8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

____________________________________

FORM 8-K

____________________________________

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 27, 2011

 ____________________________________

Washington Federal, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 ____________________________________

Washington	001-34654	91-1661606
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

425 Pike Street, Seattle, Washington 98101

(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (206) 624-7930

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

____________________________________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01 Other Events

On June 27, 2011, Washington Federal, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors authorized an amendment to the Company's share repurchase program by increasing the number of shares authorized for repurchase under the program by 10 million shares. The increase of 10 million shares authorized for repurchase under the program equates to approximately 9% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares of common stock. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had approximately 112 million shares of common stock outstanding. Under the share repurchase program, the Company may acquire shares of its common stock in the open market or in any private transaction, from time-to-time and in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. Prior to the approval of the amendment to the program, the there were approximately 584,000 shares available for repurchase under the program.

A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a) Not applicable.

(b) Not applicable

(c) Not applicable

(d) Exhibits:

99.1 Press release dated June 27, 2011.

2

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.

Date: June 28, 2011	WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC.
	By:	/s/ BRENT J. BEARDALL
		Brent J. Beardall
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

3

EX-99.1

Washington Federal, Inc.

425 Pike Street

Seattle, WA 98101

(206) 777-8246 Contact: Cathy Cooper

Monday June 27, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington Federal Announces Additional Share Repurchase Authorization and Declares 114th Consecutive Cash Dividend

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - The Board of Directors of Washington Federal, Inc. (NASDAQ-WFSL) (“Washington Federal”), parent company of Washington Federal Savings, today announced the authorization of an additional 10 million shares that may be repurchased under Washington Federal's share repurchase program. During the quarter ending June 30, 2011, Washington Federal has repurchased 1,654,800 shares at a weighted average price of $15.72. Fiscal year to date Washington Federal has repurchased 2,304,800 shares at a weighted average price of $15.87.

Additionally, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 6 cents per share. The dividend will be payable on July 22, 2011 to common stockholders of record on July 8, 2011. This will be Washington Federal's 114^th consecutive quarterly cash dividend.

Washington Federal operates 160 offices in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico. Established in 1917, Washington Federal provides residential real estate loans, commercial real estate financing, consumer deposit accounts and business banking. On March 31, 2011, Washington Federal reported $13.4 billion in assets, $8.8 billion in deposits and $1.8 billion in stockholders' equity.

To find out more about Washington Federal, please visit our website. Washington Federal uses its website to distribute financial and other material information about Washington Federal, which is routinely posted on and accessible at www.washingtonfederal.com.

###