10-Q

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

FORM 10-Q 
(Mark One)

[X]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015.
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 0-26584

BANNER CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Washington
 
91-1691604
(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
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yes
[x]
 
No
[  ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
 
 
 
Large accelerated filer  [x]
Accelerated filer    [ ]
Non-accelerated filer   [  ]
Smaller reporting company  [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes
[  ]
 
No
[x]
 
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 October 31, 2015
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share
 
32,823,123 shares
Nonvoting Common Stock, $.01 par value per share
 
 
 
 
 
1,424,466 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 September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and the Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 
 
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 September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014
 
 
Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 
 
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


Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters in this report on Form 10-Q contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements relate to our financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance or business.  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.”  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.  These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated or implied by our forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: expected revenues, cost savings, synergies and other benefits from the merger of Banner Bank and Siuslaw Bank and of Banner Bank and AmericanWest Bank might not be realized within the expected time frames or at all and costs or difficulties relating to integration matters, including but not limited to customers, systems and employee retention, might be greater than expected; the credit risks of lending activities, including changes in the level and trend of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in our allowance for loan losses and provision for loan losses that may be impacted by deterioration in the housing and commercial real estate markets and may lead to increased losses and non-performing assets, and may result in our allowance for loan losses not being adequate to cover actual losses and require us to materially increase our reserves; changes in economic conditions in general and in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Utah and California in particular; changes in the levels of general interest rates and the relative differences between short and long-term interest rates, loan and deposit interest rates, our net interest margin and funding sources; fluctuations in the demand for loans, the number of unsold homes, land and other properties and fluctuations in real estate values in our market areas; secondary market conditions for loans and our ability to sell loans in the secondary market; results of examinations of us by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve Board) and of our bank subsidiaries by 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, institute an informal or formal enforcement action against us or any of our bank subsidiaries which could require us to increase our reserve for loan losses, write-down assets, change our regulatory capital position or affect our ability to borrow funds, or maintain or increase deposits, or impose additional requirements and restrictions on us, any of which could adversely affect our liquidity and earnings; legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect our business including changes in regulatory policies and principles, or the interpretation of regulatory capital or other rules, including changes related to Basel III; the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the implementing regulations; our ability to attract and retain deposits; increases in premiums for deposit insurance; our ability to control operating costs and expenses; the use of estimates in determining fair value of certain of our assets and liabilities, which estimates may prove to be incorrect and result in significant changes in valuation; difficulties in reducing risk associated with the loans on our balance sheet; staffing fluctuations in response to product demand or the implementation of corporate strategies that affect our work force and potential associated charges; the failure or security breach of computer systems on which we depend; our ability to retain key members of our senior management team; costs and effects of litigation, including settlements and judgments; our ability to implement our business strategies; future goodwill impairment due to changes in our business, changes in market conditions, or other factors; our ability to manage loan delinquency rates; increased competitive pressures among financial services companies; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; the availability of resources to address changes in laws, rules, or regulations or to respond to regulatory actions; our ability to pay dividends on our common stock and interest or principal payments on our junior subordinated debentures; adverse changes in the securities markets; inability of key third-party providers to perform their obligations to us; changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the financial institution regulatory agencies or the Financial Accounting Standards Board including additional guidance and interpretation on accounting issues and details of the implementation of new accounting methods; the economic impact of war or any terrorist activities; other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting our operations, pricing, products and services; and other risks detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  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.  These risks could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements by, or on behalf of, us.  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.

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.

3


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(Unaudited) (In thousands, except shares)
September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014
ASSETS
September 30
2015

 
December 31
2014

Cash and due from banks
$
74,695

 
$
71,077

Interest bearing deposits
60,544

 
54,995

Total cash and cash equivalents
135,239

 
126,072

Securities—trading, amortized cost $42,716 and $47,480, respectively
37,515

 
40,258

Securities—available-for-sale, amortized cost $416,731 and $411,424, respectively
418,254

 
411,021

Securities—held-to-maturity, fair value $138,255 and $137,608, respectively
132,150

 
131,258

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock
6,767

 
27,036

Loans receivable:
 
 
 
Held for sale
3,136

 
2,786

Held for portfolio
4,369,458

 
3,831,034

Allowance for loan losses
(77,320
)
 
(75,907
)
 
4,295,274

 
3,757,913

Accrued interest receivable
17,966

 
15,279

Real estate owned (REO), held for sale, net
6,363

 
3,352

Property and equipment, net
102,881

 
91,185

Goodwill and other intangibles, net
26,605

 
2,831

Bank-owned life insurance (BOLI)
71,842

 
63,759

Deferred tax assets, net
23,536

 
23,871

Other assets
37,918

 
29,328

 
$
5,312,310

 
$
4,723,163

LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
Non-interest-bearing
$
1,561,516

 
$
1,298,866

Interest-bearing transaction and savings accounts
2,095,476

 
1,829,568

Interest-bearing certificates
730,661

 
770,516

 
4,387,653

 
3,898,950

Advances from FHLB at fair value
16,435

 
32,250

Other borrowings
88,083

 
77,185

Junior subordinated debentures at fair value (issued in connection with Trust Preferred Securities)
85,183

 
78,001

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
42,844

 
37,082

Deferred compensation
20,910

 
16,807

 
4,641,108

 
4,140,275

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 14)

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Preferred stock - $0.01 par value per share, 500,000 shares authorized; no shares outstanding at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014

 

Common stock and paid in capital - $0.01 par value per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 20,962,300 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015; 19,571,548 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014
628,958

 
568,882

Common stock (non-voting) - $0.01 par value per share, 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015; and December 31, 2014

 

Retained earnings
41,269

 
14,264

Carrying value of shares held in trust for stock related compensation plans
(6,833
)
 
(6,669
)
Liability for common stock issued to deferred, stock related, compensation plans
6,833

 
6,669

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
975

 
(258
)
 
671,202

 
582,888

 
$
5,312,310

 
$
4,723,163

See Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

4


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited) (In thousands except for per share amounts)
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 
Three Months Ended
September 30
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
2015

 
2014

 
2015

 
2014

INTEREST INCOME:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans receivable
$
51,749

 
$
46,496

 
$
149,192

 
$
131,439

Mortgage-backed securities
1,307

 
1,459

 
3,609

 
4,376

Securities and cash equivalents
1,737

 
1,809

 
5,138

 
5,595

 
54,793

 
49,764

 
157,939

 
141,410

INTEREST EXPENSE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
1,738

 
1,903

 
5,240

 
5,776

FHLB advances
4

 
20

 
24

 
110

Other borrowings
47

 
43

 
137

 
133

Junior subordinated debentures
816

 
734

 
2,357

 
2,180

 
2,605

 
2,700

 
7,758

 
8,199

Net interest income before provision for loan losses
52,188

 
47,064

 
150,181

 
133,211

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

 

 

 

Net interest income
52,188

 
47,064

 
150,181

 
133,211

OTHER OPERATING INCOME:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposit fees and other service charges
9,746

 
8,289

 
27,435

 
22,237

Mortgage banking operations
4,426

 
2,842

 
13,238

 
7,282

Miscellaneous
1,039

 
946

 
3,064

 
2,577

 
15,211

 
12,077

 
43,737

 
32,096

Gain (loss) on sale of securities

 
6

 
(537
)
 
41

Net change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value
(1,113
)
 
1,452

 
735

 
1,662

Acquisition bargain purchase gain

 

 

 
9,079

Total other operating income
14,098

 
13,535

 
43,935

 
42,878

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salary and employee benefits
27,026

 
22,971

 
78,057

 
66,457

Less capitalized loan origination costs
(3,747
)
 
(3,204
)
 
(10,372
)
 
(8,680
)
Occupancy and equipment
6,470

 
5,819

 
18,833

 
17,055

Information/computer data services
2,219

 
2,131

 
6,744

 
5,984

Payment and card processing expenses
4,168

 
3,201

 
10,926

 
8,462

Professional services
951

 
784

 
2,489

 
2,900

Advertising and marketing
1,959

 
2,454

 
5,767

 
4,878

Deposit insurance
713

 
607

 
1,905

 
1,820

State/municipal business and use taxes
475

 
475

 
1,383

 
1,022

REO operations
(2
)
 
(190
)
 
190

 
(260
)
Amortization of core deposit intangibles
286

 
531

 
1,268

 
1,460

Miscellaneous
3,972

 
3,410

 
11,416

 
9,884

 
44,490

 
38,989

 
128,606

 
110,982

Acquisition-related costs (recovery)
2,207

 
(494
)
 
7,741

 
1,530

Total other operating expenses
46,697

 
38,495

 
136,347

 
112,512

Income before provision for income taxes
19,589

 
22,104

 
57,769

 
63,577

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
6,642

 
7,285

 
19,440

 
21,221

NET INCOME
$
12,947

 
$
14,819

 
$
38,329

 
$
42,356

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.62

 
$
0.76

 
$
1.88

 
$
2.19

Diluted
$
0.62

 
$
0.76

 
$
1.87

 
$
2.18

Cumulative dividends declared per common share
$
0.18

 
$
0.18

 
$
0.54

 
$
0.54

See Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

5


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited) (In thousands)
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 
Three Months Ended
September 30
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
2015

 
2014

 
2015

 
2014

NET INCOME
$
12,947

 
$
14,819

 
$
38,329

 
$
42,356

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF INCOME TAXES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities arising during the period
1,169

 
(1,641
)
 
2,051

 
3,195

Income tax benefit (expense) related to available-for-sale securities unrealized holding gain (loss)
(421
)
 
597

 
(738
)
 
(1,150
)
Reclassification for net gains on available-for-sale securities realized in earnings

 
(6
)
 
(125
)
 
(40
)
Income tax benefit related to available-for-sale securities realized gains

 
2

 
45

 
14

Other comprehensive income (loss)
748

 
(1,048
)
 
1,233

 
2,019

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
$
13,695

 
$
13,771

 
$
39,562

 
$
44,375


See Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

6


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited) (In thousands, except for shares)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 
Common Stock
and Paid in Capital
 
Retained Earnings (Accumulated
Deficit)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Unearned Restricted
ESOP Shares
 
Stockholders’
Equity
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
Balance, January 1, 2014
19,543,769

 
$
569,028

 
$
(25,714
)
 
$
(2,996
)
 
$
(1,987
)
 
$
538,331

Net income
 
 
 
 
54,070

 
 
 
 
 
54,070

Other comprehensive income, net of income tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,738

 
 
 
2,738

Accrual of dividends on common stock ($0.72/share cumulative)
 
 
 
 
(14,092
)
 
 
 
 
 
(14,092
)
Redemption of unallocated shares upon termination of ESOP
(34,340
)
 
(1,987
)
 
 
 
 
 
1,987

 

Repurchase of shares upon termination of ESOP
(13,550
)
 
(555
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(555
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock for stockholder reinvestment program
3,170

 
127

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
127

Issuance of restricted stock and recognition of share-based compensation
72,499

 
2,269

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,269

BALANCE, December 31, 2014
19,571,548

 
$
568,882

 
$
14,264

 
$
(258
)
 
$

 
$
582,888


Balance, January 1, 2015
19,571,548

 
$
568,882

 
$
14,264

 
$
(258
)
 
$

 
$
582,888

Net income
 
 
 
 
38,329

 
 
 
 
 
38,329

Other comprehensive income, net of income tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,233

 
 
 
1,233

Accrual of dividends on common stock ($0.54/share cumulative)
 
 
 
 
(11,324
)
 
 
 
 
 
(11,324
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock for stockholder reinvestment program
810

 
33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
33

Issuance of restricted stock and recognition of share-based compensation
70,088

 
1,944

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,944

Issuance of shares for acquisition
1,319,854

 
58,099

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
58,099

BALANCE, September 30, 2015
20,962,300

 
$
628,958

 
$
41,269

 
$
975

 
$

 
$
671,202



See Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

7


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited) (In thousands)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
2015

 
2014

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net income
$
38,329

 
$
42,356

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
6,279

 
6,081

Deferred income and expense, net of amortization
2,194

 
2,555

Amortization of core deposit intangibles
1,268

 
1,460

Loss (gain) on sale of securities
537

 
(41
)
Net change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value
(735
)
 
(1,662
)
Purchases of securities—trading
(6,337
)
 
(2,387
)
Proceeds from sales of securities—trading
2,485

 
2,387

Principal repayments and maturities of securities—trading
7,905

 
16,791

Bargain purchase gain on acquisition

 
(9,079
)
Change in deferred taxes
97

 
5,713

Increase in current taxes payable
2,800

 
9,995

Equity-based compensation
1,944

 
1,677

Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI
(1,425
)
 
(1,329
)
Gain on sale of loans, net of capitalized servicing rights
(8,139
)
 
(4,235
)
Gain on disposal of real estate held for sale and property and equipment
(338
)
 
(817
)
Provision for losses on real estate held for sale
216

 
37

Origination of loans held for sale
(455,178
)
 
(262,159
)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
462,967

 
262,179

Net change in:
 
 
 
Other assets
(5,888
)
 
(2,118
)
Other liabilities
1,625

 
(33
)
Net cash provided from operating activities
50,606

 
67,371

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Purchases of securities—available-for-sale
(93,508
)
 
(48,022
)
Principal repayments and maturities of securities—available-for-sale
57,301

 
29,198

Proceeds from sales of securities—available-for-sale
40,293

 
55,982

Purchases of securitiesheld-to-maturity
(11,490
)
 
(35,121
)
Principal repayments and maturities of securities—held-to-maturity
9,609

 
3,857

Loan originations, net of principal repayments
(78,947
)
 
(151,355
)
Purchases of loans and participating interest in loans
(243,282
)
 
(152,321
)
Proceeds from sales of other loans
29,238

 
4,609

Net cash received from acquisitions
78,599

 
127,557

Purchases of property and equipment
(9,847
)
 
(4,024
)
Proceeds from sale of real estate held for sale, net
3,155

 
3,631

Proceeds from FHLB stock repurchase program
21,453

 
6,284

Purchase of FHLB stock
(648
)
 

Other
241

 
(2,063
)
Net cash used by investing activities
(197,833
)
 
(161,788
)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Increase in deposits, net
172,298

 
161,106

Repayments of FHLB borrowings, net
(15,806
)
 
(27,005
)
Increase (decrease) in other borrowings, net
10,899

 
(15,451
)
Cash dividends paid
(11,031
)
 
(9,950
)
Cash proceeds from issuance of stock for stockholder reinvestment plan
34

 
93

Net cash provided from financing activities
156,394

 
108,793

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
9,167

 
14,376

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
126,072

 
137,349

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
$
135,239

 
$
151,725

(Continued on next page)

8


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
(Unaudited) (In thousands)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
2015

 
2014

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
 
 
 
Interest paid in cash
$
7,825

 
$
8,277

Taxes paid, net of refunds received in cash
16,491

 
6,102

NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING TRANSACTIONS:
 
 
 
Loans, net of discounts, specific loss allowances and unearned income,
transferred to real estate owned and other repossessed assets
3,251

 
3,019

ACQUISITIONS (Note 4):
 
 
 
   Assets acquired
370,306

 
221,206

   Liabilities assumed
327,548

 
212,127


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 CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim 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 subsidiaries, Banner Bank and Islanders Bank (the Banks).

These unaudited consolidated interim 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 September 30, 2015 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 disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP 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 2014 Consolidated Financial Statements and/or schedules to conform to the 2015 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. 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 Banner’s financial statements. These policies relate to (i) the methodology for the recognition of interest income, (ii) determination of the provision and allowance for loan and lease losses, (iii) the valuation of financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, including other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses, (iv) the valuation of intangibles, such as goodwill, core deposit intangibles and mortgage servicing rights, (v) the valuation of or recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and (vi) the application of acquisition accounting standards to business combinations including purchased credit-impaired loans. These policies and judgments, estimates and assumptions are described in greater detail in subsequent notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Critical Accounting Policies) in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC.  There have been no significant changes in our application of accounting policies during the first nine months of 2015.

The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 as filed with the SEC (2014 Form 10-K).  Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year or any other interim period.

Note 2:  RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

Acquisition of AmericanWest Bank

As of the close of business on October 1, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of Starbuck Bancshares, Inc. (Starbuck) and its subsidiary, AmericanWest Bank (AmericanWest), a Washington state chartered commercial bank headquartered in Spokane, Washington with 98 branches serving markets in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California and Utah. On that date Starbuck merged with and into Banner and AmericanWest merged with and into Banner Bank. The merged banks are operating as Banner Bank. Pursuant to the previously announced terms of the merger, the equityholders of Starbuck received an aggregate of $130.0 million in cash and 13.23 million shares of Banner common stock and nonvoting common stock. At the closing date, the combined company had approximately $9.9 billion in assets and 203 branches. (See Note 4, Business Combinations, below in this Form 10-Q for additional information regarding this acquisition).

Acquisition of Siuslaw Financial Group, Inc.

As of the close of business on March 6, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of Siuslaw Financial Group (Siuslaw) and its subsidiary, Siuslaw Bank, an Oregon state chartered commercial bank with ten branches in Lane County, Oregon, including Eugene, Oregon. On that date Siuslaw was merged with and into Banner Corporation and Siuslaw Bank was merged with and into Banner Bank. The operating results produced by the ten branches acquired in the Siuslaw acquisition are included in Banner's financial results beginning March 7, 2015 and the combined banks are operating as Banner Bank. (See Note 4, Business Combinations, below in this Form 10-Q for additional information regarding this acquisition).

Note 3:  ACCOUNTING STANDARDS RECENTLY ISSUED OR ADOPTED

Investing in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects

In January 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-01, Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects. The objective of this ASU is to provide guidance on accounting for investments by a reporting entity in flow-through limited liability entities that manage or invest in affordable housing projects that qualify for the low-income

10


housing tax credit. The amendments in this ASU modify the conditions that a reporting entity must meet to be eligible to use a method other than the equity or cost methods to account for qualified affordable housing project investments. If the modified conditions are met, the amendments permit an entity to amortize the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the amount of tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognize the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense (benefit). Additionally, the amendments introduce new recurring disclosures about all investments in qualified affordable housing projects irrespective of the method used to account for the investments. The amendments in this ASU are applied retrospectively to all periods presented. ASU No. 2014-01 was effective beginning after December 15, 2014 and does not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which creates Topic 606 and supersedes Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. The core principle of Topic 606 is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In general, the new guidance requires companies to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current guidance, including identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. Under the terms of ASU 2015-14 the standard is effective for public entities for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017; early adoption is not permitted. For financial reporting purposes, the standard allows for either full retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied to all of the periods presented, or modified retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied only to the most current period presented in the financial statements with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU No. 2014-09 to determine the potential impact the standard will have on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement

In April 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. The amendments in this ASU provide guidance to customers in cloud computing arrangements about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The amendments are effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. This ASU is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Push-down Accounting—Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 115

In May 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-08, Push-down Accounting—Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 115 (SEC Update). The amendments in the SEC Update conform the accounting guidance with the various SEC paragraphs pursuant to the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 115. These amendments are effective immediately. This ASU does not have a material effect on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Business Combinations—Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments

In September 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. Prior to this ASU, changes in provisional amounts for items recognized in a business combination were retrospectively applied. The amendments in this Update eliminate the requirement to retrospectively account for those adjustments. This Update requires an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This ASU may have a material effect on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements depending on the significance of future adjustments to provisional amounts, if any.

Note 4:  BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

All business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, assets acquired and liabilities assumed, both tangible and intangible, and consideration exchanged were recorded at acquisition date fair values. The excess cost over fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. In the event that the fair value of net assets acquired exceeds the purchase price, including fair value of liabilities assumed, a bargain purchase gain is recorded on the acquisition. Fair values are preliminary and subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information regarding the closing date fair values becomes available.

Acquisition of Starbuck Bancshares, Inc.
Effective as of the close of business on October 1, 2015, the Company acquired Starbuck, the holding company of AmericanWest. As of October 1, 2015, Starbuck had $4.5 billion in total assets, $3.0 billion in loans and $3.6 billion in deposits.


11


The structure of the transaction was as follows:
Starbuck merged with and into the Company and, immediately following, AmericanWest Bank merged with and into Banner Bank.
Starbuck shareholders received 13.23 million shares of Banner common stock and nonvoting common stock and $130.0 million in cash.

The aggregate consideration for the purchase is estimated at $760.7 million and included the following:
Cash of $130.0 million.
Common stock and nonvoting common stock issued of $630.7 million.

The primary reason for the acquisition was to continue the Company’s growth strategy, including expanding our geographic footprint in markets throughout the Northwest and California. Preliminary fair values for all assets and liabilities are not reported herein as the Company is still in the process of determining the preliminary fair values. Goodwill expected to be recorded in the transaction will not be deductible for income tax purposes as the acquisition is accounted for as a tax-free exchange for tax purposes. The Company expects to disclose preliminary estimates of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including fair value adjustments, as well as supplemental pro forma information, in a Form 8-K to be filed in the fourth quarter of 2015. In addition, the Company expects that the Form 8-K filing will include audited financial information for Starbuck Bancshares as of December 31, 2014 and unaudited financial information as of September 30, 2015. The Company's December 31, 2015 Form 10-K will include the results of operations produced by the acquired company beginning on October 2, 2015.

Acquisition of Siuslaw Financial Group, Inc.

Effective as of the close of business on March 6, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Siuslaw, the holding company of Siuslaw Bank. Siuslaw merged with and into the Company and, immediately following, Siuslaw Bank merged with and into Banner Bank. Siuslaw shareholders received 0.32231 shares of the Company's common stock and $1.41622 in cash in exchange for each share of Siuslaw common stock. The acquisition provided $370 million in assets, $316 million in deposits and $247 million in loans.

The application of the acquisition method of accounting resulted in recognition of a core deposit intangible asset of $3.9 million and goodwill of $21.1 million. The acquired core deposit intangible has been determined to have a useful life of approximately eight years and will be amortized on an accelerated basis. Goodwill is not amortized but will be evaluated for impairment on an annual basis or more often if circumstances dictate to determine if the carrying value remains appropriate. Goodwill will not be deductible for income tax purposes as the acquisition is accounted for as a tax-free exchange for tax purposes.

The following table presents a summary of the consideration paid and the estimated fair values as of the acquisition date for each major class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):
 
Siuslaw
 
March 6, 2015
Consideration to Siuslaw shareholders:
 
 
 
Cash paid
 
 
$
5,806

Fair value of common shares issued
 
 
58,100

Total consideration
 
 
63,906

Fair value of assets acquired:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
84,405

 
 
Securities—available-for-sale
12,865

 
 
Loans receivable (contractual amount of $252.2 million)
247,098

 
 
Real estate owned, held for sale
2,525

 
 
Property and equipment
8,127

 
 
Core deposit intangible
3,895

 
 
Other assets
11,391

 
 
Total assets acquired
370,306

 
 
Fair value of liabilities assumed:
 
 
 
Deposits
316,406

 
 
Junior subordinated debentures
5,959

 
 
Other liabilities
5,183

 
 
Total liabilities assumed
327,548

 
 
Net assets acquired
 
 
42,758

Goodwill
 
 
$
21,148


Acquired goodwill represents the premium the Company paid over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. The acquisition complements the Company's growth strategy, including expanding our geographic footprint in markets throughout the Northwest. The Company

12


paid this premium for a number of reasons, including growing the Company's customer base, acquiring assembled workforces, and expanding its presence in new markets. See Note 8, Goodwill, Other Intangible Assets and Mortgage Servicing Rights for the accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets.

Amounts recorded are estimates of fair value. Additional adjustments to the purchase price allocation may be required and would most likely involve loans or property and equipment. As of March 6, 2015, the unpaid principal balance on purchased non-credit-impaired loans was $244.2 million. The fair value of the purchased non-credit-impaired loans was $241.4 million, resulting in a discount of $2.8 million recorded on these loans. This discount is being accreted into income over the life of the loans on an effective yield basis.

The following table presents the acquired purchased credit-impaired loans as of the acquisition date (in thousands):
 
 
Siuslaw
 
 
March 6, 2015
Acquired purchased credit-impaired loans:
 
 
Contractually required principal and interest payments
 
$
11,134

Nonaccretable difference
 
(3,238
)
Cash flows expected to be collected
 
7,896

Accretable yield
 
(2,239
)
Fair value of purchased credit-impaired loans
 
$
5,657

 
The following table presents certain unaudited pro forma information for illustrative purposes only, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 as if Siuslaw had been acquired on January 1, 2014. This unaudited estimated pro forma financial information combines the historical results of Siuslaw with the Company’s consolidated historical results. The pro forma information is not indicative of what would have occurred had the acquisition actually occurred on January 1, 2014. In particular, no adjustments have been made to eliminate the impact of other-than-temporary impairment losses and losses recognized on the sale of securities that may not have been necessary had the investment securities been recorded at fair value as of January 1, 2014. The unaudited pro forma information does not consider any changes to the provision for credit losses resulting from recording loan assets at fair value. Additionally, Banner expects to achieve further operating cost savings and other business synergies, including revenue growth, as a result of the acquisition which are not reflected in the pro forma amounts that follow. As a result, actual amounts would have differed from the unaudited pro forma information presented (in thousands except per share amounts):
 
Pro Forma
 
Three Months Ended
September 30
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
2015

 
2014

 
2015

 
2014

Total revenues (net interest income plus non-interest income)
$
66,286

 
$
65,444

 
$
197,048

 
$
189,944

Net income
$
12,947

 
$
16,048

 
$
38,714

 
$
45,438

Earnings per share - basic
$
0.62

 
$
0.78

 
$
1.87

 
$
2.20

Earnings per share - diluted
$
0.62

 
$
0.77

 
$
1.86

 
$
2.19


The operating results of the Company include the operating results produced by the acquired assets and assumed liabilities of Siuslaw for the period March 7, 2015 to September 30, 2015. Disclosure of the amount of Siuslaw’s revenue and net income (excluding integration costs) included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations is impracticable due to the integration of the operations and accounting for this acquisition.

Acquisition of Six Oregon Branches

Effective as of the close of business on June 20, 2014, Banner Bank completed the purchase of six branches from Umpqua Bank, successor to Sterling Savings Bank (the Branch Acquisition). Five of the six branches are located in Coos County, Oregon and the sixth branch is located in Douglas County, Oregon. The purchase provided $212 million in deposit accounts, $88 million in loans, and $3 million in branch properties. Banner Bank received $128 million in cash from the transaction.

The application of the acquisition method of accounting resulted in recognition of a core deposit intangible asset of $2.4 million and an acquisition bargain purchase gain of $9.1 million. The bargain purchase gain consisted primarily of a $7.0 million discount on the assets acquired in this required branch divestiture combined with a $2.4 million core deposit intangible, net of approximately $300,000 in other fair value adjustments. The acquired core deposit intangible was determined to have a useful life of approximately eight years and is being amortized on an accelerated basis.


13


The following table displays the fair value as of the acquisition date for each major class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):
 
Branch Acquisition
 
June 20, 2014
Total consideration
 
 
$

Fair value of assets acquired:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
127,557

 
 
Loans receivable (contractual amount of $88.3 million)
87,923

 
 
Property and equipment
3,079

 
 
Core deposit intangible
2,372

 
 
Other assets
275

 
 
Total assets acquired
221,206

 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of liabilities assumed:
 
 
 
Deposits
212,085

 
 
Other liabilities
42

 
 
Total liabilities assumed
212,127

 
 
Net assets acquired
 
 
$
9,079

Acquisition bargain purchase gain
 
 
$
(9,079
)

The primary reason for the Branch Acquisition was to continue the Company's growth strategy, including expanding its geographic footprint in markets throughout the Northwest. As of June 20, 2014, the transaction had no remaining contingencies. The operating results of the Company include the operating results produced by the Branch Acquisition from June 21, 2014 to September 30, 2015. Pro forma results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, as if the Branch Acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2014, have not been presented because historical financial information was not available. There were no purchased credit-impaired loans acquired in connection with the Branch Acquisition.

Acquisition-Related Costs

In the quarter ended September 30, 2014, Banner adjusted the accrued estimated acquisition-related expenses to reflect amounts actually incurred, which resulted in a net reversal of expense totaling $494,000 for the quarter. The following tables present the key components of acquisition-related costs in connection with the Branch Acquisition, the acquisition of Siuslaw and the acquisition of Starbuck, including AmericanWest, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
September 30
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Acquisition-related costs recognized in other operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personnel severance/retention fees
$
227

 
$

 
$
443

 
$

Non-capitalized equipment and repairs
5

 
70

 
55

 
99

Client communications
151

 
(108
)
 
221

 
130

Information/computer data services
301

 
(335
)
 
807

 
297

Payment and processing expenses
16

 
(205
)
 
16

 
66

Professional services
1,185

 
55

 
5,411

 
674

Miscellaneous
322

 
29

 
788

 
264

 
$
2,207

 
$
(494
)
 
$
7,741

 
$
1,530

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Branch Acquisition
$

 
$
(494
)
 
$

 
$
1,530

Siuslaw
340

 

 
1,867

 

Starbuck
1,867

 

 
5,874

 

 
$
2,207

 
$
(494
)
 
$
7,741

 
$
1,530



14


Note 5:  SECURITIES
 
 
 
 
Securities—Trading:  The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities—trading at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
U.S. Government and agency obligations
$
1,230

 
$
1,389

 
$
1,340

 
$
1,505

Municipal bonds
1,403

 
1,418

 
1,405

 
1,440

Corporate bonds
25,026

 
18,340

 
27,995

 
19,118

Mortgage-backed or related securities
15,043

 
16,313

 
16,726

 
18,136

Equity securities
14

 
55

 
14

 
59

 
$
42,716

 
$
37,515

 
$
47,480

 
$
40,258


There were two sales of securities—trading totaling $2.5 million with a resulting realized loss of $690,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015; however, the realized loss was offset by the reversal of fair value allowances totaling $1.2 million resulting in net gains on these securities sales of $550,000. There were three sales of securities—trading totaling $2.4 million with a resulting net gain of $1,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The Company did not recognize any OTTI charges or recoveries on securities—trading during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 or 2014. There were no securities—trading on nonaccrual status at September 30, 2015 or 2014.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities—trading at September 30, 2015, by contractual maturity, are shown below (in thousands).  Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because some securities may be called or prepaid with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
September 30, 2015
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
Maturing in one year or less
$
1,070

 
$
1,075

Maturing after one year through five years
9,021

 
9,735

Maturing after five years through ten years
3,567

 
3,961

Maturing after ten years through twenty years
4,018

 
4,349

Maturing after twenty years
25,026

 
18,340

 
42,702

 
37,460

Equity securities
14

 
55

 
$
42,716

 
$
37,515



15


Securities—Available-for-Sale:  The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities—available-for-sale at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
U.S. Government and agency obligations
$
12,043

 
$

 
$
(51
)
 
$
11,992

Municipal bonds
67,459

 
300

 
(102
)
 
67,657

Corporate bonds
5,000

 
22

 

 
5,022

Mortgage-backed or related securities
300,929

 
2,391

 
(520
)
 
302,800

Asset-backed securities
31,300

 

 
(517
)
 
30,783

 
$
416,731

 
$
2,713

 
$
(1,190
)
 
$
418,254

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
U.S. Government and agency obligations
$
29,973

 
$
8

 
$
(211
)
 
$
29,770

Municipal bonds
49,959

 
190

 
(121
)
 
50,028

Corporate bonds
5,000

 
18

 

 
5,018

Mortgage-backed or related securities
300,979

 
1,429

 
(1,598
)
 
300,810

Asset-backed securities
25,513

 
167

 
(285
)
 
25,395

 
$
411,424

 
$
1,812

 
$
(2,215
)
 
$
411,021


At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, an aging of unrealized losses and fair value of related securities—available-for-sale was as follows (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
U.S. Government and agency obligations
$
1,334

 
$
(9
)
 
$
10,658

 
$
(42
)
 
$
11,992

 
$
(51
)
Municipal bonds
15,727

 
(95
)
 
3,199

 
(7
)
 
18,926

 
(102
)
Mortgage-backed or related securities
41,550

 
(248
)
 
72,167

 
(272
)
 
113,717

 
(520
)
Asset-backed securities
20,835

 
(422
)
 
9,948

 
(95
)
 
30,783

 
(517
)
 
$
79,446

 
$
(774
)
 
$
95,972

 
$
(416
)
 
$
175,418

 
$
(1,190
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
U.S. Government and agency obligations
$
15,983

 
$
(58
)
 
$
9,847

 
$
(153
)
 
$
25,830

 
$
(211
)
Municipal bonds
16,322

 
(61
)
 
7,129

 
(60
)
 
23,451

 
(121
)
Corporate bonds

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed or related securities
91,046

 
(236
)
 
107,266

 
(1,362
)
 
198,312

 
(1,598
)
Asset-backed securities

 

 
9,765

 
(285
)
 
9,765

 
(285
)
 
$
123,351

 
$
(355
)
 
$
134,007

 
$
(1,860
)
 
$
257,358

 
$
(2,215
)

There were 44 sales of securities—available-for-sale totaling $40.3 million with a resulting net gain of $126,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. There were twelve sales of securities—available-for-sale totaling $56.0 million with a resulting net gain of $40,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  At September 30, 2015, there were 83 securities—available for sale with unrealized losses, compared to 94 securities at December 31, 2014.  Management does not believe that any individual unrealized loss as of September 30, 2015 represents OTTI.  The decline in fair market values of these securities was generally due to changes in interest rates and changes in market-desired spreads subsequent to their purchase. There were no securities—available-for-sale on nonaccrual status at September 30, 2015 or 2014.

16



The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities—available-for-sale at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below (in thousands).  Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because some securities may be called or prepaid with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
September 30, 2015
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
Maturing in one year or less
$
17,491

 
$
17,462

Maturing after one year through five years
250,837

 
251,489

Maturing after five years through ten years
37,545

 
37,541

Maturing after ten years through twenty years
30,856

 
31,376

Maturing after twenty years
80,002

 
80,386

 
$
416,731

 
$
418,254


Securities—Held-to-Maturity:  The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities—held-to-maturity at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
U.S. Government and agency obligations
$
1,116

 
$
10

 
$

 
$
1,126

Municipal bonds
121,937

 
6,073

 
(197
)
 
127,813

Corporate bonds
1,800

 

 

 
1,800

Mortgage-backed or related securities
7,297

 
220

 
(1
)
 
7,516

 
$
132,150

 
$
6,303

 
$
(198
)
 
$
138,255

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
U.S. Government and agency obligations
$
2,146

 
$

 
$
(19
)
 
$
2,127

Municipal bonds
119,951

 
6,319

 
(48
)
 
126,222

Corporate bonds
1,800

 

 

 
1,800

Mortgage-backed or related securities
7,361

 
105

 
(7
)
 
7,459

 
$
131,258

 
$
6,424

 
$
(74
)
 
$
137,608



17


At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, an aging analysis of unrealized losses and fair value of related securities—held-to-maturity was as follows (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
U.S. Government and agency obligations
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Municipal bonds
8,542

 
(193
)
 
255

 
(4
)
 
8,797

 
(197
)
Mortgage-backed or related securities

 

 
287

 
(1
)
 
287

 
(1
)
 
$
8,542

 
$
(193
)
 
$
542

 
$
(5
)
 
$
9,084

 
$
(198
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
U.S. Government and agency obligations
$

 
$

 
$
1,127

 
$
(19
)
 
$
1,127

 
$
(19
)
Municipal bonds
9,821

 
(44
)
 
592

 
(4
)
 
10,413

 
(48
)
Mortgage-backed or related securities
1,018

 
(7
)
 

 

 
1,018

 
(7
)
 
$
10,839

 
$
(51
)
 
$
1,719

 
$
(23
)
 
$
12,558

 
$
(74
)

There were no sales of securities—held-to-maturity during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.  At September 30, 2015, there were 14 securities—held-to-maturity with unrealized losses, compared to 25 securities at December 31, 2014.  Management does not believe that any individual unrealized loss as of September 30, 2015 represents OTTI.  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 securities—held-to-maturity on nonaccrual status at September 30, 2015 or 2014.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities—held-to-maturity at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below (in thousands).  Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because some securities may be called or prepaid with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
September 30, 2015
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
Maturing in one year or less
$
3,747

 
$
3,799

Maturing after one year through five years
13,852

 
14,041

Maturing after five years through ten years
24,951

 
25,608

Maturing after ten years through twenty years
76,642

 
81,606

Maturing after twenty years
12,958

 
13,201

 
$
132,150

 
$
138,255


Pledged Securities: The following table presents, as of September 30, 2015, investment securities which were pledged to secure borrowings, public deposits or other obligations as permitted or required by law (in thousands):
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
Purpose or beneficiary:
 
 
 
State and local governments public deposits
$
132,234

 
$
137,818

Interest rate swap counterparties
13,419

 
13,949

Retail repurchase agreements
110,258

 
111,037

Total pledged securities
$
255,911

 
$
262,804



18


Note 6: LOANS RECEIVABLE AND THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

Loans receivable, including loans held for sale, at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Amount
 
Percent of Total
 
Amount
 
Percent of Total
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owner-occupied
$
635,146

 
14.5
%
 
$
546,783

 
14.3
%
Investment properties
1,062,418

 
24.3

 
856,942

 
22.3

Multifamily real estate
198,874

 
4.6

 
167,524

 
4.4

Commercial construction
47,490

 
1.1

 
17,337

 
0.4

Multifamily construction
72,987

 
1.7

 
60,193

 
1.6

One- to four-family construction
246,715

 
5.6

 
219,889

 
5.7

Land and land development:
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
Residential
111,091

 
2.5

 
102,435

 
2.7

Commercial
15,517

 
0.4

 
11,152

 
0.3

Commercial business
812,070

 
18.6

 
723,964

 
18.9

Agricultural business, including secured by farmland
242,556

 
5.5

 
238,499

 
6.2

One- to four-family residential
536,325

 
12.3

 
539,894

 
14.1

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer secured by one- to four-family
250,029

 
5.7

 
222,205

 
5.8

Consumer—other
141,376

 
3.2

 
127,003

 
3.3

Total loans outstanding
4,372,594

 
100.0
%
 
3,833,820

 
100.0
%
Less allowance for loan losses
(77,320
)
 
 

 
(75,907
)
 
 

Net loans
$
4,295,274

 
 

 
$
3,757,913

 
 


Loan amounts are net of unearned loan fees in excess of unamortized costs of $10.0 million as of September 30, 2015 and $5.8 million as of December 31, 2014. Net loans include net discounts on acquired loans of $4.3 million and $148,000 as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company originates both adjustable- and fixed-rate loans.  The maturity and repricing composition of those loans, less undisbursed amounts and deferred fees and origination costs, at September 30, 2015 were as follows (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015

Fixed-rate (term to maturity):
 
Maturing in one year or less
$
150,889

Maturing after one year through three years
203,434

Maturing after three years through five years
165,674

Maturing after five years through ten years
272,660

Maturing after ten years
482,673

Total fixed-rate loans
1,275,330

Adjustable-rate (term to rate adjustment):
 

Maturing or repricing in one year or less
1,631,649

Maturing or repricing after one year through three years
606,056

Maturing or repricing after three years through five years
605,590

Maturing or repricing after five years through ten years
225,164

Maturing or repricing after ten years
28,805

Total adjustable-rate loans
3,097,264

Total loans
$
4,372,594


The adjustable-rate loans have various interest rate adjustment limitations and are generally indexed to various prime or London Inter-bank Offering Rate (LIBOR) rates, One to Five Year Constant Maturity Treasury Indices or FHLB advance rates.  Future market factors may affect the correlation of the interest rate adjustment with the rates the Banks pay on the short-term deposits that were primarily utilized to fund these loans.

19



Purchased credit-impaired loans and purchased non-credit-impaired loans. Purchased loans, including loans acquired in business combinations, are recorded at their fair value at the acquisition date. Credit discounts are included in the determination of fair value; therefore, an allowance for loan and lease losses is not recorded at the acquisition date. Acquired loans are evaluated upon acquisition and classified as either purchased credit-impaired or purchased non-credit-impaired. Purchased credit-impaired loans reflect credit deterioration since origination such that it is probable at acquisition that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments. The outstanding contractual unpaid principal balance of purchased credit-impaired loans, excluding acquisition accounting adjustments, was $8.8 million at September 30, 2015. The carrying balance of purchased credit-impaired loans was $5.4 million at September 30, 2015. There were no purchased credit-impaired loans at December 31, 2014 or September 30, 2014.
The following table presents the changes in the accretable yield for purchased credit-impaired loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
September 30
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
2015

 
2014

 
2015

 
2014

Balance, beginning of period
$
2,149

 
$

 
$

 
$

Additions

 

 
2,239

 

Accretion to interest income
(68
)
 

 
(158
)
 

Disposals

 

 

 

Reclassifications from non-accretable difference

 

 

 

Balance, end of period
$
2,081

 
$

 
$
2,081

 
$


As of September 30, 2015, the non-accretable difference between the contractually required payments and cash flows expected to be collected was $3.2 million.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

20


Impaired Loans and the Allowance for Loan Losses.  A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and circumstances, the Company determines it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement, including scheduled interest payments.  Factors involved in determining impairment include, but are not limited to, the financial condition of the borrower, the value of the underlying collateral and the current status of the economy. Impaired loans are comprised of loans on nonaccrual, troubled debt restructures (TDRs) that are performing under their restructured terms, and loans that are 90 days or more past due, but are still on accrual.

The following tables provide information on impaired loans with and without allowance reserves at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Recorded investment includes the unpaid principal balance or the carrying amount of loans less charge-offs and net deferred loan fees (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Recorded Investment
 
Related Allowance
 
 
Without Allowance (1)
 
With Allowance (2)
 
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owner-occupied
$
1,619

 
$
129

 
$
1,439

 
$
57

Investment properties
8,788

 

 
8,384

 
988

Multifamily real estate
361

 

 
361

 
73

One- to four-family construction
2,582

 

 
2,582

 
216

Land and land development:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
3,552

 
750

 
1,647

 
455

Commercial
1,899

 
1,549

 

 

Commercial business
1,878

 
9

 
1,620

 
226

Agricultural business/farmland
1,078

 

 
1,004

 
40

One- to four-family residential
19,555

 
2,148

 
16,161

 
716

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer secured by one- to four-family
985

 
72

 
734

 
56

Consumer—other
398

 
85

 
231

 
6

 
$
42,695

 
$
4,742

 
$
34,163

 
$
2,833

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Recorded Investment
 
Related Allowance
 
 
Without Allowance (1)
 
With Allowance (2)
 
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owner-occupied
$
1,598

 
$
966

 
$
582

 
$
24

Investment properties
6,458

 
30

 
6,023

 
729

Multifamily real estate
786

 

 
786

 
86

One- to four-family construction
3,923

 

 
3,923

 
640

Land and land development:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
3,710

 
1,275

 
1,280

 
346

Commercial business
1,502

 

 
1,276

 
128

Agricultural business/farmland
1,597

 
744

 
854

 
26

One- to four-family residential
27,855

 
1,865

 
24,529

 
1,032

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer secured by one- to four-family
1,256

 
73

 
1,077

 
75

Consumer—other
634

 
138

 
470

 
6

 
$
49,319

 
$
5,091

 
$
40,800

 
$
3,092


(1) 
Loans without an allowance reserve have been individually evaluated for impairment and that evaluation concluded that no reserve was needed.
(2) 
Includes general reserves for loans evaluated in pools of homogeneous loans and loans with a specific reserve allowance. Loans with a specific allowance reserve have been individually evaluated for impairment using either a discounted cash flow analysis or, for collateral dependent loans, current appraisals less costs to sell to establish realizable value.

21



The following tables summarize our average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans by loan class for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2015
 
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2014
 
Average Recorded Investment
 
Interest Income Recognized
 
Average Recorded Investment
 
Interest Income Recognized
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owner-occupied
$
1,584

 
$
3

 
$
3,304

 
$
22

Investment properties
8,399

 
76

 
6,383

 
78

Multifamily real estate
362

 
3

 
1,195

 
(93
)
One- to four-family construction
2,530

 
29

 
3,625

 
17

Land and land development:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
2,400

 
9

 
2,926

 
21

Commercial
1,783

 

 

 

Commercial business
1,813

 
8

 
2,240

 
19

Agricultural business/farmland
977

 
10

 
229

 

One- to four-family residential
18,558

 
124

 
28,117

 
282

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer secured by one- to four-family
814

 
1

 
970

 
4

Consumer—other
314

 
2

 
924

 
12

 
$
39,534

 
$
265

 
$
49,913

 
$
362

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2015
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2014
 
Average Recorded Investment
 
Interest Income Recognized
 
Average Recorded Investment
 
Interest Income Recognized
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owner-occupied
$
1,674

 
$
8

 
$
3,134

 
$
46

Investment properties
7,890

 
228

 
6,449

 
238

Multifamily real estate
364

 
14

 
1,220

 
34

One- to four-family construction
2,385

 
87

 
3,501

 
120

Land and land development:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
2,412

 
40

 
2,937

 
67

Commercial
1,861

 

 

 

Commercial business
1,699

 
27

 
2,225

 
52

Agricultural business/farmland
905

 
19

 
102

 

One- to four-family residential
19,349

 
503

 
28,896

 
748

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer secured by one- to four-family
894

 
8

 
1,025

 
13

Consumer—other
353

 
12

 
938

 
27

 
$
39,786

 
$
946

 
$
50,427

 
$
1,345

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

22


Troubled Debt Restructures. Some of the Company’s loans are reported as TDRs.  Loans are reported as TDRs when the bank grants one or more concessions to a borrower experiencing financial difficulties that it would not otherwise consider.  Examples of such concessions include forgiveness of principal or accrued interest, extending the maturity date(s) or providing a lower interest rate than would be normally available for a transaction of similar risk.  Our TDRs have generally not involved forgiveness of amounts due, but almost always include a modification of multiple factors; the most common combination includes interest rate, payment amount and maturity date. As a result of these concessions, restructured loans are impaired as the Company will not collect all amounts due, both principal and interest, in accordance with the terms of the original loan agreement.  Loans identified as TDRs are accounted for in accordance with the Company's impaired loan accounting policies.

The following tables present TDRs at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015
 
Accrual
Status
 
Nonaccrual
Status
 
Total
TDRs
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
Owner-occupied
$
182

 
$
104

 
$
286

Investment properties
5,871

 
13

 
5,884

Multifamily real estate
361

 

 
361

One- to four-family construction
2,582

 

 
2,582

Land and land development:
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
1,153

 
493

 
1,646

Commercial business
643

 

 
643

Agricultural business, including secured by farmland
776

 

 
776

One- to four-family residential
12,090

 
1,451

 
13,541

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer secured by one- to four-family
147

 
56

 
203

Consumer—other
176

 

 
176

 
$
23,981

 
$
2,117

 
$
26,098


 
December 31, 2014
 
Accrual
Status
 
Nonaccrual
Status
 
Total
TDRs
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
Owner-occupied
$
183

 
$
109

 
$
292

Investment properties
6,021

 
32

 
6,053

Multifamily real estate
786

 

 
786

One- to four-family construction
3,923

 

 
3,923

Land and land development:
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
1,279

 
525

 
1,804

Commercial business
739

 
87

 
826

One- to four-family residential
15,793

 
1,363

 
17,156

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer secured by one- to four-family
233

 
117

 
350

Consumer—other
197

 
116

 
313

 
$
29,154

 
$
2,349

 
$
31,503


As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had commitments to advance funds related to TDRs up to additional amounts of $284,000 and $2.1 million, respectively.


23


The following tables present new TDRs that occurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Pre-modification Outstanding
Recorded Investment
 
Post-modification Outstanding
Recorded Investment
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Pre-
modification Outstanding
Recorded
 Investment
 
Post-
modification Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
Recorded Investment (1) (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land and land development—residential

 
$

 
$

 
2

 
$
1,383

 
$
1,383

Agricultural business/farmland

 

 

 
3

 
607

 
607

One- to four-family residential

 

 

 
2

 
456

 
456

 

 
$

 
$

 
7

 
$
2,446

 
$
2,446

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Pre-modification Outstanding
Recorded Investment
 
Post-modification Outstanding
Recorded Investment
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Pre-
modification Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-
modification Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
Recorded Investment (1) (2)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial real estate
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Owner-occupied

 
$

 
$

 
1

 
$
94

 
$
94

One- to four-family construction
1

 
388

 
388

 
5

 
1,369

 
1,369

Commercial business

 

 

 
1

 
100

 
100

One- to four-family residential
2

 
434

 
434

 
2

 
434

 
434

Consumer-other

 

 

 
1

 
9

 
9

 
3

 
$
822

 
$
822

 
10

 
$
2,006

 
$
2,006


(1) 
Since these loans were already considered classified and/or on nonaccrual status prior to restructuring, the modifications did not have a material effect on the Company’s determination of the allowance for loan losses.
(2) 
The majority of these modifications do not fit into one separate type, such as rate, term, amount, interest-only or payment, but instead are a combination of multiple types of modifications; therefore, they are disclosed in aggregate.

The following table presents TDRs which incurred a payment default within twelve months of the restructure date during the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. A default on a TDR results in either a transfer to nonaccrual status or a partial charge-off, or both.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
2015

 
2014

 
2015

 
2014

One- to four-family residential
$
387

 
$

 
$
387

 
$

Total
$
387

 
$

 
$
387

 
$



24


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 and leases 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.  There were no material changes in the risk-rating or loan grading system in the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Risk Rating 1: Exceptional
A credit supported by exceptional financial strength, stability, and liquidity.  The risk rating of 1 is reserved for the Company’s top quality loans, generally reserved for investment grade credits underwritten to the standards of institutional credit providers.

Risk Rating 2: Excellent
A credit supported by excellent financial strength, stability and liquidity.  The risk rating of 2 is reserved for very strong and highly stable customers with ready access to alternative financing sources.

Risk Rating 3: Strong
A credit supported by good overall financial strength and stability.  Collateral margins are strong; cash flow is stable although susceptible to cyclical market changes.

Risk Rating 4: Acceptable
A credit supported by the borrower’s adequate financial strength and stability.  Assets and cash flow are reasonably sound and provide for orderly debt reduction.  Access to alternative financing sources will be more difficult to obtain.

Risk Rating 5: Watch
A credit with the characteristics of an acceptable credit which requires, however, more than the normal level of supervision and warrants formal quarterly management reporting.  Credits in this category are not yet criticized or classified, but due to adverse events or aspects of underwriting require closer than normal supervision. Generally, credits should be watch credits in most cases for six months or less as the impact of stress factors are analyzed.

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 strengthen a credit making the amount and timing of any loss indeterminable.  In these situations taking the loss is inappropriate until it is clear that the pending event has failed to strengthen the credit and improve the capacity to repay debt.

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.


25


The following table shows the Company’s portfolio of risk-rated loans and non-risk-rated loans by grade or other characteristics as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015
 
Commercial
 Real Estate
 
Multifamily
Real Estate
 
Construction and Land
 
Commercial Business
 
Agricultural Business
 
One- to Four-Family Residential
 
Consumer
 
Total Loans
Risk-rated loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pass (Risk Ratings 1-5) (1)
$
1,667,522

 
$
195,755

 
$
478,876

 
$
793,518

 
$
225,743

 
$
527,244

 
$
388,523

 
$
4,277,181

Special mention
10,108

 

 

 
14,189

 
14,960

 
149

 
82

 
39,488

Substandard
19,934

 
3,119

 
14,924

 
4,363

 
1,853

 
8,932

 
2,788

 
55,913

Doubtful

 

 

 

 

 

 
12

 
12

Loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total loans
$
1,697,564

 
$
198,874

 
$
493,800

 
$
812,070

 
$
242,556

 
$
536,325

 
$
391,405

 
$
4,372,594

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performing loans
$
1,691,857

 
$
198,318

 
$
485,215

 
$
811,085

 
$
242,328

 
$
530,106

 
$
390,155

 
$
4,349,064

Non-performing loans (2)
5,707

 
556

 
8,585

 
985

 
228

 
6,219

 
1,250

 
23,530

Total loans
$
1,697,564

 
$
198,874

 
$
493,800

 
$
812,070

 
$
242,556

 
$
536,325

 
$
391,405

 
$
4,372,594

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Commercial
Real Estate
 
Multifamily
Real Estate
 
Construction and Land
 
Commercial Business
 
Agricultural Business
 
One- to Four-Family Residential
 
Consumer
 
Total Loans
Risk-rated loans:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Pass (Risk Ratings 1-5) (1)
$
1,375,885

 
$
166,712

 
$
395,356

 
$
691,143

 
$
234,101

 
$
527,384

 
$
346,456

 
$
3,737,037

Special mention
3,717

 

 

 
27,453

 
1,055

 
63

 
140

 
32,428

Substandard
24,123

 
812

 
15,650

 
5,368

 
3,343

 
12,447

 
2,601

 
64,344

Doubtful

 

 

 

 

 

 
11

 
11

Loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total loans
$
1,403,725

 
$
167,524

 
$
411,006

 
$
723,964

 
$
238,499

 
$
539,894

 
$
349,208

 
$
3,833,820

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performing loans
$
1,402,593

 
$
167,524

 
$
409,731

 
$
723,427

 
$
236,902

 
$
528,965

 
$
347,942

 
$
3,817,084

Non-performing loans (2)
1,132

 

 
1,275

 
537

 
1,597

 
10,929

 
1,266

 
16,736

Total loans
$
1,403,725

 
$
167,524

 
$
411,006

 
$
723,964

 
$
238,499

 
$
539,894

 
$
349,208

 
$
3,833,820


(1)  
The Pass category includes some performing loans that are part of homogenous pools which are not individually risk-rated.  This includes all consumer loans, all one- to four-family residential loans and, as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, in the commercial business category, $146 million and $115 million, respectively, of credit-scored small business loans.  As loans in these pools become non-performing, they are individually risk-rated.
(2) 
Non-performing loans include non-accrual loans, loans past due greater than 90 days and on accrual status and purchased credit-impaired loans which are included at their unpaid principal balance.


26


The following tables provide additional detail on the age analysis of the Company’s past due loans as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015
 
30-59 Days
Past Due
 
60-89 Days
Past Due
 
90 Days or More
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 
Purchased Credit-Impaired
 
Current
 
Total Loans
 
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Accruing
 
Non-accrual
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owner-occupied
$
1,926

 
$
779

 
$
300

 
$
3,005

 
$
1,131

 
$
631,010

 
$
635,146

 
$

 
$
1,387

Investment properties
89

 

 
2,500

 
2,589

 

 
1,059,829

 
1,062,418

 

 
2,512

Multifamily real estate

 
46

 

 
46

 
441

 
198,387

 
198,874

 

 

Commercial construction

 

 

 

 

 
47,490

 
47,490

 

 

Multifamily construction

 

 

 

 

 
72,987

 
72,987

 

 

One-to-four-family construction

 
242

 

 
242

 
901

 
245,572

 
246,715

 

 

Land and land development:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
154

 
286

 
749

 
1,189

 

 
109,902

 
111,091

 

 
1,243

Commercial

 

 
2,612

 
2,612

 
2,624

 
10,281

 
15,517

 

 
1,549

Commercial business
165

 

 
755

 
920

 

 
811,150

 
812,070

 
5

 
980

Agricultural business, including secured by farmland
23

 

 
90

 
113

 

 
242,443

 
242,556

 

 
228

One- to four-family residential
204

 
387

 
4,390

 
4,981

 

 
531,344

 
536,325

 
1,285

 
4,935

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer secured by one- to four-family
133

 
28

 
91

 
252

 

 
249,777

 
250,029

 

 
659

Consumer—other
272

 
315

 
101

 
688

 
312

 
140,376

 
141,376

 
11

 
130

Total
$
2,966

 
$
2,083

 
$
11,588

 
$
16,637

 
$
5,409

 
$
4,350,548

 
$
4,372,594

 
$
1,301

 
$
13,623


 
December 31, 2014
 
30-59 Days
Past Due
 
60-89 Days
Past Due
 
90 Days or More
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 
Purchased Credit-Impaired
 
Current
 
Total Loans
 
Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Accruing
 
Non-accrual
Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owner-occupied
$

 
$
1,984

 
$

 
$
1,984

 
$

 
$
544,799

 
$
546,783

 
$

 
$
1,132

Investment properties
639

 

 

 
639

 

 
856,303

 
856,942

 

 

Multifamily real estate

 

 

 

 

 
167,524

 
167,524

 

 

Commercial construction

 

 

 

 

 
17,337

 
17,337

 

 
1,275

Multifamily construction

 

 

 

 

 
60,193

 
60,193

 

 

One-to-four-family construction
840

 

 

 
840

 

 
219,049

 
219,889

 

 

Land and land development:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
759

 

 
750

 
1,509

 

 
100,926

 
102,435

 

 

Commercial

 

 

 

 

 
11,152

 
11,152

 

 

Commercial business
775

 
35

 
100

 
910

 

 
723,054

 
723,964

 

 
537

Agricultural business, including secured by farmland
597

 
466

 
744

 
1,807

 

 
236,692

 
238,499

 

 
1,597

One-to four-family residential
877

 
1,623

 
7,526

 
10,026

 

 
529,868

 
539,894

 
2,095

 
8,834

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer secured by one- to four-family
59

 
60

 
139

 
258

 

 
221,947

 
222,205

 
79

 
1,187

Consumer—other
491

 
88

 
293

 
872

 

 
126,131

 
127,003

 

 

Total
$
5,037

 
$
4,256

 
$
9,552

 
$
18,845

 
$

 
$
3,814,975

 
$
3,833,820

 
$
2,174

 
$
14,562


27


The following tables provide additional information on the allowance for loan losses and loan balances individually and collectively evaluated for impairment at or for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Commercial
Real Estate
 
Multifamily
Real Estate
 
Construction and Land
 
Commercial Business
 
Agricultural Business
 
One- to Four-Family Residential
 
Consumer
 
Unallocated
 
Total
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
18,948

 
$
4,273

 
$
25,415

 
$
13,184

 
$
2,679

 
$
8,542

 
$
780

 
$
3,508

 
$
77,329

Provision for loan losses
317

 
90

 
1,929

 
(235
)
 
(292
)
 
(635
)
 
330

 
(1,504
)
 

Recoveries
375

 

 
282

 
128

 
146

 
42

 
91

 

 
1,064

Charge-offs

 

 
(352
)
 
(312
)
 

 
(12
)
 
(397
)
 

 
(1,073
)
Ending balance
$
19,640

 
$
4,363

 
$
27,274

 
$
12,765

 
$
2,533

 
$
7,937

 
$
804

 
$
2,004

 
$
77,320

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Commercial
Real Estate
 
Multifamily
Real Estate
 
Construction and Land
 
Commercial
Business
 
Agricultural
business
 
One- to Four-Family Residential
 
Consumer
 
Unallocated
 
Total
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
18,784

 
$
4,562

 
$
23,545

 
$
12,043

 
$
2,821

 
$
8,447

 
$
483

 
$
5,222

 
$
75,907

Provision for loan losses
333

 
(312
)
 
2,847

 
664

 
(890
)
 
(524
)
 
1,100

 
(3,218
)
 

Recoveries
587

 
113

 
1,234

 
803

 
1,666

 
141

 
369

 

 
4,913

Charge-offs
(64
)
 

 
(352
)
 
(745
)
 
(1,064
)
 
(127
)
 
(1,148
)
 

 
(3,500
)
Ending balance
$
19,640

 
$
4,363

 
$
27,274

 
$
12,765

 
$
2,533

 
$
7,937

 
$
804

 
$
2,004

 
$
77,320

 
September 30, 2015
 
Commercial
 Real Estate
 
Multifamily
Real Estate
 
Construction and Land
 
Commercial Business
 
Agricultural Business
 
One- to Four-Family Residential
 
Consumer
 
Unallocated
 
Total
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
612

 
$
73

 
$
473

 
$
74

 
$
17

 
$
706

 
$
60

 
$

 
$
2,015

Collectively evaluated for impairment
19,028

 
4,290

 
26,801

 
12,691

 
2,516

 
7,231

 
744

 
2,004

 
75,305

Total allowance for loan losses
$
19,640

 
$
4,363

 
$
27,274

 
$
12,765

 
$
2,533

 
$
7,937

 
$
804

 
$
2,004

 
$
77,320

Loan balances:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
6,182

 
$
361

 
$
6,034

 
$
644

 
$
776

 
$
13,952

 
$
528

 
$

 
$
28,477

Collectively evaluated for impairment
1,690,251

 
198,072

 
484,241

 
811,426

 
241,780

 
522,373

 
390,565

 

 
4,338,708

Purchased credit-impaired loans
1,131

 
441

 
3,525

 

 

 

 
312

 

 
5,409

Total loans
$
1,697,564

 
$
198,874

 
$
493,800

 
$
812,070

 
$
242,556

 
$
536,325

 
$
391,405

 
$

 
$
4,372,594


28



 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Commercial
 Real Estate
 
Multifamily
Real Estate
 
Construction and Land
 
Commercial Business
 
Agricultural Business
 
One- to Four-Family Residential
 
Consumer
 
Unallocated
 
Total
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
18,884

 
$
5,765

 
$
17,837

 
$
12,014

 
$
2,824

 
$
9,270

 
$
748

 
$
6,968

 
$
74,310

Provision for loan losses
527

 
(853
)
 
2,858

 
490

 
(339
)
 
(38
)
 
603

 
(3,248
)
 

Recoveries
94

 

 
84

 
256

 
587

 
143

 
53

 

 
1,217

Charge-offs

 
(20
)
 

 
(83
)
 
(125
)
 
(239
)
 
(729
)
 

 
(1,196
)
Ending balance
$
19,505

 
$
4,892

 
$
20,779

 
$
12,677

 
$
2,947

 
$
9,136

 
$
675

 
$
3,720

 
$
74,331

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Commercial
 Real Estate
 
Multifamily
Real Estate
 
Construction and Land
 
Commercial
Business
 
Agricultural
business
 
One- to Four-Family Residential
 
Consumer
 
Unallocated
 
Total
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
16,759

 
$
5,306

 
$
17,640

 
$
11,773

 
$
2,841

 
$
11,486

 
$
1,335

 
$
7,118

 
$
74,258

Provision for loan losses
3,321

 
(394
)
 
2,558

 
1,150

 
(1,017
)
 
(2,253
)
 
33

 
(3,398
)
 

Recoveries
664

 

 
788

 
835

 
1,248

 
535

 
393

 

 
4,463

Charge-offs
(1,239
)
 
(20
)
 
(207
)
 
(1,081
)
 
(125
)
 
(632
)
 
(1,086
)
 

 
(4,390
)
Ending balance
$
19,505

 
$
4,892

 
$
20,779

 
$
12,677

 
$
2,947

 
$
9,136

 
$
675

 
$
3,720

 
$
74,331


 
September 30, 2014
 
Commercial
Real Estate
 
Multifamily
Real Estate
 
Construction and Land
 
Commercial Business
 
Agricultural Business
 
One- to Four-Family Residential
 
Consumer
 
Unallocated
 
Total
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
755

 
$
91

 
$
1,269

 
$
103

 
$

 
$
1,143

 
$
58

 
$

 
$
3,419

Collectively evaluated for impairment
18,750

 
4,801

 
19,510

 
12,574

 
2,947

 
7,993

 
617

 
3,720

 
70,912

Total allowance for loan losses
$
19,505

 
$
4,892

 
$
20,779

 
$
12,677

 
$
2,947

 
$
9,136

 
$
675

 
$
3,720

 
$
74,331

Loan balances:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
8,070

 
$
791

 
$
6,643

 
$
880

 
$

 
$
18,890

 
$
649

 
$

 
$
35,923

Collectively evaluated for  impairment
1,392,547

 
183,153

 
374,864

 
727,208

 
240,048

 
508,381

 
344,571

 

 
3,770,772

Total loans
$
1,400,617

 
$
183,944

 
$
381,507

 
$
728,088

 
$
240,048

 
$
527,271

 
$
345,220

 
$

 
$
3,806,695


29


Note 7:  REAL ESTATE OWNED, NET

The following table presents the changes in REO for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
September 30
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
2015

 
2014

 
2015

 
2014

Balance, beginning of the period
$
6,105

 
$
4,388

 
$
3,352

 
$
4,044

Additions from loan foreclosures
1,085

 
135

 
3,226

 
2,837

Additions from acquisitions

 

 
2,525

 

Additions from capitalized costs

 

 
298

 
35

Proceeds from dispositions of REO
(906
)
 
(860
)
 
(3,155
)
 
(3,631
)
Gain on sale of REO
113

 
265

 
333

 
680

Valuation adjustments in the period
(34
)
 

 
(216
)
 
(37
)
Balance, end of the period
$
6,363

 
$
3,928

 
$
6,363

 
$
3,928

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REO properties are recorded at the estimated fair value of the property, less expected selling costs, establishing a new cost basis.  Subsequently, REO properties are carried at the lower of the new cost basis or updated fair market values, based on updated appraisals of the underlying properties, as received.  Valuation allowances on the carrying value of REO may be recognized based on updated appraisals or on management’s authorization to reduce the selling price of a property.

Note 8:  GOODWILL, OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:  At September 30, 2015, intangible assets are comprised of goodwill and core deposit intangibles (CDI) acquired in business combinations. Goodwill represents the excess of the total purchase price paid over the fair value of the assets acquired, net of the fair values of liabilities assumed, and is not amortized but is reviewed annually for impairment. Additions to goodwill during 2015 relate to the Siuslaw acquisition. See Note 4, Business Combinations, for additional information on the acquisition and purchase price allocation.

The Company amortizes CDI over their estimated useful lives and reviews them at least annually for events or circumstances that could impair their value.  The CDI assets shown in the table below represent the value ascribed to the long-term deposit relationships acquired in various bank acquisitions. The additions in the table below relate to the Branch Acquisition in 2014 and the acquisition of Siuslaw in 2015.  These intangible assets are being amortized using an accelerated method over estimated useful lives of three to eight years.  The CDI assets are not estimated to have a significant residual value.

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s goodwill and other intangibles for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 
Goodwill
 
CDI
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2013
$

 
$
2,449

 
$
2,449

Additions through acquisitions

 
2,372

 
2,372

Amortization
 
 
(1,990
)
 
(1,990
)
Balance, December 31, 2014

 
2,831

 
2,831

Additions through acquisitions
21,148

 
3,895

 
25,043

Amortization
 
 
(1,269
)
 
(1,269
)
Balance, September 30, 2015
$
21,148

 
$
5,457

 
$
26,605


30



The following table presents the estimated amortization expense with respect to intangibles for the periods indicated (in thousands):
 
 
CDI
Remainder of 2015
 
$
257

2016
 
944

2017
 
872

2018
 
809

2019
 
746

Thereafter
 
1,829

 
 
$
5,457


Mortgage Servicing Rights:  Mortgage servicing rights are reported in other assets. Mortgage servicing rights are initially recorded 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, which is recognized in servicing fee income on the consolidated statement of operations.   However, if the fair value is greater than the amortized cost, the amount above the amortized cost is not recognized in the carrying value.  Loans serviced for others totaled $2.225 billion and $1.391 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  Custodial accounts maintained in connection with this servicing totaled $13.6 million and $6.7 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

An analysis of our mortgage servicing rights, net of valuation allowances, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is presented below (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
September 30
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
2015

 
2014

 
2015

 
2014

Balance, beginning of the period
$
12,329

 
$
8,481

 
$
9,030

 
$
8,086

Additions—amounts capitalized
1,360

 
846

 
4,052

 
2,215

Additions—acquired through business combinations

 

 
2,172

 

Amortization (1)
(810
)
 
(543
)
 
(2,375
)
 
(1,517
)
Valuation adjustments in the period

 

 

 

Balance, end of the period (2)
$
12,879

 
$
8,784

 
$
12,879

 
$
8,784


(1) 
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights is recorded as a reduction of loan servicing income and any unamortized balance is fully written off if the loan repays in full.
(2) 
There was no valuation allowance as of September 30, 2015 and 2014.


31


Note 9:  DEPOSITS AND RETAIL REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

Deposits consisted of the following at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015

 
December 31, 2014

Non-interest-bearing accounts
$
1,561,516

 
$
1,298,866

Interest-bearing checking
482,530

 
439,480

Regular savings accounts
1,030,177

 
901,142

Money market accounts
582,769

 
488,946

Total transaction and saving accounts
3,656,992

 
3,128,434

Certificates of deposit
730,661

 
770,516

Total deposits
$
4,387,653

 
$
3,898,950

Included in total deposits:
 

 
 

Public fund transaction accounts
$
123,260

 
$
102,854

Public fund interest-bearing certificates
27,791

 
35,346

Total public deposits
$
151,051

 
$
138,200

Total brokered deposits
$
10,095

 
$
4,799


Certificate of deposit accounts by total balance at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015

 
December 31, 2014

Certificates of deposit less than or equal to the FDIC insured limit of $250,000
$
602,025

 
$
633,345

Certificates of deposit greater than the FDIC insured limit of $250,000
128,636

 
137,171

Total certificates of deposit
$
730,661

 
$
770,516


Scheduled maturities and repricing of certificate accounts at September 30, 2015 were as follows (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015

Certificates which mature or reprice:
 
Within one year or less
$
556,134

After one year through two years
94,104

After two years through three years
38,416

After three years through four years
17,295

After four years through five years
21,386

After five years
3,326

Total certificates of deposit
$
730,661

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In addition to deposits, the banks also offer retail repurchase agreements which are customer funds that are primarily associated with sweep account arrangements tied to transaction deposit accounts.  While the banks include these collateralized borrowings in other borrowings reported in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, these accounts primarily represent customer utilization of our cash management services and related deposit accounts.

The following table presents retail repurchase agreement balances as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015

 
December 31, 2014

Retail repurchase agreements
$
88,083

 
$
77,185



32


Note 10:  FAIR VALUE ACCOUNTING AND MEASUREMENT

The following table presents estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, whether or not measured at fair value in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.  (in thousands):
 
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Level
 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
1
 
$
135,239

 
$
135,239

 
$
126,072

 
$
126,072

Securities—trading
2,3
 
37,515

 
37,515

 
40,258

 
40,258

Securities—available-for-sale
2
 
418,254

 
418,254

 
411,021

 
411,021

Securities—held-to-maturity
3
 
132,150

 
138,255

 
131,258

 
137,608

Loans held for sale
2
 
3,136

 
3,189

 
2,786

 
2,807

Loans receivable
3
 
4,369,458

 
4,246,945

 
3,831,034

 
3,722,179

FHLB stock
3
 
6,767

 
6,767

 
27,036

 
27,036

Bank-owned life insurance
1
 
71,842

 
71,842

 
63,759

 
63,759

Mortgage servicing rights
3
 
12,879

 
17,060

 
9,030

 
12,987

Derivatives:
 
 


 


 


 


Interest rate lock commitments
2
 
752

 
752

 
317

 
317

Interest rate swaps
2
 
9,647

 
9,647

 
6,290

 
6,290

Liabilities:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Demand, interest checking and money market accounts
2
 
2,626,815

 
2,367,704

 
2,227,292

 
1,998,649

Regular savings
2
 
1,030,177

 
899,521

 
901,142

 
784,006

Certificates of deposit
2
 
730,661

 
723,739

 
770,516

 
764,549

FHLB advances
2
 
16,435

 
16,435

 
32,250

 
32,250

Other borrowings
2
 
88,083

 
88,083

 
77,185

 
77,185

Junior subordinated debentures
3
 
85,183

 
85,183

 
78,001

 
78,001

Derivatives:
 
 


 


 


 


Interest rate forward sales commitments
2
 
369

 
369

 
198

 
198

Interest rate swaps
2
 
9,647

 
9,647

 
6,290

 
6,290


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). GAAP (ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements) establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. Among other things, the accounting standard requires the reporting entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s estimates for market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments. An active market is a market in which transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. A quoted price in an active market provides the most reliable evidence of fair value and shall be used to measure fair value whenever available.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than Level 1 including quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments, quoted prices in less active markets for identical or similar instruments, or other observable inputs that can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity for financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation; also includes observable inputs from non-binding single dealer quotes not corroborated by observable market data.

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 certain financial instruments. This lack of uniform valuation methodologies also introduces a greater degree of subjectivity to these estimated fair values. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to occur at the end of the reporting period.


33


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 September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities—trading
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government and agency
$

 
$
1,389

 
$

 
$
1,389

Municipal bonds

 
1,418

 

 
1,418

Corporate Bonds (Trust Preferred Securities)

 

 
18,340

 
18,340

Mortgage-backed or related securities

 
16,313

 

 
16,313

Equity securities

 
55

 

 
55

 

 
19,175

 
18,340

 
37,515

Securities—available-for-sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government and agency

 
11,992

 

 
11,992

Municipal bonds

 
67,657

 

 
67,657

Corporate bonds

 
5,022

 

 
5,022

Mortgage-backed or related securities

 
302,800

 

 
302,800

Asset-backed securities

 
30,783

 

 
30,783

 

 
418,254

 

 
418,254

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate lock commitments

 
752

 

 
752

Interest rate swaps

 
9,647

 

 
9,647

 
$

 
$
447,828

 
$
18,340

 
$
466,168

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advances from FHLB
$

 
$
16,435

 
$

 
$
16,435

Junior subordinated debentures, net of unamortized deferred issuance costs

 

 
85,183

 
85,183

Derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate sales forward commitments

 
369

 

 
369

Interest rate swaps

 
9,647

 

 
9,647

 
$

 
$
26,451

 
$
85,183

 
$
111,634



34


 
December 31, 2014
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities—trading
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government and agency
$

 
$
1,505

 
$

 
$
1,505

Municipal bonds

 
1,440

 

 
1,440

Corporate Bonds (TPS and TRUP CDOs)

 

 
19,118

 
19,118

Mortgage-backed or related securities

 
18,136

 

 
18,136

Equity securities

 
59

 

 
59

 

 
21,140

 
19,118

 
40,258

Securities—available-for-sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government and agency

 
29,770

 

 
29,770

Municipal bonds

 
50,028

 

 
50,028

Corporate bonds

 
5,018

 

 
5,018

Mortgage-backed or related securities

 
300,810

 

 
300,810

Asset-backed securities

 
25,395

 

 
25,395

 

 
411,021

 

 
411,021

Derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate lock commitments

 
317

 

 
317

Interest rate swaps

 
6,290

 

 
6,290

 
$

 
$
438,768

 
$
19,118

 
$
457,886

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advances from FHLB
$

 
$
32,250

 
$

 
$
32,250

Junior subordinated debentures, net of unamortized deferred issuance costs

 

 
78,001

 
78,001

Derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate sales forward commitments, net

 
198

 

 
198

Interest rate swaps

 
6,290

 

 
6,290

 
$

 
$
38,738

 
$
78,001

 
$
116,739


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

Cash and Cash Equivalents:  The carrying amount of these items is a reasonable estimate of their fair value.

Securities: The estimated fair values of investment 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 TPS and TRUP CDO securities, 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.

Loans Receivable:  Fair values are estimated first by stratifying the portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics.  Loans are segregated by type such as multifamily real estate, residential mortgage, nonresidential mortgage, commercial/agricultural, consumer and other.  Each loan category is further segmented into fixed- and adjustable-rate interest terms. A preliminary estimate of fair value is then calculated based on discounted cash flows using as a discount rate the current rate offered on similar products, plus an adjustment for liquidity to reflect the non-homogeneous nature of the loans.  The preliminary estimate is then further reduced by the amount of the allowance for loan losses to arrive at a final estimate of fair value.  Fair value for impaired loans is also based on recent appraisals or estimated cash flows discounted using rates commensurate with risk associated with the estimated cash flows.  Assumptions regarding credit risk, cash flows and discount rates are judgmentally determined using available market information and specific borrower information.

FHLB Stock:  The fair value is based upon the redemption value of the stock which equates to its carrying value.

Bank-owned Life Insurance: The fair value of BOLI policies owned is based on the various insurance contracts' cash surrender value.


35


Mortgage Servicing Rights: Fair values are estimated based on an independent dealer analysis of discounted cash flows.  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 mortgage 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. 

Deposits: The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as savings and checking accounts, is estimated by applying decay rate assumptions to segregated portfolios of similar deposit types to generate cash flows which are then discounted using short-term market interest rates.  The market value of certificates of deposit is based upon the discounted value of contractual cash flows.  The discount rate is determined using the rates currently offered on comparable instruments.

FHLB Advances:  Fair valuations for Banner’s FHLB advances are estimated using fair market values provided by the lender, the FHLB of Des Moines.  The FHLB of Des Moines prices advances by discounting the future contractual cash flows for individual advances using its current cost of funds curve to provide the discount rate.

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 credit concerns in the capital markets and inactivity in the trust preferred markets that have limited the observability of market spreads, we have classified this as a Level 3 fair value measure.

Other Borrowings: Other borrowings include securities sold under agreements to repurchase and occasionally federal funds purchased and their carrying amount is considered a reasonable approximation of their fair value.

Derivatives:  Derivatives include interest rate swap agreements, interest rate lock commitments to originate loans held for sale and forward sales contracts to sell loans and securities related to mortgage banking activities. 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.

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 September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.  Although management is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the reported estimated fair value amounts, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since that date and, 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 qualitative information about the unobservable inputs for certain of the Company's assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 and measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Rate
Financial Instruments
 
Valuation Techniques
 
Unobservable Inputs
 
September 30, 2015

 
December 31, 2014

TPS securities
 
Discounted cash flows
 
Discount rate
 
5.33
%
 
5.26
%
TRUP CDOs
 
Discounted cash flows
 
Discount rate
 
n/a

 
3.96

Junior subordinated debentures
 
Discounted cash flows
 
Discount rate
 
5.33

 
5.26

Impaired loans
 
Collateral Valuations
 
Market values
 
n/a

 
n/a

REO
 
Appraisals
 
Market values
 
n/a

 
n/a


TPS and TRUP CDOs: Management believes that the credit risk-adjusted spread used to develop the discount rate utilized in the fair value measurement of TPS and TRUP CDOs 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 and TRUP CDOs 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

36


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 September 30, 2015, or the passage of time, will result in negative fair value adjustments. At September 30, 2015, the discount rate utilized was based on a credit spread of 500 basis points and three-month LIBOR of 33 basis points.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the assets and liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) on a recurring basis during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2015
 
September 30, 2015
 
Level 3 Fair Value Inputs
 
Level 3 Fair Value Inputs
 
TPS and TRUP CDOs
 
Borrowings—Junior Subordinated Debentures
 
TPS and TRUP
CDOs
 
Borrowings—
Junior
Subordinated
Debentures
Beginning balance
$
12,571

 
$
84,694

 
$
19,119

 
$
78,001

Total gains or losses recognized
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets gains (losses), including OTTI
(596
)
 

 
1,475

 

Liabilities losses

 
489

 

 
1,223

Purchases, issuances and settlements, including the Siuslaw acquisition
6,338

 

 
6,338

 
5,959

Sales, maturities and paydowns, net of discount amortization
27

 

 
(8,592
)
 

Ending balance at September 30, 2015
$
18,340

 
$
85,183

 
$
18,340

 
$
85,183

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
 
Level 3 Fair Value Inputs
 
Level 3 Fair Value Inputs
 
TPS and TRUP CDOs
 
Borrowings—Junior Subordinated Debentures
 
TPS and TRUP
CDOs
 
Borrowings—
Junior
Subordinated
Debentures
Beginning balance
$
38,529

 
$
77,313

 
$
35,140

 
$
73,928

Total gains or losses recognized
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets gains, including OTTI
1,969

 

 
5,389

 

Liabilities losses

 
311

 

 
3,696

Sales, maturities and paydowns, net of discount amortization
(11,485
)
 

 
(11,516
)
 

Ending balance at September 30, 2014
$
29,013

 
$
77,624

 
$
29,013

 
$
77,624


The Company has elected to continue to recognize the interest income and dividends from the securities reclassified to fair value as a component of interest income as was done in prior years when they were classified as available-for-sale.  Interest expense related to the FHLB advances and junior subordinated debentures continues to be measured based on contractual interest rates and reported in interest expense.  The change in fair market value of these financial instruments has been recorded as a component of other operating income.


37


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

The following tables present financial assets 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 September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 
At or For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Impaired loans
$

 
$

 
$
5,272

 
$
5,272

REO

 

 
6,363

 
6,363

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At or For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Impaired loans
$

 
$

 
$
4,725

 
$
4,725

REO

 

 
3,352

 
3,352


The following table presents the losses resulting from nonrecurring fair value adjustments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Impaired loans
 
$
(600
)
 
$
(150
)
 
$
(916
)
 
$
(2,828
)
REO
 
(34
)
 
(25
)
 
(244
)
 
(458
)
Total loss from nonrecurring measurements
 
$
(634
)
 
$
(175
)
 
$
(1,160
)
 
$
(3,286
)

Impaired loans: 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. If this practical expedient is used, the impaired loans are considered to be held at fair value. Subsequent changes in the value of impaired loans are included 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. Impaired loans are periodically evaluated to determine if valuation adjustments, or partial write-downs, should be recorded. The need for valuation adjustments arises when observable market prices or current appraised values of collateral indicate a shortfall in collateral value compared to current carrying values of the related loan. If the Company determines that the value of the impaired loan is less than the carrying value of the loan, the Company either establishes an impairment reserve as a specific component of the allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL) or charges off the impaired amount. These valuation adjustments are considered non-recurring fair value adjustments. The remaining impaired loans are evaluated for reserve needs in homogenous pools within the Company’s ALLL methodology.

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 to operations.

Note 11:  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 bases 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

38


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 September 30, 2015, the Company had an insignificant amount of unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions, none of which would materially affect the effective tax rate if recognized. The Company does not anticipate that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease in the next twelve months. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits in the income tax expense. The Company files consolidated income tax returns in U.S. federal jurisdiction and in the Oregon and Idaho state jurisdictions. The tax years which remain subject to examination by the taxing authorities are the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011.

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 in accordance with ASU 2014-01 and has applied that standard to all prior periods presented. Under this ASU, the cost of tax credit investments is amortized 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.

The following table presents the balances of the Company’s tax credit investments and related unfunded commitments at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015

 
December 31, 2014

Tax credit investments
$
5,447

 
$
4,858

Unfunded commitments—tax credit investments
1,425

 
2,864


The following table presents other information related to the Company's tax credit investments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
September 30
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
2015

 
2014

 
2015

 
2014

Tax credits and other tax benefits recognized
$
329

 
$
211

 
$
958

 
$
633

Tax credit amortization expense included in provision for income taxes
255

 
185

 
745

 
536


Note 12:  CALCULATION OF WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING FOR EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

The following table reconciles basic to diluted weighted shares outstanding used to calculate earnings per share data dollars and shares (in thousands, except per share data):
 
Three Months Ended
September 30
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
2015

 
2014

 
2015

 
2014

Net income
$
12,947

 
$
14,819

 
$
38,329

 
$
42,356

 
 
 


 


 


Basic weighted average shares outstanding
20,755

 
19,373

 
20,418

 
19,353

Plus unvested restricted stock
66

 
47

 
50

 
33

Diluted weighted shares outstanding
20,821

 
19,420

 
20,468

 
19,386

Earnings per common share
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
$
0.62

 
$
0.76

 
$
1.88

 
$
2.19

Diluted
$
0.62

 
$
0.76

 
$
1.87

 
$
2.18


Options to purchase an additional 7,500 shares of common stock were outstanding as of September 30, 2015, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their exercise price was significantly greater than the average market price of common shares which would not dilute earnings per share. Also, as of September 30, 2015, warrants expiring on November 21, 2018, to purchase up to $18.6 million (243,998 shares, post reverse-split) of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise price of the warrants was greater than the average market price of common shares.


39


Note 13:  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company operates the following stock-based compensation plans as approved by its shareholders:
2001 Stock Option Plan (the SOP).
2006 Long Term Incentive Plan.
2012 Restricted Stock and Incentive Bonus Plan.
2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

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 Banner Corporation and its affiliates and linking their personal interests with those of the Company's shareholders. Under these plans the Company currently has outstanding restricted stock share grants, restricted stock unit grants, and stock options.

Stock Option Plans

Under the SOP, Banner reserved 68,571 shares (adjusted for the 2011 reverse stock split) for issuance pursuant to the exercise of stock options to be granted to directors and employees. Authority to grant additional options under the SOP terminated on April 20, 2011. The exercise price of the stock options was set at 100% of the fair market value of the stock price on the date of grant. Options granted vest at a rate of 20% per year from the date of grant and any unexercised incentive stock options will expire 10 years after date of grant or 90 days after employment or service ends.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, there were no grants of stock options. Additionally, there were no significant modifications made to any stock option grants during the period. The fair values of stock options granted are amortized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the grant. There were no stock-based compensation costs related to the SOP for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 or September 30, 2014.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, there were no exercises of stock options. Cash was not used to settle any equity instruments previously granted. The Company issues shares from authorized but unissued shares upon the exercise of stock options. The Company does not currently expect to repurchase shares from any source to satisfy such obligations under the SOP.

2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan

In June 2006, the Board of Directors adopted the Banner Corporation 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan effective July 1, 2006. The plan is an account-based type of benefit, the value of which is directly related to changes in the value of Company common stock, dividends declared on Company common stock and changes in Banner Bank’s average earnings rate, and is considered a stock appreciation right (SAR). Each SAR entitles the holder to receive cash upon vesting, equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of maturity of the SAR over the fair market value of such share on the date granted. The primary objective of the plan is to create a retention incentive by allowing officers who remain with the Company or the Banks for a sufficient period of time to share in the increases in the value of Company stock.

The Company re-measures the fair value of SARs each reporting period until the award is settled and recognizes changes in fair value and vesting in compensation expense. The Company recognized a net reversal of compensation expense of $103,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to a net reversal of compensation expense of $122,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. These reversals of compensation expense were due to variations in the market value of Banner stock.

As of September 30, 2015, all SAR awards have been settled and there was no remaining liability for SARs.

2012 Restricted Stock and Incentive Bonus Plan

Under the 2012 Restricted Stock and Incentive Bonus Plan (2012 Restricted Stock Plan), which was initially approved on April 24, 2012, the Company is authorized to issue up to 300,000 shares of its common stock to provide a means for attracting and retaining highly skilled officers of Banner Corporation and its affiliates. Shares granted under the 2012 Restricted Stock Plan have a minimum vesting period of three years. The 2012 Restricted Stock Plan will continue in effect for a term of ten years, after which no further awards may be granted.

The 2012 Restricted Stock Plan was amended on April 23, 2013 to provide for the ability to grant (1) cash-denominated incentive-based awards payable in cash or common stock, including those that are eligible to qualify as qualified performance-based compensation for the purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code and (2) restricted stock awards that qualify as qualified performance-based compensation for the purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. Vesting requirements may include time-based conditions, performance-based conditions, or market-based conditions.

As of September 30, 2015, the Company had granted 299,830 shares of restricted stock from the 2012 Restricted Stock Plan (as amended and restated), of which 149,085 shares had vested and 150,745 shares remain unvested.


40


2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan

The 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the 2014 Plan) was approved by shareholders on April 22, 2014. The 2014 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, other stock-based awards and other cash awards, and provides for vesting requirements which may include time-based or performance-based conditions. The Company has reserved 900,000 shares of its common stock for issuance under the 2014 Plan in connection with the exercise of awards. As of September 30, 2015, 65,103 restricted stock shares and 7,331 restricted stock units have been granted under the 2014 Plan of which 9,352 restricted stock shares have vested.

The expense associated with all restricted stock grants (including restricted stock shares and restricted stock units) was $831,000 and $2.5 million for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and $710,000 and $1.8 million for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Unrecognized compensation expense for these awards as of September 30, 2015 was $5.3 million and will be amortized over the next 30 months.

Note 14:  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Lease Commitments — The Company leases 67 sites under non-cancelable operating leases. The leases contain various provisions for increases in rental rates, based either on changes in the published Consumer Price Index or a predetermined escalation schedule. Substantially all of the leases provide the Company with the option to extend the lease term one or more times following expiration of the initial term.

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 customers.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, commitments related to standby letters of credit, commitments to originate loans, commitments to sell loans, commitments to buy and 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 recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

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.

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
 
September 30, 2015

 
December 31, 2014

Commitments to extend credit
$
1,475,664

 
$
1,166,165

Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees
9,476

 
9,934

Commitments to originate loans
39,326

 
20,988

 
 
 
 
Derivatives also included in Note 15:
 
 
 
Commitments to originate loans held for sale
69,651

 
29,851

Commitments to sell loans secured by one- to four-family residential properties
28,830

 
8,714

Commitments to sell securities related to mortgage banking activities
40,500

 
25,000


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. The type of 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 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 customer. The Company 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 required a lock extension. The cost of a lock extension at times was borne by the customer and at times by the Bank. These lock extension costs have not had a material impact to our operations. In 2012, the Company also began entering 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

41


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 in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 or September 30, 2014. Market risk with respect to forward contracts arises principally from changes in the value of contractual positions due to changes in interest rates. We limit our exposure to market risk by monitoring differences between commitments to customers and forward contracts with market investors and securities broker/dealers. In the event we have 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.

Legal Proceedings — 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. The 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 Company holds a security interest. Based on information known to management at this time, the Company is not a party to any legal proceedings that management believes would have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or consolidated financial position at September 30, 2015.

NOTE 15: DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING

The Company, through its Banner Bank subsidiary, is party to various derivative instruments that are used for asset and liability management and customer 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 obtains dealer quotations to value its derivative contracts.

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 customer 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.

Derivatives Designated in Hedge Relationships

The Company's fixed rate loans result in exposure to losses in value or net interest income as interest rates change. The risk management objective for hedging fixed rate loans is to effectively convert the fixed rate received to a floating rate. The Company has hedged exposure to changes in the fair value of certain fixed rate loans through the use of interest rate swaps. For a qualifying fair value hedge, changes in the value of the derivatives are recognized in current period earnings along with the corresponding changes in the fair value of the designated hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged.

In a program brought to Banner Bank through its merger with F&M Bank in 2007, customers received fixed interest rate commercial loans and Banner Bank subsequently hedged that fixed rate loan by entering into an interest rate swap with a dealer counterparty. Banner Bank receives fixed rate payments from the customers on the loans and makes similar fixed rate payments to the dealer counterparty on the swaps in exchange for variable rate payments based on the one-month LIBOR index. Some of these interest rate swaps are designated as fair value hedges. Through application of the “short cut method of accounting,” there is an assumption that the hedges are effective. Banner Bank discontinued originating interest rate swaps under this program in 2008.
 
As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the notional values or contractual amounts and fair values of the Company's derivatives designated in hedge relationships were as follows (in thousands):
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (1)
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (1)
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (2)
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (2)
Interest rate swaps
$
6,825

 
$
1,090

 
$
7,089

 
$
1,165

 
$
6,825

 
$
1,090

 
$
7,089

 
$
1,165


(1) 
Included in Loans receivable on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
(2) 
Included in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Derivatives Not Designated in Hedge Relationships

Interest Rate Swaps. Banner Bank uses an interest rate swap program for commercial loan customers 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. Banner Bank

42


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 free standing derivative.

Mortgage Banking. In the normal course of business, the Company sells originated 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 rate lock commitments with potential borrowers to originate loans that are intended to be sold and for closed loans that are awaiting sale and delivery into the secondary market.

Written loan commitments that relate to the origination of mortgage loans that will be held for resale are considered free-standing derivatives and do not qualify for hedge accounting. Written loan commitments generally have a term of up to 60 days before the closing of the loan. The loan commitment does not bind the potential borrower to enter into the loan, nor does it guarantee that the Company will approve the potential borrower for the loan. Therefore, when determining fair value, the Company makes estimates of expected “fallout” (loan commitments not expected to close), using models which consider cumulative historical fallout rates, current market interest rates and other factors.

Written loan commitments in which the borrower has locked in an interest rate results in market risk to the Company to the extent market interest rates change from the rate quoted to the borrower. The Company economically hedges the risk of changing interest rates associated with its interest rate lock commitments by entering into forward sales contracts.

Mortgage loans which are held for sale are subject to changes in fair value due to fluctuations in interest rates from the loan's closing date through the date of sale of the loans into the secondary market. Typically, the fair value of these loans declines when interest rates increase and rises when interest rates decrease. To mitigate this risk, the Company enters into forward sales contracts on a significant portion of these loans to provide an economic hedge against those changes in fair value. Mortgage loans held for sale and the forward sales contracts are recorded at fair value with changes in value recorded in current earnings within mortgage banking operations on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the notional values or contractual amounts and fair values of the Company's derivatives not designated in hedge relationships were as follows (in thousands):
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (1)
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (1)
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (2)
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (2)
Interest rate swaps
$
159,826

 
$
8,557

 
$
134,512

 
$
5,125

 
$
159,826

 
$
8,557

 
$
134,512

 
$
5,125

Mortgage loan commitments
41,449

 
753

 
29,311

 
317

 
28,202

 
126

 

 

Forward sales contracts
28,202

 
126

 

 

 
40,500

 
369

 
33,174

 
198

 
$
229,477

 
$
9,436

 
$
163,823

 
$
5,442

 
$
228,528

 
$
9,052

 
$
167,686

 
$
5,323


(1) 
Included in Other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, with the exception of those interest rate swaps from prior to 2009 that were not designated in hedge relationships (with a fair value of $421,000 at September 30, 2015 and $558,000 at December 31, 2014), which are included in Loans receivable.
(2) 
Included in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Gains (losses) recognized in income on non-designated hedging instruments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
Location on Consolidated
Statements of Operations
 
2015

 
2014

 
2015

 
2014

Mortgage loan commitments
Mortgage banking operations
 
$
442

 
$
(243
)
 
$
475

 
$
148

Forward sales contracts
Mortgage banking operations
 
(665
)
 
224

 
(209
)
 
(42
)
 
 
 
$
(223
)
 
$
(19
)
 
$
266

 
$
106


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 Banner Bank and the dealer counterparties, the agreements contain a provision where if Banner Bank fails to maintain its status as a well/adequately capitalized institution, then the counterparty could terminate the derivative positions and Banner Bank would be required to settle its obligations. Similarly, Banner 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 Banner Bank to maintain a specific capital level. If Banner Bank had breached any of these provisions at September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at the termination value. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the termination value of derivatives in a net liability position related to these agreements was $9.6 million and $6.3 million, respectively. The Company generally posts collateral against derivative liabilities in the form of government agency-issued bonds, mortgage-backed securities, or commercial mortgage-backed securities. Collateral posted against derivative liabilities was $13.9 million and $11.1 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Derivative assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet and do not take into account the effects of master netting agreements. 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.

The following table illustrates the potential effect of the Company's derivative master netting arrangements, by type of financial instrument, on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts of Financial Instruments Not Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
 
 
 
Gross Amounts Recognized
 
Amounts offset
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
 
Net Amounts
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
 
Netting Adjustment Per Applicable Master Netting Agreements
 
Fair Value
of Financial Collateral
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
 
Net Amount
Derivative assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$
9,647

 
$

 
$
9,647

 
$

 
$

 
$
9,647

 
$
9,647

 
$

 
$
9,647

 
$

 
$

 
$
9,647

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$
9,647

 
$

 
$
9,647

 
$

 
$
(9,647
)
 
$

 
$
9,647

 
$

 
$
9,647

 
$

 
$
(9,647
)
 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts of Financial Instruments Not Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
 
 
 
Gross Amounts Recognized
 
Amounts offset
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
 
Net Amounts
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
 
Netting Adjustment Per Applicable Master Netting Agreements
 
Fair Value
of Financial Collateral
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
 
Net Amount
Derivative assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$
6,290

 
$

 
$
6,290

 
$
(6
)
 
$

 
$
6,284

 
$
6,290

 
$

 
$
6,290

 
$
(6
)
 
$

 
$
6,284

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$
6,290

 
$

 
$
6,290

 
$
(6
)
 
$
(6,279
)
 
$
5

 
$
6,290

 
$

 
$
6,290

 
$
(6
)
 
$
(6,279
)
 
$
5



44


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

Executive Overview

We are a bank holding company incorporated in the State of Washington which owns two subsidiary banks, Banner Bank and Islanders Bank. Banner Bank is a Washington-chartered commercial bank that conducts business from its main office in Walla Walla, Washington and, as of September 30, 2015, its 102 branch offices and nine loan production offices located in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.  Islanders Bank is also a Washington-chartered commercial bank and conducts its business from three locations in San Juan County, Washington.  Banner Corporation is subject to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve Board).  Banner Bank and Islanders Bank (the Banks) are subject to regulation by the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Banks and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the FDIC).  As of September 30, 2015, we had total consolidated assets of $5.3 billion, total loans of $4.4 billion, total deposits of $4.4 billion and total stockholders’ equity of $671 million.

Banner 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.  Islanders Bank is a community bank which offers similar banking services to individuals, businesses and public entities located in the San Juan Islands.  The Banks’ primary business is that of traditional banking institutions, accepting deposits and originating loans in locations surrounding their offices in portions of Washington, Oregon and Idaho.  Banner Bank is also an active participant in the secondary market, engaging in mortgage banking operations largely through the origination and sale of one- to four-family residential loans.  Lending activities include commercial business and commercial real estate loans, agriculture business loans, construction and land development loans, one- to four-family residential loans and consumer loans.

Banner Corporation's successful execution of its strategic plan and operating initiatives continued in the third quarter of 2015, as evidenced by our solid operating results and profitability which resulted in an annualized return on average assets of 0.97% for the quarter and 1.00% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Over the past five years, we have significantly added to our client relationships and account base, as well as substantially improved our risk profile by aggressively managing and reducing our problem assets, which has resulted in stronger and sustainable revenues and lower credit costs, and we believe has positioned the Company well for continued success.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, our net income was $12.9 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, compared to net income of $14.8 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, our net income was $38.3 million, or $1.87 per diluted share, compared to net income of $42.4 million, or $2.18 per diluted share for the same period a year earlier. Our net income for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was significantly impacted by $2.2 million and $7.7 million, respectively, of acquisition-related expenses, which net of related tax benefits reduced earnings per diluted share by $0.07 and $0.27, respectively, for those periods. In addition, in the second quarter of 2014, we recognized a $9.1 million bargain purchase gain related to the acquisition of six branches in southwestern Oregon (the Branch Acquisition), which net of related acquisition expenses contributed $0.25 to diluted income per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Highlights for the current quarter included additional loan growth, additional client acquisition, solid asset quality, and strong revenues from core operations. Compared to the same three and nine-month periods a year ago, we had a significant increase in net interest income as well as substantial increases in deposit fees and service charges and in revenue from mortgage banking. The nine months ended September 30, 2015 was also highlighted by the completion of the acquisition of Siuslaw Financial Group (Siuslaw) and its subsidiary, Siuslaw Bank, expanding our presence in Oregon and complementing our Branch Acquisition. As a result of the Siuslaw acquisition on March 6, 2015, the Company acquired approximately $370 million in total assets, $316 million in deposits, $247 million in loans and more than 8,000 new customer relationships.

Our operating results depend primarily on our net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, consisting primarily of loans and investment securities, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, composed primarily of customer deposits and borrowings. Net interest income is driven by the net interest margin, which is primarily a function of our interest rate spread. Interest rate spread 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. Our net interest income before provision for loan losses increased $5.1 million, or 11%, to $52.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to $47.1 million for the same quarter one year earlier. This increase in net interest income reflects the significant growth in earning assets and increases in interest rate spread and net interest margin which were enhanced by adjustments to the mix of earning assets and continuing reductions in deposit costs. Our interest rate spread increased to 4.12% in the current quarter from 4.06% in the quarter ended September 30, 2014, while our net interest margin increased to 4.14% in the current quarter compared to 4.07% in the same quarter a year earlier.

Our net income also is affected by the level of other operating income, other operating expenses and income tax provisions.  In addition, our net income is affected by the net change in the valuation of certain financial instruments carried at fair value and in certain periods by other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) charges or recoveries and acquisition-related bargain purchase gains and costs.  (See Note 10 of the Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)

Our total other operating income, which includes gains and losses on the sale of securities and changes in the value of financial instruments carried at fair value, was $14.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to $13.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, we recorded a net fair value loss of $1.1 million in valuation adjustments for financial instruments carried at fair value. By contrast, for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, we recorded a net fair value gain of $1.5 million and a $6,000 net gain on the sale of securities. Other operating income excluding the net gain on sale of securities and changes in the fair value of financial

45


instruments, a measure which we believe is more indicative of our core operations, increased 26% to $15.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to $12.1 million for the same quarter a year earlier, as a result of meaningfully increased deposit fees and service charges fueled by growth in non-interest-bearing deposit accounts and substantially increased revenues from our mortgage banking operations.
 
Our total revenues (net interest income before the provision for loan losses plus total other operating income) for the third quarter of 2015 increased $5.7 million to $66.3 million, compared to $60.6 million for the same period a year earlier, as a result of increased net interest income and deposit fees and service charges, as well as increased mortgage banking revenues.  Our total revenues, excluding changes in the fair value of financial instruments and the net gain on sale of securities, which we believe are more indicative of our core operations, also were strong at $67.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, a $8.3 million, or 14% increase, compared to $59.1 million for the same period a year earlier.  

Our other operating expenses increased in the third quarter of 2015 compared to a year earlier largely as a result of acquisition-related expenses, including expenses related to the acquisition of AmericanWest Bank which was completed on October 1, 2015, and the costs associated with 16 branches acquired in June 2014 and March 2015, as well as generally increased salary and employee benefits, and payment and card processing service costs, which were partially offset by an increase in the credit for capitalized loan origination costs and a decrease in advertising and marketing costs.  Other operating expenses were $46.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to $38.5 million for the same quarter a year earlier.

Although loans grew by $566 million to $4.4 billion at September 30, 2015 from September 30, 2014, continued improvement in credit quality metrics and net loan recoveries offset the need for any additional provision to loan loss reserves and the present allowance, representing 1.77% of total loans outstanding at September 30, 2015, remains appropriate. We did not record a provision for loan losses in the three months ended September 30, 2015, which was the eleventh consecutive quarter for which we had no provision for loan losses. Our reserves at September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 were 1.82% and 1.95%, respectively, of total loans outstanding. The allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2015 was $77.3 million, representing 329% of non-performing loans. Non-performing loans, including purchased credit-impaired loans, increased to $23.5 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $23.3 million at June 30, 2015, and increased 19% when compared to $19.8 million a year earlier primarily. (See Note 6, Loans Receivable and the Allowance for Loan Losses, as well as “Asset Quality” below in this Form 10-Q.)

Following the closing of the merger with AmericanWest, Banner’s assets were approximately $9.9 billion. If Banner or Banner Bank’s total assets exceed $10 billion for four consecutive quarters it would be considered a “very large” institution by bank regulators under The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act). As a result, there would be increased scrutiny from regulators, formal capital stress testing requirements, direct examination by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and increased payments for federal deposit insurance. Further, bank holding companies with more than $10 billion in assets as measured at the end of a calendar year are subject to the Durbin Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Act which places limits on the swipe fees that a debit card issuer can charge a merchant for a transaction beginning in July of the following year.

As a result of the above, if Banner Bank’s total assets exceeded $10 billion at December 31, 2015, deposit insurance assessments are likely to increase, as well as expenses related to regulatory compliance, which may be significant. In addition, compliance with the Durbin Amendment would reduce our operating income significantly. We currently believe the impact of the Durbin Amendment on combined interchange service fees for Banner and AmericanWest would reduce our pre-tax operating income by approximately $10.0 million annually. As a result of the adverse consequences, we intend to manage our balance sheet during the fourth quarter of 2015 to limit our use of wholesale funding sources, such as FHLB advances, and reduce lower yielding assets to avoid exceeding $10 billion in assets as of December 31, 2015.

As partial consideration for the merger with AmericanWest, Banner issued 13.23 million shares of common stock and nonvoting common stock. The issuance of the shares upon closing of the merger was a private transaction exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In addition, certain large investors that received unregistered shares were granted rights to demand registration of the shares not earlier than thirty days following closing of the merger. (See risk factors previously disclosed in Part 1, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.)

Non-GAAP financial measures: Other operating income, revenues and other earnings information excluding fair value adjustments, OTTI losses or recoveries, gains or losses on the sale of securities and, in certain periods, acquisition-related bargain purchase gains and costs are non-GAAP financial measures.  Management has presented these and other 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 in understanding our capital position.  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. See “Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014” for more detailed information about our financial performance.


46


The following tables set forth reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures discussed in this report (in thousands):
 
For the Three Months Ended
September 30
 
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30
 
2015

 
2014

 
2015

 
2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total other operating income (GAAP)
$
14,098

 
$
13,535

 
$
43,935

 
$
42,878

Exclude net (gain) loss on sale of securities

 
(6
)
 
537

 
(41
)
Exclude change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value
1,113

 
(1,452
)
 
(735
)
 
(1,662
)
Exclude acquisition bargain purchase gain

 

 

 
(9,079
)
Total other operating income from core operations (non-GAAP)
$
15,211

 
$
12,077

 
$
43,737

 
$
32,096

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income before provision for loan losses
$
52,188

 
$
47,064

 
$
150,181

 
$
133,211

Total other operating income
14,098

 
13,535

 
43,935

 
42,878

Total GAAP revenue
66,286

 
60,599

 
194,116

 
176,089

Exclude net (gain) loss on sale of securities

 
(6
)
 
537

 
(41
)
Exclude change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value
1,113

 
(1,452
)
 
(735
)
 
(1,662
)
Exclude acquisition bargain purchase gain

 

 

 
(9,079
)
Revenue from core operations (non-GAAP)
$
67,399

 
$
59,141

 
$
193,918

 
$
165,307

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before provision for taxes (GAAP)
$
19,589

 
$
22,104

 
$
57,769

 
$
63,577

Exclude net (gain) loss on sale of securities

 
(6
)
 
537

 
(41
)
Exclude change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value
1,113

 
(1,452
)
 
(735
)
 
(1,662
)
Exclude acquisition bargain purchase gain

 

 

 
(9,079
)
Exclude acquisition related costs
2,207

 
(494
)
 
7,741

 
1,530

Income from core operations before provision for taxes (non-GAAP)
$
22,909

 
$
20,152

 
$
65,312

 
$
54,325

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (GAAP)
$
12,947

 
$
14,819

 
$
38,329

 
$
42,356

Exclude net (gain) loss on sale of securities

 
(6
)
 
537

 
(41
)
Exclude change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value
1,113

 
(1,452
)
 
(735
)
 
(1,662
)
Exclude acquisition bargain purchase gain

 

 

 
(9,079
)
Exclude acquisition related costs
2,207

 
(494
)
 
7,741

 
1,530

Exclude related tax expense (benefit)
(1,092
)
 
703

 
(2,165
)
 
3,412

Total earnings from core operations (non-GAAP)
$
15,175

 
$
13,570

 
$
43,707

 
$
36,516

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisition bargain purchase gain
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
9,079

Acquisition-related costs
(2,207
)
 
494

 
(7,741
)
 
(1,530
)
Related tax benefit (expense)
691

 
(178
)
 
2,237

 
(2,799
)
Total net effect of acquisition on earnings
$
(1,516
)
 
$
316

 
$
(5,504
)
 
$
4,750

Diluted weighted shares outstanding
20,821,377

 
19,419,344

 
20,467,609

 
19,385,933

Total net effect of acquisition-related costs and acquisition bargain purchase gain on diluted earnings per share
$
(0.07
)
 
$
0.02

 
$
(0.27
)
 
$
0.25



47


The ratio of tangible common stockholders’ equity to tangible assets is also a non-GAAP financial measure. We calculate tangible common equity by excluding goodwill and other intangible assets from stockholders’ 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).
 
September 30, 2015

 
December 31, 2014

 
September 30, 2014

Stockholders’ equity (GAAP)
$
671,202

 
$
582,888

 
$
573,352

   Exclude goodwill and other intangible assets, net
26,605

 
2,831

 
3,362

Tangible common stockholders’ equity (non-GAAP)
$
644,597

 
$
580,057

 
$
569,990

Total assets (GAAP)
$
5,312,310

 
$
4,723,163

 
$
4,758,683

   Exclude goodwill and other intangible assets, net
26,605

 
2,831

 
3,362

Total tangible assets (non-GAAP)
$
5,285,705

 
$
4,720,332

 
$
4,755,321

Tangible common stockholders’ equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)
12.20
%
 
12.29
%
 
11.99
%

Loans and lending: Loans are our most significant and generally highest yielding earning assets. We attempt to maintain a portfolio of loans in a range of 90% to 95% of total deposits to enhance our revenues, while adhering to sound underwriting practices and appropriate diversification guidelines in order to maintain a moderate risk profile. However, in anticipation of the acquisition of AmericanWest Bank, we allowed our loan-to-deposit ratio to move slightly above this range, as we expect to redeploy a portion of its securities portfolio into loans following the close of that transaction. We offer a wide range of loan products to meet the demands of our customers. Our lending activities are primarily directed toward the origination of real estate and commercial loans. We had $126 million and $539 million of net loan growth in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. Loan growth for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 included meaningful organic growth and $233 million of loans as a result of the Siuslaw acquisition. At September 30, 2015, our net loan portfolio totaled $4.295 billion compared to $3.758 billion at December 31, 2014 and $3.732 billion at September 30, 2014.

Our commercial real estate loans for both owner-occupied and investment properties, including construction and development loans for these types of properties, totaled $1.761 billion, or approximately 40% of our loan portfolio at September 30, 2015. In addition, multifamily residential real estate loans, including construction and development loans for these types of properties, totaled $272 million and comprise approximately 6% of our loan portfolio. While our level of activity and investment in commercial and multifamily real estate loans has been relatively stable for many years, we have experienced an increase in new originations in recent periods resulting in growth in these loan balances. In addition, commercial real estate loans comprised a significant portion of the Siuslaw Bank loan portfolio. Commercial real estate loans increased by $328 million during the first nine months of 2015 and multifamily loans increased by $44 million.

We also originate residential construction, land and land development loans and, although our portfolio balances are well below the peak levels before the financial crisis, in recent years we have experienced increased demand for one- to four-family construction loans and our origination activity has been significant. Outstanding residential construction, land and land development balances increased $35 million, or 11%, to $358 million at September 30, 2015 compared to $322 million at December 31, 2014 and increased $54 million, or 18%, compared to $304 million at September 30, 2014. Still, residential construction, land and land development loans represented only approximately 8% of our total loan portfolio at September 30, 2015.

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. In recent years, our commercial business lending has also included participation in certain national syndicated loans, including shared national credits, which totaled $124 million at September 30, 2015. Reflecting expected seasonal patterns and the expanding Pacific Northwest economy, commercial and agricultural business loans increased $92 million, or 10%, to $1.055 billion at September 30, 2015, compared to $962 million at December 31, 2014, and have increased $86 million, or 9%, compared to $968 million at September 30, 2014. Commercial and agricultural business loans represented approximately 24% of our portfolio at September 30, 2015.

Our residential mortgage loan originations have been relatively strong in recent years, as exceptionally low interest rates have supported demand for loans to refinance existing debt as well as loans to finance home purchases. However, most of the one- to four-family residential mortgage loans that we originate are sold in the secondary markets with net gains on sales and loan servicing fees reflected in our revenues from mortgage banking. At September 30, 2015, our outstanding balances of residential mortgages decreased $4 million, or 1%, to $536 million, compared to $540 million at December 31, 2014, but increased $9 million, or 2%, compared to $527 million at September 30, 2014. One- to four-family residential real estate loans represented 12% of our loan portfolio at September 30, 2015.

Our consumer loan activity is primarily directed at meeting demand from our existing deposit customers. Although demand for consumer loans has continued to be modest in recent years, as we believe many consumers have been focused on reducing their personal debt, we have had reasonable growth in consumer loan balances during the first nine months of this year and compared to a year ago. At September 30, 2015, consumer loans, including consumer loans secured by one- to four-family residences, increased $42 million to $391 million, compared to $349

48


million at December 31, 2014, and increased $46 million compared to $345 million at September 30, 2014, with most of the increase arising from increased usage of home equity lines of credit and the Siuslaw acquisition.

Deposits: Deposits, customer 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. Much of the focus of our branch expansion over many years, including the Branch Acquisition and Siuslaw Bank acquisition, and our current marketing efforts have been directed toward attracting additional deposit customer relationships and balances.  This effort has been particularly directed towards increasing transaction and savings accounts and for the past four years we have been very successful in increasing these core deposit balances. The long-term success of our deposit gathering activities is reflected not only in the growth of deposit balances, but also in increases in the level of deposit fees, service charges and other payment processing revenues compared to prior periods.

Total deposits were $4.388 billion at September 30, 2015, compared to $3.899 billion at December 31, 2014 and $3.991 billion a year ago. The increase in total deposits for the first nine months of the current year largely reflects the acquisition of Siuslaw Bank which added $336 million to deposit totals at September 30, 2015. However, the increase in total deposits compared to December 31, 2014 as well as September 30, 2014 also reflects meaningful organic growth in the total balances and number of client relationships. Non-interest-bearing account balances increased 20% to $1.562 billion at September 30, 2015, compared to $1.299 billion at December 31, 2014, and also increased 20% compared to $1.305 billion a year ago largely as a result of our successful client acquisition strategies and the Siuslaw acquisition (which added $144 million to non-interest bearing deposits). Interest-bearing transaction and savings accounts increased 15% to $2.095 billion at September 30, 2015, compared to $1.830 billion at December 31, 2014 and increased 14% compared to $1.833 billion a year ago, while certificates of deposit decreased 5% to $731 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $771 million at December 31, 2014 and decreased 14% compared to $853 million a year earlier. Core deposits represented 83% of total deposits at September 30, 2015, compared to 79% of total deposits a year earlier.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of 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 Policies

Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 included in the 2014 Form 10-K. Various elements of our 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 our financial statements. These policies relate to (i) the methodology for the recognition of interest income, (ii) determination of the provision and allowance for loan and lease losses, (iii) the valuation of financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, including OTTI losses, (iv) the valuation of intangibles, such as goodwill, core deposit intangibles and mortgage servicing rights, (v) the valuation of or recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and (vi) the application of acquisition accounting standards to acquisition transactions. These policies and judgments, estimates and assumptions are described in greater detail below. Management believes that the judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the financial statements are appropriate based on the factual circumstances at the time.  However, given the sensitivity of the financial statements to these critical accounting policies, the use of other judgments, estimates and assumptions could result in material differences in the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.  Further, subsequent changes in economic or market conditions could have a material impact on these estimates and the Company’s financial condition and operating results in future periods. There have been no significant changes in our application of accounting policies during the first nine months of 2015.

Interest Income: (Note 1) Interest on loans and securities is accrued as earned unless management doubts the collectability of the asset or the unpaid interest. Interest accruals on loans are generally discontinued when loans become 90 days past due for payment of interest and the loans are then placed on nonaccrual status. All previously accrued but uncollected interest is deducted from interest income upon transfer to nonaccrual status. For any future payments collected, interest income is recognized only upon management’s assessment that there is a strong likelihood that the full amount of a loan will be repaid or recovered. A loan may be put on nonaccrual status sooner than this policy would dictate if, in management’s judgment, the amounts owed, principal or interest, may be uncollectable. While less common, similar interest reversal and nonaccrual treatment is applied to investment securities if their ultimate collectability becomes questionable.

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses: (Note 6) The provision for loan losses reflects the amount required to maintain the allowance for losses at an appropriate level based upon management’s evaluation of the adequacy of general and specific loss reserves. We maintain an allowance for loan losses consistent in all material respects with the GAAP guidelines outlined in ASC 450, Contingencies. We have established systematic methodologies for the determination of the adequacy of our 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. We increase our allowance for loan losses by charging provisions for probable loan losses against our income and value impaired loans consistent with the accounting guidelines outlined in ASC 310, Receivables.

The allowance for losses on loans is maintained at a level sufficient to provide for probable losses based on evaluating known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio and upon our continuing analysis of the factors underlying the quality of the loan portfolio. These factors include, among others, 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 collectability 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

49


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 us at the time financial statements are prepared. Although we use the best information available, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary due to economic, operating, regulatory and other conditions beyond our control. The adequacy of general and specific reserves is based on our continuing evaluation of the pertinent factors underlying the quality of the loan portfolio as well as individual review of certain large balance loans. Loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, we determine that it is probable that we 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, the value of the underlying collateral and the 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 included 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. 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 loans and, as appropriate, smaller balance non-homogeneous loans. Larger balance non-homogeneous residential construction and land, commercial real estate, commercial business loans and unsecured loans are individually evaluated for impairment.

Our 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 on an individual loan basis. The level of general loan loss reserves is based on analysis of potential exposures existing in our loan portfolio including evaluation of historical trends, current market conditions and other relevant factors identified by us at the time the financial statements are prepared. The formula allowance is calculated by applying loss factors to outstanding loans, excluding those loans that are subject to individual analysis for specific allowances. Loss factors are based on our historical loss experience adjusted for significant environmental considerations, including the experience of other banking organizations, which in our judgment affect the collectability of the portfolio as of the evaluation date. The unallocated allowance is based upon our 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 Consolidated Financial Statements.

While we believe the estimates and assumptions used in our determination of the adequacy of the allowance are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will not be proven incorrect in the future, or that the actual amount of future provisions will not exceed the amount of past provisions or that any increased provisions that may be required will not adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the determination of the amount of the Banks’ allowance for loan losses is subject to review by bank regulators as part of the routine examination process, which may result in the adjustment of reserves based upon their judgment of information available to them at the time of their examination.

Fair Value Accounting and Measurement: (Note 10) We use fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain financial assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. We include in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements information about the extent to which fair value is used to measure financial assets and liabilities, the valuation methodologies used and the impact on our results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, for financial instruments not recorded at fair value we disclose, where appropriate, our estimate of their fair value. For more information regarding fair value accounting, please refer to Note 10 in the Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report on Form 10-Q.

Goodwill and other Intangible Assets: (Note 8) Goodwill represents the excess of the total purchase price paid over the fair value of the assets acquired, net of the fair values of liabilities assumed, and is not amortized but is reviewed annually for impairment. Other intangible assets consists primarily of core deposit intangibles (CDI), which are amounts recorded in business combinations or deposit purchase transactions related to the value of transaction-related deposits and the value of the customer relationships associated with the deposits. Core deposit intangibles are being amortized on an accelerated basis over a weighted average estimated useful life of eight years. These assets are reviewed at least annually for events or circumstances that could impact their recoverability. These events could include loss of the underlying core deposits, increased competition or adverse changes in the economy. To the extent other identifiable intangible assets are deemed unrecoverable, impairment losses are recorded in other non-interest expense to reduce the carrying amount of the assets.

Mortgage Servicing Rights: (Note 8) Servicing assets are recognized as separate assets when rights are acquired through purchase or through sale of loans. Generally, purchased servicing rights are capitalized at the cost to acquire the rights. For sales of mortgage loans, the value of the servicing right is estimated and capitalized. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts. Capitalized servicing rights are reported in other assets and are amortized into non-interest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets.

Income Taxes and Deferred Taxes:  (Note 11) The Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries file consolidated U.S. federal income tax returns, as well as state income tax returns in Oregon and Idaho. 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 are expected to 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 that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recognized if it is “more likely than not” that all or a portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Business Combinations: (Note 4) Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Under the acquisition method of accounting, assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. Any difference in

50


purchase consideration over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed results in the recognition of goodwill should purchase consideration exceed net estimated fair values, or a bargain purchase gain, should estimated fair values exceed purchase consideration. Expenses incurred in connection with a business combination are expensed as incurred.

Acquired Loans: Purchased loans are recorded at their fair value at the acquisition date. Credit discounts are included in the determination of fair value; therefore, an allowance for loan and lease losses is not recorded at the acquisition date. Acquired loans are evaluated upon acquisition and classified as either purchased credit-impaired or purchased non-credit-impaired. Purchased credit-impaired loans reflect credit deterioration since origination such that it is probable at acquisition that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments.
 
The cash flows expected to be received over the life of the loans were estimated by management. These cash flows were provided to third party analysts to calculate carrying values of the loans, book yields, effective interest income and impairment, if any, based on actual and projected events. Default rates, loss severity, and prepayment speed assumptions will be periodically reassessed to update our expectation of future cash flows. The excess of the cash flows expected to be collected over a loan's carrying value is considered to be the accretable yield and is recognized as interest income over the estimated life of the loan using the effective yield method. The accretable yield may change due to changes in the timing and amounts of expected cash flows. Changes in the accretable yield are disclosed quarterly.

The excess of the undiscounted contractual balances due over the cash flows expected to be collected is considered to be the non-accretable difference. The non-accretable difference represents our estimate of the credit losses expected to occur and was considered in determining the fair value of the loans as of the acquisition date. Subsequent to the acquisition date, any increases in expected cash flows over those expected at purchase date are adjusted through a change to the accretable yield on a prospective basis. Any subsequent decreases in expected cash flows attributable to credit deterioration are recognized by recording a provision for loan losses. The purchased credit-impaired loans acquired are and will continue to be subject to the Company's internal and external credit review and monitoring.

For purchased non-impaired loans, the difference between the fair value and unpaid principal balance of the loan at the acquisition date is amortized or accreted to interest income over the life of the loans.

Comparison of Financial Condition at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014

General.  Total assets increased $589 million, or 12%, to $5.312 billion at September 30, 2015, from $4.723 billion at December 31, 2014.  Net loans receivable (gross loans less deferred fees and discounts, and allowance for loan losses) increased $537 million, or 14%, to $4.295 billion at September 30, 2015, from $3.758 billion at December 31, 2014. A portion of these increases resulted from the Siuslaw acquisition in which we acquired $247 million in loans and $316 million in deposits when the transaction closed on March 6, 2015.

The increase in net loans included increases of $294 million in commercial real estate loans, including $126 million from the Siuslaw acquisition, $31 million in multifamily loans, $30 million in commercial construction loans, $13 million in multifamily construction loans, $27 million in one- to four-family construction loans, $13 million in land and land development loans, $88 million in commercial business loans, including $27 million from the Siuslaw acquisition, $4 million in agricultural business loans and $42 million in consumer loans, partially offset by a decrease of $4 million in one- to four-family residential loans. The increase in commercial real estate loans included $205 million for investment properties and $88 million for owner-occupied properties.

The aggregate balance of interest-earning deposits and securities increased $11 million from December 31, 2014 to $648 million at September 30, 2015, largely as a result of the Siuslaw acquisition. Our total investment in securities increased $5 million to $588 million at September 30, 2015, while interest-earning deposits increased $6 million to $61 million at September 30, 2015. Securities purchases during the nine-month period were modest and were less than sales, paydowns and maturities. Purchases were primarily mortgage-backed securities and intermediate-term taxable and tax-exempt municipal securities. Securities sales were also modest although we did sell substantially all of the securities acquired in the Siuslaw acquisition. The average effective duration of Banner's securities portfolio was approximately 3.0 years at September 30, 2015. Net fair value adjustments to the portfolio of securities held for trading, which are included in net income, were an increase of $1.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015. In addition, fair value adjustments for securities designated as available-for-sale reflected an increase of $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, which was included net of the associated tax expense of $738,000 as a component of other comprehensive income and largely occurred as a result of modestly decreased market interest rates. (See Note 10 of the Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q.)

REO increased $3.0 million, to $6.4 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $3.4 million at December 31, 2014, primarily as a result of properties acquired in the Siuslaw acquisition. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we transferred $3.2 million of loans into REO, acquired $2.5 million of REO from Siuslaw, capitalized costs of $298,000, recorded $216,000 of negative valuation adjustments, and disposed of $3.2 million of REO properties, recognizing $333,000 in net gains related to those sales. (See Note 7 of the Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q and the “Asset Quality” discussion below).

Deposits increased $489 million, or 13%, to $4.388 billion at September 30, 2015 from $3.899 billion at December 31, 2014, largely as a result of the Siuslaw acquisition, which accounted for $336 million of the increase. Non-interest-bearing deposits increased by $263 million, or 20%, to $1.562 billion at September 30, 2015, compared to $1.299 billion at December 31, 2014, and also increased by 20% compared to a year earlier. Interest-bearing transaction and savings accounts increased by $266 million, or 15%, to $2.095 billion at September 30, 2015 from $1.830 billion at December 31, 2014 and increased by 14% compared to a year earlier. Certificates of deposit decreased $40 million, or 5%, to $731 million at September 30, 2015 from $771 million at December 31, 2014, and decreased by 14% compared to a year earlier.


51


FHLB advances decreased to $16 million at September 30, 2015 from $32 million at December 31, 2014, as we used our excess liquidity to repay maturing FHLB advances. Other borrowings, consisting of retail repurchase agreements primarily related to customer cash management accounts, increased $11 million, or 14%, to $88 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $77 million at December 31, 2014. A junior subordinated debenture with a fair value of $6 million was acquired in the Siuslaw acquisition in the quarter ended March 31, 2015. No additional junior subordinated debentures were issued or matured during the nine months ended September 30, 2015; however, in addition to the acquisition of the junior subordinated debenture in the Siuslaw transaction, the estimated fair value of these instruments increased by $1.2 million. Junior subordinated debentures totaled $85 million at September 30, 2015 compared to $78 million at December 31, 2014. For more information, see Notes 9 and 10 of the Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Total stockholders' equity increased $88 million, or 15%, to $671 million at September 30, 2015 compared to $583 million at December 31, 2014. The increase in equity primarily reflects the common shares issued in the Siuslaw acquisition and the year-to-date net income, reduced by payment of dividends to common stockholders. In addition, there was an improvement of $1.2 million in accumulated other comprehensive income representing an unrealized gain, net of tax, on securities available-for-sale. Tangible common stockholders' equity, which excludes intangible assets, increased $65 million to $645 million, or 12.20% of tangible assets at September 30, 2015, compared to $580 million, or 12.29% of tangible assets at December 31, 2014. In the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we did not have any repurchases of our common stock as part of the publicly announced repurchase plan, but 6,214 shares were surrendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock grants.

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, net income was $12.9 million, or $0.62 per diluted share. This compares to net income of $14.8 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, net income was $38.3 million, or $1.87 per diluted share. This compares to net income of $42.4 million, or $2.18 per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Our net income for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was significantly impacted by $2.2 million and $7.7 million, respectively, of acquisition-related expenses, which net of related tax benefits reduced earnings per diluted share by $0.07 and $0.27, respectively, for those periods. In addition, in the nine months ended September 30, 2014, net income was significantly augmented by the $9.1 million bargain purchase gain ($5.8 million net of income tax) realized from the Branch Acquisition, which net of related expenses added $0.25 per diluted share to earnings for the period.

As expected, our current quarter and nine month operating results continued to be influenced by very low levels of market interest rates which continued to exert pressure on asset yields, but also supported solid loan demand, strong housing markets and increased mortgage origination activity. Nonetheless, substantial growth in earning assets as well as changes in the asset mix and further reductions in funding costs combined to offset this yield pressure, resulting in meaningfully increased net interest income compared to the same periods a year ago. In addition, credit costs remained low and deposit fees and other payment processing revenues increased compared to a year earlier reflecting significant growth in client relationships, including growth as a result of the Branch Acquisition and the Siuslaw merger, and mortgage banking revenues were also substantially increased. As a result, net income for the current quarter and nine months was solid, representing further progress on our strategic priorities and initiatives, and produced an annualized return on average assets of 0.97% for the current quarter and 1.00% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015..

Net Interest Income. Net interest income before provision for loan losses increased by $5.1 million, or 11%, to $52.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to $47.1 million for the same quarter one year earlier, as a significant increase of $421 million in the average balance of interest-earning assets combined with a modest increase in the net interest margin produced strong growth for this key source of revenue. The net interest margin of 4.14% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 was seven basis points higher than for the same quarter in the prior year. The increase in the net interest margin compared to a year earlier reflects changes in the mix of earning assets and modest reductions in deposit and funding costs, which were generally sufficient to offset the impact of persistently low market interest rates on earning asset yields. The accretion of discounts on the loans acquired in the Siuslaw merger contributed an additional three basis points to the net interest margin which offset the three basis point reduction in the net interest margin from nonaccrual loans in the quarter ended September 30, 2015. Nonaccrual loans also reduced the net interest margin by two basis points in the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

The net interest spread increased to 4.12% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 compared to 4.06% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. Reflecting changes in the asset mix and the acquisition accounting discount accretion, the yield on interest-earning assets for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 was 4.34%, an increase of three basis points compared to the same quarter a year earlier. By contrast, funding costs were modestly lower, especially deposit costs which decreased three basis points to 0.16% from 0.19% a year earlier, leading to a decrease of three basis points for all funding liabilities to 0.22% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 compared to 0.25% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

Net interest income before provision for loan losses increased by $17.0 million, or 13%, to $150.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $133.2 million for the same period one year earlier, as a result of a $467 million increase in average interest-earning assets and a seven basis point increase in the net interest margin. The net interest margin increased to 4.14% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to 4.07% for the same period in the prior year and, similar to the results for the current quarter, this increase compared to a year earlier was primarily a result of changes in asset mix, modestly lower credit costs, the acquisition accounting discount accretion and lower funding costs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the accretion of discounts on the loans acquired in the Siuslaw merger added two basis points to the net interest margin, while nonaccrual loans reduced the margin by two basis points. Nonaccrual loans reduced the net interest margin by two basis points in the nine months ended September 30, 2014.


52


Interest Income. Interest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 was $54.8 million, compared to $49.8 million for the same quarter in the prior year, an increase of $5.0 million, or 10%.  The increase in interest income occurred primarily as a result of an increase in the average balances of interest-earning assets enhanced by an increase in the average yield. The average balance of interest-earning assets was $5.006 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, an increase of $421 million, or 9%, compared to $4.585 billion one year earlier. The yield on average interest-earning assets increased to 4.34% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to 4.31% for the same quarter one year earlier. The increase in the yield on earning assets reflects an asset mix that included proportionately more loans and fewer securities than a year earlier and occurred despite a five basis point reduction in the average yield on loans. Average loans receivable for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 increased $480 million, or 13%, to $4.314 billion, compared to $3.834 billion for the same quarter in the prior year. Interest income on loans increased by $5.3 million, or 11%, to $51.7 million for the current quarter from $46.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, reflecting the impact of the increase in average loan balances partially offset by the negative five basis point change in the average yield on loans.  The average yield on loans was 4.76% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to 4.81% for the same quarter one year earlier. The acquisition accounting discount accretion added two basis points to the current quarter loan yield.

The combined average balance of mortgage-backed securities, other investment securities, daily interest-bearing deposits and FHLB stock (total investment securities or combined portfolio) decreased to $692 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 (excluding the effect of fair value adjustments), compared to $751 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014; and the interest and dividend income from those investments decreased by $224,000 compared to the same quarter in the prior year. The average yield on the combined portfolio increased slightly to 1.74% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, from 1.73% for the same quarter one year earlier. The yield on the combined portfolio benefited from a $25 million reduction in the average balance of FHLB stock which had a very low dividend yield in both periods as well as other modest mix changes.

Interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $157.9 million, compared to $141.4 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $16.5 million, or 12%. As with quarterly results, the year-to-date results reflect a $467 million, or 11%, increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets as well as a four basis point increase in the yield on interest-earning assets also driven by changes in the asset mix as a result of strong loan growth. The average balance of loans receivable for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 increased by $506 million to $4.140 billion compared to $3.634 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, while the average yield decreased to 4.82% compared to 4.84% for the same period a year earlier. Interest income on loans was $149.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, an increase of 14% compared to $131.4 million for the first nine months of 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the average balance of total investment securities decreased to $709 million compared to $747 million for the same period a year earlier, while the average yield on the portfolio decreased to 1.65% compared to 1.78% in the same period in the prior year. As a result, year to date net interest income on total investment securities decreased to $8.7 million compared to $10.0 million a year earlier.

Interest Expense. Interest expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 was $2.6 million, compared to $2.7 million for the same quarter in the prior year, a decrease of $95,000, or 4%. The decrease in interest expense occurred as a result of a three basis point decrease in the average cost of all funding liabilities to 0.22% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, from 0.25% for the same quarter one year earlier, generally offset by a $382 million increase in average funding liabilities. The increase in average funding liabilities reflects a significant increase in core deposits, including non-interest-bearing accounts, and increases in other borrowings which are primarily retail repurchase agreements with deposit customers, partially offset by a continued decline in the average balance of certificates of deposit compared to one year ago. A substantial portion of the increase in core deposits was a result of the Siuslaw Bank merger, although compared to a year earlier the increase also reflects meaningful client acquisition and organic account growth. Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $7.8 million and $8.2 million, respectively, and similar to quarterly results, the reduction is reflective of a decrease of four basis points in the average rate paid for all funding liabilities, partially offset by an increase in their average balances over that time period.

Deposit interest expense decreased $165,000, or 9%, to $1.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to $1.9 million for the same quarter in the prior year, as a result of a three basis point decrease in the cost of deposits. Average deposit balances increased to $4.380 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, from $3.995 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, while the average rate paid on deposit balances decreased to 0.16% in the third quarter of 2015 from 0.19% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. The cost of interest-bearing deposits decreased by four basis points to 0.24% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 compared to 0.28% in the same quarter a year earlier. Significantly contributing to the decrease in total deposit costs was a $281 million increase in the average balances of non-interest-bearing accounts. Deposit costs are significantly affected by changes in the level of market interest rates; however, changes in the average rate paid for interest-bearing deposits frequently tend to lag changes in market interest rates as evidenced by the continuing decline in our deposit costs despite relatively stable short-term market interest rates over the past twelve months. Further, continuing changes in our deposit mix, especially growth in lower cost transaction and savings accounts, in particular non-interest-bearing deposits, have meaningfully contributed to the decrease in our funding costs compared to earlier periods.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, deposit interest expense decreased $536,000 to $5.2 million compared to $5.8 million for the same period one year ago. Similar to the quarter, average deposit costs decreased by three basis points and the average balance of deposits increased $456 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same period one year ago.

Average FHLB advances (excluding the effect of fair value adjustments) were $2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to $23 million for the same quarter one year earlier, although the average rate paid on FHLB advances for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 increased to 0.96% from 0.35% for the same quarter one year earlier. The increase in the average rate reflects the repayment of low rate short-term advances with only a small amount of higher rate longer-term advances remaining outstanding as of September 30, 2015. Interest expense on FHLB advances decreased to $4,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 from $20,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, interest expense on FHLB advances decreased by $86,000 to $24,000 compared to $110,000 for

53


the same period in the prior year. Average FHLB advances excluding the effect of fair value adjustments decreased $40 million to $6 million over that same time period compared to $47 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The average rate paid on FHLB advances increased 19 basis points to 0.50% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 0.31% for the same period a year ago, again reflecting the repayment of short-term advances.

Other borrowings consist primarily of retail repurchase agreements with deposits customers secured by certain investment securities. The average balance for other borrowings increased $10 million to $93 million during the current quarter from $82 million during the same quarter a year earlier, while the rate on other borrowings decreased to 0.20% from 0.21% a year earlier. As a result, interest expense for other borrowings increased to $47,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to $43,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the average balance for other borrowings increased $6 million to $92 million compared to $86 million during the same period a year earlier, while the rate on other borrowings decreased one basis point to 0.20% from 0.21%.

Junior subordinated debentures which were issued in connection with our issuance of trust preferred securities had an average balance of $132 million (excluding the effect of fair value adjustments) and an average cost of 2.45% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to an average balance of $124 million and an average cost of 2.35% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. Both the average balance and average cost of these borrowings increased slightly compared to the same period a year earlier as a result of an $8 million junior subordinated debenture acquired in the Siuslaw acquisition. Junior subordinated debentures outstanding had an average balance of $130 million (excluding the effect of fair value adjustments) and an average cost of 2.42% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to an average balance of $124 million and average cost of 2.36% for the same period in the prior year. The junior subordinated debentures are adjustable-rate instruments with repricing frequencies of three months based upon the three-month LIBOR index.


54


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):
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Average Balance
 
Interest and Dividends
 
Yield/
   Cost (3)
 
Average Balance
 
Interest and Dividends
 
Yield/
   Cost (3)
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage loans
$
3,200,184

 
$
39,504

 
4.90
%
 
$
2,787,519

 
$
34,944

 
4.97
%
Commercial/agricultural loans
984,159

 
10,273

 
4.14

 
928,171

 
9,710

 
4.15

Consumer and other loans
129,496

 
1,972

 
6.04

 
118,317

 
1,842

 
6.18

Total loans (1)
4,313,839

 
51,749

 
4.76

 
3,834,007

 
46,496

 
4.81

Mortgage-backed securities
314,941

 
1,307

 
1.65

 
340,999

 
1,459

 
1.70

Other securities
261,580

 
1,638

 
2.48

 
294,402

 
1,740

 
2.34

Interest-bearing deposits with banks
109,445

 
97

 
0.35

 
85,090

 
61

 
0.28

FHLB stock
6,180

 
2

 
0.13

 
30,961

 
8

 
0.10

Total investment securities
692,146

 
3,044

 
1.74

 
751,452

 
3,268

 
1.73

Total interest-earning assets
5,005,985

 
54,793

 
4.34

 
4,585,459

 
49,764

 
4.31

Non-interest-earning assets
276,761

 
 
 
 
 
213,045

 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
5,282,746

 
 
 
 
 
$
4,798,504

 
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing checking accounts
$
477,105

 
95

 
0.08

 
$
433,884

 
88

 
0.08

Savings accounts
1,019,059

 
381

 
0.15

 
881,225

 
334

 
0.15

Money market accounts
574,968

 
229

 
0.16

 
509,881

 
203

 
0.16

Certificates of deposit
749,702

 
1,033

 
0.55

 
892,094

 
1,278

 
0.57

Total interest-bearing deposits
2,820,834

 
1,738

 
0.24

 
2,717,084

 
1,903

 
0.28

Non-interest-bearing deposits
1,559,053

 

 

 
1,278,367

 

 

Total deposits
4,379,887

 
1,738

 
0.16

 
3,995,451

 
1,903

 
0.19

Other interest-bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLB advances
1,660

 
4

 
0.96

 
22,646

 
20

 
0.35

Other borrowings
92,550

 
47

 
0.20

 
82,362

 
43

 
0.21

Junior subordinated debentures
131,964

 
816

 
2.45

 
123,716

 
734

 
2.35

Total borrowings
226,174

 
867

 
1.52

 
228,724

 
797

 
1.38

Total funding liabilities
4,606,061

 
2,605

 
0.22

 
4,224,175

 
2,700

 
0.25

Other non-interest-bearing liabilities (2)
6,731

 
 
 
 
 
2,026

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities
4,612,792

 
 
 
 
 
4,226,201

 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity
669,954

 
 
 
 
 
572,303

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
5,282,746

 
 
 
 
 
$
4,798,504

 
 
 
 
Net interest income/rate spread
 
 
$
52,188

 
4.12
%
 
 
 
$
47,064

 
4.06
%
Net interest margin
 
 
 
 
4.14
%
 
 
 
 
 
4.07
%
Additional Key Financial Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets
 
 
 
 
0.97
%
 
 
 
 
 
1.23
%
Return on average equity
 
 
 
 
7.67

 
 
 
 
 
10.27

Average equity / average assets
 
 
 
 
12.68

 
 
 
 
 
11.93

Average interest-earning assets / average interest-bearing liabilities
 
 
 
 
164.29

 
 
 
 
 
155.66

Average interest-earning assets / average funding liabilities
 
 
 
 
108.68

 
 
 
 
 
108.55

Non-interest (other operating) income / average assets
 
 
 
 
1.06

 
 
 
 
 
1.12

Non-interest (other operating) expense / average assets
 
 
 
 
3.51

 
 
 
 
 
3.18

Efficiency ratio (4)
 
 
 
 
70.45

 
 
 
 
 
63.52

(1) 
Average balances include loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis and 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 FHLB advances and junior subordinated debentures.
(3) 
Yields and costs have not been adjusted for the effect of tax-exempt interest.
(4) 
Other operating expense divided by the total of net interest income (before provision for loan losses) and other operating income (non-interest income).

55


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest and Dividends
 
Yield/
Cost (3)
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest and Dividends
 
Yield/
Cost (3)
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage loans
$
3,069,745

 
$
113,707

 
4.95
%
 
$
2,636,614

 
$
98,447

 
4.99
%
Commercial/agricultural loans
943,999

 
29,750

 
4.21

 
883,242

 
27,656

 
4.19

Consumer and other loans
126,245

 
5,735

 
6.07

 
114,134

 
5,336

 
6.25

Total loans (1)
4,139,989

 
149,192

 
4.82

 
3,633,990

 
131,439

 
4.84

Mortgage-backed securities
309,503

 
3,609

 
1.56

 
347,657

 
4,376

 
1.68

Other securities
262,560

 
4,859

 
2.47

 
300,361

 
5,421

 
2.41

Interest-bearing deposits with banks
120,013

 
259

 
0.29

 
66,208

 
148

 
0.30

FHLB stock
16,599

 
20

 
0.16

 
33,041

 
26

 
0.11

Total investment securities
708,675

 
8,747

 
1.65

 
747,267

 
9,971

 
1.78

Total interest-earning assets
4,848,664

 
157,939

 
4.36

 
4,381,257

 
141,410

 
4.32

Non-interest-earning assets
259,641

 
 
 
 
 
203,432

 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
5,108,305

 
 
 
 
 
$
4,584,689

 
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing checking accounts
$
468,211

 
284

 
0.08

 
$
427,032

 
259

 
0.08

Savings accounts
979,627

 
1,091

 
0.15

 
842,424

 
968

 
0.15

Money market accounts
556,831

 
657

 
0.16

 
448,742

 
575

 
0.17

Certificates of deposit
763,339

 
3,208

 
0.56

 
899,112

 
3,974

 
0.59

Total interest-bearing deposits
2,768,008

 
5,240

 
0.25

 
2,617,310

 
5,776

 
0.30

Non-interest-bearing deposits
1,460,859

 

 

 
1,155,896

 

 

Total deposits
4,228,867

 
5,240

 
0.17

 
3,773,206

 
5,776

 
0.20

Other interest-bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLB advances
6,473

 
24

 
0.50

 
46,780

 
110

 
0.31

Other borrowings
92,377

 
137

 
0.20

 
86,170

 
133

 
0.21

Junior subordinated debentures
130,030

 
2,357

 
2.42

 
123,716

 
2,180

 
2.36

Total borrowings
228,880

 
2,518

 
1.47

 
256,666

 
2,423

 
1.26

Total funding liabilities
4,457,747

 
7,758

 
0.23

 
4,029,872

 
8,199

 
0.27

Other non-interest-bearing liabilities (2)
4,275

 
 
 
 
 
(3,040
)
 
 
 
 
Total liabilities
4,462,022

 
 
 
 
 
4,026,832

 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity
646,283

 
 
 
 
 
557,857

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
5,108,305

 
 
 
 
 
$
4,584,689

 
 
 
 
Net interest income/rate spread
 
 
$
150,181

 
4.13
%
 
 
 
$
133,211

 
4.05
%
Net interest margin
 
 
 
 
4.14
%
 
 
 
 
 
4.07
%
Additional Key Financial Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets
 
 
 
 
1.00
%
 
 
 
 
 
1.24
%
Return on average equity
 
 
 
 
7.93

 
 
 
 
 
10.15

Average equity / average assets
 
 
 
 
12.65

 
 
 
 
 
12.17

Average interest-earning assets / average interest-bearing liabilities
 
 
 
 
161.79

 
 
 
 
 
152.45

Average interest-earning assets / average funding liabilities
 
 
 
 
108.77

 
 
 
 
 
108.72

Non-interest (other operating) income / average assets
 
 
 
 
1.15

 
 
 
 
 
1.25

Non-interest (other operating) expense / average assets
 
 
 
 
3.57

 
 
 
 
 
3.28

Efficiency ratio (4)
 
 
 
 
70.24

 
 
 
 
 
63.89

(1) 
Average balances include loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis and 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 FHLB advances and junior subordinated debentures.
(3) 
Yields and costs have not been adjusted for the effect of tax-exempt interest.
(4) 
Other operating expense divided by the total of net interest income (before provision for loan losses) and other operating income (non-interest income).


56


Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses.

The need to record a provision for loan losses due to continuing strong loan performance was offset by improvement in credit quality metrics and net recoveries year-to-date. At September 30, 2015 the allowance for loan losses was 1.77% of total loans outstanding and we did not record a provision for loan losses in either the three or nine months ended September 30, 2015. Similarly, we did not record a provision in either the three or nine months ended September 30, 2014. As discussed in the Summary of Critical Accounting Policies section above and in Note 1 of the Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q, the provision and allowance for loan losses is one of the most critical accounting estimates included in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

The provision for loan losses reflects the amount required to maintain the allowance for losses at an appropriate level based upon management’s evaluation of the adequacy of general and specific loss reserves, trends in delinquencies and net charge-offs and current economic conditions. While our credit quality indicators remained solid and we recorded significant net recoveries, eliminating the need for a provision for loan losses for the first nine months of 2015, we continue to maintain a substantial allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2015 reflecting growth in the portfolio and lingering uncertainty in the economy.

Net charge-offs were $9,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 compared to net recoveries of $21,000 for the same quarter in the prior year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, net recoveries were $1.4 million compared to $73,000 for the first nine months of 2014. Non-performing loans, including purchased credit-impaired loans were $24 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $17 million at December 31, 2014 and $20 million at September 30, 2014. A comparison of the allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2015 and 2014 reflects an increase of $3 million to $77 million at September 30, 2015, from $74 million at September 30, 2014. Included in our allowance at September 30, 2015 was an unallocated portion of $2 million, which is based upon our evaluation of various factors that are not directly measured in the determination of the formula and specific allowances. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans (loans receivable including loans acquired in business combinations carried at fair value) decreased to 1.77% at September 30, 2015, from 1.95% at September 30, 2014. The allowance as a percentage of non-performing loans, including purchased credit-impaired loans, decreased to 329% at September 30, 2015, compared to 376% one year ago.

As of September 30, 2015, we had identified $39 million of impaired loans. Impaired loans are comprised of loans on nonaccrual, TDRs that are performing under their restructured terms and loans that are 90 days or more past due, but are still on accrual. Impaired loans may be evaluated for reserve purposes using either a specific impairment analysis or collectively evaluated as part of homogeneous pools. For more information on these impaired loans, refer to Note 6 of the Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Loans Receivable and the Allowance for Loan Losses, and Note 10, Fair Value Accounting and Measurement, in this Form 10-Q.

We believe that the allowance for loan losses as of September 30, 2015 was adequate to absorb the known and inherent risks of loss in the loan portfolio at that date. While we believe the estimates and assumptions used in our determination of the adequacy of the allowance are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these estimates and assumptions will not be proven incorrect in the future, or that the actual amount of future provisions will not exceed the amount of past provisions or that any increased provisions that may be required will not adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the determination of the amount of the allowance for loan losses is subject to review by bank regulators as part of the routine examination process, which may result in the establishment of additional reserves based upon their judgment of information available to them at the time of their examination.

Other Operating Income. Other operating income, which includes changes in the valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value, net gain or loss on sale of securities, and non-interest revenues from core operations, was $14.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to $13.5 million for the same quarter in the prior year. Our other operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2015 included a $1.1 million net loss for fair value adjustments. The net fair value adjustment principally related to a valuation adjustment for a trust preferred security secured by our own junior subordinated debentures, which was purchased from a third party during the quarter at a substantial discount but subsequently valued at a lower amount, as well as normal adjustments to the fair value of other trust preferred securities owned and our issued junior subordinated debentures. By contrast, during the quarter ended September 30, 2014, fair value adjustments resulted in a net gain of $1.5 million. For a more detailed discussion of our fair value adjustments, please refer to Note 10 in the Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q.

Other operating income including changes in the valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value and net gain or loss on sale of securities was $43.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $42.9 million for the same period in the prior year, which in addition included the Branch Acquisition bargain purchase gain. Our other operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 included fair value adjustments resulting in a net gain of $735,000 and a net loss on the sale of securities of $537,000, compared to fair value adjustments resulting in a net gain of $1.7 million, a net gain on the sale of securities of $41,000 and the Branch Acquisition bargain purchase gain of $9.1 million during the same period one year ago.

Excluding the fair value adjustments, net gain or loss on sale of securities and the Branch Acquisition bargain purchase gain, other operating income from core operations increased by $3.1 million, or 26%, to $15.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to $12.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, largely as a result of increased revenues from deposit fees and other service charges and increased mortgage banking income. Deposit fees and other service charges increased by $1.5 million, or 18%, compared to the third quarter a year ago reflecting growth in the number of deposit accounts, increased transaction activity and our decision to change our debit and credit card relationship to MasterCard®. Mortgage banking revenues increased by $1.6 million reflecting increased mortgage refinancing activity, as well as a strong home purchase market and our increased market presence as a result of additions to our production staff.


57


Excluding the fair value adjustments, net gain or loss on sale of securities and the Branch Acquisition bargain purchase gain, other operating income from core operations increased by $11.6 million, or 36%, to $43.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $32.1 million for the same period in the prior year. Deposit fees and service charges increased by $5.2 million, or 23%, to $27.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $22.2 million for the first nine months of the prior year, while revenues from mortgage banking operations increased by $6.0 million to $13.2 million, nearly double the amount recorded in the first nine months of the prior year.

Other Operating Expenses. Other operating expenses increased by $8.2 million, to $46.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to $38.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, largely as a result of acquisition-related expenses and the costs associated with operating the ten Siuslaw Bank branches acquired in March 2015, as well as generally increased salary and employee benefit costs, payment and card processing expenses, and occupancy and equipment expenses, which were partially offset by an increase in the credit for capitalized loan origination costs. Acquisition-related costs for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, were $2.2 million, including $300,000 related to the Siuslaw acquisition and $1.9 million related to the AmericanWest acquisition, compared to a recovery of $494,000 in the same quarter one year ago. We anticipate incurring $20 million to $25 million in additional acquisition-related costs during the fourth quarter of 2015 and approximately $10 million to $15 million in acquisition-related costs during the first quarter of 2016 related to the AmercanWest acquisition due to data processing conversion expenses and the consolidation of branch offices.

Salary and employee benefits expense increased $4.1 million, or 18%, to $27.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to $23.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, in part reflecting the incremental staffing associated with the Siuslaw acquisition. The increased expense also was the result of general salary and wage adjustments and increased incentive compensation accruals, health insurance and other benefit costs and mortgage banking commissions related to the ongoing operations of the rest of the Company.

Partially offsetting the increase in compensation, the credit for capitalized loan origination costs increased by $543,000 compared to the same quarter a year earlier reflecting increased loan production. Payment and card processing expenses increased $967,000, or 30%, compared to the same period one year earlier, reflecting increased transactions as a result of the significant growth in core deposit accounts. Advertising and marketing expenses decreased $495,000, or 20%, to $2.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to $2.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, which was higher than normal as a result of increased direct mail and media advertising and expenditures for in-store promotional materials following the Branch Acquisition. Occupancy expense increased $651,000, or 11%, to $6.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to $5.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, in large part reflecting the additional branch locations from the Siuslaw acquisition, but also as a result of increased depreciation expense related to computer hardware and software upgrades and building repair and maintenance expenses. Information and computer data services increased $88,000, or 4%. The net credit from REO operations was $2,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 compared to a net credit of $190,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. Professional services expense, excluding those that were acquisition-related, was $167,000, or 21%, higher than in the prior year.

Other operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 increased $23.8 million, or 21%, to $136.3 million, compared to $112.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Acquisition-related costs added $7.7 million to other operating expenses in the first nine months of this year, including $1.8 million related to the Siuslaw acquisition and $5.9 million related to the AmericanWest acquisition, compared to $1.5 million in the same period last year. Salary and employee benefits expense increased $11.6 million, or 17%, to $78.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $66.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, again reflecting the additional staffing associated with the acquired branches, including the six locations associated with the Branch Acquisition and the ten Siuslaw Bank branches, as well as salary and wage adjustments and mortgage commissions and other benefit costs. In addition, the credit for capitalized loan origination costs increased by $1.7 million compared to the same nine-month period a year earlier. Reflecting the significant growth in core deposits, expenses for payment and card processing increased by $2.5 million, or 29%, to $10.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $8.5 million for the same period in the prior year. Advertising and marketing increased $889,000, or 18%, to $5.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $4.9 million in the same period in the prior year. Occupancy and equipment expenses increased $1.8 million, or 10%, to $18.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $17.1 million in the same period last year primarily as a result of the additional branches. Information and computer data services expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 increased $760,000, or 13%, compared to the same period one year ago while business and use taxes increased $361,000, or 35%, over the same periods. REO operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 resulted in a net charge of $190,000, compared to a net credit of $260,000 for the same prior-year period, an increase of $450,000, and included $216,000 of valuation adjustments and $333,000 of net gains on the sale of properties. Partially offsetting those increases was a $411,000, or (14%), decrease in professional services, excluding those related to acquisitions, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period last year.

Income Taxes. In the quarter ended September 30, 2015, we recognized $6.6 million in income tax expense for an effective tax rate of 33.9%, which reflects our normal statutory tax rate increased by the effect of certain non-deductible merger expenses and reduced by the effect of tax-exempt income and certain tax credits. Our normal, expected statutory income tax rate is 36.4%, representing a blend of the statutory federal income tax rate of 35.0% and apportioned effects of the 7.6% Oregon and 7.4% Idaho income tax rates. For the quarter ended September 30, 2014, we recognized $7.3 million in income tax expense for an effective tax rate of 33.0%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recognized $19.4 million in income tax expense for an effective tax rate of 33.7%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recognized $21.2 million in income tax expense for an effective tax rate of 33.4%. For more discussion on our income taxes, please refer to Note 11 in the Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report on Form 10-Q.

Asset Quality

Achieving and 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. As a result, our non-performing assets

58


declined substantially in recent years, although our non-performing assets increased modestly during the most recent nine months as a result of $9.2 million ($x.x million net of purchase accounting discounts) of purchased credit-impaired loans and $2.5 million of real estate owned acquired in the Siuslaw acquisition. While these assets acquired in the merger transaction have been recorded at fair values, including appropriate present value discounting of expected cash flows which can be interpreted as converting the loans to performing status, we have chosen to include them in our non-performing asset totals and related credit metrics to present a more complete representation of our asset quality. In addition to the discounts associated with the loans acquired in business combinations, our reserve levels are substantial and, as a result of our impairment analysis and charge-off actions, reflect current appraisals and valuation estimates. While our non-performing assets and credit costs have been materially reduced compared to past periods, we continue to be actively engaged with our borrowers in resolving remaining problem assets and with the effective management of real estate owned as a result of foreclosures.

Non-Performing Assets:  Non-performing assets increased to $30 million, or 0.56% of total assets, at September 30, 2015, from $20 million, or 0.43% of total assets, at December 31, 2014, and $24 million, or 0.50% of total assets, at September 30, 2014. Our allowance for loan losses was $77 million, or 1.77% of total loans and 329% of non-performing loans at September 30, 2015, compared to $76 million, or 1.98% of total loans and 454% of non-performing loans at December 31, 2014.  We believe our level of non-performing loans and assets, which increased modestly primarily as a result of the Siuslaw merger, is manageable and continue to believe that we have sufficient capital and human resources to manage the collection of our non-performing assets in an orderly fashion. The primary components of the $30 million in non-performing assets were $14 million in nonaccrual loans, $10 million in loans more than 90 days delinquent and still accruing interest, and $6 million in REO.

Loans are reported as restructured when we grant concessions to a borrower experiencing financial difficulties that we would not otherwise consider.  As a result of these concessions, restructured loans or TDRs are impaired as the Banks will not collect all amounts due, both principal and interest, in accordance with the terms of the original loan agreement.  If any restructured loan becomes delinquent or other matters call into question the borrower's ability to repay full interest and principal in accordance with the restructured terms, the restructured loan(s) would be reclassified as nonaccrual.  At September 30, 2015, we had $24 million of restructured loans currently performing under their restructured terms.


59


The following table sets forth information with respect to our non-performing assets and restructured loans at the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015

 
December 31, 2014

 
September 30, 2014

Nonaccrual Loans: (1)(2)
 
 
 
 
 
Secured by real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
3,899

 
$
1,132

 
$
2,701

Multifamily

 

 
397

Construction and land
2,793

 
1,275

 
1,285

One- to four-family
4,934

 
8,834

 
8,615

Commercial business
980

 
537

 
1,037

Agricultural business, including secured by farmland
228

 
1,597

 
229

Consumer
789

 
1,187

 
1,138

 
13,623

 
14,562

 
15,402

Loans more than 90 days delinquent, still on accrual:(3)
 

 
 

 
 

Secured by real estate:
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial
1,808

 

 
993

Multifamily
556

 

 

Construction and land
5,792

 

 

One- to four-family
1,285

 
2,095

 
2,777

Commercial business
5

 

 
301

Consumer
461

 
79

 
306

 
9,907

 
2,174

 
4,377

Total non-performing loans
23,530

 
16,736

 
19,779

REO, net (4)
6,363

 
3,352

 
3,928

Other repossessed assets held for sale

 
76

 
69

Total non-performing assets
$
29,893

 
$
20,164

 
$
23,776

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total non-performing loans to loans before allowance for loan losses
0.54
%
 
0.44
%
 
0.52
%
Total non-performing loans to total assets
0.44
%
 
0.35
%
 
0.42
%
Total non-performing assets to total assets
0.56
%
 
0.43
%
 
0.50
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restructured loans (5)
$
23,981

 
$
29,154

 
$
30,387

 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans 30-89 days past due and on accrual
$
4,152

 
$
8,387

 
$
6,925


(1) 
Includes $2.1 million of nonaccrual restructured loans at September 30, 2015.
(2) 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, $742,000 in interest income would have been recorded had nonaccrual loans been current.
(3) 
Includes purchased credit-impaired loans.
(4)
Real estate acquired by us as a result of foreclosure or by deed-in-lieu of foreclosure is classified as real estate held for sale until it is sold. When property is acquired, it is recorded at the estimated fair value of the property, less expected selling costs. Subsequent to foreclosure, the property is carried at the lower of the foreclosed amount or net realizable value. Upon receipt of a new appraisal and market analysis, the carrying value is written down through the establishment of a specific reserve to the anticipated sales price, less selling and holding costs.
(5)
These loans are performing under their restructured terms.

60



The following table sets forth the Company’s non-performing assets by geographic concentration at September 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands):
 
Washington
 
Oregon
 
Idaho
 
Total
Secured by real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
1,374

 
$
4,307

 
$
26

 
$
5,707

Multifamily

 
556

 

 
556

Construction and land
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

One- to four-family construction

 
1,175

 

 
1,175

Residential land acquisition & development

 
750

 

 
750

Residential land improved lots

 
493

 

 
493

Commercial land improved

 
4,618

 

 
4,618

Commercial land unimproved

 
1,549

 

 
1,549

Total construction and land

 
8,585

 

 
8,585

One- to four-family
5,356

 
480

 
383

 
6,219

Commercial business
133

 
784

 
68

 
985

Agricultural business, including secured by farmland
90

 
138

 

 
228

Consumer
686

 
489

 
75

 
1,250

Total non-performing loans
7,639

 
15,339

 
552

 
23,530

REO
2,176

 
4,187

 

 
6,363

Other repossessed assets

 

 

 

Total non-performing assets
$
9,815

 
$
19,526

 
$
552

 
$
29,893

Percent of non-performing assets
33
%
 
65
%
 
2
%
 
100
%

In addition to the non-performing loans as of September 30, 2015, we had other classified loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $34 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.

Within our non-performing loans, we have five lending relationships with aggregate loan exposure in excess of $1.0 million that collectively comprise $11.2 million, or 47.7% of our total non-performing loans as of September 30, 2015. At that date, the single largest non-performing lending relationship consisted of one loan that totaled $3.6 million secured by four commercial lots in Lane Country, Oregon. The second largest non-performing lending relationship consisted of two loans that totaled $3.2 million secured by an industrial building and inventory in Lane and Linn Counties of Oregon. The third largest non-performing lending relationship consisted of one loan that totaled $1.8 million secured by golf course property, business assets and fixtures in Lane County, Oregon. The fourth largest non-performing lending relationship consisted of one loan that totaled $1.5 million secured by 364 acres of agricultural property in the Columbia Basin, Washington. The fifth largest non-performing lending relationship consisted of one loan that totaled $1.1 million secured by a 17-acre parcel in Lane County, Oregon. The remaining balance of non-performing loans consists of 92 lending relationships with borrowers located throughout our market areas.

We record REO (acquired through a lending relationship) at fair value on a non-recurring basis. 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. The individual carrying values of these assets are reviewed for impairment at least annually and any additional impairment charges are expensed to operations. For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, we had $34,000 of impairment charges, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2014 in which we recognized no impairment charges related to these types of assets. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we recognized $216,000 and $37,000, respectively, of these impairment charges.

At September 30, 2015, we had $6.4 million of REO, the most significant components of which are a commercial office building with two parcels of land in Lane County, Oregon with a book value of $871,000; a single family residence in Lane County, Oregon with a book value of $680,000; a single family residence in the Spokane, Washington area with a book value of $535,000; and one parcel of commercial mixed-use land in Lane County, Oregon with a book value of $523,000. All other REO holdings have individual book values of less than $500,000. The geographical distribution of our REO is approximately $2.8 million in Lane County, Oregon, or 44% of total REO; $1.4 million in the greater Portland, Oregon area, or 22% of total REO, and $1.2 million in the Greater Seattle Puget Sound area, or 19% of total REO. All other areas of Washington, Oregon and Idaho had a combined book value of $999,000, or 15% of total REO.


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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.

Our primary investing activity is the origination and purchase of loans and, in certain periods, the purchase of securities.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, our loan originations exceeded our loan repayments by $534 million and $414 million, respectively. During those periods we purchased loans of $243 million and $152 million, respectively.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we sold $492 million and $267 million, respectively, of loans.  Securities purchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 totaled $111 million and $86 million, respectively, and securities repayments, maturities and sales were $118 million and $108 million, respectively.  

Our primary financing activity is gathering deposits. Deposits increased by $489 million during the first nine months of 2015. The Siuslaw acquisition contributed $336 million to the increase in deposits as of September 30, 2015, including $144 million in non-interest bearing deposits, $169 million in interest-bearing transaction and savings accounts, and $23 million in certificates of deposit. Certificates of deposits are generally more vulnerable to competition and 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 September 30, 2015, certificates of deposit amounted to $731 million, or 17% of our total deposits, including $556 million which were scheduled to mature within one year.  While no assurance can be given as to future periods, historically, we have been able to retain a significant amount of our deposits as they mature.

FHLB advances (excluding fair value adjustments) decreased $16 million from December 31, 2014 to $16 million at September 30, 2015, and increased $16 million from September 30, 2014, as we used our excess liquidity to repay maturing FHLB advances and increased deposits were available to fund lending needs. As of September 30, 2015, FHLB advances consisted $16 million in short-term borrowings and one long-term borrowing of $235,000 tied to a specific loan customer's outstanding loan balance. Other borrowings increased $11 million from December 31, 2014 to $88 million at September 30, 2015 and increased $20 million from one year ago. The increase in other borrowings in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was due to an increase of retail repurchase agreements.

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 nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we used our sources of funds primarily to fund loan commitments, purchase securities, and pay maturing savings certificates and deposit withdrawals. At September 30, 2015, we had outstanding loan commitments totaling $1.594 billion, including undisbursed loans in process and unused credit lines totaling $1.524 billion. 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-Des Moines, which at September 30, 2015 provide for advances that in the aggregate may equal the lesser of 35% of Banner Bank’s assets or adjusted qualifying collateral (subject to a sufficient level of ownership of FHLB stock), up to a total possible credit line of $1.1 billion, and 35% of Islanders Bank’s assets or adjusted qualifying collateral, up to a total possible credit line of $27 million.  Advances under these credit facilities (excluding fair value adjustments) totaled 16.4 million at September 30, 2015. In addition, Banner Bank has been approved for participation in the FRBSF’s Borrower-In-Custody (BIC) program.  Under this program Banner Bank had available lines of credit of approximately $710 million as of September 30, 2015, subject to certain collateral requirements, namely the collateral type and risk rating of eligible pledged loans.  We had no funds borrowed from the FRBSF at September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014.  Management believes it has adequate resources and funding potential to meet our foreseeable liquidity requirements.

Banner Corporation is a separate legal entity from the Banks 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 Banks, although there are regulatory restrictions on the ability of the Banks to pay dividends. At September 30, 2015, the Company on an unconsolidated basis had liquid assets of $62.6 million. On October 1, 2015, Banner Corporation completed the acquisition of Starbuck and its subsidiary AmericanWest. The purchase consideration for that transaction included $130 million in cash and 13.23 million shares of Banner Corporation voting and non-voting common stock. Concurrent with the acquisition and with regulatory approval, Banner Corporation received a cash dividend from Banner Bank in an amount sufficient to close the transaction. In addition to cash on hand, Banner Bank utilized short-term borrowings from the FHLB to fund the dividend. We expect to repay those short-term borrowings using cash and the sale of securities acquired in the AmericanWest merger and through cash flow from continuing operations, all in the normal course of business.

As noted below, Banner Corporation and its subsidiary banks continued to maintain capital levels significantly in excess of the requirements to be categorized as “Well-Capitalized” under applicable regulatory standards, including the newly implemented Basel III and Dodd Frank standards.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, total stockholders' equity increased $88 million, or 15%, to $671 million.  Total equity at September 30, 2015 is entirely attributable to common stock and retained earnings.  At September 30, 2015, tangible common stockholders’ equity, which excludes other goodwill and other intangible assets, was $645 million, or 12.20% of tangible assets.  See the discussion and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial information in the Executive Overview section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation in this Form 10-Q for more detailed information with respect to tangible common stockholders’ equity.  Also, see the capital requirements discussion and table below with respect to our regulatory capital positions.

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Capital Requirements

Banner Corporation 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 (BHCA), and the regulations of the Federal Reserve.  Banner Bank and Islanders Bank, as state-chartered, federally insured commercial banks, are subject to the capital requirements established by the FDIC.

The capital adequacy requirements are quantitative measures established by regulation that require Banner Corporation and the Banks to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of capital.  The Federal Reserve requires Banner Corporation to maintain capital adequacy that generally parallels the FDIC requirements.  The FDIC requires the Banks 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.  At September 30, 2015, Banner Corporation and the Banks each exceeded all regulatory capital requirements. (See Item 1, “Business–Regulation,” and Note 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2014 Form 10-K for additional information regarding regulatory capital requirements for Banner Corporation and the Banks.)

The actual regulatory capital ratios calculated for Banner Corporation, Banner Bank and Islanders Bank as of September 30, 2015, along with the minimum capital amounts and ratios, were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Actual
 
Minimum to be Categorized as "Adequately Capitalized"
 
Minimum to be Categorized as “Well-Capitalized”
 
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Amount
Banner Corporation—consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
 
$
791,763

 
15.68
%
 
$
403,932

 
8.00
%
 
$
504,915

 
10.00
%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
 
728,459

 
14.43

 
302,949

 
6.00

 
403,932

 
8.00

Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets
 
728,459

 
13.85

 
210,376

 
4.00

 
262,970

 
5.00

Common equity tier 1 capital
 
647,505

 
12.82

 
227,212

 
4.50

 
328,195

 
6.50

Banner Bank
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
 
693,968

 
14.24

 
389,903

 
8.00

 
487,379

 
10.00

Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
 
632,854

 
12.98

 
292,427

 
6.00

 
389,903

 
8.00

Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets
 
632,854

 
12.67

 
199,804

 
4.00

 
249,754

 
5.00

Common equity tier 1 capital
 
632,854

 
12.98

 
219,320

 
4.50

 
316,796

 
6.50

Islanders Bank
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
 
38,031

 
19.94

 
15,260

 
8.00

 
19,075

 
10.00

Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
 
35,754

 
18.74

 
11,445

 
6.00

 
15,260

 
8.00

Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets
 
35,754

 
13.20

 
10,833

 
4.00

 
13,541

 
5.00

Common equity tier 1 capital
 
35,754

 
18.74

 
8,584

 
4.50

 
12,399

 
6.50



63


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 funding 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 customers than to us.  An exception to this generalization is the beneficial effect of interest rate floors on a substantial 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 September 30, 2015, our loans with interest rate floors totaled approximately $1.8 billion and had a weighted average floor rate of 4.75%. An additional source of interest rate risk, which is currently of concern, is a prolonged period of exceptionally low market interest rates. Because interest-bearing deposit costs have been reduced to nominal levels, there is very little possibility that they will be significantly further reduced and our non-interest-bearing deposits are an increasingly significant percentage of total deposits. By contrast, if market rates remain very low, loan and securities yields will likely continue to decline as longer-term instruments mature or are repaid. As a result, a prolonged period of very low interest rates will likely result in further compression of our net interest margin. While this pressure on the margin may be mitigated by further changes in the mix of assets and deposits, particularly increases in non-interest-bearing deposits, a prolonged period of low interest rates will present a very difficult operating environment for most banks, including us.

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 computer simulation model.  We update and prepare simulation modeling at least quarterly for review by senior management and 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.


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The following table sets forth, as of September 30, 2015, 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 Months
 
Net Interest Income
Next 24 Months
 
Economic Value of Equity
+400
 
$
2,919

 
1.4
 %
 
$
22,456

 
5.50
 %
 
$
(20,130
)
 
(2.3
)%
+300
 
1,618

 
0.8

 
16,226

 
4.00

 
(7,271
)
 
(0.8
)
+200
 
327

 
0.2

 
10,012

 
2.50

 
1,489

 
0.2

+100
 
(405
)
 
(0.2
)
 
4,487

 
1.10

 
6,857

 
0.8

0
 

 

 

 

 

 

-25
 
123

 
0.1

 
(1,316
)
 
(0.30
)
 
(15,214
)
 
(1.8
)
-50
 
18

 

 
(2,761
)
 
(0.70
)
 
(46,225
)
 
(5.4
)
 
(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 current federal funds rate is 0.25%.
 
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 ARM 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.


65


The following table presents our interest sensitivity gap between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities at September 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands).  The 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 September 30, 2015, total interest-earning assets maturing or repricing within one year exceeded total interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing in the same time period by $821 million, representing a one-year cumulative gap to total assets ratio of 15.46%.  Management is aware of the sources of interest rate risk and in its opinion actively monitors and manages it to the extent possible.  The interest rate risk indicators and interest sensitivity gaps as of September 30, 2015 are within our internal policy guidelines and management considers that our current level of interest rate risk is reasonable.
 
Within
6 Months
 
After
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 Years
 
Total
Interest-earning assets: (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction loans
$
265,784

 
$
13,733

 
$
29,490

 
$
2,689

 
$
237

 
$
29

 
$
311,962

Fixed-rate mortgage loans
146,041

 
95,647

 
249,629

 
135,474

 
187,490

 
87,010

 
901,291

Adjustable-rate mortgage loans
581,730

 
194,485

 
631,997

 
332,947

 
72,099

 
144

 
1,813,402

Fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities
62,697

 
57,655

 
139,370

 
28,153

 
13,708

 
15,132

 
316,715

Adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities
1,943

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,943

Fixed-rate commercial/agricultural loans
58,418

 
47,860

 
109,954

 
42,041

 
20,048

 
3,821

 
282,142

Adjustable-rate commercial/agricultural loans
627,923

 
13,782

 
40,375

 
24,914

 
3,085

 
49

 
710,128

Consumer and other loans
212,999

 
37,915

 
72,409

 
21,712

 
16,252

 
1,739

 
363,026

Investment securities and interest-earning deposits
106,580

 
12,852

 
36,856

 
95,952

 
50,528

 
16,545

 
319,313

Total rate sensitive assets
2,064,115

 
473,929

 
1,310,080

 
683,882

 
363,447

 
124,469

 
5,019,922

Interest-bearing liabilities: (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regular savings
154,527

 
154,527

 
360,562

 
360,562

 

 

 
1,030,178

Interest checking accounts
90,243

 
69,227

 
161,530

 
161,530

 

 

 
482,530

Money market deposit accounts
291,385

 
174,831

 
116,554

 

 

 

 
582,770

Certificates of deposit
335,731

 
210,229

 
132,397

 
48,777

 
3,497

 
29

 
730,660

FHLB advances
16,200

 

 

 

 

 

 
16,200

Other borrowings

 

 

 

 

 

 

Junior subordinated debentures
131,964

 

 

 

 

 

 
131,964

Retail repurchase agreements
88,083

 

 

 

 

 

 
88,083

Total rate sensitive liabilities
1,108,133

 
608,814

 
771,043

 
570,869

 
3,497

 
29

 
3,062,385

Excess (deficiency) of interest-sensitive assets over interest-sensitive liabilities
$
955,982

 
$
(134,885
)
 
$
539,037

 
$
113,013

 
$
359,950

 
$
124,440

 
$
1,957,537

Cumulative excess (deficiency) of interest-sensitive assets
$
955,982

 
$
821,097

 
$
1,360,134

 
$
1,473,147

 
$
1,833,097

 
$
1,957,537

 
$
1,957,537

Cumulative ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities
186.27
%
 
147.82
 %
 
154.67
%
 
148.16
%
 
159.86
%
 
163.92
%
 
163.92
%
Interest sensitivity gap to total assets
18.00
%
 
(2.54
)%
 
10.15
%
 
2.13
%
 
6.78
%
 
2.34
%
 
36.85
%
Ratio of cumulative gap to total assets
18.00
%
 
15.46
 %
 
25.60
%
 
27.73
%
 
34.51
%
 
36.85
%
 
36.85
%
 
(Footnotes on following page)

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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 loan 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 $(340) million, or (6.39)% of total assets at September 30, 2015.  Interest-bearing liabilities for this table exclude certain non-interest-bearing deposits which are included in the average balance calculations in the table contained in Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014” of this report on Form 10-Q.

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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 September 30, 2015, 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 September 30, 2015, 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.


68


PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1 – Legal Proceedings

In the normal course of business, we 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 actions to enforce liens on properties in which we hold a security interest, although we also periodically are subject to claims related to employment matters.  We are not a party to any pending legal proceedings that management believes would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or operations.

ITEM 1A – Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in the risk factors previously disclosed in Part 1, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (File No. 0-26584) or otherwise previously disclosed in our Form 10-Q reports filed subsequently.

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 September 30, 2015:
Period
 
Total Number of Common Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid per Common Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan
 
Maximum Number of Remaining Shares that May be Purchased at Period End under the Plan
July 1, 2015 - July 31, 2015
 
6,116

 
$
47.71

 
n/a
 
1,044,922
August 1, 2015 - August 31, 2015
 

 

 
n/a
 
1,044,922
September 1, 2015 - September 30, 2015
 
98

 
45.98

 
n/a
 
1,044,922
Total for quarter
 
6,214

 
47.68

 
n/a
 
1,044,922

The 6,214 shares were surrendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock grants.

On March 25, 2015, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to 1,044,922 shares of the Company's common stock, or 5% of the Company's outstanding shares. Under the plan, shares may be repurchased by the Company in open market purchases. The extent to which the Company repurchases its shares and the timing of such repurchases will depend upon market conditions and other corporate considerations.

ITEM 3 – Defaults upon Senior Securities

Not Applicable.

ITEM 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

ITEM 5 – Other Information

Not Applicable.


69


ITEM 6 – Exhibits

Exhibit
Index of Exhibits
 
 
2.1{a}
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 5, 2014, by and among the Registrant, SKBHC Holdings LLC and Starbuck Bancshares, Inc. [incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 12, 2014 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
2.1{b}
Amendment, dated as of May 18, 2015, to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 5, 2014, by and among the Registrant, SKBHC Holdings LLC and Starbuck Bancshares, Inc. [incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 19, 2015 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
2.1{c}
Amendment No. 2, dated July 13, 2015, to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 5, 2014, by and among SKBHC Holdings LLC, Starbuck Bancshares, Inc., Banner Corporation, and Elements Merger Sub, LLC.
 
 
3{a}
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Registrant [incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2010 (File No. 000-26584)], as amended on May 26, 2011 [incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2011 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
3{b}
Articles of Amendment to Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Registrant for non-voting common stock [incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 18, 2015 (File No. 000-26584)]
 
 
3{c}
Bylaws of Registrant [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 1, 2011 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
4{a}
Warrant to purchase shares of the Registrant's common stock dated November 21, 2008 [incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 24, 2008 (File No. 000-26584)]
 
 
10{a}
Executive Salary Continuation Agreement with Gary L. Sirmon [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1996 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
10{b}
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, with Mark J. Grescovich [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 4, 2013 (File No. 000-26584].
 
 
10{c}
1996 Stock Option Plan [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated August 26, 1996 (File No. 333-10819)].
 
 
10{d}
Supplemental Retirement Plan as Amended with Jesse G. Foster [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1997 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
10{e}
Supplemental Executive Retirement Program Agreement with D. Michael Jones [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
10{f}
Form of Supplemental Executive Retirement Program Agreement with Gary Sirmon, Michael K. Larsen, Lloyd W. Baker, Cynthia D. Purcell and Richard B. Barton [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 and the exhibits filed with the Form 8-K on May 6, 2008 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
10{g}
1998 Stock Option Plan [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated February 2, 1999 (File No. 333-71625)].
 
 
10{h}
2001 Stock Option Plan [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated August 8, 2001 (File No. 333-67168)].
 
 
10{i}
Form of Employment Contract entered into with Lloyd W. Baker, Cynthia D. Purcell, Richard B. Barton and Douglas M. Bennett [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Form 8-K on June 25, 2014 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
10{j}
2004 Executive Officer and Director Stock Account Deferred Compensation Plan [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
10{k}
2004 Executive Officer and Director Investment Account Deferred Compensation Plan [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
10{l}
Long-Term Incentive Plan and Form of Repricing Agreement [incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Form 8-K on May 6, 2008 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
10{m}
2005 Executive Officer and Director Stock Account Deferred Compensation Plan [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
10{n}
Entry into an Indemnification Agreement with each of the Registrant's Directors [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Form 8-K on January 29, 2010 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
10{o}
2012 Restricted Stock and Incentive Bonus Plan [incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 19, 2013 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
10{p}
Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 included in the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 4, 2013 (File No. 000-26584)].

70


 
 
10{q}
Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 included in the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 4, 2013 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
10{r}
2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan [incorporated by reference as Appendix C to the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 24, 2014 (File No. 000-26584)] and amendments [incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K filed on March 25, 2015 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
10{s}
Forms of Equity-Based Award Agreements: Incentive Stock Option Award Agreement, Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement, Restricted Stock Award Agreement, Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, Stock Appreciation Right Award Agreement, and Performance Unit Award Agreement [incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.2 - 10.7 included in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated May 9, 2014 (File No. 333-195835)].
 
 
10{t}
Employment agreement entered into with Johan Mehlum [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 dated October 8, 2014 (File No. 333-199211)].
 
 
10{u}
Employment agreement entered into with Lonnie Iholts [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 dated October 8, 2014 (File No. 333-199211)].
 
 
10{v}
Investor Letter Agreement dated as of November 5, 2014 by and between Banner Corporation, and Oaktree Principal Fund V (Delaware), L.P. and certain of its affiliates (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 12, 2014 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
10{w}
Investor Letter Agreement dated as of November 5, 2014 by and between Banner Corporation, and Friedman Fleischer and Lowe Capital Partners III, L.P. and certain of its affiliates (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 12, 2014 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
10{x}
Investor Letter Agreement dated as of November 5, 2014 by and between Banner Corporation, and GS Capital Partners VI Fund L.P. and certain of its affiliates (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 12, 2014 (File No. 000-26584)] and amendment [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed on May 19, 2015 (File No. 000-26584)].
 
 
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.
 
 
31.2
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.
 
 
32
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
101
The following materials from Banner Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (a) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (b) Consolidated Statements of Operations; (c) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (d) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity; (e) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (f) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
 
 



71


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 
 
 
 
 
November 6, 2015
/s/ Mark J. Grescovich
 
 
Mark J. Grescovich
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
November 6, 2015
/s/ Lloyd W. Baker
 
 
Lloyd W. Baker 
 
 
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 






72