First Northwest Bancorp Earns $873,000, or $0.09 Per Diluted Share, in First Quarter 2020; Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.05 per Share; Announces COVID-19 Response

PORT ANGELES, Wash., April 29, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Northwest Bancorp FNWB ("Company"), the holding company for First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Port Angeles ("Bank" or "First Federal"), today reported net income of $873,000, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2020, reflecting both strong loan growth and an addition to reserves for the economic disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic.  These results compare to net income of $2.2 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2019, and net income of $2.2 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2019.

The Company also announced today that the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per common share outstanding, payable on May 29, 2020, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 15, 2020.

"The success of our banking operation relies entirely on the safety and well-being of our employees and customers.  As one of the first regions to experience COVID-19 infections, Washington State moved quickly to mandate business closures and implement quarantine measures.  Consequently, we incorporated several COVID-19 pandemic measures to assist the communities we serve," stated Matthew P. Deines, President and CEO. "On March 20, 2020, we began restricting lobby activities at all branches to appointment only and encouraged the use of drive-up services, ITM/ATM machines, digital banking applications and our contact center. Nearly 70% of our staff have the ability to work remotely, and we will continue operating in this manner until the mandated Stay Home, Stay Healthy order is lifted by the State of Washington. Our loan officers are contacting borrowers who are affected by declining economic activity, offering their assistance with payment deferrals and interest only payment options.  Additionally, we continue to help our small business borrowers navigate the SBA's Paycheck Protection Program. We are actively assisting customers and supporting the businesses in our communities."

On March 23, 2020, the State of Washington announced the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order for all residents, resulting in the closing of businesses or a substantial reduction in business activity. The sectors that have been most heavily impacted include hospitality; restaurant and food services; lessors of commercial real estate to hospitality, restaurant, and retail establishments; and professional services. At March 31, 2020, the Company's exposure as a percent of the total loan portfolio to these industries was 5.6%, 0.2%, 5.3%, and 1.6%, respectively.

"Asset quality at quarter end remains strong and we are responding to the pandemic and its economic impact on our customers and communities. As a result, we booked a $1.3 million loan loss provision, which is significantly higher than recent quarterly provisions. This provision was posted in response to the halting of economic activities which impacted businesses in our market and around the world," said Deines.

Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") providing economic relief for the country, including the $349 billion Small Business Administration ("SBA") Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") to fund short-term loans for small businesses. The Company began taking loan applications from its small business clients immediately after the program was implemented, and as of April 28, 2020, had received requests for $36.9 million in SBA PPP loans. We funded over $27.0 million through the program since its inception.

First Quarter 2020 Highlights (at or for the quarter ended March 31, 2020)

• First quarter net income totaled $873,000, compared to $2.2 million in both the preceding quarter and the year ago quarter;
• Diluted earnings per share was $0.09, down from $0.23 per share in the preceding quarter and $0.22 per share in the first quarter a year ago;
• Provision for loan losses was $1.3 million in the first quarter, compared to $249,000 in the fourth quarter of 2019 and $335,000 in the first quarter of 2019.
• Loans receivable increased 2.4% to $899.2 million at March 31, 2020, compared to $878.4 million at December 31, 2019, and increased 1.8% when compared to $883.2 million a year ago, primarily due to growth in commercial business and construction and land loans;
• Deposits increased 6.2% during the quarter and increased 11.7% from one year prior, to $1.06 billion at March 31, 2020, due to successful organic and wholesale deposit-gathering strategies;
• The Company repurchased 288,276 shares of common stock at an average price of $13.26 per share for a total of $3.8 million during the quarter, completing the 2017 Stock Repurchase Plan approved in September 2017 and starting the 2019 Stock Repurchase Plan approved in December 2019.

Balance Sheet Review

Total assets increased $89.6 million, or 6.9%, during the quarter to $1.40 billion at March 31, 2020, compared to $1.31 billion at December 31, 2019, and increased $118.2 million, or 9.2%, compared to $1.28 billion at March 31, 2019. The quarterly increase in total assets occurred in net loans receivable, investment securities and on balance sheet liquidity.

Investment securities increased $1.9 million during the quarter to $317.5 million at March 31, 2020 and increased $59.0 million compared to $258.5 million at March 31, 2019.  "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.  For the quarter ended March 31, 2020 a decrease in the market value of our investment portfolio was attributed to volatility in various bond markets, which was caused by the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  In particular, the market values for our Collateralized Loan Obligations and Student Loan securities were negatively impacted. We believe the indications as of March 31, 2020 were based on a disrupted market and that in a properly functioning market, credit and liquidity premiums will return to more normalized levels. We do not consider these securities to be other than temporarily impaired.

At March 31, 2020, U.S. government agency issued mortgage-backed securities ("MBS agency") comprised the largest portion of our investment portfolio at 45.7%, and totaled $145.1 million at March 31, 2020, while other investment securities totaled $163.3 million and corporate MBS totaled $9.1 million at quarter end. The estimated average life of the total investment securities portfolio increased to 5.3 years, and the average repricing term was approximately 3.6 years.

Total loans, excluding loans held for sale, increased $21.9 million to $905.7 million at March 31, 2020, from $883.8 million at December 31, 2019, and increased $16.7 million during the year from $888.9 million a year ago.  "Loan production was strong in the first few months of the quarter, especially in commercial business segment," said Terry Anderson, EVP/Chief Credit Officer. "We continue our efforts to grow the loan portfolio, utilizing a combination of organic originations and prudent wholesale and loan participation opportunities. Credit underwriting was enhanced during the quarter as we anticipate a more difficult operating environment for the majority of businesses."

The Company originated $30.7 million in new residential mortgages during the quarter, and sold $16.0 million in residential mortgages, with an average gross margin on sale of mortgage loans of approximately 2.11%.  This production compares to residential mortgage originations of $42.3 million in the preceding quarter with sales of $10.6 million.

Loans receivable consisted of the following at the dates indicated:

Total deposits increased 6.2% to $1.06 billion at March 31, 2020, compared to $1.00 billion at December 31, 2019 and increased 11.7% when compared to $925.8 million a year ago. Savings accounts increased 1.5% compared to a year ago, to $165.8 million at March 31, 2020, and represent 15.6% of total deposits; transaction accounts increased 6.5% compared to a year ago to $286.3 million at March 31, 2020, and represent 26.9% of total deposits; money market accounts decreased 4.7% compared to a year ago to $253.2 million, and represent 23.8% of total deposits; and certificates of deposit increased 40.6% compared to a year ago, mainly due to increased utilization of brokered certificates of deposits, to $358.9 million at quarter-end, and represent 33.7% of total deposits.

"Deposit balance increases were mainly the result of increases in certificates of deposit as we continued strategic use of brokered certificates of deposit ("brokered CDs") as an additional funding source. We had $90.4 million and $51.6 million in brokered CDs included in our balance of certificates of deposit at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. We were able to reduce our cost of funding over the quarter by reducing our retail deposit rates as well as the cost of borrowings," said Bullard.

Deposits consisted of the following at the dates indicated:

Total shareholders' equity was $167.2 million at March 31, 2020, compared to $176.9 million three months earlier, and $173.4 million a year earlier. The decrease in the current quarter was due to the impact of the bond portfolio valuation on other comprehensive income as well as the repurchase of shares of common stock during the quarter. Book value per common share was $16.02 at March 31, 2020, compared to $16.48 at December 31, 2019 and $15.78 at March 31, 2019.

Operating Results

Total interest income increased to $12.0 million for the first quarter of 2020, compared to $11.8 million in the previous quarter and decreased compared to $12.5 million in the first quarter of 2019.  The year over year decrease is mainly due to a combination of a decrease in interest on investment securities and a decrease in interest and fees on loans receivable.  Total interest expense was $2.6 million for both the first quarter of 2020 and fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $2.9 million in the first quarter a year ago.

Net interest income before provision for loan losses increased 2.7% during the quarter to $9.4 million, compared to $9.2 million for the preceding quarter and decreased compared to $9.6 million in the first quarter a year ago.  Primarily due to loan growth and the response to the expected COVID-19 economic disruption, the Company recorded a $1.3 million provision for loan losses during the first quarter of 2020. This compares to a provision for loan losses of $249,000 for the preceding quarter, and $335,000 for the first quarter of 2019.

The net interest margin decreased three basis points to 3.11% for the first quarter of 2020 compared to 3.14% for the fourth quarter of 2019 and decreased five basis points from 3.16% for the first quarter in 2019. "We were able to control our net interest margin, despite declining market rates, by focusing on maintaining our loan yield and reducing our cost of funds," said Bullard.  The yield on earning assets decreased six basis points to 3.97% for the first quarter of 2020 compared to 4.03% for the fourth quarter of 2019 and decreased from 4.14% for the first quarter in 2019.  The decrease was due to lower yields on the investment portfolio and invested cash.   The yield on the loan portfolio increased to 4.52% for the first quarter 2020 from 4.50% for the fourth quarter 2019 and 4.56% for the first quarter in 2019. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased six basis points to 1.11% for the first quarter of 2020 compared to 1.17% for the fourth quarter of 2019 and decreased from 1.25% for the first quarter in 2019.  "Our cost of funds continues to improve as retail deposit rates decline.  Additionally, we paid down fixed rate, longer term advances in the first quarter, which brought our current cost of borrowings below 1.0% at the end of the first quarter," said Bullard.

Noninterest income decreased 4.3% to $2.3 million for the first quarter 2020 from $2.4 million for the fourth quarter 2019 and increased 85.3% compared to $1.3 million for the first quarter in 2019. First quarter of 2020 included a $605,000 gain on sale of investment securities compared to a $779,000 gain on sale of investment securities in the preceding quarter. There was no gain on sale of investment securities in the first quarter a year ago.  Loan and deposit service fees totaled $881,000 for the first quarter 2019, compared to $994,000 for the preceding quarter and $905,000 for the first quarter a year ago. The decrease during the first quarter was due primarily to a reduction in debit card and NSF fee income.

Noninterest expense totaled $9.4 million for the first quarter of 2020, compared to $8.6 million for the preceding quarter and $7.8 million for the first quarter a year ago. The quarterly increase is attributable to higher compensation and benefits, increased software and professional fees expenses, and FHLB prepayment fees.

Capital Ratios and Credit Quality

Capital 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 March 31, 2020. Common equity Tier 1 capital Ratio and Tier 1 Capital Ratios at March 31, 2020 were 16.8% and 11.8%, respectively.               

Nonperforming loans decreased to $1.7 million at March 31, 2020, from $1.8 million at December 31, 2019, mainly attributable to regular payments received. The percentage of the allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans increased to 622.4% at March 31, 2020, from 536.1% at December 31, 2019, and increased from 607.7% at March 31, 2019. Classified loans decreased $374,000 during the current quarter to $4.6 million at March 31, 2020, reflecting SFR payoffs of $222,000 and transfers from Autos to personal property owned of $104,000 during the quarter. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.2% at March 31, 2020, 1.1% at December 31, 2019, and 1.1% at March 31, 2019.

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 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
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
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FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
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FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
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Contact:
Matthew P. Deines, President and Chief Executive Officer
Geri Bullard, EVP and Chief Financial Officer
First Northwest Bancorp
360-457-0461