TSBK - Timberland Bancorp Reports Third Fiscal Quarter Net Income of $5.92 Million

• Quarterly EPS of $0.74
• Quarterly Return on Average Assets of 1.25%
• Quarterly Net Interest Margin improves to 3.53%
• Net Loans Increased by 11% Year-Over-Year
• Deposits Increased by 5% Year-Over-Year
• Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend

HOQUIAM, Wash., July 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Timberland Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSBK) (“Timberland” or “the Company”), the holding company for Timberland Bank (the “Bank”), today reported net income of $5.92 million, or $0.74 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. This compares to net income of $5.71 million, or $0.70 per diluted common share, for the preceding quarter and $6.31 million, or $0.77 per diluted common share, for the comparable quarter one year ago.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2024, Timberland’s net income decreased 12% to $17.93 million, or $2.21 per diluted common share, compared to $20.48 million, or $2.47 per diluted common share for the first nine months of fiscal 2023.

“We are pleased with our third quarter fiscal year 2024 operating results, which were highlighted by increased earnings, net interest margin improvement, and continued loan portfolio growth,” stated Dean Brydon, Chief Executive Officer. “Net income and EPS increased by 4% and 6%, respectively, compared to the prior quarter primarily due to an improvement in our net interest margin and higher non-interest income. While third quarter earnings increased compared to the prior quarter, they were lower compared to the year ago quarter, which was near the highest point of our margin in this interest rate cycle before deposit cost increases began compressing margins.”

As a result of Timberland’s solid earnings and strong capital position, its Board of Directors announced a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders to $0.24 per share, payable on August 23, 2024, to shareholders of record on August 9, 2024. This represents the 47th consecutive quarter Timberland will have paid a cash dividend.

“The loan portfolio continues to grow nicely, with solid quarterly and year-over-year growth,” Brydon continued. “Net loans receivable grew by $38 million, or 3%, during the quarter, with increases primarily in the commercial real estate, 1-4 family and multi-family portfolios. We continue to remain optimistic regarding the overall strength of our loan portfolio and the opportunities for loan growth in our markets. Credit quality metrics are still holding up relatively well, with $36,000 in net charge-offs for the quarter and non-performing assets at 22 basis points of total assets, at the end of the third quarter.”

“A highlight of the quarter was the five basis point improvement in the net interest margin to 3.53% for the third quarter, compared to the preceding quarter, as the yield improvements on interest-earning assets outpaced the increase in cost of funds,” said Jonathan Fischer, President and Chief Operating Officer. “Total deposits decreased $10 million during the quarter as deposit competition remained strong.”

Earnings and Balance Sheet Highlights (at or for the periods ended June 30, 2024, compared to June 30, 2023, or March 31, 2024):

Earnings Highlights:

• Earnings per diluted common share (“EPS”) increased 6% to $0.74 for the current quarter from $0.70 for the preceding quarter and decreased 4% from $0.77 for the comparable quarter one year ago; EPS for the first nine months of fiscal 2024 decreased 11% to $2.21 from $2.47 for the first nine months of fiscal 2023;
• Net income increased 4% to $5.92 million for the current quarter from $5.71 million for the preceding quarter and decreased 6% from $6.31 million for the comparable quarter one year ago; Net income decreased 12% to $17.93 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2024 compared to $20.48 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2023;
• Return on average equity (“ROE”) and return on average assets (“ROA”) for the current quarter were 9.95% and 1.25%, respectively;
• Net interest margin (“NIM”) for the current quarter expanded to 3.53% from 3.48% for the preceding quarter and compressed from 3.94% for the comparable quarter one year ago; and
• The efficiency ratio for the current quarter was 58.97% compared to 60.22% for the preceding quarter and 56.01% for the comparable quarter one year ago.

Balance Sheet Highlights:

• Total assets decreased slightly (less than 1%) from the prior quarter and increased 5% year-over-year;
• Net loans receivable increased 3% from the prior quarter and increased 11% year-over-year;
• Total deposits decreased 1% from the prior quarter and increased 5% year-over-year;
• Total shareholders’ equity increased 1% from the prior quarter and increased 5% year-over-year; 70,000 shares of common stock were repurchased during the quarter for $1.77 million;
• Non-performing assets to total assets ratio was 0.22% at June 30, 2024 compared to 0.19% at March 31, 2024 and 0.09% at June 30, 2023;
• Book and tangible book (non-GAAP) values per common share increased to $30.33 and $28.36, respectively, at June 30, 2024; and
• Liquidity (both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet) remained strong at June 30, 2024 with only $20 million in borrowings and additional secured borrowing line capacity of $665 million available through the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and the Federal Reserve.

Operating Results

Operating revenue (net interest income before the provision for credit losses plus non-interest income) for the current quarter increased 3% to $18.77 million from $18.25 million for the preceding quarter and decreased 4% from $19.51 million for the comparable quarter one year ago. The increase in operating revenue compared to the preceding quarter was primarily due to an increase in interest income from loans, investment securities and overnight funds and an increase in non-interest income. These increases to operating revenue were partially offset by an increase in funding costs. Operating revenue decreased by 7%, to $55.82 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2024 from $59.74 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2023, primarily due to an increase in funding costs, which outpaced the increase in interest income.

Net interest income increased $346,000, or 2%, to $15.98 million for the current quarter from $15.64 million for the preceding quarter and decreased $653,000, or 4%, from $16.63 million for the comparable quarter one year ago. The increase in net interest income compared to the preceding quarter was primarily due to an increase in the weighted average yield of interest-earning assets to 5.33% from 5.16% in for the preceding quarter and a $15.42 million increase in average total interest-earning assets. Partially offsetting the increase in the weighted average yield of interest-earning assets, was in increase in the weighted average cost of interest bearing liabilities to 2.64% from 2.50% for the preceding quarter. Timberland’s NIM for the current quarter expanded to 3.53% from 3.48% for the preceding quarter and compressed from 3.94% for the comparable quarter one year ago. The NIM for the current quarter was increased by approximately three basis points due to the collection of $124,000 in pre-payment penalties, non-accrual interest, and late fees and the accretion of $9,000 of the fair value discount on acquired loans. The NIM for the preceding quarter was increased by approximately three basis points due to the collection of $90,000 in pre-payment penalties, non-accrual interest, and late fees, and the accretion of $10,000 of the fair value discount on acquired loans. The NIM for the comparable quarter one year ago was increased by approximately three basis points due to the collection of $87,000 in pre-payment penalties, non-accrual interest, and late fees, and the accretion of $22,000 of the fair value discount on acquired loans. Net interest income for the first nine months of fiscal 2024 decreased $3.91 million, or 8%, to $47.62 million from $51.53 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2023, primarily due to funding cost increases, which outpaced the increase in interest income. Timberland’s NIM compressed to 3.53% for the first nine months of fiscal 2024 from 3.99% for the first nine months of fiscal 2023.

A $264,000 provision for credit losses on loans was recorded for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The provision was primarily due to loan portfolio growth and changes in the composition of the loan portfolio. This compares to a $166,000 provision for credit losses on loans for the preceding quarter and a $610,000 provision for credit losses on loans for the comparable quarter one year ago. In addition, a $12,000 recapture of credit losses on investments securities and an $8,000 recapture of credit losses for unfunded commitments were recorded for the current quarter.

Non-interest income increased $176,000, or 7%, to $2.79 million for the current quarter from $2.62 million for the preceding quarter and decreased $84,000, or 3%, from $2.88 million for the comparable quarter one year ago. The increase in non-interest income compared to the preceding quarter was primarily due to increases in ATM and debit card interchange transaction fees, gain on sale of loans, service charges on deposits, and smaller changes in several other categories. Fiscal year-to-date non-interest income decreased slightly (less than 1%) to $8.20 million from $8.22 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2023.

Total operating (non-interest) expenses for the current quarter increased $78,000, or 1%, to $11.07 million from $10.99 million for the preceding quarter and increased $142,000, or 1%, from $10.93 million for the comparable quarter one year ago. The increase in operating expenses compared to the preceding quarter was primarily due to increases in deposit operations, advertising, technology and communications, and smaller increases in several other expense categories. These increases were partially offset by decreases in salaries and employee benefits, premises and equipment, and smaller decreases in several other expense categories. The efficiency ratio for the current quarter was 58.97% compared to 60.22% for the preceding quarter and 56.01% for the comparable quarter one year ago. Fiscal year-to-date operating expenses increased 1% to $32.68 million from $32.41 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2023. The efficiency ratio for the first nine months of fiscal 2024 was 58.55% compared to 54.24% for the first nine months of fiscal 2023.

The provision for income taxes for the current quarter increased $65,000, or 4%, to $1.54 million from $1.47 million for the preceding quarter, primarily due to higher taxable income. Timberland’s effective income tax rate was 20.6% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 compared to 20.5% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 and 20.9% for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. Timberland’s effective income tax rate was 20.2% for the first nine months of fiscal 2024 compared to 20.4% for the first nine months of fiscal 2023.

Balance Sheet Management

Total assets decreased $6.61 million, or less than 1%, during the quarter to $1.90 billion at June 30, 2024 from $1.91 billion at March 31, 2024 and increased $92.92 million, or 5%, from $1.81 billion one year ago. The decrease in assets during the current quarter was primarily due to a $23.01 million net decrease in investment securities and CDs held for investment and a $21.44 million decrease in total cash and cash equivalents, which was partially offset by a $37.90 million increase in net loans receivable. Total deposits decreased by $10.01 million during the quarter and total shareholders’ equity increased by $2.54 million.

Liquidity

Timberland has maintained a strong liquidity position (both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet) while continuing to grow the loan portfolio. Liquidity, as measured by the sum of cash and cash equivalents, CDs held for investment, and available for sale investment securities, was 14.7% of total liabilities at June 30, 2024, compared to 15.2% at March 31, 2024, and 12.1% one year ago. Timberland had secured borrowing line capacity of $665 million available through the FHLB and the Federal Reserve at June 30, 2024. With a strong and diversified deposit base, only 18% of Timberland’s deposits were uninsured or uncollateralized at June 30, 2024. (Note: This calculation excludes public deposits that are fully collateralized.)

Loans

Net loans receivable increased $37.90 million, or 3%, during the quarter to $1.40 billion at June 30, 2024 from $1.36 billion at March 31, 2024. This increase was primarily due to a $20.49 million increase in commercial real estate loans, a $12.18 million increase in one- to four-family loans, a $10.68 million increase in multi-family loans and smaller increases in several other loan categories. These increases to net loans receivable were partially offset by a $9.69 million increase in undisbursed portion of construction and land development loans and smaller decreases in several other loan categories.

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The following table provides a breakdown of commercial real estate (“CRE”) mortgage loans by collateral type as of June 30, 2024:

Timberland originated $74.32 million in loans during the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $39.37 million for the preceding quarter and $93.72 million for the comparable quarter one year ago. Timberland continues to originate fixed-rate one- to four-family mortgage loans, a portion of which are sold into the secondary market for asset-liability management purposes and to generate non-interest income. During the current quarter, fixed-rate one- to four-family mortgage loans totaling $3.05 million were sold compared to $2.28 million for the preceding quarter and $3.41 million for the comparable quarter one year ago.

Investment Securities

Timberland’s investment securities and CDs held for investment decreased $23.01 million, or 8%, to $262.60 million at June 30, 2024, from $285.61 million at March 31, 2024. The decrease was primarily due to maturities of U.S. Treasury investment securities (classified as held to maturity) totaling $30.00 million and, to a lesser extent, scheduled amortization. Partially offsetting these decreases, was the purchase of additional U.S. government agency mortgage-backed investment securities and U.S. Treasury investment securities, all of which were classified as available for sale.

Deposits

Total deposits decreased $10.01 million, or 1%, during the quarter to $1.63 billion at June 30, 2024, from $1.64 billion at March 31, 2024. The quarter’s decrease consisted of a $17.78 million decrease in non-interest bearing deposit balances, an $11.83 million decrease in NOW checking account balances and a $3.16 million decrease in savings account balances. These decreases were partially offset by a $15.17 million increase in money market account balances and a $7.60 million increase in certificate of deposit account balances.

Borrowings

Total borrowings were $20.00 million at both June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024. At June 30, 2024, the weighted average rate on the borrowings was 4.34%.

Shareholders’ Equity and Capital Ratios

Total shareholders’ equity increased $2.54 million, or 1%, to $241.23 million at June 30, 2024, from $238.70 million at March 31, 2024. The increase in shareholders’ equity was primarily due to net income of $5.92 million for the quarter and a $200,000 reduction in the accumulated other comprehensive loss category for fair value adjustments on available for sale investment securities. These increases to shareholders’ equity were partially offset by the payment of $1.92 million in dividends to shareholders and the repurchase of 70,000 shares of common stock for $1.77 million (an average price of $25.24 per share). Timberland had 192,025 shares available to be repurchased in accordance with the terms of its existing stock repurchase plan at June 30, 2024.

Timberland remains well capitalized with a total risk-based capital ratio of 19.22%, a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 12.04%, a tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio (non-GAAP) of 11.97%, and a shareholders’ equity to total assets ratio of 12.69% at June 30, 2024. Timberland’s held to maturity investment securities were $176.79 million at June 30, 2024, with a net unrealized loss of $10.00 million (pre-tax). Although not permitted by U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), including these unrealized losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) would result in a ratio of shareholders’ equity to total assets of 12.33%, compared to 12.69%, as reported.

Asset Quality

Timberland’s non-performing assets to total assets ratio was 0.22% at June 30, 2024 compared to 0.19% at March 31, 2024 and 0.09% at June 30, 2023. Net charge-offs totaled $36,000 for the current quarter compared to net charge-offs of $3,000 for the preceding quarter and net charge-offs of $1,000 for the comparable quarter one year ago. During the current quarter, a provision for credit losses on loans of $264,000 was made, which was partially offset by recaptures of credit losses of $12,000 on investment securities and $8,000 on unfunded commitments. The ACL for loans as a percentage of loans receivable was 1.21% at June 30, 2024, compared to 1.22% at March 31, 2024 and 1.20% one year ago.

Total delinquent loans (past due 30 days or more) and non-accrual loans increased $33,000 or 1%, to $4.23 million at June 30, 2024, from $4.20 million at March 31, 2024. Non-accrual loans increased $515,000, or 14%, to $4.12 million at June 30, 2024 from $3.61 million at March 31, 2024. The quarterly increase in non-accrual loans was primarily due to a $450,000 increase in home equity and second mortgage loans, a $161,000 increase in commercial real estate loans, and a $149,000 increase in commercial business loans on non-accrual status. These increases were partially offset by a $245,000 decrease in one- to four-family loans on non-accrual status.

About Timberland Bancorp, Inc.
Timberland Bancorp, Inc., a Washington corporation, is the holding company for Timberland Bank. The Bank opened for business in 1915 and primarily serves consumers and businesses across Grays Harbor, Thurston, Pierce, King, Kitsap and Lewis counties, Washington with a full range of lending and deposit services through its 23 branches (including its main office in Hoquiam).

Disclaimer

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 statements relate to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance or business. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact, are based on certain assumptions and often include 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. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated or implied by our forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: potential adverse impacts to economic conditions in our local market areas, other markets where the Company has lending relationships, or other aspects of the Company's business operations or financial markets, including, without limitation, as a result of employment levels, labor shortages and the effects of inflation, a potential recession or slowed economic growth; continuing elevated levels of inflation and the impact of current and future monetary policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("Federal Reserve") in response thereto; the effects of any federal government shutdown; credit risks of lending activities, including any deterioration in the housing and commercial real estate markets which may lead to increased losses and non-performing loans in our loan portfolio resulting in our ACL not being adequate to cover actual losses and thus requiring us to materially increase our ACL through the provision for credit losses; changes in general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas; changes in the levels of general interest rates, and the relative differences between short and long-term interest rates, 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 Federal Reserve and of our bank subsidiary by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Banks or other regulatory authorities, including the possibility that any such regulatory authority may, among other things, institute a formal or informal enforcement action against us or our bank subsidiary which could require us to increase our ACL, write-down assets, change our regulatory capital position or affect our ability to borrow funds or maintain or increase deposits or impose additional requirements or restrictions on us, any of which could adversely affect our liquidity and earnings; the impact of bank failures or adverse developments at other banks and related negative press about the banking industry in general on investor and depositor sentiment; legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect our business including changes in banking, securities and tax law, in regulatory policies and principles, or the interpretation of regulatory capital or other rules; our ability to attract and retain deposits; our ability to control operating costs and expenses; the use of estimates in determining fair value of certain of our assets, which estimates may prove to be incorrect and result in significant declines in valuation; difficulties in reducing risks associated with the loans in our consolidated balance sheet; staffing fluctuations in response to product demand or the implementation of corporate strategies that affect our work force and potential associated charges; disruptions, security breaches, or other adverse events, failures or interruptions in, or attacks on, our information technology systems or on the third-party vendors who perform several of our critical processing functions; 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; 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; the quality and composition of our securities portfolio and the impact if any adverse changes in the securities markets, including on market liquidity; 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 ("FASB"), including additional guidance and interpretation on accounting issues and details of the implementation of new accounting methods; the economic impact of climate change, severe weather events, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics and other public health crises, acts of war or terrorism, civil unrest and other external events on our business; other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting our operations, pricing, products and services; and other risks described elsewhere in this press release and in the Company's other reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Any of the forward-looking statements that we make in this press release and in the other public statements we make are based upon management's beliefs and assumptions at the time they are made. We do not undertake and specifically disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this press release to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those contained in such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking statements discussed in this document might not occur and we caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. These risks could cause our actual results for fiscal 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 consolidated financial condition and results of operations as well as its stock price performance.

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(a) Annualized
(b) Non-performing assets include non-accrual loans, loans past due 90 days and still accruing, non-performing investment securities and OREO and other repossessed assets.
(c) Does not include loans held for sale and is before the allowance for loan losses.
(d) Tangible common equity divided by common shares outstanding (non-GAAP).