UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K/A

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1

 
 

 

     (Mark One)

 

[X]

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004

 

OR

 
 

[  ]

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM________to________

 

Commission File Number 0-26584

BANNER CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 
 
 
    Washington 91-1691604        
          (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation (I.R.S. Employer        
  or organization) Identification Number)
 
 

10 South First Avenue, Walla Walla, Washington 99362

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (509) 527-3636

 
 
 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

 

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $.01 par value per share

(Title of class)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.        YES      X       NO           

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulations S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K                        

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).

  Yes

  X   

 No        

 

The aggregate market value of the voting and nonvoting common equity held by nonaffiliates of the registrant based on the closing sales price of the registrant's common stock quoted on the Nasdaq Stock Market on June 30, 2004, was:

Common Stock - $339,608,673

 

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's classes of common stock as of February 28, 2005:

Common Stock, $.01 par value - 11,879,853 shares

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Portions of Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 26, 2005 are incorporated by reference into Part III.



<PAGE>



Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004


EXPLANATORY NOTE


We are filing this Amendment No. 1 to our Annual Report Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 as filed on March 15, 2005 (the "Annual Report) to correct a typographical error in the date of the report of Deloitte & Touche LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited our consolidated financial statements for the two years in the period ended December 31, 2003 and typographical errors contained in the Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm that was issued by Deloitte & Touche LLP and contained in Exhibit 23.2.

The complete text of the report amended as well as the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules filed under Part IV, Item 15(a) (1) and 15(a) (2), is included in the Amendment pursuant to Rule 12b-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This Amendment amends and restates in their entirety only Part IV, Items 15(a) (1) and 15(a) (2), as well as Part IV, Item 15(b), which contains the exhibit list. This revised consent is contained in Exhibit 23.2. This Amendment does not affect any other Items and Exhibits in the Annual Report, and those unaffected Items or Exhibits are not included in this Amendment.

This Amendment continues to speak as of the date of the original Annual Report, and we have not updated the disclosure contained herein to reflect events that have occurred since the filing of the original Annual Report. Accordingly, this Form 10-K/A should be read in conjunction with our other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission subsequent to the filing to the original Annual Report, including any amendments to those filings.






2

<PAGE>




 

Part IV

 

ITEM 15 - Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)

(1)

Financial Statements

       
   

See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 5.

       
 

(2)

Financial Statement Schedules

       
   

All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or not required, or because the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the Notes thereto or in Part 1, Item 1.

       
       
       

(b)

 

Exhibits

 
       
   

See Index of Exhibits on page 51.













3

<PAGE>




SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on April 18, 2005.

     
   

BANNER CORPORATION

     
     
     
April 18, 2005  

/s/ D. Michael Jones                                                      

   

D. Michael Jones

   

President and Chief Executive Officer

     
     
April 18, 2005  

/s/ Lloyd W. Baker                                                      

   

Lloyd W. Baker

   

Chief Financial Officer






4

<PAGE>



INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Item 8 and Item 15(a)(1))


 

  Page

Report of Management

  6

Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

  6

Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

  7

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

  8

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2004 and 2003

  10

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

  11

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

  12

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

  13

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

  17

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

  19











5

<PAGE>




 

March 11, 2005

Report of Management

To the Stockholders:

The management of Banner Corporation (the Company) is responsible for the preparation, integrity, and fair presentation of its published financial statements and all other information presented in this annual report. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and, as such, include amounts based on informed judgments and estimates made by management. In the opinion of management, the financial statements and other information herein present fairly the financial condition and operations of the Company at the dates indicated in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an effective system of internal control over financial reporting. The internal control system is augmented by written policies and procedures and by audits performed by an internal audit staff (assisted in certain instances by contracted external audit resources other than the independent registered public accounting firm), which reports to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Internal auditors monitor the operation of the internal and external control system and report findings to management and the Audit Committee. When appropriate, corrective actions are taken to address identified control deficiencies and other opportunities for improving the system. The Audit Committee provides oversight to the financial reporting process. There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal control, including the possibility of human error and circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even an effective internal control system can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of an internal control system may vary over time.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is comprised entirely of outside directors who are independent of the Company's management. The Audit Committee is responsible for the selection of the independent auditors. It meets periodically with management, the independent auditors and the internal auditors to ensure that they are carrying out their responsibilities. The Committee is also responsible for performing an oversight role by reviewing and monitoring the financial, accounting, and auditing procedures of the Company in addition to reviewing the Company's financial reports. The independent auditors and the internal auditors have full and free access to the Audit Committee, with or without the presence of management, to discuss the adequacy of the internal control structure for financial reporting and any other matters which they believe should be brought to the attention of the Committee.

D. Michael Jones, Chief Executive Officer
Lloyd W. Baker, Chief Financial Officer

 

March 11, 2005

Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is comprised entirely of independent directors who are not employees of the Company. The Audit Committee has reviewed the audited financial statements of Banner Corporation with management of the Company, including a discussion of the quality of the accounting principles applied and significant judgments and estimates affecting the financial statements. The Audit Committee has also discussed with the independent auditors the auditors' opinion of the quality of those principles and significant judgments as applied by management in preparation of the financial statements. In addition, the members of the Audit Committee have discussed among themselves, without management or the independent auditors present, the information disclosed to the Committee by management and the independent auditors and have met regularly with the internal audit staff, without management present, to review compliance with approved policies and procedures. In reliance on these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee believes that the financial statements of Banner Corporation and subsidiaries are fairly presented.

Gordon E. Budke
Audit Committee Chairman






6

<PAGE>


Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

March 11, 2005

The management of Banner Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f).

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer assessed the effectiveness of Banner Corporation's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework.

Based on its assessment, Management concluded that Banner Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004.

Management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004 has been audited by Moss Adams LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their attestation report that is included herein.

 











7

<PAGE>



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Banner Corporation and Subsidiaries
Walla Walla, Washington

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of financial condition of Banner Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. We also have audited management's assessment included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, that Banner Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Banner Corporation and subsidiaries' management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements, an opinion on management's assessment, and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Banner Corporation and subsidiaries' internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement in all material respects. Our audit of financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management's assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

The Company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A Company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and Directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Banner Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, management's assessment that Banner Corporation and subsidiaries maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Furthermore, in our opinion, Banner Corporation and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

 

/s/Moss Adams LLP

Moss Adams LLP
Spokane, Washington
February 4, 2005



8

<PAGE>




REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Banner Corporation and Subsidiaries
Walla Walla, Washington


We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of financial condition of Banner Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2003, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2003. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Company as of December 31, 2003, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2003, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.


/s/Deloitte & Touche LLP

Deloitte & Touche LLP
Seattle, Washington
March 11, 2004











9

<PAGE>




BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(in thousands, except shares)
December 31, 2004 and 2003

   

2004


   

2003


 

ASSETS

           

Cash and due from banks

$

51,767

 

$

77,298

 

Securities available for sale, cost $548,722 and $670,033

           

    Encumbered

 

31,096

   

55,228

 

    Unencumbered

 

516,739


   

619,714


 
   

547,835

   

674,942

 

Securities held to maturity, fair value $51,437 and $28,402

           

    Encumbered

 

--

   

216

 

    Unencumbered

 

49,914


   

27,016


 
   

49,914

   

27,232

 
             

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

 

35,698

   

34,693

 

Loans receivable:

           

    Held for sale, fair value $2,176 and $16,199

 

2,145

   

15,912

 

    Held for portfolio

 

2,090,703

   

1,711,013

 

    Allowance for loan losses

 

(29,610


)

 

(26,060


)

   

2,063,238

   

1,700,865

 
             

Accrued interest receivable

 

15,097

   

13,410

 

Real estate owned held for sale, net

 

1,485

   

2,967

 

Property and equipment, net

 

39,315

   

22,818

 

Goodwill and other intangibles, net

 

36,369

   

36,513

 

Deferred income tax asset, net

 

5,888

   

1,941

 

Bank-owned life insurance

 

35,371

   

33,669

 

Other assets

 

15,090


   

8,965


 
 

$

2,897,067

 

$

2,635,313

 

LIABILITIES

           

Deposits:

           

    Non-interest-bearing

$

234,761

 

$

205,656

 

    Interest-bearing

 

1,691,148


   

1,465,284


 
   

1,925,909

   

1,670,940

 
             

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

 

583,558

   

612,552

 

Junior subordinated debentures

 

72,168

   

56,703

 

Other borrowings

 

68,116

   

69,444

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

25,027

   

18,444

 

Deferred compensation

 

5,208

   

4,252

 

Income taxes payable

 

1,861


   

178


 
   

2,681,847

   

2,432,513

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

           
             

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

           

Common stock - $0.01 par value, 27,500,000 shares authorized, 13,201,419 shares issued:

           

    11,856,889 shares and 11,473,331 shares outstanding at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively

 

127,460

   

123,375

 

Retained earnings

 

92,327

   

80,286

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

           

    Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale

 

(888

)

 

3,191

 

Unearned shares of common stock issued to Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) trust:

           

    374,595 and 434,299 restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, at cost

 

(3,096

)

 

(3,589

)

             

Carrying value of shares held in trust for stock related compensation plans

 

(6,135

)

 

(3,554

)

Liability for common stock issued to deferred, stock related, compensation plan

 

5,552


   

3,091


 
   

(583


)

 

(463


)

             
   

215,220


   

202,800


 
 

$

2,897,067

 

$

2,635,313

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements



10

<PAGE>




BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands except for per share data)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

 

   

2004


   

2003


   

2002


 

INTEREST INCOME:

                 

    Loans receivable

$

126,992

 

$

116,211

 

$

123,352

 

    Mortgage-backed securities

 

16,882

   

12,319

   

10,738

 

    Securities and cash equivalents

 

12,356


   

11,911


   

10,186


 
   

156,230


   

140,441


   

144,276


 

INTEREST EXPENSE:

                 

    Deposits

 

35,067

   

34,984

   

39,206

 

    Federal Home Loan Bank advances

 

20,336

   

21,842

   

24,094

 

    Junior subordinated debentures

 

3,461

   

2,233

   

1,151

 

    Other borrowings

 

1,051


   

789


   

1,518


 
   

59,915


   

59,848


   

65,969


 

    Net interest income before provision for loan losses

 

96,315


   

80,593


   

78,307


 
                   

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

 

5,644


   

7,300


   

21,000


 

    Net interest income

 

90,671

   

73,293

   

57,307

 
                   

OTHER OPERATING INCOME:

                 

    Deposit fees and other service charges

 

8,132

   

7,224

   

5,804

 

    Mortgage banking operations

 

5,522

   

9,447

   

6,695

 

    Loan servicing fees

 

1,741

   

1,056

   

1,471

 

    Gain on sale of securities

 

141

   

63

   

27

 

    Miscellaneous

 

1,432


   

1,791


   

1,880


 

    Total other operating income

 

16,968

   

19,581

   

15,877

 
                   

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES:

                 

    Salary and employee benefits

 

52,331

   

47,032

   

38,262

 

    Less capitalized loan origination costs

 

(7,008

)

 

(7,196

)

 

(5,780

)

    Occupancy and equipment

 

11,100

   

9,575

   

8,522

 

    Information/computer data services

 

4,212

   

3,532

   

3,331

 

    Professional services

 

3,258

   

2,684

   

2,081

 

    Advertising

 

4,905

   

3,373

   

2,220

 

    Miscellaneous

 

10,916


   

10,876


   

11,809


 

    Total other operating expenses

 

79,714


   

69,876


   

60,445


 

    Income before provision for income taxes

 

27,925

   

22,998

   

12,739

 
                   

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

 

8,585


   

6,891


   

3,479


 
                   

NET INCOME

$

19,340

 

$

16,107

 

$

9,260

 
                   

Earnings per common share: see Note 25

                 

    Basic

$

1.74

 

$

1.49

 

$

0.85

 

    Diluted

$

1.65

 

$

1.44

 

$

0.82

 

Cumulative dividends declared per common share

$

0.65

 

$

0.61

 

$

0.60

 
                   

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

 






11

<PAGE>




BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

 

   

2004


   

2003


   

2002


 
                   

NET INCOME

$

19,340

 

$

16,107

 

$

9,260

 
                   

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF INCOME TAXES:

    Unrealized holding gain (loss) during the period, net of deferred
       income tax (benefit) of $(1,980), $(138) and $637

 

(3,987

)

 

(256

)

 

1,241

 

    Less adjustment for gains included in net income, net of income tax of
      $49, $22 and $10

 

(92


)

 

(41


)

 

(17


)

    Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(4,079


)

 

(297


)

 

1,224


 
                   

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

$

15,261

 

$

15,810

 

$

10,484

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements
















12

<PAGE>




BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002


 

Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital


 

Retained Earnings


 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)


 

Unearned Restricted ESOP Shares


 

Carrying Value, Net of Liability, Of Shares Held in Trust for Stock-Related Compensation Plans


 

Stockholders' Equity


 

BALANCE, January 1, 2004

$

123,375

 

$

80,286

 

$

3,191

 

$

(3,589

)

$

(463

)

$

202,800

 
                                     
                                     

    Net income

       

19,340

                     

19,340

 
                                     

    Change in valuation of securities
     available for sale, net of
     income taxes

             

(4,079

)

             

(4,079

)

                                     

    Cash dividend on common stock
      ($.65/share cumulative)

       


(7,299


)

                   


(7,299


)

                                     

    Purchase and retirement of common stock

 

(4,162

)

                         

(4,162

)

                                     

    Proceeds from issuance of common stock
     for exercise of stock options

 

6,728

                           

6,728

 
                                     

    Net issuance of stock through employees'
     stock plans, including tax benefit

 

1,519

               

493

   

(270

)

 

1,742

 
                                     

    Amortization of compensation related to
     MRP

   

     

     

     

   


150


   


150


 
                                     

BALANCE, December 31, 2004

$

127,460

 

$

92,327

 

$

(888

)

$

(3,096

)

$

(583

)

$

215,220

 

Continued











13

<PAGE>




BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital


 

Retained Earnings


 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)


 

Unearned Restricted ESOP Shares


 

Carrying Value, Net of Liability, Of Shares Held in Trust for Stock-Related Compensation Plans


 

Stockholders' Equity


 

BALANCE, January 1, 2003

$

120,554

 

$

70,813

 

$

3,488

 

$

(4,262

)

$

(216

)

$

190,377

 
                                     
                                     

    Net income

       

16,107

                     

16,107

 
                                     

    Change in valuation of securities
     available for sale, net of
     income taxes

             

(297

)

             

(297

)

                                     

    Cash dividend on common stock
      ($.61/share cumulative)

       


(6,634


)

                   


(6,634


)

                                     

    Purchase and retirement of common stock

 

(475

)

                         

(475

)

                                     

    Proceeds from issuance of common stock
     for exercise of stock options

 

1,955

                           

1,955

 
                                     

    Net issuance of stock through employees'
     stock plans, including tax benefit

 

1,341

               

673

   

(379

)

 

1,635

 
                                     

    Amortization of compensation related to
     MRP

 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   


132


   


132


 
                                     

BALANCE, December 31, 2003

$

123,375

 

$

80,286

 

$

3,191

 

$

(3,589

)

$

(463

)

$

202,800

 

Continued











14

<PAGE>




BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital


 

Retained Earnings


 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)


 

Unearned Restricted ESOP Shares


 

Value, Net of Liability, Of Shares Held in Trust for Stock-Related Compensation Plans


 

Stockholders' Equity


 

BALANCE, January 1, 2002

$

126,844

 

$

68,104

 

$

2,264

 

$

(4,769

)

$

(103

)

$

$192,340

 
                                     
                                     
 

Net income

       

9,260

                     

9,260

 
                                       
 

Change in valuation of securities available for sale, net of income taxes

             

1,224

               

1,224

 
                                       
 

Cash dividend on common stock ($.60/share cumulative)

       

(6,551

)

                   

(6,551

)

                                       
 

Purchase and retirement of common stock

 

(8,391

)

                         

(8,391

)

                                       
 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock for exercise of stock options

 

1,205

                           

1,205

 
                                       
 

Net issuance of stock through employees' stock plans, including tax benefit

 

896

               

507

   

(155

)

 

1,248

 
                                       
 

Amortization of compensation related to
MRP

 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   


42


   


42


 
                                       

BALANCE, December 31, 2002

$

120,554

 

$

70,813

 

$

3,488

 

$

(4,262

)

$

(216

)

$

190,377

 










15

<PAGE>




BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(continued) (in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

   

2004


   

2003


   

2002


 
                   

COMMON STOCK, SHARES ISSUED:

                 

    Number of shares, beginning of period

 

13,201


   

13,201


   

13,201


 

    Number of shares, end of period

 

13,201


   

13,201


   

13,201


 
                   

LESS COMMON STOCK RETIRED:

                 

    Number of shares, beginning of period

 

(1,728

)

 

(1,894

)

 

(1,567

)

    Purchase and retirement of common stock

 

(134

)

 

(24

)

 

(423

)

    Issuance of common stock to deferred compensation plans
      and/or exercised stock options

 

518


   

190


   

96


 

    Number of shares retired, end of period

 

(1,344


)

 

(1,728


)

 

(1,894


)

                   

SHARES OUTSTANDING, END OF PERIOD

 

11,857

   

11,473

   

11,307

 
                   

UNEARNED, RESTRICTED ESOP SHARES:

                 

    Number of shares, beginning of period

 

(434

)

 

(516

)

 

(577

)

    Release of earned shares

 

59


   

82


   

61


 

    Number of shares, end of period

 

(375

)

 

(434

)

 

(516

)

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements











16

<PAGE>




BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

   

2004


   

2003


   

2002


 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                 

    Net income

$

19,340

 

$

16,107

 

$

9,260

 

    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
    operating activities:

                 

      Depreciation and amortization

 

4,515

   

6,308

   

3,798

 

      Loss (gain) on sale of securities

 

(141

)

 

(63

)

 

(27

)

      Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance

 

(1,702

)

 

(1,860

)

 

(1,505

)

      Loss (gain) on sale of loans, excluding capitalized servicing rights

 

(5,444

)

 

(7,870

)

 

(5,649

)

      Loss (gain) on disposal of real estate held for sale and property
        and equipment

 

(734

)

 

(50

)

 

920

 

      Provision for losses on loans and real estate held for sale

 

5,835

   

7,698

   

21,000

 

      FHLB stock dividend

 

(1,005

)

 

(1,862

)

 

(1,957

)

      Net change in:

                 

        Loans held for sale

 

13,767

   

23,454

   

3,869

 

        Other assets

 

(10,417

)

 

(3,104

)

 

4,000

 

        Other liabilities

 

11,458


   

(5,177


)

 

7,698


 

          Net cash provided by operating activities

 

35,472


   

33,581


   

41,407


 
                   

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                 

      Purchases of available for sale securities

 

(177,129

)

 

(724,136

)

 

(354,218

)

      Principal repayments and maturities of available for sale securities

 

231,982

   

416,247

   

230,675

 

      Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities

 

49,421

   

49,287

   

4,670

 

      Purchases of held to maturity securities

 

(10,237

)

 

(15,650

)

 

(1,006

)

      Principal repayments and maturities of held to maturity securities

 

748

   

3,391

   

4,112

 

      Origination of loans, net of principal repayments

 

(696,310

)

 

(721,473

)

 

(368,621

)

      Purchases of loans and participating interest in loans

 

(18,207

)

 

(34,458

)

 

(51,999

)

      Proceeds from sales of loans and participating interest in loans

 

338,412

   

572,231

   

457,671

 

      Purchases of property and equipment-net

 

(20,446

)

 

(5,285

)

 

(5,452

)

      Proceeds from sale of real estate held for sale-net

 

4,101

   

10,859

   

2,481

 

      Investment in bank owned life insurance

 

--

   

--

   

(10,000

)

      Cash (used for) provided by acquisitions

 

--

   

--

   

(6,519

)

      Other

 

(180


)

 

(47


)

 

(336


)

          Net cash used by investing activities

 

(297,845


)

 

(449,034


)

 

(98,542


)

                   

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

                 

      Increase in deposits

 

254,969

   

173,162

   

168,468

 

      Proceeds from FHLB advances

 

1,601,100

   

463,000

   

310,931

 

      Repayment of FHLB advances

 

(1,630,094

)

 

(316,191

)

 

(347,170

)

      Proceeds from issuance of junior subordinated debentures

 

15,000

   

15,000

   

38,723

 

      Proceeds from issuance of repurchase agreement borrowings

 

--

   

51,917

   

2,082

 

      Repayment of repurchase agreement borrowings

 

(22,289

)

 

(30,331

)

 

(31,447

)

      Increase (decrease) in other borrowings, net

 

20,961

   

6,656

   

(6,849

)

      Cash dividends paid

 

(7,113

)

 

(6,486

)

 

(6,479

)

      Repurchases of stock, net of forfeitures

 

(4,162

)

 

(475

)

 

(8,391

)

      ESOP shares earned

 

1,742

   

1,635

   

1,244

 

      Exercise of stock options

 

6,728


   

1,954


   

1,205


 

          Net cash provided by financing activities

 

236,842


   

359,841


   

122,317


 
                   

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND DUE FROM BANK

 

(25,531

)

 

(55,612

)

 

65,182

 
                   

CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

77,298


   

132,910


   

67,728


 

CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS, END OF PERIOD

$

51,767

 

$

77,298

 

$

132,910

 

(Continued on next page)



17

<PAGE>




BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
(in thousands)
(continued from prior page)

   

2004


   

2003


   

2002


 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                 

      Interest paid

$

60,154

 

$

60,200

 

$

67,372

 

      Taxes paid

 

8,807

   

5,000

   

4,900

 

      Non-cash transactions:

                 

      Loans, net of discounts, specific loss allowances and unearned
      income transferred to real estate owned

 

1,985

   

7,733

   

6,442

 

      Net change in accrued dividends payable

 

186

   

148

   

72

 

      Stock issued to Rabbi Trust/MRP

 

148

   

380

   

155

 

      Recognize tax benefit of vested MRP shares

 

148

   

--

   

4

 

      Recognition of investment in trusts due to deconsolidation

 

--

   

1,703

   

--

 

      Securities classified as available for sale reclassified held to maturity

 

15,334

   

--

   

--

 

      Change in other assets/liabilities

 

1,664

   

52

   

1,488

 
                   

The following summarizes the non-cash activities relating to acquisitions:

                 

      Fair value of assets and intangibles acquired, including goodwill

$

--

 

$

--

 

$

(44,544

)

      Fair value of liabilities assumed   --
    --
    34,453
 

      Cash paid out in acquisition

 

--

   

--

   

(10,091

)

      Less cash acquired

 

--


   

--


   

3,572


 

          Net cash (used for) provided by acquisitions

$

--

 

$

--

 

$

(6,519

)

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

 



18

<PAGE>




BANNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1: BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business: Banner Corporation (BANR or the Company) is a bank holding company incorporated in the State of Washington. The Company is primarily engaged in the business of planning, directing and coordinating the business activities for its wholly owned subsidiary, Banner Bank (BB or the Bank). The Bank is a Washington-chartered commercial bank the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) under both the Bank Insurance Fund (BIF) and the Savings Association Insurance Fund (SAIF). The Bank conducts business from its main office in Walla Walla, Washington, and, as of December 31, 2004, its 49 branch offices and 12 loan production offices located in 23 counties in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. The Company is subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board (FRB). The Bank is subject to regulation by the State of Washington Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Banks and the FDIC.

The operating results of the Company depend primarily on its net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, consisting of loans and securities, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, composed primarily of customer checking and savings deposits, Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances, junior subordinated debentures and repurchase agreements. Net interest income is a function of the Company's interest rate spread, which is the difference between the yield earned on interest-earning assets and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, as well as a function of the average balance of interest-earning assets as compared to the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities. BANR's net income is significantly affected by provisions for loan losses and the level of its other income, including deposit service charges, loan origination and servicing fees, and gains and losses on the sale of loans and securities, as well as its non-interest operating expenses and income tax provisions.

Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of BANR and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions, profits and balances have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates: The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements. Various elements of the Company's accounting policies, by their nature, are inherently subject to estimation techniques, valuation assumptions and other subjective assessments. In particular, management has identified several accounting policies that, due to the judgments, estimates and assumptions inherent in those policies, are critical to an understanding of the Company's financial statements. These policies relate to the methodology for the determination of the allowance for loan and lease losses, the valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets, the valuation of mortgage servicing rights, and the valuation for real estate held for sale. Management believes that the judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the Company's financial statements are appropriate given the factual circumstances at the time. However, given the sensitivity of the Company's financial statements to the critical accounting policies, the use of other judgments, estimates and assumptions could result in material differences in the Company's results of operation of financial condition.

Securities: Securities are classified as held to maturity when the Company has the ability and positive intent to hold them to maturity. Securities classified as available for sale are available for future liquidity requirements and may be sold prior to maturity. Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Securities held to maturity are carried at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity and, if appropriate, any other-than-temporary impairment losses. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value. Normally, unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale are excluded from earnings and are reported net of tax as accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders' equity, until realized. Declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are recognized in earnings as realized losses. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. Realized gains and losses on sale are computed on the specific identification method and are included in operations on the trade date sold.

Investment in FHLB Stock: The Company's investment in the stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) is carried at cost and is classified as restricted, as the Company can only sell stock back to the FHLB at par value or to other member banks. Dividends are included within interest income on securities and cash equivalents.

Loans Receivable: The Bank originates mortgage loans for both portfolio investment and sale in the secondary market. At the time of origination, mortgage loans are designated as held for sale or held for investment. Loans held for sale are stated at lower of cost or estimated fair value determined on an aggregate basis. Net unrealized losses on loans held for sale are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to income. The Bank also originates commercial, agricultural and consumer loans for portfolio investment. Loans receivable not designated as held for sale are recorded at the principal amount outstanding, net of allowance for loan losses, deferred fees, discounts and premiums. Premiums, discounts and deferred loan fees are amortized to maturity using the level-yield methodology.

Interest is accrued as earned unless management doubts the collectibility of the loan or the unpaid interest. Interest accruals are generally discontinued when loans become 90 days past due for interest. All previously accrued but uncollected interest is deducted from interest income upon transfer to nonaccrual status. Future collection of interest is included in interest income based upon an assessment of the likelihood that the loans will be repaid or recovered. A loan may be put on nonaccrual status sooner than this policy would dictate if, in management's judgment, the loan may be uncollectible. Such interest is then recognized as income only if it is ultimately collected.



19

<PAGE>



Allowance for Loan Losses: The adequacy of general and specific reserves is based on management's continuing evaluation of the pertinent factors underlying the quality of the loan portfolio, including changes in the size and composition of the loan portfolio, delinquency rates, actual loan loss experience and current economic conditions, as well as individual review of certain large balance loans. Large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment include residential real estate and consumer loans. Smaller balance non-homogeneous loans also may be evaluated collectively for impairment. Larger balance non-homogeneous residential construction and land, commercial real estate, commercial business loans and unsecured loans are individually evaluated for impairment. Loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, management determines that it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors involved in determining impairment include, but are not limited to, the financial condition of the borrower, value of the underlying collateral and current status of the economy. Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the loan's observable market price or the fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Subsequent changes in the value of impaired loans are included within the provision for loan losses in the same manner in which impairment initially was recognized or as a reduction in the provision that would otherwise be reported.

The Company's methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance consists of several key elements, which include specific allowances, an allocated formula allowance and an unallocated allowance. Losses on specific loans are provided for when the losses are probable and estimable. General loan loss reserves are established to provide for inherent loan portfolio risks not specifically provided for. The level of general reserves is based on analysis of potential exposures existing in the Bank's loan portfolio including evaluation of historical trends, current market conditions and other relevant factors identified by management at the time the financial statements are prepared. The formula allowance is calculated by applying loss factors to outstanding loans, excluding loans with specific allowances. Loss factors are based on the Company's historical loss experience adjusted for significant factors including the experience of other banking organizations that, in management's judgment, affect the collectibility of the portfolio as of the evaluation date. The unallocated allowance is based upon management's evaluation of various factors that are not directly measured in the determination of the formula and specific allowances. This methodology may result in losses or recoveries differing significantly from those provided in the financial statements.

When available information confirms that specific loans or portions thereof are uncollectible, these amounts are charged off against the allowance for loan losses. The existence of some or all of the following criteria will generally confirm that a loss has been incurred: the loan is significantly delinquent and the borrower has not evidenced the ability or intent to bring the loan current; the Company has no recourse to the borrower, or if it does, the borrower has insufficient assets to pay the debt; or the fair value of the loan collateral is significantly below the current loan balance and there is little or no near-term prospect for improvement.

Loan Origination and Commitment Fees: Loan origination fees, net of certain specifically defined direct loan origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the loans' interest yield using the level-yield method over the contractual term of each loan adjusted for actual loan prepayment experience. Net deferred fees or costs related to loans held for sale are recognized in income at the time the loans are sold. Loan commitment fees are deferred until the expiration of the commitment period unless management believes there is a remote likelihood that the underlying commitment will be exercised, in which case the fees are amortized to fee income using the straight-line method over the commitment period. If a loan commitment is exercised, the deferred commitment fee is accounted for in the same manner as a loan origination fee. Deferred commitment fees associated with expired commitments are recognized as fee income.

Real Estate Held for Sale: Property acquired by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure is recorded at the lower of estimated fair value, less cost to sell, or the carrying value of the defaulted loan. Development, improvement and direct holding costs relating to the property are capitalized. The carrying value of the property is periodically evaluated by management and, if necessary, allowances are established to reduce the carrying value to net realizable value. Gains or losses at the time the property is sold are charged or credited to operations in the period in which they are realized. The amounts the Bank will ultimately recover from real estate held for sale may differ substantially from the carrying value of the assets because of market factors beyond the Bank's control or because of changes in the Bank's strategy for recovering the investment.

Property and Equipment: The provision for depreciation is based upon the straight-line method applied to individual assets and groups of assets acquired in the same year at rates adequate to charge off the related costs over their estimated useful lives:

Buildings and leased improvements 10-30 years
Furniture and equipment 3-10 years

Routine maintenance, repairs and replacement costs are expensed as incurred. Expenditures which significantly increase values or extend useful lives are capitalized. The Company reviews buildings, leasehold improvements and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the undiscounted cash flows for the property are less than its carrying value. If identified, an impairment loss is recognized through a charge to earnings based on the fair value of the property.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill and other intangible assets represent the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired by the Company. The excess cost over fair value of net assets acquired consists of goodwill and core deposit premiums. Prior to January 1, 2002, the Company's goodwill was being amortized using the straight-line method over 14 years. Other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. As of January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, which eliminated the amortization of goodwill relating to past and future acquisitions. See further discussion in Note 21.



20

<PAGE>



Mortgage Servicing Rights: Servicing assets are recognized as separate assets when rights are acquired through purchase or through sale of loans. Generally, purchased servicing rights are capitalized at the cost to acquire the rights. For sales of mortgage loans, a portion of the cost of originating the loan is allocated to the servicing right based on relative fair value. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts. Capitalized servicing rights are reported in other assets and are amortized into non-interest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets.

Servicing assets are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights into tranches based on predominant risk characteristics, such as interest rate, balance outstanding, loan type, age and remaining term, and investor type. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual tranche, to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized amount for the tranche. If the Company later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular tranche, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as in increase to income.

Servicing fee income is recorded for fees earned for servicing loans. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal or a fixed amount per loan and are recorded as income when earned. The amortization of mortgage servicing rights is netted against loan servicing fee income.

Derivative Instruments: In June 1998 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended. The Company adopted SFAS No. 133 effective January 1, 2001. Derivatives include "off-balance-sheet" financial products, the value of which is dependent on the value of underlying financial assets, such as stock, bonds, foreign currency, or a reference rate or index. Such derivatives include "forwards," "futures," "options" or "swaps." The Company and the Bank generally have not invested in "off-balance-sheet" derivative instruments, although investment policies authorize such investments. However, as a part of mortgage banking activities, the Bank issues "rate lock" commitments to borrowers and obtains offsetting "best efforts" delivery commitments from purchasers of loans. While not providing any trading or net settlement mechanisms, these off-balance-sheet commitments do have many of the prescribed characteristics of derivatives and as a result are accounted for as such in accordance with SFAS No. 133, as amended. Accordingly, on December 31, 2004, the Company recorded in other assets an asset for $50,000 related to rate locks issued and recorded in other liabilities a liability of $50,000 related to rate locks received. These amounts represent the estimated market value of those commitments. On December 31, 2003, the Company and the Bank had no other investment related off-balance-sheet derivatives. The adoption of SFAS No. 133 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Transfers of Financial Assets: Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Bank, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Bank does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

Advertising Expenses: Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Costs related to production of advertising are considered incurred when the advertising is first used.

Income Taxes: The Company files a consolidated income tax return including all of its wholly owned subsidiaries on a calendar year basis. Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under this method, a deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the enacted tax rates which will be in effect when the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax bases of existing assets and liabilities are expected to be reported in the Company's income tax returns. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period of change. Where state income tax laws do not permit consolidated income tax returns, applicable state income tax returns are filed.

Stock Compensation Plans: The Company loaned the Employees Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) the funds necessary to fund the purchase of 8% of the Company's initial public offering of common stock. The loan to the ESOP will be repaid principally from the Company's contribution to the ESOP, and the collateral for the loan is the Company's common stock purchased by the ESOP. As the debt is repaid, shares are released from collateral based on the proportion of debt service paid in the year and allocated to participants' accounts. As shares are released from collateral, compensation expense is recorded equal to the average current market price of the shares, and the shares become outstanding for earnings-per-share calculations. Stock and cash dividends on allocated shares are recorded as a reduction of retained earnings and paid or distributed directly to participants' accounts. Stock and cash dividends on unallocated shares are recorded as a reduction of debt and accrued interest (see additional discussion in Note 16). The Company stock purchased for a Rabbi Trust obligation and the related liability for deferred compensation are recorded at acquisition cost.



21

<PAGE>



The Company measures its employee stock-based compensation arrangements under the provisions outlined in Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for its stock option plans. If the compensation cost for the Company's compensation plans had been determined consistent with SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, as amended, the Company's net income available to diluted common stockholders and diluted earnings per common share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below (in thousands except per share amounts):

   

Years Ended
December 31


 
     
   

2004


   

2003


   

2002


 

Net income attributable to common stock:

                 

   Basic:

                 

      As reported

$

19,340

 

$

16,107

 

$

9,260

 

      Pro forma

 

18,499

   

14,995

   

8,357

 

   Diluted:

                 

      As reported

$

19,340

 

$

16,107

 

$

9,260

 

      Pro forma

 

18,499

   

14,995

   

8,357

 

Net income per common share:

                 

   Basic:

                 

      As reported

$

1.74

 

$

1.49

 

$

0.85

 

      Pro forma

 

1.66

   

1.38

   

0.76

 

   Diluted:

                 

      As reported

$

1.65

 

$

1.44

 

$

0.82

 

      Pro forma

 

1.58

   

1.34

   

0.74

 

The compensation expense included in the pro forma net income attributable to diluted common stockholders and diluted earnings per common share is not likely to be representative of the effect on reported net income for future years because options vest over several years and additional awards generally are made each year.

The fair value of options granted under the Company's stock option plans is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants:

   

Years Ended
December 31


 
     
   

2004


   

2003


   

2002


 

Annual dividend yield

 

2.05 to 2.44

%

 

2.53 to 3.76

%

 

2.58 to 3.56

%

Expected volatility

 

31.2 to 34.2

%

 

29.5 to 49.6

%

 

40.2 to 64.8

%

Risk free interest rate

 

2.72 to 4.78

%

 

2.94 to 4.44

%

 

2.63 to 5.21

%

Expected lives

 

5 to 9

yrs

 

5 to 9

yrs

 

5 to 9

yrs

Wholesale Repurchase Agreements: The Company enters into agreements under which it sells securities subject to an obligation to repurchase the same or similar securities. Under these arrangements, the Company transfers legal control over the assets but still retains effective control through an agreement that both entitles and obligates the Company to repurchase the assets. As a result, repurchase agreements are accounted for as financing arrangements and not as a sale and subsequent repurchase of securities. The obligation to repurchase the securities is reflected as a liability in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition while the dollar amount of securities underlying the agreements remains in the respective asset accounts. Those securities are classified as encumbered. (See Note 13.)

Comprehensive Income: Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. In addition, certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the statement of financial condition, and such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income which is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Average Balances: Average balances are obtained from the best available daily, weekly or monthly data, which the Company's management believes approximate the average balances calculated on a daily basis.

Reclassification: Certain amounts in the prior periods' financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period's presentation.



22

<PAGE>



Note 2: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

In January 2003, the FASB issued Financial Interpretation No. (FIN) 46, Consolidation of Certain Variable Interest Entities - An Interpretation of ARB No. 51, to clarify when an entity should consolidate another entity known as a variable interest entity (VIE), more commonly referred to as a special purpose entity or SPE. A VIE is an entity in which equity investors do not have characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties, and may include many types of SPEs. FIN 46 requires an entity to consolidate a VIE if that enterprise has a variable interest that will absorb a majority of the VIE's expected losses if they occur, receive a majority of the VIE's expected residual returns if they occur, or both. FIN 46 was effective for newly created VIEs beginning February 1, 2003 and for existing VIEs as of the third quarter of 2003. Effective October 10, 2003, FASB deferred the effective date of FIN 46 from July 1, 2003 to the first interim period ending after December 15, 2003 for VIEs originated prior to February 1, 2003. The Company elected to adopt FIN 46 early, which resulted in the deconsolidation of the special purpose business trusts effective December 31, 2003. This increased the Bank's held-to-maturity investments and related borrowings by $1.7 million as detailed below. Effective July 1, 2004 the $1.7 million investment in VIE common stock was reclassified to other assets.

Junior Subordinated Debentures and Mandatorily Redeemable Trust Preferred Securities: At December 31, 2003, three wholly-owned subsidiary grantor trusts, Banner Capital Trust I, II, and III (collectively, Trusts), established by the Company had issued $55 million of pooled trust preferred securities. In addition, as noted below, in March 2004 the Company established a fourth wholly-owned subsidiary grantor trust called Banner Capital Trust IV to facilitate the issuance of an additional $15 million of trust preferred securities. Trust preferred securities accrue and pay distributions periodically at specified annual rates as provided in the related indentures. The Trusts used the net proceeds from the offerings to purchase a like amount of junior subordinated debentures (Debentures) of the Company. The Debentures are the sole assets of the Trusts. The Company's obligations under the Debentures and related documents, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of the obligations of the Trusts. The trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon the maturity of the Debentures, or may be redeemed earlier as provided in the indentures. The Company has the right to redeem the Debentures in whole (but not in part) on or after specific dates, at a redemption price specified in the indentures plus any accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date.

Prior to adoption of FIN 46, the Trusts were considered consolidated subsidiaries of the Company. At December 31, 2002, $40 million of trust preferred securities were included in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Financial Position in the liabilities section, under the caption, "Trust preferred securities," and the $1.2 million common capital securities of the issuer retained by the Company were eliminated against the Company's investment in the Trusts. Distributions on these trust preferred securities were recorded as interest expense on the consolidated statements of income.

As a result of the adoption of FIN 46, the Company deconsolidated all three Trusts as of December 31, 2003. As a result, the Debentures issued by the Company to the Trusts, totaling $56.7 million, were reflected in the Company's consolidated Statement of Financial Position in the liabilities section at December 31, 2003 under the caption, "Junior subordinated debentures." At September 30, 2004, Debentures totaling $72.2 million were reflected in the Company's consolidated Statement of Financial Position, as discussed in more detail below. Beginning January 1, 2004, the Company has recorded interest expense for the corresponding junior subordinated debentures in its consolidated statements of income. The Company recorded $1.7 million of the common capital securities issued by the Trusts in the securities held-to-maturity in its consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2003. Effective July 1, 2004, the $1.7 million investment in the Trusts' common capital securities was reclassified from securities held-to-maturity to other assets.

Sale of $15 Million of Trust Preferred Securities: In March 2004, the Company completed the issuance of an additional $15.5 million of Debentures in connection with a private placement of pooled trust preferred securities called Banner Capital Trust IV. The trust preferred securities were issued by a special purpose business trust owned by the Company and sold to pooled investment vehicles sponsored and marketed by investment banking firms. The Debentures have been recorded as a liability on the statement of financial condition but, subject to limitations under current Federal Reserve guidelines, qualify as Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital purposes. The proceeds from this offering are being used primarily to support growth, including acquisitions, by augmenting the Bank's regulatory capital. Under the terms of the transaction, the trust preferred securities and Debentures have a maturity of 30 years and are redeemable after five years with certain exceptions. The holders of the trust preferred securities and Debentures are entitled to receive cumulative cash distributions at a variable annual rate. The interest rate is reset quarterly to equal three-month LIBOR plus 2.85%.


Note 3: ACCOUNTING STANDARDS RECENTLY ADOPTED OR ISSUED

In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement No. 123(Revised 2004), Share-Based Payment. This Statement replaces FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock Based Compensation, and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. Statement No. 123(R) requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions (for example, stock options granted to employees of the Company) be recognized in the Company's financial statements. That cost will be measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments used. Statement No. 123 (R) covers a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including share options, restricted share plans, performance-based awards, share appreciation rights, and employee share purchase plans. Public entities (other than those filing as small business issuers) will be required to apply Statement No. 123(R) as of the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company plans to adopt the provisions of FASB Statement No. 123(R) effective July 1, 2005, and is in the process of evaluating the impact on its consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations.

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets - An Amendment of APB Opinion No. 29. Guidance under APB Opinion No. 29, Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions, is based on the principal that exchanges of nonmonetary assets should be measured based on the fair value of the assets exchanged. SFAS No. 153 amends Opinion No. 29 to eliminate the exception for nonmonetary



23

<PAGE>




exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exemption for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance. A nonmonetary exchange is considered to have commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. The adoption of SFAS No. 153 is not expected to have any impact on the Company's current financial condition or results of operations.

In December 2003, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position (SOP) 03-3, Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer. The SOP addresses accounting for differences between contractual cash flows and cash flows expected to be collected from an investor's initial investment in loans or debt securities acquired in a transfer if those differences are attributable, at least in part to credit quality. The SOP does not apply to loans originated by the Company. Provisions of the SOP limit the yield that may be accreted to the excess of the investor's estimate at acquisition of expected cash flows to be collected over the investor's initial investment in the loan. Additionally, the SOP prohibits the recognition of this excess as an adjustment of yield, loss accrual or valuation allowance. Subsequent increases in cash flows expected to be collected are generally to be recognized prospectively through adjustment of the loan's yield over its remaining life. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected should be recognized as impairment. The SOP prohibits "carrying over" or creation of valuation allowance in the initial accounting of all loans acquired in a transfer.

The SOP is effective for loans acquired in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2004.

 

Note 4: CASH, DUE FROM BANKS AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash, due from banks and cash equivalents consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

December 31


   
   

2004


   

2003


   

Cash on hand and due from banks

$

51,720

 

$

74,654

   

Cash equivalents:

             

    Short-term cash investments

 

47

   

144

   

    Federal funds sold

 

--


   

2,500


   
 

$

51,767

 

$

77,298

   

For the purpose of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, overnight investments and short-term deposits with original maturities of less than 90 days.

FRB regulations require depository institutions to maintain certain minimum reserve balances. Included in cash and demand deposits were reserves required by the FRB of $6 million and $35 million at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
















24

<PAGE>



Note 5: SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available for sale are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

December 31, 2004


 
 

Amortized
cost


 

Gross
unrealized
gains


   

Gross
unrealized
losses


   

Estimated
fair
value


   

Percent of
Total


 
                 
                 

U.S. Government and agency obligations

$

142,192

 

$

30

 

$

(2,350

)

$

139,872

   

25.53

%

Municipal bonds:

                             

    Taxable

 

5,437

   

162

   

(34

)

 

5,565

   

1.02

%

    Tax exempt

 

4,396


   

138


   

(8


)

 

4,526


   

0.83


%

      Total municipal bonds

 

9,833

   

300

   

(42

)

 

10,091

   

1.85

%

                               

Corporate bonds

 

61,801

   

509

   

(317

)

 

61,993

   

11.32

%

Mortgage-backed or related securities:

                             

    FHLMC certificates

 

63,993

   

77

   

(538

)

 

63,532

   

11.60

%

    FHLMC collateralized mortgage obligations

 

42,087


   

115


   

(185


)

 

42,017


   

7.67


%

      Total FHLMC mortgage-backed securities

 

106,080

   

192

   

(723

)

 

105,549

   

19.27

%

                               

    GNMA certificates

 

7,779

   

299

   

--

   

8,078

   

1.47

%

    GNMA collateralized mortgage obligations

 

20,765


   

11


   

(2


)

 

20,774


   

3.79


%

      Total GNMA mortgage-backed securities

 

28,544

   

310

   

(2

)

 

28,852

   

5.26

%

                               

    FNMA certificates

 

88,618

   

728

   

(379

)

 

88,967

   

16.24

%

    FNMA collateralized mortgage obligations

 

49,429


   

15


   

(634


)

 

48,810


   

8.91


%

      Total FNMA mortgage-backed securities

 

138,047

   

743

   

(1,013

)

 

137,777

   

25.15

%

                               

    Other mortgage-backed securities

 

8,000

   

--

   

(89

)

 

7,911

   

1.44

%

    Other collateralized mortgage obligations

 

52,189

   

120

   

(456

)

 

51,853

   

9.46

%

                               

Equity securities:

                             

    FHLMC stock

 

1,023

   

1,764

   

--

   

2,787

   

0.51

%

    FNMA stock

 

1,003

   

91

   

--

   

1,094

   

0.20

%

    FARMERMAC stock

 

10

   

33

   

--

   

43

   

0.01

%

    Miscellaneous equities

 

--


   

13


   

--


   

13


   

0.00


%

 

$

548,722

 

$

4,105

 

$

(4,992

)

$

547,835

   

100.00

%

Proceeds from sales of securities during the year ended December 31, 2004 were $49,421,000. Gross gains of $633,000 and gross losses of $492,000 were realized on those sales.



25

<PAGE>



Note 5: SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE (continued)

 

December 31, 2003


 
 

Amortized
cost


 

Gross
unrealized
gains


   

Gross
unrealized
losses


   

Estimated
fair
value


   

Percent of
Total


 
                 
                 

U.S. Government and agency obligations

$

163,365

 

$

203

 

$

(2,227

)

$

161,341

   

23.90

%

Municipal bonds:

                             

    Taxable

 

4,797

   

336

   

(1

)

 

5,132

   

0.76

%

    Tax exempt

 

20,257


   

428


   

(97


)

 

20,588


   

3.05


%

      Total municipal bonds

 

25,054

   

764

   

(98

)

 

25,720

   

3.81

%

                               

Corporate bonds

 

68,926

   

1,187

   

(602

)

 

69,511

   

10.30

%

Mortgage-backed or related securities:

                             

    FHLMC certificates

 

63,803

   

241

   

(261

)

 

63,783

   

9.45

%

    FHLMC collateralized mortgage obligations

 

66,395


   

1,253


   

(87


)

 

67,561


   

10.01


%

      Total FHLMC mortgage-backed securities

 

130,198

   

1,494

   

(348

)

 

131,344

   

19.46

%

                               

    GNMA certificates

 

13,678

   

408

   

--

   

14,086

   

2.09

%

    GNMA collateralized mortgage obligations

 

32,885


   

532


   

--


   

33,417


   

4.95


%

      Total GNMA mortgage-backed securities

 

46,563

   

940

   

--

   

47,503

   

7.04

%

                               

    FNMA certificates

 

81,826

   

1,076

   

(118

)

 

82,784

   

12.27

%

    FNMA collateralized mortgage obligations

 

46,122


   

369


   

(28


)

 

46,463


   

6.88


%

      Total FNMA mortgage-backed securities

 

127,948

   

1,445

   

(146

)

 

129,247

   

19.15

%

                               

    Other mortgage-backed securities

 

8,000

   

--

   

(32

)

 

7,968

   

1.18

%

    Other collateralized mortgage obligations

 

97,941

   

783

   

(160

)

 

98,564

   

14.60

%

                               

Equity securities:

                             

    FHLMC stock

 

1,025

   

1,555

   

--

   

2,580

   

0.38

%

    FNMA stock

 

1,003

   

92

   

--

   

1,095

   

0.16

%

    FARMERMAC stock

 

10

   

49

   

--

   

59

   

0.01

%

    Miscellaneous equities

 

--


   

10


   

--


   

10


   

0.01


%

 

$

670,033

 

$

8,522

 

$

(3,613

)

$

674,942

   

100.00

%

Proceeds from sales of securities during the year ended December 31, 2003 were $49,287,000. Gross gains of $384,000 and gross losses of $321,000 were realized on those sales.

Proceeds from sales of securities during the year ended December 31, 2002 were $4,670,000. Gross gains of $27,000 and no gross losses were realized on those sales.

At December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company's investment portfolio did not contain any securities of an issuer (other than the U.S. Government, its agencies and U.S. Government sponsored entities) which had an aggregate book value in excess of 10% of the Company's stockholders' equity at that date.

At December 31, 2004, an aging of unrealized losses and fair value of related available-for-sale securities were as follows (in thousands):

 

December 31, 2004


 
 

Less than 12 months


 

12 months or more


 

Total


 
 

Fair Value


 

Unrealized Losses


 

Fair Value


 

Unrealized Losses


 

Fair Value


 

Unrealized Losses


 
                         

U. S. Government and agency obligations

$

82,426

 

$

(1,045

)

$

52,643

 

$

(1,305

)

$

135,069

 

$

(2,350

)

                                     

Municipal bonds

 

4,404

   

(42

)

 

--

   

--

   

4,404

   

(42

)

                                     

Corporate bonds

 

25,692

   

(317

)

 

--

   

--

   

25,692

   

(317

)

                                     

Mortgage-backed or related securities

 

204,633

   

(1,813

)

 

18,014

   

(470

)

 

222,647

   

(2,281

)

                                     

Equity securities

 

--


   

--


   

--


   

--


   

--


   

--


 
                                     
 

$

317,155

 

$

(3,217

)

$

70,657

 

$

(1,775

)

$

387,812

 

$

(4,992

)



26

<PAGE>




Management does not believe that any individual unrealized loss as of December 31, 2004 represents an other-than-temporary impairment. The decline in fair market value of these securities is generally due to changes in interest rates and changes in market-desired spreads subsequent to their purchase. There were 62 and 66 available for sale securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available for sale at December 31, 2004 and 2003, by contractual maturity, are shown below (in thousands). Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

December 31, 2004


 

December 31, 2003


 
   

Amortized

   

Estimated

   

Amortized

   

Estimated

 
   

Cost


   

fair value


   

Cost


   

fair value


 
                         

Due in one year or less

$

54,444

 

$

54,346

 

$

105,413

 

$

105,540

 

Due after one year through five years

 

158,851

   

156,853

   

166,187

   

164,996

 

Due after five years through ten years

 

88,165

   

87,775

   

111,825

   

112,377

 

Due after ten years

 

245,226


   

244,922


   

284,570


   

288,285


 
   

546,686

   

543,898

   

667,995

   

671,198

 

Equity securities

 

2,036


   

3,937


   

2,038


   

3,744


 
 

$

548,722

 

$

547,835

 

$

670,033

 

$

674,942

 


Note 6: SECURITIES HELD TO MATURITY

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities held to maturity are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

December 31, 2004


 
               

Gross

   

Gross

   

Estimated

 
   

Percent

   

Amortized

   

unrealized

   

unrealized

   

fair

 
   

of total


   

cost


   

gains


   

losses


   

value


 

Mortgage-backed securities:

                             

    FHLMC certificates:

 

0.00

%

$

--

 

$

--

 

$

--

 

$

--

 

    FNMA certificates

 

0.48


%

 

241


   

18


   

--


   

259


 
   

0.48

%

 

241

   

18

   

--

   

259

 
                               

Municipal bonds:

                             

    Taxable

 

3.30

%

 

1,647

   

23

   

--

   

1,670

 

    Tax Exempt

 

80.69


%

 

40,276


   

566


   

(86


)

 

40,756

 
   

83.99

%

 

41,923

   

589

   

(86

)

 

42,426

 
                               

Corporate bonds

 

15.53


%

 

7,750


   

1,002


   

--


   

8,752


 
   

100.00

%

$

49,914

 

$

1,609

 

$

(86

)

$

51,437

 










27

<PAGE>




 

Note 6: SECURITIES HELD TO MATURITY(continued)

 

December 31, 2003


 
               

Gross

   

Gross

   

Estimated

 
   

Percent

   

Amortized

   

unrealized

   

unrealized

   

fair

 
   

of total


   

cost


   

gains


   

losses


   

value


 

Mortgage-backed securities:

                             

    FHLMC certificates:

 

0.79

%

$

216

 

$

12

 

$

--

 

$

228

 

    FNMA certificates

 

1.17


%

 

319


   

23


   

--


   

342


 
   

1.96

%

 

535

   

35

   

--

   

570

 
                               

Municipal bonds:

                             

    Taxable

 

0.38

%

 

104

   

8

   

--

   

112

 

    Tax Exempt

 

65.70


%

 

17,890


   

136


   

(13


)

 

18,013


 
   

66.08

%

 

17,994

   

144

   

(13

)

 

18,125

 
                               

Corporate bonds

 

25.71

%

 

7,000

   

1,004

   

--

   

8,004

 
                               

Common capital securities issued by unconsolidated financing subsidiary of the Company (1)

 

6.25


%

 

1,703


   

--


   

--


   

1,703


 
   

100.00

%

$

27,232

 

$

1,183

 

$

(13

)

$

28,402

 

(1) Effective July 1, 2004, these securities were reclassified to other assets for financial statement presentation purposes.

At December 31, 2004, an aging of unrealized losses and fair value of related held-to-maturity securities were as follows (in thousands):

 

December 31, 2004


 
 

Less than 12 months


 

12 months or more


 

Total


 
 

Fair Value


 

Unrealized Losses


 

Fair Value


 

Unrealized Losses


 

Fair Value


 

Unrealized Losses


 
                         

Municipal bonds

$

6,961

 

$

(63

)

$

6,978

 

$

(23

)

$

13,939

 

$

(86

)

Management does not believe that any individual unrealized loss as of December 31, 2004 represents an other-than-temporary impairment. The decline in fair market value of these securities is generally due to changes in interest rates and changes in market-desired spreads subsequent to their purchase. There were 22 and 8 held-to-maturity securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities held to maturity at December 31, 2004 and 2003, by contractual maturity, are shown below (in thousands). Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

December 31, 2004


 

December 31, 2003


 
 

Amortized
cost


 

Estimated fair
value


 

Amortized
cost


 

Estimated fair
value


 
                         

Due in one year or less

$

154

 

$

156

 

$

1,703

 

$

1,703

 

Due after one year through five years

 

725

   

732

   

463

   

487

 

Due after five years through ten years

 

11,166

   

11,283

   

1,521

   

1,547

 

Due after ten years

 

37,869


   

39,266


   

23,545


   

24,665


 
 

$

49,914

 

$

51,437

 

$

27,232

 

$

28,402

 

 

Note 7: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING INTEREST INCOME FROM SECURITIES AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

The following table sets forth the composition of income from securities and cash equivalents for the periods indicated (in thousands):

 

Years Ended
December 31


 
   
   

2004


   

2003


   

2002


 
                   

Taxable interest income

$

9,197

 

$

8,715

 

$

6,869

 

Tax-exempt interest income

 

1,861

   

1,222

   

1,274

 

Other stock - dividend income

 

118

   

111

   

83

 

FHLB stock - dividend income

 

1,180


   

1,863


   

1,960


 

    Total income from securities and cash equivalents

$

12,356

 

$

11,911

 

$

10,186

 



28

<PAGE>



Note 8: LOANS RECEIVABLE

Loans receivable at December 31, 2004 and 2003 are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands) (includes loans held for sale):

 

December 31, 2004


 

December 31, 2003


 
   

Amount


   

Percent


   

Amount


   

Percent


 
                         

Loans:

                       
    Commercial real estate

$

547,574

   

26.16

%

$

455,964

   

26.40

%

    Multifamily real estate  

107,745

   

5.15

   

89,072

   

5.16

 
    Construction and land  

506,137

   

24.18

   

398,954

   

23.10

 
    Commercial business  

395,249

   

18.89

   

321,671

   

18.63

 
    Agricultural business,
     including secured by farmland
 

148,343

   

7.09

   

118,903

   

6.89

 
    One- to four-family real estate  

307,986

   

14.71

   

275,197

   

15.94

 
                         
    Consumer  

36,556

   

1.74

   

35,887

   

2.07

 
    Consumer secured by one- to
     four family real estate
 


43,258


   


2.07


   


31,277


   


1.81


 
      Total consumer  

79,814


   

3.81


   

67,164


   

3.88


 
                         

    Total loans outstanding

 

2,092,848

   

100.00

%

 

1,726,925

   

100.00

%

                         

    Less allowance for loan losses

 

(29,610


)

       

(26,060


)

     
                         

Total net loans at end of period

$

2,063,238

       

$

$1,700,865

       

Loan amounts are net of unearned, unamortized loan fees of $8,882,000 and $6,754,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Loans receivable includes $472,000 and $421,000 of loans at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, that were more than 90 days delinquent and still on accrual of interest.

Loans serviced for others totaled $250,707,000 and $278,185,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Custodial accounts maintained in connection with this servicing totaled $2,569,000 and $3,840,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

The Company's outstanding loan commitments totaled $633,430,000 and $546,319,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. In addition, the Company had outstanding commitments to sell loans of $33,226,000 and $33,565,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

A substantial portion of the loans are to borrowers in the states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Accordingly, their ultimate collectibility is particularly susceptible to, among other things, changes in market and economic conditions within these states.

The Company's loans by geographic concentration at December 31, 2004 were as follows (in thousands):

   

Washington


   

Oregon


   

Idaho


   

Other


   

Total


 

Loans:

                             

    Commercial real estate

$

377,685

 

$

118,941

 

$

23,571

 

$

27,377

 

$

547,574

 

    Multifamily real estate

 

86,499

   

10,774

   

1,574

   

8,898

   

107,745

 

    Construction and land

 

228,721

   

249,665

   

10,823

   

16,928

   

506,137

 

    Commercial business

 

288,163

   

44,075

   

56,070

   

6,941

   

395,249

 

    Agricultural business,
     including secured by farmland

 


50,810

   


67,411

   


29,667

   


455

   


148,343

 

    One-to four-family real estate

 

266,982

   

29,491

   

4,104

   

7,409

   

307,986

 
                               

    Consumer

 

21,528

   

12,750

   

1,254

   

1,024

   

36,556

 

    Consumer secured by one- to
     four-family real estate

 


34,917


   


6,356


   


1,840


   


145


   


43,258


 

      Total consumer

 

56,445


   

19,106


   

3,094


   

1,169


   

79,814


 
 

$

1,355,329

 

$

539,463

 

$

128,903

 

$

69,177

 

$

2,092,848

 


29

<PAGE>



The Company's loans to directors and officers are on substantially the same terms and underwriting as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with unrelated persons and do not involve more than normal risk of collectability. Such loans had the following balances and activity during 2004 and 2003 (dollars in thousands):

   

Years Ended December 31


 
   

2004


 

2003


 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

8,626

 

$

7,387

 

New loans or advances

   

14,165

   

15,384

 

Repayments and adjustments

   

(10,756

)

 

(10,419

)

Charge-offs

   

--

   

--

 

Net change due to addition/retirement of Directors/Officers

   

38


 

(3,726


)

               

Balance, end of period

 

$

12,073

 

$

8,626

 
               

 

The amount of impaired loans and the related allocated reserve for loan losses were as follows (in thousands):

 

December 31, 2004


 

December 31, 2003


 
 

Loan
amount


 

Allocated
reserves


 

Loan
amount


 

Allocated
reserves


 
         

Impaired loans:

                       

    Non-accrual

$

15,416

 

$

3,603

 

$

28,010

 

$

4,328

 

    Accrual

 

--


   

--


   

--


   

--


 
                         
 

$

15,416

 

$

3,603

 

$

28,010

 

$

4,328

 

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Company was committed to advance $438,000 in funds on its impaired loans.

The average balance of impaired loans and the related interest income recognized were as follows:

 

Years Ended
December 31


 
 

2004


 

2003


 

2002


 
                   

Average balance of impaired loans

$

21,578

 

$

28,812

 

$

23,334

 

Interest income recognized

 

--

   

--

   

--

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, additional interest income of $772,000, $2,852,000 and $1,842,000, respectively, would have been recorded had non-accrual loans been current.

The Company originates both adjustable- and fixed-rate loans. At December 31, 2004 and 2003, the maturity and repricing composition of those loans, less undisbursed amounts and deferred fees, were as follows (in thousands):

 

December 31


 
 

2004


 

2003


 

Fixed-rate (term to maturity):

           

    Due in one year or less

$

83,475

 

$

98,799

 

    Due after one year through three years

 

77,530

   

71,593

 

    Due after three years through five years

 

141,554

   

115,633

 

    Due after five years through ten years

 

102,333

   

2,583

 

    Due after ten years

 

251,621


   

378,248


 
 

$

656,513


 

$

666,856


 

Adjustable-rate (term to rate adjustment):

           

    Due in one year or less

$

1,003,943

 

$

799,027

 

    Due after one year through three years

 

128,068

   

85,330

 

    Due after three years through five years

 

290,860

   

164,124

 

    Due after five years through ten years

 

13,135

   

323

 

    Due after ten years

 

329


   

11,265


 
   

1,436,335


   

1,060,069


 
 

$

2,092,848

 

$

1,726,925

 


30

<PAGE>



The adjustable-rate loans have interest rate adjustment limitations and are generally indexed to various prime (The Wall Street Journal) or LIBOR rates, One to Five Year Constant Maturity Treasury Indices, the FHLB's National Cost of Funds or 11th District Cost of Funds. Future market factors may affect the correlation of the interest rate adjustment with the rates the Bank pays on the short-term deposits that primarily have been utilized to fund these loans.

The Bank has invested, as of December 31, 2004, $446,000 in three limited partnerships, Homestead Equity Fund II, III and IV (HEF), that develop low income housing projects. The Bank's partnership interests commit it to invest up to $9,000,000 in the partnership. In connection with HEF II's initial development of a project, the Bank has made a commercial loan to the partnership that has an outstanding balance of $5,029,000 at December 31, 2004. The Bank is committed on this loan to advance up to $6,930,000. The loan is secured by notes from the limited partners, which includes the Bank, to make capital contributions to the partnership.

 

Note 9: ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

An analysis of the changes in the allowance for loan losses is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Years Ended
December 31


 
 

2004


 

2003


 

2002


 
                   

Balance, beginning of period

$

26,060

 

$

26,539

 

$

17,552

 
                   

Allowance added through business combinations

 

--

         

460

 

Sale of credit card portfolio

 

--

         

--

 
                   

Provision

 

5,644

   

7,300

   

21,000

 

Recoveries of loans previously charged off:

                 

   Secured by real estate:

                 

      One- to four-family

 

3

   

14

   

--

 

      Commercial

 

519

   

--

   

--

 

      Multifamily

 

--

   

--

   

--

 

      Construction and Land

 

14

   

80

   

39

 

   Commercial business

 

986

   

924

   

209

 

   Agricultural business

 

15

   

13

   

3

 

   Consumer

 

50


   

44


   

74


 
   

1,587

   

1,075

   

325

 

Loans charged off:

                 

   Secured by real estate:

                 

      One- to four-family

 

(100

)

 

(357

)

 

(102

)

      Commercial

 

(1,313

)

 

(2,289

)

 

(103

)

      Multifamily

 

--

   

--

   

--

 

      Construction and land

 

(347

)

 

(986

)

 

(1,129

)

   Commercial business

 

(1,518

)

 

(4,496

)

 

(10,643

)

   Agricultural business

 

(41

)

 

(214

)

 

(157

)

   Consumer

 

(362


)

 

(512


)

 

(664


)

   

(3,681


)

 

(8,854


)

 

(12,798


)

                   

Net charge-offs

 

(2,094


)

 

(7,779


)

 

(12,473


)

                   

Balance, end of period

$

29,610

 

$

26,060

 

$

26,539

 
                   

Ratio of allowance to net loans before allowance for loan losses

 

1.41

%

 

1.51

%

 

1.69

%

Ratio of net loan charge-offs to the average net book value of loans outstanding during the period

 

0.11

%

 

0.47

%

 

0.78

%



31

<PAGE>



The following is a schedule of the Company's allocation of the allowance for loan losses (dollars in thousands):

 
   
 

December 31


 
 

2004


 

2003


 

2002


 

Specific or allocated loss allowance:

                 

Secured by real estate:

                 

    One- to four-family

$

782

 

$

749

 

$

670

 

    Commercial

 

5,046

   

5,058

   

5,284

 

    Multifamily

 

539

   

445

   

361

 

    Construction and land

 

5,556

   

5,207

   

5,892

 

Commercial business

 

9,226

   

8,161

   

8,788

 

Agricultural business

 

3,628

   

3,194

   

2,164

 

Consumer

 

464


   

482


   

698


 

      Total allocated

 

25,241

   

23,296

   

23,857

 

Unallocated

 

4,369


   

2,764


   

2,682


 

      Total allowance for loan losses

$

29,610

 

$

26,060

 

$

26,539

 
                   

Ratio of allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans

 

186

%

 

92

%

 

74

%

 

Note 10: PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Land, buildings and equipment owned by the Company and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2004 and 2003 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

December 31


 
 

2004


 

2003


 
             

Buildings and leasehold improvements

$

33,796

 

$

23,795

 

Furniture and equipment

 

28,187


   

21,782


 
   

61,983

   

45,577

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(28,424


)

 

(25,746


)

   

33,559

   

19,831

 

Land

 

5,756


   

2,987


 
             
 

$

39,315

 

$

22,818

 

 

The Bank's depreciation expense related to property and equipment was $3,948,000, $3,220,000 and $3,085,000 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

The Bank's rental expense was as follows: 2004, $3,315,000; 2003, $2,793,000 and 2002, $2,068,000.

The Bank's obligation under long-term property leases over the next five years is as follows: 2005, $3,150,000; 2006, $2,755,000; 2007, $2,218,000; 2008, $1,471,000; 2009, $1,139,000; and thereafter, $2,759,000.

At December 31, 2004, the Company had entered into various contractual obligations, generally related to the construction or remodel of various premises. Total commitments related to those contractual obligations were $1.6 million, with $695,000 remaining unpaid against those commitments at year end.











32

<PAGE>



Note 11: DEPOSITS

Deposits consist of the following at December 31, 2004 and 2003 (dollars in thousands):

 

December 31
2004


   

Percent of
Total


 

December 31
2003


   

Percent of
Total


 
           

Demand, NOW and money market accounts, including non-interest-bearing deposits at December 31, 2004 and 2003 of $234,761 and $205,656, respectively, 0% to 4%

$

714,802

   

37.12

%

$

642,125

   

38.43

%

                         

Regular savings, 0% to 1%

 

155,931

   

8.10

   

47,792

   

2.86

 
                         

Certificate accounts:

                       

0.00% to 2.00%

 

293,516

   

15.24

   

485,971

   

29.08

 

2.01% to 4.00%

 

587,069

   

30.48

   

338,373

   

20.25

 

4.01% to 6.00%

 

151,007

   

7.84

   

128,464

   

7.69

 

6.01% to 8.25%

 

23,584


   

1.22


   

28,215


   

1.69


 
   

1,055,176


   

54.78


   

981,023


   

58.71


 
                         
 

$

1,925,909

   

100.00

%

$

1,670,940

   

100.00

%

Deposits at December 31, 2004 and 2003 included public funds of $144,682,000 and $152,035,000, respectively. Securities with a carrying value of $22,947,000 and $33,222,000 were pledged as collateral on these deposits at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, which exceeded the minimum collateral requirements established by state regulations.

Deposits at December 31, 2004 and 2003 included deposits from directors and executive officers of the Company and entities related to the directors and executive officers totaling $4,376,000 and $3,360,000, respectively.

Scheduled maturities of certificate accounts at December 31, 2004 and 2003 are as follows (in thousands):

   

December 31


 
   

2004


   

2003


 

Due in one year or less

$

664,375

 

$

671,894

 

Due after one year through two years

 

194,160

   

124,796

 

Due after two years through three years

 

128,214

   

93,758

 

Due after three years through four years

 

31,802

   

58,307

 

Due after four years through five years

 

21,296

   

16,761

 

Due after five years

 

15,329


   

15,507


 
 

$

1,055,176

 

$

981,023

 

 

Included in deposits are deposit accounts in excess of $100,000 of $611,524,000 and $546,656,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Interest on deposit accounts in excess of $100,000 totaled $15,543,000 for the year ended December 31, 2004 and $15,090,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003.














33

<PAGE>



The following table sets forth the deposit activities of the Bank for the periods indicated (in thousands):

 

Years Ended
December 31


 
   

2004


   

2003


   

2002


 

Beginning balance

$

1,670,940

 

$

1,497,778

 

$

1,295,811

 
                   

Acquisitions, at book value

 

--

   

--

   

33,151

 

Net increase (decrease) before interest credited

 

219,902

   

138,178

   

129,610

 

Interest credited

 

35,067


   

34,984


   

39,206


 

Net increase in deposits

 

254,969


   

173,682


   

201,967


 
                   

Ending balance

$

1,925,909

 

$

1,670,940

 

$

1,497,778

 
                   
                   

Deposit interest expense by type for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 was as follows (in thousands):

                   
 

Years Ended December 31


 
   

2004


   

2003


   

2002


 
                   

Certificates

$

27,339

 

$

29,384

 

$

34,263

 

Demand, NOW and money market accounts

 

6,755

   

5,099

   

4,470

 

Regular savings

 

973


   

501


   

473


 

$

35,067

$

34,984

$

39,206

 

Note 12: ADVANCES FROM FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF SEATTLE

The Bank has entered into borrowing arrangements with the FHLB to borrow funds under a short-term floating rate cash management advance program and fixed-term loan agreements. All borrowings are secured by stock of, and cash held by, the FHLB. Additionally, specific securities with a carrying value of $292,151,000 at December 31, 2004 are pledged as security for the loans along with a blanket pledge of qualifying loans receivable. At December 31, 2004, FHLB advances were scheduled to mature as follows; however, certain advances totaling $137,000,000 and due after one year have provisions for early termination exercisable at the discretion of the FHLB (dollars in thousands):

 

Adjustable-rate advances


 

Fixed-rate advances


 

Total advances


 

Rate*


   

Amount


 

Rate*


   

Amount


 

Rate*


   

Amount


 
                               

Due in one year or less

2.35

%

$

62,100

 

3.15

%

$

305,600

 

3.01

%

$

367,700

 

Due after one year through two years

--

   

--

 

4.35

   

55,000

 

4.35

   

55,000

 

Due after two years through three years

--

   

--

 

3.48

   

21,930

 

3.48

   

21,930

 

Due after three years through four years

--

   

--

 

4.62

   

44,000

 

4.62

   

44,000

 

Due after four years through five years

--

   

--

 

6.23

   

18,100

 

6.23

   

18,100

 

Due after five years

--

   

--


 

6.05

   

76,828


 

6.05

   

76,828


 
 

2.35

%

$

62,100

 

3.94

%

$

521,458

 

3.77

%

$

583,558

 

* Weighted average interest rate

The maximum and average outstanding balances and average interest rates on advances from the FHLB were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 (dollars in thousands):

 

Years Ended December 31


 
   

2004


   

2003


   

2002


 
                   

Maximum outstanding at any month end

$

612,358

 

$

612,552

 

$

465,743

 

Average outstanding

 

568,908

   

513,819

   

451,816

 

Weighted average interest rates:

                 

    Annual

 

3.57

%

 

4.25

%

 

5.33

%

    End of period

 

3.77

%

 

3.39

%

 

4.80

%

Interest expense during the period

$

20,336

 

$

21,842

 

$

24,094

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Bank has established a borrowing line with the FHLB to borrow up to the lesser of 35% of its total assets or the total blanket pool of unpledged eligible collateral which would give it a maximum total credit line of $870,227,000 at December 31, 2004.

34

<PAGE>



Note 13: OTHER BORROWINGS

Other borrowings consist of retail repurchase agreements, wholesale repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings.

Retail Repurchase Agreements: At December 31, 2004, retail repurchase agreements carry interest rates ranging from 0.75% to 5.00%, payable at maturity, and are secured by the pledge of certain mortgage-backed and agency securities with a carrying value of $41,467,000. The Bank has the right to pledge or sell these securities, but they must replace them with substantially the same security.

A summary of retail repurchase agreements at December 31, 2004 and 2003 by the period remaining to maturity is as follows (dollars in thousands):

   

December 31


 
   

2004


   

2003


 
    Weighted
average
rate
 

Balance
    Weighted
average
rate
 

Balance
 
                     

Retail repurchase agreements:

                       

    Due in one year or less

 

1.45

%

$

37,682

   

1.82

%

$

16,740

 

    Due after one year through two years

 

1.71

   

248

   

4.04

   

173

 

    Due after two years through three years

 

--

   

--

   

--

   

--

 

    Due after five years

 

5.00


   

428


   

4.61


   

483


 
   

1.49

%

$

38,358

   

1.92

%

$

17,396

 

The maximum and average outstanding balances and average interest rates on retail repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings, such as Fed Funds, were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively (dollars in thousands):

 

Years Ended
December 31


 
   
   

2004


   

2003


   

2002


 
                   

Maximum outstanding at any month end

$

47,124

 

$

26,357

 

$

19,146

 

Average outstanding

 

32,789

   

16,313

   

14,741

 

Weighted average interest rates:

                 

    Annual

 

1.46

%

 

2.11

%

 

3.74

%

    End of period

 

1.49

%

 

1.92

%

 

3.17

%

Interest expense during the period

$

478

 

$

344

 

$

552

 

Wholesale Repurchase Agreements: The table below outlines the wholesale repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2004 and 2003. The agreements to repurchase are secured by mortgage-backed securities with a carrying value of $31,096,000 at December 31, 2004. The broker holds the security while the Bank continues to receive the principal and interest payments from the security. Upon maturity of the agreement, the pledged securities will be returned to the Bank.

A summary of wholesale repurchase agreements at December 31, 2004 and 2003 by the period remaining to maturity is as follows (dollars in thousands):

December 31
2004
2003
Weighted
average
rate


Balance
Weighted
average
rate


Balance
Wholesale repurchase agreements:
    Due in one year or less 2.38 % $ 29,758 1.16 % $ 52,047

The maximum and average outstanding balances and average interest rates on wholesale repurchase agreements were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 (dollars in thousands):

 

Years Ended
December 31


 
   
   

2004


   

2003


   

2002


 
                   

Maximum outstanding at any month end

$

50,967

 

$

52,047

 

$

60,604

 

Average outstanding

 

40,127

   

35,402

   

51,837

 

Weighted average interest rates:

                 

    Annual

 

1.43

%

 

1.26

%

 

1.86

%

    End of period

 

2.38

%

 

1.16

%

 

1.43

%

Interest expense during the period

$

573

 

$

445

 

$

966

 

35

<PAGE>



Junior Subordinated Debentures and Mandatorily Redeemable Trust Preferred Securities: At December 31, 2004, four wholly-owned subsidiary grantor trusts, Banner Capital Trust I, II, III and IV (BCT I, II, III and IV), established by the Company had issued $70 million of pooled trust preferred securities as well as $2.168 million of common capital securities which were issued to the Company. Trust preferred securities and common capital securities accrue and pay distributions periodically at specified annual rates as provided in the indentures. The trusts used the net proceeds from the offerings to purchase a like amount of junior subordinated debentures (the "Debentures") of the Company. The Debentures are the sole assets of the trusts. The Company's obligations under the debentures and related documents, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of the obligations of the trusts. The trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon the maturity of the Debentures, or upon earlier redemption as provided in the indentures. The Company has the right to redeem the Debentures in whole on or after specific dates, at a redemption price specified in the indentures plus any accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date.

BCT I, the initial issue of $25 million, has a current interest rate of 6.00%, which is reset semi-annually to equal six-month LIBOR plus 3.70%. BCT II, the second issue, for $15 million, has a current interest rate of 5.42%, which is reset quarterly to equal three-month LIBOR plus 3.35%. BCT III, the third issue, also for $15 million, has a current interest rate 4.97, which is reset quarterly to equal three-month LIBOR plus 2.90%. BCT IV, the fourth issue, also for $15 million has a current interest rate of 4.92% which is reset quarterly to equal three-month LIBOR plus 2.85%.

The following tables are a summary of current trust preferred securities at December 31, 2004 and 2003 (dollars in thousands):

 

December 31, 2004


Name of Trust


 

Aggregate Liquidation Amount of Trust Preferred Securities


 

Aggregate Liquidation Amount of Common
Capital Securities


 

Aggregate Principal Amount of Junior SubordinatedDebentures


 

Stated Maturity


 

Per Annum Interest Rate


 

Extension Period


 

Redemption Option


 

Banner Capital Trust I

$

25,000

$

774

$

25,774

2032

6.000

%

Ten Consecutive Annual Periods

On or after April 22, 2007

Banner Capital Trust II

15,000

464

15,464

2033

5.420

20 Consecutive Quarters

On or after January 7, 2008

Banner Capital Trust III

15,000

465

15,465

2033

4.970

20 Consecutive Quarters

On or after October 8, 2008

Banner Capital Trust IV

15,000


465


15,465



2034


4.920

20 Consecutive Quarters

On or after October 8, 2008

Total TPS Liability

$

70,000

$

2,168

$

72,168

5.424

%

 

The following table is a summary of current trust preferred securities at December 31, 2003 (dollars in thousands):

 

December 31, 2003


Name of Trust


 

Aggregate Liquidation Amount of Trust Preferred Securities


 

Aggregate Liquidation Amount of Common
Capital Securities


 

Aggregate Principal Amount of Junior SubordinatedDebentures


 

Stated Maturity


 

Per Annum Interest Rate


 

Extension Period


 

Redemption Option


 

Banner Capital Trust I

$

25,000

$

774

$

25,774

2032

4.920

%

Ten Consecutive Annual Periods

On or after April 22, 2007

Banner Capital Trust II

15,000

464

15,464

2033

4.500

20 Consecutive Quarters

On or after January 7, 2008

Banner Capital Trust III

15,000


465


15,465



2033


4.040

20 Consecutive Quarters

On or after October 8, 2008

Total TPS Liability

$

55,000

$

1,703

$

56,703

4.565

%

 

Additional Credit Line: The Bank also has established a $26,000,000 Fed Funds credit line with a correspondent bank that will expire in July 2005. There were no balances outstanding under this credit line at December 31, 2004 and 2003.





36

<PAGE>



Note 14: INCOME TAXES

Provisions of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 (the Job Protection Act) significantly altered the Company's tax bad debt deduction method and the circumstances that would require a tax bad debt reserve recapture. Prior to enactment of the Job Protection Act, savings institutions were permitted to compute their tax bad debt deduction through use of either the reserve method or the percentage of taxable income method. The Job Protection Act repealed both of these methods for large savings institutions and allows bad debt deductions based only on actual current losses. While repealing the reserve method for computing tax bad debt deductions, the Job Protection Act allows savings institutions to retain their existing base year bad debt reserves but requires that reserves in excess of the balance at December 31, 1987, be recaptured into taxable income over six years. As of December 31, 2003, the reserve in excess of the base year (December 31, 1987) had been fully recaptured into taxable income.

The base year reserve is recaptured into taxable income only in limited situations, such as in the event of certain excess distributions, complete liquidation or disqualification as a bank. None of the limited circumstances requiring recapture are contemplated by the Company. The amount of the Company's tax bad debt reserves subject to recapture in these circumstances approximates $5,318,000 at December 31, 2004. Due to the remote nature of events that may trigger the recapture provisions, no tax liability has been established in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

In addition, as a result of certain acquisitions, the Company is required to recapture certain tax bad debt reserves of the acquired institution. The Company has elected to recapture these reserves into income over a four-year period using the deferral method. The recapture does not result in a charge to earnings as the Company provided for this liability on the acquisition date.

The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002 differs from that computed at the statutory corporate tax rate as follows (in thousands):

 

Years Ended

 
 

December 31


 
   

2004


   

2003


   

2002


 

Taxes at statutory rate

$

9,774

 

$

8,049

 

$

4,459

 

Increase (decrease) in taxes:

                 

    Tax-exempt interest

 

(622

)

 

(429

)

 

(485

)

    Investment in life insurance

 

(585

)

 

(626

)

 

(521

)

    Fair market value vs. basis of ESOP shares released

 

368

   

233

   

147

 

    State income taxes net of federal tax benefit

 

254

   

223

   

108

 

    Tax credits

 

(388

)

 

(243

)

 

--

 

    Other

 

(216


)

 

(316


)

 

(229


)

Provision for income taxes

$

8,585

 

$

6,891

 

$

3,479

 

 

The provision for income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 is composed of the following (in thousands):

 

Years Ended

 
 

December 31


 
   

2004


   

2003


   

2002


 
                   

Current

$

10,503

 

$

5,886

 

$

5,326

 

Deferred

 

(1,918


)

 

1,005


   

(1,847


)

 

$

8,585

 

$

6,891

 

$

3,479

 








37

<PAGE>



Income taxes are provided for the temporary differences between the tax basis and financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities. Components of the Company's net deferred tax assets (liabilities) at December 31, 2004 and 2003 consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

December 31


 
   

2004


   

2003


 

Deferred tax assets:

           

    Loan loss reserves per books

$

10,441

 

$

9,188

 

    Deferred compensation and vacation

 

2,887

   

2,421

 

    Book vs. tax amortization of intangibles

 

215

   

173

 

    Book vs. tax amortization of loan acquisition premiums

 

236

   

185

 

    Deferred servicing rights

 

12

   

16

 

    Other

 

507


   

26


 
   

14,298

   

12,009

 
             

Deferred tax liabilities:

           

    Change in method of accounting for amortization of premium
     and discount on investments

 


15

   


24

 

    FHLB stock dividends

 

5,798

   

5,446

 

    Depreciation

 

2,186

   

1,277

 

    Deferred loan fees and servicing rights

 

548

   

692

 

    Book vs. tax amortization of deposit acquisition premium

 

163

   

153

 

    Other

 

11


   

758


 
   

8,721


   

8,350


 
   

5,577

   

3,659

 

Income tax benefit related to unrealized gain/loss on
   securities available for sale

 


311


   


(1,718



)

Deferred tax asset (liability), net

$

5,888

 

$

1,941

 

 

Management has evaluated the weight of available evidence and concluded that it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the net deferred tax asset in future years.

 

Note 15: EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Bank has its own profit sharing plan for all eligible employees. The plan is funded annually at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Contributions charged to operations for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 were $796,000, $716,000 and $571,000, respectively.

The Bank has entered into a salary continuation agreement with certain members of its senior management. This program was funded by purchasing single premium life insurance contracts. The program provides for aggregate continued annual compensation for all participants totaling $221,000 for life with a 15-year guarantee. Participants vest ratably each plan year until retirement, termination, death or disability. The Bank is recording the salary continuation obligation over the estimated remaining service lives of the participants. Expenses related to this program for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 were $191,000, $181,000 and $175,500, respectively. The plan's projected benefit obligation is $2,145,000, of which $1,555,100 was vested at December 31, 2004. At December 31, 2004, an accumulated benefit obligation of $1,555,100 and cash value of life insurance of $2,998,100 were recorded. At December 31, 2003, an obligation of $1,409,600 and cash value of life insurance of $2,900,200 were recorded. Increases in cash surrender value and related net earnings from the life insurance contracts partially offset the expenses of this program.

The Bank also has a non-qualified, non-contributory retirement compensation plan for certain employees whose benefits are based upon a percentage of defined participant compensation. Expenses related to the plan included in the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 results of operations were $48,000, $65,000 and $45,000, respectively. The recorded liability under this plan was $846,100 and $869,800 on December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The Bank is carrying life insurance on these employees to partially offset the cost of the plan. The policies had recorded cash surrender values of $568,000 and $471,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

The Company and the Bank also offer non-qualified deferred compensation plans to members of their Boards of Directors and certain employees. The plans permit each participant to defer a portion of director fees, non-qualified retirement contributions, salary or bonuses until the future. Compensation is charged to expense in the period earned. In order to fund the plans' future obligations the Company has purchased life insurance polices, contributed to money market investments and purchased common stock of the Company which are held in a "Rabbi Trust." As the Company is the owner of the investments and beneficiary of life insurance contracts, and in order to reflect the Company's policy to pay benefits equal to accumulations, the assets and liabilities under the plans are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets of the Company. Common stock of the Company held for such plans is reported as a contra-equity account and was recorded at original cost of $5,552,000 at December 31, 2004 and $3,091,000 at December 31, 2003. The money market investments and cash surrender value of the life insurance policies are included in other assets.

38

<PAGE>



During the year ended December 31, 2001, the Company adopted a Supplemental Executive Retirement Program (SERP) for selected senior executives. At termination of employment at or after attaining age 62 with at least 15 years of service or age 65, an executive's annual benefit under the SERP would be computed as the product of 3% of the executive's final average compensation (defined as the three calendar years of executive's annual cash compensation, including bonuses, which produce the highest average within the executive's final eight full calendar years of employment) and the executive's annual years of service, reduced by certain amounts, such as the amount payable to the executive under the Company's 401(k) profit sharing plan and its ESOP, employer-contributed deferred compensation, and any amount payable to the executive under the salary continuation agreements described above. The maximum benefit would be 60% of final average compensation, less applicable reductions. A reduced benefit is payable at termination of employment at or after attaining age 59 1/2 with at least 15 years of service. Expenses relating to this SERP totaled $660,000, $600,000 and $510,000 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The recorded liability relating to this SERP was $1,950,000 and $1,290,000 at December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.

 

Note 16: EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN AND TRUST

The Company established for eligible employees an ESOP and related trust that became effective upon the former mutual holding company's conversion to a stock-based holding company. Eligible employees of the Bank as of January 1, 1995 and eligible employees of the Bank or Company employed after such date who have been credited with at least 1,000 hours during a twelve-month period are participants.

The ESOP borrowed $8,728,500 from the Company in order to purchase the common stock. The loan will be repaid principally from the Company's contributions to the ESOP over a period not to exceed 25 years, and the collateral for the loan is the unreleased, restricted common stock purchased by the ESOP. Contributions to the ESOP are discretionary; however, the Company intends to make annual contributions to the ESOP in an aggregate amount at least equal to the principal and interest requirements of the debt. The interest rate for the loan is 8.75%. Shares are released to participants for allocation based on the cumulative debt service paid to the Company by the ESOP divided by cumulative debt service paid to date plus the scheduled debt service remaining. Dividends on allocated shares are distributed to the participants as additional earnings. Dividends on unallocated shares are used to reduce the Company's contribution to the ESOP.

Participants generally become 100% vested in their ESOP account after seven years of credited service or if their service was terminated due to death, early retirement, permanent disability or a change in control of the Company. Prior to the completion of one year of credited service, a participant who terminates employment for reasons other than death, retirement, disability or change in control of the Company will not receive any benefit. Forfeitures will be reallocated among remaining participating employees in the same proportion as contributions. Benefits are payable upon death, retirement, early retirement, disability or separation from service. The contributions to the ESOP are not fixed, so benefits payable under the ESOP cannot be estimated. ESOP compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 was $1,745,000, $1,676,000 and $1,259,000, respectively.

A summary of key transactions for the ESOP follows:

 

Year Ended December 31


 

2004


 

2003


 

2002


           

ESOP contribution expense

$

1,745,000

 

$

1,676,000

 

$

1,259,000

                 

Total contribution to ESOP/Debt service

 

838,600

   

1,013,700

   

835,300

                 

Interest portion of debt service

 

358,000

   

410,800

   

444,900

                 

Dividends on unallocated ESOP shares used to reduce ESOP contribution

 

281,000

   

309,600

   

340,500

                 

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Company has 374,595 unearned, restricted shares remaining to be released to the ESOP. The fair value of unearned, restricted shares held by the ESOP trust was $11,684,000 at December 31, 2004. The ESOP held 583,647 allocated, earned shares at December 31, 2004.











39

<PAGE>



Note 17: STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS AND STOCK OPTIONS

The Company operates the following stock-based compensation plans as approved by the shareholders: the 1996 Management Recognition and Development Plan (MRP), the 1996 Stock Option Plan, the 1998 Stock Option Plan and the 2001 Stock Option Plan (together, SOPs).

Under the MRP, the Company is authorized to grant up to 528,075 shares of restricted stock to its directors, officers and employees of BANR. Shares granted under the MRP vest ratably over a five-year period. The consolidated statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, reflect an accrual of $149,000, $132,000 and $51,000, respectively, in compensation expense for the MRP including $22,000, $7,100 and $8,300, respectively, of expense for dividends on the allocated, restricted stock. A summary of the changes in the granted, but not vested, MRP shares for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 follows:

 

Years Ended

 
 

December 31


 
   

2004


   

2003


   

2002


 

Shares granted - not vested, beginning of period

 

31,011

   

13,317

   

8,421

 

    Shares granted

 

9,550

   

25,025

   

7,000

 

    Shares vested

 

(7,100

)

 

(3,505

)

 

(2,104

)

    Shares forfeited

 

--


   

(3,826


)

 

--


 

Shares granted - not vested, end of period

 

33,461

   

31,011

   

13,317

 

Under the 1996, 1998 and 2001 SOPs, the Company has reserved 2,284,186 shares for issuance pursuant to the exercise of stock options which may be granted to directors and employees. The exercise price of the stock options is set at 100% of the fair market value of the stock price at date of grant. Such options vest ratably over a five-year period and any unexercised options will expire ten years after date of grant or 90 days after employment or service ends.

Details of stock options granted, vested, exercised, forfeited or terminated are as follows:

 

Weighted average
fair value at
date of grant


 

Weighted average exercise price


   

Number of option shares


 
         
       

Total


   

Not Exercisable


   

Exercisable


 

Balances January 1, 2002

     

$

14.28

   

1,779,114


   

555,138


   

1,223,976


 
                               

For the year ended December 31, 2002:

                             

    Options granted

$

8.73

 

$

20.16

   

158,750

   

158,750

   

--

 

    Options vested

             

--

   

(163,526

)

 

163,526

 

    Options forfeited

       

18.20

   

(83,977

)

 

(48,174

)

 

(35,803

)

    Options exercised

       

13.38

   

(88,662

)

 

--

   

(88,662

)

    Options terminated

       

16.43

   

(4,250


)

 

(4,250


)

 

--


 

Number of option shares

                             

At December 31, 2002

     

$

14.66

   

1,760,975


   

497,938


   

1,263,037


 
                               

For the year ended December 31, 2003:

                             

    Options granted

$

6.00

 

$

18.61

   

210,400

   

210,400

   

--

 

    Options vested

             

--

   

(172,714

)

 

172,714

 

    Options forfeited

       

18.51

   

(105,500

)

 

(48,838

)

 

(56,662

)

    Options exercised

       

11.85

   

(164,985

)

 

--

   

(164,985

)

    Options terminated

       

--

   

--


   

--


   

--


 

Number of option shares

                             

At December 31, 2003

     

$

15.18

   

1,700,890


   

486,786


   

1,214,104


 
                               

For the year ended December 31, 2004:

                             

    Options granted

$

9.35

 

$

30.03

   

174,800

   

174,800

   

--

 

    Options vested

             

--

   

(175,170

)

 

175,170

 

    Options forfeited

       

17.88

   

(15,232

)

 

(12,399

)

 

(2,833

)

    Options exercised

       

13.30

   

(508,271

)

 

--

   

(508,271

)

    Options terminated

       

--

   

--


   

--


   

--


 

Number of option shares

                             

At December 31, 2004

     

$

17.78

   

1,352,187

   

474,017

   

878,170

 





40

<PAGE>



 

 

Financial data pertaining to outstanding stock options granted or assumed as a result of certain acquisitions at December 31, 2004 were as follows:

   

Weighted average

     

Weighted average

 

Weighted average

   
   

exercise price

 

Number of

 

option shares

 

exercise price

 

Remaining

Exercise

 

of option shares

 

option shares

 

vested and

 

of option shares

 

contractual

Price


 

granted


 

granted


 

exercisable


 

exercisable


 

life


                     

$1.18 to 8.03

 

$

4.80

 

9,396

 

9,396

 

$

4.80

 

3.4 yrs

10.51

   

10.51

 

5,061

 

5,061

   

10.51

 

4.0 yrs

12.19 to 13.95

   

12.79

 

557,037

 

539,600

   

12.78

 

2.9 yrs

14.09 to 15.96

   

15.47

 

51,250

 

28,330

   

15.23

 

4.4 yrs

16.31 to 17.84

   

16.56

 

128,725

 

83,665

   

16.59

 

6.4 yrs

18.09 to 19.82

   

18.91

 

221,992

 

50,892

   

18.99

 

7.9 yrs

20.02 to 21.48

   

21.06

 

77,920

 

67,120

   

21.08

 

3.5 yrs

22.05 to 23.28

   

22.24

 

124,006

 

93,406

   

22.15

 

4.7 yrs

25.28

   

25.28

 

3,500

 

700

   

25.28

 

9.0 yrs

26.23 to 27.80

   

26.35

 

52,300

 

--

   

--

 

0.0 yrs

28.48 to 29.66

   

29.55

 

3,500

 

--

   

--

 

0.0 yrs

31.71

   

31.71

 

117,500


 

--


   

--

 

0.0 yrs

$

17.78

1,352,187

878,170

$

15.12

 

Note 18: REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

The Company is a bank holding company registered with the Federal Reserve. Bank holding companies are subject to capital adequacy requirements of the Federal Reserve under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (BHCA), and the regulations of the Federal Reserve. Banner Bank is a state-chartered federally insured institution subject to the capital requirements established by the FDIC.

The capital adequacy requirements are quantitative measures established by regulation that require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of capital. The Federal Reserve requires the Company to maintain capital adequacy that generally parallels the FDIC requirements. The FDIC requires the Bank to maintain minimum ratios of total capital and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets as well as Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (FDICIA) created a statutory framework that increased the importance of meeting applicable capital requirements. For the Bank, FDICIA established five capital categories: well-capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. An institution's category depends upon where its capital levels are in relation to relevant capital measures, which include a risk-based capital measure, a leverage ratio capital measure, and certain other factors. The federal banking agencies (including the FDIC) have adopted regulations that implement this statutory framework. Under these regulations, an institution is treated as well-capitalized if its ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets is 10.00% or more, its ratio of core capital to risk-weighted assets is 6.00% or more, its ratio of core capital to adjusted total assets is 5.00% or more and it is not subject to any federal supervisory order or directive to meet a specific capital level. In order to be adequately capitalized, an institution must have a total risk-based capital ratio of not less than 8.00%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of not less than 4.00%, and leverage ratio of not less than 4.00%. Any institution which is neither well-capitalized nor adequately capitalized will be considered undercapitalized.

Undercapitalized institutions are subject to certain prompt corrective action requirements, regulatory controls and restrictions which become more extensive as an institution becomes more severely undercapitalized. Failure by the Bank to comply with applicable capital requirements would, if unremedied, result in restrictions on its activities and lead to enforcement actions against it by the FDIC, including, but not limited to, the issuance of a capital directive to ensure the maintenance of required capital levels. FDICIA requires the federal banking regulators to take prompt corrective action with respect to depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. Additionally, FDIC approval of any regulatory application filed for its review may be dependent on compliance with capital requirements.

FDIC regulations recognize two types or tiers of capital: core (Tier 1) capital and supplementary (Tier 2) capital. Tier 1 capital generally includes common stockholders' equity and noncumulative perpetual preferred stock, less most intangible assets. Tier 2 capital, which is limited to 100% of Tier 1 capital, includes such items as qualifying general loan loss reserves, cumulative perpetual preferred stock, mandatory convertible debt, term subordinated debt and limited life preferred stock; however, the amount of term subordinated debt and intermediate term preferred stock (original maturity of at least five years but less than 20 years) that may in included in Tier 2 capital is limited to 50% of Tier 1 capital.

The FDIC currently measures an institution's capital using a leverage limit together with certain risk-based ratios. The FDIC's minimum leverage capital requirement specifies a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to average total assets. Most banks are required to maintain a minimum leverage ratio of at least 4% to 5% of total assets. The FDIC retains the right to require a particular institution to maintain a higher capital level based on an institution's particular risk profile.

FDIC regulations also establish a measure of capital adequacy based on ratios of qualifying capital to risk-weighted assets. Assets are placed in

41

<PAGE>



one of four categories and given a percentage weight - 0%, 20%, 50% or 100% - based on the relative risk of the category. In addition, certain off-balance-sheet items are converted to balance-sheet credit equivalent amounts, and each amount is then assigned to one of the four categories. Under the guidelines, the ratio of total capital (Tier 1 capital plus Tier 2 capital) to risk-weighted assets must be at least 8%, and the ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets must be at least 4%. In evaluating the adequacy of a bank's capital, the FDIC may also consider other factors that may affect the bank's financial condition. Such factors may include interest rate risk exposure, liquidity, funding and market risks, the quality and level of earnings, concentration of credit risk, risks arising from nontraditional activities, loan and investment quality, the effectiveness of loan and investment policies, and management's ability to monitor and control financial operating risks.

FDIC capital requirements are designated as the minimum acceptable standards for banks whose overall financial condition is fundamentally sound, which are well-managed and have no material or significant financial weaknesses. The FDIC capital regulations state that, where the FDIC determines that the financial history or condition, including off-balance-sheet risk, managerial resources and/or the future earnings prospects of a bank are not adequate and/or a bank has a significant volume of assets classified substandard, doubtful or loss or otherwise criticized, the FDIC may determine that the minimum adequate amount of capital for the bank is greater than the minimum standards established in the regulation.

The Company believes that, under the current regulations, the Bank exceeds its minimum capital requirements. However, events beyond the control of the Bank, such as weak or depressed economic conditions in areas where the Bank has most of its loans, could adversely affect future earnings and, consequently, the ability of the Bank to meet is capital requirements.

The Company may not declare or pay cash dividends on, or repurchase, any of its shares of common stock if the effect thereof would cause equity to be reduced below applicable regulatory capital maintenance requirements or if such declaration and payment would otherwise violate regulatory requirements.

The following table shows the regulatory capital ratios of the Company and the Bank and the minimum regulatory requirements:

 

Actual


 

Minimum for capital adequacy purposes


 

Minimum to be categorized as "well-capitalized" under prompt corrective action provisions


 
 
 
 
 
   

Amount


 

Ratio


   

Amount


 

Ratio


   

Amount


 

Ratio


 

(dollars in thousands)

                             

December 31, 2004:

                             

The Company - consolidated

                             
 

    Total capital to risk-weighted assets

$

281,358

 

12.24

%

$

183,943

 

8.00

%

 

N/A

 

N/A

 
 

    Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets

 

251,618

 

10.94

   

91,972

 

4.00

   

N/A

 

N/A

 
 

    Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets

 

251,618

 

8.93

   

112,765

 

4.00

   

N/A

 

N/A

 
                               

The Bank

                             
 

    Total capital to risk- weighted assets

 

258,445

 

11.26

   

183,543

 

8.00

 

$

229,429

 

10.00

%

 

    Tier 1 capital to risk- weighted assets

 

228,899

 

9.98

   

91,771

 

4.00

   

137,657

 

6.00

 
 

    Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets

 

228,899

 

8.13

   

112,572

 

4.00

   

140,715

 

5.00

 
                               

December 31, 2003:

                             

The Company - consolidated

                             
 

    Total capital to risk-weighted assets

$

244,301

 

12.77

%

$

152,996

 

8.00

%

 

N/A

 

N/A

 
 

    Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets

 

219,601

 

11.48

   

76,498

 

4.00

   

N/A

 

N/A

 
 

    Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets

 

219,601

 

8.73

   

100,573

 

4.00

   

N/A

 

N/A

 
                               

The Bank

                             
 

    Total capital to risk- weighted assets

 

222,192

 

11.64

   

152,764

 

8.00

 

$

190,955

 

10.00

%

 

    Tier 1 capital to risk- weighted assets

 

197,528

 

10.34

   

76,382

 

4.00

   

114,573

 

6.00

 
 

    Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets

 

197,528

 

7.87

   

100,446

 

4.00

   

125,557

 

5.00

 

 

Company management believes that under the current regulations as of December 31, 2004, the Company and the Bank individually met all capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject. Further, there have been no conditions or events since that date that have materially adversely changed the Tier 1 or Tier 2 capital of the Company or the Bank.

 

Note 19: CONTINGENCIES

In the normal course of business, the Company and/or its subsidiaries have various legal proceedings and other contingent matters outstanding. These proceedings and the associated legal claims are often contested and the outcome of individual matters is not always predictable. These claims and counter-claims typically arise during the course of collection efforts on problem loans or with respect to action to enforce liens on properties in

42

<PAGE>



which the Bank holds a security interest. Based upon the information known to management at this time, the Company and the Bank are not a party to any legal proceedings that management believes would have a material adverse effect on the results of operations or consolidated financial position at December 31, 2004.

In connection with certain asset sales, the Bank typically makes representations and warranties about the underlying assets conforming to specified guidelines. If the underlying assets do not conform to the specifications, the Bank may have an obligation to repurchase the assets or indemnify the purchaser against any loss. The Bank believes that the potential for loss under these arrangements is remote. Accordingly, the fair value of such obligations is not material.

 

Note 20: INTEREST RATE RISK

The financial condition and operation of the Company are influenced significantly by general economic conditions, including the absolute level of interest rates as well as changes in interest rates and the slope of the yield curve. The Company's profitability is dependent to a large extent on its net interest income, which is the difference between the interest received from its interest-earning assets and the interest expense incurred on its interest-bearing liabilities.

The activities of the Company, like all financial institutions, inherently involve the assumption of interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in market interest rates will have an adverse effect on the institution's earnings and underlying economic value. Interest rate risk is determined by the maturity and repricing characteristics of an institution's assets, liabilities and off-balance-sheet contracts. Interest rate risk is measured by the variability of financial performance and economic value resulting from changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk is the primary market risk impacting the Company's financial performance.

The greatest source of interest rate risk to the Company results from the mismatch of maturities or repricing intervals for rate-sensitive assets, liabilities and off-balance-sheet contracts. Additional interest rate risk results from mismatched repricing indices and formulae (basis risk and yield curve risk), product caps and floors, and early repayment or withdrawal provisions (option risk), which may be contractual or market driven, that are generally more favorable to customers than to the Company.

The Company's primary monitoring tool for assessing interest rate risk is "asset/liability simulation modeling," which is designed to capture the dynamics of balance sheet, interest rate and spread movements, and to quantify variations in net interest income and net market value resulting from those movements under different rate environments. Another monitoring tool used by the Company to assess interest rate risk is "gap analysis." The matching of repricing characteristics of assets and liabilities may be analyzed by examining the extent to which such assets and liabilities are "interest sensitive" and by monitoring the Company's interest sensitivity "gap." Management is aware of the sources of interest rate risk and in its opinion actively monitors and manages it to the extent possible, and considers that the Company's current level of interest rate risk is reasonable.

 

Note 21: GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES

The Company accounts for intangible assets in accordance with SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Goodwill is no longer amortized but is reviewed annually for impairment. Other intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives. The following table provides the gross carrying value and accumulated amortization for intangible assets as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 (in thousands):

Goodwill and intangibles consisted of the following (in thousands):

         
 

December 31


 
   

2004


   

2003


 

Costs in excess of net assets acquired (goodwill)
   net of accumulated amortization of $12,594,000


$


36,229

 


$


36,229

 
             

Core deposit intangible, net of accumulated amortization of
   $596,000 and $454,000, respectively

 

118

   

260

 
             

Internet domain name, net of accumulated amortization of $3
   and $1, respectively

 


22


   


24


 
 

$

36,369

 

$

36,513

 








43

<PAGE>



Intangible Assets: The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the Company's intangible assets other than goodwill is as follows (in thousands):

 

December 31, 2004


 
   

Gross

       

 

   

Carrying

   

Accumulated

   

Carrying

 
   

Amount


   

Amortization


   

Amount


 

Core Deposit Intangible (CDI)

$

714

 

$

(596

)

$

118

 

Mortgage Servicing Rights (MSR)*

 

2,058

   

(493

)

 

1,565

 

Internet Domain Name

 

25


   

(3


)

 

22


 
 

$

2,797

 

$

(1,092

)

$

1,705

 

 

December 31, 2003


 
   

Gross

       

 

   

Carrying

   

Accumulated

   

Carrying

 
   

Amount


   

Amortization


   

Amount


 

Core Deposit Intangible (CDI)

$

714

 

$

(454

)

$

260

 

Mortgage Servicing Rights (MSR)*

 

2,352

   

(376

)

 

1,976

 

Internet Domain Name

 

25


   

(1


)

 

24


 
 

$

3,091

 

$

(831

)

$

2,260

 

*Amortization of mortgage servicing rights is recorded as a reduction of loan servicing income. Mortgage servicing rights are recorded on an individual basis with the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization fully written off if the loan repays in full.

Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 includes $142,000, $199,000 and $255,000, respectively, of expense related to the CDI amortization and $489,000, $1,021,000 and $686,000, respectively, of expense related to the MSR amortization. MSRs capitalized/recognized for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 were $78,000, $1,576,00 and $1,046,000, respectively.

Estimated amortization expense in future years with respect to existing intangibles (in thousands):

               

Internet

       

Year Ended

 

CDI


   

MSR


   

Domain Name


   

TOTAL


 

December 31, 2005

$

86

 

$

346

 

$

2

 

$

434

 

December 31, 2006

 

30

   

286

   

2

   

318

 

December 31, 2007

 

--

   

237

   

2

   

239

 

December 31, 2008

 

--

   

195

   

2

   

197

 

December 31, 2009

 

--

   

161

   

2

   

163

 










44

<PAGE>



Note 22: FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments is made in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 107, Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is necessary to interpret market data in the development of the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. The estimated fair value of financial instruments is as follows (in thousands):

 

Years Ending December 31


 
 

2004


 

2003


 
   

Carrying

   

Estimated

   

Carrying

   

Estimated

 
   

value


   

fair value


   

value


   

fair value


 
                         

Assets:

                       

    Cash and due from banks

$

51,767

 

$

51,767

 

$

77,298

 

$

77,298

 

    Securities available for sale

 

547,835

   

547,835

   

674,942

   

674,942

 

    Securities held to maturity

 

49,914

   

51,437

   

27,232

   

28,402

 

    Loans receivable held for sale

 

2,145

   

2,176

   

15,912

   

16,199

 

    Loans receivable

 

2,061,093

   

2,074,752

   

1,684,953

   

1,701,127

 

    FHLB stock

 

35,698

   

35,698

   

34,693

   

34,693

 

    Mortgage servicing rights

 

1,565

   

1,796

   

1,976

   

2,198

 
                         

Liabilities:

                       

    Demand, NOW and money market accounts

 

714,802

   

698,725

   

641,567

   

641,567

 

    Regular savings

 

155,931

   

153,143

   

48,350

   

48,350

 

    Certificates of deposit

 

1,055,176

   

1,051,787

   

981,023

   

988,451

 

    FHLB advances

 

585,558

   

594,417

   

612,552

   

630,889

 

    Junior subordinated debentures
     and other borrowings

 


140,284

   


140,584

   


126,147

   


125,731

 
                         

Off-balance-sheet financial instruments:

                       

    Commitments to originate loans

 

50

   

50

   

26

   

26

 

    Commitments to sell loans

 

(50

)

 

(50

)

 

(19

)

 

(19

)

    Commitments to purchase securities

 

--

   

--

   

--

   

--

 

 

Fair value estimates, methods and assumptions are set forth below for the Company's financial and off-balance-sheet instruments:

Cash and due from banks: The carrying amount of these items is a reasonable estimate of their fair value.

Securities: The estimated fair values of investment securities and mortgaged-backed securities available for sale and held to maturity are based on quoted market prices or dealer quotes.

Loans Receivable: Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type such as multifamily real estate, residential mortgage, nonresidential, commercial/agricultural, consumer and other. Each loan category is further segmented into fixed- and adjustable-rate interest terms and by performing and non-performing categories.

The fair value of performing residential mortgages held for sale is estimated based upon secondary market sources by type of loan and terms such as fixed or variable interest rates. For performing loans held in portfolio, the fair value is based on discounted cash flows using as a discount rate the current rate offered on similar products.

Fair value for significant non-performing loans is based on recent appraisals or estimated cash flows discounted using rates commensurate with risk associated with the estimated cash flows. Assumptions regarding credit risk, cash flows and discount rates are judgmentally determined using available market information and specific borrower information.

FHLB Stock: The fair value is based upon the redemption value of the stock which equates to its carrying value.

Deposit Liabilities: The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as savings, checking and NOW accounts, is equal to the amount payable on demand. The market value of certificates of deposit is based upon the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is determined using the rates currently offered on comparable instruments.

FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings: The fair value of FHLB advances and other borrowings is estimated based on discounting the estimated future cash flows using rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar remaining maturities.

45

<PAGE>



Commitments: Commitments to sell loans with notional balances of $23,685,000 and $17,653,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, have a carrying value of ($50,000) and ($19,000), representing the fair value of such commitments. Interest rate lock commitments to originate loans held for sale with notional balances of $23,685,000 and $18,866,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, have a carrying value of $50,000 and $26,000. Other commitments to fund loans totaled $609,744,000 and $527,454,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and have a carrying value of $0 at both dates, representing the cost of such commitments. There are no commitments to purchase securities at December 31, 2004. Commitments to purchase securities at December 31, 2003, with a notional balance of 1.2 million, have a carrying value of zero, representing the cost of such commitments. There were no commitments to sell securities at December 31, 2004 or 2003

Limitations: The fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information available to management as of December 31, 2004. Although management is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the estimated fair value amounts, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since that date and, therefore, current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.

Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance-sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business. The fair value has not been estimated for assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Significant assets and liabilities that are not financial instruments include the deferred tax assets/liabilities; land, buildings and equipment; costs in excess of net assets acquired; and real estate held for sale.

 

Note 23: Banner Corporation (BANR)

        (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)

Summary financial information is as follows (in thousands):

BANR

Statements of Financial Condition

December 31, 2004 and 2003

   

December 31


 
     

2004


   

2003


 

ASSETS

             

    Cash

 

$

13,713

 

$

9,109

 

    Investment in trust equities

   

2,168

   

1,703

 

    Investment in subsidiaries

   

264,536

   

237,430

 

    Deferred tax asset

   

375

   

340

 

    Other assets

   

10,333


   

14,009


 
   

$

291,125

 

$

262,591

 
               

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

             

    Liabilities

 

$

3,737

 

$

3,088

 

    Junior subordinated debentures

   

72,168

   

56,703

 

    Stockholders' equity

   

215,220


   

202,800


 
   

$

291,125

 

$

262,591

 
               

BANR

             

Statements of Income

             

For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

             
 

Years Ended

 
 

December 31


 
   

2004


   

2003


   

2002


 

INTEREST INCOME:

                 

    Certificates, time deposits and dividends

$

384

 

$

291

 

$

442

 
                   

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

                 

    Dividend income from subsidiaries

 

11,242

   

9,259

   

6,715

 

    Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries

 

11,185

   

9,258

   

4,232

 

    Other Income

 

83

   

63

   

--

 

    Interest on other borrowings

 

(3,461

)

 

(2,296

)

 

(1,185

)

    Other expense

 

(1,830


)

 

(1,827


)

 

(1,838


)

   

17,603

   

14,748

   

8,366

 
                   

PROVISION FOR (BENEFIT FROM) INCOME TAXES

 

(1,737


)

 

(1,359


)

 

(894


)

                   

NET INCOME

$

19,340

 

$

16,107

 

$

9,260

 

46

<PAGE>



BANR

Statements of Cash Flows

For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

Years Ended

 

December 31


 

2004


 

2003


 

2002


 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

           

    Net income

$

19,340

 

$

16,107

 

$

9,260

 

    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash

                 

     provided by operating activities:

                 

    Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries

 

(11,185

)

 

(9,258

)

 

(4,232

)

    Amortization

 

150

   

114

   

65

 

    (Increase) decrease in deferred taxes

 

(35

)

 

--

   

65

 

    (Increase) decrease in other assets

 

3,589

   

(11,457

)

 

1,916

 

    Increase (decrease) in other liabilities

 

548


   

2,658


   

(262


)

      Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

 

12,407


   

(1,836


)

 

6,812


 
                   

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                 

    Funds transferred to deferred compensation trust

 

(110

)

 

(47

)

 

(71

)

    Investment in financing subsidiaries

 

(465

)

 

(483

)

 

(1,220

)

    Payments received on loan to ESOP for release of shares

 

1,742

   

1,635

   

1,244

 

    Additional funds invested in subsidiaries

 

(20,000


)

 

(35,000


)

 

--


 

      Net cash provided (used) by investing activities

 

(18,833


)

 

(33,895


)

 

(47


)

                   

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                 

    Proceeds from issuance of junior subordinated debentures

 

15,465

   

15,087

   

39,943

 

    Repurchases of stock

 

--

   

(475

)

 

(8,391

)

    Issuance (repurchase) of forfeited MRP shares

 

--

   

379

   

--

 

    Net proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

2,678

   

1,954

   

2,002

 

    Cash dividends paid

 

(7,113


)

 

(6,486


)

 

(6,478


)

      Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

 

11,030

   

10,459

   

27,076

 
                   

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH

 

4,604

   

(25,272

)

 

33,841

 

CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

9,109


   

34,381


   

540


 

CASH, END OF PERIOD

$

13,713

 

$

9,109

 

$

34,381

 

 

 

Years Ended

 
 

December 31


 
   

2004


   

2003


   

2002


 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                 

    Interest paid

$

3,084

 

$

2,328

 

$

2,126

 

    Taxes paid

 

8,807

   

--

   

--

 

    Non-cash transactions:

                 

      Net change in accrued dividends payable

 

186

   

148

   

72

 

      Net change in unrealized gain (loss) in deferred
      compensation trust and related liability, including
      subsidiaries

 

2,375

   

175

   

117

 

      Recognize tax benefit of vested MRP shares,
      including subsidiaries

 

--

   

--

   

3

 
                   

Note 24: STOCK REPURCHASE

The Company has periodically engaged in stock repurchase activity. During the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company repurchased 134,263 and 19,831 shares of its stock at average prices of $31.00 and $23.96 per share, respectively. In both years, these repurchases occurred in connection with the exercise of stock options. On July 22, 2004, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 100,000 shares of the Company's outstanding common stock over the next twelve months.






47

<PAGE>



 

Note 25: CALCULATION OF WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING USED TO CALCULATE EARNINGS PER SHARE (in thousands)

 

Years Ended

 
 

December 31


 
 

2004


 

2003


 

2002


 
             

Total shares issued

13,201

 

13,201

 

13,201

 

   Less stock repurchased/retired including shares allocated to MRP

(1,620

)

(1,855

)

(1,692

)

             

   Less unallocated shares held by the ESOP

(439


)

(516


)

(577


)

             

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

11,142

 

10,830

 

10,932

 
             

   Plus MRP and stock option incremental shares considered outstanding for diluted

           

   EPS calculations

593


 

387


 

420


 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

11,735

 

11,217

 

11,352

 

 

Note 26: SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

Results of operations on a quarterly basis were as follows (in thousands except for per share data):

 

Year Ended December 31, 2004


 

First

 

Second

 

Third

 

Fourth

 
 

Quarter


 

Quarter


 

Quarter


 

Quarter


 
 

Interest income

$

36,627

 

$

37,832

 

$

40,400

 

$

41,371

 

Interest expense

 

13,918


   

14,432


   

15,300


   

16,265


 

   Net interest income

 

22,709

   

23,400

   

25,100

   

25,106

 

Provision for loan losses

 

1,450


   

1,450


   

1,444


   

1,300


 

   Net interest income after provision for loan losses

 

21,259

   

21,950

   

23,656

   

23,806

 

Non-interest income

 

3,816

   

4,125

   

4,750

   

4,277

 

Non-interest expense

 

18,828


   

19,536


   

20,922


   

20,428


 

   Income before provision for income taxes

 

6,247

   

6,539

   

7,484

   

7,655

 

Provision for income taxes

 

1,884


   

1,991


   

2,322


   

2,388


 

Net operating income

$

4,363

 

$

4,548

 

$

5,162

 

$

5,267

 
                         

Basic earnings per share

$

0.39

 

$

0.41

 

$

0.46

 

$

0.47

 

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.38

 

$

0.39

 

$

0.44

 

$

0.45

 

Cash dividends declared

$

0.16

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.17

 
                         
 

Year Ended December 31, 2003


 

First

 

Second

 

Third

 

Fourth

 
 

Quarter


 

Quarter


 

Quarter


 

Quarter


 
 

Interest income

$

34,718

 

$

35,412

 

$

34,522

 

$

35,789

 

Interest expense

 

15,310


   

15,347


   

14,862


   

14,329


 

   Net interest income

 

19,408

   

20,065

   

19,660

   

21,460

 

Provision for loan losses

 

2,250


   

2,250


   

1,400


   

1,400


 

   Net interest income after provision for loan losses

 

17,158

   

17,815

   

18,260

   

20,060

 

Non-interest income

 

4,818

   

5,383

   

5,539

   

3,841

 

Non-interest expense

 

17,057


   

17,275


   

17,868


   

17,676


 

   Income before provision for income taxes

 

4,919

   

5,923

   

5,931

   

6,225

 

Provision for income taxes

 

1,490


   

1,802


   

1,778


   

1,821


 

Net operating income

$

3,429

 

$

4,121

 

$

4,153

 

$

4,404

 
                         

Basic earnings per share

$

0.32

 

$

0.38

 

$

0.38

 

$

0.40

 

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.31

 

$

0.37

 

$

0.37

 

$

0.39

 

Cash dividends declared

$

0.15

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.16

 

48

<PAGE>



 

                         

Note 26: SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (continued)

 
 

Year Ended December 31, 2002


 

First

 

Second

 

Third

 

Fourth

 
 

Quarter


 

Quarter


 

Quarter


 

Quarter


 
 

Interest income

$

36,018

 

$

36,276

 

$

36,349

 

$

35,633

 

Interest expense

 

17,104


   

16,843


   

16,270


   

15,752


 

    Net interest income

 

18,914

   

19,433

   

20,079

   

19,881

 

    Provision for loan losses

 

3,000


   

4,000


   

4,000


   

10,000


 

    Net interest income after provision for loan losses

 

15,914

   

15,433

   

16,079

   

9,881

 

Non-interest income

 

3,218

   

3,549

   

3,931

   

5,179

 

Non-interest expense

 

13,326


   

13,840


   

15,300


   

17,979


 

 Income before provision for income taxes

 

5,806

   

5,142

   

4,710

   

(2,919

)

Provision for income taxes

 

1,897


   

1,615


   

1,329


   

(1,362


)

Net operating income

$

3,909

 

$

3,527

 

$

3,381

 

$

(1,557

)

                         

Basic earnings per share

$

0.35

 

$

0.32

 

$

0.31

 

$

(0.14

)

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.34

 

$

0.30

 

$

0.30

 

$

(0.14

)

Cash dividends declared

$

0.15

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.15

 

 

Note 27: BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company is managed by legal entity and not by lines of business. The Bank is a community oriented commercial bank chartered in the State of Washington. The Bank's primary business is that of a traditional banking institution, gathering deposits and originating loans for portfolio in its primary market area. The Bank offers a wide variety of deposit products to its consumer and commercial customers. Lending activities include the origination of real estate, commercial/agriculture business and consumer loans. The Bank is also an active participant in the secondary market, originating residential loans for sale on both a servicing released and servicing retained basis. In addition to interest income on loans and investment securities, the Bank receives other income from deposit service charges, loan servicing fees and from the sale of loans and investments. The performance of the Bank is reviewed by the Company's executive management and Board of Directors on a monthly basis. All of the executive officers of the Company are members of the Bank's management team.

Generally accepted accounting principles establish standards to report information about operating segments in annual financial statements and require reporting of selected information about operating segments in interim reports to stockholders. The Company has determined that its current business and operations consist of a single business segment.

 

Note 28: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE-SHEET RISK

The Bank has financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Bank's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument from commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual notional amount of those instruments. The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as for on-balance sheet instruments. As of December 31, 2004, outstanding commitments for which no liability has been recorded consist of the following:

 

Contract or Notional Amount
(in thousands)


Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk:

   

   Commitments to extend credit

   

      Real estate secured for commercial, construction or land development

$

279,407

      Revolving open-end lines secured by 1-4 family residential properties

 

25,944

      Other, primarily business and agricultural loans

 

317,614

   Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees

 

10,465


     

Total

$

633,430

49

<PAGE>



 

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer, as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Many of the commitments may expire without being drawn upon, therefore the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each customer's creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary upon extension of credit, is based on management's credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and income producing commercial properties.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee a customer's performance or payment to a third party. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.

Interest rates on residential one- to four-family mortgage loan applications are typically rate locked (committed) to customers during the application stage for periods ranging from 15 to 45 days, the most typical period being 30 days. Typically, pricing for the sale of these loans is locked with various qualified investors under a best-efforts delivery program at or near the time the interest rate is locked with the customer. The Bank makes every effort to deliver these loans before their rate locks expire. This arrangement generally requires the Bank to deliver the loans prior to the expiration of the rate lock. Delays in funding the loans can require a lock extension. The cost of a lock extension at times is borne by the customer and at times by the Bank. These lock extension costs paid by the Bank are not expected to have a material impact to operations. This activity is managed daily. Changes in the value of rate lock commitments are recorded as assets and liabilities as explained in the Note 1: "Derivatives."





















50

<PAGE>



Banner Corporation

Index of Exhibits

Exhibit


 

3{a}

Articles of Incorporation of Registrant [incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders dated June 10, 1998].

3{b}

Bylaws of Registrant [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 filed with the Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 24, 1998 (file No. 0-26584)].

10{a}

Employment Agreement with Gary L. Sirmon, dated as of January 1, 2004 [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-26584)].

10{b}

Executive Salary Continuation Agreement with Gary L. Sirmon [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1996 (File No. 0-26584)].

10{c}

Employment Agreement with Michael K. Larsen [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1996 (File No. 0-26584)].

10{d}

Executive Salary Continuation Agreement with Michael K. Larsen [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1996 (File No. 0-26584)].

10{e}

1996 Stock Option Plan [incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders dated June 10, 1996].

10{f}

1996 Management Recognition and Development Plan [incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders dated June 10, 1996].

10{g}

Consultant Agreement with Jesse G. Foster, dated as of December 19, 2003. [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-23584)].

10{h}

Supplemental Retirement Plan as Amended with Jesse G. Foster [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1997 (file No. 0-26584)].

10{i}

Towne Bank of Woodinville 1992 Stock Option Plan [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated April 2, 1998 (file No. 333-49193)].

10{j}

Whatcom State Bank 1991 Stock Option Plan [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated February 2, 1999 (file No. 333-71625)].

10{k}

Employment Agreement with Lloyd W. Baker [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 (file No. 0-26584)].

10{l}

Employment Agreement with D. Michael Jones [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 (file No. 0-26584)].

10{m}

Supplemental Executive Retirement Program Agreement with D. Michael Jones [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (file No. 0-26584)].

10{n}

Form of Supplemental Executive Retirement Program Agreement with Gary Sirmon, Michael K. Larsen, Lloyd W. Baker and Cynthia D. Purcell [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 (file No. 0-26584)].

10{o}

1998 Stock Option Plan [incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders dated June 10, 1998].

10{p}

2001 Stock Option Plan [incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to the Proxy Statement of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders dated March 16, 2001].

10{q}

Form of Employment Contract entered into with Cynthia D. Purcell, Richard B. Barton, Paul E. Folz, John R. Neill and Douglas M. Bennett [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-26584)].

14

Code of Ethics [incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-26584)].

21

Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

23.1

Consent of Registered Independent Public Accounting Firm - Moss Adams LLP.

23.2

Consent of Registered Independent Public Accounting Firm - Deloitte & Touche LLP.

31.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32

Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

51

<PAGE>



 

EXHIBIT 21

SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT

Parent


     

Banner Corporation

   
       

Subsidiaries


   

Percentage of Ownership


   

Jurisdiction of State of Incorporation


             

Banner Bank (1)

   

100

%

 

Washington

             

Community Financial Corporation (2)

   

100

%

 

Oregon

             

Northwest Financial Corporation (2)

   

100

%

 

Washington

             
             


(1)     Wholly owned by Banner Corporation
(2)     Wholly owned by Banner Bank































52

<PAGE>



 

EXHIBIT 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM




We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 333-10819, 333-49193, 333-71625, and 333-67168 on Forms S-8 of our report dated March 11, 2004, relating to the financial statements of Banner Corporation and subsidiaries for the two years ended December 31, 2003, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Banner Corporation and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2004.



/s/Deloitte & Touche LLP
Seattle, Washington
March 11, 2005













53

<PAGE>




EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF BANNER CORPORATION
PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934

 

I, D. Michael Jones, certify that:

     
1.

I have reviewed this Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Banner Corporation;

     
2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

     
3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

     
4.

The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for the registrant and have:

     
 

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

     
 

b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

     
 

c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

     
 

d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

     
5.

The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

     
 

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

     
 

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

     
     
     

April 18, 2005

 

/s/D. Michael Jones


   

D. Michael Jones

   

Chief Executive Officer









54

<PAGE>



 

EXHIBIT 31.2


CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF BANNER CORPORATION
PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d -14(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934

 

I, Lloyd W. Baker, certify that:

     
1.

I have reviewed this Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Banner Corporation;

     
2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

     
3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

     
4.

The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for the registrant and have:

     
 

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

     
 

b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

     
 

c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

     
 

d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

     
5.

The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

     
 

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

     
 

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

     
     
     

April 18, 2005

 

/s/Lloyd W. Baker


   

Lloyd W. Baker

   

Chief Financial Officer









55

<PAGE>



 

 

EXHIBIT 32


CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
OF BANNER CORPORATION
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

The undersigned hereby certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and in connection with this Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, that:


* the report fully complies with the requirements of Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
* the information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

 

 

 

 

 

April 18, 2005

/s/D. Michael Jones


 

D. Michael Jones

 

Chief Executive Officer

   
   
   
   
   
   

April 18, 2005

/s/Lloyd W. Baker


 

Lloyd W. Baker

 

Chief Financial Officer










56

<PAGE>