junior subordinated debentures, compared to their par value, primarily to perceived general market adjustments to the risk premiums for these types of liabilities subsequent to their issuance. Future contractions in the risk adjusted spread relative to the spread currently utilized to measure the Company’s junior subordinated debentures at fair value as of March 31, 2023, or the passage of time, will result in negative fair value adjustments. At March 31, 2023, the discount rate utilized was based on a credit spread of 360 basis points and three-month LIBOR of 5.19 basis points.

Interest rate lock commitments: The fair value of the interest rate lock commitments is based on secondary market sources adjusted for an estimated pull-through rate. The pull-through rate is based on historical loan closing rates for similar interest rate lock commitments. An increase or decrease in the pull-through rate would have a corresponding, positive or negative fair value adjustment.

SBA servicing asset: The constant prepayment rate (CPR) is set based on industry data. An increase in the CPR would result in a negative fair value adjustment, where a decrease in CPR would result in a positive fair value adjustment.

37


The following tables provide a reconciliation of the assets and liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) on a recurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2023
 Level 3 Fair Value Inputs
 TPSBorrowings—Junior Subordinated DebenturesInterest Rate Lock and Forward Sales CommitmentsInvestments in Limited PartnershipsSBA Servicing Asset
Beginning balance$28,694 $74,857 $39 $12,427 $835 
Net change recognized in earnings(103)— 441 (520)119 
Net change recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI)— (154)— — — 
Purchases, issuances and settlements— — — 487 — 
Ending balance at March 31, 2023$28,591 $74,703 $480 $12,394 $954 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2022
 Level 3 Fair Value Inputs
 TPSBorrowings—Junior Subordinated DebenturesInterest Rate Lock and Forward Sales CommitmentsInvestments in Limited PartnershipsSBA Servicing Asset
Beginning balance$26,981 $119,815 $1,467 $10,257 $1,161 
Net change recognized in earnings373 — (1,533)(217)
Net change recognized in AOCI— 1,213 — — — 
Purchases, issuances and settlements— — — 942 — 
Redemptions— (50,518)— — 
Ending balance at March 31, 2022$27,354 $70,510 $(66)$10,982 $1,162 

Interest income and dividends from TPS are recorded as a component of interest income. Interest expense related to the junior subordinated debentures is measured based on contractual interest rates and reported in interest expense.  The change in fair value of the junior subordinated debentures, which represents changes in instrument specific credit risk, is recorded in other comprehensive income. The change in fair value of TPS securities, investments in limited partnerships and the SBA servicing asset are recorded as a component of non-interest income. The change in fair value of the interest rate lock and forward sales commitments are included in mortgage banking operations in non-interest income.

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis:

The following tables present financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy of the fair value measurements for those assets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
 March 31, 2023
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Loans individually evaluated$— $— $— $— 
REO— — 340 340 
Loans held for sale— 42,954 — 42,954 
 December 31, 2022
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Loans individually evaluated$— $— $1,883 $1,883 
REO— — 340 340 
Loans held for sale— 49,474 — 49,474 

38



The following table presents the gains and losses resulting from non-recurring fair value adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31,
20232022
Loans individually evaluated$— $— 
REO— — 
Loans held for sale295 (603)
Total gain (loss) from non-recurring measurements$295 $(603)

Loans individually evaluated: Expected credit losses for loans evaluated individually are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate or when the Bank determines that foreclosure is probable, the expected credit loss is measured based on the fair value of the collateral as of the reporting date, less estimated selling costs, as applicable. As a practical expedient, the Bank measures the expected credit loss for a loan using the fair value of the collateral, if repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty based on the Bank’s assessment as of the reporting date. In both cases, if the fair value of the collateral is less than the amortized cost basis of the loan, the Bank will recognize an allowance as the difference between the fair value of the collateral, less costs to sell (if applicable) and the amortized cost basis of the loan. If the fair value of the collateral exceeds the amortized cost basis of the loan, any expected recovery added to the amortized cost basis will be limited to the amount previously charged-off. Subsequent changes in the expected credit losses for loans evaluated individually are included within the provision for credit losses in the same manner in which the expected credit loss initially was recognized or as a reduction in the provision that would otherwise be reported.
REO: The Company records REO (acquired through a lending relationship) at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Fair value adjustments on REO are based on updated real estate appraisals which are based on current market conditions. All REO properties are recorded at the lower of the estimated fair value of the real estate, less expected selling costs, or the carrying amount of the defaulted loans. From time to time, non-recurring fair value adjustments to REO are recorded to reflect partial write-downs based on an observable market price or current appraised value of property. Banner considers any valuation inputs related to REO to be Level 3 inputs. The individual carrying values of these assets are reviewed for impairment at least annually and any additional impairment charges are expensed.

Loans held for sale: The multifamily held for sale loans are carried at the lower of cost or market value. Lower of cost or market adjustments for multifamily loans held for sale are calculated based on discounted cash flows using a discount rate that is a combination of market spreads for similar loan types added to selected index rates. If the fair value of the multifamily held for sale loans is lower than the amortized cost basis of the loans, a net unrealized loss is recognized through the valuation allowance as a charge against income.

Note 8: INCOME TAXES AND DEFERRED TAXES
The Company files a consolidated income tax return including all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries on a calendar year basis. Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under this method, a deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the enacted tax rates which will be in effect when the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax basis of existing assets and liabilities are expected to be reported in the Company’s income tax returns. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period of change. A valuation allowance is recognized as a reduction to deferred tax assets when management determines it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be available to offset future income tax liabilities.

Accounting standards for income taxes prescribe a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and also provide guidance on the de-recognition of previously recorded benefits and their classification, as well as the proper recording of interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures and transition. The Company periodically reviews its income tax positions based on tax laws and regulations and financial reporting considerations, and records adjustments as appropriate. This review takes into consideration the status of current taxing authorities’ examinations of the Company’s tax returns, recent positions taken by the taxing authorities on similar transactions, if any, and the overall tax environment.

As of March 31, 2023, the Company has recognized $1.6 million of unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions. The Company does not anticipate that there are additional uncertain tax positions or that any uncertain tax position which has not been recognized would materially affect the effective tax rate if recognized. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The Company files consolidated income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in the Oregon, California, Utah, Idaho and Montana state jurisdictions.

Tax credit investments: The Company invests in low income housing tax credit funds that are designed to generate a return primarily through the realization of federal tax credits. The Company accounts for these investments by amortizing the cost of tax credit investments over the life of the investment using a proportional amortization method and tax credit investment amortization expense is a component of the provision for income taxes.

39


The following table presents the balances of the Company’s tax credit investments and related unfunded commitments at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
March 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Tax credit investments$79,708 $71,430 
Unfunded commitments—tax credit investments52,346 44,563 

The following table presents other information related to the Company’s tax credit investments for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31,
20232022
Tax credits and other tax benefits recognized$2,066 $1,554 
Tax credit amortization expense included in provision for income taxes
1,722 1,308 

Note 9: CALCULATION OF WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING FOR EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

The following table reconciles basic to diluted weighted average shares outstanding used to calculate earnings per share data for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands, except shares and per share data):
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 20232022
Net income$55,555 $43,963 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding34,239,533 34,300,742 
Dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock218,336 297,694 
Diluted weighted shares outstanding34,457,869 34,598,436 
Earnings per common share  
Basic$1.62 $1.28 
Diluted$1.61 $1.27 

Note 10: STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company operates the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the 2014 Plan) and the 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the 2018 Plan), both of which were approved by its shareholders. The purpose of these plans is to promote the success and enhance the value of the Company by providing a means for attracting and retaining highly skilled employees, officers and directors of the Company and linking their personal interests with those of the Company’s shareholders. Under these plans, the Company currently has outstanding awards of restricted stock shares and restricted stock units.

The Company reserved 900,000 shares of its common stock for issuance under the 2014 Plan in connection with the exercise of awards. As of March 31, 2023, 272,495 restricted stock shares and 431,069 restricted stock units have been granted under the 2014 Plan of which 1,552 restricted stock shares and 23,431 restricted stock units were unvested.

The Company reserved 900,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the 2018 Plan in connection with the exercise of awards. As of March 31, 2023, 566,900 restricted stock units have been granted under the 2018 Plan of which 206,186 restricted stock units were unvested.

The expense associated with all restricted stock grants (including restricted stock shares and restricted stock units) was $2.1 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022. Unrecognized compensation expense for these awards as of March 31, 2023 was $8.7 million and will be recognized over a weighted average period of 25 months.

Note 11: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk — The Company has financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk generated in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of our clients.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, commitments related to standby letters of credit, commitments to originate loans, commitments to sell loans and commitments to buy or sell securities.  These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk similar to the risk involved in on-balance-sheet items.

Our exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument from commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual notional amount of those instruments.  We use the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as for on-balance-sheet instruments.
40



Outstanding commitments for which no asset or liability for the notional amount has been recorded consisted of the following at the dates indicated (in thousands):
 Contract or Notional Amount
March 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Commitments to extend credit$3,946,366 $4,031,954 
Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees39,312 26,119 
Commitments to originate loans74,719 53,266 
Risk participation agreements48,173 48,566 
Derivatives also included in Note 13:
Commitments to originate loans held for sale26,810 10,525 
Commitments to sell loans secured by one- to four-family residential properties3,842 12,568 
Commitments to sell securities related to mortgage banking activities24,332 7,000 

In addition to the commitments disclosed in the table above, the Company is committed to funding its’ unfunded tax credit investments. The Company has also entered into agreements to invest in several limited partnerships. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the funded balances and remaining outstanding commitments of these investments were as follows (in thousands):
March 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Funded BalanceUnfunded BalanceFunded BalanceUnfunded Balance
Limited partnerships investments$10,759 $11,741 $10,272 $12,228 

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a client, as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Many of the commitments may expire without being drawn upon; therefore, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each client’s creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the client. Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and income producing commercial properties. The Company’s allowance for credit losses - unfunded loan commitments at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was $13.4 million and $14.7 million, respectively.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee a client’s performance or payment to a third party.  The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to clients. Under a risk participation agreement, the Bank guarantees the financial performance of a borrower on the participated portion of an interest rate swap on a loan.

Interest rates on residential one- to four-family mortgage loan applications are typically rate locked (committed) to clients during the application stage for periods ranging from 30 to 60 days, the most typical period being 45 days. Traditionally, these loan applications with rate lock commitments had the pricing for the sale of these loans locked with various qualified investors under a best-efforts delivery program at or near the time the interest rate is locked with the client. The Bank then attempts to deliver these loans before their rate locks expired. This arrangement generally required delivery of the loans prior to the expiration of the rate lock. Delays in funding the loans would require a lock extension. The cost of a lock extension at times was borne by the client and at times by the Bank. These lock extension costs have not had a material impact to the Company’s operations. For mandatory delivery commitments the Company enters into forward commitments at specific prices and settlement dates to deliver either: (1) residential mortgage loans for purchase by secondary market investors (i.e., Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae), or (2) mortgage-backed securities to broker/dealers. The purpose of these forward commitments is to offset the movement in interest rates between the execution of its residential mortgage rate lock commitments with borrowers and the sale of those loans to the secondary market investor. There were no counterparty default losses on forward contracts during the three months ended March 31, 2023 or March 31, 2022. Market risk with respect to forward contracts arises principally from changes in the value of contractual positions due to changes in interest rates. The Company limits its exposure to market risk by monitoring differences between commitments to clients and forward contracts with market investors and securities broker/dealers. In the event the Company has forward delivery contract commitments in excess of available mortgage loans, the transaction is completed by either paying or receiving a fee to or from the investor or broker/dealer equal to the increase or decrease in the market value of the forward contract.

In the normal course of business, the Company and/or its subsidiaries have various legal proceedings and other contingent matters outstanding.  These proceedings and the associated legal claims are often contested and the outcome of individual matters is not always predictable.  These claims and counter-claims typically arise during the course of collection efforts on problem loans or with respect to action to enforce liens on properties in which the Bank holds a security interest.   Based upon the information known to management at this time, the Company has accrued $14.9 million related to outstanding legal proceedings. There are no other legal proceedings that management believes would have a material adverse effect on the results of operations or consolidated financial position at March 31, 2023.

41


In connection with certain asset sales, the Bank typically makes representations and warranties about the underlying assets conforming to specified guidelines.  If the underlying assets do not conform to the specifications, the Bank may have an obligation to repurchase the assets or indemnify the purchaser against any loss.  The Bank believes that the potential for material loss under these arrangements is remote.  Accordingly, the fair value of such obligations is not material.

Note 12: DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING

Banner Bank is party to various derivative instruments that are used for asset and liability management and client financing needs. Derivative instruments are contracts between two or more parties that have a notional amount and an underlying variable, require no net investment and allow for the net settlement of positions. The notional amount serves as the basis for the payment provision of the contract and takes the form of units, such as shares or dollars. The underlying variable represents a specified interest rate, index, or other component. The interaction between the notional amount and the underlying variable determines the number of units to be exchanged between the parties and influences the market value of the derivative contract.

The Company’s predominant derivative and hedging activities involve interest rate swaps related to certain term loans and forward sales contracts associated with mortgage banking activities. Generally, these instruments help the Company manage exposure to market risk and meet client financing needs. Market risk represents the possibility that economic value or net interest income will be adversely affected by fluctuations in external factors such as market-driven interest rates and prices or other economic factors.

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the notional values or contractual amounts and fair values of the Company’s derivatives were as follows (in thousands):
Asset DerivativesLiability Derivatives
March 31, 2023December 31, 2022March 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Notional/ Contract AmountFair ValueNotional/ Contract AmountFair ValueNotional/ Contract AmountFair ValueNotional/ Contract AmountFair Value
Hedged interest rate swaps$— $— $— $— $400,000 $21,747 $400,000 $26,485 
Interest rate swaps not designated in hedge relationships429,876 28,821 440,731 37,119 429,876 28,858 440,731 37,150 
Less: Master netting agreements(13,479)(17,780)(13,479)(17,780)
Less: Cash settlements— — (8,268)(8,705)
Net interest rate swaps15,342 19,339 28,858 37,150 
Risk participation agreements1,225 — 1,283 — 46,948 85 47,283 67 
Mortgage loan commitments31,296 485 15,920 81 — — 12,367 42 
Forward sales contracts1,460 49 16,568 61 30,623 136 3,000 76 
Total$463,857 $15,876 $474,502 $19,481 $507,447 $29,079 $503,381 $37,335 

The Company’s asset derivatives are included in other assets, while the liability derivatives are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Interest Rate Swaps used in Cash Flow Hedges: The Company’s floating rate loans result in exposure to losses in value or net interest income as interest rates change. The risk management objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to reduce volatility in net interest income and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company entered into interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing floating rate loans. These hedge contracts involve the receipt of fixed-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making floating-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.

For derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk, the unrealized gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in AOCI and subsequently reclassified into interest income in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in AOCI related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest income as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate assets. During the next 12 months, the Company estimates that an additional $15.0 million will be reclassified as a decrease to interest income.

42


The following table presents the effect of cash flow hedge accounting on AOCI for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivative Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in AOCI Included ComponentAmount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in AOCI Excluded ComponentLocation of Gain or (Loss) Recognized from AOCI into IncomeAmount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into IncomeAmount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income Included ComponentAmount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income Excluded Component
Interest rate swaps$1,125 $1,125 $— Interest Income$(3,613)$(3,613)$— 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivative Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in AOCI Included ComponentAmount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in AOCI Excluded ComponentLocation of Gain or (Loss) Recognized from AOCI into IncomeAmount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into IncomeAmount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income Included ComponentAmount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income Excluded Component
Interest rate swaps$(14,025)$(14,025)$— Interest Income$751 $751 $— 

At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we recorded total net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges in AOCI of $16.5 million and $20.1 million, respectively.

Interest Rate Swaps: The Bank uses an interest rate swap program for commercial loan clients, that provides the client with a variable-rate loan and enters into an interest rate swap in which the client receives a variable-rate payment in exchange for a fixed-rate payment. The Bank offsets its risk exposure by entering into an offsetting interest rate swap with a dealer counterparty for the same notional amount and length of term as the client interest rate swap providing the dealer counterparty with a fixed-rate payment in exchange for a variable-rate payment. These swaps do not qualify as designated hedges; therefore, each swap is accounted for as a freestanding derivative.

Risk Participation Agreements: In conjunction with the purchase or sale of participating interests in loans, the Company also participates in related swaps through risk participation agreements. The existing credit derivatives resulting from these participations are not designated as hedges as they are not used to manage interest rate risk in the Company’s assets or liabilities and are not speculative.

Mortgage Loan Commitments: The Company sells originated one- to four-family mortgage loans into the secondary mortgage loan markets. During the period of loan origination and prior to the sale of the loans in the secondary market, the Company has exposure to movements in interest rates associated with written interest rate lock commitments with potential borrowers to originate one- to four-family loans that are intended to be sold and for closed one- to four-family mortgage loans held for sale for which fair value accounting has been elected, that are awaiting sale and delivery into the secondary market. The Company economically hedges the risk of changing interest rates associated with these mortgage loan commitments by entering into forward sales contracts to sell one- to four-family mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities to broker/dealers at specific prices and dates.

Gains (losses) recognized in income within Mortgage banking operations on non-designated hedging instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended
March 31,
20232022
Mortgage loan commitments$440 $(1,532)
Forward sales contracts(142)2,212 
$298 $680 

The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparty to these agreements. Credit risk of the financial contract is controlled through the credit approval, limits, and monitoring procedures and management does not expect the counterparties to fail their obligations.

43


In connection with the interest rate swaps between the Bank and the dealer counterparties, the agreements contain a provision where if the Bank fails to maintain its status as a well/adequately capitalized institution, then the counterparty could terminate the derivative positions and the Bank would be required to settle its obligations. Similarly, the Bank could be required to settle its obligations under certain of its agreements if specific regulatory events occur, such as a publicly issued prompt corrective action directive, cease and desist order, or a capital maintenance agreement that required the Bank to maintain a specific capital level. If the Bank had breached any of these provisions at March 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at the termination value. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had no obligations to dealer counterparties related to these agreements. The Company generally posts collateral against derivative liabilities in the form of cash, government agency-issued bonds, mortgage-backed securities, or commercial mortgage-backed securities. Collateral posted against derivative liabilities was $20.7 million and $22.2 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The collateral posted included restricted cash of $14.3 million and $15.9 million as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Derivative assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet. Master netting agreements allow the Company to settle all derivative contracts held with a single counterparty on a net basis and to offset net derivative positions with related collateral where applicable. In addition, some of interest rate swap derivatives between the Company and the dealer counterparties are cleared through central clearing houses. These clearing houses characterize the variation margin payments as settlements of the derivative’s market exposure and not as collateral. The variation margin is treated as an adjustment to our cash collateral, as well as a corresponding adjustment to our derivative liability. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the variation margin adjustment was a negative adjustment of $8.3 million and $8.7 million, respectively.

The following tables present additional information related to the Company’s derivative contracts, by type of financial instrument, as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
March 31, 2023
Gross Amounts of Financial Instruments Not Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
Gross Amounts RecognizedAmounts offset
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
Net Amounts
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
Netting Adjustment Per Applicable Master Netting AgreementsFair Value
of Financial Collateral
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
Net Amount
Derivative assets
Interest rate swaps$28,821 $(13,479)$15,342 $— $— $15,342 
$28,821 $(13,479)$15,342 $— $— $15,342 
Derivative liabilities
Interest rate swaps$50,605 $(21,747)$28,858 $— $(13,435)$15,423 
$50,605 $(21,747)$28,858 $— $(13,435)$15,423 
December 31, 2022
Gross Amounts of Financial Instruments Not Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
Gross Amounts RecognizedAmounts offset
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
Net Amounts
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
Netting Adjustment Per Applicable Master Netting AgreementsFair Value
of Financial Collateral
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
Net Amount
Derivative assets
Interest rate swaps$37,119 $(17,780)$19,339 $— $— $19,339 
$37,119 $(17,780)$19,339 $— $— $19,339 
Derivative liabilities
Interest rate swaps$63,634 $(26,484)$37,150 $— $(14,972)$22,178 
$63,634 $(26,484)$37,150 $— $(14,972)$22,178 


44


ITEM 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Executive Overview

Banner is a bank holding company incorporated in the State of Washington, which wholly owns one subsidiary bank, Banner Bank. The Bank is a Washington-chartered commercial bank that conducts business from its main office in Walla Walla, Washington and, as of March 31, 2023, it had 137 branch offices and 18 loan production offices located in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho and Utah.  Banner is subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve.  The Bank is subject to regulation by the Washington DFI and the FDIC.  As of March 31, 2023, we had total consolidated assets of $15.53 billion, total loans of $10.16 billion, total deposits of $13.15 billion and total shareholders’ equity of $1.53 billion.

The Bank is a regional bank which offers a wide variety of commercial banking services and financial products to individuals, businesses and public sector entities in its primary market areas.  The Bank’s primary business is that of traditional banking institutions, accepting deposits and originating loans in locations surrounding our offices in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho and Utah.  The Bank is also an active participant in secondary loan markets, engaging in mortgage banking operations largely through the origination and sale of one- to four-family and multifamily residential loans.  Lending activities include commercial business and commercial real estate loans, agriculture business loans, construction and land development loans, one- to four-family and multifamily residential loans, SBA loans and consumer loans.

Banner’s successful execution of a super community bank model and strategic initiatives have delivered solid core operating results and profitability over the last several years. Banner’s longer term strategic initiatives continue to focus on originating high quality assets and client acquisition, which we believe will continue to generate strong revenue while maintaining the Company’s moderate risk profile.

Item 303 of Regulation S-K allows registrants to compare the results of the most recently completed quarter to the results of either the immediately preceding quarter or the corresponding quarter of the preceding year. Banner has elected to compare our results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, where applicable, throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

First Quarter 2023 Highlights
Revenues decreased 6% to $162.6 million, compared to $172.1 million in the preceding quarter.
Net interest income decreased 4% to $153.3 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to $159.1 million in the preceding quarter.
Net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, was 4.30%, compared to 4.23% in the preceding quarter.
Mortgage banking revenues increased 16% to $2.7 million, compared to $2.3 million in the preceding quarter.
Return on average assets was 1.44%, compared to 1.34% in the preceding quarter.
Net loans receivable increased to $10.02 billion at March 31, 2023, compared to $10.01 billion at December 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.
The allowance for credit losses - loans was $141.5 million, or 1.39% of total loans receivable, at both March 31, 2023 and December 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. Core deposits represented 93% of total deposits at March 31, 2023.
The Bank’s uninsured deposits were 33% of total deposits at March 31, 2023, compared to 35% at December 31, 2022.
The 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.
Tangible common shareholders’ equity per share* increased 7% to $33.52 at March 31, 2023, compared to $31.41 at the preceding quarter end.

*Non-GAAP Financial Measures: Management has presented non-GAAP financial measures in this discussion and analysis because it believes that they provide useful and comparative information to assess trends in our core operations and to facilitate the comparison of our performance with the performance of our peers. However, these non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental and are not a substitute for any analysis based on GAAP. Where applicable, we have also presented comparable earnings information using GAAP financial measures. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures, see the tables below. Because not all companies use the same calculations, our presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures as calculated by other companies.

Adjusted revenue, diluted adjusted earnings per share and adjusted efficiency ratio are non-GAAP financial measures. To calculate the adjusted revenue, diluted adjusted earnings per share and adjusted efficiency ratio, we make adjustments to our GAAP revenues and expenses as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide information to investors that is useful in evaluating the operating performance and trends of financial services companies, including the Company (dollars in thousands except per share data).
45


Quarters Ended
Mar 31, 2023Dec 31, 2022Mar 31, 2022
ADJUSTED REVENUE
Net interest income (GAAP)$153,312 $159,071 $118,654 
Non-interest income (GAAP)9,277 13,070 19,427 
Total revenue (GAAP)162,589 172,141 138,081 
Exclude: Net loss (gain) on sale of securities7,252 3,721 (435)
Net change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value552 (157)(49)
Adjusted Revenue (non-GAAP)$170,393 $175,705 $137,597 
Quarters Ended
Mar 31, 2023Dec 31, 2022Mar 31, 2022
ADJUSTED EARNINGS
Net income (GAAP)$55,555 $54,380 $43,963 
Exclude: Net loss (gain) on sale of securities7,252 3,721 (435)
Net change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value552 (157)(49)
Banner Forward expenses143 838 2,465 
Loss on extinguishment of debt— — 793 
Related net tax benefit(1,907)(1,057)(666)
Total adjusted earnings (non-GAAP)$61,595 $57,725 $46,071 
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)
$1.61 $1.58 $1.27 
Diluted adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP)
$1.79 $1.68 $1.33 
Quarters Ended
Mar 31, 2023Dec 31, 2022Mar 31, 2022
ADJUSTED EFFICIENCY RATIO
Non-interest expense (GAAP)$94,621 $99,013 $91,195 
Exclude: Banner Forward expenses(143)(838)(2,465)
CDI amortization(1,050)(1,215)(1,424)
State and municipal tax expense(1,300)(1,304)(1,162)
REO operations277 (28)79 
Loss on extinguishment of debt— — (793)
Adjusted non-interest expense (non-GAAP)$92,405 $95,628 $85,430 
Net interest income (GAAP)$153,312 $159,071 $118,654 
Non-interest income (GAAP)9,277 13,070 19,427 
Total revenue (GAAP)162,589 172,141 138,081 
Exclude: Net loss (gain) on sale of securities7,252 3,721 (435)
Net change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value552 (157)(49)
Adjusted revenue (non-GAAP)$170,393 $175,705 $137,597 
Efficiency ratio (GAAP)58.20 %57.52 %66.04 %
Adjusted efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)54.23 %54.43 %62.09 %



46


The ratio of tangible common shareholders’ equity to tangible assets is also a non-GAAP financial measure. We calculate tangible common equity by excluding goodwill and other intangible assets from shareholders’ equity. We calculate tangible assets by excluding the balance of goodwill and other intangible assets from total assets. We believe that this is consistent with the treatment by our bank regulatory agencies, which exclude goodwill and other intangible assets from the calculation of risk-based capital ratios. Management believes that this non-GAAP financial measure provides information to investors that is useful in understanding the basis of our capital position (dollars in thousands except per share data).
TANGIBLE COMMON SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY TO TANGIBLE ASSETS
March 31, 2023December 31, 2022March 31, 2022
Shareholders’ equity (GAAP)$1,531,695 $1,456,432 $1,563,780 
   Exclude goodwill and other intangible assets, net381,511 382,561 386,552 
Tangible common shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP)$1,150,184 $1,073,871 $1,177,228 
Total assets (GAAP)$15,533,603 $15,833,431 $16,776,171 
   Exclude goodwill and other intangible assets, net381,511 382,561 386,552 
Total tangible assets (non-GAAP)$15,152,092 $15,450,870 $16,389,619 
Common shareholders’ equity to total assets (GAAP)9.86 %9.20 %9.32 %
Tangible common shareholders’ equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)7.59 %6.95 %7.18 %
TANGIBLE COMMON SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY PER SHARE
Tangible common shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP)$1,150,184 $1,073,871 $1,177,228 
Common shares outstanding at end of period34,308,540 34,194,018 34,372,784 
Common shareholders’ equity (book value) per share (GAAP)$44.64 $42.59 $45.49 
Tangible common shareholders’ equity (tangible book value) per share (non-GAAP)$33.52 $31.41 $34.25 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is intended to assist in understanding our financial condition and results of operations.  The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates

Our critical accounting estimates are described in detail in the Critical Accounting Estimates section of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 21, 2023 (“2022 Form 10-K”). The condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP and follow general practices within the financial services industry, in which the Company operates. This preparation requires management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates, assumptions, and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements. As this information changes, actual results could differ from the estimates, assumptions, and judgments reflected in the financial statements. Certain estimates inherently have a greater reliance on the use of assumptions and judgments and, as such, have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. Management believes that the allowance for credit losses, fair value, goodwill, income taxes and deferred tax assets and legal contingencies are important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and requires significant judgements and assumptions which are susceptible to significant changes based on the current environment. There have been no significant changes in our application of critical accounting estimates since December 31, 2022.

Comparison of Financial Condition at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

General:  Total assets decreased $299.8 million, to $15.53 billion at March 31, 2023, from $15.83 billion at December 31, 2022. The decrease 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.
Loans and lending: Loans are our most significant and generally highest yielding earning assets. We attempt to maintain a portfolio of loans to total deposits ratio at a level designed to enhance our revenues, while adhering to sound underwriting practices and appropriate diversification guidelines in order to maintain a moderate risk profile. Our loan to deposit ratio typically ranges from 90% to 95%. Our loan to deposit ratio at March 31, 2023 was 78%. During the most recent quarters, our loan to deposit ratio recently has begun to trend upward as the unprecedented level of market liquidity begins to reduce. We offer a wide range of loan products to meet the demands of our clients. Our lending activities are primarily directed toward the origination of real estate and commercial loans. Total loans receivable (gross loans less deferred fees and discounts and excluding loans held for sale) increased $14.0 million at March 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022, primarily reflecting increased one-to-four family residential and multifamily real estate loan balances, partially offset by decreased commercial real estate, construction, land and land development, commercial business, agricultural business and consumer loan balances. At March 31, 2023, our loans receivable totaled $10.16 billion compared to $10.15 billion at December 31, 2022.
47



The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s loans receivable by type of loan as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):
Percentage Change
Mar 31, 2023Dec 31, 2022Mar 31, 2022Year EndPrior Year Qtr.
Commercial real estate:
Owner-occupied$865,705 $845,320 $872,801 2.4 %(0.8)%
Investment properties1,520,261 1,589,975 1,670,896 (4.4)(9.0)
Small balance CRE1,179,749 1,200,251 1,162,164 (1.7)1.5 
Total Commercial real estate3,565,715 3,635,546 3,705,861 (1.9)(3.8)
Multifamily real estate696,864 645,071 598,588 8.0 16.4 
Construction, land and land development:
Commercial construction191,051 184,876 179,796 3.3 6.3 
Multifamily construction362,425 325,816 274,015 11.2 32.3 
One- to four-family construction584,655 647,329 582,800 (9.7)0.3 
Land and land development329,438 328,475 317,560 0.3 3.7 
Total Construction, land and land development1,467,569 1,486,496 1,354,171 (1.3)8.4 
Commercial business:
Commercial business1,266,047 1,283,407 1,139,701 (1.4)11.1 
Small business scored960,650 947,092 817,065 1.4 17.6 
Total Commercial business2,226,697 2,230,499 1,956,766 (0.2)13.8 
Agricultural business, including secured by farmland272,707 295,077 245,288 (7.6)11.2 
One- to four-family residential1,252,104 1,173,112 718,403 6.7 74.3 
Consumer:
Consumer—home equity revolving lines of credit564,334 566,291 470,485 (0.3)19.9 
Consumer—other114,694 114,632 97,067 0.1 18.2 
Total Consumer679,028 680,923 567,552 (0.3)19.6 
Total loans receivable$10,160,684 $10,146,724 $9,146,629 0.1 %11.1 %

Our commercial real estate loans for owner-occupied, investment properties and small balance CRE totaled $3.57 billion, or 35% of our loan portfolio at March 31, 2023. In addition, multifamily residential real estate loans totaled $696.9 million and comprised 7% of our loan portfolio. Commercial real estate loans decreased by $69.8 million during the first three months of 2023, while multifamily real estate loans increased by $51.8 million.

Our commercial, multifamily, and one- to four-family construction, land and land development loans totaled $1.47 billion, or 14% of our loan portfolio at March 31, 2023, compared to $1.49 billion at December 31, 2022. One- to four-family construction balances decreased $62.7 million, or 10%, to $584.7 million at March 31, 2023 compared to $647.3 million at December 31, 2022. One- to four-family construction loans represented approximately 6% of our total loan portfolio at March 31, 2023, and included speculative construction loans, as well as “all-in-one” construction loans made to owner occupants that convert to permanent loans upon completion of the homes that, depending on market conditions, may be subsequently sold into the secondary market.

Our commercial business lending is directed toward meeting the credit and related deposit needs of various small- to medium-sized business and agribusiness borrowers operating in our primary market areas.  Our commercial and agricultural business loans decreased $26.2 million, or 1%, to $2.50 billion at March 31, 2023, compared to $2.53 billion at December 31, 2022. Commercial and agricultural business loans represented approximately 25% of our portfolio at March 31, 2023. Our commercial business lending, to a lesser extent, includes participation in certain syndicated loans, including shared national credits, which totaled $252.1 million at March 31, 2023, compared to $234.1 million at December 31, 2022.

48


We are active originators of one- to four-family residential loans in most communities where we have established offices in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho and Utah. Most of the one- to four-family residential loans we originate in normal market conditions are sold in secondary markets with net gains on sales and loan servicing fees reflected in our revenues from mortgage banking. Although our originations of loans held for sale have declined significantly, originations of portfolio one- to four-family residential loans have remained relatively strong despite increases in interest rates during the last year. At March 31, 2023, one- to four-family residential loans retained in our portfolio increased $79.0 million, to $1.25 billion, compared to $1.17 billion at December 31, 2022. The increase in one- to four-family residential loans was primarily the result of a higher percentage of new production and one- to four-family construction loans converting to one- to four-family residential loans being held in portfolio. One- to four-family residential loans represented 12% of our loan portfolio at March 31, 2023.

Our consumer loan activity is primarily directed at meeting demand from our existing deposit clients. At March 31, 2023, consumer loans, including home equity revolving lines of credit, decreased $1.9 million to $679.0 million, compared to $680.9 million at December 31, 2022.

The following table shows the commitment amount for loan origination (excluding loans held for sale) activity for the three months ended March 31, 2023, December 31, 2022 and March 31, 2022 (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended
Mar 31, 2023Dec 31, 2022Mar 31, 2022
Commercial real estate$75,768 $117,787 $87,421 
Multifamily real estate35,520 8,881 21,169 
Construction and land247,842 301,804 545,475 
Commercial business131,826 298,396 272,513 
Agricultural business23,181 24,314 28,676 
One-to four- family residential34,265 83,491 55,821 
Consumer60,888 102,502 121,959 
Total commitment amount for loan originations (excluding loans held for sale)$609,290 $937,175 $1,133,034 

Loans held for sale decreased to $49.0 million at March 31, 2023, compared to $56.9 million at December 31, 2022, as sales exceeded originations of held-for-sale loans during the three months ended March 31, 2023. Originations of loans held for sale decreased to $39.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $208.3 million for the same period last year, primarily due to decreased refinance activity as well as an overall decrease in purchase activity for one- to four-family residential mortgage and multifamily loans due to the increase in interest rates during the current year. The volume of one- to four-family residential mortgage loans sold was $40.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $210.4 million in the same period a year ago. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we sold $7.6 million of multifamily loans, compared to $15.8 million for the same period a year ago. Loans held for sale included $43.0 million and $49.5 million of multifamily loans at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, with the remaining balance in one- to four-family residential mortgage loans.

The following table presents loans by geographic concentration at March 31, 2023, December 31, 2022 and March 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands):
Mar 31, 2023Dec 31, 2022Mar 31, 2022Percentage Change
AmountPercentageAmountAmountYear EndPrior Year Qtr.
Washington$4,808,821 47.3 %$4,777,546 $4,254,748 0.7 %13.0 %
California2,490,666 24.5 2,484,980 2,195,904 0.2 13.4 
Oregon1,823,057 17.9 1,826,743 1,629,281 (0.2)11.9 
Idaho565,335 5.6 565,586 541,706 — 4.4 
Utah67,085 0.7 75,967 84,720 (11.7)(20.8)
Other405,720 4.0 415,902 440,270 (2.4)(7.8)
Total loans receivable$10,160,684 100.0 %$10,146,724 $9,146,629 0.1 %11.1 %

49


Investment Securities: Total securities decreased $143.3 million to $3.79 billion at March 31, 2023 from $3.94 billion at December 31, 2022, primarily due to the sale of $150.1 million of securities as well as normal portfolio cash flows. Securities sales, paydowns and maturities exceeded purchases during the three-month period ended March 31, 2023. Purchases during the three months ended March 31, 2023 consisted primarily of mortgage-backed securities. The average effective duration of the Company’s securities portfolio was 6.6 years at March 31, 2023, compared to 6.5 years at December 31, 2022. Net fair value adjustments to the portfolio of securities held for trading, which were included in net income, decreased $103,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2023. In addition, fair value adjustments for securities designated as available-for-sale increased $36.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, which was included, net of the associated tax expense of $8.7 million, as a component of other comprehensive income, and largely occurred as a result of decreases in market interest rates during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The Company held $150.0 million of securities purchased under resell agreements at March 31, 2023, compared to $300.0 million at December 31, 2022. The decrease was due to $150.0 million of reverse repurchase agreements maturing during the first quarter of 2023.

Deposits: Deposits, client retail repurchase agreements and loan repayments are the major sources of our funds for lending and other investment purposes. We compete with other financial institutions and financial intermediaries in attracting deposits and we generally attract deposits within our primary market areas. Increasing core deposits (non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing transaction and savings accounts) is a fundamental element of our business strategy. Much of the focus of our branch strategy and marketing efforts over the last several years have been directed toward attracting additional deposit client relationships and balances. This effort has been particularly directed towards emphasizing core deposit activity in non-interest-bearing and other transaction and savings accounts. Despite rate sensitive deposits moving off balance sheet during the last couple of quarters, our strategy of focusing on relationship banking remains intact.

The following table sets forth the Company’s deposits by type of deposit account as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):
Percentage Change
Mar 31, 2023Dec 31, 2022Mar 31, 2022Year EndPrior Year Qtr.
Non-interest-bearing$5,764,009 $6,176,998 $6,494,852 (6.7)%(11.3)%
Interest-bearing checking1,794,477 1,811,153 1,971,936 (0.9)(9.0)
Regular savings accounts2,502,084 2,710,090 2,853,891 (7.7)(12.3)
Money market accounts2,143,700 2,198,288 2,402,731 (2.5)(10.8)
Interest-bearing transaction & savings accounts6,440,261 6,719,531 7,228,558 (4.2)(10.9)
Total core deposits12,204,270 12,896,529 13,723,410 (5.4)(11.1)
Interest-bearing certificates949,932 723,530 800,364 31.3 18.7 
Total deposits$13,154,202 $13,620,059 $14,523,774 (3.4)%(9.4)%

Total deposits decreased $465.9 million compared to December 31, 2022, with core deposits decreasing $692.3 million, partially offset by a $226.4 million increase in certificates of deposit. The decline in deposits during the first three months of 2023 was primarily due to an overall reduction in market liquidity, as well as interest rate sensitive clients moving a portion of their non-operating deposits. Non-interest-bearing account balances decreased 7% at March 31, 2023, compared to December 31, 2022. Interest-bearing transaction and savings accounts decreased 4% at March 31, 2023, compared to December 31, 2022. Certificates of deposit increased 31% at March 31, 2023, compared to December 31, 2022, reflecting increasing rates attracting customers to these deposit types. We had no brokered deposits at March 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022. Core deposits represented 93% and 95% of total deposits at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

The 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 includes cash held by the Company of $88.0 million and $77.2 million at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The Bank’s uninsured deposits, excluding collateralized public deposits and cash held at the holding company, were 31% of total deposits at March 31, 2023, compared to 33% of total deposits at December 31, 2022.

50


The following table presents deposits by geographic concentration at March 31, 2023, December 31, 2022 and March 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands):
Mar 31, 2023Dec 31, 2022Mar 31, 2022Percentage Change
AmountPercentageAmountAmountYear EndPrior Year Qtr.
Washington$7,237,499 55.0 %$7,563,056 $8,067,253 (4.3)%(10.3)%
Oregon2,911,788 22.1 2,998,572 3,140,393 (2.9)(7.3)
California2,309,174 17.6 2,331,524 2,520,655 (1.0)(8.4)
Idaho695,741 5.3 726,907 795,473 (4.3)(12.5)
Total deposits$13,154,202 100.0 %$13,620,059 $14,523,774 (3.4)%(9.4)%

Borrowings: We had $170.0 million FHLB advances at March 31, 2023, compared to $50.0 million at December 31, 2022. Other borrowings, consisting of retail repurchase agreements primarily related to client cash management accounts, decreased $18.2 million, or 8%, to $214.6 million at March 31, 2023, compared to $232.8 million at December 31, 2022. Junior subordinated debentures totaled $74.7 million at March 31, 2023 compared to $74.9 million at December 31, 2022. Subordinated notes, net of issuance costs were $99.0 million at March 31, 2023 compared to $98.9 million at December 31, 2022.

Shareholders’ Equity: Total shareholders’ equity increased $75.3 million to $1.53 billion at March 31, 2023, as compared to $1.46 billion at December 31, 2022. The increase in shareholders’ equity 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 increase in AOCI, primarily due to a decrease in the unrealized loss on the security portfolio. There were no shares of common stock repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2023. Tangible common shareholders’ equity, which excludes goodwill and other intangible assets, increased $76.3 million to $1.15 billion, or 7.59% of tangible assets at March 31, 2023, compared to $1.07 billion, or 6.95% of tangible assets at December 31, 2022. The increase in tangible common shareholders’ equity as a percentage of tangible assets was primarily due to the previously mentioned increases in retained earnings and AOCI.

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

For the quarter ended March 31, 2023, net income was $55.6 million, or $1.61 per diluted share, compared to $54.4 million, or $1.58 per diluted share, for the preceding quarter. The increase in net income was primarily due to increased interest income as a result of higher average yields on total interest-earning assets, a recapture of provision for credit losses and decreased non-interest expenses, partially offset by increased funding costs as a result of higher average rates paid on interest bearing liabilities and decreased non-interest income primarily due to a net loss on the sale of securities during the current quarter.

Rising market interest rates during the quarter resulted in yields on loans and investment securities increasing at a faster pace than our funding costs. The increase in the yields on loans and investment securities, partially offset by increased funding costs during the quarter improved our net interest margin for the quarter compared to the preceding quarter. The increased funding costs and net loss on the sale of securities recorded during the current quarter resulted in decreased total revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to the preceding quarter.

We recorded a $524,000 recapture of provision for credit losses for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to a $6.7 million provision for credit losses in the prior quarter. 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 the provision for credit losses recorded on the funded loan balances. 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.

Non-interest expenses decreased in the quarter ended March 31, 2023 compared to the prior quarter. The decrease in non-interest expense primarily reflects a $1.5 million decrease in occupancy and equipment expenses, reflecting increased building rent expense due to lease buyouts as well as elevated weather-related building maintenance expenses during the prior quarter, and a $4.2 million decrease in professional and legal expenses due to a $3.5 million accrual recorded during the prior quarter in relation to the potential settlement of a pending litigation matter, partially offset by a $1.4 million decrease in capitalized loan origination costs due to decreased loan production and a $1.1 million increase in salary and employee benefits expense.

51


 OPERATING DATA:
  
 Quarters Ended
(In thousands)March 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Interest income$166,961 $165,558 
Interest expense13,649 6,487 
Net interest income153,312 159,071 
(Recapture) provision for credit losses(524)6,704 
Net interest income after (recapture) provision for credit losses153,836 152,367 
Deposit fees and other service charges10,562 10,821 
Mortgage banking operations2,691 2,311 
Net change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value
(552)157 
All other non-interest income(3,424)(219)
Total non-interest income
9,277 13,070 
Salary and employee benefits61,389 60,309 
All other non-interest expenses33,232 38,704 
Total non-interest expense
94,621 99,013 
Income before provision for income tax expense
68,492 66,424 
Provision for income tax expense12,937 12,044 
Net income $55,555 $54,380 

PER COMMON SHARE DATA:  
 Quarters Ended
 March 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Net income:  
Basic$1.62 $1.59 
Diluted1.61 1.58 

Net Interest Income. Net interest income decreased by $5.8 million, or 4%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to the preceding quarter. The decrease in net interest income was primarily due to increases in the cost of funding liabilities, partially offset by increases in the average yields on loans and investment securities.

The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis increased seven basis points to 4.30% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to a net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis of 4.23% for the preceding quarter, reflecting a 28 basis-point increase in the average yields on interest-earning assets during the current quarter, partially offset by a 22 basis-point increase in the cost of funding liabilities. The increase in average yields on interest-earning assets reflects the benefit of variable rate interest-earning assets repricing higher, as well as new loans being originated at higher interest rates. 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 the overall cost of funding liabilities compared to the previous quarter was largely due to the increase in the costs of deposits which 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.

Interest Income. Interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 was $167.0 million, compared to $165.6 million for the preceding quarter.  The increase in interest income during the current quarter compared to the prior quarter occurred primarily as a result of average yields on total interest-earning assets increasing 28 basis points, partially offset by the average balance of interest-earning assets decreasing $453.5 million. The increased yield on interest-earning assets reflects increases in the average yields on loans and securities.

Interest income on loans increased by $3.8 million for the current quarter from the preceding quarter. The increased interest income on loans was due to the average loan yields increasing to 5.38% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, from 5.14% in the preceding quarter, reflecting the impact of rising interest rates. Average loans receivable for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 increased 1%, compared to the preceding quarter, primarily reflecting the increase in one- to four-family loans.

The combined average balance of mortgage-backed securities, other investment securities, equity securities, interest-bearing deposits and FHLB stock (total investment securities or combined portfolio) decreased to $4.57 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 (excluding the effect of fair value adjustments), compared to $5.07 billion for the preceding quarter. The interest and dividend income from those investments decreased by $2.4 million compared to the preceding quarter. The average yield on the combined portfolio increased to 3.10% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, from 2.92% in the preceding quarter. The increase in the average yield for the current quarter compared to the preceding quarter reflects the rising interest rate environment.

52


Interest Expense. Interest expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 increased $7.2 million or 110%. The increase in interest expense occurred as a result of a 22 basis-point increase in the average cost of all funding liabilities to 0.40%, partially offset by the average balance of funding liabilities decreasing $537.9 million. The decrease in the average balance of funding liabilities reflects decreases in non-interest-bearing deposits and interest-bearing transaction and savings accounts, primarily due to interest rate sensitive clients moving a portion of their non-operating deposit balances to higher yielding investments, partially offset by higher average balances of certificates of deposit and FHLB advances.

Deposit interest expense increased $5.6 million, or 155%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to the preceding quarter, primarily as a result of an increase in the average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits. The cost of interest-bearing deposits increased by 32 basis points to 0.51% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to 0.19% in the preceding quarter. The average rate paid on total deposits was 0.28% in the first quarter of 2023, compared to 0.10% in the preceding quarter. Average deposit balances decreased to $13.33 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, from $13.95 billion for the preceding quarter. The increase in the average 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.

Interest expense on total borrowings increased to $4.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 from $2.9 million for the preceding quarter, primarily due to an increase in the average rate paid and average balance of total borrowings. The average rate paid on total borrowings for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 increased to 3.41% from 2.54% for the preceding quarter. Average total borrowings were $524.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to $446.7 million for the preceding quarter. The increase in average total borrowings was largely due to an $86.6 million increase in the average balance of FHLB advances, partially offset by an $8.8 million decrease in the average balance of other borrowings.

Analysis of Net Interest Spread. The following tables present for the periods indicated our condensed average balance sheet information, together with interest income and yields earned on average interest-earning assets and interest expense and rates paid on average interest-bearing liabilities with additional comparative data on our operating performance (dollars in thousands):
53


ANALYSIS OF NET INTEREST SPREADQuarters Ended
(rates / ratios annualized)Mar 31, 2023Dec 31, 2022
(dollars in thousands)Average Balance
Interest and Dividends(3)
Yield / Cost(3)
Average Balance
Interest and Dividends(3)
Yield / Cost(3)
Interest-earning assets:
Held for sale loans$52,657 $671 5.17 %$45,654 $527 4.58 %
Mortgage loans8,267,386 106,900 5.24 8,175,281 103,478 5.02 
Commercial/agricultural loans1,702,553 25,176 6.00 1,742,517 24,727 5.63 
SBA PPP loans6,792 50 2.99 9,347 224 9.51 
Consumer and other loans137,096 2,115 6.26 140,801 2,125 5.99 
Total loans(1)
10,166,484 134,912 5.38 10,113,600 131,081 5.14 
Mortgage-backed securities3,093,860 19,123 2.51 3,187,557 19,244 2.40 
Other securities1,404,355 15,095 4.36 1,628,553 15,945 3.88 
Interest-bearing deposits with banks53,584 608 4.60 245,538 2,126 3.44 
FHLB stock14,236 90 2.56 10,773 76 2.80 
Total investment securities4,566,035 34,916 3.10 5,072,421 37,391 2.92 
Total interest-earning assets14,732,519 169,828 4.68 15,186,021 168,472 4.40 
Non-interest-earning assets921,217   927,585 
Total assets$15,653,736   $16,113,606 
Deposits:   
Interest-bearing checking accounts$1,779,664 906 0.21 $1,818,907 566 0.12 
Savings accounts2,615,173 1,884 0.29 2,761,323 866 0.12 
Money market accounts2,167,138 3,799 0.71 2,256,867 1,337 0.24 
Certificates of deposit810,821 2,655 1.33 709,974 854 0.48 
Total interest-bearing deposits7,372,796 9,244 0.51 7,547,071 3,623 0.19 
Non-interest-bearing deposits5,960,791 — — 6,402,297 — — 
Total deposits13,333,587 9,244 0.28 13,949,368 3,623 0.10 
Other interest-bearing liabilities:    
FHLB advances105,984 1,264 4.84 19,337 198 4.06 
Other borrowings229,459 381 0.67 238,217 132 0.22 
Junior subordinated debentures and subordinated notes189,178 2,760 5.92 189,178 2,534 5.31 
Total borrowings524,621 4,405 3.41 446,732 2,864 2.54 
Total funding liabilities13,858,208 13,649 0.40 14,396,100 6,487 0.18 
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities(2)
293,205   292,480 
Total liabilities14,151,413   14,688,580 
Shareholders’ equity1,502,323   1,425,026 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$15,653,736   $16,113,606 
Net interest income/rate spread (tax equivalent)$156,179 4.28 %$161,985 4.22 %
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)4.30 %4.23 %
Reconciliation to reported net interest income:
Adjustments for taxable equivalent basis(2,867)(2,914)
Net interest income and margin, as reported$153,312 4.22 %$159,071 4.16 %
Additional Key Financial Ratios:
Return on average assets1.44 %1.34 %
Return on average equity15.00 15.14 
Average equity/average assets9.60 8.84 
Average interest-earning assets/average interest-bearing liabilities186.55 189.97 
Average interest-earning assets/average funding liabilities106.31 105.49 
Non-interest income/average assets0.24 0.32 
Non-interest expense/average assets2.45 2.44 
Efficiency ratio(4)
58.20 57.52 
Adjusted efficiency ratio(5)
54.23 54.43 
(1)Average balances include loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis and accruing loans 90 days or more past due. Amortization of net deferred loan fees/costs is included with interest on loans.
(2)Average other non-interest-bearing liabilities include fair value adjustments related to junior subordinated debentures.
(3)Tax-exempt income is calculated on a tax equivalent basis. The tax equivalent yield adjustment to interest earned on loans was $1.7 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The tax equivalent yield adjustment to interest earned on tax exempt securities was $1.2 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
(4)Non-interest expense divided by the total of net interest income and non-interest income.
(5)Adjusted non-interest expense divided by adjusted revenue. Represent non-GAAP financial measures. See, non-GAAP financial measure reconciliations presented above following First Quarter 2023 Highlights.
54


Provision and Allowance for Credit Losses. Management estimates the allowance for credit losses using relevant information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The allowance for credit losses is maintained at a level sufficient to provide for expected credit losses over the life of the loan based on evaluating historical credit loss experience and making adjustments to historical loss information for differences in the specific risk characteristics in the current loan portfolio.  These factors include, among others, changes in the size and composition of the loan portfolio, differences in underwriting standards, delinquency rates, actual loss experience and current economic conditions. The following table sets forth an analysis of our allowance for credit losses - loans for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):
  Quarters Ended
CHANGE IN THE ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES - LOANSMar 31, 2023Dec 31, 2022Mar 31, 2022
   
Balance, beginning of period$141,465 $135,918 $132,099 
Provision (recapture) for credit losses – loans774 6,043 (7,376)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off:
Commercial real estate184 88 87 
Construction and land— — 384 
One- to four-family residential117 18 40 
Commercial business119 616 149 
Agricultural business, including secured by farmland109 91 118 
Consumer169 153 216 
 698 966 994 
Loans charged off:
Commercial real estate— — (2)
Construction and land— — (5)
One- to four-family residential(30)— — 
Commercial business(1,158)(1,231)(82)
Consumer(292)(231)(157)
 (1,480)(1,462)(246)
Net (charge-offs) recoveries (782)(496)748 
Balance, end of period$141,457 $141,465 $125,471 
Net (charge-offs) recoveries / Average loans receivable(0.008)%(0.005)%0.008 %
Allowance for credit losses - loans as a percentage of total loans1.39 %1.39 %1.37 %

The provision for credit losses - loans reflects the amount required to maintain the allowance for credit losses - loans at an appropriate level based upon management’s evaluation of the adequacy of collective and individual loss reserves. During the quarter ended March 31, 2023, we recorded a provision for credit losses - loans of $774,000, compared to a provision for credit losses - loans of $6.0 million during the prior quarter. The provision for credit losses - loans for the current quarter was recorded to offset the loan charge-offs during the first quarter of 2023 and to provide allowance for the nominal increase in loan balances. The provision for credit losses – loans for the preceding quarter primarily reflected the increase in loan balances in the preceding quarter. Future assessments of the expected credit losses will not only be impacted by changes in the composition of and amount of loans and to the reasonable and supportable forecast, but will also include an updated assessment of qualitative factors, as well as consideration of any required changes in the reasonable and supportable forecast reversion period.

Net loan charge-offs were $782,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 compared to net loan charge-offs of $496,000 in the preceding quarter. The allowance for credit losses - loans as a percentage of total loans (loans receivable excluding allowance for credit losses - loans) was 1.39% at both March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and 1.37% at March 31, 2022. The increase in the allowance for credit losses - loans as a percentage of loans at March 31, 2023 compared to March 31, 2022 reflects a deterioration in forecasted economic indicators utilized to estimate credit losses.

55


The provision for credit losses - unfunded loan commitments reflects the amount required to maintain the allowance for credit losses - unfunded loan commitments at an appropriate level based upon management’s evaluation of the adequacy of collective and individual loss reserves. The following table sets forth an analysis of our allowance for credit losses - unfunded loan commitments for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):
 
  Quarters Ended
CHANGE IN THE ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES - UNFUNDED LOAN COMMITMENTSMar 31, 2023Dec 31, 2022
Balance, beginning of period$14,721 $14,041 
(Recapture) provision for credit losses - unfunded loan commitments(1,278)680 
Balance, end of period$13,443 $14,721 

The decrease in the allowance for credit losses - unfunded loan commitments reflects the recapture of provision for credit losses - unfunded loan commitments recorded during the current quarter. The recapture of provision for credit losses - unfunded loan commitments was primarily the result of a decrease in the balance of unfunded loan commitments during the quarter.

Non-interest Income. The following table presents the key components of non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands):
Quarters Ended
Mar 31, 2023Dec 31, 2022Change AmountChange Percent
Deposit fees and other service charges$10,562 $10,821 $(259)(2.4)%
Mortgage banking operations2,691 2,311 380 16.4 
Bank owned life insurance2,188 2,120 68 3.2 
Miscellaneous1,640 1,382 258 18.7 
17,081 16,634 447 2.7 
Net (loss) gain on sale of securities(7,252)(3,721)(3,531)94.9 
Net change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value(552)157 (709)(451.6)
Total non-interest income$9,277 $13,070 $(3,793)(29.0)%

Non-interest income was $9.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to $13.1 million for the preceding quarter. The decrease in non-interest income was primarily due to an increase in the net loss recorded during the current quarter on the sale of securities.

Deposit fees and other service charges decreased $259,000, or 2%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to the preceding quarter. Mortgage banking operations, including gains on one- to four-family and multifamily loan sales and loan servicing fees, increased $380,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to the preceding quarter. Gains on sales of one- to four-family loans resulted in income of $1.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to $735,000 in the preceding quarter. The increase in mortgage banking operations from the preceding quarter primarily reflects an increase in the volume of one-to four family loans sold. 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 prior quarter. Mortgage banking revenue included a $295,000 lower of cost or market upward adjustment on multifamily held for sale loans for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 due to decreases in market interest rates during the first quarter of 2023 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 the held for investment portfolio, partially offset by a negative fair value adjustment on multifamily held for sale loans.

56


Non-interest Expense.  The following table represents key elements of non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands):
Quarters Ended
Mar 31, 2023Dec 31, 2022Change AmountChange Percent
Salary and employee benefits$61,389 $60,309 $1,080 1.8 %
Less capitalized loan origination costs(3,431)(4,877)1,446 (29.6)
Occupancy and equipment11,970 13,506 (1,536)(11.4)
Information and computer data services7,147 6,535 612 9.4 
Payment and card processing services4,618 5,109 (491)(9.6)
Professional and legal expenses2,121 6,328 (4,207)(66.5)
Advertising and marketing806 1,350 (544)(40.3)
Deposit insurance1,890 1,739 151 8.7 
State and municipal business and use taxes1,300 1,304 (4)(0.3)
Real estate operations, net(277)28 (305)nm
Amortization of core deposit intangibles1,050 1,215 (165)(13.6)
Miscellaneous6,038 6,467 (429)(6.6)
Total non-interest expense$94,621 $99,013 $(4,392)(4.4)%

Non-interest expenses were $94.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to $99.0 million for the preceding quarter. The decrease in non-interest expense primarily reflects decreases in occupancy and equipment expense and professional and legal expenses, partially offset by a decrease in capitalized loan origination costs and an increase in salary and employee benefits expense.

Salary and employee benefits expenses increased for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to the preceding quarter, primarily due to normal annual salary and wage increases, as well as higher payroll taxes partially offset by lower incentive expense. Capitalized loan origination costs decreased for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to the preceding quarter, due to decreased loan production. Information and computer data services expenses increased for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 compared to the preceding quarter, primarily due to an increase in computer software expenses. Occupancy and equipment expenses decreased for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 compared to the preceding quarter, reflecting increased building rent expense due to lease buyouts as well as increased weather related building maintenance expense during the prior quarter. Professional and legal expenses decreased for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 compared to the preceding quarter, primarily due to a $3.5 million accrual recorded during the prior quarter in relation to the potential settlement of a pending litigation matter. Advertising and marketing expenses decreased for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to the preceding quarter, due to a decrease in web-based advertising expenses.

Our efficiency ratio was 58.20% for the current quarter, compared to 57.52% in the preceding quarter. Our adjusted efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP financial measure, was 54.23% for the current quarter, compared to 54.43% in the preceding quarter. See, non-GAAP financial measure reconciliations presented above following First Quarter 2023 Highlights.

Income Taxes. For the quarter ended March 31, 2023, we recognized $12.9 million in income tax expense for an effective tax rate of 18.9%, which reflects our blended statutory tax rate reduced by the effect of tax-exempt income, certain tax credits, and tax benefits related to restricted stock vesting. Our 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. For the quarter ended December 31, 2022, we recognized $12.0 million in income tax expense for an effective tax rate of 18.1%.

Asset Quality

Maintaining a moderate risk profile by employing appropriate underwriting standards, avoiding excessive asset concentrations and aggressively managing troubled assets has been and will continue to be a primary focus for us. We actively engage with our borrowers to resolve classified loans and other problem assets and effectively manage REO as a result of foreclosures.

Non-Performing Assets:  Non-performing assets increased to $27.1 million, or 0.17% of total assets, at March 31, 2023, from $23.4 million, or 0.15% of total assets, at December 31, 2022. Our allowance for credit losses - loans was $141.5 million, or 528% of non-performing loans at March 31, 2023, compared to $141.5 million, or 615% of non-performing loans at December 31, 2022. The low level of non-performing loans and other assets remains manageable at March 31, 2023.

57


The following table sets forth information with respect to our non-performing assets at the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):
 March 31, 2023December 31, 2022March 31, 2022
Nonaccrual Loans:    
Secured by real estate:   
Commercial$2,815 $3,683 $10,618 
Construction and land172 181 119 
One- to four-family6,789 5,236 2,199 
Commercial business9,365 9,886 1,845 
Agricultural business, including secured by farmland4,074 594 1,021 
Consumer2,247 2,126 2,123 
 25,462 21,706 17,925 
Loans more than 90 days delinquent, still on accrual:   
Secured by real estate:   
One- to four-family445 1,023 210 
Commercial business— — 351 
Consumer865 264 121 
 1,310 1,287 682 
Total non-performing loans26,772 22,993 18,607 
REO, net340 340 429 
Other repossessed assets held for sale17 17 17 
Total non-performing assets$27,129 $23,350 $19,053 
Total non-performing assets to total assets0.17 %0.15 %0.11 %
Total nonaccrual loans to loans before allowance for credit losses - loans0.25 %0.21 %0.20 %
Loans 30-89 days past due and on accrual$14,037 $17,186 $9,611 

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, interest income was reduced by $344,000 as a result of nonaccrual loan activity, which includes the reversal of $184,000 of accrued interest as of the date the loan was placed on nonaccrual. There was no interest income recognized on nonaccrual loans for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

In addition to the non-performing loans as of March 31, 2023, we had other classified loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $121.7 million that are not on nonaccrual status, with respect to which known information concerning possible credit problems with the borrowers or the cash flows of the properties securing the respective loans has caused management to be concerned about the ability of the borrowers to comply with present loan repayment terms.  This may result in the future inclusion of such loans in the nonaccrual loan category.

The following table presents the Company’s portfolio of risk-rated loans and non-risk-rated loans by grade at the dates indicated (in thousands):
 March 31, 2023December 31, 2022March 31, 2022
  
Pass$10,008,385 $10,000,493 $8,961,358 
Special Mention4,251 9,081 6,908 
Substandard148,048 137,150 178,363 
Total$10,160,684 $10,146,724 $9,146,629 

The increase in substandard loans during the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily reflects commercial real estate loan risk rating downgrades during the quarter.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of funds are deposits, borrowings, proceeds from loan principal and interest payments and sales of loans, and the maturity of and interest income on mortgage-backed and investment securities. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and mortgage-backed securities are a predictable source of funds, deposit flows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions, competition and our pricing strategies.

58


Our primary investing activity is the origination of loans and, in certain periods, the purchase of securities or loans.  During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, our loan originations, including originations of loans held for sale, exceeded our loan repayments by $53.3 million and $176.9 million, respectively. There were no loan purchases during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and $75.6 million of loan purchases during the three months ended March 31, 2022. This activity was funded primarily through borrowings. During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, we received proceeds of $50.4 million and $231.1 million, respectively, from the sale of loans. Securities purchased during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 totaled $26.4 million and $321.7 million, respectively, and securities repayments, maturities and sales in those periods were $203.9 million and $127.3 million, respectively.
  
Our primary financing activity is gathering deposits. Total deposits decreased by $465.9 million during the first three months of 2023, as the $692.3 million decrease in core deposits was partially offset by the $226.4 million increase certificates of deposit. The decline in deposits during the first three months of 2023 was primarily due to interest rate sensitive clients moving a portion of their non-operating deposit balances to higher yielding investments. Certificates of deposit are generally more vulnerable to competition and more price sensitive than other retail deposits and our pricing of those deposits varies significantly based upon our liquidity management strategies at any point in time.  At March 31, 2023, certificates of deposit totaled $949.9 million, or 7% of our total deposits, including $767.2 million which were scheduled to mature within one year.  The increase in certificates of deposits during the first three months of 2023 was primarily due to clients seeking higher yields moving funds from core deposit accounts to higher yielding certificates of deposits. While no assurance can be given as to future periods, historically, we have been able to retain a significant amount of our certificates of deposit as they mature.

The 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 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 total deposits at March 31, 2023, compared to 33% of total deposits at December 31, 2022.

We had $170.0 million FHLB advances at March 31, 2023, compared to $50.0 million at December 31, 2022. Other borrowings decreased $18.2 million to $214.6 million at March 31, 2023 from $232.8 million at December 31, 2022.

We must maintain an adequate level of liquidity to ensure the availability of sufficient funds to accommodate deposit withdrawals, to support loan growth, to satisfy financial commitments and to take advantage of investment opportunities. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we used our sources of funds primarily to fund loan commitments. At March 31, 2023, we had outstanding loan commitments totaling $4.14 billion, primarily relating to undisbursed loans in process and unused credit lines. While representing potential growth in the loan portfolio and lending activities, this level of commitments is proportionally consistent with our historical experience and does not represent a departure from normal operations.

We generally maintain sufficient cash and readily marketable securities to meet short-term liquidity needs; however, our primary liquidity management practice to supplement deposits is to increase or decrease short-term borrowings, including FHLB advances and Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (FRBSF) borrowings.  We maintain credit facilities with the FHLB, which provided for advances that in the aggregate would equal the lesser of 45% of the Bank’s assets or adjusted qualifying collateral (subject to a sufficient level of ownership of FHLB stock).  At March 31, 2023, under these credit facilities based on pledged collateral, the Bank had $2.84 billion of available credit capacity. Advances under these credit facilities totaled $170.0 million at March 31, 2023. In addition, the Bank has been approved for participation in the FRBSF’s Borrower-In-Custody program. Under this program, based on pledged collateral, the Bank had available lines of credit of approximately $1.16 billion as of March 31, 2023, subject to certain collateral requirements, namely the collateral type and risk rating of eligible pledged loans. The Bank also had $126.1 million of additional borrowing capacity through the FRBSF’s bank term funding program. We had no funds borrowed from the FRBSF at March 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022. At March 31, 2023, the Bank also had uncommitted federal funds line of credit agreements with other financial institutions totaling $125.0 million. No balances were outstanding under these agreements as of March 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022. Availability of lines is subject to federal funds balances available for loan and continued borrower eligibility. These lines are intended to support short-term liquidity needs and the agreements may restrict consecutive day usage. Management believes it has adequate resources and funding potential to meet our foreseeable liquidity requirements.

Banner is a separate legal entity from the Bank and, on a stand-alone level, must provide for its own liquidity and pay its own operating expenses and cash dividends. Banner’s primary sources of funds consist of capital raised through dividends or capital distributions from the Bank, although there are regulatory restrictions on the ability of the Bank to pay dividends. We currently expect to continue our current practice of paying quarterly cash dividends on our common stock subject to our Board of Directors’ discretion to modify or terminate this practice at any time and for any reason without prior notice. Our current quarterly common stock dividend rate is $0.48 per share, as approved by our Board of Directors, which we believe is a dividend rate per share which enables us to balance our multiple objectives of managing and investing in the Bank, and returning a substantial portion of our cash to our shareholders. Assuming continued payment during 2022 at this rate of $0.48 per share, our average total dividend paid each quarter would be approximately $16.5 million based on the number of outstanding shares at March 31, 2023. At March 31, 2023, Banner (on an unconsolidated basis) had liquid assets of $88.3 million.

As noted below, Banner Corporation and its subsidiary bank continued to maintain capital levels significantly in excess of the requirements to be categorized as “Well-Capitalized” under applicable regulatory standards.  During the three months ended March 31, 2023, total shareholders’ equity increased $75.3 million, to $1.53 billion.  At March 31, 2023, tangible common shareholders’ equity, which excludes goodwill and other intangible assets, was $1.15 billion, or 7.59% of tangible assets.  Tangible common shareholders’ equity represents a non-GAAP financial measure. See, non-GAAP financial measure reconciliations presented above following First Quarter 2023 Highlights.
59



Capital Requirements

Banner is a bank holding company registered with the Federal Reserve.  Bank holding companies are subject to capital adequacy requirements of the Federal Reserve under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and the regulations of the Federal Reserve.  The Bank, as state-chartered, federally insured commercial bank, is subject to the capital requirements established by the FDIC.

The capital adequacy requirements are quantitative measures established by regulation that require Banner and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of capital.  The Federal Reserve requires Banner to maintain capital adequacy that generally parallels the FDIC requirements.  The FDIC requires the Bank to maintain minimum ratios of Total Capital, Tier 1 Capital, and Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to risk-weighted assets as well as Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets.  In addition to the minimum capital ratios, the Bank has to maintain a capital conservation buffer consisting of additional Common Equity Tier 1 Capital greater than 2.5% of risk-weighted assets above the required minimum levels in order to avoid limitations on paying dividends, engaging in share repurchases, and paying discretionary bonuses. At March 31, 2023, Banner and the Bank each exceeded all regulatory capital requirements to be “well capitalized”.

The actual regulatory capital ratios calculated for Banner Corporation and Banner Bank as of March 31, 2023, along with the minimum capital amounts and ratios, were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 ActualMinimum to be Categorized as “Adequately Capitalized”Minimum to be Categorized as “Well-Capitalized”
 AmountRatioAmountRatioAmountAmount
Banner Corporation—consolidated      
Total capital to risk-weighted assets$1,805,467 14.45 %$999,704 8.00 %$1,249,630 10.00 %
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets1,560,998 12.49 749,778 6.00 749,778 6.00 
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets1,560,998 9.96 626,769 4.00  n/a  n/a
Common equity tier 1 capital1,474,498 11.80 562,334 4.50  n/a  n/a
Banner Bank      
Total capital to risk-weighted assets1,712,629 13.71 999,052 8.00 1,248,815 10.00 
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets1,568,160 12.56 749,289 6.00 999,052 8.00 
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets1,568,160 10.01 626,336 4.00 782,921 5.00 
Common equity tier 1 capital1,568,160 12.56 561,967 4.50 811,730 6.50 

ITEM 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market Risk and Asset/Liability Management

Our financial condition and operations are influenced significantly by general economic conditions, including the absolute level of interest rates as well as changes in interest rates and the slope of the yield curve.  Our profitability is dependent to a large extent on our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest received from our interest-earning assets and the interest expense incurred on our interest-bearing liabilities.

Our activities, like all financial institutions, inherently involve the assumption of interest rate risk.  Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in market interest rates will have an adverse impact on the institution’s earnings and underlying economic value.  Interest rate risk is determined by the maturity and repricing characteristics of an institution’s assets, liabilities and off-balance-sheet contracts.  Interest rate risk is measured by the variability of financial performance and economic value resulting from changes in interest rates.  Interest rate risk is the primary market risk affecting our financial performance.

The greatest source of interest rate risk to us results from the mismatch of maturities or repricing intervals for rate sensitive assets, liabilities and off-balance-sheet contracts.  This mismatch or gap is generally characterized by a substantially shorter maturity structure for interest-bearing liabilities than interest-earning assets, although our floating-rate assets tend to be more immediately responsive to changes in market rates than most deposit liabilities.  Additional interest rate risk results from mismatched repricing indices and formula (basis risk and yield curve risk), and product caps and floors and early repayment or withdrawal provisions (option risk), which may be contractual or market driven, that are generally more favorable to clients than to us.  An exception to this generalization is the beneficial effect of interest rate floors on a portion of our performing floating-rate loans, which help us maintain higher loan yields in periods when market interest rates decline significantly.  However, in a declining interest rate environment, as loans with floors are repaid they generally are replaced with new loans which have lower interest rate floors.  As of March 31, 2023, our loans with interest rate floors totaled $4.32 billion and had a weighted average floor rate of 4.17% compared to a current average note rate of 6.06%.  As of March 31, 2023, our loans with interest rates at their floors totaled $1.52 billion and had a weighted average note rate of 4.09%. The Company actively manages its exposure to interest rate risk through on-going adjustments to the mix of interest-earning assets and funding sources that affect the repricing speeds of loans, investments, interest-bearing deposits and borrowings.

60


The principal objectives of asset/liability management are: to evaluate the interest rate risk exposure; to determine the level of risk appropriate given our operating environment, business plan strategies, performance objectives, capital and liquidity constraints, and asset and liability allocation alternatives; and to manage our interest rate risk consistent with regulatory guidelines and policies approved by the Board of Directors.  Through such management, we seek to reduce the vulnerability of our earnings and capital position to changes in the level of interest rates.  Our actions in this regard are taken under the guidance of the Asset/Liability Management Committee, which is comprised of members of our senior management.  The Committee closely monitors our interest sensitivity exposure, asset and liability allocation decisions, liquidity and capital positions, and local and national economic conditions and attempts to structure the loan and investment portfolios and funding sources to maximize earnings within acceptable risk tolerances.

Sensitivity Analysis

Our primary monitoring tool for assessing interest rate risk is asset/liability simulation modeling, which is designed to capture the dynamics of balance sheet, interest rate and spread movements and to quantify variations in net interest income resulting from those movements under different rate environments.  The sensitivity of net interest income to changes in the modeled interest rate environments provides a measurement of interest rate risk.  We also utilize economic value analysis, which addresses changes in estimated net economic value of equity arising from changes in the level of interest rates.  The net economic value of equity is estimated by separately valuing our assets and liabilities under varying interest rate environments.  The extent to which assets gain or lose value in relation to the gains or losses of liability values under the various interest rate assumptions determines the sensitivity of net economic value to changes in interest rates and provides an additional measure of interest rate risk.

The interest rate sensitivity analysis performed by us incorporates beginning-of-the-period rate, balance and maturity data, using various levels of aggregation of that data, as well as certain assumptions concerning the maturity, repricing, amortization and prepayment characteristics of loans and other interest-earning assets and the repricing and withdrawal of deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities into an asset/liability simulation model.  We update and prepare simulation modeling at least quarterly for review by senior management and oversight by the directors. We believe the data and assumptions are realistic representations of our portfolio and possible outcomes under the various interest rate scenarios.  Nonetheless, the interest rate sensitivity of our net interest income and net economic value of equity could vary substantially if different assumptions were used or if actual experience differs from the assumptions used.

The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 2023, the estimated changes in our net interest income over one-year and two-year time horizons and the estimated changes in economic value of equity based on the indicated interest rate environments (dollars in thousands):
 Estimated Increase (Decrease) in
Change (in Basis Points) in Interest Rates (1)
Net Interest Income Next 12 MonthsNet Interest Income Next 24 MonthsEconomic Value of Equity
+300$(9,581)(1.6)%$12,004 0.9 %$(360,361)(11.6)%
+2004,000 0.7 30,253 2.4 (195,285)(6.3)
+1006,959 1.1 25,729 2.0 (80,301)(2.6)
0— — — — — — 
-100(23,440)(3.8)(62,036)(4.8)30,999 1.0 
-200(48,966)(7.9)(130,930)(10.2)(48,825)(1.6)
-300(80,307)(13.0)(216,712)(16.9)(240,899)(7.7)
 
(1)    Assumes an instantaneous and sustained uniform change in market interest rates at all maturities; however, no rates are allowed to go below zero.  The targeted Federal Funds Rate was between 4.75% and 5.0% at March 31, 2023.
 
Another (although less reliable) monitoring tool for assessing interest rate risk is gap analysis.  The matching of the repricing characteristics of assets and liabilities may be analyzed by examining the extent to which assets and liabilities are interest sensitive and by monitoring an institution’s interest sensitivity gap.  An asset or liability is said to be interest sensitive within a specific time period if it will mature or reprice within that time period.  The interest rate sensitivity gap is defined as the difference between the amount of interest-earning assets anticipated, based upon certain assumptions, to mature or reprice within a specific time period and the amount of interest-bearing liabilities anticipated to mature or reprice, based upon certain assumptions, within that same time period.  A gap is considered positive when the amount of interest-sensitive assets exceeds the amount of interest-sensitive liabilities.  A gap is considered negative when the amount of interest-sensitive liabilities exceeds the amount of interest-sensitive assets.  Generally, during a period of rising rates, a negative gap would tend to adversely affect net interest income while a positive gap would tend to result in an increase in net interest income.  During a period of falling interest rates, a negative gap would tend to result in an increase in net interest income while a positive gap would tend to adversely affect net interest income.

Certain shortcomings are inherent in gap analysis.  For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods of repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market rates.  Also, the interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market rates.  Additionally, certain assets, such as adjustable-rate mortgage loans, have features that restrict changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset.  Further, in the event of a change in interest rates, prepayment and early withdrawal levels would likely deviate significantly from those assumed in calculating the table.  Finally, the ability of some borrowers to service their debt may decrease in the event of a severe change in market rates.
61



The following table presents our interest sensitivity gap between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities at March 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands).  The following table sets forth the amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities which are anticipated by us, based upon certain assumptions, to reprice or mature in each of the future periods shown.  At March 31, 2023, total interest-earning assets maturing or repricing within one year exceeded total interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing in the same time period by $2.82 billion, representing a one-year cumulative gap to total assets ratio of 18.18%.  The interest rate risk indicators and interest sensitivity gaps as of March 31, 2023 are within our internal policy guidelines and management considers that our current level of interest rate risk is reasonable.
 Within 6 MonthsAfter 6 Months
Within 1 Year
After 1 Year
Within 3 Years
After 3 Years
Within 5 Years
After 5 Years
Within 10 Years
Over 10 YearsTotal
Interest-earning assets: (1)
       
Construction loans$832,357 $76,764 $169,291 $35,532 $22,523 $181 $1,136,648 
Fixed-rate mortgage loans234,754 212,450 708,192 539,484 738,916 257,910 2,691,706 
Adjustable-rate mortgage loans1,074,869 327,602 1,189,527 992,194 319,397 61,821 3,965,410 
Fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities107,184 99,743 405,716 428,108 932,648 1,001,876 2,975,275 
Adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities316,527 383 3,430 209 4,157 — 324,706 
Fixed-rate commercial/agricultural loans99,992 91,018 253,433 135,327 148,260 32,498 760,528 
Adjustable-rate commercial/agricultural loans790,036 20,099 69,471 51,643 8,171 — 939,420 
Consumer and other loans450,561 49,660 84,192 33,016 28,856 43,016 689,301 
Investment securities and interest-earning deposits
246,922 47,510 105,268 72,830 179,638 433,613 1,085,781 
Total rate sensitive assets4,153,202 925,229 2,988,520 2,288,343 2,382,566 1,830,915 14,568,775 
Interest-bearing liabilities: (2)
       
Regular savings
242,387 156,319 520,995 387,918 594,596 599,868 2,502,083 
Interest checking accounts170,951 84,783 292,029 230,999 396,278 619,436 1,794,476 
Money market deposit accounts231,149 128,740 433,132 327,014 509,750 513,916 2,143,701 
Certificates of deposit285,254 481,722 169,782 11,932 1,065 177 949,932 
FHLB advances170,000 — — — — — 170,000 
Subordinated notes— — 100,000 — — — 100,000 
Junior subordinated debentures89,178 — — — — — 89,178 
Retail repurchase agreements214,564 — — — — — 214,564 
Total rate sensitive liabilities1,403,483 851,564 1,515,938 957,863 1,501,689 1,733,397 7,963,934 
Excess (deficiency) of interest-sensitive assets over interest-sensitive liabilities
$2,749,719 $73,665 $1,472,582 $1,330,480 $880,877 $97,518 $6,604,841 
Cumulative excess of interest-sensitive assets
$2,749,719 $2,823,384 $4,295,966 $5,626,446 $6,507,323 $6,604,841 $6,604,841 
Cumulative ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities
295.92 %225.20 %213.92 %218.98 %204.44 %182.93 %182.93 %
Interest sensitivity gap to total assets
17.70 0.47 9.48 8.57 5.67 0.63 42.52 
Ratio of cumulative gap to total assets
17.70 18.18 27.66 36.22 41.89 42.52 42.52 
 
(Footnotes on following page)
62


Footnotes for Table of Interest Sensitivity Gap

(1)Adjustable-rate assets are included in the period in which interest rates are next scheduled to adjust rather than in the period in which they are due to mature, and fixed-rate assets are included in the period in which they are scheduled to be repaid based upon scheduled amortization, in each case adjusted to take into account estimated prepayments.  Mortgage loans and other loans are not reduced for allowances for credit losses and non-performing loans.  Mortgage loans, mortgage-backed securities, other loans and investment securities are not adjusted for deferred fees, unamortized acquisition premiums and discounts.
(2)Adjustable-rate liabilities are included in the period in which interest rates are next scheduled to adjust rather than in the period they are due to mature.  Although regular savings, demand, interest checking, and money market deposit accounts are subject to immediate withdrawal, based on historical experience management considers a substantial amount of such accounts to be core deposits having significantly longer maturities.  For the purpose of the gap analysis, these accounts have been assigned decay rates to reflect their longer effective maturities.  If all of these accounts had been assumed to be short-term, the one-year cumulative gap of interest-sensitive assets would have been $(2.6) billion, or (16.75)% of total assets at March 31, 2023.

ITEM 4 – Controls and Procedures

The management of Banner Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act).  A control procedure, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives are met.  Also, because of the inherent limitations in all control procedures, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.  Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures.  The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.  As a result of these inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Further, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

(a)Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures:  An evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and several other members of our senior management as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2023, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) accumulated and communicated to our management (including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) in a timely manner, and (ii) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

(b)Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting:  In the quarter ended March 31, 2023, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

63


PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1 – Legal Proceedings

In the normal course of our business, we have various legal proceedings and other contingent matters pending. These proceedings and the associated legal claims are often contested and the outcome of individual matters is not always predictable. Furthermore, in some matters, it is difficult to assess potential exposure because the legal proceeding is still in the pretrial stage. These claims and counter claims typically arise during the course of collection efforts on problem loans or with respect to actions to enforce liens on properties in which we hold a security interest, although we also are subject to claims related to employment matters. Claims related to employment matters may include, but are not limited to: claims by our employees of discrimination, harassment, violations of wage and hour requirements, or violations of other federal, state, or local laws and claims of misconduct or negligence on the part of our employees. Some or all of these claims may lead to litigation, including class action litigation, and these matters may cause us to incur negative publicity with respect to alleged claims. Our insurance may not cover all claims that may be asserted against us, and any claims asserted against us, regardless of merit or eventual outcome, may harm our reputation. Should the ultimate judgments or settlements in any litigation exceed our insurance coverage, they could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operation for any period. At March 31, 2023, we had accrued $14.9 million related to these legal proceedings. The ultimate outcome of these legal proceedings could be more or less than what we have accrued. We are not a party to any pending legal proceedings that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operations or cash flows, except as set forth below.

A class and collective action lawsuit, Bolding et al. v. Banner Bank, US Dist. Ct., WD WA., was filed against Banner Bank on April 17, 2017. The plaintiffs are former and/or current mortgage loan officers of AmericanWest Bank and/or Banner Bank, who allege that the employer bank failed to pay all required regular and overtime wages that were due pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and related laws of the state respective to each individual plaintiff. The plaintiffs seek regular and overtime wages, plus certain penalty amounts and legal fees. On December 15, 2017, the Court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for conditional certification of a class with regard to the FLSA claims; following notice given to approximately 160 potential class members, 33 persons elected to “opt-in” as plaintiffs in the class. On October 10, 2018, the Court granted plaintiffs’ motion for certification of a different class of approximately 200 members, with regard to state law claims. Significant pre-trial motions were filed by both parties, including various motions by Banner Bank seeking to dismiss and/or limit the class claims. The Court granted in part and denied in part Banner Bank’s motions and has ultimately allowed the case to proceed. The Court ruled on the last of the pre-trial motions on September 13, 2021, increasing the likelihood of trial or settlement. The parties participated in a mediation in December 2022. The parties have reached agreement in principle regarding fundamental settlement terms, which they are in the process of reducing to a written settlement agreement for execution and presentation to the Court for its preliminary approval.

ITEM 1A – Risk Factors

The following risk factor supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the Company’s risk factors previously disclosed in Part 1, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Risks related to recent events impacting the banking industry could adversely affect our stock price, results of operations and financial condition

The banking industry has been negatively impacted by the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in March 2023, and First Republic Bank on May 1, 2023. These failures have highlighted deposit-related risks to the banking industry, including in particular the speed at which deposits can be moved. These events have led to decreased investor and depositor confidence in regional banks as well as increased volatility in the stock trading prices of regional banks, to varying degrees. Despite differences in business models across the banking industry, further concerns related to these events could adversely impact our deposits, liquidity, results of operations and the trading price of our stock.


64


ITEM 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(a) Not applicable.

(b) Not applicable.

(c) The following table provides information about repurchases of common stock by the Company during the quarter ended March 31, 2023:
Period
Total Number of Common Shares Purchased (1)
Average Price Paid per Common ShareTotal Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced AuthorizationMaximum Number of Remaining Shares that May be Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Authorization
January 1, 2023 - January 31, 202338 $62.91 — — 
February 1, 2023 - February 28, 2023212 66.50 — — 
March 1, 2023 - March 31, 202348,504 57.12 — — 
Total for quarter48,754 $57.16 — 

(1)    Includes 48,754 shares surrendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock grants during the three months ended March 31, 2023.

ITEM 3 – Defaults upon Senior Securities

Not Applicable.

ITEM 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

ITEM 5 – Other Information

Not Applicable.

65


ITEM 6 – Exhibits
ExhibitIndex of Exhibits
3{a}
3{b}
10{a}
10{b}
10{c}
10{d}
10{e}
10{f}
10{g}
10{h}
10{i}
10{j}
31.1
31.2
32
101.INSInline XBRL Instance Document - The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the XBRL document
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
66


ExhibitIndex of Exhibits
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104
The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, formatted in Inline XBRL (included in Exhibit 101)
67


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 Banner Corporation 
  
May 4, 2023/s/ Mark J. Grescovich
 Mark J. Grescovich
 President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
May 4, 2023/s/ Peter J. Conner
 Peter J. Conner 
 Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)





68