Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Columbia Banking System reported a third-quarter operating PP&R increase of 12% from the second quarter and 22% year-over-year, reflecting strong profitability and balance sheet optimization [6][12] - The operating return on average tangible equity was 18.2%, with a tangible book value per share increasing to $18.57, a 4% rise since Q1 2025 [12][14] - The net interest margin expanded by nine basis points to 3.84%, driven by customer deposit growth and a reduction in reliance on higher-cost wholesale funding [15][16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - New loan originations reached $1.2 billion, up 36% quarter-over-quarter and 21% year-to-date, with a 5% annualized increase in the commercial portfolio [18][19] - Customer deposits increased nearly $800 million organically during the quarter, with approximately 30% of this growth attributed to new customers [18][19] - Non-interest income for the quarter was $77 million, with operating non-interest income increasing by $6 million due to the contribution from Pacific Premier Bancorp [16][19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The acquisition of Pacific Premier Bancorp has enhanced Columbia's competitive position in the Pacific Northwest, with nearly 10% deposit market share in the region [3][4] - The company is focusing on organic growth opportunities in dynamic markets such as Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah, leveraging its expanded footprint [4][5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Columbia Banking System aims to optimize its balance sheet while focusing on organic growth and enhancing customer relationships, particularly in Southern California [4][5] - The company has initiated a $700 million share repurchase program, reflecting confidence in its balance sheet and long-term shareholder value creation [21][22] - Management emphasizes a disciplined approach to lending and profitability over growth for the sake of growth, with a focus on relationship-driven loans [8][9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to generate capital beyond what is required for growth, with a focus on delivering top-tier performance and capital returns [21][34] - The integration of Pacific Premier Bancorp is expected to enhance customer relationships and drive revenue synergies, with management committed to a disciplined, cost-conscious culture [9][20] - The company anticipates continued strong profitability and capital generation, with a focus on optimizing its balance sheet and enhancing long-term shareholder value [21][22] Other Important Information - The company reported a GAAP provision expense of $70 million due to purchase accounting from the acquisition, with an overall allowance for credit losses at 1.1% of total loans [12][16] - Management announced that Ron Farnsworth, the CFO, will be stepping down, with Ivan Shetta appointed as the new CFO [10][11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on the buyback program and balance sheet optimization - Management indicated that the buyback program is a 12-month initiative, balancing capitalizing on valuation and maintaining flexibility for macroeconomic uncertainties [25][26] Question: Thoughts on recent activist investor presentations - Management acknowledged awareness of the presentation and reiterated their focus on consistent performance, capital returns, and the successful integration of Pacific Premier Bancorp [32][34] Question: Drivers behind strong deposit growth - Approximately 30% of the $800 million organic deposit growth came from new customers, with significant contributions from commercial and retail banking [38][39] Question: Outlook on loan growth and balance sheet optimization - Management expects to achieve around 5% annual loan growth while remixing the balance sheet to focus on higher-quality, relationship-based loans [51][52] Question: Expectations for net interest margin in the upcoming quarter - Management provided a range for net interest margin expectations, indicating stability with modest upside in Q4 [56][58]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported earnings per diluted share of $7.87 for the year, representing a year-over-year growth of 9% [5] - Net income for the year was $185.9 million, driven primarily by a 10% increase in non-interest income compared to last year [5] - The full-year net interest margin and adjusted net interest margin were expanded to 7.34% and 5.92% respectively [5] - Return on average assets for the year was 2.46% and return on average tangible equity was 38.75% [5][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the consumer segment, the company announced three new agreements, including partnerships with Trustly and Stripe, enhancing their product offerings [6] - In credit solutions, the company partnered with Upstart to offer personal loans, aligning with their goal of financial inclusion [7] - The commercial finance segment saw total loans and leases grow by 14%, with significant improvements in origination dollars per FTE and reduced days to fund [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Deposits held on the company's balance sheet totaled $5.9 billion, a modest increase of $12 million year-over-year [18] - Loans and leases at September 30th were $4.7 billion compared to $4.1 billion last year, with growth primarily from commercial finance verticals [19] - Non-performing loans increased in the quarter, primarily driven by one working capital loan, but the company believes they are well collateralized [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining an optimized balance sheet and investing in technology to facilitate evolution and scalability [9][10] - The 2026 strategy includes enhancing the client experience and continuing to evaluate new opportunities for partnerships [14] - The company aims to sustain momentum in its culture and talent acquisition efforts, emphasizing remote working as a recruitment tool [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the groundwork laid in 2025 for future growth, despite challenges faced [4] - The company reiterated its fiscal year 2026 guidance for earnings per diluted share of $8.25-$8.75, assuming no rate cuts and an effective tax rate of 18%-22% [23] - Management acknowledged the potential impact of tax code changes on consumer behavior in the tax preparation market [8] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 181,000 shares at an average price of $82.95 during the quarter, bringing full-year repurchases to almost 2.1 million shares [22] - The sale of the majority of the held-for-investment consumer portfolio is expected to put downward pressure on pre-tax income and net interest margin in 2026 [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Details on the Upstart program and its financial impact - Management confirmed that the Upstart program is similar to other marketplace lending products, with credit indemnifications in place [28] Question: Duration of loans on the balance sheet and exclusivity of the Upstart partnership - Loans are typically held for 30 days or less, and the partnership with Upstart is not exclusive [30][31] Question: Demand for early wage access loans and impact of government shutdown - Management indicated that the impact of the government shutdown has not yet been seen, but expects significant volume from the Claire's contract with Intuit [39] Question: Growth expectations for the tax business in fiscal year 2026 - Management expects solid growth in the tax business, influenced by recent tax law changes, but does not have huge growth expectations due to a strong prior year [40][41] Question: Insights on non-performing loans and their resolution - Management explained that non-performing loans can spike without warning but emphasized their ability to manage collateral effectively [42][44] Question: Future pace of share repurchases - Management indicated that the buyback ratio will return to historic norms, targeting an 80%-90% payout ratio [47]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported earnings per diluted share of $7.87 for the year, representing a year-over-year growth of 9% [6] - Net income for the year was $185.9 million, driven primarily by a 10% increase in non-interest income compared to last year [6] - The full-year net interest margin expanded to 7.34%, while the adjusted net interest margin was 5.92% [6] - Return on average assets for the year was 2.46%, and return on average tangible equity was 38.75% [6][23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the consumer segment, the company announced three new agreements, including partnerships with Trustly and Stripe, enhancing their service offerings [7] - In credit solutions, the company partnered with Upstart to offer personal loans, aligning with their financial inclusion goals [8] - The commercial finance segment saw total loans and leases grow by 14%, with significant improvements in origination dollars per FTE and a decrease in days to fund [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Deposits held on the company's balance sheet totaled $5.9 billion, a modest increase of $12 million year-over-year [19] - Loans and leases at September 30 were $4.7 billion, up from $4.1 billion last year, with growth primarily from commercial finance verticals [20] - Non-performing loans increased in the quarter, but the company believes they are well collateralized and manageable [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining an optimized balance sheet and investing in technology to facilitate growth and scalability [10][11] - The 2026 strategy emphasizes the importance of people and culture, with a commitment to remote working and talent development [12] - The company aims to mature its risk and compliance framework to support partner success and enhance client experience [13][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the groundwork laid in 2025 for future growth, despite challenges in the operating environment [5] - The company reiterated its fiscal year 2026 guidance for earnings per diluted share of $8.25 to $8.75, assuming no rate cuts and an effective tax rate of 18% to 22% [24] - Management highlighted the potential positive impact of tax code changes on the tax preparation market [9] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 181,000 shares at an average price of $82.95 during the quarter, bringing full-year repurchases to almost 2.1 million shares [23] - The sale of the majority of the held-for-investment consumer portfolio is expected to put downward pressure on pre-tax income and net interest margin in 2026 [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Details on the Upstart program and financial statement impact - The Upstart program is similar to other marketplace lending products, with credit indemnifications in place [27][28] Question: Duration of loans on the balance sheet - Loans are typically held for 30 days or less before being moved off the balance sheet [29] Question: Demand for early wage access loans and impact of government shutdown - Current demand is not significantly impacted by the government shutdown, but the partnership with Intuit is expected to drive volume [34] Question: Growth expectations in the tax business due to tax law changes - The company expects solid growth in the tax business, but not huge expectations due to a strong prior year [35][36] Question: Non-performing loans and portfolio concentration - Non-performing loans are managed effectively, and the company expects resolution of major NPLs in the coming quarters [39][41] Question: Share repurchase pace in 2026 - The buyback ratio is expected to return to historic norms, targeting an 80% to 90% payout ratio [42]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported earnings per diluted share of $7.87 for the fiscal year, representing a year-over-year growth of 9% [8] - Net income for the year was $185.9 million, driven primarily by a 10% increase in non-interest income compared to the previous year [8] - The net interest margin for the quarter was 7.46%, while the adjusted net interest margin was 6.04% [23] - Return on average assets for the year was 2.46%, and return on average tangible equity was 38.75% [8][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Consumer segment, the company announced three new agreements, including partnerships with Trustly and Stripe, which are expected to enhance their product offerings [9][11] - The Commercial segment saw total loans and leases grow by 14%, with significant growth in structured finance and asset-based lending [13][26] - The company shifted more than half of its held-for-investment consumer portfolio to held-for-sale, generating a $14.3 million release of credit provision [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Deposits held on the balance sheet totaled $5.9 billion, a modest increase of $12 million year-over-year [25] - Loans and leases at September 30 were $4.7 billion, compared to $4.1 billion last year, with growth primarily from commercial finance verticals [26] - Non-performing loans increased in the quarter, primarily driven by one working capital loan, but the company believes they are well collateralized [27][29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining an optimized balance sheet and investing in technology to facilitate evolution and scalability [15][16] - The 2026 strategy includes enhancing the client experience and continuing to build strategic partnerships to drive financial inclusion [14][20] - The company aims to sustain its momentum in talent acquisition and culture, having received recognition as one of the best companies to work for [18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the groundwork laid in 2025 for future growth, maintaining guidance for 2026 earnings per diluted share of $8.25 to $8.75 [21][30] - The company anticipates a solid tax year due to recent tax law changes, although growth expectations are moderate following a strong previous year [50][52] - Management noted that the increase in non-performing loans does not correlate with the annual net charge-off rate, emphasizing their collateral management approach [29][56] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 181,000 shares at an average price of $82.95 during the quarter, with full-year repurchases totaling almost 2.1 million shares [30] - The liquidity position remains strong with $2.3 billion available, higher than the previous year [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Details on the Upstart program and its financial impact - The Upstart program is similar to other marketplace lending products, with credit indemnifications in place and a balance sheet management approach [35][36] Question: Demand for early wage access loans and impact of government shutdown - Management indicated that the government shutdown's impact on demand is not significant, but the partnership with Intuit is expected to bring substantial volume [48][49] Question: Growth expectations in the tax business due to tax law changes - Management expects a solid tax year but does not have huge growth expectations due to a strong previous year, with historic growth rates in mid-single digits [50][52] Question: Insights on non-performing loans and their management - Management clarified that non-performing loans do not correlate with past due loans and emphasized their ability to manage and resolve these loans effectively [53][56] Question: Future pace of share repurchases - The company plans to return to historic norms for share repurchases, targeting an 80% to 90% payout ratio [59]