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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: Basis of Presentation (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Timberland Bancorp, Inc. (“Timberland Bancorp”), its wholly owned subsidiary, Timberland Bank (the “Bank”), and the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiary, Timberland Service Corp. (collectively, the "Company”). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Nature of Operations

Timberland Bancorp is a bank holding company which operates primarily through its subsidiary, the Bank. The Bank was established in 1915 and, through its 23 branches located in Grays Harbor, Pierce, Thurston, Kitsap, King and Lewis counties in Washington State, attracts deposits from the general public and uses those funds, along with other borrowings, primarily to provide residential real estate, construction, commercial real estate, commercial business and consumer loans to borrowers primarily in western Washington.

Consolidated Financial Statement Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S.") (“GAAP”) and prevailing practices within the banking industry.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, as of the date of the consolidated balance sheets, and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near-term relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses ("ACL"), the valuation of loan servicing rights, the valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in acquisitions and the valuation of goodwill for potential impairment.

Reclassification Policy

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2024 fiscal year presentation with no change to previously reported net income or shareholders’ equity.

Segment Reporting

The Company has one reportable operating segment which is defined as community banking in western Washington under the operating name “Timberland Bank.”

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Cash Flows

The Company considers amounts included in the consolidated balance sheets’ captions “Cash and due from financial institutions” and “Interest-bearing deposits in banks,” all of which mature within ninety days, to be cash equivalents for purposes of reporting cash flows.

CDs Held for Investment

CDs held for investment include amounts invested with other FDIC-insured financial institutions for a stated interest rate and with a fixed maturity date. Such CDs generally have maturities of 12 to 60 months from the date of purchase by the Company. Early withdrawal penalties may apply; however, the Company intends to hold these CDs to maturity. The Company generally limits its purchases of CDs to a maximum of $250,000 (the FDIC insurance coverage limit) with any single financial institution.

Investment Securities

Investment securities are classified upon acquisition as held to maturity or available for sale. Investments securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity and reported at amortized cost. Investment securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax effects. Premiums and discounts are amortized to interest income using the interest method over the contractual lives of the securities. Gains and losses on sales of investment securities are recognized on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method.

The Company analyzes investment securities to determine whether there have been any events or economic circumstances to indicate that a security has incurred a credit-related loss. The Company considers many factors including recent events specific to the issuer or industry, and for securities, external credit ratings and recent downgrades. Credit component losses are reported in allowance for credit losses in the income statement when the present value of expected future cash flows is less than the amortized cost. Noncredit component losses are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) when the Company (1) does not intend to sell the security or (2) is not more likely than not to have to sell the security prior to the security’s anticipated recovery. If the Company is likely to sell an investment security, any noncredit component losses are recognized and are reported in non-interest income.

The Bank, as a member of the FHLB, is required to maintain an investment in capital stock of the FHLB in an amount equal to 0.06% of the Bank's total assets, with a maximum of $10.00 million and a minimum of $10,000, plus 4.50% of any borrowings from the FHLB. No ready market exists for this stock, and it has no quoted market value. However, redemption of FHLB stock has historically been at par value. The Company's investment in FHLB stock is carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

The Company evaluates its FHLB stock for impairment as needed. The Company's determination of whether this investment is impaired is based on its assessment of the ultimate recoverability of cost rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value. The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recoverability of cost is influenced by criteria such as (1) the significance of any decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared with the capital stock amount and the length of time that any decline has persisted; (2) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance of the FHLB; (3) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on institutions and, accordingly, the customer base of the FHLB; and (4) the liquidity position of the FHLB. Based on its evaluation, the Company determined that there was no impairment of FHLB stock at September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Loans Held for Sale

Mortgage loans and commercial business loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are stated in the aggregate at the lower of cost or estimated fair value. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to income. Gains or losses on sales of loans are recognized at the time of sale. The gain or loss is the difference between the net sales proceeds and the recorded value of the loans, including any remaining unamortized deferred loan origination fees.

Loans Receivable

Loans are stated at the amount of unpaid principal, reduced by the undisbursed portion of construction loans in process, net deferred loan origination fees and the allowance for credit losses ("ACL").

Interest on Loans, Non-accrual Loans and Loan Fees

Interest on loans is accrued daily based on the principal amount outstanding. Generally, the accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to make payments as they become due or when they are past due 90 days as to either principal or interest (based on contractual terms), unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. In determining whether a borrower may be able to make payments as they become due, management considers circumstances such as the financial strength of the borrower, the estimated collateral value, reasons for the delays in payments, payment record, the amounts past due and the number of days past due. All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on non-accrual status or charged off is reversed against interest income. Subsequent collections on a cash basis are applied proportionately to past due principal and interest, unless collectability of principal is in doubt, in which case all payments are applied to principal. Loans are returned to accrual status when the loan is deemed current, and the collectability of principal and interest is no longer doubtful, or, in the case of one- to four-family loans, when the loan is less than 90 days delinquent. The categories of non-accrual loans and impaired loans overlap, although they are not identical.

The Company charges fees for originating loans. These fees, net of certain loan origination costs, are deferred and amortized to income on the level-yield basis over the loan term. If the loan is repaid prior to maturity, the remaining unamortized deferred loan origination fee is recognized in income at the time of repayment.

Purchased loans, including loans acquired in business combinations, are recorded at their estimated fair value at the acquisition date. Credit discounts are included in the determination of fair value; therefore, an ACL is not recorded at the acquisition date. Acquired loans are evaluated upon acquisition and classified as either purchased credit-impaired ("PCI") or purchased non-credit-impaired. PCI loans reflect credit deterioration since origination such that it is probable at acquisition that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments. The excess of the cash flows expected to be collected over a PCI loan's carrying value is considered to be the accretable yield and is recognized as interest income over the estimated life of the PCI loan using the effective yield method. The excess of the undiscounted contractual balances due over the cash flows expected to be collected is considered to be the nonaccretable difference. The nonaccretable difference represents the Company's estimate of the credit losses expected to occur and would be considered in determining the estimated fair value of the loans as of the acquisition date. Subsequent to the acquisition date, any increases in expected cash flows over those expected at the purchase date in excess of fair value are adjusted through a change to the accretable yield on a prospective basis. Any subsequent decreases in expected cash flows attributable to credit deterioration are recognized by recording an ACL on loans. PCI loans were insignificant as of September 30, 2024 and 2023.

For purchased non-credit-impaired loans, the difference between the fair value and unpaid principal balance of the loan at the acquisition date is amortized or accreted to interest income over the life of the loans. Any subsequent deterioration in credit quality is recognized by recording an ACL on loans.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: buildings and improvements - five to forty years; and furniture and equipment - three to seven years. The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to expense as incurred. Gains and losses on dispositions are reflected in current earnings.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, consisting of premises and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the recorded amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the recorded amount of an asset to undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the recorded amount of the assets exceeds the discounted recovery amount or estimated fair value of the assets. No events or changes in circumstances have occurred during the years ended September 30, 2024 or 2023 that would cause management to re-evaluate the recoverability of the Company’s long-lived assets.

OREO and Other Repossessed Assets

OREO and other repossessed assets consist of properties or assets acquired through or in lieu of foreclosure, and are recorded initially at the estimated fair value of the properties less estimated costs of disposal, establishing a new cost basis. These assets are subsequently accounted for at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. When the property is acquired, any excess of the loan balance over the estimated net realizable value is charged to the ACL for OREO. The valuation of real estate is subjective in nature and may be adjusted in future periods because of changes in economic conditions. Management considers third-party appraisals, as well as independent fair market value assessments from realtors or persons involved in selling real estate, in determining the estimated fair values of particular properties. In addition, as certain of these third-party appraisals and independent fair market value assessments are only updated periodically, changes in the values of specific properties may have occurred subsequent to the most recent appraisals. Accordingly, the amounts of any such potential changes and any related adjustments are generally recorded at the time such information is received.

BOLI policies are recorded at their cash surrender value less applicable cash surrender charges. Income from BOLI is recognized when earned.

Goodwill is initially recorded when the purchase price paid in a business combination exceeds the estimated fair value of the net identified tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is presumed to have an indefinite useful life and is analyzed annually for impairment. The Company performs an annual review during the third quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist, to determine if the recorded goodwill is impaired. For purposes of goodwill impairment testing, the services offered through the Bank and its subsidiary are managed as one strategic unit and represent the Company's only reporting unit.

The annual goodwill impairment test begins with a qualitative assessment of whether it is "more likely than not" that the reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying amount. If an entity concludes that it is not "more likely than not" that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, it need not perform a two-step impairment test. If the Company's qualitative assessment concluded that it is "more likely than not" that the fair value of its reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, it must perform the two-step impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized, if any. The first step of the goodwill impairment test compares the estimated fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, or the book value, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit equals or exceeds its book value, goodwill is considered not impaired, and the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary.

The second step, if necessary, measures the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized. The reporting unit must determine fair value for all assets and liabilities, excluding goodwill. The net of the assigned fair value of assets and liabilities is then compared to the book value of the reporting unit, and any excess book value becomes the implied fair value of goodwill. If the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeds the newly calculated implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in the amount required to write-down the goodwill to the implied fair value.

Management's qualitative assessment takes into consideration macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost or margin factors, financial performance and the share price of the Company's common stock. The Company performed its

fiscal year 2024 goodwill impairment test during the quarter ended June 30, 2024. Based on this assessment, the Company determined that it is not "more likely than not" that the Company's fair value is less than its carrying amount, and, therefore, goodwill was determined not to be impaired at May 31, 2024.

A significant amount of judgment is involved in determining if an indicator of goodwill impairment has occurred. Such indicators may include, among others: a significant decline in expected future cash flows; a sustained, significant decline in the Company's stock price and market capitalization; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate; adverse assessment or action by a regulator; and unanticipated competition. Any change in these indicators could have a significant negative impact on the Company's financial condition, impact the goodwill impairment analysis or cause the Company to perform a goodwill impairment analysis more frequently than once per year.

As of September 30, 2024, management believes that there were no events or changes in the circumstances since May 31, 2024 that would indicate a potential impairment of goodwill. No assurances can be given, however, that the Company will not record an impairment loss on goodwill in the future. If adverse economic conditions or decreases in the Company's stock price and market capitalization were deemed to be other than temporary, it may significantly affect the fair value of the Company's goodwill and may trigger impairment charges. Any impairment charge could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operation and financial condition.

CDI represents the future economic benefit of the potential cost savings from acquiring core deposits as part of a business combination compared to the cost of alternative funding sources. CDI is amortized to non-interest expense using an accelerated method based on an estimated runoff of related deposits over a period of ten years. CDI is evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable, with any changes in estimated useful life accounted for prospectively over the revised remaining life.

Loan Servicing Rights

The Company holds rights to service (1) loans that it has originated and sold to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) and (2) the guaranteed portion of U.S. Small Business Administration ("SBA") loans sold in the secondary market. Loan servicing rights are capitalized at estimated fair value when acquired through the origination of loans that are subsequently sold with the servicing rights retained. Loan servicing rights are amortized to servicing income on loans sold approximately in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income. The value of loan servicing rights at the date of the sale of loans is estimated based on the discounted present value of expected future cash flows using key assumptions for servicing income and costs and expected prepayment rates on the underlying loans. The estimated fair value is periodically evaluated for impairment by comparing actual cash flows and estimated future cash flows from the loan servicing assets to those estimated at the time that the loan servicing assets were originated. Fair values are estimated using expected future discounted cash flows based on current market rates of interest. For purposes of measuring impairment, the loan servicing rights must be stratified by one or more predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans. The Company stratifies its capitalized loan servicing rights based on product type and term of the underlying loans. The amount of impairment recognized is the amount, if any, by which the amortized cost of the loan servicing rights exceeds their fair value. Impairment, if deemed temporary, is recognized through a valuation allowance to the extent that fair value is less than the recorded amount.

Transfers of Financial Assets

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

The Company files a consolidated federal and various state income tax returns. The Bank provides for income taxes separately and remits to (receives from) Timberland Bancorp amounts currently due (receivable).

Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements. These temporary differences will result in differences between income for tax purposes and income for financial reporting purposes in future years. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the provision for income taxes. Valuation allowances are established to reduce the net recorded amount of deferred tax assets if it is determined to be more likely than not that all or some portion of the potential deferred tax asset will not be realized.

With respect to accounting for uncertainty in incomes taxes, a tax provision is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters as income tax expense. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examination by tax authorities for years ended on or before September 30, 2020.

Costs for advertising and marketing are expensed as incurred.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company measures compensation cost for all stock-based awards based on the grant-date fair value of the stock-based awards and recognizes compensation cost over the service period of stock-based awards. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Stock option forfeitures are accounted for as they occur. The fair value of restricted stock is determined based on the grant date fair value of the Company's common stock.

Net Income Per Common Share

Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, without considering any dilutive items. Nonvested shares of restricted stock are included in the computation of basic earnings per share because the holder has voting rights and shares in non-forfeitable dividends during the vesting period. Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing net income to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares and common stock equivalents for items that are dilutive, net of shares assumed to be repurchased using the treasury stock method at the average share price for the Company's common stock during the period. Common stock equivalents arise from the assumed conversion of outstanding stock options.

Related Party Transactions

The previous Board Chair of the Bank and Timberland Bancorp passed away during the year ended September 30, 2023. He was a member of the law firm that provides general counsel to the Company.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, as amended by ASU 2018-19, ASU 2019-04, ASU 2019-05, ASU 2019-10 and ASU 2019-11. ASU 2016-13 replaces the existing incurred losses methodology with a current expected losses methodology with respect to most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments, including trade and other receivables, loans, held to maturity investment securities and off-balance sheet commitments. In addition, ASU 2016-13 required credit losses relating to available for sale debt securities to be recorded through an ACL rather than as a reduction of the carrying amount. ASU 2016-13 also changed the accounting for Purchase Credit Impaired ("PCI") debt securities and loans. ASU 2016-13 retained many of the current disclosure requirements in GAAP and expanded certain disclosure requirements. As a "smaller reporting company" filer with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, ASU 2016-13 was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Upon adoption, the Company experienced changes in the processes and procedures to calculate the ACL, including changes in the assumptions and estimates to consider expected credit losses over the life of the loan versus the accounting practices that were utilized with the incurred loss model. In addition, the prior policy for OTTI on investment securities held to maturity was replaced with an allowance approach.

On October 1, 2023, the Company adopted this ASU. The following table sets forth information on the impact of adopting this ASU (dollars in thousands):


						September 30, 2023						October 1, 2023						October 1, 2023
						As Previously Reported (Incurred Loss)						Impact of ASU 2016-13						As Reported Under ASU 2016-13
Assets:
ACL on investment securities						$	—					$	92					$	92
ACL on loans						15,817						461						16,278

Net deferred tax asset						(26)						130						104

Liabilities:
ACL on unfunded commitments						332						65						397

Total equity:						$	233,073					$	(488)					$	232,585

For more information related to the implementation, see Note 3 - Investment Securities, Note 4 - Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses and Note 16 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This ASU simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill and eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. In computing the implied fair value of goodwill under Step 2, an entity has to perform procedures to determine the fair value of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized assets and liabilities) at the impairment testing date following the procedure that would be required in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Under ASU 2017-04, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity would then recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value; however, the loss recognized would not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, an entity would consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. ASU 2017-04 was effective for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (ASU 2016-13): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. The amendments eliminate the accounting guidance for trouble debt restructurings ("TDR") for creditors, require new disclosures for creditors for certain loan refinancings and restructurings when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, and require public business entities to include current-period gross write-offs in the vintage disclosure tables. This ASU was effective upon adoption of ASU 2016-13. On October 1, 2023, the Company adopted this ASU at the same time ASU 2016-13 was adopted.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The amendments in this ASU are intended to provide more transparency about income tax information through improvements to income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income tax paid information. The ASU requires disclosure in the rate reconciliation of specific categories as well as additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. The amendment requires on an annual basis a reconciliation broken out into specified categories with certain reconciling items further broken out by nature and jurisdiction to the extent those items exceed a specified threshold. In addition, all entities are required to disclose income taxes paid, net of refunds received disaggregated by federal, state/local, and foreign and by jurisdiction if the amount is at least 5% of total income tax payments, net of refunds received. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. An entity should apply the amendments in this ASU on a prospective basis. The Company expects this ASU to only impact its disclosure requirements and does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its business operations or the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement (Topic 220): Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures. The amendments in this ASU require disclosure, in notes to the

financial statements, of specified information about certain costs and expenses. In conjunction with recent standards that enhanced the disaggregation of revenue and income tax information, the disaggregated expense information will enable investors to better understand the major components of an entity's income statement. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, with early adoption permitted. The Company expects this ASU to only impact its disclosure requirements and does not expect the adoption of the ASU to have a material impact on its business operations or the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Other accounting standards that have been issued by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies are not currently expected to have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.