UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q 
(Mark One)

[X]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015MARCH 31, 2016.
OR
[   ]TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ______________ to ______________

 Commission File Number 0-26584

BANNER CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     
     
Washington 91-1691604
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
     
 10 South First Avenue, Walla Walla, Washington 99362 
 (Address of principal executive offices and zip code) 
     
 Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (509) 527-3636 
     
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
        Yes[x] No[  ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
                   Yes[x] No[  ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
    
Large accelerated filer  [x]Accelerated filer    [ ]Non-accelerated filer   [  ]Smaller reporting company  [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).Yes[  ] No[x]
 
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
Title of class: As of October 31, 2015April 30, 2016
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share 32,823,12332,927,921 shares
Nonvoting Common Stock, $.01 par value per share ��   1,424,4661,427,663 shares
 
 
 

1


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Table of Contents
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
  
Item 1 – Financial Statements.  The Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Banner Corporation and Subsidiaries filed as a part of the report are as follows: 
  
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 20142015
  
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 and 2014
  
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 and 2014
  
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’Shareholders’ Equity for the NineThree Months Ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and the Year Ended December 31, 20142015
  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the NineThree Months Ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 and 2014
  
Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
  
Item 2 – Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 
  
Executive Overview
  
Comparison of Financial Condition at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 20142015
  
Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 and 2014
  
Asset Quality
  
Liquidity and Capital Resources
  
Capital Requirements
  
Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 
  
Market Risk and Asset/Liability Management
  
Sensitivity Analysis
  
Item 4 – Controls and Procedures
  
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION 
  
Item 1 – Legal Proceedings
  
Item 1A – Risk Factors
  
Item 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
  
Item 3 – Defaults upon Senior Securities
  
Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures
  
Item 5 – Other Information
  
Item 6 – Exhibits
  
SIGNATURES

2


Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters in this report on Form 10-Q contain certainconstitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements relate to our financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance or business.  Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact, are based on certain assumptions and are generally identified by use of 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 and projections of financial items.  These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated or implied by our forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: expected revenues, cost savings, synergies and other benefits from the merger of Banner Bank and Siuslaw Bank and of the merger of Banner Bank and AmericanWest Bank (AmericanWest) might not be realized within the expected time frames or at all and costs or difficulties relating to integration matters, including but not limited to customers, systems and employee retention, might be greater than expected; the credit risks of lending activities, including changes in the level and trend of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in our allowance for loan losses and provision for loan losses that may be impacted by deterioration in the housing and commercial real estate markets and may lead to increased losses and non-performing assets, and may result in our allowance for loan losses not being adequate to cover actual losses and require us to materially increase our reserves; changes in economic conditions in general and in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Utah and California in particular; changes in the levels of general interest rates and the relative differences between short and long-term interest rates, loan and 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 safety and soundness and compliance examinations of us by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve Board) and of our bank subsidiaries by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the FDIC), the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Banks (the Washington DFI) or other regulatory authorities, including the possibility that any such regulatory authority may, among other things, require restitution or institute an informal or formal enforcement action against us or any of our bank subsidiaries which could require us to increase our reserve for loan losses, write-down assets, change our regulatory capital position or affect our ability to borrow funds, or maintain or increase deposits, or impose additional requirements and restrictions on us, any of which could adversely affect our liquidity and earnings; legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect our business including changes in regulatory policies and principles, or the interpretation of regulatory capital or other rules, including changes related to Basel III; the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the implementing regulations; our ability to attract and retain deposits; increases in premiums for deposit insurance; our ability to control operating costs and expenses; the use of estimates in determining fair value of certain of our assets and liabilities, which estimates may prove to be incorrect and result in significant changes in valuation; difficulties in reducing risk associated with the loans and securities on our balance sheet; staffing fluctuations in response to product demand or the implementation of corporate strategies that affect our work force and potential associated charges; the failure or security breach of computer systems on which we depend; 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; future goodwill impairment due to changes in our business, changes in market conditions, or other factors; our ability to manage loan delinquency rates; increased competitive pressures among financial services companies;companies and 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 and non-voting common stock, and interest or principal payments on our junior subordinated debentures; adverse changes in the securities markets; 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 including additional guidance and interpretation on accounting issues and details of the implementation of new accounting methods; the economic impact of war or any terrorist activities; other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting our operations, pricing, products and services; and other risks detailed from time to time in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.Commission, including this report on Form 10-Q.  Any forward-looking statements are based upon management’s beliefs and assumptions at the time they are made.  We do not undertake and specifically disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements included in this report or the reasons why actual results could differ from those contained in such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  These risks could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements by, or on behalf of, us.  In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking statements discussed in this report might not occur, and you should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

As used throughout this report, the terms “we,” “our,” “us,” or the “Company” refer to Banner Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.  All references to “Banner” refer to Banner Corporation and those to “the Banks” refer to its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Banner Bank and Islanders Bank, collectively.

3


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(Unaudited) (In thousands, except shares)
September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 20142015
ASSETSSeptember 30
2015

 December 31
2014

March 31
2016

 December 31
2015

Cash and due from banks$74,695
 $71,077
$153,706
 $117,657
Interest bearing deposits60,544
 54,995
106,864
 144,260
Total cash and cash equivalents135,239
 126,072
260,570
 261,917
Securities—trading, amortized cost $42,716 and $47,480, respectively37,515
 40,258
Securities—available-for-sale, amortized cost $416,731 and $411,424, respectively418,254
 411,021
Securities—held-to-maturity, fair value $138,255 and $137,608, respectively132,150
 131,258
Securities—trading, amortized cost $39,155 and $39,344, respectively33,994
 34,134
Securities—available-for-sale, amortized cost $1,186,995 and $1,139,740, respectively1,199,279
 1,138,573
Securities—held-to-maturity, fair value $255,823 and $226,627, respectively246,320
 220,666
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock6,767
 27,036
13,347
 16,057
Loans receivable:   
Held for sale3,136
 2,786
Held for portfolio4,369,458
 3,831,034
Loans held for sale47,523
 44,712
Loans receivable7,185,999
 7,314,504
Allowance for loan losses(77,320) (75,907)(78,197) (78,008)
4,295,274
 3,757,913
Net loans7,107,802
 7,236,496
Accrued interest receivable17,966
 15,279
30,674
 29,627
Real estate owned (REO), held for sale, net6,363
 3,352
7,207
 11,627
Property and equipment, net102,881
 91,185
168,807
 167,604
Goodwill and other intangibles, net26,605
 2,831
Goodwill244,811
 247,738
Other intangibles, net35,598
 37,472
Bank-owned life insurance (BOLI)71,842
 63,759
156,928
 156,865
Deferred tax assets, net23,536
 23,871
126,832
 134,970
Other assets37,918
 29,328
65,902
 57,840
$5,312,310
 $4,723,163
Total assets$9,745,594
 $9,796,298
LIABILITIES      
Deposits:      
Non-interest-bearing$1,561,516
 $1,298,866
$3,036,330
 $2,619,618
Interest-bearing transaction and savings accounts2,095,476
 1,829,568
3,705,658
 4,081,580
Interest-bearing certificates730,661
 770,516
1,287,873
 1,353,870
4,387,653
 3,898,950
Total deposits8,029,861
 8,055,068
Advances from FHLB at fair value16,435
 32,250
75,400
 133,381
Other borrowings88,083
 77,185
106,132
 98,325
Junior subordinated debentures at fair value (issued in connection with Trust Preferred Securities)85,183
 78,001
92,879
 92,480
Accrued expenses and other liabilities42,844
 37,082
81,485
 76,511
Deferred compensation20,910
 16,807
39,682
 40,474
4,641,108
 4,140,275
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 14)
 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
Preferred stock - $0.01 par value per share, 500,000 shares authorized; no shares outstanding at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014
 
Common stock and paid in capital - $0.01 par value per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 20,962,300 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015; 19,571,548 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014628,958
 568,882
Common stock (non-voting) - $0.01 par value per share, 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015; and December 31, 2014
 
Total liabilities8,425,439
 8,496,239
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 13)
 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
Preferred stock - $0.01 par value per share, 500,000 shares authorized; no shares outstanding at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015
 
Common stock and paid in capital - $0.01 par value per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 32,830,675 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2016; 32,817,789 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 20151,197,306
 1,195,755
Common stock (non-voting) and paid in capital- $0.01 par value per share, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 1,390,776 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2016; 1,424,466 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 201564,744
 65,419
Retained earnings41,269
 14,264
50,230
 39,615
Carrying value of shares held in trust for stock related compensation plans(6,833) (6,669)(7,310) (6,928)
Liability for common stock issued to deferred, stock related, compensation plans6,833
 6,669
7,310
 6,928
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)975
 (258)7,875
 (730)
671,202
 582,888
$5,312,310
 $4,723,163
Total shareholders' equity1,320,155
 1,300,059
Total liabilities & shareholders' equity$9,745,594
 $9,796,298
See Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

4


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited) (In thousands, except forshares and per share amounts)
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and 20142015
Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2015
 2014
 2015
 2014
2016
 2015
INTEREST INCOME:          
Loans receivable$51,749
 $46,496
 $149,192
 $131,439
$86,958
 $46,365
Mortgage-backed securities1,307
 1,459
 3,609
 4,376
5,390
 1,027
Securities and cash equivalents1,737
 1,809
 5,138
 5,595
2,953
 1,677
54,793
 49,764
 157,939
 141,410
Total interest income95,301
 49,069
INTEREST EXPENSE:          
Deposits1,738
 1,903
 5,240
 5,776
2,946
 1,733
FHLB advances4
 20
 24
 110
279
 17
Other borrowings47
 43
 137
 133
75
 43
Junior subordinated debentures816
 734
 2,357
 2,180
958
 740
2,605
 2,700
 7,758
 8,199
Total interest expense4,258
 2,533
Net interest income before provision for loan losses52,188
 47,064
 150,181
 133,211
91,043
 46,536
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
 
 

 
Net interest income52,188
 47,064
 150,181
 133,211
91,043
 46,536
OTHER OPERATING INCOME:       
NON-INTEREST INCOME:   
Deposit fees and other service charges9,746
 8,289
 27,435
 22,237
11,818
 8,126
Mortgage banking operations4,426
 2,842
 13,238
 7,282
5,643
 4,109
Bank-owned life insurance (BOLI)1,185
 438
Miscellaneous1,039
 946
 3,064
 2,577
1,263
 483
15,211
 12,077
 43,737
 32,096
19,909
 13,156
Gain (loss) on sale of securities
 6
 (537) 41
21
 (510)
Net change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value(1,113) 1,452
 735
 1,662
29
 1,050
Acquisition bargain purchase gain
 
 
 9,079
Total other operating income14,098
 13,535
 43,935
 42,878
OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES:       
Total non-interest income19,959
 13,696
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:   
Salary and employee benefits27,026
 22,971
 78,057
 66,457
46,564
 24,287
Less capitalized loan origination costs(3,747) (3,204) (10,372) (8,680)(4,250) (2,838)
Occupancy and equipment6,470
 5,819
 18,833
 17,055
10,388
 6,006
Information/computer data services2,219
 2,131
 6,744
 5,984
4,920
 2,253
Payment and card processing expenses4,168
 3,201
 10,926
 8,462
4,785
 3,016
Professional services951
 784
 2,489
 2,900
2,614
 814
Advertising and marketing1,959
 2,454
 5,767
 4,878
1,734
 1,610
Deposit insurance713
 607
 1,905
 1,820
1,338
 567
State/municipal business and use taxes475
 475
 1,383
 1,022
838
 453
REO operations(2) (190) 190
 (260)397
 24
Amortization of core deposit intangibles286
 531
 1,268
 1,460
1,808
 616
Miscellaneous3,972
 3,410
 11,416
 9,884
6,085
 3,458
44,490
 38,989
 128,606
 110,982
77,221
 40,266
Acquisition-related costs (recovery)2,207
 (494) 7,741
 1,530
Total other operating expenses46,697
 38,495
 136,347
 112,512
Acquisition-related costs6,813
 1,648
Total non-interest expense84,034
 41,914
Income before provision for income taxes19,589
 22,104
 57,769
 63,577
26,968
 18,318
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES6,642
 7,285
 19,440
 21,221
9,194
 6,184
NET INCOME$12,947
 $14,819
 $38,329
 $42,356
$17,774
 $12,134
Earnings per common share:          
Basic$0.62
 $0.76
 $1.88
 $2.19
$0.52
 $0.61
Diluted$0.62
 $0.76
 $1.87
 $2.18
$0.52
 $0.61
Cumulative dividends declared per common share$0.18
 $0.18
 $0.54
 $0.54
$0.21
 $0.18
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:   
Basic34,023,800
 19,760,645
Diluted34,103,727
 19,845,019
See Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

5


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited) (In thousands)
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and 20142015

Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2015
 2014
 2015
 2014
2016
 2015
NET INCOME$12,947
 $14,819
 $38,329
 $42,356
$17,774
 $12,134
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF INCOME TAXES:          
Unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities arising during the period1,169
 (1,641) 2,051
 3,195
Income tax benefit (expense) related to available-for-sale securities unrealized holding gain (loss)(421) 597
 (738) (1,150)
Unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale securities arising during the period13,473
 2,283
Income tax expense related to available-for-sale securities unrealized holding gain(4,854) (822)
Reclassification for net gains on available-for-sale securities realized in earnings
 (6) (125) (40)(21) (104)
Income tax benefit related to available-for-sale securities realized gains
 2
 45
 14
7
 38
Other comprehensive income (loss)748
 (1,048) 1,233
 2,019
Other comprehensive income8,605
 1,395
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME$13,695
 $13,771
 $39,562
 $44,375
$26,379
 $13,529

See Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

6


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited) (In thousands, except for shares)
For the NineThree Months Ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and the Year Ended December 31, 20142015

 
Common Stock
and Paid in Capital
 Retained Earnings (Accumulated
Deficit)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Unearned Restricted
ESOP Shares
 
Stockholders’
Equity
 Shares Amount   
Balance, January 1, 201419,543,769
 $569,028
 $(25,714) $(2,996) $(1,987) $538,331
Net income    54,070
     54,070
Other comprehensive income, net of income tax      2,738
   2,738
Accrual of dividends on common stock ($0.72/share cumulative)    (14,092)     (14,092)
Redemption of unallocated shares upon termination of ESOP(34,340) (1,987)     1,987
 
Repurchase of shares upon termination of ESOP(13,550) (555)       (555)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock for stockholder reinvestment program3,170
 127
       127
Issuance of restricted stock and recognition of share-based compensation72,499
 2,269
       2,269
BALANCE, December 31, 201419,571,548
 $568,882
 $14,264
 $(258) $
 $582,888
 
Common Stock
and Paid in Capital
 Retained Earnings 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 Shareholders’
Equity
 Shares Amount   
Balance, January 1, 201519,571,548
 $568,882
 $14,264
 $(258) $582,888
Net income    45,222
   45,222
Other comprehensive income, net of income tax      (472) (472)
Accrual of dividends on common stock ($0.72/share cumulative)    (19,871)   (19,871)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock for shareholder reinvestment program810
 34
     34
Issuance of restricted stock and recognition of share-based compensation120,043
 3,088
     3,088
Issuance of shares for acquisitions14,549,854
 688,773
     688,773
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation  397
     397
Balance, December 31, 201534,242,255
 $1,261,174
 $39,615
 $(730) $1,300,059

Balance, January 1, 201519,571,548
 $568,882
 $14,264
 $(258) $
 $582,888
Net income    38,329
     38,329
Other comprehensive income, net of income tax      1,233
   1,233
Accrual of dividends on common stock ($0.54/share cumulative)    (11,324)     (11,324)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock for stockholder reinvestment program810
 33
       33
Issuance of restricted stock and recognition of share-based compensation70,088
 1,944
       1,944
Issuance of shares for acquisition1,319,854
 58,099
       58,099
BALANCE, September 30, 201520,962,300
 $628,958
 $41,269
 $975
 $
 $671,202
Balance, January 1, 201634,242,255
 $1,261,174
 $39,615
 $(730) $1,300,059
Net income    17,774
   17,774
Other comprehensive income, net of income tax      8,605
 8,605
Accrual of dividends on common stock ($0.21/share cumulative)    (7,159)   (7,159)
Issuance of (forfeiture of) restricted stock and recognition of share-based compensation(20,804) 876
     876
Balance, March 31, 201634,221,451
 $1,262,050
 $50,230
 $7,875
 $1,320,155


See Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

7


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited) (In thousands)
For the NineThree Months Ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and 20142015
Nine Months Ended
September 30
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2015
 2014
2016
 2015
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income$38,329
 $42,356
$17,774
 $12,134
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities:      
Depreciation6,279
 6,081
2,859
 2,002
Deferred income and expense, net of amortization2,194
 2,555
1,158
 885
Amortization of core deposit intangibles1,268
 1,460
1,808
 616
Loss (gain) on sale of securities537
 (41)
(Gain) loss on sale of securities(21) 510
Net change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value(735) (1,662)(29) (1,050)
Purchases of securities—trading(6,337) (2,387)(1,725) 
Proceeds from sales of securities—trading2,485
 2,387

 2,290
Principal repayments and maturities of securities—trading7,905
 16,791
1,946
 679
Bargain purchase gain on acquisition
 (9,079)
Change in deferred taxes97
 5,713
Increase in current taxes payable2,800
 9,995
Decrease in deferred taxes8,745
 1,344
Increase (decrease) in current taxes payable2,540
 (3,555)
Equity-based compensation1,944
 1,677
876
 539
Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI(1,425) (1,329)(1,169) (432)
Gain on sale of loans, net of capitalized servicing rights(8,139) (4,235)(3,873) (2,692)
Gain on disposal of real estate held for sale and property and equipment(338) (817)
Loss (gain) on disposal of real estate held for sale and property and equipment427
 (122)
Provision for losses on real estate held for sale216
 37
205
 
Origination of loans held for sale(455,178) (262,159)(202,471) (137,290)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale462,967
 262,179
205,023
 133,349
Net change in:      
Other assets(5,888) (2,118)(15,571) (4,703)
Other liabilities1,625
 (33)2,894
 776
Net cash provided from operating activities50,606
 67,371
21,396
 5,280
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:      
Purchases of securities—available-for-sale(93,508) (48,022)(123,197) (22,622)
Principal repayments and maturities of securities—available-for-sale57,301
 29,198
41,376
 29,255
Proceeds from sales of securities—available-for-sale40,293
 55,982
30,566
 22,310
Purchases of securitiesheld-to-maturity
(11,490) (35,121)(26,991) (7,664)
Principal repayments and maturities of securities—held-to-maturity9,609
 3,857
843
 4,972
Loan originations, net of principal repayments(78,947) (151,355)57,558
 (1,805)
Purchases of loans and participating interest in loans(243,282) (152,321)(70,551) (41,684)
Proceeds from sales of other loans29,238
 4,609
144,499
 15,000
Net cash received from acquisitions78,599
 127,557

 78,599
Purchases of property and equipment(9,847) (4,024)(4,331) (1,418)
Proceeds from sale of real estate held for sale, net3,155
 3,631
4,666
 1,738
Proceeds from FHLB stock repurchase program21,453
 6,284
19,624
 2,029
Purchase of FHLB stock(648) 
(16,914) 
Other241
 (2,063)1,276
 37
Net cash used by investing activities(197,833) (161,788)
Net cash provided from investing activities58,424
 78,747
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:      
Increase in deposits, net172,298
 161,106
Repayments of FHLB borrowings, net(15,806) (27,005)
Increase (decrease) in other borrowings, net10,899
 (15,451)
Increase (decrease) in deposits, net(25,206) 104,061
Proceeds from FHLB advances422,200
 222,500
Repayment of FHLB advances(479,802) (254,502)
Increase in other borrowings, net7,807
 19,835
Cash dividends paid(11,031) (9,950)(6,166) (3,512)
Cash proceeds from issuance of stock for stockholder reinvestment plan34
 93
Net cash provided from financing activities156,394
 108,793
Cash proceeds from issuance of common stock for shareholder reinvestment plan
 34
Net cash provided from (used by) financing activities(81,167) 88,416
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS9,167
 14,376
(1,347) 172,443
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD126,072
 137,349
261,917
 126,072
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD$135,239
 $151,725
$260,570
 $298,515
(Continued on next page)

8


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
(Unaudited) (In thousands)
For the NineThree Months Ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and 20142015
Nine Months Ended
September 30
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2015
 2014
2016
 2015
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:      
Interest paid in cash$7,825
 $8,277
$4,349
 $2,576
Taxes paid, net of refunds received in cash16,491
 6,102
2,581
 8,935
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING TRANSACTIONS:      
Loans, net of discounts, specific loss allowances and unearned income,
transferred to real estate owned and other repossessed assets
3,251
 3,019
135
 690
ACQUISITIONS (Note 4):   
ACQUISITIONS (Note 3):   
Assets acquired370,306
 221,206

 370,306
Liabilities assumed327,548
 212,127

 327,548

See Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

9


BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1:  BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND CRITICALSIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements include the accounts of Banner Corporation (the Company or Banner), a bank holding company incorporated in the State of Washington and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Banner Bank and Islanders Bank (the Banks).

These unaudited consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In preparing these financial statements, the Company has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 for potential recognition or disclosure. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented have been included. Certain information and disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC and the accounting standards for interim financial statements. Certain reclassifications have been made to the 20142015 Consolidated Financial Statements and/or schedules to conform to the 20152016 presentation. These reclassifications may have affected certain ratios for the prior periods. The effect of these reclassifications is considered immaterial. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements. Various elements of the Company’s accounting policies, by their nature, are inherently subject to estimation techniques, valuation assumptions and other subjective assessments. In particular, management has identified several accounting policies that, due to the judgments, estimates and assumptions inherent in those policies, are criticalsignificant to an understanding of Banner’s financial statements. These policies relate to (i) the methodology for the recognition of interest income, (ii) determination of the provision and allowance for loan and lease losses, (iii) the valuation of financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, including other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses, (iv) the valuation of intangibles, such as goodwill, core deposit intangibles (CDI) and mortgage servicing rights, (v) the valuation of real estate held for sale, (vi) the valuation of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations and subsequent recognition of related income and expense, and (vii) the valuation or recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and (vi) the application of acquisition accounting standards to business combinations including purchased credit-impaired loans.liabilities. These policies and judgments, estimates and assumptions are described in greater detail in subsequent notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Critical Accounting Policies) in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20142015 filed with the SEC.  There have been no significant changes in our application of accounting policies during the first ninethree months of 2015.2016.

The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20142015 as filed with the SEC (20142015 Form 10-K).  Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year or any other interim period.

Note 2:  RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

Acquisition of AmericanWest Bank

As of the close of business on October 1, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of Starbuck Bancshares, Inc. (Starbuck) and its subsidiary, AmericanWest Bank (AmericanWest), a Washington state chartered commercial bank headquartered in Spokane, Washington with 98 branches serving markets in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California and Utah. On that date Starbuck merged with and into Banner and AmericanWest merged with and into Banner Bank. The merged banks are operating as Banner Bank. Pursuant to the previously announced terms of the merger, the equityholders of Starbuck received an aggregate of $130.0 million in cash and 13.23 million shares of Banner common stock and nonvoting common stock. At the closing date, the combined company had approximately $9.9 billion in assets and 203 branches. (See Note 4, Business Combinations, below in this Form 10-Q for additional information regarding this acquisition).

Acquisition of Siuslaw Financial Group, Inc.

As of the close of business on March 6, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of Siuslaw Financial Group (Siuslaw) and its subsidiary, Siuslaw Bank, an Oregon state chartered commercial bank with ten branches in Lane County, Oregon, including Eugene, Oregon. On that date Siuslaw was merged with and into Banner Corporation and Siuslaw Bank was merged with and into Banner Bank. The operating results produced by the ten branches acquired in the Siuslaw acquisition are included in Banner's financial results beginning March 7, 2015 and the combined banks are operating as Banner Bank. (See Note 4, Business Combinations, below in this Form 10-Q for additional information regarding this acquisition).

Note 3:2:  ACCOUNTING STANDARDS RECENTLY ISSUED OR ADOPTED

Investing in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects

In January 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-01, Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects. The objective of this ASU is to provide guidance on accounting for investments by a reporting entity in flow-through limited liability entities that manage or invest in affordable housing projects that qualify for the low-income

10


housing tax credit. The amendments in this ASU modify the conditions that a reporting entity must meet to be eligible to use a method other than the equity or cost methods to account for qualified affordable housing project investments. If the modified conditions are met, the amendments permit an entity to amortize the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the amount of tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognize the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense (benefit). Additionally, the amendments introduce new recurring disclosures about all investments in qualified affordable housing projects irrespective of the method used to account for the investments. The amendments in this ASU are applied retrospectively to all periods presented. ASU No. 2014-01 was effective beginning after December 15, 2014 and does not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, FASBthe Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASUAccounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which creates Topic 606 and supersedes Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. The core principle of Topic 606 is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In general, the new guidance requires companies to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current guidance, including identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. Under the terms of ASU 2015-14 the standard is effective for public entities for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017; early adoption2017. Early application is not permitted.permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. For financial reporting purposes, the standard allows for either full retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied to all of the periods presented, or modified retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied only to the most current period presented in the financial statements with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU No. 2014-09 to determine the potential impact the standard will have on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing. The amendments in this ASU do not change the core principle of the guidance in Topic 606. Rather, the amendments in this ASU clarify the following two aspects of Topic 606: identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance, while retaining the related principles for those areas. The amendments in this ASU affect the guidance in ASU 2014-09, discussed above, which is not yet effective. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in this ASU are the same as the effective date and transition requirements in Topic 606 (Revenues from Contracts with Customers). The Company is evaluating the provisions of this ASU in conjunction with ASU No. 2014-09 to determine the potential impact Topic 606 and its amendments will have on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.


Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement

In April 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. The amendments in this ASU provide guidance to customers in cloud computing arrangements about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The amendments arewere effective for adoption of annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted.2015 and were adopted by the Company, as of January 1, 2016. This ASU isdid not expected to have a material effect on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Push-down Accounting—Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 115

In May 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-08, Push-down Accounting—Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 115 (SEC Update). The amendments in the SEC Update conform the accounting guidance with the various SEC paragraphs pursuant to the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 115. These amendments are effective immediately. This ASU does not have a material effect on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Business Combinations—Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments

In September 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. Prior to this ASU, changes in provisional amounts for items recognized in a business combination were retrospectively applied.Adjustments. The amendments in this Update eliminateASU require that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the requirementmeasurement period in the reporting period when the adjustment amounts are determined. The acquirer is required to retrospectively account for those adjustments. This Update requires an entityrecord in the same period's financial statements the effect on earnings from changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects resulting from the change to provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The acquirer must present separately on the face of the income statement, or disclose in the notes, the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amountsamount had been recognized as ofat the acquisition date. The amendments in this UpdateASU were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and were adopted by the Company, as of January 1, 2016. As a result of this ASU, the adjustments recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2016 to the provisional amounts recorded as of December 31, 2015 related to the acquisition of Starbuck Bancshares, Inc. (Starbuck) were recorded in the current period.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In January 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The amendments in this ASU require equity securities to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income. The amendments allow equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values to be remeasured at fair value under certain circumstances and require enhanced disclosures about those investments. This ASU simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values. This ASU also eliminate the requirement to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet. The amendments in this ASU require separate presentation in other comprehensive income of the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. This ASU excludes from net income gains or losses that the entity may not realize because those financial liabilities are not usually transferred or settled at their fair values before maturity. The amendments in this ASU require separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (that is, securities or loans and receivables) on the balance sheet or in the accompanying notes to the financial statements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015,2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU No. 2016-01 to determine the potential impact the new standard will have on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Leases (Topic 842)

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The amendments in this ASU require lessees to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term) at the commencement date; a lease liability, which is a lessee‘s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. The amendments in this ASU leave lessor accounting largely unchanged, although certain targeted improvements were made to align lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model. This ASU simplifies the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. Lessees will no longer be provided with a source of off-balance sheet financing. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted upon issuance. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and lessors (for sales-type, direct financing, and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees and lessors may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU No. 2016-02 to determine the potential impact the new standard will have on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.


Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)

In March 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-05, Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships. The amendments in this ASU clarify that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as the hedging instrument under Topic 815 (Derivatives and Hedging) does not, in and of itself, require dedesignation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. The amendments in this ASU are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity has an option to apply the amendments in this ASU on either a prospective basis or a modified retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. At March 31, 2016, Banner had four swap relationships using hedge accounting with a total market value of approximately $1.0 million. This ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-06, Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments. The amendments in this ASU clarify the requirements for assessing whether contingent call (put) options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts. To determine how to account for debt instruments with embedded features, including contingent put and call options, an entity is required to assess whether the embedded derivatives must be bifurcated from the host contract and accounted for separately. Part of this assessment consists of evaluating whether the embedded derivative features are clearly and closely related to the debt host. Under existing guidance, for contingently exercisable options to be considered clearly and closely related to a debt host, they must be indexed only to interest rates or credit risk. ASU 2016-06 addresses inconsistent interpretations of whether an event that triggers an entity’s ability to exercise the embedded contingent option must be indexed to interest rates or credit risk for that option to qualify as clearly and closely related. Diversity in practice has developed because the existing four-step decision sequence in ASC 815 focuses only on whether the payoff was indexed to something other than an interest rate or credit risk. As a result, entities have been uncertain whether they should (1) determine whether the embedded features are clearly and closely related to the debt host solely on the basis of the four-step decision sequence or (2) first apply the four-step decision sequence and then also evaluate whether the event triggering the exercisability of the contingent put or call option is indexed only to an interest rate or credit risk. This ASU clarifies that in assessing whether an embedded contingent put or call option is clearly and closely related to the debt host, an entity is required to perform only the four-step decision sequence in ASC 815 as amended by this ASU. The entity does not have to separately assess whether the event that triggers its ability to exercise the contingent option is itself indexed only to interest rates or credit risk. The amendments in this ASU are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. This ASU mayis not expected to have a material effectimpact on the Company'sCompany’s Consolidated Financial Statements dependingStatements.

Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718)

In March 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. FASB is issuing this ASU as part of its Simplification Initiative. The areas for simplification in this ASU involve several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the significancestatement of futurecash flows. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any entity in any interim or annual period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. Amendments in this ASU related to provisional amounts, if any.the timing of when excess tax benefits are recognized, minimum statutory withholding requirements, forfeitures, and intrinsic value should be applied using a modified retrospective transition method by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the period in which the guidance is adopted. Amendments related to the presentation of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares to meet the minimum statutory withholding requirement should be applied retrospectively. Amendments in this ASU require recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement and the practical expedient for estimating expected term should be applied prospectively. An entity may elect to apply the amendments in this ASU related to the presentation of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows using either a prospective transition method or a retrospective transition method. This ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 4:3:  BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

All business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, assets acquired and liabilities assumed, both tangible and intangible, and consideration exchanged were recorded at acquisition date fair values. The excess cost over fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. In the event that the fair value of net assets acquired exceeds the purchase price, including fair value of liabilities assumed, a bargain purchase gain is recorded on the acquisition. Fair values are preliminary and subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information regarding the closing date fair values becomes available.

Acquisition of Starbuck Bancshares, Inc.
Effective as of the close of business on October 1, 2015, the Company acquired Starbuck the holding company of AmericanWest. As of October 1, 2015, Starbuck had $4.5 billionBancshares, Inc. and its subsidiary, AmericanWest Bank (AmericanWest), a Washington state chartered commercial bank headquartered in total assets, $3.0 billionSpokane, Washington with 98 branches serving markets in loansWashington, Oregon, Idaho, California and $3.6 billion in deposits.


11


The structure of the transaction was as follows:
Utah. On that date, Starbuck merged with and into the CompanyBanner and immediately following, AmericanWest Bank merged with and into Banner Bank.
The merged banks are operating as Banner Bank. Pursuant to the previously announced terms of the merger, the equity holders of Starbuck shareholders received an aggregate of $130.0 million in cash and 13.23 million shares of Banner voting common stock and nonvoting common stock and $130.0 million in cash.

The aggregate consideration for the purchase is estimated at $760.7 million and included the following:
Cash of $130.0 million.
Common stock and nonvoting common stock issued of $630.7 million.

The primary reason for the acquisition was to continue the Company’s growth strategy, including expanding our geographic footprint in markets throughout the Northwest and California. Preliminary fair values for all assets and liabilities are not reported herein as the Company is still in the process of determining the preliminary fair values. Goodwill expected to be recorded in the transaction will not be deductible for income tax purposes as the acquisition is accounted for as a tax-free exchange for tax purposes. The Company expects to disclose preliminary estimates of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including fair value adjustments, as well as supplemental pro forma information, in a Form 8-K to be filed in the fourth quarter of 2015. In addition, the Company expects that the Form 8-K filing will include audited financial information for Starbuck Bancshares as of December 31, 2014 and unaudited financial information as of September 30, 2015. The Company's December 31, 2015 Form 10-K will include the results of operations produced by the acquired company beginning on October 2, 2015.

Acquisition of Siuslaw Financial Group, Inc.

Effective as of the close of business on March 6, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Siuslaw, the holding company of Siuslaw Bank. Siuslaw merged with and into the Company and, immediately following, Siuslaw Bank merged with and into Banner Bank. Siuslaw shareholders received 0.32231 shares of the Company's common stock and $1.41622 in cash in exchange for each share of Siuslaw common stock. The acquisition provided $370 million$4.46 billion in assets, $316 million$3.64 billion in deposits and $247 million$3.00 billion in loans.loans to Banner. At the closing date, the combined company had approximately $9.9 billion in assets and 203 branches.

The application of the acquisition method of accounting resulted in recognition of a core deposit intangibleCDI asset of $3.9$33.5 million and goodwill of $21.1$223.1 million. The acquired core deposit intangibleCDI has been determined to have a useful life of approximately eightten years and will be amortized on an accelerated basis. Goodwill is not amortized but will be evaluated for impairment on an annual basis or more often if circumstances dictate to determine if the carrying value remains appropriate. Goodwill will not be deductible for income tax purposes as the acquisition is accounted for as a tax-free exchange for tax purposes.

The following table presents a summary of the consideration paid and the estimated fair values as of the acquisition date for each major class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):
SiuslawStarbuck
March 6, 2015October 1, 2015
Consideration to Siuslaw shareholders:   
Consideration to Starbuck equityholders:   
Cash paid  $5,806
  $130,000
Fair value of common shares issued  58,100
  630,674
Total consideration  63,906
  760,674
Fair value of assets acquired:      
Cash and cash equivalents$84,405
  $95,821
  
Securities—available-for-sale12,865
  
Loans receivable (contractual amount of $252.2 million)247,098
  
Real estate owned, held for sale2,525
  
Securities1,037,238
  
Loans receivable (contractual amount of $3.04 billion)2,999,130
  
REO, held for sale6,105
  
Property and equipment8,127
  66,728
  
Core deposit intangible3,895
  
CDI33,500
  
Deferred tax asset108,454
  
Other assets11,391
  112,782
  
Total assets acquired370,306
  4,459,758
  
Fair value of liabilities assumed:      
Deposits316,406
  3,638,596
  
FHLB advances221,442
  
Junior subordinated debentures5,959
  5,806
  
Other liabilities5,183
  56,359
  
Total liabilities assumed327,548
  3,922,203
  
Net assets acquired  42,758
  537,555
Goodwill  $21,148
  $223,119
Acquired goodwill represents the premium the Company paid over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. The acquisition complementscomplemented the Company's growth strategy, including expanding our geographic footprint in markets throughout the Northwest.Northwest, Utah and California. The Company

12


paid this premium for a number of reasons, including growing the Company's customer base, acquiring assembled workforces, and expanding its presence in new markets. See Note 8,7, Goodwill, Other Intangible Assets and Mortgage Servicing Rights for the accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets.

Amounts recorded are preliminary estimates of fair value. Additional adjustments to the purchase price allocationacquisition accounting may be required and would most likely involve loans, or property and equipment.equipment, or the deferred tax asset. As of March 6,October 1, 2015, the unpaid principal balance on purchased non-credit-impaired loans was $244.2 million.$2.95 billion. The fair value of the purchased non-credit-impaired loans was $241.4 million,$2.94 billion, resulting in a discount of $2.8$17.7 million recorded on these loans. The principal cash flows not expected to be collected on these loans was estimated to be $44.1 million. This discount is being accreted into income over the life of the loans on an effective yield basis.


The following table presents the acquired purchased credit-impaired loans as of the acquisition date (in thousands):
 Siuslaw Starbuck
 March 6, 2015 October 1, 2015
Acquired purchased credit-impaired loans:  
Acquired PCI loans:  
Contractually required principal and interest payments $11,134
 $98,746
Nonaccretable difference (3,238) (26,162)
Cash flows expected to be collected 7,896
 72,584
Accretable yield (2,239) (11,071)
Fair value of purchased credit-impaired loans $5,657
Fair value of PCI loans $61,513

The following table presents certain unaudited pro forma information for illustrative purposes only, for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 and 2014 as if SiuslawStarbuck had been acquired on January 1, 2014. This unaudited estimated pro forma financial information combines the historical results of SiuslawStarbuck with the Company’s consolidated historical results. Pro forma adjustments include accretion of loan discount, accretion of investment premiums, amortization of deposit premium, amortization of CDI, reversal of acquisition expense, and reversal of historical recorded amounts for similar items, with all adjustments tax effected. The pro forma information is not indicative of what would have occurred had the acquisition actually occurred on January 1, 2014. In particular, no adjustments have been made to eliminate the impact of other-than-temporary impairment losses and losses recognized on the sale of securities that may not have been necessary had the investment securities been recorded at fair value as of January 1, 2014. The unaudited pro forma information does not consider any changes to the provision for credit losses resulting from recording loan assets at fair value. Additionally, Banner expects to achieve further operating cost savings and other business synergies, including revenue growth, as a result of the acquisition which are not reflected in the pro forma amounts that follow. As a result, actual amounts would have differed from the unaudited pro forma information presented (in thousands except per share amounts):
Pro FormaPro Forma
Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
Three months ended
2015
 2014
 2015
 2014
March 31, 2015
Total revenues (net interest income plus non-interest income)$66,286
 $65,444
 $197,048
 $189,944
$113,926
Net income$12,947
 $16,048
 $38,714
 $45,438
$19,924
Earnings per share - basic
$0.62
 $0.78
 $1.87
 $2.20
$0.61
Earnings per share - diluted$0.62
 $0.77
 $1.86
 $2.19
$0.61
The operating results of the Company include the operating results produced by the acquired assets and assumed liabilities of Starbuck since October 2, 2015. Disclosure of the amount of Starbuck's revenue and net income (excluding integration costs) included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations is impracticable due to the integration of the operations, systems and accounting for this acquisition occurring in different stages.

Acquisition of Siuslaw Financial Group, Inc.

Effective as of the close of business on March 6, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Siuslaw, the holding company of Siuslaw Bank. Siuslaw merged with and into the Company and, immediately following, Siuslaw Bank merged with and into Banner Bank. Siuslaw shareholders received 0.32231 shares of the Company's common stock and $1.41622 in cash in exchange for each share of Siuslaw common stock. The acquisition provided $369.8 million in assets, $316.4 million in deposits and $247.1 million in loans.

The application of the acquisition method of accounting resulted in recognition of a CDI asset of $3.9 million and goodwill of $21.7 million. The acquired CDI has been determined to have a useful life of approximately eight years and will be amortized on an accelerated basis. Goodwill is not amortized but will be evaluated for impairment on an annual basis or more often if circumstances dictate to determine if the carrying value remains appropriate. Goodwill will not be deductible for income tax purposes as the acquisition is accounted for as a tax-free exchange for tax purposes.

The following table presents a summary of the consideration paid and the estimated fair values as of the acquisition date for each major class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):
 Siuslaw
 March 6, 2015
Consideration to Siuslaw shareholders:   
Cash paid  $5,806
Fair value of common shares issued  58,100
Total consideration  63,906
Fair value of assets acquired:   
Cash and cash equivalents$84,405
  
Securities—available-for-sale12,865
  
Loans receivable (contractual amount of $252.2 million)247,098
  
REO, held for sale2,525
  
Property and equipment8,127
  
Core deposit intangible3,895
  
Other assets10,848
  
Total assets acquired369,763
  
Fair value of liabilities assumed:   
Deposits316,406
  
Junior subordinated debentures5,959
  
Other liabilities5,183
  
Total liabilities assumed327,548
  
Net assets acquired  42,215
Goodwill  $21,691

Acquired goodwill represents the premium the Company paid over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. The acquisition complemented the Company's growth strategy, including expanding our geographic footprint in markets throughout the Northwest. The Company paid this premium for a number of reasons, including growing the Company's customer base, acquiring assembled workforces, and expanding its presence in new markets. See Note 7, Goodwill, Other Intangible Assets and Mortgage Servicing Rights for the accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets.

As of March 6, 2015, the unpaid principal balance on purchased non-credit-impaired loans was $244.2 million. The fair value of the purchased non-credit-impaired loans was $241.4 million, resulting in a discount of $2.8 million recorded on these loans. This discount is being accreted into income over the life of the loans on an effective yield basis.

The following table presents the acquired purchased credit-impaired loans as of the acquisition date (in thousands):
  Siuslaw
  March 6, 2015
Acquired purchased credit-impaired loans:  
Contractually required principal and interest payments $11,134
Nonaccretable difference (3,238)
Cash flows expected to be collected 7,896
Accretable yield (2,239)
Fair value of purchased credit-impaired loans $5,657
The following table presents certain unaudited pro forma information for illustrative purposes only, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as if Siuslaw had been acquired on January 1, 2014. This unaudited estimated pro forma financial information combines the historical results of Siuslaw with the Company’s consolidated historical results. Pro forma adjustments include accretion of loan discount, accretion of investment premiums, amortization of deposit premium, amortization of CDI, reversal of acquisition expense, and reversal of historical recorded amounts for similar items, with all adjustments tax effected. The pro forma information is not indicative of what would have occurred had the acquisition actually occurred on January 1, 2014. In particular, no adjustments have been made to eliminate the impact of other-than-temporary impairment losses and losses recognized on the sale of securities that may not have been necessary had the investment securities been recorded at fair value as of January 1, 2014. The unaudited pro forma information does not consider any changes to the provision for credit losses resulting from recording loan assets at fair value. Additionally, Banner expects to achieve further operating cost savings and other business synergies, including

revenue growth, as a result of the acquisition which are not reflected in the pro forma amounts that follow. As a result, actual amounts would have differed from the unaudited pro forma information presented (in thousands except per share amounts):
 Pro Forma
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 2015
Total revenues (net interest income plus non-interest income)$66,453
Net income$10,582
Earnings per share - basic
$0.51
Earnings per share - diluted$0.51

The operating results of the Company include the operating results produced by the acquired assets and assumed liabilities of Siuslaw for the periodsince March 7, 2015 to September 30, 2015. Disclosure of the amount of Siuslaw’s revenue and net income (excluding integration costs) included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations is impracticable due to the integration of the operations and accounting for this acquisition.

Acquisition of Six Oregon Branches

Effective as of the close of business on June 20, 2014, Banner Bank completed the purchase of six branches from Umpqua Bank, successor to Sterling Savings Bank (the Branch Acquisition). Five of the six branches are located in Coos County, Oregon and the sixth branch is located in Douglas County, Oregon. The purchase provided $212 million in deposit accounts, $88 million in loans, and $3 million in branch properties. Banner Bank received $128 million in cash from the transaction.

The application of the acquisition method of accounting resulted in recognition of a core deposit intangible asset of $2.4 million and an acquisition bargain purchase gain of $9.1 million. The bargain purchase gain consisted primarily of a $7.0 million discount on the assets acquired in this required branch divestiture combined with a $2.4 million core deposit intangible, net of approximately $300,000 in other fair value adjustments. The acquired core deposit intangible was determined to have a useful life of approximately eight years and is being amortized on an accelerated basis.


13


The following table displays the fair value as of the acquisition date for each major class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):
 Branch Acquisition
 June 20, 2014
Total consideration  $
Fair value of assets acquired:   
Cash and cash equivalents$127,557
  
Loans receivable (contractual amount of $88.3 million)87,923
  
Property and equipment3,079
  
Core deposit intangible2,372
  
Other assets275
  
Total assets acquired221,206
  
    
Fair value of liabilities assumed:   
Deposits212,085
  
Other liabilities42
  
Total liabilities assumed212,127
  
Net assets acquired  $9,079
Acquisition bargain purchase gain  $(9,079)

The primary reason for the Branch Acquisition was to continue the Company's growth strategy, including expanding its geographic footprint in markets throughout the Northwest. As of June 20, 2014, the transaction had no remaining contingencies. The operating results of the Company include the operating results produced by the Branch Acquisition from June 21, 2014 to September 30, 2015. Pro forma results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, as if the Branch Acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2014, have not been presented because historical financial information was not available. There were no purchased credit-impaired loans acquired in connection with the Branch Acquisition.

Acquisition-Related Costs

In the quarter ended September 30, 2014, Banner adjusted the accrued estimated acquisition-related expenses to reflect amounts actually incurred, which resulted in a net reversal of expense totaling $494,000 for the quarter. The following tables present the key components of acquisition-related costs in connection with the Branch Acquisition, the acquisition of Siuslaw and the acquisition of Starbuck, including AmericanWest, for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2015 2014 2015 20142016 2015
Acquisition-related costs recognized in other operating expenses:       
Acquisition-related costs recognized in non-interest expenses:   
Personnel severance/retention fees$227
 $
 $443
 $
$1,313
 $
Non-capitalized equipment and repairs5
 70
 55
 99
Branch consolidation and other occupancy expenses1,949
 24
Client communications151
 (108) 221
 130
251
 66
Information/computer data services301
 (335) 807
 297
1,417
 40
Payment and processing expenses16
 (205) 16
 66
Professional services1,185
 55
 5,411
 674
852
 1,280
Miscellaneous322
 29
 788
 264
1,031
 238
$2,207
 $(494) $7,741
 $1,530
$6,813
 $1,648
          
The Branch Acquisition$
 $(494) $
 $1,530
Siuslaw340
 ���
 1,867
 
$
 $670
Starbuck1,867
 
 5,874
 
6,813
 978
$2,207
 $(494) $7,741
 $1,530
$6,813
 $1,648


14


Note 5:4:  SECURITIES

Securities—Trading:The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair value of securities—tradingsecurities at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
 March 31, 2016
 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses 
Fair
Value
Trading:       
U.S. Government and agency obligations$1,230
     $1,381
Municipal bonds332
     339
Corporate bonds26,828
     20,543
Mortgage-backed or related securities10,751
     11,650
Equity securities14
     81
 $39,155
     $33,994
Available-for-Sale:       
U.S. Government and agency obligations$52,009
 $270
 $(51) $52,228
Municipal bonds148,358
 2,884
 (39) 151,203
Corporate bonds15,747
 50
 (804) 14,993
Mortgage-backed or related securities939,515
 11,683
 (1,235) 949,963
Asset-backed securities31,278
 
 (484) 30,794
Equity securities88
 10
 
 98
 $1,186,995
 $14,897
 $(2,613) $1,199,279
Held-to-Maturity:       
U.S. Government and agency obligations$1,096
 $25
 $
 $1,121
Municipal bonds:172,968
 8,169
 (41) 181,096
Corporate bonds4,236
 
 
 4,236
Mortgage-backed or related securities68,020
 1,396
 (46) 69,370
 $246,320
 $9,590
 $(87) $255,823



 December 31, 2015
 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses 
Fair
Value
Trading:       
U.S. Government and agency obligations$1,230
     $1,368
Municipal bonds332
     341
Corporate bonds25,063
     18,699
Mortgage-backed or related securities12,705
     13,663
Equity securities14
     63
 $39,344
     $34,134
Available-for-Sale:       
U.S. Government and agency obligations$30,211
 $213
 $(193) $30,231
Municipal bonds142,898
 853
 (432) 143,319
Corporate bonds15,937
 56
 (12) 15,981
Mortgage-backed or related securities919,318
 4,056
 (5,115) 918,259
Asset-backed securities31,288
 
 (603) 30,685
Equity securities88
 10
 
 98
 $1,139,740
 $5,188
 $(6,355) $1,138,573
Held-to-Maturity:       
U.S. Government and agency obligations$1,106
 $5
 $
 $1,111
Municipal bonds:162,778
 6,219
 (191) 168,806
Corporate bonds4,273
 
 
 4,273
Mortgage-backed or related securities52,509
 253
 (325) 52,437
 $220,666
 $6,477
 $(516) $226,627


At September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 20142015 are summarized, the gross unrealized losses and the fair value for securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity aggregated by the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position was as follows (in thousands):
September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014March 31, 2016
Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair ValueLess Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total
Fair
Value
 Unrealized Losses 
Fair
Value
 Unrealized Losses 
Fair
Value
 Unrealized Losses
Available-for-Sale:           
U.S. Government and agency obligations$1,230
 $1,389
 $1,340
 $1,505
$10,792
 $(42) $10,439
 $(9) $21,231
 $(51)
Municipal bonds1,403
 1,418
 1,405
 1,440
6,892
 (35) 906
 (4) 7,798
 (39)
Corporate bonds25,026
 18,340
 27,995
 19,118
9,943
 (804) 
 
 9,943
 (804)
Mortgage-backed or related securities15,043
 16,313
 16,726
 18,136
119,249
 (925) 46,833
 (310) 166,082
 (1,235)
Equity securities14
 55
 14
 59
Asset-backed securities30,794
 (484) 
 
 30,794
 (484)
$42,716
 $37,515
 $47,480
 $40,258
$177,670
 $(2,290) $58,178
 $(323) $235,848
 $(2,613)
Held-to-Maturity           
Municipal bonds$3,179
 $(30) $1,229
 $(11) $4,408
 $(41)
Corporate bonds
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed or related securities2,906
 (46) 229
 
 3,135
 (46)
$6,085
 $(76) $1,458
 $(11) $7,543
 $(87)
           
December 31, 2015
Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total
Fair
Value
 Unrealized Losses 
Fair
Value
 Unrealized Losses 
Fair
Value
 Unrealized Losses
Available-for-Sale:           
U.S. Government and agency obligations$8,707
 $(97) $10,489
 $(96) $19,196
 $(193)
Municipal bonds69,848
 (426) 905
 (6) 70,753
 (432)
Corporate bonds5,153
 (12) 
 
 5,153
 (12)
Mortgage-backed or related securities533,143
 (4,380) 68,562
 (735) 601,705
 (5,115)
Asset-backed securities20,893
 (355) 9,792
 (248) 30,685
 (603)
$637,744
 $(5,270) $89,748
 $(1,085) $727,492
 $(6,355)
Held-to-Maturity           
Municipal bonds$28,545
 $(188) $254
 $(3) $28,799
 $(191)
Corporate bonds
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed or related securities34,493
 (323) 255
 (2) 34,748
 (325)
$63,038
 $(511) $509
 $(5) $63,547
 $(516)

At March 31, 2016, there were 85 securities—available-for-sale with unrealized losses, compared to 242 at December 31, 2015.  At March 31, 2016, there were seven securities—held-to-maturity with unrealized losses, compared to 32 at December 31, 2015.  Management does not believe that any individual unrealized loss as of March 31, 2016, or December 31, 2015 represented other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI).  The decline in fair market value of these securities was generally due to changes in interest rates and changes in market-desired spreads subsequent to their purchase.

There were twono sales of securities—trading totaling $2.5 million with a resulting realized loss of $690,000 duringfor the ninethree months ended September 30, 2015; however, the realized loss was offset by the reversal of fair value allowances totaling $1.2 million resulting in net gains on these securities sales of $550,000. There were three sales of securities—trading totaling $2.4March 31, 2016 compared to $2.3 million with a resulting net gainloss of $1,000 during$642,000 for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2014.March 31, 2015. The Company did not recognize any OTTI charges or recoveries on securities—trading during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, or 2014.the three months ended March 31, 2015. There were no securities—trading onin a nonaccrual status at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, or 2014.December 31, 2015.  Net unrealized holding gains of $49,000 were recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Sales of securities—available-for-sale totaled $30.6 million with a resulting net gain of $21,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016.  Sales of securities—available-for-sale totaled $22.3 million with a resulting net gain of $103,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. There were no securities—available-for-sale in a nonaccrual status at March 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015.

There were no sales of securities—held-to-maturity during the three months ended March 31, 2016, or the three months ended March 31, 2015. There were no securities—held-to-maturity in a nonaccrual status at March 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities—tradingsecurities at September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, by contractual maturity, are shown below (in thousands). Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because some securities may be called or prepaid with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 September 30, 2015
 Amortized Cost Fair Value
    
Maturing in one year or less$1,070
 $1,075
Maturing after one year through five years9,021
 9,735
Maturing after five years through ten years3,567
 3,961
Maturing after ten years through twenty years4,018
 4,349
Maturing after twenty years25,026
 18,340
 42,702
 37,460
Equity securities14
 55
 $42,716
 $37,515


15


Securities—Available-for-Sale:  The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities—available-for-sale at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
 September 30, 2015
 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value
U.S. Government and agency obligations$12,043
 $
 $(51) $11,992
Municipal bonds67,459
 300
 (102) 67,657
Corporate bonds5,000
 22
 
 5,022
Mortgage-backed or related securities300,929
 2,391
 (520) 302,800
Asset-backed securities31,300
 
 (517) 30,783
 $416,731
 $2,713
 $(1,190) $418,254
        
 December 31, 2014
 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value
U.S. Government and agency obligations$29,973
 $8
 $(211) $29,770
Municipal bonds49,959
 190
 (121) 50,028
Corporate bonds5,000
 18
 
 5,018
Mortgage-backed or related securities300,979
 1,429
 (1,598) 300,810
Asset-backed securities25,513
 167
 (285) 25,395
 $411,424
 $1,812
 $(2,215) $411,021
 March 31, 2016
 Trading Available-for-Sale Held-to-Maturity
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
Maturing in one year or less$
 $
 $12,792
 $12,741
 $4,984
 $5,014
Maturing after one year through five years7,004
 7,476
 241,156
 241,714
 14,600
 14,846
Maturing after five years through ten years3,401
 3,786
 242,007
 243,516
 98,569
 101,401
Maturing after ten years through twenty years1,908
 2,109
 327,867
 333,014
 106,288
 112,487
Maturing after twenty years26,828
 20,542
 363,085
 368,196
 21,879
 22,075
 39,141
 33,913
 1,186,907
 1,199,181
 246,320
 255,823
Equity securities14
 81
 88
 98
 
 
 $39,155
 $33,994
 $1,186,995
 $1,199,279
 $246,320
 $255,823

At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, an aging of unrealized losses and fair value of related securities—available-for-sale was as follows (in thousands):
 September 30, 2015
 Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total
 Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses
U.S. Government and agency obligations$1,334
 $(9) $10,658
 $(42) $11,992
 $(51)
Municipal bonds15,727
 (95) 3,199
 (7) 18,926
 (102)
Mortgage-backed or related securities41,550
 (248) 72,167
 (272) 113,717
 (520)
Asset-backed securities20,835
 (422) 9,948
 (95) 30,783
 (517)
 $79,446
 $(774) $95,972
 $(416) $175,418
 $(1,190)
            
 December 31, 2014
 Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total
 Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses
U.S. Government and agency obligations$15,983
 $(58) $9,847
 $(153) $25,830
 $(211)
Municipal bonds16,322
 (61) 7,129
 (60) 23,451
 (121)
Corporate bonds
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed or related securities91,046
 (236) 107,266
 (1,362) 198,312
 (1,598)
Asset-backed securities
 
 9,765
 (285) 9,765
 (285)
 $123,351
 $(355) $134,007
 $(1,860) $257,358
 $(2,215)

There were 44 sales of securities—available-for-sale totaling $40.3 million with a resulting net gain of $126,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. There were twelve sales of securities—available-for-sale totaling $56.0 million with a resulting net gain of $40,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  At September 30, 2015, there were 83 securities—available for sale with unrealized losses, compared to 94 securities at December 31, 2014.  Management does not believe that any individual unrealized loss as of September 30, 2015 represents OTTI.  The decline in fair market values of these securities was generally due to changes in interest rates and changes in market-desired spreads subsequent to their purchase. There were no securities—available-for-sale on nonaccrual status at September 30, 2015 or 2014.

16



The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities—available-for-sale at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below (in thousands).  Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because some securities may be called or prepaid with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 September 30, 2015
 Amortized Cost Fair Value
    
Maturing in one year or less$17,491
 $17,462
Maturing after one year through five years250,837
 251,489
Maturing after five years through ten years37,545
 37,541
Maturing after ten years through twenty years30,856
 31,376
Maturing after twenty years80,002
 80,386
 $416,731
 $418,254

Securities—Held-to-Maturity:  The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities—held-to-maturity at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
 September 30, 2015
 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value
U.S. Government and agency obligations$1,116
 $10
 $
 $1,126
Municipal bonds121,937
 6,073
 (197) 127,813
Corporate bonds1,800
 
 
 1,800
Mortgage-backed or related securities7,297
 220
 (1) 7,516
 $132,150
 $6,303
 $(198) $138,255
        
 December 31, 2014
 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value
U.S. Government and agency obligations$2,146
 $
 $(19) $2,127
Municipal bonds119,951
 6,319
 (48) 126,222
Corporate bonds1,800
 
 
 1,800
Mortgage-backed or related securities7,361
 105
 (7) 7,459
 $131,258
 $6,424
 $(74) $137,608


17


At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, an aging analysis of unrealized losses and fair value of related securities—held-to-maturity was as follows (in thousands):
 September 30, 2015
 Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total
 Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses
U.S. Government and agency obligations$
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
Municipal bonds8,542
 (193) 255
 (4) 8,797
 (197)
Mortgage-backed or related securities
 
 287
 (1) 287
 (1)
 $8,542
 $(193) $542
 $(5) $9,084
 $(198)
            
 December 31, 2014
 Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total
 Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses
U.S. Government and agency obligations$
 $
 $1,127
 $(19) $1,127
 $(19)
Municipal bonds9,821
 (44) 592
 (4) 10,413
 (48)
Mortgage-backed or related securities1,018
 (7) 
 
 1,018
 (7)
 $10,839
 $(51) $1,719
 $(23) $12,558
 $(74)

There were no sales of securities—held-to-maturity during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.  At September 30, 2015, there were 14 securities—held-to-maturity with unrealized losses, compared to 25 securities at December 31, 2014.  Management does not believe that any individual unrealized loss as of September 30, 2015 represents OTTI.  The decline in fair market value of these securities was generally due to changes in interest rates and changes in market-desired spreads subsequent to their purchase. There were no securities—held-to-maturity on nonaccrual status at September 30, 2015 or 2014.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities—held-to-maturity at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below (in thousands).  Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because some securities may be called or prepaid with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 September 30, 2015
 Amortized Cost Fair Value
    
Maturing in one year or less$3,747
 $3,799
Maturing after one year through five years13,852
 14,041
Maturing after five years through ten years24,951
 25,608
Maturing after ten years through twenty years76,642
 81,606
Maturing after twenty years12,958
 13,201
 $132,150
 $138,255

Pledged Securities:The following table presents, as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, investment securities which were pledged to secure borrowings, public deposits or other obligations as permitted or required by law (in thousands):
Amortized Cost Fair ValueCarrying Value Amortized Cost 
Fair
Value
Purpose or beneficiary:        
State and local governments public deposits$132,234
 $137,818
$183,462
 $182,730
 $191,364
Interest rate swap counterparties13,419
 13,949
29,303
 28,980
 29,736
Retail repurchase agreements110,258
 111,037
Repurchase agreements122,566
 121,595
 123,018
Other1,865
 1,786
 1,865
Total pledged securities$255,911
 $262,804
$337,196
 $335,091
 $345,983


18


Note 6:5: LOANS RECEIVABLE AND THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

Loans receivable including loans held for sale, at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 20142015 are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):
September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Amount Percent of Total Amount Percent of TotalAmount Percent of Total Amount Percent of Total
Commercial real estate:              
Owner-occupied$635,146
 14.5% $546,783
 14.3%$1,328,034
 18.5% $1,327,807
 18.2%
Investment properties1,062,418
 24.3
 856,942
 22.3
1,805,243
 25.1
 1,765,353
 24.1
Multifamily real estate198,874
 4.6
 167,524
 4.4
307,019
 4.3
 472,976
 6.5
Commercial construction47,490
 1.1
 17,337
 0.4
87,711
 1.2
 72,103
 1.0
Multifamily construction72,987
 1.7
 60,193
 1.6
79,737
 1.1
 63,846
 0.9
One- to four-family construction246,715
 5.6
 219,889
 5.7
297,348
 4.1
 278,469
 3.8
Land and land development: 
    
   
    
  
Residential111,091
 2.5
 102,435
 2.7
142,841
 2.0
 126,773
 1.7
Commercial15,517
 0.4
 11,152
 0.3
24,493
 0.3
 33,179
 0.5
Commercial business812,070
 18.6
 723,964
 18.9
1,224,915
 17.1
 1,207,944
 16.5
Agricultural business, including secured by farmland242,556
 5.5
 238,499
 6.2
340,350
 4.7
 376,531
 5.1
One- to four-family residential536,325
 12.3
 539,894
 14.1
910,719
 12.7
 952,633
 13.0
Consumer:              
Consumer secured by one- to four-family250,029
 5.7
 222,205
 5.8
481,590
 6.7
 478,420
 6.5
Consumer—other141,376
 3.2
 127,003
 3.3
155,999
 2.2
 158,470
 2.2
Total loans outstanding4,372,594
 100.0% 3,833,820
 100.0%7,185,999
 100.0% 7,314,504
 100.0%
Less allowance for loan losses(77,320)  
 (75,907)  
(78,197)  
 (78,008)  
Net loans$4,295,274
  
 $3,757,913
  
$7,107,802
  
 $7,236,496
  

Loan amounts are net of unearned loan fees in excess of unamortized costs of $10.0$2.8 million as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and $5.8$5.5 million as of December 31, 2014.2015. Net loans include net discounts on acquired loans of $4.3$42.3 million and $148,000$43.7 million as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014,2015, respectively.
The Company originates both adjustable- and fixed-rate loans.  The maturity and repricing composition of those loans, less undisbursed amounts and deferred fees and origination costs, at September 30, 2015 were as follows (in thousands):
 September 30, 2015
Fixed-rate (term to maturity): 
Maturing in one year or less$150,889
Maturing after one year through three years203,434
Maturing after three years through five years165,674
Maturing after five years through ten years272,660
Maturing after ten years482,673
Total fixed-rate loans1,275,330
Adjustable-rate (term to rate adjustment): 
Maturing or repricing in one year or less1,631,649
Maturing or repricing after one year through three years606,056
Maturing or repricing after three years through five years605,590
Maturing or repricing after five years through ten years225,164
Maturing or repricing after ten years28,805
Total adjustable-rate loans3,097,264
Total loans$4,372,594

The adjustable-rate loans have various interest rate adjustment limitations and are generally indexed to various prime or London Inter-bank Offering Rate (LIBOR) rates, One to Five Year Constant Maturity Treasury Indices or FHLB advance rates.  Future market factors may affect the correlation of the interest rate adjustment with the rates the Banks pay on the short-term deposits that were primarily utilized to fund these loans.

19



Purchased credit-impaired loans and purchased non-credit-impaired loans. Purchased loans, including loans acquired in business combinations, are recorded at their fair value at the acquisition date. Credit discounts are included in the determination of fair value; therefore, an allowance for loan and lease losses is not recorded at the acquisition date. Acquired loans are evaluated upon acquisition and classified as either purchased credit-impaired or purchased non-credit-impaired. Purchased credit-impairedPCI loans reflect credit deterioration since origination such that it is probable at acquisition that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments. The outstanding contractual unpaid principal balance of purchased credit-impaired loans, excluding acquisition accounting adjustments, was $8.8$76.6 million at September 30,March 31, 2016 and $83.4 million at December 31, 2015. The carrying balance of purchased credit-impaired loans was $5.4$53.3 million at September 30, 2015. There were no purchased credit-impaired loansMarch 31, 2016 and $58.6 million at December 31, 2014 or September 30, 2014.2015.
The following table presents the changes in the accretable yield for purchased credit-impaired loans for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2015
 2014
 2015
 2014
2016
 2015
Balance, beginning of period$2,149
 $
 $
 $
$10,375
 $
Additions
 
 2,239
 

 2,239
Accretion to interest income(68) 
 (158) 
(1,931) (35)
Disposals
 
 
 
(18) 
Reclassifications from non-accretable difference
 
 
 
2,291
 
Balance, end of period$2,081
 $
 $2,081
 $
$10,717
 $2,204

As of September 30,March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the non-accretable difference between the contractually required payments and cash flows expected to be collected was $3.2 million.were $25.3 million and $29.5 million, respectively.


20


Impaired Loans and the Allowance for Loan Losses.  A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and circumstances, the Company determines it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement,

including scheduled interest payments.  Factors involved in determining impairment include, but are not limited to, the financial condition of the borrower, the value of the underlying collateral and the current status of the economy. Impaired loans are comprised of loans on nonaccrual, troubled debt restructures (TDRs) that are performing under their restructured terms, and loans that are 90 days or more past due, but are still on accrual. Purchased credit-impaired loans are considered performing within the scope of the purchased credit-impaired accounting guidance and are not included in the impaired loan tables.

The following tables provide information on impaired loans, excluding purchased credit impaired loans, with and without allowance reserves at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014.2015. Recorded investment includes the unpaid principal balance or the carrying amount of loans less charge-offs and net deferred loan fees (in thousands):
September 30, 2015March 31, 2016
Unpaid Principal Balance Recorded Investment Related AllowanceUnpaid Principal Balance Recorded Investment Related Allowance
 
Without Allowance (1)
 
With Allowance (2)
  
Without Allowance (1)
 
With Allowance (2)
 
Commercial real estate:              
Owner-occupied$1,619
 $129
 $1,439
 $57
$1,985
 $
 $1,737
 $126
Investment properties8,788
 
 8,384
 988
8,774
 2,458
 5,923
 455
Multifamily real estate361
 
 361
 73
357
 
 355
 68
Commercial construction
 
 
 
One- to four-family construction2,582
 
 2,582
 216
1,644
 
 1,644
 40
Land and land development:              
Residential3,552
 750
 1,647
 455
3,139
 
 1,984
 481
Commercial1,899
 1,549
 
 
1,628
 1,027
 
 
Commercial business1,878
 9
 1,620
 226
2,314
 928
 1,191
 152
Agricultural business/farmland1,078
 
 1,004
 40
1,294
 563
 663
 48
One- to four-family residential19,555
 2,148
 16,161
 716
16,170
 1,344
 13,775
 564
Consumer:              
Consumer secured by one- to four-family985
 72
 734
 56
1,096
 
 1,036
 8
Consumer—other398
 85
 231
 6
526
 9
 427
 7
$42,695
 $4,742
 $34,163
 $2,833
$38,927
 $6,329
 $28,735
 $1,949
              
December 31, 2014December 31, 2015
Unpaid Principal Balance Recorded Investment Related AllowanceUnpaid Principal Balance Recorded Investment Related Allowance
 
Without Allowance (1)
 
With Allowance (2)
  
Without Allowance (1)
 
With Allowance (2)
 
Commercial real estate:              
Owner-occupied$1,598
 $966
 $582
 $24
$1,465
 $
 $1,416
 $70
Investment properties6,458
 30
 6,023
 729
8,740
 2,503
 5,846
 602
Multifamily real estate786
 
 786
 86
359
 
 357
 71
Commercial construction1,141
 1,069
 
 
One- to four-family construction3,923
 
 3,923
 640
1,741
 
 1,741
 161
Land and land development:              
Residential3,710
 1,275
 1,280
 346
3,540
 750
 1,634
 444
Commercial1,628
 1,027
 
 
Commercial business1,502
 
 1,276
 128
2,266
 538
 1,184
 150
Agricultural business/farmland1,597
 744
 854
 26
1,309
 544
 697
 43
One- to four-family residential27,855
 1,865
 24,529
 1,032
17,897
 2,206
 14,418
 736
Consumer:              
Consumer secured by one- to four-family1,256
 73
 1,077
 75
776
 
 716
 23
Consumer—other634
 138
 470
 6
433
 
 351
 7
$49,319
 $5,091
 $40,800
 $3,092
$41,295
 $8,637
 $28,360
 $2,307

(1) 
Loans without an allowance reserve have been individually evaluated for impairment and that evaluation concluded that no reserve was needed.
(2) 
Includes general reserves for loans evaluated in pools of homogeneous loans and loans with a specific reserve allowance.allowance reserve. Loans with a specific allowance reserve have been individually evaluated for impairment using either a discounted cash flow analysis or, for collateral dependent loans, current appraisals less costs to sell to establish realizable value.

21



The following tables summarize our average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans by loan class for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2015
 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2014
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2016
 Three Months Ended
March 31, 2015
Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized Average Recorded Investment Interest Income RecognizedAverage Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized
Commercial real estate:              
Owner-occupied$1,584
 $3
 $3,304
 $22
$2,116
 $4
 $2,698
 $3
Investment properties8,399
 76
 6,383
 78
8,415
 75
 6,490
 77
Multifamily real estate362
 3
 1,195
 (93)356
 4
 975
 11
Commercial construction
 
 
 
One- to four-family construction2,530
 29
 3,625
 17
1,610
 27
 3,097
 31
Land and land development:              
Residential2,400
 9
 2,926
 21
1,988
 10
 2,547
 16
Commercial1,783
 
 
 
1,027
 
 1,624
 
Commercial business1,813
 8
 2,240
 19
2,495
 8
 1,172
 9
Agricultural business/farmland977
 10
 229
 
1,215
 5
 2,317
 5
One- to four-family residential18,558
 124
 28,117
 282
15,181
 126
 24,025
 204
Consumer:              
Consumer secured by one- to four-family814
 1
 970
 4
1,042
 3
 1,209
 3
Consumer—other314
 2
 924
 12
455
 4
 773
 4
$39,534
 $265
 $49,913
 $362
$35,900
 $266
 $46,927
 $363
       
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2015
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2014
Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized
Commercial real estate:       
Owner-occupied$1,674
 $8
 $3,134
 $46
Investment properties7,890
 228
 6,449
 238
Multifamily real estate364
 14
 1,220
 34
One- to four-family construction2,385
 87
 3,501
 120
Land and land development:       
Residential2,412
 40
 2,937
 67
Commercial1,861
 
 
 
Commercial business1,699
 27
 2,225
 52
Agricultural business/farmland905
 19
 102
 
One- to four-family residential19,349
 503
 28,896
 748
Consumer:       
Consumer secured by one- to four-family894
 8
 1,025
 13
Consumer—other353
 12
 938
 27
$39,786
 $946
 $50,427
 $1,345


22


Troubled Debt Restructures.Restructures (TDRs). Some of the Company’s loans are reported as TDRs.  Loans are reported as TDRs when the bank grants one or more concessions to a borrower experiencing financial difficulties that it would not otherwise consider.  Examples of such concessions include forgiveness of principal or accrued interest, extending the maturity date(s) or providing a lower interest rate than would be normally available for a transaction of similar risk.  Our TDRs have generally not involved forgiveness of amounts due, but almost always include a modification of multiple factors; the most common combination includes interest rate, payment amount and maturity date. As a result of these concessions, restructured loans are impaired as the Company will not collect all amounts due, both principal and interest, in accordance with the terms of the original loan agreement.  Loans identified as TDRs are accounted for in accordance with the Company's impaired loan accounting policies.

The following tables present TDRs at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 20142015 (in thousands):
September 30, 2015March 31, 2016
Accrual
Status
 
Nonaccrual
Status
 
Total
TDRs
Accrual
Status
 
Nonaccrual
Status
 
Total
TDRs
Commercial real estate:          
Owner-occupied$182
 $104
 $286
$181
 $102
 $283
Investment properties5,871
 13
 5,884
5,792
 6
 5,798
Multifamily real estate361
 
 361
355
 
 355
Commercial construction
 
 
One- to four-family construction2,582
 
 2,582
1,644
 
 1,644
Land and land development:          
Residential1,153
 493
 1,646
762
 472
 1,234
Commercial
 
 
Commercial business643
 
 643
561
 
 561
Agricultural business, including secured by farmland776
 
 776
563
 243
 806
One- to four-family residential12,090
 1,451
 13,541
9,277
 1,401
 10,678
Consumer:          
Consumer secured by one- to four-family147
 56
 203
146
 12
 158
Consumer—other176
 
 176
169
 
 169
$23,981
 $2,117
 $26,098
$19,450
 $2,236
 $21,686


December 31, 2014December 31, 2015
Accrual
Status
 
Nonaccrual
Status
 
Total
TDRs
Accrual
Status
 
Nonaccrual
Status
 
Total
TDRs
Commercial real estate:          
Owner-occupied$183
 $109
 $292
$181
 $104
 $285
Investment properties6,021
 32
 6,053
5,834
 13
 5,847
Multifamily real estate786
 
 786
357
 
 357
One- to four-family construction3,923
 
 3,923
1,741
 
 1,741
Land and land development:          
Residential1,279
 525
 1,804
1,151
 483
 1,634
Commercial business739
 87
 826
624
 
 624
Agricultural business, including secured by farmland545
 277
 822
One- to four-family residential15,793
 1,363
 17,156
11,025
 1,428
 12,453
Consumer:          
Consumer secured by one- to four-family233
 117
 350
147
 14
 161
Consumer—other197
 116
 313
172
 
 172
$29,154
 $2,349
 $31,503
$21,777
 $2,319
 $24,096

As of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014,2015, the Company had commitments to advance funds related to TDRs up to additional amounts of $284,000$197,000 and $2.1 million,$237,000, respectively.


23


No new TDRs occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2016. The following tables presenttable presents new TDRs that occurred during the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2015 and 2014 (dollars in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Pre-modification Outstanding
Recorded Investment
 
Post-modification Outstanding
Recorded Investment
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Pre-
modification Outstanding
Recorded
 Investment
 
Post-
modification Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
Recorded Investment (1) (2)
           
Land and land development—residential
 $
 $
 2
 $1,383
 $1,383
Agricultural business/farmland
 
 
 3
 607
 607
One- to four-family residential
 
 
 2
 456
 456
 
 $
 $
 7
 $2,446
 $2,446
            
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Pre-modification Outstanding
Recorded Investment
 
Post-modification Outstanding
Recorded Investment
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Pre-
modification Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-
modification Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
Recorded Investment (1) (2)
 
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial real estate 
  
  
  
  
  
Owner-occupied
 $
 $
 1
 $94
 $94
One- to four-family construction1
 388
 388
 5
 1,369
 1,369
Commercial business
 
 
 1
 100
 100
One- to four-family residential2
 434
 434
 2
 434
 434
Consumer-other
 
 
 1
 9
 9
 3
 $822
 $822
 10
 $2,006
 $2,006
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Pre-modification Outstanding
Recorded Investment
 
Post-modification Outstanding
Recorded Investment
Recorded Investment (1) (2)
 
  
  
One- to four-family construction2
 592
 592
Agricultural business/farmland2
 288
 288
 4
 $880
 $880

(1) 
Since these loans were already considered classified and/or on nonaccrual status prior to restructuring, the modifications did not have a material effect on the Company’s determination of the allowance for loan losses.
(2) 
The majority of these modifications do not fit into one separate type, such as rate, term, amount, interest-only or payment, but instead are a combination of multiple types of modifications; therefore, they are disclosed in aggregate.

The following table presentsThere were no TDRs which incurred a payment default within twelve months of the restructure date during the three and nine-monththree-month periods ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and 2014.2015. A default on a TDR results in either a transfer to nonaccrual status or a partial charge-off, or both.
        
 Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
 2015
 2014
 2015
 2014
One- to four-family residential$387
 $
 $387
 $
Total$387
 $
 $387
 $


24


Credit Quality Indicators:  To appropriately and effectively manage the ongoing credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, management has implemented a risk-rating or loan grading system for its loans.  The system is a tool to evaluate portfolio asset quality throughout each applicable loan’s life as an asset of the Company.  Generally, loans and leases are risk rated on an aggregate borrower/relationship basis with individual loans sharing similar ratings.  There are some instances when specific situations relating to individual loans will provide the basis for different risk ratings within the aggregate relationship.  Loans are graded on a scale of 1 to 9.  A description of the general characteristics of these categories is shown below:

Overall Risk Rating Definitions:  Risk-ratings contain both qualitative and quantitative measurements and take into account the financial strength of a borrower and the structure of the loan or lease.  Consequently, the definitions are to be applied in the context of each lending transaction and judgment must also be used to determine the appropriate risk rating, as it is not unusual for a loan or lease to exhibit characteristics of more than one risk-rating category.  Consideration for the final rating is centered in the borrower’s ability to repay, in a timely fashion, both principal and interest.  There were no material changes in the risk-rating or loan grading system in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2015.March 31, 2016.

Risk Rating 1: Exceptional
A credit supported by exceptional financial strength, stability, and liquidity.  The risk rating of 1 is reserved for the Company’s top quality loans, generally reserved for investment grade credits underwritten to the standards of institutional credit providers.

Risk Rating 2: Excellent
A credit supported by excellent financial strength, stability and liquidity.  The risk rating of 2 is reserved for very strong and highly stable customers with ready access to alternative financing sources.

Risk Rating 3: Strong
A credit supported by good overall financial strength and stability.  Collateral margins are strong; cash flow is stable although susceptible to cyclical market changes.

Risk Rating 4: Acceptable
A credit supported by the borrower’s adequate financial strength and stability.  Assets and cash flow are reasonably sound and provide for orderly debt reduction.  Access to alternative financing sources will be more difficult to obtain.

Risk Rating 5: Watch
A credit with the characteristics of an acceptable credit which requires, however, more than the normal level of supervision and warrants formal quarterly management reporting.  Credits in this category are not yet criticized or classified, but due to adverse events or aspects of underwriting require closer than normal supervision. Generally, credits should be watch credits in most cases for six months or less as the impact of stress factors are analyzed.

Risk Rating 6: Special Mention
A credit with potential weaknesses that deserves management’s close attention is risk rated a 6.  If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses will result in deterioration in the capacity to repay debt.  A key distinction between Special Mention and Substandard is that in a Special Mention credit, there are identified weaknesses that pose potential risk(s) to the repayment sources, versus well defined weaknesses that pose risk(s) to the repayment sources.  Assets in this category are expected to be in this category no more than 9-12 months as the potential weaknesses in the credit are resolved.

Risk Rating 7: Substandard
A credit with well defined weaknesses that jeopardize the ability to repay in full is risk rated a 7.  These credits are inadequately protected by either the sound net worth and payment capacity of the borrower or the value of pledged collateral.  These are credits with a distinct possibility of loss.  Loans headed for foreclosure and/or legal action due to deterioration are rated 7 or worse.

Risk Rating 8: Doubtful
A credit with an extremely high probability of loss is risk rated 8.  These credits have all the same critical weaknesses that are found in a substandard loan; however, the weaknesses are elevated to the point that based upon current information, collection or liquidation in full is improbable.  While some loss on doubtful credits is expected, pending events may strengthen a credit making the amount and timing of any loss indeterminable.  In these situations taking the loss is inappropriate until it is clear that the pending event has failed to strengthen the credit and improve the capacity to repay debt.

Risk Rating 9: Loss
A credit that is considered to be currently uncollectible or of such little value that it is no longer a viable Bank asset is risk rated 9.  Losses should be taken in the accounting period in which the credit is determined to be uncollectible.  Taking a loss does not mean that a credit has absolutely no recovery or salvage value but, rather, it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off the credit, even though partial recovery may occur in the future.


25


The following table shows the Company’s portfolio of risk-rated loans and non-risk-rated loans by grade or other characteristics as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 20142015 (in thousands):
September 30, 2015March 31, 2016
Commercial
 Real Estate
 
Multifamily
Real Estate
 Construction and Land Commercial Business Agricultural Business One- to Four-Family Residential Consumer Total Loans
Commercial
 Real Estate
 
Multifamily
Real Estate
 Construction and Land Commercial Business Agricultural Business One- to Four-Family Residential Consumer Total Loans
Risk-rated loans:                              
Pass (Risk Ratings 1-5) (1)
$1,667,522
 $195,755
 $478,876
 $793,518
 $225,743
 $527,244
 $388,523
 $4,277,181
$3,074,115
 $303,562
 $617,073
 $1,182,263
 $330,929
 $902,335
 $634,494
 $7,044,771
Special mention10,108
 
 
 14,189
 14,960
 149
 82
 39,488
19,845
 596
 3,232
 25,152
 1,885
 903
 200
 51,813
Substandard19,934
 3,119
 14,924
 4,363
 1,853
 8,932
 2,788
 55,913
39,317
 2,861
 11,825
 17,500
 7,536
 7,481
 2,886
 89,406
Doubtful
 
 
 
 
 
 12
 12

 
 
 
 
 
 9
 9
Loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total loans$1,697,564
 $198,874
 $493,800
 $812,070
 $242,556
 $536,325
 $391,405
 $4,372,594
$3,133,277
 $307,019
 $632,130
 $1,224,915
 $340,350
 $910,719
 $637,589
 $7,185,999
                              
Performing loans$1,691,857
 $198,318
 $485,215
 $811,085
 $242,328
 $530,106
 $390,155
 $4,349,064
$3,090,836
 $305,337
 $625,955
 $1,216,322
 $338,256
 $904,590
 $635,817
 $7,117,113
Purchased credit-impaired loans38,296
 1,682
 3,925
 7,036
 1,431
 286
 615
 53,271
Non-performing loans (2)
5,707
 556
 8,585
 985
 228
 6,219
 1,250
 23,530
4,145
 
 2,250
 1,557
 663
 5,843
 1,157
 15,615
Total loans$1,697,564
 $198,874
 $493,800
 $812,070
 $242,556
 $536,325
 $391,405
 $4,372,594
$3,133,277
 $307,019
 $632,130
 $1,224,915
 $340,350
 $910,719
 $637,589
 $7,185,999
                              
December 31, 2014December 31, 2015
Commercial
Real Estate
 Multifamily
Real Estate
 Construction and Land Commercial Business Agricultural Business One- to Four-Family Residential Consumer Total Loans
Commercial
Real Estate
 Multifamily
Real Estate
 Construction and Land Commercial Business Agricultural Business One- to Four-Family Residential Consumer Total Loans
Risk-rated loans: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Pass (Risk Ratings 1-5) (1)
$1,375,885
 $166,712
 $395,356
 $691,143
 $234,101
 $527,384
 $346,456
 $3,737,037
$3,022,281
 $468,467
 $558,425
 $1,167,933
 $354,760
 $943,098
 $633,734
 $7,148,698
Special mention3,717
 
 
 27,453
 1,055
 63
 140
 32,428
30,928
 138
 2,386
 25,286
 17,526
 1,346
 22
 77,632
Substandard24,123
 812
 15,650
 5,368
 3,343
 12,447
 2,601
 64,344
39,951
 4,371
 13,559
 14,725
 4,245
 8,189
 3,124
 88,164
Doubtful
 
 
 
 
 
 11
 11

 
 
 
 
 
 10
 10
Loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total loans$1,403,725
 $167,524
 $411,006
 $723,964
 $238,499
 $539,894
 $349,208
 $3,833,820
$3,093,160
 $472,976
 $574,370
 $1,207,944
 $376,531
 $952,633
 $636,890
 $7,314,504
                              
Performing loans$1,402,593
 $167,524
 $409,731
 $723,427
 $236,902
 $528,965
 $347,942
 $3,817,084
$3,048,424
 $470,982
 $566,460
 $1,198,475
 $374,305
 $945,968
 $636,068
 $7,240,682
Purchased credit-impaired loans40,985
 1,994
 5,650
 7,302
 1,529
 1,066
 74
 58,600
Non-performing loans (2)
1,132
 
 1,275
 537
 1,597
 10,929
 1,266
 16,736
3,751
 
 2,260
 2,167
 697
 5,599
 748
 15,222
Total loans$1,403,725
 $167,524
 $411,006
 $723,964
 $238,499
 $539,894
 $349,208
 $3,833,820
$3,093,160
 $472,976
 $574,370
 $1,207,944
 $376,531
 $952,633
 $636,890
 $7,314,504

(1)  
The Pass category includes some performing loans that are part of homogenous pools which are not individually risk-rated.  This includes all consumer loans, all one- to four-family residential loans and, as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014,2015, in the commercial business category, $146$168.1 million and $115$150.0 million, respectively, of credit-scored small business loans.  As loans in these pools become non-performing, they are individually risk-rated.
(2) 
Non-performing loans include non-accrual loans and loans past due greater than 90 days and on accrual status and purchased credit-impaired loans which are included at their unpaid principal balance.status.


26


The following tables provide additional detail on the age analysis of the Company’s past due loans as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 20142015 (in thousands):
September 30, 2015March 31, 2016
30-59 Days
Past Due
 
60-89 Days
Past Due
 
90 Days or More
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 Purchased Credit-Impaired Current Total Loans Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Accruing Non-accrual
30-59 Days
Past Due
 
60-89 Days
Past Due
 
90 Days or More
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 Purchased Credit-Impaired Current Total Loans Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Accruing Non-accrual
Commercial real estate:                                  
Owner-occupied$1,926
 $779
 $300
 $3,005
 $1,131
 $631,010
 $635,146
 $
 $1,387
$2,906
 $362
 $526
 $3,794
 $20,135
 $1,304,105
 $1,328,034
 $
 $1,555
Investment properties89
 
 2,500
 2,589
 
 1,059,829
 1,062,418
 
 2,512
8,484
 
 2,458
 10,942
 18,161
 1,776,140
 1,805,243
 
 2,590
Multifamily real estate
 46
 
 46
 441
 198,387
 198,874
 
 
324
 
 
 324
 1,682
 305,013
 307,019
 
 
Commercial construction
 
 
 
 
 47,490
 47,490
 
 

 
 
 
 
 87,711
 87,711
 
 
Multifamily construction
 
 
 
 
 72,987
 72,987
 
 

 
 
 
 
 79,737
 79,737
 
 
One-to-four-family construction
 242
 
 242
 901
 245,572
 246,715
 
 
3,457
 
 
 3,457
 901
 292,990
 297,348
 
 
Land and land development:                                  
Residential154
 286
 749
 1,189
 
 109,902
 111,091
 
 1,243

 
 750
 750
 76
 142,015
 142,841
 
 1,222
Commercial
 
 2,612
 2,612
 2,624
 10,281
 15,517
 
 1,549
1,027
 
 
 1,027
 2,948
 20,518
 24,493
 
 1,028
Commercial business165
 
 755
 920
 
 811,150
 812,070
 5
 980
864
 469
 1,251
 2,584
 7,036
 1,215,295
 1,224,915
 
 1,558
Agricultural business, including secured by farmland23
 
 90
 113
 
 242,443
 242,556
 
 228
4,238
 972
 663
 5,873
 1,431
 333,046
 340,350
 
 663
One- to four-family residential204
 387
 4,390
 4,981
 
 531,344
 536,325
 1,285
 4,935
2,920
 27
 4,485
 7,432
 286
 903,001
 910,719
 1,039
 4,803
Consumer:                                  
Consumer secured by one- to four-family133
 28
 91
 252
 
 249,777
 250,029
 
 659
1,436
 115
 271
 1,822
 229
 479,539
 481,590
 147
 743
Consumer—other272
 315
 101
 688
 312
 140,376
 141,376
 11
 130
718
 166
 179
 1,063
 386
 154,550
 155,999
 104
 163
Total$2,966
 $2,083
 $11,588
 $16,637
 $5,409
 $4,350,548
 $4,372,594
 $1,301
 $13,623
$26,374
 $2,111
 $10,583
 $39,068
 $53,271
 $7,093,660
 $7,185,999
 $1,290
 $14,325

December 31, 2014December 31, 2015
30-59 Days
Past Due
 
60-89 Days
Past Due
 
90 Days or More
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 Purchased Credit-Impaired Current Total Loans Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Accruing Non-accrual
30-59 Days
Past Due
 
60-89 Days
Past Due
 
90 Days or More
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 Purchased Credit-Impaired Current Total Loans Loans 90 Days or More Past Due and Accruing Non-accrual
Commercial real estate:                                  
Owner-occupied$
 $1,984
 $
 $1,984
 $
 $544,799
 $546,783
 $
 $1,132
$3,981
 $139
 $885
 $5,005
 $24,261
 $1,298,541
 $1,327,807
 $
 $1,235
Investment properties639
 
 
 639
 
 856,303
 856,942
 
 
1,763
 132
 2,503
 4,398
 16,724
 1,744,231
 1,765,353
 
 2,516
Multifamily real estate
 
 
 
 
 167,524
 167,524
 
 
4
 
 
 4
 1,994
 470,978
 472,976
 
 
Commercial construction
 
 
 
 
 17,337
 17,337
 
 1,275

 
 
 
 
 72,103
 72,103
 
 
Multifamily construction
 
 
 
 
 60,193
 60,193
 
 
771
 13
 
 784
 
 63,062
 63,846
 
 
One-to-four-family construction840
 
 
 840
 
 219,049
 219,889
 
 
2,466
 220
 
 2,686
 905
 274,878
 278,469
 
 1,233
Land and land development:                                  
Residential759
 
 750
 1,509
 
 100,926
 102,435
 
 

 
 747
 747
 77
 125,949
 126,773
 
 1,027
Commercial
 
 
 
 
 11,152
 11,152
 
 

 96
 
 96
 4,668
 28,415
 33,179
 
 
Commercial business775
 35
 100
 910
 
 723,054
 723,964
 
 537
1,844
 174
 1,024
 3,042
 7,302
 1,197,600
 1,207,944
 8
 2,159
Agricultural business, including secured by farmland597
 466
 744
 1,807
 
 236,692
 238,499
 
 1,597
323
 729
 278
 1,330
 1,529
 373,672
 376,531
 
 697
One-to four-family residential877
 1,623
 7,526
 10,026
 
 529,868
 539,894
 2,095
 8,834
620
 873
 3,811
 5,304
 1,066
 946,263
 952,633
 899
 4,700
Consumer:                                  
Consumer secured by one- to four-family59
 60
 139
 258
 
 221,947
 222,205
 79
 1,187
465
 60
 38
 563
 40
 477,817
 478,420
 4
 565
Consumer—other491
 88
 293
 872
 
 126,131
 127,003
 
 
488
 155
 131
 774
 34
 157,662
 158,470
 41
 138
Total$5,037
 $4,256
 $9,552
 $18,845
 $
 $3,814,975
 $3,833,820
 $2,174
 $14,562
$12,725
 $2,591
 $9,417
 $24,733
 $58,600
 $7,231,171
 $7,314,504
 $952
 $14,270

27


The following tables provide additional information on the allowance for loan losses and loan balances individually and collectively evaluated for impairment at or for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and 20142015 (in thousands):
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Commercial
Real Estate
 
Multifamily
Real Estate
 Construction and Land Commercial Business Agricultural Business One- to Four-Family Residential Consumer Unallocated Total
Commercial
Real Estate
 
Multifamily
Real Estate
 Construction and Land Commercial Business Agricultural Business One- to Four-Family Residential Consumer Unallocated Total
Allowance for loan losses:                                  
Beginning balance$18,948
 $4,273
 $25,415
 $13,184
 $2,679
 $8,542
 $780
 $3,508
 $77,329
$20,716
 $4,195
 $27,131
 $13,856
 $3,645
 $4,732
 $902
 $2,831
 $78,008
Provision for loan losses317
 90
 1,929
 (235) (292) (635) 330
 (1,504) 
(842) (1,342) 1,716
 681
 1,187
 (2,574) 2,822
 (1,648) 
Recoveries375
 
 282
 128
 146
 42
 91
 
 1,064
38
 
 471
 720
 17
 12
 207
 
 1,465
Charge-offs
 
 (352) (312) 
 (12) (397) 
 (1,073)(180) 
 
 (139) (567) 
 (390) 
 (1,276)
Ending balance$19,640
 $4,363
 $27,274
 $12,765
 $2,533
 $7,937
 $804
 $2,004
 $77,320
$19,732
 $2,853
 $29,318
 $15,118
 $4,282
 $2,170
 $3,541
 $1,183
 $78,197
                                  
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Commercial
Real Estate
 Multifamily
Real Estate
 Construction and Land 
Commercial
Business
 
Agricultural
business
 One- to Four-Family Residential Consumer Unallocated Total
Allowance for loan losses:                 
Beginning balance$18,784
 $4,562
 $23,545
 $12,043
 $2,821
 $8,447
 $483
 $5,222
 $75,907
Provision for loan losses333
 (312) 2,847
 664
 (890) (524) 1,100
 (3,218) 
Recoveries587
 113
 1,234
 803
 1,666
 141
 369
 
 4,913
Charge-offs(64) 
 (352) (745) (1,064) (127) (1,148) 
 (3,500)
Ending balance$19,640
 $4,363
 $27,274
 $12,765
 $2,533
 $7,937
 $804
 $2,004
 $77,320
September 30, 2015March 31, 2016
Commercial
 Real Estate
 Multifamily
Real Estate
 Construction and Land Commercial Business Agricultural Business One- to Four-Family Residential Consumer Unallocated Total
Commercial
 Real Estate
 Multifamily
Real Estate
 Construction and Land Commercial Business Agricultural Business One- to Four-Family Residential Consumer Unallocated Total
Allowance for loan losses:                                  
Individually evaluated for impairment$612
 $73
 $473
 $74
 $17
 $706
 $60
 $
 $2,015
$578
 $68
 $382
 $60
 $
 $557
 $9
 $
 $1,654
Collectively evaluated for impairment19,028
 4,290
 26,801
 12,691
 2,516
 7,231
 744
 2,004
 75,305
19,144
 2,784
 28,881
 15,058
 4,282
 1,613
 3,529
 1,183
 76,474
Purchased credit-impaired loans10
 1
 55
 
 
 
 3
 
 69
Total allowance for loan losses$19,640
 $4,363
 $27,274
 $12,765
 $2,533
 $7,937
 $804
 $2,004
 $77,320
$19,732
 $2,853
 $29,318
 $15,118
 $4,282
 $2,170
 $3,541
 $1,183
 $78,197
Loan balances:                 
Individually evaluated for impairment$6,182
 $361
 $6,034
 $644
 $776
 $13,952
 $528
 $
 $28,477
Collectively evaluated for impairment1,690,251
 198,072
 484,241
 811,426
 241,780
 522,373
 390,565
 
 4,338,708
Purchased credit-impaired loans1,131
 441
 3,525
 
 
 
 312
 
 5,409
Total loans$1,697,564
 $198,874
 $493,800
 $812,070
 $242,556
 $536,325
 $391,405
 $
 $4,372,594

28



 For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Commercial
 Real Estate
 Multifamily
Real Estate
 Construction and Land Commercial Business Agricultural Business One- to Four-Family Residential Consumer Unallocated Total
Allowance for loan losses:                 
Beginning balance$18,884
 $5,765
 $17,837
 $12,014
 $2,824
 $9,270
 $748
 $6,968
 $74,310
Provision for loan losses527
 (853) 2,858
 490
 (339) (38) 603
 (3,248) 
Recoveries94
 
 84
 256
 587
 143
 53
 
 1,217
Charge-offs
 (20) 
 (83) (125) (239) (729) 
 (1,196)
Ending balance$19,505
 $4,892
 $20,779
 $12,677
 $2,947
 $9,136
 $675
 $3,720
 $74,331
                  
 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Commercial
 Real Estate
 Multifamily
Real Estate
 Construction and Land 
Commercial
Business
 
Agricultural
business
 One- to Four-Family Residential Consumer Unallocated Total
Allowance for loan losses:                 
Beginning balance$16,759
 $5,306
 $17,640
 $11,773
 $2,841
 $11,486
 $1,335
 $7,118
 $74,258
Provision for loan losses3,321
 (394) 2,558
 1,150
 (1,017) (2,253) 33
 (3,398) 
Recoveries664
 
 788
 835
 1,248
 535
 393
 
 4,463
Charge-offs(1,239) (20) (207) (1,081) (125) (632) (1,086) 
 (4,390)
Ending balance$19,505
 $4,892
 $20,779
 $12,677
 $2,947
 $9,136
 $675
 $3,720
 $74,331
Loan balances:                 
Individually evaluated for impairment$8,432
 $355
 $4,183
 $1,402
 $563
 $9,277
 $402
 $
 $24,614
Collectively evaluated for impairment3,086,549
 304,982
 624,022
 1,216,477
 338,356
 901,156
 636,572
 
 7,108,114
Purchased credit-impaired loans38,296
 1,682
 3,925
 7,036
 1,431
 286
 615
 
 53,271
Total loans$3,133,277
 $307,019
 $632,130
 $1,224,915
 $340,350
 $910,719
 $637,589
 $
 $7,185,999

 September 30, 2014
 
Commercial
Real Estate
 Multifamily
Real Estate
 Construction and Land Commercial Business Agricultural Business One- to Four-Family Residential Consumer Unallocated Total
Allowance for loan losses:                 
Individually evaluated for impairment$755
 $91
 $1,269
 $103
 $
 $1,143
 $58
 $
 $3,419
Collectively evaluated for impairment18,750
 4,801
 19,510
 12,574
 2,947
 7,993
 617
 3,720
 70,912
Total allowance for loan losses$19,505
 $4,892
 $20,779
 $12,677
 $2,947
 $9,136
 $675
 $3,720
 $74,331
 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
Commercial
 Real Estate
 Multifamily
Real Estate
 Construction and Land Commercial Business Agricultural Business One- to Four-Family Residential Consumer Unallocated Total
Allowance for loan losses:                 
Beginning balance$18,784
 $4,562
 $23,545
 $12,043
 $2,821
 $8,447
 $483
 $5,222
 $75,907
Provision for loan losses305
 (161) 745
 778
 1,434
 (237) 245
 (3,109) 
Recoveries14
 
 108
 178
 295
 6
 46
 
 647
Charge-offs
 
 
 (107) (818) (75) (189) 
 (1,189)
Ending balance$19,103
 $4,401
 $24,398
 $12,892
 $3,732
 $8,141
 $585
 $2,113
 $75,365
                  

Loan balances:                 
Individually evaluated for impairment$8,070
 $791
 $6,643
 $880
 $
 $18,890
 $649
 $
 $35,923
Collectively evaluated for  impairment1,392,547
 183,153
 374,864
 727,208
 240,048
 508,381
 344,571
 
 3,770,772
Total loans$1,400,617
 $183,944
 $381,507
 $728,088
 $240,048
 $527,271
 $345,220
 $
 $3,806,695
 March 31, 2015
 
Commercial
Real Estate
 Multifamily
Real Estate
 Construction and Land Commercial Business Agricultural Business One- to Four-Family Residential Consumer Unallocated Total
Allowance for loan losses:                 
Individually evaluated for impairment$643
 $84
 $808
 $78
 $3
 $925
 $65
 $
 $2,606
Collectively evaluated for impairment18,460
 4,317
 23,590
 12,814
 3,729
 7,216
 520
 2,113
 72,759
Purchased credit-impaired loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total allowance for loan losses$19,103
 $4,401
 $24,398
 $12,892
 $3,732
 $8,141
 $585
 $2,113
 $75,365

29

Loan balances:                 
Individually evaluated for impairment$8,958
 $1,359
 $11,573
 $725
 $289
 $16,036
 $1,145
 $
 $40,085
Collectively evaluated for  impairment1,550,691
 207,328
 419,390
 775,854
 208,346
 525,876
 372,155
 
 4,059,640
Purchased credit impaired loans4,575
 
 
 
 
 1,092
 7
 
 5,674
Total loans$1,564,224
 $208,687
 $430,963
 $776,579
 $208,635
 $543,004
 $373,307
 $
 $4,105,399

Note 7:6:  REAL ESTATE OWNED, NET

The following table presents the changes in REO for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and 20142015 (in thousands):
Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2015
 2014
 2015
 2014
2016
 2015
Balance, beginning of the period$6,105
 $4,388
 $3,352
 $4,044
$11,627
 $3,352
Additions from loan foreclosures1,085
 135
 3,226
 2,837
2
 668
Additions from acquisitions
 
 2,525
 
400
 2,525
Additions from capitalized costs
 
 298
 35
Proceeds from dispositions of REO(906) (860) (3,155) (3,631)(4,666) (1,738)
Gain on sale of REO113
 265
 333
 680
49
 115
Valuation adjustments in the period(34) 
 (216) (37)(205) 
Balance, end of the period$6,363
 $3,928
 $6,363
 $3,928
$7,207
 $4,922
        
REO properties are recorded at the estimated fair value of the property, less expected selling costs, establishing a new cost basis.  Subsequently, REO properties are carried at the lower of the new cost basis or updated fair market values, based on updated appraisals of the underlying properties, as received.  Valuation allowances on the carrying value of REO may be recognized based on updated appraisals or on management’s authorization to reduce the selling price of a property. At March 31, 2016, the Company had $2.7 million of foreclosed one- to four-family residential real estate properties held as REO. The recorded investment in one- to four-family residential loans in the process of foreclosure was $2.8 million at March 31, 2016.

Note 8:7:  GOODWILL, OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:  At September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, intangible assets are comprised of goodwill, CDI, and core depositfavorable leasehold intangibles (CDI)(LHI) acquired in business combinations. Goodwill represents the excess of the total purchase priceconsiderations paid over the fair value of the assets acquired, net of the fair values of liabilities assumed in a business combination, and is not amortized but is reviewed annually for impairment. At December 31, 2015, the Company completed its qualitative assessment of goodwill and concluded that it is more likely than not that the fair value of Banner, the reporting unit, exceeds the carrying value. The adjustments to goodwill in 2016 relate to changes in the preliminary goodwill recorded for the AmericanWest acquisition including adjustments to loan discount, deferred taxes and REO valuations. Additions to goodwill during 2015 relate to the AmericanWest and Siuslaw acquisition.acquisitions. See Note 4,3, Business Combinations, for additional information on the acquisition and purchase price allocation.

CDI represents the value of transaction-related deposits and the value of the customer relationships associated with the deposits. The additions to CDI in the table below relate to the AmericanWest and Siuslaw acquisitions in 2015.  LHI represents the value ascribed to leases assumed in an acquisition in which the lease terms are favorable compared to a market lease at the date of acquisition. The additions to LHI in 2015 relate to the acquisition of AmericanWest. The Company amortizes CDI and LHI over their estimated useful lives and reviews them at least annually for events or circumstances that could impair their value.  The CDI assets shown in the table below represent the value ascribed to the long-term deposit relationships acquired in various bank acquisitions. The additions in the table below relate to the Branch Acquisition in 2014 and the acquisition of Siuslaw in 2015.  These intangible assets are being amortized using an accelerated method over estimated useful lives of three to eight years.  The CDI assets are not estimated to have a significant residual value.

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s goodwill and other intangibles for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 20142015 (in thousands):
Goodwill CDI TotalGoodwill CDI Favorable LHI Total
Balance, December 31, 2013$
 $2,449
 $2,449
Additions through acquisitions
 2,372
 2,372
Amortization  (1,990) (1,990)
Balance, December 31, 2014
 2,831
 2,831
$
 $2,831
 $
 $2,831
Additions through acquisitions21,148
 3,895
 25,043
247,738
 37,395
 776
 285,909
Amortization  (1,269) (1,269)  (3,164) (66) (3,230)
Balance, September 30, 2015$21,148
 $5,457
 $26,605
Other changes (1)

 (300) 
 (300)
Balance, December 31, 2015247,738
 36,762
 710
 285,210
Amortization  (1,808) (66) (1,874)
Adjustments to goodwill(2,927)     (2,927)
Balance, March 31, 2016$244,811
 $34,954
 $644
 $280,409

30


(1)
Acquired CDI from AmericanWest was adjusted for a branch that was subsequently sold.

The following table presents the estimated amortization expense with respect to intangiblesCDI for the periods indicated (in thousands):
 CDI  
Remainder of 2015 $257
2016 944
Remainder of 2016 $5,253
2017 872
 6,332
2018 809
 5,610
2019 746
 4,889
2020 4,169
Thereafter 1,829
 8,701
 $5,457
 $34,954

Mortgage Servicing Rights:  Mortgage servicing rights are reported in other assets. Mortgage servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value and are amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets.  Mortgage servicing rights are subsequently evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights compared to the amortized cost (remaining unamortized initial fair value).  If the fair value is less than the amortized cost, a valuation allowance is created through an impairment charge, which is recognized in servicing fee income on the consolidated statement of operations.   However, if the fair value is greater than the amortized cost, the amount above the amortized cost is not recognized in the carrying value.  Loans servicedDuring the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company did not record any impairment charges or recoveries against mortgage servicing rights. The unpaid principal balance for othersloans which mortgage servicing rights have been recorded totaled $2.225$1.91 billion and $1.3911.86 billion at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 20142015, respectively.  Custodial accounts maintained in connection with this servicing totaled $13.6$6.9 million and $6.78.7 million at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 20142015, respectively.

An analysis of our mortgage servicing rights, net of valuation allowances, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and 20142015 is presented below (in thousands):
Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2015
 2014
 2015
 2014
2016
 2015
Balance, beginning of the period$12,329
 $8,481
 $9,030
 $8,086
$13,295
 $9,030
Additions—amounts capitalized1,360
 846
 4,052
 2,215
1,204
 1,216
Additions—acquired through business combinations
 
 2,172
 

 2,172
Amortization (1)
(810) (543) (2,375) (1,517)(823) (709)
Valuation adjustments in the period
 
 
 
Balance, end of the period (2)
$12,879
 $8,784
 $12,879
 $8,784
$13,676
 $11,709

(1) 
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights is recorded as a reduction of loan servicing income and any unamortized balance is fully written off if the loan repays in full.
(2) 
There was no valuation allowance as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and 20142015.


31


Note 9:8:  DEPOSITS AND RETAIL REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

Deposits consisted of the following at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 20142015 (in thousands):
September 30, 2015
 December 31, 2014
March 31, 2016
 December 31, 2015
Non-interest-bearing accounts$1,561,516
 $1,298,866
$3,036,330
 $2,619,618
Interest-bearing checking482,530
 439,480
767,460
 1,159,846
Regular savings accounts1,030,177
 901,142
1,327,558
 1,284,642
Money market accounts582,769
 488,946
1,610,640
 1,637,092
Total transaction and saving accounts3,656,992
 3,128,434
6,741,988
 6,701,198
Certificates of deposit730,661
 770,516
Certificates of deposit:   
Certificates of deposit less than or equal to the FDIC insured limit of $250,0001,030,755
 1,168,495
Certificates of deposit greater than the FDIC insured limit of $250,000257,118
 185,375
Total certificates of deposit1,287,873
 1,353,870
Total deposits$4,387,653
 $3,898,950
$8,029,861
 $8,055,068
Included in total deposits: 
  
 
  
Public fund transaction accounts$123,260
 $102,854
$206,240
 $209,430
Public fund interest-bearing certificates27,791
 35,346
29,983
 31,281
Total public deposits$151,051
 $138,200
$236,223
 $240,711
Total brokered deposits$10,095
 $4,799
$135,603
 $162,936

Certificate of deposit accounts by total balance at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
 September 30, 2015
 December 31, 2014
Certificates of deposit less than or equal to the FDIC insured limit of $250,000$602,025
 $633,345
Certificates of deposit greater than the FDIC insured limit of $250,000128,636
 137,171
Total certificates of deposit$730,661
 $770,516

Scheduled maturities and repricing of certificate accounts at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 were as follows (in thousands):
September 30, 2015
March 31, 2016
Certificates which mature or reprice:  
Within one year or less$556,134
$955,924
After one year through two years94,104
200,547
After two years through three years38,416
75,171
After three years through four years17,295
27,421
After four years through five years21,386
25,523
After five years3,326
3,287
Total certificates of deposit$730,661
$1,287,873
        
In addition to deposits, the banks also offer retail repurchase agreements which are customer funds that are primarily associated with sweep account arrangements tied to transaction deposit accounts.  While the banks include these collateralized borrowings in other borrowings reported in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, these accounts primarily represent customer utilization of our cash management services and related deposit accounts.

The following table presents retail repurchase agreement balances as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 September 30, 2015
 December 31, 2014
Retail repurchase agreements$88,083
 $77,185


32


Note 10:9:  FAIR VALUE ACCOUNTING AND MEASUREMENTOF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following table presents estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014,2015, whether or not measured at fair value in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.  (in thousands):
  September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014  March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Level 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Level 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Assets:                
Cash and cash equivalents1 $135,239
 $135,239
 $126,072
 $126,072
1 $260,570
 $260,570
 $261,917
 $261,917
Securities—trading2,3 37,515
 37,515
 40,258
 40,258
2,3 33,994
 33,994
 34,134
 34,134
Securities—available-for-sale2 418,254
 418,254
 411,021
 411,021
2 1,199,279
 1,199,279
 1,138,573
 1,138,573
Securities—held-to-maturity3 132,150
 138,255
 131,258
 137,608
3 246,320
 255,823
 220,666
 226,627
Loans held for sale2 3,136
 3,189
 2,786
 2,807
2 47,523
 48,461
 44,712
 45,600
Loans receivable3 4,369,458
 4,246,945
 3,831,034
 3,722,179
3 7,107,802
 6,982,492
 7,314,504
 7,084,631
FHLB stock3 6,767
 6,767
 27,036
 27,036
3 13,347
 13,347
 16,057
 16,057
Bank-owned life insurance1 71,842
 71,842
 63,759
 63,759
1 156,928
 156,928
 156,865
 156,865
Mortgage servicing rights3 12,879
 17,060
 9,030
 12,987
3 13,676
 15,983
 13,295
 17,370
Derivatives: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate lock commitments2 752
 752
 317
 317
Interest rate swaps2 9,647
 9,647
 6,290
 6,290
2 18,959
 18,959
 11,984
 11,984
Interest rate forward sales commitments2 1,067
 1,067
 471
 471
Liabilities:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Demand, interest checking and money market accounts2 2,626,815
 2,367,704
 2,227,292
 1,998,649
2 5,414,431
 5,414,431
 5,416,556
 5,416,556
Regular savings2 1,030,177
 899,521
 901,142
 784,006
2 1,327,558
 1,327,558
 1,284,642
 1,284,642
Certificates of deposit2 730,661
 723,739
 770,516
 764,549
2 1,287,873
 1,273,897
 1,353,870
 1,332,825
FHLB advances2 16,435
 16,435
 32,250
 32,250
2 75,400
 75,400
 133,381
 133,381
Other borrowings2 88,083
 88,083
 77,185
 77,185
2 106,132
 106,132
 98,325
 98,325
Junior subordinated debentures3 85,183
 85,183
 78,001
 78,001
3 92,879
 92,879
 92,480
 92,480
Derivatives: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps2 18,959
 18,959
 11,984
 11,984
Interest rate forward sales commitments2 369
 369
 198
 198
2 417
 417
 50
 50
Interest rate swaps2 9,647
 9,647
 6,290
 6,290

The Company measures and discloses certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (that is, not a forced liquidation or distressed sale). GAAP (ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements) establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. Among other things, the accounting standard requires the reporting entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s estimates for market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments. An active market is a market in which transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. A quoted price in an active market provides the most reliable evidence of fair value and shall be used to measure fair value whenever available.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than Level 1 including quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments, quoted prices in less active markets for identical or similar instruments, or other observable inputs that can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity for financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation; also includes observable inputs from non-binding single dealer quotes not corroborated by observable market data.

The estimated fair value amounts of financial instruments have been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is required to interpret data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize at a future date. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. In addition, reasonable comparability between financial institutions may not be likely due to the wide range of permitted valuation techniques and numerous estimates that must be made given the absence of active secondary markets for certain financial instruments. This lack of uniform valuation methodologies also introduces a greater degree of subjectivity to these estimated fair values. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to occur at the end of the reporting period.


33


Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis:

The following tables present financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy of the fair value measurements for those assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 20142015 (in thousands):
September 30, 2015March 31, 2016
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 TotalLevel 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Assets:              
Securities—trading              
U.S. Government and agency$
 $1,389
 $
 $1,389
U.S. Government and agency obligations$
 $1,381
 $
 $1,381
Municipal bonds
 1,418
 
 1,418

 339
 
 339
Corporate Bonds (Trust Preferred Securities)
 
 18,340
 18,340

 
 20,543
 20,543
Mortgage-backed or related securities
 16,313
 
 16,313

 11,650
 
 11,650
Equity securities
 55
 
 55

 81
 
 81

 19,175
 18,340
 37,515

 13,451
 20,543
 33,994
Securities—available-for-sale              
U.S. Government and agency
 11,992
 
 11,992
U.S. Government and agency obligations
 52,228
 
 52,228
Municipal bonds
 67,657
 
 67,657

 151,203
 
 151,203
Corporate bonds
 5,022
 
 5,022

 14,993
 
 14,993
Mortgage-backed or related securities
 302,800
 
 302,800

 949,963
 
 949,963
Asset-backed securities
 30,783
 
 30,783

 30,794
 
 30,794
Equity securities
 98
 
 98

 418,254
 
 418,254

 1,199,279
 
 1,199,279
              
Derivatives              
Interest rate lock commitments
 752
 
 752
Interest rate swaps
 9,647
 
 9,647

 18,959
 
 18,959
Interest rate sales forward commitments
 1,067
 
 1,067
$
 $447,828
 $18,340
 $466,168
$
 $1,232,756
 $20,543
 $1,253,299
              
Liabilities:              
Advances from FHLB$
 $16,435
 $
 $16,435
$
 $75,400
 $
 $75,400
Junior subordinated debentures, net of unamortized deferred issuance costs
 
 85,183
 85,183

 
 92,879
 92,879
Derivatives              
Interest rate swaps
 18,959
 
 18,959
Interest rate sales forward commitments
 369
 
 369

 417
 
 417
Interest rate swaps
 9,647
 
 9,647
$
 $26,451
 $85,183
 $111,634
$
 $94,776
 $92,879
 $187,655


34


December 31, 2014December 31, 2015
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 TotalLevel 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Assets:              
Securities—trading              
U.S. Government and agency$
 $1,505
 $
 $1,505
U.S. Government and agency obligations$
 $1,368
 $
 $1,368
Municipal bonds
 1,440
 
 1,440

 341
 
 341
Corporate Bonds (TPS and TRUP CDOs)
 
 19,118
 19,118
Mortgage-backed or related securities
 18,136
 
 18,136
Corporate Bonds (Trust Preferred Securities)
 
 18,699
 18,699
Mortgage-backed securities
 13,663
 
 13,663
Equity securities
 59
 
 59

 63
 
 63

 21,140
 19,118
 40,258

 15,435
 18,699
 34,134
Securities—available-for-sale              
U.S. Government and agency
 29,770
 
 29,770
U.S. Government and agency obligations
 30,231
 
 30,231
Municipal bonds
 50,028
 
 50,028

 143,319
 
 143,319
Corporate bonds
 5,018
 
 5,018

 15,981
 
 15,981
Mortgage-backed or related securities
 300,810
 
 300,810
Mortgage-backed securities
 918,259
 
 918,259
Asset-backed securities
 25,395
 
 25,395

 30,685
 
 30,685
Equity securities
 98
 
 98

 411,021
 
 411,021

 1,138,573
 
 1,138,573
Derivatives              
Interest rate swaps
 11,984
 
 11,984
Interest rate lock commitments
 317
 
 317

 471
 
 471
Interest rate swaps
 6,290
 
 6,290
$
 $438,768
 $19,118
 $457,886
$
 $1,166,463
 $18,699
 $1,185,162
              
Liabilities:              
Advances from FHLB$
 $32,250
 $
 $32,250
$
 $133,381
 $
 $133,381
Junior subordinated debentures, net of unamortized deferred issuance costs
 
 78,001
 78,001

 
 92,480
 92,480
Derivatives              
Interest rate sales forward commitments, net
 198
 
 198
Interest rate swaps
 6,290
 
 6,290

 11,984
 
 11,984
Interest rate lock commitments
 50
 
 50
$
 $38,738
 $78,001
 $116,739
$
 $145,415
 $92,480
 $237,895

The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments above:

Cash and Cash Equivalents:  The carrying amount of these items is a reasonable estimate of their fair value.

Securities:The estimated fair values of investment securities and mortgaged-backed securities are priced using current active market quotes, if available, which are considered Level 1 measurements.  For most of the portfolio, matrix pricing based on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted prices is used to establish the fair value.  These measurements are considered Level 2.  Due to the continued limited activity in the trust preferred markets that have limited the observability of market spreads for some of the Company’s TPS and TRUP CDOTrust Preferred Securities (TPS) securities, management has classified these securities as a Level 3 fair value measure. Management periodically reviews the pricing information received from third-party pricing services and tests those prices against other sources to validate the reported fair values.

Loans Held for Sale:Fair values for residential mortgage loans held for sale are determined by comparing actual loan rates to current secondary market prices for similar loans. Fair values for multifamily loans held for sale are calculated using recent sales data for comparable loans.

Loans Receivable: Fair values are estimated first by stratifying the portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics.  Loans are segregated by type such as multifamily real estate, residential mortgage, nonresidential mortgage, commercial/agricultural, consumer and other.  Each loan category is further segmented into fixed- and adjustable-rate interest terms. A preliminary estimate of fair value is then calculated based on discounted cash flows using as a discount rate the current rate offered on similar products, plus an adjustment for liquidity to reflect the non-homogeneous nature of the loans.  The preliminary estimate is then further reduced by the amount of the allowance for loan losses to arrive at a final estimate of fair value. Fair value for impaired loans is also based on recent appraisals or estimated cash flows discounted using rates commensurate with risk associated with the estimated cash flows.  Assumptions regarding credit risk, cash flows and discount rates are judgmentally determined using available market information and specific borrower information.

FHLB Stock:  The fair value is based upon the redemption value of the stock which equates to its carrying value.

Bank-ownedBank-Owned Life Insurance: The fair value of BOLI policies owned is based on the various insurance contracts' cash surrender value.


35


Mortgage Servicing Rights: Fair values are estimated based on an independent dealer analysis of discounted cash flows.  The evaluation utilizes assumptions market participants would use in determining fair value including prepayment speeds, delinquency and foreclosure rates, the discount rate, servicing costs, and the timing of cash flows.  The mortgage servicing portfolio is stratified by loan type and fair value estimates are adjusted up or down based on the serviced loan interest rates versus current rates on new loan originations since the most recent independent analysis.

Deposits:The fair valuecarrying amount of deposits with no stated maturity, such as savings and checking accounts, is estimated by applying decay rate assumptions to segregated portfoliosa reasonable estimate of similar deposit types to generate cash flows which are then discounted using short-term market interest rates.their fair value.  The market value of certificates of deposit is based upon the discounted value of contractual cash flows.  The discount rate is determined using thecurrent market rates currently offered on comparable instruments.

FHLB Advances:  Fair valuations for Banner’s FHLB advances are estimated using fair market values provided by the lender, the FHLB of Des Moines.  The FHLB of Des Moines prices advances by discounting the future contractual cash flows for individual advances, using its current cost of funds curve to provide the discount rate.

Junior Subordinated Debentures:  The fair value of junior subordinated debentures is estimated using an income approach technique. The significant inputs included in the estimation of fair value are the credit risk adjusted spread and three month LIBOR. The credit risk adjusted spread represents the nonperformance risk of the liability. The Company utilizes an external valuation firm to validate the reasonableness of the credit risk adjusted spread used to determine the fair value. The junior subordinated debentures are carried at fair value which represents the estimated amount that would be paid to transfer these liabilities in an orderly transaction amongst market participants. Due to credit concerns in the capital markets and inactivity in the trust preferred markets that have limited the observability of market spreads, we havemanagement has classified this as a Level 3 fair value measure.

Other Borrowings: Other borrowings include securities sold under agreements to repurchase and occasionally federal funds purchased and their carrying amount is considered a reasonable approximation of their fair value.

Derivatives: Derivatives include interest rate swap agreements, interest rate lock commitments to originate loans held for sale and forward sales contracts to sell loans and securities related to mortgage banking activities. Fair values for these instruments, which generally change as a result of changes in the level of market interest rates, are estimated based on dealer quotes and secondary market sources.

Off-Balance Sheet Items: Off-balance sheet financial instruments include unfunded commitments to extend credit, including standby letters of credit, and commitments to purchase investment securities. The fair value of these instruments is not considered to be material.

Limitations: The fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information available to management as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014.2015.  Although management is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the reported estimated fair value amounts, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since that date and, therefore, current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.


Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3):

The following table provides a description of the valuation technique, unobservable inputs, and qualitative information about the unobservable inputs for certain of the Company's assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 and measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014:2015:
 Weighted Average Rate Weighted Average Rate
Financial Instruments Valuation Techniques Unobservable Inputs September 30, 2015
 December 31, 2014
 Valuation Techniques Unobservable Inputs March 31, 2016
 December 31, 2015
TPS securities Discounted cash flows Discount rate 5.33% 5.26%
TRUP CDOs Discounted cash flows Discount rate n/a
 3.96
Corporate Bonds (TPS securities) Discounted cash flows Discount rate 5.63% 5.61%
Junior subordinated debentures Discounted cash flows Discount rate 5.33
 5.26
 Discounted cash flows Discount rate 5.63
 5.61
Impaired loans Collateral Valuations Market values n/a
 n/a
 Discounted cash flows Discount rate Various
 Various
Impaired loans Collateral Valuations Market values n/a
 n/a
REO Appraisals Market values n/a
 n/a
 Appraisals Market values n/a
 n/a

TPS and TRUP CDOssecurities : Management believes that the credit risk-adjusted spread used to develop the discount rate utilized in the fair value measurement of TPS and TRUP CDOssecurities is indicative of the risk premium a willing market participant would require under current market conditions for instruments with similar contractual rates and terms and conditions and issuers with similar credit risk profiles and with similar expected probability of default. Management attributes the change in fair value of these instruments, compared to their par value, primarily to perceived general market adjustments to the risk premiums for these types of assets subsequent to their issuance.

Junior subordinated debentures: Similar to the TPS and TRUP CDOssecurities discussed above, management believes that the credit risk-adjusted spread utilized in the fair value measurement of the junior subordinated debentures is indicative of the risk premium a willing market participant would require under current market conditions for an issuer with Banner's credit risk profile. Management attributes the change in fair value of the junior

36


junior subordinated debentures, compared to their par value, primarily to perceived general market adjustments to the risk premiums for these types of liabilities subsequent to their issuance. Future contractions in the risk adjusted spread relative to the spread currently utilized to measure the Company's junior subordinated debentures at fair value as of September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, or the passage of time, will result in negative fair value adjustments. At September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, the discount rate utilized was based on a credit spread of 500 basis points and three-month LIBOR of 3363 basis points.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the assets and liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) on a recurring basis during the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended
September 30, 2015 September 30, 2015March 31, 2016
Level 3 Fair Value Inputs Level 3 Fair Value InputsLevel 3 Fair Value Inputs
TPS and TRUP CDOs Borrowings—Junior Subordinated Debentures 
TPS and TRUP
CDOs
 
Borrowings—
Junior
Subordinated
Debentures
TPS Securities Borrowings—Junior Subordinated Debentures
Beginning balance$12,571
 $84,694
 $19,119
 $78,001
$18,699
 $92,480
Total gains or losses recognized          
Assets gains (losses), including OTTI(596) 
 1,475
 
Assets gains119
 
Liabilities losses
 489
 
 1,223

 399
Purchases, issuances and settlements, including the Siuslaw acquisition6,338
 
 6,338
 5,959
Sales, maturities and paydowns, net of discount amortization27
 
 (8,592) 
Ending balance at September 30, 2015$18,340
 $85,183
 $18,340
 $85,183
Purchases, issuances and settlements, including acquisitions1,725
 
Ending balance at March 31, 2016$20,543
 $92,879
          
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended
September 30, 2014 September 30, 2014March 31, 2015
Level 3 Fair Value Inputs Level 3 Fair Value InputsLevel 3 Fair Value Inputs
TPS and TRUP CDOs Borrowings—Junior Subordinated Debentures 
TPS and TRUP
CDOs
 
Borrowings—
Junior
Subordinated
Debentures
TPS and TRUP CDOs Borrowings—Junior Subordinated Debentures
Beginning balance$38,529
 $77,313
 $35,140
 $73,928
$19,119
 $78,001
Total gains or losses recognized          
Assets gains, including OTTI1,969
 
 5,389
 
Assets gains723
 
Liabilities losses
 311
 
 3,696

 366
Purchases, issuances and settlements, including acquisitions
 5,959
Sales, maturities and paydowns, net of discount amortization(11,485) 
 (11,516) 
(2,386) 
Ending balance at September 30, 2014$29,013
 $77,624
 $29,013
 $77,624
Ending balance at March 31, 2015$17,456
 $84,326

The Company has elected to continue to recognize the interest income and dividends from the securities reclassified to fair value as a component of interest income as was done in prior years when they were classified as available-for-sale.  Interest expense related to the FHLB advances and junior subordinated debentures continues to be measured based on contractual interest rates and reported in interest expense.  The change in fair market value of these financial instruments has been recorded as a component of other operatingnon-interest income.


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Items Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis:

The following tables present financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy of the fair value measurements for those assets as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 20142015 (in thousands):
At or For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015At or For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2016
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 TotalLevel 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Impaired loans$
 $
 $5,272
 $5,272
$
 $
 $654
 $654
REO
 
 6,363
 6,363

 
 7,207
 7,207
              
At or For the Year Ended December 31, 2014At or For the Year Ended December 31, 2015
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 TotalLevel 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Impaired loans$
 $
 $4,725
 $4,725
$
 $
 $2,372
 $2,372
REO
 
 3,352
 3,352

 
 11,627
 11,627

The following table presents the losses resulting from nonrecurring fair value adjustments for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Three months ended March 31,
 2015 2014 2015 2014 2016 2015
Impaired loans $(600) $(150) $(916) $(2,828) $(16) $(649)
REO (34) (25) (244) (458) (205) 
Total loss from nonrecurring measurements $(634) $(175) $(1,160) $(3,286) $(221) $(649)

Impaired loans: Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the loan's observable market price or the fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. If this practical expedient is used, the impaired loans are considered to be held at fair value. Subsequent changes in the value of impaired loans are included within the provision for loan losses in the same manner in which impairment initially was recognized or as a reduction in the provision that would otherwise be reported. Impaired loans are periodically evaluated to determine if valuation adjustments, or partial write-downs, should be recorded. The need for valuation adjustments arises when observable market prices or current appraised values of collateral indicate a shortfall in collateral value compared to current carrying values of the related loan. If the Company determines that the value of the impaired loan is less than the carrying value of the loan, the Company either establishes an impairment reserve as a specific component of the allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL) or charges off the impaired amount. These valuation adjustments are considered non-recurring fair value adjustments. The remaining impaired loans are evaluated for reserve needs in homogenous pools within the Company’s ALLL methodology.methodology for assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.

REO: The Company records REO (acquired through a lending relationship) at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Fair value adjustments on REO are based on updated real estate appraisals which are based on current market conditions. All REO properties are recorded at the lower of the estimated fair value of the real estate, less expected selling costs, or the carrying amount of the defaulted loans. From time to time, non-recurring fair value adjustments to REO are recorded to reflect partial write-downs based on an observable market price or current appraised value of property. Banner considers any valuation inputs related to REO to be Level 3 inputs. The individual carrying values of these assets are reviewed for impairment at least annually and any additional impairment charges are expensed to operations.

Note 11:10:  INCOME TAXES AND DEFERRED TAXES
    
The Company files a consolidated income tax return including all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries on a calendar year basis. Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under this method, a deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the enacted tax rates which will be in effect when the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax basesbasis of existing assets and liabilities are expected to be reported in the Company’s income tax returns. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period of change. A valuation allowance is recognized as a reduction to deferred tax assets when management determines it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be available to offset future income tax liabilities.

Accounting standards for income taxes prescribe a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and also provide guidance on the de-recognition of previously recorded benefits and their classification, as well as the proper recording of interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures and

38


transition. The Company periodically reviews its income tax positions based on tax laws and regulations and financial reporting considerations, and records adjustments as appropriate. This review takes into consideration the status of current taxing authorities’ examinations of the Company’s tax returns, recent positions taken by the taxing authorities on similar transactions, if any, and the overall tax environment.

As of September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, the Company had an insignificant amount of unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions, none of which would materially affect the effective tax rate if recognized. The Company does not anticipate that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease in the next twelve months. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits in the income tax expense. The Company files consolidated income tax returns in U.S. federal jurisdiction and in the Oregon, California, Utah and Idaho state jurisdictions. The tax years which remain subject to examination by the taxing authorities are the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011.

Tax credit investments: The Company invests in low income housing tax credit funds that are designed to generate a return primarily through the realization of federal tax credits. The Company accounts for these investments in accordance with ASU 2014-01 and has applied that standard to all prior periods presented. Under this ASU,by amortizing the cost of tax credit investments is amortized over the life of the investment using a proportional amortization method and tax credit investment amortization expense is a component of the provision for income taxes.

The following table presents the balances of the Company’s tax credit investments and related unfunded commitments at September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
September 30, 2015
 December 31, 2014
March 31, 2016
 March 31, 2015
Tax credit investments$5,447
 $4,858
$5,158
 $5,948
Unfunded commitments—tax credit investments1,425
 2,864
$1,370
 $2,690

The following table presents other information related to the Company's tax credit investments for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2015
 2014
 2015
 2014
2016
 2015
Tax credits and other tax benefits recognized$329
 $211
 $958
 $633
$284
 $319
Tax credit amortization expense included in provision for income taxes255
 185
 745
 536
$168
 $244

Note 12:11:  CALCULATION OF WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING FOR EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

The following table reconciles basic to diluted weighted shares outstanding used to calculate earnings per share data dollars and shares (in thousands, except shares and per share data):
Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2015
 2014
 2015
 2014
2016
 2015
Net income$12,947
 $14,819
 $38,329
 $42,356
$17,774
 $12,134
  

 

 

  

Basic weighted average shares outstanding20,755
 19,373
 20,418
 19,353
34,023,800
 19,760,645
Plus unvested restricted stock66
 47
 50
 33
79,927
 84,374
Diluted weighted shares outstanding20,821
 19,420
 20,468
 19,386
34,103,727
 19,845,019
Earnings per common share 
  
  
  
 
  
Basic$0.62
 $0.76
 $1.88
 $2.19
$0.52
 $0.61
Diluted$0.62
 $0.76
 $1.87
 $2.18
$0.52
 $0.61

Options to purchase an additional 7,5005,000 shares of common stock were outstanding as of September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their exercise price was significantly greater than the average market price of common shares which would not dilute earnings per share. Also, as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, warrants expiring on November 21, 2018, to purchase up to $18.6 million (243,998 shares, post reverse-split) of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise price of the warrants was greater than the average market price of common shares.


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Note 13:12:  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company operates the following stock-based compensation plans as approved by its shareholders:
2001 Stock Option Plan (the SOP).
2006 Long Term Incentive Plan.
2012 Restricted Stock and Incentive Bonus Plan.Plan (2012 Restricted Stock Plan).
2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan.Plan (the 2014 Plan).


The purpose of these plans is to promote the success and enhance the value of the Company by providing a means for attracting and retaining highly skilled employees, officers and directors of Banner Corporation and its affiliates and linking their personal interests with those of the Company's shareholders. Under these plans the Company currently has outstanding restricted stock share grants, restricted stock unit grants, and stock options.

Stock Option Plans

Under the SOP, Banner reserved 68,571 shares (adjusted for the 2011 reverse stock split) for issuance pursuant to the exercise of stock options to be granted to directors and employees. Authority to grant additional options under the SOP terminated on April 20, 2011. The exercise price of the stock options was set at 100% of the fair market value of the stock price on the date of grant. Options granted vest at a rate of 20% per year from the date of grant and any unexercised incentive stock options will expire 10 years after date of grant or 90 days after employment or service ends.

During the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015, and 2014, there were no grants of stock options. Additionally, there were no significant modifications made to any stock option grants during the period. The fair values of stock options granted are amortized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the grant. There were no stock-based compensation costs related to the SOP for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 or September 30, 2014.March 31, 2015.

During the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015, and 2014, there were no exercises of stock options. Cash was not used to settle any equity instruments previously granted. The Company issues shares from authorized but unissued shares upon the exercise of stock options. The Company does not currently expect to repurchase shares from any source to satisfy such obligations under the SOP.

2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan

In June 2006, the Board of Directors adopted the Banner Corporation 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan effective July 1, 2006. The plan is an account-based type of benefit, the value of which is directly related to changes in the value of Company common stock, dividends declared on Company common stock and changes in Banner Bank’s average earnings rate, and is considered a stock appreciation right (SAR). Each SAR entitles the holder to receive cash upon vesting, equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of maturity of the SAR over the fair market value of such share on the date granted. The primary objective of the plan is to create a retention incentive by allowing officers who remain with the Company or the Banks for a sufficient period of time to share in the increases in the value of Company stock.

The Company re-measures the fair value of SARs each reporting period until the award is settled and recognizes changes in fair value and vesting in compensation expense. The Company recognized a net reversal of compensation expense of $103,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to a net reversal of compensation expense of $122,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. These reversals of compensation expense were due to variations in the market value of Banner stock.

As of September 30, 2015, all SAR awards have been settled and there was no remaining liability for SARs.

2012 Restricted Stock and Incentive Bonus Plan

Under the 2012 Restricted Stock and Incentive Bonus Plan, (2012 Restricted Stock Plan), which was initially approved on April 24, 2012, the Company is authorized to issue up to 300,000 shares of its common stock to provide a means for attracting and retaining highly skilled officers of Banner Corporation and its affiliates. Shares granted under the 2012 Restricted Stock Plan have a minimum vesting period of three years. The 2012 Restricted Stock Plan will continue in effect for a term of ten years, after which no further awards may be granted.

The 2012 Restricted Stock Plan was amended on April 23, 2013 to provide for the ability to grant (1) cash-denominated incentive-based awards payable in cash or common stock, including those that are eligible to qualify as qualified performance-based compensation for the purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code and (2) restricted stock awards that qualify as qualified performance-based compensation for the purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. Vesting requirements may include time-based conditions, performance-based conditions, or market-based conditions.

As of September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, the Company had granted 299,830271,849 shares of restricted stock from the 2012 Restricted Stock Plan (as amended and restated), of which 149,085165,957 shares had vested and 150,745105,892 shares remain unvested.


40


2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan

The 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the 2014 Plan) was approved by shareholders on April 22, 2014. The 2014 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, other stock-based awards and other cash awards, and provides for vesting requirements which may include time-based or performance-based conditions. The Company has reserved 900,000 shares of its common stock for issuance under the 2014 Plan in connection with the exercise of awards. As of September 30, 2015, 65,103March 31, 2016, 136,246 restricted stock shares and 7,33118,331 restricted stock units have been granted under the 2014 Plan of which 9,35216,852 restricted stock shares and 11,000 restricted stock units have vested.

The expense associated with all restricted stock grants (including restricted stock shares and restricted stock units) was $831,000$1.1 million and $2.5 million$671,000 for the three and nine-monththree-month periods ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, and $710,000 and $1.8 million for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Unrecognized compensation expense for these awards as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 was $5.3$6.3 million and will be amortized over the next 3035 months.

Note 14:13:  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Lease Commitments — The Company leases 67148 sites under non-cancelable operating leases. The leases contain various provisions for increases in rental rates, based either on changes in the published Consumer Price Index or a predetermined escalation schedule. Substantially all of the leases provide the Company with the option to extend the lease term one or more times following expiration of the initial term.

Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk — The Company has financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk generated in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of our customers.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, commitments related to standby letters of credit, commitments to originate loans, commitments to sell loans, commitments to buy and sell securities.  These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk similar to the risk involved in on-balance sheet items recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Our exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument from commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual notional amount of those instruments.  We use the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as for on-balance-sheet instruments.


Outstanding commitments for which no asset or liability for the notional amount has been recorded consisted of the following at the dates indicated (in thousands):
Contract or Notional AmountContract or Notional Amount
September 30, 2015
 December 31, 2014
March 31, 2016
 December 31, 2015
Commitments to extend credit$1,475,664
 $1,166,165
$2,147,174
 $2,132,996
Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees9,476
 9,934
23,464
 22,315
Commitments to originate loans39,326
 20,988
40,978
 32,908
Risk participation agreement7,627
 7,672
      
Derivatives also included in Note 15:   
Derivatives also included in Note 14:   
Commitments to originate loans held for sale69,651
 29,851
104,227
 76,146
Commitments to sell loans secured by one- to four-family residential properties28,830
 8,714
48,546
 37,545
Commitments to sell securities related to mortgage banking activities40,500
 25,000
44,467
 41,500

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer, as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Many of the commitments may expire without being drawn upon; therefore, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each customer’s creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer. The type of collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and income producing commercial properties. The Company's reserve for unfunded loan commitments was $3.6 million and $3.9 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee a customer’s performance or payment to a third party.  The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. Through the acquisition of AmericanWest, Banner Bank assumed a risk participation agreement. Under the risk participation agreement, Banner Bank guarantees the financial performance of a borrower on the participated portion of an interest rate swap on a loan.

Interest rates on residential one- to four-family mortgage loan applications are typically rate locked (committed) to customers during the application stage for periods ranging from 30 to 60 days, the most typical period being 45 days. Traditionally, these loan applications with rate lock commitments had the pricing for the sale of these loans locked with various qualified investors under a best-efforts delivery program at or near the time the interest rate is locked with the customer. The CompanyBank then attempts to deliver these loans before their rate locks expired. This arrangement generally required delivery of the loans prior to the expiration of the rate lock. Delays in funding the loans required a lock extension. The cost of a lock extension at times was borne by the customer and at times by the Bank. These lock extension costs have not had a material impact to our operations. In 2012, theThe Company also began enteringenters into forward commitments at specific prices and settlement dates to deliver either: (1) residential mortgage loans for purchase by secondary market investors (i.e., Freddie Mac or

41


Fannie Mae), or (2) mortgage-backed securities to broker/dealers. The purpose of these forward commitments is to offset the movement in interest rates between the execution of its residential mortgage rate lock commitments with borrowers and the sale of those loans to the secondary market investor. There were no counterparty default losses on forward contracts induring the ninethree months ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 or September 30, 2014.March 31, 2015. Market risk with respect to forward contracts arises principally from changes in the value of contractual positions due to changes in interest rates. We limit ourThe Company limits its exposure to market risk by monitoring differences between commitments to customers and forward contracts with market investors and securities broker/dealers. In the event we havethe Company has forward delivery contract commitments in excess of available mortgage loans, the transaction is completed by either paying or receiving a fee to or from the investor or broker/dealer equal to the increase or decrease in the market value of the forward contract.

Legal Proceedings In the normal course of business, the Company and/or its subsidiaries have various legal proceedings and other contingent matters outstanding.  These proceedings and the associated legal claims are often contested and the outcome of individual matters is not always predictable.  TheThese claims and counter-claims typically arise during the course of collection efforts on problem loans or with respect to action to enforce liens on properties in which the Company holdsBanks hold a security interest.  Based onupon the information known to management at this time, the Company isand the Banks are not a party to any legal proceedings that management believes would have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or consolidated financial position at September 30, 2015.March 31, 2016.

In connection with certain asset sales, the Banks typically make representations and warranties about the underlying assets conforming to specified guidelines.  If the underlying assets do not conform to the specifications, the Bank may have an obligation to repurchase the assets or indemnify the purchaser against any loss.  The Banks believe that the potential for material loss under these arrangements is remote.  Accordingly, the fair value of such obligations is not material.

NOTE 15:14: DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING

The Company, through its Banner Bank subsidiary, is party to various derivative instruments that are used for asset and liability management and customer financing needs. Derivative instruments are contracts between two or more parties that have a notional amount and an underlying variable, require no net investment and allow for the net settlement of positions. The notional amount serves as the basis for the payment provision of the contract and takes the form of units, such as shares or dollars. The underlying variable represents a specified interest rate, index, or other component. The interaction between the notional amount and the underlying variable determines the number of units to be exchanged

between the parties and influences the market value of the derivative contract. The Company obtains dealer quotations to value its derivative contracts.

The Company's predominant derivative and hedging activities involve interest rate swaps related to certain term loans and forward sales contracts associated with mortgage banking activities. Generally, these instruments help the Company manage exposure to market risk and meet customer financing needs. Market risk represents the possibility that economic value or net interest income will be adversely affected by fluctuations in external factors such as market-driven interest rates and prices or other economic factors.

Derivatives Designated in Hedge Relationships

The Company's fixed rate loans result in exposure to losses in value or net interest income as interest rates change. The risk management objective for hedging fixed rate loans is to effectively convert the fixed rate received to a floating rate. The Company has hedged exposure to changes in the fair value of certain fixed rate loans through the use of interest rate swaps. For a qualifying fair value hedge, changes in the value of the derivatives are recognized in current period earnings along with the corresponding changes in the fair value of the designated hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged.

InUnder a prior program, brought to Banner Bank through its merger with F&M Bank in 2007, customers received fixed interest rate commercial loans and the Banner Bank subsequently hedged that fixed rate loan by entering into an interest rate swap with a dealer counterparty. Banner Bank receives fixed rate payments from the customers on the loans and makes similar fixed rate payments to the dealer counterparty on the swaps in exchange for variable rate payments based on the one-month LIBOR index. Some of these interest rate swaps are designated as fair value hedges. Through application of the “short cut method of accounting,” there is an assumption that the hedges are effective. Banner Bank discontinued originating interest rate swaps under this program in 2008.

As of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014,2015, the notional values or contractual amounts and fair values of the Company's derivatives designated in hedge relationships were as follows (in thousands):
 Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives
 September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (1)
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (1)
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (2)
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (2)
Interest rate swaps$6,825
 $1,090
 $7,089
 $1,165
 $6,825
 $1,090
 $7,089
 $1,165
 Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives
 March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (1)
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (1)
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (2)
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (2)
Interest rate swaps$6,641
 $998
 $6,734
 $938
 $6,641
 $998
 $6,734
 $938

(1) 
Included in Loans receivable on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
(2) 
Included in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Derivatives Not Designated in Hedge Relationships

Interest Rate Swaps.Swaps: Banner Bank uses an interest rate swap program for commercial loan customers, that provides the client with a variable rate loan and enters into an interest rate swap in which the client receives a variable rate payment in exchange for a fixed rate payment. BannerThe Bank

42


offsets its risk exposure by entering into an offsetting interest rate swap with a dealer counterparty for the same notional amount and length of term as the client interest rate swap providing the dealer counterparty with a fixed rate payment in exchange for a variable rate payment. These swaps do not qualify as designated hedges; therefore, each swap is accounted for as a free standing derivative.

Mortgage BankingBanking:. In the normal course of business, the Company sells originated mortgage loans into the secondary mortgage loan markets. During the period of loan origination and prior to the sale of the loans in the secondary market, the Company has exposure to movements in interest rates associated with written rate lock commitments with potential borrowers to originate loans that are intended to be sold and for closed loans that are awaiting sale and delivery into the secondary market.

Written loan commitments that relate to the origination of mortgage loans that will be held for resale are considered free-standing derivatives and do not qualify for hedge accounting. Written loan commitments generally have a term of up to 60 days before the closing of the loan. The loan commitment does not bind the potential borrower to enter into the loan, nor does it guarantee that the Company will approve the potential borrower for the loan. Therefore, when determining fair value, the Company makes estimates of expected “fallout” (loan commitments not expected to close), using models which consider cumulative historical fallout rates, current market interest rates and other factors.

Written loan commitments in which the borrower has locked in an interest rate results in market risk to the Company to the extent market interest rates change from the rate quoted to the borrower. The Company economically hedges the risk of changing interest rates associated with its interest rate lock commitments by entering into forward sales contracts.

Mortgage loans which are held for sale are subject to changes in fair value due to fluctuations in interest rates from the loan's closing date through the date of sale of the loans into the secondary market. Typically, the fair value of these loans declines when interest rates increase and rises when interest rates decrease. To mitigate this risk, the Company enters into forward sales contracts on a significant portion of these loans to provide an economic hedge against those changes in fair value. Mortgage loans held for sale and the forward sales contracts are recorded at fair value with ineffective changes in value recorded in current earnings within mortgage banking operations on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.as loan sales and servicing income.

As of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014,2015, the notional values or contractual amounts and fair values of the Company's derivatives not designated in hedge relationships were as follows (in thousands):
Asset Derivatives Liability DerivativesAsset Derivatives Liability Derivatives
September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (1)
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (1)
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (2)
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (2)
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (1)
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (1)
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (2)
 
Notional/
Contract Amount
 
Fair
   Value (2)
Interest rate swaps$159,826
 $8,557
 $134,512
 $5,125
 $159,826
 $8,557
 $134,512
 $5,125
$301,673
 $17,961
 $293,937
 $11,046
 $301,673
 $17,961
 $293,937
 $11,046
Mortgage loan commitments41,449
 753
 29,311
 317
 28,202
 126
 
 
59,760
 941
 76,146
 428
 44,467
 126
 
 
Forward sales contracts28,202
 126
 
 
 40,500
 369
 33,174
 198
44,467
 126
 41,500
 43
 54,713
 291
 32,763
 50
$229,477
 $9,436
 $163,823
 $5,442
 $228,528
 $9,052
 $167,686
 $5,323
$405,900
 $19,028
 $411,583
 $11,517
 $400,853
 $18,378
 $326,700
 $11,096

(1) 
Included in Other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, with the exception of those interest rate swaps from prior to 2009 that were not designated in hedge relationships (with a fair value of $421,000$293,000 at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and $558,000$327,000 at December 31, 2014)2015), which are included in Loans receivable.
(2) 
Included in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Gains (losses) recognized in income on non-designated hedging instruments for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
Location on Consolidated
Statements of Operations
 2015
 2014
 2015
 2014
Location on Consolidated
Statements of Operations
 2016
 2015
Mortgage loan commitmentsMortgage banking operations $442
 $(243) $475
 $148
Mortgage banking operations $563
 $412
Forward sales contractsMortgage banking operations (665) 224
 (209) (42)Mortgage banking operations (273) (140)
 $(223) $(19) $266
 $106
 $290
 $272

The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparty to these agreements. Credit risk of the financial contract is controlled through the credit approval, limits, and monitoring procedures and management does not expect the counterparties to fail their obligations.


43


In connection with the interest rate swaps between Banner Bank and the dealer counterparties, the agreements contain a provision where if Banner Bank fails to maintain its status as a well/adequately capitalized institution, then the counterparty could terminate the derivative positions and Banner Bank would be required to settle its obligations. Similarly, Banner Bank could be required to settle its obligations under certain of its agreements if specific regulatory events occur, such as a publicly issued prompt corrective action directive, cease and desist order, or a capital maintenance agreement that required Banner Bank to maintain a specific capital level. If Banner Bank had breached any of these provisions at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 or December 31, 2014,2015, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at the termination value. As of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014,2015, the termination value of derivatives in a net liability position related to these agreements was $9.6$19.0 million and $6.3$12.0 million, respectively. The Company generally posts collateral against derivative liabilities in the form of cash, government agency-issued bonds, mortgage-backed securities, or commercial mortgage-backed securities. Collateral posted against derivative liabilities was $13.9$29.9 million and $11.1$20.8 million as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014,2015, respectively.

Derivative assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet and do not take into account the effects of master netting agreements. Master netting agreements allow the Company to settle all derivative contracts held with a single counterparty on a net basis and to offset net derivative positions with related collateral where applicable.


The following table illustrates the potential effect of the Company's derivative master netting arrangements, by type of financial instrument, on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 20142015 (in thousands):
September 30, 2015March 31, 2016
      Gross Amounts of Financial Instruments Not Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition        Gross Amounts of Financial Instruments Not Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition  
Gross Amounts Recognized 
Amounts offset
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
 
Net Amounts
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
 Netting Adjustment Per Applicable Master Netting Agreements 
Fair Value
of Financial Collateral
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
 Net AmountGross Amounts Recognized 
Amounts offset
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
 
Net Amounts
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
 Netting Adjustment Per Applicable Master Netting Agreements 
Fair Value
of Financial Collateral
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
 Net Amount
Derivative assets                      
Interest rate swaps$9,647
 $
 $9,647
 $
 $
 $9,647
$18,959
 $
 $18,959
 $
 $
 $18,959
$9,647
 $
 $9,647
 $
 $
 $9,647
$18,959
 $
 $18,959
 $
 $
 $18,959
                      
Derivative liabilities                      
Interest rate swaps$9,647
 $
 $9,647
 $
 $(9,647) $
$18,959
 $
 $18,959
 $
 $(18,938) $21
$9,647
 $
 $9,647
 $
 $(9,647) $
$18,959
 $
 $18,959
 $
 $(18,938) $21
                      
December 31, 2014December 31, 2015
      Gross Amounts of Financial Instruments Not Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition        Gross Amounts of Financial Instruments Not Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition  
Gross Amounts Recognized 
Amounts offset
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
 
Net Amounts
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
 Netting Adjustment Per Applicable Master Netting Agreements 
Fair Value
of Financial Collateral
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
 Net AmountGross Amounts Recognized 
Amounts offset
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
 
Net Amounts
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
 Netting Adjustment Per Applicable Master Netting Agreements 
Fair Value
of Financial Collateral
in the Statement
of Financial Condition
 Net Amount
Derivative assets                      
Interest rate swaps$6,290
 $
 $6,290
 $(6) $
 $6,284
$11,984
 $
 $11,984
 $
 $
 $11,984
$6,290
 $
 $6,290
 $(6) $
 $6,284
$11,984
 $
 $11,984
 $
 $
 $11,984
                      
Derivative liabilities                      
Interest rate swaps$6,290
 $
 $6,290
 $(6) $(6,279) $5
$11,984
 $
 $11,984
 $
 $(11,984) $
$6,290
 $
 $6,290
 $(6) $(6,279) $5
$11,984
 $
 $11,984
 $
 $(11,984) $


44


ITEM 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Executive Overview

We are a bank holding company incorporated in the State of Washington which owns two subsidiary banks, Banner Bank and Islanders Bank. Banner Bank is a Washington-chartered commercial bank that conducts business from its main office in Walla Walla, Washington and, as of September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, its 102187 branch offices and nine loan production offices located in Washington, Oregon, California, Utah and Idaho.  Islanders Bank is also a Washington-chartered commercial bank and conducts its business from three locations in San Juan County, Washington.  Banner Corporation is subject to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve Board).  Banner Bank and Islanders Bank (the Banks) are subject to regulation by the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Banks and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the FDIC).  As of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, we had total consolidated assets of $5.39.75 billion, total loans of $4.47.19 billion, total deposits of $4.48.03 billion and total stockholders’shareholders’ equity of $671 million1.32 billion.

Banner Bank is a regional bank which offers a wide variety of commercial banking services and financial products to individuals, businesses and public sector entities in its primary market areas.  Islanders Bank is a community bank which offers similar banking services to individuals, businesses and public entities located in the San Juan Islands.  The Banks’ primary business is that of traditional banking institutions, accepting deposits and originating loans in locations surrounding their offices in portions of Washington, Oregon, California, Utah and Idaho.  Banner Bank is also an active participant in the secondary market, engaging in mortgage banking operations largely through the origination and sale of one- to four-familyone-to-four-family and multifamily residential loans.  Lending activities include commercial business and commercial real estate loans, agriculture business loans, construction and land development loans, one- to four-family and multifamily residential loans and consumer loans.

Banner Corporation's successful execution of its super community bank model and strategic planinitiatives has delivered solid profitability and operating initiatives continuedgrowth in recent years. We have made substantial progress on our goals to achieve and maintain the third quarter of 2015, as evidenced by our solid operating results and profitability which resulted in an annualized return on average assets of 0.97% for the quarter and 1.00% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Over the past five years, we have significantly added to our client relationships and account base,Company's moderate risk profile as well as substantially improvedto develop and continue strong earnings momentum. Highlights of this success have included substantial improvement in our risk profile by aggressively managingasset quality, outstanding client acquisition and reducing our problem assets, which has resulted in strongeraccount growth, significantly increased non-interest-bearing deposit balances and sustainable revenues and lower credit costs, and we believe has positioned the Company well for continued success.strong revenue generation from core operations.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, our net income was $12.9$17.8 million, or $0.62$0.52 per diluted share, compared to net income of $14.8$12.1 million, or $0.76$0.61 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, our net income was $38.3 million, or $1.87 per diluted share, compared to net income of $42.4 million, or $2.18 per diluted share for the same period a year earlier.March 31, 2015. Our net income for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 was significantly impacted by $2.2$6.8 million and $7.7 million, respectively, of acquisition-related expenses, which net of related tax benefits reduced earnings per diluted share by $0.07 and $0.27, respectively, for those periods. In addition, in the second quarter of 2014, we recognized a $9.1 million bargain purchase gain related to the acquisition of six branches in southwestern Oregon (the Branch Acquisition), which net of related acquisition expenses contributed $0.25 to diluted income per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.$0.13.

Highlights for the current quarter included additional loan growth, additional client acquisition, solid asset quality, and strong revenues from core operations. Compared to the same three and nine-month periodsquarter a year ago, we had a significant increase in net interest income as well as substantial increases in deposit fees and service charges and in revenue from mortgage banking. The nine months ended September 30, 2015 was also highlighted bybanking, all reflecting the completionincreased scale of the acquisition of Siuslaw Financial Group (Siuslaw) and its subsidiary, Siuslaw Bank, expanding our presence in Oregon and complementing our Branch Acquisition. As a result of the Siuslaw acquisition on March 6, 2015, the Company acquired approximately $370 million in total assets, $316 million in deposits, $247 million in loans and more than 8,000 new customer relationships.Company.

Our operating results depend primarily on our net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, consisting primarily of loans and investment securities, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, composed primarily of customer deposits and borrowings. Net interest income is driven by the net interest margin, which is primarily a function of our interest rate spread. Interest rate spread is the difference between the yield earned on interest-earning assets and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, as well as a function of the average balances of interest-earning assets, interest-bearing liabilities and interest-bearing liabilities.non-interest-bearing funding sources including non-interest-bearing deposits. Our net interest income before provision for loan losses increased $5.1$44.5 million, or 11%96%, to $52.2$91.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, compared to $47.1$46.5 million for the same quarter one year earlier. This increase in net interest income reflects the significant growth in earning assets. The increase in earning assets and increases in interest rate spread and net interest margin which were enhanced by adjustmentswas largely due to the mixacquisition of earning assetsStarbuck Bancshares, Inc. (Starbuck), the holding company for AmericanWest Bank (AmericanWest), which closed on October 1, 2015, and continuing reductions in deposit costs. Our interest rate spread increased to 4.12% in the current quarter from 4.06% in the quarter ended September 30, 2014, while our net interest margin increased to 4.14% in the current quarter compared to 4.07% in the same quarter a year earlier.acquisition of Siuslaw Financial Group (Siuslaw), holding company of Siuslaw Bank, which closed on March 6, 2015.

Our net income also is affected by the level of other operatingour non-interest income, other operatingincluding deposit fees and service charges, results of mortgage banking operations, which includes loan origination and servicing fees and gains and losses on the sale of loans, and gains and losses on the sale of securities, as well as our non-interest expenses, provisions for loan losses and income tax provisions. In addition, our net income is affected by the net change in the valuationvalue of certain financial instruments carried at fair value and in certain periods by other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) charges or recoveries and acquisition-related bargain purchase gains and costs.  (See Note 10 of the Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)value.

Our total other operating income, which includes gains and losses on the sale of securities and changes in the value of financial instruments carried at fair value, was $14.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to $13.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, we recorded a net fair value loss of $1.1 million in valuation adjustments for financial instruments carried at fair value. By contrast, for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, we recorded a net fair value gain of $1.5 million and a $6,000 net gain on the sale of securities. Other operating income excluding the net gain on sale of securities and changes in the fair value of financial

45


instruments, a measure which we believe is more indicative of our core operations, increased 26% to $15.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to $12.1 million for the same quarter a year earlier, as a result of meaningfully increased deposit fees and service charges fueled by growth in non-interest-bearing deposit accounts and substantially increased revenues from our mortgage banking operations.
Our total revenues (net interest income before the provision for loan losses plus total other operatingnon-interest income) for the thirdfirst quarter of 20152016 increased $5.7$50.8 million or 84%, to $66.3$111.0 million, compared to $60.6$60.2 million for the same period a year earlier, as a result of increased net interest income and deposit fees and service charges, as well as increased mortgage banking revenues.  Our total non-interest income, which is a component of total revenue and includes the net gain on sale of securities and changes in the value of financial instruments carried at fair value, was $20.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, compared to $13.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015.

Our total revenues, excluding changes in the fair value of financial instruments and the net gain on sale of securities, which we believe are more indicative of our core operations, also were strong at $67.4$111.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, a $8.3$51.3 million, or 14%86% increase, compared to $59.1$59.7 million for the same period a year earlier.

Our other operating expensesnon-interest expense also increased significantly in the thirdfirst quarter of 20152016 compared to a year earlier largely as a result of acquisition-related expenses includingand other normal operating expenses related to the acquisitionoperations acquired in the acquisitions of AmericanWest Bank whichand Siuslaw Bank.  Non-interest expense was completed on October 1, 2015, and the costs associated with 16 branches acquired in June 2014 and March 2015, as well as generally increased salary and employee benefits, and payment and card processing service costs, which were partially offset by an increase in the credit for capitalized loan origination costs and a decrease in advertising and marketing costs.  Other operating expenses were $46.7$84.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, compared to $38.5$41.9 million for the same quarter a year earlier.

Although loans grew by $566 million to $4.4 billion at September 30, 2015 from September 30, 2014,We did not record a provision for loan losses in the three months ended March 31, 2016, as continued improvement in credit quality metrics and net loan recoveries offset the need for any additional provision to loan loss reserves and the present allowance, representing 1.77% of total loans outstanding at September 30, 2015, remains appropriate. We did not record a provision for loan losses in the three months ended September 30, 2015, which was the eleventh consecutive quarter for which we had no provision for loan losses. Our reserves at September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 were 1.82% and 1.95%, respectively, of total loans outstanding.reserves. The allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 was $77.3$78.2 million, representing 329%501% of non-performing loans. Non-performing loans including purchased credit-impaired loans, increased to $23.5were $15.6 million at September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, compared to $23.3$15.2 million at June 30,December 31, 2015, and increased 19%decreased 37% when compared to $19.8$24.7 million a year earlier primarily. (See Note 6,5, Loans Receivable and the Allowance for Loan Losses, as well as “Asset Quality” below in this Form 10-Q.)

Following the closing of the merger with AmericanWest, Banner’s assets were approximately $9.9 billion. If Banner or Banner Bank’s total assets exceed $10 billion for four consecutive quarters it would be considered a “very large” institution by bank regulators under The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act). As a result, there would be increased scrutiny from regulators, formal capital stress testing requirements, direct examination by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and increased payments for federal deposit insurance. Further, bank holding companies with more than $10 billion in assets as measured at the end of a calendar year are subject to the Durbin Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Act which places limits on the swipe fees that a debit card issuer can charge a merchant for a transaction beginning in July of the following year.

As a result of the above, if Banner Bank’s total assets exceeded $10 billion at December 31, 2015, deposit insurance assessments are likely to increase, as well as expenses related to regulatory compliance, which may be significant. In addition, compliance with the Durbin Amendment would reduce our operating income significantly. We currently believe the impact of the Durbin Amendment on combined interchange service fees for Banner and AmericanWest would reduce our pre-tax operating income by approximately $10.0 million annually. As a result of the adverse consequences, we intend to manage our balance sheet during the fourth quarter of 2015 to limit our use of wholesale funding sources, such as FHLB advances, and reduce lower yielding assets to avoid exceeding $10 billion in assets as of December 31, 2015.

As partial consideration for the merger with AmericanWest, Banner issued 13.23 million shares of common stock and nonvoting common stock. The issuance of the shares upon closing of the merger was a private transaction exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In addition, certain large investors that received unregistered shares were granted rights to demand registration of the shares not earlier than thirty days following closing of the merger. (See risk factors previously disclosed in Part 1, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.)

Non-GAAP financial measures: Other operatingNon-interest income, revenues and other earnings information excluding fair value adjustments, OTTI losses or recoveries, gains or losses on the sale of securities and, in certain periods, acquisition-related bargain purchase gains and costs are non-GAAP financial measures.  Management has presented these and other non-GAAP financial measures in this discussion and analysis because it believes that they provide useful and comparative information to assess trends in our core operations and in understanding our capital position.  However, these non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental and are not a substitute for any analysis based on GAAP. Where applicable, we have also presented comparable earnings information using GAAP financial measures.  For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures, see the tables below.  Because not all companies use the same calculations, our presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures as calculated by other companies. See “Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and 20142015” for more detailed information about our financial performance.


46


The following tables set forth reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures discussed in this report (in thousands):
For the Three Months Ended
September 30
 For the Nine Months Ended
September 30
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
NON-INTEREST INCOME FROM CORE OPERATIONS:2016
 2015
2015
 2014
 2015
 2014
   
       
Total other operating income (GAAP)$14,098
 $13,535
 $43,935
 $42,878
Total non-interest income (GAAP)$19,959
 $13,696
Exclude net (gain) loss on sale of securities
 (6) 537
 (41)(21) 510
Exclude change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value1,113
 (1,452) (735) (1,662)(29) (1,050)
Exclude acquisition bargain purchase gain
 
 
 (9,079)
Total other operating income from core operations (non-GAAP)$15,211
 $12,077
 $43,737
 $32,096
       
Total non-interest income from core operations (non-GAAP)$19,909
 $13,156
REVENUE FROM CORE OPERATIONS:   
Net interest income before provision for loan losses$52,188
 $47,064
 $150,181
 $133,211
$91,043
 $46,536
Total other operating income14,098
 13,535
 43,935
 42,878
Total non-interest income19,959
 13,696
Total GAAP revenue66,286
 60,599
 194,116
 176,089
111,002
 60,232
Exclude net (gain) loss on sale of securities
 (6) 537
 (41)(21) 510
Exclude change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value1,113
 (1,452) (735) (1,662)(29) (1,050)
Exclude acquisition bargain purchase gain
 
 
 (9,079)
Revenue from core operations (non-GAAP)$67,399
 $59,141
 $193,918
 $165,307
$110,952
 $59,692
       
INCOME FROM CORE OPERATIONS:   
Income before provision for taxes (GAAP)$19,589
 $22,104
 $57,769
 $63,577
$26,968
 $18,318
Exclude net (gain) loss on sale of securities
 (6) 537
 (41)(21) 510
Exclude change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value1,113
 (1,452) (735) (1,662)(29) (1,050)
Exclude acquisition bargain purchase gain
 
 
 (9,079)
Exclude acquisition related costs2,207
 (494) 7,741
 1,530
6,813
 1,648
Income from core operations before provision for taxes (non-GAAP)$22,909
 $20,152
 $65,312
 $54,325
$33,731
 $19,426
       
EARNINGS FROM CORE OPERATIONS:   
Net income (GAAP)$12,947
 $14,819
 $38,329
 $42,356
$17,774
 $12,134
Exclude net (gain) loss on sale of securities
 (6) 537
 (41)(21) 510
Exclude change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value1,113
 (1,452) (735) (1,662)(29) (1,050)
Exclude acquisition bargain purchase gain
 
 
 (9,079)
Exclude acquisition related costs2,207
 (494) 7,741
 1,530
6,813
 1,648
Exclude related tax expense (benefit)(1,092) 703
 (2,165) 3,412
Exclude related tax benefit(2,417) (120)
Total earnings from core operations (non-GAAP)$15,175
 $13,570
 $43,707
 $36,516
$22,120
 $13,122
       
Acquisition bargain purchase gain$
 $
 $
 $9,079
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)$0.52
 $0.61
Diluted core earnings per share (non-GAAP)$0.65
 $0.66
NET EFFECT OF ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS ON EARNINGS:   
Acquisition-related costs(2,207) 494
 (7,741) (1,530)(6,813) (1,648)
Related tax benefit (expense)691
 (178) 2,237
 (2,799)
Related tax benefit2,435
 315
Total net effect of acquisition on earnings$(1,516) $316
 $(5,504) $4,750
$(4,378) $(1,333)
Diluted weighted shares outstanding20,821,377
 19,419,344
 20,467,609
 19,385,933
34,103,727
 19,845,019
Total net effect of acquisition-related costs and acquisition bargain purchase gain on diluted earnings per share$(0.07) $0.02
 $(0.27) $0.25
Total net effect of acquisition-related costs on diluted earnings per share$(0.13) $(0.07)


47

      
RATIO OF ADJUSTED ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES TO ADJUSTED LOANS:March 31, 2016
 December 31, 2015
 March 31, 2015
Loans receivable (GAAP)$7,185,999
 $7,314,504
 $4,105,399
Net loan discount on acquired loans42,302
 43,657
 5,032
Adjusted loans (non-GAAP)7,228,301
 7,358,161
 4,110,431
      
Allowance for loan losses (GAAP)78,197
 78,008
 75,365
Net loan discount on acquired loans42,302
 43,657
 5,032
Adjusted allowance for loan losses (non-GAAP)120,499
 121,665
 80,397
      
Adjusted allowance for loan losses/Adjusted total loans (non-GAAP)1.67% 1.65% 1.96%

      
ACQUISITION ACCOUNTING IMPACT ON NET INTEREST MARGIN:March 31, 2016
 December 31, 2015
 March 31, 2015
Net interest income before provision for loan losses (GAAP)91,043
 92,099
 46,536
Exclude discount accretion on purchased loans(1,689) (2,579) (214)
Exclude premium amortization on acquired certificates of deposit(461) (572) (61)
Net interest income before discount accretion (non-GAAP)88,893
 88,948
 46,261
      
Average interest-earning assets (GAAP)$8,868,264
 $9,028,228
 $4,612,263
Exclude average net loan discount on acquired loans43,347
 43,109
 1,576
Average interest-earning assets before acquired loan discount (non-GAAP)8,911,611
 9,071,337
 4,613,839
      
Net interest margin (GAAP)4.13 % 4.05 % 4.09 %
Exclude impact on net interest margin from discount accretion(0.08)% (0.11)% (0.02)%
Excluded impact on net interest margin from certificates of deposit premium amortization(0.02)% (0.03)%  %
Exclude impact of net loan discount on average earning assets(0.02)% (0.02)%  %
Net margin before discount accretion (non-GAAP)4.01 % 3.89 % 4.07 %


The ratio of tangible common stockholders’shareholders’ equity to tangible assets is also a non-GAAP financial measure. We calculate tangible common equity by excluding goodwill and other intangible assets from stockholders’shareholders’ equity. We calculate tangible assets by excluding the balance of goodwill and other intangible assets from total assets. We believe that this is consistent with the treatment by our bank regulatory agencies, which exclude goodwill and other intangible assets from the calculation of risk-based capital ratios. Management believes that this non-GAAP financial measure provides information to investors that is useful in understanding the basis of our capital position (dollars in thousands).
 September 30, 2015
 December 31, 2014
 September 30, 2014
Stockholders’ equity (GAAP)$671,202
 $582,888
 $573,352
   Exclude goodwill and other intangible assets, net26,605
 2,831
 3,362
Tangible common stockholders’ equity (non-GAAP)$644,597
 $580,057
 $569,990
Total assets (GAAP)$5,312,310
 $4,723,163
 $4,758,683
   Exclude goodwill and other intangible assets, net26,605
 2,831
 3,362
Total tangible assets (non-GAAP)$5,285,705
 $4,720,332
 $4,755,321
Tangible common stockholders’ equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)12.20% 12.29% 11.99%

Loans and lending: Loans are our most significant and generally highest yielding earning assets. We attempt to maintain a portfolio of loans in a range of 90% to 95% of total deposits to enhance our revenues, while adhering to sound underwriting practices and appropriate diversification guidelines in order to maintain a moderate risk profile. However, in anticipation of the acquisition of AmericanWest Bank, we allowed our loan-to-deposit ratio to move slightly above this range, as we expect to redeploy a portion of its securities portfolio into loans following the close of that transaction. We offer a wide range of loan products to meet the demands of our customers. Our lending activities are primarily directed toward the origination of real estate and commercial loans. We had $126 million and $539 million of net loan growth in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. Loan growth for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 included meaningful organic growth and $233 million of loans as a result of the Siuslaw acquisition. At September 30, 2015, our net loan portfolio totaled $4.295 billion compared to $3.758 billion at December 31, 2014 and $3.732 billion at September 30, 2014.

Our commercial real estate loans for both owner-occupied and investment properties, including construction and development loans for these types of properties, totaled $1.761 billion, or approximately 40% of our loan portfolio at September 30, 2015. In addition, multifamily residential real estate loans, including construction and development loans for these types of properties, totaled $272 million and comprise approximately 6% of our loan portfolio. While our level of activity and investment in commercial and multifamily real estate loans has been relatively stable for many years, we have experienced an increase in new originations in recent periods resulting in growth in these loan balances. In addition, commercial real estate loans comprised a significant portion of the Siuslaw Bank loan portfolio. Commercial real estate loans increased by $328 million during the first nine months of 2015 and multifamily loans increased by $44 million.

We also originate residential construction, land and land development loans and, although our portfolio balances are well below the peak levels before the financial crisis, in recent years we have experienced increased demand for one- to four-family construction loans and our origination activity has been significant. Outstanding residential construction, land and land development balances increased $35 million, or 11%, to $358 million at September 30, 2015 compared to $322 million at December 31, 2014 and increased $54 million, or 18%, compared to $304 million at September 30, 2014. Still, residential construction, land and land development loans represented only approximately 8% of our total loan portfolio at September 30, 2015.

Our commercial business lending is directed toward meeting the credit and related deposit needs of various small- to medium-sized business and agribusiness borrowers operating in our primary market areas. In recent years, our commercial business lending has also included participation in certain national syndicated loans, including shared national credits, which totaled $124 million at September 30, 2015. Reflecting expected seasonal patterns and the expanding Pacific Northwest economy, commercial and agricultural business loans increased $92 million, or 10%, to $1.055 billion at September 30, 2015, compared to $962 million at December 31, 2014, and have increased $86 million, or 9%, compared to $968 million at September 30, 2014. Commercial and agricultural business loans represented approximately 24% of our portfolio at September 30, 2015.

Our residential mortgage loan originations have been relatively strong in recent years, as exceptionally low interest rates have supported demand for loans to refinance existing debt as well as loans to finance home purchases. However, most of the one- to four-family residential mortgage loans that we originate are sold in the secondary markets with net gains on sales and loan servicing fees reflected in our revenues from mortgage banking. At September 30, 2015, our outstanding balances of residential mortgages decreased $4 million, or 1%, to $536 million, compared to $540 million at December 31, 2014, but increased $9 million, or 2%, compared to $527 million at September 30, 2014. One- to four-family residential real estate loans represented 12% of our loan portfolio at September 30, 2015.

Our consumer loan activity is primarily directed at meeting demand from our existing deposit customers. Although demand for consumer loans has continued to be modest in recent years, as we believe many consumers have been focused on reducing their personal debt, we have had reasonable growth in consumer loan balances during the first nine months of this year and compared to a year ago. At September 30, 2015, consumer loans, including consumer loans secured by one- to four-family residences, increased $42 million to $391 million, compared to $349

48


million at December 31, 2014, and increased $46 million compared to $345 million at September 30, 2014, with most of the increase arising from increased usage of home equity lines of credit and the Siuslaw acquisition.

Deposits: Deposits, customer retail repurchase agreements and loan repayments are the major sources of our funds for lending and other investment purposes.  We compete with other financial institutions and financial intermediaries in attracting deposits and we generally attract deposits within our primary market areas. Much of the focus of our branch expansion over many years, including the Branch Acquisition and Siuslaw Bank acquisition, and our current marketing efforts have been directed toward attracting additional deposit customer relationships and balances.  This effort has been particularly directed towards increasing transaction and savings accounts and for the past four years we have been very successful in increasing these core deposit balances. The long-term success of our deposit gathering activities is reflected not only in the growth of deposit balances, but also in increases in the level of deposit fees, service charges and other payment processing revenues compared to prior periods.

Total deposits were $4.388 billion at September 30, 2015, compared to $3.899 billion at December 31, 2014 and $3.991 billion a year ago. The increase in total deposits for the first nine months of the current year largely reflects the acquisition of Siuslaw Bank which added $336 million to deposit totals at September 30, 2015. However, the increase in total deposits compared to December 31, 2014 as well as September 30, 2014 also reflects meaningful organic growth in the total balances and number of client relationships. Non-interest-bearing account balances increased 20% to $1.562 billion at September 30, 2015, compared to $1.299 billion at December 31, 2014, and also increased 20% compared to $1.305 billion a year ago largely as a result of our successful client acquisition strategies and the Siuslaw acquisition (which added $144 million to non-interest bearing deposits). Interest-bearing transaction and savings accounts increased 15% to $2.095 billion at September 30, 2015, compared to $1.830 billion at December 31, 2014 and increased 14% compared to $1.833 billion a year ago, while certificates of deposit decreased 5% to $731 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $771 million at December 31, 2014 and decreased 14% compared to $853 million a year earlier. Core deposits represented 83% of total deposits at September 30, 2015, compared to 79% of total deposits a year earlier.
 March 31, 2016
 December 31, 2015
 March 31, 2015
Shareholders’ equity (GAAP)$1,320,155
 $1,300,059
 $651,313
   Exclude goodwill and other intangible assets, net280,409
 285,210
 27,258
Tangible common shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP)$1,039,746
 $1,014,849
 $624,055
Total assets (GAAP)$9,745,594
 $9,796,298
 $5,211,372
   Exclude goodwill and other intangible assets, net280,409
 285,210
 27,258
Total tangible assets (non-GAAP)$9,465,185
 $9,511,088
 $5,184,114
Tangible common shareholders’ equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)10.98% 10.67% 12.04%

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations is intended to assist in understanding our financial condition and results of operations.  The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.



Summary of Critical Accounting Policies

Our significant accounting policiesIn the opinion of management, the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and related Consolidated Statements of Operations, Comprehensive Income, Changes in Shareholders’ Equity and Cash Flows reflect all adjustments (which include reclassification and normal recurring adjustments) that are describednecessary for a fair presentation in Note 1conformity with GAAP.  The preparation of the Notesfinancial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 includedmake estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the 2014 Form 10-K. financial statements.

Various elements of our accounting policies, by their nature, are inherently subject to estimation techniques, valuation assumptions and other subjective assessments.  In particular, management has identified several accounting policies that, due to the judgments, estimates and assumptions inherent in those policies, are critical to an understanding of our financial statements.  These policies relate to (i) the methodology for the recognition of interest income, (ii) determination of the provision and allowance for loan and lease losses, (iii) the valuation of financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, including OTTI losses, (iv) the valuation of intangibles, such as goodwill, core deposit intangibles and mortgage servicing rights, (v) the valuation of real estate held for sale, (vi) the valuation of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations and subsequent recognition of related income and expense, and (vii) the valuation of or recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and (vi) the application of acquisition accounting standards to acquisition transactions.liabilities.  These policies and judgments, estimates and assumptions are described in greater detail below.  Management believes that the judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the financial statements are appropriate based on the factual circumstances at the time.  However, given the sensitivity of the financial statements to these critical accounting policies, the use of other judgments, estimates and assumptions could result in material differences in the Company’sour results of operations or financial condition.  Further, subsequent changes in economic or market conditions could have a material impact on these estimates and the Company’sour financial condition and operating results in future periods.  There have been no significant changes in our application of accounting policies duringsince December 31, 2015.  For additional information concerning critical accounting policies, see the first nine months of 2015.Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the following:

Interest Income:   (Note 1)Notes 4 and 5)  Interest on loans and securities is accrued as earned unless management doubts the collectability of the asset or the unpaid interest.  Interest accruals on loans are generally discontinued when loans become 90 days past due for payment of interest and the loans are then placed on nonaccrual status.  All previously accrued but uncollected interest is deducted from interest income upon transfer to nonaccrual status.  For any future payments collected, interest income is recognized only upon management’s assessment that there is a strong likelihood that the full amount of a loan will be repaid or recovered.  A loan may be put on nonaccrual status sooner than this policy would dictate if, in management’s judgment, the amounts owed, principal or interest, may be uncollectable.  While less common, similar interest reversal and nonaccrual treatment is applied to investment securities if their ultimate collectability becomes questionable.

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses:  (Note 6)5)  The provision for loan losses reflects the amount required to maintain the allowance for losses at an appropriate level based upon management’s evaluation of the adequacy of general and specific loss reserves. We maintain an allowance for loan losses consistent in all material respects with the GAAP guidelines outlined in ASC 450, Contingencies.  We have established systematic methodologies for the determination of the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses.  The methodologies are set forth in a formal policy and take into consideration the need for an overall general valuation allowance as well as specific allowances that are tied to individual problem loans.  We increase our allowance for loan losses by charging provisions for probable loan losses against our income and value impaired loans consistent with the accounting guidelines outlined in ASC 310, Receivables..

The allowance for loan losses on loans is maintained at a level sufficient to provide for probable losses based on evaluating known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio and upon our continuing analysis of the factors underlying the quality of the loan portfolio.  These factors include, among others, changes in the size and composition of the loan portfolio, delinquency rates, actual loan loss experience, current and anticipated economic conditions,

detailed analysis of individual loans for which full collectability may not be assured, and determination of the existence and realizable value of the collateral and guarantees securing the loans.  Realized losses related to specific assets are applied as a reduction of the carrying

49


value of the assets and charged immediately against the allowance for loan loss reserve.  Recoveries on previously charged off loans are credited to the allowance.allowance for loan losses.  The reserve is based upon factors and trends identified by us at the time financial statements are prepared.  Although we use the best information available, future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary due to economic, operating, regulatory and other conditions beyond our control.  The adequacy of general and specific reserves is based on our continuing evaluation of the pertinent factors underlying the quality of the loan portfolio as well as individual review of certain large balance loans. Loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, we determine that it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Factors involved in determining impairment include, but are not limited to, the financial condition of the borrower, the value of the underlying collateral less selling costs and the current status of the economy.  Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  Subsequent changes in the value of impaired loans are included within the provision for loan losses in the same manner in which impairment initially was recognized or as a reduction in the provision that would otherwise be reported.  Large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment.  Loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment include residential real estate and consumer loans and, as appropriate, smaller balance non-homogeneous loans.  Larger balance non-homogeneous residential construction and land, commercial real estate, commercial business loans and unsecured loans are individually evaluated for impairment.

Our methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses consists of several key elements, which include specific allowances, an allocated formula allowance and an unallocated allowance.  Losses on specific loans are provided for when the losses are probable and estimable.  General loan loss reserves are established to provide for inherent loan portfolio risks not specifically provided for on an individual loan basis.for.  The level of general loan loss reserves is based on analysis of potential exposures existing in our loan portfolio including evaluation of historical trends, current market conditions and other relevant factors identified by us at the time the financial statements are prepared.  The formula allowance is calculated by applying loss factors to outstanding loans, excluding those loans that are subject to individual analysis for specific allowances.  Loss factors are based on our historical loss experience adjusted for significant environmental considerations, including the experience of other banking organizations, which in our judgment affect the collectability of the loan portfolio as of the evaluation date.  The unallocated allowance is based upon our evaluation of various factors that are not directly measured in the determination of the formula and specific allowances.  This methodology may result in actual losses or recoveries differing significantly from those providedthe allowance for loan losses in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

While we believe the estimates and assumptions used in our determination of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will not be proven incorrect in the future, or that the actual amount of future provisions will not exceed the amount of past provisions or that any increased provisions that may be required will not adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.  In addition, the determination of the amount of the Banks’ allowance for loan losses is subject to review by bank regulators as part of the routine examination process, which may result in the adjustment of reserves based upon their judgment of information available to them at the time of their examination.

Fair Value Accounting and Measurement: (Note 10)(Note 9)  We use fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain financial assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures.  We include in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements information about the extent to which fair value is used to measure financial assets and liabilities, the valuation methodologies used and the impact on our results of operations and financial condition.  Additionally, for financial instruments not recorded at fair value we disclose, where appropriate, our estimate of their fair value.  For more information regarding fair value accounting, please refer to Note 109 in the Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report on Form 10-Q.Statements.

Goodwill and other Intangible Assets:Business Combinations: (Note 8)3) Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, assets acquired and liabilities assumed, both tangible and intangible, and consideration exchanged are recorded at acquisition date fair values. The excess purchase consideration over fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. In the event that the fair value of net assets acquired exceeds the purchase price, including fair value of liabilities assumed, a bargain purchase gain is recorded on that acquisition. Expenses incurred in connection with a business combination are expensed as incurred. Changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances related to acquired tax uncertainties are recognized in net income after the measurement period.

Acquired Loans:(Notes 3 and 5)Purchased loans, including loans acquired in business combinations, are recorded at their fair value at the acquisition date. Credit discounts are included in the determination of fair value; therefore, an allowance for loan losses is not recorded at the acquisition date. Acquired loans are evaluated upon acquisition and classified as either purchased credit-impaired or purchased non-credit-impaired. Purchased credit-impaired (PCI) loans reflect credit deterioration since origination such that it is probable at acquisition that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments. The accounting for PCI loans is periodically updated for changes in cash flow expectations, and reflected in interest income over the life of the loans as accretable yield. Any subsequent decreases in expected cash flows attributable to credit deterioration are recognized by recording a provision for loan losses and valuation allowance.

For purchased non-credit-impaired loans, the difference between the fair value and unpaid principal balance of the loan at the acquisition date is amortized or accreted to interest income over the life of the loans. Any subsequent deterioration in credit quality is recognized by recording a provision for loan losses.

Goodwill: (Notes 3 and 7) Goodwill represents the excess of the total purchase priceconsiderations paid over the fair value of the assets acquired, net of the fair values of liabilities assumed in a business combination and is not amortized but is reviewed annually, or more frequently as current

circumstances and conditions warrant, for impairment. An assessment of qualitative factors is completed to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the qualitative analysis concludes that further analysis is required, then a quantitative impairment test would be completed. The quantitative goodwill impairment test is a two-step process. The first step compares the reporting unit's estimated fair values, including goodwill, to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then goodwill impairment may be indicated. The second step allocates the reporting units fair value to its assets and liabilities. If the unallocated fair value does not exceed the carrying amount of goodwill then an impairment loss would be recognized as a charge to earnings.

Other Intangible Assets:(Notes 3 and 7) Other intangible assets consists primarily of core deposit intangibles (CDI), which are amounts recorded in business combinations or deposit purchase transactions related to the value of transaction-related deposits and the value of the customer relationships associated with the deposits.  Core deposit intangibles are being amortized on an accelerated basis over a weighted average estimated useful life of eight years.  These assets are reviewed at least annually for events or circumstances that could impact their recoverability.  These events could include loss of the underlying core deposits, increased competition or adverse changes in the economy.  To the extent other identifiable intangible assets are deemed unrecoverable, impairment losses are recorded in other non-interest expense to reduce the carrying amount of the assets.

Mortgage Servicing Rights: (Note 8) Servicing assets7) Mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) are recognized as separate assets when rights are acquired through purchase or through sale of loans.  Generally, purchased servicing rightsMSRs are capitalized at the cost to acquire the rights.  For sales of mortgage loans, the value of the servicing rightMSR is estimated and capitalized.  Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts.  Capitalized servicing rightsMSRs are reported in other assets and are amortized into non-interest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets.

Real Estate Owned Held for Sale:  (Note 6)  Property acquired by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure is recorded at the lower of the estimated fair value of the property, less expected selling costs, or the carrying value of the defaulted loan.  Development and improvement costs relating to the property may be capitalized, while other holding costs are expensed.  The carrying value of the property is periodically evaluated by management and, if necessary, allowances are established to reduce the carrying value to net realizable value.  Gains or losses at the time the property is sold are charged or credited to operations in the period in which they are realized.  The amounts the Banks will ultimately recover from real estate held for sale may differ substantially from the carrying value of the assets because of market factors beyond the Banks’ control or because of changes in the Banks’ strategies for recovering the investment.

Income Taxes and Deferred Taxes:  (Note 11)10)  The Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries file consolidated U.S. federal income tax returns, as well as state income tax returns in Oregon, California, Idaho and Idaho.Utah.  Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method.  Under this method a deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the enacted tax rates which are expected to be in effect when the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax basis of existing assets and liabilities are expected to be reported in the Company’s income tax returns.  The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  A valuation allowance is required to be recognized if it is “more likely than not” that all or a portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the existence, or generation, of taxable income in the periods when those temporary differences and net operating loss and credit carryforwards are deductible.

Business Combinations: (Note 4) Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Under the acquisition method of accounting, assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. Any difference in

50


purchase consideration over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed results in the recognition of goodwill should purchase consideration exceed net estimated fair values, or a bargain purchase gain, should estimated fair values exceed purchase consideration. Expenses incurred in connection with a business combination are expensed as incurred.

Acquired Loans:Purchased loans are recorded at their fair value at the acquisition date. Credit discounts are included in the determination of fair value; therefore, an allowance for loan and lease losses is not recorded at the acquisition date. Acquired loans are evaluated upon acquisition and classified as either purchased credit-impaired or purchased non-credit-impaired. Purchased credit-impaired loans reflect credit deterioration since origination such that it is probable at acquisition that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments.
The cash flows expected to be received over the life of the loans were estimated by management. These cash flows were provided to third party analysts to calculate carrying values of the loans, book yields, effective interest income and impairment, if any, based on actual and projected events. Default rates, loss severity, and prepayment speed assumptions will be periodically reassessed to update our expectation of future cash flows. The excess of the cash flows expected to be collected over a loan's carrying value is considered to be the accretable yield and is recognized as interest income over the estimated life of the loan using the effective yield method. The accretable yield may change due to changes in the timing and amounts of expected cash flows. Changes in the accretable yield are disclosed quarterly.

The excess of the undiscounted contractual balances due over the cash flows expected to be collected is considered to be the non-accretable difference. The non-accretable difference represents our estimate of the credit losses expected to occur and was considered in determining the fair value of the loans as of the acquisition date. Subsequent to the acquisition date, any increases in expected cash flows over those expected at purchase date are adjusted through a change to the accretable yield on a prospective basis. Any subsequent decreases in expected cash flows attributable to credit deterioration are recognized by recording a provision for loan losses. The purchased credit-impaired loans acquired are and will continue to be subject to the Company's internal and external credit review and monitoring.

For purchased non-impaired loans, the difference between the fair value and unpaid principal balance of the loan at the acquisition date is amortized or accreted to interest income over the life of the loans.

Comparison of Financial Condition at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and December 31, 20142015

General.General:  Total assets increased $589decreased $50.7 million, or 12%1%, to $5.312$9.75 billion at September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, from $4.723$9.80 billion at December 31, 2014.  Net2015. The decrease was largely the result of a decrease in net loans, receivable (grossprimarily as the result of the sale of multifamily, accelerated prepayments of one-to-four family mortgage loans less deferred fees and discounts,seasonal reductions in agricultural business loans.  

Loans and allowance forlending: Loans are our most significant and generally highest yielding earning assets. We attempt to maintain a portfolio of loans in a range of 90% to 95% of total deposits to enhance our revenues, while adhering to sound underwriting practices and appropriate diversification guidelines in order to maintain a moderate risk profile. We offer a wide range of loan losses) increased $537products to meet the demands of our customers. Our lending activities are primarily directed toward the origination of real estate and commercial loans. We had $128.7 million or 14%,of net loan decline in the three months ended March 31, 2016, reflecting the sale of $139.1 million of multifamily portfolio loans acquired in the AmericanWest acquisition. At March 31, 2016, our net loan portfolio totaled $7.11 billion compared to $4.295 billion at September 30, 2015, from $3.758$7.24 billion at December 31, 2014. A portion of these increases resulted from the Siuslaw acquisition in which we acquired $247 million in loans2015 and $316 million in deposits when the transaction closed on$4.03 billion at March 6,31, 2015.

The increase in net loans included increases of $294 million inOur commercial real estate loans for both owner-occupied and investment properties, including $126construction and development loans for these types of properties, totaled $3.25 billion, or approximately 45% of our loan portfolio at March 31, 2016. In addition, multifamily residential real estate loans, including construction and development loans for these types of properties, totaled $386.8 million fromand comprise approximately 5% of our loan portfolio. While our level of activity and investment in commercial loans has been relatively stable for many years, we have experienced an increase in new originations in recent periods resulting in growth in these loan balances. Commercial real estate loans increased by $47.0 million during the Siuslaw acquisition, $31 million infirst three months of 2016, while multifamily loans $30decreased by $150.1 million, primarily reflecting the sale of multifamily loans acquired in commercialthe AmericanWest acquisition.

We also originate residential construction, land and land development loans. Our residential construction loan originations have increased for the past three years as builders have expanded production and experienced strong sales in many markets where we operate. We have also experienced a meaningful increase in originations of construction loans $13 million in multifamilyfor owner occupants, although construction balances for these loans $27 million inare modest as the loans convert to one- to four-family loans upon completion of the homes. Outstanding residential construction, loans, $13land and land development balances increased $34.9 million, inor 9%, to $440.2 million at March 31, 2016 compared to $405.2 million at December 31, 2015

and increased $113.0 million, or 35%, compared to $327.2 million at March 31, 2015. Residential construction, land and land development loans $88 million inrepresented approximately 6% of our total loan portfolio at March 31, 2016.

Our commercial business lending is directed toward meeting the credit and related deposit needs of various small- to medium-sized business and agribusiness borrowers operating in our primary market areas.  In recent years, our commercial business lending has also included participation in certain syndicated loans, including $27shared national credits, which totaled $166.2 million from the Siuslaw acquisition, $4 million inat March 31, 2016. Reflecting expected seasonal patterns, commercial and agricultural business loans decreased $19.2 million, or 1%, to $1.57 billion at March 31, 2016, compared to $1.58 billion at December 31, 2015, and $42have increased $580.1 million, or 59%, compared to $985.2 million at March 31, 2015. Commercial and agricultural business loans represented approximately 22% of our portfolio at March 31, 2016.

Our residential mortgage loan originations have been relatively strong in consumerrecent years, as exceptionally low interest rates have supported demand for loans partially offset by a decreaseto refinance existing debt as well as loans to finance home purchases. We are active originators of $4 million in one- to four-family residential loans. The increaseloans in commercialmost communities where we have established offices in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho and Utah. However, most of the one- to four-family residential mortgage loans that we originate are sold in the secondary markets with net gains on sales and loan servicing fees reflected in our revenues from mortgage banking. At March 31, 2016, our outstanding balances of residential mortgages decreased $41.9 million, or 4%, to $910.7 million, compared to $952.6 million at December 31, 2015, but increased $367.7 million, or 68%, compared to $543.0 million at March 31, 2015. One- to four-family residential real estate loans included $205represented 13% of our loan portfolio at March 31, 2016.

Our consumer loan activity is primarily directed at meeting demand from our existing deposit customers. Demand for consumer loans has continued to be modest in recent years, as we believe many consumers have been focused on reducing their personal debt. At March 31, 2016, consumer loans, including consumer loans secured by one- to four-family residences, increased $699,000 to $637.6 million, for investment propertiescompared to $636.9 million at December 31, 2015, and $88increased $264.3 million for owner-occupied properties.compared to $373.3 million at March 31, 2015, with most of the increase arising from the acquisition of AmericanWest.

The following table presents loans by geographic concentration at March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 March 31, 2015
 Amount Percentage Amount Percentage Amount Percentage
Washington$3,333,912
 46.4% $3,343,112
 45.7% $2,398,848
 58.5%
Oregon1,420,749
 19.8% 1,446,531
 19.8% 1,088,596
 26.5%
California1,173,203
 16.3% 1,234,016
 16.9% 119,805
 2.9%
Idaho493,905
 6.9% 496,870
 6.8% 309,948
 7.5%
Utah289,082
 4.0% 325,011
 4.4% 4,490
 0.1%
Other475,148
 6.6% 468,964
 6.4% 183,712
 4.5%
Total loans$7,185,999
 100.0% $7,314,504
 100.0% $4,105,399
 100.0%

The aggregate balance of interest-earning deposits and securities increased $11 million from December 31, 2014 to $648 million at September 30, 2015, largely as a result of the Siuslaw acquisition. Investment Securities: Our total investment in securities increased $5$86.2 million from December 31, 2015 to $588 million$1.48 billion at September 30, 2015, while interest-earning deposits increased $6 million to $61 million at September 30, 2015. SecuritiesMarch 31, 2016. Security purchases during the nine-monththree month period were modest and were less thanexceeded sales, paydowns and maturities. Purchases were primarily mortgage-backed securities and intermediate-term taxable and tax-exempt municipal securities. Securities sales were also modest although we did sell substantially all of the securities acquired in the Siuslaw acquisition.The average effective duration of Banner's securities portfolio was approximately 3.02.9 years at September 30, 2015.March 31, 2016. Net fair value adjustments to the portfolio of securities held for trading, which are included in net income, were an increase of $1.9 million$49,000 in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2015.March 31, 2016. In addition, fair value adjustments for securities designated as available-for-sale reflected an increase of $2.1$13.5 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, which was included net of the associated tax expense of $738,000$4.9 million as a component of other comprehensive income and largely occurred as a result of modestly decreased market interest rates. (See Note 109 of the Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q.)

REO: REO increased $3.0decreased $4.4 million, to $6.4$7.2 million at September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, compared to $3.4$11.6 million at December 31, 2014,2015, primarily as a result of properties acquired in the Siuslaw acquisition. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we transferred $3.2 milliondisposing of loans into REO, acquired $2.5$4.7 million of REO from Siuslaw, capitalized costs of $298,000, recorded $216,000 of negative valuation adjustments, and disposed of $3.2 million of REO properties, recognizing $333,000properties. We recognized $49,000 in net gains related to those sales. (See Note 76 of the Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q and the “Asset Quality” discussion below).

Deposits increased $489Goodwill and other intangibles: Goodwill decreased $2.9 million or 13%, to $4.388$244.8 million at March 31, 2016, compared to $247.7 million at December 31, 2015. The decrease during the first quarter of 2016 represents post closing fair value adjustments to the acquisition accounting for AmericanWest. Other intangibles decreased $1.9 million, to $35.6 million at March 31, 2016, compared to $37.5 million at December 31, 2015, due to scheduled amortization on CDI and LHI.

Deposits: Deposits, customer retail repurchase agreements and loan repayments are the major sources of our funds for lending and other investment purposes.  We compete with other financial institutions and financial intermediaries in attracting deposits and we generally attract deposits within our primary market areas. Increasing core deposits (transaction and savings accounts) is a fundamental element of our business strategy. Much of the focus of our branch expansion over many years, including the AmericanWest and Siuslaw Bank acquisitions, and our current marketing efforts have been directed toward attracting additional deposit customer relationships and balances.  This effort has been particularly directed towards remixing our deposits away from higher cost certificates of deposit and emphasizing core deposit activity in non-interest-bearing and other transaction and savings accounts. The long-term success of our deposit gathering activities is reflected not only in

the growth of core deposit balances, but also in increases in the level of deposit fees, service charges and other payment processing revenues compared to prior periods.

Total deposits were $8.03 billion at September 30, 2015 from $3.899March 31, 2016, compared to $8.06 billion at December 31, 2014,2015 and $4.32 billion a year ago. The increase in total deposits from a year ago largely reflects the acquisition of AmericanWest. However, the increase in total deposits compared to March 31, 2015 also reflects meaningful organic growth in the total balances and number of client relationships. In connection with certain product changes during the first quarter, Banner converted approximately $421.8 million of former AmericanWest interest-bearing deposits to non-interest-bearing deposits. As a result of the product change, non-interest-bearing account balances increased 16% to $3.04 billion at March 31, 2016, compared to $2.62 billion at December 31, 2015, and reflecting the AmericanWest acquisition and organic account growth increased 102% compared to $1.50 billion a year ago. Also as a result of the Siuslaw acquisition, which accounted for $336 million of the increase. Non-interest-bearing deposits increased by $263 million, or 20%,product change, interest-bearing transaction and savings accounts decreased 9% to $1.562$3.71 billion at September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, compared to $1.299$4.08 billion at December 31, 2014,2015 and also increased by 20%82% compared to $2.04 billion a year earlier. Interest-bearing transaction and savings accounts increased by $266 million, or 15%,ago. Certificates of deposit decreased 5% to $2.095$1.29 billion at September 30, 2015 from $1.830March 31, 2016, compared to $1.35 billion at December 31, 20142015 and increased by 14%66% compared to $778.0 million a year earlier. CertificatesCore deposits represented 84% of deposittotal deposits at March 31, 2016, compared to 82% of total deposits a year earlier.

The following table presents deposits by geographic concentration at March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 March 31, 2015
 Amount Percentage Amount Percentage Amount Percentage
Washington$4,209,332
 52.4% $4,219,304
 52.4% $2,865,536
 66.4%
Oregon1,668,421
 20.8% 1,648,421
 20.4% 1,206,944
 27.9%
California1,565,326
 19.5% 1,592,365
 19.8% 
 %
Idaho428,681
 5.3% 435,099
 5.4% 246,937
 5.7%
Utah158,101
 2.0% 159,879
 2.0% 
 %
Total deposits$8,029,861
 100.0% $8,055,068
 100.0% $4,319,417
 100.0%

Borrowings: FHLB advances decreased $40 million, or 5%, to $731$75.4 million at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 from $771$133.4 million at December 31, 2014, and decreased by 14% compared to a year earlier.


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FHLB advances decreased to $16 million at September 30, 2015, from $32 million at December 31, 2014, as we used our excess liquidity to repay maturing FHLB advances. Other borrowings, consisting of retail repurchase agreements primarily related to customer cash management accounts, increased $11$7.8 million, or 14%8%, to $88$106.1 million at September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, compared to $77$98.3 million at December 31, 20142015. A junior subordinated debenture with a fair value of $6 million was acquired in the Siuslaw acquisition in the quarter ended March 31, 2015. No additional junior subordinated debentures were issued or matured during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2015;March 31, 2016; however, in addition to the acquisition of the junior subordinated debenture in the Siuslaw transaction, the estimated fair value of these instruments increased by $1.2 million.$399,000. Junior subordinated debentures totaled $85$92.9 million at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 compared to $78$92.5 million at December 31, 20142015. For more information, see Notes 9 and 10 of the Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Shareholders Equity: Total stockholders'shareholders' equity increased $88$20.1 million, or 15%2%, to $671 million$1.32 billion at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 compared to $583 million$1.30 billion at December 31, 2014.2015. The increase in equity primarily reflects the common shares issued in the Siuslaw acquisition and the year-to-date net income, reduced by payment of dividends to common stockholders.shareholders. In addition, there was an improvement of $1.2$8.6 million in accumulated other comprehensive income representing an unrealized gain, net of tax, on securities available-for-sale. Tangible common stockholders'shareholders' equity, which excludes intangible assets, increased $65$24.9 million to $645 million,$1.04 billion, or 12.20%10.98% of tangible assets at September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, compared to $580 million,$1.01 billion, or 12.29%10.67% of tangible assets at December 31, 20142015. In the ninethree months ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, we did not have any repurchases of our common stock as part of theour publicly announced repurchase plan, but 6,21415,788 shares were surrendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock grants.

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and 20142015

For the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, net income was $12.9$17.8 million, or $0.62$0.52 per diluted share. This compares to net income of $14.812.1 million, or $0.760.61 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2014March 31, 2015. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, net income was $38.3 million, or $1.87 per diluted share. This compares to net income of $42.4 million, or $2.18 per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Our net income for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 was significantly impacted by $2.2$6.8 million and $7.7 million, respectively, of acquisition-related expenses, which net of related tax benefits reduced earnings per diluted share by $0.07 and $0.27, respectively, for those periods. In addition, in the nine months ended September 30, 2014, net income was significantly augmented by the $9.1 million bargain purchase gain ($5.8 million net of income tax) realized from the Branch Acquisition, which net of related expenses added $0.25 per diluted share to earnings for the period.$0.13.

As expected, our current quarter and nine month operating results continued to be influenced by very low levels of market interest rates which continued to exert pressure on asset yields, but also supported solid loan demand, strong housing markets and increased mortgage origination activity. Nonetheless, substantialSubstantial growth in average earning assets, due to both the acquisitions of AmericanWest and Siuslaw Bank, as well as changes in the asset mix and further reductions in funding costs combined to offset this yield pressure, resulting in meaningfullyorganic growth, coupled with a strong net interest margin, which produced significantly increased net interest income, combined with meaningfully increased non-interest income, resulted in substantially increased revenues from core operations in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the same periodsquarter a year ago. In addition,earlier. While credit costs remained low and deposit fees and other payment processing revenuesin both periods, the increased compared to a year earlier reflecting significant growth in client relationships, including growthscale of our operations as a result of the Branch Acquisitionacquisitions also resulted in substantially increased non-interest expense compared to the same quarter a year ago, including increased acquisition-related expenses and costs associated with operating overlapping data processing and communication capabilities prior to the Siuslaw merger,systems conversion and mortgage banking revenues were also substantially increased. As a result,branch consolidations which occurred in mid-February 2016. Nonetheless, net income for the current quarter and nine months was solid, representing further progress on our strategic priorities and initiatives, and produced an annualized return on average assets of 0.97%0.73% for the current quarterquarter.

Our earnings from core operations, which excludes net gains or losses on sales of securities, changes in the valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value, acquisition-related costs, and 1.00%related tax benefits, were $22.1 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, for the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2015..March 31, 2016, compared to $13.1 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2015.


Net Interest Income. Net interest income before provision for loan losses increased by $5.1$44.5 million, or 11%96%, to $52.2$91.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, compared to $47.146.5 million for the same quarter one year earlier, as a significant increase of $421 million$4.26 billion in the average balance of interest-earning assets combined with a modestan increase in the net interest margin produced strong growth for this key source of revenue. Net interest margin was enhanced by the amortization of acquisition accounting discounts on purchased loans received in the acquisitions, which is accreted into loan interest income, as well as by net premiums on non-market-rate certificate of deposit liabilities assumed, which are amortized as a reduction to deposit interest expense. The net interest margin of 4.14%4.13% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 was sevenincluded eight basis points higher than foras a result of accretion from acquisition accounting loan discounts from both the same quarter inAmericanWest Bank and Siuslaw acquisitions, two basis points from the prior year. The increase inamortization of deposit premiums and two basis points as a result of the impact of the net loan acquisition discounts on average earning assets. This compares to net interest margin compared to a year earlier reflects changes in the mix of earning assets and modest reductions in deposit and funding costs, which were generally sufficient to offset the impact of persistently low market interest rates on earning asset yields. The accretion of discounts on the loans acquired in the Siuslaw merger contributed an additional three basis points to the net interest margin which offset the three basis point reduction in the net interest margin from nonaccrual loans in the quarter ended September 30, 2015. Nonaccrual loans also reduced the net interest margin by two basis points in the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

The net interest spread increased to 4.12%4.09% for the quarter ended September 30,March 31, 2015, compared to 4.06% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. Reflecting changes in the asset mix and the acquisition accounting discount accretion, the yield on interest-earning assets for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 was 4.34%, an increase of three basis points compared to the same quarter a year earlier. By contrast, funding costs were modestly lower, especially deposit costs which decreased three basis points to 0.16% from 0.19% a year earlier, leading to a decrease of three basis points for all funding liabilities to 0.22% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 compared to 0.25% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

Net interest income before provision for loan losses increased by $17.0 million, or 13%, to $150.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $133.2 million for the same period one year earlier, as a result of a $467 million increase in average interest-earning assets and a seven basis point increase in the net interest margin. The net interest margin increased to 4.14% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to 4.07% for the same period in the prior year and, similar to the results for the current quarter, this increase compared to a year earlier was primarily a result of changes in asset mix, modestly lower credit costs, the acquisition accounting discount accretion and lower funding costs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the accretion of discounts on the loans acquired in the Siuslaw merger addedincluded two basis points to the net interest margin, while nonaccrual loans reduced the margin by two basis points. Nonaccrual loans reduced the net interest margin by two basis points in the nine months ended September 30, 2014.from acquisition accounting adjustments.


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Interest Income. Interest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 was $54.8$95.3 million, compared to $49.849.1 million for the same quarter in the prior year, an increase of $5.0$46.2 million, or 10%94%.  The increase in interest income occurred primarily as a result of an increase in the average balances of interest-earning assets, enhanced by an increase inreflecting the average yield.acquisitions of AmericanWest and Siuslaw Bank and continued client acquisition. The average balance of interest-earning assets was $5.006$8.87 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, an increase of $421 million,$4.26 billion, or 9%92%, compared to $4.5854.61 billion one year earlier. The yield on average interest-earning assets increased to 4.34%4.32% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, compared to 4.31% for the same quarter one year earlier. The increase in the yield on earning assets reflects an asset mix that included proportionatelya 59 basis point increase in the average yield on investment securities which more loans and fewer securities than offset a year earlier and occurred despite a fivetwo basis point reduction in the average yield on loans. Average loans receivable for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 increased $480 million,$3.40 billion, or 13%87%, to $4.314$7.32 billion, compared to $3.8343.92 billion for the same quarter in the prior year. Interest income on loans increased by $5.3$40.6 million, or 11%88%, to $51.7$87.0 million for the current quarter from $46.546.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014March 31, 2015, reflecting the impact of the increase in average loan balances partially offset by the negative fivetwo basis point change in the average yield on loans.  The average yield on loans was 4.76%4.78% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, compared to 4.81%4.80% for the same quarter one year earlier.earlier, reflecting the continuing erosion of yields as loans mature or prepay and are replaced by lower yielding assets in the current low interest rate environment, partially offset by the positive impact of the acquisition accounting loan discount accretion. The acquisition accounting loan discount accretion and the related balance sheet impact added two12 basis points to the current quarter loan yield.yield, compared to only two basis points for the same quarter one year earlier.

The combined average balance of mortgage-backed securities, other investment securities, daily interest-bearing deposits and FHLB stock (total investment securities or combined portfolio) decreasedincreased to $692 million$1.55 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 (excluding the effect of fair value adjustments), compared to $751692.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014March 31, 2015; and the interest and dividend income from those investments decreasedincreased by $224,000$5.6 million compared to the same quarter in the prior year. The average yield on the combined portfolio increased slightly to 1.74%2.17% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, from 1.73%1.58% for the same quarter one year earlier. The yield on the combined portfolio benefited from a $25 million reduction in the average balance of FHLB stock which had a very low dividend yield in both periods as well as other modest mix changes.

Interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $157.9 million, compared to $141.4 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $16.5 million, or 12%. As with quarterly results, the year-to-date results reflect a $467 million, or 11%, increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets as well as a four basis point increase in the yield on interest-earning assets also driven by changes in the asset mixearlier, largely as a result of strong loan growth. The average balance of loans receivable for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 increased by $506 million to $4.140 billion compared to $3.634 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, while the average yield decreased to 4.82% compared to 4.84% for the same period a year earlier. Interest income on loans was $149.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, an increase of 14% compared to $131.4 million for the first nine months of 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the average balance of total investment securities decreased to $709 million compared to $747 million for the same period a year earlier, while the average yieldhigher yields on the portfolio decreased to 1.65% compared to 1.78%securities acquired in the same period in the prior year. AsAmericanWest merger and on recent purchases of securities, but also reflecting maturities on certain lower yielding securities and higher yields on interest-bearing deposits as a result year to date netof increased short-term interest income on total investment securities decreased to $8.7 million compared to $10.0 million a year earlier.rates.

Interest Expense. Interest expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 was $2.6$4.3 million, compared to $2.72.5 million for the same quarter in the prior year, a decreasean increase of $95,000,$1.7 million, or 4%68%. The decreaseincrease in interest expense occurred as a result of a three$4.16 billion increase in average funding liabilities, partially offset by a four basis point decrease in the average cost of all funding liabilities to 0.22%0.20% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, from 0.25%0.24% for the same quarter one year earlier, generally offset by a $382 million increase in average funding liabilities.earlier. The increase in average funding liabilities reflects a significant increase in core deposits, including non-interest-bearing accounts, and increases in other borrowings which are primarily retail repurchase agreements with deposit customers, partially offset by a continued decline in the average balance ofas well as increased certificates of deposit compared to one year ago.and FHLB advances. A substantial portion of the increase in core deposits was a result of the AmericanWest and Siuslaw Bank merger, although compared to a year earlier the increase also reflects meaningful client acquisition and organic account growth. Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $7.8 million and $8.2 million, respectively, and similar to quarterly results, the reduction is reflective of a decrease of four basis points in the average rate paid for all funding liabilities, partially offset by an increase in their average balances over that time period.

Deposit interest expense decreased $165,000,increased $1.2 million, or 9%70%, to $1.7$2.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, compared to $1.91.7 million for the same quarter in the prior year, as a result of a three basis point decreasean increase in the cost of deposits.average deposit balances. Average deposit balances increased to $4.380$7.98 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, from $3.9954.00 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2014March 31, 2015, while the average rate paid on deposit balances decreased to 0.16%0.15% in the thirdfirst quarter of 20152016 from 0.19%0.18% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014March 31, 2015. The cost of interest-bearing deposits decreased by fourthree basis points to 0.24%0.23% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 compared to 0.28%0.26% in the same quarter a year earlier. Significantly contributing to the decrease in total deposit costs was a $281 million increase in the average balances of non-interest-bearing accounts. Deposit costs are significantly affected by changes in the level of market interest rates; however, changes in the average rate paid for interest-bearing deposits frequently tend to lag changes in market interest rates as evidencedand were not meaningfully impacted by the continuing declineincrease in our deposit costs despite relatively stable short-term market interest rates overfollowing the past twelve months.change in the Fed Funds target rate in December 2015. Further, continuing changes in our deposit mix, especially growth in lower cost transaction and savings accounts, in particular non-interest-bearing deposits, havethrough both acquisitions and organic growth meaningfully contributed to the decrease in our funding costs compared to earlier periods.deposit costs.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, deposit interest expense decreased $536,000 to $5.2 million compared to $5.8 million for the same period one year ago. Similar to the quarter, average deposit costs decreased by three basis points and the average balance of deposits increased $456 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same period one year ago.

Average FHLB advances (excluding the effect of fair value adjustments) were $2$169.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, compared to $23$17.7 million for the same quarter one year earlier, althoughwhile the average rate paid on FHLB advances for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 increased to 0.96%0.66% from 0.35%0.39% for the same quarter one year earlier. The increase in the average ratebalance reflects the repayment of low rate short-term advances with only a small amount of higher rate longer-term advances remaining outstanding as of September 30, 2015. Interest expense on FHLB advances decreased to $4,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 from $20,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, interest expense on FHLB advances decreased by $86,000 to $24,000 compared to $110,000 for

53


the same periodassumed in the prior year. Average FHLB advances excludingAmericanWest acquisition as well as normal cash management activities. The increases in average balances and the effect of fair value adjustments decreased $40 million to $6 million over that same time period compared to $47 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The average rate paid on FHLB advances increased 19 basis pointswere responsible for interest expense on FHLB advances increasing to 0.50%$279,000 for the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to 0.31%March 31, 2016 from $17,000 for the same period a year ago, again reflecting the repayment of short-term advances.quarter ended March 31, 2015.

Other borrowings consist primarily of retail repurchase agreements with deposits customers secured by certain investment securities. The average balance for other borrowings increased $10$14.6 million to $93$102.9 million during the current quarter from $82$88.3 million during the same quarter a year earlier, while the rate on other borrowings decreasedincreased to 0.20%0.29% from 0.21%0.20% a year earlier. As a result, interest expense for other borrowings increased to $47,000$75,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, compared to $43,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the average balance for other borrowings increased $6 million to $92 million compared to $86 million during the same period a year earlier, while the rate on other borrowings decreased one basis point to 0.20% from 0.21%.March 31, 2015.

Junior subordinated debentures which were issued in connection with ourthe issuance of trust preferred securities had an average balance of $132$140.2 million (excluding the effect of fair value adjustments) and an average cost of 2.45%2.75% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, compared to an average balance of $124$126.1 million and an average cost of 2.35%2.38% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.March 31, 2015. Both the average balance and average cost of these borrowings increased slightly compared to the same period a year earlier as a result of an $8 million junior subordinated debenturedebentures acquired in the Siuslaw acquisition. Junior subordinated debentures outstanding had an average balance of $130 million (excluding the effect of fair value adjustments) and an average cost of 2.42% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to an average balance of $124 million and average cost of 2.36% for the same periodAmericanWest acquisitions, as well as recent increases in the prior year.short-term interest rates. The junior subordinated debentures are adjustable-rate instruments with repricing frequencies of three months based upon the three-month LIBOR index.


54


Analysis of Net Interest Spread. The following tables present for the periods indicated our condensed average balance sheet information, together with interest income and yields earned on average interest-earning assets and interest expense and rates paid on average interest-bearing liabilities with additional comparative data on our operating performance (dollars in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
Average Balance Interest and Dividends 
Yield/
   Cost (3)
 Average Balance Interest and Dividends 
Yield/
   Cost (3)
Average Balance Interest and Dividends 
Yield/
   Cost (3)
 Average Balance Interest and Dividends 
Yield/
   Cost (3)
Interest-earning assets:                      
Mortgage loans$3,200,184
 $39,504
 4.90% $2,787,519
 $34,944
 4.97%$5,707,882
 $68,743
 4.84% $2,913,207
 $35,561
 4.95%
Commercial/agricultural loans984,159
 10,273
 4.14
 928,171
 9,710
 4.15
1,471,638
 16,025
 4.38
 885,940
 8,967
 4.10
Consumer and other loans129,496
 1,972
 6.04
 118,317
 1,842
 6.18
141,361
 2,190
 6.23
 121,108
 1,837
 6.15
Total loans (1)
4,313,839
 51,749
 4.76
 3,834,007
 46,496
 4.81
7,320,881
 86,958
 4.78
 3,920,255
 46,365
 4.80
Mortgage-backed securities314,941
 1,307
 1.65
 340,999
 1,459
 1.70
1,004,836
 5,390
 2.16
 308,068
 1,027
 1.35
Other securities261,580
 1,638
 2.48
 294,402
 1,740
 2.34
421,241
 2,772
 2.65
 265,796
 1,617
 2.47
Interest-bearing deposits with banks109,445
 97
 0.35
 85,090
 61
 0.28
103,775
 101
 0.39
 91,202
 53
 0.24
FHLB stock6,180
 2
 0.13
 30,961
 8
 0.10
17,531
 80
 1.84
 26,942
 7
 0.11
Total investment securities692,146
 3,044
 1.74
 751,452
 3,268
 1.73
1,547,383
 8,343
 2.17
 692,008
 2,704
 1.58
Total interest-earning assets5,005,985
 54,793
 4.34
 4,585,459
 49,764
 4.31
8,868,264
 95,301
 4.32
 4,612,263
 49,069
 4.31
Non-interest-earning assets276,761
     213,045
    900,296
     230,634
    
Total assets$5,282,746
     $4,798,504
    $9,768,560
     $4,842,897
    
Deposits:                      
Interest-bearing checking accounts$477,105
 95
 0.08
 $433,884
 88
 0.08
$934,072
 196
 0.08
 $445,614
 90
 0.08
Savings accounts1,019,059
 381
 0.15
 881,225
 334
 0.15
1,307,369
 423
 0.13
 929,852
 344
 0.15
Money market accounts574,968
 229
 0.16
 509,881
 203
 0.16
1,620,524
 862
 0.21
 521,839
 203
 0.16
Certificates of deposit749,702
 1,033
 0.55
 892,094
 1,278
 0.57
1,328,741
 1,465
 0.44
 769,378
 1,096
 0.58
Total interest-bearing deposits2,820,834
 1,738
 0.24
 2,717,084
 1,903
 0.28
5,190,706
 2,946
 0.23
 2,666,683
 1,733
 0.26
Non-interest-bearing deposits1,559,053
 
 
 1,278,367
 
 
2,788,372
 
 
 1,331,080
 
 
Total deposits4,379,887
 1,738
 0.16
 3,995,451
 1,903
 0.19
7,979,078
 2,946
 0.15
 3,997,763
 1,733
 0.18
Other interest-bearing liabilities:                      
FHLB advances1,660
 4
 0.96
 22,646
 20
 0.35
169,204
 279
 0.66
 17,744
 17
 0.39
Other borrowings92,550
 47
 0.20
 82,362
 43
 0.21
102,865
 75
 0.29
 88,304
 43
 0.20
Junior subordinated debentures131,964
 816
 2.45
 123,716
 734
 2.35
140,212
 958
 2.75
 126,099
 740
 2.38
Total borrowings226,174
 867
 1.52
 228,724
 797
 1.38
412,281
 1,312
 1.28
 232,147
 800
 1.40
Total funding liabilities4,606,061
 2,605
 0.22
 4,224,175
 2,700
 0.25
8,391,359
 4,258
 0.20
 4,229,910
 2,533
 0.24
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities (2)
6,731
     2,026
    63,014
     4,569
    
Total liabilities4,612,792
     4,226,201
    8,454,373
     4,234,479
    
Stockholders’ equity669,954
     572,303
    
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$5,282,746
     $4,798,504
    
Shareholders’ equity1,314,187
     608,418
    
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$9,768,560
     $4,842,897
    
Net interest income/rate spread  $52,188
 4.12%   $47,064
 4.06%  $91,043
 4.12%   $46,536
 4.07%
Net interest margin    4.14%     4.07%    4.13%     4.09%
Additional Key Financial Ratios:                      
Return on average assets    0.97%     1.23%    0.73%     1.02%
Return on average equity    7.67
     10.27
    5.44
     8.09
Average equity / average assets    12.68
     11.93
    13.45
     12.56
Average interest-earning assets / average interest-bearing liabilities    164.29
     155.66
    158.28
     159.11
Average interest-earning assets / average funding liabilities    108.68
     108.55
    105.68
     109.04
Non-interest (other operating) income / average assets    1.06
     1.12
Non-interest (other operating) expense / average assets    3.51
     3.18
Non-interest income / average assets    0.82
     1.15
Non-interest expense / average assets    3.46
     3.51
Efficiency ratio (4)
    70.45
     63.52
    75.70
     69.59
(1) 
Average balances include loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis and loans 90 days or more past due.  Amortization of net deferred loan fees/costs is included with interest on loans.
(2) 
Average other non-interest-bearing liabilities include fair value adjustments related to FHLB advances and junior subordinated debentures.
(3) 
Yields and costs have not been adjusted for the effect of tax-exempt interest.
(4) 
Other operatingNon-interest expense divided by the total of net interest income (before provision for loan losses) and other operating income (non-interest income).non-interest income.

55


            
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Average
Balance
 Interest and Dividends 
Yield/
Cost (3)
 
Average
Balance
 Interest and Dividends 
Yield/
Cost (3)
Interest-earning assets:           
Mortgage loans$3,069,745
 $113,707
 4.95% $2,636,614
 $98,447
 4.99%
Commercial/agricultural loans943,999
 29,750
 4.21
 883,242
 27,656
 4.19
Consumer and other loans126,245
 5,735
 6.07
 114,134
 5,336
 6.25
Total loans (1)
4,139,989
 149,192
 4.82
 3,633,990
 131,439
 4.84
Mortgage-backed securities309,503
 3,609
 1.56
 347,657
 4,376
 1.68
Other securities262,560
 4,859
 2.47
 300,361
 5,421
 2.41
Interest-bearing deposits with banks120,013
 259
 0.29
 66,208
 148
 0.30
FHLB stock16,599
 20
 0.16
 33,041
 26
 0.11
Total investment securities708,675
 8,747
 1.65
 747,267
 9,971
 1.78
Total interest-earning assets4,848,664
 157,939
 4.36
 4,381,257
 141,410
 4.32
Non-interest-earning assets259,641
     203,432
    
Total assets$5,108,305
     $4,584,689
    
Deposits:           
Interest-bearing checking accounts$468,211
 284
 0.08
 $427,032
 259
 0.08
Savings accounts979,627
 1,091
 0.15
 842,424
 968
 0.15
Money market accounts556,831
 657
 0.16
 448,742
 575
 0.17
Certificates of deposit763,339
 3,208
 0.56
 899,112
 3,974
 0.59
Total interest-bearing deposits2,768,008
 5,240
 0.25
 2,617,310
 5,776
 0.30
Non-interest-bearing deposits1,460,859
 
 
 1,155,896
 
 
Total deposits4,228,867
 5,240
 0.17
 3,773,206
 5,776
 0.20
Other interest-bearing liabilities:           
FHLB advances6,473
 24
 0.50
 46,780
 110
 0.31
Other borrowings92,377
 137
 0.20
 86,170
 133
 0.21
Junior subordinated debentures130,030
 2,357
 2.42
 123,716
 2,180
 2.36
Total borrowings228,880
 2,518
 1.47
 256,666
 2,423
 1.26
Total funding liabilities4,457,747
 7,758
 0.23
 4,029,872
 8,199
 0.27
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities (2)
4,275
     (3,040)    
Total liabilities4,462,022
     4,026,832
    
Stockholders’ equity646,283
     557,857
    
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$5,108,305
     $4,584,689
    
Net interest income/rate spread  $150,181
 4.13%   $133,211
 4.05%
Net interest margin    4.14%     4.07%
Additional Key Financial Ratios:           
Return on average assets    1.00%     1.24%
Return on average equity    7.93
     10.15
Average equity / average assets    12.65
     12.17
Average interest-earning assets / average interest-bearing liabilities    161.79
     152.45
Average interest-earning assets / average funding liabilities    108.77
     108.72
Non-interest (other operating) income / average assets    1.15
     1.25
Non-interest (other operating) expense / average assets    3.57
     3.28
Efficiency ratio (4)
    70.24
     63.89
(1)
Average balances include loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis and loans 90 days or more past due.  Amortization of net deferred loan fees/costs is included with interest on loans.
(2)
Average other non-interest-bearing liabilities include fair value adjustments related to FHLB advances and junior subordinated debentures.
(3)
Yields and costs have not been adjusted for the effect of tax-exempt interest.
(4)
Other operating expense divided by the total of net interest income (before provision for loan losses) and other operating income (non-interest income).


56


Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses.

The need to record a provision for loan losses due to continuing strong loan performance was offset by improvement in credit quality metrics and net recoveries year-to-date. At September 30, 2015 the allowance for loan losses was 1.77% of total loans outstanding and we did not record a provision for loan losses in either the three or nine months ended September 30, 2015. Similarly, we did not record a provision in either the three or nine months ended September 30, 2014. As discussed in the Summary of Critical Accounting Policies section above and in Note 1 of the Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q, the provision and allowance for loan losses is one of the most critical accounting estimates included in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

The provision for loan losses reflects the amount required to maintain the allowance for loan losses at an appropriate level based upon management’s evaluation of the adequacy of general and specific loss reserves, trends in delinquencies and net charge-offs and current economic conditions. While ourOur credit quality indicators remained solid and we recorded significant net recoveries, eliminating the need for a provision for loan losses for the first ninethree months of 2015,2016. Nonetheless, we continue to maintain a substantialan appropriate allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, reflecting growth in the portfolio and lingering uncertainty in the economy.

In accordance with acquisition accounting, loans acquired from AmericanWest and Siuslaw Bank were recorded at their estimated fair value, which resulted in a net discount to the loans contractual amounts, of which a portion reflects a discount for possible credit losses. Credit discounts are included in the determination of fair value and as a result no allowance for loan and lease losses is recorded for acquired loans at the acquisition date. Although the discount recorded on the acquired loans is not reflected in the allowance for loan losses, or related allowance coverage ratios, we believe it should be considered when comparing the current ratios to similar ratios in periods prior to the acquisitions of AmericanWest and Siuslaw Bank. The discount on acquired loans was $42.3 million at March 31, 2016 compared to $43.7 million at December 31, 2015 and $5.0 million at March 31, 2015.

Net charge-offsrecoveries were $9,000$189,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 compared to net recoveriescharge offs of $21,000$542,000 for the same quarter in the prior year. For theThe allowance for loan losses was $78.2 million at nineMarch 31, 2016 months ended September 30, 2015, net recoveries were $1.4 million compared to $73,000 for the first nine months of 2014. Non-performing loans, including purchased credit-impaired loans were $24 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $17$78.0 million at December 31, 2014 and $20 million at September 30, 2014. A comparison of the allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2015 and 2014 reflects an increase of $3 million to $77 million at September 30, 2015, from $7475.4 million at September 30, 2014March 31, 2015. Included in our allowance at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 was an unallocated portion of $2$1.2 million, which is based upon our evaluation of various factors that are not directly measured in the determination of the formula and specific allowances. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans (loans receivable including loans acquired in business combinations carried at fair value) decreasedexcluding allowance for loan losses) increased to 1.77%1.09% at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, from 1.95%1.07% at September 30, 2014. TheDecember 31, 2015, and decreased from 1.83% at March 31, 2015.  If the allowance as a percentage of non-performingfor loan losses and loans including purchased credit-impairedwere grossed up for the remaining acquisition accounting loan discount, the adjusted allowance for loans decreased to 329%adjusted loans would have been 1.67% at September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016 compared to 376% one year ago.

As of September 30,1.65% at December 31, 2015 we had identified $39 million of impaired loans. Impaired loans are comprised of loans on nonaccrual, TDRs that are performing under their restructured terms and loans that are 90 days or more past due, but are still on accrual. Impaired loans may be evaluated for reserve purposes using either a specific impairment analysis or collectively evaluated as part of homogeneous pools. For more information on these impaired loans, refer to Note 6 of the Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Loans Receivable and the Allowance for Loan Losses, and Note 10, Fair Value Accounting and Measurement, in this Form 10-Q.1.96% at March 31, 2015.

We believe that the allowance for loan losses as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 was adequate to absorb the known and inherent risks of loss in the loan portfolio at that date. While weWe believe the estimates and assumptions used in our determination of the adequacy of the allowance are reasonable, although there can be no assurance that these estimates and assumptions will not be proven incorrect in the future, or that the actual amount of future provisions will not exceed the amount of past provisions or that any increased provisions that may be required will not adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the determination of the amount of the allowance for loan losses is subject to review by bank regulators as part of the routine examination process, which may result in the establishment of additional reserves based upon their judgment of information available to them at the time of their examination.

Other OperatingNon-interest Income. Other operatingThe following table presents the key components of non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in thousands):
 Three months ended March 31,
 2016
 2015
 Change Amount Change Percent
Deposit fees and other service charges$11,818
 $8,126
 $3,692
 45.4 %
Mortgage banking operations5,643
 4,109
 $1,534
 37.3 %
Bank owned life insurance1,185
 438
 $747
 170.5 %
Miscellaneous1,263
 483
 $780
 161.5 %
Net gain (loss) on sale of securities21
 (510) $531
 (104.1)%
Net change in valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value29
 1,050
 $(1,021) (97.2)%
Total non-interest income$19,959
 $13,696
 $6,263
 45.7 %

Non-interest income, which includes changes in the valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value, net gain or loss on sale of securities, and non-interest revenues from core operations, was $14.1$20.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, compared to $13.513.7 million for the same quarter in the prior year. Our other operatingnon-interest income for the three monthsquarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 included a $1.1 million$29,000 net lossgain for fair value adjustments. The net fair value adjustment principally related to a valuation adjustment for a trust preferred security secured by our own junior subordinated debentures, which was purchased from a third party during the quarter at a substantial discount but subsequently valued at a lower amount, as well as normal adjustments to the fair value of other trust preferred securities owned and our issued junior subordinated debentures. By contrast, during the quarter ended September 30, 2014,March 31, 2015, fair value adjustments resulted in a net gain of $1.5 million.$1.1 million which was partially offset by a $510,000 net loss on the sale of securities. For a more detailed discussion of our fair value adjustments, please refer to Note 109 in the Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q.

Other operating income including changes inExcluding the valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value adjustments and net gain or loss on sale of securities, was $43.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $42.9 million for the same period in the prior year, which in addition included the Branch Acquisition bargain purchase gain. Our other operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 included fair value adjustments resulting in a net gain of $735,000 and a net loss on the sale of securities of $537,000, compared to fair value adjustments resulting in a net gain of $1.7 million, a net gain on the sale of securities of $41,000 and the Branch Acquisition bargain purchase gain of $9.1 million during the same period one year ago.

Excluding the fair value adjustments, net gain or loss on sale of securities and the Branch Acquisition bargain purchase gain, other operatingnon-interest income from core operations increased by $3.1$6.8 million, or 26%51%, to $15.2$19.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, compared to $12.113.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014March 31, 2015, largely as a result of increased revenues from deposit fees and other service charges and increased mortgage banking income. Deposit fees and other service

charges increased by $1.5$3.7 million, or 18%45%, compared to the thirdfirst quarter a year ago reflecting growth in the number of deposit accounts both due to the acquisitions of AmericanWest and Siuslaw Bank, as well as organic growth resulting in increased transaction activity and our decision to change our debit and credit card relationship to MasterCard®.activity. Mortgage banking revenues increased by $1.6$1.5 million reflecting increased mortgage refinancing activity, as well as a strong home purchase market and our increased market presence as a result of additions to our production staff.


57


Excluding In addition, for the fair value adjustments, netcurrent quarter mortgage banking revenues included $725,000 of gain or loss on the sale of securities and the Branch Acquisition bargain purchase gain, other operating income from core operations increasedmultifamily loans which were originated by $11.6 million, or 36%, to $43.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $32.1 million for the same periodour multifamily origination unit that was acquired in the prior year. Deposit fees and service charges increased by $5.2 million, or 23%, to $27.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $22.2 million for the first nine months of the prior year, while revenues from mortgage banking operations increased by $6.0 million to $13.2 million, nearly double the amount recorded in the first nine months of the prior year.AmericanWest acquisition.

Other Operating Expenses. Non-interest Expense.Other operating  The following table represents key elements of non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in thousands).

 For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 2016
 2015
 Change Amount Change Percent
Salaries and employee benefits$46,564
 $24,287
 $22,277
 91.7%
Less capitalized loan origination costs(4,250) (2,838) (1,412) 49.8%
Occupancy and equipment10,388
 6,006
 4,382
 73.0%
Information/computer data services4,920
 2,253
 2,667
 118.4%
Payment and card processing expenses4,785
 3,016
 1,769
 58.7%
Professional services2,614
 814
 1,800
 221.1%
Advertising and marketing1,734
 1,610
 124
 7.7%
Deposit insurance1,338
 567
 771
 136.0%
State/Municipal business and use taxes838
 453
 385
 85.0%
REO operations397
 24
 373
 1,554.2%
Amortization of core deposit intangibles1,808
 616
 1,192
 193.5%
Acquisition related costs6,813
 1,648
 5,165
 313.4%
Miscellaneous6,085
 3,458
 2,627
 76.0%
Total non-interest expense$84,034
 $41,914
 $42,120
 100.5%

Non-interest expenses increased by $8.2$42.1 million, to $46.7$84.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, compared to $38.541.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014March 31, 2015, largely as a result of acquisition-related expenses and the costs associated with operating the tenbranches acquired from AmericanWest and Siuslaw Bank, branches acquired in March 2015, as well as generally increased salary and employee benefit costs, payment and card processing expenses, and occupancy and equipment expenses, which were partially offset by an increase in the credit for capitalized loan origination costs. Acquisition-related costs for the quarter ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016 were $2.2$6.8 million, including $300,000 related to the Siuslaw acquisition and $1.9 million related to the AmericanWest acquisition, compared to a recovery of $494,000$1.6 million in the same quarter one year ago. We anticipate incurring $20 million to $25 million in additional acquisition-related costs during the fourth quarter of 2015 and approximately $10 million to $15 million in acquisition-related costs during the first quarter of 2016 related to the AmercanWest acquisition due to data processing conversion expenses and the consolidation of branch offices.

Salary and employee benefits expense increased $4.1$22.3 million, or 18%92%, to $27.0$46.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, compared to $23.0$24.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, in partMarch 31, 2015, primarily reflecting the incremental staffing associated with the AmericanWest and Siuslaw acquisition.acquisitions. The increased expense also was the result of general salary and wage adjustments and increased incentive compensation accruals, health insurance and other benefit costs and mortgage banking commissions related to the ongoing operations of the rest of the Company.

Partially offsetting the increase in compensation, the credit for capitalized loan origination costs increased by $543,000$1.4 million compared to the same quarter a year earlier reflecting increased loan production. Payment and card processing expenses increased $967,000,$1.8 million, or 30%59%, compared to the same period one year earlier, reflecting increased transactionstransaction volume as a result of the significant growth in core deposit accounts. Advertisingaccounts and marketing expenses decreased $495,000,account activity. Occupancy expense increased $4.4 million, or 20%73%, to $2.0$10.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, compared to $2.5$6.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, which was higher than normal as a result of increased direct mail and media advertising and expenditures for in-store promotional materials following the Branch Acquisition. Occupancy expense increased $651,000, or 11%, to $6.5 million for the quarter ended September 30,March 31, 2015, compared to $5.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, in large part reflecting the additional branch locations from the AmericanWest and Siuslaw acquisition, but also as a result of increased depreciation expense related to computer hardware and software upgrades and building repair and maintenance expenses.Bank acquisitions. Information and computer data services increased $88,000,$2.7 million, or 4%. The net credit from REO118%, reflecting additional costs required for expanding systems and operations was $2,000 forassociated with the quarter ended September 30, 2015 comparedacquisitions and the additional expense of operating two core systems prior to a net credit of $190,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.AmericanWest system conversion. Professional services expense, excluding those that were acquisition-related, was $167,000,$1.8 million, or 21%,221% higher than in the prior year.

Other operatingyear reflecting increased audit costs, consulting services and legal expenses forlargely driven by the nine months ended September 30, 2015increased $23.8size of the Company. Amortization of CDI was $1.2 million, or 21%, to $136.3 million, compared to $112.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Acquisition-related costs added $7.7 million to other operating expenses in the first nine months of this year, including $1.8 million related to the Siuslaw acquisition and $5.9 million related to the AmericanWest acquisition, compared to $1.5 million in the same period last year. Salary and employee benefits expense increased $11.6 million, or 17%, to $78.1 million for the ninemonths ended September 30, 2015 compared to $66.5 million for the ninemonths ended September 30, 2014, again reflecting the additional staffing associated with the acquired branches, including the six locations associated with the Branch Acquisition and the ten Siuslaw Bank branches, as well as salary and wage adjustments and mortgage commissions and other benefit costs. In addition, the credit for capitalized loan origination costs increased by $1.7 million compared to the same nine-month period a year earlier. Reflecting the significant growth in core deposits, expenses for payment and card processing increased by $2.5 million, or 29%, to $10.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $8.5 million for the same period194% higher than in the prior year. Advertisingyear due to both the Siuslaw and marketing increased $889,000, or 18%, to $5.8 million for the ninemonths ended September 30, 2015, compared to $4.9 million in the same period in the prior year. Occupancy and equipment expenses increased $1.8 million, or 10%, to $18.8 million for the ninemonths ended September 30, 2015, compared to $17.1 million in the same period last year primarily as a result of the additional branches. Information and computer data services expense for the ninemonths ended September 30, 2015 increased $760,000, or 13%, compared to the same period one year ago while business and use taxes increased $361,000, or 35%, over the same periods. REO operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 resulted in a net charge of $190,000, compared to a net credit of $260,000 for the same prior-year period, an increase of $450,000, and included $216,000 of valuation adjustments and $333,000 of net gains on the sale of properties. Partially offsetting those increases was a $411,000, or (14%), decrease in professional services, excluding those related to acquisitions, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period last year.AmericanWest acquisitions.

Income Taxes. In the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, we recognized $6.6$9.2 million in income tax expense for an effective tax rate of 33.9%34.1%, which reflects our normal statutory tax rate increased by the effect of certain non-deductible merger expenses and reduced by the effect of tax-exempt income and certain tax credits. Our normal, expected statutory income tax rate is 36.4%37.2%, representing a blend of the statutory federal income tax rate of 35.0% and apportioned effects of the 7.6% Oregon and 7.4% Idahostate income tax rates. For the quarter ended September 30, 2014,March 31, 2015, we recognized $7.3$6.2 million in income tax expense for an effective tax rate of 33.0%. For the ninemonths ended September 30, 2015, we recognized $19.4 million in income tax expense for an effective tax rate of 33.7%. For the ninemonths ended September 30, 2014, we recognized $21.2 million in income tax expense for an effective tax rate of 33.4%33.8%. For more discussion on our income taxes, please refer to Note 1110 in the Selected Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report on Form 10-Q.


Asset Quality

Achieving and maintaining a moderate risk profile by employing appropriate underwriting standards, avoiding excessive asset concentrations and aggressively managing troubled assets has been and will continue to be a primary focus for us. As a result, our non-performing assets

58


declined substantially in recent years, although our non-performing assets increased modestly during the most recent nine months as a result of $9.2 million ($x.x million net of purchase accounting discounts) of purchased credit-impaired loans and $2.5 million of real estate owned acquired in the Siuslaw acquisition. While these assets acquired in the merger transaction have been recorded at fair values, including appropriate present value discounting of expected cash flows which can be interpreted as converting the loans to performing status, we have chosen to include them in our non-performing asset totals and related credit metrics to present a more complete representation of our asset quality. In addition to the discounts associated with the loans acquired in business combinations, ourOur reserve levels are substantialadequate and, as a result of our impairment analysis and charge-off actions, reflect current appraisals and valuation estimates. While our non-performing assets and credit costs have been materially reduced compared to past periods, we continue to be actively engaged with our borrowers in resolving remaining problem assets and with the effective management of real estate owned as a result of foreclosures.

Non-Performing Assets:  Non-performing assets increaseddecreased to $30$23.0 million, or 0.56%0.24% of total assets, at September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, from $20$27.1 million, or 0.43%0.28% of total assets, at December 31, 2014,2015, and $24$29.7 million, or 0.50%0.57% of total assets, at September 30, 2014.March 31, 2015. Our allowance for loan losses was $77$78.2 million, or 1.77% of total loans and 329%501% of non-performing loans at September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, compared to $76$78.0 million, or 1.98% of total loans and 454%512% of non-performing loans at December 31, 2014.2015 and $75.4 million, or 305% of non-performing loans at March 31, 2015.  We believe our level of non-performing loans and assets which increased modestly primarily as a result of the Siuslaw merger, is manageable and continue to believe that we have sufficient capital and human resources to manage the collection of our non-performing assets in an orderly fashion. The primary components of the $30$23.0 million in non-performing assets were $14$14.3 million in nonaccrual loans, $10$1.3 million in loans more than 90 days delinquent and still accruing interest, and $6$7.4 million in REO.REO and other repossessed assets.

Loans are reported as restructured when we grant concessions to a borrower experiencing financial difficulties that we would not otherwise consider.  As a result of these concessions, restructured loans or TDRs are impaired as the Banks will not collect all amounts due, both principal and interest, in accordance with the terms of the original loan agreement.  If any restructured loan becomes delinquent or other matters call into question the borrower's ability to repay full interest and principal in accordance with the restructured terms, the restructured loan(s) would be reclassified as nonaccrual.  At September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, we had $24$19.5 million of restructured loans currently performing under their restructured terms.

Loans acquired in the merger transactions with deteriorated credit quality are accounted for as purchased credit-impaired pools. Typically this would include loans that were considered non-performing or restructured as of the acquisition date. Accordingly, subsequent to acquisition, loans included in the purchased credit-impaired pools are not reported as non-performing loans based upon their individual performance status, so the categories of nonaccrual, impaired and 90 day past due and accruing do not include any purchased credit-impaired loans. Purchased credit-impaired loans were $53.3 million at March 31, 2016, compared to $58.6 million at December 31, 2015 and $5.7 million at March 31, 2015.


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The following table sets forth information with respect to our non-performing assets and restructured loans at the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):
September 30, 2015
 December 31, 2014
 September 30, 2014
March 31, 2016
 December 31, 2015
 March 31, 2015
Nonaccrual Loans: (2)(1)
          
Secured by real estate:          
Commercial$3,899
 $1,132
 $2,701
$4,145
 $3,751
 $4,141
Multifamily
 
 397

 
 578
Construction and land2,793
 1,275
 1,285
2,250
 2,260
 7,522
One- to four-family4,934
 8,834
 8,615
4,803
 4,700
 7,111
Commercial business980
 537
 1,037
1,558
 2,159
 418
Agricultural business, including secured by farmland228
 1,597
 229
663
 697
 1,566
Consumer789
 1,187
 1,138
906
 703
 1,843
13,623
 14,562
 15,402
14,325
 14,270
 23,179
Loans more than 90 days delinquent, still on accrual:(3)
 
  
  
 
  
  
Secured by real estate: 
  
  
 
  
  
Commercial1,808
 
 993
Multifamily556
 
 
Construction and land5,792
 
 
One- to four-family1,285
 2,095
 2,777
1,039
 899
 1,548
Commercial business5
 
 301

 8
 
Consumer461
 79
 306
251
 45
 7
9,907
 2,174
 4,377
1,290
 952
 1,555
Total non-performing loans23,530
 16,736
 19,779
15,615
 15,222
 24,734
REO, net (4)
6,363
 3,352
 3,928
REO, net (2)
7,207
 11,627
 4,922
Other repossessed assets held for sale
 76
 69
202
 268
 62
Total non-performing assets$29,893
 $20,164
 $23,776
$23,024
 $27,117
 $29,718
          
Total non-performing loans to loans before allowance for loan losses0.54% 0.44% 0.52%0.22% 0.21% 0.60%
Total non-performing loans to total assets0.44% 0.35% 0.42%0.16% 0.16% 0.47%
Total non-performing assets to total assets0.56% 0.43% 0.50%0.24% 0.28% 0.57%
          
Restructured loans (5)
$23,981
 $29,154
 $30,387
Restructured loans (3)
$19,450
 $21,777
 $27,558
          
Loans 30-89 days past due and on accrual$4,152
 $8,387
 $6,925
Loans 30-89 days past due and on accrual (4)
$28,264
 $18,834
 $8,157

(1) 
Includes $2.1$2.2 million of nonaccrual restructured loans at September 30, 2015.
(2)
March 31, 2016. For the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2015, $742,000March 31, 2016, $45,000 in interest income would have been recorded had nonaccrual loans been current.
current, and no interest income on these loans was included in net income for this period.
(3)
Includes purchased credit-impaired loans.
(4)(2)
Real estate acquired by us as a result of foreclosure or by deed-in-lieu of foreclosure is classified as real estate held for sale until it is sold. When property is acquired, it is recorded at the estimated fair value of the property, less expected selling costs.costs, or the carrying value of the defaulted loan. Subsequent to foreclosure, the property is carried at the lower of the foreclosed amount or net realizable value. Upon receipt of a new appraisal and market analysis, the carrying value is written down through the establishment of a specific reserve to the anticipated sales price, less selling and holding costs.
(5)(3)
These loans are performing under their restructured terms.

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The following table sets forth the Company’s non-performing assets by geographic concentration at (4) September 30, 2015Includes purchased credit-impaired loans. (dollars in thousands):
 Washington Oregon Idaho Total
Secured by real estate:       
Commercial$1,374
 $4,307
 $26
 $5,707
Multifamily
 556
 
 556
Construction and land 
  
  
  
One- to four-family construction
 1,175
 
 1,175
Residential land acquisition & development
 750
 
 750
Residential land improved lots
 493
 
 493
Commercial land improved
 4,618
 
 4,618
Commercial land unimproved
 1,549
 
 1,549
Total construction and land
 8,585
 
 8,585
One- to four-family5,356
 480
 383
 6,219
Commercial business133
 784
 68
 985
Agricultural business, including secured by farmland90
 138
 
 228
Consumer686
 489
 75
 1,250
Total non-performing loans7,639
 15,339
 552
 23,530
REO2,176
 4,187
 
 6,363
Other repossessed assets
 
 
 
Total non-performing assets$9,815
 $19,526
 $552
 $29,893
Percent of non-performing assets33% 65% 2% 100%

In addition to the non-performing loans and purchased credit-impaired loans as of September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, we had other classified loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $34$46.5 million that are not on nonaccrual status, with respect to which known information concerning possible credit problems with the borrowers or the cash flows of the properties securing the respective loans has caused management to be concerned about the ability of the borrowers to comply with present loan repayment terms.  This may result in the future inclusion of such loans in the nonaccrual loan category.

Within our non-performing loans, we have five lending relationships with aggregate loan exposure in excess of $1.0 million that collectively comprise $11.2 million, or 47.7% of our total non-performing loans as of September 30, 2015. At that date, the single largest non-performing lending relationship consisted of one loan that totaled $3.6 million secured by four commercial lots in Lane Country, Oregon. The second largest non-performing lending relationship consisted of two loans that totaled $3.2 million secured by an industrial building and inventory in Lane and Linn Counties of Oregon. The third largest non-performing lending relationship consisted of one loan that totaled $1.8 million secured by golf course property, business assets and fixtures in Lane County, Oregon. The fourth largest non-performing lending relationship consisted of one loan that totaled $1.5 million secured by 364 acres of agricultural property in the Columbia Basin, Washington. The fifth largest non-performing lending relationship consisted of one loan that totaled $1.1 million secured by a 17-acre parcel in Lane County, Oregon. The remaining balance of non-performing loans consists of 92 lending relationships with borrowers located throughout our market areas.

We record REO (acquired through a lending relationship) at fair value on a non-recurring basis. From time to time, non-recurring fair value adjustments to REO are recorded to reflect partial write-downs based on an observable market price or current appraised value of property. The individual carrying values of these assets are reviewed for impairment at least annually and any additional impairment charges are expensed to operations. For the quarter ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, we had $34,000$205,000 of impairment charges, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2014March 31, 2015 in which we recognized no impairment charges related to these types of assets. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we recognized $216,000 and $37,000, respectively, of these impairment charges.

At September 30, 2015,During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, we had $6.4received $4.7 million of REO,net proceeds as a result of sales of properties, including $49,000 of net gains on the most significant componentssale of which are a commercial office building with two parcels of land in Lane County, Oregon with a book value of $871,000; a single family residence in Lane County, Oregon with a book value of $680,000; a single family residence in the Spokane, Washington area with a book value of $535,000; and one parcel of commercial mixed-use land in Lane County, Oregon with a book value of $523,000. All other REO holdings have individual book values of less than $500,000. The geographical distribution of our REO is approximately $2.8 million in Lane County, Oregon, or 44% of total REO; $1.4 million in the greater Portland, Oregon area, or 22% of total REO, and $1.2 million in the Greater Seattle Puget Sound area, or 19% of total REO. All other areas of Washington, Oregon and Idaho had a combined book value of $999,000, or 15% of total REO.


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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of funds are deposits, borrowings, proceeds from loan principal and interest payments and sales of loans, and the maturity of and interest income on mortgage-backed and investment securities. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and mortgage-backed securities are a predictable source of funds, deposit flows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions, competition and our pricing strategies.

Our primary investing activity is the origination and purchase of loans and, in certain periods, the purchase of securities.  During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and 20142015, our loan originations exceeded our loan repayments by $534$144.9 million and $414$139.1 million, respectively. During those periods we purchased loans of $243$70.6 million and $152$41.7 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015This activity was funded primarily by increased deposits and 2014,sales of loans. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, we sold $492received proceeds of $349.5 million and $267$148.3 million, respectively, from the sale of loans. Securities purchased during the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2016 and 2015 and 2014 totaled $111$151.9 million and $86$30.3 million, respectively, and securities repayments, maturities and sales in those periods were $118$44.2 million and $108$34.9 million, respectively.

Our primary financing activity is gathering deposits. Deposits increaseddecreased by $489$25.2 million during the first ninethree months of 20152016. The Siuslaw acquisition contributed $336 million to the increase in deposits as of September 30, 2015, including $144 million in non-interest bearing deposits, $169 million in interest-bearing transaction and savings accounts, and $23 million in certificates of deposit. Certificates of deposits are generally more vulnerable to competition and price sensitive than other retail deposits and our pricing of those deposits varies significantly based upon our liquidity management strategies at any point in time.  At September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, certificates of deposit amounted to $731 million,$1.29 billion, or 17%16% of our total deposits, including $556$955.9 million which were scheduled to mature within one year.  While no assurance can be given as to future periods, historically, we have been able to retain a significant amount of our deposits as they mature.

FHLB advances (excluding fair value adjustments) decreased $16$58.0 million from December 31, 20142015 to $16$75.4 million at September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, and increased $16$75.2 million from September 30, 2014, as we used our excess liquidity to repay maturing FHLB advances and increased deposits were available to fund lending needs. As of September 30, 2015, FHLB advances consisted $16 million in short-term borrowings and one long-term borrowing of $235,000 tied to a specific loan customer's outstanding loan balance.March 31, 2015. Other borrowings increased $11$7.8 million from December 31, 20142015 to $88$106.1 million at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and increased $20$9.1 million from one year ago. The increase in other borrowings in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was due to an increase of retail repurchase agreements.

We must maintain an adequate level of liquidity to ensure the availability of sufficient funds to accommodate deposit withdrawals, to support loan growth, to satisfy financial commitments and to take advantage of investment opportunities. During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and 20142015, we used our sources of funds primarily to fund loan commitments, purchase securities, and pay maturing savings certificates and deposit withdrawals. At September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, we had outstanding loan commitments totaling $1.594$2.32 billion, including undisbursed loans in process and unused credit lines totaling $1.524$2.21 billion. While representing potential growth in the loan portfolio and lending activities, this level of commitments is proportionally consistent with our historical experience and does not represent a departure from normal operations.

We generally maintain sufficient cash and readily marketable securities to meet short-term liquidity needs; however, our primary liquidity management practice to supplement deposits is to increase or decrease short-term borrowings, including FHLB advances and Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (FRBSF) borrowings.  We maintain credit facilities with the FHLB-Des Moines, which at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 provide for advances that in the aggregate may equal the lesser of 35% of Banner Bank’s assets or adjusted qualifying collateral (subject to a sufficient level of ownership of FHLB stock), up to a total possible credit line of $1.1$2.02 billion, and 35% of Islanders Bank’s assets or adjusted qualifying collateral, up to a total possible credit line of $27$28.5 million.  Advances under these credit facilities (excluding fair value adjustments) totaled 16.4$75.2 million at September 30, 2015.March 31, 2016. In addition, Banner Bank has been approved for participation in the FRBSF’s Borrower-In-Custody (BIC) program.  Under this program Banner Bank had available lines of credit of approximately $710$951.5 million as of September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, subject to certain collateral requirements, namely the collateral type and risk rating of eligible pledged loans.  We had no funds borrowed from the FRBSF at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 or December 31, 2014.2015.  Management believes it has adequate resources and funding potential to meet our foreseeable liquidity requirements.

Banner Corporation is a separate legal entity from the Banks and, on a stand-alone level, must provide for its own liquidity and pay its own operating expenses and cash dividends. Banner's primary sources of funds consist of capital raised through dividends or capital distributions from the Banks, although there are regulatory restrictions on the ability of the Banks to pay dividends. At September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, the Company on an unconsolidated basis had liquid assets of $62.6$66.1 million. On October 1, 2015, Banner Corporation completed the acquisition of Starbuck and its subsidiary AmericanWest. The purchase consideration for that transaction included $130 million in cash and 13.23 million shares of Banner Corporation voting and non-voting common stock. Concurrent with the acquisition and with regulatory approval, Banner Corporation received a cash dividend from Banner Bank in an amount sufficient to close the transaction. In addition to cash on hand, Banner Bank utilized short-term borrowings from the FHLB to fund the dividend. We expect to repay those short-term borrowings using cash and the sale of securities acquired in the AmericanWest merger and through cash flow from continuing operations, all in the normal course of business.

As noted below, Banner Corporation and its subsidiary banks continued to maintain capital levels significantly in excess of the requirements to be categorized as “Well-Capitalized” under applicable regulatory standards, including the newly implemented Basel III and Dodd Frank standards.  During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, total stockholders'shareholders' equity increased $88$20.1 million, or 15%2%, to $671 million.$1.32 billion.  Total equity at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 is entirely attributable to voting and non voting common stock and retained earnings.  At September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, tangible common stockholders’shareholders’ equity, which excludes other goodwill and other intangible assets, was $645 million,$1.04 billion, or 12.20%10.98% of tangible assets.  See the discussion and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial information in the Executive Overview section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation in this Form 10-Q for more detailed information with respect to tangible common stockholders’shareholders’ equity.  Also, see the capital requirements discussion and table below with respect to our regulatory capital positions.

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Capital Requirements

Banner Corporation is a bank holding company registered with the Federal Reserve.  Bank holding companies are subject to capital adequacy requirements of the Federal Reserve under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (BHCA), and the regulations of the Federal Reserve.  Banner Bank and Islanders Bank, as state-chartered, federally insured commercial banks, are subject to the capital requirements established by the FDIC.

The capital adequacy requirements are quantitative measures established by regulation that require Banner Corporation and the Banks to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of capital.  The Federal Reserve requires Banner Corporation to maintain capital adequacy that generally parallels the FDIC requirements.  The FDIC requires the Banks to maintain minimum ratios of Total Capital, Tier 1 Capital, and Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to risk-weighted assets as well as Tier 1 Leverage Capital to average assets.  In addition to the minimum capital ratios, the Banks will have to maintain a capital conservation buffer consisting of additional Common Equity Tier 1 Capital equal to 2.5% of risk-weighted assets above the required minimum levels in order to avoid limitations on paying dividends, engaging in share repurchases, and paying discretionary bonuses based on percentages of eligible retained income that could be utilized for such actions. This new capital conservation buffer requirement is to be phased in beginning in January 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets and increasing each year until fully implemented in January 2019. At September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, Banner Corporation and the Banks each exceeded all regulatory capital requirements. (See Item 1, “Business–Regulation,” and Note 1816 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 20142015 Form 10-K for additional information regarding regulatory capital requirements for Banner Corporation and the Banks.)

The actual regulatory capital ratios calculated for Banner Corporation, Banner Bank and Islanders Bank as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, along with the minimum capital amounts and ratios, were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 Actual Minimum to be Categorized as "Adequately Capitalized" Minimum to be Categorized as “Well-Capitalized” Actual Minimum to be Categorized as "Adequately Capitalized" Minimum to be Categorized as “Well-Capitalized”
 Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Amount Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Amount
Banner Corporation—consolidated                        
Total capital to risk-weighted assets $791,763
 15.68% $403,932
 8.00% $504,915
 10.00% $1,146,218
 13.61% $673,828
 8.00% $842,284
 10.00%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets 728,459
 14.43
 302,949
 6.00
 403,932
 8.00
 1,064,372
 12.64
 505,371
 6.00
 505,371
 6.00
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets 728,459
 13.85
 210,376
 4.00
 262,970
 5.00
 1,064,372
 11.28
 377,320
 4.00
 n/a
 n/a
Common equity tier 1 capital 647,505
 12.82
 227,212
 4.50
 328,195
 6.50
 1,006,886
 11.95
 379,028
 4.50
 n/a
 n/a
Banner Bank                        
Total capital to risk-weighted assets 693,968
 14.24
 389,903
 8.00
 487,379
 10.00
 1,034,320
 12.57
 658,152
 8.00
 822,690
 10.00
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets 632,854
 12.98
 292,427
 6.00
 389,903
 8.00
 954,697
 11.60
 493,614
 6.00
 658,152
 8.00
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets 632,854
 12.67
 199,804
 4.00
 249,754
 5.00
 954,697
 10.42
 366,529
 4.00
 458,161
 5.00
Common equity tier 1 capital 632,854
 12.98
 219,320
 4.50
 316,796
 6.50
 954,697
 11.60
 370,211
 4.50
 534,749
 6.50
Islanders Bank                        
Total capital to risk-weighted assets 38,031
 19.94
 15,260
 8.00
 19,075
 10.00
 38,876
 20.23
 15,371
 8.00
 19,214
 10.00
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets 35,754
 18.74
 11,445
 6.00
 15,260
 8.00
 36,653
 19.08
 11,528
 6.00
 15,371
 8.00
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets 35,754
 13.20
 10,833
 4.00
 13,541
 5.00
 36,653
 13.71
 10,695
 4.00
 13,369
 5.00
Common equity tier 1 capital 35,754
 18.74
 8,584
 4.50
 12,399
 6.50
 36,653
 19.08
 8,646
 4.50
 12,489
 6.50


63


ITEM 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market Risk and Asset/Liability Management

Our financial condition and operations are influenced significantly by general economic conditions, including the absolute level of interest rates as well as changes in interest rates and the slope of the yield curve.  Our profitability is dependent to a large extent on our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest received from our interest-earning assets and the interest expense incurred on our interest-bearing liabilities.

Our activities, like all financial institutions, inherently involve the assumption of interest rate risk.  Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in market interest rates will have an adverse impact on the institution’s earnings and underlying economic value.  Interest rate risk is determined by the maturity and repricing characteristics of an institution’s assets, liabilities and off-balance-sheet contracts.  Interest rate risk is measured by the variability of financial performance and economic value resulting from changes in interest rates.  Interest rate risk is the primary market risk affecting our financial performance.

The greatest source of interest rate risk to us results from the mismatch of maturities or repricing intervals for rate sensitive assets, liabilities and off-balance-sheet contracts.  This mismatch or gap is generally characterized by a substantially shorter maturity structure for interest-bearing liabilities than interest-earning assets, although our floating-rate assets tend to be more immediately responsive to changes in market rates than most funding deposit liabilities.  Additional interest rate risk results from mismatched repricing indices and formula (basis risk and yield curve risk), and product caps and floors and early repayment or withdrawal provisions (option risk), which may be contractual or market driven, that are generally more favorable to customers than to us.  An exception to this generalization is the beneficial effect of interest rate floors on a substantial portion of our performing floating-rate loans, which help us maintain higher loan yields in periods when market interest rates decline significantly.  However, in a declining interest rate environment, as loans with floors are repaid they generally are replaced with new loans which have lower interest rate floors.  As of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, our loans with interest rate floors totaled approximately $1.8$2.32 billion and had a weighted average floor rate of 4.75%4.64%. An additional source of interest rate risk, which is currently of concern, is a prolonged period of exceptionally low market interest rates. Because interest-bearing deposit costs have been reduced to nominal levels, there is very little possibility that they will be significantly further reduced and our non-interest-bearing deposits are an increasingly significant percentage of total deposits. By contrast, if market rates remain very low, loan and securities yields will likely continue to decline as longer-term instruments mature or are repaid. As a result, a prolonged period of very low interest rates will likely result in further compression of our net interest margin. While this pressure on the margin may be mitigated by further changes in the mix of assets and deposits, particularly increases in non-interest-bearing deposits, a further prolonged period of low interest rates will present a very difficult operating environment for most banks, including us.

The principal objectives of asset/liability management are: to evaluate the interest rate risk exposure; to determine the level of risk appropriate given our operating environment, business plan strategies, performance objectives, capital and liquidity constraints, and asset and liability allocation alternatives; and to manage our interest rate risk consistent with regulatory guidelines and policies approved by the Board of Directors.  Through such management, we seek to reduce the vulnerability of our earnings and capital position to changes in the level of interest rates.  Our actions in this regard are taken under the guidance of the Asset/Liability Management Committee, which is comprised of members of our senior management.  The Committee closely monitors our interest sensitivity exposure, asset and liability allocation decisions, liquidity and capital positions, and local and national economic conditions and attempts to structure the loan and investment portfolios and funding sources to maximize earnings within acceptable risk tolerances.

Sensitivity Analysis

Our primary monitoring tool for assessing interest rate risk is asset/liability simulation modeling, which is designed to capture the dynamics of balance sheet, interest rate and spread movements and to quantify variations in net interest income resulting from those movements under different rate environments.  The sensitivity of net interest income to changes in the modeled interest rate environments provides a measurement of interest rate risk.  We also utilize economic value analysis, which addresses changes in estimated net economic value of equity arising from changes in the level of interest rates.  The net economic value of equity is estimated by separately valuing our assets and liabilities under varying interest rate environments.  The extent to which assets gain or lose value in relation to the gains or losses of liability values under the various interest rate assumptions determines the sensitivity of net economic value to changes in interest rates and provides an additional measure of interest rate risk.

The interest rate sensitivity analysis performed by us incorporates beginning-of-the-period rate, balance and maturity data, using various levels of aggregation of that data, as well as certain assumptions concerning the maturity, repricing, amortization and prepayment characteristics of loans and other interest-earning assets and the repricing and withdrawal of deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities into an asset/liability computer simulation model.  We update and prepare simulation modeling at least quarterly for review by senior management and the directors. We believe the data and assumptions are realistic representations of our portfolio and possible outcomes under the various interest rate scenarios.  Nonetheless, the interest rate sensitivity of our net interest income and net economic value of equity could vary substantially if different assumptions were used or if actual experience differs from the assumptions used.


64


The following table sets forth, as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, the estimated changes in our net interest income over one-year and two-year time horizons and the estimated changes in economic value of equity based on the indicated interest rate environments (dollars in thousands):
 Estimated Increase (Decrease) in Estimated Increase (Decrease) in
Change (in Basis Points) in Interest Rates (1)
 
Net Interest Income
Next 12 Months
 
Net Interest Income
Next 24 Months
 Economic Value of Equity 
Net Interest Income
Next 12 Months
 
Net Interest Income
Next 24 Months
 Economic Value of Equity
+400 $2,919
 1.4 % $22,456
 5.50 % $(20,130) (2.3)% $(4,684) (1.3)% $14,683
 2.10 % $(24,191) (1.9)%
+300 1,618
 0.8
 16,226
 4.00
 (7,271) (0.8) (3,403) (1.0) 11,898
 1.70
 5,205
 0.4
+200 327
 0.2
 10,012
 2.50
 1,489
 0.2
 (2,285) (0.7) 8,646
 1.20
 23,332
 1.8
+100 (405) (0.2) 4,487
 1.10
 6,857
 0.8
 (997) (0.3) 5,343
 0.80
 30,755
 2.4
0 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
-25 123
 0.1
 (1,316) (0.30) (15,214) (1.8) (881) (0.3) (4,440) (0.60) (43,178) (3.3)
-50 18
 
 (2,761) (0.70) (46,225) (5.4) (5,075) (1.5) (16,247) (2.30) (133,045) (10.3)
 
(1) 
Assumes an instantaneous and sustained uniform change in market interest rates at all maturities; however, no rates are allowed to go below zero.  The current targeted federal funds rate is between 0.25% and 0.50%.
 
Another (although less reliable) monitoring tool for assessing interest rate risk is gap analysis.  The matching of the repricing characteristics of assets and liabilities may be analyzed by examining the extent to which assets and liabilities are interest sensitive and by monitoring an institution’s interest sensitivity gap.  An asset or liability is said to be interest sensitive within a specific time period if it will mature or reprice within that time period.  The interest rate sensitivity gap is defined as the difference between the amount of interest-earning assets anticipated, based upon certain assumptions, to mature or reprice within a specific time period and the amount of interest-bearing liabilities anticipated to mature or reprice, based upon certain assumptions, within that same time period.  A gap is considered positive when the amount of interest-sensitive assets exceeds the amount of interest-sensitive liabilities.  A gap is considered negative when the amount of interest-sensitive liabilities exceeds the amount of interest-sensitive assets.  Generally, during a period of rising rates, a negative gap would tend to adversely affect net interest income while a positive gap would tend to result in an increase in net interest income.  During a period of falling interest rates, a negative gap would tend to result in an increase in net interest income while a positive gap would tend to adversely affect net interest income.

Certain shortcomings are inherent in gap analysis.  For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods of repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market rates.  Also, the interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market rates.  Additionally, certain assets, such as ARM loans, have features that restrict changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset.  Further, in the event of a change in interest rates, prepayment and early withdrawal levels would likely deviate significantly from those assumed in calculating the table.  Finally, the ability of some borrowers to service their debt may decrease in the event of a severe change in market rates.


65


The following table presents our interest sensitivity gap between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities at September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 (dollars in thousands).  The table sets forth the amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities which are anticipated by us, based upon certain assumptions, to reprice or mature in each of the future periods shown.  At September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, total interest-earning assets maturing or repricing within one year exceeded total interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing in the same time period by $821$851 million, representing a one-year cumulative gap to total assets ratio of 15.46%8.74%.  Management is aware of the sources of interest rate risk and in its opinion actively monitors and manages it to the extent possible.  The interest rate risk indicators and interest sensitivity gaps as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 are within our internal policy guidelines and management considers that our current level of interest rate risk is reasonable.
Within
6 Months
 
After
6 Months
Within
1 Year
 
After
1 Year
Within
3 Years
 
After
3 Years
Within
5 Years
 
After
5 Years
Within
10 Years
 
Over
10 Years
 Total
Within
6 Months
 
After
6 Months
Within
1 Year
 
After
1 Year
Within
3 Years
 
After
3 Years
Within
5 Years
 
After
5 Years
Within
10 Years
 
Over
10 Years
 Total
Interest-earning assets: (1)
                          
Construction loans$265,784
 $13,733
 $29,490
 $2,689
 $237
 $29
 $311,962
$326,342
 $21,776
 $51,513
 $6,861
 $981
 $233
 $407,706
Fixed-rate mortgage loans146,041
 95,647
 249,629
 135,474
 187,490
 87,010
 901,291
236,005
 146,965
 449,898
 263,983
 366,195
 164,584
 1,627,630
Adjustable-rate mortgage loans581,730
 194,485
 631,997
 332,947
 72,099
 144
 1,813,402
966,354
 355,128
 1,120,681
 583,479
 180,499
 5,127
 3,211,268
Fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities62,697
 57,655
 139,370
 28,153
 13,708
 15,132
 316,715
121,115
 100,056
 297,335
 167,334
 191,755
 94,513
 972,108
Adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities1,943
 
 
 
 
 
 1,943

 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-rate commercial/agricultural loans58,418
 47,860
 109,954
 42,041
 20,048
 3,821
 282,142
93,965
 73,922
 164,132
 76,455
 21,029
 4,364
 433,867
Adjustable-rate commercial/agricultural loans627,923
 13,782
 40,375
 24,914
 3,085
 49
 710,128
859,836
 22,966
 121,989
 40,026
 3,144
 
 1,047,961
Consumer and other loans212,999
 37,915
 72,409
 21,712
 16,252
 1,739
 363,026
422,887
 20,051
 70,673
 21,552
 14,824
 1,464
 551,451
Investment securities and interest-earning deposits106,580
 12,852
 36,856
 95,952
 50,528
 16,545
 319,313
194,435
 19,664
 59,436
 121,168
 124,485
 36,981
 556,169
Total rate sensitive assets2,064,115
 473,929
 1,310,080
 683,882
 363,447
 124,469
 5,019,922
3,220,939
 760,528
 2,335,657
 1,280,858
 902,912
 307,266
 8,808,160
Interest-bearing liabilities: (2)
                          
Regular savings154,527
 154,527
 360,562
 360,562
 
 
 1,030,178
199,134
 199,134
 464,645
 464,645
 
 
 1,327,558
Interest checking accounts90,243
 69,227
 161,530
 161,530
 
 
 482,530
121,749
 113,949
 265,881
 265,881
 
 
 767,460
Money market deposit accounts291,385
 174,831
 116,554
 
 
 
 582,770
805,320
 483,192
 322,128
 
 
 
 1,610,640
Certificates of deposit335,731
 210,229
 132,397
 48,777
 3,497
 29
 730,660
580,634
 330,698
 275,637
 96,295
 3,244
 45
 1,286,553
FHLB advances16,200
 
 
 
 
 
 16,200
50,000
 
 25,000
 
 
 185
 75,185
Other borrowings
 
 
 
 
 
 
5,000
 
 
 
 
 
 5,000
Junior subordinated debentures131,964
 
 
 
 
 
 131,964
140,212
 
 
 
 
 
 140,212
Retail repurchase agreements88,083
 
 
 
 
 
 88,083
101,132
 
 
 
 
 
 101,132
Total rate sensitive liabilities1,108,133
 608,814
 771,043
 570,869
 3,497
 29
 3,062,385
2,003,181
 1,126,973
 1,353,291
 826,821
 3,244
 230
 5,313,740
Excess (deficiency) of interest-sensitive assets over interest-sensitive liabilities$955,982
 $(134,885) $539,037
 $113,013
 $359,950
 $124,440
 $1,957,537
$1,217,758
 $(366,445) $982,366
 $454,037
 $899,668
 $307,036
 $3,494,420
Cumulative excess (deficiency) of interest-sensitive assets$955,982
 $821,097
 $1,360,134
 $1,473,147
 $1,833,097
 $1,957,537
 $1,957,537
$1,217,758
 $851,313
 $1,833,679
 $2,287,716
 $3,187,384
 $3,494,420
 $3,494,420
Cumulative ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities186.27% 147.82 % 154.67% 148.16% 159.86% 163.92% 163.92%160.79% 127.20 % 140.90% 143.08% 159.99% 165.76% 165.76%
Interest sensitivity gap to total assets18.00% (2.54)% 10.15% 2.13% 6.78% 2.34% 36.85%12.50% (3.76)% 10.08% 4.66% 9.23% 3.15% 35.86%
Ratio of cumulative gap to total assets18.00% 15.46 % 25.60% 27.73% 34.51% 36.85% 36.85%12.50% 8.74 % 18.82% 23.47% 32.71% 35.86% 35.86%
 
(Footnotes on following page)

66


Footnotes for Table of Interest Sensitivity Gap

(1) 
Adjustable-rate assets are included in the period in which interest rates are next scheduled to adjust rather than in the period in which they are due to mature, and fixed-rate assets are included in the period in which they are scheduled to be repaid based upon scheduled amortization, in each case adjusted to take into account estimated prepayments.  Mortgage loans and other loans are not reduced for allowances for loan losses and non-performing loans.  Mortgage loans, mortgage-backed securities, other loans and investment securities are not adjusted for deferred fees, unamortized acquisition premiums and discounts.
(2) 
Adjustable-rate liabilities are included in the period in which interest rates are next scheduled to adjust rather than in the period they are due to mature.  Although regular savings, demand, interest checking, and money market deposit accounts are subject to immediate withdrawal, based on historical experience management considers a substantial amount of such accounts to be core deposits having significantly longer maturities.  For the purpose of the gap analysis, these accounts have been assigned decay rates to reflect their longer effective maturities.  If all of these accounts had been assumed to be short-term, the one-year cumulative gap of interest-sensitive assets would have been $(340)$(932) million, or (6.39)(9.56)% of total assets at September 30, 2015.March 31, 2016.  Interest-bearing liabilities for this table exclude certain non-interest-bearing deposits which are included in the average balance calculations in the table contained in Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016 and 20142015” of this report on Form 10-Q.

67


ITEM 4 – Controls and Procedures

The management of Banner Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act).  A control procedure, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives are met.  Also, because of the inherent limitations in all control procedures, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.  Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures.  The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.  As a result of these inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Further, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

(a)
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures:  An evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and several other members of our senior management as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) accumulated and communicated to our management (including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) in a timely manner, and (ii) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

(b)
Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting:  In the quarter ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


68


PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1 – Legal Proceedings

In the normal course of business, we have various legal proceedings and other contingent matters outstanding.  These proceedings and the associated legal claims are often contested and the outcome of individual matters is not always predictable.  These claims and counter claims typically arise during the course of collection efforts on problem loans or with respect to actions to enforce liens on properties in which we hold a security interest, although we also periodically are subject to claims related to employment matters.  We are not a party to any pending legal proceedings that management believes would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or operations.

ITEM 1A – Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in the risk factors previously disclosed in Part 1, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20142015 (File No. 0-26584) or otherwise previously disclosed in our Form 10-Q reports filed subsequently..

ITEM 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(a) Not applicable.

(b) Not applicable.

(c) The following table provides information about repurchases of common stock by the Company during the quarter ended September 30, 2015:March 31, 2016:
Period Total Number of Common Shares Purchased Average Price Paid per Common Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan Maximum Number of Remaining Shares that May be Purchased at Period End under the Plan
July 1, 2015 - July 31, 2015 6,116
 $47.71
 n/a 1,044,922
August 1, 2015 - August 31, 2015 
 
 n/a 1,044,922
September 1, 2015 - September 30, 2015 98
 45.98
 n/a 1,044,922
Total for quarter 6,214
 47.68
 n/a 1,044,922
Period Total Number of Common Shares Purchased Average Price Paid per Common Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan Maximum Number of Remaining Shares that May be Purchased at Period End under the Plan
January 1, 2016 - January 31, 2016 
 $
 n/a 1,044,922
February 1, 2016 - February 29, 2016 1,229
 38.27
 n/a 1,044,922
March 1, 2016 - March 31, 2016 14,559
 41.31
 n/a 1,044,922
Total for quarter 15,788
 41.07
 n/a 1,044,922

The 6,21415,788 shares were surrendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock grants.

On March 25, 2015,April 4, 2016, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to 1,044,9221,711,540 shares of the Company's common stock, or 5% of the Company's outstanding shares. Under the plan, shares may be repurchased by the Company in open market purchases. The extent to which the Company repurchases its shares and the timing of such repurchases will depend upon market conditions and other corporate considerations.

ITEM 3 – Defaults upon Senior Securities

Not Applicable.

ITEM 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

ITEM 5 – Other Information

Not Applicable.


69


ITEM 6 – Exhibits

ExhibitIndex of Exhibits
  
2.1{a}Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 5, 2014, by and among the Registrant, SKBHC Holdings LLC and Starbuck Bancshares, Inc. [incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 12, 2014 (File No. 000-26584)].
  
2.1{b}Amendment, dated as of May 18, 2015, to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 5, 2014, by and among the Registrant, SKBHC Holdings LLC and Starbuck Bancshares, Inc. [incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 19, 2015 (File No. 000-26584)].
  
2.1{c}Amendment No. 2, dated July 13, 2015, to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 5, 2014, by and among SKBHC Holdings LLC, Starbuck Bancshares, Inc., Banner Corporation, and Elements Merger Sub, LLC.
2.1{d}Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of August 7, 2014 by and between Banner Corporation and Siuslaw Financial Group, Inc. [incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2014 (File No. 000-26584)].
  
3{a}Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Registrant [incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2010 (File No. 000-26584)], as amended on May 26, 2011 [incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2011 (File No. 000-26584)].
  
3{b}Articles of Amendment to Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Registrant for non-voting common stock [incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 18, 2015 (File No. 000-26584)]
  
3{c}Bylaws of Registrant [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 1, 2011 (File No. 000-26584)].
  
4{a}Warrant to purchase shares of the Registrant's common stock dated November 21, 2008 [incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 24, 2008 (File No. 000-26584)]
  
10{a}Executive Salary Continuation Agreement with Gary L. Sirmon [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1996 (File No. 000-26584)].
  
10{b}Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, with Mark J. Grescovich [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 4, 2013 (File No. 000-26584].
  
10{c}1996 Stock Option Plan [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated August 26, 1996 (File No. 333-10819)].
10{d}Supplemental Retirement Plan as Amended with Jesse G. Foster [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1997 (File No. 000-26584)].
10{e}Supplemental Executive Retirement Program Agreement with D. Michael Jones [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 000-26584)].
  
10{f}d}Form of Supplemental Executive Retirement Program Agreement with Gary Sirmon, Michael K. Larsen, Lloyd W. Baker, Cynthia D. Purcell and Richard B. Barton [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 and the exhibits filed with the Form 8-K on May 6, 2008 (File No. 000-26584)].
  
10{g}1998 Stock Option Plan [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated February 2, 1999 (File No. 333-71625)].
10{h}e}2001 Stock Option Plan [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated August 8, 2001 (File No. 333-67168)].
  
10{i}f}Form of Employment Contract entered into with Lloyd W. Baker, Cynthia D. Purcell, Richard B. Barton and Douglas M. Bennett [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Form 8-K on June 25, 2014 (File No. 000-26584)].
  
10{j}g}2004 Executive Officer and Director Stock Account Deferred Compensation Plan [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 (File No. 000-26584)].
  
10{k}h}2004 Executive Officer and Director Investment Account Deferred Compensation Plan [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 (File No. 000-26584)].
  
10{l}i}Long-Term Incentive Plan and Form of Repricing Agreement [incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Form 8-K on May 6, 2008 (File No. 000-26584)].
  
10{m}j}2005 Executive Officer and Director Stock Account Deferred Compensation Plan [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (File No. 000-26584)].
  
10{n}k}Entry into an Indemnification Agreement with each of the Registrant's Directors [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Form 8-K on January 29, 2010 (File No. 000-26584)].
  
10{o}l}2012 Restricted Stock and Incentive Bonus Plan [incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 19, 2013 (File No. 000-26584)].
  
10{p}m}Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 included in the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 4, 2013 (File No. 000-26584)].

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10{q}n}Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 included in the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 4, 2013 (File No. 000-26584)].
  

10{r}o}2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan [incorporated by reference as Appendix C to the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 24, 2014 (File No. 000-26584)] and amendments [incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K filed on March 25, 2015 (File No. 000-26584)].
  
10{s}p}Forms of Equity-Based Award Agreements: Incentive Stock Option Award Agreement, Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement, Restricted Stock Award Agreement, Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, Stock Appreciation Right Award Agreement, and Performance Unit Award Agreement [incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.2 - 10.7 included in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated May 9, 2014 (File No. 333-195835)].
  
10{t}q}Employment agreement entered into with Johan Mehlum [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 dated October 8, 2014 (File No. 333-199211)].
  
10{u}r}Employment agreement entered into with Lonnie Iholts [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 dated October 8, 2014 (File No. 333-199211)].
  
10{v}s}Investor Letter Agreement dated as of November 5, 2014 by and between Banner Corporation, and Oaktree Principal Fund V (Delaware), L.P. and certain of its affiliates (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 12, 2014 (File No. 000-26584)].
  
10{w}t}Investor Letter Agreement dated as of November 5, 2014 by and between Banner Corporation, and Friedman Fleischer and Lowe Capital Partners III, L.P. and certain of its affiliates (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 12, 2014 (File No. 000-26584)].
  
10{x}u}Investor Letter Agreement dated as of November 5, 2014 by and between Banner Corporation, and GS Capital Partners VI Fund L.P. and certain of its affiliates (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 12, 2014 (File No. 000-26584)] and amendment [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed on May 19, 2015 (File No. 000-26584)].
10{v}Amendment to Investor Letter Agreement dated as of May 18, 2015 by and between Banner Corporation, and GS Capital partners VI Fund, L.P. and certain of its affiliates (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 19, 2015 (File No. 000-26584)).
  
31.1Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  
31.2Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  
32Certificate of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  
101The following materials from Banner Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (a) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (b) Consolidated Statements of Operations; (c) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (d) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity; (e) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (f) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
  
  



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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 Banner Corporation  
   
NovemberMay 6, 20152016/s/ Mark J. Grescovich 
 Mark J. Grescovich 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
   
NovemberMay 6, 20152016/s/ Lloyd W. Baker 
 Lloyd W. Baker  
 
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 






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