 WALLA WALLA, Wash., Jan. 21, 2021 GLOBE NEWSWIRE -- Banner Corporation NASDAQ GSM: BANR Banner, the parent company of Banner Bank and Islanders Bank, today reported net income of 39.0 million, or 1.10 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter 2020, a 7 increase compared to 36.5 million, or 1.03 per diluted share, in the preceding quarter and a 16 increase compared to 33.7 million, or 0.95 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2019. Net income for 2020 was 115.9 million, or 3.26 per diluted share, compared to 146.3 million, or 4.18 per diluted share for 2019. Full year 2020 results include 64.3 million in provision for credit losses primarily resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to 10.0 million in provision for credit losses in 2019. The 2020 results also include 2.1 million of merger and acquisition-related expenses, compared to 7.5 million of merger and acquisition-related expenses for 2019. 