Timberland Bancorp Reports Fourth Fiscal Quarter Net Income of $6.36 Million

• Quarterly EPS of $0.79 and Fiscal Year EPS of $3.01
• Quarterly Return on Average Assets of 1.32%
• Quarterly Return on Average Equity of 10.43%
• Quarterly Net Interest Margin improves to 3.58%
• Net Loans Increased by 9% Year-Over-Year
• Deposits Increased by 6% Year-Over-Year
• Announces a 4% Increase in the Quarterly Cash Dividend

Timberland also announced net income of $24.28 million, or $3.01 per diluted common share, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. This compares to net income of $27.12 million, or $3.29 per diluted common share, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.

"Timberland generated strong fiscal fourth quarter financial results,” stated Dean Brydon, Chief Executive Officer. "Compared to the prior quarter, fourth quarter net income and EPS increased by 7%, primarily due to an improvement in our net interest margin and, to a lesser extent, higher non-interest income. Additionally, key financial metrics improved compared to the prior quarter and tangible book value per share continued its upward trajectory. As a result of Timberland's solid earnings, our Board of Directors announced a 4% increase to the quarterly cash dividend to shareholders to $0.25 per share, payable on November 29, 2024, to shareholders of record on November 15, 2024. Timberland's continued solid financial performance has allowed us to increase the quarterly cash dividend to our shareholders while continuing to maintain a strong capital position.” This represents the 48th consecutive quarter Timberland will have paid a cash dividend.

"The loan portfolio continues to grow, although at a more moderate pace than we've experienced over the last couple of years,” Brydon continued. "Net loans receivable grew by $25 million, or 2%, during the quarter, with increases primarily in construction loan funds on existing loans being disbursed and in the 1-4 family loan portfolio. For the fiscal year, net loans receivable increased $119 million, or 9%. We are encouraged by the overall strength of our loan portfolio and the continued opportunities for loan growth in our markets. Credit quality metrics are still holding up relatively well, with only $12,000 in net charge-offs for the quarter and non-performing assets at 20 basis points of total assets at the end of the fourth quarter.”

"Timberland's net interest margin expanded five basis points to 3.58% for the fourth quarter, compared to the preceding quarter, as the yield improvements on interest-earning assets continued to outpace the increase in cost of funds,” said Jonathan Fischer, President and Chief Operating Officer. "Total deposits increased $19 million, or 1%, during the quarter and $87 million, or 6% year-over-year, while total borrowings stayed unchanged at $20 million compared to the prior quarter end.”

"In September, Timberland was one of only 30 banks in the U.S. to be named a "Sm-All Star” in Piper Sandler's annual list of top-performing small-cap banks and thrifts in its "Class of 2024.” This elite annual list reflects the top banks and thrifts in the industry across various metrics including growth, profitability, credit quality and capital strength. We are honored to be recognized by Piper Sandler as one of the top performing community banks in the nation, a validation of Timberland's solid foundation,” added Brydon. "In addition, Timberland was named Best Bank in Pierce County (by The News Tribune), Best Bank in Grays Harbor County (by The Daily World), and Best Bank in the South Sound (by The Olympian) during the year. These local recognitions are a testament to the dedication of our employees, who continue to work diligently to support our customers,” added Fischer.

Earnings and Balance Sheet Highlights (at or for the periods ended September 30, 2024, compared to September 30, 2023, or June 30, 2024):

   Earnings Highlights:

• Earnings per diluted common share ("EPS”) increased 7% to $0.79 for the current quarter from $0.74 for the preceding quarter and decreased 2% from $0.81 for the comparable quarter one year ago; EPS for the 2024 fiscal year decreased 9% to $3.01 from $3.29 for the 2023 fiscal year;
• Net income increased 7% to $6.36 million for the current quarter from $5.92 million for the preceding quarter and decreased 4% from $6.64 million for the comparable quarter one year ago; Net income decreased 10% to $24.28 million for the 2024 fiscal year compared to $27.12 million for the 2023 fiscal year;
• Return on average equity ("ROE”) and return on average assets ("ROA”) for the current quarter were 10.43% and 1.32%, respectively;
• Net interest margin ("NIM”) for the current quarter expanded to 3.58% from 3.53% for the preceding quarter and compressed from 3.85% for the comparable quarter one year ago; and
• The efficiency ratio for the current quarter was 56.79% compared to 58.97% for the preceding quarter and 55.52% for the comparable quarter one year ago.

• Total assets increased 1% from the prior quarter and increased 5% year-over-year;
• Net loans receivable increased 2% from the prior quarter and increased 9% year-over-year;
• Total deposits increased 1% from the prior quarter and increased 6% year-over-year;
• Total shareholders' equity increased 2% from the prior quarter and increased 5% year-over-year; 36,859 shares of common stock were repurchased during the current quarter for $1.09 million and 218,976 shares of common stock were repurchased during the 2024 fiscal year for $5.89 million;
• Non-performing assets to total assets ratio was 0.20% at September 30, 2024 compared to 0.22% at June 30, 2024 and 0.09% at September 30, 2023;
• Book and tangible book (non-GAAP) values per common share increased to $30.83 and $28.87 respectively, at September 30, 2024; and
• Liquidity (both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet) remained strong at September 30, 2024 with only $20 million in borrowings and additional secured borrowing line capacity of $692 million available through the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB”) and the Federal Reserve.

Operating revenue (net interest income before the provision for credit losses plus non-interest income) for the current quarter increased 4% to $19.48 million from $18.77 million for the preceding quarter and decreased 1% from $19.76 million for the comparable quarter one year ago. The increase in operating revenue compared to the preceding quarter was primarily due to an increase in interest income from loans and an increase in non-interest income, which was partially offset by an increase in funding costs and a decrease in interest income on investment securities and interest bearing deposits in banks.   Operating revenue decreased by 5%, to $75.30 million for the 2024 fiscal year from $79.50 million for the 2023 fiscal year, primarily due to an increase in funding costs, which outpaced the increase in interest income.

Net interest income increased $566,000, or 4%, to $16.55 million for the current quarter from $15.98 million for the preceding quarter and decreased $284,000, or 2%, from $16.83 million for the comparable quarter one year ago. The increase in net interest income compared to the preceding quarter was primarily due to an increase in the weighted average yield of interest-earning assets to 5.41% from 5.33% for the preceding quarter and a $17.47 million increase in average total interest-earning assets. Partially offsetting the increase in the weighted average yield of interest-earning assets, was in increase in the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 2.70% from 2.64% for the preceding quarter. Timberland's NIM for the current quarter expanded to 3.58% from 3.53% for the preceding quarter and compressed from 3.85% for the comparable quarter one year ago.   The NIM for the current quarter was increased by approximately one basis point due to the collection of $20,000 in pre-payment penalties, non-accrual interest, and late fees and the accretion of $7,000 of the fair value discount on acquired loans.   The NIM for the preceding quarter was increased by approximately three basis points due to the collection of $124,000 in pre-payment penalties, non-accrual interest, and late fees, and the accretion of $9,000 of the fair value discount on acquired loans.   The NIM for the comparable quarter one year ago was increased by approximately two basis points due to the collection of $92,000 in pre-payment penalties, non-accrual interest, and late fees, and the accretion of $11,000 of the fair value discount on acquired loans.

Net interest income for the 2024 fiscal year decreased $4.19 million, or 6%, to $64.17 million from $68.36 million for the 2023 fiscal year, primarily due to increased funding costs, which outpaced the increase in interest income. The weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased to 2.52% for the 2024 fiscal year from 1.06% for the 2023 fiscal year. Partially offsetting the increased funding costs was an increase in the weighted average yield of interest-earning assets to 5.24% for the 2024 fiscal year from 4.63% for the 2023 fiscal year and an $82.49 million increase in average total interest-earning assets for the current year. As a result of these changes, Timberland's NIM compressed to 3.54% for the 2024 fiscal year from 3.95% for the 2023 fiscal year.

A $444,000 provision for credit losses on loans was recorded for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. The provision was primarily due to loan portfolio growth and changes in the composition of the loan portfolio. This compares to a $264,000 provision for credit losses on loans for the preceding quarter and a $522,000 provision for credit losses on loans for the comparable quarter one year ago. In addition, a $59,000 provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments and a $13,000 recapture of credit losses on investment securities were recorded for the current quarter. The provisions for credit losses on loans totaled $1.25 million for the 2024 fiscal year compared to provisions of $2.13 million for the 2023 fiscal year.

Non-interest income increased $141,000, or 5% to $2.93 million for the current quarter from $2.79 million for the preceding quarter and increased $8,000, less than 1%, from $2.92 million for the comparable quarter one year ago. The increase in non-interest income compared to the preceding quarter was primarily due to an increase in gain on sales of loans and smaller changes in several other categories.

Non-interest income for the 2024 fiscal year decreased slightly, less than 1%, to $11.136 million from $11.140 million for the 2023 fiscal year, primarily due to a decrease in ATM and debit card interchange fees and smaller decreases in several other categories, which were partially offset by an increase in services charges on deposits and smaller increases in several other categories.

Total operating (non-interest) expenses for the current quarter decreased $7,000, or less than 1%, to $11.06 million from $11.07 million for the preceding quarter and increased $95,000, or 1%, from $10.97 million for the comparable quarter one year ago.   The decrease in operating expenses compared to the preceding quarter was primarily due to decreases in premises and equipment, salaries and employee benefits and smaller decreases in several other expense categories. These decreases were partially offset by increases in technology and communications, professional fees, and smaller increases in several other expense categories. The efficiency ratio for the current quarter was 56.79% compared to 58.97% for the preceding quarter and 55.52% for the comparable quarter one year ago.

For the 2024 fiscal year, operating expenses increased 1% to $43.75 million from $43.37 million for the 2023 fiscal year. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to increases in technology and communications, ATM and debit card processing, and smaller increases in several other expense categories. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in professional fees and smaller decreases in several other expense categories. The efficiency ratio for the 2024 fiscal year was 58.09% compared to 54.56% for the 2023 fiscal year.  

The provision for income taxes for the current quarter increased $37,000, or 2%, to $1.57 million from $1.54 million for the preceding quarter, primarily due to higher taxable income. Timberland's effective income tax rate was 19.8% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 compared to 20.6% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 and 19.6% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. Timberland's effective income tax rate was 20.1% for the 2024 fiscal year compared to 20.2% for the 2023 fiscal year.

Balance Sheet Management

Total assets increased $22.85 million, or 1%, during the quarter to $1.92 billion at September 30, 2024 from $1.90 billion at June 30, 2024 and increased $83.57 million, or 5%, from $1.84 billion one year ago.   The increase during the current quarter was primarily due to increases of $24.50 million in net loans receivable and $5.82 million in cash and cash equivalents, and smaller increases in several other categories. These increases to total assets were partially offset by a $6.92 million decrease in investment securities and smaller decreases in several other categories. The net increase in total assets during the quarter was primarily funded by increased deposits and retained net income.

Liquidity

Timberland has maintained a strong liquidity position (both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet) while continuing to grow the loan portfolio. Liquidity, as measured by the sum of cash and cash equivalents, CDs held for investment, and available for sale investment securities, was 14.7% of total liabilities at September 30, 2024, compared to 14.7% at June 30, 2024, and 11.6% one year ago. Timberland had secured borrowing line capacity of $692 million available through the FHLB and the Federal Reserve at September 30, 2024. With a strong and diversified deposit base, only 18% of Timberland's deposits were uninsured or uncollateralized at September 30, 2024. (Note: This calculation excludes public deposits that are fully collateralized.)

Loans

Net loans receivable increased $24.50 million, or 2%, during the quarter to $1.42 billion at September 30, 2024 from $1.40 billion at June 30, 2024. This increase was primarily due to a $17.32 million decrease in the undisbursed portion of construction loans, a $10.51 million increase in one- to four-family loans and smaller increases in several other loan categories. These increases to net loans receivable were partially offset by a $7.33 million decrease in gross construction loans and smaller decreases in several other loan categories.  

Net loans receivable increased $119.22 million, or 9%, during the fiscal year to $1.42 billion at September 30, 2024 from $1.30 billion at September 30, 2023. This increase was primarily due to a $50.17 million increase in multi-family loans, a $45.90 million increase in one- to four-family loans, a $33.32 million decrease in the undisbursed portion of construction loans, a $30.95 million increases in commercial real estate loans, a $9.63 million increase in home equity loans and smaller increases in several other loan categories. These increases to net loans receivable were partially offset by a $54.64 million decrease in gross construction loans and smaller decreases in several other loan categories.