EX-99.1 2 ffnw8k42723exh991.htm
Exhibit 99.1





 
For more information, contact:
Joseph W. Kiley III, President and Chief Executive Officer
Rich Jacobson, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(425) 255-4400






First Financial Northwest, Inc. Reports
Net Income of $2.1 Million or $0.23 per Diluted Share for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2023

Renton, Washington – April 27, 2023 - First Financial Northwest, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ GS: FFNW), the holding company for First Financial Northwest Bank (the “Bank”), today reported net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, of $2.1 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared to $3.2 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, and $3.3 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2022.

President and CEO Joseph W. Kiley III stated, “While there was significant turmoil in the banking industry in the quarter, I am pleased to report that our liquidity, capital and credit quality metrics remain very strong. I sincerely appreciate our loyal customers who recognize how differently our community bank operates compared to the large banks that failed during the quarter. Our liquidity continues to be a strength, with total available liquidity from cash, investment securities and our line of credit at the Federal Home Loan Bank totaling over $600 million at quarter end.”

“Credit quality remained strong, with nonperforming assets under $200,000 and additional loan delinquencies under $30,000 on total loans receivable of $1.2 billion,” noted Kiley. “During the quarter, we adopted the current expected credit loss accounting standard, which resulted in a one-time $500,000 increase to our allowance for credit losses and a corresponding net of tax adjustment of $395,000 to retained earnings. At quarter end, with an increase in loans receivable and an increase in the forecast for Washington State unemployment rates in future quarters, we also recognized a $300,000 provision for credit losses, increasing our allowance for credit losses on loans to $16.0 million compared to $15.2 million at year end,” continued Kiley.

“With the volatility in the banking industry following the failures of two large regional banks, deposit customers looked for options to insure more of their deposits across the industry. Accordingly, we saw the level of uninsured deposits improve to 23.6% of deposits as of quarter-end from 27.4% at the end of 2022. I am proud of the efforts of our employees to help customers maximize their insured deposits and communicate to them how we are different from the larger banks in the news,” concluded Kiley.



Highlights for the quarter ended March 31, 2023:
Net loans receivable increased by $17.7 million in the quarter to $1.18 billion at March 31, 2023.
The Company increased its regular quarterly cash dividend to shareholders by 8.3% to $0.13 per share from $0.12 per share.
The Bank’s Tier 1 leverage and total capital ratios were 10.2% and 15.6% at March 31, 2023, compared to 10.3% and 15.6% at December 31, 2022, and 10.5% and 15.3% at March 31, 2022, respectively.
Credit quality remained strong with nonperforming assets of $193,000, or 0.01% of total assets, and only $28,000 in additional loans over 30 days past due at March 31, 2023.
Based on management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”) at March 31, 2023, the Bank recorded a $300,000 provision for credit losses during the quarter. This is in addition to the $500,000 that was added to the ACL upon the adoption of the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) accounting standard.
Deposits totaled $1.23 billion at March 31, 2023, compared to $1.17 billion at December 31, 2022, and $1.14 billion at March 31, 2022. Total deposits increased $57.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to a $66.5 million increase in brokered deposits. Due in large part to certificate of deposit promotions during the quarter, money market balances declined by $58.4 million, while retail certificate of deposit balances increased by $70.4 million. During the quarter, management elected to obtain additional funding in the wholesale markets due to the considerable volatility in the banking industry. At March 31, 2023, the Company held $71.0 million in interest-earning deposits that can be used to reduce brokered deposits and/or other wholesale liabilities in future periods, compared to $16.6 million at December 31, 2022, and $19.6 million at March 31, 2022.
The following table presents a breakdown of our total deposits (unaudited):

   
Mar 31,
2023
   
Dec 31,
2022
   
Mar 31,
2022
   
Three
Month
Change
   
One
Year
Change
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Deposits:
                             
Noninterest-bearing demand
 
$
110,780
   
$
119,944
   
$
130,596
   
$
(9,164
)
 
$
(19,816
)
Interest-bearing demand
   
86,183
     
96,632
     
99,794
     
(10,449
)
   
(13,611
)
Savings
   
21,871
     
23,636
     
23,441
     
(1,765
)
   
(1,570
)
Money market
   
483,945
     
542,388
     
609,080
     
(58,443
)
   
(125,135
)
Certificates of deposit, retail
   
332,935
     
262,554
     
277,190
     
70,381
     
55,745
 
Brokered deposits
   
191,414
     
124,886
     
-
     
66,528
     
191,414
 
Total deposits
   
1,227,128
   
$
1,170,040
   
$
1,140,101
   
$
57,088
   
$
87,027
 






2


The following tables present an analysis of total deposits by branch office (unaudited):
March 31, 2023
 
   
Noninterest-
bearing
demand
   
Interest-
bearing
demand
   
Savings
   
Money
market
   
Certificates
of deposit,
retail
   
Brokered
deposits
   
Total
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
King County
                                         
Renton
 
$
33,227
   
$
44,884
   
$
14,033
   
$
238,966
   
$
244,560
   
$
-
   
$
575,670
 
Landing
   
2,721
     
1,407
     
184
     
15,056
     
6,411
     
-
     
25,779
 
Woodinville
   
3,084
     
2,438
     
1,116
     
10,971
     
14,101
     
-
     
31,710
 
Bothell
   
4,066
     
659
     
60
     
5,263
     
2,067
     
-
     
12,115
 
Crossroads
   
11,766
     
2,956
     
95
     
35,242
     
11,956
     
-
     
62,015
 
Kent
   
9,505
     
9,305
     
4
     
18,415
     
3,449
     
-
     
40,678
 
Kirkland
   
7,318
     
1,282
     
99
     
10,643
     
627
     
-
     
19,969
 
Issaquah
   
2,128
     
1,189
     
27
     
3,825
     
4,627
     
-
     
11,796
 
Total King County
   
73,815
     
64,120
     
15,618
     
338,381
     
287,798
     
-
     
779,732
 
Snohomish County
                                                       
Mill Creek
   
7,001
     
3,089
     
617
     
12,487
     
6,190
     
-
     
29,384
 
Edmonds
   
15,282
     
6,247
     
884
     
26,726
     
13,183
     
-
     
62,322
 
Clearview
   
4,933
     
4,485
     
1,640
     
19,490
     
6,999
     
-
     
37,547
 
Lake Stevens
   
4,177
     
3,577
     
1,355
     
33,824
     
9,197
     
-
     
52,130
 
Smokey Point
   
2,836
     
4,287
     
1,745
     
46,825
     
7,782
     
-
     
63,475
 
Total Snohomish County
   
34,229
     
21,685
     
6,241
     
139,352
     
43,351
     
-
     
244,858
 
Pierce County
                                                       
University Place
   
2,189
     
82
     
3
     
3,999
     
946
     
-
     
7,219
 
Gig Harbor
   
547
     
296
     
9
     
2,213
     
840
     
-
     
3,905
 
Total Pierce County
   
2,736
     
378
     
12
     
6,212
     
1,786
     
-
     
11,124
 
                                                         
Brokered deposits
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
191,414
     
191,414
 
                                                         
Total deposits
 
$
110,780
   
$
86,183
   
$
21,871
   
$
483,945
   
$
332,935
   
$
191,414
   
$
1,227,128
 

December 31, 2022
 
   
Noninterest-
bearing
demand
   
Interest-
bearing
demand
   
Savings
   
Money
market
   
Certificates
of deposit,
retail
   
Brokered
deposits
   
Total
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
King County
                                         
Renton
 
$
35,123
   
$
45,575
   
$
15,515
   
$
279,392
   
$
203,463
   
$
-
   
$
579,068
 
Landing
   
3,781
     
1,720
     
143
     
18,153
     
3,771
     
-
     
27,568
 
Woodinville
   
2,925
     
3,315
     
1,181
     
15,648
     
10,428
     
-
     
33,497
 
Bothell
   
3,363
     
1,041
     
49
     
6,485
     
942
     
-
     
11,880
 
Crossroads
   
14,455
     
3,082
     
226
     
30,969
     
11,667
     
-
     
60,399
 
Kent
   
8,162
     
11,660
     
2
     
19,549
     
1,023
     
-
     
40,396
 
Kirkland
   
10,618
     
506
     
62
     
8,310
     
25
     
-
     
19,521
 
Issaquah
   
3,342
     
1,171
     
134
     
2,474
     
3,408
     
-
     
10,529
 
Total King County
   
81,769
     
68,070
     
17,312
     
380,980
     
234,727
     
-
     
782,858
 
Snohomish County
                                                       
Mill Creek
   
6,594
     
4,005
     
911
     
15,445
     
5,443
     
-
     
32,398
 
Edmonds
   
16,619
     
6,191
     
766
     
33,904
     
7,768
     
-
     
65,248
 
Clearview
   
5,456
     
6,317
     
1,653
     
23,322
     
2,906
     
-
     
39,654
 
Lake Stevens
   
3,936
     
5,213
     
1,390
     
36,842
     
4,674
     
-
     
52,055
 
Smokey Point
   
2,617
     
6,330
     
1,391
     
46,486
     
6,012
     
-
     
62,836
 
Total Snohomish County
   
35,222
     
28,056
     
6,111
     
155,999
     
26,803
     
-
     
252,191
 
Pierce County
                                                       
University Place
   
2,192
     
96
     
1
     
3,953
     
672
     
-
     
6,914
 
Gig Harbor
   
761
     
410
     
212
     
1,456
     
352
     
-
     
3,191
 
Total Pierce County
   
2,953
     
506
     
213
     
5,409
     
1,024
     
-
     
10,105
 
                                                         
Brokered deposits
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
124,886
     
124,886
 
                                                         
Total deposits
 
$
119,944
   
$
96,632
   
$
23,636
   
$
542,388
   
$
262,554
   
$
124,886
   
$
1,170,040
 

3

Net loans receivable totaled $1.18 billion at March 31, 2023, compared to $1.17 billion at December 31, 2022, and $1.12 billion at March 31, 2022. During the quarter ended March 31, 2023, multifamily loans increased $16.5 million, one-to-four family residential loans increased $8.4 million, and consumer loans increased $6.1 million, which included an increase of $4.0 million in classic, collectible and other auto loans, partially offset by a $14.1 million decline in construction and land development loans. The average balance of net loans receivable totaled $1.17 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to $1.15 billion for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, and $1.12 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2022.

The ACL represented 1.34% of total loans receivable at March 31, 2023, compared to the allowance for loan and lease losses (“ALLL”) to total loans receivable of 1.29% and 1.33% at December 31, 2022, and March 31, 2022, respectively.

There were $193,000 in nonperforming loans at both March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, compared to $179,000 at March 31, 2022. There was no other real estate owned (“OREO”) at March 31, 2023, December 31, 2022, or March 31, 2022.
The following table presents a breakdown of our nonperforming assets (unaudited):
   
Mar 31,
   
Dec 31,
   
Mar 31,
   
Three
Month
   
One
Year
 
   
2023
   
2022
   
2022
   
Change
   
Change
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Nonperforming loans:
                             
Consumer
 
$
193
   
$
193
   
$
179
   
$
   
$
14
 
Total nonperforming loans
   
193
     
193
     
179
     
     
14
 
                                         
OREO
   
     
     
     
     
 
                                         
Total nonperforming assets
 
$
193
   
$
193
   
$
179
   
$
   
$
14
 
                                         
Nonperforming assets as a percent
                                       
of total assets
   
0.01
%
   
0.01
%
   
0.01
%
               

Net interest income totaled $11.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to $12.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, and $11.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in the current quarter compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2022, was primarily due to higher interest expense on deposits and other borrowings, primarily reflecting the continued increase in market interest rates due to the ongoing increases to the targeted federal funds rate, and continued intense competition for deposits, partially offset by higher interest income on loans, including fees, and investments. Since March 2022, the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve System has increased the target range for the federal funds rate by 475 basis points, including 50 basis points during the first quarter of 2023, to a range of 4.75% to 5.00%.

Total interest income was $18.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to $17.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, and $12.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The increase in the current quarter compared to the prior quarters was primarily due to an improvement in the average loan yield to 5.56% from 5.19% and 4.36% for the quarters ended December 31, 2022, and March 31, 2022, respectively, due in large part to recent increases in the targeted federal funds rate that increased our returns from LIBOR and Prime based variable rate loans and variable rate investment securities.



4

Total interest expense was $7.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to $4.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, and $1.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The average cost of interest-bearing deposits was 2.41% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to 1.51% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, and 0.50% for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The increase from the quarter ended December 31, 2022, was due primarily to increased interest expense on money market and certificate of deposit balances and the continued use of higher cost brokered deposits and wholesale sources to meet our funding needs. Advances from the FHLB increased to $160.0 million at March 31, 2023, compared to $145.0 million at December 31, 2022, and $95.0 million at March 31, 2022. At March 31, 2023, $95.0 million of our FHLB advances were tied to cash flow hedge agreements where the Bank pays a fixed rate and receives a variable rate in return to assist in the Bank’s interest rate risk management efforts. These cash flow hedge agreements had a weighted average remaining term of 44 months and a weighted average fixed interest rate of 1.05% as of March 31, 2023. The average cost of borrowings was 2.69% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to 2.46% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, and 1.28% for the quarter ended March 31, 2022.

The net interest margin was 3.22% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to 3.52% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, and 3.43% for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in the net interest margin for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2022, was due primarily to the cost of interest-bearing liabilities increasing more than the yields on interest-earnings assets, with an 81-basis point increase in the Company’s average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 2.44% from 1.63%, partially offset by a 39-basis point increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets to 5.29% from 4.90%.

Noninterest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, totaled $665,000, compared to $720,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, and $789,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in noninterest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2022, was primarily due to lower loan related fees and other noninterest income, partially offset by higher income on bank-owned life insurance. In addition, the prior quarter benefited from a net gain on sale of investments not duplicated in the current period. The decrease for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to the prior year quarter, primarily reflects lower loan related fees and wealth management revenue.

Noninterest expense totaled $9.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to $8.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, and $8.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The increase in noninterest expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2022, was primarily due to a $484,000 increase in salaries and employee benefits due to annual merit-based salary increases and expenses associated with enhancements to the Bank’s 401(k) plan for all eligible employees, whereas the prior quarter benefited from the absence of compensation expense related to the Bank’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) which matured and was fully allocated during the third quarter of 2022 and averaged approximately $458,000 in expense per quarter in the first three quarters of 2022.  The increase was partially offset by a $190,000 reduction in professional fees in the quarter. The increase in noninterest expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2022, primarily reflects a $215,000 increase in other general and administrative expenses, including a $60,000 increase in reserve for unfunded commitments and a $54,000 increase in state and local taxes, a $200,000 increase in salaries and employee benefits and higher marketing expense, partially offset by lower occupancy and equipment expenses and professional fees.







5

Forward-looking statements:
When used in this press release and in other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in press releases or other public stockholder communications, or in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, the words or phrases “believe,” “will,” “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” “plans,” or similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent management’s current expectations and forecasts regarding future events many of which are inherently uncertain and outside of our control. Actual results may differ, possibly materially from those currently expected or projected in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to, the following: potential adverse impacts to economic conditions in our local market areas, other markets where the Company has lending relationships, or other aspects of the Company’s business operations or financial markets, including, without limitation, as a result of employment levels, labor shortages and the effects of inflation, a potential recession or slowed economic growth caused by increasing political instability from acts of war including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as increasing prices and supply chain disruptions, and any governmental or societal responses to new COVID-19 variants; the uncertain impacts of quantitative tightening and current and future monetary policies of the Federal Reserve; increased competitive pressures; changes in the interest rate environment; legislative and regulatory changes; and other factors described in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission – that are available on our website at www.ffnwb.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Any of the forward-looking statements that we make in this Press Release and in the other public statements are based upon management’s beliefs and assumptions at the time they are made and may turn out to be wrong because of the inaccurate assumptions we might make, because of the factors illustrated above or because of other factors that we cannot foresee. Therefore, these factors should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We do not undertake and specifically disclaim any obligation to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements. These risks could cause our actual results for 2023 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us and could negatively affect our operating and stock performance.












6

FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

Assets
 
Mar 31,
2023
   
Dec 31,
2022
   
Mar 31,
2022
   
Three
Month
Change
   
One
Year
Change
 
Cash on hand and in banks
 
$
9,618
   
$
7,722
   
$
7,979
     
24.6
%
   
20.5
%
Interest-earning deposits with banks
   
70,998
     
16,598
     
19,633
     
327.8
     
261.6
 
Investments available-for-sale, at fair value
   
214,948
     
217,778
     
180,212
     
(1.3
)
   
19.3
 
Investments held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
   
2,439
     
2,444
     
2,426
     
(0.2
)
   
0.5
 
Loans receivable, net of allowance of $16,028,
  $15,227, and $15,159 respectively
   
1,184,750
     
1,167,083
     
1,121,382
     
1.5
     
5.7
 
Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") stock, at
  cost
   
8,203
     
7,512
     
5,512
     
9.2
     
48.8
 
Accrued interest receivable
   
7,011
     
6,513
     
5,590
     
7.6
     
25.4
 
Deferred tax assets, net
   
2,990
     
2,597
     
1,069
     
15.1
     
179.7
 
Premises and equipment, net
   
20,732
     
21,192
     
22,254
     
(2.2
)
   
(6.8
)
Bank owned life insurance ("BOLI"), net
   
36,647
     
36,286
     
35,552
     
1.0
     
3.1
 
Prepaid expenses and other assets
   
11,336
     
12,479
     
8,451
     
(9.2
)
   
34.1
 
Right of use asset ("ROU"), net
   
3,194
     
3,275
     
3,455
     
(2.5
)
   
(7.6
)
Goodwill
   
889
     
889
     
889
     
0.0
     
0.0
 
Core deposit intangible, net
   
516
     
548
     
650
     
(5.8
)
   
(20.6
)
Total assets
 
$
1,574,271
   
$
1,502,916
   
$
1,415,054
     
4.7
     
11.3
 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
                                       
Deposits
                                       
Noninterest-bearing deposits
 
$
110,780
   
$
119,944
   
$
130,596
     
(7.6
)
   
(15.2
)
Interest-bearing deposits
   
1,116,348
     
1,050,096
     
1,009,505
     
6.3
     
10.6
 
Total deposits
   
1,227,128
     
1,170,040
     
1,140,101
     
4.9
     
7.6
 
Advances from the FHLB
   
160,000
     
145,000
     
95,000
     
10.3
     
68.4
 
Advance payments from borrowers for taxes
  and insurance
   
5,447
     
3,051
     
5,299
     
78.5
     
2.8
 
Lease liability, net
   
3,374
     
3,454
     
3,617
     
(2.3
)
   
(6.7
)
Accrued interest payable
   
749
     
328
     
112
     
128.4
     
568.8
 
Other liabilities
   
17,928
     
20,683
     
13,168
     
(12.8
)
   
36.9
 
Total liabilities
   
1,414,626
     
1,342,556
     
1,257,297
     
5.4
     
12.5
 
Commitments and contingencies
                                       
Stockholders' Equity
                                       
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized
  10,000,000 shares; no shares issued or
  outstanding
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
n/a
     
n/a
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized
  90,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
  9,148,086 shares at March 31, 2023,
  9,127,595 shares at December 31, 2022, and
  9,107,977 shares at March 31, 2022
   
92
     
91
     
91
     
1.1
     
1.1
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
72,445
     
72,424
     
71,780
     
0.0
     
0.9
 
Retained earnings
   
95,597
     
95,059
     
88,339
     
0.5
     
8.1
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of
  tax
   
(8,489
)
   
(7,214
)
   
(1,889
)
   
17.7
     
349.4
 
Unearned Employee Stock Ownership Plan
  ("ESOP") shares
   
-
     
-
     
(564
)
   
n/a
     
(100.0
)
Total stockholders' equity
   
159,645
     
160,360
     
157,757
     
(0.5
)
   
1.1
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
1,574,271
   
$
1,502,916
   
$
1,415,054
     
4.7
%
   
11.3
%


7

FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Income Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

   
Quarter Ended
             
   
Mar 31,
2023
   
Dec 31,
2022
   
Mar 31,
2022
   
Three
Month
Change
   
One
Year
Change
 
Interest income
                             
Loans, including fees
 
$
16,029
   
$
15,042
   
$
12,001
     
6.6
%
   
33.6
%
Investments
   
2,105
     
2,007
     
831
     
4.9
     
153.3
 
Interest-earning deposits with banks
   
236
     
205
     
19
     
15.1
     
1142.1
 
Dividends on FHLB Stock
   
130
     
89
     
74
     
46.1
     
75.7
 
Total interest income
   
18,500
     
17,343
     
12,925
     
6.7
     
43.1
 
Interest expense
                                       
Deposits
   
6,332
     
3,972
     
1,257
     
59.4
     
403.7
 
FHLB advances and other borrowings
   
912
     
928
     
300
     
(1.7
)
   
204.0
 
Total interest expense
   
7,244
     
4,900
     
1,557
     
47.8
     
365.3
 
Net interest income
   
11,256
     
12,443
     
11,368
     
(9.5
)
   
(1.0
)
Provision (recapture of provision) for credit
  losses
   
300
     
500
     
(500
)
   
(40.0
)
   
(160.0
)
Net interest income after provision (recapture
  of provision) for credit losses
   
10,956
     
11,943
     
11,868
     
(8.3
)
   
(7.7
)
                                         
Noninterest income
                                       
Net gain on sale of investments
   
-
     
27
     
-
     
(100.0
)
   
n/a
 
BOLI income
   
308
     
222
     
288
     
38.7
     
6.9
 
Wealth management revenue
   
45
     
36
     
82
     
25.0
     
(45.1
)
Deposit related fees
   
223
     
231
     
215
     
(3.5
)
   
3.7
 
Loan related fees
   
91
     
172
     
199
     
(47.1
)
   
(54.3
)
Other
   
(2
)
   
32
     
5
     
(106.3
)
   
(140.0
)
Total noninterest income
   
665
     
720
     
789
     
(7.6
)
   
(15.7
)
                                         
Noninterest expense
                                       
Salaries and employee benefits
   
5,461
     
4,977
     
5,261
     
9.7
     
3.8
 
Occupancy and equipment
   
1,165
     
1,155
     
1,228
     
0.9
     
(5.1
)
Professional fees
   
417
     
607
     
452
     
(31.3
)
   
(7.7
)
Data processing
   
686
     
634
     
677
     
8.2
     
1.3
 
Regulatory assessments
   
101
     
108
     
101
     
(6.5
)
   
0.0
 
Insurance and bond premiums
   
130
     
111
     
129
     
17.1
     
0.8
 
Marketing
   
77
     
77
     
37
     
0.0
     
108.1
 
Other general and administrative
   
956
     
997
     
741
     
(4.1
)
   
29.0
 
Total noninterest expense
   
8,993
     
8,666
     
8,626
     
3.8
     
4.3
 
Income before federal income tax provision
   
2,628
     
3,997
     
4,031
     
(34.3
)
   
(34.8
)
Federal income tax provision
   
506
     
771
     
771
     
(34.4
)
   
(34.4
)
Net income
 
$
2,122
   
$
3,226
   
$
3,260
     
(34.2
)%
   
(34.9
)%
                                         
Basic earnings per share
 
$
0.23
   
$
0.35
   
$
0.36
                 
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.23
   
$
0.35
   
$
0.36
                 
Weighted average number of common shares
  outstanding
   
9,104,371
     
9,073,323
     
8,987,482
                 
Weighted average number of diluted shares
  outstanding
   
9,173,276
     
9,149,044
     
9,117,432
                 


8

The following table presents a breakdown of the loan portfolio (unaudited):
   
March 31, 2023
   
December 31, 2022
   
March 31, 2022
 
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Commercial real estate:
                                   
Residential:
                                   
Multifamily
 
$
143,430
     
11.9
%
 
$
126,895
     
10.7
%
 
$
152,855
     
13.4
%
Total multifamily residential
   
143,430
     
11.9
     
126,895
     
10.7
     
152,855
     
13.4
 
                                                 
Non-residential:
                                               
Office
   
79,795
     
6.6
     
84,315
     
7.1
     
87,394
     
7.7
 
Retail
   
130,502
     
10.9
     
132,595
     
11.2
     
142,725
     
12.6
 
Mobile home park
   
22,125
     
1.9
     
25,420
     
2.2
     
20,409
     
1.8
 
Hotel / motel
   
67,339
     
5.6
     
55,471
     
4.7
     
58,406
     
5.1
 
Nursing home
   
12,275
     
1.0
     
12,365
     
1.0
     
12,622
     
1.1
 
Warehouse
   
19,655
     
1.7
     
19,783
     
1.7
     
21,103
     
1.9
 
Storage
   
33,677
     
2.8
     
33,876
     
2.9
     
34,442
     
3.0
 
Other non-residential
   
43,619
     
3.6
     
44,057
     
3.6
     
39,887
     
3.5
 
Total non-residential
   
408,987
     
34.1
     
407,882
     
34.4
     
416,988
     
36.7
 
                                                 
Construction/land:
                                               
One-to-four family residential
   
54,191
     
4.5
     
52,836
     
4.5
     
35,953
     
3.2
 
Multifamily
   
-
     
0.0
     
15,501
     
1.3
     
17,196
     
1.5
 
Commercial
   
-
     
0.0
     
-
     
0.0
     
6,189
     
0.5
 
Land development
   
9,801
     
0.8
     
9,783
     
0.8
     
15,359
     
1.4
 
Total construction/land
   
63,992
     
5.3
     
78,120
     
6.6
     
74,697
     
6.6
 
                                                 
One-to-four family residential:
                                               
Permanent owner occupied
   
243,366
     
20.3
     
233,785
     
19.8
     
197,447
     
17.4
 
Permanent non-owner occupied
   
240,894
     
20.1
     
242,051
     
20.5
     
214,784
     
18.9
 
Total one-to-four family residential
   
484,260
     
40.4
     
475,836
     
40.3
     
412,231
     
36.3
 
                                                 
Business:
                                               
Aircraft
   
2,051
     
0.1
     
2,086
     
0.1
     
4,647
     
0.4
 
Small Business Administration (“SBA”)
   
494
     
0.1
     
509
     
0.1
     
816
     
0.1
 
Paycheck Protection Plan (“PPP”)
   
708
     
0.1
     
785
     
0.1
     
5,181
     
0.5
 
Other business
   
28,415
     
2.3
     
27,991
     
2.4
     
19,902
     
1.7
 
Total business
   
31,668
     
2.6
     
31,371
     
2.7
     
30,546
     
2.7
 
                                                 
Consumer:
                                               
Classic, collectible and other auto
   
57,703
     
4.8
     
53,705
     
4.6
     
38,781
     
3.4
 
Other consumer
   
10,469
     
0.9
     
8,350
     
0.7
     
10,650
     
0.9
 
Total consumer
   
68,172
     
5.7
     
62,055
     
5.3
     
49,431
     
4.3
 
                                                 
Total loans
   
1,200,509
     
100.0
%
   
1,182,159
     
100.0
%
   
1,136,748
     
100.0
%
Less:
                                               
Deferred loan (costs) fees, net
   
(269
)
           
(151
)
           
207
         
ACL
   
16,028
             
15,227
             
15,159
         
Loans receivable, net
 
$
1,184,750
           
$
1,167,083
           
$
1,121,382
         
                                                 
Concentrations of credit: (1)
                                               
Construction loans as % of total capital
   
44.9
%
           
53.1
%
           
51.9
%
       
Total non-owner occupied commercial
  real estate as % of total capital
   
347.7
%
           
346.9
%
           
379.6
%
       
 (1) Concentrations of credit percentages are for First Financial Northwest Bank only using classifications in accordance with FDIC regulatory guidelines.


9

FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Key Financial Measures
(Unaudited)

   
At or For the Quarter Ended
 
   
Mar 31,
   
Dec 31,
   
Sep 30,
   
Jun 30,
   
Mar 31,
 
   
2023
   
2022
   
2022
   
2022
   
2022
 
   
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
Performance Ratios: (1)
                             
Return on assets
   
0.57
%
   
0.86
%
   
1.06
%
   
0.79
%
   
0.93
%
Return on equity
   
5.31
     
8.04
     
9.88
     
7.11
     
8.33
 
Dividend payout ratio
   
56.52
     
34.29
     
27.40
     
38.51
     
33.20
 
Equity-to-assets ratio
   
10.14
     
10.67
     
10.64
     
10.78
     
11.15
 
Tangible equity-to-tangible assets ratio (2)
   
10.06
     
10.58
     
10.55
     
10.69
     
11.05
 
Net interest margin
   
3.22
     
3.52
     
3.65
     
3.53
     
3.43
 
Average interest-earning assets to average
  interest-bearing liabilities
   
117.78
     
117.93
     
119.08
     
120.21
     
119.59
 
Efficiency ratio
   
75.44
     
65.84
     
66.80
     
72.62
     
70.96
 
Noninterest expense as a percent of average total
  assets
   
2.42
     
2.30
     
2.43
     
2.60
     
2.46
 
Book value per common share
 
$
17.45
   
$
17.57
   
$
17.30
   
$
17.26
   
$
17.32
 
Tangible book value per common share (2)
   
17.30
     
17.41
     
17.14
     
17.09
     
17.15
 
                                         
Capital Ratios: (3)
                                       
Tier 1 leverage ratio
   
10.24
%
   
10.31
%
   
10.43
%
   
10.53
%
   
10.51
%
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio
   
14.33
     
14.37
     
14.24
     
14.22
     
14.08
 
Tier 1 capital ratio
   
14.33
     
14.37
     
14.24
     
14.22
     
14.08
 
Total capital ratio
   
15.59
     
15.62
     
15.49
     
15.47
     
15.33
 
                                         
Asset Quality Ratios: (4)
                                       
Nonperforming loans as a percent of total loans
   
0.02
%
   
0.02
%
   
0.02
%
   
0.00
%
   
0.02
%
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets
   
0.01
     
0.01
     
0.02
     
0.00
     
0.01
 
ACL as a percent of total loans
   
1.34
     
1.29
     
1.27
     
1.33
     
1.33
 
Net (recoveries) charge-offs to average loans receivable, net
   
(0.00
)
   
(0.00
)
   
(0.00
)
   
0.00
     
(0.00
)
                                         
Allowance for Credit Losses:
                                       
ALLL, beginning of the quarter
 
$
15,227
   
$
14,726
   
$
15,125
   
$
15,159
   
$
15,657
 
Beginning balance adjustment from adoption
of Topic 326
   
500
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Provision (recapture of provision)
   
300
     
500
     
(400
)
   
-
     
(500
)
Charge-offs
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(37
)
   
-
 
Recoveries
   
1
     
1
     
1
     
3
     
2
 
ACL, end of the quarter
 
$
16,028
   
$
15,227
   
$
14,726
   
$
15,125
   
$
15,159
 
(1) Performance ratios are calculated on an annualized basis.
(2) Represent non-GAAP financial measures. Tangible equity-to-tangible assets ratio is calculated by dividing tangible equity by tangible assets. Tangible book value per common share is calculated by dividing tangible equity by common shares outstanding at period end. Tangible equity and tangible assets exclude goodwill and core deposit intangible assets. Refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this press release for a reconciliation to the nearest GAAP equivalents.
(3) Capital ratios are for First Financial Northwest Bank only.
(4) Loans are reported net of undisbursed funds.



10

FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Key Financial Measures
(Unaudited)

   
For the Quarter Ended
 
   
Mar 31,
2023
   
Dec 31,
2022
   
Sep 30,
2022
   
Jun 30,
2022
   
Mar 31,
2022
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Yields and Costs: (1)
                             
Yield on loans
   
5.56
%
   
5.19
%
   
4.77
%
   
4.41
%
   
4.36
%
Yield on investments
   
3.88
     
3.60
     
2.90
     
2.33
     
1.96
 
Yield on interest-earning deposits
   
4.40
     
3.31
     
2.02
     
0.67
     
0.15
 
Yield on FHLB stock
   
7.30
     
4.58
     
5.56
     
4.82
     
5.49
 
Yield on interest-earning assets
   
5.29
%
   
4.90
%
   
4.43
%
   
4.04
%
   
3.90
%
                                         
Cost of interest-bearing deposits
   
2.41
%
   
1.51
%
   
0.87
%
   
0.55
%
   
0.50
%
Cost of borrowings
   
2.69
     
2.46
     
1.48
     
1.21
     
1.28
 
Cost of interest-bearing liabilities
   
2.44
%
   
1.63
%
   
0.93
%
   
0.61
%
   
0.56
%
                                         
Cost of total deposits
   
2.17
%
   
1.36
%
   
0.78
%
   
0.49
%
   
0.44
%
Cost of funds
   
2.23
     
1.48
     
0.84
     
0.55
     
0.51
 
                                         
Average Balances:
                                       
Loans
 
$
1,168,539
   
$
1,150,181
   
$
1,132,233
   
$
1,117,079
   
$
1,115,428
 
Investments
   
219,969
     
221,113
     
220,244
     
198,819
     
171,685
 
Interest-earning deposits
   
21,729
     
24,608
     
24,565
     
22,010
     
49,857
 
FHLB stock
   
7,219
     
7,710
     
5,923
     
5,905
     
5,467
 
Total interest-earning assets
 
$
1,417,456
   
$
1,403,612
   
$
1,382,965
   
$
1,343,813
   
$
1,342,437
 
                                         
Interest-bearing deposits
 
$
1,065,827
   
$
1,040,357
   
$
1,056,079
   
$
1,013,080
   
$
1,027,507
 
Borrowings
   
137,600
     
149,946
     
105,272
     
104,835
     
95,000
 
Total interest-bearing liabilities
   
1,203,427
     
1,190,303
     
1,161,351
     
1,117,915
     
1,122,507
 
Noninterest-bearing deposits
   
115,708
     
121,518
     
125,561
     
131,415
     
122,175
 
Total deposits and borrowings
 
$
1,319,135
   
$
1,311,821
   
$
1,286,912
   
$
1,249,330
   
$
1,244,682
 
                                         
Average assets
 
$
1,509,297
   
$
1,496,125
   
$
1,470,816
   
$
1,431,003
   
$
1,424,054
 
Average stockholders' equity
   
162,016
     
159,120
     
158,515
     
158,349
     
158,756
 
(1) Yields and costs are annualized.





11

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to financial results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles utilized in the United States ("GAAP"), this earnings release contains non-GAAP financial measures that include tangible equity, tangible assets, tangible book value per share, and the tangible equity ratio. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures and ratios as presented are useful for both investors and management to understand the effects of goodwill and core deposit intangible, net and provides an alternative view of the Company’s performance over time and in comparison to the Company’s competitors. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations, are not required to be uniformly applied and are not audited. They should not be considered in isolation and are not a substitute for other measures in this earnings release that are presented in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

The following tables provide a reconciliation between the GAAP and non-GAAP measures:

   
Quarter Ended
 
    Mar 31,
2023
   
Dec 31,
2022
   
Sep 30,
2022
   
Jun 30,
2022
   
Mar 31,
2022
 
   
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
                               
Tangible equity to tangible assets and tangible book value per share:                              
Total stockholders' equity (GAAP)
 
$
159,645
   
$
160,360
   
$
157,890
   
$
156,896
   
$
157,757
 
Less:
                                       
Goodwill
   
889
     
889
     
889
     
889
     
889
 
Core deposit intangible, net
   
516
     
548
     
582
     
616
     
650
 
Tangible equity (Non-GAAP)
 
$
158,240
   
$
158,923
   
$
156,419
   
$
155,391
   
$
156,218
 
 
                                       
Total assets (GAAP)
 
$
1,574,271
   
$
1,502,916
   
$
1,484,311
   
$
1,454,768
   
$
1,415,054
 
Less:
                                       
Goodwill
   
889
     
889
     
889
     
889
     
889
 
Core deposit intangible, net
   
516
     
548
     
582
     
616
     
650
 
Tangible assets (Non-GAAP)
 
$
1,572,866
   
$
1,501,479
   
$
1,482,840
   
$
1,453,263
   
$
1,413,515
 
 
                                       
Common shares outstanding at period end
   
9,148,086
     
9,127,595
     
9,127,595
     
9,091,533
     
9,107,977
 
 
                                       
Equity-to-assets ratio (GAAP)
   
10.14
%
   
10.67
%
   
10.64
%
   
10.78
%
   
11.15
%
Tangible equity-to-tangible assets ratio (Non‑GAAP)
   
10.06
     
10.58
     
10.55
     
10.69
     
11.05
 
Book value per common share (GAAP)
 
$
17.45
   
$
17.57
   
$
17.30
   
$
17.26
   
$
17.32
 
Tangible book value per share (Non-GAAP)
   
17.30
     
17.41
     
17.14
     
17.09
     
17.15
 





12