Jonathan R. Sparling Joins First Federal as Senior Director of Commercial Lending

PORT ANGELES, Wash., April 27, 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 announced that Jonathan R. Sparling joined First Federal’s management team as Senior Director of Commercial Lending, effective today.

“We are thrilled that Jonathan Sparling has joined our growing Commercial Lending Division,” said Matthew P. Deines, President and CEO. “Jonathan will focus on growing our loan portfolio and leading a team of experienced commercial bankers who support our communities with customized solutions for loans, treasury management, and deposit services.”

Sparling, a seasoned commercial lender with over 15 years of experience in the banking industry, has held progressively responsible positions, more recently with Independent Bank in North Texas where he worked for 12 years. He was tasked with organic loan growth as he managed and built a very successful lending team that was responsible for a portfolio over $1Billion. At First Federal, Sparling will play a strategic role overseeing the management and development of commercial lending programs, activities and teams with a focus on growth. Sparling holds a BBA in Financial Services and Planning from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and earned his MBA from Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

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 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 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 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.