First Financial Northwest, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter Net Income of $2.9 Million or $0.20 Per Share and $10.7 Million or $0.71 Per Share for the Year Ended December 31, 2014

RENTON, Wash., Jan. 29, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Financial Northwest, Inc. (the "Company") (Nasdaq:FFNW), the holding company for First Savings Bank Northwest (the "Bank"), today reported net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, of $2.9 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, compared to net income of $2.7 million, or $0.19 per diluted share for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, and net income of $3.9 million, or $0.25 per diluted share for the fourth quarter in 2013. The results for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, included a $342,000 federal income tax provision that was significantly reduced due to the impact of the reversal of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets ("DTA") in 2013, reflecting the Company's return to profitability and its expectation of sustainable profitability for future periods. Federal income tax provisions of $1.6 million and $1.5 million were recognized for the quarters ended December 31, 2014, and September 30, 2014, respectively.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, net income was $10.7 million or $0.71 per diluted share, compared to $24.5 million, or $1.46 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2013. The results for the year ended December 31, 2013, included a net $13.5 million federal income tax benefit due to the DTA valuation allowance reversal referenced above. The improvement in pre-tax profitability is reflected in the year over year comparison of income before federal income tax provisions that increased to $16.5 million in 2014 compared to $10.9 million in 2013.

"From a core earnings standpoint, 2014 was the best year in the Company's history," stated Joseph W. Kiley III, President and Chief Executive Officer. "I am pleased with the continued improvement in our asset quality measures that resulted in meaningful contributions to net income during the year. In addition, our return on average assets ("ROA") of 1.2% for the year compares well with the 0.81% median ROA for Washington state banks, as reported in the FDIC's state profile report for the third quarter of 2014. Of course, I was pleased to see the Company's success reflected in our stock price per share, which closed at $12.04 on December 31, 2014, compared to $10.37 on December 31, 2013; $7.55 on December 31, 2012; and $5.90 on December 31, 2011," continued Kiley.

"Loan repayments exceeded expectations in 2014 as we successfully worked through and received payment in full on a number of loans previously classified below acceptable standards. This accelerated loan repayment activity virtually offset an increase in new loan originations as net loans receivable totaled $664 million at December 31, 2014, compared to $663 million at December 31, 2013. We are encouraged by the improvements in the local economy as we focus on increasing our loan growth in 2015," concluded Kiley.

Highlights for the quarter ended December 31, 2014:

• Share repurchases totaled 327,112 shares during the quarter, at an average price of $11.40 per share, bringing the total shares repurchased in 2014 to 1,594,033 shares at an average price of $10.98 per share. The Company announced that a 10b5-1 plan will be utilized to repurchase shares through April 22, 2015. At December 31, 2014, there were 1,219,488 shares remaining to be repurchased under the current Share Repurchase Plan.
• The Company's book value per share at December 31, 2014, increased to $11.96 from $11.76 at September 30, 2014, and $11.25 at December 31, 2013.
• The Bank paid a $70 million dividend to the Company in 2014, as detailed in our press release dated November 17, 2014. These funds are now available for a variety of general corporate purposes consistent with our business plan, including share repurchases, the payment of dividends to shareholders, if any, supporting ongoing operating expenses of the Company, and for other opportunities that may arise.
• Primarily as a result of the $70 million dividend paid by the Bank to the Company, the Bank's Tier 1 and total risk-based capital ratios at December 31, 2014, declined to 11.79% and 19.56%, respectively, compared to 18.60% and 28.44%, at December 31, 2013.

Based on management's evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses ("ALLL"), there was a $1.2 million recapture of provision for loan losses for the fourth quarter of 2014. The following items contributed to this recapture during the quarter ended December 31, 2014:

• The Bank received payment in full on a $5.0 million loan that was internally classified as "special mention", reducing the general reserve requirement in the Bank's ALLL calculations.
• After careful review and ongoing monitoring, a loan with a balance of $12.3 million was upgraded during the quarter as a result of an improvement in the borrower's risk profile, and this upgrade significantly reduced the amounts allocated for future estimated losses relating to the general reserve pool that included this loan.
• Net loans receivable balances (before ALLL) declined by $21.4 million during the quarter, reducing the amounts required for general reserves for future estimated loan losses.
• Delinquent loans (loans over 30 days past due) remained low at $4.4 million at December 31, 2014, compared to $2.6 million at September 30, 2014, and $4.3 million at December 31, 2013.
• Nonperforming loans remained low at $1.3 million at December 31, 2014, from $1.6 million at September 30, 2014, and $4.0 million at December 31, 2013, reflecting continuing improvement in the quality of our loan portfolio.
• Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans improved to 0.20% at December 31, 2014, compared to 0.23% at September 30, 2014, and 0.59% at December 31, 2013.

The ALLL represented 783.5% of nonperforming loans and 1.55% of net loans receivable at December 31, 2014, compared to 741.7% and 1.67%, respectively, at September 30, 2014, and 325.3% and 1.91% respectively at December 31, 2013.

Nonperforming assets decreased to $10.6 million at December 31, 2014, compared to $11.4 million at September 30, 2014, and $15.5 million at December 31, 2013.

The following table presents a breakdown of our nonperforming assets:

The following table presents a breakdown of our OREO by county and property type at December 31, 2014:

OREO decreased to $9.3 million at December 31, 2014, from $9.8 million at September 30, 2014, as sales and write-downs of OREO exceeded transfers of loans into OREO during the quarter. As a result of our quarterly OREO evaluation, we expensed $45,000 related to the decline in the market values of OREO properties during the quarter, compared to $60,000 during the third quarter of 2014. OREO market value adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2014, were $393,000 compared to $403,000 for the prior year. Net OREO related expenses declined to $190,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $601,000 in 2013, reflecting the decline in the number of our OREO properties. We continue to actively market our OREO properties in an effort to minimize holding costs.

The following table presents a breakdown of our TDRs:

During the fourth quarter of 2014, TDRs decreased to $54.2 million, compared to $55.8 million at September 30, 2014, and $61.1 million at December 31, 2013. In circumstances where a customer is experiencing significant financial difficulties, the Company may elect to restructure their loan so the customer can continue to make payments while minimizing the potential loss to the Bank. At December 31, 2014, 100% of the Company's TDRs were performing in accordance with their repayment terms.

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2014 declined to $8.0 million, compared to $8.2 million in the third quarter of 2014, and $8.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2014, increased $1.4 million to $32.4 million, compared to $31.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. During 2014, a significant amount of longer term certificates of deposit matured and re-priced, providing the Bank with a benefit to its net interest income. However, since the vast majority of those higher interest rate deposits have now re-priced, a similarly sized benefit is not expected in 2015.

Interest income for the fourth quarter of 2014 decreased to $9.6 million, compared to $9.7 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2014. This decline was due in large part to repayments received on higher yielding loans during the quarter, resulting in a decline in the Company's loan balances and portfolio yield. The decline in loan yields reflects a trend that is likely to continue in 2015 as the Bank continues to face significant competition and pricing pressures for quality loan production. Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2014, was $38.7 million compared to $38.5 million a year earlier. This modest increase was due primarily to a slightly higher average balance of loans outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2014, as compared to last year.

Interest expense increased to $1.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, compared to $1.5 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2014. The primary reason for this modest increase in the most recent quarter relates to an increase in interest bearing deposit balances during the quarter, including a $21.9 million increase in brokered deposits. At December 31, 2014, brokered deposits totaled $54.4 million compared to $32.5 million at September 30, 2014, and none at December 31, 2013. These brokered deposits were obtained with maturities ranging from four to six years in an effort to help mitigate the Bank's interest rate risk in a rising rate environment; however, this interest rate risk protection comes at a cost as the rates paid on these longer term deposits are higher than shorter term deposit rates. Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2014, decreased to $6.2 million, compared to $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The primary reasons for this year over year improvement in interest expense related to our retail certificate of deposit portfolio, most of which continue to mature and reprice at rates that are lower than the previously contracted rate, and a decrease in the average balance of retail certificates of deposit, as a number of certificates of deposit were not renewed at maturity as a result of our strategy to utilize our excess liquidity to reduce higher-cost deposits by competing slightly less aggressively on certain deposit interest rates.

Our net interest margin declined to 3.61% for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, compared to 3.84% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. This decline, as discussed above, was due in large part to repayments of higher yielding loans during the quarter along with the increased interest expense associated with the acquisition of longer term brokered deposits. For the year ended December 31, 2014, our net interest margin increased to 3.77% compared to 3.68% for the year ended December 31, 2013, due in large part to the interest expense reductions noted above.

Noninterest income for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, decreased to $156,000 compared to $186,000 in the quarter ended September 30, 2014. The primary reason for the decline relates to $102,000 in income from increased cash values on bank-owned life insurance ("BOLI") policies recognized in the third quarter of 2014 representing BOLI income for the first nine months of 2014. BOLI income was previously recognized solely in the fourth quarter of each year and is now being recognized on a quarterly basis. For the year ending December 31, 2014, noninterest income decreased to $498,000 compared to $891,000 in the prior year. During the fourth quarter of 2013 we recognized a $325,000 one-time gain on the sale of an investment property.

Noninterest expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, increased to $4.8 million from $4.5 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2014. This increase was primarily attributable to increased compensation expenses as the Bank hired additional employees to support both increasing the loan portfolio and core deposit base, and the Bank's conversion to a new core data processor in 2015. Noninterest expense for the year ended December 31, 2014, decreased to $18.5 million, compared to $21.1 million in 2013. This decrease was due in large part to reductions in salary and employee benefit expenses related to management changes in 2013 and from reductions in stock based compensation expenses as most of the remaining expenses associated with outstanding stock options and restricted shares granted in 2008 under the Company's 2008 Equity Incentive Plan were recognized during the first three quarters of 2013 following completion of their five-year vesting period. Regulatory assessments also contributed to the improvement in noninterest expense, declining to $396,000 in 2014, compared to $693,000 in 2013, as a result of the Bank's improved condition. As mentioned previously, net OREO expenses declined to $190,000 for 2014, compared to $601,000 in 2013. Noninterest expense also benefited from the absence of prepayment penalties on FHLB advances as we incurred $679,000 in penalties from the prepayment of high costing FHLB advances during 2013. These decreases were partially offset by a $1.2 million change in the net gain or loss on sales of OREO property, with an $86,000 net loss during 2014 compared to a net gain of $1.1 million in 2013, due primarily to the decline in the number of properties sold. The improvement in noninterest expense in 2014 is reflected in our improved efficiency ratio of 56.4% for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to 66.1% for the prior year.

First Financial Northwest, Inc. is the parent company of First Savings Bank Northwest; a Washington chartered stock savings bank headquartered in Renton, Washington, serving the Puget Sound Region through its full-service banking office. We are a part of the ABA NASDAQ Community Bank Index as well as the Russell 2000 and 3000 Indices. For additional information about us, please visit our website at www.fsbnw.com and click on the "Investor Relations" section.

Forward-looking statements:

Certain matters discussed in this press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, expectations of the business environment in which we operate, projections of future performance or financial items, perceived opportunities in the market, potential future credit experience, and statements regarding our mission and vision. These forward-looking statements are based upon current management expectations and may, therefore, involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from those suggested, expressed, or implied by forward-looking statements as a result of a wide variety or range of factors including, but not limited to: the credit risks of lending activities, including changes in the level and trend of loan delinquencies and write-offs that may be impacted by deterioration in the housing and commercial real estate markets and may lead to increased losses and nonperforming assets in our loan portfolio, and may result in our allowance for loan losses not being adequate to cover actual losses, and require us to materially increase our reserves; changes in general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas; changes in the levels of general interest rates, and the relative differences between short and long term interest rates, deposit interest rates, our net interest margin and funding sources; fluctuations in the demand for loans, the number of unsold homes and other properties and fluctuations in real estate values in our market areas; results of examinations of us by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("Federal Reserve") and our bank subsidiary by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"), the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Banks ("Washington DFI") or other regulatory authorities, including the possibility that any such regulatory authority may, among other things, institute a formal or informal enforcement action against the Company or the Bank, that could require us to increase our reserve for loan losses, write-down assets, change our regulatory capital position or affect our ability to borrow funds or maintain or increase deposits or impose additional requirements and restrictions on us, any of which could adversely affect our liquidity and earnings; our ability to pay dividends on our common stock; our ability to attract and retain deposits; further increases in premiums for deposit insurance; our ability to control operating costs and expenses; the use of estimates in determining the fair value of certain of our assets, which estimates may prove to be incorrect and result in significant declines in valuation; difficulties in reducing risk associated with the loans on our balance sheet; staffing fluctuations in response to product demand or the implementation of corporate strategies that affect our work force and potential associated charges; computer systems on which we depend could fail or experience a security breach; our ability to retain key members of our senior management team; costs and effects of litigation, including settlements and judgments; our ability to implement our branch expansion strategy; our ability to successfully integrate any assets, liabilities, customers, systems, and management personnel we have acquired or may in the future acquire into our operations and our ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames and any goodwill charges related thereto; our ability to manage loan delinquency rates; increased competitive pressures among financial services companies; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect our business including changes in regulatory policies and principles, including the interpretation of regulatory capital or other rules or as a result of Basel III; the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the implementing regulations; the availability of resources to address changes in laws, rules, or regulations or to respond to regulatory actions; adverse changes in the securities markets; inability of key third-party providers to perform their obligations to us; changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the financial institution regulatory agencies or the Financial Accounting Standards Board, including additional guidance and interpretation on accounting issues and details of the implementation of new accounting methods; the economic impact of war or any terrorist activities; other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting our operations; pricing, products and services; and other risks detailed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Any of the forward-looking statements that we make in this Press Release and in the other public statements we make may turn out to be wrong because of the inaccurate assumptions we might make, because of the factors illustrated above or because of other factors that we cannot foresee. Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on our behalf. Therefore, these factors should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We undertake no responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

The following table presents a breakdown of our loan portfolio (unaudited):