Columbia Banking System Announces Third Quarter 2022 Results

Notable Items for Third Quarter 2022

• Record quarterly net income of $64.9 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.83, which included a $0.03 per share reduction stemming from merger-related expenses
• Net interest margin of 3.47%, an increase of 31 basis points from the linked quarter
• Loan production of $598.1 million
• Totals loans increased 13% annualized to $11.69 billion
• Nonperforming assets to period-end assets ratio decreased to historic low of 0.07%

TACOMA, Wash., Oct. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbia Banking System, Inc. (NASDAQ: COLB) ("Columbia", "we" or "us"), the parent company of Columbia Bank (the "Bank"), released earnings for the third quarter of $64.9 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.83. Clint Stein, President and Chief Executive Officer said today upon the release of Columbia's earnings, "Record quarterly revenue and earnings were the result of our bankers remaining laser focused on our clients as they worked to expand their businesses and investments." He continued, "By anticipating changes within our markets and continuously working to scale our operations, we were successful in meeting our clients' needs and in growing market share."

Balance Sheet

Total assets at September 30, 2022 were $20.41 billion, a decrease of $159.0 million from the linked quarter. Loans were $11.69 billion, up $369.9 million from June 30, 2022, mainly attributable to loan originations of $598.1 million partially offset by loan payments. Debt securities in total were $6.78 billion, a decrease of $491.7 million from $7.27 billion at June 30, 2022 substantially driven by fair value movement related to the available-for-sale portfolio. Total deposits at September 30, 2022 were $17.94 billion, a decrease of $15.6 million from June 30, 2022. The deposit mix remained fairly consistent from June 30, 2022 with 50% noninterest-bearing and 50% interest-bearing.

Chris Merrywell, Columbia's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, stated, "Columbia's value proposition continues to be well-received by existing and new clients." He continued, "Our bankers' steadfast focus on anticipating and meeting our customers' needs drove robust loan growth during the quarter and maintained our low-cost deposit funding base."

Income Statement

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2022 was $162.5 million, an increase of $15.0 million from the linked quarter and an increase of $30.0 million from the prior-year period. The increase from the linked quarter was primarily due to higher loan interest income as a result of increased average rates and higher average balances. This was partially offset by lower interest income from securities due to decreased average balances and increased deposit interest expense driven by average rates on public fund deposits. The increase in net interest income from the prior-year period was mainly due to an increase in interest income from loans and securities, which was a result of higher average balances, partially related to the Bank of Commerce Holdings acquisition. For additional information regarding net interest income, see the "Net Interest Margin" section and the "Average Balances and Rates" tables.

Provision for Credit Losses

Columbia recorded a $5.3 million provision for credit losses for the third quarter of 2022 compared to a $2.1 million provision for the linked quarter and no provision for the comparable quarter in 2021. The provision for credit losses was mainly due to loan growth, but also was impacted by a less favorable economic forecast.

Andy McDonald, Columbia's Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, stated, "Strong loan growth resulted in modest provision expense during the quarter. We remain vigilant for economic challenges, which to date have been mitigated by strong credit quality metrics across the portfolio."

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income was $26.6 million for the third quarter of 2022, an increase of $1.6 million from the linked quarter and an increase of $2.7 million from the third quarter of 2021. The linked quarter increase was primarily due to a $3.7 million gain from the sale-leaseback of owned real estate. The gain was partially offset by decreased loan revenue, principally as a result of lower mortgage banking revenue and loan-related fees. Overall mortgage production declined as a result of the higher rate environment. The increase in noninterest income during the third quarter of 2022 compared to the same quarter in 2021 was mainly due to the previously noted sale-leaseback gain partially offset by decreased mortgage banking revenue.

Noninterest Expense

Total noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2022 was $101.4 million, an increase of $6.1 million compared to the second quarter of 2022. Total merger-related expenses for the quarter were $3.2 million, which compares to the linked quarter of $3.9 million. The largest contributor to the increase in noninterest expense was related to compensation and employee benefits driven by higher incentive expense. In addition, there was increased net loan expense and data processing and software expense during the quarter. Compared to the third quarter of 2021, noninterest expense increased $11.4 million, mostly attributable to an increase in compensation and employee benefits. This increase was primarily due to our acquisition of Bank of Commerce Holdings in the fourth quarter of 2021. Increased merger-related expenses also contributed to the increase from the prior-year period.

The provision for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments, a component of other noninterest expense, for the periods indicated are as follows:

Net Interest Margin

Columbia's net interest margin (tax equivalent) for the third quarter of 2022 was 3.47%, an increase of 31 basis points from the linked quarter and an increase of 30 basis points from the prior-year period. The increase in the net interest margin (tax equivalent) compared to the linked quarter and prior-year period was predominantly driven by higher average loan rates and a stronger earning assets mix. The average cost of total deposits for the quarter was 10 basis points compared to 5 basis points for the linked quarter. The increase was predominantly related to higher rates associated with public funds deposits. For additional information regarding net interest margin, see the "Average Balances and Rates" tables.

Columbia's operating net interest margin (tax equivalent)[1] was 3.50% for the third quarter of 2022, an increase of 27 basis points from the linked quarter and an increase of 34 basis points from the prior-year period. The increase in the operating net interest margin for the third quarter of 2022 compared to the linked quarter and the prior-year period were both due to higher average loan rates and a stronger earning assets mix.

Aaron James Deer, Columbia's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, said, "Our margin widened significantly during the quarter from the impact of rising market rates on strong loan production, existing loans coming off their floors and an improvement in the funding mix with half of our deposit base in noninterest-bearing accounts." He continued, "Our industry-leading deposit mix makes for a low deposit beta and should support further margin expansion."

Asset Quality

At September 30, 2022, nonperforming assets to total assets decreased to 0.07% compared to 0.08% at June 30, 2022. Total nonperforming assets decreased $3.5 million from the linked quarter, primarily due to decreases in commercial business and agriculture nonaccrual loans, partially offset by an increase in commercial real estate nonaccrual loans.

The following table sets forth information regarding nonaccrual loans and total nonperforming assets:

Nonperforming assets to total loans were 0.12% and 0.15% at September 30, 2022 and June 30, 2022, respectively.

The following table provides an analysis of the Company's allowance for credit losses:

The allowance for credit losses to period-end loans was 1.32% at September 30, 2022 and June 30, 2022. Excluding PPP loans, the allowance for credit losses to period-end loans[2] was 1.33% at September 30, 2022 and June 30, 2022.

Organizational Update

Umpqua Merger

Integration planning related to the combination with Umpqua Holdings Corporation, which shareholders of both companies overwhelmingly approved in January, continues to move forward despite the extensive regulatory approval process currently overshadowing new merger and acquisition activity in the banking industry. "Once regulatory approval is received, we anticipate the deal to close very quickly due to the comprehensive preparation of our cross-company integration teams," said Clint Stein. He continued, "I am confident that the new company will build on our existing momentum and immediately impact banking throughout the west."

Conference Call Information

Columbia's management will discuss the third quarter 2022 financial results on a conference call scheduled for Thursday, October 20, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time (2:00 p.m. ET). Interested parties may register for the call to receive dial-in details and their own unique PIN using the following link:
https://register.vevent.com/register/BI26835c8ea6ae478a8e843bce051b5372

Alternatively, the webcast can be joined by using the following link:  
https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/9a98d8yh

A replay of the webcast will be accessible beginning Friday, October 21, 2022 using the link below: 
https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/9a98d8yh

About Columbia

Headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, Columbia Banking System, Inc. (NASDAQ: COLB) is the holding company of Columbia Bank, a Washington state-chartered full-service commercial bank with locations throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California. The bank has been named one of Puget Sound Business Journal's "Washington's Best Workplaces," more than 10 times. Columbia was named on the Forbes 2022 list of "America's Best Banks" marking 11 consecutive years on the publication's list of top financial institutions.

More information about Columbia can be found on its website at www.columbiabank.com.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, descriptions of Columbia's management's expectations regarding future events and developments such as future operating results, growth in loans and deposits, continued success of Columbia's style of banking and the strength of the local economy as well as the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Columbia's business, operations, financial performance and prospects. The words "will," "believe," "expect," "intend," "should," and "anticipate" or the negative of these words or words of similar construction are intended in part to help identify forward-looking statements. Future events are difficult to predict, and the expectations described above are necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, that may cause actual results to differ materially and adversely. In addition to discussions about risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in Columbia's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and the Company's website at www.columbiabank.com, including the "Risk Factors," "Business" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of our annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (as applicable), factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

• national and global economic conditions could be less favorable than expected or could have a more direct and pronounced effect on us than expected and adversely affect our ability to continue internal growth and maintain the quality of our earning assets;
• the markets where we operate and make loans could face challenges;
• the risks presented by the economy, which could adversely affect credit quality, collateral values, including real estate collateral, investment values, liquidity and loan originations and loan portfolio delinquency rates;
• continued increases in inflation, and the risk that information may differ, possibly materially, from expectations, and actions taken by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in response to inflation and their potential impact on economic conditions including the possibility of a recession;
• risks related to the proposed merger with Umpqua including, among others, (i) failure to complete the merger with Umpqua or unexpected delays related to the merger or either party's inability to obtain regulatory approvals or satisfy other closing conditions required to complete the merger, (ii) regulatory approvals resulting in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the transaction, (iii) certain restrictions during the pendency of the proposed transaction with Umpqua that may impact the parties' ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions, (iv) diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities, (v) cost savings and any revenue synergies from the merger may not be fully realized or may take longer than anticipated to be realized, (vi) the integration of each party's management, personnel and operations will not be successfully achieved or may be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected, (vii) deposit attrition, customer or employee loss and/or revenue loss as a result of the proposed merger, (viii) expenses related to the proposed merger being greater than expected, and (ix) shareholder litigation that may prevent or delay the closing of the proposed merger or otherwise negatively impact the Company's business and operations;
• the efficiencies and enhanced financial and operating performance we expect to realize from investments in personnel, acquisitions and infrastructure may not be realized;
• the ability to successfully integrate future acquired entities;
• interest rate changes could significantly reduce net interest income and negatively affect asset yields and funding sources;
• the effect of the discontinuation or replacement of LIBOR;
• results of operations following strategic expansion, including the impact of acquired loans on our earnings, could differ from expectations;
• changes in the scope and cost of FDIC insurance and other coverages;
• changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other regulatory agencies could materially affect our financial statements and how we report those results, and expectations and preliminary analysis relating to how such changes will affect our financial results could prove incorrect;
• changes in laws and regulations affecting our businesses, including changes in the enforcement and interpretation of such laws and regulations by applicable governmental and regulatory agencies;
• increased competition among financial institutions and nontraditional providers of financial services;
• continued consolidation in the financial services industry resulting in the creation of larger financial institutions that have greater resources could change the competitive landscape;
• the goodwill we have recorded in connection with acquisitions could become impaired, which may have an adverse impact on our earnings and capital;
• our ability to identify and address cyber-security risks, including security breaches, "denial of service attacks," "hacking" and identity theft;
• any material failure or interruption of our information and communications systems;
• inability to keep pace with technological changes;
• our ability to effectively manage credit risk, interest rate risk, market risk, operational risk, legal risk, liquidity risk and regulatory and compliance risk;
• failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures;
• the effect of geopolitical instability, including wars, conflicts and terrorist attacks, including the impacts of Russia's invasion of Ukraine;
• our profitability measures could be adversely affected if we are unable to effectively manage our capital;
• the risks from climate change and its potential to disrupt our business and adversely impact the operations and creditworthiness of our customers;
• natural disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, fires and other unexpected events;
• the effect of COVID-19 and other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future, which has created significant impacts and uncertainties in U.S. and global markets;
• changes in governmental policy and regulation, including measures taken in response to economic, business, political and social conditions, including with regard to COVID-19; and
• the effects of any damage to our reputation resulting from developments related to any of the items identified above.

Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described above can be found in Columbia's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which is on file with the SEC and available on Columbia's website, www.columbiabank.com, under the heading "Financial Information" and in other documents Columbia files with the SEC, and in Umpqua's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which is on file with the SEC and available on Umpqua's investor relations website, www.umpquabank.com, under the heading "Financials," and in other documents Umpqua files with the SEC.

We believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, based on information available to us on the date hereof. However, given the described uncertainties and risks, we cannot guarantee our future performance or results of operations and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date hereof. Neither Columbia nor Umpqua assumes any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by federal securities laws.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company considers its operating net interest margin (tax equivalent) and operating efficiency ratios to be useful measurements as they more closely reflect the ongoing operating performance of the Company. Despite the usefulness of the operating net interest margin (tax equivalent) and operating efficiency ratio to the Company, there are no standardized definitions for these metrics. As a result, the Company's calculations may not be comparable with those of other organizations. The Company encourages readers to consider its consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

The following tables reconcile the Company's calculation of the operating net interest margin (tax equivalent) and operating efficiency ratio:

Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Continued

The Company also considers its core noninterest expense ratio to be a useful measurement as it more closely reflects the ongoing operating performance of the Company. Despite the usefulness of the core noninterest expense ratio to the Company, there is not a standardized definition for it, as a result, the Company's calculations may not be comparable with those of other organizations. The Company encourages readers to consider its consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

The following table reconciles the Company's calculation of the core noninterest expense ratio:

The Company considers its pre-tax, pre-provision income to be a useful measurement in evaluating the earnings of the Company as it provides a method to assess income. Despite the usefulness of this measure to the Company, there is not a standardized definition for it. As a result, the Company's calculation may not always be comparable with those of other organizations. The Company encourages readers to consider its consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

The following table reconciles the Company's calculation of the pre-tax, pre-provision income:

Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Continued

The Company considers its tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share ratio to be useful measurements in evaluating the capital adequacy of the Company as they provide a method to assess management's success in utilizing our tangible capital. Despite the usefulness of these ratios to the Company, there is not a standardized definition for these metrics. As a result, the Company's calculation may not always be comparable with those of other organizations. The Company encourages readers to consider its consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

The following table reconciles the Company's calculation of the tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share ratio:

The Company considers its ratio of allowance for credit losses to period-end loans, excluding PPP loans, to be a useful measurement in evaluating the adequacy of the amount of allowance for credit losses to loans of the Company, as PPP loans are guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration and thus do not require the same amount of reserve for credit losses as do other loans. Despite the usefulness of this ratio to the Company, there is not a standardized definition for it. As a result, the Company's calculation may not always be comparable with those of other organizations. The Company encourages readers to consider its consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

The following table reconciles the Company's calculation of the allowance for credit losses to period-end loans, excluding PPP loans:

Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Continued

The Company also considers its return on average tangible common equity ratio to be a useful measurement as it evaluates the Company's ongoing ability to generate returns for its common shareholders. By removing the impact of intangible assets and their related amortization and tax effects, the performance of the business can be evaluated, whether acquired or developed internally. Despite the usefulness of this ratio to the Company, there is not a standardized definition for it. As a result, the Company's calculation may not always be comparable with those of other organizations. The Company encourages readers to consider its consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

The following table reconciles the Company's calculation of the return on average tangible common shareholders' equity ratio:

SOURCE Columbia Banking System, Inc.