FDIC Rates Banner Bank ‘Outstanding’ in Recent Community Reinvestment Act Performance Evaluation

WALLA WALLA, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Banner Bank leadership team is pleased to share the Bank again earned an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in the Bank's recent Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Performance Evaluation. ‘Outstanding’ is the highest available rating in a CRA evaluation and only 10% of all U.S. banks achieved it over the past five years.

Under this Act, the FDIC evaluates the performance of banks in helping meet the credit needs of clients, businesses and local communities. It assesses how well banks serve and support low- and moderate-income (LMI) individuals, LMI neighborhoods and small businesses in ways that are consistent with safe and sound operation and banking practices. All banks are regularly evaluated in this area.

“Earning the FDIC’s highest rating is a reflection of our employees’ commitment to consistently implement the core principles of CRA every day,” said President and CEO Mark Grescovich. “This achievement is an outcome of our team’s thoughtful, intentional effort to do the right thing for our clients and the communities we serve.”

This is the second consecutive exam cycle Banner earned an Outstanding rating. Since 2021, only one other bank in the ‘large bank’ category also earned this back-to-back rating throughout the four states we serve.

“The Outstanding rating recognizes our hard work and genuine care to serve those in need—community is rightfully at the core of this effort,” said Senior Vice President & CRA Director Camino Smith. “We are grateful for the strong partnerships we have built with so many community organizations that offer us invaluable feedback on how to make the greatest impact.”

In announcing the results of our CRA Performance Evaluation, the FDIC shared these highlights:

• Banner Bank has an excellent level of community development investments and grants, often in a leadership position, particularly those that are not routinely provided by private investors.
• The Bank makes use of innovative and/or flexible lending practices in order to serve the assessment area’s credit needs.
• Banner Bank is a leader in providing community development services.
• The Bank’s lending levels reflect good responsiveness to the assessment area’s credit needs.
• Geographic distribution of Banner loans reflects good penetration throughout the assessment area.
• Banner Bank exhibits a good record of serving the credit needs of the most economically disadvantaged areas of the assessment area, low-income individuals, and/or very small businesses, and is a leader in making community development loans.
• Banner Bank delivery systems are accessible to essentially all portions of the assessment area.
• The Bank exhibits good responsiveness to credit and community development needs and occasionally uses innovative and/or complex investments to support community development initiatives.

Our complete CRA Public File is posted and available to view on our website at: Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Public File | Banner Bank

About Banner Bank

Banner Bank is a Washington-chartered commercial bank serving consumer and business clients in Washington, Oregon, California and Idaho. With more than $16.2 billion in assets, Banner Bank is part of Banner Corporation (NASDAQ: BANR). Visit Banner Bank at www.bannerbank.com.

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Kelly McPhee, Senior Vice President, Communications

(509) 232-1968 or kelly.mcphee@bannerbank.com

Source: Banner Bank