Banner Corporation Reports Net Income of $45.1 Million, or $1.30 Per Diluted Share, for First Quarter 2025; Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.48 Per Share

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WALLA WALLA, Wash., April 16, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Banner Corporation (NASDAQ: BANR) ("Banner"), the parent company of Banner Bank, today reported net income of $45.1 million, or $1.30 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $46.4 million, or $1.34 per diluted share, for the preceding quarter and $37.6 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2024. Net interest income was $141.1 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $140.5 million in the preceding quarter and $133.0 million in the first quarter a year ago. The increase in net interest income compared to the preceding quarter reflects an overall increase in the yield on interest-earning assets and a decrease in funding costs, partially offset by a decrease in the average balance of interest-earning assets. The increase in net interest income compared to the prior year quarter reflects an increase in both the yield and average balance of interest-earning assets, partially offset by an increase in funding costs. First quarter 2025 results included a $3.1 million provision for credit losses, compared to $3.0 million in the preceding quarter and $520,000 in the first quarter of 2024.

Banner announced that its Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.48 per share payable May 9, 2025, to common shareholders of record on April 29, 2025.

"Banner’s first quarter operating results reflect the continued successful execution of our super community bank strategy, which emphasizes growing new client relationships, maintaining our core funding position, promoting client loyalty and advocacy through our responsive service model, and sustaining a moderate risk profile," said Mark Grescovich, President and CEO. "Our earnings for the first quarter of 2025 benefited from our solid year over year loan growth as well as net interest margin expansion during the first quarter as a result of higher yields on interest-earning assets and lower funding costs. This benefit was partially offset by lower non-interest income and increased non-interest expense. The investments we have made and continue to make to improve our operating performance have positioned Banner well for the future. Additionally, Banner’s credit metrics continue to be strong, our reserve for loan losses remained solid, and our capital base continues to be robust. We continue to benefit from a strong core deposit base that has been resilient in a highly competitive environment, with core deposits representing 89% of total deposits at quarter end. Banner has upheld its core values for the past 134 years, which are to do the right thing for our clients, communities, colleagues, company and shareholders; and to provide consistent and reliable strength through all economic cycles and change events."