FNWB - First Northwest Bancorp Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

PORT ANGELES, Wash., April 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "The company returned to profitability in Q1 2024 following the first step of our balance sheet restructure in the fourth quarter of 2023," said Matthew P. Deines, President and CEO. "We continue to execute on this strategy as we added over $90 million in current market rate loans and securities over the course of the first quarter. We will continue this strategy in the second quarter as we prepare to execute on a sale-leaseback transaction for six of our branches located on the Olympic Peninsula. We anticipate this transaction will enable additional securities sales, furthering our goal of increasing our net interest margin and overall profitability. We were able to manage operating expenses well during the quarter and we maintain our disciplined approach to improving earnings per share and return on average equity.

"We are making good progress on our small business lending program, operating accounts for small to medium sized businesses and an enhancement to our digital business banking platform. We are also focused on reducing our reliance on term deposits, both brokered and retail. Term deposits decreased during the quarter by $39.9 million or 6.1%. Non-maturity deposits increased by $29.7 million or 2.9% over the past three months. Other than two previously identified criticized loans, we have not seen deterioration in our credit quality metrics during the quarter. Classified loans remain at 2.1% of total loans, consistent with levels at December 31, 2023. Both of these loan relationships have been evaluated for individual impairment as of March 31, 2024, and the total reserve for these relationships is zero, as the discounted collateral value on these loans appears to be sufficient to repay the principal balances in full.

"We completed our 2020 stock buyback plan during the quarter and to date have repurchased over 25% of the shares issued in our 2015 initial public offering. On April 23, 2024, the Board of Directors approved a new stock buyback plan for up to 10% of the shares currently outstanding. Our capital position remains strong with all bank level regulatory ratios above the well-capitalized criteria."

The Board of Directors of First Northwest Bancorp declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per common share. The dividend will be payable on May 24, 2024, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 10, 2024.

(1)  Performance ratios are annualized, where appropriate.
^* See reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures later in this release.

First Northwest Bancorp (Nasdaq: FNWB) ("First Northwest" or "Company") today reported net income of $396,000 for the first quarter of 2024, compared to a net loss of $5.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 and net income of $3.5 million for the first quarter of 2023. Basic and diluted income per share were $0.04 for the first quarter of 2024, compared to basic and diluted loss per share of $0.62 for the fourth quarter of 2023 and basic and diluted income per share of $0.39 for the first quarter of 2023. In the first quarter of 2024, the Company generated a return on average assets of 0.07%, a return on average equity of 0.98% and a return on average tangible common equity* of 0.99%. Income before provision for income taxes was $843,000 for the current quarter, compared to a loss of $6.9 million for the preceding quarter, an increase of $7.7 million, or 112.3%, and decreased $3.4 million compared to income of $4.3 million for the first quarter of 2023.

The Bank continued efforts to restructure the balance sheet to improve the earning asset yield, which started in the fourth quarter of 2023. Investment security purchases during the first quarter of 2024 totaled $45.3 million, carrying an estimated weighted-average yield of 6.3% with a weighted-average life of 5.6 years. The annualized interest income on these securities is anticipated to provide an additional $2.9 million to revenue.

Also in the first quarter of 2024, we established a fair value hedge on loans to manage ongoing interest rate risk by reducing liability sensitivity while also increasing interest income. It is a four-year fixed-for-floating contract. We estimate that if rates remain flat, this hedge will add $1.7 million of annualized interest income in 2024. The estimated impact will be reduced if the Federal Reserve implements rate cuts during the year.

The balance sheet restructure plan also includes the surrender of $22.5 million and exchange of $3.5 million of existing BOLI contracts to reinvest in higher yielding products, which is anticipated to add about $1 million to revenue each year. The first-year revenue increase will be partially offset by taxes on surrender values and charges on exchanged contracts. The first $6.1 million was surrendered during the first quarter with the remaining surrender transactions expected to complete by the end of the third quarter of 2024.

In addition to our new board member, Sean Brennan, First Fed added two new executive roles to foster a sharpened focus on digital and strategic initiatives and welcomes an additional Director of Commercial Banking. The Chief Innovation Officer, David Edelstein, will lead digital banking, technology, data, and fintech partnerships. Mr. Edelstein brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in financial services and technology. In addition, Chris Riffle was promoted to Chief Strategy Officer, and will focus on First Fed’s strategic initiatives with specific emphasis on planning and optimization of systems, teams, and processes. These new roles strengthen our commitment to deliver outstanding customer experiences by combining our trusted local presence with digital solutions. Charlie Guildner is expected to join the commercial banking team in the second quarter of 2024 to lead the North Cascades region and drive commercial business loan growth. Mr. Guildner has nearly 40 years of community banking experience, including having served President and CEO of North Cascades Bank.

Net Interest Income
Total interest income increased $1.0 million to $27.3 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $26.3 million in the previous quarter, and increased $4.0 million compared to $23.3 million in the first quarter of 2023. Interest income increased in the current quarter due to higher yields on loans, investments and interest-earning deposits in banks and an increased volume of loans. Interest and fees on loans increased year-over-year as First Fed's loan portfolio grew as a result of draws on new and existing lines of credit, originations of multi-family and home equity loans, and auto and manufactured home loan purchases. Loan yields increased over the prior year due to higher rates on new originations as well as the repricing of variable rate loans tied to the Prime Rate or other indices.

Total interest expense increased $1.3 million to $13.4 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $12.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, and increased $6.4 million compared to $7.0 million in the first quarter a year ago. Current quarter interest expense was higher due to a 31 basis point increase in the cost of deposits to 2.43% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, from 2.12% for the prior quarter. During the first quarter, customers continued to shift their deposits into higher paying products, resulting in a higher cost of deposits for the Bank. The increase over the first quarter of 2023 was the result of a 131 basis point increase in the cost of deposits from 1.12% in the first quarter one year ago, along with higher volumes and rates paid on certificates of deposit ("CDs"). A shift in the deposit mix from transaction and savings accounts to money market accounts and CDs also added to the higher cost of deposits compared to the first quarter of 2023. Higher costs of brokered CDs also contributed to additional deposit costs with a 195 basis point increase to 4.94% for the current quarter compared to 2.99% for the first quarter one year ago.

Net interest income before provision for credit losses for the first quarter of 2024 decreased $267,000, or 1.9%, to $13.9 million, compared to $14.2 million for the preceding quarter, and decreased $2.4 million, or 14.6%, from the first quarter one year ago.

The Company recorded a $970,000 provision for credit losses in the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to additional charge-offs from the Splash unsecured consumer loan program and an increase in commercial business loan balances. Decreases attributable to the loss factors applied to Woodside auto loans as well as construction loans at quarter end were offset by increases to the loss factors applied to one-to-four family loans, home equity lines of credit and home equity loans. The provision for credit losses on loans was partially offset by a provision recovery on unfunded commitments due to a decrease in volume at quarter end. This compares to a credit loss provision of $1.2 million for the preceding quarter and a $500,000 recapture of provision for the first quarter of 2023.

The net interest margin decreased to 2.76% for the first quarter of 2024, from 2.84% for the prior quarter, and decreased 70 basis points from 3.46% for the first quarter of 2023. Decreases from both the prior quarter and the same quarter one year ago are due to higher funding costs for deposits and borrowed funds. The weighted-average yield on new loan originations was 8.2%, which partially offset the increase in the cost of funds. Organic loan production was augmented with higher-yielding purchased loans through established third-party relationships. Interest income on the Bank's fair value hedging agreements on securities increased quarter-over-quarter by $157,000. The fair value hedge on loans established mid-quarter added $173,000 in interest income for the first quarter of 2024.

The yield on average earning assets for the first quarter of 2024 increased 15 basis points to 5.42% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 and increased 47 basis points from 4.95% for the first quarter of 2023. The first quarter increase is primarily attributable to higher loan rates at origination and increased yields on variable-rate loans. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to higher average loan balances augmented by increases in yields, which were positively impacted by the rising rate environment and overall improvements in the mix of interest-earning assets.

The cost of average interest-bearing liabilities increased 27 basis points to 3.14% for the first quarter of 2024, compared to 2.87% for the fourth quarter of 2023, and increased 133 basis points from 1.81% for the first quarter of 2023. Total cost of funds increased to 2.74% for the first quarter of 2024 from 2.48% in the prior quarter and increased from 1.53% for the first quarter of 2023.

Current quarter increases were due to higher costs on interest-bearing customer deposits due to competitive pressures related to continued higher market rates and migration from lower costing deposits to higher yield money market accounts. The volume of brokered CDs decreased to $192.2 million from the linked quarter. Brokered offerings were issued at nominally higher rates.

The increase over the same quarter last year was driven by higher rates paid on deposits and borrowings and higher average CD balances. The Company attracted and retained funding through the use of promotional products and a focus on digital account acquisition during 2023. The mix of retail deposit balances shifted from no or low-cost transaction accounts towards higher cost term certificate and higher yield money market and savings products. Retail CDs represented 28.4%, 30.2% and 22.8% of retail deposits at March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively. Average interest-bearing deposit balances increased $43.0 million, or 3.1%, to $1.42 billion for the first quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 and increased $133.6 million, or 10.4%, compared to $1.29 billion for the first quarter of 2023.

Noninterest Income
Noninterest income increased to $2.2 million for the first quarter of 2024 compared to a loss of $2.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. During the fourth quarter of 2023, there was a $5.4 million loss on the sale of lower-yielding securities that have since been reinvested at higher yields. The decrease in some of the other income accounts is due to one-time entries recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023 for the gain on sale of Visa, Inc. Class B common stock of $470,000 and $200,000 of funds recouped on Splash loan charge-offs.

Noninterest income decreased 6.3% from $2.3 million in the same quarter one year ago, primarily due to lower servicing asset valuation and gain on sale of loans, partially offset by an unrealized gain on partnership investments. Saleable mortgage loan production and related gains continued to be impacted by higher market rates on mortgage loans compared to the prior year.

Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense totaled $14.3 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $17.0 million for the preceding quarter and $14.9 million for the first quarter a year ago. Other expense decreased this quarter due to the one-time entries recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023 of $1.5 million for the Quil Ventures commitment receivable write-off, an accrual of $718,000 for a potential civil money penalty proposed by the FDIC and a write-off of investor accounting related items totaling $725,000. Current quarter decreases also included a reduction in consulting fees of $223,000, a reduction in software licensing fees of $158,000 and a $218,000 reduction in the accrual for a potential civil money penalty that were partially offset by increases in medical benefits of $142,000 and marketing expenses of $266,000.

The decrease in total noninterest expenses compared to the first quarter of 2023 is mainly due to lower advertising costs. The Company continues to focus on controlling compensation expense and reducing advertising and other discretionary spending while the net interest margin compression due to higher market rates and an inverted yield curve persists. We do not anticipate a recurrence of any of the one-time charges referred to previously.

Investment Securities
Investment securities increased $30.3 million, or 10.3%, to $326.0 million at March 31, 2024, compared to $295.6 million three months earlier, and decreased $3.1 million compared to $329.1 million at March 31, 2023. The market value of the portfolio decreased $749,000 during the first quarter of 2024 primarily due to widening spreads on the Bank's subordinate debt investments. At March 31, 2024, municipal bonds totaled $87.0 million and comprised the largest portion of the investment portfolio at 26.7%. Agency issued mortgage-backed securities ("MBS agency") were the second largest segment, totaling $83.3 million, or 25.5%, of the portfolio at quarter end. Included in MBS non-agency are $29.9 million of commercial mortgaged-backed securities ("CMBS"), of which 93.3% are in "A" tranches and the remaining 6.7% are in "B" tranches. Our largest exposure is to long-term care facilities, which comprises 65.3%, or $19.5 million, of our private label CMBS securities. All of the CMBS bonds have credit enhancements ranging from 29% to 99%, with a weighted-average credit enhancement of 56%, that further reduces the risk of loss on these investments.

The estimated average life of the securities portfolio was approximately 7.78 years, compared to 7.69 years in the prior quarter and 8.08 years in the first quarter of 2023. The effective duration of the portfolio was approximately 4.41 years at March 31, 2024, compared to 4.75 years in the prior quarter and 5.08 years at the end of the first quarter of 2023. Our recent investments have primarily been floating rate securities to take advantage of higher short-term rates above those offered on cash and to reduce our liability sensitivity.

Loans and Unfunded Loan Commitments
Net loans, excluding loans held for sale, increased $50.3 million, or 3.1%, to $1.69 billion at March 31, 2024, from $1.64 billion at December 31, 2023, and increased $130.7 million, or 8.4%, from $1.56 billion one year ago.

Commercial business loans increased $24.0 million, primarily attributable to an increase in our Northpointe Bank Mortgage Purchase Program participation from $9.5 million last quarter to $15.0 million at the current quarter end, $8.7 million of new Bankers Healthcare group loans and organic originations partially offset by payments. Auto and other consumer loans increased $19.7 million during the current quarter with $13.4 million of new Woodside auto loan purchases and a pool purchase of Triad manufactured home loans totaling $5.1 million, partially offset by payments. Multi-family loans increased $6.4 million during the current quarter. The increase was primarily the result of $5.1 million of organic loan production and $3.7 million of construction loans converting into permanent amortizing loans, partially offset by scheduled payments. One-to-four family loans increased $5.5 million during the current quarter as a result of $10.4 million in residential construction loans that converted to permanent amortizing loans, partially offset by payments. Home equity loans increased $3.0 million over the previous quarter due to draws on new and existing commitments and $833,000 from organic home equity loan production.

Construction loans decreased $4.3 million during the quarter, with $14.5 million converting into fully amortizing loans, partially offset by draws on new and existing loans. New single-family residence construction loan commitments totaled $1.9 million in the first quarter, compared to $2.3 million in the preceding quarter. Commercial real estate loans decreased $2.9 million during the current quarter compared to the previous quarter due to a reclassification of $2.9 million to multi-family along with payoffs and scheduled payments exceeding originations.

The Company originated $5.0 million in residential mortgages during the first quarter of 2023 and sold $5.2 million, with an average gross margin on sale of mortgage loans of approximately 2.16%. This production compares to residential mortgage originations of $4.5 million in the preceding quarter with sales of $4.2 million, and an average gross margin of 2.01%. Single-family home inventory remains historically low and higher market rates on mortgage loans continue to limit saleable mortgage loan production.

Deposits
Total deposits decreased $10.3 million to $1.67 billion at March 31, 2024, compared to $1.68 billion at December 31, 2023, and increased $72.4 million, or 4.5%, compared to $1.59 billion one year ago. During first quarter of 2024, total retail deposit balances increased $5.2 million while brokered deposit balances decreased $15.4 million. Compared to the preceding quarter, there were balance increases in business money market accounts of $19.6 million, consumer money market accounts of $13.5 million, consumer demand accounts of $2.0 million, and business savings accounts of $379,000. These increases were offset by decreases in consumer CDs of $20.9 million, brokered CDs of $15.4 million, consumer savings accounts of $6.0 million, public fund CDs of $2.5 million, business CDs of $1.1 million and business demand accounts of $163,000, during the first quarter of 2024. Increases in demand and money market accounts were driven by customer behavior as they sought out higher rates offered as CD specials matured. Deposits originated through digital channels, which are included in the deposits described above, increased $15.3 million, or 23.3%, during the current quarter to $81.1 million at March 31, 2024. Overall, the current rate environment continues to contribute to greater competition for deposits with additional deposit rate specials offered to attract new funds.

The Company estimates that $372.4 million, or 22%, of total deposit balances were uninsured at March 31, 2024. Approximately $242.7 million, or 14%, of total deposits were uninsured business and consumer deposits with the remaining $129.7 million, or 8%, consisting of uninsured public funds at March 31, 2024. Uninsured public fund balances were fully collateralized. The Bank holds an FHLB letter of credit as part of our participation in the Washington Public Deposit Protection Commission program which covered $112.2 million of related deposit balances while the remaining $17.5 million was fully covered through pledged securities at March 31, 2024.

As of March 31, 2024, consumer deposits made up 59% of total deposits with an average balance of $24,000 per account, business deposits made up 21% of total deposits with an average balance of $49,000 per account, public fund deposits made up 8% of total deposits with an average balance of $1.5 million per account and the remaining 12% of account balances are brokered CDs. We have maintained the majority of our public fund relationships for over 10 years. Approximately 69% of our customer base is located in rural areas, with 19% in urban areas and the remaining 12% are brokered deposits as of March 31, 2024.

Asset Quality
Nonperforming loans were $19.5 million at March 31, 2024, an increase of $837,000 from December 31, 2023, primarily attributable to two delinquent commercial business loans with an aggregate total of $1.1 million and a $708,000 multi-family loan placed on nonaccrual due to credit concerns, partially offset by a $544,000 payment received on the commercial construction loan previously placed on nonaccrual and a $591,000 single family residence loan that was paid off during the current quarter. The percentage of the allowance for credit losses on loans to nonperforming loans decreased to 92% at March 31, 2024, from 94% at December 31, 2023, and from 661% at March 31, 2023. Classified loans increased $1.1 million to $36.2 million at March 31, 2024, due to the downgrade of the three loans noted above during the first quarter. A $14.4 million construction loan relationship, which became a classified loan in the fourth quarter of 2022, and a $9.3 million commercial loan relationship which became classified in the fourth quarter of 2023, account for 66% of the classified loan balance at March 31, 2024. The Bank has exercised legal remedies, including the appointment of a third-party receivership and foreclosure actions, to liquidate the underlying collateral to satisfy the real estate loans in the two relationships.

The allowance for credit losses on loans as a percentage of total loans was 1.05% at March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, decreasing from 1.10% one year earlier. The current quarter decrease can be attributed to changes in the loan mix and an update to the loss factors applied.

Capital
Total shareholders’ equity decreased to $160.5 million at March 31, 2024, compared to $163.3 million three months earlier, due to a decrease in the fair market value of the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio, net of taxes, of $588,000, dividends declared of $671,000 and share repurchases totaling $3.0 million, partially offset by net income of $396,000 and a $730,000 increase in the after-tax fair market value of derivatives.

Book value per common share was $17.00 at March 31, 2024, compared to $16.99 at December 31, 2023, and $16.57 at March 31, 2023. Tangible book value per common share* was $16.83 at March 31, 2024, compared to $16.83 at December 31, 2023, and $16.38 at March 31, 2023.

Capital levels for both the Company and its operating bank, First Fed, remain in excess of applicable regulatory requirements and the Bank was categorized as "well-capitalized" at March 31, 2024. Common Equity Tier 1 and Total Risk-Based Capital Ratios at March 31, 2024, were 12.6% and 13.6%, respectively.

Share Repurchase Program and Cash Dividend
First Northwest continued to return capital to our shareholders through cash dividends and share repurchases during the first quarter of 2024. We repurchased 214,132 shares of common stock under the Company's October 2020 Stock Repurchase Plan ("Repurchase Plan") at an average price of $14.03 per share for a total of $3.0 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2024. All authorized shares under the Repurchase Plan have been repurchased. In addition, the Company paid cash dividends totaling $667,000 in the first quarter of 2024.

^* See reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures later in this release.

Awards/Recognition
The Company received several accolades as a leader in the community in the last year.

About the Company
First Northwest Bancorp (Nasdaq: FNWB) is a financial holding company engaged in investment activities including the business of its subsidiary, First Fed Bank. First Fed is a Pacific Northwest-based financial institution which has served its customers and communities since 1923. Currently First Fed has 16 locations in Washington state including 12 full-service branches. First Fed’s business and operating strategy is focused on building sustainable earnings by delivering a full array of financial products and services for individuals, small businesses, non-profit organizations and commercial customers. In 2022, First Northwest made an investment in The Meriwether Group, LLC, a boutique investment banking and accelerator firm. Additionally, First Northwest focuses on strategic partnerships to provide modern financial services such as digital payments and marketplace lending. First Northwest Bancorp was incorporated in 2012 and completed its initial public offering in 2015 under the ticker symbol FNWB. The Company is headquartered in Port Angeles, Washington.

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, and include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions that are not historical facts, and other statements often identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based upon current management beliefs and expectations and may, therefore, involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. 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 of factors including, but not limited to: increased competitive pressures; changes in the interest rate environment; the credit risks of lending activities; pressures on liquidity, including as a result of withdrawals of deposits or declines in the value of our investment portfolio; 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 under the section entitled "Risk Factors," 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 2024 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.

For More Information Contact:
Matthew P. Deines, President and Chief Executive Officer
Geri Bullard, EVP, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
IRGroup@ourfirstfed.com
360-457-0461