Heritage Financial Receives Regulatory Approval for Olympic and Kitsap Bank Merger
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 29 2025
0mins
Should l Buy HFWA?
Source: Newsfilter
- Merger Approval: Heritage Financial announced it has received all necessary regulatory approvals to complete the merger with Olympic Bancorp, with the transaction expected to close around January 31, 2026, marking a significant step in expanding market share.
- Strategic Integration: The relationship banking strategy of Kitsap Bank complements Heritage's strategies, and this merger will create a more robust banking platform for communities across the Puget Sound region, enhancing customer service capabilities and market competitiveness.
- Shareholder Approval: The merger still requires approval from the shareholders of both Heritage and Olympic, reflecting the company's commitment to shareholder interests during the integration process to ensure a smooth transaction.
- Network Expansion: Post-merger, Heritage Bank will operate 51 banking offices across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, further strengthening its market presence and service capabilities in the Northwest region.
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Analyst Views on HFWA
Wall Street analysts forecast HFWA stock price to rise
2 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 27.730
Low
31.00
Averages
31.00
High
31.00
Current: 27.730
Low
31.00
Averages
31.00
High
31.00
About HFWA
Heritage Financial Corporation is a bank holding company. The Company is primarily engaged in the business of planning, directing, and coordinating the business activities of its wholly owned subsidiary, Heritage Bank (the Bank). Its business consists primarily of commercial lending and deposit relationships with small and medium-sized businesses and their owners in its market areas and attracting deposits from the general public. It also makes real estate construction and land development loans, and consumer loans. It offers a full range of products and services to customers for personal and business banking needs designed to attract both short-term and long-term deposits. Its personal and business banking customers have the option of selecting from a variety of account types. It also offers investment advice through a wealth management department that provides objective advice from trusted advisers. The Bank conducts business from its approximately 50 branch offices.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
West Pharmaceutical and Others Set for Ex-Dividend Trading
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- Heritage Financial Dividend Update: Heritage Financial Corp (HFWA) is set to pay a quarterly dividend of $0.24 on February 11, 2026, with an anticipated price drop of about 0.90%, reflecting a relatively high annual yield of 3.61%.
- Entegris Dividend Details: Entegris Inc (ENTG) will pay a quarterly dividend of $0.10 on February 18, 2026, with an expected price decline of around 0.09%, showing a stable annual yield of 0.35%.
- Market Performance Overview: On Monday, shares of West Pharmaceutical, Heritage Financial, and Entegris fell by approximately 4.5%, 5.5%, and 3.2%, respectively, indicating market reactions to the upcoming ex-dividend dates.
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Heritage Financial Corporation (HFWA) Reports Q4 2025 Net Interest Margin Increase to 3.72%
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- Loan and Deposit Growth: Total loan balances increased by $14 million in Q4, while total deposits rose by $63 million, primarily driven by a $100 million increase in interest-bearing demand deposits, indicating stronger customer attraction in a competitive market.
- Merger Progress: The company has secured regulatory and shareholder approval for its merger with Olympic Bancorp, expected to close by the end of January, which will further enhance profitability and strengthen its competitive position in the Puget Sound market.
- Robust Risk Management: Nonaccrual loans totaled $21 million at year-end, representing 0.44% of total loans; despite some downgrades, overall credit quality remains stable, with management expressing confidence in future credit management and risk control.
See More
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- Adjusted Earnings Performance: Excluding special items, the company reported adjusted earnings of $22.51 million, or $0.66 per share, reflecting the stability and continued strength of its core business despite slight revenue declines.
- Slight Revenue Decline: Although the company's Q4 revenue fell by 0.1% from $78.96 million last year to $78.86 million, the improvement in overall profitability suggests positive progress in cost control and operational efficiency.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: The profit growth and stable adjusted earnings of Heritage Financial provide a solid foundation for future market expansion and investment, likely boosting investor confidence and driving stock price increases.
See More
Heritage Financial (HFWA) Q4 EPS Beats Expectations with 16.3% Revenue Growth
- Earnings Beat: Heritage Financial reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $0.66, exceeding expectations by $0.10, indicating a robust profitability trend that boosts investor confidence.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved $66.35 million in revenue for Q4, reflecting a 16.3% year-over-year increase, surpassing market expectations by $0.41 million and demonstrating strong business expansion and demand.
- Net Interest Income Increase: Compared to Q3 2025, net interest income rose by $1.0 million, or 1.7% (annualized 6.8%), showcasing effective management in the current interest rate environment and enhancing profitability.
- Steady Deposit Growth: Total deposits increased by $62.7 million, or 1.1% (annualized 4.2%), while the cost of interest-bearing deposits decreased to 1.83%, which will further enhance the company's liquidity and profitability.
See More
Heritage Financial Corporation Declares $0.24 Quarterly Cash Dividend Ahead of Merger
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- Shareholder Record Date: The record date for shareholders to qualify for this dividend is January 28, 2026, ensuring that investors can receive their dividends promptly before the merger, thereby boosting shareholder confidence.
- Direct Deposit Service: Registered shareholders can enroll for direct deposit of dividends by logging into the transfer agent's 'Investor Centre', streamlining the dividend collection process and enhancing shareholder convenience and satisfaction.
- Company Background: Heritage Financial Corporation is a bank holding company based in Olympia, with its sole wholly-owned subsidiary, Heritage Bank, operating 51 branches in Washington and Oregon, demonstrating its strong market presence in these regions.
See More
Heritage Financial Corporation to Release Q4 Earnings on January 22, 2026
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- Conference Call Timing: The company has scheduled a conference call for January 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, during which it will discuss the fourth quarter financial results and conduct a live Q&A session to enhance investor engagement.
- Registration Process: Participants can register using the provided link to receive dial-in details and their unique PINs, with a recommendation to join 10 minutes early to ensure smooth participation in the call.
- Replay Availability: The conference call will be recorded and available for replay 24 hours a day until February 5, 2026, ensuring that investors who cannot attend live can still access the information.
See More
West Pharmaceutical and Others Set for Ex-Dividend Trading
- West Pharmaceutical Ex-Dividend: West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST) will trade ex-dividend on January 28, 2026, with a quarterly dividend of $0.22, leading to an expected price drop of approximately 0.09%, indicating a stable dividend payment history.
- Heritage Financial Dividend Update: Heritage Financial Corp (HFWA) is set to pay a quarterly dividend of $0.24 on February 11, 2026, with an anticipated price drop of about 0.90%, reflecting a relatively high annual yield of 3.61%.
- Entegris Dividend Details: Entegris Inc (ENTG) will pay a quarterly dividend of $0.10 on February 18, 2026, with an expected price decline of around 0.09%, showing a stable annual yield of 0.35%.
- Market Performance Overview: On Monday, shares of West Pharmaceutical, Heritage Financial, and Entegris fell by approximately 4.5%, 5.5%, and 3.2%, respectively, indicating market reactions to the upcoming ex-dividend dates.
See More
Heritage Financial Corporation (HFWA) Reports Q4 2025 Net Interest Margin Increase to 3.72%
- Profitability Improvement: Heritage Financial Corporation reported an 18% increase in adjusted diluted earnings per share for Q4 2025 compared to the previous quarter and a 29% increase year-over-year, reflecting successful adjustments in loan mix and net interest margin, thereby enhancing future growth potential.
- Loan and Deposit Growth: Total loan balances increased by $14 million in Q4, while total deposits rose by $63 million, primarily driven by a $100 million increase in interest-bearing demand deposits, indicating stronger customer attraction in a competitive market.
- Merger Progress: The company has secured regulatory and shareholder approval for its merger with Olympic Bancorp, expected to close by the end of January, which will further enhance profitability and strengthen its competitive position in the Puget Sound market.
- Robust Risk Management: Nonaccrual loans totaled $21 million at year-end, representing 0.44% of total loans; despite some downgrades, overall credit quality remains stable, with management expressing confidence in future credit management and risk control.
See More
Heritage Financial Corp. Reports Q4 Profit Increase to $22.23 Million
- Significant Profit Growth: Heritage Financial Corp. reported a net profit of $22.23 million in Q4, an 86.5% increase from last year's $11.92 million, with earnings per share rising from $0.34 to $0.65, indicating a substantial improvement in profitability.
- Adjusted Earnings Performance: Excluding special items, the company reported adjusted earnings of $22.51 million, or $0.66 per share, reflecting the stability and continued strength of its core business despite slight revenue declines.
- Slight Revenue Decline: Although the company's Q4 revenue fell by 0.1% from $78.96 million last year to $78.86 million, the improvement in overall profitability suggests positive progress in cost control and operational efficiency.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: The profit growth and stable adjusted earnings of Heritage Financial provide a solid foundation for future market expansion and investment, likely boosting investor confidence and driving stock price increases.
See More
Heritage Financial (HFWA) Q4 EPS Beats Expectations with 16.3% Revenue Growth
- Earnings Beat: Heritage Financial reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $0.66, exceeding expectations by $0.10, indicating a robust profitability trend that boosts investor confidence.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved $66.35 million in revenue for Q4, reflecting a 16.3% year-over-year increase, surpassing market expectations by $0.41 million and demonstrating strong business expansion and demand.
- Net Interest Income Increase: Compared to Q3 2025, net interest income rose by $1.0 million, or 1.7% (annualized 6.8%), showcasing effective management in the current interest rate environment and enhancing profitability.
- Steady Deposit Growth: Total deposits increased by $62.7 million, or 1.1% (annualized 4.2%), while the cost of interest-bearing deposits decreased to 1.83%, which will further enhance the company's liquidity and profitability.
See More
Heritage Financial Corporation Declares $0.24 Quarterly Cash Dividend Ahead of Merger
- Quarterly Cash Dividend: Heritage Financial Corporation announced a cash dividend of $0.24 per share, to be paid on February 11, 2026, ahead of the normal quarterly dividend, reflecting the company's confidence in the upcoming merger.
- Shareholder Record Date: The record date for shareholders to qualify for this dividend is January 28, 2026, ensuring that investors can receive their dividends promptly before the merger, thereby boosting shareholder confidence.
- Direct Deposit Service: Registered shareholders can enroll for direct deposit of dividends by logging into the transfer agent's 'Investor Centre', streamlining the dividend collection process and enhancing shareholder convenience and satisfaction.
- Company Background: Heritage Financial Corporation is a bank holding company based in Olympia, with its sole wholly-owned subsidiary, Heritage Bank, operating 51 branches in Washington and Oregon, demonstrating its strong market presence in these regions.
See More
Heritage Financial Corporation to Release Q4 Earnings on January 22, 2026
- Earnings Release Schedule: Heritage Financial Corporation anticipates issuing its fourth quarter earnings report on January 22, 2026, before the market opens, aiming to provide investors with the latest financial performance and business developments.
- Conference Call Timing: The company has scheduled a conference call for January 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, during which it will discuss the fourth quarter financial results and conduct a live Q&A session to enhance investor engagement.
- Registration Process: Participants can register using the provided link to receive dial-in details and their unique PINs, with a recommendation to join 10 minutes early to ensure smooth participation in the call.
- Replay Availability: The conference call will be recorded and available for replay 24 hours a day until February 5, 2026, ensuring that investors who cannot attend live can still access the information.
See More
