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“We continue to take advantage of our strong local economy, with a growing deposit base and loan pipeline,” said Rick Darrow, Liberty Northwest Bancorp, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer. “While the high-interest rate environment continues to be a challenge, we believe we are well positioned with a strong balance sheet and ample capital to continue to grow.”

Net interest income, before the provision for loan losses, was $1.01 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $1.14 million in the third quarter of 2023. The decrease in net interest income year-over-year was primarily due to the increase in interest expense on deposits and other borrowings resulting from the higher interest rate environment. For the first nine months of 2024, net interest income was $3.11 million, compared to $3.35 million for the first nine months of 2023.

“Higher yields on earning assets during the quarter were more than offset by the increase in cost of funds, resulting in net interest margin compression during the quarter,” said Darrow. The Company’s net interest margin was 2.37% for the third quarter of 2024, compared to 2.45% for the preceding quarter, and 2.64% for the third quarter of 2023. For the first nine months of 2024, the net interest margin was 2.40%, compared to 2.62% for the first nine months of 2023.

Total non-interest income was $74 thousand for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $111 thousand for the third quarter a year ago. The decrease compared to the year ago quarter was primarily due to higher referral fee income during the third quarter of 2023, compared to the third quarter of 2024. For the first nine months of 2024, non-interest income was $226 thousand, compared to $371 thousand for the first nine months of 2023.

Total noninterest expense was $1.14 million for the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of $121 thousand, or 10%, from the third quarter a year ago. Compensation and benefits costs decreased by $69 thousand, or 9%, over the year ago quarter, while occupancy costs decreased by $57 thousand, or 40% from the same quarter a year ago. Year-to-date, total noninterest expense decreased $228 thousand, or 6%, to $3.50 million, over the same period in 2023.

“We have done a good job of managing operating expenses over the last several quarters, reducing total noninterest expense by 10% over the third quarter a year ago,” said Darrow. “Our operating performance is expected to continue to improve, as we improve our margin, and continue to keep operating expenses in check. We are well positioned for continued growth in our core business operations and remain focused on creating value for all of our customers, employees and shareholders.”

Capital ratios continue to exceed regulatory requirements, with a total risk-based capital ratio at 15.97% at quarter end, substantially above well-capitalized regulatory requirements. The tangible book value per share was $7.67 at quarter end, compared to $7.71 a year earlier.

Near the end of the second quarter of 2024, the Company completed the issuance of $1.2 million of Preferred Stock. Under the terms of the transaction, the Preferred Stock will convert to Common Stock within a 2 year time period.

“The proceeds from this offering will be used to further strengthen our capital position and to support continued loan growth in our vibrant Pacific Northwest markets,” said Darrow.

About Liberty Northwest Bancorp, Inc.
Liberty Northwest Bancorp, Inc. is the bank holding company for Liberty Bank, a commercial bank chartered in the State of Washington. The Bank began operations June 11, 2009, and operates a full-service branch in Poulsbo, WA. The Bank provides loan and deposit services to predominantly small and middle-sized businesses and individuals in and around Kitsap and King counties. The Bank is subject to regulation by the State of Washington Department of Financial Institutions and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). For more information, please visit www.libertybanknw.com. Liberty Northwest Bancorp, Inc. (OTCQX: LBNW), qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market in June 2022. For information related to the trading of LBNW, please visit www.otcmarkets.com.

Forward-Looking Statement Safe Harbor: This news release contains comments or information that constitutes forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements describe Liberty Northwest Bancorp, Inc.’s projections, estimates, plans and expectations of future results and can be identified by words such as “believe,” “intend,” “estimate,” “likely,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “looking forward,” and other similar expressions. They are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the results expressed in these forward-looking statements, which because of their forward-looking nature, are difficult to predict. Investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement, and should consider factors that might cause differences including but not limited to the degree of competition by traditional and nontraditional competitors, declines in real estate markets, an increase in unemployment or sustained high levels of unemployment; changes in interest rates; greater than expected costs to integrate acquisitions, adverse changes in local, national and international economies; changes in the Federal Reserve’s actions that affect monetary and fiscal policies; changes in legislative or regulatory actions or reform, including without limitation, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; demand for products and services; changes to the quality of the loan portfolio and our ability to succeed in our problem-asset resolution efforts; the impact of technological advances; changes in tax laws; and other risk factors. Liberty Northwest Bancorp, Inc. undertakes no obligation to publicly update or clarify any forward-looking statement to reflect the impact of events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.

CONTACT: For further discussion, please contact: Rick Darrow, Chief Executive Officer | 360-394-4750