Banner Corporation (NASDAQ:BANR) Q4 2022 Earnings Call Transcript

Jill Rice: Thank you, David. That was a wide-ranging question there as to thinking about credit. But as we go into each of these loans, I need to remind you first that we stress them at origination for a rising rate environment and for changes in collateral value. So we start with the collateral coverage that is strong going in and is prepared to cover us in the event of changes in that collateral value. Debt service coverages for the variable rate loans certainly are being impacted as rates go up, but we do not have a — our portfolio has strong guarantors behind it with generally secondary sources to supplant anything that might impact the business. So we’re watching it. We stress the portfolio. But again, going in, we’re looking at it as if we will enter a rising rate environment as if collateral values can change and recognizing that, that very low interest rate environment couldn’t last forever, even though it lasted for several years.

David Feaster: Okay. Okay. And then maybe just touching on the growth side. I mean you touched on some of the unique dynamics with mortgage and construction converting the perm and that potentially slowing or decelerating. If we look exclusive of that, loan growth was kind of in that 7% ballpark. I’m just curious how you think about loan growth going forward? You talked about slowing originations and some weaker demand in the market is kind of maybe a mid single-digit pace of growth realistic? Or I guess, even on the other side, what’s your appetite for credit here, just given the market backdrop.

Jill Rice: So I’ll start with the second half of that question first. Our appetite for credit, the answer to that thinks with the fact that we want to be open for business through all credit cycles. So we want to make loans certainly. We want to make good loans, and we anticipate doing so through the cycle. As to overall loan growth expectations, certainly, they’ve moderated given the continued economic pessimism, the increased and increasing rate environment and the overall general uncertainty as to market conditions. Pipeline volumes were down as of year-end, and they’re rebuilding, but it’s at a more measured pace. So with that, I anticipate continued increases in line utilization, the headwinds of the refinance activity have slowed, which will help in terms of loan growth. And with our super community bank model, I anticipate loan growth in the low single-digit range for 2023.

David Feaster: Okay. Okay. That’s helpful. And then maybe could you just touch on some of the competitive dynamics on the deposit front and some of the trends you’re seeing? It sounds like we’re expecting some continued outflows, but just — could you talk about some of the drivers of the flows that you’re seeing? How much of it maybe is more of the surge deposits outflowing or some seasonal dynamics versus clients utilizing cash to either — rather than — to either pay down debt or pursue projects and not take on higher cost debt? Or is it more price-sensitive clients migrating to try and get higher rates? Just curious some of the competitive dynamics you’re seeing. And if you could talk about how you think about your willingness to defend deposits and keep those on balance sheet versus letting more outflows accelerate?