Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, aiming to buy high and sell higher, with the expectation that established trends will continue [1] Company Overview: Banner (BANR) - Banner currently holds a Momentum Style Score of A, indicating strong momentum characteristics [2] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting it is positioned for potential outperformance in the market [3] Price Performance - Over the past week, BANR shares increased by 7.86%, outperforming the Zacks Financial - Savings and Loan industry, which rose by 3.05% [5] - In a longer timeframe, BANR's monthly price change is 3.96%, significantly better than the industry's 0.11% [5] - Over the last quarter, BANR shares rose by 7.1%, and over the past year, they increased by 44.12%, while the S&P 500 only moved 5.33% and 26.85%, respectively [6] Trading Volume - The average 20-day trading volume for BANR is 203,861 shares, which serves as a bullish indicator when combined with rising stock prices [7] Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, three earnings estimates for BANR have been revised upwards, with no downward revisions, leading to an increase in the consensus estimate from $4.87 to $5.06 [9] - For the next fiscal year, one estimate has moved upwards, with no downward revisions noted [9] Conclusion - Considering the positive momentum indicators and earnings outlook, BANR is classified as a 2 (Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of A, making it a strong candidate for near-term investment [11]

Core Viewpoint - Banner Corporation held its Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 earnings call, discussing the company's performance and outlook for the future [2]. Group 1: Company Overview - The call was hosted by Mark Grescovich, President and CEO of Banner Corporation, along with key executives including the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Credit Officer, and Head of Investor Relations [2]. - The company provided a forward-looking safe harbor statement, indicating that the presentation would include management's plans, objectives, and forecasts for financial performance [2][3]. Group 2: Financial Performance - The earnings call aimed to discuss the financial results for the fourth quarter and the full year of 2024, although specific financial metrics were not detailed in the provided text [2].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The fourth quarter and full year 2024 earnings call for Banner Corporation was held on January 23, 2025, indicating a focus on financial performance and outlook for the year [1] - Management highlighted that forward-looking statements regarding financial performance measures will be discussed, emphasizing the importance of understanding potential risks and uncertainties [2][3] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Specific details regarding changes in various business lines were not provided in the available content, indicating a need for further information from the earnings press release or subsequent discussions Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The earnings call did not include specific market data or key metrics changes, suggesting that this information may be covered in other sections of the earnings report Company Strategy and Development Direction - Management's discussion included forward-looking statements about the company's plans and objectives for future operations, although specific strategies were not detailed in the provided content [2] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management acknowledged the presence of risks and uncertainties that could affect actual results, indicating a cautious approach to future performance expectations [3] Other Important Information - The call was structured to include a question-and-answer session, where additional insights and clarifications may be provided, but specific details were not included in the current content Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the key risks affecting future performance? - Management indicated that various risk factors could lead to actual results differing from expectations, although specific risks were not detailed in the provided content [3]

Fourth Quarter 2024 Photo by Salvador Saldana Photo by Yvonne McDonald Photo by Maria DeVecchio Photo by Siti Alimah Disclosure Statement This presentation includes forward-looking statements. These statements include descriptions of management's plans, objectives or goals for future operations, products or services, forecast of financial or other performance measures and statements about Banner's general outlook for economic and other conditions. Additional forward-looking statements may be made in the que ...

Core Insights - Banner (BANR) reported revenue of $160.57 million for the quarter ended December 2024, reflecting a 5.3% increase year-over-year and a surprise of +4.60% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $153.5 million [1] - The earnings per share (EPS) was $1.33, slightly down from $1.34 in the same quarter last year, with an EPS surprise of +9.02% compared to the consensus estimate of $1.22 [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Net interest margin (tax equivalent) was reported at 3.7%, matching the average estimate from three analysts [4] - The efficiency ratio stood at 62%, better than the average estimate of 63.5% from three analysts [4] - Total non-performing assets were $39.62 million, significantly lower than the average estimate of $49.25 million from two analysts [4] - Total non-performing loans were $36.96 million, also below the average estimate of $46.91 million from two analysts [4] - Average balance of total interest-earning assets was $14.97 billion, slightly below the average estimate of $15.03 billion from two analysts [4] - Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans receivable were 0%, better than the average estimate of 0.1% from two analysts [4] - Net interest income was reported at $140.54 million, exceeding the average estimate of $136.06 million from three analysts [4] - Total non-interest income reached $20.04 million, surpassing the average estimate of $17.45 million from three analysts [4] - Net interest income/rate spread (tax equivalent) was $143.80 million, above the average estimate of $139.06 million from two analysts [4] - Mortgage banking operations generated $3.69 million, significantly higher than the average estimate of $2.67 million from two analysts [4] Stock Performance - Shares of Banner have returned +4.6% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.1% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating potential for outperformance in the near term [3]

Company Performance - Banner (BANR) reported quarterly earnings of $1.33 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.22 per share, and showing a slight decrease from $1.34 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of 9.02% [1] - The company achieved revenues of $160.57 million for the quarter ended December 2024, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.60%, and up from $152.46 million year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Banner has consistently surpassed consensus EPS estimates and revenue estimates three times [2] Stock Outlook - Banner shares have increased approximately 5.8% since the beginning of the year, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 2.9% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $1.12 on revenues of $151.04 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $4.89 on revenues of $623.9 million [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Banner is currently favorable, leading to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) for the stock, indicating expected outperformance in the near future [6] Industry Context - The Financial - Savings and Loan industry, to which Banner belongs, is currently ranked in the top 12% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a positive outlook for stocks within this sector [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can be tracked by investors [5]

Financial Performance - Banner Corporation reported net income of $46.4 million, or $1.34 per diluted share, for Q4 2024, an increase from $45.2 million, or $1.30 per diluted share, in the previous quarter and $42.6 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, in Q4 2023[2]. - Net interest income for Q4 2024 was $140.5 million, up from $135.7 million in the preceding quarter and $138.4 million in the same quarter last year[2]. - Non-interest income increased to $20.0 million in Q4 2024, compared to $18.1 million in the preceding quarter and $14.1 million in the same quarter last year[13]. - Total revenue for Q4 2024 was $160,571 thousand, up from $152,461 thousand in Q4 2023, representing a year-over-year increase of 5.5%[43]. - Net income for Q4 2024 was $46,391,000, up from $42,624,000 in Q4 2023, marking a 8.5% increase[29]. - Basic earnings per share for Q4 2024 were $1.34, compared to $1.24 in Q4 2023, reflecting an increase of 8.1%[29]. Asset and Deposit Management - Total assets increased to $16.20 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to $16.19 billion at September 30, 2024, and $15.67 billion at December 31, 2023[16]. - Total deposits were $13.51 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to $13.54 billion at September 30, 2024, and $13.03 billion at December 31, 2023[12]. - Core deposits represented 89% of total deposits at December 31, 2024[12]. - Total deposits remained stable at $13,514,398,000, a 4% increase compared to $13,029,497,000 in Q4 2023[30]. - Total common shareholders' equity was $1.77 billion, or 10.95% of total assets, at December 31, 2024, compared to $1.79 billion, or 11.08%, at September 30, 2024[21]. Loan Performance - Total loans receivable increased to $11.35 billion at December 31, 2024, up from $11.22 billion at September 30, 2024, and $10.81 billion at December 31, 2023[17]. - Commercial real estate loans rose 2% to $3.86 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to $3.79 billion at September 30, 2024, and increased 6% from $3.64 billion at December 31, 2023[17]. - Non-performing loans were $37.0 million at December 31, 2024, down from $43.0 million at September 30, 2024, and $29.6 million a year ago[23]. - Total delinquent loans increased to $55,432, with a delinquency rate of 0.49% compared to 0.40% in the prior quarter[32]. - Loans charged off amounted to $4,033, leading to net charge-offs of $2,283 for the quarter[35]. Credit Loss Provisions - The provision for credit losses was $3.0 million in Q4 2024, up from $1.7 million in the previous quarter and $2.5 million in Q4 2023[11]. - The allowance for credit losses on loans was $155.5 million, or 1.37% of total loans receivable, as of December 31, 2024[12]. - The total allowance for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments was $13,562, down from $14,484 at the end of the previous year[36]. - The provision for credit losses was $3,219 for the quarter, compared to $1,967 in the prior quarter[35]. Efficiency and Ratios - The efficiency ratio improved to 61.95% in Q4 2024, compared to 62.63% in the previous quarter and 63.37% in Q4 2023[15]. - The estimated common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 12.44% at December 31, 2024, indicating strong capital levels above regulatory requirements[22]. - Total capital to risk-weighted assets for Banner Corporation was reported at 15.04%, exceeding the minimum requirement for "Well Capitalized" status[39]. - Return on average assets improved to 1.15% for the quarter, up from 1.09% in the same quarter last year[40]. - Return on average equity was 10.35%, slightly down from 10.98% year-over-year[40]. Year-over-Year Comparisons - Total assets as of December 31, 2024, were $16,200,037,000, representing a 3% increase from $15,670,391,000 a year earlier[30]. - Total deposits rose to $13,259,451 in 2024, up from $13,151,459 in 2023, marking a growth of 0.8%[41]. - The adjusted return on average equity for the year ended December 31, 2024, was 10.19%, down from 13.17% in 2023[42]. - Total non-performing assets decreased to $39,623,000 as of December 31, 2024, down from $45,228,000 in the previous quarter, representing a reduction of 12%[37].

In its upcoming report, Banner (BANR) is predicted by Wall Street analysts to post quarterly earnings of $1.22 per share, reflecting a decline of 9% compared to the same period last year. Revenues are forecasted to be $153.5 million, representing a year-over-year increase of 0.7%.The current level reflects no revision in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter over the past 30 days. This demonstrates how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reappraised their initial projections over this per ...

The Zacks Savings and Loan industry is expected to benefit from the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cuts. This is likely to support a decent rise in loan demand. Also, relatively lower rates will stabilize funding costs over time, supporting net interest income (NII) and net interest margin (NIM) expansion.The digitization of operations and a stable deposit base are anticipated to support industry players in the near term. Thus, some of the industry players like Banner Corporation (BANR) , HomeStreet, Inc. ...

For those looking to find strong Finance stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Banner (BANR) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Finance sector should help us answer this question.Banner is one of 871 individual stocks in the Finance sector. Collectively, these c ...