Banner Corporation Reports Second Quarter Profits of $7.1 Million; Loans Increase 28% and Deposits Increase 39%.

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Banner Corporation (NASDAQ:BANR), the parent company of Banner Bank, today reported that substantial loan and deposit growth, both internal and through acquisition, contributed to second quarter profits. In the second quarter of 2007, net income was $7.1 million, or $0.48 per diluted share. In the second quarter a year ago, following a $3.4 million after-tax recovery from an insurance settlement, Banner earned $9.4 million, or $0.77 per diluted share. For the first six months of this year, net income totaled $14.9 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, compared to $16.1 million, or $1.33 per diluted share, in the first six months of 2006.

In the quarter ended June 30, 2007, Banner's net income included net charges of $1.9 million ($1.2 million after tax) as a result of changes in the valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value in accordance with the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 159 and SFAS No. 157. Excluding fair value adjustments and the insurance recovery, second quarter net income from recurring operations increased 40% to $8.3 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, compared to $5.9 million, or $0.49 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2006. For the first six months of 2007, excluding fair value adjustments and the insurance recovery, net income increased 21% to $15.4 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, compared to $12.7 million, or $1.05 per diluted share, in the first half of 2006. See footnote below and "Pro Forma Disclosures Excluding Fair Value Adjustments and 2006 Insurance Recovery."

In June 2006, Banner announced that it had reached a $5.5 million insurance settlement relating to a loss incurred in 2001. The net amount of the settlement, after costs, resulted in a $5.4 million credit to other operating expense and contributed approximately $3.4 million, or $0.28 per share, to second quarter 2006 earnings. Excluding this insurance settlement, net income from recurring operations was $5.9 million and $12.7 million, respectively, for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2006.

"Our second quarter and year-to-date profits are a direct result of the sustained growth in our balance sheet," said D. Michael Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Reflecting strong internal growth and acquisitions we have increased loans 28% (18% from acquisitions) and deposits 39% (18% from acquisitions) during the twelve months ended June 30, 2007. As a result of our aggressive franchise expansion, we have added 16 new branches through acquisition, opened 17 new branches and relocated six others in less than three years. Most recently, we opened branches in Beaverton, Oregon and Bellingham, Washington, and on May 1, 2007, we closed our acquisitions of F&M Bank and San Juan Financial Holding Company. F&M Bank had $433 million in assets, $389 million in total loans and $348 million in deposit balances at closing. On the same date, San Juan Financial Holding Company had $160 million in assets, $118 million in total loans and $124 million in deposit balances. In addition to these two acquisitions, we also entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire NCW Community Bank of Wenatchee, Washington, on June 27, 2007. NCW Community Bank had approximately $100 million in assets, $89 million in total loans and $91 million in deposit balances at June 30, 2007. We anticipate closing this most recent proposed acquisition during the fourth quarter of 2007, subject to regulatory approval and the approval of the shareholders of NCW Community Bank. We are rapidly reaching a size in terms of number of branches that will generate deposit growth sufficient to fund our expected loan growth and payoff FHLB borrowings. When this occurs, we will decelerate our de novo branch expansion program to a more moderate pace."

Second Quarter 2007 Highlights (compared to second quarter 2006)

* Net income, excluding fair value adjustments and insurance recovery, increased 40% to $8.3 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, compared to $5.9 million, or $0.49 per share a year ago.

* Net interest income before provision for loan losses grew 22% to $38.1 million.

* Revenues advanced 24% to $45.0 million, excluding fair value adjustments.

* Total deposits increased by $1 billion, or 39%, to $3.59 billion.

* Loans increased 28% to $3.58 billion.

* Credit quality remains solid with non-performing assets representing 0.35% of total assets and net charge-offs declining to just 0.01% of average loans.

*Earnings information excluding the fair value adjustments and insurance recovery (net income from recurring operations) represent non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measures. Management has presented these non-GAAP financial measures in this earnings release because it believes that they provide more useful and comparative information to assess trends in the Company's core operations reflected in the current quarter and year-to-date results. Where applicable, the Company has also presented comparable earnings information using GAAP financial measures.

Income Statement Review

"We have actively managed our assets and liabilities over the past two years to enhance our net interest margin. While our margin expansion in the second quarter is due in part to our acquisitions, it also reflects continuing changes in our asset and liability mix," said Jones. "We expect our net interest margin to remain stable during the next few quarters. We also believe the Northwest economy will continue to be strong and will afford us good growth opportunities." Banner's net interest margin was 4.11% for the second quarter of 2007, compared to 3.94% in the quarter ended March 31, 2007, and 4.11% for the quarter ended June 30, 2006. Funding costs for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 decreased 16 basis points compared to the previous quarter and increased 33 basis points from the second quarter a year earlier, while asset yields increased one basis point from the prior linked quarter and 27 basis points from the comparable quarter a year ago.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2007, net interest income before the provision for loan losses increased 22% to $38.1 million, compared to $31.2 million in the same quarter a year ago. Year-to-date, net interest income before the provision for loan losses increased 15% to $70.3 million, compared to $61.1 million in the same period a year ago. Banner's net interest margin for the six months year-to-date was 4.04%, compared to 4.17% for the first six months of 2006 and 4.00% for the six months ended December 31, 2006.

"Higher deposit fee revenue reflects the strong deposit growth we have generated over the past year, both internally and through our acquisitions, as well as increased revenues from other fee generating activities," said Jones. "Despite the moderating housing market trends, mortgage banking operations also improved compared to a year ago." Revenues (net interest income before the provision for loan losses plus other operating income) excluding fair value adjustments increased 24% to $45.0 million in the second quarter, from $36.2 million in the second quarter last year. Revenues increased 17% to $82.3 million, excluding fair value adjustments, in the first half of 2007, compared to $70.6 million in the same period a year ago.

Total other operating income, excluding fair value adjustments, for the second quarter increased 37% to $6.9 million, compared to $5.0 million for the same quarter a year ago. For the first six months of 2007, total other operating income increased 26% to $12.0 million, excluding fair value adjustments, compared to $9.5 million in the first six months of 2006. Income from deposit fees and other service charges increased 41% to $4.1 million in the second quarter, compared to $2.9 million for the same period in 2006. Income from mortgage banking operations increased 24% from the second quarter of 2006, reflecting the still relatively sound northwest housing markets. Net fair value adjustments as a result of changes in the value of financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value under SFAS No. 159 resulted in a decrease of $1.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 and a decrease of $697,000 for the first six months of 2007.

"Our new and acquired branches are proving to be very successful in helping us reach new customers and grow deposits. Although they initially increase our expenses, over time they will add to our profitability by providing low-cost core deposits to fund our loan growth," said Jones. Other operating expenses increased to $31.3 million in the second quarter of 2007, compared to $25.4 million, excluding the insurance recovery, in the second quarter a year ago, reflecting both new branches and the two acquisitions. The ratio of other operating expense (expense ratio) to average assets was 3.14% in the second quarter of 2007, compared to 2.48% for the second quarter last year and 3.02% for the first quarter of 2007. Without the recovery, the ratio for the second quarter of 2006 would have been 3.14%. While not reflected in the second quarter's results, we are making good progress toward implementing the cost savings and revenue enhancement strategies anticipated with respect to the F&M Bank and San Juan Financial Holding Company acquisitions. As a result, we believe our ratio of normal recurring operating expenses to average assets will decline in future periods.

The efficiency ratio was 72.63% (69.60% excluding fair value adjustments) in the quarter ended June 30, 2007, versus 55.24% (70. 01% excluding the insurance recovery) a year earlier. For the first six months of 2007, the efficiency ratio was 70.30% (69 70% excluding fair value adjustments), compared to 61.18% (68.75% excluding the insurance recovery) in the first six months of 2006.

Banner Corporation elected early adoption of SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, and SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, effective January 1, 2007. SFAS No. 159, which was issued in February 2007, generally permits the measurement of selected eligible financial instruments at fair value at specified election dates. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principals (GAAP), and expands disclosures about fair value measurement. The Company made this election to allow it more flexibility with respect to the management of its investment securities, wholesale borrowings and interest rate risk position in future periods.

Upon adoption of SFAS No.159, the Company selected fair value measurement for all of its "available for sale" investment securities, Federal Home Loan Bank advances and junior subordinated debentures, which had fair values of approximately $226.2 million, $176.8 million and $124.4 million, respectively, on January 1, 2007. The initial fair value measurement of these instruments resulted in a $3.5 million adjustment for the cumulative effect, net of tax, as a result of the change in accounting, which was recorded as a reduction in retained earnings as of January 1, 2007, and which under SFAS No. 159 has not been recognized in current earnings. While the adjustment to retained earnings is permanent, approximately $2.6 million of the amount was previously reported as accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2006, so the reduction in total shareholders' equity was only $897,000 on January 1, 2007. Following the initial election, changes in the value of financial instruments recorded at fair value are recognized as gains or losses in subsequent financial reporting periods. As a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 159 and changes in the fair value measurement of the financial assets and liabilities noted above, the Company recorded a net gain of $1.2 million ($755,000 after tax) in the quarter ended March 31, 2007, and a net loss of $1.9 million ($1.2 million after tax) in the quarter ended June 30, 2007.

Balance Sheet Review

"The loan portfolio, although expanding at a more moderate pace, is still growing at double-digit rates," Jones said. "Our lending personnel have generated strong growth in commercial and multifamily real estate loans, construction and land loans, and commercial and agricultural business loans, which combined account for 83% of the loan portfolio at June 30, 2007. In addition, the origination and sale of one-to-four family loans through our mortgage banking operations has continued to be solid." Net loans increased 28% (18% from acquisitions) to $3.58 billion at June 30, 2007 compared to $2.79 billion at June 30, 2006.

Total deposits increased 39% (18% from acquisitions) to $3.59 billion at June 30, 2007, compared to $2.58 billion at the end of June 2006. Non-interest-bearing accounts increased 43% and total transaction and savings accounts increased 48% during the twelve months ending June 30, 2007, while certificates of deposit increased 32%. "We continue to be successful in increasing the number of transaction accounts, and total deposit growth for the quarter was very encouraging," said Jones.

FHLB borrowings declined substantially to $34 million at June 30, 2007, compared to $93 million at March 31, 2007 and $369 million at June 30, 2006 as a result of Banner's asset and liability management strategies, which resulted in strong deposit growth and declining securities balances. The securities portfolio declined by 20% to $231 million at June 30, 2007, from $290 million a year earlier, as a result of sales, maturities and principal prepayments despite the addition of $33.0 million of securities held by the two acquired banks on the effective closing date. During the quarter ended June 30, 2007, the Company also called and repaid $25.8 million of junior subordinated debentures (trust preferred securities), which carried an interest rate of 9.09% for the six months immediately preceding the call date.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2007, the Company issued 2,592,611 shares in connection with the acquisitions of F&M Bank and San Juan Financial Holding Company, resulting in $113.2 million of additional equity. The acquisitions also resulted in an increase of $93.2 million of goodwill and other intangibles. The Company also issued 80,788 shares through its Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan and a net of 32,248 shares in connection with the exercise of vested stock options. This stock issuance, combined with the changes in retained earnings as a result of operations and the effects of fair value accounting, net of quarterly dividend distributions, resulted in a $120.8 million increase in shareholders' equity for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 compared to March 31, 2007. At June 30, 2007, shareholder's equity was $402.3 million compared to $232.5 million at the end of June 2006.

Assets increased 26% to $4.27 billion at June 30, 2007, compared to $3.40 billion a year earlier. Book value per share increased to $26.06 at June 30, 2007, from $19.43 a year earlier, and tangible book value per share was $18.77 at quarter-end, compared to $16.39 a year earlier.

Credit Quality

"Asset quality remains an important focus for us and we place a strong emphasis on maintaining our credit standards in what has become a highly competitive market," Jones said. "We employ a disciplined approach monitoring for signs of loan quality deterioration. Our local economies remain strong and Banner Bank has not engaged in any sub-prime lending. As a result, we expect to continue to experience acceptable levels of loan delinquencies and charge-offs." The provision for loan losses for the second quarter was $1.4 million, compared to $2.3 million in the second quarter a year ago. Non-performing assets were $14.9 million, or 0.35% of total assets, at June 30, 2007, compared to $14.1 million, or 0.39% of total assets at March 31, 2007 and $11.0 million, or 0.32% of total assets, at June 30, 2006. Banner's net charge-offs in the second quarter totaled $408,000, and the allowance for loan losses at quarter-end totaled $43.2 million, representing 1.20% of total loans outstanding.

Conference Call

Banner will host a conference call on Thursday, July 26, 2007, at 8:00 a.m. PDT, to discuss first quarter results. The conference call can be accessed live by telephone at 303-262-2142. To listen to the call online, go to the Company's website at www.bannerbank.com. An archived recording of the call can be accessed by dialing 303-590-3000, passcode 11093089# until Thursday, August 2, 2007, or via the Internet at www.bannkerbank.com.

About the Company

Banner Corporation is the parent company of Banner Bank, a commercial bank that operates a total of 77 branch offices and 13 loan offices in 28 counties in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. It is now also the parent of Islanders Bank which operates three branch offices in Washington's San Juan Islands. 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.bannerbank.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 Banner'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, management's ability to generate continued improvement in asset quality and profitability, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, demand for mortgages and other loans, real estate values, competition, loan delinquency rates, the successful operation of the newly-opened branches and loan offices, the ability to successfully complete consolidation and conversion activities, incorporate acquisitions into operations, retain key employees and achieve cost savings, 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, Banner's ability to successfully resolve outstanding credit issues and other risks detailed in Banner's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. 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.

[TABLE OMITTED]
[TABLE OMITTED]
[TABLE OMITTED]
[TABLE OMITTED]
[TABLE OMITTED]
[TABLE OMITTED]