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 QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

PORT ANGELES, WA (October 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 quarter ended September 30, 2017. The Company reported net income of $1.8 million, or $0.17 earnings per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, compared to net income of $1.1 million, or $0.10 earnings per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, an increase of $658,000, or 59.0%. The current quarter's net income increased $1.1 million, or 172.4%, compared to net income of $651,000 for the same quarter in 2016. The increase in net income compared to the previous quarter was mainly due to an increase in noninterest income and decreases in the provision for loan losses and noninterest expense, and the increase compared to the same quarter one year prior was mainly due to an increase in net interest income and noninterest income, partially offset by an increase in noninterest expense.

Larry Hueth, President and CEO, commented, "We are pleased with the steady improvement in earnings as we continue to execute on our expansion and growth strategies. Loan growth was muted as we sold residential loans in the secondary market to generate gains on loan sales during the quarter. We are, however, pleased with the 9.5% growth in net loans year over year. Deposit growth continued in both our expansion and traditional market areas, increasing 3.3% over the sequential quarter and 9.6% year over year. As part of our capital management initiatives, we also announced another share repurchase plan on September 29, 2017 of 1,166,659 shares. While I am pleased with the steady progress achieved, we remain committed to further improving our earnings and increasing shareholder value."

Quarter highlights (at or for the quarter ended September 30, 2017)

•	Net income increased $658,000, or 59.0%, compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2017, primarily due to an increase in noninterest income, decrease in noninterest expense and a decrease in provision for loan losses;

•	Basic and diluted earnings per share increased to $0.17 compared to $0.10 for the quarter ended June 30, 2017;

•	Investment securities increased $60.7 million, or 21.6%, as a result of purchases of investment securities in order to leverage excess capital and increase net interest income;

•	Deposits increased $27.2 million, or 3.3%, during the quarter due to promotional and ongoing business development activities in new and existing markets;

•	The Company repurchased 96,900 shares of common stock at an average price of $15.78 per share during the quarter, which concluded its 2016 Stock Repurchase Plan; and

 

 

•	On September 29, 2017, the Company announced a new 2017 Stock Repurchase Plan for the repurchase of 1,166,659 shares, or approximately 10% of common shares outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Review

During the quarter ended September 30, 2017, total assets increased $62.6 million, or 5.8%, to $1.2 billion, primarily due to an increase in investment securities. Year over year, total assets increased $101.8 million, or 9.7%, from $1.0 billion at September 30, 2016, primarily due to growth in loans receivable and investment securities.

Investment securities increased $60.7 million, or 21.6%, during the quarter to $341.2 million at September 30, 2017, and increased $39.2 million, or 13.0%, as compared to $302.0 million at September 30, 2016. Management made a strategic decision during the quarter ended September 30, 2017 to leverage its capital by purchasing investment securities using a combination of cash received from the growth in customer deposits and additional borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") in order to generate additional net interest income. The majority of investments purchased during the quarter have variable rates, generally resetting quarterly based on a specified index and margin, and are expected to more closely match changes in short-term borrowing rates. The average repricing term of our investment securities portfolio was estimated at 3.5 years as of September 30, 2017, as compared to 4.1 years as of June 30, 2017 and 3.7 years as of September 30, 2016. We anticipate the variable rate securities purchased as part of this strategy will help to mitigate our interest rate risk and manage price volatility in the investment portfolio. While we expect the results of this strategy will increase earnings and help us to leverage a portion of the capital we hold in excess of well-capitalized regulatory levels at this time, we continue to focus on growing our loan portfolio and improving our earning asset mix over the long term.

At September 30, 2017, U.S. government agency issued mortgage-backed securities ("MBS agency") comprised the largest portion of our investment portfolio at 51.2%, and totaled $197.9 million at September 30, 2017, a decrease during the quarter of $9.2 million, or 4.4%, from $207.1 million at June 30, 2017. Other investment securities were $143.3 million at September 30, 2017, an increase of $70.0 million, or 95.4%, from $73.4 million at June 30, 2017. The increase in other investment securities included the purchase of U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities ("MBS Agency") of $7.5 million, Small Business Administration ("SBA") securities of $31.1 million, corporate issued asset-backed securities ("ABS Corporate") of $12.5 million, corporate issued debt securities ("Corporate Debt") of $19.4 million, and Asset Backed Agency Securities ("ABS Agency") of $15.0 million, partially offset by the sales of MBS Agency securities of $6.7 million, U.S. Government Agency Securities ("US Agency") of $5.1 million and municipal bonds of $4.7 million. Total investment securities increased $39.2 million, or 13.0%, at September 30, 2017 compared to $302.0 million at September 30, 2016, which included a $9.7 million decrease in mortgage-backed securities and a $48.9 million increase in other investment securities. The year over year increase was also the result of new investment purchases partially offset by sales, prepayment activity, and normal amortization. The estimated average life of the total investment securities portfolio was 5.3 years at September 30, 2017 compared to 4.7 years at June 30, 2017, and 4.2 years at September 30, 2016. We also expect our investment portfolio will be used as a source of liquidity to fund our loan growth.

Total loans, excluding loans held for sale, remained relatively stable, increasing $238,000 to $734.2 million at September 30, 2017 from $734.0 million at June 30, 2017, a result of new loan originations partially offset by normal amortization, prepayment activity, and one- to four-family residential sales and commercial real estate loan participations. One- to four-family residential, commercial real estate, home equity, and commercial business loans decreased $4.6 million, $7.2 million, $810,000, and $688,000, respectively, while multi-family, construction and land, and other consumer loans increased $888,000, $10.4 million, and $2.3 million, respectively. Construction and land loans increased due primarily to our strategic decision to focus on increasing construction loan origination activity as real estate values and general economic conditions in our market areas continued to improve. There were $50.8 million in undisbursed construction loan commitments at September 30, 2017 as compared to $32.0 million at June 30, 2017. Other consumer loans increased primarily as a result of auto loans originated as part of our indirect lending program, and we continue to focus on increasing our construction and land lending activities as a percent of our loan portfolio. Compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2016, total loans, excluding loans held for sale, increased $64.1 million, or 9.6%, attributable to increases in construction and land loans of $29.7 million, commercial real estate loans of $15.2 million, other consumer loans of $12.7 million, multi-family loans of $10.9 million, and home equity loans of $1.3 million, partially offset by decreases in one- to four-family residential loans of $5.1 million and commercial business loans of $651,000.

Loans receivable consisted of the following at the dates indicated:

		September 30, 2017				June 30, 2017				September 30, 2016
		(In thousands)
Real Estate:
One to four family		$	323,675			$	328,243			$	328,772
Multi-family			58,989				58,101				48,042
Commercial real estate			194,813				202,038				179,642
Construction and land			81,985				71,630				52,303
Total real estate loans			659,462				660,012				608,759
Consumer:
Home equity			35,059				35,869				33,753
Other consumer			23,329				21,043				10,627
Total consumer loans			58,388				56,912				44,380
Commercial business			16,385				17,073				17,036
Total loans			734,235				733,997				670,175
Less:
Net deferred loan fees			858				904				1,137
Premium on purchased loans, net			(2,122	)			(2,216	)			(2,703	)
Allowance for loan losses			8,608				8,523				7,682
Total loans receivable, net		$	726,891			$	726,786			$	664,059

 

 

 During the quarter ended September 30, 2017, total liabilities increased $62.4 million, or 6.9%, to $972.4 million at September 30, 2017 from $910.0 million at June 30, 2017. The increase was primarily the result of an increase in borrowings of $34.2 million, or 44.2%, to $111.7 million at September 30, 2017, from $77.4 million at June 30, 2017, and an increase in customer deposits of $27.2 million, or 3.3%, to $850.9 million at September 30, 2017, from $823.8 million at June 30, 2017. We utilized short-term FHLB advances during the quarter to manage our cash flow needs and partially fund the purchase of investment securities. Deposits grew as the result of an increase of $9.3 million, or 3.8%, in transaction accounts, $19.7 million, or 9.3%, in certificates of deposit, and $4.2 million, or 4.3%, in savings accounts, partially offset by a decrease of $6.0 million, or 2.3%, in money market accounts.

Total liabilities increased $113.1 million, or 13.2%, over the last year, which was mainly attributable to an increase in deposits of $74.6 million, or 9.6%, compared to $776.3 million at September 30, 2016, and an increase in borrowings of $36.6 million, or 48.7%, compared to $75.1 million at September 30, 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 $207,000 during the quarter to $177.9 million at September 30, 2017, mainly the result of net income partially offset by decreases in additional paid-in capital as a result of share repurchases during the quarter.

Operating Results

Net income increased $658,000, or 59.0%, to $1.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 compared to $1.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, and increased $1.1 million, or 172.4%, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2016. During the most recent quarter, contributing to the increase in net income was an increase in noninterest income coupled with declines in the provision for loan losses and noninterest expense, partially offset by an increase in the provision for income taxes. As compared to the same quarter one year prior, net income increased mainly due to increases in net interest income and noninterest income coupled with a decline in the provision for loan losses, partially offset by increases in noninterest expense and the provision for income taxes.

Net interest income after provision for loan losses increased to $8.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 from $8.2 million for the preceding quarter due primarily to a decrease in the provision for loan losses of $285,000 and an increase in interest income of $108,000, partially offset by an increase in interest expense of $165,000. Net interest income after the provision for loan losses increased $1.5 million, or 20.9%, compared to $7.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, due to an increase in interest income of $1.1 million coupled with a decrease in the provision for loan losses of $350,000, partially offset by a $391,000 increase in interest expense. The decline in the provision for loan losses during the most recent quarter as compared to the prior quarters ended June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 was due to lower

 

total loan growth coupled with continued improvement in credit quality. Total interest income increased $108,000, or 1.1%, during the quarter to $10.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the previous quarter, primarily due to an increase in interest and fees on loans receivable and an increase due to higher average balances of investment securities. Total interest income increased $1.5 million, or 17.6%, as compared to $8.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, primarily due to an increase in the average balance of loans receivable.

Total interest expense increased $165,000, or 11.7%, to $1.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2017, and increased $391,000, or 32.9%, as compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2016 due to an increase in the average balances, and interest paid on, customer deposits, and our increased utilization of short-term FHLB advances.

The net interest margin decreased 14 basis points to 3.20% for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 compared to 3.34% for the prior quarter ended June 30, 2017, and increased 14 basis points from 3.06% for the same period in 2016. Net interest margin was higher during the quarter ended June 30, 2017, mainly as a result of discounts realized into income as the par values of certain investment securities were repaid, coupled with the prepayment of certain loans receivable resulting in the early recapture of deferred fee revenue. The net interest margin increased from the same period in 2016 due to the increase in the average balance of loans receivable earning higher yields than investment and cash alternatives. Excluding the quarter ended June 30, 2017, the net interest margin has been increasing modestly each quarter since the quarter ended September 30, 2016.

Noninterest income increased $499,000, or 41.6%, to $1.7 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2017, compared to the prior quarter ended June 30, 2017, primarily due to increases in mortgage servicing fees of $195,000, net gain on the sale of loans of $208,000, and the net gain on the sale of investment securities of $136,000. Noninterest income increased $254,000, or 17.6%, as compared to $1.4 million for the same quarter in 2016, as a result of increases in mortgage servicing fees of $176,000 and net gain on the sale of investment securities of $136,000.

Noninterest expense decreased $132,000, or 1.7%, to $7.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, compared to $7.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, primarily due to a decrease in compensation and benefits expense of $287,000, mainly a result of changes in incentive compensation accruals as compared to the previous quarter. Noninterest expense increased $347,000, or 4.7%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, compared to $7.5 million for the same quarter in 2016. This increase was primarily a result of an increase of $306,000 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 September 30, 2017. As of September 30, 2017, the Bank 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 12.8%, 18.8%, 18.8%, and 20.0%, respectively. The Bank'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 13.2%, 19.2%, 19.2%, and 20.4%, respectively, at June 30, 2017.

Credit quality remains strong, with nonperforming loans decreasing $121,000, or 6.3%, during the quarter ended September 30, 2017, to $1.8 million at September 30, 2017 from $1.9 million at June 30, 2017, mainly attributable to a decrease in nonperforming one- to four-family residential loans of $67,000, commercial real estate loans of $23,000, and home equity loans of $21,000. Improvements in asset quality during the quarter are reflected by a decline in the percentage of nonperforming loans to total loans to 0.2% at September 30, 2017, from 0.3% at June 30, 2017, and an increase in the percentage of the allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans to 479.8% at September 30, 2017 from 445.1% at June 30, 2017. Classified loans and our allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans remained stable during the quarter at $3.3 million and 1.2%, respectively, at both September 30, 2017 and June 30, 2017.

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 Western Washington State, with twelve banking locations, eight 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 2018 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
		September 30,				June 30,				September 30,				Month				Year
Assets		2017				2017				2016				Change				Change
Cash and due from banks		$	12,717			$	14,510			$	11,761				(12.4	)%			8.1	%
Interest-bearing deposits in banks			12,292				9,782				18,042				25.7				(31.9	)
Investment securities available for sale, at fair    value			290,159				228,593				247,105				26.9				17.4
Investment securities held to maturity, at    amortized cost			51,012				51,872				54,855				(1.7	)			(7.0	)
Loans held for sale			—				—				147				n/a				(100.0	)
Loans receivable (net of allowance for loan    losses of $8,608, $8,523 and $7,682)			726,891				726,786				664,059				—				9.5
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock, at cost			5,729				4,368				4,176				31.2				37.2
Accrued interest receivable			3,498				3,020				2,877				15.8				21.6
Premises and equipment, net			13,213				13,236				13,590				(0.2	)			(2.8	)
Mortgage servicing rights, net			1,112				986				1,048				12.8				6.1
Bank-owned life insurance, net			28,570				28,413				28,452				0.6				0.4
Real estate owned and repossessed assets			86				104				131				(17.3	)			(34.4	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets			5,020				6,006				2,266				(16.4	)			121.5
Total assets		$	1,150,299			$	1,087,676			$	1,048,509				5.8	%			9.7	%
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Deposits		$	850,933			$	823,760			$	776,345				3.3	%			9.6	%
Borrowings			111,657				77,427				75,090				44.2				48.7
Accrued interest payable			217				208				184				4.3				17.9
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			7,600				7,417				5,908				2.5				28.6
Advances from borrowers for taxes and     insurance			1,964				1,143				1,708				71.8				15.0
Total liabilities			972,371				909,955				859,235				6.9				13.2
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    11,839,707 at September 30, 2017; issued    and outstanding 11,902,146 at June 30,    2017; and issued and outstanding    12,967,346 at September 30, 2016			118				119				130				(0.8	)			(9.2	)
Additional paid-in capital			111,226				112,058				121,885				(0.7	)			(8.7	)
Retained earnings			78,674				77,515				77,612				1.5				1.4
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)    income, net of tax			(717	)			(434	)			1,659				(65.2	)			(143.2	)
Unearned employee stock ownership plan    (ESOP) shares			(11,373	)			(11,537	)			(12,012	)			1.4				5.3
Total shareholders' equity			177,928				177,721				189,274				0.1				(6.0	)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$	1,150,299			$	1,087,676			$	1,048,509				5.8	%			9.7	%

FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

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

		Quarter Ended												Three				One
		September 30,				June 30,				September 30,				Month				Year
		2017				2017				2016				Change				Change
INTEREST INCOME
Interest and fees on loans receivable		$	7,928			$	7,883			$	6,719				0.6	%			18.0	%
Interest on mortgage-backed and related securities			1,280				1,285				1,124				(0.4	)			13.9
Interest on investment securities			765				709				649				7.9				17.9
Interest on deposits and other			34				24				13				41.7				161.5
FHLB dividends			36				34				35				5.9				2.9
Total interest income			10,043				9,935				8,540				1.1				17.6
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits			911				798				647				14.2				40.8
Borrowings			669				617				542				8.4				23.4
Total interest expense			1,580				1,415				1,189				11.7				32.9
Net interest income			8,463				8,520				7,351				(0.7	)			15.1
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES			—				285				350				(100.0	)			(100.0	)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses			8,463				8,235				7,001				2.8				20.9
NONINTEREST INCOME
Loan and deposit service fees			913				888				913				2.8				—
Mortgage servicing fees, net of amortization			239				44				63				443.2				279.4
Net gain on sale of loans			252				44				269				472.7				(6.3	)
Net gain on sale of investment securities			136				—				—				100.0				100.0
Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned    life insurance			158				159				170				(0.6	)			(7.1	)
Other income			—				64				29				(100.0	)			(100.0	)
Total noninterest income			1,698				1,199				1,444				41.6				17.6
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Compensation and benefits			4,466				4,753				4,160				(6.0	)			7.4
Real estate owned and repossessed assets     expense, net			8				14				39				(42.9	)			(79.5	)
Data processing			604				617				764				(2.1	)			(20.9	)
Occupancy and equipment			1,022				995				897				2.7				13.9
Supplies, postage, and telephone			211				196				150				7.7				40.7
Regulatory assessments and state taxes			128				137				134				(6.6	)			(4.5	)
Advertising			142				217				129				(34.6	)			10.1
Professional fees			466				363				357				28.4				30.5
FDIC insurance premium			69				70				119				(1.4	)			(42.0	)
Other			691				577				711				19.8				(2.8	)
Total noninterest expense			7,807				7,939				7,460				(1.7	)			4.7
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME    TAXES			2,354				1,495				985				57.5				139.0
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES			581				380				334				52.9				74.0
NET INCOME		$	1,773			$	1,115			$	651				59.0	%			172.4	%
Basic and diluted earnings per share		$	0.17			$	0.10			$	0.06				70.0	%			183.3	%

 

FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY

Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data

(Unaudited)

 

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