Exhibit 99.1

 

Contact: Larry Hueth, President and Chief Executive Officer Regina Wood, EVP and Chief Financial Officer First Northwest Bancorp 360-457-0461

 

FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP

REPORTS RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THIRD FISCAL QUARTER OF 2017

PORT ANGELES, WA (April 26, 2017) - First Northwest Bancorp (NASDAQ - FNWB) ("Company"), the holding company for First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Port Angeles ("Bank"), announced its operating results for the third fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2017. The Company reported net income of $2.2 million, or $0.20 earnings per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, an increase of $976,000, or 82.2%, compared to net income of $1.2 million, or $0.11 earnings per basic and diluted share, for the prior quarter ended December 31, 2016. Current quarter net income increased $1.3 million, or 141.2%, compared to net income of $897,000 for the same quarter in 2016. The increase in net income compared to the previous quarter and the same quarter one year prior was mainly due to an increase in noninterest income and net interest income, partially offset by an increase in noninterest expense.

"We are pleased with the significant improvement in performance over the past three quarters. Earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, excluding the income received from a death benefit on bank-owned life insurance, were the highest the Company has recorded," stated Larry Hueth, President and CEO. "Net interest income of $8.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, increased 5.7% from the prior quarter and 15.7% over the same quarter for the prior year. Asset quality remains strong with the percentage of non-performing loans to total loans at 0.3%. We continue to reserve for loan losses to cover loan growth and anticipate continuing to reserve at a level commensurate with future loan growth. Consumer and business loans and deposit growth in our historic market area and the expansion into new markets in Whatcom and Kitsap counties continue to exceed our expectations," continued Hueth.

"We anticipate continued execution of our plan to realign the mix of interest-earning assets into higher yielding loans in a prudent manner. We are also pleased with the results of our stock repurchase plan as a capital management tool. Through March 31, 2017, we have repurchased 889,500 shares, or 68.4%, of the 1,300,756 shares authorized by the Board of Directors in the plan announced on September 27, 2016. We will continue to monitor our share price in determining the best opportunities to purchase the remaining shares under the repurchase plan. Our Board and management team remain committed to returning capital to shareholders while supporting the growth of our business in order to create shareholder value," concluded Hueth.

Third Quarter highlights (at or for the quarter ended March 31, 2017)

•	Net income increased $976,000, or 82.2%, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to an increase in noninterest income and net interest income, partially offset by an increase in noninterest expense;

•	We received income from a death benefit on bank-owned life insurance ("BOLI") of $768,000 related to the death benefit of a former Bank executive;

•	Basic and diluted earnings per share increased to $0.20 compared to $0.11 for the quarter ended December 31, 2016;

 

•	Net loans, excluding loans held for sale, increased $15.8 million, or 2.3%, during the quarter, primarily due to increases in all loan categories other than one- to four-family residential loans, which declined $5.3 million during the quarter;

•	Deposits increased $13.6 million, or 1.7%, during the quarter due to promotional and ongoing business development activities in new and existing markets; and

•	We repurchased 76,100 shares of common stock at an average price of $15.69 per share during the quarter.

Balance Sheet Review

During the quarter ended March 31, 2017, total assets increased $37.5 million, or 3.6%, to $1.1 billion. Year over year, total assets increased $85.9 million, or 8.6%, from $995.4 million at March 31, 2016. Net loans, excluding loans held for sale, increased $15.8 million, or 2.3%, during the quarter to $706.2 million at March 31, 2017, primarily due to increases in commercial and multifamily real estate loans and other consumer loans. Net loans, excluding loans held for sale, increased $131.9 million, or 23.0%, as compared to March 31, 2016, primarily due to originations of commercial real estate and construction and land loans coupled with purchases of one- to four-family residential loans. Investment securities increased $19.5 million, or 7.1%, during the quarter to $295.5 million at March 31, 2017, due to the purchase of additional securities. Investment securities decreased $61.9 million, or 17.3%, as compared to $357.4 million at March 31, 2016, primarily as a result of sales, prepayment activity and normal amortization. Bank-owned life insurance increased $10.0 million to $28.3 million at March 31, 2017 from $18.2 million at March 31, 2016, primarily the result of the purchase of an additional $10.0 million of bank-owned life insurance.

The increase of $15.8 million in net loans, excluding loans held for sale, during the three months ended March 31, 2017, was primarily attributable to an increase in commercial real estate loans of $8.0 million, multi-family loans of $6.0 million, other consumer loans of $4.2 million, and construction and land loans of $2.5 million. Other consumer loans increased primarily as a result of auto loans originated as part of our indirect lending program. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in the balance of one- to four-family residential loans of $5.3 million. There were $40.4 million in undisbursed construction loan commitments at March 31, 2017, of which $13.4 million was committed to one- to four-family residential construction; $12.9 million was committed to multi-family construction; $8.7 million was committed to commercial hospitality construction; $4.6 million was committed to commercial speculative construction; and $772,000 was committed to commercial real estate construction. Compared to March 31, 2016, total loans, excluding loans held for sale, increased $133.2 million, or 22.9%, mainly attributable to an increase in commercial real estate loans of $57.1 million, construction and land loans of $31.8 million, one- to four family residential loans of $24.3 million, multi-family loans of $9.4 million, other consumer loans of $9.3 million, and commercial business loans of $1.2 million.

Loans receivable consisted of the following at the dates indicated:

 

		March 31, 2017				December 31, 2016				March 31, 2016
		(In thousands)
Real Estate:
One to four family		$	323,166			$	328,456			$	298,830
Multi-family			56,932				50,977				47,562
Commercial real estate			198,262				190,291				141,116
Construction and land			66,448				63,902				34,633
Total real estate loans			644,808				633,626				522,141
Consumer:
Home equity			34,193				33,902				34,201
Other consumer			17,603				13,410				8,309
Total consumer loans			51,796				47,312				42,510
Commercial business			16,851				16,367				15,638
Total loans			713,455				697,305				580,289
Less:
Net deferred loan fees			1,114				1,190				1,173
Premium on purchased loans, net			(2,218	)			(2,366	)			(2,253	)
Allowance for loan losses			8,328				8,060				6,988
Total loans receivable, net		$	706,231			$	690,421			$	574,381

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2017, the total investment securities portfolio increased $19.5 million to $295.5 million, as a result of purchases during the quarter partially offset by prepayment activity and normal amortization. Mortgage-backed securities represented the largest portion of the investment securities portfolio and totaled $214.9 million at March 31, 2017, an increase during the quarter of $26.7 million, or 14.2%, from $188.2 million at December 31, 2016. Other investment securities, including mostly municipal bonds and other asset-backed securities, were $80.6 million at March 31, 2017, a decrease of $7.2 million, or 8.2%, from $87.8 million at December 31, 2016, primarily the result of prepayment and amortization activity. Total investment securities decreased $61.9 million, or 17.3%, at March 31, 2017 compared to $357.4 million at March 31, 2016, which included a $30.6 million decrease in mortgage-backed securities and a $31.3 million decrease in other investment securities. We continue to manage the investment portfolio as a source of liquidity to fund our growth and supplement interest income.

 During the quarter ended March 31, 2017, total liabilities increased $35.8 million, or 4.1%, to $902.8 million at March 31, 2017 from $866.9 million at December 31, 2016. The increase was primarily the result of an increase in borrowings of $20.7 million, or 31.4%, to $86.6 million at March 31, 2017, from $65.9 million at December 31, 2016, as we utilized short-term FHLB advances. Also, deposit account balances increased $13.6 million, or 1.7%, to $807.7 million at March 31, 2017, from $794.1 million at December 31, 2016, as we continue to grow our deposit customer base in new and historic markets. The increase in deposits was the result of an increase of $7.2 million, or 3.0%, in transaction accounts, $5.3 million, or 3.0%, in certificates of deposit, and $2.7 million, or 2.8%, in savings accounts, partially offset by a decrease of $1.5 million, or 0.5%, in money market accounts.

Total liabilities increased $98.7 million, or 12.3%, over the last year, which was mainly attributable to an increase in deposits of $98.0 million, or 13.8%, compared to $709.7 million at March 31, 2016. Deposit account increases were primarily the result of our continuing efforts to expand commercial and consumer deposit relationships in our new Kitsap and Whatcom County, Washington locations, as well as within our historic Clallam and Jefferson County, Washington locations.

Total shareholders' equity increased $1.6 million, or 0.9%, to $178.5 million at March 31, 2017, from $176.9 million at December 31, 2016, primarily due to net income of $2.2 million.

Operating Results

Net interest income after provision for loan losses increased $632,000, or 8.7%, to $7.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, from $7.3 million for the prior quarter ended December 31, 2016, due to an increase in net interest income of $437,000 and a decrease in the provision for loan losses of $195,000. Net interest income after the provision for loan losses increased $884,000, or 12.6%, compared to $7.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, due to an increase in net interest income of $1.1 million, partially offset by an increase in the provision for loan losses of $215,000. The decline in the provision for loan losses during the quarter as compared to the prior quarter ended December 31, 2016, was primarily due to the provision required for the growth of loans receivable being partially offset by a decline in nonperforming loans coupled with a net recovery of $53,000 on previously charged-off loans during the period. The increase in the provision for loan losses for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same quarter the prior year, was primarily due to the growth of loans receivable. Total interest income increased $488,000, or 5.5%, during the quarter to $9.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and increased $1.2 million, or 15.3%, as compared to $8.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, primarily due to increases in the average balance of, and interest earned on, loans receivable.

Total interest expense increased $51,000, or 4.1%, to $1.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, due to our increased utilization of short-term FHLB advances and, to a slightly lesser extent, the increase in the average balances, and interest paid on, customer deposits. Total interest expense increased $148,000, or 12.8%, as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2016, mainly due to an increase in the average balances of, and interest paid on, customer deposits.

The net interest margin increased six basis points to 3.18% for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 compared to 3.12% for the prior quarter ended December 31, 2016, and increased 12 basis points from 3.06% for the same period in 2016. Net interest margin increased for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 compared to the prior quarter and the same period in 2016, primarily due to an increase in the average balance of total loans receivable earning higher yields compared to cash and investment alternatives.

Noninterest income increased $872,000, or 65.6%, to $2.2 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2017, compared to the prior quarter ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to income from a death benefit received from BOLI of $768,000 related to the death benefit of a former Bank executive. Noninterest income increased $1.2 million, or 109.4%, during the quarter ended March 31, 2017, compared to $1.1 million for the same quarter in 2016, as a result of the income received from the BOLI death benefit coupled with an increase in the cash surrender value of BOLI of $141,000, as well as an increase in the net gain on sale of loans of $264,000.

Noninterest expense increased $618,000, or 9.0%, to $7.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, compared to $6.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to an increase in compensation and benefits expense of $728,000. Compensation and benefits increased primarily due to incentive payouts and accruals during the quarter, including the re-establishment of accruals related to the executive bonus plan that was reversed during the prior quarter, coupled with annual merit increases. Noninterest expense increased $636,000, or 9.3%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, compared to $6.9 million for the same quarter in 2016. This increase was primarily a result of an increase of $885,000 in compensation and benefits as we added staff to manage our operations, provided annual merit increases, and rewarded our staff and management for performance through incentive programs and sales commissions.

Capital Ratios and Credit Quality

The Company and the Bank continue to maintain capital levels significantly in excess of the applicable regulatory requirements and the Bank was categorized as "well-capitalized" at March 31, 2017. As of March 31, 2017, the Company had Tier 1 Leverage-Based Capital, Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital, Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital, and Total Risk-Based Capital ratios of 16.7%, 25.0%, 25.0%, and 26.1%, respectively. The Company's Tier 1 Leverage-Based Capital, Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital, Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital, and Total Risk-Based Capital ratios were 16.8%, 25.4%, 25.4%, and 26.6%, respectively, at December 31, 2016.

Credit quality remains strong, with nonperforming loans decreasing $149,000, or 6.0%, during the quarter ended March 31, 2017, to $2.3 million at March 31, 2017 from $2.5 million at December 31, 2016, mainly attributable to a decrease in nonperforming one- to four-family residential loans of $417,000. Improvements in asset quality during the quarter are reflected by a decline in the percentage of nonperforming loans to total loans to 0.3% at March 31, 2017, from 0.4% at December 31, 2016, and an increase in the percentage of the allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans to 354.5% at March 31, 2017 from 322.7% at December 31, 2016. Classified loans increased $237,000 to $3.7 million; however, we expect fluctuations over time in the balance of classified loans and do not believe this increase is an indication of declining credit quality in our loan portfolio. Our allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.2% at both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

About the Company

First Northwest Bancorp, a Washington corporation, is the bank holding company for First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Port Angeles. First Federal is a Washington-chartered, community-based savings bank, primarily serving the North Olympic Peninsula (Clallam and Jefferson counties) region of Washington, with twelve banking locations in Washington State, eight of which are located within Clallam and Jefferson counties, one in Kitsap County, two in Whatcom County, and a home lending center in King County.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, expectations of the business environment in which we operate, projections of future performance, perceived opportunities in the market, potential future credit experience, and statements regarding our mission and vision. These forward-looking statements are based upon current management expectations and may, therefore, involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from those suggested, expressed, or implied by forward-looking statements as a result of a wide variety or range of factors including, but not limited to: increased competitive pressures; changes in the interest rate environment; the credit risks of lending activities; changes in general economic conditions and conditions within the securities markets; legislative and regulatory changes; and other factors described in the Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")-which are available on our website at www.ourfirstfed.com and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Any of the forward-looking statements that we make in this Press Release and in the other public statements we make may turn out to be incorrect because of the inaccurate assumptions we might make, because of the factors illustrated above or because of other factors that we cannot foresee. Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by or on our behalf and the Company's operating and stock price performance may be negatively affected. Therefore, these factors should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We do not undertake and specifically disclaim any obligation to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements. These risks could cause our actual results for fiscal 2017 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements by, or on behalf of, us and could negatively affect the Company's operations and stock price performance.

FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except share data) (Unaudited)

 

														Three				One
		March 31,				December 31,				March 31,				Month				Year
Assets		2017				2016				2016				Change				Change
Cash and due from banks		$	11,791			$	14,433			$	10,449				(18.3	)%			12.8	%
Interest-bearing deposits in banks			11,397				8,216				10,013				38.7				13.8
Investment securities available for sale, at fair    value			242,732				222,304				300,254				9.2				(19.2	)
Investment securities held to maturity, at    amortized cost			52,795				53,755				57,176				(1.8	)			(7.7	)
Loans held for sale			638				477				—				33.8				100.0
Loans receivable (net of allowance for loan    losses of $8,328, $8,060 and $6,988)			706,231				690,421				574,381				2.3				23.0
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock, at cost			4,741				3,799				4,571				24.8				3.7
Accrued interest receivable			3,080				3,015				2,858				2.2				7.8
Premises and equipment, net			13,525				13,684				13,645				(1.2	)			(0.9	)
Mortgage servicing rights, net			1,046				1,036				1,004				1.0				4.2
Bank-owned life insurance, net			28,253				28,645				18,227				(1.4	)			55.0
Real estate owned and repossessed assets			6				110				145				(94.5	)			(95.9	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets			5,067				3,920				2,648				29.3				91.4
Total assets		$	1,081,302			$	1,043,815			$	995,371				3.6	%			8.6	%
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Deposits		$	807,715			$	794,072			$	709,740				1.7	%			13.8	%
Borrowings			86,553				65,883				84,760				31.4				2.1
Accrued interest payable			195				204				209				(4.4	)			(6.7	)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			6,358				5,557				7,613				14.4				(16.5	)
Advances from borrowers for taxes and    insurance			1,944				1,207				1,786				61.1				8.8
Total liabilities			902,765				866,923				804,108				4.1				12.3
Shareholders' Equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, authorized    5,000,000 shares, no shares issued or    outstanding			—				—				—				n/a				n/a
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized    75,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding    12,077,846 at March 31, 2017; issued and    outstanding 12,153,946 at December 31,    2016; and issued and outstanding    12,962,960 at March 31, 2016			121				122				130				(0.8	)			(6.9	)
Additional paid-in capital			113,517				114,021				125,447				(0.4	)			(9.5	)
Retained earnings			77,562				75,833				77,053				2.3				0.7
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)    income, net of tax			(980	)			(1,237	)			985				20.8				(199.5	)
Unearned employee stock ownership plan    (ESOP) shares			(11,683	)			(11,847	)			(12,352	)			1.4				5.4
Total shareholders' equity			178,537				176,892				191,263				0.9				(6.7	)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$	1,081,302			$	1,043,815			$	995,371				3.6	%			8.6	%

 

FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)

		Quarter Ended												Three				One
		March 31,				December 31,				March 31,				Month				Year
		2017				2016				2016				Change				Change
INTEREST INCOME
Interest and fees on loans receivable		$	7,479			$	7,193			$	6,047				4.0	%			23.7	%
Interest on mortgage-backed and related securities			1,298				1,072				1,356				21.1				(4.3	)
Interest on investment securities			580				617				714				(6.0	)			(18.8	)
Interest on deposits and other			21				11				13				90.9				61.5
FHLB dividends			30				27				31				11.1				(3.2	)
Total interest income			9,408				8,920				8,161				5.5				15.3
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits			718				696				558				3.2				28.7
Borrowings			585				556				597				5.2				(2.0	)
Total interest expense			1,303				1,252				1,155				4.1				12.8
Net interest income			8,105				7,668				7,006				5.7				15.7
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES			215				410				—				(47.6	)			100.0
Net interest income after provision for loan losses			7,890				7,258				7,006				8.7				12.6
NONINTEREST INCOME
Loan and deposit service fees			821				889				844				(7.6	)			(2.7	)
Mortgage servicing fees, net of amortization			69				56				72				23.2				(4.2	)
Net gain on sale of loans			284				160				20				77.5				1,320.0
Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned        life insurance			178				193				37				(7.8	)			381.1
Income from death benefit on bank-owned life        insurance, net			768				—				—				100.0				100.0
Other income			81				31				78				161.3				3.8
Total noninterest income			2,201				1,329				1,051				65.6				109.4
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Compensation and benefits			4,530				3,802				3,645				19.1				24.3
Real estate owned and repossessed assets      (income) expenses, net			(50	)			13				15				(484.6	)			(433.3	)
Data processing			597				687				686				(13.1	)			(13.0	)
Occupancy and equipment			985				1,002				899				(1.7	)			9.6
Supplies, postage, and telephone			198				170				161				16.5				23.0
Regulatory assessments and state taxes			133				100				100				33.0				33.0
Advertising			179				160				199				11.9				(10.1	)
Professional fees			371				324				421				14.5				(11.9	)
FDIC insurance premium			54				7				108				671.4				(50.0	)
Other			501				615				628				(18.5	)			(20.2	)
Total noninterest expense			7,498				6,880				6,862				9.0				9.3
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME   TAXES			2,593				1,707				1,195				51.9				117.0
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES			429				519				298				(17.3	)			44.0
NET INCOME		$	2,164			$	1,188			$	897				82.2	%			141.2	%
Basic and diluted earnings per share		$	0.20			$	0.11			$	0.07				81.8	%			185.7	%

 

FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)

		Nine Months Ended								One
		March 31,								Year
		2017				2016				Change
INTEREST INCOME
Interest and fees on loans receivable		$	21,391			$	17,315				23.5	%
Interest on mortgage-backed and related securities			3,494				3,909				(10.6	)
Interest on investment securities			1,846				2,279				(19.0	)
Interest on deposits and other			45				47				(4.3	)
FHLB dividends			92				76				21.1
Total interest income			26,868				23,626				13.7
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits			2,061				1,569				31.4
Borrowings			1,683				1,994				(15.6	)
Total interest expense			3,744				3,563				5.1
Net interest income			23,124				20,063				15.3
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES			975				—				100.0
Net interest income after provision for loan losses			22,149				20,063				10.4
NONINTEREST INCOME
Loan and deposit service fees			2,623				2,655				(1.2	)
Mortgage servicing fees, net of amortization			188				187				0.5
Net gain on sale of loans			713				88				710.2
Net gain on sale of investment securities			—				856				(100.0	)
Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance			541				59				816.9
Income from death benefit on bank-owned life insurance, net			768				—				100.0
Other income			141				347				(59.4	)
Total noninterest income			4,974				4,192				18.7
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Compensation and benefits			12,492				10,626				17.6
Real estate owned and repossessed assets expenses (income), net			2				(362	)			100.6
Data processing			2,048				1,994				2.7
Occupancy and equipment			2,884				2,620				10.1
Supplies, postage, and telephone			518				500				3.6
Regulatory assessments and state taxes			367				377				(2.7	)
Advertising			468				640				(26.9	)
Professional fees			1,052				1,320				(20.3	)
FDIC insurance premium			180				331				(45.6	)
FHLB prepayment penalty			—				779				(100.0	)
Other			1,827				1,635				11.7
Total noninterest expense			21,838				20,460				6.7
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES			5,285				3,795				39.3
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES			1,282				957				34.0
NET INCOME		$	4,003			$	2,838				41.1	%
Basic earnings per share		$	0.36			$	0.24				50.0	%
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.35			$	0.24				45.8

 

FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY

Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data

(Unaudited)

_______________

10