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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
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, 2011 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 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2011 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 defaults on a loan, the Company attempts to cure the deficiency by working with the borrower. In most cases, deficiencies are cured promptly, sometimes as a result of a negotiated modification of terms. If the delinquency is not promptly cured, and negotiations do not lead to a modification of terms, the Company may institute appropriate legal action to collect the loan, which may include foreclosure of collateral. If foreclosed, the collateral is liquidated in a reasonable time frame at prices available in the market place.
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. 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 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.
Specific allowances are established for loans which are individually evaluated, in cases where Management has identified weaknesses that it 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.
Off-Balance-Sheet Credit Exposures – The only material off-balance-sheet credit exposure is loans in process (“LIP”), which had a balance at June 30, 2012, excluding covered loans, of $155,051,000. 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.