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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 December 31, 2008

or



| ̈ | 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 0-25454

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   ̈

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   ̈            Non-accelerated filer   ̈            Smaller reporting company   ̈

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ̈    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 February 6, 2009
|Common stock, $1.00 par value |  | 88,046,938         









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##### Table of Contents

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 December 31, 2008 and September 30, 2008                                              |  | Page 3 
|         |  |                                                                                                                                           
|         |  | Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarters ended December 31, 2008 and 2007                                                    |  | Page 4 
|         |  |                                                                                                                                           
|         |  | Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the quarters ended December 31, 2008 and 2007                                                    |  | Page 5 
|         |  |                                                                                                                                           
|         |  | Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                                                                                 |  | Page 6 
|         |  |                                                                                                                                           
|Item 2.  |  | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations                                                      |  | Page 10
|         |  |                                                                                                                                           
|Item 3.  |  | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk                                                                                 |  | Page 20
|         |  |                                                                                                                                           
|Item 4.  |  | Controls and Procedures                                                                                                                    |  | Page 21
|         | 
|PART II  |  |                                                                                                                                           
|         |  |                                                                                                                                           
|Item 1.  |  | Legal Proceedings                                                                                                                          |  | Page 22
|         |  |                                                                                                                                           
|Item 1A. |  | Risk Factors                                                                                                                               |  | Page 22
|         |  |                                                                                                                                           
|Item 2.  |  | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds                                                                                |  | Page 22
|         |  |                                                                                                                                           
|Item 3.  |  | Defaults Upon Senior Securities                                                                                                            |  | Page 22
|         |  |                                                                                                                                           
|Item 4.  |  | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                                                                                        |  | Page 23
|         |  |                                                                                                                                           
|Item 5.  |  | Other Information                                                                                                                          |  | Page 23
|         |  |                                                                                                                                           
|Item 6.  |  | Exhibits                                                                                                                                   |  | Page 23
|         |  |                                                                                                                                           
|         |  | Signatures                                                                                                                                 |  | Page 24



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##### Table of Contents

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(UNAUDITED)



|                                                                                                                                                      |  |                                   |            |   |                    |   |            |  
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |  | --------------------------------- | ---------- | - | ------------------ | - | ---------- | -
|                                                                                                                                                      |  | December 31, 2008                 |            |   | September 30, 2008 |  
|                                                                                                                                                      |  | (In thousands, except share data) |           
|ASSETS                                                                                                                                                |  |                                   |            |   |                    |   |            |  
|Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                             |  | $                                 | 153,045    |   |                    | $ | 82,600     |  
|Available-for-sale securities, including encumbered securities of $805,285 and $762,857, at fair value                                                |  |                                   | 1,980,730  |   |                    |   | 1,476,067  |  
|Held-to-maturity securities, including encumbered securities of $97,041 and $98,917, at amortized cost                                                |  |                                   | 121,735    |   |                    |   | 124,537    |  
|Loans receivable, net                                                                                                                                 |  |                                   | 9,635,434  |   |                    |   | 9,501,620  |  
|Interest receivable                                                                                                                                   |  |                                   | 57,433     |   |                    |   | 54,365     |  
|Premises and equipment, net                                                                                                                           |  |                                   | 134,557    |   |                    |   | 133,357    |  
|Real estate held for sale                                                                                                                             |  |                                   | 61,932     |   |                    |   | 37,107     |  
|FHLB stock                                                                                                                                            |  |                                   | 144,491    |   |                    |   | 144,874    |  
|Intangible assets, net                                                                                                                                |  |                                   | 220,375    |   |                    |   | 221,294    |  
|Other assets                                                                                                                                          |  |                                   | 12,151     |   |                    |   | 20,604     |  
|                                                                                                                                                      |  |                                   |            |   |                    |   |            |  
|                                                                                                                                                      |  | $                                 | 12,521,883 |   |                    | $ | 11,796,425 |  
|                                                                                                                                                      |  |                                   |            |   |                    |   |            |  
|LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY                                                                                                                  |  |                                   |            |   |                    |   |            |  
|Liabilities                                                                                                                                           |  |                                   |            |   |                    |   |            |  
|Customer accounts                                                                                                                                     |  |                                   |            |   |                    |   |            |  
|Savings and demand accounts                                                                                                                           |  | $                                 | 7,251,043  |   |                    | $ | 7,146,045  |  
|Repurchase agreements with customers                                                                                                                  |  |                                   | 33,700     |   |                    |   | 23,494     |  
|                                                                                                                                                      |  |                                   |            |   |                    |   |            |  
|                                                                                                                                                      |  |                                   | 7,284,743  |   |                    |   | 7,169,539  |  
|FHLB advances                                                                                                                                         |  |                                   | 2,743,026  |   |                    |   | 1,998,308  |  
|Other borrowings                                                                                                                                      |  |                                   | 800,600    |   |                    |   | 1,177,600  |  
|Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance                                                                                                 |  |                                   | 16,192     |   |                    |   | 37,206     |  
|Federal and state income taxes                                                                                                                        |  |                                   | 25,768     |   |                    |   |           |  
|Accrued expenses and other liabilities                                                                                                                |  |                                   | 69,847     |   |                    |   | 81,098     |  
|                                                                                                                                                      |  |                                   |            |   |                    |   |            |  
|                                                                                                                                                      |  |                                   | 10,940,176 |   |                    |   | 10,463,751 |  
|Stockholders equity                                                                                                                                  |  |                                   |            |   |                    |   |            |  
|Common stock, $1.00 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized; 105,093,965 and 105,092,724 shares issued; 87,917,527 and
87,916,286 shares outstanding |  |                                   | 105,094    |   |                    |   | 105,093    |  
|Preferred stock, 200,000 shares issued and outstanding                                                                                                |  |                                   | 197,944    |   |                    |   |           |  
|Paid-in capital                                                                                                                                       |  |                                   | 1,263,700  |   |                    |   | 1,261,032  |  
|Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes                                                                                                  |  |                                   | 35,276     |   |                    |   | 2,472      |  
|Treasury stock, at cost; 17,176,438shares                                                                                                             |  |                                   | (210,250   | ) |                    |   | (210,250   | )
|Retained earnings                                                                                                                                     |  |                                   | 189,943    |   |                    |   | 174,327    |  
|                                                                                                                                                      |  |                                   |            |   |                    |   |            |  
|                                                                                                                                                      |  |                                   | 1,581,707  |   |                    |   | 1,332,674  |  
|                                                                                                                                                      |  |                                   |            |   |                    |   |            |  
|                                                                                                                                                      |  | $                                 | 12,521,883 |   |                    | $ | 11,796,425 |  
|                                                                                                                                                      |  |                                   |            |   |                    |   |            |  

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)



|                                                                                        |  |                                       |            |   |      |   |            |  
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |  | ------------------------------------- | ---------- | - | ---- | - | ---------- | -
|                                                                                        |  | Quarter Ended December 31,            |           
|                                                                                        |  | 2008                                  |            |   | 2007 |  
|                                                                                        |  | (In thousands, except per share data) |           
|INTEREST INCOME                                                                         |  |                                       |            |   |      |   |            |  
|Loans                                                                                   |  | $                                     | 152,319    |   |      | $ | 140,505    |  
|Mortgage-backed securities                                                              |  |                                       | 25,312     |   |      |   | 21,962     |  
|Investment securities and cash equivalents                                              |  |                                       | 908        |   |      |   | 4,125      |  
|                                                                                        |  |                                       |            |   |      |   |            |  
|                                                                                        |  |                                       | 178,539    |   |      |   | 166,592    |  
|INTEREST EXPENSE                                                                        |  |                                       |            |   |      |   |            |  
|Customer accounts                                                                       |  |                                       | 55,908     |   |      |   | 65,970     |  
|FHLB advances and other borrowings                                                      |  |                                       | 32,619     |   |      |   | 35,329     |  
|                                                                                        |  |                                       |            |   |      |   |            |  
|                                                                                        |  |                                       | 88,527     |   |      |   | 101,299    |  
|                                                                                        |  |                                       |            |   |      |   |            |  
|Net interest income                                                                     |  |                                       | 90,012     |   |      |   | 65,293     |  
|Provision for loan losses                                                               |  |                                       | 35,000     |   |      |   | 1,000      |  
|                                                                                        |  |                                       |            |   |      |   |            |  
|Net interest income after provision for loan losses                                     |  |                                       | 55,012     |   |      |   | 64,293     |  
|OTHER INCOME                                                                            |  |                                       | 3,835      |   |      |   | 4,387      |  
|OTHER EXPENSE                                                                           |  |                                       |            |   |      |   |            |  
|Compensation and fringe benefits                                                        |  |                                       | 14,805     |   |      |   | 11,118     |  
|Occupancy                                                                               |  |                                       | 3,174      |   |      |   | 2,239      |  
|Other                                                                                   |  |                                       | 6,268      |   |      |   | 3,862      |  
|                                                                                        |  |                                       |            |   |      |   |            |  
|                                                                                        |  |                                       | 24,247     |   |      |   | 17,219     |  
|Gain (loss) on real estate acquired through foreclosure, net                            |  |                                       | (1,239     | ) |      |   | (24        | )
|                                                                                        |  |                                       |            |   |      |   |            |  
|Income before income taxes                                                              |  |                                       | 33,361     |   |      |   | 51,437     |  
|Income taxes                                                                            |  |                                       | 11,843     |   |      |   | 18,389     |  
|                                                                                        |  |                                       |            |   |      |   |            |  
|NET INCOME                                                                              |  |                                       | 21,518     |   |      |   | 33,048     |  
|                                                                                        |  |                                       |            |   |      |   |            |  
|Preferred dividends accrued                                                             |  |                                       | 1,349      |   |      |   |           |  
|                                                                                        |  |                                       |            |   |      |   |            |  
|NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS                                             |  | $                                     | 20,169     |   |      | $ | 33,048     |  
|                                                                                        |  |                                       |            |   |      |   |            |  
|PER SHARE DATA                                                                          |  |                                       |            |   |      |   |            |  
|Basic earnings                                                                          |  | $                                     | 0.23       |   |      | $ | 0.38       |  
|Diluted earnings                                                                        |  |                                       | .23        |   |      |   | .38        |  
|Cash dividends                                                                          |  |                                       | .05        |   |      |   | .21        |  
|Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding                                     |  |                                       | 87,966,308 |   |      |   | 87,435,408 |  
|Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding, including dilutive stock options |  |                                       | 88,028,272 |   |      |   | 87,614,498 |  

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)



|                                                                                 |  |                   |          |   |                   |   |          |  
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |  | ----------------- | -------- | - | ----------------- | - | -------- | -
|                                                                                 |  | Quarter Ended     |         
|                                                                                 |  | December 31, 2008 |          |   | December 31, 2007 |  
|                                                                                 |  | (In thousands)    |         
|CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                             |  |                   |          |  
|Net income                                                                       |  | $                 | 20,169   |   |                   | $ | 33,048   |  
|Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities |  |                   |          |   |                   |   |          |  
|Amortization (accretion) of fees, discounts, premiums and intangible assets, net |  |                   | 621      |   |                   |   | 103      |  
|Depreciation                                                                     |  |                   | 1,275    |   |                   |   | 885      |  
|Stock option compensation expense                                                |  |                   | 300      |   |                   |   | 272      |  
|Provision for loan losses                                                        |  |                   | 35,000   |   |                   |   | 1,000    |  
|Loss on investment securities and real estate held for sale, net                 |  |                   | 1,055    |   |                   |   | 24       |  
|Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable                               |  |                   | (3,068   | ) |                   |   | 403      |  
|Increase in income taxes payable                                                 |  |                   | 11,855   |   |                   |   | 18,407   |  
|FHLB stock dividends                                                             |  |                   | (11      | ) |                   |   | (39      | )
|Decrease (increase) in other assets                                              |  |                   | 3,305    |   |                   |   | (1,292   | )
|Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities                    |  |                   | (11,251  | ) |                   |   | 359      |  
|                                                                                 |  |                   |          |   |                   |   |          |  
|Net cash provided by operating activities                                        |  |                   | 59,250   |   |                   |   | 53,170   |  
|CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                             |  |                   |          |  
|Loans originated                                                                 |  |                   |          |   |                   |   |          |  
|Single-family residential loans                                                  |  |                   | (218,519 | ) |                   |   | (217,466 | )
|Construction loans - speculative                                                 |  |                   | (28,573  | ) |                   |   | (62,430  | )
|Construction loans - custom                                                      |  |                   | (64,752  | ) |                   |   | (64,062  | )
|Land - acquisition & development                                                 |  |                   | (12,693  | ) |                   |   | (25,146  | )
|Land - consumer lot loans                                                        |  |                   | (3,790   | ) |                   |   | (6,873   | )
|Multi-family loans                                                               |  |                   | (27,287  | ) |                   |   | (19,160  | )
|Commercial real estate                                                           |  |                   | (50,607  | ) |                   |   | (2,813   | )
|Commercial & industrial                                                          |  |                   | (60,229  | ) |                   |   | (2,100   | )
|HELOC                                                                            |  |                   | (24,715  | ) |                   |   | (5,061   | )
|Consumer                                                                         |  |                   | (12,765  | ) |                   |   | (698     | )
|                                                                                 |  |                   |          |   |                   |   |          |  
|                                                                                 |  |                   | (503,930 | ) |                   |   | (405,809 | )
|Savings account loans originated                                                 |  |                   | (889     | ) |                   |   | (1,826   | )
|Loan principal repayments                                                        |  |                   | 353,585  |   |                   |   | 331,555  |  
|Decrease in undisbursed loans in process                                         |  |                   | (55,740  | ) |                   |   | (92,899  | )
|Loans purchased                                                                  |  |                   | (146     | ) |                   |   | (915     | )
|FHLB stock redemption                                                            |  |                   | 394      |   |                   |   | 352      |  
|Available-for-sale securities purchased                                          |  |                   | (489,454 | ) |                   |   | (151,093 | )
|Principal payments and maturities of available-for-sale securities               |  |                   | 36,596   |   |                   |   | 33,733   |  
|Principal payments and maturities of held-to-maturity securities                 |  |                   | 2,824    |   |                   |   | 3,394    |  
|Proceeds from sales of real estate held for sale                                 |  |                   | 13,058   |   |                   |   | 1,269    |  
|Premises and equipment purchased                                                 |  |                   | (2,475   | ) |                   |   | (1,463   | )
|                                                                                 |  |                   |          |   |                   |   |          |  
|Net cash used by investing activities                                            |  |                   | (646,177 | ) |                   |   | (283,702 | )
|CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                             |  |                   |          |  
|Net increase in customer accounts                                                |  |                   | 115,204  |   |                   |   | 69,146   |  
|Net increase in borrowings                                                       |  |                   | 367,718  |   |                   |   | 192,933  |  
|Proceeds from exercise of common stock options                                   |  |                   | 17       |   |                   |   | 540      |  
|Dividends paid                                                                   |  |                   | (4,553   | ) |                   |   | (18,358  | )
|Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock and related warrants                   |  |                   | 200,000  |   |                   |   |         |  
|Decrease in advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance                |  |                   | (21,014  | ) |                   |   | (18,328  | )
|                                                                                 |  |                   |          |   |                   |   |          |  
|Net cash provided by financing activities                                        |  |                   | 657,372  |   |                   |   | 225,933  |  
|Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                 |  |                   | 70,445   |   |                   |   | (4,599   | )
|Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                 |  |                   | 82,600   |   |                   |   | 61,378   |  
|                                                                                 |  |                   |          |   |                   |   |          |  
|Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                       |  | $                 | 153,045  |   |                   | $ | 56,779   |  
|                                                                                 |  |                   |          |   |                   |   |          |  
|SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION                                |  |                   |          |  
|Non-cash investing activities                                                    |  |                   |          |  
|Real estate acquired through foreclosure                                         |  | $                 | 38,938   |   |                   | $ | 2,076    |  
|Cash paid during the period for                                                  |  |                   |          |  
|Interest                                                                         |  |                   | 95,393   |   |                   |   | 101,593  |  
|Income taxes                                                                     |  |                   | 275      |   |                   |   | 8        |  

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUARTERS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE A  Basis of Presentation

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, 2008 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 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K (2008 Form 10-K)
as filed with the SEC. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

References to Net Income in this document refer to Net
Income Available to Common Shareholders.

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

NOTE B  Preferred Stock Issuance

On November 14, 2008, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement with the United States Department of the Treasury (Treasury) to participate in the Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program (CPP).
Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company issued and sold to the Treasury (i) 200,000 shares of the Companys Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, and (ii) a warrant to purchase 1,707,456 shares of the Companys common
stock, par value $1.00 per share, for an aggregate purchase price for both the preferred stock and warrants of $200 million in cash. The Preferred Stock qualifies as Tier 1 capital and will pay cumulative dividends at a rate of 5% per annum for
the first five years, and 9% per annum thereafter.

NOTE C  Dividends

On January 16, 2009 the Company paid its 104thconsecutive quarterly cash dividend on common stock. Dividends per share were $.05 for the quarter ended December 31, 2008 compared to $.21 for the same period one year ago.

NOTE D  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 for the quarters ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 totaled $52,973,000 and
$41,313,000, respectively. The difference between the Companys net income and total comprehensive income for the quarter ended December 31, 2008 was $32,804,000, which equals the change in the net unrealized gain on available-for-sale
securities of $51,865,000, less tax of $19,061,000.



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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUARTERS ENDED DECEMBER
31, 2008 AND 2007

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE E  Allowance for Losses on Loans

The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for loan
losses for the quarters ended December 31, 2008 and 2007:



|                               |  |                           |         |   |      |   |        |  
|------------------------------ |  | ------------------------- | ------- | - | ---- | - | ------ | -
|                               |  | QuarterEnded December 31, |        
|                               |  | 2008                      |         |   | 2007 |  
|                               |  | (In thousands)            |        
|Balance at beginning of period |  | $                         | 85,058  |   |      | $ | 28,520 |  
|Provision for loan losses      |  |                           | 35,000  |   |      |   | 1,000  |  
|Charge-offs                    |  |                           | (15,387 | ) |      |   | (150   | )
|Recoveries                     |  |                           | 164     |   |      |   |       |  
|Acquired reserves              |  |                           |        |   |      |   |       |  
|                               |  |                           |         |   |      |   |        |  
|Balance at end of period       |  | $                         | 104,835 |   |      | $ | 29,370 |  
|                               |  |                           |         |   |      |   |        |  

Provision for Loan Losses: The Company recorded a $35,000,000 provision for loan losses during the quarter
ended December 31, 2008, while a $1,000,000 provision was recorded for the same quarter one year ago. Non-performing assets amounted to $305,066,000 or 2.44% of total assets at December 31, 2008 compared to $39,741,000 or .38% of total
assets one year ago. The Company had net charge-offs of $15,223,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2008 compared with $150,000 of net charge-offs for the same quarter one year ago. This significant increase in the provision for loan losses
is in response to three primary factors: first, the overall deterioration in the housing market in general in the Companys eight western state territory, second, the significant increase in the combined balance of non-performing assets in our
land A&D and speculative construction portfolios, and finally, the material increase in net charge-offs for the quarter. Management expects the provision to remain at elevated levels until non-performing assets and charge-offs improve.

NOTE F  New Accounting Pronouncement

In
September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157). This statement defines fair value, establishes a
framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement establishes a fair value hierarchy for the assumptions used to measure fair value and clarifies assumptions about risk and the effect of a
restriction on the sale or use of an asset. No additional fair value measurements are required under this statement. The Company adopted this statement effective October 1, 2008. See Note G for disclosures related to the adoption of this
statement.

NOTE G  Fair Value Measurements

As
discussed in Note F, SFAS 157 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. SFAS 157 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.



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##### Table of Contents

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUARTERS ENDED DECEMBER
31, 2008 AND 2007

(UNAUDITED)

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 December 31, 2008:



|                                                            |  |                                 |   |         |   |           |  |       |   |  |   |          
|----------------------------------------------------------- |  | ------------------------------- | - | ------- | - | --------- |  | ----- | - |  | - | ---------
|                                                            |  | Fair Value at December 31, 2008
|                                                            |  | Level 1                         |   | Level 2 |   | Level 3   |  | Total
|                                                            |  | (In thousands)                 
|Available-for-sale securities                               |  |                                 |   |         |   |           |  |       |   |  |   |          
|U.S. government and agency securities                       |  | $                               |  |         | $ | 40,214    |  | $     |  |  | $ | 40,214   
|Mortgage-backed securities Agency pass-through certificates |  |                                 |  |         |   | 1,940,516 |  |       |  |  |   | 1,940,516
|                                                            |  |                                 |   |         |   |           |  |       |   |  |   |          
|Balance at end of period                                    |  | $                               |  |         | $ | 1,980,730 |  | $     |  |  | $ | 1,980,730
|                                                            |  |                                 |   |         |   |           |  |       |   |  |   |          

Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis

Impaired Loans

From time to time, and on a nonrecurring basis, fair value adjustments to collateral dependent loans
are recorded to reflect write-downs of principal balances based on the current appraised or estimated value of the collateral. This new estimated fair value is net of anticipated selling costs.

REO

Real estate owned consists principally of properties acquired
through foreclosure and are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value less anticipated selling costs.



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##### Table of Contents

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUARTERS ENDED DECEMBER
31, 2008 AND 2007

(UNAUDITED)

The following table presents the balance of assets measured at estimated fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the quarter ended December 31, 2008, and the total losses resulting from these fair value
adjustments for the quarter ended December 31, 2008:



|                         |  |                                     |   |                               |   |         |  |       |         |              |   |         |  |   |       
|------------------------ |  | ----------------------------------- | - | ----------------------------- | - | ------- |  | ----- | ------- | ------------ | - | ------- |  | - | ------
|                         |  | Carrying Value at December 31, 2008 |   | QuarterEndedDecember 31, 2008
|                         |  | Level 1                             |   | Level 2                       |   | Level 3 |  | Total |         | Total Losses
|                         |  | (In thousands)                     
|Impaired loans (1)       |  | $                                   |  |                               | $ |        |  | $     | 81,639  |              | $ | 81,639  |  | $ | 24,308
|REO (2)                  |  |                                     |  |                               |   |        |  |       | 29,326  |              |   | 29,326  |  |   | 4,277 
|                         |  |                                     |   |                               |   |         |  |       |         |              |   |         |  |   |       
|Balance at end of period |  | $                                   |  |                               | $ |        |  | $     | 110,965 |              | $ | 110,965 |  | $ | 28,585
|                         |  |                                     |   |                               |   |         |  |       |         |              |   |         |  |   |       



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



|(2) | The loss represents charge-offs on REO.
|--- | ---------------------------------------

There were no material
liabilities carried at fair value, measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis, at December 31, 2008.



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##### Table of Contents

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; 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. 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 assumes a high level of interest rate risk as a result of its policy to originate and hold for investment fixed-rate single-family home loans, which are
longer-term in nature than the short-term characteristics of its liabilities of customer accounts and borrowed money. At December 31, 2008, the Company had a negative one-year maturity gap of approximately 37% of total assets, an increase from
the 34% negative one-year gap as of September 30, 2008. This increase was primarily due to two factors: first, $300,000,000 of borrowings are now within one year of maturity; as of September 30, 2008, these same borrowings had maturities
of over one year, and second, there was an increase in short-term borrowings as the Company took advantage of reduced short-term borrowing rates.

The
interest rate spread increased to 2.91% at December 31, 2008 from 2.85% at September 30, 2008. The spread increased primarily because of a general decrease in rates on customer deposits. Since the Federal Reserve began decreasing
short-term rates in September 2007, market rates for short-term deposits have fallen. As a result, deposits are repricing to lower rates, which contributes to an increasing spread.



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##### Table of Contents

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I  Financial Information



|Item 2. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)
|------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As of December 31, 2008, the weighted average rates on earning assets decreased by 15 basis points since September 30, 2008, while the weighted average rates
on customer accounts and borrowings decreased by 21 basis points over the same period. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had grown total assets by $725,458,000, or 6.1%, from $11,796,425,000 at September 30, 2008, by deploying funds
obtained through lower cost short-term deposits and borrowings, as well as the $200,000,000 of CPP funds (see Note B above). For the quarter ended December 31, 2008, cash and cash equivalents increased $70,445,000, or 85.3%, loans increased
$133,814,000, or 1.41%, and investment securities increased $501,861,000, or 31.4%. Cash and cash equivalents of $153,045,000 and stockholders equity of $1,581,707,000 provides management with flexibility in managing interest rate risk.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Companys
net worth at December 31, 2008 was $1,581,707,000, or 12.63% of total assets. This was an increase of $249,033,000 from September 30, 2008 when net worth was $1,332,674,000, or 11.30% of total assets. The increase in the Companys net
worth included $200,000,000 from the issuance of preferred stock and a related warrant to purchase common stock to the U.S. Treasury (see Note B for further discussion). The increase also included $20,169,000 from net income and a $32,804,000
increase in accumulated other comprehensive income as a result of a net increase in market value of the Companys available-for-sale investments. The vast majority of the Companys available for sale investments are fixed rate. As a result
of market interest rates decreasing, the value of fixed rate investments generally increased. Net worth was reduced by $4,553,000 of cash dividend payments.

Management believes this strong net worth position will help the Company manage its interest rate risk and enable it to compete more effectively for controlled growth through acquisitions, de novo expansion and increased customer deposits.
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. During the quarter the Company reduced its quarterly cash
dividend on common stock from $.21 to $.05 to conserve capital due to deterioration in the housing market and general economic conditions.



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##### Table of Contents

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I  Financial Information



|Item 2. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)
|------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



|                                         |  |                |           |       |                            |   |         |                                                          |         |  |      |         |  |       |         |  |       |  
|---------------------------------------- |  | -------------- | --------- | ----- | -------------------------- | - | ------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | ------- |  | ---- | ------- |  | ----- | ------- |  | ----- | -
|                                         |  | Actual         |           |       | CapitalAdequacy Guidelines |   |         | Well Capitalized UnderPrompt CorrectiveAction Provisions |        
|                                         |  | Capital        |           | Ratio |                            |   | Capital |                                                          | Ratio   |  |      | Capital |  | Ratio |        
|                                         |  | (In thousands) |          
|December 31, 2008                        |  |                |           |       |                            |   |         |                                                          |         |  |      |         |  |       |         |  |       |  
|Total capital to risk-weighted assets    |  |                | 1,389,865 |       | 19.70                      | % |         |                                                          | 564,549 |  | 8.00 | %       |  |       | 705,686 |  | 10.00 | %
|Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets   |  |                | 1,336,668 |       | 18.94                      | % |         |                                                          | N/A     |  | N/A  |         |  |       | 423,412 |  | 6.00  | %
|Core capital to adjusted tangible assets |  |                | 1,336,668 |       | 10.92                      | % |         |                                                          | N/A     |  | N/A  |         |  |       | 611,980 |  | 5.00  | %
|Core capital to total assets             |  |                | 1,336,668 |       | 10.92                      | % |         |                                                          | 367,188 |  | 3.00 | %       |  |       | N/A     |  | N/A   |  
|Tangible capital to tangible assets      |  |                | 1,336,668 |       | 10.92                      | % |         |                                                          | 183,594 |  | 1.50 | %       |  |       | N/A     |  | N/A   |  
|September 30, 2008                       |  |                |           |       |                            |   |         |                                                          |         |  |      |         |  |       |         |  |       |  
|Total capital to risk-weighted assets    |  | $              | 1,168,709 |       | 17.18                      | % |         | $                                                        | 544,064 |  | 8.00 | %       |  | $     | 680,080 |  | 10.00 | %
|Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets   |  |                | 1,118,152 |       | 16.44                      | % |         |                                                          | N/A     |  | N/A  |         |  |       | 408,048 |  | 6.00  | %
|Core capital to adjusted tangible assets |  |                | 1,118,152 |       | 9.66                       | % |         |                                                          | N/A     |  | N/A  |         |  |       | 578,579 |  | 5.00  | %
|Core capital to total assets             |  |                | 1,118,152 |       | 9.66                       | % |         |                                                          | 347,147 |  | 3.00 | %       |  |       | N/A     |  | N/A   |  
|Tangible capital to tangible assets      |  |                | 1,118,152 |       | 9.66                       | % |         |                                                          | 173,574 |  | 1.50 | %       |  |       | N/A     |  | N/A   |  

CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION

Available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities: Available-for-sale securities increased $504,663,000, or 34.2%, during the quarter ended December 31, 2008, which included the purchase of $489,454,000
of available-for-sale investment securities. During the same period there were no sales of available-for-sale securities, nor were there any purchases or sales of held-to-maturity securities. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had net
unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities of $35,276,000, net of tax, which were recorded as part of stockholders equity. The Company increased its investment portfolio to protect against a potential refinancing surge resulting from
historically low mortgage rates, which were influenced by US government participation in the mortgage-backed securities market.

Loans receivable:
During the quarter ended December 31, 2008, the balance of loans receivable increased 1.4% to $9,635,434,000 compared to $9,501,620,000 at September 30, 2008. This growth is consistent with managements strategy to grow the loan
portfolio to mitigate the decreasing weighted average rates on earning assets. If the current low rates on 30 year fixed-rate mortgages persists, management will consider shrinking its loan portfolio. The following table shows the loan portfolio by
category for the last three quarters.



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##### Table of Contents

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I  Financial Information



|Item 2. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)
|------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Loan Portfolio by Category

(In thousands)



|                                 |  |               |           |   |               |   |        |                |           |  |      |        |  |   |            |  |      |  
|-------------------------------- |  | ------------- | --------- | - | ------------- | - | ------ | -------------- | --------- |  | ---- | ------ |  | - | ---------- |  | ---- | -
|                                 |  | AS OF 6/30/08 |           |   | AS OF 9/30/08 |   |        | AS OF 12/31/08 |          
|                                 |  | AMOUNT        |           | % |               |   | AMOUNT |                | %         |  |      | AMOUNT |  | % |           
|Single-family residential        |  | $             | 6,709,942 |   | 68.2          | % |        | $              | 6,868,956 |  | 69.5 | %      |  | $ | 7,032,028  |  | 70.3 | %
|Construction - speculative       |  |               | 548,376   |   | 5.6           |   |        |                | 439,616   |  | 4.4  |        |  |   | 385,074    |  | 3.8  |  
|Construction - custom            |  |               | 307,461   |   | 3.1           |   |        |                | 317,894   |  | 3.2  |        |  |   | 298,381    |  | 3.0  |  
|Land - acquisition & development |  |               | 737,931   |   | 7.5           |   |        |                | 724,421   |  | 7.3  |        |  |   | 706,151    |  | 7.1  |  
|Land - consumer lot loans        |  |               | 214,674   |   | 2.2           |   |        |                | 210,816   |  | 2.1  |        |  |   | 206,276    |  | 2.1  |  
|Multi-family                     |  |               | 692,963   |   | 7.0           |   |        |                | 683,508   |  | 6.9  |        |  |   | 695,164    |  | 6.9  |  
|Commercial real estate           |  |               | 264,599   |   | 2.7           |   |        |                | 282,138   |  | 2.8  |        |  |   | 303,321    |  | 3.0  |  
|Commercial & industrial          |  |               | 160,422   |   | 1.6           |   |        |                | 151,844   |  | 1.5  |        |  |   | 137,057    |  | 1.4  |  
|HELOC                            |  |               | 68,638    |   | 0.7           |   |        |                | 80,407    |  | 0.8  |        |  |   | 94,581     |  | 0.9  |  
|Consumer                         |  |               | 142,786   |   | 1.4           |   |        |                | 153,072   |  | 1.5  |        |  |   | 151,858    |  | 1.5  |  
|                                 |  |               |           |   |               |   |        |                |           |  |      |        |  |   |            |  |      |  
|                                 |  |               | 9,847,792 |   | 100           | % |        |                | 9,912,672 |  | 100  | %      |  |   | 10,009,891 |  | 100  | %
|                                 |  |               |           |   |               |   |        |                |           |  |      |        |  |   |            |  |      |  
|Less:                            |  |               |           |   |               |   |        |                |           |  |      |        |  |   |            |  |      |  
|ALL                              |  |               | 54,059    |   |               |   |        |                | 85,058    |  |      |        |  |   | 104,835    |  |      |  
|Loans in Process                 |  |               | 330,556   |   |               |   |        |                | 288,579   |  |      |        |  |   | 232,839    |  |      |  
|Deferred Net Origination Fees    |  |               | 37,303    |   |               |   |        |                | 37,415    |  |      |        |  |   | 36,783     |  |      |  
|                                 |  |               |           |   |               |   |        |                |           |  |      |        |  |   |            |  |      |  
|                                 |  |               | 421,918   |   |               |   |        |                | 411,052   |  |      |        |  |   | 374,457    |  |      |  
|                                 |  |               |           |   |               |   |        |                |           |  |      |        |  |   |            |  |      |  
|                                 |  | $             | 9,425,874 |   |               |   |        | $              | 9,501,620 |  |      |        |  | $ | 9,635,434  |  |      |  
|                                 |  |               |           |   |               |   |        |                |           |  |      |        |  |   |            |  |      |  

Non-performing assets: Non-performing assets increased significantly during the quarter ended
December 31, 2008 to $305,006,000 from $164,191,000 at September 30, 2008, an 85.8% increase. A disproportionate share of our non-performing assets come from the land A&D and speculative construction portfolios. These assets have seen
the largest declines in value in our loan portfolio. The overall increase in our non-performing assets is attributable to the weakening economy and housing market throughout our eight state branch network. Non-performing assets as a percentage of
total assets was 2.44% at December 31, 2008 compared to 1.39% at September 30, 2008. During the last ten and twenty years the Companys average ratio of non-performing assets to total assets was .40% and .49%, respectfully. While our
non-performing assets have increased significantly over the last 3 months based on current conditions in the real estate marketplace, the Company anticipates non-performing assets will continue to increase in the future until the residential real
estate market stabilizes and values recover.



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##### Table of Contents

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I  Financial Information



|Item 2. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)
|------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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



|                                                                                   |  |                  |         |   |                   |   |         |  
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |  | ---------------- | ------- | - | ----------------- | - | ------- | -
|                                                                                   |  | December 31,2008 |         |   | September 30,2008 |  
|                                                                                   |  | (In thousands)   |        
|Restructured loans (1)                                                             |  | $                | 11,667  |   |                   | $ | 6,210   |  
|Nonaccrual loans:                                                                  |  |                  |         |   |                   |   |         |  
|Single-family residential                                                          |  |                  | 54,597  |   |                   |   | 38,017  |  
|Construction - speculative                                                         |  |                  | 29,035  |   |                   |   | 33,003  |  
|Construction - custom                                                              |  |                  | 1,405   |   |                   |   | 1,315   |  
|Land - acquisition & development                                                   |  |                  | 150,674 |   |                   |   | 51,562  |  
|Land - consumer lot loans                                                          |  |                  |        |   |                   |   |        |  
|Multi-family                                                                       |  |                  | 5,964   |   |                   |   | 748     |  
|Commercial real estate                                                             |  |                  | 397     |   |                   |   | 1,929   |  
|Commercial & industrial                                                            |  |                  | 215     |   |                   |   |        |  
|HELOC                                                                              |  |                  |        |   |                   |   |        |  
|Consumer                                                                           |  |                  | 892     |   |                   |   | 535     |  
|                                                                                   |  |                  |         |   |                   |   |         |  
|Total nonaccrual loans (2)                                                         |  |                  | 243,179 |   |                   |   | 127,109 |  
|Total REO (3)                                                                      |  |                  | 61,887  |   |                   |   | 37,082  |  
|                                                                                   |  |                  |         |   |                   |   |         |  
|Total non-performing assets                                                        |  | $                | 305,066 |   |                   | $ | 164,191 |  
|                                                                                   |  |                  |         |   |                   |   |         |  
|Total non-performing assets and restructured loans                                 |  | $                | 316,733 |   |                   | $ | 170,401 |  
|                                                                                   |  |                  |         |   |                   |   |         |  
|Total non-performing assets and restructured loans as a percentage of total assets |  |                  | 2.53    | % |                   |   | 1.44    | %
|                                                                                   |  |                  |         |   |                   |   |         |  



|(1) | Performing in accordance with restructured terms.
|--- | -------------------------------------------------



|(2) | The Company recognized interest income on nonaccrual loans of approximately $2,983,000 in the quarter ended December 31, 2008. Had these loans performed according to their
original contract terms, the Company would have recognized interest income of approximately $9,650,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2008.
|--- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In addition to the nonaccrual loans reflected in the above table, at December 31, 2008, the Company had $173,666,000 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 non-performing assets and restructured loans as a percent of total assets would have increased to 3.92% at December 31, 2008.



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##### Table of Contents

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I  Financial Information



|Item 2. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)
|------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



|(3) | Total REO (included in real estate held for sale on the Statement of Financial Condition) includes real estate held for sale acquired in settlement of loans.
|--- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.



|                                 |  |                   |         |                       |                    |   |        |   |                       |  |       |  
|-------------------------------- |  | ----------------- | ------- | --------------------- | ------------------ | - | ------ | - | --------------------- |  | ----- | -
|                                 |  | December 31, 2008 |         |                       | September 30, 2008 |  
|                                 |  | Amount            |         | Loans toTotal Loans 1 |                    |   | Amount |   | Loans toTotal Loans 1 | 
|                                 |  | (In thousands)    |        
|Single-family residential        |  | $                 | 19,345  |                       | 70.3               | % |        | $ | 17,055                |  | 69.5  | %
|Construction - speculative       |  |                   | 12,104  |                       | 3.8                |   |        |   | 10,069                |  | 4.4   |  
|Construction - custom            |  |                   | 852     |                       | 3.0                |   |        |   | 1,328                 |  | 3.2   |  
|Land - acquisition & development |  |                   | 47,404  |                       | 7.1                |   |        |   | 28,679                |  | 7.3   |  
|Land - consumer lot loans        |  |                   | 2,345   |                       | 2.1                |   |        |   | 2,279                 |  | 2.1   |  
|Multi-family                     |  |                   | 3,394   |                       | 6.9                |   |        |   | 4,514                 |  | 6.9   |  
|Commercial real estate           |  |                   | 2,585   |                       | 3.0                |   |        |   | 4,536                 |  | 2.8   |  
|Commercial & industrial          |  |                   | 2,830   |                       | 1.4                |   |        |   | 3,807                 |  | 1.5   |  
|HELOC                            |  |                   | 1,713   |                       | 0.9                |   |        |   | 1,338                 |  | 0.8   |  
|Consumer                         |  |                   | 12,263  |                       | 1.5                |   |        |   | 11,453                |  | 1.5   |  
|                                 |  |                   |         |                       |                    |   |        |   |                       |  |       |  
|                                 |  | $                 | 104,835 |                       | 100.0              | % |        | $ | 85,058                |  | 100.0 | %
|                                 |  |                   |         |                       |                    |   |        |   |                       |  |       |  



|1 | The percentage is based on gross loans before allowance for loan losses, loans in process and deferred loan origination
costs.
|- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



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##### Table of Contents

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I  Financial Information



|Item 2. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)
|------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Customer accounts: Customer accounts increased $115,204,000, or 1.6%, to $7,284,743,000 at December 31, 2008 compared with $7,169,539,000 at
September 30, 2008. The following table shows the composition of our customer accounts as of the dates shown:

Deposits by Type

(In thousands)



|                        |  |                   |           |   |                    |   |               |      |    |        |           |   |       |   |               |      |  
|----------------------- |  | ----------------- | --------- | - | ------------------ | - | ------------- | ---- | -- | ------ | --------- | - | ----- | - | ------------- | ---- | -
|                        |  | December 31, 2008 |           |   | September 30, 2008 |  
|                        |  | Amount            |           | % |                    |   | Wtd. Avg.Rate |      |    | Amount |           | % |       |   | Wtd. Avg.Rate |     
|Checking (noninterest)  |  | $                 | 119,868   |   | 1.6                | % |               | 0.00 | %$ |        | 119,460   |   | 1.7   | % |               | 0.00 | %
|NOW (interest)          |  |                   | 401,710   |   | 5.5                |   |               | 0.96 | %  |        | 397,512   |   | 5.5   |   |               | 1.48 | %
|Savings (passbook/stmt) |  |                   | 190,086   |   | 2.6                |   |               | 0.75 | %  |        | 188,546   |   | 2.6   |   |               | 1.22 | %
|Money Market            |  |                   | 1,202,728 |   | 16.5               |   |               | 1.82 | %  |        | 1,231,542 |   | 17.2  |   |               | 2.48 | %
|CDs                    |  |                   | 5,370,351 |   | 73.8               |   |               | 3.55 | %  |        | 5,232,479 |   | 73.0  |   |               | 3.72 | %
|                        |  |                   |           |   |                    |   |               |      |    |        |           |   |       |   |               |      |  
|Total                   |  | $                 | 7,284,743 |   | 100.0              | % |               | 2.99 | %$ |        | 7,169,539 |   | 100.0 | % |               | 3.25 | %

FHLB advances and other borrowings: Total borrowings increased $367,718,000, or 11.6%, to $3,543,626,000 at
December 31, 2008 compared with $3,175,908,000 at September 30, 2008. Total short-term borrowings (due within 30 days) at December 31, 2008 were $650,000,000 compared with $377,000,000 at September 30, 2008. See Interest Rate
Risk on page 10.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net
Income: The quarter ended December 31, 2008, produced net income of $20,169,000 compared to $33,048,000 for the same quarter one year ago, a 39.0% decrease. The decrease for the quarter resulted primarily from the significant increase in
the provision for loan losses.

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.



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##### Table of Contents

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I  Financial Information



|Item 2. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)
|------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rate / Volume Analysis:



|                                   |  |                                                    |        |   |      |   |         |       |  |   |         |  
|---------------------------------- |  | -------------------------------------------------- | ------ | - | ---- | - | ------- | ----- |  | - | ------- | -
|                                   |  | Comparison of Quarters Ended 12/31/08 and 12/31/07 |       
|                                   |  | Volume                                             |        |   | Rate |   |         | Total | 
|                                   |  | (In thousands)                                     |       
|Interest income:                   |  |                                                    |        |   |      |   |         |       |  |   |         |  
|Loan portfolio                     |  | $                                                  | 21,354 |   |      | $ | (9,540  | )     |  | $ | 11,814  |  
|Mortgaged-backed securities        |  |                                                    | 3,466  |   |      |   | (116    | )     |  |   | 3,350   |  
|Investments(1)                     |  |                                                    | (1,177 | ) |      |   | (2,040  | )     |  |   | (3,217  | )
|All interest-earning assets        |  |                                                    | 23,643 |   |      |   | (11,696 | )     |  |   | 11,947  |  
|                                   |  |                                                    |        |   |      |   |         |       |  |   |         |  
|Interest expense:                  |  |                                                    |        |   |      |   |         |       |  |   |         |  
|Customer accounts                  |  |                                                    | 10,906 |   |      |   | (20,968 | )     |  |   | (10,062 | )
|FHLB advances and other borrowings |  |                                                    | 4,865  |   |      |   | (7,575  | )     |  |   | (2,710  | )
|                                   |  |                                                    |        |   |      |   |         |       |  |   |         |  
|All interest-bearing liabilities   |  |                                                    | 15,771 |   |      |   | (28,543 | )     |  |   | (12,772 | )
|                                   |  |                                                    |        |   |      |   |         |       |  |   |         |  
|Change in net interest income      |  | $                                                  | 7,872  |   |      | $ | 16,847  |       |  | $ | 24,719  |  
|                                   |  |                                                    |        |   |      |   |         |       |  |   |         |  



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



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##### Table of Contents

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I  Financial Information



|Item 2. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)
|------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Provision for Loan Losses: The Company recorded a $35,000,000 provision for loan losses during the quarter ended December 31, 2008, while a $1,000,000
provision was recorded for the same quarter one year ago. Non-performing assets amounted to $305,066,000 or 2.44% of total assets at December 31, 2008 compared to $39,741,000 or .38% of total assets one year ago. The Company had net charge-offs
of $15,223,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2008 compared with $150,000 of net charge-offs for the same quarter one year ago. This significant increase in the provision for loan losses is in response to three primary factors: first, the
overall deterioration in the housing market in general in the Companys eight western state territory, second, the significant increase in the combined balance of non-performing assets in our land A&D and speculative construction
portfolios, and finally, the material increase in net charge-offs for the quarter. Management expects the provision to remain at elevated levels until non-performing assets and charge-offs improve.

The Companys believes that higher non-performing assets and charge-offs may continue going forward until the housing market and general economic conditions begin
to recover.



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##### Table of Contents

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I  Financial Information



|Item 2. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)
|------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following table analyzes the Companys allowance for loan losses at the dates indicated.



|                                                      |  |                           |         |   |      |   |        |  
|----------------------------------------------------- |  | ------------------------- | ------- | - | ---- | - | ------ | -
|                                                      |  | QuarterEnded December 31, |        
|                                                      |  | 2008                      |         |   | 2007 |  
|                                                      |  | (In thousands)            |        
|Beginning balance                                     |  | $                         | 85,058  |   |      | $ | 28,520 |  
|Charge-offs:                                          |  |                           |         |   |      |   |        |  
|Single-family residential                             |  |                           | 3,079   |   |      |   | 7      |  
|Construction - speculative                            |  |                           | 4,503   |   |      |   | 75     |  
|Construction - custom                                 |  |                           |        |   |      |   |       |  
|Land - acquisition & development                      |  |                           | 3,557   |   |      |   | 54     |  
|Land - consumer lot loans                             |  |                           | 720     |   |      |   |       |  
|Multi-family                                          |  |                           |        |   |      |   |       |  
|Commercial real estate                                |  |                           |        |   |      |   |       |  
|Commercial & industrial                               |  |                           | 2,171   |   |      |   | 14     |  
|HELOC                                                 |  |                           |        |   |      |   |       |  
|Consumer                                              |  |                           | 1,357   |   |      |   |       |  
|                                                      |  |                           |         |   |      |   |        |  
|                                                      |  |                           | 15,387  |   |      |   | 150    |  
|Recoveries:                                           |  |                           |         |   |      |   |        |  
|Single-family residential                             |  |                           | 2       |   |      |   |       |  
|Construction - speculative                            |  |                           |        |   |      |   |       |  
|Construction - custom                                 |  |                           |        |   |      |   |       |  
|Land - acquisition & development                      |  |                           | 16      |   |      |   |       |  
|Land - consumer lot loans                             |  |                           |        |   |      |   |       |  
|Multi-family                                          |  |                           |        |   |      |   |       |  
|Commercial real estate                                |  |                           |        |   |      |   |       |  
|Commercial & industrial                               |  |                           | 43      |   |      |   |       |  
|HELOC                                                 |  |                           |        |   |      |   |       |  
|Consumer                                              |  |                           | 103     |   |      |   |       |  
|                                                      |  |                           |         |   |      |   |        |  
|                                                      |  |                           | 164     |   |      |   |       |  
|Net charge-offs                                       |  |                           | 15,223  |   |      |   | 150    |  
|Provision for loan losses                             |  |                           | 35,000  |   |      |   | 1,000  |  
|Acquired reserves                                     |  |                           |        |   |      |   |       |  
|                                                      |  |                           |         |   |      |   |        |  
|Ending balance                                        |  | $                         | 104,835 |   |      | $ | 29,370 |  
|                                                      |  |                           |         |   |      |   |        |  
|Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding |  |                           | 0.16    | % |      |   | 0.00   | %
|                                                      |  |                           |         |   |      |   |        |  

Other Income: The quarter ended December 31, 2008 produced total other income of $3,835,000 compared
to $4,387,000 for the same quarter one year ago, a decrease of $552,000. The quarter ended December 31, 2007 included a $1,246,000 gain on the sale of real estate.



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##### Table of Contents

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I  Financial Information



|Item 2. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)
|------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other Expense: The quarter ended December 31, 2008 produced total other expense of $24,247,000 compared to $17,219,000 for the same quarter one year ago, a
40.8% increase. The increase in total other expense over the same comparable period one year ago was primarily the result of two factors, the first being an increase in compensation and other direct costs related to the February 2008 acquisition of
First Mutual Bancshares, Inc. (FMB), which operated historically with a significantly higher cost structure than Washington Federal. The Company has already reduced costs substantially and believes more savings may occur as the full
integration occurs over time. The second factor is additional investment in our information technology upgrade initiative known as Project Tritan. Total other expense for the quarters ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 equaled .80% and .66%,
respectively, of average assets. The number of staff, including part-time employees on a full-time equivalent basis, was 1,103 at December 31, 2008 and 879 at December 31, 2007; the increase primarily due to the acquisition of FMB.

Taxes: Income taxes decreased $6,546,000, or 35.6%, for the quarter ended December 31, 2008 when compared to the same period one year ago.
This decrease was a result of lower pretax income. The effective tax rate for the quarter ended December 31, 2008 was 35.50%, compared to 35.75% for the same period one year ago.



|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, 2008. 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 2008 Form 10-K.



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##### Table of Contents

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.



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##### Table of Contents

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
|-------- | ------------

Not applicable



|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 December 31, 2008. It needs to be noted that under the terms of the CPP (see
Note B above), the Company has agreed to not repurchase any stock until the preferred stock is retired. Please see the Form S-3 filed with the SEC on December 12, 2008 for terms of the CPP.



|                                      |  |                                 |  |                             |   |                                                                      |   |                                                                                       |          
|------------------------------------- |  | ------------------------------- |  | --------------------------- | - | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | - | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------
|Period                                |  | Total Number ofShares Purchased |  | Average PricePaid Per Share |   | Total Number ofShares Purchasedas Part of PubliclyAnnounced Plan (1) |   | MaximumNumber of SharesThat May Yet BePurchased
Underthe Plan at theEnd of the Period
|October 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008   |  |                                |  | $                           |  |                                                                      |  |                                                                                       | 2,888,314
|November 1, 2008 to November 30, 2008 |  |                                |  |                             |  |                                                                      |  |                                                                                       | 2,888,314
|December 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008 |  |                                |  |                             |  |                                                                      |  |                                                                                       | 2,888,314
|                                      |  |                                 |  |                             |   |                                                                      |   |                                                                                       |          
|Total                                 |  |                                |  |                             |  |                                                                      |  |                                                                                       | 2,888,314
|                                      |  |                                 |  |                             |   |                                                                      |   |                                                                                       |          



|(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



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##### Table of Contents

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART II  Other Information



|Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
|------- | ---------------------------------------------------

Not applicable



|Item 5. | Other Information
|------- | -----------------

Not applicable



|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



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##### Table of Contents

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.



|                 |  |  |  |                                                     
|---------------- |  |  |  | ----------------------------------------------------
|February 9, 2009 |  |  |  | /s/ Roy M. Whitehead                                
|                 |  |  |  | ROY M. WHITEHEAD                                    
|                 |  |  |  | Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer     
|                 |  | 
|February 9, 2009 |  |  |  | /s/ Brent J. Beardall                               
|                 |  |  |  | BRENT J. BEARDALL                                   
|                 |  |  |  | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



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