Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009.

 

¨ 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 0-20288

 

 

COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.

(Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Washington   91-1422237

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

1301 “A” Street

Tacoma, Washington

  98402-2156
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(253) 305-1900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

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 whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of shares of common stock outstanding at October 31, 2009 was 28,098,853

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
Item 1.    Financial Statements (unaudited)   
   Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income (Loss) - three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008    1
   Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets - September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008    2
   Consolidated Condensed Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity - nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008    3
   Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows - nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008    4
   Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements    5
Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    17
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    35
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures    35
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    36

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    36

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    40

Item 3.

   Defaults Upon Senior Securities    40

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    40

Item 5.

   Other Information    40

Item 6.

   Exhibits    41
   Signatures    42

 

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Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

(in thousands except per share)

   2009     2008     2009     2008  
Interest Income         

Loans

   $ 29,151      $ 35,590      $ 88,202      $ 114,227   

Taxable securities

     4,327        4,615        12,730        14,490   

Tax-exempt securities

     2,169        1,997        6,258        5,997   

Federal funds sold and deposits in banks

     53        135        69        379   
                                

Total interest income

     35,700        42,337        107,259        135,093   
Interest Expense         

Deposits

     5,531        10,148        18,297        36,444   

Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve bank borrowings

     651        1,887        2,116        6,464   

Long-term obligations

     280        423        937        1,339   

Other borrowings

     120        286        357        652   
                                

Total interest expense

     6,582        12,744        21,707        44,899   
                                
Net Interest Income      29,118        29,593        85,552        90,194   

Provision for loan and lease losses

     16,500        10,500        48,500        27,926   
                                

Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses

     12,618        19,093        37,052        62,268   
Noninterest Income (Loss)         

Service charges and other fees

     3,806        3,823        10,982        11,129   

Merchant services fees

     1,957        2,081        5,607        6,159   

Redemption of Visa and Mastercard shares

     —          —          49        3,028   

Gain on sale of investment securities, net

     —          —          —          882   

Loss on impairment of equity securities

     —          (18,517     —          (18,517

Bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”)

     515        533        1,532        1,587   

Other

     912        1,134        2,994        4,248   
                                

Total noninterest income (loss)

     7,190        (10,946     21,164        8,516   
Noninterest Expense         

Compensation and employee benefits

     11,869        12,173        36,017        37,917   

Occupancy

     3,023        3,248        9,005        9,706   

Merchant processing

     896        961        2,589        2,731   

Advertising and promotion

     296        579        1,675        1,797   

Data processing

     1,010        909        2,974        2,507   

Legal and professional fees

     793        765        2,779        1,479   

Taxes, licenses and fees

     582        720        1,975        2,267   

Regulatory premiums

     1,220        578        4,719        1,414   

Net cost of operation of other real estate

     318        4        590        (19

Other

     3,139        3,454        9,318        10,513   
                                

Total noninterest expense

     23,146        23,391        71,641        70,312   
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (3,338     (15,244     (13,425     472   

Income tax benefit

     (1,836     (6,485     (7,905     (3,682
                                

Net Income (Loss)

   $ (1,502   $ (8,759   $ (5,520   $ 4,154   
                                

Net Income (Loss) Applicable to Common Shareholders

   $ (2,605   $ (8,759   $ (8,818   $ 4,154   
                                

Earnings (loss) per common share

        

Basic

   $ (0.11   $ (0.49   $ (0.45   $ 0.23   

Diluted

   $ (0.11   $ (0.49   $ (0.45   $ 0.23   

Dividends paid per common share

   $ 0.01      $ 0.17      $ 0.06      $ 0.51   

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

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CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

(Unaudited)

 

(in thousands)

             September 30,
2009
   December 31,
2008
ASSETS            

Cash and due from banks

         $ 74,563    $ 84,787

Interest-earning deposits with banks

           126,355      3,943
                   

Total cash and cash equivalents

           200,918      88,730

Securities available for sale at fair value (amortized cost of $629,294 and $525,110, respectively)

           646,620      528,918

Federal Home Loan Bank stock at cost

           11,607      11,607

Loans held for sale

           —        1,964

Loans, net of deferred loan fees of ($4,618) and ($4,033), respectively

           2,063,398      2,232,332

Less: allowance for loan and lease losses

           51,688      42,747
                   

Loans, net

           2,011,710      2,189,585

Interest receivable

           11,185      11,646

Premises and equipment, net

           63,066      61,139

Other real estate owned

           18,137      2,874

Goodwill

           95,519      95,519

Core deposit intangible, net

           5,112      5,908

Other assets

           103,154      99,189
                   

Total Assets

         $ 3,167,028    $ 3,097,079
                   
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY            

Deposits:

           

Non-interest bearing

         $ 490,512    $ 466,078

Interest-bearing

           1,953,055      1,916,073
                   

Total deposits

           2,443,567      2,382,151

Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank borrowings

           101,000      200,000

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

           25,000      25,000

Other borrowings

           51      201

Long-term subordinated debt

           25,653      25,603

Other liabilities

           43,837      48,739
                   

Total liabilities

           2,639,108      2,681,694

Commitments and contingent liabilities

           

Shareholders’ equity:

           
     September 30,
2009
   December 31,
2008
         

Preferred stock (no par value, 76,898 aggregate liquidation preference)

           

Authorized shares

   2,000    2,000      

Issued and outstanding

   77    77      74,157      73,743

Common Stock (no par value)

           

Authorized shares

   63,033    63,033      

Issued and outstanding

   28,099    18,151      348,431      233,192

Retained earnings

           93,150      103,061

Accumulated other comprehensive income

           12,182      5,389
                   

Total shareholders’ equity

           527,920      415,385
                   

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

         $ 3,167,028    $ 3,097,079
                   

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

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CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

(Unaudited)

 

     Preferred Stock    Common Stock     Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 

(in thousands)

   Number of
Shares
   Amount    Number of
Shares
   Amount        

Balance at January 1, 2008

   —      $ —      17,953    $ 226,550      $ 110,169      $ 5,012      $ 341,731   

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

         —        —          (2,137     —          (2,137
                                                 

Adjusted balance

   —        —      17,953      226,550        108,032        5,012        339,594   

Comprehensive income

                 

Net income

   —        —      —        —          4,154        —          4,154   
                       

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:

                 

Net unrealized loss from securities, net of reclassification adjustments

   —        —      —        —          —          (1,302     (1,302

Net unrealized gain from cash flow hedging instruments

   —        —      —        —          —          80        80   
                       

Other comprehensive loss

                    (1,222
                       

Comprehensive income

                    2,932   
                       

Issuance of stock under stock option and other plans

   —        —      132      1,860        —          —          1,860   

Stock award compensation expense

   —        —      62      1,040        —          —          1,040   

Tax benefit associated with stock-based compensation

   —        —      —        230        —          —          230   

Cash dividends paid on common stock

   —        —      —        —          (9,221     —          (9,221
                                                 

Balance at September 30, 2008

   —      $ —      18,147    $ 229,680      $ 102,965      $ 3,790      $ 336,435   
                                                 

Balance at January 1, 2009

   77    $ 73,743    18,151    $ 233,192      $ 103,061      $ 5,389      $ 415,385   

Comprehensive income:

                 

Net loss

   —        —      —        —          (5,520     —          (5,520
                       

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

                 

Net unrealized gain from securities, net of reclassification adjustments

   —        —      —        —          —          8,717        8,717   

Net change in cash flow hedging instruments

   —        —      —        —          —          (1,264     (1,264

Pension plan liability adjustment, net

   —        —      —        —          —          (660     (660
                       

Other comprehensive income

                    6,793   
                       

Comprehensive income

                    1,273   
                       

Accretion of preferred stock discount

   —        414    —        —          (414     —          —     

Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs

         9,775      113,537        —          —          113,537   

Issuance of common stock - stock option and other plans

   —        —      88      928        —          —          928   

Issuance of common stock - restricted stock awards, net of cancelled awards

   —        —      85      —          —          —          —     

Share-based payment

   —        —      —        857        —          —          857   

Tax benefit deficiency associated with share-based compensation

   —        —      —        (83     —          —          (83

Preferred dividends

   —        —      —        —          (2,884     —          (2,884

Cash dividends paid on common stock

   —        —      —        —          (1,093     —          (1,093
                                                 

Balance at September 30, 2009

   77      74,157    28,099      348,431        93,150        12,182        527,920   
                                                 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

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CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

(Unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

(in thousands)

   2009     2008  

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

    

Net income (loss)

   $ (5,520   $ 4,154   

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities

    

Provision for loan and lease losses

     48,500        27,926   

Deferred income tax benefit

     (4,483     (12,318

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     —          (230

Stock-based compensation expense

     857        1,040   

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     5,384        5,389   

Net realized gain on sale of securities

     —          (882

Net realized (gain) loss on sale of other assets

     145        (139

Write-down of other real estate owned

     120        —     

Impairment charge on investment securities

     —          18,517   

Gain on termination of cash flow hedging instruments

     (1,960     (1,022

Net change in:

    

Loans held for sale

     1,964        1,592   

Interest receivable

     461        1,642   

Interest payable

     (2,165     (4,591

Other assets

     (3,919     (6,841

Other liabilities

     (2,588     (5,588
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     36,796        28,649   

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

    

Purchases of securities available for sale

     (154,973     (86,902

Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale

     —          51,358   

Proceeds from principal repayments and maturities of securities available for sale

     49,878        40,328   

Loans originated and acquired, net of principal collected

     108,785        45,605   

Purchases of premises and equipment

     (5,469     (8,838

Proceeds from disposal of premises and equipment

     11        115   

Purchase of FHLB stock

     —          (3,178

Proceeds from termination of cash flow hedging instruments

     —          8,093   

Additions to other real estate owned

     (380     —     

Proceeds from sales of other real estate and other personal property owned

     4,805        204   
                

Net cash provided by investing activities

     2,657        46,785   

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

    

Net increase (decrease) in deposits

     61,416        (142,240

Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances

     324,000        1,784,268   

Repayment from Federal Home Loan Bank advances

     (373,000     (1,740,938

Proceeds from Federal Reserve Bank borrowings

     415,000        —     

Repayments of Federal Reserve Bank borrowings

     (465,000     —     

Net increase in repurchase agreement borrowings

     —          25,000   

Net increase (decrease) in other borrowings

     (150     15,036   

Cash dividends paid

     (3,913     (9,221

Proceeds from exercise of common stock options

     845        1,860   

Issuance of common stock

     113,537        —     

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     —          230   
                

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     72,735        (66,005

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

     112,188        9,429   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     88,730        93,975   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 200,918      $ 103,404   
                

Supplemental Information:

    

Cash paid for interest

   $ 23,872      $ 49,490   

Cash paid for income tax

   $ 500      $ 9,916   

Loans transferred to other real estate owned

   $ 19,998      $ 1,288   

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The interim unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for condensed interim financial information and with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain financial information and footnotes have been omitted or condensed. The consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of the Company, and its wholly owned banking subsidiary Columbia Bank. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented have been included. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of results to be anticipated for the year ending December 31, 2009. The accompanying interim unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes contained in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Significant Accounting Policies

The significant accounting policies used in preparation of our consolidated financial statements are disclosed in our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have not been any other changes in our significant accounting policies compared to those contained in our 2008 10-K disclosure for the year ended December 31, 2008.

2. Accounting Pronouncements Recently Issued or Adopted

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued pending content to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, Consolidation. The pending content significantly changes the criteria for determining whether the consolidation of a variable interest entity is required. The pending content also addresses concerns that the accounting and disclosures under the existing guidance do not always provide timely and useful information about an entity’s involvement in a variable interest entity. The pending content is effective for interim and annual reporting periods that begin after November 15, 2009. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of the pending content on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In April 2009, the FASB issued pending content to ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. The pending content amends and clarifies ASC Topic 805 to address application issues raised by preparers, auditors, and members of the legal profession on initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement and accounting, and disclosure of assets and liabilities arising from contingencies in a business combination. The pending content is effective for assets or liabilities arising from contingencies in business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2009, the FASB issued ASC Topic 855, Subsequent Events. This ASC topic sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity shall evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity shall recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements and the disclosures that an entity shall make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. ASC Topic 855 became effective for the Company at June 30, 2009 (see Note 13) and had no impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operation.

In April 2009, the FASB issued pending content for ASC Topic 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities. The pending content amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance in U.S. GAAP for debt securities to make it more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities. The Company adopted the pending content at June 30, 2009 and there was no effect on our financial condition and results of operations as a result of applying this guidance.

In April 2009, the FASB issued pending content for ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments. The pending content requires disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. The Company adopted this pending content at June 30, 2009 (see Note 12).

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

 

In April 2009, the FASB issued pending content for ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. The pending content provides additional guidance when the transaction volume and level of market activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. The pending content also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. The Company adopted the pending guidance at June 30, 2009 and there was no effect on our financial condition and results of operations as a result of applying this guidance.

In June 2008, the FASB issued pending content for ASC Topic 260, Earnings per Share. Under the pending content, unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends will be considered to be a separate class of common stock and will be included in the basic EPS calculation using the two-class method that is described in the Earnings per Share topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The pending content became effective for the Company on January 1, 2009, and required retrospective adjustment of all prior periods presented (see Note 3).

In March 2008, the FASB issued pending content for ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The pending content amends and requires enhanced qualitative, quantitative and credit risk disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities, but does not change the scope or accounting principles of the guidance provided by the Derivatives and Hedging topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The pending content became effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. Because the pending content impacts the Company’s disclosure and not its accounting treatment for derivative financial instruments and related hedged items, the new guidance did not impact the Company’s financial condition or results of operations (See Note 11).

3. Earnings per share

The Company applies the two-class method of computing basic and diluted EPS. Under the two-class method, EPS is determined for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The Company grants restricted shares under a share-based compensation plan that qualify as participating securities under the Earnings per Share topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

 

     Three Months Ended
Sep 30,
    Nine Months Ended
Sep 30,
 

(in thousands except per share)

   2009     2008 (1)     2009     2008 (1)  

Basic EPS:

        

Net income (loss)

   $ (1,502   $ (8,759   $ (5,520   $ 4,154   

Less: Preferred dividends and accretion of issuance discount for preferred stock

     (1,103     —          (3,298     —     
                                

Net income applicable to common shareholders

   $ (2,605   $ (8,759   $ (8,818   $ 4,154   

Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities

     (3     (33     (13     (91
                                

Earnings (loss) allocated to common shareholders

   $ (2,608   $ (8,792   $ (8,831   $ 4,063   
                                

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     23,468        17,948        19,837        17,898   

Basic earnings (loss) per common share

   $ (0.11   $ (0.49   $ (0.45   $ 0.23   
                                

Diluted EPS:

        

Earnings (loss) allocated to common shareholders (2)

   $ (2,608   $ (8,792   $ (8,831   $ 4,063   
                                

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     23,468        17,948        19,837        17,898   

Dilutive effect of equity awards

     —          —          —          96   
                                

Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding (3)

     23,468        17,948        19,837        17,994   
                                

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share

   $ (0.11   $ (0.49   $ (0.45   $ 0.23   
                                

Potentially dilutive securities that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because to do so would be anti-dilutive.

     853        92        918        59   

 

(1) The Company adopted pending content to the Earnings per Share topic of the FASB ASC on January 1, 2009. All prior periods have been restated to the current period’s presentation.

 

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Columbia Banking System, Inc.

 

(2) Earnings allocated to common shareholders for basic and diluted EPS may differ under the two-class method as a result of adding common stock equivalents for options and warrants to dilutive shares outstanding, which alters the ratio used to allocate earnings to common shareholders and participating securities for the purposes of calculating diluted EPS.
(3) Due to the net loss applicable to common shareholders in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, basic shares were used to calculate diluted earnings per share. Adding dilutive securities to the denominator would result in anti-dilution.

4. Shareholders’ Equity

Dividends

Common Stock. On January 29, 2009, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per share, payable on February 25, 2009 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 11, 2009. On April 22, 2009, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.01 per share, payable on May 20, 2009, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 6, 2009. On July 22, 2009, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.01 per share, payable on August 19, 2009, to shareholders of record at the close of business August 5, 2009. Subsequent to quarter end, on October 29, 2009, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.01 per share, payable on November 25, 2009, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 12, 2009.

The payment of cash dividends is subject to Federal regulatory requirements for capital levels and other restrictions. In addition, the cash dividends paid by Columbia Bank to the Company are subject to both Federal and State regulatory requirements. Also, for a period of three years after the November 21, 2008 closing date of the Securities Purchase Agreement between the Company and the United States Department of Treasury (“Treasury”), the Company cannot, without the consent of the Treasury, declare or pay regular quarterly cash dividends of more than $0.07 per common share.

Preferred Stock. On November 21, 2008, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with the Treasury pursuant to which the Company sold to the Treasury for an aggregate purchase price of $76.9 million, 76,898 shares of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock Series A (the “Preferred Stock”) and a warrant to purchase 796,046 shares of common stock (the “Warrant”) for a ten-year period at an exercise price of $14.49 per share.

The preferred stock pays a cumulative dividend of 5.0% per annum for the first five years and 9.0% per annum thereafter, if not redeemed within the first five years. The preferred stock can be redeemed at its liquidation preference (which is $1,000 per share), plus all accrued and unpaid dividends.

Common Stock

On August 11, 2009, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 9,775,000 shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $12.25 per share, resulting in gross proceeds of $120.0 million and net proceeds to us of approximately $113.8 million. As a result of our completion of a qualifying offering prior to December 31, 2009, the number of shares of our common stock subject to the warrant we issued to the United States Treasury in connection with our participation in Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program has been reduced by 50% from 796,046 to 398,023.

5. Business Segment Information

The Company is managed along two major lines of business: commercial banking and retail banking. The treasury function of the Company, included in the “Other” category, although not considered a line of business, is responsible for the management of investments and interest rate risk.

The Company generates segment results that include balances directly attributable to business line activities. The financial results of each segment are derived from the Company’s general ledger system. Overhead, including sales and back office support functions and other indirect expenses, are not allocated to the major lines of business. Goodwill resulting from business combinations is included in the Retail Banking segment. Since the Company is not specifically organized around lines of business, most reportable segments comprise more than one operating activity.

The principal activities conducted by commercial banking are the origination of commercial business relationships, private banking services and real estate lending. Retail banking includes all deposit products, with their related fee income, and all consumer loan products as well as commercial loan products offered in the Company’s branch offices.

Effective January 1, 2009 the Company began allocating the provision for loan and lease losses to the reportable segments. Prior to 2009, the provision for loan and lease losses was included in the “Other” category. Segment net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses for the prior period has been restated to be comparable to the same line item for the current period.

 

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Columbia Banking System, Inc.

 

The organizational structure of the Company and its business line financial results are not necessarily comparable with information from other financial institutions. Financial highlights by lines of business are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2009  

(in thousands)

   Commercial
Banking
    Retail
Banking
    Other     Total  

Net interest income

   $ 13,844      $ 12,540      $ 2,734      $ 29,118   

Provision for loan and lease losses

     (12,743     (3,757     —          (16,500
                                

Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses

     1,101        8,783        2,734        12,618   

Noninterest income

     654        2,239        4,297        7,190   

Noninterest expense

     (3,329     (6,165     (13,652     (23,146
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (1,574     4,857        (6,621     (3,338

Income tax benefit

           1,836   
              

Net loss

         $ (1,502
                                

Total assets

   $ 1,368,827      $ 844,060      $ 954,141      $ 3,167,028   
                                
     Three Months Ended September 30, 2008  

(in thousands)

   Commercial
Banking
    Retail
Banking
    Other     Total  

Net interest income

   $ 10,563      $ 13,198      $ 5,832      $ 29,593   

Provision for loan and lease losses

     (3,800     (6,700     —          (10,500
                                

Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses

     6,763        6,498        5,832        19,093   

Noninterest income

     846        2,171        (13,963     (10,946

Noninterest expense

     (2,806     (6,249     (14,336     (23,391
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     4,803        2,420        (22,467     (15,244

Income tax benefit

           6,485   
              

Net loss

         $ (8,759
                                

Total assets

   $ 1,423,184      $ 1,015,412      $ 666,384      $ 3,104,980   
                                

 

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Columbia Banking System, Inc.

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009  

(in thousands)

   Commercial
Banking
    Retail
Banking
    Other     Total  

Net interest income

   $ 35,526      $ 36,787      $ 13,239      $ 85,552   

Provision for loan and lease losses

     (34,530     (13,970     —          (48,500
                                

Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses

     996        22,817        13,239        37,052   

Noninterest income

     2,239        6,702        12,224        21,165   

Noninterest expense

     (11,126     (17,868     (42,647     (71,641
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (7,891     11,651        (17,184     (13,424

Income tax benefit

           7,905   
              

Net loss

         $ (5,519
                                

Total assets

   $ 1,368,827      $ 844,060      $ 954,141      $ 3,167,028   
                                
     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008  

(in thousands)

   Commercial
Banking
    Retail
Banking
    Other     Total  

Net interest income

   $ 37,283      $ 43,805      $ 9,106      $ 90,194   

Provision for loan and lease losses

     (14,427     (13,499     —          (27,926
                                

Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses

     22,856        30,306        9,106        62,268   

Noninterest income

     2,848        6,736        (1,068     8,516   

Noninterest expense

     (8,413     (21,528     (40,371     (70,312
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     17,291        15,514        (32,333     472   

Income tax benefit

           3,682   
              

Net income

         $ 4,154   
                                

Total assets

   $ 1,423,184      $ 1,015,412      $ 666,384      $ 3,104,980   
                                

6. Fair Value Accounting and Measurement

The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures topic of the FASB ASC defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure requirements about fair value. We hold fixed and variable rate interest bearing securities, investments in marketable equity securities and certain other financial instruments, which are carried at fair value. Fair value is determined based upon quoted prices when available or through the use of alternative approaches, such as matrix or model pricing, when market quotes are not readily accessible or available.

The valuation techniques are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our own market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date.

Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

Level 3 – Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

 

Fair values are determined as follows:

Certain preferred stock securities at fair value are priced using quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets and are classified within level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

Other securities at fair value are priced using matrix pricing based on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted prices, and under the provisions of the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures topic of the FASB ACS are considered a Level 2 input method.

Interest rate swap positions are valued in models, which use as their basis, readily observable market parameters and are classified within level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2009 by level within the fair value hierarchy. As required by the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures topic of the FASB ASC, financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement:

 

     Fair value at
September 30,
2009
   Fair Value Measurements at
Reporting Date Using

(in thousands)

      Level 1    Level 2    Level 3
Assets            

Securities Available for Sale

           

Preferred stock of U.S. Government sponsored enterprises

   $ 1,500    $ 1,500    $ —      $ —  

U.S. Government agency and government sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations

     434,182      —        434,182      —  

State and municipal debt securities

     209,960      —        209,960      —  

Other securities

     978      —        978      —  
                           

Total securities available for sale

   $ 646,620    $ 1,500    $ 645,120    $ —  

Other assets (Interest rate contracts)

   $ 11,371    $ —      $ 11,371    $ —  
Liabilities            

Other liabilities (Interest rate contracts)

   $ 11,371    $ —      $ 11,371    $ —  

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis after initial recognition such as loans measured for impairment and OREO. The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of each such class of financial instrument:

Impaired loans - A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due (both interest and principal) according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans are measured by the fair market value of the collateral less estimated costs to sell.

Other real estate owned - OREO is real property that the Bank has taken ownership of in partial or full satisfaction of a loan or loans. OREO is recorded at the lower of the carrying amount of the loan or fair value less estimated costs to sell. This amount becomes the property’s new basis. Any write-downs based on the property fair value less estimated cost to sell at the date of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan and lease losses. Management periodically reviews OREO in an effort to ensure the property is carried at the lower of its new basis or fair value, net of estimated costs to sell.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets that were accounted for at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at September 30, 2009:

 

     Fair value at
September 30, 2009
   Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using

(in thousands)

      Level 1    Level 2    Level 3

Impaired loans (1)

   $ 35,784    $ —      $ —      $ 35,784

Other real estate owned (2)

     9,566      —        —        9,566
                           
   $ 45,350    $ —      $ —      $ 45,350
                           

 

(1) In accordance with the Receivables topic of the FASB ASC, impaired loans totaling $51.1 million were subject to specific valuation allowances and/or partial charge-offs totaling $15.3 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2009.
(2) Loans receivable transferred to other real estate owned during the quarter ended September 30, 2009 with a carrying amount of $10.9 million were written down to their fair value of $9.1, less costs to sell of $979 thousand (or $8.1 million), resulting in a loss of $2.8 million, which was charged to the allowance for loan and lease losses during the period. In addition, other real estate owned acquired in prior quarters with a carrying amount of $554 thousand was further written down to an updated fair value of $434 thousand, resulting in a loss of $120 thousand, which was charged to the expense during the period.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

 

7. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The components of other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 

(in thousands)

   2009     2008  

Net unrealized holding gain from available for sale securities arising during the period, net of tax of ($2,655) and $(1,935)

     4,655        3,513   

Net change in cash flow hedging instruments, net of tax of $212 and $197

     (384     (357

Pension plan liability adjustment, net of tax of ($5) and $0

     10        —     
                

Other comprehensive income

   $ 4,281      $ 3,156   
                
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

(in thousands)

   2009     2008  

Unrealized gain (loss) from securities:

    

Net unrealized holding gain (loss) from available for sale securities arising during the period, net of tax of $(4,802) and $410

     8,717        (731

Reclassification adjustment of net gain from sale of available for sale securities included in income, net of tax of $0 and $311

     —          (571
                

Net unrealized gain (loss) from securities, net of reclassification adjustment

     8,717        (1,302

Cash flow hedging instruments:

    

Net unrealized gain from cash flow hedging instruments arising during the period, net of tax of $0 and ($425)

     —          739   

Reclassification adjustment of net (gain) loss included in income, net of tax of $696 and $363

     (1,264     (659
                

Net change in cash flow hedging instruments

     (1,264     80   

Pension plan liability adjustment:

    

Unrecognized net actuarial loss during period, net of tax of $379 and $0

     (689     —     

Less: amortization of unrecognized net actuarial loss included in net periodic pension cost, net of tax of ($16) and $0

     29        —     
                

Pension plan liability adjustment, net

     (660     —     
                

Other comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 6,793      $ (1,222
                

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

 

8. Securities

The following table summarizes the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and the resulting fair value of securities available for sale:

 

(in thousands)

   Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value

September 30, 2009:

          

U.S. government-sponsored enterprise preferred stock

   $ 488    $ 1,012    $ —        $ 1,500

U.S. government agency and government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations

     423,385      11,513      (716     434,182

State and municipal securities

     204,421      7,272      (1,733     209,960

Other securities

     1,000      —        (22     978
                            

Total

   $ 629,294    $ 19,797    $ (2,471   $ 646,620
                            

December 31, 2008:

          

U.S. government-sponsored enterprise

   $ 488       $ —        $ 488

U.S. government agency and government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations

     335,207      6,889      (258     341,838

State and municipal securities

     188,415      2,547      (5,309     185,653

Other securities

     1,000      —        (61     939
                            

Total

   $ 525,110    $ 9,436    $ (5,628   $ 528,918
                            

At September 30, 2009, available for sale securities with a carrying amount of $30.3 million were pledged as collateral for repurchase agreement borrowings. In addition, available for sale securities with a carrying amount of $10.9 million at September 30, 2009 were pledged as collateral for potential obligations under certain interest rate swap agreements.

The following tables show the gross unrealized losses and fair value of the Company’s investments with unrealized losses that are not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

September 30, 2009

 

     Less than 12 Months     12 Months or More     Total  

(in thousands)

   Fair Value    Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value    Unrealized
Losses
 

U.S. government-sponsored enterprise

   $ —      $ —        $ —      $ —        $ —      $ —     

U.S. government agency and government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations

     405,660      (716     —        —          405,660      (716

State and municipal securities

     20,178      (421     38,626      (1,312     58,804      (1,733

Other securities

     —        —          978      (22     978      (22
                                             

Total

   $ 425,838    $ (1,137   $ 39,604    $ (1,334   $ 465,442    $ (2,471
                                             

December 31, 2008

               
     Less than 12 Months     12 Months or More     Total  

(in thousands)

   Fair Value    Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value    Unrealized
Losses
 

U.S. government-sponsored enterprise

   $ —      $ —        $ —      $ —        $ —      $ —     

U.S. government agency and government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations

     562      (3     17,414      (255     17,976      (258

State and municipal securities

     95,560      (4,744     6,863      (565     102,423      (5,309

Other securities

     —        —          939      (61     939      (61
                                             

Total

   $ 96,122    $ (4,747   $ 25,216    $ (881   $ 121,338    $ (5,628
                                             

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

 

The unrealized losses on the above securities are primarily attributable to increases in market interest rates subsequent to their purchase by the Company. Management does not intend to sell any impaired securities nor does available evidence suggest it is more likely than not that management will be required to sell any impaired securities. The Company’s securities portfolio does not include any private label mortgage backed securities or investments in trust preferred securities. Management believes the nature of securities in the Bank’s investment portfolio present a very high probability of collecting all contractual amounts due, as the majority of the securities held are backed by government agencies or government-sponsored enterprises. However, this recovery in value may not occur for some time, perhaps greater than the one-year time horizon or perhaps even at maturity.

9. Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses and Unfunded Loan Commitments and Letters of Credit

The following table presents activity in the allowance for loan and lease losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

(in thousands)

   2009     2008     2009     2008  

Beginning balance

   $ 48,880      $ 41,724      $ 42,747      $ 26,599   

Provision charged to expense

     16,500        10,500        48,500        27,926   

Loans charged off

     (13,826     (16,481     (40,330     (19,384

Recoveries

     134        71        771        673   
                                

Ending balance

   $ 51,688      $ 35,814      $ 51,688      $ 35,814   
                                
Changes in the allowance for unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit are summarized as follows:   
     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

(in thousands)

   2009     2008     2009     2008  

Beginning balance

   $ 575      $ 459      $ 500      $ 349   

Net changes in the allowance for unfunded commitments and letters of credit

     200        —          275        110   
                                

Ending balance

   $ 775      $ 459      $ 775      $ 459   
                                

At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the total recorded investment in impaired loans was $123.2 million and $106.8 million, respectively. At September 30, 2009, $45.7 million of impaired loans had a specific valuation allowance of $12.6 million. At December 31, 2008, $8.3 million of impaired loans had a specific valuation allowance of $1.2 million.

10. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had $95.5 million in goodwill, respectively. At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had a core deposit intangible (“CDI”) asset of $5.1 million and $5.9 million, respectively. In accordance with the Intangibles – Goodwill and Other topic of the FASB ASC, goodwill is not amortized but is reviewed for potential impairment at the reporting unit level during the third quarter on an annual basis and between annual tests in certain circumstances such as material adverse changes in legal, business, regulatory, and economic factors. An impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. All of the Company’s goodwill is assigned to the retail banking reporting unit. The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test during the current quarter and determined the fair value of the retail banking reporting unit exceeded its carrying value as of September 30, 2009.

The CDI is evaluated for impairment if events and circumstances indicate a possible impairment. The CDI is amortized on an accelerated basis over an estimated life of approximately 10 years. Amortization expense related to the CDI was $256 thousand and $279 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008 and $797 thousand and $871 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively. The Company estimates that aggregate amortization expense on the CDI will be $249 thousand during the fourth quarter of 2009, $963 thousand for 2010, $893 thousand for 2011, $832 thousand for 2012 and $780 thousand for 2013. The CDI amortization expense is included in other noninterest expense on the consolidated condensed statements of income.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

 

11. Derivatives and Hedging Activities

The Company periodically enters into certain commercial loan interest rate swap agreements in order to provide commercial loan customers the ability to convert from variable to fixed interest rates. Under these agreements, the Company enters into a variable-rate loan agreement with a customer in addition to a swap agreement. This swap agreement effectively converts the customer’s variable rate loan into a fixed rate. The Company then enters into a corresponding swap agreement with a third party in order to offset its exposure on the variable and fixed components of the customer agreement. As the interest rate swap agreements with the customers and third parties are not designated as hedges under the Derivatives and Hedging topic of the FASB ASC, the instruments are marked to market in earnings.

The following table presents the fair value of derivative instruments at September 30, 2009 and 2008:

 

     Asset Derivatives    Liability Derivatives

As of September 30,

   2009    2008    2009    2008
(in thousands)    Balance Sheet
Location
   Fair
Value
   Balance Sheet
Location
   Fair
Value
   Balance Sheet
Location
   Fair
Value
   Balance Sheet
Location
   Fair
Value

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

                       

Interest rate contracts

   Other assets    $ 11,371    Other assets    $ 3,703    Other liabilities    $ 11,371    Other liabilities    $ 3,703

12. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Because broadly traded markets do not exist for most of the Company’s financial instruments, the fair value calculations attempt to incorporate the effect of current market conditions at a specific time. These determinations are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and do not include tax ramifications; therefore, the results cannot be determined with precision, substantiated by comparison to independent markets and may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the instruments. There may be inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique, and changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the results. For all of these reasons, the aggregation of the fair value calculations presented herein do not represent, and should not be construed to represent, the underlying value of the Company.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

Cash and due from banks and interest earning deposits with banks - The fair value of financial instruments that are short-term or reprice frequently and that have little or no risk are considered to have a fair value equal to carrying value.

Securities available for sale - The fair value of all investment securities are based upon the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the security. Such assumptions include observable and unobservable inputs such as quoted market prices, dealer quotes and discounted cash flows.

Loans - Loans are not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Nonrecurring fair value adjustments are periodically recorded on impaired loans that are measured for impairment based on the fair value of collateral. See Note 6, Fair Value Accounting and Measurement. For most performing loans, fair value is estimated using expected duration and lending rates that would have been offered on September 30, 2009 for loans which mirror the attributes of the loans with similar rate structures and average maturities. Commercial loans and construction loans, which are variable rate and short-term are reflected with fair values equal to carrying value. The fair values resulting from these calculations are reduced by an amount representing the change in estimated fair value attributable to changes in borrowers’ credit quality since the loans were originated. For nonperforming loans, fair value is estimated by applying a valuation discount based upon loan sales data from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Interest rate contracts - The fair value of non-exchange traded (over-the-counter) interest rate contracts are obtained from third party market sources.

Deposits - For deposits with no contractual maturity, the fair value is equal to the carrying value. The fair value of fixed maturity deposits is based on discounted cash flows using the difference between the deposit rate and current market rates for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

FHLB advances and FRB borrowings - The fair value of FHLB advances and FRB borrowings are estimated based on discounting the future cash flows using the market rate currently offered.

Repurchase Agreements - The fair value of securities sold under agreement to repurchase are estimated based on discounting the future cash flows using the market rate currently offered.

Long-term subordinated debt - The fair value of securities sold under agreement to repurchase are estimated based on discounting the future cash flows using an estimated market rate.

        Other Financial Instruments - The majority of our commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and commitments to sell mortgage loans carry current market interest rates if converted to loans, as such, carrying value is assumed to equal fair value.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

 

The following table summarizes carrying amounts and estimated fair values of selected financial instruments as well as assumptions used by the Company in estimating fair value:

 

     Sep 30, 2009

(in thousands)

   Carrying
Amount
   Fair Value
Assets      

Cash and due from banks

   $ 74,563    $ 74,563

Interest-earning deposits with banks

     126,355      126,355

Securities available for sale

     646,620      646,620

Loans, net of allowance

     2,011,710      1,863,341

Interest rate contracts

     11,371      11,371
Liabilities      

Deposits

   $ 2,443,567    $ 2,448,943

FHLB advances and FRB borrowings

     101,000      101,991

Repurchase agreements

     25,000      29,540

Long-term subordinated debt

     25,653      18,533

Interest rate contracts

     11,371      11,371

13. Subsequent Events

Subsequent events are events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued. Recognized subsequent events are events or transactions that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet, including the estimates inherent in the process of preparing financial statements. Nonrecognized subsequent events are events that provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the date of the balance sheet but arose after that date. The Company evaluated subsequent events through November 5, 2009, the date the financial statements were issued.

 

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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (referred to in this report as “we”, “our”, and “the Company”) and notes thereto presented elsewhere in this report and with the December 31, 2008 audited consolidated financial statements and its accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the following discussion, unless otherwise noted, references to increases or decreases in average balances in items of income and expense for a particular period and balances at a particular date refer to the comparison with corresponding amounts for the period or date one year earlier.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions that are not historical facts, and other statements identified by words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “should,” “projects,” “seeks,” “estimates” or words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. In addition to the factors set forth in this Form 10-Q, the sections titled “Risk Factors,” “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” from our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results:

 

   

local and national economic conditions could be less favorable than expected or could have a more direct and pronounced effect on us than expected and adversely affect our ability to continue internal growth at historical rates and maintain the quality of our earning assets;

 

   

the local housing/real estate market could continue to decline;

 

   

the risks presented by a continued economic recession, which could adversely affect credit quality, collateral values, including real estate collateral, investment values, liquidity and loan originations and loan portfolio delinquency rates;

 

   

interest rate changes could significantly reduce net interest income and negatively affect funding sources;

 

   

projected business increases following strategic expansion or opening of new branches could be lower than expected;

 

   

competition among financial institutions could increase significantly;

 

   

the goodwill we have recorded in connection with acquisitions could become impaired, which may have an adverse impact on our earnings and capital;

 

   

the reputation of the financial services industry could deteriorate, which could adversely affect our ability to access markets for funding and to acquire and retain customers;

 

   

the terms and costs of the numerous actions taken by the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Congress, the Treasury, the FDIC, the SEC and others in response to the liquidity and credit crisis, or the failure of these actions to help stabilize the financial markets, asset prices, market liquidity, or worsening of current financial market and economic conditions could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and the trading price of our common stock; and

 

   

the efficiencies we expect to receive from investments in personnel, acquisitions and infrastructure could not be realized.

You should take into account that forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report. Given the described uncertainties and risks, we cannot guarantee our future performance or results of operations and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

We have established certain accounting policies in preparing our Consolidated Financial Statements that are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our significant accounting policies are presented in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain of these policies require the use of judgments, estimates and economic assumptions which may prove inaccurate or are subject to variation that may significantly affect our reported results of operations and financial position for the periods presented or in future periods. Management believes that the judgments, estimates and economic assumptions used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements are appropriate given the factual circumstances at the time. We consider the following policies to be most critical in understanding the judgments that are involved in preparing our consolidated financial statements.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

The allowance for loan and lease losses (“ALLL”) is established to absorb known and inherent losses in our loan and lease portfolio. Our methodology in determining the appropriate level of the ALLL includes components for a general valuation allowance in accordance with the Contingencies topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, a specific valuation allowance in accordance with the Receivables topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and an unallocated component. Both quantitative and qualitative factors are considered in determining the appropriate level of the ALLL. Quantitative factors include historical loss experience, delinquency and charge-off trends, collateral values, past-due and nonperforming loan trends and the evaluation of specific loss estimates for problem loans. Qualitative factors include existing general economic and business conditions in our market areas as well as the duration of the current business cycle. Changes in any of the factors mentioned could have a significant impact on our calculation of the ALLL. Our ALLL policy and the judgments, estimates and economic assumptions involved are described in greater detail in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” of our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Valuation and Recoverability of Goodwill

Goodwill represented $95.5 million of our $3.17 billion in total assets and $527.9 million in total shareholders’ equity as of September 30, 2009. Goodwill is assigned to reporting units for purposes of impairment testing. The Company has three reporting units: retail banking, commercial banking, and private banking. The products and services of companies previously acquired are comparable to the Company’s retail banking operations. Accordingly, all of the Company’s goodwill is assigned to the retail banking reporting unit. We review our goodwill for impairment annually, during the third quarter. Goodwill of a reporting unit is also tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Such indicators may include, among others: a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the general business climate; significant decline in our stock price and market capitalization; unanticipated competition; the testing for recoverability of a significant asset group within a reporting unit; and an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. Any adverse change in these factors could have a significant impact on the recoverability of goodwill and could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

When required, the goodwill impairment test involves a two-step process. We first test goodwill for impairment by comparing the fair value of the retail banking reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the fair value of the retail banking reporting unit exceeds the carrying amount of the reporting unit, goodwill is not deemed to be impaired, and no further testing would be necessary. If the carrying amount of the retail banking reporting unit were to exceed the fair value of the reporting unit, we would perform a second test to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. To measure the amount of any impairment loss, we would determine the implied fair value of goodwill in the same manner as if the retail banking reporting unit were being acquired in a business combination. Specifically, we would allocate the fair value of the retail banking reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit in a hypothetical calculation that would determine the implied fair value of goodwill. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the recorded goodwill, we would record an impairment charge for the difference.

The accounting estimates related to our goodwill require us to make considerable assumptions about fair values. Our assumptions regarding fair values require significant judgment about economic factors, industry factors and technology considerations, as well as our views regarding the growth and earnings prospects of the retail banking unit. Changes in these judgments, either individually or collectively, may have a significant effect on the estimated fair values.

During the third quarter of 2009 we conducted our annual impairment test of goodwill. The results of this test indicated the fair value of the retail banking reporting unit exceeded the carrying amount of the reporting unit and, therefore, management concluded goodwill was not impaired as of September 30, 2009. Valuation methodologies and material assumptions utilized for our annual impairment test are described in greater detail in the “Goodwill” section of this discussion.

 

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OVERVIEW

Earnings Summary

For the third quarter 2009, the Company reported a net loss of $1.5 million, a net loss applicable to common shareholders of $2.6 million and a loss per diluted common share of $0.11, compared to a net loss of $8.8 million and a loss per diluted common share of $0.49 for the year-earlier quarter. Net loss applicable to common shareholders for 2009 is net of the preferred stock dividend of $961 thousand and the accretion of the preferred stock discount totaling $142 thousand. The net loss for the period was primarily attributable to the provision for loan and lease losses in the third quarter of 2009 reflective of the level of net charge-offs and the continued deterioration in credit quality as evidenced by the elevated level of nonperforming assets. Return on average assets and return on average common equity were (0.19%) and (2.56%), respectively, for the third quarter of 2009, compared with returns of (1.12%) and (10.10%), respectively for the same period of 2008.

For the first nine months of 2009, the Company reported a net loss of $5.5 million, a net loss applicable to common shareholders of $8.8 million and a loss per diluted common share of $(0.45), compared to net income applicable to common shareholders of $4.2 million and earnings per diluted common share of $0.23 for the first nine months of 2008. Net loss applicable to common shareholders for the first nine months of 2009 is net of the preferred stock dividend of $2.9 million and the accretion of the preferred stock discount totaling $414 thousand. The decline in net income from the prior year was primarily attributable to the large increase in the provision for loan and lease losses in the first nine months of 2009 reflective of the level of net charge-offs and the continued deterioration in credit quality. Return on average assets and return on average equity were (0.24%) and (3.23%), respectively, for the first nine months of 2009, compared with returns of 0.18% and 1.59%, respectively for the same period of 2008. As stated above, the Company’s results for the first nine months of 2009 declined from the same period in 2008, primarily as a result of a provision for loan and lease losses of $48.5 million in the current period as compared to $27.9 million in the year-earlier period.

 

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Revenue (net interest income plus noninterest income) for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $36.3 million, 95% higher than the same period in 2008. The increase was primarily driven by the reduction in noninterest income in the year-earlier quarter resulting from the $18.5 million impairment loss on preferred stock.

Revenue (net interest income plus noninterest income) for the first nine months of 2009 was $106.7 million, 8%, higher than the first nine months of 2008. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in noninterest income from the year-earlier period, which was due primarily to the $18.5 million impairment loss recognized in 2008.

Total noninterest expense in the quarter ended September 30, 2009 was $23.1 million, a 1% decrease from the third quarter of 2008. Increased regulatory premiums and costs of operation of other real estate were offset with reduced employee compensation costs.

Total noninterest expense in the first nine months of 2009 was $71.6 million, a 2% increase from the first nine months of 2008. The increase was due to a $3.3 million increase in regulatory premiums, which included the Company’s $1.4 million share of a special assessment levied against all FDIC-insured deposits.

The provision for loan and lease losses for the third quarter of 2009 was $16.5 million compared with $10.5 million for the third quarter of 2008. The increased provision reflects management’s continuing assessment of the credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, which is affected by a broad range of economic factors, including weak valuations in commercial and residential real estate collateral. The provision increased the Company’s total allowance for loan and lease losses to 2.50% of net loans at September 30, 2009 from 1.91% at year-end. Net charge-offs for the current quarter were $13.7 million compared to $16.4 million for the third quarter of 2008.

The provision for loan and lease losses for the first nine months of 2009 was $48.5 million compared with $27.9 million for the first nine months of 2008. Net charge-offs for the first nine months of 2009 were $39.6 million as compared to $18.7 million for the first nine months of 2008.

On August 11, 2009, we consummated an underwritten public offering of 9,775,000 shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $12.25 per share, resulting in gross proceeds of $120.0 million and net proceeds to us of approximately $113.8 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other expenses of the offering. As a result of our completion of a qualifying offering prior to December 31, 2009, the number of shares of our common stock subject to the warrant we issued to the United States Treasury in connection with our participation in Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program has been reduced by 50% from 796,046 to 398,023.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Our results of operations are dependent to a large degree on our net interest income. We also generate noninterest income through service charges and fees, merchant services fees, and bank owned life insurance. Our operating expenses consist primarily of compensation and employee benefits, occupancy, merchant card processing, data processing and legal and professional fees. Like most financial institutions, our interest income and cost of funds are affected significantly by general economic conditions, particularly changes in market interest rates, and by government policies and actions of regulatory authorities.

Net Interest Income

For the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 our net interest margin was 4.34%. For the third quarter of 2009 interest income decreased 16% while interest expense decreased 48%, when compared to the same period in 2008. The decrease in interest income and interest expense for the period is primarily due to rate decreases on both interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 interest income decreased 21% over the same period in 2008 whereas interest expense decreased 52%. The decreases in interest income and interest expense were driven by rate decreases on both interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

 

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The following tables set forth the average balances of all major categories of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the total dollar amounts of interest income on interest-earning assets and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, the average yield earned on interest-earning assets and average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities by category and in total, net interest income and net interest margin.

 

     Three months ending
September 30,
    Three months ending
September 30,
 
     2009     2008  

(in thousands)

   Average
Balances (1)
    Interest
Earned/Paid
   Average
Rate
    Average
Balances (1)
   Interest
Earned/Paid
   Average
Rate
 

ASSETS

               

Loans, net (2)

   $ 2,088,478      $ 29,260    5.56   $ 2,241,574    $ 35,696    6.34

Securities (2)

     593,516        7,701    5.15     558,990      7,806    5.56

Interest-earning deposits with banks and federal funds sold

     101,126        53    0.21     30,330      135    1.78
                                 

Total interest-earning assets

     2,783,120      $ 37,014    5.28     2,830,894    $ 43,637    6.13

Other earning assets

     49,696             47,795      

Noninterest-earning assets

     244,189             227,867      
                         

Total assets

   $ 3,077,005           $ 3,106,556      
                         

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

               

Certificates of deposit

   $ 685,621      $ 3,687    2.13   $ 741,101    $ 6,048    3.25

Savings accounts

     136,132        89    0.26     120,025      109    0.36

Interest-bearing demand

     448,778        515    0.46     438,696      1,369    1.24

Money market accounts

     587,177        1,240    0.84     596,945      2,622    1.75
                                 

Total interest-bearing deposits

     1,857,708        5,531    1.18     1,896,767      10,148    2.13

Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank borrowings

     110,783        651    2.33     293,685      1,887    2.56

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     25,000        120    1.91     25,000      121    1.93

Other borrowings and interest-bearing liabilities

     (82     0    0.00     18,634      165    3.52

Long-term subordinated debt

     25,643        280    4.33     25,569      423    6.59
                                 

Total interest-bearing liabilities

     2,019,051      $ 6,582    1.29     2,259,655    $ 12,744    2.24

Noninterest-bearing deposits

     537,603             468,455      

Other noninterest-bearing liabilities

     41,763             34,288      

Shareholders’ equity

     478,589             344,158      
                         

Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity

   $ 3,077,005           $ 3,106,556      
                         

Net interest income (2)

     $ 30,432         $ 30,893   
                       

Net interest margin

        4.34         4.34
                       

 

(1) Nonaccrual loans have been included in the tables as loans carrying a zero yield. Interest reversals for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009 related to nonaccrual loans totaled $569 thousand. Amortized net deferred loan fees were included in the interest income calculations. The amortization of net deferred loan fees was $792 thousand and $737 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
(2) Tax-exempt income is calculated on a tax equivalent basis, based on a marginal tax rate of 35%.

 

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     Nine months ending September 30,     Nine months ending September 30,  
     2009     2008  

(in thousands)

   Average
Balances (1)
   Interest
Earned/Paid
   Average
Rate
    Average
Balances (1)
   Interest
Earned/Paid
   Average
Rate
 
ASSETS                 

Loans, net (2)

   $ 2,154,793    $ 88,528    5.49   $ 2,281,129    $ 114,521    6.71

Securities (2)

     563,914      22,467    5.33     575,215      24,278    5.64

Interest-earning deposits with banks and federal funds sold

     35,170      69    0.26     23,316      379    2.17
                                

Total interest-earning assets

     2,753,877    $ 111,064    5.39     2,879,660    $ 139,178    6.46

Other earning assets

     49,234           47,579      

Noninterest-earning assets

     250,078           231,054      
                        

Total assets

   $ 3,053,189         $ 3,158,293      
                        

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Certificates of deposit

   $ 718,276    $ 12,707    2.37   $ 794,734    $ 22,505    3.78

Savings accounts

     132,321      291    0.29     116,938      326    0.37

Interest-bearing demand

     460,007      1,744    0.51     451,240      4,948    1.46

Money market accounts

     548,372      3,555    0.87     587,221      8,666    1.97
                                

Total interest-bearing deposits

     1,858,977      18,297    1.32     1,950,133      36,444    2.50

Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank borrowings

     165,813      2,116    1.71     297,154      6,464    2.91

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     25,000      356    1.91     23,084      381    2.21

Other borrowings and interest-bearing liabilities

     108      1    0.70     9,702      271    3.73

Long-term subordinated debt

     25,626      937    4.89     25,548      1,339    7.00
                                

Total interest-bearing liabilities

     2,075,524    $ 21,707    1.40     2,305,621    $ 44,899    2.60

Noninterest-bearing deposits

     493,797           460,912      

Other noninterest-bearing liabilities

     44,885           42,006      

Shareholders’ equity

     438,983           349,754      
                        

Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity

   $ 3,053,189         $ 3,158,293      
                        

Net interest income (2)

      $ 89,357         $ 94,279   
                        

Net interest margin

         4.34         4.37
                        

 

(1) Nonaccrual loans have been included in the tables as loans carrying a zero yield. Interest reversals for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 related to nonaccrual loans totaled $1.9 million. Amortized net deferred loan fees were included in the interest income calculations. The amortization of net deferred loan fees was $2.2 million and $2.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
(2) Tax-exempt income is calculated on a tax equivalent basis, based on a marginal tax rate of 35%.

Provision for Loan and Lease Losses

The Company accounts for the credit risk associated with lending activities through its allowance for loan and lease losses, allowance for unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit and provision for loan and lease losses. The provision is the expense recognized in the consolidated income statement to adjust the allowance to the level deemed appropriate by management, as determined through application of the Company’s allowance methodology procedures. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” of our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Company recorded expense of $16.5 million and $10.5 million through the provision for loan and lease losses in the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The provision for loan and lease losses reflects management’s continuing assessment of the credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, which is affected by a broad range of economic factors, including weak valuations in commercial and residential real estate collateral. Additional factors that affected the provision include net loan charge-offs, specific reserves, risk rating migration and changes in the portfolio size. See “Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses and Unfunded Loan Commitments and Letters of Credit” for further information on factors considered by the Company in assessing the credit quality of the loan portfolio and establishing the allowance for loan and lease losses.

 

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Net loan charge-offs were $13.7 million, or 2.6% of average total loans and leases on an annualized basis, for the third quarter of 2009, down from $16.4 million, or 2.9%, in the year-earlier quarter. The decrease in net charge-offs occurred primarily in the Company’s one-to-four family residential real estate construction portfolio.

Nonaccrual loans totaled $130.7 million at September 30, 2009, up from $106.2 million as of December 31, 2008, and $76.2 million at September 30, 2008. Total nonperforming assets, consisting of nonaccrual loans and OREO, were $148.9 million, or 4.70% of total assets, at September 30, 2009. This compares with $109.6 million, or 3.54%, at the end of 2008 and $78.2 million, or 2.52%, at September 30, 2008. Residential construction assets continue to be the weakest part of the loan portfolio, encompassing the largest component of nonperforming assets and the largest contributor to net loan charge-offs.

Credit quality will be influenced by underlying trends in the economic cycle and other factors which are beyond management’s control. Consequently, no assurances can be given that the Company will not sustain loan or lease losses, in any particular period, that are sizable in relation to the allowance for loan and lease losses.

Noninterest Income (Loss)

Noninterest income was $7.2 million for the third quarter of 2009 from a loss of $10.9 million for the year-earlier quarter. The increase was due primarily to the $18.5 million impairment charge on Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) investment securities recorded in the year-earlier quarter. There were no other than temporary impairment losses recognized on available for sale investment securities in the current quarter. Excluding the impact of the $18.5 million impairment charge, noninterest income for the current quarter was down approximately 6% from the year-earlier quarter. This reduction was due to a combination of reduced volumes of merchant services activity and decreases in other income items. Other income was down approximately 20% from the year earlier quarter primarily due to reduced fees from mortgage banking activity as well as reduced income from our customer interest rate swap program.

Noninterest income was $21.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $8.5 million for the year-earlier period. The increase was due to the impairment charge on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock in the year-earlier period described above. Excluding the impact of the $18.5 million impairment charge, noninterest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was down approximately 22% from the year-earlier period. Proceeds from the redemption of Visa and Mastercard shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 declined $3.0 million from the year-earlier quarter. Finally, other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 declined $1.3 million, or 30%, from the year-earlier period due in part to the receipt of life insurance proceeds of $612 thousand received in the prior year as well as reduced fees from mortgage banking activity and lower customer participation in our interest rate swap program.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2009 was $23.1 million, a 1% decrease from $23.4 million a year earlier. Reductions in compensation and employee benefits, advertising and promotion and other expenses resulting from our continued focus on expense control were largely offset with increased regulatory premiums and additional costs of operating other real estate owned. Compensation and employee benefit costs were down 2% from the year-earlier quarter due to reductions in compensation costs of $603 thousand. Regulatory premiums increased $642 thousand, or 111%, from the third quarter of 2008 resulting from increased FDIC assessment rates. Other real estate owned balances increased to $18.1 million at September 30, 2009 compared to $1.3 million at September 30, 2008 contributing to a $314 thousand increase in cost of operation from the year-earlier quarter.

Total noninterest expense for the first nine months of 2009 was $71.6 million, an increase of 2% from $70.3 million from the 2008 period. Regulatory premiums were $3.3 million higher for the first nine months of 2009 over the year-earlier period. This increase included the Company’s $1.4 million share of a special assessment levied against all FDIC-insured deposits.

 

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The following table presents selected items included in other noninterest expense and the associated change from period to period:

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
   Increase
(Decrease)
Amount
    Nine months ended
September 30,
   Increase
(Decrease)
Amount
 

(in thousands)

   2009    2008      2009    2008   

Core deposit intangible amortization (“CDI”)

   $ 256    $ 279    $ (23   $ 797    $ 871    $ (74

Software support & maintenance

     165      142      23        486      519      (33

Telephone & network communications

     367      377      (10     1,077      1,186      (109

Federal Reserve Bank processing fees

     83      96      (13     259      323      (64

Supplies

     199      227      (28     630      856      (226

Postage

     302      341      (39     932      1,092      (160

Investor relations

     15      22      (7     189      163      26   

Travel

     104      108      (4     283      342      (59

ATM Network

     156      170      (14     444      513      (69

Sponsorships and charitable contributions

     99      177      (78     437      480      (43

Directors fees

     115      111      4        328      341      (13

Employee expenses

     82      156      (74     270      478      (208

Insurance

     125      127      (2     357      371      (14

CRA partnership investment expense (1)

     164      156      8        354      502      (148

Miscellaneous

     907      965      (58     2,475      2,476      (1
                                            

Total other noninterest expense

   $ 3,139    $ 3,454    $ (315   $ 9,318    $ 10,513    $ (1,195
                                            

 

(1) The amounts shown represent pass-through losses from our interests in certain low-income housing related limited partnerships. As a result of these interests we receive federal low-income housing tax credits available under the Internal Revenue Code. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, $31 thousand of such credits was taken as a reduction in our current period income tax expense. In addition, our taxable income was decreased by $121 thousand during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as a result of the tax benefit associated with this investment expense.

In managing our business, we review the efficiency ratio, on a fully taxable-equivalent basis. Our efficiency ratio [noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income on a tax equivalent basis, excluding gain/loss on sale of investment securities, net cost of operation of other real estate owned, proceeds from redemption of Visa and Mastercard shares, reversal of previously accrued Visa litigation expense, net income from BOLI policy swap transactions, death benefit insurance proceeds and other than temporary impairment charges] was 60.85% for the third quarter 2009 and was 62.72% for the first nine months of 2009, compared to 60.34% and 60.62% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008, respectively.

Income Taxes

We recorded an income tax benefit of $1.8 million for the third quarter and $7.9 million for the first nine months of 2009, compared with a benefit of $6.5 million and $3.7 million for the same periods in 2008. Our effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate due to our nontaxable income generated from tax-exempt municipal bonds, investments in bank owned life insurance, and low income housing credits. For additional information, please refer to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Credit Risk Management

The extension of credit in the form of loans or other credit products to individuals and businesses is one of our principal business activities. Our policies and applicable laws and regulations require risk analysis as well as ongoing portfolio and credit management. We manage our credit risk through lending limit constraints, credit review, approval policies, and extensive, ongoing internal monitoring. We also manage credit risk through diversification of the loan portfolio by type of loan, type of industry, type of borrower and by limiting the aggregation of debt limits to a single borrower. In analyzing our existing portfolio, we review our consumer and residential loan portfolios by their performance as a pool of loans since no single loan is individually significant or judged by its risk rating, size, or potential risk of loss. In contrast, the monitoring process for the commercial business, private banking, real estate construction, and commercial real estate portfolios includes periodic reviews of individual loans with risk ratings assigned to each loan and performance judged on a loan by loan basis. We review these loans to assess the ability of the borrower to service all of its interest and principal

 

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obligations and, as a result, the risk rating may be adjusted accordingly. In the event that full collection of principal and interest is not reasonably assured, the loan is appropriately downgraded and, if warranted, placed on nonaccrual status even though the loan may be current as to principal and interest payments. Additionally, we review these types of loans for impairment in accordance with the Receivables topic of the FASB ASC. Impaired loans are considered for nonaccrual status and will typically remain as such until all principal and interest payments are brought current and the prospects for future payments in accordance with the loan agreement appear relatively certain.

Loan policies, credit quality criteria, portfolio guidelines and other controls are established under the guidance of our Chief Credit Officer and approved, as appropriate, by the Board. Credit Administration, together with the loan committee, has the responsibility for administering the credit approval process. As another part of its control process, we use an independent internal credit review and examination function to provide assurance that loans and commitments are made and maintained as prescribed by our credit policies. This includes a review of documentation when the loan is initially extended and subsequent monitoring to assess continued performance and proper risk assessment.

We have diversification of loan types within our portfolio. However, we are not immune to either the current instability in the residential real estate markets and mortgage-related industries or the increasing economic stress in the commercial market. Accordingly, we will continue to be diligent in our risk management practices and maintain, what we believe, are adequate reserves for probable loan losses.

Loan Portfolio Analysis

We are a full service commercial bank, originating a wide variety of loans, but concentrating our lending efforts on originating commercial business and commercial real estate loans.

The following table sets forth the Company’s loan portfolio by type of loan for the dates indicated:

 

(in thousands)

   September 30,
2009
    % of
Total
    December 31,
2008
    % of
Total
 

Commercial business

   $ 754,191      36.6   $ 810,922      36.3

Real estate:

        

One-to-four family residential

     64,342      3.1     57,237      2.6

Commercial and multi-family residential properties

     862,730      41.8     862,595      38.7
                            

Total real estate

     927,072      44.9     919,832      41.3

Real estate construction:

        

One-to-four family residential

     130,704      6.3     209,682      9.4

Commercial and multi-family residential properties

     51,735      2.6     81,176      3.6
                            

Total real estate construction

     182,439      8.9     290,858      13.0

Consumer

     204,314      9.9     214,753      9.6
                            

Subtotal

     2,068,016      100.2     2,236,365      100.2

Less: Deferred loan fees

     (4,618   -0.2     (4,033   -0.2
                            

Total loans

   $ 2,063,398      100.0   $ 2,232,332      100.0
                            

Loans Held for Sale

   $ —          $ 1,964     
                    

 

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Total loans were $168.9 million less than year-end 2008. The reduction in total loans was driven primarily by decreases in real estate construction related loans. During the period, the Company’s exposure to such loans has been reduced through a combination of loan payoffs and paydowns as well as loan charge-offs. In addition, commercial real estate construction loan totals were reduced through conversion to permanent loans. These reductions are a reflection of management’s strategy to shrink the loan portfolio in these loan categories.

Commercial Loans: We are committed to providing competitive commercial lending in our primary market area. Management expects a continued focus within its commercial lending products and to emphasize, in particular, relationship banking with businesses, and business owners.

Real Estate Loans: Residential real estate loans in our portfolio are secured by properties located within our primary market area, and typically have loan-to-value ratios of 80% or lower. These loans are used to collateralize outstanding advances from the FHLB and borrowings from the FRB. Previously, we originated residential loans for sale to third parties. Currently, we generally do not originate purchase money residential loans but rather refer customers seeking such loans to third parties.

Generally, commercial and five-or-more family residential real estate loans are made to borrowers who have existing banking relationships with us. Our underwriting standards generally require that the loan-to-value ratio for these loans not exceed 75% of appraised value, cost, or discounted cash flow value, as appropriate, and that commercial properties maintain debt coverage ratios (net operating income divided by annual debt servicing) of 1.2 or better. However, underwriting standards can be influenced by competition and other factors. We endeavor to maintain the highest practical underwriting standards while balancing the need to remain competitive in our lending practices.

Real Estate Construction Loans: We originate a variety of real estate construction loans. One-to-four family residential construction loans are originated for the construction of custom homes (where the home buyer is the borrower) and to provide financing to builders for the construction of pre-sold homes and speculative residential construction. Underwriting guidelines for these loans vary by loan type but include loan-to-value limits, term limits and loan advance limits, as applicable.

Our underwriting guidelines for commercial and five-or-more family residential real estate construction loans generally require that the loan-to-value ratio not exceed 75% and stabilized debt coverage ratios (net operating income divided by annual debt servicing) of 1.2 or better. As noted above, underwriting standards can be influenced by competition and other factors. However, we endeavor to maintain the highest practical underwriting standards while balancing the need to remain competitive in our lending practices.

Consumer Loans: Consumer loans include automobile loans, boat and recreational vehicle financing, home equity and home improvement loans and miscellaneous personal loans.

Foreign Loans: Our banking subsidiaries are not involved with loans to foreign companies or foreign countries.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

At September 30, 2009, the allowance for loan and lease losses was $51.7 million, or 2.50 percent, of outstanding loans and leases, and the reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments was $775 thousand. The process used for determining the adequacy of the allowance for unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit is similar to the methodology used for the allowance for loan and lease losses.

 

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The following tables summarize the activity in the allowance for loan and lease losses and unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

Changes in Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses and

Unfunded Loan Commitments and Letters of Credit

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  

(in thousands)

   2009     2008     2009     2008  

Beginning balance

   $ 48,880      $ 41,724      $ 42,747      $ 26,599   

Charge-offs:

        

Commercial business

     (4,889     (728     (8,200     (1,750

One-to-four family residential real estate

     —          —          (220     —     

Commercial and multi-family residential real estate

     (237     (946     (956     (946

One-to-four family residential real estate construction

     (5,704     (14,598     (21,750     (14,706

Commercial and multi-family residential real estate construction

     (2,180     —          (7,542     (505

Consumer

     (816     (209     (1,662     (1,477
                                

Total charge-offs

     (13,826     (16,481     (40,330     (19,384

Recoveries

        

Commercial business

     127        23        531        184   

One-to-four family residential real estate

     —          —          68        —     

Commercial and multi-family residential real estate

     —          —          22        303   

One-to-four family residential real estate construction

     —          —          92        16   

Commercial and multi-family residential real estate construction

     —          —          —          —     

Consumer

     7        48        58        170   
                                

Total recoveries

     134        71        771        673   
                                

Net charge-offs

     (13,692     (16,410     (39,559     (18,711

Provision for loan and lease losses

     16,500        10,500        48,500        27,926   
                                

Ending balance

   $ 51,688      $ 35,814      $ 51,688      $ 35,814   
                                

Loans outstanding at end of period (1)

   $ 2,063,398      $ 2,216,133      $ 2,063,398      $ 2,216,133   
                                

Average amount of loans outstanding

   $ 2,088,478      $ 2,241,574      $ 2,154,793      $ 2,281,129   
                                

Allowance for loan and lease losses to period-end loans

     2.50     1.62     2.50     1.62
                                

Net charge-offs (annualized) to average loans

     2.60     2.91     2.45     1.10
                                

Allowance for unfunded commitments and letters of credit

        

Beginning balance

   $ 575      $ 459      $ 500      $ 349   

Net changes in the allowance for unfunded commitments and letters of credit

     200        —          275        110   
                                

Ending balance

   $ 775      $ 459      $ 775      $ 459   
                                

 

(1) Excludes loans held for sale

Net charge-offs for the three-months ended September 30, 2009 were $13.7 million, a decrease from net charge-offs of $16.4 million from the same period last year. Net charge-offs for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $39.6 million, an increase from net charge-offs of $18.7 million from the same period last year. The Company provision for loan and lease losses was $16.5 million and $48.5 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, compared to a provision of $10.5 million and $27.9 million for the same periods last year, respectively. The allowance for loan and lease losses increased by 44% to $51.7 million as of September 30, 2009, compared to $35.8 million as of September 30, 2008. The ratio of allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of total loans and leases increased to 2.50% at September 30, 2009 from 1.62% at September 30, 2008. While there was a significant growth in non-accrual loans and net charge-offs, the Company believes that its allowance for loan and lease losses continues to be adequate at September 30, 2009.

 

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Nonaccrual, Past Due and Restructured Loans

The table below presents information on nonaccrual loans, other real estate owned and loans and leases which are contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest or principal payments and still accruing. Company policy requires that a loan be placed on nonaccrual status if either principal or interest payments are 90 days past due, unless the loan is both well secured and in process of collection, or if full collection of interest or principal becomes uncertain, regardless of the time period involved.

Nonperforming Loans and OREO

 

(in thousands)

   September 30,
2009
    December 31,
2008
    September 30,
2008
 

Nonaccrual loans:

      

Commercial business

   $ 14,969      $ 2,976      $ 2,845   

Real estate:

      

One-to-four family residential

     2,665        905        —     

Commercial and five or more family residential real estate

     26,650        5,710        4,381   
                        

Total real estate

     29,315        6,615        4,381   

Real estate construction:

      

One-to-four family residential

     65,527        69,668        51,658   

Commercial and five or more family residential real estate

     19,138        25,752        15,788   
                        

Total real estate construction

     84,665        95,420        67,446   

Consumer

     1,769        1,152        1,492   
                        

Total nonaccrual loans

     130,718        106,163        76,164   
                        

Restructured loans:

      

Commercial business

     —          587        746   
                        

Total nonperforming loans

     130,718        106,750        76,910   

Other real estate owned

     18,137        2,874        1,288   
                        

Total nonperforming assets

   $ 148,855      $ 109,624      $ 78,198   
                        

Total nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans outstanding

     6.34     4.78     3.47

Total nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets

     4.70     3.54     2.52

Allowance for loan and lease losses to nonperforming loans

     39.54     40.04     46.57

Loans and leases past due 90 days or more on accrual status:

      

Commercial business

   $ 11      $ —        $ —     

Total nonperforming assets (nonperforming loans and OREO) were $148.9 million, or 4.70% of total assets at September 30, 2009, compared with $109.6 million or 3.54% of total assets at December 31, 2008, and $78.2 million, or 2.52% of total assets at September 30, 2009.

 

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The following table summarizes activity in nonperforming loans for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009:

Changes in Nonperforming Loans

 

     Three months
ended
    Nine months
ended
 

(in thousands)

   September 30, 2009  

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 127,767      $ 106,750   

Loans placed on nonaccrual

     30,706        97,357   

Advances

     747        2,058   

Charge-offs

     (9,997     (34,075

Loans returned to accrual status

     (241     (2,316

Repayments (including interest applied to principal)

     (7,508     (19,058

Transfers to OREO / OPPO

     (10,756     (19,998
                

Balance, end of period

   $ 130,718      $ 130,718   
                

Loans are considered impaired when based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement, including scheduled interest payments. The assessment for impairment occurs when and while such loans are designated as criticized/classified per the Company’s internal risk rating system or when and while such loans are on nonaccrual. All criticized/classified loans with an outstanding balance greater than $100,000 and all non-accrual loans with an outstanding balance greater than $250,000 are considered impaired and are analyzed individually, on a quarterly basis, under the guidance of the Receivables topic of the FASB ASC. The Company’s policy is to record cash receipts on impaired loans first as reductions in principal and then as interest income.

The following table summarizes impaired loan financial data at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

 

in millions

   Sep 30,
2009
   Dec 31,
2008

Impaired loans

   $ 123.2    $ 106.8

Impaired loans with specific allocations

   $ 45.7    $ 8.3

Amount of the specific allocations

   $ 12.6    $ 1.2

When a loan with unique risk characteristics has been identified as being impaired, the amount of impairment will be measured by the Company using discounted cash flows, except when it is determined that the primary (remaining) source of repayment for the loan is the operation or liquidation of the underlying collateral. In these cases, the current fair value of the collateral, reduced by costs to sell, will be used in place of discounted cash flows. As a final alternative, the observable market price of the debt may be used to assess impairment. Predominately, the Company uses the fair value of collateral approach based upon a reliable valuation.

When a loan secured by real estate migrates to non-performing and impaired status and it does not have a market valuation less than one year old, the Company secures an updated market valuation by a third party appraiser that is reviewed by the Company’s on staff appraiser. Subsequently, the asset will be appraised annually by a third party appraiser or the Company’s on staff appraiser. The evaluation may occur more frequently if management determines that there has been increased market deterioration within a specific geographical location. Upon receipt and verification of the market valuation, the Company will record the loan at the lower of cost or market (less costs to sell) by recording a charge-off to the allowance for loan and lease losses or by designating a specific reserve in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Securities

All of our securities are classified as available for sale and carried at fair value. These securities are used by management as part of our asset/liability management strategy and may be sold in response to changes in interest rates or significant prepayment risk. In accordance with our investment strategy, management monitors market conditions with a view to realize gains on its available for sale securities portfolio when prudent.

 

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At September 30, 2009, the market value of securities available for sale had a net unrealized gain, net of tax, of $11.4 million compared to an unrealized gain, net of tax, of $2.5 million at December 31, 2008. The change in market value of securities available for sale is due primarily to fluctuations in interest rates. The Company does not consider those investment securities with an unrealized loss to be other than temporarily impaired at September 30, 2009. In the future, if the impairment is judged to be other than temporary, the cost basis of the individual impaired securities will be written down to fair value; the amount of the write-down could be included in earnings as a realized loss.

The following table sets forth our securities portfolio by type for the dates indicated:

 

(in thousands)

   September 30,
2009
   December 31,
2008

Securities Available for Sale

     

U.S. government-sponsored enterprise preferred stock

   $ 1,500    $ 488

U.S. government agency and government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations

     434,182      341,838

State and municipal securities

     209,960      185,653

Other securities

     978      939
             

Total

   $ 646,620    $ 528,918
             

FHLB Stock

As a condition of membership in the FHLB of Seattle (“Seattle Bank”), the Company is required to purchase and hold a certain amount of FHLB stock. Our stock purchase requirement is based, in part, upon the outstanding principal balance of advances from the FHLB and is calculated in accordance with the Capital Plan of the FHLB. Our FHLB stock has a par value of $100 and is redeemable at par for cash.

FHLB stock is carried at cost and is subject to recoverability testing per the Financial Services – Depository and Lending topic of the FASB Accounting Standards codification. The Seattle Bank reported a risk-based capital deficiency as of June 30, 2009 and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“Finance Agency”) confirmed its preliminary capital classification of the Seattle Bank as undercapitalized. The Seattle Bank’s capital classification will remain undercapitalized until the Finance Agency determines otherwise. An FHLBank may not redeem or repurchase capital stock or pay dividends on its stock while it is classified as undercapitalized and becomes subject to additional restrictions by the Finance Agency.

During the third quarter of 2008, the Seattle Bank and each of the other 11 FHLBanks entered into lending agreements (“Lending Agreements”) with the U.S. Treasury in connection with the U.S. Treasury’s establishment of a Government Sponsored Enterprise Credit Facility (“GSECF”). The GSECF is designed to serve as a contingent source of liquidity for the housing GSEs, including the FHLBanks. Loans under a Lending Agreement are to be secured by collateral acceptable to the U.S. Treasury, which consists of FHLBank advances to members and mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

Based on the long-term nature of our investment in FHLB stock, the liquidity position of the Seattle Bank and the actions being taken by the Seattle Bank to address its regulatory situation and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to recover the par value, we did not consider the investment to be impaired at September 30, 2009. However, continued deterioration in the Seattle Bank’s financial position may result in future impairment losses.

Goodwill

Goodwill is assigned to reporting units for purposes of impairment testing. The Company has three reporting units: retail banking, commercial banking, and private banking. The products and services of companies previously acquired are comparable to the Company’s retail banking operations. Accordingly, all of the Company’s goodwill is assigned to the retail banking reporting unit. During the third quarter of 2009, the Company performed its annual assessment for potential impairment of goodwill. As part of this assessment, we considered three generally accepted approaches to measuring fair value: income, cost and market.

 

   

Income: In the income approach, an economic benefit stream of the Company is selected, usually based on historical or projected cash flow. The focus is to determine a benefit stream that is reasonably reflective of the Company’s most likely future operations. This selected benefit stream is then discounted to present value with an

 

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appropriate risk-adjusted discount rate or capitalization rate. Since the Company is currently not profitable and given the uncertainties associated with the current economic environment, accurately projecting a benefit stream reflective of the most likely future operations is challenging. Accordingly, the income approach was not utilized to determine fair value.

 

   

Cost: The cost approach adjusts the Company’s assets to market value. Since the intangible assets of the Retail Banking reporting unit are not captured in the cost approach this approach was not utilized to determine fair value.

 

   

Market: In the market approach, publicly-traded companies with financial and operating characteristics similar to the Company are identified and selected. Once such companies are selected, valuation multiples are synthesized and applied to the Company. Reasonable market-pricing data was available during the quarter and accordingly, the market approach was used to estimate the value of the Company’s three reporting units.

Screening criteria utilized to identify comparable companies included publicly-traded companies within the banking industry with total assets ranging between $1.0 billion and $4.0 billion as of June 30, 2009 and located in the Western region of the United States excluding California. California was excluded due to the severe market conditions there as well as our lack of presence in that market. Based upon these criteria, 14 guideline companies were selected for our analysis. The data obtained for the guideline companies was then converted to various valuation multiples. We focused on the price to tangible book value of equity multiple as this multiple generally reflects returns on the capital employed within the industry and produces a net-of-debt, marketable minority value. In addition, the price to tangible book value multiple is generally correlated with the profitability of each individual company.

Based upon the net interest margin, return on average assets and return on average equity of the Company’s reporting units compared to the guideline companies, appropriate price to tangible book value multiples were selected. The following table shows the selected price to tangible book value multiple as well as the indicated minority fair value for each reporting unit, calculated as of August 31, 2009:

 

Reporting Unit

   Price to Tangible
Book Value Multiple
   Indicated Minority
Fair Value
     (dollars in thousands)

Retail Banking

   1.4    $ 277,480

Commercial Banking

   1.1      115,140

Private Banking

   1.5      47,540

Corporate & Other

   1.0      93,070
         

Total

      $ 533,230

After calculating the indicated minority value a control premium is applied to the minority value. A control premium is utilized as the value of a company from the perspective of a controlling interest is generally higher than the widely quoted market price per share. The Company’s control premium assumption was calculated utilizing data recorded by Capital IQ for control acquisitions within the banking industry from December 31, 2007 through September 30, 2009. The average control premium from this data was approximately 68% and stems from a combination of both pure control as well as strategic synergies arising from acquisition. Accordingly, the Company discounted the average control premium to 20% to obtain an approximate, pure control premium.

The following table details the goodwill, carrying value of equity and fair value of equity after applying the 20% control premium to the indicated minority fair values above:

 

     REPORTING UNITS          

(in thousands)

   Retail
Banking
   Commercial
Banking
   Private
Banking
   Corp    Total

Tangible book value

   $ 198,204    $ 104,670    $ 31,690    $ 93,070    $ 427,634

Core deposit intangible

     5,197      —        —        —        5,197

Goodwill

     95,519      —        —        —        95,519
                                  

Carrying value of equity

   $ 298,920    $ 104,670    $ 31,690    $ 93,070    $ 528,350
                                  

Fair value of equity

   $ 332,980    $ 138,170    $ 57,050    $ 96,860    $ 625,060
                                  

 

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The following table shows the calculation of the Company’s fair value of total equity based upon the price of our publicly traded shares at September 30, 2009. As shown in this table, the fair value of the Company’s total equity on a control, marketable basis is comparable to the combined values of the Company’s reporting units calculated above:

 

(in thousands, except per share)

    

Shares outstanding

     28,099

Price per share

   $ 16.55

Fair value of equity, minority basis

   $ 465,038

Add:

  

20% control premium

     93,008

Preferred stock

     74,157
      

Fair value of equity, control basis

   $ 632,203
      

As the fair value of the retail banking reporting unit exceeded the carrying amount of the reporting unit, management concluded goodwill was not impaired and no further testing was necessary as of September 30, 2009.

Liquidity

Liquidity is measured by the Company’s ability to raise cash when it needs it at a reasonable cost and with a minimum of loss. We must be capable of meeting all obligations to our customers at any time and, therefore, the active management of our liquidity position is critical.

Given the uncertain timing of our customers’ needs as well as the Company’s desire to take advantage of earnings enhancement opportunities, we must have adequate sources of on and off balance sheet funds available that can be utilized in times of need. Accordingly, in addition to the liquidity provided by cash flows, liquidity must be supplemented with additional sources such as credit lines with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle (“FHLB”), the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (“FRB”) and other correspondent institutions.

We may use other funding alternatives, including:

 

   

Wholesale and retail repurchase agreements;

 

   

Brokered certificates of deposit

When purchasing securities and originating loans, we must consider both their marketability and the Company’s ability to collateralize advances and borrowings with these instruments. There can be a significant cost associated with carrying excess liquidity; we endeavor to avoid unnecessary expense and opportunity loss in this regard. We view our liquidity measurements as critical components of developing prudent and effective deposit pricing and investment strategies.

Sources of Funds

Our primary sources of funds are customer deposits. Additionally, we utilize advances from the FHLB, borrowings from the FRB, and wholesale repurchase agreements to supplement our funding needs. These funds, together with loan repayments, loan sales, retained earnings, equity and other borrowed funds are used to make loans, to acquire securities and other assets, and to fund continuing operations.

Deposit Activities

Our deposit products include a wide variety of transaction accounts, savings accounts and time deposit accounts. Core deposits (demand deposit, savings, money market accounts and certificates of deposit less than $100,000) increased $86.4 million, or 4%, since year-end 2008 while certificates of deposit greater than $100,000 decreased $74.0 million, or 22%, from year-end 2008. The decrease in certificates of deposit balances is due to the Company not pursuing higher-priced deposits based upon our liquidity position. Further, in order to comply with new public deposit collateral requirements and reduce the Company’s exposure to uninsured public deposits, we allowed some public certificate of deposit accounts to run-off and converted others to insured deposit accounts.

We have established a branch system to serve our consumer and business depositors. In addition, management’s strategy for funding asset growth is to make use of brokered and other wholesale deposits on an as-needed basis. At September 30, 2009 brokered and other wholesale deposits (excluding public deposits) totaled $151.1 million, or 6% of total

 

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deposits, compared to $102.1 million, or 4% of total deposits, at year-end 2008. The increase in brokered deposits is attributed to the Company’s participation in the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS®”). CDARS® is a network that allows participating banks to offer extended FDIC deposit insurance coverage on certificates of deposit. Unlike traditional brokered deposits, the Company generally makes CDARS® available only to existing customers who desire additional deposit insurance coverage rather than as a means of generating additional liquidity. At September 30, 2009 the Company had CDARS® deposit balances of $92.9 million, an increase of $53.0 million from year-end 2008. The brokered deposits have varied maturities.

The following table sets forth the Company’s deposit base by type of product for the dates indicated:

 

     September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008     September 30, 2008  

(in thousands)

   Balance    % of
Total
    Balance    % of
Total
    Balance    % of
Total
 

Core deposits:

               

Demand and other non-interest bearing

   $ 490,512    20.1   $ 466,078    19.6   $ 498,815    21.2

Interest bearing demand

     447,019    18.3     519,124    21.8     437,769    18.6

Money market

     691,399    28.3     530,065    22.3     582,040    24.7

Savings

     136,739    5.6     122,076    5.1     121,845    5.2

Certificates of deposit less than $100,000

     261,813    10.7     303,704    12.7     304,310    12.9
                                       

Total core deposits

     2,027,482    83.0     1,941,047    81.5     1,944,779    82.6

Certificates of deposit greater than $100,000

     264,982    10.8     338,971    14.2     333,579    14.2

Wholesale certificates of deposit (CDARS®)

     92,890    3.8     39,903    1.7     15,233    0.6

Wholesale certificates of deposit

     58,213    2.4     62,230    2.6     62,230    2.6
                                       

Total deposits

   $ 2,443,567    100.0   $ 2,382,151    100.0   $ 2,355,821    100.0
                                       

Borrowings

We rely on FHLB advances and FRB borrowings as another source of both short and long-term borrowings. FHLB advances and FRB borrowings are secured by bonds within our investment portfolio, real estate secured loans and commercial loans. At September 30, 2009, we had FHLB advances of $101 million, compared to advances and borrowings of $200 million at December 31, 2008. At September 30, 2009 the FHLB advances have varying maturities between December, 2009 and February, 2013 and we are precluded from paying down these fixed-rate borrowings. The inability to prepay these borrowings contributed to the $122.4 million increase in our interest-earning deposits with banks since December 31, 2008.

We also utilize wholesale repurchase agreements as a supplement to our funding sources. Wholesale repurchase agreements are secured by mortgage-backed securities. At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, we had repurchase agreements of $25.0 million. Management anticipates that we will continue to rely on both FHLB advances, FRB borrowings and wholesale repurchase agreements in the future, and we will use those funds primarily to make loans and purchase securities.

During 2001, the Company, through a special purpose trust (“the Trust”) participated in a pooled trust preferred offering, whereby the Trust issued $22.0 million of 30-year floating rate capital securities. The capital securities constitute guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in debentures issued by the Trust. The debentures had an initial rate of 7.29% and a rate of 4.07% at September 30, 2009. The floating rate is based on the 3-month LIBOR plus 3.58% and is adjusted quarterly. Through the Trust, we may call the debentures at any time for a premium and after ten years at par, allowing us to retire the debt early if market conditions are favorable. The Company assumed through acquisition an additional $3.0 million in floating rate trust preferred obligations; these debentures had a rate of 4.26% at September 30, 2009. The floating rate is based on the 3-month LIBOR plus 3.75% and is adjusted quarterly.

The trust preferred obligations are classified as long-term subordinated debt and our related investment in the Trust is recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The balance of the long-term subordinated debt was $25.7 million at September 30, 2009 and $25.6 million at December 31, 2008. The subordinated debt payable to the Trust is on the same interest and payment terms as the trust preferred obligations issued by the Trust.

Additionally, we had a $20.0 million line of credit with a large commercial bank with an interest rate indexed to LIBOR. The line matured on June 30, 2009 and the Company chose not to renew it.

 

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Contractual Obligations & Commitments

We are party to many contractual financial obligations, including repayment of borrowings, operating and equipment lease payments, commitments to extend credit and investments in affordable housing partnerships. At September 30, 2009, we had commitments to extend credit of $608.1 million compared to $703.3 million at December 31, 2008.

Capital Resources

Shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2009 was $527.9 million, up $112.5 million, or 27% from $415.4 million at December 31, 2008. The increase is due primarily to our underwritten public offering of common stock completed during the third quarter, which resulted in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $113.8 million. As a result of our completion of a qualifying offering prior to December 31, 2009, the number of shares of our common stock subject to the warrant we issued to the United States Treasury in connection with our participation in Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program has been reduced by 50% from 796,046 to 398,023. Shareholders’ equity was 16.7% and 13.4% of total period-end assets at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

Capital Ratios: Banking regulations require bank holding companies to maintain a minimum “leverage” ratio of core capital to adjusted quarterly average total assets of at least 3%. In addition, banking regulators have adopted risk-based capital guidelines, under which risk percentages are assigned to various categories of assets and off-balance sheet items to calculate a risk-adjusted capital ratio. Tier I capital generally consists of common shareholders’ equity and trust preferred obligations, less goodwill and certain identifiable intangible assets, while Tier II capital includes the allowance for loan losses and subordinated debt, both subject to certain limitations. Regulatory minimum risk-based capital guidelines require Tier I capital of 4% of risk-adjusted assets and total capital (combined Tier I and Tier II) of 8% to be considered “adequately capitalized”.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation regulations set forth the qualifications necessary for a bank to be classified as “well capitalized”, primarily for assignment of FDIC insurance premium rates. To qualify as “well capitalized,” banks must have a Tier I risk-adjusted capital ratio of at least 6%, a total risk-adjusted capital ratio of at least 10%, and a leverage ratio of at least 5%. Failure to qualify as “well capitalized” can negatively impact a bank’s ability to expand and to engage in certain activities.

The Company and its subsidiaries qualify as “well-capitalized” at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

 

     Company     Columbia Bank     Requirements  
     9/30/2009     12/31/2008     9/30/2009     12/31/2008     Adequately
capitalized
    Well-
Capitalized
 

Total risk-based capital ratio

   19.06   14.25   15.68   11.21   8   10

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio

   17.78   12.99   14.40   9.96   4   6

Leverage ratio

   14.79   11.27   12.02   8.64   4   5

Stock Repurchase Program

In March 2002 the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program whereby the Company may systematically repurchase up to 500,000 of its outstanding shares of common stock. The Company may repurchase shares from time to time in the open market or in private transactions, under conditions which allow such repurchases to be accretive to earnings while maintaining capital ratios that exceed the guidelines for a well-capitalized financial institution. As of September 30, 2009 we have repurchased 64,788 shares of common stock in this current stock repurchase program, none of which was repurchased in the period covered by this report. Due to our participation in the U.S. Treasury’s (“Treasury”) Capital Purchase Program, we would first have to obtain approval from the Treasury before commencing any common stock repurchases under this plan.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to capital ratios defined by banking regulators, the Company considers various measures when evaluating capital utilization and adequacy, including:

 

   

Tangible common equity to tangible assets, and

 

   

Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets.

The Company believes these measures are important because they reflect the level of capital available to withstand unexpected market conditions. Additionally, presentation of these measures allows readers to compare certain aspects of the Company’s capitalization to other organizations. These ratios differ from capital measures defined by banking regulators principally in that the numerator excludes shareholders’ equity associated with preferred securities, the nature and extent of which varies across organizations. Additionally, these measures present capital adequacy inclusive and exclusive of accumulated other comprehensive income. These calculations are intended to complement the capital ratios defined by banking regulators for both absolute and comparative purposes.

 

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Because generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) do not include capital ratio measures, the Company believes there are no comparable GAAP financial measures to these tangible common equity ratios. The following table reconciles the Company’s calculation of these measures to amounts reported under GAAP.

Despite the importance of these measures to the Company, there are no standardized definitions for them and, as a result, the Company’s calculations may not be comparable with other organizations. Also, there may be limits in the usefulness of these measures to investors. As a result, the Company encourages readers to consider its consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

 

in thousands

   Sep 30
2009
    Jun 30
2009
    Mar 31
2008
    Dec 31
2008
    Sep 30
2008
 

Shareholders’ equity

   527,920      411,871      415,717      415,385      336,435   

Preferred stock

   (74,157   (74,015   (73,875   (73,743   —     

Goodwill

   (95,519   (95,519   (95,519   (95,519   (95,519

Core deposit intangible

   (5,112   (5,368   (5,638   (5,908   (6,179
                              

Tangible common equity (a)

   353,132      236,969      240,685      240,215      234,737   

Total assets

   3,166,977      3,021,857      3,045,757      3,097,079      3,104,980   

Goodwill

   (95,519   (95,519   (95,519   (95,519   (95,519

Core deposit intangible

   (5,112   (5,368   (5,638   (5,908   (6,179
                              

Tangible assets (b)

   3,066,346      2,920,970      2,944,600      2,995,652      3,003,282   

Risk-weighted assets, determined in accordance with prescribed regulatory requirements (c)

   2,475,461      2,456,839      2,529,251      2,567,346      2,563,277   

Ratios

          

Tangible common equity (a)/(b)

   11.52   8.11   8.17   8.02   7.82

Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets (a)/(c)

   14.27   9.65   9.52   9.36   9.16

 

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

A number of measures are used to monitor and manage interest rate risk, including income simulations and interest sensitivity (gap) analyses. An income simulation model is the primary tool used to assess the direction and magnitude of changes in net interest income resulting from changes in interest rates. Basic assumptions in the model include prepayment speeds on mortgage-related assets, cash flows and maturities of other investment securities, loan and deposit volumes and pricing. These assumptions are inherently subjective and, as a result, the model cannot precisely estimate net interest income or precisely predict the impact of higher or lower interest rates on net interest income. Actual results will differ from simulated results due to timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes and changes in market conditions and management strategies, among other factors. At September 30, 2009, based on the measures used to monitor and manage interest rate risk, there has not been a material change in the Company’s interest rate risk since December 31, 2008. For additional information, refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” referenced in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) accumulated and communicated to our management (including the CEO and CFO) to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and (ii) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal controls over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company and its banking subsidiaries are parties to routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that, based on the information currently known to them, any liabilities arising from such litigation will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

Our business exposes us to certain risks. The following is a discussion of what we currently believe are the most significant risks and uncertainties that may affect our business, financial condition and future results.

We cannot accurately predict the effect of the national economic recession on our future results of operations or market price of our stock.

The national economy and the financial services sector in particular are currently facing challenges of a scope unprecedented in recent history. We cannot accurately predict the severity or duration of the current economic downturn, which has adversely impacted the markets we serve. Any further deterioration in the economies of the nation as a whole or in our markets would have an adverse effect, which could be material, on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, and could also cause the market price of our stock to decline. While it is impossible to predict how long these conditions may exist, the economic downturn could continue to present risks for some time for the industry and our company.

The current economic recession in the market areas we serve may continue to adversely impact our earnings and could increase our credit risk associated with our loan portfolio.

Substantially all of our loans are to businesses and individuals in Washington and Oregon, and a continuing decline in the economies of these market areas could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. A series of large Puget Sound-based businesses have implemented substantial employee layoffs and scaled back plans for future growth. Additionally, acquisitions and consolidations have resulted in substantial employee layoffs, along with a significant increase in office space availability in downtown Seattle. Oregon has also seen a similar pattern of large layoffs in major metropolitan areas and a continued decline in housing prices. A further deterioration in the market areas we serve could result in the following consequences, any of which could have an adverse impact, which could be material, on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects:

 

   

loan delinquencies may increase further;

 

   

problem assets and foreclosures may increase;

 

   

collateral for loans made may decline further in value, in turn reducing customers’ borrowing power, reducing the value of assets and collateral associated with existing loans;

 

   

certain securities within our investment portfolio could become other than temporarily impaired, requiring a write down through earnings to fair value thereby reducing equity; and

 

   

low cost or non-interest bearing deposits may decrease.

Our loan portfolio mix, which has a concentration of loans secured by real estate, could result in increased credit risk in an economic recession.

Our loan portfolio is concentrated in commercial real estate and commercial business loans. These types of loans, as well as real estate construction loans and land development loans, acquisition and development loans related to the for sale housing industry, generally are viewed as having more risk of default than residential real estate loans or certain other types of loans or investments. In fact, the FDIC has issued pronouncements alerting banks of its concern about heavy loan concentrations. Because our loan portfolio contains a significant number of construction, commercial business and commercial real estate loans with relatively large balances, the deterioration of one or a few of these loans may cause a significant increase in our non-performing loans. An increase in non-performing loans could result in a loss of earnings from these loans, an increase in the provision for loan losses, or an increase in loan charge-offs, which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

 

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A further downturn in the economies or real estate values in the markets we serve could have a material adverse effect on both borrowers’ ability to repay their loans and the value of the real property securing such loans. Our ability to recover on defaulted loans would then be diminished, and we would be more likely to suffer losses on defaulted loans.

Our Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (“ALLL”) may not be adequate to cover future loan losses, which could adversely affect earnings.

We maintain an ALLL in an amount that we believe is adequate to provide for losses inherent in our portfolio. While we strive to carefully monitor credit quality and to identify loans that may become non-performing, at any time there are loans in the portfolio that could result in losses, but that have not been identified as non-performing or potential problem loans. We cannot be sure that we will be able to identify deteriorating loans before they become non-performing assets, or that we will be able to limit losses on those loans that have been identified. As a result, future significant increases to the ALLL may be necessary. Additionally, future increases to the ALLL may be required based on changes in the composition of the loans comprising the portfolio, deteriorating values in underlying collateral (most of which consists of real estate) and changes in the financial condition of borrowers, such as may result from changes in economic conditions, or as a result of incorrect assumptions by management in determining the ALLL. Additionally, banking regulators, as an integral part of their supervisory function, periodically review our ALLL. These regulatory agencies may require us to increase the ALLL which could have a negative effect on our financial condition and results of operation. Any increase in the ALLL would have an adverse effect, which could be material, on our financial condition and results of operations.

Nonperforming assets take significant time to resolve and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Our nonperforming assets adversely affect our net income in various ways. Until economic and market conditions improve, we expect to continue to incur additional losses relating to an increase in nonperforming loans. We do not record interest income on non-accrual loans, thereby adversely affecting our income, and increasing loan administration costs. When we receive collateral through foreclosures and similar proceedings, we are required to mark the related loan to the then fair market value of the collateral, which may result in a loss. An increase in the level of nonperforming assets also increases our risk profile and may impact the capital levels our regulators believe is appropriate in light of such risks. We utilize various techniques such as loan sales, workouts, and restructurings to manage our problem assets. Decreases in the value of these problem assets, the underlying collateral, or in the borrowers’ performance or financial condition, could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the resolution of nonperforming assets requires significant commitments of time from management and staff, which can be detrimental to performance of their other responsibilities. There can be no assurance that we will not experience further increases in nonperforming loans in the future.

Fluctuating interest rates can adversely affect our profitability.

Our profitability is dependent to a large extent upon net interest income, which is the difference (or “spread”) between the interest earned on loans, securities and other interest-earning assets and the interest paid on deposits, borrowings, and other interest-bearing liabilities. Because of the differences in maturities and repricing characteristics of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, changes in interest rates do not produce equivalent changes in interest income earned on interest-earning assets and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Accordingly, fluctuations in interest rates could adversely affect our interest rate spread, and, in turn, our profitability.

The FDIC has increased insurance premiums to restore and maintain the federal deposit insurance fund, which has increased our costs and could adversely affect our business.

The FDIC adopted a final rule revising its risk-based assessment system, effective April 1, 2009. The changes to the assessment system involve adjustments to the risk-based calculation of an institution’s unsecured debt, secured liabilities and brokered deposits. The potential increase in FDIC insurance premiums could have a significant impact on Columbia.

On May 22, 2009, the FDIC has imposed a special deposit insurance assessment of five basis points on all insured institutions. This emergency assessment was calculated based on the insured institution’s assets at June 30, 2009, and collected on September 30, 2009. Based on our June 30, 2009 assets subject to the FDIC assessment, the special assessment was approximately $1.4 million. This special assessment is in addition to the regular quarterly risk-based assessment.

The FDIC has recently proposed requiring insured institutions to prepay estimated quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009 and for 2010, 2011 and 2012, and to increase the regular assessment rate by three basis points effective January 1, 2011, as a means of replenishing the deposit insurance fund. The prepayment would be collected on December 30, 2009, and would be accounted for as a prepaid expense amortized over the prepayment period. Although the FDIC could exempt institutions from the prepayment requirement when prepayment would impact the institution’s safety and soundness, the FDIC has stated it expects few exemptions to be granted, and the Company would not expect to apply for an exemption. If the proposed rule becomes final, the prepayment of premiums could have an adverse impact on our liquidity.

 

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The FDIC deposit insurance fund may suffer additional losses in the future due to bank failures. There can be no assurance that there will not be additional significant deposit insurance premium increases or special assessments in order to restore the insurance fund’s reserve ratio.

We operate in a highly regulated environment and we cannot predict the effect of recent and pending federal legislation and regulations.

We are subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by federal and state banking authorities. Any change in applicable regulations or federal, state or local legislation could have a substantial impact on us and our operations. Additional legislation and regulations that could significantly affect our powers, authority and operations may be enacted or adopted in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In that regard, proposals for legislation restructuring the regulation of the financial services industry are currently under consideration. Adoption of such proposals could, among other things, increase the overall costs of regulatory compliance. Further, regulators have significant discretion and authority to prevent or remedy unsafe or unsound practices or violations of laws or regulations by financial institutions and holding companies in the performance of their supervisory and enforcement duties. Recently, these powers have been utilized more frequently due to the serious national, regional and local economic conditions we are facing. The exercise of regulatory authority may have a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

In October 2008, Congress enacted the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (“EESA”), which provides the United States Treasury Department (“Treasury”) with broad authority to implement action intended to help restore stability and liquidity to the U.S. financial markets. Pursuant to the EESA, the Treasury has the ability to purchase or insure up to $700 billion in troubled assets held by financial institutions under the TARP. In October 2008, the Treasury announced it would initially purchase equity stakes in financial institutions under the CPP of up to $350 billion of the $700 billion authorized under the TARP legislation. Columbia is participating in the CPP. The EESA also increased the amount of deposit account insurance coverage from $100,000 to $250,000 effective until December 31, 2009, which was recently extended to December 31, 2013 under the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009.

In early 2009, the Treasury also announced the Financial Stability Plan which, among other things, provides a new capital program called the Capital Assistance Program, which establishes a public-private investment fund for the purchase of troubled assets, and expands the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility. In addition, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“ARRA”) was signed into law on February 17, 2009, and includes, among other things, extensive new restrictions on the compensation and governance arrangements of financial institutions participating in the Treasury’s CPP, such as the Company. Treasury has recently adopted rules implementing these and new restrictions, but such rules are subject to change. In addition, the SEC recently has proposed expanding some of the reforms in ARRA to apply to all public companies, and the Federal Reserve has recently proposed new guidance on incentive compensation at institutions it regulates, including the Company.

In summary, numerous actions have been taken by the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Congress, the Treasury, the FDIC, the SEC and others in response to the liquidity and credit crisis. We cannot predict the actual effects of EESA, the ARRA, the proposed regulatory reform measures and various governmental, regulatory, monetary and fiscal initiatives which have been and may be enacted on the financial markets, on the Company and on the Bank. The terms and costs of these activities, or the failure of these actions to help stabilize the financial markets, asset prices, market liquidity and a continuation or worsening of current financial market and economic conditions could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and the trading price of our common stock.

A continued tightening of the credit markets and credit market volatility may make it difficult to maintain adequate funding for loan growth, which could adversely affect our earnings.

A continued tightening of the credit market and the inability to maintain adequate liquidity to fund continued loan growth may negatively affect asset growth and, therefore, our earnings capability. In addition to deposit growth and payments of principal and interest received on loans and investment securities, we also rely on borrowing lines with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle (“FHLB”) and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco to fund loans. However, the FHLB has discontinued the repurchase of its stock and discontinued the distribution of dividends. Based on the foregoing, there can be no assurance the FHLB will have sufficient resources to continue to fund our borrowings at their current levels. In the event of a deterioration in our financial condition or a further downturn in the economy, particularly in the housing market, our ability to access these funding resources could be negatively affected, which could limit the funds available to us making it difficult for us to maintain adequate funding for loan growth. In addition, our customers’ ability to raise capital and refinance maturing obligations could be adversely affected, resulting in a further unfavorable impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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We may be required, in the future, to recognize impairment with respect to investment securities, including the FHLB stock we hold.

Our securities portfolio currently includes securities with unrecognized losses. We may continue to observe declines in the fair market value of these securities. We evaluate the securities portfolio for any other than temporary impairment each reporting period, as required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, and as of September 30, 2009, we did not recognize any securities as other-than-temporarily impaired. There can be no assurance, however, that future evaluations of the securities portfolio will not require us to recognize an impairment charge with respect to these and other holdings.

In addition, as a condition to membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle (“FHLB”), we are required to purchase and hold a certain amount of FHLB stock. Our stock purchase requirement is based, in part, upon the outstanding principal balance of advances from the FHLB. At September 30, 2009, we had stock in the FHLB of Seattle totaling $11.6 million. The FHLB stock held by us is carried at cost and is subject to recoverability testing under applicable accounting standards. The FHLB has discontinued the repurchase of their stock and discontinued the distribution of dividends. As of September 30, 2009, we did not recognize an impairment charge related to our FHLB stock holdings. There can be no assurance, however, that future negative changes to the financial condition of the FHLB may not require us to recognize an impairment charge with respect to such holdings.

If the goodwill we have recorded in connection with acquisitions becomes impaired, it could have an adverse impact on our earnings and capital.

Accounting standards require that we account for acquisitions using the purchase method of accounting. Under purchase accounting, if the purchase price of an acquired company exceeds the fair value of its net assets, the excess is carried on the acquirer’s balance sheet as goodwill. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, our goodwill is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that a potential impairment exists. Such evaluation is based on a variety of factors, including the quoted price of our common stock, market prices of common stock of other banking organizations, common stock trading multiples, discounted cash flows, and data from comparable acquisitions. There can be no assurance that future evaluations of goodwill will not result in impairment and ensuing write-down, which could be material, resulting in an adverse impact on our earnings and capital.

Our ability to access markets for funding and acquire and retain customers could be adversely affected by the deterioration of other financial institutions or if the financial service industry’s reputation is damaged further.

The financial services industry continues to be featured in negative headlines about the global and national credit crisis and the resulting stabilization legislation enacted by the U.S. federal government. These reports can be damaging to the industry’s image and potentially erode consumer confidence in insured financial institutions, such as our banking subsidiary. In addition, our ability to engage in routine funding and other transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and financial condition of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, correspondent, counterparty or other relationships. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services institutions, or the financial services industry in general, could lead to market-wide liquidity problems, losses of depositor, creditor and counterparty confidence and could lead to losses or defaults by us or by other institutions. We could experience material changes in the level of deposits as a direct or indirect result of other banks’ difficulties or failure, which could affect the amount of capital we need.

We may grow through future acquisitions, which could, in some circumstances, adversely affect our profitability measures.

We may engage in selected acquisitions of financial institutions in the future, which may require the issuance of additional common stock. Any such acquisitions and related issuances of stock may have a dilutive effect on earnings per share and the percentage ownership of current shareholders. There are risks associated with our acquisition strategy that could adversely impact our profitability. These risks include, among others, incorrectly assessing the asset quality of a particular institution being acquired, encountering greater than anticipated costs of incorporating acquired businesses into our company, and being unable to profitably deploy funds acquired in an acquisition. Furthermore, we cannot provide any assurance as to the extent to which we can continue to grow through acquisitions.

Substantial competition in our market areas could adversely affect us.

Commercial banking is a highly competitive business. We compete with other commercial banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, finance, insurance and other non-depository companies operating in our market areas. We also experience competition, especially for deposits, from internet-based banking institutions, which have grown rapidly in recent years. We are subject to substantial competition for loans and deposits from other financial institutions. Some of our

 

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competitors are not subject to the same degree of regulation and restriction as we are. Some of our competitors have greater financial resources than we do. Some of our competitors have severe liquidity issues, which could impact the pricing of deposits in our marketplace. If we are unable to effectively compete in our market areas, our business, results of operations and prospects could be adversely affected.

 

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

 

Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

 

Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

 

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

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Item 6. EXHIBITS

 

  1.1

   Underwriting Agreement, dated August 5, 2009, by and among the Company, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. and D.A. Davidson & Co. (1)

10.1

   Form of Amendment to Change in Control Agreement effective December 31, 2008 between the Bank and each of Mark W. Nelson, Andrew L. McDonald, Gary R. Schminkey and Kent L. Roberts

10.2

   Amendment to Employment Agreement effective December 31, 2008 among the Bank, the Company and Melanie J. Dressel

10.3

   Form of Amendment to Supplemental Compensation Agreement effective December 31, 2008 between the Bank and Andrew L. McDonald

10.4

   Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and its directors

10.5

   Deferred Compensation Plan (401 Plus Plan) dated December 17, 2003, as amended effective April 24, 2009, for directors and key employees

31.1

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

31.2

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

32   

   Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

(1) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 6, 2009

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

 

  COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC.
Date: November 5, 2009   By  

/s/    MELANIE J. DRESSEL        

    Melanie J. Dressel
   

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: November 5, 2009   By  

/s/    GARY R. SCHMINKEY        

    Gary R. Schminkey
   

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

Date: November 5, 2009   By  

/s/    CLINT E. STEIN        

    Clint E. Stein
   

Senior Vice President and

Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

  1.1    Underwriting Agreement, dated August 5, 2009, by and among the Company, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. and D.A. Davidson & Co. (1)
10.1    Form of Amendment to Change in Control Agreement effective December 31, 2008 between the Bank and each of Mark W. Nelson, Andrew L. McDonald, Gary R. Schminkey and Kent L. Roberts
10.2    Amendment to Employment Agreement effective December 31, 2008 among the Bank, the Company and Melanie J. Dressel
10.3    Form of Amendment to Supplemental Compensation Agreement effective December 31, 2008 between the Bank and Andrew L. McDonald
10.4    Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and its directors
10.5    Deferred Compensation Plan (401 Plus Plan) dated December 17, 2003, as amended effective April 24, 2009, for directors and key employees
31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32       Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

(1) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 6, 2009

 

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