First Northwest Bancorp Earns Record $3.8 Million, or $0.41 Per Diluted Share, in Fourth Quarter 2020 and a Record $10.3 Million, or $1.10 Per Diluted Share, for the Year; Results Highlight Net Interest Margin Expansion and Substantial Loan and Core Deposit Growth; Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.06 Per Share

Rhea-AI Summary

First Northwest Bancorp (FNWB) reported a 72% increase in net income for Q4 2020, totaling $3.8 million, or $0.41 per diluted share. For the fiscal year, net income rose 14.7% to a record $10.3 million. The bank experienced significant loan growth of 30% year-over-year, reaching $1.14 billion, alongside a 33.1% increase in deposits to $1.33 billion. The Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share, payable on February 26, 2021. The bank actively supported customers through COVID-19 with PPP loans totaling $32.2 million and a successful participation in the Main Street Lending Program.

Positive

• Net income surged 72% to $3.8 million in Q4 2020.
• Fiscal year 2020 net income reached $10.3 million, a 14.7% increase.
• Loans grew by 30% year-over-year, totaling $1.14 billion.
• Deposits increased 33.1% to $1.33 billion.
• Quarterly dividend of $0.06 per common share announced.

Negative

• Provision for loan losses increased to $930,000 in Q4 2020.
• Classified loans rose by $3.5 million during the quarter, indicating potential credit risk.

PORT ANGELES, Wash., Jan. 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Northwest Bancorp (Nasdaq: FNWB) (“Company”), the holding company for First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Port Angeles (“Bank” or "First Federal"), today reported net income increased 72.0% to $3.8 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $2.2 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter a year ago, an increase of 3.8% compared to $3.7 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2020. Fourth quarter results reflected strong loan and deposit growth, net interest margin expansion and improved efficiency. For the year 2020, net income increased 14.7% to a record $10.3 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, compared to $9.0 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, for 2019.

The Company also announced that its Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per common share outstanding, payable on February 26, 2021 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 12, 2021.

“First Northwest Bancorp produced record results for the fourth quarter and the year, with strong top line revenue growth, double digit loan and deposit growth and an improving net interest margin,” stated Matthew P. Deines, President and CEO. “Despite a difficult operating environment created by pandemic-related economic challenges, we made progress in several areas of the business, as we continued to support our customers, communities and employees.”

The sectors most heavily impacted by the pandemic include hospitality; restaurant and food services; and lessors of commercial real estate to these businesses. At December 31, 2020, the Company’s exposure as a percentage of the total loan portfolio to these industries was 4.44%, 0.17%, and 4.41%, respectively.

“We participated in the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) beginning in April and ending in August, 2020, assisting approximately 515 customers who received $32.2 million in PPP funding, and we are participating in the SBA’s new round of PPP funding that began earlier this month,” said Deines. “This next round of SBA funding offers new PPP loans for companies that did not receive a PPP loan in 2020, and also "second draw" loans targeted at hard-hit businesses that have already used their initial PPP proceeds. Now more than ever, we are here for our customers and communities.”

“We were also successful participating in the Federal Reserve’s Main Street Lending Program,” said Deines. “As of year-end, we assisted approximately 20 customers receive $115.1 million in loans under the program. We were among the top banks in Washington State in terms Main Street Loans funded in both dollars and count.”

Under the Main Street Lending Program, the Federal Reserve purchased loans that the bank makes to small and mid-sized businesses, with the Federal Reserve purchasing 95% of each loan. The program, which became operational in early July, was designed to keep credit flowing to small and mid-sized businesses that were in good financial standing before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but which came under extreme stress due to stay-at-home and business closure orders from state and local governments.

“In addition to the SBA’s PPP and the Federal Reserve’s Main Street Lending Program, we implemented additional programs to support our customers experiencing financial hardship as a result of the pandemic. These assistances included payment forbearance agreements with some customers for periods of up to six months. We deferred payment on 357 loans totaling $177.6 million through December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, the deferral period had ended and payments voluntarily resumed for approximately 94.7% of these loans, of which 93.8% have resumed normal payments. Only 2.2% requested a second deferral period,” added Deines.

The table below presents selected information on loans that remained on COVID-19 deferrals at the periods indicated.

	% of Total Loan Portfolio			Deferred Loan Balance			Number of Loans
				(In thousands)
June 30, 2020	12.9	%		$	128,420		297
September 30, 2020	13.9				149,542		183
December 31, 2020	0.2				2,349		19

Fourth Quarter 2020 Highlights (at or for the quarter ended December 31, 2020)

• Fourth quarter net income increased to $3.8 million, compared to $3.7 million in the preceding quarter and $2.2 million in the year ago quarter.
• Diluted earnings per share was $0.41, up from $0.40 per share in the preceding quarter and $0.23 per share compared to the fourth quarter a year ago.
• Provision for loan losses was $930,000 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.4 million in the third quarter of 2020 and $249,000 in the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Loans receivable increased 7.6% to $1.14 billion at December 31, 2020, compared to $1.06 billion at September 30, 2020, and increased 30.0% compared to $878.4 million a year ago, primarily due to growth in commercial real estate and commercial business loans, including PPP loans.
• Deposits increased 6.3% during the quarter and increased 33.1% from one year prior, to $1.33 billion at December 31, 2020, due to successful organic and wholesale deposit-gathering strategies, including significant growth in noninterest-bearing deposits, which increased 71.4 % in 2020.
• The cost of deposits for the fourth quarter decreased to 0.33% from 0.45% for third quarter 2020 and 0.77% in the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Gain on sale of mortgage loans was $2.3 million for the fourth quarter compared to $1.7 million in the previous quarter and $247,000 in the fourth quarter of 2019 reflecting strong quarterly mortgage originations, including refinance activity.
• During the fourth quarter, the Company repurchased 15,553 shares of common stock at an average price of $15.67 per share for a total of $244,000, leaving 1,007,867 shares remaining under the 2020 Stock Repurchase Plan approved in October 2020.

Balance Sheet Review

Total assets increased $89.7 million, or 5.7%, to $1.65 billion, at December 31, 2020, compared to $1.56 billion at September 30, 2020, and increased $347.0 million, or 26.5%, compared to $1.31 billion, at December 31, 2019.

Investment securities decreased $4.8 million to $364.3 million, at December 31, 2020, compared to $369.1 million three months earlier and increased $48.7 million compared to $315.6 million, at December 31, 2019. At December 31, 2020, municipal bonds totaled $127.9 million and comprised the largest portion of the investment portfolio at 35.1%. The estimated average life of the total investment securities portfolio was 7.3 years, and the average repricing term was approximately 4.9 years.

“We continue to utilize the investment portfolio for liquidity and interest income generation,” said Geri Bullard, EVP/Chief Financial Officer. “We began adding to the investment portfolio in the second quarter as deposits increased in the early stages of the pandemic and credit spreads widened, creating more desirable opportunities.”

Securities consisted of the following at the dates indicated:

		December 31, 2020				September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019				Three Month Change				One Year Change
		(In thousands)
Available for Sale at Fair Value
Municipal bonds		$	127,862			$	97,143			$	39,282			$	30,719			$	88,580
U.S. government agency issued asset-backed securities (ABS agency)			63,820				73,618				28,858				(9,798	)			34,962
Corporate issued asset-backed securities (ABS corporate)			29,280				32,747				40,855				(3,467	)			(11,575	)
Corporate issued debt securities (Corporate debt)			35,510				33,230				9,643				2,280				25,867
U.S. Small Business Administration securities (SBA)			18,564				23,864				28,459				(5,300	)			(9,895	)
Mortgage-backed securities:
U.S. government agency issued mortgage-backed securities (MBS agency)			62,683				92,402				160,167				(29,719	)			(97,484	)
Corporate issued mortgage-backed securities (MBS corporate)			26,577				16,107				8,316				10,470				18,261
Total securities available for sale		$	364,296			$	369,111			$	315,580			$	(4,815	)		$	48,716

Total loans, excluding loans held for sale, increased $81.2 million, or 7.6%, to $1.14 billion at December 31, 2020, from $1.06 billion at September 30, 2020, and increased $263.5 million, or 30.0%, from $878.4 million a year ago. “The collective efforts of our lending team during the year resulted in significant increases in balances, with total loans increasing 30.6% during the year, and total loans, excluding PPP loans increasing 28.0% during the year,” said Randy Riffle, EVP/Chief Lending Officer. “Additionally, PPP loans helped fuel loan production, with $32.2 million in total PPP loans funded in 2020. The first round of PPP expired on August 8, 2020 and as of year-end, we had submitted 171 forgiveness applications to the SBA totaling $13.5 million and received payment from the SBA for 114 borrowers. Approximately $182,000 of the income recognized during the fourth quarter was related to deferred fees associated with PPP loan payoffs.”

The Company originated $95.7 million in residential mortgages during the quarter and sold $59.3 million, with an average gross margin on sale of mortgage loans of approximately 3.01%. This production compares to residential mortgage originations of $41.1 million in the preceding quarter with sales of $48.0 million. “The activity in the mortgage market continued to exceed historical volumes again during the fourth quarter of 2020, especially for refinances of existing mortgages as interest rates remain at historically low levels,” said Kelly Liske, Chief Banking Officer.

Loans receivable consisted of the following at the dates indicated:

		December 31, 2020				September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019				Three Month Change				One Year Change
		(In thousands)
Real Estate:
One to four family		$	309,828			$	317,755			$	306,014			$	(7,927	)		$	3,814
Multi-family			162,467				127,569				96,098				34,898				66,369
Commercial real estate			296,574				283,390				255,722				13,184				40,852
Construction and land			123,627				75,204				37,187				48,423				86,440
Total real estate loans			892,496				803,918				695,021				88,578				197,475
Consumer:
Home equity			33,103				34,120				35,046				(1,017	)			(1,943	)
Auto and other consumer			128,233				111,782				112,119				16,451				16,114
Total consumer loans			161,336				145,902				147,165				15,434				14,171
Commercial business			100,201				123,036				41,571				(22,835	)			58,630
Total loans			1,154,033				1,072,856				883,757				81,177				270,276
Less:
Net deferred loan fees			4,346				2,628				206				1,718				4,140
Premium on purchased loans, net			(6,129	)			(4,196	)			(4,514	)			(1,933	)			(1,615	)
Allowance for loan losses			13,847				13,007				9,628				840				4,219
Total loans receivable, net		$	1,141,969			$	1,061,417			$	878,437			$	80,552			$	263,532

The Company continues to monitor the sectors that have been most heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The table below presents selected information on loans to these industries as of December 31, 2020.

Industry	% of Total Loan Portfolio			Loan Balance			Number of Loans		Average Loan- to-Value
				(In thousands)
Hospitality	4.4	%		$	49,181		15		61.4	%
Restaurant and food services	0.2				1,915		6		64.9
Lessors of commercial real estate to hospitality, restaurant, and retail establishments	4.4				48,894		27		51.02

Total deposits increased $79.1 million, or 6.3%, to $1.33 billion at December 31, 2020, compared to $1.25 billion at September 30, 2020 and increased $331.9 million, or 33.1%, when compared to $1.00 billion a year ago. Savings accounts decreased 2.7% compared to a year ago, to $164.4 million at December 31, 2020, and represented 12.3% of total deposits; transaction accounts increased 55.9% compared to a year ago to $431.2 million at December 31, 2020, and account for 32.3% of total deposits; money market accounts increased 73.0% compared to a year ago to $429.1 million, and represented 32.2% of total deposits, and certificates of deposit remained unchanged compared to a year ago at $308.8 million at year-end, and represent 23.2% of total deposits.

“Deposit balances remain at record levels, as consumers continue to build cash reserves,” said Bullard. “We are strategically increasing non-interest bearing and other core deposits to manage overall funding costs and interest rate risk. We held $93.9 million, or 7.0% of total deposits, in brokered CDs included in our balance of certificates of deposit at December 31, 2020, and $92.6 million, or 7.4% of total deposits in brokered CDs at September 30, 2020. The weighted-average cost of brokered CDs improved to 0.36% for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to 0.51% for the previous quarter. We were able to lower our total cost of funds over the quarter by shifting our deposit mix toward noninterest-bearing and other core deposits.” Total cost of funds improved to 0.38% for the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to 0.50% for the third quarter of 2020.

Deposits consisted of the following at the dates indicated:

		December 31, 2020				September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019				Three Month Change				One Year Change
		(In thousands)
Savings		$	164,434			$	171,905			$	168,983			$	(7,471	)		$	(4,549	)
Transaction accounts			431,171				390,867				276,496				40,304				154,675
Money market accounts			429,143				398,144				248,086				30,999				181,057
Certificates of deposit			308,769				293,540				308,080				15,229				689
Total deposits		$	1,333,517			$	1,254,456			$	1,001,645			$	79,061			$	331,872

Total shareholders' equity increased to $186.4 million at December 31, 2020, compared to $180.7 million three months earlier, and $176.9 million a year earlier. The quarter-over-quarter increase in equity was due to earnings of $3.8 million and an increase to other comprehensive income based on the improvement in the market value of the investment portfolio of $2.3 million, partially offset by the cost of stock buybacks. Book value per common share increased to $18.20 at December 31, 2020, compared to $17.65 at September 30, 2020 and $16.48 at December 31, 2019.

Operating Results

In the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company generated a return on average assets ("ROAA") of 0.97%, and a return on average equity ("ROAE") of 8.32%, compared to 0.99% and 8.22%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2020, and 0.71% and 4.99%, respectively, in the fourth quarter a year ago.

Total interest income increased to $14.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $13.4 million in the previous quarter and $11.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. Interest and fees on loans increased due to loan growth which offset a small decrease in investment interest income. Quarter over quarter, the yield on total investment securities decreased 8 basis points while the yield on average loans receivable decreased by 4 basis points. Total interest expense was $1.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2020, and $2.6 million in the fourth quarter a year ago. The decrease in interest expense was due to the decline in the cost of deposits to 42 basis points from 45 basis points in the prior quarter and from 105 basis points the fourth quarter one year ago.

Net interest income, before provision for loan losses, increased 7.8% during the quarter to $12.7 million, compared to $11.8 million for the preceding quarter and increased 38.4% compared to $9.2 million in the fourth quarter a year ago. For the year 2020, net interest income, before the provision for loan losses, increased 16.1% to $44.0 million, compared to $37.9 million for the year 2019. Due to loan growth and the COVID-19 pandemic and the related impact to the business environment, the Company recorded a $930,000 provision for loan losses during the fourth quarter of 2020. This compares to a provision for loan losses of $1.4 million for the preceding quarter, and a provision for loan losses of $249,000 for the fourth quarter of 2019. For the full year 2020, the provision for loan losses was $5.0 million, compared to $669,000 for 2019.

The net interest margin expanded 10 basis point to 3.46% for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to 3.36% for the third quarter of 2020, and increased 32 basis points compared to 3.14% for the fourth quarter in 2019. “Our improved earning asset mix as well as our lower cost of funds had a positive impact on our net interest margin again this quarter,” said Bullard. For the year 2020, the net interest margin was 3.27% compared to 3.20% in 2019.

The yield on earning assets decreased 1 basis point to 3.81% for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to 3.82% for the third quarter of 2020, and decreased from 4.03% for the fourth quarter in 2019. The decrease was due to lower yields on the investment portfolio and loans, which was offset by higher average loan balances. The yield on the loan portfolio decreased to 4.41% for the fourth quarter 2020, from 4.45% for the third quarter 2020, and decreased from 4.50% for the fourth quarter of 2019. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 13 basis points to 0.47% for the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to 0.60% for the third quarter of 2020 and decreased 70 basis points from 1.17% for the fourth quarter in 2019. “Over the past year we have been actively working on changing the mix of our funding profile and lowering our cost of deposits. We anticipate moderate additional cost save improvements in our certificate of deposit portfolio,” said Bullard.

Noninterest income decreased 3.0% to $4.6 million for the fourth quarter 2020 from $4.8 million for the third quarter 2020 and increased 91.4% compared to $2.4 million for the fourth quarter in 2019. Fourth quarter of 2020 included a $2.3 million gain on sale of loans compared to a $1.7 million gain on sale of loans in the preceding quarter and a $247,000 gain on sale of loans in the fourth quarter a year ago. Noninterest income growth during the fourth quarter of 2020 was driven by increased mortgage refinance activity, which resulted in strong loan sale activity, as well as a gain on sale of investment securities of $912,000. Loan and deposit service fees totaled $940,000 for the fourth quarter 2020, compared to $868,000 for the preceding quarter and $994,000 for the fourth quarter a year ago. For the year 2020, noninterest income more than doubled to $15.8 million, compared to $7.0 million in 2019, reflecting substantial increases in gain on sale of investment securities and gain on sale of loans. Noninterest income also increased due to the higher cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance (BOLI) due to increased investment in BOLI, as well as a restructure of the existing BOLI policies into superior products.

Noninterest expense totaled $11.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $10.1 million for the preceding quarter and $8.6 million for the fourth quarter a year ago. The quarterly increase reflects higher compensation expense, including salaries, commissions and benefits. For the year 2020, noninterest expense increased to $41.5 million, compared to $33.1 million in 2019, due to higher salary and benefit expenses, including employee production-related commission payments, increased advertising spending and increases in operational expenses associated with overall asset growth.

Capital Ratios and Credit Quality

Capital levels for both the Company and its operating bank, First Federal, remain in excess of applicable regulatory requirements and the Bank was categorized as "well-capitalized" at December 31, 2020. Common Equity Tier 1 and Total Risk-Based Capital Ratios at December 31, 2020 were 13.4% and 14.6%, respectively.

Nonperforming loans decreased to $2.3 million at December 31, 2020, from $3.1 million at September 30, 2020. The percentage of the allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans increased to 609.2%, at December 31, 2020, from 419.9% at September 30, 2020, and 536.1% at December 31, 2019. Classified loans increased $3.5 million during the current quarter to $7.5 million at December 31, 2020, reflecting a downgrade in a commercial real estate relationship. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.2% at December 31, 2020, compared to 1.2% at September 30, 2020, and 1.1% at December 31, 2019.

About the Company

First Northwest is a bank holding company which primarily engages in the business activity of its subsidiary, First Federal. First Federal is a community-oriented financial institution serving Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Whatcom, and King counties in Washington, through its Seattle lending center and ten full-service branches. Our business and operating strategy is focused on building sustainable earnings through hiring experienced bankers, geographic expansion, and diversifying our loan product mix, expanding our deposit product offerings that deliver value-added solutions, enhancing existing services and digital service delivery channels, and enhancing our infrastructure to support the changing needs and expectations of our customers.

FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars in thousands, except share data) (Unaudited)
		December 31, 2020				September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019				Three Month Change				One Year Change
Assets
Cash and due from banks		$	13,508			$	16,776			$	13,519				-19.5	%			-0.1	%
Interest-bearing deposits in banks			51,647				35,303				35,220				46.3				46.6
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value			364,296				369,111				315,580				-1.3				15.4
Loans held for sale			3,753				4,754				503				-21.1				646.1
Loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of $13,847, $13,007, and $9,628)			1,141,969				1,061,417				878,437				7.6				30.0
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock, at cost			5,977				5,944				6,034				0.6				-0.9
Accrued interest receivable			6,966				7,367				3,931				-5.4				77.2
Premises and equipment, net			14,785				14,737				14,342				0.3				3.1
Mortgage servicing rights, net			2,120				1,545				871				37.2				143.4
Bank-owned life insurance, net			38,353				38,104				30,027				0.7				27.7
Prepaid expenses and other assets			10,975				9,612				8,872				14.2				23.7
Total assets		$	1,654,349			$	1,564,670			$	1,307,336				5.7	%			26.5	%
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Deposits		$	1,333,517			$	1,254,456			$	1,001,645				6.3	%			33.1	%
Borrowings			109,977				109,150				112,930				0.8				-2.6
Accrued interest payable			53				51				373				3.9				-85.8
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			23,303				18,359				14,392				26.9				61.9
Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance			1,116				1,986				1,145				-43.8				-2.5
Total liabilities			1,467,966				1,384,002				1,130,485				6.1				29.9
Shareholders' Equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 5,000,000 shares, no shares issued or outstanding			—				—				—				n/a				n/a
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 75,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 10,247,185 at December 31, 2020; issued and outstanding 10,234,204 at September 30, 2020; and issued and outstanding 10,731,639 at December 31, 2019			102				102				107				0.0				-4.7
Additional paid-in capital			97,412				97,229				102,017				0.2				-4.5
Retained earnings			92,657				89,546				86,156				3.5				7.5
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax			5,442				3,186				(1,539	)			70.8				453.6
Unearned employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) shares			(9,230	)			(9,395	)			(9,890	)			1.8				6.7
Total shareholders' equity			186,383				180,668				176,851				3.2				5.4
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$	1,654,349			$	1,564,670			$	1,307,336				5.7	%			26.5	%

FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)
		Quarter Ended
		December 31, 2020				September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019				Three Month Change				One Year Change
INTEREST INCOME
Interest and fees on loans receivable		$	11,894			$	11,097			$	9,505				7.2	%			25.1	%
Interest on mortgage-backed and related securities			437				565				1,070				-22.7				-59.2
Interest on investment securities			1,581				1,603				1,065				-1.4				48.5
Interest on deposits in banks			9				9				54				0.0				-83.3
FHLB dividends			56				97				64				-42.3				-12.5
Total interest income			13,977				13,371				11,758				4.5				18.9
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits			1,079				1,405				2,171				-23.2				-50.3
Borrowings			221				205				427				7.8				-48.2
Total interest expense			1,300				1,610				2,598				-19.3				-50.0
Net interest income			12,677				11,761				9,160				7.8				38.4
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES			930				1,350				249				-31.1				273.5
Net interest income after provision for loan losses			11,747				10,411				8,911				12.8				31.8
NONINTEREST INCOME
Loan and deposit service fees			940				868				994				8.3				-5.4
Mortgage servicing fees, net of amortization			146				148				33				-1.4				342.4
Net gain on sale of loans			2,324				1,725				247				34.7				840.9
Net gain on sale of investment securities			912				969				779				-5.9				17.1
Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance			249				622				273				-60.0				-8.8
Other income			67				449				97				-85.1				-30.9
Total noninterest income			4,638				4,781				2,423				-3.0				91.4
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Compensation and benefits			7,193				6,070				4,902				18.5				46.7
Data processing			691				640				645				8.0				7.1
Occupancy and equipment			1,663				1,367				1,233				21.7				34.9
Supplies, postage, and telephone			236				254				205				-7.1				15.1
Regulatory assessments and state taxes			271				262				210				3.4				29.0
Advertising			572				285				512				100.7				11.7
Professional fees			408				361				214				13.0				90.7
FDIC insurance premium			89				86				—				3.5				100.0
FHLB prepayment penalty			—				—				—				n/a				n/a
Other			596				756				700				-21.2				-14.9
Total noninterest expense			11,719				10,081				8,621				16.2				35.9
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES			4,666				5,111				2,713				-8.7				72.0
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES			850				1,436				495				-40.8				71.7
NET INCOME		$	3,816			$	3,675			$	2,218				3.8	%			72.0	%
Basic and diluted earnings per common share		$	0.41			$	0.40			$	0.23				2.5	%			78.3	%

FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)
		Year Ended December 31,								Percent
		2020				2019				Change
INTEREST INCOME
Interest and fees on loans receivable		$	43,063			$	40,166				7.2	%
Interest on mortgage-backed and related securities			2,701				4,606				-41.4
Interest on investment securities			5,569				3,965				40.5
Interest on deposits in banks			94				244				-61.5
FHLB dividends			255				332				-23.2
Total interest income			51,682				49,313				4.8
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits			6,663				8,304				-19.8
Borrowings			1,061				3,144				-66.3
Total interest expense			7,724				11,448				-32.5
Net interest income			43,958				37,865				16.1
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES			5,046				669				654.3
Net interest income after provision for loan losses			38,912				37,196				4.6
NONINTEREST INCOME
Loan and deposit service fees			3,454				3,893				-11.3
Mortgage servicing fees, net of amortization			137				176				-22.2
Net gain on sale of loans			6,433				1,077				497.3
Net gain on sale of investment securities			3,147				836				276.4
Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance			1,826				708				157.9
Other income			849				322				163.7
Total noninterest income			15,846				7,012				126.0
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Compensation and benefits			24,590				18,999				29.4
Data processing			2,790				2,623				6.4
Occupancy and equipment			5,726				4,642				23.4
Supplies, postage, and telephone			985				883				11.6
Regulatory assessments and state taxes			930				783				18.8
Advertising			1,506				1,081				39.3
Professional fees			1,523				1,121				35.9
FDIC insurance premium			245				82				198.8
FHLB prepayment penalty			210				344				-39.0
Other			2,959				2,559				15.6
Total noninterest expense			41,464				33,117				25.2
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES			13,294				11,091				19.9
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES			2,954				2,077				42.2
NET INCOME		$	10,340			$	9,014				14.7	%
Basic earnings per common share		$	1.11			$	0.92				20.7	%
Diluted earnings per common share		$	1.10			$	0.91				20.9	%

FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data (Unaudited)
		As of or For the Quarter Ended
		December 31, 2020				September 30, 2020				June 30, 2020				March 31, 2020				December 31, 2019
Performance ratios: (1)
Return on average assets			0.97	%			0.99	%			0.56	%			0.27	%			0.71	%
Return on average equity			8.32				8.22				4.60				1.94				4.99
Average interest rate spread			3.35				3.22				2.90				2.86				2.86
Net interest margin (2)			3.46				3.36				3.10				3.11				3.14
Efficiency ratio (3)			67.7				60.9				72.3				80.0				74.4
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities			131.7				130.9				129.5				130.1				131.8
Book value per common share		$	18.20			$	17.65			$	17.07			$	16.02			$	16.48
Asset quality ratios:
Nonperforming assets to total assets at end of period (4)			0.1	%			0.2	%			0.2	%			0.2	%			0.2	%
Nonperforming loans to total loans (5)			0.2				0.3				0.3				0.2				0.2
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans (5)			609.2				419.9				360.8				622.4				536.1
Allowance for loan losses to total loans			1.2				1.2				1.2				1.2				1.1
Net charge-offs to average outstanding loans			—				—				—				—				—
Capital ratios (First Federal):
Tier 1 leverage		10.3		%			10.5	%			10.9	%			11.8	%			12.2	%
Common equity Tier 1 capital		13.4					14.7				15.1				16.8				17.5
Tier 1 risk-based		13.4					14.7				15.1				16.8				17.5
Total risk-based		14.6					16.0				16.4				18.1				18.7
Other Information:
Average total assets		$	1,567,521			$	1,488,723			$	1,401,500			$	1,287,529			$	1,242,780
Average interest-earning assets			1,466,103				1,401,090				1,305,437				1,208,314				1,167,805
Average total loans			1,089,505				1,009,210				938,646				876,135				849,741
Average equity			183,424				178,887				172,009				179,614				177,759
Average deposits			1,277,632				1,227,656				1,133,665				1,008,410				985,788

(1	)	Performance ratios are annualized, where appropriate.
(2	)	Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
(3	)	Total noninterest expense as a percentage of net interest income and total other noninterest income.
(4	)	Nonperforming assets consists of nonperforming loans (which include nonaccruing loans and accruing loans more than 90 days past due), real estate owned and repossessed assets.
(5	)	Nonperforming loans consists of nonaccruing loans and accruing loans more than 90 days past due.

FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data (Unaudited) (continued)
		As of or For the Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019
Performance ratios: (1)
Return on average assets			0.72	%			0.72	%
Return on average equity			5.79				5.13
Average interest rate spread			3.09				2.91
Net interest margin (2)			3.27				3.20
Efficiency ratio (3)			69.3				73.8
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities			130.6				129.8
Book value per common share		$	18.20			$	16.48
Asset quality ratios:
Nonperforming assets to total assets at end of period (4)			0.1	%			0.2	%
Nonperforming loans to total loans (5)			0.2				0.2
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans (5)			609.2				536.1
Allowance for loan losses to total loans			1.2				1.1
Net charge-offs to average outstanding loans			0.1				0.1
Capital ratios (First Federal):
Tier 1 leverage		10.3		%			12.2	%
Common equity Tier 1 capital		13.4					17.5
Tier 1 risk-based		13.4					17.5
Total risk-based		14.6					18.7
Other Information:
Average total assets		$	1,436,895			$	1,255,581
Average interest-earning assets			1,345,770				1,181,923
Average total loans			978,799				870,696
Average equity			178,498				175,578
Average deposits			1,162,323				957,557

(1	)	Performance ratios are annualized, where appropriate.
(2	)	Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
(3	)	Total noninterest expense as a percentage of net interest income and total other noninterest income.
(4	)	Nonperforming assets consists of nonperforming loans (which include nonaccruing loans and accruing loans more than 90 days past due), real estate owned and repossessed assets.
(5	)	Nonperforming loans consists of nonaccruing loans and accruing loans more than 90 days past due.

Contact:
Matthew P. Deines, President and Chief Executive Officer
Geri Bullard, EVP and Chief Financial Officer
First Northwest Bancorp
360-457-0461 

FAQ

What were the earnings per share for FNWB in Q4 2020?

FNWB reported earnings of $0.41 per diluted share for Q4 2020.

When is the dividend payment date for FNWB?

The dividend payment date for FNWB is February 26, 2021.

How much did FNWB increase its loan portfolio in 2020?

FNWB's loan portfolio increased by 30% year-over-year, reaching $1.14 billion.

What was FNWB's net income for the fiscal year 2020?

FNWB reported a record net income of $10.3 million for the fiscal year 2020.

What actions did FNWB take to support customers during the pandemic?

FNWB participated in the PPP and the Main Street Lending Program, providing $32.2 million in PPP loans.