8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 8-K

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CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 5, 2012

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Washington Federal, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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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)

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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 March 5, 2012, Washington Federal, Inc. (the "Company") announced by press release that it had entered into an agreement to sell its two branches in El Paso, Texas to Pioneer Bank of Roswell, New Mexico. A copy of the Company's press release is attached to this filing 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 March 5, 2012.

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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: March 7, 2012	WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC.
	By:	/s/ BRENT J. BEARDALL
		Brent J. Beardall
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Monday, March 5, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington Federal to Sell Two El Paso, Texas Branches

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - Washington Federal, Inc. (Nasdaq: WAFD), parent company of Washington Federal, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its two branches in El Paso, Texas to Pioneer Bank of Roswell, New Mexico. The agreement calls for the approximately $20 million of deposits and the bank premises to be sold. No loans are included in this transaction. This transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

Washington Federal operates 166 offices in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico. Established in 1917, the Company provides residential real estate loans, commercial real estate financing, consumer deposit accounts and business banking. On December 31, 2011, the Company reported $13.6 billion in assets, $8.9 billion in deposits and $1.9 billion in stockholders' equity.

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

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Washington Federal, Inc.

425 Pike Street

Seattle, WA 98101

Contact: Cathy Cooper

(206) 777-8246