TACOMA, Wash., April 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Clint Stein, President and Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Banking System, Inc. and Columbia Bank (NASDAQ: COLB) ("Columbia"), said today upon the release of Columbia's first quarter 2020 earnings, "COVID-19 had a profound impact on the final weeks of the first quarter and drove a material increase in our allowance for credit losses. We focused on initiatives intended to improve our operating leverage and their positive impact is reflected in our financial results." Mr. Stein continued, "We experienced strong loan and deposit growth during the quarter with several lines of business experiencing record first quarter performance. In addition, we focused on efficiency initiatives that significantly lowered our expense ratios."

Balance Sheet

Total assets at March 31, 2020 were $14.04 billion, a decrease of $41.0 million from the linked quarter. Loans were $8.93 billion, up $189.9 million from December 31, 2019 as a result of loan originations of $330.7 million and increased line utilization partially offset by payments. Securities available for sale were $3.55 billion at March 31, 2020, a decrease of $193.0 million from $3.75 billion at December 31, 2019. Total deposits at March 31, 2020 were $10.81 billion, an increase of $128.0 million from December 31, 2019 principally due to an increase of $104.6 million in public funds, excluding certificates of deposit. Deposit mix remained fairly consistent from December 31, 2019 with 49% noninterest-bearing and 51% interest-bearing. The average cost of total deposits for the quarter was 14 basis points, a decrease of 7 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2019. For additional information regarding this calculation, see the "Net Interest Margin" section.

Chris Merrywell, Columbia's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, stated, "The first quarter proved to be a positive quarter for loan growth driven by production and seasonal line utilization. Our bankers were on track for record first quarter loan production through the first two months, even though the first quarter is historically the weakest quarter of the year. Our teams did an excellent job of pivoting and adapting to our clients' needs as our new reality set in during the last month of the quarter. The decrease in interest rates helped to drive down the cost of deposits to levels close to historic lows."

Income Statement

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the first quarter of 2020 was $122.4 million, a decrease of $2.4 million and an increase of $1.4 million from the linked quarter and the prior year period, respectively. The decrease from the linked quarter was primarily due to lower interest income on loans as a result of the lower rate environment and higher interest expense on FHLB advances due to higher average advance balances. The decrease to net interest income from the linked quarter was partially offset by an increase in interest income on securities primarily due to $1.9 million of interest income and discount accretion related to the early payoff of three securities and a decrease in interest expense on money market deposits principally due to lower rates. Net interest income compared to the prior year period increased as a result of interest income and discount accretion from the early payoff on securities mentioned previously and higher average balances of securities partially offset by higher interest expense due to higher average balances of FHLB advances. For additional information regarding net interest income, see the "Net Interest Margin" section and the "Average Balances and Rates" tables.

Provision for Credit Losses

Effective January 1, 2020, Columbia adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13") and all related amendments. The allowance for credit losses under ASU 2016-13 utilizes a Current Expected Credit Losses ("CECL") methodology which estimates the expected loan losses over the contractual life of the loans in the loan portfolio of Columbia Bank (the "Bank"). Prior to January 1, 2020, the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses ("ALLL") methodology was used which estimated the amount of loan losses that had been incurred at the balance sheet date. The day 1 adoption of ASU 2016-13 and related amendments resulted in an increase of $1.6 million to the Bank's allowance for credit losses, an increase of $1.6 million to the Bank's allowance for unfunded commitments and letters of credit and a net-of-tax cumulative-effect adjustment of $2.5 million to decrease the beginning balance of retained earnings.

The Bank's provision for credit losses for the first quarter of 2020, under the new CECL methodology, was $41.5 million compared to $1.6 million and $1.4 million for the linked quarter and comparable quarter in 2019, respectively, which were calculated under the old ALLL methodology. The significant increase in the provision for the first quarter of 2020 was principally the result of the recent novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic outbreak that has created significant volatility in the local, national and world economies. With the national guidance regarding social distancing and state and county mandates to shelter or stay at home, many large and small businesses have had to close and there has been a dramatic increase in new unemployment claims. As a result, we have increased our reserves for lifetime credit losses as a result of the economic impact of COVID-19. For more information, please see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of our annual report on Form 10-K for the 2019 fiscal year and the "COVID-19 Update" section of this earnings release.

Andy McDonald, Columbia's Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, commented, "The increase in the provision was driven by our economic forecast reflecting the changes in the outlook for the economy driven by measures to mitigate health concerns surrounding COVID-19. Also contributing to the rise in the provision for the quarter was the negative migration in the portfolio which came about, not from customer past dues for example, but from our deep dive into the industries we believe that will be most impacted."

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income was $21.2 million for the first quarter of 2020, a decrease of $600 thousand from the linked quarter and a decrease of $489 thousand from the first quarter of 2019. The linked quarter decrease was principally due to decreases in deposit and other fees partially offset by an increase in loan fees. The decrease from the prior year period was primarily due to lower deposit fees and lower net securities gains partially offset by higher loan revenue.

Noninterest Expense

Total noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2020 was $84.3 million, a decrease of $2.7 million from the fourth quarter of 2019 due to lower legal and professional fees. The decrease in legal and professional fees was principally due to lower fees on reciprocal money market accounts in 2020 as well as lower expenses related to corporate initiatives during the first quarter of 2020.

Compared to the first quarter of 2019, noninterest expense decreased $429 thousand. Although total noninterest expense was relatively unchanged, legal and professional fees and Business and Occupation ("B&O") taxes decreased $2.5 million and $1.3 million, respectively, these decreases were partially offset by an increase of $2.8 million in compensation and employee benefits expense. The decrease in professional fees was due to lower fees on reciprocal money market account fees as well as lower expenses related to corporate initiatives. B&O tax expense benefited from a refund for a prior year.

Net Interest Margin

Columbia's net interest margin (tax equivalent) for the first quarter of 2020 was 4.00%, a decrease of 11 basis points and 32 basis points from the linked quarter and prior year period, respectively. The decrease in the net interest margin (tax equivalent) compared to the linked quarter was driven by lower rates on the loan portfolio and higher premium amortization on taxable securities. Compared to the prior year period, the decreased net interest margin (tax equivalent) was driven by lower rates on loans and higher average balances of FHLB advances.

Columbia's operating net interest margin (tax equivalent)(1) was 4.02% for the first quarter of 2020, which decreased 7 and 31 basis points compared to the linked quarter and the prior year period, respectively. The decreases in the operating net interest margin for the first quarter of 2020 compared to the linked quarter and the prior year quarter were due to the items noted in the preceding paragraph.

Asset Quality

At March 31, 2020, nonperforming assets to total assets were 0.34% compared to 0.24% at December 31, 2019. Total nonperforming assets increased $14.5 million from the linked quarter due to an increase in agriculture and commercial business nonaccrual loans.

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

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

The allowance for credit losses to period end loans was 1.37% at March 31, 2020 compared to an ALLL to period end loans of 0.96% at December 31, 2019.

Organizational Update

COVID-19 Update

Columbia began closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak early and enacted its pandemic plan in January to provide support for team members and clients. Advanced preparation and early action enabled the Bank to continue all operations as COVID-19 spread in the Northwest. Columbia continues to monitor the pandemic and adjust its response in concert with local government and healthcare officials. Clients have received support through payment deferral programs as well as a variety of options from the SBA including the Paycheck Protection Program, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and other deferral and automatic debt relief programs. Columbia has assisted its non-profit community partners by lifting restrictions on sponsorships and contributions to allow these organizations to rededicate the funds to COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.

Aaron Deer Named Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Columbia recently announced the appointment of Aaron Deer to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer following an extensive national search. Mr. Deer was most recently a Managing Director and Senior Research Analyst at Piper Sandler. As an equity analyst, he covered West Coast financial institutions for nearly 20 years with a focus on commercial banks and thrifts, financing of venture capital and private equity-backed enterprises as well as innovation among financial intermediaries. Mr. Deer has a detailed understanding of Columbia's business and broad industry expertise that will prove valuable as the Company continues to sharpen its strategy and explore opportunities for growth and improved operating leverage.

Cash Dividend Announcement

Columbia will pay a regular cash dividend of $0.28 per common share on May 28, 2020 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 14, 2020.

Conference Call Information

Columbia's management will discuss the first quarter 2020 financial results on a conference call scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time (1:00 p.m. ET). Interested parties may join the live-streamed event by using the site:https://engage.vevent.com/rt/columbiabankingsysteminc/index.jsp?seid=140

The conference call can also be accessed on Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time (1:00 p.m. ET) by calling 888-286-8956; Conference ID:6697578.

A replay of the call can be accessed beginning Friday, May 1, 2020 using the site:https://engage.vevent.com/rt/columbiabankingsysteminc/index.jsp?seid=140

About Columbia

Headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, Columbia Banking System, Inc. is the holding company of Columbia Bank, a Washington state-chartered full-service commercial bank with locations throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho. For the 13th consecutive year, the bank was named in 2019 as one of Puget Sound Business Journal's "Washington's Best Workplaces." For the 8th consecutive year, Columbia was included in the 2019 Forbes America's Best Banks list.

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, available at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's (the "SEC") website at www.sec.gov and the Company's website at www.columbiabank.com, include 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: (1) local, national and international economic conditions may be less favorable than expected or have a more direct and pronounced effect on Columbia than expected and adversely affect Columbia's ability to continue its internal growth at historical rates and maintain the quality of its earning assets; (2) the effect of COVID-19 and other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future, which has created significant uncertainties in U.S. and global markets, is expected to continue to adversely affect the businesses in which Columbia is engaged; (3) changes in interest rates could significantly reduce net interest income and negatively affect funding sources; (4) projected business increases following strategic expansion or opening or acquiring new branches may be lower than expected; (5) costs or difficulties related to the integration of acquisitions may be greater than expected; (6) competitive pressure among financial institutions may increase significantly; (7) failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures may adversely affect our business; (8) reliance on and cost of technology may increase; and (9) changes in governmental policy and regulation, including measures taken in response to economic, business, political and social conditions, including with regard to COVID-19, have adversely affected and may continue to adversely affect the businesses in which Columbia is engaged. 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. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by the federal securities laws. The factors noted above and the risks and uncertainties described in our SEC filings should be considered when reading any forward-looking statements in this release.