WaFd Bank
WAFD
#4671
Rank
$2.27 B
Marketcap
$30.80
Share price
2.74%
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3.01%
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1
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FORM 10-K

Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549

[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998.

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)


United States 91-1661606
- ------------------------------------- -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

425 Pike Street, Seattle, Washington 98101
- ---------------------------------------- -----------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (206) 624-7930

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered

N/A N/A

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share
---------------------------------------
(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the
past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [X]

As of December 7, 1998, the aggregate market value of the 49,419,574 shares of
Common Stock of the Registrant issued and outstanding on such date, excluding
1,529,060 shares held by all directors and executive officers of the Registrant
as a group, was $1,250,933,000. This figure is based on the closing sale price
of $25.3125 per share of the Registrant's Common Stock on December 7, 1998, as
reported in The Wall Street Journal on December 8, 1998.

Number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of December 7, 1998: 50,948,634

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

List hereunder the following documents incorporated by reference
and the Part of Form 10-K into which the document is incorporated:

(1) Portions of the Registrant's Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1998, are incorporated into Part II, Items 5-8 of this
Form 10-K.

(2) Portions of the Registrant's definitive proxy statement for its 1998 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated into Part III, Items 10-13 of this Form
10-K.
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PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

GENERAL

Washington Federal, Inc. (the Company), formed in November 1994,
is a Washington corporation headquartered in Seattle, Washington. The Company is
a non-diversified unitary savings and loan holding company within the meaning of
the Home Owners' Loan Act (HOLA) which conducts its operations through a
federally insured savings and loan association subsidiary, Washington Federal
Savings and Loan Association (Washington Federal or the Association). As such,
the Company is registered as a holding company with the Office of Thrift
Supervision (OTS) and is subject to OTS regulation, examination, supervision and
reporting requirements.

The Association, doing business as Washington Federal Savings, is
a federally-chartered savings and loan association that began operations in
Washington as a state-chartered mutual association in 1917. In 1935, the
Association converted to a federal charter and became a member of the Federal
Home Loan Bank (FHLB) System. On November 17, 1982, Washington Federal converted
from a federal mutual to a federal capital stock association.

The business of Washington Federal consists primarily of
attracting savings deposits from the general public and investing these funds in
loans secured by first mortgage liens on single-family dwellings, including
loans for the construction of such dwellings, and to a significantly lesser
extent, on commercial property and multi-family dwellings. It also originates
other types of loans for its portfolio and invests in certain United States
Government and agency obligations and other investments permitted by applicable
laws and regulations. Washington Federal has 106 offices located in Washington,
Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, and Utah, all of which are full service branches.
Through subsidiaries, the Association is engaged in real estate development and
insurance brokerage activities.

The principal sources of funds for the Association's activities
are retained earnings, loan repayments (including prepayments), net savings
inflows, sales of loans, loan participations and other assets, and deposits and
borrowings. Washington Federal's principal sources of revenue are interest on
loans, interest and dividends on investments, and gains on sale of investments
and real estate. Its principal expenses are interest paid on savings, general
and administrative expenses, interest on borrowings, and income taxes.

The Company's growth has been generated both internally and as a
result of eleven mergers and three assumptions of deposits. The most recent
acquisition was completed in November 1996, when the Company purchased
Metropolitan Bancorp, Seattle, Washington (Metropolitan). For additional
information in this regard, see Note B to the Consolidated Financial Statements
included in Item 14 hereof.

The Association is subject to extensive regulation, supervision
and examination by the OTS, as its chartering authority and primary federal
regulator, and by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which
insures its deposits up to applicable limits. Such
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regulation and supervision establishes a comprehensive framework of activities
in which an association may engage and is intended primarily for the protection
of the Savings Association Insurance Fund (SAIF) administered by the FDIC and
depositors. The regulatory structure also gives the regulatory authorities
extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement
activities. Any change in such regulation, whether by the OTS, the FDIC, or the
U.S. Congress, could have a significant impact on the Association and its
operations. See "Regulation."
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4


AVERAGE STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended September 30,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1997
------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Average Average Average Average
Balance Interest Rate Balance Interest Rate
---------- ---------- ------ ---------- ---------- -------
(Dollars in Thousands)
ASSETS
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>

Loans (1) $3,442,290 $ 305,372 8.87% $4,091,571 $ 357,496 8.74%
Mortgage-backed securities 966,658 74,126 7.67 1,003,077 74,667 7.44
Investment securities 336,722 20,817 6.18 305,183 20,140 6.60
FHLB stock 50,795 3,896 7.67 84,888 6,704 7.90
---------- ---------- ------ ---------- ---------- ------
Total interest-earning assets 4,796,465 404,211 8.43 5,484,719 459,007 8.37
Other assets 114,126 161,324
---------- ----------
Total assets $4,910,591 $5,646,043
========== ==========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Checking accounts $ 72,376 1,734 2.40 $ 83,991 2,006 2.39
Passbook and statement accounts 178,616 6,267 3.51 183,048 6,371 3.48
Insured money market accounts 313,746 13,137 4.19 374,581 15,391 4.11
Certificate accounts (time deposits) 1,847,561 105,285 5.70 2,117,792 115,857 5.47
Repurchase agreements with customers 66,048 3,481 5.27 60,671 3,059 5.04
FHLB advances 862,966 48,183 5.58 1,315,353 73,393 5.58
Securities sold under
agreements to repurchase 816,857 47,905 5.86 569,203 30,944 5.44
Federal funds purchased 50,810 2,753 5.42 187,082 10,426 5.57
---------- ---------- ------ ---------- ---------- ------
Total interest-bearing liabilities 4,208,980 228,745 5.44 4,891,721 257,447 5.26
Other liabilities 123,135 106,513
---------- ----------
Total liabilities 4,332,115 4,998,234
Stockholders' equity 578,476 647,809
---------- ----------
Total liabilities
and stockholders' equity $4,910,591 $5,646,043
========== ---------- ------ ========== ---------- ------
Net interest income/Interest rate spread $ 175,466 2.99% $ 201,560 3.11%
========== ====== ========== ======

Net interest margin (2) 3.66% 3.67%
====== ======
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended September 30,
-------------------------------------
1998
-------------------------------------
Average Average
Balance Interest Rate
---------- ---------- ------
(Dollars in Thousands)
ASSETS
<S> <C> <C> <C>

Loans (1) $4,166,420 $ 364,801 8.76%
Mortgage-backed securities 907,265 70,099 7.73
Investment securities 279,442 18,238 6.53
FHLB stock 96,405 7,466 7.74
---------- ---------- ------
Total interest-earning assets 5,449,532 460,604 8.45
Other assets 193,397
----------
Total assets $5,642,929
==========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Checking accounts 91,800 2,153 2.35
Passbook and statement accounts 173,189 6,048 3.49
Insured money market accounts 418,205 16,890 4.04
Certificate accounts (time deposits) 2,274,557 126,757 5.57
Repurchase agreements with customers 79,652 4,252 5.34
FHLB advances 1,210,362 67,816 5.60
Securities sold under
agreements to repurchase 400,202 22,521 5.63
Federal funds purchased 102,407 5,796 5.66
---------- ---------- ------
Total interest-bearing liabilities 4,750,374 252,233 5.31
Other liabilities 139,686
----------
Total liabilities 4,890,060
Stockholders' equity 752,869
----------
Total liabilities
and stockholders' equity $5,642,929
========== ---------- ------
Net interest income/Interest rate spread $ 208,371 3.14%
========== ======

Net interest margin (2) 3.82%
======
</TABLE>


- ----------

(1) The average balance of loans includes nonaccruing loans, interest on which
is recognized on a cash basis.

(2) Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
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5


LENDING ACTIVITIES

GENERAL. The Company's net portfolio of loans and mortgage-backed
securities totaled $5.1 billion at September 30, 1998, representing
approximately 91% of its total assets. In recent years, the Company has
concentrated its lending activities on the origination of conventional loans,
which are loans that are neither insured nor guaranteed by agencies of the
United States Government. The Company's investment in mortgage-backed securities
issued or guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), the
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation (FHLMC) and certain privately insured mortgage-backed securities
amounted to $976 million (net of discounts and premiums) at September 30, 1998,
and is deemed to be part of the Company's loan portfolio.

Washington Federal has historically concentrated its lending
activity on the origination of long-term, fixed-rate single-family first
mortgage loans, single-family construction loans, and land development loans.
Although mortgage loans may be written with adjustable interest rates, the
Association does not emphasize adjustable-rate loans.
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6


The following table sets forth the composition of the Company's
gross loan and mortgage-backed securities portfolio, by loan type and security
type, as of September 30 for the years indicated.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1995 1996
---------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent
---------- ------- ---------- ------- ---------- -------
(Dollars in Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Loans by type of loan Real estate:
Conventional:
Permanent $2,089,769 57.7% $2,635,669 60.1% $3,241,789 66.6%
Land development 132,487 3.7 167,028 3.8 172,146 3.5
Construction(1) 359,812 9.9 443,723 10.1 548,302 11.2
Insured or guaranteed:
FHA 22,279 .6 20,479 .4 18,123 .4
VA 18,511 .5 16,434 .4 18,169 .4
Mortgage-backed
securities(residential)(2) 995,107 27.4 1,095,861 25.0 865,887 17.8
Savings account loans 2,790 .1 2,344 .1 3,576 .1
Consumer 3,796 .1 2,463 .1 1,488 --
---------- ------- ---------- ------- ---------- -------
Total(3) $3,624,551 100.0% $4,384,001 100.0% $4,869,480 100.0%
========== ======= ========== ======= ========== =======

Loans by type of security Residential:
Single-family(4) $2,499,458 69.0% $3,168,844 72.2% $3,879,092 79.7%

Other dwelling units 46,260 1.3 54,407 1.2 74,108 1.5
Income property 77,140 2.1 60,082 1.4 45,329 .9
Mortgage-backed
securities(residential)(2) 995,107 27.4 1,095,861 25.0 865,887 17.8
Savings account loans 2,790 .1 2,344 .1 3,576 .1
Consumer 3,796 .1 2,463 .1 1,488 --
---------- ------- ---------- ------- ---------- -------
Total(3) $3,624,551 100.0% $4,384,001 100.0% $4,869,480 100.0%
========== ======= ========== ======= ========== =======
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998
---------------------- ----------------------
Amount Percent Amount Percent
---------- ------- ---------- -------
(Dollars in Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Loans by type of loan Real estate:
Conventional:
Permanent $3,719,185 68.9% $3,689,755 68.3%
Land development 158,706 2.9 160,879 3.0
Construction(1) 542,394 10.0 562,689 10.4
Insured or guaranteed:
FHA 26,641 .5 19,330 .3
VA 17,797 .3 15,829 .3
Mortgage-backed
securities(residential)(2) 931,456 17.3 949,892 17.6
Savings account loans 3,954 .1 3,094 .1
Consumer 1,089 -- 673 --
---------- ------- ---------- -------
Total(3) $5,401,222 100.0% $5,402,141 100.0%
========== ======= ========== =======

Loans by type of security Residential:
Single-family(4) $4,222,566 78.2% $4,258,722 78.7%

Other dwelling units 122,038 2.2 105,022 2.0
Income property 120,119 2.2 84,738 1.6
Mortgage-backed
securities(residential)(2) 931,456 17.3 949,892 17.6
Savings account loans 3,954 .1 3,094 .1
Consumer 1,089 -- 673 --
---------- ------- ---------- -------
Total(3) $5,401,222 100.0% $5,402,141 100.0%
========== ======= ========== =======
</TABLE>

(1) Includes construction loans that have been modified to monthly payment
loans, due in full in approximately one year, in the amount of $6.1 million,
$6.1 million, $15.9 million, $17.8 million, and $17.6 million at September 30,
1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998, respectively.

(2) For additional information, see Note C to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.

(3) After netting undisbursed proceeds on loans in process, deferred fees,
discounts on loans, and allowances for possible losses against the applicable
loan amounts, the Association's net loan portfolio at amounted to $3.40 billion,
$4.11 billion, $4.60 billion, $5.10 billion, and $5.1 billion, at September 30,
1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998, respectively.

(4) Includes condominium units (which are deemed to be single-family residences
regardless of the number of units in the structure in which they are located),
as well as land and construction loans for single- family residences.
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7


The following table summarizes the scheduled contractual gross
loan maturities for the Association's total loan and mortgage-backed securities
portfolios due for the periods indicated as of September 30, 1998. Amounts are
presented prior to deduction of discounts, premiums, loans in process, deferred
loan origination fees and allowance for loan losses. Adjustable rate loans are
shown in the period in which loan principal payments are contractually due.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Balance Maturity Distribution
Outstanding at ----------------------------------------------
September 30, Less than 1 to 5 After 5
1998 1 year years years
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(Dollars In Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
One- to four-family real estate loans $3,535,154 $ 29,492 $ 57,569 $3,448,093
GNMA, FHLMC, FNMA and other
mortgage-backed securities 949,892 -- 2,933 946,959
Construction and land development
loans 723,568 556,078 19,076 148,414
Income property and other residential 189,760 32,241 46,381 111,138
Savings account loans 3,094 2,949 24 121
Consumer loans 673 337 201 135
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
$5,402,141 $ 621,097 $ 126,184 $4,654,860
========== ========== ========== ==========

- -------------------

Loans maturing after one year:

Fixed-interest rates $4,164,352

Floating or adjustable interest rates 616,692
----------

Total $4,781,044
==========
</TABLE>
8
8


The original contractual loan payment period for residential
loans originated by the Association normally ranges from 15 to 30 years.
Experience during recent years has indicated that, because of prepayments in
connection with refinancing and sales of property, residential loans remain
outstanding an average of less than ten years.

LENDING PROGRAMS AND POLICIES. The Association specializes in
residential real estate lending and has no present plans to expand its
operations into consumer or commercial business loans. The Association offers
"balloon" payment loans, which are amortized on a 20 or 30 year basis but which
have a maturity date for the principal balance of a much shorter period. The
Association also provides land acquisition and development loans ("land
development loans") and construction loans for single-family residences. The
interest rate on these loans generally adjusts every 90 days in accordance with
a designated index. Land development and construction loans amounted to $724
million or 13% of the Association's gross loan portfolio (including
mortgage-backed securities) at September 30, 1998. The Association offers a
multi-family (five or more dwelling units) lending program with strict
underwriting guidelines, including a $1 million limit on any one loan.

Many of the associations acquired by Washington Federal offered a
variety of lending products, including commercial real estate and non real
estate secured loans, consumer secured loans, and non-secured lines of credit.
All commercial, consumer, and line of credit lending has been discontinued and
lending has been redirected toward the traditional Association lending practices
of single-family residential loans. The loans acquired, other than single-family
residential real estate loans, are being serviced and payoffs are encouraged.

As a result of activity over the past three decades, the
Association believes that it is a leading construction lender for single-family
residences in the Seattle metropolitan area. Because of this history, the
Association has developed a staff with in-depth land development and
construction experience, and working relationships with a group of builders
which have been selected based on their operating histories and financial
stability.

Construction lending is generally considered to involve a higher
level of risk than single-family residential lending due to the concentration of
principal in a limited number of loans and borrowers, and the effects of general
economic conditions on real estate developers and managers. Moreover, a
construction loan can involve additional risks because of the inherent
difficulty in estimating both a property's value at completion of the project,
and the estimated cost (including interest) of the project. The nature of these
loans also is such that they are generally more difficult to evaluate and
monitor.

The Association continues to originate medium and long-term,
permanent fixed-rate loans, but in most instances only under terms, conditions,
and documentation which permit sale in the secondary market(see below).
Moreover, since 1973 it has been the Association's general policy to include in
the documentation evidencing its conventional mortgage loans the due-on-sale
clause, which facilitates adjustment of interest rates on such loans when the
property securing the loan is sold or transferred. At September 30, 1998, $4.5
billion or 83% of the
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Association's loan portfolio was represented by medium and long-term, fixed-rate
loans secured by single-family residences (including mortgage-backed
securities).

The Association offers a 99% loan-to-value ratio conventional
loan program for first time home buyers. The high-ratio conventional lending
program presents greater risk to the Association. To mitigate the risk, the
program has stringent underwriting and property requirements that include home
ownership/money management counseling and property condition inspections. A
general loss reserve is established, which considers the greater risk inherent
with these loans, as well as, their relative loan loss experience. The
Association is authorized by its Board to originate $100 million of loans under
this program. As of September 30, 1998, loans under this program amounted to
$60.8 million.

All of the Association's mortgage lending is subject to written,
nondiscriminatory underwriting standards, loan origination procedures, and
lending policies prescribed by the Association's Board of Directors. Property
valuations are required on all real estate loans and are prepared by independent
appraisers approved by the Association's Board of Directors and the appraisals
are reviewed by the Association's appraisal staff. Detailed loan applications
are obtained to determine the borrower's ability to repay, and the more
significant items on these applications are verified through the use of credit
reports, financial statements, and written confirmations. Depending on the size
of the loan involved, a varying number of senior officers of the Association
must approve the application before the loan can be granted.

Federal regulations limit the amount of a real estate loan made
by a federally-chartered savings institution to a specified percentage of the
value of the property securing the loan, as determined by an appraisal at the
time the loan is originated, referred to as the loan-to-value ratio. The
regulation provides that at the time of origination, a real estate loan may not
exceed 100% of the appraised value of the security property. Maximum
loan-to-value ratios for each type of real estate loan made by an institution
are now established by the institution's Board of Directors. In addition, the
Board of Directors must approve each real estate loan (other than a home loan)
with a loan-to-value ratio in excess of 80%.

When establishing general reserves for loans with loan-to-value
ratios exceeding 80% that are not insured by private mortgage insurance,
Washington Federal considers the additional risk inherent with these products,
as well as, their relative loan loss experience, and provides reserves we deem
appropriate. This total reserve balance at September 30, 1998, amounted to $5.9
million.

The Association's residential construction loans and land
acquisition and development loans are of a short-term nature and are generally
made for 80% or less of the appraised value of the property upon completion for
residential construction loans, and 75% or less for land acquisition and
development loans. Funds are disbursed periodically at various stages of
completion as authorized by the Association's personnel.

It is the Association's policy to obtain title insurance ensuring
that the Association has a valid first lien on the mortgaged real estate.
Borrowers must also obtain hazard insurance prior to closing and, when required
by the Department of Housing and Urban Development,
10
10


flood insurance. Borrowers may be required to advance funds on a monthly basis
together with each payment of principal and interest to a mortgage escrow
account from which the Association makes disbursements for items such as real
estate taxes, hazard insurance premiums, and private mortgage insurance premiums
as they fall due.

ORIGINATION, PURCHASE AND SALE OF LOANS. The Association has
general authority to lend anywhere in the United States. The Association's
primary lending area, however, is western Washington, western Oregon, southern
Idaho, southern Arizona, and northern Utah.

Loan originations come from a number of sources. Residential loan
originations result from referrals from real estate brokers, walk-in customers,
purchasers of property in connection with builder projects financed by the
Association, purchasers of property referred through mortgage brokers, and from
refinancing for existing customers. Construction loan originations are obtained
primarily by direct solicitation of builders and continued business from
builders who have previously borrowed from the Association.

At September 30, 1998, the Association was servicing
approximately $73.6 million of loans for others. Sales are made on a yield basis
with the difference between the yield to the purchaser and the amount paid by
the borrower constituting servicing income to the Association. The sale of loans
and loan participations is subject to federal regulations, which, until
recently, required that sales be made on a non-recourse basis.

The Association also purchases mortgage-backed securities when
lending rates and mortgage volume for new loan originations in its market area
do not fulfill its needs. Mortgage-backed securities accounted for most of the
Association's loan purchases in recent years. Mortgage-backed securities are
more liquid than individual mortgage loans and may be used to collateralize
borrowings of the Association.
11
11


The table below shows total loan origination, purchase, sale, and
repayment activities of the Association on a consolidated basis for the years
indicated.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended September 30,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(Dollars In Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Loans originated(1):
Construction $ 370,845 $ 341,001 $ 428,317 $ 407,135 $ 467,884
Land 74,508 97,990 92,496 77,270 105,901
Loans on existing property 540,561 758,455 972,601 556,063 723,337
Loans refinanced 76,518 27,468 62,854 48,240 157,110
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total loans originated 1,062,432 1,224,914 1,556,268 1,088,708 1,454,232
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Loans and mortgage-backed securities purchased:
From acquisitions of
associations-- 27,759 -- 627,816 --
Other 620,026 216,843 60,888 11,310 321,006
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
620,026 244,602 60,888 639,126 321,006
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

Loans and mortgage-backed
securities sold (18,702) (34,156) (134,275) (119,851) (55,560)
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Loan and mortgage-backed
securities principal
repayments (1,057,659) (683,383) (1,016,049) (1,127,923) (1,734,310)
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net change in loans in
process, discounts, fees, etc 18,545 (37,679) 7,908 68,224 (3,702)
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net loan activity increase(decrease)
$ 624,642 $ 714,298 $ 474,740 $ 548,284 $ (18,334)
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>

- ----------

(1) Includes undisbursed loans in process and does not include savings account
loans, which were not material during the periods indicated.


INTEREST RATES, LOAN FEES, AND SERVICE CHARGES. Interest rates
charged by the Association on mortgage loans are primarily determined by the
level of competitive loan rates offered in its lending areas and in the
secondary market. Mortgage loan rates reflect factors such as general interest
rates , the supply of money available to the savings and loan industry, and the
demand for such loans. These factors are in turn affected by general economic
conditions, the regulatory programs and policies of federal and state agencies,
changes in tax laws, and governmental budgetary programs.
12
12


The Association receives loan origination fees for originating
loans and servicing fees for servicing loans sold by it to others. The
Association also receives commitment fees for making commitments to originate
construction, commercial and multi-family residential loans, as well as various
fees and charges related to existing loans, which include prepayment charges,
late charges, and assumption fees.

In making one- to-four family home mortgage loans, the
Association does not normally charge a commitment fee. As part of the loan
application, the borrower pays the Association for its out-of-pocket costs in
reviewing the application, such as the appraisal fee, whether or not the
borrower closes the loan. The interest rate charged is normally the prevailing
rate at the time the loan application is approved. In the case of larger
construction loans, the Association normally charges a 1% commitment fee, which
may be included in the loan origination charge when the loan is made. Commitment
fees and other terms of commercial and multi-family residential loans are
individually negotiated.

NON-PERFORMING ASSETS. When a borrower fails to make a required
payment on a loan, the Association attempts to cause the deficiency to be cured
by contacting the borrower. Contacts are made after a payment is 30 days past
due. In most cases, deficiencies are cured promptly. If the delinquency is not
cured within 90 days, the Association causes the trustee on the deed of trust to
institute appropriate action to foreclose the property. If foreclosed, the
property will be sold at a public sale and may be purchased by the Association.
There are circumstances under which the Association may choose to foreclose a
deed of trust as mortgagee and when this procedure is followed, certain
redemption rights are involved.

Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when, in the judgment of
management, the probability of collection of interest is deemed to be
insufficient to warrant further accrual. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual
status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is deducted from interest income.
The Association does not accrue interest on loans 90 days past due or more. See
Note A to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 14 hereof.

Real estate acquired by foreclosure or deed-in-lieu thereof (REO)
is classified as real estate held for sale until it is sold. When property is
acquired, it is recorded at the lower of carrying or fair value at the date of
acquisition and any writedown resulting therefrom is charged to the allowance
for loan losses. Interest accrual ceases on the date of acquisition and all
costs incurred in maintaining the property from that date forward are expensed.
Costs incurred for the improvement or development of such property are
capitalized. See Note A to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in
Item 14 hereof.
13
13


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


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30,
---------------------------------------------------------------
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
(Dollars in Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Restructured loans (1) $11,254 $10,103 $24,046 $ 8,613 $ 4,005
Nonaccrual loans:
Single-family residential 4,215 2,879 5,913 9,571 8,751
Construction and land 5,484 9,515 7,779 4,629 9,932
Commercial real estate 1,223 76 482 586 255
Consumer 105 -- 4 3 3
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total nonaccrual loans (2) 11,027 12,470 14,178 14,789 18,941
Total REO (3) 2,316 19,735 20,417 19,339 6,805
------- ------- ------- ------- -------

Total nonperforming assets $24,597 $42,308 $58,641 $42,741 $29,751
======= ======= ======= ======= =======

Total nonperforming assets as
a percent of total assets .64% .92% 1.15% .75% .53%
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>


- ----------

(1) Performing in accordance with restructured terms.

(2) The Association recognized interest income on nonaccrual loans of
approximately $467,000 in 1998. Had these loans performed according to their
original contract terms, the Association would have recognized interest income
of approximately $854,000 in 1998.

In addition to the nonaccrual loans reflected in the above table,
at September 30, 1998, the Association had $6.7 million of loans which 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 Association's ratio
of total nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets would have been .65%
at September 30, 1998. For a discussion of the Company's policy for placing
loans on nonaccrual status, see Note A to the Consolidated Financial Statements
included in Item 14 hereof.

(3) Total REO includes real estate held for sale acquired in settlement of loans
or acquired from purchased institutions in settlement of loans. See Note I to
the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 14 hereof.
14
14


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


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30,
---------------------------------------------------------------
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
(Dollars in Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Beginning balance $14,674 $11,720 $11,651 $15,182 $24,623
Charge-offs:
Real estate:
Permanent 8 450 146 131 546
Construction 977 164 179 592 344
Land 184 163 90 413 1,215
Income property 2,604 6,536 405 4,796 199
Other 4 17 -- -- --
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
3,777 7,330 820 5,932 2,304
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Recoveries:
Real estate:
Permanent 127 10 10 14 53
Construction 50 50 -- 8 15
Land 26 21 -- -- 10
Income property 219 654 513 3,340 717
Other -- -- -- -- --
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
422 735 523 3,362 795
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net charge-offs 3,355 6,595 297 2,570 1,509
Acquisitions -- 281 -- 11,198 --
Provisions for loan losses 401 6,245 3,828 813 740
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Ending balance $11,720 $11,651 $15,182 $24,623 $23,854
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Ratio of net charge-offs to
average loans outstanding .15% .25% .01% .06% .04%
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>


- ----------


The following table sets forth the allocation of the Company's
allowance for loan losses at the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30,
-----------------------------------------------------------
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
(Dollars In Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Real estate:
Permanent single-family $ 1,537 $ 3,031 $ 5,239 $ 5,755 $ 5,515
Construction 120 5 2,945 3,053 3,059
Land 255 405 2,525 1,763 1,912
Income property 2,750 950 1,843 7,081 6,257
Other 2 -- -- -- --
Unallocated 7,056 7,260 2,630 6,971 7,111
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
$11,720 $11,651 $15,182 $24,623 $23,854
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>


As part of the process for determining the adequacy of the
allowance for loan losses, management reviews the loan portfolio for specific
weaknesses. A portion of the allowance is then allocated to reflect the loss
exposure. Residential real estate loans are not individually analyzed for
impairment and loss exposure because of the significant number of loans, their
relatively small balances, and their historically low level of losses.
Residential construction, commercial real estate, and commercial business loans
were evaluated individually for impairment, which resulted in an allocation of
$11.2 million of the allowance for loan loss at year-end 1998, compared with an
allocation of $11.9 million a year earlier.
15
15


Unallocated reserves are established for loss exposure that may
exist in the remainder of the loan portfolio but has yet to be identified. In
determining the adequacy of unallocated reserves, management considers changes
in the size and composition of the loan portfolio, actual historical loan loss
experience, and current and anticipated economic conditions.

REAL ESTATE HELD FOR SALE. As one of the Association's
activities, a subsidiary is engaged in the development and sale of real estate.
Also, REO which was acquired in the acquisitions of insolvent associations has
been recorded as real estate held for sale.

The business of real estate development involves substantial
risks, and the results of such activities depend upon a number of factors,
including: seasonality, the type, location and size of each project, the stage
of project development, general economic conditions, and the level of mortgage
interest rates. Consequently, there may be substantial inter-period variations
in the operating results of the Association's real estate development
activities. Moreover, because investing in real estate and real estate
development activities are not permissible activities for national banks, the
amount of the investment in, and loans to, any subsidiary engaged in such
activities is deductible from a savings association's regulatory capital. See
"Regulation - The Association--Regulatory Capital Requirements."

INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES

As a federally-chartered savings institution, Washington Federal
is required to maintain certain liquidity ratios and does so by investing in
securities that qualify as liquid assets under federal regulations. These
include, among other things, certain certificates of deposit, bankers'
acceptances, loans to financial institutions whose deposits are
federally-insured, federal funds, and United States Government and agency
obligations.

The following table sets forth the composition of the Company's
investment portfolio at the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1997 1998
---------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------

Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Amortized Fair
Cost Value Cost Value Cost Value
--------- -------- --------- -------- --------- --------
(Dollars In Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. Government and agency
obligations $270,915 $275,538 $258,279 $266,279 $198,540 $210,540
State and political subdivisions 23,468 24,967 23,471 25,403 23,473 25,439
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
$294,383 $300,505 $281,750 $291,682 $222,013 $235,979
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>


- ----------
16
16


The investment portfolio at September 30, 1998 categorized by
maturity is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amortized Weighted
Cost Average Yield
----------- -------------
(Dollars in Thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Due in less than one year $ 116,175 7.44%
Due after one year through five years 67,579 6.94
Due after five years through ten years 15,158 6.98
Due after ten years 23,101 7.93
-----------
$ 222,013
===========
</TABLE>


SOURCES OF FUNDS

GENERAL. Savings deposits are an important source of the
Association's funds for use in lending and for other general business purposes.
In addition to savings deposits, Washington Federal derives funds from loan
repayments, advances from the FHLB and other borrowings and, to a lesser extent,
from loan sales. Loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds while
savings inflows and outflows are significantly influenced by general interest
rates and money market conditions. Borrowings may be used on a short-term basis
to compensate for reductions in normal sources of funds such as savings inflows
at less than projected levels. They may also be used on a longer-term basis to
support expanded activities.

SAVINGS. In recent years, the Association has chosen to rely on
term certificate accounts and other deposit alternatives which have no fixed
term and pay interest rates that are more responsive to market interest rates
than passbook accounts. This greater variety of deposits has allowed the
Association to be more competitive in obtaining funds to more effectively manage
its liabilities.

Certificates with a maturity of one year or less have penalties
for premature withdrawal equal to 90 days of interest. When the maturity is
greater than one year, the penalty is 180 days of interest. For jumbo
certificates, the penalty depends on the original term. If the original term is
90 days or less, the penalty is the greater of 30 days interest or all interest
earned. If the original term is 90 days or more, the penalty is the greater of
90 days interest or all interest earned. Early withdrawal penalties during
fiscal 1996, 1997, and 1998 amounted to approximately $349,000, $375,000, and
$464,000, respectively.

The Association offers a single performance checking account.
This account pays interest on balances over $1,000 and charges a service fee if
balances drop below $1,000.

The Association's deposits are obtained primarily from residents
of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, and Utah and the Association does not
advertise for deposits outside of these states. At September 30, 1998,
management believed that less than 3% of the Association's deposits were held by
nonresidents of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, and Utah.
17
17


The following table sets forth certain information relating to
the Association's savings deposits at the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30,
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1997 1998
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Amount Rate Amount Rate Amount Rate
---------- ------ ---------- ------ ---------- ------
(Dollars in Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance by interest rate:
Checking accounts $ 75,781 3.00% $ 88,811 3.00% $ 93,942 2.60%
Regular savings (passbook)
accounts 175,307 3.50 177,843 3.50 168,921 3.50
Money market deposit accounts 342,013 4.04 399,056 4.04 443,395 4.14
---------- ---------- ----------
593,101 665,710 706,258
---------- ---------- ----------
Fixed-rate certificates:
3.00% - 4.99% 137,463 13,946 20,875
5.00% - 6.99% 1,642,332 2,063,144 2,173,728
7.00% - 8.99% 1,075 1,544 1,428
9.00% and above 49 7 7

Jumbo certificates ($100,000 or more):
3.00% - 4.99% 4,169 3,293 5,793
5.00% - 6.99% 45,696 150,958 160,490
7.00% - 8.99% -- 6,769 2,596
---------- ---------- ----------
1,830,784 2,239,661 2,364,917
---------- ---------- ----------
$2,423,885 $2,905,371 $3,071,175
========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>


The following table sets forth, by various interest rate
categories, the amounts of certificates of deposit of the Association at
September 30, 1998, which mature during the periods indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amounts at September 30, 1998, Maturing in
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 to 3 4 to 6 7 to 12 13 to 24 25 to 36 37 to 60 After
Months Months Months Months Months Months 60 Months
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
(Dollars in Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
3.00 to 3.99% $ -- $ -- $ 53 $ 67 $ 114 $ -- $ --
4.00 to 4.99% 24,467 1,849 115 3 -- -- --
5.00 to 5.99% 389,042 751,805 728,134 137,206 24,097 98,281 128
6.00 to 6.99% 2,612 143,764 48,796 9,652 198 502 --
7.00 to 7.99% 1,597 214 928 1,179 78 5 --
8.00 to 8.99% -- -- 18 -- 6 -- --
9.00% and above -- -- -- 1 6 -- --
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total $417,718 $897,632 $778,044 $148,108 $ 24,499 $ 98,788 $ 128
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>

Historically, the majority of certificate holders roll over their
balances into new certificates of the same term at the Association's then
current rate. To ensure a continuity of this trend, the Association expects to
continue to offer market rates of interest. The Association's ability to retain
deposits maturing in negotiated-rate certificate accounts is more difficult to
project. The Association is confident, however, that by competitively pricing
these certificates, balance levels deemed appropriate by management can be
achieved on a continuing basis.

At September 30, 1998, the Association had $168.9 million of
certificates of deposit in amounts of $100,000 or more outstanding, maturing as
follows: $65.7 million within 3 months; $52.1 million over 3 months through 6
months; $47.2 million over 6 months through 12 months; and $3.9 million
thereafter.
18
18


The following table sets forth the customer account activities of
the Association for the years indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended September 30,
--------------------------------------------------
1996 1997 1998
----------- ----------- -----------
(Dollars In
Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Assumed from acquisitions $ -- $ 379,975 $ --

Deposits 2,363,515 3,045,581 3,233,094
Withdrawals 2,458,534 3,070,429 3,211,022
----------- ----------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) in deposits
before interest credited (95,019) 355,127 22,072
Interest credited 129,904 142,684 156,099
----------- ----------- -----------
Net increase in customer accounts $ 34,885 $ 497,811 $ 178,171
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>


- ----------

BORROWINGS. The Association obtains advances from the FHLB upon
the security of the FHLB capital stock it owns and certain of its home
mortgages, provided certain standards related to credit worthiness have been
met. See "Regulation - Federal Home Loan Bank System." Such advances are made
pursuant to several different credit programs. Each credit program has its own
interest rate and range of maturities, and the FHLB prescribes acceptable uses
to which the advances pursuant to each program may be put, as well as
limitations on the size of such advances. Depending on the program, such
limitations are based either on a fixed percentage of assets or the
Association's credit worthiness. The FHLB is required to review its credit
limitations and standards at least annually. FHLB advances have, from time to
time, been available to meet seasonal and other withdrawals of savings accounts
and to expand lending.

The Association also uses reverse repurchase agreements as a form
of borrowing. Under reverse repurchase agreements, the Association sells an
investment security to a dealer for a period of time and agrees to buy back that
security at the end of the period and pay the dealer a stated interest rate for
the use of the dealer's funds. The amount of securities sold under such
agreements depends on many factors, including the terms available for such
transactions, the perceived ability to apply the proceeds to investments
yielding a higher return, the demand for the securities, and management's
perception of trends in interest rates. The Association had $221.8 million of
securities sold under such agreements at September 30, 1998.

The Association also offers two forms of repurchase agreements to
its customers. One form has an interest rate that floats like a money market
deposit account and is offered at a $1,000 minimum for an 84-day term. The other
form has a fixed-rate and is offered in a minimum denomination of $100,000. Both
are fully collateralized by securities. These obligations are not insured by
SAIF and are classified as borrowings for regulatory purposes. The Association
had $85.0 million of such agreements outstanding at September 30, 1998.
19
19


The following table presents certain information regarding
borrowings of Washington Federal at the dates and for the years indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
At or for the Year Ended September 30,
------------------------------------------------
1996 1997 1998
---------- ---------- ----------
(Dollars in Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Federal funds and securities sold
to dealers under agreements to repurchase:
Average balance outstanding $ 867,667 $ 756,290 $ 502,609
Maximum amount outstanding
at any month-end during the period $ 936,224 $1,088,904 $ 694,990
Weighted-average interest rate
during the period(1) 5.84% 5.47% 5.63%
FHLB advances:
Average balance outstanding $ 862,966 $1,315,353 $1,210,362
Maximum amount outstanding at any
month-end during the period $1,162,000 $1,703,000 $1,523,500
Weighted-average interest rate
during the period(1) 5.58% 5.58% 5.60%
Securities sold to customers
under agreements to repurchase:
Average balance outstanding $ 66,048 $ 60,671 $ 79,652
Maximum amount outstanding at any
month-end during the period $ 79,406 $ 72,660 $ 85,027
Weighted-average interest rate
during the period(1) 5.27% 5.04% 5.34%

Total average borrowings $1,796,681 $2,132,314 $1,792,623
Weighted-average interest rate
on total average borrowings(1) 5.70% 5.53% 5.60%
</TABLE>


- ----------

(1) Month-end balances times month-end average rates divided by the sum of the
month-end balances.
20
20


OTHER RATIOS

The following table sets forth certain ratios relating to the
Company for the periods indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended September 30,
---------------------------------------
1996 1997 1998
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Return on assets(1)(4) 1.82% 1.86% 2.00%
Return on equity(2)(4) 15.37 16.50 15.68
Average equity to average assets 11.78 11.47 13.34
Dividend payout ratio(3) 42.65 40.72 42.45
</TABLE>

(1) Net income divided by average total assets.

(2) Net income divided by average equity.

(3) Dividends declared per share divided by net income per share.

(4) Amounts exclude the effects of a one-time assessment of institutions
with SAIF-insured deposits to recapitalize the SAIF.
21
21


RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS

The table below sets forth certain information regarding changes
in interest income and interest expense of the Association for the years
indicated. 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), (2) changes in rate (changes
in rate multiplied by average volume), and (3) changes in rate-volume (change in
rate multiplied by change in average volume). The change in interest income and
interest expense attributable to change in both volume and rate has been
allocated proportionately to the change due to volume and the change due to
rate.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended September 30,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 vs. 1995 1997 vs. 1996
Increase (Decrease) Due to Increase (Decrease) Due to
-------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Volume Rate Rate/Vol Total Volume Rate Rate/Vol Total
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(Dollars In Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Interest income:
Loan portfolio $ 72,833 $ (4,217) $ (1,330) $ 67,286 $ 57,591 $ (445) $ (5,022) $ 52,124
Mortgaged-backed securities (10,842) 999 (156) (9,999) 2,793 (2,223) (29) 541
Investments(1) 6,242 (2,374) (710) 3,158 163 1,937 31 2,131
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------

All interest-earning assets 68,233 (5,592) (2,196) 60,445 60,547 (731) (5,020) 54,796
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------

Interest expense:
Customer accounts 8,855 5,294 407 14,556 17,907 (4,461) (666) 12,780
FHLB advances and other 29,908 (2,822) (1,150) 25,936 19,471 (2,942) (607) 15,922
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
borrowings

All interest-bearing liabilities 38,763 2,472 (743) 40,492 37,378 (7,403) (1,273) 28,702
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------

Change in net interest income $ 29,470 $ (8,064) $ (1,453) $ 19,953 $ 23,169 $ 6,672 $ (3,747) $ 26,094
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended September 30,
--------------------------------------------
1998 vs. 1997
Increase (Decrease) Due to
--------------------------------------------
Volume Rate Rate/Vol Total
-------- -------- -------- --------
(Dollars In Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Interest income:
Loan portfolio $ 6,541 $ 818 $ (54) $ 7,305
Mortgaged-backed securities (7,128) 2,909 (349) (4,568)
Investments(1) (979) (156) (5) (1,140)
-------- -------- -------- --------

All interest-earning assets (1,566) 3,571 (408) 1,597
-------- -------- -------- --------

Interest expense:
Customer accounts 10,996 2,256 164 13,416
FHLB advances and other (19,870) 1,450 (210) (18,630)
-------- -------- -------- --------
borrowings

All interest-bearing liabilities (8,874) 3,706 (46) (5,214)
-------- -------- -------- --------

Change in net interest income $ 7,308 (135) $ (362) $ 6,811
======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>

- ----------

(1) Includes interest on overnight investments and dividends on stock of the
FHLB of Seattle.
22
22


INTEREST RATE RISK

The Company accepts a high level of interest rate volatility as a
result of its policy to originate 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. The strong capital position and low
operating costs have allowed the Company to manage interest rate risk, within
guidelines established by the Board of Directors of the Company, through all
interest rate cycles. A significant increase in market interest rates could
adversely affect net interest income of the Company. The Company's interest rate
risk approach has never resulted in the recording of a monthly operating loss.

One approach used to quantify interest rate risk is the net
portfolio value (NPV) analysis. This analysis calculates the difference between
the present value of interest-bearing liabilities and the present value of
expected cash flows from interest-earning assets and off-balance sheet
contracts. The following table sets forth, at September 30, 1998, an analysis of
the Company's interest rate risk as measured by the estimated changes in NPV
resulting from instantaneous and sustained parallel shifts in the yield curve (+
or - 400 basis points, measured in 100 basis point increments.)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Estimated
Change in Estimated Increase (Decrease)
Interest Rates NPV Amount in NPV Amount Percent
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Basis Points) (Dollars in Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
+400 $ 299,680 $ (738,479) -71%

+300 513,503 (524,656) -51%

+200 717,308 (320,851) -31%

+100 905,244 (132,915) -13%

% 0 1,038,159 -- 0%

-100 1,017,860 (20,299) -2%

-200 979,498 (58,661) -6%

-300 977,806 (60,353) -6%

-400 978,257 (59,902) -6%
</TABLE>


Certain assumptions were used in preparing the above table. These assumptions
relate to interest rates, loan prepayment rates, deposit decay rates, and the
market values of certain assets under the various interest rate scenarios. Even
if interest rates change in the designated amounts, there can be no assurance
that the Company's assets and liabilities would perform as set forth above.
23
23


SUBSIDIARIES

The Company is a unitary savings and loan holding company which conducts
its primary business through its only subsidiary, the Association. The
Association has several wholly-owned subsidiaries which are discussed further
below.

Washington Federal is permitted by current federal regulations to invest an
amount up to 2% of its assets in stock, paid-in surplus and unsecured loans in
service corporations. The Association may invest an additional 1% of its assets
when the additional funds are utilized for inner-city or community development
purposes. In addition, federally-chartered savings institutions which are in
compliance with regulatory capital requirements and other conditions also may
make loans to service corporations in an aggregate amount of up to 50% of the
institution's capital as defined in federal regulations.

At September 30, 1998, the Association was authorized under the current
regulations to have a maximum investment of $111.6 million in its service
corporations, exclusive of the additional 1% of assets investments permitted for
inner-city or community development purposes but inclusive of the ability to
make loans to its subsidiaries. On that date, the Association's investment in,
and unsecured loans to, its five wholly-owned service corporations amounted to
$12.9 million.

At September 30, 1998, Washington Services, Inc. (WSI), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Association, was developing a 301-acre light industrial center
in the technology corridor of South Snohomish County, Washington, of which 83
buildable acres, with an investment of $6.7 million, remained unsold as of
September 30, 1998. Based upon the sales history of this development, the
Association believes the net realizable value from the sale of the remaining
properties exceeds the subsidiary's basis in these properties.

First Insurance Agency, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Association,
is an insurance brokerage company which offers a full line of individual and
business insurance products to customers of the Association.

First Federal Financial Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Association, is incorporated under the laws of Idaho. The subsidiary is engaged
in real estate development activities.

Freedom Vineyards, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of WSI, is incorporated
under the laws of California for the purpose of operating an agricultural
property located in that state. The Association intends to sell this property,
which is classified as real estate held for sale.

Statewide Mortgage Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Association, is incorporated under the laws of Washington for the purpose of
operating a commercial office building located in that state.
24
24


A savings association is required to deduct the amount of the investment
in, and extensions of credit to, a subsidiary engaged in any activities not
permissible for national banks. Because the acquisition and development of real
estate is not a permissible activity for national banks, the investments in, and
loans to, the subsidiary of the Association which is engaged in such activities
are subject to exclusion from the capital calculation. See "Regulation -
Association--Regulatory Capital Requirements."
25
25


EMPLOYEES

As of September 30, 1998, the Company had approximately 677 employees,
including the full-time equivalent of 48 part-time employees and its service
corporation employees. None of these employees are represented by a collective
bargaining agent, and the Company has enjoyed harmonious relations with its
personnel.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth certain information concerning individuals
who are deemed to be executive officers of Washington Federal as of November 30,
1998.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Names and Positions
or Offices Age Business Experience during the Last Five Years
- ------------------------------ ---------- ----------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Guy C. Pinkerton 64 Chairman since November 1994; Chief Executive
Director, President, and Chief Officer since October 1992; Director since
Executive Officer October 1991; President since July 1988

Charles R. Richmond 59 Executive Vice President and Secretary; Director
Director, Executive Vice since February 1995
President, and Secretary

Ronald L. Saper 48 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Executive Vice President and Officer
Chief Financial Officer

William A. Cassels 57 Executive Vice President
Executive Vice President

Lawrence D. Cierpiszewski 55 Executive Vice President since October 1996;
Executive Vice President previously served as Senior Vice President

Roy M. Whitehead 46 Executive Vice President since September 1998;
Executive Vice President previously served as Regional Vice President,
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. from June 1997 until
September 1998 and President of Wells Fargo
Bank (Colorado) N.A. and First Interstate Bank
of Colorado from December 1993 until June 1998

Keith D. Taylor 42 Senior Vice President and Treasurer
Senior Vice President and
Treasurer
</TABLE>
26
26


REGULATION

Set forth below is a brief description of certain laws and regulations
which relate to the regulation of the Company and the Association. The
description of these laws and regulations, as well as descriptions of laws and
regulations contained elsewhere herein, does not purport to be complete and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to applicable laws and regulations.

THE COMPANY

GENERAL. The Company is registered as a savings and loan holding company
under the HOLA and is subject to OTS regulation, examination, supervision, and
reporting requirements.

ACTIVITIES RESTRICTIONS. There are generally no restrictions on the
activities of a savings and loan holding company which holds only one subsidiary
savings institution. However, if the savings institution subsidiary of such a
holding company fails to meet a qualified thrift lender (QTL) test, then such
unitary holding company also shall become subject to the activities restrictions
applicable to multiple savings and loan holding companies and, unless the
savings institution requalifies as a QTL within one year thereafter, shall
register as, and become subject to the restrictions applicable to, a bank
holding company. See " The Association--Qualified Thrift Lender Test."

If the Company were to acquire control of another savings institution,
other than through a merger or other business combination with the Association,
the Company would thereupon become a multiple savings and loan holding company.
Except where such acquisition is pursuant to the authority to approve emergency
thrift acquisitions, and where each subsidiary savings institution meets the QTL
test, the activities of the Company and any of its subsidiaries (other than the
Association or other subsidiary savings institutions) would thereafter be
subject to further restrictions. No multiple savings and loan holding company,
or subsidiary thereof, which is not a savings institution shall commence or
continue a business activity for a limited period of time after becoming a
multiple savings and loan holding company or subsidiary thereof, upon prior
notice to, and with no objection by the OTS, other than: (i) furnishing or
performing management services for a subsidiary savings institution; (ii)
conducting an insurance agency or escrow business; (iii) holding, managing, or
liquidating assets owned by or acquired from a subsidiary savings institution;
(iv) holding or managing properties used or occupied by a subsidiary savings
institution; (v) acting as trustee under deeds of trust; (vi) performing
activities authorized by regulation as of March 5, 1987, to be engaged in by
multiple savings and loan holding companies; or (vii) unless the Director of the
OTS by regulation prohibits or limits such activities for savings and loan
holding companies, those activities authorized by the Federal Reserve Board as
permissible for bank holding companies. Those activities described in (vii)
above also must be approved by the Director of the OTS prior to being engaged in
by a multiple savings and loan holding company.

RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITIONS. Except under limited circumstances, savings
and loan holding companies are prohibited from acquiring, without prior approval
of the Director of the OTS, (i) control of any other savings institution or
savings and loan holding company, or substantially all the assets thereof; or
(ii) more than 5% of the voting shares of a savings institution or holding
company thereof which is not a subsidiary. Except with the prior approval of the
Director of the OTS, no director or officer of a savings and loan holding
company, or
27
27


person owning or controlling by proxy or otherwise more than 25% of such
company's stock, may acquire control of any savings institution, other than a
subsidiary savings institution, or of any other savings and loan holding
company.

FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS. The Company's Common Stock is registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 12(g) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act). The Company is subject to the
information, proxy solicitation, insider trading restrictions and other
requirements of the Exchange Act.

THE ASSOCIATION

GENERAL. The Association is a federally-chartered savings association, the
deposits of which are federally insured and backed by the full faith and credit
of the United States Government. Accordingly, the Association is subject to
broad federal regulation and oversight by the OTS and the FDIC extending to all
aspects of its operations. The Association is a member of the FHLB of Seattle
and is subject to certain limited regulations by the Federal Reserve Board. The
Association is a member of the SAIF and its deposits are insured by the SAIF
fund administered by the FDIC. As a result, the FDIC has certain regulatory and
examination authority over the Association.

FEDERAL SAVINGS ASSOCIATION REGULATIONS. The OTS has extensive authority
over the operations of savings associations. As part of this authority, savings
associations are required to file periodic reports with the OTS and are subject
to periodic examinations by the OTS and the FDIC. Such regulation and
supervision is primarily intended for the protection of depositors.

The investment and lending authority of the Association is prescribed by
federal laws and regulations, and it is prohibited from engaging in any
activities not permitted by such laws and regulations. These laws and
regulations generally are applicable to all federally-chartered savings
associations and many also apply to state-chartered savings associations.

INSURANCE OF ACCOUNTS. The deposits of the Association are insured up to
$100,000 per insured member by the SAIF (as defined by law and regulation), and
are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. As
insurer, the FDIC is authorized to conduct examinations of, and to require
reporting by, FDIC-insured institutions. It also may prohibit any FDIC-insured
institution from engaging in any activity the FDIC determines by regulation or
order to pose a serious threat to the FDIC. The FDIC also has the authority to
initiate enforcement actions against savings associations, after giving the OTS
an opportunity to take such action.

Effective October 1, 1996, assessment rates for SAIF-insured institutions
range from 0% of insured deposits for well-capitalized institutions with minor
supervisory concerns, to .27% of insured deposits for undercapitalized
institutions with substantial supervisory concerns. See "Prompt Corrective
Action" below. In addition, an assessment of 6.4 basis points is added to the
regular SAIF-assessment until December 31, 1999, in order to cover financing
corporation debt service payments.
28
28


Both the SAIF and the Bank Insurance Fund (BIF), the federal deposit
insurance fund that covers the deposits of state and national banks and certain
state savings banks, are required by law to attain and thereafter maintain a
reserve ratio of 1.25% of insured deposits. The BIF has achieved the required
reserve ratio, and as a result, the FDIC reduced the average deposit insurance
premium paid by BIF-insured banks to a level substantially below the average
premium paid by savings institutions. Banking legislation was enacted September
30, 1996, to eliminate the premium differential between SAIF-insured
institutions and BIF-insured institutions. The legislation provided that all
insured depository institutions with SAIF-assessable deposits as of March 31,
1995, pay a special one-time assessment to recapitalize the SAIF. Pursuant to
this legislation, the FDIC promulgated a rule that established the special
assessment necessary to recapitalize the SAIF at 65.7 basis points of
SAIF-assessable deposits held by affected institutions as of March 31, 1995.
Based upon its level of SAIF deposits as of March 31, 1995, the Association paid
a special assessment of $15.0 million. The assessment was accrued in the quarter
ended September 30, 1996.

REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS. Federally insured savings associations are
required to maintain minimum levels of regulatory capital. Pursuant to federal
law, the OTS has established capital standards applicable to all savings
associations. These standards generally must be as stringent as the comparable
capital requirements imposed on national banks. The OTS also is authorized to
impose capital requirements in excess of these standards on individual
associations on a case-by-case basis.

The capital regulations create three capital requirements: a tangible
capital requirement, a leverage or core capital requirement, and a risk-based
capital requirement. All savings associations must have tangible capital of at
least 1.5% of adjusted total assets, as defined in the regulations. For purposes
of this requirement, tangible capital is core capital less all intangibles other
than certain purchased mortgage servicing rights, of which the Association has
none. Core capital includes common stockholders' equity, non-cumulative
perpetual preferred stock and related surplus, and minority interests in
consolidated subsidiaries, less intangibles (unless included under certain
limited conditions, but in no event exceeding 25% of core capital), plus
purchased mortgage servicing rights in an amount not to exceed 50% of core
capital.

The current leverage or core capital requirement is core capital, as
defined above, of at least 3% of adjusted total assets.

The risk-based capital standard requires savings associations to maintain a
minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of 8%. Total capital
consists of core capital, defined above, and supplementary capital.
Supplementary capital consists of certain capital instruments that do not
qualify as core capital, and general valuation loan and lease loss allowances up
to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets. Supplementary capital may be used
to satisfy the risk-based requirement only in an amount equal to the amount of
core capital. In determining the required amount of risk-based capital, total
assets, including certain off-balance sheet items, are multiplied by a
risk-weight based on the risks inherent in the type of assets. The risk-weighing
categories range from 0% for low-risk assets such as U.S. Treasury securities
and GNMA securities, to 100% for various types of loans and other assets deemed
to be of higher
29
29


risk. Single-family mortgage loans having loan-to-value ratios not exceeding 80%
and meeting certain additional criteria, as well as certain multi-family
residential property loans, qualify for a 50% risk-weight treatment. The book
value of each asset is multiplied by the risk-weighting applicable to the asset
category, and the sum of the products of this calculation equals total
risk-weighted assets.

OTS regulations impose special capitalization standards for savings
associations that own service corporations and other subsidiaries. In addition,
certain exclusions from capital and assets are required when calculating total
capital in addition to the adjustments for calculating core capital. These
adjustments do not materially affect the regulatory capital of the Association.

For information regarding the Association's compliance with each of its
three capital requirements at September 30, 1998, see Note P to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.

In August 1993, the OTS adopted a final rule incorporating an interest-rate
risk component into the risk-based capital regulation. Under this rule, an
institution with a greater than normal level of interest rate risk is subject to
a deduction of its interest rate risk component from total capital for purposes
of calculating its risk-based capital. As a result, such an institution is
required to maintain additional capital in order to comply with the risk-based
capital requirement. The final rule was originally to be effective as of January
1, 1994; however, its implementation has been delayed several times. In August
1995, the OTS issued Thrift Bulletin No. 67, which allows eligible institutions
to request adjustment to their interest rate risk component as calculated by the
OTS, or to request to use their own models to calculate their interest rate risk
component. The OTS also indicated that it will continue to delay the
implementation of its interest rate risk rule requiring institutions with above
normal interest rate risk exposure to adjust their regulatory capital
requirement until new procedures are implemented and evaluated.

Any savings association that fails any of the capital requirements is
subject to possible enforcement actions by the OTS or the FDIC. Such actions
could include a capital directive, a cease and desist order, civil money
penalties, the establishment of restrictions on an association's operations, and
the appointment of a conservator or receiver. The OTS' capital regulation
provides that such actions, through enforcement proceedings or otherwise, could
require one or more of a variety of corrective actions.

PROMPT CORRECTIVE ACTION. Under federal law, each federal banking agency
has implemented a system of prompt corrective action for institutions which it
regulates. Under OTS regulations, an institution shall be deemed to be (i) well
capitalized if it has total risk-based capital of 10.0% or more, a Tier 1
risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or more, a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of
5.0% or more, and is not subject to any written agreement, order or capital
directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure;
(ii) adequately capitalized if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0%
or more, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.0% or more, a Tier 1 leverage
capital ratio of 4.0% or more (3.0% under certain circumstances), and does not
meet the definition of well capitalized, (iii) undercapitalized if it
30
30


has a total risk-based capital ratio that is less than 8.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based
capital ratio that is less than 4.0%, or a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio that is
less than 4.0%, (3.0% under certain circumstances), (iv) significantly
undercapitalized if it has a total risk-based capital ratio that is less than
6.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio that is less than 3.0%, or a Tier 1
leverage capital ratio that is less than 3.0%, and; (v) critically
undercapitalized if it has a ratio of tangible equity to total assets that is
equal to or less than 2.0%. Federal law authorizes the OTS to reclassify a well
capitalized institution as adequately capitalized and may require an adequately
capitalized institution or an undercapitalized institution to comply with
supervisory actions as if it were in the next lower category. (The FDIC may not
reclassify a significantly undercapitalized institution as critically
undercapitalized). As of September 30, 1998, the Association exceeded the
requirements of a well capitalized institution.

LIQUIDITY REQUIREMENTS. All savings associations are required, for each
calendar month, to maintain an average daily balance of liquid assets (including
cash, certain time deposits and savings accounts, bankers' acceptances, certain
government obligations, and certain other investments) which is not less than a
certain percentage of the sum of its average daily balance of net withdrawable
deposit accounts and borrowings payable in one year or less during the preceding
calendar month. The liquidity requirement may be changed by the OTS to any
amount between 4% and 10% depending upon economic conditions and savings flows
of all savings associations. This amount is currently 4%.

OTS regulations also require that short-term liquid assets constitute at least
1% of an association's average daily balance of net withdrawable deposit
accounts and short term borrowings during the preceding calendar month. Monetary
penalties may be imposed upon associations for violations of liquidity
requirements.

QUALIFIED THRIFT LENDER TEST. A savings association that does not meet a
QTL test set forth in the HOLA and implementing regulations must either convert
to a bank charter or comply with the following restrictions on its operations:
(i) the association may not engage in any new activity or make any new
investment, directly or indirectly, unless such activity or investment is
permissible for a national bank; (ii) the branching powers of the association
shall be restricted to those of a national bank; (iii) the association shall not
be eligible to obtain any advances from its FHLB; and (iv) payment of dividends
by the association shall be subject to the rules regarding payment of dividends
by a national bank. Upon the expiration of three years from the date the
association ceases to be a QTL, it must cease any activity, and not retain any
investment, not permissible for a national bank and immediately repay any
outstanding FHLB advances (subject to safety and soundness considerations).

Under recent legislation and applicable regulations, any savings
institution is a QTL if: (i) it qualifies as a domestic building and loan
association under Section 7701(a)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code (which
generally requires that at least 60% of the institution's assets constitute
housing-related and other qualifying assets) or, (ii) at least 65% of the
institution's portfolio assets (as defined) consist of certain housing and
consumer-related assets on a monthly average basis in at least nine out of every
12 months. At September 30, 1998, the Association
31
31


was in compliance with the QTL test of a domestic building and loan association
as defined in the Code.

TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Under federal law, all transactions between
and among a savings association and its affiliates, which include holding
companies, are subject to Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act.
Generally, these requirements limit these transactions to a percentage of the
association's capital and require all of them to be on terms at least as
favorable to the association as transactions with non-affiliates. In addition, a
savings association may not lend to any affiliate engaged in non-banking
activities not permissible for a bank holding company, or acquire shares of any
affiliate not a subsidiary. The OTS is authorized to impose additional
restrictions on transactions with affiliates if necessary to protect the safety
and soundness of a savings association. The OTS regulations also set forth
various reporting requirements relating to transactions with affiliates.

Extensions of credit by a savings association to executive officers,
directors, and principal shareholders are subject to Section 22(h) of the
Federal Reserve Act, which, among other things, generally prohibits loans to any
such individual where the aggregate amount exceeds an amount equal to 15% of an
institution's unimpaired capital and surplus, plus an additional 10% of
unimpaired capital and surplus in the case of loans that are fully secured by
readily marketable collateral.

Section 22(h) permits loans to directors, executive officers, and principal
stockholders made pursuant to a benefit or compensation program that is widely
available to employees of a subject savings association provided that no
preference is given to any officer, director, or principal shareholder, or
related interest thereto over any other employee. In addition, the aggregate
amount of extensions of credit by a savings institution to all insiders cannot
exceed the institution's unimpaired capital and surplus. Furthermore, Section
22(g) places additional restrictions on loans to executive officers.

RESTRICTIONS ON CAPITAL DISTRIBUTIONS. OTS regulations impose limitations
on capital distributions by savings associations, including cash dividends,
stock redemptions or repurchases, cash-out mergers, interest payments on certain
convertible debt, and other transactions charged to the capital account of a
savings association to make capital distributions. Generally, the regulation
creates a safe harbor for specified levels of capital distributions from
associations meeting at least their minimum capital requirements, so long as
such associations notify the OTS and receive no objection to the distribution
from the OTS. Associations and distributions that do not qualify for the safe
harbor are required to obtain prior OTS approval before making any capital
distributions.

As of September 30, 1998, the Association is a Tier 1 institution which can
make capital distributions during any calendar year equivalent to 100% of net
income for the calendar year-to-date plus 50% of its surplus capital ratio at
the beginning of the calendar year. The surplus capital ratio is defined to mean
the percentage by which the association's ratio of total capital to assets
exceeds the ratio of its fully phased-in capital requirement to assets. Fully
phased-in capital requirement is defined to mean an association's capital
requirement under the statutory
32
32


and regulatory standards applicable on December 31, 1994, as modified to reflect
any applicable individual minimum capital requirement imposed upon the
association. The OTS has approved the Association's capital distribution plan
through the calendar year 1999.

On December 5, 1994, the OTS published a notice of proposed rulemaking to
amend its capital distribution regulation. Under this proposal, savings
institutions would be permitted to only make capital distributions that would
not result in their capital being reduced below the level required to remain
adequately capitalized, as defined in the OTS prompt corrective action
regulations. The Association would continue to be required to provide notice to
the OTS of its intent to make a capital distribution. Management does not
believe that the proposal will adversely affect the Association's ability to
make capital distributions if it is adopted substantially as proposed.

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK SYSTEM. The Association is a member of the FHLB of
Seattle, which is one of 12 regional FHLBs that administers the home financing
credit function of savings associations. Each FHLB serves as a reserve or
central bank for its members within its assigned region. It is funded primarily
from proceeds derived from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLB
system. It makes loans to members (i.e., advances) in accordance with policies
and procedures established by the Board of Directors of the FHLB. At September
30, 1998, the Association's advances from the FHLB amounted to $1.4 billion.

As a member, the Association is required to purchase and maintain stock in
the FHLB of Seattle in an amount equal to at least 1% of its aggregate unpaid
residential mortgage loans, home purchase contracts, or similar obligations at
the beginning of each year. At September 30, 1998, the Association had $101.0
million in FHLB stock, which was in compliance with this requirement.

Recent changes in federal law now require the FHLBs to provide funds for
the resolution of troubled savings associations and to contribute to affordable
housing programs through direct loans or interest subsidies on advances targeted
for community investment and low- and moderate-income housing projects. These
contributions have adversely affected the level of FHLB dividends paid and could
continue to do so in the future. These contributions also could have an adverse
effect on the value of FHLB stock in the future.

COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT AND THE FAIR LENDING LAWS. Savings associations
have a responsibility under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and related
regulations of the OTS to help meet the credit needs of their communities,
including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. In addition, the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act (together, the Fair Lending Laws)
prohibit lenders from discriminating in their lending practices on the basis of
characteristics specified in those statutes. An institution's failure to comply
with the provisions of CRA could, at a minimum, result in regulatory
restrictions on its activities, and failure to comply with the Fair Lending Laws
could result in enforcement actions by the OTS, as well as other federal
regulatory agencies and the U.S. Department of Justice.
33
33


TAXATION


FEDERAL TAXATION. For federal and state income tax purposes, the Company
reports its income and expenses on the accrual basis method of accounting and
files its federal and state income tax returns on a September 30 fiscal year
basis. The Company files consolidated federal and state income tax returns with
its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

For tax years beginning prior to January 1, 1996, a qualified thrift
institution was allowed a bad debt deduction based on a percentage of taxable
income or on actual experience. Accordingly, the Association used the percentage
of taxable income method in fiscal 1996.

The Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 (the Act) requires
qualified thrift institutions, such as the Association, to recapture the portion
of their tax bad debt reserves that exceeded the September 30, 1988, balance.
Such recaptured amounts are to be taken into taxable income ratably over a
six-year period beginning in 1997. Accordingly, the Company will be required to
pay approximately $22,057,000 in additional federal income taxes beginning in
fiscal 1998, all of which has been previously provided for, and continuing
through fiscal 2003.

The Act also repeals the reserve method of accounting for tax bad debt
deductions and required thrifts to calculate the tax bad debt deduction based on
actual current loan losses.

A deferred tax liability has not been required to be recognized for the
tax bad debt base year reserves of the Association. The base year reserves are
the balance of reserves as of September 30, 1988, reduced proportionately for
reductions in the Association's loan portfolio since that date. At September 30,
1998, the amount of those reserves was approximately $5,370,000. The amount of
the unrecognized deferred tax liability at September 30, 1998, was approximately
$1,913,000.

Washington Federal's tax returns have been examined through the year ended
September 30, 1990.
34
34


STATE TAXATION. The state of Washington does not have an income tax. A
business and occupation tax based on a percentage of gross receipts is assessed
against businesses; however, interest received on loans secured by mortgages or
deeds of trust on residential properties is not subject to this tax.

The state of Idaho has a corporate income tax with a statutory rate of 8%
of apportionable income.

The state of Oregon has a corporate excise tax with a statutory rate of
6.6% of apportionable income.

The state of Utah has a corporate franchise tax with a statutory rate of 5%
of apportionable income.

The state of Arizona has a corporate income tax with a statutory rate of
9.0% of apportionable income.
35
35


ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Association owns the building in which its home and executive offices
are located, in Seattle, Washington. The following table sets forth certain
information concerning the Association's offices:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Building Net Book Value at
Number of ------------------------------ September 30,
Location Offices Owned Leased(1) 1998 (2)
- -------- --------- ------- --------- -----------------
(Dollars In Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Washington 39 22 17 $16,711
Idaho 19 16 3 6,292
Oregon 23 15 8 7,519
Utah 11 6 5 7,607
Arizona 14 7 7 5,138
------- ------- ------- -------
Total 106 66 40 $43,267
======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>


- ----------

(1) The leases have varying terms expiring from 1998 through 2070, including
renewal options.

(2) Amount represents land and improvements with respect to properties owned by
the Association and represents the book value of leasehold improvements, where
applicable.


Washington Federal evaluates on a continuing basis the suitability and
adequacy of its offices, both branches and administrative centers, and has an
active program of opening, relocating, remodeling, or closing them as necessary
to maintain efficient and attractive premises.

Washington Federal's net investment in premises, equipment, and leaseholds
was $48.9 million at September 30, 1998.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Association is involved in legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary
course of business which in the aggregate are believed by management to be
immaterial to the financial condition of the Association.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

Not applicable.
36
36


PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required herein is incorporated by reference from page 27
of the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for Fiscal 1998 (Annual Report),
which is included herein as Exhibit 13.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The information required herein is incorporated by reference from page 26
of the Annual Report.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The information required herein is incorporated by reference on pages 4
through 7 of the Annual Report.

ITEM 7A. MARKET RISK DISCLOSURES

The information required herein is incorporated by reference to
Interest Rate Risk commencing on page 22 of this Form 10-K.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The financial statements and supplementary data required herein are
incorporated by reference from pages 8 through 25 and page 27 of the Annual
Report.


ITEM 9. CHANGES IN, AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS, ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The information required herein is included under Item 1 hereof.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required herein is incorporated by reference to pages 11 to
14 of the proxy statement dated December 22, 1998.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The information required herein is incorporated by reference to pages 2 to
3 and 5 to 8 of the proxy statement dated December 22, 1998.
37
37


ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information required herein is incorporated by reference to page 16 of
the proxy statement dated December 22, 1998.

PART IV

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)(1) The following financial statements are incorporated herein by
reference from pages 8 through 25 and page 27 of the Annual Report.

Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of September 30, 1998 and
1997

Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the years in the
three-year period ended September 30, 1998

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each of the years in
the three-year period ended September 30, 1998

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended September 30, 1998

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(a)(2) There are no financial statement schedules filed herewith.
(a)(3) The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
No. Exhibit Page
- --- ------- ----
<S> <C> <C>
3.1 Articles of Incorporation of the Company (1)

3.2 Bylaws of the Company (1)

4 Specimen Common Stock Certificate (1)

10.1 1982 Employee Stock Compensation Program* (1)

10.2 1987 Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Rights Plan* (1)

10.3 1994 Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Rights Plan* (1)

13 Annual Report to Stockholders

21 Subsidiaries of the Company - Reference is made
to Item 1, "Business - Subsidiaries" for the
required information --

23 Consent of Independent Public Accountants

27 Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>

- -------

* Management contract or compensation plan.
38
38


(1) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form 8-B filed with the SEC on January 26, 1995.

(c) See (a)(3) above for all exhibits filed herewith and the Exhibit Index.

(d) All schedules are omitted as the required information is not applicable
or the information is presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements or
related notes.
39
39


SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.


WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC.


December 21, 1998 By: /s/ Guy C. Pinkerton
- ----------------- -------------------------------------
Date Guy C. Pinkerton, Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this report signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


<TABLE>
<S> <C>
/s/ Kermit O. Hanson December 21, 1998
- ------------------------------------------ -----------------
Kermit O. Hanson, Director Date


/s/ W. Alden Harris December 21, 1998
- ------------------------------------------ -----------------
W. Alden Harris, Director Date


/s/ Anna C. Johnson December 21, 1998
- ------------------------------------------ -----------------
Anna C. Johnson, Director Date


/s/ John F. Clearman December 21, 1998
- ------------------------------------------ -----------------
John F. Clearman, Director Date


/s/ H. Dennis Halvorson December 21, 1998
- ------------------------------------------ -----------------
H. Dennis Halvorson, Director Date
</TABLE>
40
40


<TABLE>
<S> <C>
/s/ Guy C. Pinkerton December 21, 1998
- ------------------------------------------ -----------------
Guy C. Pinkerton, Director, Chairman, Date
President and Chief Executive Officer


/s/ Richard C. Reed December 21, 1998
- ------------------------------------------ -----------------
Richard C. Reed, Director Date


/s/ Charles R. Richmond December 21, 1998
- ------------------------------------------ -----------------
Charles R. Richmond, Director, Date
Executive Vice President and Secretary


/s/ Ronald L. Saper December 21, 1998
- ------------------------------------------ -----------------
Ronald L. Saper, CPA, Executive Date
Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer (principal financial officer)


/s/ Keith D. Taylor December 21, 1998
- ------------------------------------------ -----------------
Keith D. Taylor, CPA, Senior Vice President Date
and Treasurer
(principal accounting officer)
</TABLE>
41
EXHIBIT INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
No. Exhibit Index Page
- --- ------------- ----
<S> <C> <C>
3.1 Articles of Incorporation of the Company (1)

3.2 Bylaws of the Company (1)

4 Specimen Common Stock Certificate (1)

10.1 1982 Employee Stock Compensation Program* (1)

10.2 1987 Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Rights Plan* (1)

10.3 1994 Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Rights Plan* (1)

13 Annual Report to Stockholders

21 Subsidiaries of the Company - Reference is made
to Item 1, "Business - Subsidiaries" for the
required information --

23 Consent of Independent Public Accountants

27 Financial Data Schedule
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* Management contract or compensation plan.

(1) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form 8-B filed with the SEC on January 26, 1995.