Banner Corporation reports Q4 EPS $1.24, consensus $1.30

Reports Q4 revenue $152.5M, consensus $140.45M. “Our super community bank business strategy of emphasizing a moderate risk profile and strong relationship banking, continues to provide stable operating performance and has positioned the Company well to weather recent market headwinds,” said Mark Grescovich, President and CEO. “Banner’s performance for the fourth quarter of 2023 benefited from strong loan growth and higher yields on interest-earning assets. However, the continued higher interest rate environment and its effect on funding costs resulted in moderate compression in our net interest margin during the quarter. We continue to maintain very strong credit quality metrics and a solid reserve for potential loan losses. Additionally, we continue to benefit from a strong core deposit base, with core deposits representing 89% of total deposits at quarter end. Banner’s overarching goals continue to be to do the right thing for our clients, communities, colleagues, company and shareholders; and to provide a consistent and reliable source of commerce and capital through all economic cycles and change events.”