Global Credit Union to Acquire First Financial Northwest Bank

Geoff Lundfelt

​Global Federal Credit Union (“Global”) and First Financial Northwest, Inc. (“First Financial Northwest”) (NASDAQ GS: FFNW) announced today they have entered into a definitive agreement in which Global will acquire Renton, Washington-based First Financial Northwest Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of First Financial Northwest. The transaction is structured as a purchase and assumption agreement with Global purchasing substantially all assets and assuming substantially all liabilities of First Financial Northwest Bank for the all-cash consideration of $231.2 million, subject to certain adjustments.
 
The agreement has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both institutions. Following the purchase and assumption transaction, First Financial Northwest and First Financial Northwest Bank intend to wind down and dissolve. Based on First Financial Northwest’s outstanding shares on a fully diluted basis as of December 31, 2023, and after taking into consideration the anticipated satisfaction of certain obligations of First Financial Northwest and First Financial Northwest Bank excluded from the purchase and assumption transaction, including holding company indebtedness and tax liabilities, First Financial Northwest expects that its shareholders would be entitled to receive approximately $23.18 to $23.75 per share upon liquidation, subject to certain adjustments. If certain conditions occur prior to closing, including but not necessarily limited to a decline in deposits, an inability to refinance or sell certain loans prior to closing, and other potential reductions outlined in the Purchase and Assumption Agreement, the actual amount received could be below this range.
 
The transaction will expand Global’s business and commercial services to all its member businesses as well as enhance its branch presence in Western Washington, where it first began operations 40 years ago. First Financial Northwest Bank customers will become members of Global Federal Credit Union with full access to Global’s extensive product and service offerings.
 
“We are enthusiastic about combining two financially sound institutions that share a strong commitment to service and community engagement,” said Geoff Lundfelt, president and CEO of Global Federal Credit Union. “This combination will continue to enhance service delivery and growth in a market that the credit union has been operating in for over four decades, adding numerous branches. First Financial Northwest Bank’s branch network has a technology-forward design, accelerating the transformation to an environment with a structure and atmosphere more suited to conducting business in the future.”
 
“The ability to offer expanded business and commercial financial products and services to Global’s existing membership is a significant strategic step for the credit union,” continued Lundfelt. “This acquisition also affords the customers of First Financial Northwest Bank access to the consumer products and world-class service Global members currently enjoy.”
 
Lundfelt concluded, “Global will receive tremendous value from this transaction. The projected future earnings from the acquisition of First Financial Northwest Bank’s franchise justify the pricing of the transaction and are expected to be accretive to Global from a financial perspective.”
 
Joseph W. Kiley III, president and CEO of First Financial Northwest Bank added, “First Financial Northwest Bank has earned the trust of its customers and the communities it serves for over a century by holding true to its values of building long-term banking relationships, offering high-quality banking products and services, providing exceptional customer service, and demonstrating a strong commitment to community. In today’s competitive environment, we believe this strategic transaction provides numerous benefits for our customers, our communities, and our employees. In addition, this transaction delivers substantial value to our shareholders who have supported us over the years.”
 
The transaction is anticipated to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024 subject to receiving all regulatory approvals, approval by the shareholders of First Financial Northwest, and other customary closing conditions. Until the transaction is finalized, both organizations will continue to conduct business as usual.
 
Global was advised by McQueen Financial Advisors, as financial advisor, and Honigman LLP, as legal counsel. First Financial Northwest was advised by Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, as financial advisor, and Fenimore Kay Harrison LLP, as legal counsel.
 
Global was founded in Anchorage, Alaska, in 1948 and currently has approximately 2,000 employees, operations in five states and Italy, and 750,000 members spread across all 50 states and 20 foreign countries. With over $11 billion in assets, Global is one of the 20 largest credit unions in the United States. Global first began operations in Washington state after a series of mergers in Oak Harbor and the Greater Seattle area beginning in 1983. Global has 27 branches and serves over 180,000 members across
Washington state.
 
Established in 1923 in Renton, Washington as the Renton Savings and Loan Association, First Financial Northwest Bank has transformed over the years from a single branch thrift to a full-service community-based commercial bank with over 150 employees delivering unique and innovative solutions to its customers in the Puget Sound Region. On September 30, 2023, First Financial Northwest had total assets of $1.53 billion and deposits of $1.21 billion. 

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