Fueled by Strong Loan and Deposit Growth;
Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.05 per SharePORT ANGELES, Wash., July 30, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Northwest Bancorp (Nasdaq: FNWB) (“Company”), the holding company for First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Port Angeles (“Bank” or “First Federal”), today reported net income of $2.0 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2020, reflecting strong loan and deposit growth and an addition to loan loss reserves related to the economic disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic. These results compare to net income of $873,000, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2020, and $2.1 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2019. For the first six months of 2020, net income was $2.9 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, from $4.3 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, for the first six months of 2019.Second Quarter 2020 Highlights (at or for the quarter ended June 30, 2020)Second quarter net income totaled $2.0 million, compared to $873,000 in the preceding quarter and $2.1 million in the year ago quarter.Diluted earnings per share was $0.21, up from $0.09 per share in the preceding quarter and unchanged when compared to the second quarter a year ago.Provision for loan losses was $1.5 million in the second quarter, compared to $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2020 and $255,000 in the second quarter of 2019.Loans receivable increased 9.7% to $986.4 million at June 30, 2020, compared to $899.2 million at March 31, 2020, and increased 12.9% compared to $874.0 million a year ago, primarily due to growth in real estate and commercial business, including PPP loans.Deposits increased 10.0% during the quarter and increased 25.4% from one year prior, to $1.17 billion at June 30, 2020, due to successful organic and wholesale deposit-gathering strategies.The cost of total deposits for the second quarter decreased 13 and 12 basis points, respectively, to 72 basis points from 85 basis points for first quarter 2020 and 84 basis points in the second quarter of 2019.Gain on sale of mortgage loans total $2.0 million for the second quarter compared to $384,000 in the previous quarter and $88,000 in the second quarter of 2019 reflecting strong quarterly mortgage originations.During the second quarter, the Company repurchased 130,237 shares of common stock at an average price of $12.81 per share for a total of $1.7 million under the 2019 Stock Repurchase Plan approved in December 2019.Balance Sheet ReviewTotal assets increased $81.9 million, or 5.9%, during the quarter to $1.48 billion at June 30, 2020, compared to $1.40 billion at March 31, 2020, and increased $221.1 million, or 17.6%, compared to $1.26 billion at June 30, 2019. The quarterly increase in total assets is primarily the result of additions to the available-for-sale investment portfolio and new net loan receivables.Securities consisted of the following at the dates indicated:“We continue to focus our strategic efforts on growing the loan portfolio, while maintaining investment securities for liquidity and generating interest income,” said Geri Bullard, EVP/Chief Financial Officer. “At June 30, 2020, the market values for our bond portfolio increased significantly compared to March 31, 2020, as the bond market started to stabilize.”Loans receivable consisted of the following at the dates indicated:We continue to monitor the sectors that have been most heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The table below presents selected information on loans to these industries as of June 30, 2020.Total deposits increased $106.4 million, or 10.0%, to $1.17 billion at June 30, 2020, compared to $1.06 billion at March 31, 2020 and increased $237.1 million, or 25.4% when compared to $933.3 million a year ago. Savings accounts increased 10.8% compared to a year ago, to $175.7 million at June 30, 2020, and represent 15.0% of total deposits; transaction accounts increased 30.1% compared to a year ago to $339.2 million at June 30, 2020, and represent 29.0% of total deposits; money market accounts increased 31.6% compared to a year ago to $330.3 million, and represent 28.2% of total deposits, and certificates of deposit increased 26.3% compared to a year ago to $325.2 million at quarter-end, and represent 27.8% of total deposits.
Total shareholders’ equity was $176.3 million at June 30, 2020, compared to $167.2 million three months earlier, and $176.4 million a year earlier. The $9 million quarter-over-quarter increase in equity was due an increase to other comprehensive income based on the improvement in the market value of the investment portfolio. The year-over-year decrease resulted from dividends paid and the repurchase of shares of common stock. Book value per common share increased to $17.07 at June 30, 2020, compared to $16.02 at March 31, 2020 and $16.15 at June 30, 2019.
Operating ResultsTotal interest income increased to $12.4 million for the second quarter of 2020, compared to $12.0 million in the previous quarter and decreased compared to $12.8 million in the second quarter of 2019. The year over year decrease is mainly due to a combination of a decrease in yield on investment securities of 57 basis points and a decrease in yield average loans receivable of 34 basis points. Total interest expense was $2.2 million for the second quarter of 2020, compared to $2.6 million in the first quarter of 2020, and $3.1 million in the second quarter a year ago. The decrease in interest expense is due to decreases in both the average balance and the cost of borrowings as well as a decrease in the cost of deposits.Capital Ratios and Credit QualityCapital levels for both the Company and its operating bank, First Federal, remain in excess of applicable regulatory requirements and the Bank was categorized as “well-capitalized” at June 30, 2020. Common Equity Tier 1 and Total Risk-Based Capital Ratios at June 30, 2020 were 15.1% and 16.4%, respectively.About the CompanyFirst 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 state-chartered savings bank primarily serving communities in Western Washington State with thirteen banking locations – eight located within Clallam and Jefferson counties, two in Kitsap County, two in Whatcom County, and a lending center in King County.Forward-Looking StatementsCertain 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 2020 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
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