banr-20260814
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 14, 2026
Banner Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Washington | 000-26584 | 91-1691604 | ||||||||||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||||
10 S. First Avenue, Walla Walla, Washington 99362
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number (including area code) (509) 527-3636
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
[X] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
| Common Stock, par value $.01 per share | BANR | The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC | ||||||||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 8.01 Other Events.
As previously reported, Banner Corporation (“Banner”) and Pacific Financial Corporation (“Pacific Financial”) entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 30, 2026 (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which Pacific Financial will merge with and into Banner (the “Merger”).
On August 14, 2026, Banner received a letter from the Federal Reserve stating it does not object to Banner’s previously requested waiver of the application requirement for the Merger. All regulatory approvals required for the Merger have now been received. On August 17, 2026, Banner and Pacific Financial issued a joint press release announcing that the parties anticipate closing the Merger on September 1, 2026, subject to the satisfaction of the remaining customary closing conditions.
A copy of the joint press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including all statements in this report that are not historical facts or that relate to future plans or events. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the expected timing of the Merger. Such statements are based on information available at the time of communication and are based on current beliefs and expectations of Banner’s management and are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Banner’s control, which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied. This risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk that the parties may not meet expectations regarding the timing of the proposed Merger, there may be challenges in satisfying the other conditions to completion of the Merger, or the Merger may fail to close for any other reason. Any forward-looking statements are based on information as of the date of filing of this report. Banner undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit No. | Description | |||||||
| 99.1 | ||||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the inline XBRL document) | |||||||
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
| BANNER CORPORATION | |||||
| Date: August 17, 2026 | By: /s/ Robert G Butterfield | ||||
| Robert G Butterfield | |||||
| Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | |||||