Columbia Banking System, Inc. (NASDAQ:COLB) Q2 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

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And then from there, we do see some infill opportunities, and we are getting our hands around some of the opportunities in Southern California market and things of that nature. It will look a little different. It will be branches to support our commercial efforts, our small business efforts. And you won’t see as many or the density that you would pick up in the Northwest. But yes from there, we are pretty excited about those opportunities. And I will kick it over to you, Tory.

Tory Nixon: I don’t think I have much to add. We got a great company with a great opportunity and people want to work here. And it’s the fun story to tell and looking forward to us to continue to grow the organization.

Chris Merrywell: Yes. I think with our model and what we put together, you are really seeing opportunities where people are intrigued to join up our size with our capabilities and then ultimately, with our philosophy of how we go to market as a community bank of scale.

David Feaster: That’s helpful. And I am just curious, I guess what kind of branches are you looking to roll out? I mean is it more prototypical branches? Are we looking at smaller footprints? And then where does that kind of NeighborHub playing in this? That was the concept that you guys had been dabbling with? I am just curious kind of what is the branches that you are looking to expand look like?

Tory Nixon: They will certainly be smaller. That’s anything that we have done where we have had the opportunity to move a lease, things of that nature. We downsized considerably. Typically, it’s more of an open concept, walk in and see a teller to go along with that NeighborHub concept. We have some things we call financial hubs that are very similar, but they house other types of bankers in there with it. NeighborHub specifically, there are certainly opportunities. It requires a neighborhood that is a fairly dense walkable things of that nature, and we are always on the lookout for it. The last one we opened was in Boise, and it’s right in the downtown core, and it’s fantastic if you are over there, check it out.

David Feaster: That’s helpful. And then maybe just touching on credit more broadly, I mean obviously, we talked about FinPac. But outside of that, I mean credits held up pretty well. I mean, NPAs are steady classified assets were down. I am just curious as you look at your portfolio, is there anything that you are seeing that’s causing you any concern, or as you look into your crystal ball, I guess how do you think about credit going forward? And what are you watching perhaps more closely and maybe tighten standards the most?

Frank Namdar: Hey David, this is Frank. Yes, our portfolio certainly has held up very well. And I personally am not surprised by it. I think what we continue to watch is, yes, you see some of the lower-margin small businesses and consumers. You are seeing delinquencies start to tick up there. But we have got our eyes on that. But quite honestly, I mean there are no – there are no big cracks developing. I am certainly watching the CMBS space as it relates to office as those CMBS pools begin to mature and valuations are completed, and we are seeing lower valuations. We don’t have the direct exposure there, but certainly on maturing obligations, we are cognizant of the potential impact that could have on valuations and resizing deals within our portfolio. We don’t see that as an issue right now based upon the leverage-averse nature of our portfolio, but that’s something we are watching very closely.

David Feaster: Alright. That’s helpful. Thanks everybody.

Operator: [Operator Instructions] Our next question comes from the line of Andrew Terrell with Stephens. Your line is open.

Andrew Terrell: Hi. Good afternoon.

Clint Stein: Good afternoon.

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