UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
OR
Commission File Number 0-26584
BANNER CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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
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. Yes X No __
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes X No __
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.
* Includes 374,595 shares held by employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) that have not been released, committed to be released, or allocated to participant accounts.
<PAGE>
BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1 - Financial Statements. The 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, 2005 and December 31, 2004
2
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Quarters Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
3
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Quarters Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
4
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the Quarters Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Quarters Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
7
Selected Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
9
Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
12
General
Comparison of Financial Condition at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004
Comparison of Results of Operations for the Quarters Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
14
Asset Quality
19
Liquidity and Capital Resources
20
Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk
21
Capital Requirements
Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market Risk and Asset/Liability Management
23
Sensitivity Analysis
Item 4 - Controls and Procedures
27
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1 - Legal Proceedings
28
Item 2 - Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 3 - Defaults upon Senior Securities
Item 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Stockholders
Item 5 - Other Information
Item 6 - Exhibits
29
SIGNATURES
30
1
BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (in thousands, except shares)March 31, 2005 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2004
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks
$
57,994
51,767
Securities available for sale, cost $548,879 and $548,722, respectively
Encumbered
28,136
31,096
Unencumbered
512,570
516,739
540,706
547,835
Securities held to maturity, fair value $51,627 and $51,437, respectively
--
50,515
49,914
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
35,844
35,698
Loans receivable:
Held for sale, fair value $3,266 and $2,176
3,217
2,145
Held for portfolio
2,158,620
2,090,703
(29,736
)
(29,610
2,132,101
2,063,238
Accrued interest receivable
15,982
15,097
Real estate owned, held for sale, net
1,034
1,485
Property and equipment, net
42,261
39,315
Goodwill and other intangibles, net
36,347
36,369
Deferred income tax asset, net
7,964
5,888
Bank-owned life insurance
35,773
35,371
Other assets
16,261
15,090
2,972,782
2,897,067
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Non-interest-bearing
257,437
234,761
Interest-bearing
1,737,093
1,691,148
1,994,530
1,925,909
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank
594,958
583,558
72,168
Other borrowings
63,263
68,116
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
25,294
25,027
Deferred compensation
5,531
5,208
Income taxes payable
3,375
1,861
2,759,119
2,681,847
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
127,829
127,460
Retained earnings
95,082
92,327
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale
(5,613
(888
(3,096
Carrying value of shares held in trust for stock related compensation plans
(6,091
(6,135
Liability for common stock issued to deferred, stock related, compensation plans
5,552
(539
(583
213,663
215,220
See notes to consolidated financial statements
BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME(Unaudited) (in thousands except for per share amounts)For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
2005
2004
INTEREST INCOME:
Loans receivable
36,137
29,019
Mortgage-backed securities
3,673
4,527
Securities and cash equivalents
2,849
3,081
42,659
36,627
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Deposits
10,414
7,864
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
5,617
5,125
Junior subordinated debentures
1,067
692
332
237
17,430
13,918
Net interest income before provision for loan losses
25,229
22,709
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
1,203
1,450
Net interest income
24,026
21,259
OTHER OPERATING INCOME:
Deposit fees and other service charges
2,004
1,843
Mortgage banking operations
1,231
1,252
Loan servicing fees
439
266
Gain on sale of securities
11
Miscellaneous
323
444
Total other operating income
3,997
3,816
OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salary and employee benefits
13,793
12,103
Less capitalized loan origination costs
(2,041
(1,487
Occupancy and equipment
3,227
2,487
Information/computer data services
1,117
1,026
Professional services
801
915
Advertising
1,351
1,108
3,055
2,676
Total other operating expenses
21,303
18,828
Income before provision for income taxes
6,720
6,247
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
2,013
1,884
NET INCOME
4,707
4,363
Earnings per common share (see Note 5):
Basic
0.41
0.39
Diluted
0.38
Cumulative dividends declared per common share:
0.17
0.16
BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)(Unaudited) (in thousands except for per share amounts)For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF INCOME TAXES:
(4,725
2,878
(7
Other comprehensive income (loss)
2,871
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(18
7,234
BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY(Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts)For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital
Retained Earnings
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Unearned Restricted ESOP Shares
Value, Net of Liability, Of Shares Held in Trust for Stock-Related Compensation Plans
Stockholders' Equity
BALANCE, January 1, 2004
123,375
80,286
3,191
(3,589
(463
$202,800
Net income
Cash dividend on common stock ($.16/share cumulative)
(1,848
(217
1,627
(55
(39
(94
BALANCE, March 31, 2004
124,730
82,801
6,062
(3,628
(430
209,535
BALANCE, January 1, 2005
$215,220
(1,952
(233
Proceeds from issuance of common stock for exercise of stock options
582
Net issuance of stock through employees' stock plans, including tax benefit
44
BALANCE, March 31, 2005
BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY(Unaudited) (continued) ( in thousands)For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
COMMON STOCK, SHARES ISSUED:
Number of shares, beginning of period
13,201
Number of shares, end of period
LESS COMMON STOCK RETIRED:
(1,344
(1,728
Purchase and retirement of common stock
(8
42
113
Number of shares retired, end of period
(1,310
(1,622
SHARES ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING, END OF PERIOD
11,891
11,579
UNEARNED, RESTRICTED ESOP SHARES:
(375
(434
Adjustment of earned shares
(5
(439
6
BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS(Unaudited) (in thousands)For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Depreciation
1,173
845
Amortization
824
585
(Loss)gain on sale of securities
(11
Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance
(402
(474
(Loss)gain on sale of loans, excluding capitalized servicing rights
(1,230
(1,210
55
(91
Provision for losses on loans and real estate held for sale
1,208
FHLB stock dividend
(146
(345
Net change in:
Loans held for sale
(1,072
3,812
(1,784
(1,531
Other liabilities
2,177
(1,082
Net cash provided by operating activities
5,510
6,311
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of available for sale securities
(18,989
(147,022
Principal repayments and maturities of available for sale securities
18,529
113,120
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities
19,435
Purchases of held to maturity securities
(765
(3,825
Principal repayments and maturities of held to maturity securities
144
16
Origination of loans, net of principal repayments
(146,280
(141,733
Purchases of loans and participating interest in loans
(23
(2,670
Proceeds from sales of loans and participating interest in loans
78,206
71,681
Purchases of property and equipment-net
(4,172
(2,806
Proceeds from sale of real estate held for sale-net
530
1,076
Other
(34
(28
Net cash used by investing activities
(72,854
(92,756
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Increase in deposits
68,621
78,950
Proceeds from FHLB advances
771,400
319,200
Repayment of FHLB advances
(760,000
(346,594
Proceeds from issuance of junior subordinated debentures
15,000
Repayment of repurchase agreement borrowings
(2,552
(3,620
Increase (decrease) in other borrowings, net
(2,301
8,621
Cash dividends paid
(1,946
(1,832
Repurchases of stock, net of forfeitures
ESOP shares earned
Exercise of stock options
Net cash provided by financing activities
73,571
71,041
6,227
(15,404
CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
77,298
CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS, END OF PERIOD
61,894
(Continued on next page)
BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS(Unaudited) (in thousands)For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004(Continued from prior page)
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Interest paid in cash
16,667
14,783
Taxes paid in cash
2,250
Non-cash investing and financing transactions:
50
Net change in accrued dividends payable
Recognition of investment in trusts due to deconsolidation
475
Change in other assets/liabilities
59
Recognize tax benefit of vested MRP shares
8
BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESSELECTED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1: Basis of Presentation and Critical Accounting Policies
Banner Corporation (BANR or the Company) is a bank holding company incorporated in the State of Washington. The Company is primarily engaged in the business of commercial banking through its wholly owned subsidiary, Banner Bank (BB or the Bank). The Bank is a Washington-chartered commercial bank that conducts business from its main office in Walla Walla, Washington, and its 51 branch offices and 13 loan production offices located in 23 counties in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. The Company is subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board (FRB). The Bank is subject to regulation by the State of Washington Department of Financial Institutions Division of Banks and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition and related interim consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows reflect all adjustments (which include reclassifications and normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary for a fair presentation in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). 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. In particular, management has identified several accounting policies that, due to the judgments, estimates and assumptions inherent in those policies, are critical to an understanding of the Company's financial statements. These po licies relate to the methodology for the determination of the provision and allowance for loan and lease losses and the valuation of goodwill, mortgage servicing rights and real estate held for sale. These policies and the judgments, estimates and assumptions are described in greater detail in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Management believes that the judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the Company's financial statements are appropriate given the factual circumstances at the time. However, given the sensitivity of the financial statements to these critical accounting policies, the use of different judgments, estimates and assumptions could result in material differences in the Company's results of operations or financial conditio n.
Stock Compensation Plans: The Company measures its employee stock-based compensation arrangements under the provisions outlined in Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for its stock option plans. If the compensation cost for the Company's compensation plans had been determined consistent with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (revised 2004) and reissued as SFAS 123(R), Share Based Payment, the Company's net income available to common stockholders on a diluted basis and diluted earnings per common share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below (in thousands except per share amounts):
Net income available to common stockholders:
Basic:
As reported
Pro forma
4,406
4,125
Diluted:
Net income per common share:
0.37
0.35
The compensation expense included in the pro forma net income available to common stockholders on a diluted basis and diluted earnings per common share are not likely to be representative of the effect on reported net income for future years because options vest over several years and additional awards generally are made each year.
The fair value of options granted under the Company's stock option plans is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for new grants:
Quarter Ended
Annual dividend yield
2.31
%
2.34 to 2.43
Expected volatility
31.2
31.7 to 32.1
Risk free interest rate
3.73 to 4.15
2.72 to 4.05
Expected lives
5 to 9
yrs
Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2004 financial statements and/or schedules to conform to the 2005 presentation. These reclassifications may have affected certain ratios for the prior periods. The effect of such reclassifications is considered immaterial. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.
Note 2: Recent Developments and Significant Events
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement No. 123(Revised 2004), Share-Based Payment. This Statement replaces FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock Based Compensation, and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. Statement No. 123(R) requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions (for example, stock options granted to employees of the Company) be recognized in the Company's financial statements. That cost will be measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments used. Statement No. 123(R) covers a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including stock options, restricted stock plans, performance-based awards, stock appreciation rights, and employee stock purchase plans. On April 21, 2005, the SEC issued a ruling extending the mandatory compliance date for Statement 123(R). Under the ruling public entities (other than t hose filing as small business issuers) will be required to apply Statement No. 123(R) as of the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company plans to adopt the provisions of FASB Statement No. 123(R) effective January 1, 2006, and is in the process of evaluating the impact on its consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations.
Note 3: Business Segments
The Company is managed by legal entity and not by lines of business. The Bank is a community oriented commercial bank chartered in the State of Washington. The Bank's primary business is that of a traditional banking institution, gathering deposits and originating loans for its portfolio in its primary market area. The Bank offers a wide variety of deposit products to its consumer and commercial customers. Lending activities include the origination of real estate, commercial/agriculture business and consumer loans. The Bank is also an active participant in the secondary market, originating residential loans for sale on both a servicing released and servicing retained basis. In addition to interest income on loans and investment securities, the Bank receives other income from deposit service charges, loan servicing fees and from the sale of loans and investments. The performance of the Bank is reviewed by the Company's executive management and Board of Directors on a monthly basis. All of the executive officers of the Company are members of the Bank's management team.
Generally accepted accounting principles establish standards to report information about operating segments in annual financial statements and require reporting of selected information about operating segments in interim reports to stockholders. The Company has determined that its current business and operations consist of a single business segment.
10
Note 4: Additional Information Regarding Interest-Bearing Deposits and Securities
Encumbered Securities: Securities labeled "Encumbered" are pledged securities that are subject to certain agreements which may allow the secured party to either sell and replace them with similar but not the same security or otherwise pledge the securities. In accordance with SFAS No. 140, the amounts have been separately identified in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as "Encumbered."
The following table sets forth additional detail on the Company's interest-bearing deposits and securities at the dates indicated (at carrying value) (in thousands):
March 31
December 31
Interest-bearing deposits included in cash and due from banks
3,073
47
6,584
323,610
332,185
454,037
Other securities-taxable
218,783
216,826
223,102
Other securities-tax exempt
45,270
44,801
41,743
Equity securities with dividends
3,558
3,937
5,873
Total securities
591,221
597,749
724,755
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock
35,038
630,138
633,494
766,377
The following table provides additional detail on income from deposits and securities for the periods indicated (in thousands):
Mortgage-backed securities interest
Taxable interest and dividends
2,375
2,315
Tax-exempt interest
503
421
FHLB stock dividends
(29
345
6,522
7,608
Note 5: Calculation of Weighted Average Shares Outstanding for Earnings Per Share (EPS)
The following table reconciles total shares originally issued to weighted shares outstanding used to calculate earnings per share data
(in thousands):
Total shares originally issued
(1,356
(1,711
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
11,470
11,051
451
583
11,921
11,634
ITEM 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) and other portions of this report contain certain "forward-looking statements" concerning the future operations of the Company. Management desires to take advantage of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this statement for the express purpose of availing the Company of the protections of such safe harbor with respect to all "forward-looking statements" contained in this report and our Annual Report on Form 10-K. We have used "forward-looking statements" to describe future plans and strategies, including our expectations of the Company's future financial results. Management's ability to predict results or the effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, regional and general economic conditions, management's ability to maintain acceptable asset quality and to successful ly resolve new or existing credit issues, competition, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, demand for mortgages and other loans, real estate values, agricultural commodity prices, crop yields and weather conditions, loan delinquency rates, changes in accounting principles, practices, policies or guidelines, changes in legislation or regulation, other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors affecting operations, pricing, products and services. Accordingly, these factors should be considered in evaluating the "forward-looking statements," and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company undertakes no responsibility to update or revise any "forward-looking statements."
Banner Corporation, a Washington corporation, is primarily engaged in the business of commercial banking through its wholly owned subsidiary, Banner Bank. The Bank is a Washington-chartered commercial bank, the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The Bank is a regional bank which offers a wide variety of commercial banking services and financial products to both businesses and individuals in its primary market areas. The Bank conducts business from its main office in Walla Walla, Washington, and its 51 branch offices and 13 loan production offices located in 23 counties in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
The operating results of the Company depend primarily on its net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, consisting of loans and investment securities, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, composed primarily of customer deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances. Net interest income is primarily a function of the Company's interest rate spread, which is the difference between the yield earned on interest-earning assets and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, as well as a function of the average balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. As more fully explained below, the Company's net interest income increased $2.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, compared to the same period a year earlier, as a result of strong growth in interest-bearing assets and liabilities and improved credit quality.
The Company's net income also is affected by provisions for loan losses and the level of its other income, including deposit service charges, loan origination and servicing fees, and gains and losses on the sale of loans and securities, as well as its non-interest operating expenses and income tax provisions. Provision for loan losses at $1.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, declined by $247,000 compared to $1.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. Other operating income increased by $181,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2004, largely as a result of increased mortgage loan servicing and deposit fees. Other operating expenses increased $2.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, compared to the same period ended March 31, 2004, reflecting the Company's significant expansion as detailed below in the "Comparison of Financial Condition at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004" and "Comparison of Results of Operations f or the Quarters ended March 31, 2005 and 2004" sections of this report.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is intended to assist in understanding the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Selected Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
General: Total assets increased $75.7 million, or 2.6%, from $2.897 billion at December 31, 2004, to $2.973 billion at March 31, 2005. The increase largely resulted from growth in the loan portfolio and was funded primarily by deposit growth. Net loans receivable (gross loans less loans in process, deferred fees and discounts, and allowance for loan losses) increased $68.9 million, or 3.3%, from $2.063 billion at December 31, 2004, to $2.132 billion at March 31, 2005. Loan portfolio growth was broad-based and included increases of $11.6 million in mortgages secured by commercial real estate loans, $5.5 million in multifamily real estate loans, $48.4 million in construction and land loans and $11.7 million in non-mortgage commercial loans. These increases reflect the Company's continuing effort to increase the portion of its loans invested in commercial, construction and land development real estate loans, and non-mortgage commercial business loans. The large increase in construction an d land loans was particularly noteworthy and reflects continued strong demand for and sales of new homes in many of the markets served by the Bank. The Company also had an increase of $8.4 million in one- to four-family residential real estate loans and $1.0 million in consumer loans. By contrast, agricultural business loans including those secured by farmland decreased $17.6 million during the quarter, for the most part reflecting reduced seasonal activity. Securities available for sale and held to maturity decreased $6.5 million, or 1.1%, from $597.7 million at December 31, 2004, to $591.2 million at March 31, 2005, primarily as a result of declines in the fair value of the portion of the portfolio designated as available for sale as a result of changes in the level of market interest rates. As noted in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, higher market interest rates resulted in an unrealized holding loss of $8.2 million for the Company's available for sale securities at March 31, 2005, com pared to an unrealized loss of $887,000 at December 31, 2004. The Company also had an increase of $402,000 in bank-owned life insurance from the growth of cash surrender values on existing policies. Property and equipment
increased by $2.9 million to $42.3 million at March 31, 2005, from $39.3 million at December 31, 2004. The increase included the acquisition of sites for new branches to be built in Pasco, Washington and Meridian (Boise), Idaho, as well as construction costs associated with new offices being built in Walla Walla and Vancouver, Washington and tenant improvements made to locations in Spokane and Lynnwood, Washington. Deposits grew $68.6 million, or 3.6%, from $1.926 billion at December 31, 2004, to $1.995 billion at March 31, 2005. Non-interest-bearing deposits increased $22.7 million, or 9.7%, while interest-bearing deposits increased, $45.9 million, or 2.7%, from the December 31, 2004 amounts. The aggregate total of transaction and savings accounts, including money market accounts, increased by $65.2 million, reflecting the Bank's focused efforts to grow these important core deposits. Increasing core deposits is a key element of the Bank's expansion strategy including the recent and planned addition and reno vation of branch locations as explained in more detail below. FHLB advances increased $11.4 million from $583.6 million at December 31, 2004, to $595.0 million at March 31, 2005, while other borrowings decreased $4.9 million to $63.2 million at March 31, 2005. The decrease in other borrowings reflects a $2.3 million decrease in retail repurchase agreements which are primarily related to customer cash management accounts and a decrease of $2.6 million of repurchase agreement borrowings from securities dealers.
The following tables provide additional detail on the Company's loans and deposits (dollars in thousands):
Loans (including loans held for sale):
Commercial real estate
559,195
25.87
547,574
26.16
488,137
27.17
Multifamily real estate
113,205
5.24
107,745
5.15
92,687
5.16
Construction and land
554,560
25.65
506,137
24.18
407,561
22.69
Commercial business
406,948
18.82
395,249
18.89
321,979
17.92
130,776
6.05
148,343
7.09
138,501
7.71
One-to four-family real estate
316,345
14.63
307,986
14.72
279,497
15.56
Consumer
37,407
36,556
35,620
Consumer secured by one- to four-family
43,401
43,258
32,600
Total consumer
80,808
3.74
79,814
3.81
68,220
3.79
Total loans outstanding
2,161,837
100.00
2,092,848
1,796,582
Less allowance for loan losses
29,736
29,610
26,885
Demand and NOW checking
503,638
25.25
472,584
24.54
478,539
27.35
Regular savings accounts
159,101
7.98
155,931
8.10
49,734
2.84
Money market accounts
273,179
13.70
242,218
12.58
204,393
11.68
Total transaction and saving accounts
935,918
46.93
870,733
45.22
732,666
41.87
Certificates which mature or reprice:
Within 1 year
651,236
664,571
661,735
347,198
322,178
254,565
After 3 years
60,178
68,427
100,924
Total certificate accounts
1,058,612
53.07
1,055,176
54.78
1,017,224
58.13
Total
1,749,890
13
General.
Compared to levels a year ago, total assets increased 9.6%, to $2.973 billion at March 31, 2005, net loans increased 20.5%, to $2.132 billion, deposits grew 14.0%, to $1.995 billion, and borrowings, including junior subordinated debentures, decreased $1.4 million to $730.4 million. Average interest earning assets were $2.759 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, an increase of $292.2 million, or 11.8%, compared to the same period a year earlier. Average equity was 7.50% of average assets for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, compared to 7.90% of average assets for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, reflecting increased balance sheet leverage.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income before provision for loan losses increased to $25.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, compared to $22.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, largely as a result of the growth in average interest-earning assets noted above. The net interest margin at 3.71% in the current quarter was nearly unchanged compared to both 3.70% for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 and 3.72% for the quarter ended December 31, 2004. This stability for the net interest margin is notable give the continued volatility in market interest rates and significant changes in Federal Reserve monetary policy over the past twelve months.
Interest Income. Interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 was $42.7 million, compared to $36.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, an increase of $6.0 million, or 16.5%. The increase in interest income occurred as a result of a 30 basis point increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets, as well as significant growth in those assets. The yield on average interest-earning assets increased to 6.27% for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, compared to 5.97% for the same period a year earlier. Average loans receivable for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 increased by $374.8 million, or 21.4%, when compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2004. Interest income on loans for the quarter increased by $7.1 million, or 24.5%, compared to the prior year, reflecting the impact of the increase in average loan balances combined with a 22 basis point increase in the average yield. The increase in average loan yield reflects the ramping up of the level of market intere st rates during the past year, particularly in short-term interest rates including the prime rate and LIBOR indices which affect large portions of construction, commercial and agricultural loans. The average yield on loans was 6.89% for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, compared to 6.67% for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. While the recent level of market interest rates was significantly higher than a year earlier, loan yields did not change to the same degree as certain fixed rate loans and loans with rate floors did not adjust upward in response to the initial increase in prime and other index rates. In addition, changes in the average credit risk profile of new borrowers and competitive pricing pressure resulted in lower spreads and yields on new loan originations. The combined average balance of mortgage-backed securities, investment securities, daily interest-bearing deposits and FHLB stock decreased by $82.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, and the interest and dividend income from those investments decreased $1.1 million compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2004. The average yield on mortgage-backed securities increased to 4.56% for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, from 4.43% for the comparable period in 2004, reflecting reduced amortization of purchase premiums on certain portions of the portfolio as well as a reduction in the adverse effects of delayed receipt of principal payments on mortgage-backed securities as a result of slower prepayments and modestly higher rates on the portion of mortgage-backed securities that have adjustable interest rates. The average yield on other investment securities and cash equivalents increased to 4.30% for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, from 4.08% for the comparable quarter in 2004, largely reflecting the effect of higher market rates on certain adjustable rate securities. Earnings on FHLB stock decreased by $374,000, to $(29,000), in the quarter ended March 31, 2005, from $345,000 in the comparable quarter in 2004, despite a $1.0 million increa se in the average balance held, as the Company did not record any dividend income for the quarter and reversed a small over accrual for the prior quarter. As a result, the dividend yield on FHLB stock was (0.33%) for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, compared to 4.00% for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. Dividends on FHLB stock have been established on a quarterly basis by vote of the Directors of the FHLB of Seattle; however, during the quarter ended December 31, 2004, the FHLB of Seattle announced that at the direction of its regulator future dividends would likely be restricted while the FHLB attempted to improve its capital position.
Interest Expense. Interest expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 was $17.4 million, compared to $13.9 million for the comparable period in 2004, an increase of $3.5 million, or 25.2%. The increase in interest expense was the result of the significant growth in interest-bearing liabilities combined with a 31 basis point increase in the average cost of all interest-bearing liabilities to 2.64% from 2.33%, reflecting the higher levels of market interest rates and the maturity of certain lower-costing certificates of deposit and fixed-rate borrowings. Deposit interest expense increased $2.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same quarter a year ago, as a result of the significant deposit growth over the past twelve months as well as an increase in the cost of interest-bearing deposits. Reflecting the branch expansion and other growth activities, average deposit balances increased $290.0 million, or 17.4%, to $1.961 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, from $1.671 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, while, at the same time, the average rate paid on deposit balances
increased 26 basis points. Although deposit costs are significantly affected by changes in the level of market interest rates, changes in the average rate paid for deposits tend to be less severe and to lag changes in market rates. This lower degree of elasticity and lag effect for deposit pricing has been evident in the modest increase in deposit cost as the Federal Reserve has moved to increase short-term interest rates by 1.75% over the past nine months. Average FHLB advances totaled $579.6 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2005, compared to $603.8 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2004, a decrease of $24.3 million that was completely offset by the effects of a 52 basis point increase in the average cost of advances, resulting in a $492,000 increase in related interest expense. The average rate paid on FHLB advances increased to 3.93% for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, from 3.41% for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. While FHLB advances are generally fixed-rate, fixed-term borrowings, many of the Bank's more recent advances carried relatively shorter terms and were established in periods when market rates were lower. Reflecting the maturity and repricing of these short-term advances, the increased cost in the current quarter reflects new advances priced at current market rates. Junior subordinated debentures which were issued in connection with trust preferred securities had an average balance of $72.2 million and an average cost of 6.00% (including amortization of prepaid underwriting costs) for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. Junior subordinated debentures outstanding in the same quarter of the prior year had an average balance of $57.9 million and an average rate of 4.81%. The junior subordinated debentures are adjustable rate instruments with repricing frequencies of three to six months. The increased cost of the junior subordinated debentures reflects recent increases in short-term market interest rates. Other borrowings consist of retail repurchase agreements with customers and r everse repurchase agreements with investment banking firms secured by certain investment securities. The average balance for other borrowings decreased $3.3 million, to $67.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, from $71.1 million for the same period in 2004, while the related interest expense increased $95,000, to $332,000, from $237,000 for the respective periods. The average balance of the wholesale borrowings from brokers decreased $21.4 million and was substantially offset by a $18.2 million increase in the average balance of customer retail repurchase agreements. The average rate paid on other borrowings was 1.99% in the quarter ended March 31, 2005, compared to 1.34% for the same quarter in 2004. The Company's other borrowings generally have relatively short terms and therefore reprice to current market levels more quickly than deposits and FHLB advances, which generally lag current market rates.
15
The following tables provide additional comparative data on the Company's operating performance:
Quarters Ended
Average Balances
Investment securities and cash equivalents
271,185
269,939
Mortgage-backed obligations
326,535
411,410
2,125,833
1,750,998
FHLB stock
35,700
34,697
Total average interest-earning assets
2,759,253
2,467,044
Non-interest-earning assets
169,633
163,435
Total average assets
2,928,886
2,630,479
1,960,545
1,670,509
Advances from FHLB
579,565
603,816
57,893
67,811
71,080
Total average interest-bearing liabilities
2,680,089
2,403,298
Non-interest-bearing liabilities
29,163
19,467
Total average liabilities
2,709,252
2,422,765
Equity
219,634
207,714
Interest Rate Yield/Expense (rates are annualized)
Interest Rate Yield:
4.30
4.08
4.56
4.43
6.89
6.67
(0.33
)%
4.00
Total interest rate yield on interest-earning assets
6.27
5.97
Interest Rate Expense:
2.15
1.89
3.93
3.41
6.00
4.81
1.99
1.34
Total interest rate expense on interest-bearing liabilities
2.64
2.33
Interest spread
3.63
3.64
Net interest margin on interest earning assets
3.71
3.70
Return on average assets
0.65
0.67
Return on average equity
8.69
8.45
Average equity / average assets
7.50
7.90
Average interest-earning assets / interest-bearing liabilities
102.95
102.65
Non-interest (other operating) expenses / average assets
2.95
2.88
72.89
70.98
Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses
The provision in the current quarter reflects lower levels of non-performing loans, improvement in the current economic environment and strengthening in the prospects for collection on previously identified non-performing loans, balanced against significant growth in the size of the loan portfolio. While net charge-offs were $1.1 million for the current quarter, compared to $625,000 for the same quarter a year earlier, non-performing loans decreased $9.6 million to $17.8 million at March 31, 2005, compared to $27.5 million at March 31, 2004. For the past year and a half non-performing loans have been primarily concentrated in a few agricultural loans and agricultural-related business loans due from borrowers located in northeastern Oregon. Generally, these problem loans reflect unique operating difficulties for the individual borrower rather than a weakness in the overall economy of the area, farm commodity prices or growing conditions. A comparison of the allowance for loan losses at Marc h 31, 2005 and 2004 shows an increase of $2.9 million, to $29.7 million at March 31, 2005, from $26.9 million at March 31, 2004. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans (loans receivable excluding allowance for losses) was 1.38% and 1.50% at March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
In originating loans, the Company recognizes that losses will be experienced and that the risk of loss will vary with, among other things, the type of loan being made, the creditworthiness of the borrower over the term of the loan, general economic conditions and, in the case of a secured loan, the quality of the collateral for the loan. As a result, the Company maintains an allowance for loan losses consistent with the GAAP guidelines outlined in SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies. The Company has established systematic methodologies for the determination of the adequacy of its allowance for loan losses. The methodologies are set forth in a formal policy and take into consideration the need for an overall general valuation allowance as well as specific allowances that are tied to individual problem loans. The Company increases its allowance for loan losses by charging provisions for probable loan losses against the Company's income and values impaired loans consistent with th e guidelines in SFAS No. 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, and SFAS No. 118, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan-Income Recognition and Disclosure.
The allowance for losses on loans is maintained at a level sufficient to provide for estimated losses based on evaluating known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio and upon management's continuing analysis of the factors underlying the quality of the loan portfolio. These factors include changes in the size and composition of the loan portfolio, delinquency rates, actual loan loss experience, current and anticipated economic conditions, detailed analysis of individual loans for which full collectibility may not be assured, and determination of the existence and realizable value of the collateral and guarantees securing the loans. Realized losses related to specific assets are applied as a reduction of the carrying value of the assets and charged immediately against the allowance for loan loss reserve. Recoveries on previously charged off loans are credited to the allowance. The reserve is based upon factors and trends identified by management at the time financial statements are prepa red. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the allowance for loan losses. These agencies may require changes to the allowance based upon judgments different from those of management. Although management uses the best information available, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary due to economic, operating, regulatory and other conditions beyond the Company's control. The adequacy of general and specific reserves is based on management's continuing evaluation of the pertinent factors underlying the quality of the loan portfolio, including changes in the size and composition of the loan portfolio, delinquency rates, actual loan loss experience and current economic conditions, as well as individual review of certain large balance loans. Large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment include residential real estate and consumer l oans. Smaller balance non-homogeneous loans also may be evaluated collectively for impairment. Larger balance non-homogeneous residential construction and land, commercial real estate, commercial business loans and unsecured loans are individually evaluated for impairment. Loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, management determines that it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors involved in determining impairment include, but are not limited to, the financial condition of the borrower, value of the underlying collateral and current status of the economy. Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the loan's observable market price or the fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Subsequent changes in the value of impaired loans are incl uded within the provision for loan losses in the same manner in which impairment initially was recognized or as a reduction in the provision that would otherwise be reported. As of March 31, 2005, the Company had identified $17.7 million of impaired loans as defined by SFAS No. 114 and had established $3.7 million of specific loss allowances for these loans.
The Company's methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance consists of several key elements, which include specific allowances, an allocated formula allowance and an unallocated allowance. Losses on specific loans are provided for when the losses are probable and estimable. General loan loss reserves are established to provide for inherent loan portfolio risks not specifically provided for. The level of general reserves is based on analysis of potential exposures existing in the Bank's loan portfolio including evaluation of historical trends, current market conditions and other relevant factors identified by management at the time the financial statements are prepared. The formula allowance is calculated by applying loss factors to outstanding loans, excluding loans with specific allowances. Loss factors are based on the Company's historical loss experience adjusted for significant factors including the experience of other banking organizations that, in management's judgm ent, affect the collectibility of the portfolio as of the evaluation date. The unallocated allowance is based upon management's evaluation of various factors that are not directly measured in the determination of the formula and specific allowances. This methodology may result in losses or recoveries differing significantly from those provided in the financial statements.
17
The following tables are provided to disclose additional detail on the Company's allowance for loan losses (in thousands):
Allowance for Loan Losses:
Balance, beginning of the period
26,060
Provision for loan losses
Recoveries of loans previously charged off:
One- to four-family real estate
165
174
139
Agricultural business, including secured by farmland
373
151
Loans charged off:
(24
(121
(245
(218
(100
(119
(339
(865
(68
(1,450
(776
Net charge-offs
(1,077
(625
Balance, end of the period
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average net book value of loans outstanding for the period
0.05
0.04
The following is a schedule of the Company's allocation of the allowance for loan losses:
Specific or allocated loss allowances:
811
782
710
5,163
5,046
5,562
566
539
464
6,094
5,556
5,091
9,503
9,226
8,521
3,361
3,628
3,515
525
482
Total allocated
26,023
25,241
24,345
Estimated allowance for undisbursed commitments
272
197
365
Unallocated
3,441
4,172
2,175
Total allowance for loan losses
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans outstanding
(loans receivable excluding allowance for losses)
1.38
1.41
1.50
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans
167
186
98
18
Other Operating Income.
Other Operating Expenses. Other operating expenses increased $2.5 million, to $21.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, from $18.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. Other operating expenses reflect the growth in assets and liabilities, customer relationships and complexity of operations as the Company continues to expand. The higher level of operating expenses in the current quarter includes significant increases in compensation, occupancy and information services for additional branch, deposit services and commercial loan expansion to position the Company for future growth. In addition, compensation was higher as a result of general wage and salary increases, as well as increased costs associated with employee benefit programs and employer-paid taxes. The Company also significantly increased its commitment to advertising and marketing expenditures, which were $243,000 greater in the quarter ended March 31, 2005 than in the same period in the prior year. The in crease in expenses includes operating costs associated with the recent opening of five new branch offices in Kent, Everett, Edmonds, Lynnwood and Mercer Island, Washington and the creation of an international banking department, as well as offices in Hillsboro, Oregon and Walla Walla, Washington which were opened in the second quarter of 2004. The Company's efficiency ratio increased to 72.89% for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, from 70.98% for the comparable period ended March 31, 2004, in large part reflecting start up cost associated with this branch growth. Other operating expenses as a percentage of average assets increased slightly to 2.95% for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, compared to 2.88% for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, in large part reflecting this significant growth in expenses. The Company expects continued increases in the absolute level of operating expenses as a result of its announced expansion plans; however, over time, management believes that this expansion will lead to a lower relative cost of funds and enhanced revenues which should result in an improved efficiency ratio and stronger operating results.
Income Taxes. Income tax expense was $2.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, compared to $1.9 million for the comparable period in 2004. The Company's effective tax rates for the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 were 30.0% and 30.2%, respectively. The effective tax rates in both quarters reflect the recording of tax credits related to certain Community Reinvestment Act investments. The slightly lower effective tax rate in the current period is primarily a result of increased tax credits from CRA investments and a slight decrease in the relative effect of the tax-exempt income, from interest on municipal securities and earnings on bank-owned life insurance.
Classified Assets: State and federal regulations require that the Bank review and classify its problem assets on a regular basis. In addition, in connection with examinations of insured institutions, state and federal examiners have authority to identify problem assets and, if appropriate, require them to be classified. The Bank's Credit Policy Division reviews detailed information with respect to the composition and performance of the loan portfolio, including information on risk concentrations, delinquencies and classified assets. The Credit Policy Division approves all recommendations for new classified assets or changes in classifications, and develops and monitors action plans to resolve the problems associated with the assets. The Credit Policy Division also approves recommendations for establishing the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses. Significant problem loans are transferred to the Bank's Special Assets Department for resolution or collection ac tivities. The Board of Directors is given a detailed report on classified assets and asset quality at least quarterly.
Allowance for Loan Losses:In originating loans, the Company recognizes that losses will be experienced and that the risk of loss will vary with, among other things, the type of loan being made, the creditworthiness of the borrower over the term of the loan, general economic conditions and, in the case of a secured loan, the quality of the security for the loan. As a result, the Company maintains an allowance for loan losses consistent with the GAAP guidelines. The Company increases its allowance for loan losses by charging provisions for probable loan losses against the Company's income. The allowance for losses on loans is maintained at a level which, in management's judgment, is sufficient to provide for estimated losses based on evaluating known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio and upon continuing analysis of the factors underlying the quality of the loan portfolio. Despite deteriorating slightly from the previous quarter, the Company's asset quality indicators were sign ificantly improved in the quarter ended March 31, 2005 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2004, resulting in a reduced loan loss provisioning in comparison to the same period a year earlier. At March 31, 2005, the Company had an allowance for loan losses of $29.7 million, which represented 1.38% of total loans and 167% of non-performing loans, compared to 1.50% and 98%, respectively, at March 31, 2004.
Non-Performing Assets: Non-performing assets decreased 36.2% to $18.9 million, or 0.64% of total assets, at March 31, 2005, compared to $29.6 million, or 1.09% of total assets, at March 31, 2004. At March 31, 2005, the Bank's largest non-performing loan exposure was for loans totaling $4.7 million to a diversified farming operation in northeastern Oregon which were secured by land, crops, receivables and equipment. The Company's next largest non-performing loan exposure encompasses loans totaling $2.9 million to an agricultural-related business operating in northeastern Oregon which are primarily secured by non-farm real estate and processing equipment. The Company had three additional non-performing credit relationships with balances in excess of $1.0 million, with a combined aggregate carrying value of $4.3 million at March 31, 2005. At March 31, 2005, the Company had $1.1 million of real estate owned and other repossessed assets which primarily consisted of three single-family re sidences valued at $900,000 and a commercial property valued at $100,000. While meaningful progress was made in the past year,
reducing non-performing loans and improving asset quality will continue to be important activities to enhance the Bank's operating performance in future periods.
The following table sets forth information with respect to the Bank's non-performing assets and restructured loans within the meaning of SFAS No. 15, Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for Troubled Debt Restructuring, at the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):
Non-performing assets at end of the period:
Nonaccrual Loans:
Secured by real estate:
One- to four-family
1,305
393
894
Commercial
1,424
2,212
6,175
Multifamily
1,830
2,219
2,794
4,565
3,167
6,805
8,230
7,407
9,941
364
77
17,718
15,416
26,686
Loans more than 90 days delinquent, still on accrual:
108
419
82
656
53
472
766
Total non-performing loans
17,826
15,888
27,452
Real estate owned, held for sale, and other repossessed assets, net
1,072
1,559
2,166
Total non-performing assets at the end of the period
18,898
17,447
29,618
Non-performing loans as a percentage of total net loans before allowance for loan losses at end of the period
0.82
0.76
1.53
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets at end of the period
0.64
0.60
1.09
Troubled debt restructuring at end of the period
The Company's 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 repayments 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 and competition.
The primary investing activity of the Company, through its subsidiaries, is the origination and purchase of loans and purchase of investment securities. During the quarter ended March 31, 2005, the Company purchased loans in the amount of $23.3 million, while loan originations, net of principal repayments, totaled $146 million. For the quarter ended March 31, 2005, securities purchases net of principal repayments totaled $1.1 million. This activity was funded primarily by principal repayments on loans and securities, sales of loans, deposit growth and borrowings. During the quarter ended March 31, 2005, the Company sold $78.2 million of loans, net deposit growth was $68.6 million, FHLB advances increased $11.8 million and other borrowings decreased $4.9 million.
The Bank 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 quarter ended March 31, 2005, the Bank used its sources of funds primarily to fund loan commitments, to purchase securities, to repay FHLB advances and other borrowings, and to pay maturing savings certificates and deposit withdrawals. At March 31, 2005, the Bank had outstanding loan commitments totaling $812.2 million, including undisbursed loans in process totaling $763.4 million. The Bank generally maintains sufficient cash and readily marketable securities to meet short-term liquidity needs. The Bank maintains a credit facility with the FHLB-Seattle, which provides for advances which, in aggregate, may equal the lesser of 35% of the Bank's assets or unencumbered qualifying collateral, up to a total possible credit line of $885.3 milli on. Advances under this credit facility totaled $595 million, or 20% of the Bank's assets, at March 31, 2005.
At March 31, 2005, certificates of deposit amounted to $1.059 billion, or 53% of the Bank's total deposits, including $651.1 million which were scheduled to mature within one year. While no assurance can be given as to future periods, historically, the Bank has been able to retain a significant amount of its deposits as they mature. Management believes it has adequate resources to fund all loan commitments from customer
deposits, FHLB-Seattle advances, other borrowings, principal and interest payments and sale of mortgage loans and that it can adjust the offering rates for savings certificates to retain deposits in changing interest rate environments.
The Bank has financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Bank's 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. The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as for on-balance-sheet instruments. As of March 31, 2005, outstanding commitments consist of the following:
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk:
Commitments to extend credit
Real estate secured for commercial, construction or land development
361,458
Revolving open-end lines secured by 1-4 family residential properties
29,757
Other, primarily business and agricultural loans
409,851
Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees
11,127
812,193
Commitments to sell loans secured by 1-4 family residential properties
33,555
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer, 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 customer'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 customer. Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and income producing commercial properties.
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee a customer'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 customers.
Interest rates on residential one- to four-family mortgage loan applications are typically rate locked (committed) to customers during the application stage for periods ranging from 15 to 45 days, the most typical period being 30 days. Typically, pricing for the sale of these loans is locked with various qualified investors under a best-efforts delivery program at or near the time the interest rate is locked with the customer. The Bank makes every effort to deliver these loans before their rate locks expire. This arrangement generally requires the Bank to deliver the loans prior to the expiration of the rate lock. Delays in funding the loans can require a lock extension. The cost of a lock extension at times is borne by the customer and at times by the Bank. These lock extension costs paid by the Bank are not expected to have a material impact to operations. This activity is managed daily. Changes in the value of rate lock commitments are recorded as other assets and liabilities. See "Deri vative Instruments" under Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Company 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 a 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 the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of capital. The Federal Reserve requires the Company to maintain capital adequacy that generally parallels the FDIC requirements. The FDIC requires the Bank to maintain minimum ratios of Tier 1 total capital to risk-weighed assets as well as Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets. At March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the Company and the Bank exceeded all current regulatory capital requirements. (See Item 1, "Business-Regulation," and Note 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for additional information regarding the Company's and the Bank's regulatory capital requirements.)
The actual regulatory capital ratios calculated for the Company and the Bank as of March 31, 2005, along with the minimum capital amounts and ratios, were as follows (dollars in thousands):
(dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2005:
The Company-consolidated
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
284,939
12.16
187,497
8.00
N/A
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
254,952
10.88
93,748
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets
8.8
115,920
The Bank
261,720
11.19
187,094
233,867
10.00
231,795
9.91
93,547
140,320
8.01
115,722
144,653
5.00
22
ITEM 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The financial condition and results of operations of the Company 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. The Company's profitability is dependent to a large extent on its net interest income, which is the difference between the interest received from its interest-earning assets and the interest expense incurred on its interest-bearing liabilities.
The activities of the Company, 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 the Company's financial performance.
The greatest source of interest rate risk to the Company 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. Additional interest rate risk results from mismatched repricing indices and formulae (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 customers than to the Company. An exception to this generalization in recent periods preceding the current quarter has been the beneficial effect of interest rate floors on many of the Company's floating rate loans which have helped maintain higher loan yields despite declining levels of market interest rates. However, in the low interest rate environment of the pa st two years, these rate floors have declined over time. Further, because these rate floors exceed what would otherwise be the note rate on certain variable or floating rate loans, those loans have been less responsive to recently increasing market rates than has historically been the case, injecting an additional element of interest rate risk into the Company's operations.
The principal objectives of asset/liability management are to evaluate the interest-rate risk exposure of the Company; to determine the level of risk appropriate given the Company's operating environment, business plan strategies, performance objectives, capital and liquidity constraints, and asset and liability allocation alternatives; and to manage the Company's interest rate risk consistent with regulatory guidelines and approved policies of the Board of Directors. Through such management, the Company seeks to reduce the vulnerability of its earnings and capital position to changes in the level of interest rates. The Company's actions in this regard are taken under the guidance of the Asset/Liability Management Committee, which is composed of members of the Company's senior management. The Committee closely monitors the Company's interest sensitivity exposure, asset and liability allocation decisions, liquidity and capital positions, and local and national economic conditions, and attem pts to structure the loan and investment portfolios and funding sources of the Company to maximize earnings within acceptable risk tolerances.
The Company's 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. The Company also utilizes market value analysis, which addresses changes in estimated net market value of equity arising from changes in the level of interest rates. The net market value of equity is estimated by separately valuing the Company's 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 equity value to changes in interest rates and provides an additional measure of interest rate risk.
The interest rate sensitivity analysis performed by the Company 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 computer simulation model. The Company updates and prepares simulation modeling at least quarterly for review by senior management and the Board of Directors. The Company believes the data and assumptions are realistic representations of its portfolio and possible outcomes under the various interest rate scenarios. Nonetheless, the interest rate sensitivity of the Company's net interest income and net market value of equity could vary substantially if different assumptions were used or if actual experience differs from the assumptions used.
The table of Interest Rate Risk Indicators sets forth, as of March 31, 2005, the estimated changes in the Company's net interest income over a one-year time horizon and the estimated changes in market value of equity based on the indicated interest rate environments.
Interest Rate Risk Indicators
Estimated Change in
+300
(1,238
(1.3
(77,631
(31.5
+200
(508
(0.5
(50,197
(20.4
+100
69
0.1
(23,067
(9.4
0
0.0
-50
(572
(0.6
(4,941
(2.0
-100
(994
(1.0
3336
1.4
__________(1) Assumes an instantaneous and sustained uniform change in market interest rates at all maturities.
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 such 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 int erest 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 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 interest rate increase.
The table of Interest Sensitivity Gap presents the Company's interest sensitivity gap between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities at March 31, 2005. The table sets forth the amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities which are anticipated by the Company, based upon certain assumptions, to reprice or mature in each of the future periods shown. At March 31, 2005, total interest-bearing assets maturing or repricing within one year was less than total interest-earning liabilities maturing or repricing in the same time period by $73.7 million, representing a one-year gap to total assets ratio of (2.48%).
24
Interest-earning assets: (1)
Construction loans
371,964
8,896
7,012
289
231
388,439
Fixed-rate mortgage loans
74,547
44,429
124,041
105,874
101,059
30,467
480,417
Adjustable-rate mortgage loans
287,978
69,033
180,415
174,299
827
712,552
Fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities
30,867
25,992
76,199
44,931
54,595
26,896
259,480
Adjustable-rate mortgage- backed securities
11,927
2,963
10,313
8,545
36,294
70,042
Fixed-rate commercial/agricultural loans
34,070
15,539
44,529
18,753
6,411
80
119,382
Adjustable-rate commercial/ agricultural loans
374,080
7,351
12,545
250
67
399,418
Consumer and other loans
5,628
12,430
4,913
2,249
371
70,861
Investment securities and interest- earning deposits
36,220
20,602
32,876
150,841
16,601
41,862
299,002
Total rate sensitive assets
1,266,923
200,433
500,360
513,570
218,517
99,790
2,799,593
Interest-bearing liabilities: (2)
Regular savings and NOW accounts
60,795
141,856
405,302
Money market deposit accounts
136,590
81,954
54,636
273,180
Certificates of deposit
414,882
236,214
347,339
44,857
15,285
35
FHLB advances
380,100
35,000
74,930
51,100
53,828
27,206
Junior Subordinated Debentures
Retail repurchase agreements
35,108
248
428
36,056
Total rate sensitive liabilities
1,126,849
414,235
619,009
237,813
69,541
2,467,482
Excess (deficiency) of interest-sensitive assets over interest-sensitive liabilities
140,074
(213,802
(118,649
275,757
148,976
99,755
332,111
Cumulative excess (deficiency) of interest-sensitive assets
(73,728
(192,377
83,380
232,356
Cumulative ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities
112.43
95.22
91.09
103.48
109.42
113.46
Interest sensitivity gap to total assets
4.71
(7.19
(3.99
9.28
5.01
3.36
11.17
Ratio of cumulative gap to total assets
(2.48
(6.47
2.80
7.82
(footnotes on following page)
25
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 periods 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 loan losses and non-performing loans. Mortgage loans, mortgage-backed securities, other loans and investment securities are not adjusted for deferred fees and unamortized acquisition premiums and discounts.
(2) Adjustable- and variable-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 the Bank's regular savings, NOW and money market deposit accounts are subject to immediate withdrawal, 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 negative $412.1 million, or (13.86%) of total assets. Interest-bearing liabilities for this table exclude certain non-interest-bearing deposits which are included in the average balance calculations in the table included in the Comparison of Results of Operations for the Quarters ended March 31, 2005 and 2004.
26
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 Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). A control procedure, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control procedure 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. 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 Company disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Act)) was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and several other members of the Company's senior management as of the end of the period covered by this report. The Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2005, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Act is (i) accumulated and communicated to the Company's 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 Security Exchange Commission's rules and forms.
(b) Changes in Internal Controls: In the quarter ended March 31, 2005, there was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
In the normal course of business, the Company and the Bank 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. The Company and the Bank are not a party to any pending legal proceedings that management believes would have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or operations of the Company.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity in Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)
Average Price Paid per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan
Maximum Number of Shares that May yet be Purchased Under the Plan
Beginning
Ending
January 1, 2005
January 31, 2005
609
28.255
February 1, 2005
February 28, 2005
7,419
29.096
March 1, 2005
March 31, 2005
April 1, 2005
April 30, 2005
May 1, 2005
May 31, 2005
June 1, 2005
June 30, 2005
July 1, 2005
July 30, 2005
August 1, 2005
August 31, 2005
September 1, 2005
September 30, 2005
October 1, 2005
October 31, 2005
November 1, 2005
November 30, 2005
December 1, 2005
December 31, 2005
8,028
29.032
100,000
(2)
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not Applicable.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Stockholders
None.
Item 5. Other Information
Item 6. ExhibitsExhibits
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 dated May 10, 2005.
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 dated May 10, 2005.
32
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 dated May 10, 2005.
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.
EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF BANNER CORPORATIONPURSUANT TO RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934
I, D. Michael Jones, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Banner Corporation;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for the registrant and have:
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
May 10, 2005
/s/D. Michael Jones
D. Michael Jones
Chief Executive Officer
EXHIBIT 31.2
I, Lloyd W. Baker, certify that:
/s/Lloyd W. Baker
Lloyd W. Baker
Chief Financial Officer
EXHIBIT 32CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICEROF BANNER CORPORATIONPURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
The undersigned hereby certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and in connection with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, that: