FBNW Firstbank NW

Highlights for the First Fiscal Quarter 2007: CLARKSTON, Wash., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- FirstBank NW Corp. (the Company) (NASDAQ:FBNW) today announced another quarter of strong financial results. On June 5, 2006, FirstBank NW Corp. announced the signing of a definitive agreement in connection with the proposed merger of FirstBank NW Corp. and Sterling Financial Corporation. Merger related expenses of $401,000 tax effected, are reflected in the Statement of Income for the quarter ended June 30, 2006. For the quarter ended June 30, 2006, diluted earnings per share increased 6.5% to $0.33 compared to $0.31 for the same quarter last year. Net income for the quarter increased 8.0% to $2.0 million compared to $1.9 million for the same quarter a year ago. At June 30, 2006, net average loans receivable was 11.3% higher than a year ago, and grew at a 21.0% linked-quarter pace (annualized) during the first fiscal quarter of 2007. Similarly, average deposit balances as of June 30, 2006 were 10.2% higher than the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and increased at a 20.6% linked-quarter pace (annualized) during the first fiscal quarter of 2007. For the first fiscal quarter of 2007, the Company's return on average tangible equity was 12.95% compared to 13.67% for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, while the return on average assets was 0.93% for the current quarter compared to 0.90% for same quarter one year ago. Pro forma return on average tangible equity was 15.54% and pro forma return on average assets was 1.11% for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, which reflects performance before merger related expenses (tax effected) incurred during the quarter. The net interest margin was higher for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, at 4.72% compared to 4.47% for the quarter ended June 30, 2005. "We anticipate growth rates for loans and deposits to moderate based on indications of a slowing real estate market and as the pending merger with Sterling approaches the proposed closing date," said Clyde E. Conklin, President and Chief Executive Officer. In addition to results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. FirstBank believes that providing non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with information useful in understanding our financial performance. FirstBank provides measures based on "Pro Forma net income," which exclude merger related expenses. Pro Forma net income per basic and diluted share is calculated by dividing pro forma net income by the same basic and diluted share total used in determining basic and diluted earnings per share. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP equivalent is included in the following financial table or where the non-GAAP measure is presented. Three Months Ended Three Months Ended June 30, 2006 June 30, 2005 Net income $2,001 $1,852 Add back: Merger related expenses, net of tax 401 0 Pro Forma net income $2,402 $1,852 Earnings per share -- basic: Net income $0.34 $0.32 Pro Forma net income $0.40 $0.32 Earnings per share -- diluted: Net income $0.33 $0.31 Pro Forma net income $0.39 $0.31 LOAN GROWTH AND CREDIT QUALITY: At June 30, 2006, net loans receivable grew to $662.6 million, up $59.6 million from $603.0 million a year ago. Loan growth on a linked-quarter basis was $30.1 million, a 19.0% (annualized) pace. Loan growth was well distributed by region and by loan type as construction and commercial real estate lending was strong, and there was a seasonal increase in agricultural operating loans. The credit quality of the Company's loan portfolio remained favorable with total non-performing assets of $1.1 million, or 0.13% of total assets at June 30, 2006 compared to $2.4 million, or 0.28% of total assets at June 30, 2005, and $1.2 million, or 0.14% of total assets at March 31, 2006. Net loan charge-offs for the first fiscal quarter were $47,000 compared to the quarter a year ago of $151,000, and $618,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2006. The reserve for losses on loans and loan commitments decreased to 1.28% of net loans at June 30, 2006 from 1.32% at June 30, 2005, and was essentially unchanged from 1.29% at March 31, 2006. In keeping with the quarter's strong loan growth, loan loss provision expense was $372,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, $868,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, and $237,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2006. Management believes the reserve is at an appropriate level considering the credit quality demonstrated, loan loss histories, and prevailing economic conditions. FUNDING: Deposit balances as of June 30, 2006 increased $75.5 million, or 13.4%, to $637.2 million from $561.7 million at June 30, 2005. At June 30, 2006, total branch deposits were $580.1 million, consisting of $347.2 million, or 59.9% in core deposits and $232.9 million, or 40.1% in time deposits compared with the comparable period a year ago of $502.3 million in total branch deposits, which consisted of $311.5 million, or 62.0% in core deposits and $190.8 million, or 38.0% in time deposits. Brokered deposits at June 30, 2006 totaled $57.1 million as compared to $59.4 million a year ago, a decrease of $2.3 million. Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) and other borrowings at June 30, 2006 totaled $147.4 million compared to $193.8 million a year ago, a decrease of $46.4 million. NET INTEREST MARGIN AND INTEREST RATE RISK: The Company's net interest margin was 4.72% for the first fiscal quarter of 2007 compared to 4.47% for the quarter ended June 30, 2005. The flattening of the yield curve continues to pressure the net interest margin, however, the Company's asset sensitivity continues to accommodate timely market pricing as the cost of deposits and borrowed funds continues to increase. Yields on earning assets increased by 98 basis points to 7.80% compared to 6.82% for the quarter ended June 30, 2005. Meanwhile, the average rate paid on total deposits and borrowed funds increased 83 basis points to 3.16% compared to 2.33% for the quarter ended June 30, 2005. "Attainment of branch deposit growth objectives, repricing of deposits based on marginal cost analysis, and repricing of assets floating with prime are key to maintaining the net interest margin," noted Conklin. NON-INTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE: Non-interest income for the quarters ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 remained unchanged at $1.7 million. Non-interest income is driven by gain on sale of loans and transaction account fees. Non-interest expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 was $7.3 million, or 23.2% above the quarter ended June 30, 2005 of $6.0 million. Total non-interest expense related to merger activities was $659,000, or $401,000 tax effected, for the quarter ended June 30, 2006. "Additionally, compensation and benefits further increased these expenses," said Larry K. Moxley, Chief Financial Officer. CAPITAL: At June 30, 2006, the Tier 1 capital of FirstBank Northwest, FirstBank's wholly-owned subsidiary, was $62.3 million, or 7.4% leverage ratio based on average assets, and total risk-based capital was $73.4 million, or 11.4% risk-based capital ratio based on risk-weighted assets. PROPOSED MERGER: FirstBank NW Corp. and Sterling Financial Corporation announced on June 5, 2006 that they have entered into a definitive agreement to merge FirstBank NW Corp. into Sterling Financial Corporation. The transaction is expected to close in the last calendar quarter of 2006 (pending FirstBank shareholder and regulatory approval and the satisfaction of certain other conditions). Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, which was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, each share of FirstBank common stock will be converted into the right to receive 0.789 shares of Sterling common stock and $2.55 in cash, subject to certain conditions. CASH DIVIDEND: On June 29, 2006, FirstBank NW Corp. announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share. The dividend will be paid on August 16, 2006 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 2, 2006. BUSINESS STRATEGY: FirstBank NW Corp. (headquartered in Clarkston, Washington) is the holding company for FirstBank Northwest, a Washington state chartered savings bank founded in 1920, and has a track record of consistent above-average growth and improving profitability, operating in the rural markets of eastern Oregon, eastern Washington and central Idaho, in addition to the larger and growing markets of Boise and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and Spokane, Washington. FirstBank Northwest is focused on each community served, striving to deliver competitive financial products and services through exceptional customer service standards, local expertise and leadership. FirstBank Northwest operates 20 branch locations in Idaho, eastern Washington and eastern Oregon, in addition to loan centers in Lewiston, Coeur d'Alene, Boise and Nampa, Idaho, Spokane, Washington, and Baker City, Oregon. FirstBank Northwest is known as the local community bank, offering its customers highly personalized service in the many communities it serves. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT Sterling intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-4, and FirstBank expects to mail a proxy statement/prospectus to its security holders, containing information about the proposed merger transaction. Investors and security holders of Sterling and FirstBank are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials when they become available because they will contain important information about Sterling, FirstBank and the proposed merger. In addition to the registration statement to be filed by Sterling and the proxy statement/prospectus to be mailed to the security holders of FirstBank, Sterling and FirstBank file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents (when they become available) and any other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission at its website at http://www.sec.gov/. The documents filed by Sterling may also be obtained free of charge from Sterling by requesting them in writing at Sterling Financial Corporation, 111 North Wall Street, Spokane, WA 99201, or by telephone at 509-227-5389. In addition, investors and security holders may access copies of the documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sterling on its website at http://www.sterlingfinancialcorporation-spokane.com/. The documents filed by FirstBank may also be obtained by requesting them in writing at FirstBank NW Corp., 1300 16th Avenue, Clarkston, WA 99403 or by telephone at 509-295-5100. In addition, investors and security holders may access copies of the documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by FirstBank on its website at http://www.fbnw.com/. Sterling, FirstBank and their respective officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the security holders of FirstBank with respect to the transactions contemplated by the proposed merger. Information regarding Sterling's officers and directors is included in Sterling's proxy statement for its 2006 annual meeting of shareholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 24, 2006. Information regarding FirstBank's officers and directors is included in FirstBank's proxy statement for its 2005 annual meeting of shareholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 17, 2005. A description of the interests of the directors and executive officers of Sterling and FirstBank in the merger will be set forth in FirstBank's proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission when they become available. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain matters in this News Release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may relate to, among others, expectations of the business environment in which the Company operates, projections of future performance, including operating efficiencies, perceived opportunities in the market, potential future credit experience and statements regarding the Company's mission and vision. These forward-looking statements are based upon current management' expectations, and may, therefore, involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results, performance, and achievements may differ materially from those suggested, expressed or implied by forward-looking statements due to a wide range of factors including, but not limited to, the general business environment, interest rates, the real estate market in Washington, Idaho and Oregon, the demand for mortgage loans, competitive conditions between banks and non-bank financial service providers, regulatory changes, costs of implementing additional securities requirements, requirements of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, the risk that the proposed merger with Sterling may not be approved by shareholders of FirstBank or the necessary regulatory approvals are not obtained, the risk that other closing conditions of the proposed merger are not satisfied, and other risks detailed in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006. Forward-looking statements are effective only as of the date they are made and the Company assumes no obligation to update this information. FIRSTBANK NW CORP (unaudited) (dollars in thousands except per share data) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Three Three Months Ended Months Ended June 30, 2006 June 30, 2005 Interest Income $15,084 $12,140 Interest Expense 6,139 4,328 Provision for Loan Losses 372 868 Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses 8,573 6,944 Non-Interest Income Gain on Sale of Loans (1) 407 338 Service Fees and Charges 1,215 1,217 Commission and Other 42 102 Total Non-Interest Income 1,664 1,657 Non-Interest Expense Compensation and Related Expenses 4,154 3,639 Occupancy 732 706 Other 2,446 1,605 Total Non-Interest Expense 7,332 5,950 Income Tax Expense 904 799 Net Income $2,001 $1,852 Basic Earnings per Share (6) $0.34 $0.32 Diluted Earnings per Share (6) $0.33 $0.31 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding- Basic (6) 5,935,585 5,857,710 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding- Diluted (6) 6,096,877 5,981,600 Actual Shares Issued (6) 6,062,186 5,997,390 FINANCIAL STATISTICS (ratios annualized) At At June 30, 2006 June 30, 2005 Total Assets $883,536 $843,961 Cash and Cash Equivalents $34,390 $43,994 Loans Receivable, net $662,624 $602,997 Loans Held for Sale $4,558 $8,383 Mortgage-Backed Securities $50,801 $59,401 Investment Securities $48,327 $48,325 Equity Securities, at cost $12,789 $12,789 Deposits $637,158 $561,655 FHLB Advances & Other Borrowings $147,373 $193,823 Stockholders' Equity $79,897 $73,960 Tangible Book Value per Share (2) (6) $10.31 $9.31 Tangible Equity / Total Tangible Assets 7.08% 6.61% Number of full-time equivalent Employees (3) 264 262 Three Three Months Ended Months Ended June 30, 2006 June 30, 2005 Return on Average Assets 0.93% 0.90% Pro Forma Return on Average Assets (7) 1.11% 0.90% Return on Average Tangible Equity 12.95% 13.67% Pro Forma Return on Average Tangible Equity (7) 15.54% 13.67% Return on Average Equity 9.94% 10.05% Pro Forma Return on Average Equity (7) 11.93% 10.05% Average Equity / Average Assets 9.32% 8.94% Efficiency Ratio (4) 66.38% 60.10% Pro Forma Efficiency Ratio (7) 60.42% 60.10% Non-Interest Expenses / Average Assets 3.39% 2.89% Pro Forma Non-Interest Expenses / Average Assets (7) 3.09% 2.89% Net Interest Margin (5) 4.72% 4.47% LOANS At June 30, 2006 At June 30, 2005 LOAN PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS: Amount Percent Amount Percent Real Estate Loans: Residential $128,671 19.11 % $117,565 19.16 % Construction 117,067 17.39 86,023 14.02 Agricultural 18,729 2.78 20,204 3.29 Commercial 213,253 31.67 191,347 31.18 Total Real Estate Loans 477,720 70.95 415,139 67.65 Other Loans: Home Equity 41,596 6.18 40,265 6.56 Agricultural Operating 25,749 3.82 26,739 4.36 Commercial 89,959 13.36 90,860 14.81 Other Consumer 38,317 5.69 40,634 6.62 Total Other Loans 195,621 29.05 198,498 32.35 Total Loans Receivable $673,341 100.00 % $613,637 100.00 % ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES Three Three Months Ended Months Ended June 30, 2006 June 30, 2005 Balance at Beginning of Period $8,138 $7,254 Provision for Loan Losses 372 868 Charge Offs (Net of Recoveries) (47) (151) Balance at End of Period $8,463 $7,971 Loan Loss Allowance / Net Loans 1.28% 1.32% Loan Loss Allowance / Non-Performing Loans 2636.45% 825.16% NON-PERFORMING ASSETS At June 30, 2006 At June 30, 2005 Accruing Loans -- 90 Days Past Due $0 $272 Non-accrual Loans 321 694 Total Non-Performing Loans 321 966 Restructured Loans on Accrual 799 1,345 Real Estate Owned (REO) 0 0 Repossessed Assets 15 93 Total Non-Performing Assets $1,135 $2,404 Total Non-Performing Assets / Total Assets 0.13% 0.28% Loan Loss Allowance as a Percentage of Non-Performing Assets 745.64% 331.57% AVERAGE BALANCES Three Three Months Ended Months Ended June 30, 2006 June 30, 2005 Total Average Interest Earning Assets $795,655 $737,425 Total Average Assets 864,277 824,707 Average Deposits and Other Borrowed Funds 777,264 743,171 Average Total Tangible Equity 61,818 54,178 (1) Gain on sale of loans includes recovery of mortgage servicing rights of $55 and $19 for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. (2) Calculation excludes unallocated shares in the employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) June 30, 2006 -- 120,696 shares and June 30, 2005 -- 137,408 shares. (3) Number of full-time equivalent employees is the quarterly average. (4) Calculation is non-interest expense divided by tax equivalent non-interest income and tax equivalent net interest income. (5) Calculation is tax equivalent net interest income divided by average daily balance of total interest-earning assets. (6) The outstanding shares, weighted average shares outstanding, and earnings per share have been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split in the form of a 100% per share stock dividend announced on January 4, 2006. (7) Non-GAAP Financial Measures: In addition to results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. FirstBank believes that providing non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with information useful in understanding our financial performance. FirstBank provides measures based on "Pro Forma net income," which exclude merger related expenses. Pro Forma net income per basic and diluted share is calculated by dividing pro forma net income by the same basic and diluted share total used in determining basic and diluted earnings per share. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP equivalent is included in the following financial table or where the non-GAAP measure is presented. Three Three Months Ended Months Ended June 30, 2006 June 30, 2005 Net income $2,001 $1,852 Add back: Merger related expenses, net of tax 401 0 Pro Forma net income $2,402 $1,852 Earnings per share -- basic: Net income $0.34 $0.32 Pro Forma net income $0.40 $0.32 Earnings per share -- diluted: Net income $0.33 $0.31 Pro Forma net income $0.39 $0.31 DATASOURCE: FirstBank NW Corp. CONTACT: Larry Moxley of FirstBank NW Corp., +1-509-295-5100, or Web site: http://www.fbnw.com/

Copyright