COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM, INC. REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2026 RESULTS
EmitenTrust.com - TACOMA, Wash., Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --
Organizational Update
During the third quarter, Columbia Banking System, Inc. ("Columbia," the "Company," "we," or "our") opened two depository locations in Utah: a branch in Draper and a financial hub in Pleasant Grove. These openings support our continued organic expansion in key markets, while the closure of four branches reflects our ongoing efforts to optimize our physical presence.
Capital Update and Share Repurchase Authorization Announcement
In September 2026, Columbia Bank, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia, issued $250 million in aggregate principal amount of subordinated notes due in 2036. The notes bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 6.721% for the first five years, after which they will reset to the Five-Year U.S. Treasury Rate plus 195 basis points. The Company intends to use a portion of the proceeds to redeem approximately $240 million in aggregate principal amount of the Company's junior subordinated debentures associated with certain trust preferred securities structures, with redemptions expected to occur during the fourth quarter of 2026 and early 2027.
During the third quarter, Columbia completed its previously announced share repurchase plan, buying back 23.3 million common shares at an average price of $29.88 between November 2025 and September 30, 2026, representing 7.8% of outstanding common shares as of September 30, 2025. As such, Columbia's Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $1.2 billion of common stock under a new repurchase plan. COLB common share repurchases may be executed in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, including under Rule 10b5-1 plans. The timing and exact amount of common share repurchases will be at the discretion of senior management and subject to various factors, including, without limitation, Columbia's capital position, financial performance, market conditions, and regulatory considerations. The repurchase program does not obligate Columbia to purchase any particular number of shares. The authorization has no expiration date, but may be suspended, terminated, or modified by the Board at any time.
Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin
Net interest income was $615 million for the third quarter of 2026, up $26 million from the second quarter of 2026, due to higher income on loans and investment securities and lower funding costs. Net interest income also benefited from $5 million of interest income related to the accelerated repayment of two acquired loans. In comparison, second quarter results included $4 million of interest income reversals that did not recur in the current quarter.
Columbia's net interest margin was 4.11% for the third quarter of 2026, up 18 basis points from the second quarter of 2026. The increase between periods reflects higher yields on loans and leases, driven by a continued shift in the portfolio mix toward higher-yielding relationship loans and repricing trends within the portfolio. Favorable funding mix trends also contributed to the increase, as customer deposits replaced higher-cost wholesale funding sources. Higher yields on taxable securities further benefited net interest margin, as the adverse impact of changes in prepayment speed expectations experienced during the second quarter did not recur in the third quarter. Third quarter net interest margin benefited by 3 basis points from the accelerated loan repayments discussed above. In comparison, interest income reversals reduced second quarter net interest margin by 3 basis points.
The cost of interest-bearing deposits decreased 1 basis point from the prior quarter to 1.95% for the third quarter of 2026, compared to 1.96% for the second quarter of 2026. The decrease during the third quarter reflects our active management of deposit rates and a lower mix of higher-cost brokered and wholesale public deposits. The cost of interest-bearing deposits was 1.96% for both the month of September and as of September 30, 2026.
Columbia's cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 1 basis point from the prior quarter to 2.20% for the third quarter of 2026, compared to 2.21% for the second quarter of 2026. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 2.21% for the month of September and 2.23% as of September 30, 2026. Refer to the Q3 2026 Earnings Presentation for additional net interest margin change details and interest rate sensitivity information.
Non-interest Income
Non-interest income was $80 million for the third quarter of 2026, down $8 million from the prior quarter. Quarterly changes in fair value adjustments and mortgage servicing rights ("MSR") hedging activity, which reflect interest rate fluctuations during the quarter, collectively resulted in a net fair value loss of $7 million for the third quarter, compared to a net fair value loss of $3 million for the second quarter, as detailed in our non-GAAP disclosures. Excluding these items, non-interest income was $87 million
Non-interest Expense
Non-interest expense was $370 million for the third quarter of 2026, down $5 million from the prior quarter, due to lower merger expense. Excluding merger and restructuring expense and exit and disposal costs, as detailed in our non-GAAP disclosures, non-interest expense was $365 million
Balance Sheet
Total consolidated assets were $65.1 billion as of September 30, 2026, compared to $65.4 billion as of June 30, 2026. The decrease reflects balance sheet optimization activity. Cash and cash equivalents were $1.7 billion as of September 30, 2026, compared to $1.8 billion as of June 30, 2026. Including secured off-balance sheet lines of credit, total available liquidity was $26.0 billion as of September 30, 2026, representing 40% of total assets, 49% of total deposits, and 121% of uninsured deposits. Available-for-sale securities, which are held on balance sheet at fair value, were $10.9 billion as of September 30, 2026, compared to $11.1 billion as of June 30, 2026. The decrease reflects a decline in the fair value of the portfolio and paydowns, which were not fully offset by the purchase of $639 million of investment securities. Refer to the Q3 2026 Earnings Presentation for additional details related to our investment securities portfolio and liquidity position.
Gross loans and leases were $46.9 billion as of September 30, 2026, compared to $47.2 billion as of June 30, 2026. The decrease reflects continued expected runoff in below-market-rate transactional loans and lower commercial real estate balances, as elevated payoffs and competitive pricing pressures muted growth. Construction & development balances expanded during the quarter, and commercial loans, inclusive of owner-occupied commercial real estate, increased by 3% on an annualized basis relative to June 30, 2026, partially offsetting contraction in other portfolios. "Our bankers continued to deepen customer relationships and generate new business opportunities during the third quarter," commented Chris Merrywell, President of Columbia Bank. "Commercial loan growth remained healthy, supported by strong customer engagement across our markets. While transactional loan payoffs moderated overall growth, we continued to grow in the ways we intend, increasing the proportion of relationship-based commercial loans within our portfolio." Refer to the Q3 2026 Earnings Presentation for additional details related to our loan portfolio, which include underwriting characteristics, the composition of our commercial portfolios, and disclosure related to transactional loans.
Total deposits were $52.7 billion as of September 30, 2026, compared to $52.1 billion as of June 30, 2026. The increase reflects strong customer balance growth, partially offset by intentional reductions in brokered deposits and wholesale public deposits, which declined to $622 million and $773 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2026, compared to $978 million and $928 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2026. "Deposit growth during the third quarter benefited from seasonal customer balance growth and new customer acquisition," stated Mr. Merrywell. "Our teams remain focused on understanding our customers' needs and delivering tailored solutions that create value beyond pricing, reinforcing the customer relationships that differentiate our franchise in an evolving interest rate environment." Customer deposit growth and other sources of cash enabled us to reduce borrowings to $3.3 billion as of September 30, 2026, compared to $4.3 billion as of June 30, 2026. Refer to the Q3 2026 Earnings Presentation for additional details related to deposit characteristics and flows.
Credit Quality
The allowance for credit losses ("ACL") was $480 million, or 1.02% of loans and leases, as of September 30, 2026, compared to $475 million, or 1.01% of loans and leases, as of June 30, 2026. The provision for credit losses was $33 million for the third quarter of 2026 and reflects loan portfolio runoff, credit migration trends, charge-off activity, and changes in the economic forecasts used in credit models.
Net charge-offs were 0.24% of average loans and leases (annualized) for the third quarter of 2026, compared to 0.25% for the second quarter of 2026. Net charge-offs in the FinPac portfolio were $11 million for the third quarter, compared to $15 million for the second quarter. Net charge-offs excluding the FinPac portfolio were $17 million for the third quarter, compared to $15 million for the second quarter. Non-performing assets were $255 million, or 0.39% of total assets, as of September 30, 2026, compared to $273 million, or 0.42% of total assets, as of June 30, 2026. Refer to the Q3 2026 Earnings Presentation for additional details related to the allowance for credit losses and other credit trends.
Capital
Columbia's book value per common share was $25.62 as of September 30, 2026, compared to $26.70 as of June 30, 2026. During the third quarter, Columbia repurchased 6.5 million common shares under its prior repurchase plan at an average price of $30.65, representing 2.3% of outstanding common shares. Book value also was impacted by the change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income ("AOCI") to $(708) million as of September 30, 2026, compared to $(310) million as of the prior quarter-end. The change in AOCI is due primarily to an increase in the tax-effected net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities to $663 million as of September 30, 2026, compared to $275 million as of June 30, 2026. Tangible book value per common share
Columbia's estimated total risk-based capital ratio was 13.8% and its estimated common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 11.5% as of September 30, 2026, compared to 13.5% and 11.7%, respectively, as of June 30, 2026. Columbia remains above current "well-capitalized" regulatory minimums. The regulatory capital ratios as of September 30, 2026 are estimates, pending completion and filing of Columbia's regulatory reports.
Earnings Presentation and Conference Call Information
Columbia's Q3 2026 Earnings Presentation provides additional disclosure. A copy will be available on our investor relations page: www.columbiabankingsystem.com.
Columbia will host its third quarter 2026 earnings conference call on October 22, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. PT (5:00 p.m. ET). During the call, Columbia's management will provide an update on recent activities and discuss its third quarter 2026 financial results. Participants may join the audiocast or register for the call using the link below to receive dial-in details and their own unique PINs. It is recommended you join 10 minutes prior to the start time.
Join the audiocast: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/ock9xnut/
Register for the call: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI681367d8eaa3452084f342f40e7ffe6c
Access the replay through Columbia's investor relations page: https://www.columbiabankingsystem.com/news-market-data/event-calendar/default.aspx
About Columbia Banking System, Inc.
Columbia Banking System, Inc. (Nasdaq: COLB) is headquartered in Tacoma, Washington and is the parent company of Columbia Bank, an award-winning preeminent regional bank with offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. Columbia Bank combines the resources, sophistication, and expertise of a national bank with a commitment to deliver superior, personalized service. The bank supports consumers and businesses through a full suite of services, including retail and commercial banking, Small Business Administration lending, institutional and corporate banking, and equipment leasing. Columbia Bank customers also have access to comprehensive investment and wealth management expertise as well as healthcare and private banking through Columbia Wealth Management. Learn more at www.columbiabankingsystem.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "Safe-Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which management believes are a benefit to shareholders. These statements are necessarily subject to risk and uncertainty and actual results could differ materially due to various risk factors, including those set forth from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and we undertake no obligation to update any such statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "seeks," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "target," "projects," "outlook," "forecast," "will," "may," "could," "should," "can" and similar references to future periods. In this press release we make forward-looking statements about strategic and growth initiatives and the result of such activity. Risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ from forward-looking statements we make include, without limitation: current and future economic and market conditions, including the effects of declines in housing and commercial real estate prices, high unemployment rates, renewed or continued high inflation and any recession or slowdown in economic growth particularly in the western United States; economic forecast variables that are either materially worse or better than end of quarter projections and deterioration in the economy that could result in increased loan and lease losses, especially those risks associated with concentrations in real estate related loans; risks related to our acquisition of Pacific Premier (the "Transaction"), including, among others, (i) any revenue synergies from the Transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer than anticipated to be realized, and (ii) deposit attrition as a result of the Transaction; the impact of proposed or imposed tariffs by the U.S. government and retaliatory tariffs proposed or imposed by U.S. trading partners that could have an adverse impact on customers; our ability to effectively manage problem credits; the impact of bank failures or adverse developments at other banks on general investor sentiment regarding the liquidity and stability of banks; changes in interest rates that could significantly reduce net interest income and negatively affect asset yields and valuations and funding sources; changes in the scope and cost of FDIC insurance and other coverage; our ability to successfully implement efficiency and operational excellence initiatives; our ability to successfully develop and market new products and technology; changes in laws or regulations; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships; the effect of geopolitical instability, including wars, conflicts and terrorist attacks; and natural disasters and other similar unexpected events outside of our control. We also caution that the amount and timing of any future common stock dividends or repurchases will depend on the earnings, cash requirements and financial condition of Columbia, market conditions, capital requirements, applicable law and regulations (including federal securities laws and federal banking and state regulations), and other factors deemed relevant by Columbia and its Board of Directors.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP"), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes presenting certain non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with information useful in understanding our financial performance, our performance trends, and our financial position. We utilize these measures for internal planning and forecasting purposes, and operating pre-provision net revenue and operating return on tangible common equity are also used as part of our incentive compensation program for our executive officers. We, as well as securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties, also use these measures to compare peer company operating performance. We believe that our presentation and discussion, together with the accompanying reconciliations, provides a complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business and allows investors to view performance in a manner similar to management. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitution for GAAP basis measures and results, and we strongly encourage investors to review our consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names.
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SOURCE Columbia Banking System, Inc.