Banner (NASDAQ:BANR) held its second-quarter earnings conference call on Thursday. Below is the complete transcript from the call.
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View the webcast at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/967943845
Summary
Banner Corporation reported a net profit of $48.9 million, or $1.43 per diluted share, an increase from $1.31 per share in the previous year.
Core earnings for Q2 2026 were $64.4 million, with a 6% revenue increase from the prior year, demonstrating strong core deposit base and net interest margin.
Strategic focus remains on maintaining a moderate risk profile and growing new client relationships through the Super Community bank strategy.
Loan originations showed strong growth, with a 45% increase from the previous quarter, driven by commercial, construction, and consumer lending.
Deposits decreased by $51 million due to seasonal tax payments, but the company maintains strong liquidity with an 87% loan-to-deposit ratio.
Management highlighted the successful integration of new loan origination systems to improve operational efficiency, despite increased expenses this quarter.
Non-performing assets rose slightly due to a condo project but remain manageable, and credit quality metrics are stable with a strong loan loss reserve.
Future guidance suggests continued loan growth and stable deposit costs, with expectations of slight margin expansion in Q3.
The Bank of the Pacific acquisition is on track for Q3 closure, expected to enhance Banner's core deposit base.
Recognition as one of America's 100 Best Banks and other accolades reflect market confidence in Banner's business model and performance.
Full Transcript
Jordan, Operator
Thank you for standing by. My name is Jordan, and I'll be your conference operator today. At this time, I'd like to welcome everyone to the Banner Corporation Second Quarter 2026 Conference Call and webcast. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speakers' remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session. If you'd like to ask a question during this time, simply press star followed by the number one on your telephone keypad.
If you'd like to withdraw your question, press star one again. Thank you. I would now like to turn the call over to Mark Greskovich, President and CEO of Banner Corporation.
Mark Greskovich, President and CEO
Thank you, Jordan, and good morning, everyone. I would also like to welcome you to the second quarter 2026 earnings call for Banner Corporation. Joining me on the call today is Rob Butterfield, Banner Corporation's Chief Financial Officer, Jill Rice, our Chief Credit Officer, and Rich Arnold, our Head of Investor Relations. Rich, would you please read our forward-looking safe harbor statement?
Rich Arnold, Head of Investor Relations
Sure, Mark. Good morning. Our presentation today discusses Banner's business outlook and will include forward-looking statements. Statements include descriptions of management's plans, objectives or goals for future operations, products or services, forecasts of financial or other performance measures, and statements about Banner's general outlook for economic and other conditions. We also may make other forward-looking statements in the question-and-answer periods following management's discussion.
These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those discussed today. Information on the risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from are available from the earnings press release that was released yesterday and a recently filed Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. Forward-looking statements are effective only as of the day they are made, and Banner assumes no obligation to update information concerning its expectations.
Mark Greskovich, President and CEO
Thank you, Rich. As is customary, today we will cover four primary items with you. First, I will provide you high-level comments on Banner's second quarter 2026 performance. Second, the actions Banner continues to take to support all of our stakeholders, including our Banner team, our clients, our communities, and our shareholders. Third, Jill Rice will provide comments on the current status of our loan portfolio. And finally, Rob Butterfield will provide more detail on our operating performance for the quarter as well as comments on our balance sheet.
Before I get started, I want to thank all of my 2,000 colleagues in our company who are working extremely hard to assist our clients and our communities. Banner has lived our core values, summed up as doing the right thing, for the past 135 years. Our overarching goal continues to be to do the right thing for our clients, our communities, our colleagues, our company, and our shareholders, and to provide a consistent and reliable source of commerce and capital through all economic cycles and change events.
I am pleased to report again to you that is exactly what we continue to do. I am very proud of the entire Banner team that are living our core values. Now let me turn to an overview of our performance. As announced, Banner Corporation reported a net profit available to common shareholders of $48.9 million, or $1.43 per diluted share for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. This compares to a net profit to common shareholders of $1.31 per share for the second quarter of 2025.
Our strategy to maintain a moderate risk profile and the investments we have made and continue to make in order to improve our operating performance have positioned the company well for the future. Rob will discuss these items in more detail shortly. The strength of our balance sheet, coupled with a strong reputation we maintain in our markets, will allow us to manage through the current market uncertainty. To illustrate the core earnings power of Banner, I would direct your attention to pre-tax, pre-provision earnings excluding gains and losses on the sale of securities, changes in fair value of financial instruments, merger and acquisition related expenses, and building and lease exit costs. Our second quarter 2026 core earnings were $64.4 million compared to $62.5 million for the second quarter of 2025. Banner's second quarter 2026 revenue from core operations was $172 million compared to $163 million for the second quarter of 2025, an increase of nearly 6%. We continue to benefit from a strong core deposit base that has proved to be resilient and loyal to Banner, a very good net interest margin, and core expense control.
Overall, this resulted in a return on average assets of 1.2% for the second quarter of 2026. Once again, our core performance reflects continued execution on our Super Community bank strategy that is growing new client relationships, maintaining our core funding position, promoting client loyalty and advocacy through our responsive service model, and demonstrating our safety and soundness through all economic cycles and change events. To that point, our core deposits continue to represent 89% of total deposits.
Reflective of this performance, coupled with our strong regulatory capital ratios and the fact we increased our tangible common equity per share by 11% from the same period last year, we announced a core dividend of $0.52 per common share. Earlier this month we released our 2025 Corporate Responsibility Report. Banner has always been committed to do the right thing in support of our clients, the many communities that we serve, and our colleagues.
The accomplishments highlighted in this report are meant to reflect the deep connection we have with all of our stakeholders and our commitment to creating positive change in the communities we serve. Finally, I'm pleased to say that we continue to receive marketplace recognition and validation of our business model and our value proposition. Banner was again named one of America's 100 Best Banks as well as one of the best banks in the world by Forbes, and Newsweek named Banner one of the most trustworthy companies both in America and the world again this year, and just recently named Banner one of the best regional banks in the country.
Additionally, our company was certified by Great Place to Work, and S&P Global Market Intelligence ranked Banner's financial performance among the top 50 public banks with more than $10 billion in assets. Also, the Kroll Bond Rating Agency affirmed all of Banner's investment-grade debt and deposit ratings, and as we have noted previously, Banner Bank again received an outstanding CRA rating. Let me now turn the call over to Jill to discuss trends in our loan portfolio and her comments on Banner's credit quality.
Jill Rice, Chief Credit Officer
Thank you, Mark, and good morning, everyone. As detailed in our press release, loan originations were strong again this quarter. We reported solid loan growth across multiple product lines and Banner's credit metrics remained stable. Delinquent loans declined 5 basis points to 0.51% of total loans when compared to the linked quarter and compared to 0.41% as of June 30, 2025. Adversely classified assets also declined quarter over quarter and were down $16.5 million and represent 1.82% of total loans, a 19 basis point decrease when compared to March 31.
Non-performing assets increased by $8.9 million, the result of a single condo construction project moving to nonaccrual. In spite of this increase, total non-performing assets represent a modest 0.36% of total assets. Non-performing loans total $54.8 million, the majority of which are one-to-four family or other consumer-related credit that often involve protracted resolution timelines. REO balances declined by $500,000 quarter over quarter and total $5.7 million.
The net provision for credit losses in the quarter was $3.8 million, including a $1.6 million provision for credit losses—loans and a $2.2 million provision for unfunded loan commitments. Loan losses in the quarter were modest, totaling $577,000, and were offset in part by recoveries totaling $476,000. The provision was largely driven by loan growth and was partially offset by changes in portfolio mix and positive risk rating migration. The loan loss reserve remains strong, providing coverage of 1.35% of total loans, which compares to 1.37% as of both the linked quarter and as of June 30, 2025.
Loan originations increased 45% when compared to the linked quarter, with commercial originations up 85%, construction up 73%, and consumer up 55%, respectively, and both commercial and commercial real estate pipelines continue to be strong. Loan outstandings grew by $287 million in the quarter, or nearly 10% on an annualized basis, in spite of continued commercial real estate and, to a lesser extent, C&I loan payoffs experienced in the quarter. The primary drivers of loan growth in the quarter were C&I up $152 million, consumer loans up $62 million, and owner-occupied real estate up $54 million.
The growth in both C&I lending and owner-occupied real estate was a mix of both new and expanded small business relationships as well as several new middle market commercial relationships spread across the footprint. The growth in the consumer portfolio was driven largely by the generation of new home equity lines of credit resulting from a successful marketing campaign, with a smaller contribution from utilization of existing facilities. Consistent with owner-occupied commercial real estate, growth in the non-owner-occupied balances reflects our success in developing new middle market relationships while deepening existing client relationships.
Notably, this quarter's growth was materially tempered by multiple loan payoffs associated with real estate sales and refinancing activity into the secondary market. The increase in multifamily real estate loan balances was driven primarily by the conversion of several affordable housing projects upon completion of construction. Residential construction loans continue to represent approximately 5% of the total loan portfolio across all business lines.
The overall construction portfolio remains well balanced at 14% of total loans, reflecting our measured approach to managing construction-related exposure. The completed for-sale one-to-four family construction projects' average days on market again increased modestly this quarter given the current elevated interest rate environment. However, completed and unsold inventory levels remain within historical norms and are considered manageable. We continue to closely monitor sales velocity, particularly within the higher-end product segment, given ongoing economic uncertainty.
Last quarter I noted the economic uncertainty resulting from persistent inflation, a higher-for-longer interest rate environment, and heightened geopolitical tensions. While these headwinds continue, Banner's super community bank delivery model and disciplined credit culture have enabled us to strengthen existing relationships, grow new business, and maintain our moderate risk profile supported by a strong balance sheet, robust capital levels, and a solid allowance for credit losses.
We remain well positioned to navigate the current environment and capitalize on future opportunities. With that, I will hand the microphone over to Rob for his comments.
Rob Butterfield, Chief Financial Officer
Thank you, Jill. We reported $1.43 per diluted share for the second quarter compared to $1.60 per diluted share for the prior quarter. The decrease in earnings per share compared to the prior quarter was primarily driven by a higher provision for credit losses, lower noninterest income, and higher noninterest expense, partially offset by stronger net interest income. Core pre-tax pre-provision income increased $1.9 million, or 3%, compared to the second quarter of last year.
Our performance metrics remain solid as we reported a return on average tangible common equity of 12.27% and a return on average assets of 1.20% for the current quarter. As Jill previously mentioned, loan balances increased $287 million during the quarter, or nearly 10% on an annualized basis, reflecting continued client demand across our markets. The loan-to-deposit ratio ended the quarter at 87%, which provides us with strong liquidity and funding flexibility.
Total securities balances decreased $34 million during the quarter due to a slight decline in fair value partially offset by purchases exceeding portfolio cash flows. Deposits decreased $51 million during the quarter due to normal seasonal activity as clients use deposit balances to make tax payments. Core deposits decreased $59 million and ended the quarter at 89% of total deposits. Certificates of deposit increased $8 million during the quarter.
Total borrowings increased $319 million during the quarter as FHLB advances were temporarily used to fund loan growth and the seasonal deposit outflows. The tangible common equity to asset ratio increased to 10.02%. Total shareholders’ equity increased $33 million during the quarter to approximately $2 billion. Net interest income increased $3.6 million from the prior quarter due to a combination of a 2 basis point increase in the tax-equivalent net interest margin and average earning assets increasing $129 million.
The increase in average earning assets was driven by average loan balances increasing $158 million, partially offset by a decline in interest-bearing cash. The tax-equivalent net interest margin was 4.13% compared to 4.11% in the prior quarter. The increase in net interest margin was due to an increase in the yield on earning assets due to loan yields increasing 2 basis points and the continued improvement in the earning asset mix. The average rate on new loan production for the current quarter was 6.53% compared to 6.69% for the prior quarter.
The increase in the earning asset yield was partially offset by an increase in funding costs as FHLB advances were used to temporarily fund loan growth and seasonal deposit outflows. Deposit costs decreased 2 basis points from the prior quarter due to further repricing in the CD book. Noninterest-bearing deposits ended the quarter at 33% of total deposits, same as the previous quarter. Total noninterest income decreased $939,000 from the prior quarter.
The decrease was primarily due to the prior quarter having a $1.7 million increase in the valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value and the current quarter having lower gain on loan sale income. These decreases were partially offset by the prior quarter having a loss on the sale of securities and the current quarter having higher service fee income. Total noninterest expense increased $5.4 million from the prior quarter. As I noted last quarter, the expenses in the first quarter were lower than typical as some expenses expected to be incurred in the first quarter were delayed until the second quarter.
Software expense was $1.8 million higher, which included $924,000 of nonrecurring expense related to the write-off of the previous commercial loan origination system, which was recently replaced. Marketing expense was $1.3 million higher due to the timing of advertising campaigns. Salary expense was $800,000 higher due to normal annual salary increases being completed at the end of the first quarter, and legal expenses were $764,000 higher due to various legal matters.
In addition, the current quarter included $238,000 of M&A expense related to the Bank of the Pacific acquisition. Our capital and liquidity positions remain strong and continue to support our clients, communities, and future growth opportunities. This concludes my prepared comments. Now I will turn it back to Mark.
Mark Greskovich, President and CEO
Thank you, Jill and Rob, for your comments. That concludes our prepared remarks today, and Jordan, we will now open the call and welcome questions.
Jordan, Operator
Your first question comes from the line of Matthew Clark from Piper Sandler. Your line is now live.
Matthew Clark, Analyst at Piper Sandler
Hey, good morning everyone.
Mark Greskovich, President and CEO
Morning, Matthew.
Matthew Clark, Analyst at Piper Sandler
Just on the loan yields, wondered what the average rate was on new loans? I may have missed it in your prepared comments. And then what's your outlook on loan yields in general? Knowing that you still have some back book repricing but also want to consider the competitive pricing and rate environment.
Rob Butterfield, Chief Financial Officer
Yeah, thanks for the question, Matthew. This is Rob. So the average yield on new loan production for the quarter was 6.53%, and you know, we've been seeing some back book repricing there. We've been seeing new loans come on at higher yields, but we've also seen that slowing over time. And this most recent quarter it was a 2 basis points increase in overall loan yields. And so the pace of that increase is slowing at this time. Going forward, I would expect probably through the end of the year we might see one to two basis points of increase quarter over quarter.
So it is slowing at this point.
Matthew Clark, Analyst at Piper Sandler
Okay, thank you. And then similar question on the deposit side, if you had the spot rate on deposits at the end of the quarter on June 30, maybe the monthly NIM in the month of June, and your thoughts on deposit costs going forward, assuming the Fed's on hold?
Rob Butterfield, Chief Financial Officer
Yeah. So deposit costs were relatively flat throughout the quarter. So the 133 basis points was pretty close to what we saw throughout the quarter. And NIM was fairly flat as well. What I'd say is earlier in the quarter we had a higher reliance on FHLB advances, so NIM was a bit lower, and then it did increase a bit as we moved through the quarter. And then just as far as what we're looking at from a go-forward standpoint, we've been benefiting from the CD book repricing.
And that's the benefit that you saw — the two basis points decline in deposit costs was the CD book repricing. The CD book has pretty much fully repriced at this point, and I wouldn't expect any further repricing in the CD book until we start to see some Fed action, which really isn't forecasted for the foreseeable future. So I'm expecting deposit costs to remain relatively flat. The only other thing I will add is we have started to see CD specials in our marketplaces.
We have started to see those increase. And this most recent quarter we did increase the advertised rate that we were advertising as well. So, you know, if anything, I would say holding deposit costs flat is going to be the goal at this point.
Matthew Clark, Analyst at Piper Sandler
Okay. And then last one for me, just on expenses — a little heavier than expected. Even if you strip out the software write-off and the merger costs, maybe speak to your thoughts on the run rate going forward, whether or not we might see some relief. And what you're doing on the technology side — what did you get rid of, what are you investing in? That would be helpful, thank you.
Rob Butterfield, Chief Financial Officer
Sure. Yeah. You know, as I mentioned last quarter, the Q1 expenses were lower than expected due to the timing of certain expenses that were expected to incur in the first quarter got delayed into the second quarter. You know, as I talked about, I mean IT expenses were up about half of that. A million dollars of that was the write-off of the old commercial loan origination system that was recently replaced. And then we're also seeing additional modules and seeing how the new loan origination system continues to go live.
So we're seeing some expense increase there, and then just some of the marketing campaigns that we had — we didn't have anything that went really live in the first quarter, so really the second quarter was basically two quarters’ worth of marketing expense that you saw there. And I think if you're looking for kind of a run rate at this point, you know, if you back out the loan origination system write-off — the old one — the M&A expense for the quarter, that's going to get you pretty close.
You know, expenses are always going to bounce around a million or two quarter to quarter just because of timing-type items. So I think you probably saw Q1 was a bit low, Q2 was a bit high just from timing-type items. And, you know, we continue to see the loan and deposit origination system — we continue to see the benefits of that. And the benefits aren't only from an efficiency expense standpoint, but I think what you saw also is you saw an increase in loan originations, and we're starting to see the pull-through and the timing on how quickly we can get loans through the pipeline.
We're benefiting from that standpoint because of that investment we made in that new loan origination system.
Matthew Clark, Analyst at Piper Sandler
Great, thanks again.
Rob Butterfield, Chief Financial Officer
Thank you, Matthew.
Jordan, Operator
The next question comes from the line of Jeff Rulis from DA Davidson. Your line is now live.
Ryan Payne, Analyst at DA Davidson
Good morning, this is Ryan Payne on for Jeff Rulis. Starting off — strong loan growth this quarter. Last quarter we saw elevated payoffs. Just wanted to gauge those dynamics this quarter and the pace of expected net loan growth through the remainder of the year.
Jill Rice, Chief Credit Officer
Yeah, Ryan, this is Jill. So this quarter, as I alluded to in my comments, we did still have the commercial real estate payoffs and more — a little bit unexpected, increased elevated C&I payoff due to business sales and other transactions, asset sales. But what I would say is that in spite of that we continue to have meaningful unfunded construction projects underway. The pipelines continue to rebuild and are strong, and even looking, you know, at history as the driver, third quarter will probably come down a little bit in originations and loan growth, yet we still expect to end the year — the full year — at that mid-single-digit growth rate. CRE payoffs are slowing, but they're not done.
Ryan Payne, Analyst at DA Davidson
Got it. Thanks. On the deposit side, how would you characterize the competition? There are customers looking for higher rates with maybe some rate hike anticipations.
Rob Butterfield, Chief Financial Officer
Right. I wouldn't necessarily say that the expectation of rate hikes are there, but I would say just as I mentioned earlier, we're starting to see some pressure on the CD pricing. We haven't seen that necessarily cross over into the core products at this point. And I wouldn't say — I mean, we consider exception pricing for various clients as we look at things always, but we haven't necessarily seen an increase in the level of exception pricing at this point for our core products.
Ryan Payne, Analyst at DA Davidson
Got it. And last for me — with a California peer takeout announced recently, how do you view that in terms of any potential market share gains or competition for deals in that area?
Mark Greskovich, President and CEO
Ryan, this is Mark. Look, I think it was a great transaction. Obviously that is a very good and well-run bank that has a great reputation. So anytime there's some type of system conversion, there's opportunity for us. Maybe they'll be distracted with integration, but it's a well-run bank, and we're just going to continue along with our organic model. And I think you can see by the numbers that we're doing pretty well in California. So I think we're just going to continue that, and if opportunities present themselves, we'll take advantage of it.
Ryan Payne, Analyst at DA Davidson
Okay, thanks. I'll step back.
Mark Greskovich, President and CEO
Thanks, Ryan.
Jordan, Operator
Your next question comes from the line of Kelly Mata from KBW. Your line is now live.
Megan Lynch, Analyst at KBW
Hi, this is Megan Lynch on for Kelly Mata. Thanks for taking my question.
Mark Greskovich, President and CEO
Good morning, Megan.
Rob Butterfield, Chief Financial Officer
Yeah, this is Rob. Thanks for the question. We put any alternative capital actions outside of the core dividend on hold until we get the Bank of the Pacific deal closed, assuming the right market conditions exist. It doesn't necessarily change the total number of shares that we're going to repurchase for the year. It just kind of pushes out the timing of those at this time. So we're really waiting for the Bank of the Pacific transaction to close before we do anything.
Yeah, the timing hasn't changed. We expect it to close here in the third quarter. I would say as far as getting all the required approvals and by everyone, everything's on track at this point. We feel really good about it. And so nothing's changed since we announced the deal.
Jordan, Operator
Thank you. Your next question comes from the line of Andrew Visha from StoneX Group. Your line is live.
Andrew Visha, Analyst at StoneX Group
Hey, good morning, everyone.
Mark Greskovich, President and CEO
Morning, Andrew.
Andrew Visha, Analyst at StoneX Group
Just a question. On the one last point on the margin, the FHLB balances, have you seen the deposit growth kind of rebuild here this quarter? How should we look at the balance sheet makeup on the funding side here for this quarter?
Rob Butterfield, Chief Financial Officer
Yeah, I think as we move through the second quarter, we saw the FHLB balances grow as we moved through the first half of the quarter, and then we started to see the deposit balances come back in as we moved through the end of it. So I would say at this point it's just normal seasonality. And assuming we see that normal deposit growth that we would expect in the third quarter, which is typically our strongest quarter from a deposit growth standpoint, we'd expect those FHLB advances to continue to come down as we move through the quarter.
Andrew Visha, Analyst at StoneX Group
Got it. So from what I'm hearing on the loan and deposit side, maybe not too much benefit like you've seen going forward, but maybe you get some benefit here with wholesale funding flowing up. So maybe we see a couple basis points of margin expansion.
Rob Butterfield, Chief Financial Officer
Yeah, I think that's right. I still think we're going to get a little bit on the loan repricing, call it a basis point or two. And then in the third quarter, we should see funding costs come down just because of the mix change there with additional deposits coming in, lower FHLB advances. So a couple basis points of margin expansion in the third quarter. Beyond that, it's going to be tougher as you move forward past the third quarter, just because I'm thinking funding costs are going to level out and you might see a little bit on the loan side, but again that pace is continuing to slow.
Andrew Visha, Analyst at StoneX Group
Got it. And then just, you know, on the new software and the old software that you wrote off, wrote down, what does the new system do that you didn't have before?
Rob Butterfield, Chief Financial Officer
I think primarily it just creates a lot of efficiencies in the sense that there were a lot of back office processes that continue to be fairly manual. So it really automates a lot of the processes and allows the time it takes a deal to get through the system from start to finish. It slows or increases that timing.
Mark Greskovich, President and CEO
This is Mark, let me just add. There were two separate systems that we had running. We had a consumer system—actually three. We have consumer systems, small business, and commercial. So it helps refine all of that into one particular operating system. So it does streamline the operations.
Andrew Visha, Analyst at StoneX Group
Got it. So it sounds like this was something you've been wanting to do for quite some time, but now you felt the timing was right and you have the good technology.
Mark Greskovich, President and CEO
I think that's correct. I think we've been wanting to do it for a while, but as you know, we had a few bank acquisitions that we were combining and we didn't want to disrupt our market performance and our organic growth during those integrations. So the timing was perfect for us to do this.
Andrew Visha, Analyst at StoneX Group
Got it. Makes sense. All right, thanks. I'll step back.
Mark Greskovich, President and CEO
Thank you, Andrew.
Jordan, Operator
Your next question comes from the line of David Feaster from Raymond James. Your line is live.
Evan, Analyst at Raymond James
Hey, good morning, guys. This is actually Evan on for David Feaster.
Mark Greskovich, President and CEO
Morning, Evan.
Evan, Analyst at Raymond James
Morning. Just wanted to maybe switch back to the growth side. Origination trends were really encouraging and loan growth was seemingly pretty broad-based. You also touched on the resiliency of customers in your marketplace. So I'm just curious whether you believe this was a function of improving demand as customers get more used to the operating environment, or is it rather just getting more out of your producers? Then maybe more broadly, where are you seeing the most opportunities to drive loan growth today, whether geographically or by industry?
Jill Rice, Chief Credit Officer
Thanks. So as to the first part of the question, it really was both. I mean, it's new client acquisition, it's our new relationship managers really hitting the street and bringing in business, and just expansion of existing relationships. So I'd say we're hitting on all cylinders this quarter and I would expect that to continue given the way the pipelines are continuing to build. If you look back over the last three quarters, originations have been pretty healthy in each of those quarters.
They take time to actually end up being funded loan balances. So I feel really good about it. And as to the geographies, it was broad-based. I went looking for the pockets of where we were finding these loans and it was up and down the West Coast, across the mountains, into eastern Washington. So we don't have an industry or a particular geography that is doing all of the work for us.
Evan, Analyst at Raymond James
That's really helpful. And then maybe just sticking on growth and with the Pacific deal, it's good to hear that's going well. I know it brings a very strong core deposit base and it's very complementary on the funding side. But I'm just curious if you're also seeing opportunities on the lending side in terms of their bankers being able to bank larger credits, or if there's any verticals that they had that you're excited to be able to expand on. Thanks.
Mark Greskovich, President and CEO
No new verticals, but certainly their bankers will have a much greater upside in terms of growing their relationships with their existing clients and actually bringing on new clients in their markets that they couldn't bank given their much smaller hold limits at that institution. So I don't want to speak for them, but I think they're pretty excited about their opportunities as they come into Banner. And we're excited as well, I should say. I mean it's great for both of us.
Evan, Analyst at Raymond James
That's great to hear. And then last one from me, just on the credit side, I saw the increase in nonperforming, but there was also positive migration in substandard. Just curious what you're seeing in terms of broad credit trends, then maybe if you have any more detail on that condo loan that migrated and expectations for resolution or recovery on that. Thanks.
Jill Rice, Chief Credit Officer
Yeah, so it was a small condo project in the California market. Ultimately I don't expect it to be sitting in nonperforming for very long. It experienced significant delays from the outset and I see a medium-term resolution to that. But the biggest area of nonperforming assets: they're one-to-four family residential, they're home equity lines of credit. It's an average loan size of under 500,000 in that specific segment. So what am I watching most closely?
It's the consumer segment—mortgage, home equity, all of that—that has been impacted by this higher rate environment for this elongated time period and the strain that they're experiencing.
Evan, Analyst at Raymond James
That's really helpful. I'll step back and congratulations on the quarter.
Mark Greskovich, President and CEO
Thank you, Evan.
Jordan, Operator
Your next question comes from the line of Andrew Terrell from Stephens Inc. Your line is now live.
Andrew Terrell, Analyst at Stephens Inc.
Hey, good morning.
Mark Greskovich, President and CEO
Morning, Andrew.
Andrew Terrell, Analyst at Stephens Inc.
Hey. I was hoping maybe to start just with Jill, and apologies if I missed it. It sounds like after a strong second quarter on loan growth, the pipeline and the kind of underlying trends going into the back half of the year are still pretty strong. I was hoping you could just maybe quantify, to the extent you can, just where the pipeline sits—whether year on year, quarter on quarter—kind of the sequential changes, just to give us a sense for how it's trending into the back half of the year?
Jill Rice, Chief Credit Officer
You know, I don't have those numbers off the top of my head, Andrew. I just know that as we pull them through into fundings, things are coming in behind them. So I can't compare this quarter to last quarter—what's sitting in the pipeline. I just know that they remain full and continue to end up being closings, originations, and then ultimately funded balances.
Andrew Terrell, Analyst at Stephens Inc.
Okay, fair enough. So we're tracking towards that mid-singles on the loan growth for this year. I know it sounds like deposits should pick up seasonally here in the third quarter, but do you think core deposit growth can kind of keep pace with that mid-singles loan growth, and any early indications on how deposits are tracking here in the third quarter?
Rob Butterfield, Chief Financial Officer
Hey Andrew, it's Rob. Our expectation is that deposit growth would keep up with the pace of loan growth. You know, we're a core-funded bank—that's what we are, that's what we expect to maintain. And I'd just say, we're just seeing normal seasonality right now.
Mark Greskovich, President and CEO
And let me just add, Andrew, recall the Bank of the Pacific, Pacific Financial Corp., transaction is going to add some fantastic core deposits to us. They're a very, very well-run bank with a strong core deposit base. It's going to be very helpful for us.
Andrew Terrell, Analyst at Stephens Inc.
Yep, certainly. If I could just sneak one more in, Mark. It feels like the environment for deals has really started picking up some. You guys are obviously working through Pacific now and, as you referenced, great deposit-forward acquisition for you guys, a little bit on the smaller side. I'm curious if that changes your opinion on interest in further M&A, potentially more near term—just maybe characterize your interest going forward.
Mark Greskovich, President and CEO
I don't. Look, I think the Bank of the Pacific transaction—that combination—is going to be fantastic. They're a great company to work with. The integration I expect to go very smoothly and it should go according to schedule. So that transaction would not preclude us from doing something else. And we're going to continue to be opportunistic. Obviously with our strong capital levels and good core earnings power, I think we'll continue to be a great partner.
And as you know, there's a bit of scarcity on the West Coast now. So we're going to have an opportunity, I think, to really benefit from our balance sheet to be able to do continued non-organic growth opportunities. So I feel very good about that.
Jordan, Operator
That concludes the question and answer session. I would like to turn the call back over to Mark Greskovich for closing remarks.
Mark Greskovich, President and CEO
Thank you, Jordan. As I stated, we're very proud of the Banner team and our second quarter 2026 solid operating performance. Thank you for your interest in Banner and for joining our call today. We look forward to reporting our results to you again in the future. Thank you very much for your attention and everyone have a wonderful day.
Jordan, Operator
This concludes today's meeting. You may now disconnect.
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