Core Insights - Columbia Banking System (COLB) is positioning itself for growth through its 2026 plan, focusing on margin, cost, capital, and fee income following the completion of the Pacific Premier deal in August [1] Current Position of Columbia Banking System - COLB's network now includes approximately 350 branches across eight Western states, with total deposits of $55.8 billion, loans and leases of $48.5 billion, and total assets of $67.5 billion as of September 30, 2025 [2] Margin and Interest Income - COLB's net interest margin (NIM) improved to 3.84% in Q3 2025 from 3.56% a year earlier, with expectations of NIM reaching approximately 3.90% in Q4 2025 and Q1 2026 [3] - A shift in deposit mix towards core customers and proactive repricing is expected to stabilize core net interest income (NII) into early 2026 [4] Fee Income Growth - Fee income from treasury management, commercial cards, and wealth/financial services has grown, with these services nearing 30% of non-interest income as of September 30, 2025 [5] - New platforms from the Pacific Premier acquisition are anticipated to enhance fee income through deeper customer relationships [5] Cost Management - Management aims for $127 million in annualized cost savings from the merger, with $48 million already realized by September 30, 2025 [6] - Operating expenses are projected to be between $330 million and $340 million per quarter for several quarters, with a full system conversion planned for Q1 2026 [6] Capital Position - Columbia Banking System's capital ratios improved, with a Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 11.6% and a total risk-based ratio of 13.4% as of Q3 2025 [7] - The board has authorized up to $700 million in share repurchases through November [7] Future Outlook for 2026 - Management anticipates a high-teens operating Return on Tangible Common Equity (ROTCE) framework for 2026, with earnings per share expected to cluster in the low $3s [10] - Execution will depend on successful integration and a shift in loan focus towards relationship-based lending [11] Integration and Cost Dynamics - Integration and restructuring costs may lead to volatility in near-term expenses until synergies are fully realized [12] - The company's office exposure was 8% of loans as of September 30, 2025, with non-performing assets increasing to nearly $200 million [12] Competitive Landscape - Competitive pricing pressures from larger banks and digital competitors could impact COLB's deposit costs, although management is actively working to defend core funding [13]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Earnings for the quarter increased to $71.9 million, or $0.95 per share, exceeding the consensus estimate of $0.88 [6][19] - Return on Assets (ROA) improved to 0.82%, and Return on Equity (ROE) rose to 9.5% [6][19] - Net Interest Margin (NIM) reached 3%, achieved a quarter earlier than expected [6][19] - Capital levels continued to grow, with Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) at 12.5% and tangible book value per share at $39.27 [6][7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total deposits were flat, declining by $28 million, with a $1.2 billion increase in non-broker deposit growth over the last 12 months [11][12] - Commercial Real Estate (CRE) loans increased by $61 million, while Commercial and Industrial (C&I) loans decreased by $130 million due to ongoing payoffs [12][13] - Mortgage warehouse loans grew by $83 million during the quarter [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The CRE exposure totaled $6.5 billion, representing 28% of loans, with a well-balanced portfolio across various asset classes [15][16] - The weighted average loan-to-value ratio of the CRE portfolio was 55%, and the debt service coverage ratio was 1.77 [16] - 49% of the CRE portfolio is in Florida, and 22% in the New York tri-state area, with diversification into other markets like Atlanta and Texas [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to continue margin expansion driven by a change in mix on both sides of the balance sheet rather than solely relying on Federal Reserve rate actions [19][20] - There is a focus on building core relationships and maintaining a disciplined approach to pricing in competitive markets [43][44] - The company is optimistic about long-term prospects for fee income, with a 20% growth in core fee income celebrated [29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the business environment, noting strong pipelines in commercial and real estate teams [10][11] - The sentiment among clients is positive, particularly in the CRE markets, with expectations for strong core commercial loan growth in the fourth quarter [11][50] - The company anticipates flat margin for the fourth quarter but expects to achieve double-digit growth in net interest-bearing deposits for the year [27] Other Important Information - The company has adopted a more opportunistic buyback strategy due to market volatility, rather than a consistent daily buyback approach [7][19] - Non-interest income increased by 24% year-over-year, excluding lease financing, as commercial fee businesses gained traction [25][66] - The CFO, Leslie N. Lunak, is retiring after 13 years, with Jim Mackey transitioning into the role [29][33] Q&A Session Summary Question: Will there be additional charge-offs in Q4 related to specific loans? - Yes, an additional charge-off of a few million dollars is expected in Q4 related to one C&I credit, but it has been fully reserved for [41] Question: Is the loan opportunity set improving in competitive markets? - The opportunity set is larger in growing markets, and while competition is high, the company is focused on maintaining pricing discipline [43][44] Question: What is the outlook for expenses next year? - Specific guidance for 2026 will be provided in January, but no major investments are anticipated that would significantly accelerate expense growth [54] Question: What is the growth potential of fee income businesses? - Fee income growth is expected to be strong, particularly in lending fees, syndication fees, and capital markets, which are closely tied to core commercial activities [63][70] Question: What is the company's appetite for incremental CRE? - The company sees opportunities in retail, industrial, and multifamily sectors, with a focus on grocery-anchored urban markets and construction lending [85]