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): October 31, 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 Items

On October 31, 2012, Washington Federal, Inc. announced by press release that the acquisition of South Valley Bank & Trust has been completed. A copy of the 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) The following exhibits are being furnished herewith:

99.1 Press release dated October 31, 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: November 1, 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
Washington Federal, Inc.
425 Pike Street
Seattle, WA 98101
Contact: Cathy Cooper (206) 777-8246

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington Federal Completes Acquisition of

South Valley Bank & Trust

SEATTLE - Washington Federal (NASDAQ: WAFD) today announced that the acquisition of South Valley Bank & Trust, headquartered in Klamath Falls, Oregon, has been successfully completed. South Valley will add approximately $514 million of loans, $743 million of deposits and 24 offices to Washington Federal's branch network.

Roy M. Whitehead, Chairman, President & CEO of Washington Federal said, “South Valley has long been known as a strong community partner with a loyal customer base and smart, helpful employees. We warmly and enthusiastically welcome them all to Washington Federal. It's an honor to be able to expand our presence in southern and central Oregon through a merger with this fine organization. We pledge to continue the South Valley tradition of active support for the neighborhoods, businesses and consumers in the communities served by them.”

About Washington Federal

Washington Federal, with headquarters in Seattle, Washington, has 190 offices in eight western states. 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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