SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwired - Jul 18, 2013) - Washington Federal, Inc. (NASDAQ: WAFD), parent company of Washington Federal, today announced earnings of $37,338,000 or $.36 per diluted share for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, compared to $35,163,000 or $.33 per diluted share for the same period one year ago, a 6.2% increase. For the nine months ended June 30, 2013, earnings were $108,598,000 or $1.03 per diluted share, compared to $102,652,000 or $.96 per diluted share for the nine months ended June 30, 2012, a 5.8% increase. The Company's ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets ended the quarter at 13.01% and remains among the strongest of large regional financial institutions in the United States.

The Company also announced that Washington Federal has entered into agreements with Bank of America to acquire 51 retail branches located in Eastern Washington, Idaho, Oregon and New Mexico, representing approximately $1.8 billion of deposits and $11 million of loans. Subject to regulatory approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, the transaction is expected to close in the fourth calendar quarter 2013. Additional details can be found in a Deposit Acquisition Summary in the Investor Relations' section of Washington Federal's website www.washingtonfederal.com.

Chairman, President & CEO Roy M. Whitehead commented, "We enthusiastically welcome all new employees and customers joining us by virtue of this agreement. When completed, the transaction will represent a significant enhancement of our branch network in Eastern Washington and will also increase our presence in Idaho, Oregon and New Mexico. All employees from the acquired branches will be offered continued employment with Washington Federal and every effort will be made to minimize disruptions to customer banking routines at those locations. Existing clients will benefit from the added convenience of over fifty new banking locations. The transaction will improve the Company's deposit mix, reduce overall funding costs and will be accretive to earnings upon closing.

"With regard to quarterly earnings, we are pleased to report the continuation of a positive trend. Stronger earnings are primarily attributable to improved asset quality and a more favorable interest rate environment for mortgage lending. Loan demand has strengthened and if current conditions persist, the prospect of improved loan growth will become more likely."

Non-performing assets amounted to $233 million or 1.79% of total assets at quarter-end, a $40 million or 14.5% decrease from fiscal year-end September 30, 2012. Non-performing assets peaked at $606 million or 5.03% of total assets, on June 30, 2009 and have since decreased by $373 million or 61.5%. Specifically, non-performing loans decreased from $173 million at September 30, 2012 to $149 million as of June 30, 2013, a 14.3% decrease. Net loan charge-offs decreased from $16 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2012 to $5 million in the most recent quarter, a 70.6% decrease. Total loan delinquencies were 2.27% as of June 30, 2013, a decrease from the 2.57% at September 30, 2012. Delinquencies on single family mortgage loans, the largest component of the loan portfolio, declined during the quarter to 2.35% from 2.73% at September 30, 2012. Real estate held for sale decreased from $99 million at September 30, 2012 to $85 million at quarter end, a $14 million or 14.8% decrease.

Improving asset quality trends and increasing real estate values combined with decreasing loans outstanding resulted in zero provision for loan losses during the quarter. Consistent with these improving asset quality indicators and a smaller loan portfolio, the Company decreased its total allowance for loan losses by $15 million or 11.3%, from September 30, 2012. As of June 30, 2013, the total allowance was 1.52% of total gross loans, a decrease of 17 basis points from the 1.69% as of September 30, 2012 reflecting the improving asset quality.

Total assets increased by $540 million or 4.3% to $13.0 billion at June 30, 2013 from $12.5 billion at September 30, 2012. Specifically, loans and covered loans decreased by $39 million and investments increased by $675 million. As of June 30, 2013, the Company's available-for-sale investment portfolio had net unrealized gains of $8 million. During the quarter ended June 30, 2013, total non-covered loans outstanding decreased by $54 million or 0.7% as a result of high loan prepayments stemming from low interest rates available on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages in the market. Net loan runoff (the change in loan balances) decreased by 68%, comparing the 3^rd quarter with the 2^nd quarter. Loan originations for the quarter were $505 million, which represented a 41.4% increase from the prior quarter and 17.5% increase from the same quarter one year ago.

During the quarter, the Company had an average balance of $633 million in cash and cash equivalents invested overnight at a yield of approximately 0.25%. The Company is maintaining higher than normal amounts of liquidity due to concern about potentially rising interest rates. The period-end spread decreased to 2.65% as of June 30, 2013 from 2.80% at September 30, 2012, as a result of lower asset yields.

Net interest income for the quarter was $94.7 million, a $1.8 million decrease from the same quarter one year ago. Net interest margin was 3.15% for the quarter, compared to 3.05% for the same quarter one year ago and 3.10% for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. The increase in net interest margin was primarily the result of slower prepayments on mortgage backed securities resulting in less premium amortization, partially offset by lower asset yields on newly originated assets.

The provision for loan losses decreased from $10.4 million to zero for the quarters ended June 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Net gain on real estate acquired through foreclosure decreased by $1.0 million to a gain of $0.2 million for the current quarter, compared to the same quarter one year ago. Net gain or loss on real estate acquired through foreclosure includes gains and losses on sales, ongoing maintenance expenses and any additional write-downs from lower valuations.

The Company's efficiency ratio of 41.7% for the quarter remains among the best in the industry. The quarter produced a return on assets of 1.15% and a return on equity of 7.73%.

On July 19, 2013, the Company will pay a cash dividend of $.09 per share to common stockholders of record on July 5, 2013. This will be the Company's 122nd consecutive quarterly cash dividend. During the quarter, the Company repurchased 2 million shares of stock at a weighted average price of $16.91. The Company has a remaining authorization to repurchase 1 million shares. Over the last four quarters, the Company has returned 94% of net income to shareholders in the form or cash dividends or share repurchases.

Washington Federal completed its conversion to a national bank charter with the OCC on July 17, 2013 and is now a national bank. Washington Federal, Inc. has also completed its conversion to a bank holding company with the Federal Reserve.

Washington Federal, with headquarters in Seattle, Washington, has 185 branches in eight western states. Once the transaction is complete the number of branches will increase to 236.

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

Important Cautionary Statements
The foregoing information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements, notes and other information contained in the Company's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

This press release contains statements about the Company's future that are not statements of historical fact. These statements are "forward looking statements" for purposes of applicable securities laws, and are based on current information and/or management's good faith belief as to future events. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," and similar expressions signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risk and uncertainties, which change over time; and actual performance could differ materially from those anticipated by any forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.