BANNER CORP 10-K

Item 3 – Legal Proceedings In the normal course of our business, we have various legal proceedings and other contingent matters pending. These proceedings and the associated legal claims are often contested and the outcome of individual matters is not always predictable. Furthermore, in some matters, it is difficult to assess potential exposure because the legal proceeding is still in the pretrial stage. These claims and counter claims typically arise during the course of collection efforts on problem loans or with respect to actions to enforce liens on properties in which we hold a security interest, although we also are subject to claims related to employment matters. Claims related to employment matters may include, but are not limited to: claims by our employees of discrimination, harassment, violations of wage and hour requirements, or violations of other federal, state, or local laws and claims of misconduct or negligence on the part of our employees. Some or all of these claims may lead to litigation, including class action litigation, and these matters may cause us to incur negative publicity with respect to alleged claims. Our insurance may not cover all claims that may be asserted against us, and any claims asserted against us, regardless of merit or eventual outcome, may harm our reputation. Should the ultimate judgments or settlements in any litigation exceed our insurance coverage, they could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operation for any period. At December 31, 2021, we had accrued $12.1 million related to these legal proceedings. The ultimate outcome of these legal proceedings could be more or less than what we have accrued. We are not a party to any pending legal proceedings that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operations or cash flows, except as set forth below. A class and collective action lawsuit, Bolding et al. v. Banner Bank , US Dist. Ct., WD WA., was filed against Banner Bank on April 17, 2017. The plaintiffs are former and/or current mortgage loan officers of AmericanWest Bank and/or Banner Bank, who allege that the employer bank failed to pay all required regular and overtime wages that were due pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) and related laws of the state respective to each individual plaintiff. The plaintiffs seek regular and overtime wages, plus certain penalty amounts and legal fees. On December 15, 2017, the court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for conditional certification of a class with regard to the FLSA claims; following notice given to approximately 160 potential class members, 33 persons elected to “opt-in” as plaintiffs in the class. On October 10, 2018, the Court granted plaintiffs’ motion for certification of a different class of approximately 200 members, with regard to state law claims. Significant pre-trial motions were filed by both parties, including various motions by Banner Bank seeking to dismiss and/or limit the class claims. The court granted in part and denied in part Banner Bank’s motions and has ultimately allowed the case to proceed. The Court ruled 39 on the last of the pre-trial motions on September 13, 2021, increasing the likelihood of trial or settlement. If the case goes to trial and the Company is unsuccessful in defending the claims, damages could be higher than the amount the Company has accrued as a litigation contingency reserve for this case. We believe that there are substantial defenses to this lawsuit, and we have, and will continue to, defend this case vigorously. The ultimate outcome is unknown at this time. The trial for this case will be bifurcated between a liability phase and a damages phase. The liability phase of the trial is set to begin in September 2022. Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures Not applicable. 40 PART II