Banner Corporation Announces Increased Provision for Loan Losses.

Business Editors

Banner Corporation (Nasdaq:BANR) announced that the Corporation expects its provision for loan losses will be $4.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 primarily as a result of the further deterioration in the quality of loans associated with a former senior lending officer in the greater Seattle area and continued weakness with respect to economic activity in that market area.

Many of the loans originated by that former officer were to marginal borrowers whose performance has continued to suffer in the current economic environment, leading to an elevated level of charge-offs and the need for additional loan loss provision. As a result of the increase in the provision for loan losses, the Corporation expects that its net earnings will be approximately $3.5 million, or $.30 per diluted share, for the second quarter.

The Corporation plans to issue a press release for its second quarter ended June 30, 2002, on July 24, 2002 and host a conference call on the same day to discuss the results.

Banner Corporation is the parent of Banner Bank, a Washington state chartered commercial bank, which operates a total of 39 branch offices and six loan offices in 18 counties in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Banner serves the Pacific Northwest region with a full range of deposit services and business, commercial real estate, construction, residential, agricultural and consumer loans. Visit Banner Bank on the web at www.banrbank.com.

Statements concerning future performance, developments or events, expectations for earnings, growth and market forecasts, and any other guidance on future periods, constitute forward-looking statements, which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond the Corporation's control and might cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations and stated objectives. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, regional and general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, demand for mortgages and other loans, real estate values, competition, loan delinquency rates, changes in accounting principles, practices, policies or guidelines, changes in legislation or regulation, other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors affecting operations, pricing, products and services and Banner's ability to successfully resolve the outstanding credit issues and recover check kiting losses. Accordingly, these factors should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Banner undertakes no responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Such forward-looking statements include projections. Such projections have not been audited, examined or otherwise reviewed by independent auditors of Banner. In addition, such projections are based upon many estimates and inherently subject to significant economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of management of Banner. Accordingly, actual results may be materially higher or lower than those projected. The inclusion of such projections herein should not be regarded as a representation by Banner that the projections will prove to be correct.