7/23/2026

speaker
Jordan
Conference Operator

Thank you for standing by. My name is Jordan and I'll be your conference operator today. At this time, I'd like to welcome everyone to the Banner Corporation second quarter 2026 conference call and webcast. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speaker's remarks, there'll be a question and answer session. If you'd like to ask a question during this time, simply press star followed by the number one on your telephone keypad. If you'd like to withdraw your question, Press star 1 again. Thank you. I would now like to turn the call over to Mark Grescovich, President and CEO of Banner Corporation.

speaker
Mark Grescovich
President and CEO

Thank you, Jordan, and good morning, everyone. I would also like to welcome you to the second quarter of 2026 earnings call for Banner Corporation. Joining me on the call today is Rob Butterfield, Banner Corporation's Chief Financial Officer. Joe Rice, our Chief Credit Officer, and Rich Arnold, our Head of Investor Relations. Rich, would you please read our forward-looking Safe Harbor Statement?

speaker
Rich Arnold
Head of Investor Relations

Sure, Mark. Good morning. Our presentation today discusses Banner's business outlook and will include forward-looking statements. Statements include descriptions of management's plans, objectives or goals for future operations, products or services, forecasts of financial or other performance measures, and statements about Banner's general outlook for economic and other conditions. We also may make other forward-looking statements in the question and answer period following management's discussion. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and actual results may differ materially from those discussed today. Information on the risk factors that could cause actual results to differ are available from the earnings press release that was released yesterday and a recently filed form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31st, 2026. Forward-looking statements are effective only as of the day they are made and Banner assumes no obligation to update information concerning its expectations. Mark.

speaker
Mark Grescovich
President and CEO

Thank you, Rich. As is customary, today we will cover four primary items with you. First, I will provide you high-level comments on Banner's second quarter 2026 performance. Second, the actions Banner continues to take to support all of our stakeholders, including our Banner team, our clients, our communities, and our shareholders. Third, Jill Rice will provide comments on the current status of our loan portfolio. And finally, Rob Butterfield will provide more detail on our operating performance for the quarter, as well as comments on our balance sheet. Before I get started, I want to thank all of my 2,000 colleagues in our company who are working extremely hard to assist our clients and our communities. Banner has lived our core values summed up as doing the right thing for the past 135 years. Our overarching goal continues to be to do the right thing for our clients, our communities, our colleagues, our company, and our shareholders and to provide a consistent and reliable source of commerce and capital through all economic cycles and change events. I am pleased to report again to you that is exactly what we continue to do. I am very proud of the entire Banner team that are living our core values. Now, let me turn to an overview of our performance. As announced, Banner Corporation reported a net profit available to common shareholders of $48.9 million or $1.43 per diluted share for the quarter ended June 30th, 2026. This compares to a net profit to common shareholders of $1.31 per share for the second quarter of 2025. Our strategy to maintain a moderate risk profile and the investments we have made and continue to make in order to improve our operating performance have positioned the company well for the future. Rob will discuss these items in more detail shortly. The strength of our balance sheet coupled with a strong reputation we maintain in our markets will allow us to manage through the current market uncertainty. To illustrate the core earnings power of Banner, I would direct your attention to pre-tax, pre-provision earnings excluding gains and losses on the sale of securities changes in fair value of financial instruments, merger and acquisition related expenses, and building and lease exit costs. Our second quarter 2026 core earnings were $64.4 million compared to $62.5 million for the second quarter of 2025. Banner's second quarter 2026 revenue from core operations was $172 million compared to $163 million for the second quarter of 2025, an increase of nearly 6%. We continue to benefit from a strong core deposit base that has proved to be resilient and loyal to Banner, a very good net interest margin, and core expense control. Overall, this resulted in a return on average assets of 1.2% for the second quarter of 2026. Once again, our core performance reflects continued execution on our super community bank strategy. That is, growing new client relationships, maintaining our core funding position, promoting client loyalty and advocacy through our responsive service model, and demonstrating our safety and soundness through all economic cycles and change events. To that point, our core deposits continue to represent 89% of total deposits. Reflective of this performance, coupled with our strong regulatory capital ratios and the fact we increased our tangible common equity per share by 11% from the same period last year, we announced a core dividend of $0.52 per common share. Earlier this month, we released our 2025 Corporate Responsibility Report. Banner has always been committed to do the right thing in support of our clients, the many communities that we serve, and our colleagues. The accomplishments highlighted in this report are meant to reflect the deep connection we have with all of our stakeholders and our commitment to creating positive change in the communities we serve. Finally, I'm pleased to say that we continue to receive marketplace recognition and validation of our business model and our value proposition. Banner was again named one of America's 100 best banks, as well as one of the best banks in the world by Forbes. And Newsweek named Banner one of the most trustworthy companies both in America and the world again this year. And just recently, named Banner one of the best regional banks in the country. Additionally, our company was certified by Great Place to Work and S&P Global Market Intelligence ranked Banner's financial performance among the top 50 public banks with more than $10 billion in assets. Also, the Kroll Bond Rating Agency affirmed all of Banner's investment-grade debt and deposit ratings and as we have noted previously, Banner Bank again received an outstanding CRA rating. Let me now turn the call over to Jill to discuss trends in our loan portfolio and her comments on Banner's credit quality. Jill?

speaker
Jill Rice
Chief Credit Officer

Thank you, Mark, and good morning, everyone. As detailed in our press release, loan originations were strong again this quarter. We reported solid loan growth across multiple product lines and Banner's credit metrics remain stable. Delinquent loans declined five basis points to 0.51% of total loans when compared to the linked quarter and compared to 0.41% as of June 30th, 2025. Adversely classified assets also declined quarter over quarter, down 16.5 million and represent 1.82% of total loans, a 19 basis point decrease when compared to March 31st. Non-performing assets increased by 8.9 million, the result of a single Condo construction project moving to non-accrual. In spite of this increase, total non-performing assets represent a modest 0.36% of total assets. Non-performing loans total $54.8 million, the majority of which are 1-4 family or other consumer-related credits that often involve protracted resolution timelines. REO balances declined by $500,000 quarter-over-quarter and total $5.7 million. The net provision for credit losses in the quarter was $3.8 million, including a $1.6 million provision for credit losses loans and a $2.2 million provision for unfunded loan commitments. Loan losses in the quarter were modest, totaling $577,000, and were offset in part by recoveries totaling $476,000. The provision was largely driven by loan growth and was partially offset by changes in portfolio mix and positive risk rating migration. The loan loss reserve remains strong, providing coverage of 1.35% of total loans, which compares to 1.37% as of both the linked quarter and as of June 30, 2025. Loan originations increased 45% when compared to the linked quarter, with commercial originations up 85%, construction up 73%, and consumer up 55% respectively, and both commercial and commercial real estate pipelines continue to be strong. Loan outstandings grew by $287 million in the quarter, or nearly 10% on an annualized basis, in spite of continued commercial real estate and, to a lesser extent, CNI loan payoffs experienced in the quarter. The primary drivers of loan growth in the quarter were CNI, up $152 million, consumer loans, up $62 million, and owner-occupied real estate, up $54 million. The growth in both C&I lending and owner-occupied real estate was a mix of both new and expanded small business relationships as well as several new middle market commercial relationships spread across the footprint. The growth in the consumer portfolio was driven largely by the generation of new home equity lines of credit resulting from a successful marketing campaign with a smaller contribution from utilization of existing facilities. Consistent with owner-occupied commercial real estate, growth in the non-owner-occupied balances reflects our success in developing new middle market relationships while deepening existing client relationships. Notably, this quarter's growth was materially tempered by multiple loan payoffs associated with real estate sales and refinancing activity into the secondary market. The increase in multifamily real estate loan balances was driven primarily by the conversion of several affordable housing projects upon completion of construction. Residential construction loans continue to represent approximately 5% of the total loan portfolio. Across all business lines, the overall construction portfolio remains well balanced at 14% of total loans, reflecting our measured approach to managing construction-related exposure. The completed for sale one to four family construction projects average days on market again increased modestly this quarter given the current elevated interest rate environment. However, completed and unsold inventory levels remain within historical norms and are considered manageable. We continue to closely monitor sales velocity, particularly within the higher end product segment given ongoing economic uncertainty. Last quarter, I noted the economic uncertainty resulting from persistent inflation, a higher for longer interest rate environment, and heightened geopolitical tensions. While these headwinds continue, Banner's super community bank delivery model and disciplined credit culture have enabled us to strengthen existing relationships, grow new business, and maintain our moderate risk profile. Supported by a strong balance sheet, robust capital levels, and a solid allowance for credit losses, We remain well positioned to navigate the current environment and capitalize on future opportunities. With that, I will hand the microphone over to Rob for his comments. Rob?

speaker
Rob Butterfield
Chief Financial Officer

Thank you, Jill. We reported $1.43 per diluted share for the second quarter compared to $1.60 per diluted share for the prior quarter. The decrease in earnings per share compared to the prior quarter was primarily driven by a higher provision for credit losses, lower non-interest income, and higher non-interest expense partially offset by stronger net interest income. Core pre-tax pre-provision income increased 1.9 million or 3% compared to the second quarter of last year. Our performance metrics remain solid as we reported a return on average tangible common equity of 12.27% and a return on average assets of 1.20% for the current quarter. As Jill previously mentioned, loan balances increased $287 million during the quarter, or nearly 10% on an annualized basis, reflecting continued client demand across our markets. The loan-to-deposit ratio ended the quarter at 87%, which provides us with strong liquidity and funding flexibility. Total security balances decreased $34 million during the quarter due to a slight decline in fair value partially offset by purchases exceeding portfolio cash flows. Deposits decreased $51 million during the quarter due to normal seasonal activities as clients used deposit balances to make tax payments. Core deposits decreased $59 million and ended the quarter at 89% of total deposits. Certificates of deposits increased $8 million during the quarter. Total borrowings increased $319 million during the quarter as FHLB advances were temporarily used to fund loan growth and the seasonal deposit outflows. Tangible common equity to asset ratio increased to 10.02%. Total shareholders' equity increased $33 million during the quarter to approximately $2 billion. Net interest income increased $3.6 million from the prior quarter due to a combination of a two basis point increase in the tax equivalent net interest margin and average earning assets increasing $129 million. The increase in average earning assets was driven by average loan balances increasing $158 million, partially offset by a decline in interest-bearing cash. The tax equivalent net interest margin was 4.13% compared to 4.11% in the prior quarter. The increase in net interest margin was due to an increase in the yield on earning assets due to loan yields increasing two basis points and the continued improvement in the earning asset mix. The average rate on new loan production for the current quarter was 6.53% compared to 6.69% for the prior quarter. The increase in the earning asset yield was partially offset by an increase in funding costs as FHLB advances were used to temporarily fund loan growth and seasonal deposit outflows. Deposit costs decreased two basis points from the prior quarter due to further repricing in the CD book. Non-interest-bearing deposits ended the quarter at 33% of total deposits, same as the previous quarter. Total non-interest income decreased $939,000 from the prior quarter. That decrease was primarily due to the prior quarter having a $1.7 million increased in the valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value in the current quarter, having lower gain on loan sale income. These decreases were partially offset by the prior quarter having a loss on the sale of securities and the current quarter having higher service fee income. Total non-interest expense increased $5.4 million from the prior quarter. As I noted last quarter, the expenses in the first quarter for lower than typical as some expenses expected to be incurred in the first quarter were delayed until the second quarter. Software expense was $1.8 million higher, which included $924,000 of non-reoccurring expense related to the write-off of the previous commercial loan origination system, which was recently replaced. Marketing expense was $1.3 million higher due to the timing of advertising campaigns. Salary expense was $800,000 higher due to normal annual salary increases being completed at the end of the first quarter and legal expenses were $764,000 higher due to various legal matters. In addition, the current quarter included $238,000 of M&A expense related to the Bank of the Pacific acquisition. Our capital and liquidity positions remain strong and continue to support our clients, communities, and Future Growth Opportunities. This concludes my prepared comments. Now I will turn it back to Mark.

speaker
Mark Grescovich
President and CEO

Mark. Thank you, Jill and Rob, for your comments. That concludes our prepared remarks today. And Jordan, we will now open the call and welcome questions.

speaker
Jordan
Conference Operator

The first question comes from the line of Matthew Clark from Piper Sandler. Your line is now live.

speaker
Matthew Clark
Analyst, Piper Sandler & Co.

Hey, good morning, everyone. Good morning, Matthew. Just on the loan yields, I wondered what the weighted average rate was on new loans. I may have missed it in your prepared comments. And then what's your outlook on loan yields in general, knowing that you still have some back book repricing, but also wanted to consider the competitive pricing and rate environment?

speaker
Rob Butterfield
Chief Financial Officer

Yeah, thanks for the question, Matt. This is Rob. So the average yield on new loan production for the quarter was 6.53%. And, you know, we've been seeing some back book repricing there. We've been seeing new loans come on at higher yields, but we've also seen that slowing over time. And this most recent quarter, it was two basis points increase in overall loan yields. And so the pace of that increase is slowing at this time. going forward, I would expect probably through the end of the year, we might see one to two basis points of increased quarter over quarter. So it is slowing at this point.

speaker
Matthew Clark
Analyst, Piper Sandler & Co.

Okay, thank you. And then similar question on the deposit side. If you had the spot rate on deposits at the end of the quarter on June 30, maybe the monthly NIMH margin in the month of June and your thoughts on deposit costs going forward, assuming the Fed's on hold.

speaker
Rob Butterfield
Chief Financial Officer

Yeah, so deposit costs were relatively flat throughout the quarter, so the 133 basis points was pretty close to what we saw throughout the quarter, and NIM was fairly flat as well. What I'd say is earlier in the quarter, we had a higher reliance on FHLB advances, so NIM was a bit lower, and then it did increase a bit as we moved through the quarter. and then just as far as what we're looking at from from a go-forward standpoint we've been benefiting from the CD book repricing and that's the benefit that you saw the two basis points decline in deposit cost was the CD book repricing the CD book has pretty much fully repriced at this point at this point. And I wouldn't expect any further repricing in the CD book until we start to see some Fed action, which really isn't forecasted for the foreseeable future. So I'm expecting deposit costs to remain relatively flat. The only other thing I will add is we have started to see CD specials in our marketplace. We have started to see those increase. And this most recent quarter, we did increase the advertised rate that we were advertising as well. you know if anything I would say it's holding deposit costs flat is going to be the goal at this point.

speaker
Matthew Clark
Analyst, Piper Sandler & Co.

Okay and then last one for me just on expenses a little heavier than expected even if you strip out the software right off on the merger costs. Maybe speak to your thoughts on the run rate going forward whether or not we might see some relief you know, what you're doing on the technology side. You know, what did you get rid of? What are you investing in? That would be helpful. Thank you.

speaker
Rob Butterfield
Chief Financial Officer

Sure. Yeah, you know, as I mentioned last quarter, the Q1 expenses were lower than expected due to the timing of certain expenses that were expected to incur in the first quarter got delayed into the second quarter. You know, as I talked about, I mean, IT expenses were up about half of that, a million dollars of that was the write-off of the old commercial loan origination system that was recently replaced. And then we're also seeing additional modules and seeing the new loan origination system continue to go live. So we're seeing some expense increase there. And then just some of the marketing campaigns that we had, we didn't have anything that went really live in the first quarter. So really the second quarter was basically two quarters worth of marketing expense that you saw there. And I think if you're looking for kind of a run rate at this point, you know, if you back out the loan origination system right off the old one, the M&A expense for the quarter, that's going to get you pretty close. You know, expenses are always going to bounce around a million or two quarter to quarter just because of timing type items. I think you probably saw Q1 was a bit low, Q2 was a bit high just from timing type items. And we continue to see the loan and deposit origination system. We continue to see the benefits of that. And the benefits aren't only from an efficiency expense standpoint, but I think what you saw also is you saw an increase in loan originations and we're starting to see the pull through and the timing on how quickly we can get loans through the pipeline were benefiting from that standpoint because of that investment that we need in that new loan origination system.

speaker
Matthew Clark
Analyst, Piper Sandler & Co.

Great. Thanks again.

speaker
Mark Grescovich
President and CEO

Thank you, Matthew.

speaker
Jordan
Conference Operator

The next question comes from the line of Jeff Rulis from D.A. Davidson. Your line is now live.

speaker
Ryan Payne
Analyst, D.A. Davidson & Co.

Good morning. This is Ryan Payne on for Jeff Rulis. Starting off, A strong loan growth this quarter. Last quarter we saw elevated payoffs. Just wanted to gauge those dynamics this quarter and the pace of expected net loan growth through the remainder of the year.

speaker
Jill Rice
Chief Credit Officer

Yeah, Ryan, this is Jill. So this quarter, as I alluded to in my comments, we did still have the commercial real estate payoffs and more, a little bit unexpected, increased elevated CNI payoff due to business sales and other transactions, asset sales. But what I would say is that in spite of that, we continue to have meaningful unfunded construction projects underway. The pipelines continue to rebuild and are strong. And even looking at history as the driver Third quarter will probably come down a little bit in originations and loan growth, yet we still expect to end the year, the full year, at that mid-single digit growth rate. CRE payoffs are slowing, but they're not done.

speaker
Ryan Payne
Analyst, D.A. Davidson & Co.

Got it. Thanks. Now, on the deposit side, How would you characterize the competition there? Are customers looking for higher rates with maybe some rate hike anticipations?

speaker
Rob Butterfield
Chief Financial Officer

Ryan, I wouldn't necessarily say that the expectation of rate hikes are there, but I would say just as I mentioned earlier, we're starting to see some pressure on the CD pricing. We haven't seen that necessarily crossover into the core products at this point. And I wouldn't say, I mean, we consider exception pricing for various clients as we look at things always, but we haven't necessarily seen an increase in the level of exception pricing at this point for our core products.

speaker
Ryan Payne
Analyst, D.A. Davidson & Co.

got it. And last for me, with a California peer takeout announced recently, how do you view that in terms of any potential market share gains or competition for deals in that area?

speaker
Mark Grescovich
President and CEO

Hi, Ryan, this is Mark. Look, I think it was a great transaction. Obviously, that is a very good and well-run bank. It has a great reputation. So Anytime there's some type of system conversion, there's opportunity for us. Maybe they'll be distracted with integration, but it's a well-run bank, and we're just going to continue along with our organic model. And I think you can see by the numbers that we're doing pretty well in California. So I think we're just going to continue that, and if opportunities present themselves, we'll take advantage of it.

speaker
Ryan Payne
Analyst, D.A. Davidson & Co.

Okay, thanks, I'll step back. Thanks, Brian.

speaker
Jordan
Conference Operator

The next question comes from the line of Kelly Mata from KBW. Your line is now live.

speaker
Megan Lynch
Analyst, KBW

Hi, this is Megan Lynch on for Kelly Mata. Thanks for taking my question. Good morning. So just, good morning. Thinking about capital return and, your priorities here. Sort of how are you thinking about doing this alongside the Pacific deal and what are your priorities going forward sort of near term and then what about buybacks, any more color on timing of that?

speaker
Rob Butterfield
Chief Financial Officer

Yeah, this is Rob. Thanks for the question. So yeah, we put any any alternative capital actions outside of the core dividend on hold until we get the Bank of the Pacific deal closed. Assuming the right market conditions exist, it doesn't necessarily change the total number of shares that we're going to repurchase for the year. It just kind of pushes out the timing of those at this time. So we're really waiting for the Bank of the Pacific transaction to close before we do anything.

speaker
Megan Lynch
Analyst, KBW

Okay, got it. And then on the Pacific deal, is timing still for third quarter close and how is it going in general in terms of the progress of the acquisition?

speaker
Rob Butterfield
Chief Financial Officer

Yeah, the timing hasn't changed. We expect it to close here in the third quarter, I would say. as far as getting all the required approvals. And by everyone, everything's on track at this point. We feel really good about it. And so nothing's changed since we announced the deal.

speaker
Megan Lynch
Analyst, KBW

Awesome. Thank you. That's it.

speaker
Mark Grescovich
President and CEO

Thank you, Megan.

speaker
Jordan
Conference Operator

Your next question comes from the line of Andrew Leisha from Stone X Group. Your line is live.

speaker
Andrew Leisha
Analyst, StoneX Group

Good morning, everyone. Morning, Andrew. Just a question on the one last point on the margin. The FHLB balances, have you seen the deposit growth kind of rebuild here this quarter? I guess, how should we look at the balance sheet makeup on the funding side here for this quarter?

speaker
Rob Butterfield
Chief Financial Officer

Yeah, I think as we as we move through the second quarter, we saw the FHLB Thank you. Thank you very much.

speaker
Andrew Leisha
Analyst, StoneX Group

Go to deposit side, maybe not too much benefit like you've seen going forward, but maybe you get some benefit here with the wholesale funding blowing up. So maybe we see a couple of basis points of margin expansion.

speaker
Rob Butterfield
Chief Financial Officer

Yeah, I think that's right. If you think about, you know, if we I still think we're going to get a little bit on the loan repricing, call it a basis point or two. And then in the third quarter, we should see funding costs come down just because of the mixed change there with additional deposits coming in, lower FHLB advances. So a couple of basis points, some margin expansion in the third quarter. Beyond that, it's going to be tougher as you move Thank you for joining us today. I think primarily it just creates a lot of efficiencies in the sense that there was a lot of back office processes that continue to be fairly manual. So it really automates a lot of the processes and allows the time it takes a deal to get through the system from start to finish. It slows or increases that timing.

speaker
Mark Grescovich
President and CEO

This is Mark. Let me just add, I think it was There were two separate systems, right, that we had running. We had a consumer system, actually three. We had a consumer system, small business, and a commercial. So it helps refine all of that into one particular operating system. So it does streamline the operations.

speaker
Andrew Leisha
Analyst, StoneX Group

Got it. So it sounds like this was something you'd been wanting to do for quite some time, but now you felt the timing was right and you had the good technology?

speaker
Mark Grescovich
President and CEO

I think that's correct. We've been wanting to do it for a while, but as you know, we had a few bank acquisitions that we were combining and we didn't want to disrupt our market performance and our organic growth during those integrations. So the timing was perfect for us to do this.

speaker
Andrew Leisha
Analyst, StoneX Group

Got it. Makes sense. All right, thanks. I'll step back. Thank you, Andrew.

speaker
Jordan
Conference Operator

Your next question comes from the line of David Feaster from Raymond James. Your line is live.

speaker
Evan
Analyst, Raymond James & Associates

Hey, good morning, guys. This is actually Evan on for David Feaster.

speaker
Mark Grescovich
President and CEO

Morning, Evan.

speaker
Evan
Analyst, Raymond James & Associates

More and just wanted to maybe switch back to the growth side. Origination trends were really encouraging and loan growth was seemingly pretty broad based. You also touched on the resiliency of customers in your marketplace. So I'm just curious whether you believe this was a function of improving demand as customers get more used to the operating environment. or is it rather just getting more out of your producers? Then maybe more broadly, where are you seeing the most opportunities to drive loan growth today, rather geographically or by industry? Thanks.

speaker
Jill Rice
Chief Credit Officer

So as to the first part of the question, it really was both. I mean, it's new client acquisition. It's our new relationship managers, you know, really hitting the street and bringing in business. and just expansion of existing relationships. So I'd say we're hitting on all cylinders this quarter and I would expect that to continue given the way the pipelines are continuing to build. If you look back over the last three quarters, originations have been pretty healthy in each of those quarters. They take time to actually end up being funded loan balances. So I feel really good about it. and as to the geographies, it really, it was broad-based. I mean, I went looking for the pockets of where we were finding these loans and it was up and down the West Coast, across the mountains into Eastern Washington. So we don't have an industry or a particular geography that is, you know, doing all of the work for us.

speaker
Evan
Analyst, Raymond James & Associates

That's really helpful. And then maybe just sticking on growth and, you know, with the Pacific deal. It's good to hear that's going well. I was just, I know it brings a very strong core deposit base and it's very complimentary on the funding side, but I'm just curious if you're also seeing opportunities on the lending side in terms of their bankers being able to bank larger credits or if there's any verticals that they had that you're excited to be able to expand on. Thanks.

speaker
Jill Rice
Chief Credit Officer

No new verticals, but certainly their bankers will have a much greater upside in terms of growing their relationships with their existing clients and actually bringing on new clients in their markets that they couldn't bank given their much smaller hold limits at that institution. So I don't want to speak for them, but I think they're pretty excited about their opportunities as they come into Banner. and we're excited as well, I should say. I mean, it's great for both of us.

speaker
Evan
Analyst, Raymond James & Associates

That's great to hear. And then last one for me, just on the credit side, you know, I saw the increase in non-performing, but there was also positive migration and substandard. Just curious what you're seeing in terms of broad credit trends and then maybe if you have any more detail on that condo loan that migrated. and expectations for resolution or recovery on that. Thanks.

speaker
Jill Rice
Chief Credit Officer

Yeah, so it was a small condo project in the California market. Ultimately, I don't expect it to be sitting in non-performing for very long. It experienced significant delays from the outset. And I see a medium term resolution to that. the biggest area of non-performing assets. They're one to four family residential. They're home equity lines of credit. It's an average loan size of under $500,000 in that specific segment. So what am I watching most closely? It's the consumer segment, mortgage, home equity, all of that that has been impacted by this higher rate environment for this elongated time period and the strain that they're experiencing.

speaker
Evan
Analyst, Raymond James & Associates

that's really helpful. I'll step back and congratulations on the quarter. Thank you, Evan.

speaker
Jordan
Conference Operator

Your next question comes from the line of Andrew Terrell from Stevens Inc. Your line is now live.

speaker
Andrew Terrell
Analyst, Stephens Inc.

Hey, good morning.

speaker
Mark Grescovich
President and CEO

Morning, Andrew.

speaker
Andrew Terrell
Analyst, Stephens Inc.

Hey, I was hoping maybe to start just with Jill and apologies if I missed it. It sounds like, you know, After a strong second quarter on loan growth, it sounds like the pipeline and the underlying trends going into the back half of the year are still pretty strong. I was hoping you could just maybe quantify to the extent you can just where the pipeline sits, whether year on year, quarter on quarter, kind of the sequential changes, just to give us a sense for how it's trending into the back half of the year.

speaker
Jill Rice
Chief Credit Officer

You know, I don't have those numbers off the top of my head, Andrew. I just know that as we've pulled them through into fundings, things are coming in behind them. So, you know, I can't compare this quarter to last quarter what's sitting in the pipeline. I just know that they remain full and continue to end up being closings, originations, and then ultimately funded balances.

speaker
Andrew Terrell
Analyst, Stephens Inc.

Okay, fair enough. So we're tracking towards that mid-singles on the loan growth for this year. I know it sounds like deposits should pick up seasonally here in the third quarter, but just do you think core deposit growth can kind of keep pace with that mid-singles loan growth and any early indications on how deposits are tracking here in the third quarter?

speaker
Rob Butterfield
Chief Financial Officer

Hey, Andrew, it's Rob. Yeah, our expectation is that deposit growth would keep up with the pace of loan growth. You know, we're a core funded bank. That's what we are. That's what we expect to maintain. And I just say, I mean, we're just seeing normal seasonality right now.

speaker
Mark Grescovich
President and CEO

And let me just add, Andrew, again, let me add to that, you know, recall the Bank of the Pacific, Pacific Financial Core transaction is going to add some fantastic core deposits to us. They're a very, very well run bank with a strong

speaker
Andrew Terrell
Analyst, Stephens Inc.

Yes, certainly. If I could just sneak one more in, Mark. It feels like the environment for deals has really started picking up some. You guys are obviously working through Pacific now, and as you referenced, great deposit forward acquisition for you guys. A little bit on the smaller side, I'm curious if that changes your opinion on interest in further M&A, potentially more near-term? Just maybe characterize kind of your interest going forward.

speaker
Mark Grescovich
President and CEO

Yes, I don't look. I think the Bank of the Pacific transaction, that combination is going to be fantastic. They're a great company to work with. The integration I expect to go very smoothly, and it should go according to schedule. and something else. And we're going to continue to be opportunistic, obviously with our strong capital levels and good core earnings power. I think we'll continue to be a great partner. And as you know, there's a bit of scarcity on the West Coast now. So we're going to have an opportunity, I think, to really benefit from our balance sheet to be able to do continued non-organic growth opportunities. So I feel very good about that.

speaker
Jordan
Conference Operator

That concludes the question and answer session. I would like to turn the call back over to Mark Grescovich for closing remarks.

speaker
Mark Grescovich
President and CEO

Thank you, Jordan. As I stated, we're very proud of the Banner team in our second quarter of 2026 solid operating performance. Thank you for your interest in Banner and for joining our call today. We look forward to reporting our results to you again in the future. Thank you very much for your attention and everyone have a wonderful day.

Disclaimer

This conference call transcript was computer generated and almost certianly contains errors. This transcript is provided for information purposes only.EarningsCall, LLC makes no representation about the accuracy of the aforementioned transcript, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the information provided by the transcript.

-

-