10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011

or

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number 001-34654

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Washington	91-1661606
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
425 Pike Street Seattle, Washington 98101
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(206) 624-7930
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files)    Yes  x    No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	o
Non-accelerated filer	o	Smaller reporting company	o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  o    No  x

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Title of class:	at May 6, 2011
Common stock, $1.00 par value	111,078,402

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I
Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)
	The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Washington Federal, Inc. and Subsidiaries filed as a part of the report are as follows:
	Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010	3
	Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarters and six months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010	4
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010	5
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	6
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	21
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	28
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	29
PART II
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	30
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	30
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	31
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	31
Item 5.	Other Information	31
Item 6.	Exhibits	31
	Signatures	32

2

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(UNAUDITED)

	March 31, 2011			September 30, 2010
	(In thousands, except share data)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	911,961		$	888,622
Available-for-sale securities, including encumbered securities of $981,857 and $933,315, at fair value	2,905,077			2,481,093
Held-to-maturity securities, including encumbered securities of $50,760 and $60,970, at amortized cost	52,710			80,107
Loans receivable, net	8,008,661			8,423,703
Covered loans, net	453,291			534,474
Interest receivable	51,855			49,020
Premises and equipment, net	164,883			162,721
Real estate held for sale	177,559			188,998
Covered real estate held for sale	66,025			44,155
FDIC indemnification asset	108,618			131,128
FHLB stock	151,752			151,748
Intangible assets, net	256,971			257,718
Federal and state income taxes, net	8,673			8,093
Other assets	70,769			84,799
	$	13,388,805		$	13,486,379
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
Customer accounts
Savings and demand accounts	$	8,754,007		$	8,825,918
Repurchase agreements with customers	36,265			26,622
	8,790,272			8,852,540
FHLB advances	1,863,541			1,865,548
Other borrowings	800,000			800,000
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance	30,837			39,504
Federal and State income taxes	—			—
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	66,514			87,640
	11,551,164			11,645,232
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $1.00 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized; 129,796,749 and 129,555,956 shares issued; 112,074,425 and 112,483,632 shares outstanding	129,797			129,556
Paid-in capital	1,580,652			1,578,527
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes	17,580			49,682
Treasury stock, at cost; 17,722,324 and 17,072,324 shares	(219,589		)	(208,985		)
Retained earnings	329,201			292,367
	1,837,641			1,841,147
	$	13,388,805		$	13,486,379

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

	Quarter Ended March 31,						Six Months Ended March 31,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands, except per share data)
INTEREST INCOME
Loans	$	128,634		$	142,317		$	266,550		$	279,770
Mortgage-backed securities	26,163			21,097			49,857			48,378
Investment securities and cash equivalents	3,742			1,620			7,722			2,557
	158,539			165,034			324,129			330,705
INTEREST EXPENSE
Customer accounts	29,450			37,698			62,184			74,183
FHLB advances and other borrowings	27,534			30,296			55,656			61,716
	56,984			67,994			117,840			135,899
Net interest income	101,555			97,040			206,289			194,806
Provision for loan losses	30,750			63,423			56,750			133,173
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	70,805			33,617			149,539			61,633
OTHER INCOME
Gain on FDIC-assisted transaction	—			85,608			—			85,608
Gain on sale of investments	8,147			—			8,147			20,428
Other	4,364			5,446			8,790			9,255
	12,511			91,054			16,937			115,291
OTHER EXPENSE
Compensation and benefits	17,824			24,178			35,547			37,813
Occupancy	3,636			3,399			7,151			6,648
FDIC insurance premiums	5,100			4,874			10,199			8,439
Other	6,761			7,510			14,703			14,037
	33,321			39,961			67,600			66,937
Loss on real estate acquired through foreclosure, net	(9,645		)	(16,635		)	(20,198		)	(29,355		)
Income before income taxes	40,350			68,075			78,678			80,632
Income tax provision (benefit)	14,526			(14,036		)	$	28,324		(9,390		)
NET INCOME	$	25,824		$	82,111		$	50,354		$	90,022
PER SHARE DATA
Basic earnings	$	0.23		$	0.73		$	0.45		$	0.80
Diluted earnings	0.23			0.73			0.45			0.80
Cash dividends per share	0.06			0.05			0.12			0.10
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding	112,278,823			112,450,001			112,364,935			112,401,443
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding, including dilutive stock options	112,411,414			112,798,396			112,447,927			112,689,113

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

	Six Months Ended
	March 31, 2011			March 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	50,354		$	90,022
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization (accretion) of fees, discounts, premiums and intangible assets, net	15,792			8,689
Cash received from FDIC under loss share	20,977			—
Depreciation	3,300			2,700
Stock option compensation expense	540			592
Provision for loan losses	56,750			133,173
Loss (gain) on investment securities and real estate held for sale, net	12,051			9,878
Gain on FDIC-assisted transaction	—			(85,608		)
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable	(2,835		)	5,359
Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable/receivable	18,072			(35,084		)
FHLB stock dividends	(4		)	(2		)
Decrease (increase) in other assets	14,030			(61,802		)
Decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities	(21,126		)	(45,480		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	167,901			22,437
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
(Loan originations) principal collections, net	361,916			69,206
Available-for-sale securities purchased	(967,176		)	(724,709		)
Principal payments and maturities of available-for-sale securities	358,297			331,694
Available-for-sale securities sold	131,361			368,309
Principal payments and maturities of held-to-maturity securities	28,146			11,178
Net cash received from acquisition	—			111,684
Proceeds from sales of real estate held for sale	44,639			81,577
Premises and equipment purchased	(5,462		)	(4,931		)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(48,279		)	244,008
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net increase (decrease) in customer accounts	(62,268		)	304,814
Net decrease in borrowings	(2,007		)	(131,747		)
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options	783			1,542
Dividends paid	(13,520		)	(11,208		)
Treasury stock purchased	(10,604		)	—
Decrease in advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance	(8,667		)	(8,409		)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(96,283		)	154,992
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	23,339			421,437
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	888,622			498,388
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	911,961		$	919,825
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Non-cash investing activities
Non-covered real estate acquired through foreclosure	$	53,398		$	138,125
Covered real estate acquired through foreclosure	33,075			4,706
Cash paid during the period for
Interest	119,479			136,395
Income taxes	10,252			27,420

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND 2010

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE A – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The consolidated unaudited interim financial statements included in this report have been prepared by Washington Federal, Inc. (“Company”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation are reflected in the interim financial statements. The September 30, 2010 Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition was derived from audited financial statements.

The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2010 Form 10-K”) as filed with the SEC. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

Loans receivable – When a borrower fails to make a required payment on a loan, the Company attempts to cure the deficiency by contacting the borrower. Contact is made after a payment is 30 days past its grace period. In most cases, deficiencies are cured promptly. If the delinquency is not cured within 90 days, the Company may institute appropriate action to foreclose on the property. If foreclosed, the property will be sold at a public sale and may be purchased by the Company.

The company will consider modifying the interest rates and terms of a loan if it determines that a modification is a better alternative to foreclosure.

Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when, in the judgment of management, the probability of collection of interest is deemed to be insufficient to warrant further accrual. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is deducted from interest income. The Company does not accrue interest on loans 90 days past due or more. If payment is made on a loan so that the loan becomes less than 90 days past due, and the Company expects full collection of principal and interest, the loan is returned to full accrual status. Any interest ultimately collected is credited to income in the period of recovery.

The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance is based on ongoing, quarterly assessments of the probable and estimable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The Company’s methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance consists of two components, which include the general allowance and specific allowances.

The general loan loss allowance is established by applying a loss percentage factor to the different loan types. Management believes loan types are the most relevant factor to group loans for the allowance calculation as the risk characteristics in these groups are similar. The loss percentage factor is made up of 2 parts – the historical loss factor (“HLF”) and the qualitative loss factor (“QLF”). The HLF takes into account historical charge-offs, while the QLF is determined by loan type and allows management to augment reserve levels to reflect the current environment and portfolio performance trends including recent charge-off trends. The allowances are provided based on Management’s continuing evaluation of the pertinent factors underlying the quality of the loan portfolio, including changes in the size and composition of the loan portfolio, actual loan loss experience, current economic conditions, collateral values, geographic concentrations, seasoning of the loan portfolio, specific industry conditions, and the duration of the current business cycle. The recovery of the carrying value of loans is susceptible to future market conditions beyond the Company’s control, which may result in losses or recoveries differing from those provided.

The Company’s reserve methodology relating to troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”) was enhanced again during the quarter ended March 31, 2011, by evaluating TDR's by state and further by the amount of time since restructuring. The impact was to increase the reserves allocated to single-family residential ("SFR") TDRs by $10,958,000 at March 31, 2011, as compared to December 31, 2010. The portion of the reserve now allocated to SFR TDR's is $21,106,000 at March 31, 2011.

Specific allowances are established for loans which are individually evaluated, in cases where Management has identified significant conditions or circumstances related to a loan that Management believes indicate the probability that a loss has been incurred.

Impaired loans consist of loans receivable that are not expected to have their principal and interest repaid in accordance with their contractual terms. Collateral dependent impaired loans are measured using the fair value of the collateral, less selling costs. Non-collateral dependent loans are measured at the present value of expected future cash flows.

The Company receives fees for originating loans in addition to various fees and charges related to existing loans, which may include prepayment charges, late charges and assumption fees. Deferred loan fees and costs are recognized over the life of the loans using the effective interest method.

6

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND 2010

(UNAUDITED)

Off-Balance-Sheet Credit Exposures – The only material off-balance-sheet credit exposure is loans in process (“LIP”), which had a balance at March 31, 2011, excluding covered loans, of $142,776,000. The Company estimates losses on LIP by including LIP with the related principal balance outstanding and then applying its general reserve methodology to the gross amount.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the financial statements to conform prior periods to current classifications.

NOTE B – Dividends

On April 22, 2011 the Company paid its 113^th consecutive quarterly cash dividend on common stock. Dividends per share were $.06 and $.05 for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

NOTE C – Comprehensive Income

The Company’s comprehensive income includes all items which comprise net income plus the unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities. Total comprehensive income (loss) for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010 totaled $10,239,000 and $87,612,000 respectively. Total comprehensive income (loss) for the six months ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010 totaled $18,252,000 and $79,478,000 respectively. The difference between the Company’s net income and total comprehensive income for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 was $(15,585,000) which equals the change in the net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities of $(24,640,000), less tax of $(9,055,000). In addition, $26,949,000 of net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities were included in comprehensive income for the six months ended March 31, 2011, which included $5,153,000 of gain on sale of investments reclassified into earnings for the same period.

NOTE D – Loans Receivable (excluding Covered Loans)

	March 31, 2011				September 30, 2010
	(In thousands)
Single-family residential	$	6,254,244	75.0	%	$	6,551,837	74.7	%
Construction - speculative	145,282		1.7		169,712		1.9
Construction - custom	243,739		2.9		256,384		2.9
Land - acquisition & development	253,377		3.0		307,230		3.5
Land - consumer lot loans	174,929		2.1		186,840		2.1
Multi-family	717,533		8.6		697,351		7.9
Commercial real estate	294,181		3.5		315,915		3.6
Commercial & industrial	74,248		0.9		83,070		1.0
HELOC	114,840		1.4		116,143		1.3
Consumer	79,184		0.9		92,624		1.1
	8,351,557		100	%	8,777,106		100	%
Less:
Allowance for probable losses	163,617				163,094
Loans in process	142,776				154,171
Deferred net origination fees	36,503				36,138
	342,896				353,403
	$	8,008,661			$	8,423,703

7

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND 2010

(UNAUDITED)

The following table sets forth information regarding non-accrual loans held by the Company as of the dates indicated:

	March 31, 2011				September 30, 2010
	(In thousands)
Non-accrual loans:
Single-family residential	$	121,535	54.8	%	$	115,155	46.8	%
Construction - speculative	20,187		9.1		39,915		16.3
Construction - custom	307		0.1		—		—
Land - acquisition & development	45,494		20.5		64,883		26.4
Land - consumer lot loans	6,470		2.9		7,540		3.1
Multi-family	13,249		6.0		4,931		2.0
Commercial real estate	12,734		5.7		10,831		4.4
Commercial & industrial	369		0.2		371		0.2
HELOC	1,001		0.5		929		0.4
Consumer	390		0.2		977		0.4
Total non-accrual loans	$	221,736	100	%	$	245,532	100	%

The following table provides an analysis of the age of loans in past due status for the period ended March 31, 2011.

	Amount of Loans		Days Delinquent Based on $ Amount of Loans										% based on $
Type of Loans	Net of LIP & Chg.-Offs		Current		30		60		90		Total
	(In thousands)
Single-Family Residential	$	6,252,954	$	6,044,427	$	56,384	$	31,658	$	120,487	$	208,529	3.33	%
Construction - Speculative	117,561		106,522		1,219		—		9,820		11,039		9.39	%
Construction - Custom	139,186		137,667		—		1,212		307		1,519		1.09	%
Land - Acquisition & Development	245,523		225,644		1,742		5,859		12,278		19,879		8.10	%
Land - Consumer Lot Loans	174,929		165,653		1,711		1,095		6,470		9,276		5.30	%
Multi-Family	717,285		701,793		8,561		—		6,931		15,492		2.16	%
Commercial Real Estate	293,079		287,194		2,320		222		3,343		5,885		2.01	%
Commercial & Industrial	74,240		73,634		271		197		138		606		0.82	%
HELOC	114,840		112,487		545		807		1,001		2,353		2.05	%
Consumer	79,184		76,883		1,130		781		390		2,301		2.91	%
	$	8,208,781	$	7,931,904	$	73,883	$	41,831	$	161,165	$	276,879	3.37	%

NOTE E – Allowance for Losses on Loans

The Company has an asset quality review function that analyzes its loan portfolios and reports the results of the review to the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. The single-family residential, HELOC and consumer portfolios are evaluated based on their performance as a pool of loans, since no single loan is individually significant or judged by its risk rating, size or potential risk of loss. The construction, land, multi-family, commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans are risk rated on a loan by loan basis to determine the relative risk inherent in specific borrowers or loans. Based on that risk rating, the loans are assigned a grade and classified as follows:

• Pass – the credit does not meet one of the definitions defined below.

• Special mention – A special mention credit is considered to be currently protected from loss but is potentially weak. No loss of principal or interest is foreseen; however, proper supervision and Management attention is required to deter further deterioration in the credit. Assets in this category constitute some undue and unwarranted credit risk but not to the point of justifying a risk rating of substandard. The credit risk may be relatively minor yet constitutes an unwarranted risk in light of the circumstances surrounding a specific asset.

8

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND 2010

(UNAUDITED)

• Substandard – A substandard credit is an unacceptable credit. Additionally, repayment in the normal course is in jeopardy due to the existence of one or more well defined weaknesses. In these situations, loss of principal is likely if the weakness is not corrected. A substandard asset is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. Assets so classified will have a well defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. Loss potential, while existing in the aggregate amount of substandard assets, does not have to exist in individual assets risk rated substandard.

• Doubtful – A credit classified doubtful has all the weaknesses inherent in one classified substandard with the added characteristic that the weakness makes collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. The probability of loss is high, but because of certain important and reasonably specific pending factors that may work to the advantage and strengthening of the asset, its classification as an estimated loss is deferred until its more exact status may be determined. Pending factors include proposed merger, acquisition, or liquidation procedures, capital injection, perfecting liens on additional collateral, and refinancing plans.

• Loss – Credits classified loss are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as a bankable asset is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the asset has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this asset even though partial recovery may be affected in the future. Losses should be taken in the period in which they are identified as uncollectible. Partial charge-off versus full charge-off may be taken if the collateral offers some identifiable protection.

The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for loan losses for the period ended March 31, 2011:

	Beginning Allowance		Charge-offs			Recoveries		Provision & Transfers			Ending Allowance
	(In thousands)
Single-family residential	$	54,797	$	(7,714	)	$	376	$	19,425		$	66,884
Construction - speculative	22,765		(6,332		)	622		4,481			21,536
Construction - custom	359		(157		)	—		346			548
Land - acquisition & development	53,369		(6,925		)	449		(2,246		)	44,647
Land - consumer lot loans	5,181		(1,224		)	—		1,718			5,675
Multi-family	6,296		—			71		1,640			8,007
Commercial real estate	3,144		(570		)	—		925			3,499
Commercial & industrial	6,658		(3,736		)	125		3,359			6,406
HELOC	1,157		(348		)	—		339			1,148
Consumer	5,562		(1,359		)	301		763			5,267
	$	159,288	$	(28,365	)	$	1,944	$	30,750		$	163,617

The Company recorded a $30,750,000 provision for loan losses during the quarter ended March 31, 2011, while a $63,423,000 provision was recorded for the same quarter one year ago. Non-performing assets (“NPAs”) amounted to $399,295,000, or 2.98%, of total assets at March 31, 2011, compared to $538,928,000, or 3.90%, of total assets one year ago. Covered loans are not classified as non-performing loans because, at acquisition, the carrying value of these loans was adjusted to reflect fair value and are covered under FDIC loss sharing agreements. There was no allowance for loan losses related to the covered loans at March 31, 2011, as these loans are performing as anticipated or better than the projections used in the purchase accounting fair value calculations. The Company had net charge-offs of $26,421,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, compared with $59,419,000 of net charge-offs for the same quarter one year ago. A loan is charged-off when the loss is estimable and it is confirmed that the borrower will not be able to meet its contractual obligations. The decrease in the provision for loan losses is in response to four primary factors: first, the improvement in the amount of NPAs year-over-year described at the beginning of this paragraph; second, non-accrual loans decreased from $334,872,000 at March 31, 2010, to $221,736,000 at March 31, 2011, a 33.8% decrease; third, the percentage of loans 30 days or more delinquent decreased from 4.39% at March 31, 2010, to 3.37% at March 31, 2011; and finally, the Company’s exposure in the land acquisition and development (“A&D”) and speculative construction portfolios, where the majority of losses have come from during this period of the cycle, has decreased from a combined 6.7% of the gross loan portfolio at March 31, 2010, to 5.0% at March 31, 2011. The provision for loan losses increased on a linked quarter basis from $26,000,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 to $30,750,000 for the March 31, 2011 quarter despite the improved asset quality indicators

9

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND 2010

(UNAUDITED)

mentioned above. The increased provision was the result of continued declines in real estate values in the Company's primary market areas as well as additional reserve allocated to SFR TDR's. $107,510,000 of the allowance was calculated under the formulas contained in our general allowance methodology and the remaining $56,107,000 was made up of specific reserves on loans that were deemed to be impaired at March 31, 2011. For the period ending March 31, 2010, $85,730,000 of the allowance was calculated under the formulas contained in our general allowance methodology and the remaining $108,822,000 was made up of specific reserves on loans that were deemed to be impaired. The primary reasons for the shift in total allowance allocation from specific reserves to general reserves is due to the Company having already addressed many of the problem loans focused in the speculative construction and land A&D portfolios, combined with an increase in delinquencies and elevated charge-offs in the single-family residential portfolio. While overall delinquencies have decreased as discussed above, delinquencies in the single-family residential portfolio, the largest portion of the loan portfolio, increased from 3.10% at March 31, 2010 to 3.33% at March 31, 2011.

The following table shows a summary of loans collectively and individually evaluated for impairment and the related allocation of general and specific reserves as of March 31, 2011:

	Loans Collectively Evaluated for Impairment						Loans Individually Evaluated for Impairment
	General  Reserve Allocation		Gross Loans Subject  to General Reserve (1)		Ratio		Specific  Reserve Allocation		Gross Loans Subject  to Specific Reserve (1)		Ratio
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Single-family residential	$	62,033	$	6,239,511	1.0	%	$	4,850	$	14,733	32.9	%
Construction - speculative	14,688		98,518		14.9		6,848		46,764		14.6
Construction - custom	548		243,739		0.2		—		—		—
Land - acquisition & development	7,223		38,879		18.6		37,425		214,498		17.4
Land - consumer lot loans	4,306		172,255		2.5		1,369		2,674		51.2
Multi-family	3,462		692,545		0.5		4,545		24,988		18.2
Commercial real estate	2,618		261,814		1.0		881		32,367		2.7
Commercial & industrial	6,217		69,077		9.0		189		5,171		3.7
HELOC	1,148		114,840		1.0		—		—		—
Consumer	5,267		79,184		6.7		—		—		—
	$	107,510	$	8,010,362	1.3		$	56,107	$	341,195	16.4

 ___________________

(1) Excludes covered loans

The following tables provide information on loans based on credit quality indicators (defined in Note A) as of March 31, 2011:

Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade:

10

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND 2010

(UNAUDITED)

	Internally Assigned Grade															Total
	Pass			Special mention			Substandard			Doubtful			Loss			Gross Loans
	(In thousands)
Single-family residential	$	6,126,149		$	—		$	128,095		$	—		$	—		$	6,254,244
Construction - speculative	43,769			6,672			94,841			—			—			145,282
Construction - custom	243,739			—			—			—			—			243,739
Land - acquisition & development	58,216			7,052			188,109			—			—			253,377
Land - consumer lot loans	174,929			—			—			—			—			174,929
Multi-family	675,206			4,047			38,280			—			—			717,533
Commercial real estate	248,622			1,217			44,343			—			—			294,182
Commercial & industrial	69,689			1,374			2,865			—			320			74,248
HELOC	114,840			—			—			—			—			114,840
Consumer	78,225			583			375			—			—			79,183
	$	7,833,384		$	20,945		$	496,908		$	—		$	320		$	8,351,557
Total grade as a % of total gross loans	93.8		%	0.3		%	5.9		%	—		%	—		%

Credit Risk Profile Based on Payment Activity:

	Performing Loans				Non-Performing Loans
	Amount		% of Total Gross  Loans		Amount		% of Total Gross  Loans
	(In thousands)
Single-family residential	$	6,132,709	98.1	%	$	121,535	1.9	%
Construction - speculative	125,095		86.1		20,187		13.9
Construction - custom	243,432		99.9		307		0.1
Land - acquisition & development	207,883		82.0		45,494		18.0
Land - consumer lot loans	168,459		96.3		6,470		3.7
Multi-family	704,284		98.2		13,249		1.8
Commercial real estate	281,447		95.7		12,734		4.3
Commercial & industrial	73,879		99.5		369		0.5
HELOC	113,839		99.1		1,001		0.9
Consumer	78,794		99.5		390		0.5
	$	8,129,821	97.3		$	221,736	2.7

The following table provides information on impaired loans based on loan types as of March 31, 2011:

11

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND 2010

(UNAUDITED)

	Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance			Average Recorded Investment
	(In thousands)
With no related allowance recorded:
Single-family residential	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—
Construction - speculative	16,222		22,336		—			17,527
Construction - custom	—		—		—			—
Land - acquisition & development	33,306		56,745		—			37,386
Land - consumer lot loans	—		—		—			—
Multi-family	1,620		1,620		—			690
Commercial real estate	10,131		10,617		—			6,466
Commercial & industrial	97		117		—			73
HELOC	—		—		—			—
Consumer	—		—		—			—
	61,376		91,435		—			62,142
With an allowance recorded:
Single-family residential	230,612		230,612		20,993			223,093
Construction - speculative	43,362		43,362		6,848			39,736
Construction - custom	—		—		—			—
Land - acquisition & development	103,420		103,419		37,425			91,406
Land - consumer lot loans	—		—		1,369			—
Multi-family	24,390		24,390		4,545			17,882
Commercial real estate	1,642		1,642		881			1,098
Commercial & industrial	295		295		189			179
HELOC	—		—		—			—
Consumer	—		—		—			—
	403,721		403,720		72,250		(1)	373,394
Total:
Single-family residential	230,612		230,612		20,993			223,093
Construction - speculative	59,584		65,698		6,848			57,263
Construction - custom	—		—		—			—
Land - acquisition & development	136,726		160,164		37,425			128,792
Land - consumer lot loans	—		—		1,369			—
Multi-family	26,010		26,010		4,545			18,572
Commercial real estate	11,773		12,259		881			7,564
Commercial & industrial	392		412		189			252
HELOC	—		—		—			—
Consumer	—		—		—			—
	$	465,097	$	495,155	$	72,250	(1)	$	435,536

____________________ 

(1) Includes $56,107,000 of specific reserves and $16,143,000 included in the general reserves.

NOTE F – New Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-03,

12

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND 2010

(UNAUDITED)

Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860) – Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements. This ASU removes from the assessment of effective control (1) the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the transferee, and (2) the collateral maintenance implementation guidance related to that criterion. Other criteria applicable to the assessment of effective control are not changed by the amendments in this ASU. The guidance in this ASU is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The guidance should be applied prospectively to transactions or modifications of existing transactions that occur on or after the effective date. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company intends to comply with this new guidance.

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-02, Receivables (Topic 310) – A Creditor's Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring. The amendments in this ASU clarify the guidance on a creditor's evaluation of whether it has granted a concession and whether a debtor is experiencing financial difficulties. This guidance will be effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and should be applied retrospectively to the beginning of the annual period of adoption (i.e., October 1, 2010, for the Company). As a result of this guidance, receivables previously measured under loss contingency guidance that are newly considered impaired should be disclosed, along with the related allowance for credit losses, as of the end of the period of adoption. For purposes of measuring impairment of those receivables, an entity should apply the amendments prospectively for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011. The deferred credit risk disclosure guidance issued in July 2010 relating to troubled debt restructurings will now be effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011. The Company intends to comply with this new guidance.

NOTE G – Fair Value Measurements

U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. U.S. GAAP also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active exchange markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active and other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used to measure and report fair value of financial assets and liabilities on a recurring or nonrecurring basis:

Measured on a Recurring Basis

Securities

Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value is determined with quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active and other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data (Level 2).

The following table presents the balance of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2011:

13

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND 2010

(UNAUDITED)

	Fair Value at March 31, 2011
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities
Equity securities	$	—	$	511	$	—	$	511
Obligations of U.S. government	—		306,887		—		306,887
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	—		20,471		—		20,471
Obligations of foreign governments	—		—		—		—
Corporate debt securities	—		10,000		—		10,000
Mortgage-backed securities					—
Agency pass-through certificates	—		2,567,208		—		2,567,208
Other debt securities	—		—		—		—
Balance at end of period	$	—	$	2,905,077	$	—	$	2,905,077

There were no transfers between, into and/or out of Levels 1, 2 or 3 during the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis

Impaired Loans & Real Estate Held for Sale

From time to time, and on a nonrecurring basis, fair value adjustments to collateral dependent loans and real estate held for sale are recorded to reflect write-downs of principal balances based on the current appraised or estimated value of the collateral.

Real estate held for sale consists principally of properties acquired through foreclosure.

The following table presents the aggregated balance of assets measured at estimated fair value on a nonrecurring basis through the quarter ended March 31, 2011, and the total losses resulting from those fair value adjustments for the quarter and six months ended March 31, 2011. The following estimated fair values are shown gross of estimated selling costs:

									Quarter Ended March 31, 2011		Six Months Ended March 31, 2011
	Through March 31, 2011
	Level 1		Level  2		Level  3		Total		Total Losses
	(In thousands)
Impaired loans (1)	$	—	$	—	$	153,333	$	153,333	$	12,725	$	29,304
Real estate held for sale (2)	—		—		87,695		87,695		12,667		25,345
Balance at end of period	$	—	$	—	$	241,028	$	241,028	$	25,392	$	54,649

 ___________________

(1) The loss represents remeasurements of collateral dependent loans.

(2) The loss represents aggregate writedowns and charge-offs on real estate held for sale.

There were no liabilities carried at fair value, measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis, at March 31, 2011.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

U. S. GAAP requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized on the statement of financial condition, for which it is practicable to estimate those values. Certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments are excluded from the disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value estimates presented do not reflect the underlying fair value of the Company. Although management is not aware of any factors that would materially affect the estimated fair value amounts presented below, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since the dates shown, and therefore, estimates of fair value subsequent to those dates may differ significantly from the amounts presented below.

14

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND 2010

(UNAUDITED)

	March 31, 2011				September 30, 2010
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	911,961	$	911,961	$	888,622	$	888,622
Available-for-sale securities:
Equity securities	—		—		—		—
Obligations of U.S. government	328,255		328,255		341,006		341,006
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	—		—		—		—
Obligations of foreign governments	—		—		—		—
Corporate debt securities	10,000		10,000		10,000		10,000
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates	2,566,822		2,566,822		2,130,087		2,130,087
Other debt securities	—		—		—		—
Total available-for-sale securities	2,905,077		2,905,077		2,481,093		2,481,093
Held-to-maturity securities:
Equity securities	—		—		—		—
Obligations of U.S. government	—		—		—		—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	1,950		2,073		7,055		7,269
Obligations of foreign governments	—		—		—		—
Corporate debt securities	—		—		—		—
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates	50,760		53,588		73,052		77,631
Other debt securities	—		—		—		—
Total held-to-maturity securities	52,710		55,661		80,107		84,900
Loans receivable	8,008,661		8,560,315		8,423,703		8,899,937
Covered loans	453,291		446,155		534,474		534,474
FHLB stock	151,752		151,752		151,748		151,748
Financial liabilities
Customer accounts	8,790,272		8,627,023		8,852,540		8,811,009
FHLB advances and other borrowings	2,663,541		2,883,973		2,665,548		2,965,921

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents – The carrying amount of these items is a reasonable estimate of their fair value.

Available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities – Estimated fair value for investment securities is based on quoted market prices.

Loans receivable and covered loans – For certain homogeneous categories of loans, such as fixed- and variable-rate residential mortgages, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for securities backed by similar loans, adjusted for differences in loan characteristics. The fair value of other loan types is estimated by discounting the future cash flows and estimated prepayments using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining term. Some loan types were valued at carrying value because of their floating rate or expected maturity characteristics. Net deferred loan fees are not included in the fair value calculation but are included in the carrying amount.

15

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND 2010

(UNAUDITED)

FHLB stock – The fair value is based upon the par value of the stock which equates to its carrying value.

Customer accounts – The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, and money market accounts is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit is estimated by discounting the estimated future cash flows using the rates currently offered for deposits with similar remaining maturities.

FHLB advances and other borrowings – The fair value of FHLB advances and other borrowings is estimated by discounting the estimated future cash flows using rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar remaining maturities.

The following is a reconciliation of amortized cost to fair value of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities:

	March 31, 2011
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized					Fair Value		Yield
			Gains		Losses
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities
U.S. government and agency securities due
Within 1 year	$	500	$	11	$	—		$	511	4.00	%
1 to 5 years	25,000		136		—			25,136		3.25	%
5 to 10 years	9,300		4,160		—			13,460		10.38	%
Over 10 years	295,971		386		(7,209		)	288,762		3.07	%
Corporate bonds due
5 to 10 years	10,000				—			10,000		6.00	%
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates	2,536,512		58,836		(28,526		)	2,567,208		4.91	%
	2,877,283		63,529		(35,735		)	2,905,077		4.73	%
Held-to-maturity securities
Tax-exempt municipal bonds due
1 to 5 years										—	%
5 to 10 years	1,950		123		—			2,073		5.65	%
Over 10 years										—	%
U.S. government and agency securities due
1 to 5 years										—	%
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates	50,760		2,828		—			53,588		5.31	%
	52,710		2,951		—			55,661		5.32	%
	$	2,929,993	$	66,480	$	(35,735	)	$	2,960,738	4.74	%

16

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND 2010

(UNAUDITED)

	September 30, 2010
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized						Fair Value		Yield
			Gains		Losses
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities
U.S. government and agency securities due
Within 1 year	$	500	$	26		$	—		$	526	4.00	%
1 to 5 years	25,000		180			—			25,180		3.25	%
5 to 10 years	158,915		5,344			(105		)	164,154		3.59	%
Over 10 years	150,000		1,161			(15		)	151,146		3.50	%
Corporate bonds due
5 to 10 years	10,000		—			—			10,000		6.00	%
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates	2,058,130		72,853			(896		)	2,130,087		5.26	%
	2,402,545		79,564			(1,016		)	2,481,093		5.02	%
Held-to-maturity securities
Tax-exempt municipal bonds due
1 to 5 years	1,105		65			—			1,170		6.11	%
5 to 10 years	1,940		115			—			2,055		5.67	%
Over 10 years	4,010		34			—			4,044		5.60	%
U.S. government and agency securities due
1 to 5 years	—		—			—			—		—	%
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates	73,052		4,579			—			77,631		5.59	%
	80,107		4,793			—			84,900		5.60	%
	$	2,482,652	$	84,357		$	(1,016	)	$	2,565,993	5.04	%

During the period ending March 31, 2011, $131,361,000 of available-for-sale securities were sold, resulting in a gain of $8,147,000. $368,309,000 of available-for-sale securities were sold during the period ending March 31, 2010, resulting in a gain of $20,428,000.

Substantially all mortgage-backed securities have contractual due dates that exceed 10 years.

The following table shows the unrealized gross losses and fair value of securities at March 31, 2011, by length of time that individual securities in each category have been in a continuous loss position. There were no securities that were in a continuous loss position for 12 or more months as of March 31, 2011. While the Company had $35,735,000 of securities that were in a continuous loss position for less than 12 months as of March 31, 2011, Management believes that the declines in fair value of these investments are not an other than temporary impairment.

	Less than 12 months					12 months or more				Total
	Unrealized Gross Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Gross Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Gross Losses			Fair Value
U.S. agency securities	$	(7,209	)	$	268,291	$	—	$	—	$	(7,209	)	$	268,291
Agency pass-through certificates	(28,526		)	1,240,726		—		—		(28,526		)	1,240,726
	(35,735		)	$	1,509,017	$	—	$	—	(35,735		)	$	1,509,017

NOTE H – Covered Assets

Covered assets represent loans and real estate held for sale acquired from the FDIC that are subject to loss sharing agreements

17

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND 2010

(UNAUDITED)

and were $519,316,000 as of March 31, 2011, versus $578,629,000 as of September 30, 2010.

Changes in the carrying amount and accretable yield for acquired impaired and non-impaired loans were as follows for the quarter ended March 31, 2011:

	Acquired Impaired						Acquired Non-impaired
	Accretable Yield			Carrying Amount of Loans			Accretable Yield			Carrying Amount of Loans
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	27,019		$	190,530		$	39,813		$	343,944
Accretion	(5,715		)	5,715			(3,995		)	3,995
Transfers to REO				(33,075		)	—
Payments received, net				(20,200		)	—			(37,618		)
Balance at end of period	$	21,304		$	142,970		$	35,818		$	310,321

At March 31, 2011, none of the acquired impaired or non-impaired loans were classified as non-performing assets. Therefore, interest income, through accretion of the difference between the carrying amount of the loans and the expected cash flows, was recognized on all acquired loans. There was no allowance for loan losses related to the covered loans at March 31, 2011, as these loans are performing as anticipated in the projections used in the purchase accounting fair value calculations.

The outstanding principal balance of acquired loans was $581,719,000 and $685,384,000 as of March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively.

The following table shows the year to date activity for the FDIC indemnification asset:

	March 31, 2011			September 30, 2010
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	131,128		$	—
Additions	—			227,500
Payments received	(20,978		)	(92,551		)
Amortization	(3,196		)	(8,150		)
Accretion	1,664			4,329
Balance at end of period	$	108,618		$	131,128

The following tables provide information on covered loans based on credit quality indicators (defined in Note A) as of March 31, 2011:

Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade:

18

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND 2010

(UNAUDITED)

	Internally Assigned Grade					Total Net  Loans
	Pass	Special mention	Substandard	Doubtful	Loss
	(In thousands)
Purchased non-credit impaired loans:
Single-family residential	$52,948	$—	$635	$—	$—	$53,583
Construction - speculative	2,124	—	—	—	—	2,124
Construction - custom	—	—	—	—	—	—
Land - acquisition & development	13,720	6,891	697	—	—	21,308
Land - consumer lot loans	694	—	111	—	—	805
Multi-family	33,895	—	2,466	—	—	36,361
Commercial real estate	145,480	534	25,410	—	—	171,424
Commercial & industrial	22,545	5,007	5,470	—	—	33,022
HELOC	22,677	—	—	—	—	22,677
Consumer	1,454	—	—	—	—	1,454
	295,537	12,432	34,789	—	—	342,758
Total grade as a % of total net loans	86.2%	3.6%	10.2%	—%	—%
Purchased credit impaired loans:
Pool 1 - Construction and land A&D	9,087	4,820	64,857	—	—	78,764
Pool 2 - Single-family residential	5,208	—	16,283	—	—	21,491
Pool 3 - Multi-family	—	—	5,051	—	—	5,051
Pool 4 - HELOC & other consumer	4,104	—	5,839	—	—	9,943
Pool 5 - Commercial real estate	1,351	30,087	50,349	—	—	81,787
Pool 6 - Commercial & industrial	519	5,413	35,993	—	—	41,925
	$20,269	$40,320	$178,372	$—	$—	238,961
					Total covered loans	581,719
					Discount	(128,428)
					Covered loans, net	$453,291

The following table provides an analysis of the age of purchased non-credit impaired loans in past due status for the period ended March 31, 2011.

19

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND 2010

(UNAUDITED)

	Amount of  Loans Net of LIP & Chg.-Offs		Days Delinquent Based on $ Amount of Loans										% based on $
Type of Loans			Current		30		60		90		Total
Single-Family Residential	$	53,583	$	48,680	$	932	$	38	$	3,933	$	4,903	9.15	%
Construction - Speculative	2,124		2,124		—		—		—		—		—	%
Construction - Custom	—		—		—		—		—		—		—	%
Land - Acquisition & Development	21,308		19,141		99		—		2,068		2,167		10.17	%
Land - Consumer Lot Loans	805		677		—		—		128		128		15.90	%
Multi-Family	36,361		34,853		—		—		1,508		1,508		4.15	%
Commercial Real Estate	171,424		161,960		3,010		366		6,088		9,464		5.52	%
Commercial & Industrial	33,022		26,059		282		5,288		1,393		6,963		21.09	%
HELOC	22,677		20,807		522		755		593		1,870		8.25	%
Consumer	1,454		1,139		70		191		54		315		21.66	%
	$	342,758	$	315,440	$	4,915	$	6,638	$	15,765	$	27,318	7.97	%

20

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I – Financial Information

Item 2.        Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

In addition to historical information, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes certain “forward-looking statements,” as defined in the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, based on current management expectations. Actual results could differ materially from those management expectations. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company’s intentions, beliefs or current expectations as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Stockholders and potential stockholders are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause future results to vary from current management expectations include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions; legislative and regulatory changes, including without limitation the potential effect of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and regulations to be promulgated thereunder; monetary fiscal policies of the federal government; changes in tax policies; rates and regulations of federal, state and local tax authorities; changes in interest rates; deposit flows; cost of funds; demand for loan products; demand for financial services; competition; changes in the quality or composition of the Company’s loan and investment portfolios; changes in accounting principles; policies or guidelines and other economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, markets, products, services and fees, including without limitation the Bank’s ability to comply in a timely and satisfactory manner with the requirements of the memorandum of understanding entered into with the Office of Thrift Supervision. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time.

GENERAL

Washington Federal, Inc. (“Company”) is a savings and loan holding company. The Company’s primary operating subsidiary is Washington Federal Savings.

INTEREST RATE RISK

The Company accepts a higher level of interest rate volatility as a result of its significant holdings of fixed-rate single-family home loans that are longer in term than the characteristics of its primary liabilities of customer accounts and borrowings. As a result, assets do not respond as quickly to changes in interest rates as liabilities and net income typically declines when interest rates rise and expands when interest rates fall as compared to a portfolio of matched maturities of assets and liabilities.

At March 31, 2011, the Company had approximately $2.5 billion more liabilities subject to repricing in the next year than assets, which amounted to a negative one-year maturity gap of 19% of total assets. This is an increase from the 16 % gap as of September 30, 2010 and the 18% gap as of March 31, 2010. During the current year, the Company has changed the model used to calculate these one year maturity gap results. Results for previous periods have been revised using the output from the new model. The new model uses the Company's specific data, at a granular level, to project estimated cash flows on loans and deposits. In particular, the loan prepayment assumptions incorporate our recent portfolio experience.

The potential impact of rising interest rates on net income for one year has also been estimated using the new model. In the event of an immediate and parallel increase of 200 basis points in interest rates, we would expect a decrease in net interest income of $28.5 million or -6.4%. In the event of a gradual increase from current rates by 200 basis points over a twelve-month period, we would expect a decrease in net interest income of $8.9 million or -2.0%.

This analysis continues to assume zero balance sheet growth and constant percentage composition of assets and liabilities. It also assumes that loan and deposit prices respond in full to the increase in market rates. Actual results will differ from the assumptions used in this model, as Management monitors and adjusts loan and deposit pricing and the size and composition of the balance sheet to respond to changing interest rates.

The net portfolio value (“NPV”) is the difference between the present value of interest-bearing assets and the present value of expected cash flows from interest-earning liabilities and off-balance-sheet contracts. The sensitivity of the NPV to changes in interest rates is another measure of interest rate risk. This approach provides a longer term view of interest rate risk as it incorporates all future expected cash flows. In the event of an immediate and parallel increase of 200 basis points in interest rates, the NPV is estimated to decline by $638 million and the NPV to total assets ratio to decline to 11.15%. As of September 30, 2010, the estimated decrease in NPV in the event of a 200 basis point decline in rates was estimated to decline by $398 million and the NPV to total assets ratio to decline to 11.49%. This increase in NPV sensitivity is primarily due to slower prepayment estimates.

21

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I – Financial Information

Item 2.        Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The interest rate spread decreased to 3.07% at March 31, 2011 from 3.09% at September 30, 2010. The spread decreased due to a higher proportion of lower yielding investment balances compared to total earning assets as deposit growth has exceeded loan growth. In addition, loan yields are lower as a result of refinancing of fixed-rate mortgages into historically low long-term interest rates. As of March 31, 2011, the weighted average rate on earning assets decreased by 16 basis points compared to September 30, 2010, while the weighted average rates on customer deposit accounts and borrowings decreased by 14 basis points over the same period.

As of March 31, 2011, the Company had decreased total assets by $97,574,000, or 0.7%, from $13,486,379,000 at September 30, 2010. For the quarter ended March 31, 2011, compared to September 30, 2010, loans (both non-covered and covered) decreased $496,225,000, or 5.5%. To help offset the reduced income from loans, investment securities increased $396,587,000, or 15.5%. Cash and cash equivalents of $911,961,000 and stockholders’ equity of $1,837,641,000 provides management with flexibility in managing interest rate risk going forward.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company’s net worth at March 31, 2011 was $1,837,641,000, or 13.73%, of total assets. This was a slight decrease of $3,506,000 from September 30, 2010 when net worth was $1,841,147,000, or 13.65%, of total assets. The Company’s net worth was impacted in the quarter by net income of $25,824,000, the payment of $6,729,000 in cash dividends, treasury stock purchases that totaled $6,043,000, as well as a decrease in other comprehensive income of $15,585,000.

Management believes this strong net worth position will help the Company manage its interest rate risk and provide the capital support needed for controlled growth in a regulated environment. To be categorized as well capitalized, Washington Federal Savings must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the following table.

	Actual				Capital Adequacy Guidelines				Categorized as Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
	Capital		Ratio		Capital		Ratio		Capital		Ratio
	(In thousands)
March 31, 2011
Total capital to risk-weighted assets	$	1,612,265	24.24	%	$	532,179	8.00	%	$	665,224	10.00	%
Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets	1,530,255		23.00	%	N/A		N/A		399,134		6.00	%
Core capital to adjusted tangible assets	1,530,255		11.68	%	N/A		N/A		655,121		5.00	%
Core capital to total assets	1,530,255		11.68	%	393,073		3.00	%	N/A		N/A
Tangible capital to tangible assets	1,530,255		11.68	%	196,536		1.50	%	N/A		N/A
September 30, 2010
Total capital to risk-weighted assets	1,619,206		23.39	%	553,761		8.00	%	692,201		10.00	%
Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets	1,534,681		22.17	%	N/A		N/A		415,321		6.00	%
Core capital to adjusted tangible assets	1,534,681		11.67	%	N/A		N/A		657,606		5.00	%
Core capital to total assets	1,534,681		11.67	%	394,563		3.00	%	N/A		N/A
Tangible capital to tangible assets	1,534,681		11.67	%	197,282		1.50	%	N/A		N/A

CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION

Available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities: Available-for-sale securities increased $423,984,000, or 17.1%, during the six months ended March 31, 2011, which included the purchase of $967,176,000 of available-for-sale investment securities. During the same period, $131,361,000 of available-for-sale securities were sold at a gain of $8,147,000. There were no purchases or sales of held-to-maturity securities in the same period. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities of $17,580,000, net of tax, which were recorded as part of stockholders’ equity. The Company increased its available-for-sale investment portfolio to partially invest additional customer deposits and replace some of the lost interest income on

22

maturing or prepaying loans and mortgage-backed securities.

Loans receivable: During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the balance of loans receivable decreased 4.9% to $8,008,661,000 compared to $8,423,703,000 at September 30, 2010. This decrease is consistent with management’s strategy to reduce the Company’s exposure to land and construction loans and not aggressively compete for 30 year fixed-rate mortgages at current market rates. The Company’s current decision not to originate and hold in its loan portfolio 30 year fixed-rate loans at rates below 4.50%, due to the duration risk associated with such low mortgage rates, contributed to the net run off of the loan portfolio. Additionally, during the year to date period, $53,398,000 of loans were transferred to REO. If the current low rates on 30 year fixed-rate mortgages persist, management will consider continuing to shrink the Company's loan portfolio. The following table shows the loan portfolio by category for the last three quarters.

Loan Portfolio by Category *	September 30, 2010				December 31, 2010				March 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Single-family residential	$	6,551,837	74.7	%	$	6,333,040	74.9	%	$	6,254,244	75.0	%
Construction - speculative	169,712		1.9		146,933		1.7		145,282		1.7
Construction - custom	256,384		2.9		239,337		2.8		243,739		2.9
Land - acquisition & development	307,230		3.5		275,396		3.3		253,377		3.0
Land - consumer lot loans	186,840		2.1		181,205		2.1		174,929		2.1
Multi-family	697,351		7.9		696,601		8.2		717,533		8.6
Commercial real estate	315,915		3.6		315,332		3.7		294,181		3.5
Commercial & industrial	83,070		1.0		78,082		0.9		74,248		0.9
HELOC	116,143		1.3		115,660		1.4		114,840		1.4
Consumer	92,624		1.1		85,987		1.0		79,184		0.9
	8,777,106		100	%	8,467,573		100	%	8,351,557		100	%
Less:
Allowance for probable losses	163,094				159,288				163,617
Loans in process	154,171				129,472				142,776
Deferred net origination fees	36,138				35,865				36,503
	353,403				324,625				342,896
	$	8,423,703			$	8,142,948			$	8,008,661

 ____________________

* Excludes covered loans

Covered loans: As of March 31, 2011, covered loans had decreased 15.2%, or $81,183,000, to $453,291,000, compared to September 30, 2010, due to continued paydowns and transfers of the properties into covered real estate owned.

Non-performing assets: Non-performing assets, which excludes covered assets acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions, decreased during the quarter ended March 31, 2011 to $399,295,000 from $434,530,000 at September 30, 2010, a 8.1% decrease. The continued elevated level of NPAs is a result of the significant decline in housing values in the western United States and the national recession over the last three years. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets was 2.98% at March 31, 2011 compared to 3.22% at September 30, 2010. This level of NPAs remains significantly higher than the 0.82% average in the Company’s 28+ year history as a public company. The Company anticipates NPAs will continue to be elevated in the future until the residential real estate market stabilizes and values recover.

The following table sets forth information regarding restructured and non-accrual loans and REO held by the Company at the dates indicated.

23

	March 31, 2011					September 30, 2010
	(In thousands)
Restructured loans:
Single-family residential	$	238,163		76.2	%	$	207,040		75.9	%
Construction - speculative	13,361			4.3		9,893			3.6
Construction - custom	—			—		—			—
Land - acquisition & development	28,430			9.1		33,497			12.3
Land - consumer lot loans	9,312			3.0		7,095			2.6
Multi - family	20,583			6.6		12,862			4.7
Commercial real estate	1,464			0.5		1,503			0.6
Commercial & industrial	886			0.3		954			0.3
HELOC	78			—		78			—
Consumer	—			—		—			—
Total restructured loans (1)	312,277			100	%	272,922			100	%
Non-accrual loans:
Single-family residential	121,535			54.8	%	115,155			46.8	%
Construction - speculative	20,187			9.1		39,915			16.3
Construction - custom	307			0.1		—			—
Land - acquisition & development	45,494			20.5		64,883			26.4
Land - consumer lot loans	6,470			2.9		7,540			3.1
Multi-family	13,249			6.0		4,931			2.0
Commercial real estate	12,734			5.7		10,831			4.4
Commercial & industrial	369			0.2		371			0.2
HELOC	1,001			0.5		929			0.4
Consumer	390			0.2		977			0.4
Total non-accrual loans (2)	221,736			100	%	245,532			100	%
Total REO (3)	147,725					160,754
Total REHI (3)	29,834					28,244
Total non-performing assets	$	399,295				$	434,530
Total non-performing assets and performing restructured loans as a percentage of total assets	5.12		%			4.89		%
(1)    Restructured loans were as follows:
Performing	$	285,595		91.5	%	$	225,195		82.5	%
Non-accrual *	26,682			8.5		47,727			17.5
	$	312,277		100	%	$	272,922		100	%

*     Included in "Total non-accrual loans" above

(2) The Company recognized interest income on nonaccrual loans of approximately $2,210,000 in the six months ended March 31, 2011. Had these loans performed according to their original contract terms, the Company would have recognized interest income of approximately $6,840,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2011.

In addition to the nonaccrual loans reflected in the above table, at March 31, 2011, the Company had $298,241,000 of loans that were less than 90 days delinquent but which it had classified as substandard for one or more reasons. If these loans were deemed non-performing, the Company’s ratio of total NPAs and performing restructured loans as a percent of total assets would have increased to 7.34% at March 31, 2011.

(3) Total REO and REHI (included in real estate held for sale on the Statement of Financial Condition) includes real estate held

24

for sale acquired in settlement of loans or acquired from purchased institutions in settlement of loans. Excludes covered REO.

Restructured single-family residential loans are reserved for under the Company’s general reserve methodology. If any individual loan is significant in balance, the Company may establish a specific reserve as warranted.

Most restructured loans are accruing and performing loans where the borrower has proactively approached the Company about modifications due to temporary financial difficulties. Each request is individually evaluated for merit and likelihood of success. Single-family residential loans comprised 76% of restructured loans as of March 31, 2011. The concession for these loans is typically a payment reduction through a rate reduction of from 100 to 200 bps for a specific term, usually six to twelve months. Interest-only payments may also be approved during the modification period. The subsequent default rate on restructured single- family mortgage loans has been approximately 15% since inception of the program in November 2008. Concessions for construction (4.3%), land A&D (9.1%) and multi-family loans (6.6%) are typically an extension of maturity combined with a rate reduction of normally 100 bps. The subsequent default rate on restructured commercial loans has been less than 10% since December 2009.

For commercial loans, six consecutive payments on newly restructured loan terms are required prior to returning the loan to accrual status. In some instances after the required six consecutive payments are made, a management assessment will conclude that collection of the entire principal balance is still in doubt. In those instances, the loan will remain on non-accrual. Homogeneous loans may or may not be on accrual status at the time of restructuring, but all are placed on accrual status upon the restructuring of the loan. Homogenous loans are restructured only if the borrower can demonstrate the ability to meet the restructured payment terms; otherwise, collection is pursued and the loan remains on non-accrual status until liquidated. If the homogenous restructured loan does not perform it will be placed in non-accrual status when it is 90 days delinquent.

A loan that defaults and is subsequently modified would impact the Company’s delinquency trend, which is part of the qualitative risk factors component of the general reserve calculation. Any modified loan that re-defaults and is charged-off would impact the historical loss factors component of our general reserve calculation.

Allocation of the allowance for loan losses: The following table shows the allocation of the Company’s allowance for loan losses at the dates indicated.

	March 31, 2011						September 30, 2010
	Amount		Loans to Total Loans   (1)		Coverage Ratio (2)		Amount		Loans to Total Loans   (1)		Coverage Ratio (2)
	(In thousands)
Single-family residential	$	66,884	75.0	%	1.1	%	$	47,381	74.8	%	0.7	%
Construction - speculative	21,536		1.7		14.7		26,666		1.9		15.7
Construction - custom	548		2.9		0.2		450		2.9		0.2
Land - acquisition & development	44,647		3.0		16.2		61,530		3.5		20.0
Land - consumer lot loans	5,675		2.1		3.1		4,793		2.1		2.6
Multi-family	8,007		8.6		1.1		5,050		7.9		0.7
Commercial real estate	3,499		3.5		1.1		3,165		3.6		1.0
Commercial & industrial	6,406		0.9		8.2		6,079		0.9		7.3
HELOC	1,148		1.4		1.0		586		1.3		0.5
Consumer	5,267		0.9		6.1		7,394		1.1		8.0
	$	163,617	100.0	%			$	163,094	100.0	%

 __________________

(1) Represents the total amount of the loan category as a % of total gross non-covered loans outstanding.

(2) Represents the allocated allowance of the loan category as a % of total gross non-covered loans outstanding for the same loan category.

Customer accounts: Customer accounts decreased $62,268,000, or .70%, to $8,790,272,000 at March 31, 2011 compared with $8,852,540,000 at September 30, 2010. The following table shows the composition of the Company’s customer accounts as of the dates shown:

25

Deposits by Type

	March 31, 2011						September 30, 2010
	(In thousands)
					Wtd. Avg. Rate						Wtd. Avg. Rate
Checking (non-interest)	$	212,752	2.4	%	—	%	$	184,240	2.1	%	—	%
NOW (interest)	490,663		5.6		0.40	%	482,132		5.4		0.39	%
Savings (passbook/stmt)	244,069		2.8		0.25	%	234,673		2.7		0.51	%
Money Market	1,649,127		18.8		0.41	%	1,653,718		18.7		0.66	%
CD’s	6,193,661		70.4		1.72	%	6,297,777		71.1		1.91	%
Total	$	8,790,272	100	%	1.32	%	$	8,852,540	100	%	1.51	%

FHLB advances and other borrowings: Total borrowings decreased slightly to $2,663,541,000 at March 31, 2011, compared with $2,665,548,000 at September 30, 2010. The Company has a credit line with the FHLB Seattle equal to 50% of total assets, providing a substantial source of liquidity if needed. FHLB advances are collateralized as provided for in the Advances, Pledge and Security Agreement by all FHLB stock owned by the Company, deposits with the FHLB and certain mortgages or deeds of trust securing such properties as provided in the agreements with the FHLB.

26

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Income: The quarter ended March 31, 2011, produced net income of $25,824,000 compared to $82,111,000 for the same quarter one year ago. For the six months ended March 31, 2011, net income totaled $50,354,000 compared to $90,022,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2010. The net income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2010 included a $54,789,000 after tax gain on the acquisition of Horizon and a $38,865,000 tax benefit related to the settlement of a contingent tax liability. The net income for the quarter and six months ended March 31, 2011 benefited from lower credit costs, which included the provision for loan losses and real estate owned expenses. The provision for loan losses decreased $32,673,000, or 51.5%, to $30,750,000 for the quarter, and $76,423,000, or 57.4% for the six months ended March 31, 2011, as compared to the same periods one year ago. See related discussion in “Provision for Loan Losses” section below for reasons for the decrease in the provision for loan losses. In addition, losses recognized on real estate acquired through foreclosure was $9,645,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and $20,198,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to $16,635,000 and $29,355,000 for the three and six month periods one year ago.

Net Interest Income: The largest component of the Company’s earnings is net interest income, which is the difference between the interest and dividends earned on loans and other investments and the interest paid on customer deposits and borrowings. Net interest income is impacted primarily by two factors; first, the volume of earning assets and liabilities and second, the rate earned on those assets or the rate paid on those liabilities.

The following table sets forth certain information explaining changes in interest income and interest expense for the periods indicated compared to the same periods one year ago. For each category of interest-earning asset and interest-bearing liability, information is provided on changes attributable to (1) changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by old rate) and (2) changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by old volume). The change in interest income and interest expense attributable to changes in both volume and rate has been allocated proportionately to the change due to volume and the change due to rate.

Rate / Volume Analysis:

	Comparison of Quarters Ended 03/31/11 and 03/31/10									Comparison of Six Months Ended 03/31/11 and 03/31/10
	Volume			Rate			Total			Volume			Rate			Total
	(In thousands)
Interest income:
Loans and covered loans	$	(12,579	)	$	(1,104	)	$	(13,683	)	$	(15,228	)	$	2,009		$	(13,219	)
Mortgaged-backed securities	5,825			(759		)	5,066			6,721			(5,242		)	1,479
Investments (1)	301			1,821			2,122			1,353			3,812			5,165
All interest-earning assets	(6,453		)	(42		)	(6,495		)	(7,154		)	579			(6,575		)
Interest expense:
Customer accounts	104			(8,352		)	(8,248		)	4,269			(16,268		)	(11,999		)
FHLB advances and other borrowings	(2,273		)	(489		)	(2,762		)	(4,765		)	(1,295		)	(6,060		)
All interest-bearing liabilities	(2,169		)	(8,841		)	(11,010		)	(496		)	(17,563		)	(18,059		)
Change in net interest income	$	(4,284	)	$	8,799		$	4,515		$	(6,658	)	$	18,142		$	11,484

___________________ 

(1) Includes interest on cash equivalents and dividends on FHLB stock

Provision for Loan Losses: The Company recorded a $30,750,000 provision for loan losses during the quarter ended March 31, 2011, while a $63,423,000 provision was recorded for the same quarter one year ago. Non-performing assets amounted to $399,295,000, or 2.98%, of total assets at March 31, 2011, compared to $538,928,000, or 3.90%, of total assets one year ago. The Company had net charge-offs of $26,421,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 compared with $59,419,000 of net charge-offs for the same quarter one year ago. The ratio of net charge-offs to average non-covered loans outstanding was 0.32% and 0.67% for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The decrease in the provision for loan losses is in response to four primary factors: first, the improvement in the amount of NPAs year-over-year described at the beginning of this paragraph; second, non-accrual loans decreased from $334,872,000 at March 31, 2010, to $221,736,000 at March 31, 2011, a 33.8% decrease; third, the percentage of loans 30 days or more delinquent decreased from 4.39% at March 31, 2010, to 3.37% at March 31, 2011;

27

and finally, the Company’s exposure in the land A&D and speculative construction portfolios, where the majority of losses have come from during this period of the cycle, has decreased from a combined 6.7% of the gross loan portfolio at March 31, 2010, to 4.8% at March 31, 2011. Management expects the provision to remain at elevated levels until NPAs and charge-offs improve measurably. Management believes the allowance for loan losses, totaling $163,617,000, is sufficient to absorb estimated losses inherent in the portfolio.

See Note E for further discussion and analysis of the allowance for loan losses for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

Other Income: The quarter ended March 31, 2011 produced total other income of $12,511,000 compared to $91,054,000 for the same quarter one year ago. The quarter ended March 31, 2010 included an $85,608,000 of gain on the acquisition of Horizon. In addition, the quarter ended March 31, 2011 included an $8,147,000 gain on sale of investments compared to no gain for the same quarter one year ago.

Other Expense: The quarter ended March 31, 2011, produced total other expense of $33,321,000 compared to $39,961,000 for the same quarter one year ago, a 16.6% decrease. The decrease in total other expense over the same comparable period one year ago was primarily due to the decrease of $6,354,000 in compensation and benefits which, for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 included the addition of employees from the Horizon transaction with the FDIC as well as the accrual of a performance bonus for employees resulting from the significant growth in earnings. Total other expense for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 equaled 0.99% and 1.19%, respectively, of average assets. The number of staff, including part-time employees on a full-time equivalent basis, was 1,226 and 1,275 at March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Taxes: Income taxes increased to $14,526,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, as compared to $(14,036,000) for the same period one year ago. The quarter ended March 31, 2010 included a $38,865,000 tax benefit related to the settlement of a contingent tax liability. The effective tax rate for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, was 36.00%, compared to -21.13% for the same period one year ago, due to the tax benefit. The Company expects an effective tax rate of 36.00% going forward.

Item 3.        Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Management believes that there have been no material changes in the Company’s quantitative and qualitative information about market risk since September 30, 2010. For a complete discussion of the Company’s quantitative and qualitative market risk, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s 2010 Form 10-K.

28

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I – Financial Information

Item 4.        Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer along with the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, along with the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Company’s periodic SEC filings. There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Disclosure controls and procedures are Company controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its President and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

29

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART II – Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

From time to time the Company or its subsidiaries are engaged in legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, none of which are considered to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the following risk factors represent material updates and additions to the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Additional risks not presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, may also adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Financial reform legislation will, among other things, eliminate the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”), tighten capital standards, create a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and result in new laws and regulations that may increase our costs of operations.

On July 21, 2010, the President signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Act”). This new law will significantly change the current bank regulatory structure and affect the lending, deposit, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies. It requires various federal agencies to adopt a broad range of new implementing rules and regulations, and to prepare numerous studies and reports for Congress. The federal agencies are given significant discretion in drafting the implementing rules and regulations, and consequently, many of the details and much of the impact of the Act may not be known for many months or years.

One change that is particularly significant to the Company and the Bank is the abolition of the OTS, the Bank’s historical federal financial institution regulator, effective one year from the enactment date (with the possibility of a six-month extension). After the agency is abolished, supervision and regulation of the Company will move to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”) and supervision and regulation of the Bank will move to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”). Except as described below, however, the laws and regulations applicable to the Company and the Bank will not generally change – the Home Owners Loan Act and the regulations issued under the Act will generally still apply (although these laws and regulations will be interpreted by the Federal Reserve and the OCC, respectively).

In addition, the Company for the first time will be subject to consolidated capital requirements and will be required to serve as a source of strength to the Bank. The Bank will be subject to the same lending limits as national banks. At this time, we do not anticipate that being subject to any of these provisions will have a material effect on the Company or the Bank.

The Act also broadens the base for Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance assessments. Assessments will now be based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution. This could result in an increase in deposit insurance assessments to be paid by the Bank. The Act also permanently increases the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2008, and non-interest bearing transaction accounts will have unlimited deposit insurance from March 31, 2011 through December 31, 2012. The Federal Reserve will also be adopting a rule addressing interchange fees applicable to debit card transactions that is expected to lower fee income generated from this source. At this time, we do not anticipate that being subject to any of these provisions will have a material effect on the Company or the Bank.

The Act will require publicly traded companies to give stockholders a non-binding vote on executive compensation and so-called “golden parachute” payments, and authorizes the Securities and Exchange Commission to promulgate rules that would allow stockholders to nominate their own candidates for election as directors using a company’s proxy materials. The legislation also directs the federal financial institution regulatory agencies to promulgate rules prohibiting excessive compensation being paid to financial institution executives.

The Act creates a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to take over responsibility for the principal federal consumer protection laws, such as the Truth in Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and the Truth in Saving Act, among others, with broad rule-making, supervisory and examination authority in this area over institutions that have assets of $10 billion or more, such as the Bank. The Act also narrows the scope of federal preemption of state laws related to federally chartered institutions.

Many of the provisions of the Act will not become effective until a year or more after its enactment and, if required, the adoption

30

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART II – Other Information

and effectiveness of implementing regulations. In addition, the scope and impact of many of the Act’s provisions will be determined through the rulemaking process. As a result, we cannot predict the ultimate impact of the Act on the Company or the Bank at this time, including the extent to which it could increase costs or limit our ability to pursue business opportunities in an efficient manner, or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Nor can we predict the impact or substance of other future legislation or regulation. However, it is expected that at a minimum they will increase our operating and compliance costs.

The Bank has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the OTS that will entail compliance costs.  Failure to comply with the memorandum could result in formal enforcement action or regulatory constraints on the Bank.

As previously disclosed, the Bank entered into a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) with the Office of Thrift Supervision on July 28, 2010.  The MOU does not affect dividend policy or require additional capital, but a finding by the OTS that the Bank failed to comply with the MOU could result in additional regulatory scrutiny, constraints on the Bank's business, or formal enforcement action.  Any of those events could have a material adverse effect on the Bank's future operations, financial condition, growth or other aspects of our business. 

The MOU will remain in effect until the OTS decides to modify, suspend or terminate it.  During the quarter, the OTS completed a field visit to review the Bank's progress under the MOU.  By law, the Bank cannot disclose the results of that field visit; however, management believes that the Bank has completed many of the actions required by the MOU.  During the quarter, management requested the OTS's permission to pursue a potential acquisition.  Although the OTS granted its permission, the Bank decided not to pursue that acquisition. As would be the case even without the MOU, any future acquisition by the Bank may be subject to regulatory approvals, and the regulators have substantial discretion whether to grant their approvals.

Item 2.        Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table provides information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of the Company of the Company’s common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of  Publicly Announced Plan (1)	Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan at the End of the Period
January 1, 2011 to January 31, 2011	—	$	—	—	2,588,314
February 1, 2011 to February 28, 2011	100,000	17.23		100,000	2,488,314
March 1, 2011 to March 31, 2011	250,000	17.28		250,000	2,238,314
Total	350,000	$	17.27	350,000	2,238,314

 ___________________

(1) The Company's only stock repurchase program was publicly announced by the Board of Directors on February 3, 1995 and has no expiration date. Under this ongoing program, a total of 21,956,264 shares have been authorized for repurchase.

Item 3.        Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable

Item 5.        Other Information

Not applicable

31

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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 thereunto duly authorized.

May 10, 2011	/S/    ROY M. WHITEHEAD
	ROY M. WHITEHEAD Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
May 10, 2011	/S/    BRENT J. BEARDALL
	BRENT J. BEARDALL Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Item 6.        Exhibits

(a)	Exhibits
	31.1	Section 302 Certification by the Chief Executive Officer
	31.2	Section 302 Certification by the Chief Financial Officer
	32	Section 906 Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer
	101	Financial Statements from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011 formatted in XBRL

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CERTIFICATION

I, Roy M. Whitehead, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Washington Federal, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this quarterly report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	May 10, 2011	/s/ Roy M. Whitehead
		ROY M. WHITEHEAD Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CERTIFICATION

I, Brent J. Beardall, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Washington Federal, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this quarterly report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	May 10, 2011	/s/ Brent J. Beardall
		BRENT J. BEARDALL
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32

Exhibit 32

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CERTIFICATION

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE

SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Washington Federal, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2010, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the undersigned's best knowledge and belief:

(a) the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(b) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: May 10, 2011

Washington Federal, Inc.

(Company)

/s/ Roy M. Whitehead

ROY M. WHITEHEAD

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Brent J. Beardall

BRENT J. BEARDALL

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer