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WAFD INC Interim / Quarterly Report 2016

Feb 5, 2016

31517_10-q_2016-02-08_f06b6498-3829-4064-8de7-992feada079f.zip

Interim / Quarterly Report

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10-Q 1 wafd1231201510-q.htm 10-Q html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd" Document created using Wdesk 1 Copyright 2016 Workiva 10-Q

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2015

or

o 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 001-34654

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Washington 91-1661606
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
425 Pike Street Seattle, Washington 98101
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(206) 624-7930
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files) Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Title of class: at February 3, 2016
Common stock, $1.00 par value 91,563,241

Table of Contents

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I — Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The Consolidated Financial Statements of Washington Federal, Inc. and Subsidiaries filed as a part of the report are as follows:
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarters ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 4
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the quarters ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the quarters ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the quarters ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 7
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements 9
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 34
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 43
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 43
PART II
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 45
Item 1A. Risk Factors 45
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 45
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 45
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 45
Item 5. Other Information 45
Item 6. Exhibits 46
Signatures 47

2

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(UNAUDITED)

December 31, 2015 September 30, 2015
(In thousands, except share data)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 305,959 $ 284,049
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value 2,304,788 2,380,563
Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost 1,598,370 1,643,216
Loans receivable, net 9,402,730 9,170,634
Interest receivable 38,259 40,429
Premises and equipment, net 288,796 276,247
Real estate owned 42,098 61,098
FHLB and FRB stock 111,107 107,198
Bank owned life insurance 103,281 102,496
Intangible assets, including goodwill of $291,503 298,719 299,358
Federal and state income tax assets, net 716 14,513
Other assets 190,076 188,523
$ 14,684,899 $ 14,568,324
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
Customer accounts
Transaction deposit accounts $ 5,924,084 $ 5,820,878
Time deposit accounts 4,727,035 4,810,825
10,651,119 10,631,703
FHLB advances 1,928,000 1,830,000
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance 21,747 50,224
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 113,793 100,718
12,714,659 12,612,645
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $1.00 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized; 134,100,924 and 133,695,803 shares issued; 92,918,434 and 92,936,395 shares outstanding 134,101 133,696
Paid-in capital 1,649,529 1,643,712
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes (4,432 ) 353
Treasury stock, at cost; 41,182,490 and 40,759,408 shares (661,774 ) (651,836 )
Retained earnings 852,816 829,754
1,970,240 1,955,679
$ 14,684,899 $ 14,568,324

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3

Table of Contents

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

Quarter Ended December 31, — 2015 2014
(In thousands, except per share data)
INTEREST INCOME
Loans $ 112,863 $ 108,293
Mortgage-backed securities 16,987 19,175
Investment securities and cash equivalents 5,274 5,273
135,124 132,741
INTEREST EXPENSE
Customer accounts 12,717 13,445
FHLB advances and other borrowings 15,538 17,113
28,255 30,558
Net interest income 106,869 102,183
Provision for (reversal of) allowance for loan losses (5,500 )
Net interest income after reversal of provision for loan losses 106,869 107,683
OTHER INCOME
Loan fee income 1,517 2,065
Deposit fee income 5,917 5,977
Other income (expense) 3,201 (2,662 )
10,635 5,380
OTHER EXPENSE
Compensation and benefits 29,699 29,160
Occupancy 8,592 8,135
FDIC insurance premiums 2,589 674
Product delivery 5,523 5,627
Information technology 8,710 4,030
Other expense 9,396 5,974
64,509 53,600
Gain on real estate acquired through foreclosure, net 1,420 315
Income before income taxes 54,415 59,778
Income tax provision 19,317 21,371
NET INCOME $ 35,098 $ 38,407
PER SHARE DATA
Basic earnings $ 0.38 $ 0.39
Diluted earnings 0.38 0.39
Dividends paid on common stock per share 0.13 0.15
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding 92,986,358 98,147,939
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding 93,577,837 98,524,839

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

Quarter Ended December 31, — 2015 2014
(In thousands)
Net income $ 35,098 $ 38,407
Other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax:
Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities (10,360 ) 8,560
Related tax benefit (expense) 3,807 (3,146 )
(6,553 ) 5,414
Net unrealized gain (loss) on long-term borrowing hedge 2,795 (4,249 )
Related tax benefit (expense) (1,027 ) 1,562
1,768 (2,687 )
Other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax (4,785 ) 2,727
Comprehensive income $ 30,313 $ 41,134

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

(in thousands) Common Stock Paid-in Capital Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Total
Balance at October 1, 2015 $ 133,696 $ 1,643,712 $ 829,754 $ 353 $ (651,836 ) $ 1,955,679
Net income 35,098 35,098
Other comprehensive income (loss) (4,785 ) (4,785 )
Dividends on common stock (12,036 ) (12,036 )
Compensation expense related to common stock options 300 300
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options 227 4,815 5,042
Restricted stock expense 178 702 880
Treasury stock acquired (9,938 ) (9,938 )
Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 134,101 $ 1,649,529 $ 852,816 $ (4,432 ) $ (661,774 ) $ 1,970,240
(in thousands) Common Stock Paid-in Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Treasury Stock Total
Balance at October 1, 2014 $ 133,323 $ 1,638,211 $ 706,149 $ 20,708 $ (525,108 ) $ 1,973,283
Net income 38,407 38,407
Other comprehensive income (loss) 2,727 2,727
Dividends on common stock (10,159 ) (10,159 )
Compensation expense related to common stock options 300 300
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options 18 248 266
Restricted stock expense 250 591 841
Treasury stock acquired (24,326 ) (24,326 )
Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 133,591 $ 1,639,350 $ 734,397 $ 23,435 $ (549,434 ) $ 1,981,339

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

6

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

Quarter Ended December 31, — 2015 2014
(In thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $ 35,098 $ 38,407
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion 2,934 5,299
Cash received from (paid to) FDIC under loss share 1,975 (431 )
Stock option compensation expense 300 300
Reversal of provision for loan losses (5,500 )
Gain on investment securities and real estate held for sale (2,310 ) (9,606 )
Decrease in accrued interest receivable 2,170 11,280
Decrease in federal and state income tax receivable 16,577 19,208
Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance (785 ) (216 )
Increase in other assets (3,754 ) (14,552 )
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities 15,870 (25,890 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 68,075 18,299
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Origination of loans and principal repayments, net (179,768 ) (36,993 )
Loans purchased (51,646 ) (46,831 )
FHLB & FRB stock purchased (6,809 )
FHLB & FRB stock redemption 2,901 3,969
Available-for-sale securities purchased (50,741 ) (41,225 )
Principal payments and maturities of available-for-sale securities 114,764 202,760
Principal payments and maturities of held-to-maturity securities 43,569 31,178
Proceeds from sales of real estate owned 26,664 17,909
Purchase of bank owned life insurance (100,000 )
Premises and equipment purchased and REO improvements (17,183 ) (2,019 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (118,249 ) 28,748
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net increase (decrease) in customer accounts 19,492 (137,999 )
Proceeds from borrowings 204,000
Repayments of borrowings (106,000 ) (100,000 )
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options and related tax benefit 5,042 266
Dividends paid on common stock (12,036 ) (14,359 )
Treasury stock purchased (9,938 ) (24,326 )
Decrease in advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance (28,476 ) (9,703 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 72,084 (286,121 )
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 21,910 (239,074 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 284,049 781,843
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 305,959 $ 542,769

(CONTINUED)

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

Quarter Ended December 31, — 2015 2014
(In thousands)
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Non-cash investing activities
Real estate acquired through foreclosure $ 5,308 $ 8,852
Covered real estate acquired through foreclosure 51
Cash paid during the period for
Interest 29,195 34,653
Income taxes 8 23

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

8

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE A – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations - Washington Federal, Inc. is a Washington corporation headquartered in Seattle, Washington. The Company is a bank holding company that conducts its operations through a federally-insured national bank subsidiary. The Bank is principally engaged in the business of attracting deposits from the general public and investing these funds, together with borrowings and other funds, in one-to-four family residential mortgage and construction loans, home equity loans, lines of credit, commercial and industrial loans, multi-family and other forms of real estate loans. As used throughout this document, the terms "Washington Federal" or the "Company" refer to Washington Federal, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries and the term "Bank" refers to the operating subsidiary Washington Federal, National Association.

Basis of Presentation - The consolidated unaudited interim financial statements included in this report have been prepared by Washington Federal. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation are reflected in the interim financial statements. The September 30, 2015 Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition was derived from audited financial statements.

The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes in the Company's 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K (“ 2015 Form 10-K”). Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - The significant accounting policies used in preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements are disclosed in its 2015 Form10-K. There have not been any material changes in our significant accounting policies compared to those contained in our 2015 Form 10-K disclosure for the year ended September 30, 2015 .

Off-Balance-Sheet Credit Exposures – The only material off-balance-sheet credit exposures are loans in process and unused lines of credit, which had a combined balance of $923,891,000 and $816,014,000 at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , respectively. The Company estimates losses on off-balance-sheet credit exposures by allocating a loss percentage derived from historical loss factors for each asset class.

NOTE B – New Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-04, Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure . The new guidance clarifies that an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, upon either: (a) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure; or (b) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. ASU 2014-04 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company's adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs . These amendments require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. These amendments are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. ASU 2015-03 may be applied retrospectively in previously issued financial statements for one or more years with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers . The guidance in this update supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the industry topics of the codification. For public companies, this update was to be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. However, in August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which delayed the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year and permits companies to voluntarily adopt the new standard as of the original effective date. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

On April 15, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in Cloud Computing Arrangement . The ASU was issued to clarify a customer's accounting for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement. The amendments provide guidance to customers in determining whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license that should be accounted for as internal-use software. If the arrangement does not contain a software license, it would be accounted for as a service contract. The guidance in this ASU are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and can be adopted either (1) prospectively to all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date or (2) retrospectively. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

On September 25, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments . the amendments in ASU 2015-16 require that the acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amount is determined. The acquirer is required to also record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. In addition, an entity is required to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes to the financial statements the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The amendments in ASU 2015-16 are effective for years beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted for reporting periods for which financial statements have not been issued. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

NOTE C – Dividends and Share Repurchases

On January 20, 2016, the Company announced its 132nd consecutive quarterly cash dividend on common stock of $0.14 per share. The current dividend will be paid on February 12, 2016, to common shareholders of record on February 1, 2016. Dividends per share were $ 0.13 and $ 0.15 for the quarters ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. For the three months ended December 31, 2015 , the Company repurchased 423,082 shares at an average price of $23.49 . For the three months ended December 31, 2014, the Company repurchased 1,116,147 shares at an average price of $21.79 . There are 3,778,148 remaining shares that can be repurchased under the current Board approved program.

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE D – Loans Receivable

The following table is a summary of loans receivable (including LIP, net of charge offs.)

December 31, 2015 — (In thousands) September 30, 2015 — (In thousands)
Non-Acquired loans
Single-family residential $ 5,629,715 55.7 % $ 5,651,845 57.5 %
Construction 660,238 6.5 200,509 2.0
Construction - custom 404,849 4.0 396,307 4.0
Land - acquisition & development 97,025 1.0 94,208 1.0
Land - consumer lot loans 102,376 1.0 103,989 1.1
Multi-family 997,696 9.9 1,125,722 11.5
Commercial real estate 839,157 8.3 986,270 10.0
Commercial & industrial 751,073 7.4 612,836 6.2
HELOC 127,919 1.3 127,646 1.3
Consumer 181,142 1.8 194,655 2.0
Total non-acquired loans 9,791,190 96.9 % 9,493,987 96.6 %
Acquired loans 164,380 1.6 166,293 1.7
Credit impaired acquired loans 116,030 1.1 87,081 0.9
Covered loans 38,584 0.4 75,909 0.8
Total gross loans 10,110,184 100.0 % 9,823,270 100.0 %
Less:
Allowance for probable losses 107,901 106,829
Loans in process 535,850 476,796
Discount on acquired loans 25,040 30,095
Deferred net origination fees 38,663 38,916
Total loan contra accounts 707,454 652,636
Net Loans $ 9,402,730 $ 9,170,634

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The following table sets forth information regarding non-accrual loans.

December 31, 2015 September 30, 2015
(In thousands)
Non-accrual loans:
Single-family residential $ 43,856 77.3 % $ 59,074 87.1 %
Construction 754 1.1 %
Construction - custom 2,518 4.4 732 1.1 %
Land - acquisition & development 509 0.9 — %
Land - consumer lot loans 939 1.7 1,273 1.9 %
Multi-family 1,538 2.7 2,558 3.8 %
Commercial real estate 6,681 11.8 2,176 3.2 %
Commercial & industrial 115 0.2 — %
HELOC 473 0.8 563 0.8 %
Consumer 119 0.2 680 1.0 %
Total non-accrual loans $ 56,748 100 % $ 67,810 100 %

The Company recognized interest income on nonaccrual loans of approximately $1,257,000 in the three months ended December 31, 2015 . Had these loans performed according to their original contract terms, the Company would have recognized interest income of approximately $687,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2015 . The recognized interest income includes more than three months of interest for some of the loans that were brought current.

The following tables provide details regarding delinquent loans.

December 31, 2015 — Type of Loan Amount of Loans — Net of LIP & Chg.-Offs Days Delinquent Based on $ Amount of Loans — Current 30 60 90 Total % based on $
(In thousands)
Non-acquired loans
Single-Family Residential $ 5,644,009 $ 5,576,774 $ 17,285 $ 9,939 $ 40,010 $ 67,234 1.19 %
Construction 325,485 324,619 560 306 866 0.27
Construction - Custom 221,327 218,773 28 9 2,518 2,554 1.15
Land - Acquisition & Development 85,830 84,805 387 638 1,025 1.19
Land - Consumer Lot Loans 102,887 100,224 828 897 938 2,663 2.59
Multi-Family 966,921 965,110 1,196 615 1,811 0.19
Commercial Real Estate 929,495 920,582 841 1,933 6,139 8,913 0.96
Commercial & Industrial 756,831 754,611 2,219 1 2,220 0.29
HELOC 125,479 124,883 19 19 558 595 0.47
Consumer 181,431 179,977 882 352 221 1,454 0.80
9,339,695 9,250,358 24,245 13,456 51,637 89,335 0.96
Acquired loans 140,995 140,137 193 16 649 858 0.61
Credit impaired acquired loans 55,060 52,806 854 1,400 2,254 4.09
Covered loans 38,584 37,062 501 295 726 1,522 3.94
Total Loans $ 9,574,334 $ 9,480,363 $ 25,793 $ 13,767 $ 54,412 $ 93,969 0.98 %
Delinquency % 99.02% 0.27% 0.14% 0.57% 0.98%

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

September 30, 2015 — Type of Loan Amount of Loans — Net of LIP & Chg.-Offs Days Delinquent Based on $ Amount of Loans — Current 30 60 90 Total % based on $
(In thousands)
Non-acquired loans
Single-Family Residential $ 5,655,928 $ 5,590,673 $ 17,305 $ 7,757 $ 40,193 $ 65,255 1.15 %
Construction 130,121 130,121
Construction - Custom 205,692 204,168 791 270 463 1,524 0.74
Land - Acquisition & Development 75,661 74,737 406 518 924 1.22
Land - Consumer Lot Loans 104,494 102,045 689 399 1,361 2,449 2.34
Multi-Family 1,068,038 1,065,667 259 454 1,658 2,371 0.22
Commercial Real Estate 893,072 892,180 131 761 892 0.10
Commercial & Industrial 617,545 616,602 93 27 823 943 0.15
HELOC 127,648 127,196 174 27 251 452 0.35
Consumer 194,977 194,259 493 170 55 718 0.37
9,073,176 8,997,648 20,341 9,104 46,083 75,528 0.83
Acquired loans 57,682 56,559 356 767 1,123 1.95
Credit impaired acquired loans 139,726 138,940 243 4 539 786 0.56
Covered loans 75,890 70,729 272 90 4,799 5,161 6.80
Total Loans $ 9,346,474 $ 9,263,876 $ 21,212 $ 9,198 $ 52,188 $ 82,598 0.88 %
Delinquency % 99.12% 0.23% 0.10% 0.56% 0.88%

The percentage of total delinquent loans increased from 0.88% as of September 30, 2015 to 0.98% as of December 31, 2015 .

The following table provides information related to loans that were restructured in at TDR during the periods presented:

Quarter Ended December 31,
2015 2014
Pre-Modification Post-Modification Pre-Modification Post-Modification
Outstanding Outstanding Outstanding Outstanding
Number of Recorded Recorded Number of Recorded Recorded
Contracts Investment Investment Contracts Investment Investment
(In thousands) (In thousands)
Troubled Debt Restructurings:
Single-family residential 3 $ 729 $ 729 35 $ 9,600 $ 9,600
Construction 2 718 718
Land - consumer lot loans 2 532 532
Commercial real estate 5 965 965
Consumer 1 85 85
8 $ 1,694 $ 1,694 40 $ 10,935 $ 10,935

The following table provides information on payment defaults occurring during the periods presented where the loan had been modified in a TDR within 12 months of the payment default.

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Quarter Ended December 31, — 2015 2014
Number of Recorded Number of Recorded
Contracts Investment Contracts Investment
(In thousands) (In thousands)
TDRs That Subsequently Defaulted:
Single-family residential 5 $ 668 8 $ 1,431
Land - consumer lot loans 1 148 3 389
6 $ 816 11 $ 1,820

Most loans restructured in troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs") are accruing and performing loans where the borrower has proactively approached the Company about modification due to temporary financial difficulties. As of December 31, 2015 , 96.6% of the Bank's $282,723,000 in TDRs were classified as performing. Each request is individually evaluated for merit and likelihood of success. The concession for these loans is typically a payment reduction through a rate reduction of between 100 to 200 basis points for a specific term, usually six to twelve months. Interest-only payments may also be approved during the modification period. Principal forgiveness is not an available option for restructured loans. As of December 31, 2015 , single-family residential loans comprised 86.1% of TDRs.

The Company reserves for restructured loans within its allowance for loan loss methodology by taking into account the following performance indicators: 1) time since modification, 2) current payment status and 3) geographic area.

The following table shows the changes in accretable yield for acquired impaired loans and acquired non-impaired loans (including covered loans).

Quarter Ended December 31, 2015 Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2015
Acquired Impaired Acquired Non-impaired Acquired Impaired Acquired Non-impaired
Accretable Yield Carrying Amount of Loans Accretable Yield Carrying Amount of Loans Accretable Yield Carrying Amount of Loans Accretable Yield Carrying Amount of Loans
(In thousands) (In thousands)
Beginning balance $ 72,705 $ 111,300 $ 7,204 $ 187,080 $ 97,125 $ 135,826 $ 14,513 $ 275,862
Additions
Net reclassification from nonaccretable 6,307 346
Accretion (5,526 ) 5,526 (857 ) 857 (30,727 ) 30,727 (7,655 ) 7,655
Transfers to REO (2,975 ) (150 )
Payments received, net (7,680 ) (3,790 ) (52,278 ) (96,287 )
Ending Balance $ 67,179 $ 109,146 $ 6,347 $ 184,147 $ 72,705 $ 111,300 $ 7,204 $ 187,080

The excess of cash flows expected to be collected over the initial fair value of acquired impaired loans is referred to as the accretable yield and this amount is accreted into interest income over the estimated life of the acquired loans using the effective interest method. Other adjustments to the accretable yield include changes in the estimated remaining life of the acquired loans, changes in expected cash flows and changes in the respective indices for acquired loans with variable interest rates.

Additionally, as of December 31, 2015 the Company has $1,700,000 remaining in loans it acquired during fiscal 2013 as part of the South Valley Bank acquisition for which it was probable at acquisition that all contractually required payments would not be collected. The timing and amount of future cash flows cannot not be reasonably estimated; therefore, these loan are accounted for on a cash basis.

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NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

At December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , none of the acquired impaired or non-impaired loans were classified as non-performing assets. Therefore, interest income, through accretion of the difference between the carrying amount of the loans and the expected cash flows, was recognized on all acquired loans.

Covered loans were $38,584,000 at December 31, 2015 compared to $75,909,000 as of September 30, 2015 , the decrease being attributable to FDIC loss share coverage on commercial loans from the former Home Valley Bank that expired after September 30, 2015 . The FDIC loss share coverage for single family residential loans will continue for another five years. The remaining portfolio of covered loans is expected to continue to decline over time, absent another FDIC assisted transaction.

The following table shows activity for the FDIC indemnification asset:

Three Months Ended December 31, 2015 Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2015
(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period $ 16,275 $ 36,860
Additions (1,795 )
Payments received (1,974 ) (720 )
Amortization (287 ) (18,588 )
Accretion 62 518
Balance at end of period $ 14,076 $ 16,275

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(UNAUDITED)

NOTE E – Allowance for Losses on Loans

The following tables summarize the activity in the allowance for loan losses.

Three Months Ended December 31, 2015 Beginning Allowance Charge-offs Recoveries Provision & Transfers Ending Allowance
(In thousands)
Single-family residential $ 47,347 $ (1,139 ) $ 2,466 $ (918 ) $ 47,756
Construction 6,680 155 179 7,014
Construction - custom 990 (60 ) 132 1,062
Land - acquisition & development 5,781 35 962 6,778
Land - consumer lot loans 2,946 (408 ) 463 3,001
Multi-family 5,304 (257 ) 5,047
Commercial real estate 8,960 (23 ) 123 1,284 10,344
Commercial & industrial 24,980 (248 ) 1 (637 ) 24,096
HELOC 902 (1 ) 21 (102 ) 820
Consumer 2,939 (242 ) 392 (1,106 ) 1,983
$ 106,829 $ (2,121 ) $ 3,193 $ — $ 107,901
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2015 Beginning Allowance Charge-offs Recoveries Provision & Transfers Ending Allowance
(In thousands)
Single-family residential $ 62,763 $ (5,524 ) $ 13,403 $ (23,295 ) $ 47,347
Construction 6,742 (388 ) $ 120 206 6,680
Construction - custom 1,695 (705 ) 990
Land - acquisition & development 5,592 (38 ) 207 20 5,781
Land - consumer lot loans 3,077 (459 ) 221 107 2,946
Multi-family 4,248 220 836 5,304
Commercial real estate 7,548 (1,711 ) 735 2,388 8,960
Commercial & industrial 16,527 (3,354 ) 1,374 10,433 24,980
HELOC 928 (66 ) 2 38 902
Consumer 3,227 (3,060 ) 3,688 (916 ) 2,939
Covered loans 2,244 (2,244 )
$ 114,591 $ (14,600 ) $ 19,970 $ (13,132 ) $ 106,829

There was no provision for loan losses recorded for the three months ended December 31, 2015 , which compares to a reversal of provision of $5,500,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2014 . The lack of provision for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 was a result of continued improvement in credit quality of the loan portfolio offset by net growth in the loan portfolio. The related improvement in the credit quality of the loan portfolio relates to the factors below.

The Company had recoveries, net of charge-offs, of $1,072,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 , compared with $842,000 of net recoveries for the same quarter one year ago. Non-performing assets amounted to $98,846,000 , or 0.67% , of total assets at December 31, 2015 , compared to $164,317,000 , or 1.13% of total assets at December 31, 2014 . Non-accrual loans decreased from $98,353,000 at December 31, 2014 , to $56,748,000 at December 31, 2015 , a 42.3% decrease. The percentage of delinquent loans decreased from 1.47% at December 31, 2014 , to 0.98% at December 31, 2015 .

The reserve for unfunded commitments was $3,085,000 as of December 31, 2015 , which is unchanged since September 30, 2015 .

Management believes the allowance for loan losses plus the reserve for unfunded commitments, totaling $110,986,000 , or 1.10% of gross loans, is sufficient to absorb estimated losses inherent in the portfolio.

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NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Acquired loans, including covered loans, are not usually classified as non-performing because at acquisition, the carrying value of these loans is recorded at fair value. As of December 31, 2015 , $25,223,000 in acquired loans were subject to the general allowance as the discount related to these balances was no longer sufficient to absorb all of the expected losses.

The following tables show loans collectively and individually evaluated for impairment and the related allocation of general and specific reserves.

December 31, 2015 Loans Collectively Evaluated for Impairment — Allowance Allocation Recorded Investment of Loans (1) Ratio Loans Individually Evaluated for Impairment — Allowance Allocation Recorded Investment of Loans (1) Ratio
(In thousands) (In thousands)
Single-family residential $ 47,625 $ 5,614,580 0.8 % $ 130 $ 14,206 0.9 %
Construction 7,014 121,689 5.8
Construction - custom 1,062 218,749 0.5 2,578
Land - acquisition & development 6,778 77,223 8.8 6,649
Land - consumer lot loans 3,001 91,664 3.3 10,658
Multi-family 5,048 1,085,243 0.5 3,500
Commercial real estate 10,344 939,248 1.1 9,811
Commercial & industrial 24,096 776,240 3.1 27
HELOC 820 126,596 0.6 1,310
Consumer 1,983 180,814 1.1 328
$ 107,771 $ 9,232,046 1.2 % $ 130 $ 49,067 0.3 %

(1) Excludes acquired loans with discounts sufficient to absorb potential losses and covered loans

September 30, 2015 Loans Collectively Evaluated for Impairment — Allowance Allocation Recorded Investment of Loans (1) Ratio Loans Individually Evaluated for Impairment — Allowance Allocation Recorded Investment of Loans (1) Ratio
(In thousands) (In thousands)
Single-family residential $ 47,073 $ 5,595,752 0.8 % $ 275 $ 51,718 0.5 %
Construction 6,680 124,679 5.4 5,441
Construction - custom 990 205,692 0.5
Land - acquisition & development 5,781 72,602 8.0 2,198
Land - consumer lot loans 2,946 93,103 3.2 10,824
Multi-family 5,304 1,062,194 0.5 5,348
Commercial real estate 8,960 844,691 1.1 8,826
Commercial & industrial 24,980 643,577 3.9
HELOC 902 126,594 0.7 1,072
Consumer 2,938 194,569 1.5 86
$ 106,554 $ 8,963,453 1.2 % $ 275 $ 85,513 0.3 %

(1) Excludes acquired loans with discounts sufficient to absorb potential losses and covered loans

As of December 31, 2015 , $107,771,000 of the allowance was calculated under the formulas contained in our general allowance methodology and the remaining $130,000 was specific reserves on loans deemed to be individually impaired. As of September 30,

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NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

2015 , $106,554,000 of the allowance was calculated under the formulas contained in our general allowance methodology and the remaining $275,000 was specific reserves on loans deemed to be individually impaired.

The Company has an asset quality review function that analyzes its loan portfolios and reports the results of the review to the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. The single-family residential, HELOC and consumer portfolios are evaluated based on their performance as a pool of loans, since no single loan is individually significant or judged by its risk rating, size or potential risk of loss. The construction, land, multi-family, commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans are risk rated on a loan by loan basis to determine the relative risk inherent in specific borrowers or loans. Based on that risk rating, the loans are assigned a grade and classified as follows:

• Pass – the credit does not meet one of the definitions below.

• Special mention – A special mention credit is considered to be currently protected from loss but is potentially weak. No loss of principal or interest is foreseen; however, proper supervision and Management attention is required to deter further deterioration in the credit. Assets in this category constitute some undue and unwarranted credit risk but not to the point of justifying a risk rating of substandard. The credit risk may be relatively minor yet constitutes an unwarranted risk in light of the circumstances surrounding a specific asset.

• Substandard – A substandard credit is an unacceptable credit. Additionally, repayment in the normal course is in jeopardy due to the existence of one or more well defined weaknesses. In these situations, loss of principal is likely if the weakness is not corrected. A substandard asset is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. Assets so classified will have a well defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. Loss potential, while existing in the aggregate amount of substandard assets, does not have to exist in individual assets risk rated substandard.

• Doubtful – A credit classified doubtful has all the weaknesses inherent in one classified substandard with the added characteristic that the weakness makes collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. The probability of loss is high, but because of certain important and reasonably specific pending factors that may work to the advantage and strengthening of the asset, its classification as an estimated loss is deferred until its more exact status may be determined. Pending factors include proposed merger, acquisition, or liquidation procedures, capital injection, perfecting liens on additional collateral, and refinancing plans.

• Loss – Credits classified loss are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as a bankable asset is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the asset has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this asset even though partial recovery may be affected in the future. Losses should be taken in the period in which they are identified as uncollectible. Partial charge-off versus full charge-off may be taken if the collateral offers some identifiable protection.

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NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The following tables provide information on loans based on risk rating categories as defined above.

December 31, 2015 Internally Assigned Grade — Pass Special mention Substandard Doubtful Loss Total Gross Loans
(In thousands)
Non-acquired loans
Single-family residential $ 5,551,785 $ — $ 77,930 $ — $ — $ 5,629,715
Construction 655,964 4,274 660,238
Construction - custom 402,000 2,849 404,849
Land - acquisition & development 87,772 5,627 3,626 97,025
Land - consumer lot loans 100,125 2,251 102,376
Multi-family 997,696 997,696
Commercial real estate 813,974 8,111 17,073 839,157
Commercial & industrial 713,240 3,058 34,775 751,073
HELOC 127,198 721 127,919
Consumer 180,892 250 181,142
9,630,645 21,070 139,475 9,791,190
Non-impaired acquired loans 152,761 11,619 164,380
Credit-impaired acquired loans 79,555 199 36,276 116,030
Covered loans 37,555 1,029 38,584
Total gross loans $ 9,900,516 $ 21,269 $ 188,399 $ — $ — $ 10,110,184
Total grade as a % of total gross loans 97.9 % 0.2 % 1.9 % — % — %

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(UNAUDITED)

September 30, 2015 Internally Assigned Grade — Pass Special mention Substandard Doubtful Loss Total Gross Loans
(In thousands)
Non-acquired loans
Single-family residential $ 5,558,700 $ — $ 93,145 $ — $ — $ 5,651,845
Construction 197,935 2,574 200,509
Construction - custom 396,307 396,307
Land - acquisition & development 89,656 4,552 94,208
Land - consumer lot loans 103,569 420 103,989
Multi-family 1,118,673 865 6,184 1,125,722
Commercial real estate 971,510 4,360 10,400 986,270
Commercial & industrial 575,034 1,496 36,306 612,836
HELOC 127,398 248 127,646
Consumer 194,451 204 194,655
9,333,233 6,721 154,033 9,493,987
Non-impaired acquired loans 149,891 16,402 166,293
Credit-impaired acquired loans 61,019 26,062 87,081
Covered loans 61,776 14,133 75,909
Total gross loans $ 9,605,919 $ 6,721 $ 210,630 $ — $ — $ 9,823,270
Total grade as a % of total gross loans 97.8 % 0.1 % 2.1 % — % — %

The following tables provide information on loans (excluding acquired and covered loans) based on borrower payment activity.

December 31, 2015 Performing Loans — Amount % of Total Gross Loans Non-Performing Loans — Amount % of Total Gross Loans
(In thousands)
Single-family residential $ 5,585,859 99.2 % $ 43,856 0.8 %
Construction 660,238 100.0
Construction - custom 402,331 99.4 2,518 0.6
Land - acquisition & development 96,516 99.5 509 0.5
Land - consumer lot loans 101,437 99.1 939 0.9
Multi-family 996,158 99.8 1,538 0.2
Commercial real estate 832,476 99.2 6,681 0.8
Commercial & industrial 750,958 100.0 115
HELOC 127,446 99.6 473 0.4
Consumer 181,023 99.9 119 0.1
$ 9,734,442 99.4 % $ 56,748 0.6 %

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NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

September 30, 2015 Performing Loans — Amount % of Total Gross Loans Non-Performing Loans — Amount % of Total Gross Loans
(In thousands)
Single-family residential $ 5,592,771 99.0 % $ 59,074 1.0 %
Construction 199,755 99.6 754 0.4
Construction - custom 395,575 99.8 732 0.2
Land - acquisition & development 94,208 100.0
Land - consumer lot loans 102,716 98.8 1,273 1.2
Multi-family 1,123,165 99.8 2,558 0.2
Commercial real estate 984,093 99.8 2,176 0.2
Commercial & industrial 612,836 100.0
HELOC 127,083 99.6 563 0.4
Consumer 193,975 99.7 680 0.3
$ 9,426,177 99.3 % $ 67,810 0.7 %

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NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The following tables provide information on impaired loan balances and the related allowances by loan types.

December 31, 2015 Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Average Recorded Investment
(In thousands)
With no related allowance recorded:
Single-family residential $ 14,791 $ 16,304 $ — $ 12,837
Construction
Construction - custom 1,182 1,182 868
Land - acquisition & development 542 8,630 1,327
Land - consumer lot loans 510 527 427
Multi-family 761 4,754 1,117
Commercial real estate 7,331 8,671 4,686
Commercial & industrial 953 6,687 948
HELOC 262 631 245
Consumer 479 479 385
26,811 47,865 22,840
With an allowance recorded:
Single-family residential 246,210 249,530 6,339 246,922
Construction
Construction - custom
Land - acquisition & development 2,101 3,303 2,294
Land - consumer lot loans 11,080 11,345 11,120
Multi-family 2,430 2,435 2,437
Commercial real estate 23,802 27,168 24,042
Commercial & industrial
HELOC 1,393 1,393 1,393
Consumer 97 286 98
287,113 295,460 6,339 (1) 288,306
Total:
Single-family residential 261,001 265,834 6,339 259,759
Construction
Construction - custom 1,182 1,182 868
Land - acquisition & development 2,643 11,933 3,621
Land - consumer lot loans 11,590 11,872 11,547
Multi-family 3,191 7,189 3,554
Commercial real estate 31,133 35,839 28,728
Commercial & industrial 953 6,687 948
HELOC 1,655 2,024 1,638
Consumer 576 765 483
$ 313,924 $ 343,325 $ 6,339 (1) $ 311,146

(1) Includes $130,000 of specific reserves and $6,209,000 included in the general reserves.

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NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

September 30, 2015 Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Average Recorded Investment
(In thousands)
With no related allowance recorded:
Single-family residential $ 17,250 $ 19,644 $ — $ 14,069
Construction 453 2,151 471
Construction - custom 554 554 182
Land - acquisition & development 2,570 9,426 926
Land - consumer lot loans 727 814 544
Multi-family 3,770 7,054 1,545
Commercial real estate 9,427 15,620 8,130
Commercial & industrial 2,955 13,066 2,681
HELOC 683 1,532 536
Consumer 477 703 390
38,866 70,564 29,474
With an allowance recorded:
Single-family residential 259,461 263,268 6,678 260,028
Construction 4,988 5,778 5,432
Land - acquisition & development 2,486 3,426 3,478
Land - consumer lot loans 11,289 11,554 11,324
Multi-family 3,823 3,823 3,732
Commercial real estate 19,124 21,078 18,886
HELOC 1,443 1,443 1,359
Consumer 99 289 102
302,713 310,659 6,678 (1) 304,341
Total:
Single-family residential 276,711 282,912 6,678 274,097
Construction 5,441 7,929 5,903
Construction - custom 554 554 182
Land - acquisition & development 5,056 12,852 4,404
Land - consumer lot loans 12,016 12,368 11,868
Multi-family 7,593 10,877 5,277
Commercial real estate 28,551 36,698 27,016
Commercial & industrial 2,955 13,066 2,681
HELOC 2,126 2,975 1,895
Consumer 576 992 492
$ 341,579 $ 381,223 $ 6,678 (1) $ 333,815

(1) Includes $275,000 of specific reserves and $6,403,000 included in the general reserves.

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NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE F – Fair Value Measurements

ASC 825 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 825 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active exchange markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active and other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

We have established and documented the Company's process for determining the fair values of the Company's assets and liabilities, where applicable. Fair value is based on quoted market prices, when available, for identical or similar assets or liabilities. In the absence of quoted market prices, fair value is determined using valuation models or third-party appraisals. The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used to measure and report the fair value of financial assets and liabilities on a recurring or nonrecurring basis:

Measured on a Recurring Basis

Securities

Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Most securities at fair value are priced using model pricing based on the securities' relationship to other benchmark quoted prices as provided by an independent third party, and under the provisions of the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification are considered a Level 2 input method. Securities that are traded on active exchanges are considered a Level 1 input method.

The bank offers interest rate swaps to its variable rate borrowers who want to manage their interest rate risk. At the same time, the bank enters into the opposite trade with a counter party to offset its interest rate risk. The bank has also entered into a commercial loan hedge as well as long term borrowing hedges using interest rate swaps. The fair value of these interest rate swaps are estimated by a third party pricing service using a discounted cash flow technique. These are considered a Level 2 input method.

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NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The following tables present the balance of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

December 31, 2015 — Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
(In thousands)
Financial Assets
Available-for-sale securities:
Equity securities $ 101,558 $ 101,558
Obligations of U.S. government 425,814 425,814
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 27,232 27,232
Corporate debt securities 505,406 505,406
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates 1,149,087 1,149,087
Other Commercial MBS 95,691 95,691
Total available-for-sale securities 101,558 2,203,230 2,304,788
Interest rate contracts 9,656 9,656
Total financial assets $ 101,558 $ 2,212,886 $ — $ 2,314,444
Financial Liabilities
Interest rate contracts $ — $ 9,656 $ — $ 9,656
Commercial loan hedge 565 565
Long term borrowing hedge 11,759 11,759
Total financial liabilities $ — $ 21,980 $ — $ 21,980

There were no transfers between, into and/or out of Levels 1, 2 or 3 during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 .

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NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

September 30, 2015 — Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
(In thousands)
Financial Assets
Available-for-sale securities:
Equity securities $ 101,952 $ 101,952
Obligations of U.S. government 482,464 482,464
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 27,123 27,123
Corporate debt securities 505,800 505,800
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates 1,160,518 1,160,518
Other Commercial MBS 102,706 102,706
Total available-for-sale securities 101,952 2,278,611 2,380,563
Interest rate contracts 11,879 11,879
Total financial assets $ 101,952 $ 2,290,490 $ — $ 2,392,442
Financial Liabilities
Interest rate contracts $ — $ 11,879 $ — $ 11,879
Commercial loan hedge 966 966
Long term borrowing hedge 14,555 14,555
Total financial liabilities $ — $ 27,400 $ — $ 27,400

There were no transfers between, into and/or out of Levels 1, 2 or 3 during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 .

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NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis

Impaired Loans & Real Estate Owned

Real estate owned consists principally of properties acquired through foreclosure. From time to time, and on a nonrecurring basis, adjustments using fair value measurements are recorded to reflect increases or decreases based on the current appraisal or estimated value of the collateral, but only up to the fair value of the real estate owned as of the initial transfer date less selling costs.

When management determines that the fair value of the collateral or the real estate held for sale requires additional adjustments, either as a result of an updated appraised value or when there is no observable market price, the Company classifies the impaired loan or real estate held for sale as Level 3. Level 3 assets recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2015 included loans for which a specific reserve allowance was established or a partial charge-off was recorded based on the fair value of collateral, as well as covered REO and real estate held for sale for which fair value of the properties was less than the cost basis.

The following tables present the aggregated balance of assets that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , and the total losses (gains) resulting from those fair value adjustments for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 . The estimated fair value measurements are shown gross of estimated selling costs.

Three Months Ended December 31, 2015 — Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Total Gains (Losses)
(In thousands)
Impaired loans (1) $ — $ — $ 8,524 $ 8,524 $ (1,681 )
Real estate owned (2) 7,145 7,145 (1,755 )
Balance at end of period $ — $ — $ 15,669 $ 15,669 $ (3,436 )

(1) The gains (losses) represent remeasurements of collateral-dependent loans.

(2) The gains (losses) represent aggregate writedowns and charge-offs on real estate held for sale.

Three Months Ended December 31, 2014 — Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Total Gains (Losses)
(In thousands)
Impaired loans (1) $ — $ — $ 146 $ 146 $ (64 )
Real estate owned (2) 37,942 37,942 8,237
Balance at end of period $ — $ — $ 38,088 $ 38,088 $ 8,173

(1) The gains (losses) represent remeasurements of collateral-dependent loans.

(2) The gains (losses) represent aggregate writedowns and charge-offs on real estate held for sale.

Impaired loans - The Company adjusts the carrying amount of impaired loans when there is evidence of probable loss and the expected fair value of the loan is less than its contractual amount. The amount of the impairment may be determined based on the estimated present value of future cash flows or the fair value of the underlying collateral. Impaired loans with a specific reserve allowance based on cash flow analysis or the value of the underlying collateral are classified as Level 3 assets.

The evaluations for impairment are prepared by the Problem Loan Review Committee, which is chaired by the Chief Credit Officer and includes the Loan Review manager and Special Credits manager, as well as senior credit officers, division managers and group executives, as applicable. These evaluations are performed in conjunction with the quarterly allowance for loan loss process.

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(UNAUDITED)

Applicable loans that were included in the previous quarter's review are reevaluated and if their values are materially different from the prior quarter evaluation, the underlying information (loan balance and collateral value) are compared. Material differences are evaluated for reasonableness and discussions are held between the relationship manager and their division manager to understand the difference and determine if any adjustment is necessary.

The inputs are developed and substantiated on a quarterly basis, based on current borrower developments, market conditions and collateral values. The following methods are used to value impaired loans:

• The fair value of the collateral, which may take the form of real estate or personal property, is based on internal estimates, field observations, assessments provided by third-party appraisers and other valuation models. The Company performs or reaffirms valuations of collateral-dependent impaired loans at least annually. Adjustments are made if management believes that more recent information is available and relevant with respect to the fair value of the collateral.

• The present value of the expected future cash flows of the collateral is used for measurement of non collateral-dependent loans to test for impairment. The Company calculates the amount and timing of the future cash flows, the effective interest rate to be used to discount the cash flows and the basis for determination of the cash flows, including consideration of current economic and environmental factors, as well as other information relating to current or previous conditions.

Real estate owned ("REO") - When a loan is reclassified from loan status to real estate held for sale due to the Company taking possession of the collateral, a Special Credits officer, along with the Special Credits manager, obtains a valuation, which may include appraisals or third-party price options, which is used to establish the fair value of the underlying collateral. The determined fair value, less selling costs, becomes the carrying value of the REO asset.

The fair value of REO assets is re-evaluated quarterly and the REO asset is adjusted to reflect the fair value as necessary. After foreclosure, the valuations are updated periodically and current market conditions may require the assets to be written down further or up to the cost basis established on the date of transfer. The carrying balance of REO assets are also written down or up once a bona fide offer is contractually accepted, through execution of a Purchase and Sale Agreement, where the accepted price is lower than the cost established on the transfer date.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

U. S. GAAP requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized on the statement of financial condition, for which it is practicable to estimate those values. Certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments are excluded from the disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value estimates presented do not reflect the underlying fair value of the Company. Although management is not aware of any factors that would materially affect the estimated fair value amounts presented below, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since the dates shown, and therefore, estimates of fair value subsequent to those dates may differ significantly from the amounts presented below.

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Level in Fair Value Hierarchy December 31, 2015 — Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value September 30, 2015 — Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value
(In thousands)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents 1 $ 305,959 $ 305,959 $ 284,049 $ 284,049
Available-for-sale securities
Equity securities 1 101,558 101,558 101,952 101,952
Obligations of U.S. government 2 425,814 425,814 482,464 482,464
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 2 27,232 27,232 27,123 27,123
Corporate debt securities 2 505,406 505,406 505,800 505,800
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates 2 1,149,087 1,149,087 1,160,518 1,160,518
Other commercial MBS 2 95,691 95,691 102,706 102,706
Total available-for-sale securities 2,304,788 2,304,788 2,380,563 2,380,563
Held-to-maturity securities 2
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates 2 1,598,370 1,571,288 1,643,216 1,637,420
Total held-to-maturity securities 1,598,370 1,571,288 1,643,216 1,637,420
Loans receivable 3 9,402,730 9,901,403 9,170,634 9,667,750
FDIC indemnification asset 3 14,076 13,271 16,275 15,522
FHLB and FRB stock 2 111,107 111,107 107,198 107,198
Other assets - interest rate contracts 2 9,656 9,656 11,879 11,879
Financial liabilities
Customer accounts 2 10,651,119 9,920,280 10,631,703 10,004,290
FHLB advances 2 1,928,000 2,012,603 1,830,000 1,938,384
Other liabilities - interest rate contracts 2 9,656 9,656 11,879 11,879
Other liabilities - commercial loan hedge 2 565 565 966 966
Other liabilities - long term borrowing hedge 2 11,759 11,759 14,555 14,555

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents – The carrying amount of these items is a reasonable estimate of their fair value.

Available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities – Securities at fair value are primarily priced using model pricing based on the securities' relationship to other benchmark quoted prices as provided by an independent third party, and are considered a Level 2 input method. Equity securities which are exchange traded are considered a Level 1 input method.

Loans receivable and covered loans – For certain homogeneous categories of loans, such as fixed- and variable-rate residential mortgages, fair value is estimated for securities backed by similar loans, adjusted for differences in loan characteristics, using the same methodology described above for AFS and HTM securities. The fair value of other loan types is estimated by discounting the future cash flows and estimated prepayments using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining term. Some loan types were valued at carrying value because of their floating rate or expected maturity characteristics. Net deferred loan fees are not included in the fair value calculation but are included in the carrying amount.

FDIC indemnification asset – The fair value of the indemnification asset is estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using the current rates.

FHLB and FRB stock – The fair value is based upon the par value of the stock which equates to its carrying value.

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Customer accounts – The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, and money market accounts is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit is estimated by discounting the estimated future cash flows using the rates currently offered for deposits with similar remaining maturities.

FHLB advances – The fair value of FHLB advances and other borrowings is estimated by discounting the estimated future cash flows using rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar remaining maturities.

Interest Rate Contracts – The bank offers interest rate swaps to its variable rate borrowers who want to manage their interest rate risk. At the same time, the bank enters into the opposite trade with a counterparty to offset its interest rate risk. The fair value of these interest rate swaps are estimated by a third party pricing service using a discounted cash flow technique.

Commercial Loan Hedge – The fair value of the interest rate swap is estimated by a third party pricing service using a discounted cash flow technique.

Long Term Borrowing Hedges – The fair value of the forward starting interest rate swaps are estimated by a third party pricing service using a discounted cash flow technique.

The following tables provide a reconciliation of amortized cost to fair value of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities.

December 31, 2015 — Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Fair Value Yield
Gains Losses
(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities
U.S. government and agency securities due
1 to 5 years $ 99,907 $ 1,600 $ (593 ) $ 100,914 1.89 %
5 to 10 years 76,604 (1,852 ) 74,752 1.35
Over 10 years 254,886 100 (4,838 ) 250,148 1.34
Equity Securities
Within 1 year 500 11 511 1.80
1 to 5 years 99,922 1,124 101,046 1.90
5 to 10 years
Corporate bonds due
Within 1 year 24,872 103 24,975 0.57
1 to 5 years 341,470 839 (108 ) 342,201 1.20
5 to 10 years 89,952 558 (3,030 ) 87,480 1.80
Over 10 years 50,000 750 50,750 3.00
Municipal bonds due
1 to 5 years 2,292 3 2,295 1.23
5 to 10 years 1,311 18 1,329 2.05
Over 10 years 20,377 3,230 23,607 6.45
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates 1,141,558 11,636 (4,105 ) 1,149,089 2.56
Other Commercial MBS 96,383 18 (710 ) 95,691 1.58
2,300,034 19,990 (15,236 ) 2,304,788 2.07
Held-to-maturity securities
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates 1,598,370 5,638 (32,719 ) 1,571,289 3.19
$ 3,898,404 $ 25,628 $ (47,955 ) $ 3,876,077 2.53 %

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

September 30, 2015 — Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Fair Value Yield
Gains Losses
(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities
U.S. government and agency securities due
1 to 5 years $ 105,065 $ 1,923 $ (274 ) $ 106,714 1.74 %
5 to 10 years 119,071 35 (1,247 ) 117,859 1.54
Over 10 years 262,832 (4,941 ) 257,891 1.23
Equity Securities
Within 1 year 500 17 517 1.80
1 to 5 years 99,922 1,513 101,435 1.90
Corporate bonds due
Within 1 year 24,787 191 24,978 0.53
1 to 5 years 311,435 1,190 (58 ) 312,567 0.88
5 to 10 years 100,000 876 (3,524 ) 97,352 1.47
Over 10 years 69,950 953 70,903 3.00
Municipal bonds due
1 to 5 years 2,285 8 2,293 1.23
5 to 10 years 1,303 7 1,310 2.05
Over 10 years 20,382 3,138 23,520 6.45
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates 1,144,787 18,222 (2,491 ) 1,160,518 2.48
Other Commercial MBS 103,131 85 (510 ) 102,706 1.51
2,365,450 28,158 (13,045 ) 2,380,563 1.97
Held-to-maturity securities
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates 1,643,216 10,516 (16,312 ) 1,637,420 3.19
$ 4,008,666 $ 38,674 $ (29,357 ) $ 4,017,983 2.46 %

There were no available-for-sale securities sold during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 or the quarter ended December 31, 2014 . Substantially all of the agency mortgage-backed securities have contractual due dates that exceed 10 years .

The following tables show the unrealized gross losses and fair value of securities as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , by length of time that individual securities in each category have been in a continuous loss position. The decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates. Because the Company does not intend to sell these securities and does not consider it more likely than not that it will be required to sell these securities before the recovery of amortized cost basis, which may be upon maturity, the Company does not consider these investments to be other than temporarily impaired.

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

December 31, 2015 Less than 12 months — Unrealized Gross Losses Fair Value 12 months or more — Unrealized Gross Losses Fair Value Total — Unrealized Gross Losses Fair Value
(In thousands)
Corporate bonds due $ (108 ) $ 32,986 $ (3,030 ) $ 46,970 $ (3,138 ) $ 79,956
U.S. government and agency securities due (5,062 ) 243,329 (2,221 ) 109,611 (7,283 ) 352,940
Agency pass-through certificates (3,181 ) 636,155 (34,354 ) 1,266,121 (37,535 ) 1,902,276
$ (8,351 ) $ 912,470 $ (39,605 ) $ 1,422,702 $ (47,956 ) $ 2,335,172
September 30, 2015 Less than 12 months — Unrealized Gross Losses Fair Value 12 months or more — Unrealized Gross Losses Fair Value Total — Unrealized Gross Losses Fair Value
(In thousands)
Corporate bonds due $ (183 ) $ 72,862 $ (3,399 ) $ 46,601 $ (3,582 ) $ 119,463
U.S. government and agency securities due (5,010 ) 336,243 (1,452 ) 57,344 (6,462 ) 393,587
Agency pass-through certificates (1,036 ) 169,541 (18,277 ) 1,193,463 (19,313 ) 1,363,004
$ (6,229 ) $ 578,646 $ (23,128 ) $ 1,297,408 $ (29,357 ) $ 1,876,054

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE G – Derivatives and Hedging Activities

The Bank periodically enters into certain interest rate swap agreements in order to provide commercial loan customers the ability to convert from variable to fixed interest rate payments, while the Bank retains a variable rate loan. Under these agreements, the Bank enters into a variable rate loan agreement and a swap agreement with the client. The swap agreement effectively converts the client’s variable rate loan into a fixed rate. The Bank enters into a corresponding swap agreement with a third party in order to offset its exposure on the variable and fixed components of the client's swap agreement. The Bank had $ 474,900,000 and $439,416,000 notional in interest rate swaps to hedge this exposure as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , respectively. The interest rate swaps are derivatives under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, with changes in fair value recorded in earnings. There was no net impact to the statement of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2015 as the changes in value for the asset and liability side of the swaps offset each other.

The Bank has also entered into forward-starting interest rate swaps to convert future short-term borrowings to fixed rate payments. The primary purpose of this hedge is to mitigate the risk of rising interest rates, specifically LIBOR rates, which are a benchmark for the short term borrowings. The hedging program qualifies as a cash flow hedge under FASB ASC 815, which provides for matching of the recognition of gains and losses of the interest rate swaps and the hedged items. The hedged item is the LIBOR portion of the series of future short-term fixed rate borrowings over the term of the interest rate swap. Prior to the starting date, the change in the fair value of the interest rate swap is recorded in other comprehensive income. The Bank had $400,000,000 notional in forward starting interest rate swaps to hedge future borrowing rates as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 . The impact on accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2015 was an after-tax gain of $1,768,000 .

The Bank has also entered into an interest rate swap to hedge the interest rate risk of an individual fixed rate commercial loan and this relationship qualifies as a fair value hedge under FASB ASC 815, which provides for matching of the recognition of gains and losses of the interest rate swap and the hedged item. The Bank had $54,155,000 and $54,815,000 notional in interest rate swap to hedge this loan as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 , respectively

The following table presents the fair value and balance sheet classification of derivatives at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 :

Asset Derivatives — December 31, 2015 September 30, 2015 Liability Derivatives — December 31, 2015 September 30, 2015
Balance Sheet Balance Sheet Balance Sheet Balance Sheet
Location Fair Value Location Fair Value Location Fair Value Location Fair Value
(In thousands)
Interest rate contracts Other assets $ 9,656 Other assets $ 11,879 Other liabilities $ 9,656 Other liabilities $ 11,879
Commercial loan hedge Other assets Other assets Other liabilities 565 Other liabilities 966
Long term borrowing hedge Other assets Other assets Other liabilities 11,759 Other liabilities 14,555
$ 9,656 $ 11,879 $ 21,980 $ 27,400

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I – Financial Information

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

In addition to historical information, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes certain “forward-looking statements,” as defined in the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the "Exchange Act"), based on current management expectations. Actual results could differ materially from those management expectations. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company’s intentions, beliefs or current expectations as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Stockholders and potential stockholders are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause future results to vary from current management expectations include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions; legislative and regulatory changes, including without limitation the potential effect of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and regulations being promulgated thereunder; monetary fiscal policies of the federal government; changes in tax policies; rates and regulations of federal, state and local tax authorities; changes in interest rates; deposit flows; cost of funds; demand for loan products; demand for financial services; competition; changes in the quality or composition of the Company’s loan and investment portfolios; changes in accounting principles; policies or guidelines and other economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, markets, products, services and fees. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time.

GENERAL

Washington Federal, Inc. is a Washington corporation headquartered in Seattle, Washington and is a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. The Company conducts its operations primarily through the Bank, a federally-insured national bank subsidiary, Washington Federal, National Association.

The Company's fiscal year end is September 30th. All references to 2015 represent balances as of September 30, 2015 or activity for the fiscal year then ended.

INTEREST RATE RISK

Based on Management's assessment of the current interest rate environment, the Bank has taken steps to reduce its interest rate risk profile compared to its historical norms, including growing shorter-term business loans and transaction deposit accounts, as well as extending the maturity on borrowings. The mix of transaction accounts is 56% of total deposits as of December 31, 2015 while the composition of the investment securities portfolio is 40% variable and 60% fixed rate. The Company has $1,598,370,000 of 30-year fixed rate mortgage-backed securities that it has designated as held-to-maturity and are carried at amortized cost. With rising interest rates, these securities may be subject to unrealized losses. As of December 31, 2015 , the net unrealized loss on these securities was $27,081,000 . The Company has $ 2,304,788,000 of available-for-sale securities that are carried at fair value. As of December 31, 2015 , the net unrealized gain on these securities was $4,754,000 . The Bank has executed forward starting interest rate swaps to hedge interest rates on future borrowings. The net unrealized loss on these interest rate swaps as of December 31, 2015 was $11,759,000 . All of the above are pre-tax net unrealized gains or losses.

The Company relies on various measures of interest rate risk, including an asset/liability maturity gap analysis, modeling of changes in forecasted net interest income under various rate change scenarios, and the impact of interest rate changes on the net portfolio value (“NPV”) of the Company.

Net Interest Income Sensitivity. The potential impact of rising interest rates on net interest income in the future under various rate change scenarios is estimated using a model that is based on account level detail for loans and deposits. In the event of an immediate and parallel increase of 200 basis points in both short and long-term interest rates, the model estimates that net interest income would decrease by (0.5)% in the next year. This compares to an estimated decrease of (2.2)% as of the September 30, 2015 analysis. This analysis assumes zero balance sheet growth and a constant percentage composition of assets and liabilities for consistency. It also assumes that loan and deposit prices respond in full to the increase in market rates. Actual results would differ from the assumptions used in this model, as Management monitors and adjusts loan and deposit pricing and the size and composition of the balance sheet to respond to changing interest rates. It is noted that a flattening yield curve due to a greater increase in short term rates as compared to long term rates would likely result in a more significant decrease in net interest income. Management estimates that a gradual increase of 300 basis points in short term rates and 100 basis points in long term rates over two years would result in a net interest income decrease of 2.26% in the first year and 0.51% in the second year assuming a constant balance sheet and no management intervention.

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I – Financial Information

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

NPV Sensitivity. The NPV is an estimate of the market value of shareholders' equity. It is derived by calculating the difference between the present value of expected cash flows from interest-earning assets and the present value of expected cash flows from interest-paying liabilities and off-balance-sheet contracts. The sensitivity of the NPV to changes in interest rates provides a longer term view of interest rate risk as it incorporates all future expected cash flows. In the event of an immediate and parallel increase of 200 basis points in interest rates, the NPV is estimated to decline by $588,979,000 or 20.95% and the NPV to total assets ratio to decline to 16.14% from a base of 18.91%. As of September 30, 2015 , the NPV in the event of a 200 basis point increase in rates was estimated to decline by $535,948,000 or 19.65% and the NPV to total assets ratio to decline to 15.91 % from a base of 18.39%. The increased NPV sensitivity and higher base NPV ratio is due to higher interest rates and lower prices as of December 31, 2015 .

Repricing Gap Analysis. At December 31, 2015 , the Company had approximately $1,766,553,000 more in liabilities subject to maturity or repricing in the next year than assets, which resulted in a negative one-year maturity gap of (12.0)% of total assets. This was an decrease from the (13.40) % negative gap as of September 30, 2015 . A negative repricing gap implies that funding costs will change more rapidly than interest income on earning assets with movements in interest rates. A negative repricing gap typically results in lower margins when interest rates rise and higher margins when interest rates decline. This interest rate gap analysis provides management with a high-level indication of interest rate risk, but it is considered less reliable than more detailed modeling.

Interest Rate Spread. The interest rate spread is measured as the difference between the rate on total loans and investments and the rate on costing liabilities at the end of each period. The interest rate spread decreased to 2.72% at December 31, 2015 from 2.73% at September 30, 2015 . The spread decrease of 1 basis point is due to lower rates on interest earning assets. As of December 31, 2015 , the weighted average rate on loans and mortgage backed securities decreased by 4 basis points compared to September 30, 2015 , while the weighted average rate on earning assets declined by 1 basis point to 3.62%.

Net Interest Margin. The net interest margin is measured using the interest income and expense over the average assets and liabilities for the period. The net interest margin increased to 3.18% for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 from 3.01% for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 . The yield on earning assets increased 10 basis points to 3.99% and the cost of interest bearing liabilities declined 8 basis points to 0.90% . The higher yield on earning assets is the result of changes in the asset mix as cash and investment securities have decreased while loans has increased. The decrease in interest costs was a combination of changes in the deposit mix from time deposits to core transaction accounts as well as lower costs on FHLB advances as the Company prepaid a $100,000,000 FHLB advance during the quarter ended December 31, 2014.

The following table sets forth the information explaining the changes in the net interest margin for the periods indicated compared to the same periods one year ago.

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PART I – Financial Information

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Quarter Ended December 31, 2015 — Average Balance Interest Average Rate Quarter Ended December 31, 2014 — Average Balance Interest Average Rate
(In thousands) (In thousands)
Assets
Loans and covered loans $ 9,258,041 $ 112,864 4.84 % $ 8,367,285 $ 108,293 5.13 %
Mortgaged-backed securities 2,880,242 16,986 2.34 3,191,365 19,175 2.38
Cash & Investments 1,198,471 4,258 1.41 1,876,824 4,872 1.14
FHLB & FRB stock 107,793 1,016 3.74 158,194 401 1.01
Total interest-earning assets 13,444,547 135,124 3.99 % 13,593,668 132,741 3.89 %
Other assets 1,109,202 1,062,770
Total assets $ 14,553,749 $ 14,656,438
Liabilities and Equity
Customer accounts $ 10,619,654 $ 12,718 0.48 % $ 10,680,974 $ 13,446 0.50 %
FHLB advances 1,844,772 15,537 3.34 1,920,217 17,112 3.65
Total interest-bearing liabilities 12,464,426 28,255 0.90 % 12,601,191 30,558 0.98 %
Other liabilities 124,370 95,026
Total liabilities 12,588,796 12,696,217
Stockholder's equity 1,964,953 1,960,221
Total liabilities and equity $ 14,553,749 $ 14,656,438
Net interest income $ 106,869 $ 102,183
Net interest margin 3.18 % 3.01 %

As of December 31, 2015 , total assets had increased by $116,575,000 to $14,684,899,000 from $14,568,324,000 at September 30, 2015 . For the quarter ended December 31, 2015 , compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2015 , loans receivable increased $232,096,000 or 2.53% partially offset by the decrease of $120,621,000 or 3.00% in investment securities.

Cash and cash equivalents of $305,959,000 and stockholders’ equity of $1,970,240,000 as of December 31, 2015 provides management with flexibility in managing interest rate risk going forward.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The principal sources of funds for the Company's activities are loan repayments (including prepayments), net deposit inflows, repayments and sales of investments and borrowings and retained earnings, if applicable. The Company's principal sources of revenue are interest on loans and interest and dividends on investments.

The Bank has a credit line with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines ("FHLB") equal to 49.0% of total assets, providing a substantial source of additional liquidity if needed.

The Bank has entered into borrowing agreements with the FHLB to borrow funds under a short-term floating rate cash management advance program and fixed-rate term loan agreements. All borrowings are secured by stock of the FHLB, deposits with the FHLB,

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I – Financial Information

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

and a blanket pledge of qualifying loans receivable as provided in the agreements with the FHLB. The Bank is also eligible to borrow under the Federal Reserve Bank's primary credit program.

The Company's cash and cash equivalents amounted to $305,959,000 at December 31, 2015 , a decrease from $284,049,000 at September 30, 2015 . These amounts include the Bank's operating cash.

The Company’s net worth at December 31, 2015 was $1,970,240,000 , or 13.42% of total assets. This was a increase of $14,561,000 from September 30, 2015 when net worth was $1,955,679,000 which was 13.42% of total assets. The Company’s net worth was impacted in the three months ended December 31, 2015 by net income of $35,098,000 , the payment of $12,036,000 in cash dividends, treasury stock purchases of $9,938,000 , as well as an other comprehensive loss of $4,785,000 . The ratio of tangible capital to tangible assets at December 31, 2015 was 11.62% . The Company has paid out 63% of its fiscal 2016 year-to-date earnings to shareholders in the form of cash dividends and share repurchases, compared with 111% for fiscal year 2015. Management believes the strong net worth position will allow the Company to manage its interest rate risk and provide the capital support needed for controlled growth in a regulated environment.

The Company (on a consolidated basis) and its banking subsidiary are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company and the Bank's financial statements.

Federal banking agencies establish regulatory capital rules which require minimum capital ratios and establish criteria for calculating regulatory capital. Minimum capital ratios for four measures are used for assessing capital adequacy. The standards are indicated in the table below. The common equity tier 1 capital ratio recognizes common equity as the highest form of capital. The denominator for all except the leverage ratio is risk weighted assets. The rules set forth a “capital conservation buffer” of up to 2.5%. In the event that a bank’s capital levels fall below the minimum ratios plus these buffers, restrictions can be placed on the bank by its regulators. These restrictions include reducing dividend payments, share-backs, and staff bonus payments. The purpose of these buffers is to require banks to build up capital outside of periods of stress that can be drawn down during periods of stress. As a result, even during periods where losses are incurred, the minimum capital ratios can still be met. The capital rules that became effective in January 2015 include a phase-in period for certain minimum ratios and the capital buffers, before the full minimum ratios take effect in 2019. Management continues to monitor the financial position of the Company and its capital ratios as the rules phase in.

There are also standards for Adequate and Well Capitalized criteria that are used for “Prompt Corrective Action” purposes. To remain categorized as well capitalized, the Bank and Holding Company must maintain minimum common equity risk-based, tier 1 risk-based, total risk-based and tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the following table.

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I – Financial Information

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Actual — Capital Ratio Minimum Capital Adequacy Guidelines — Capital Ratio Minimum Well-Capitalized Guidelines — Capital Ratio
(In thousands)
December 31, 2015
Common Equity Tier I risk-based capital ratio:
The Company $ 1,678,544 18.52 % $ 644,872 4.50 % NA NA
The Bank 1,676,263 18.48 % 645,078 4.50 % 931,779 6.50 %
Tier I risk-based capital ratio:
The Company 1,678,544 18.52 % 543,821 6.00 % NA NA
The Bank 1,676,263 18.48 % 544,370 6.00 % 725,827 8.00 %
Total risk-based capital ratio:
The Company 1,790,041 19.75 % 725,095 8.00 % NA NA
The Bank 1,787,760 19.70 % 725,827 8.00 % 907,284 10.00 %
Tier 1 Leverage ratio:
The Company 1,678,544 11.71 % 573,219 4.00 % NA NA
The Bank 1,676,263 11.69 % 573,402 4.00 % 716,753 5.00 %
September 30, 2015
Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio:
The Company 1,658,985 18.81 % 637,788 4.50 % NA NA
The Bank 1,652,569 18.73 % 637,810 4.50 % 921,281 6.50 %
Tier I risk-based capital ratio:
The Company 1,658,985 18.81 % 529,051 6.00 % NA NA
The Bank 1,652,569 18.73 % 529,360 6.00 % 705,814 8.00 %
Total risk-based capital ratio:
The Company 1,769,587 20.07 % 705,402 8.00 % NA NA
The Bank 1,763,171 19.98 % 705,814 8.00 % 882,267 10.00 %
Tier 1 Leverage ratio:
The Company 1,658,985 11.71 % 566,923 4.00 % NA N/A
The Bank 1,652,569 11.66 % 566,942 4.00 % 708,678 5.00 %

CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION

Cash and cash equivalents : Cash and cash equivalents increased $21,910,000 , or 7.71% , to $305,959,000 at December 31, 2015 .

Available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities : Available-for-sale securities decreased $75,775,000 , or 3.2% , during the three months ended December 31, 2015 , due to prepayments, calls and maturities which were partially offset by the purchase of $50,741,000 of available-for-sale securities. During the same period, the balance of held-to-maturity securities declined by $44,846,000 due to paydowns and maturities. There were no held to maturity securities purchased or sold during the quarter. As of December 31, 2015 , the Company had a net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities of $4,754,000 , which is included on a net of tax basis in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Loans receivable : Loans receivable, net of related contra accounts, increased to $9,402,730,000 at December 31, 2015 compared to $9,170,634,000 at September 30, 2015 . This increase resulted primarily from originations of $963,319,000 and loan purchases of $51,646,000 , partially offset by loan repayments of $726,292,000 . Commercial loan originations accounted for 75% of total originations and consumer loan originations were 25%. The increase in the loan portfolio is consistent with management's strategy during low rate environments to produce more multifamily, commercial real estate, and commercial and industrial loans which generally have adjustable interest rates or a shorter duration.

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I – Financial Information

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following table shows the loan portfolio by category and the change.

December 31, 2015 — (In thousands) September 30, 2015 — (In thousands) Change — $ %
Non-Acquired loans
Single-family residential $ 5,629,715 55.7 % $ 5,651,845 57.5 % $ (22,131 ) (0.4 )%
Construction 660,238 6.5 200,509 2.0 459,729 229.3
Construction - custom 404,849 4.0 396,307 4.0 8,542 2.2
Land - acquisition & development 97,025 1.0 94,208 1.0 2,817 3.0
Land - consumer lot loans 102,376 1.0 103,989 1.1 (1,613 ) (1.6 )
Multi-family 997,696 9.9 1,125,722 11.5 (128,027 ) (11.4 )
Commercial real estate 839,157 8.3 986,270 10.0 (147,112 ) (14.9 )
Commercial & industrial 751,073 7.4 612,836 6.2 138,237 22.6
HELOC 127,919 1.3 127,646 1.3 273 0.2
Consumer 181,142 1.8 194,655 2.0 (13,513 ) (6.9 )
Total non-acquired loans 9,791,190 96.9 % 9,493,987 96.6 % 297,203 3.1 %
Acquired loans 164,380 1.6 166,293 1.7 (1,913 ) (1.2 )
Credit impaired acquired loans 116,030 1.1 87,081 0.9 28,949 33.2
Covered loans 38,584 0.4 75,909 0.8 (37,325 ) (49.2 )
Total gross loans 10,110,184 100 % 9,823,270 100 % 286,914 2.9 %
Less:
Allowance for probable losses 107,901 106,829 1,072 1.0 %
Loans in process 535,850 476,796 59,054 12.4
Discount on acquired loans 25,040 30,095 (5,055 ) (16.8 )
Deferred net origination fees 38,663 38,916 (253 ) (0.6 )
Total loan contra accounts 707,454 652,636 54,818 8.4
Net Loans $ 9,402,730 $ 9,170,634 $ 232,096 2.5 %

Non-performing assets (excludes discounted acquired assets) : Non-performing assets decreased 23.1% during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 to $98,846,000 from $128,577,000 at September 30, 2015 . The decrease is primarily due to the decrease in REO discussed below. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets decreased to 0.67% at December 31, 2015 compared to 0.88% at September 30, 2015 .

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I – Financial Information

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following table sets forth information regarding restructured and non-accrual loans and REO.

December 31, 2015 September 30, 2015
(In thousands)
Restructured loans:
Single-family residential $ 243,292 86.1 % $ 259,460 85.8 %
Construction 4,989 1.6
Land - acquisition & development 1,976 0.7 2,486 0.8
Land - consumer lot loans 10,173 3.6 11,289 3.7
Multi - family 1,530 0.5 3,823 1.3
Commercial real estate 24,258 8.6 19,124 6.3
HELOC 1,397 0.5 1,443 0.5
Consumer 97 99
Total restructured loans (1) $ 282,723 100 % $ 302,713 100 %
Non-accrual loans:
Single-family residential $ 43,856 77.3 % $ 59,074 87.1 %
Construction 754 1.1
Construction - custom 2,518 4.4 732 1.1
Land - acquisition & development 509 0.9
Land - consumer lot loans 939 1.7 1,273 1.9
Multi-family 1,538 2.7 2,558 3.8
Commercial real estate 6,681 11.8 2,176 3.2
Commercial & industrial 115 0.2
HELOC 473 0.8 563 0.8
Consumer 119 0.2 680 1.0
Total non-accrual loans (2) 56,748 100 % 67,810 100 %
Real estate owned 42,098 60,767
Total non-performing assets $ 98,846 $ 128,577
Total non-performing assets and performing restructured loans as a percentage of total assets 2.60 % 2.96 %
(1) Restructured loans were as follows:
Performing $ 273,211 96.6 % $ 291,416 96.3 %
Non-performing (included in non-accrual loans above) 9,512 3.4 11,297 3.7
$ 282,723 100 % $ 302,713 100 %

(2) For the three months ended December 31, 2015 , the Company recognized $1,257,000 in interest income on cash payments received from borrower on nonaccrual loans. The Company would have recognized interest income of $687,000 for the same period had these loans performed according to their original contract terms. The recognized interest income may include more than three months of interest for some of the loans that were brought current. In addition to the nonaccrual loans reflected in the above table, the Company had $102,335,000 of loans that were less than 90 days delinquent at December 31, 2015 but which it had classified as substandard for one or more reasons. If these loans were deemed non-performing, the Company's ratio of total NPAs and performing restructured loans as a percent of total assets would have increased to 1.37% at December 31, 2015.

Restructured single-family residential loans are reserved for under the Company’s general reserve methodology. If any individual loan is significant in balance, the Company may establish a specific reserve as warranted.

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I – Financial Information

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Most restructured loans are accruing and performing loans where the borrower has proactively approached the Bank about modifications due to temporary financial difficulties. Each request is individually evaluated for merit and likelihood of success. Single-family residential loans comprised 86.1% of restructured loans as of December 31, 2015 . The concession for these loans is typically a payment reduction through a rate reduction of from 100 to 200 bps for a specific term, usually six to twelve months. Interest-only payments may also be approved during the modification period.

For commercial loans, six consecutive payments on newly restructured loan terms are required prior to returning the loan to accrual status. In some instances after the required six consecutive payments are made, a management assessment will conclude that collection of the entire principal balance is still in doubt. In those instances, the loan will remain on non-accrual. Homogeneous loans may or may not be on accrual status at the time of restructuring, but all are placed on accrual status upon the restructuring of the loan. Homogeneous loans are restructured only if the borrower can demonstrate the ability to meet the restructured payment terms; otherwise, collection is pursued and the loan remains on non-accrual status until liquidated. If the homogeneous restructured loan does not perform it will be placed in non-accrual status when it is 90 days delinquent.

A loan that defaults and is subsequently modified would impact the Company’s delinquency trend, which is part of the qualitative risk factors component of the general reserve calculation. Any modified loan that re-defaults and is charged-off would impact the historical loss factors component of the Company's general reserve calculation.

Allocation of the allowance for loan losses : The following table shows the allocation of the Company’s allowance for loan losses.

December 31, 2015 — Amount Loans to Total Loans (1) Coverage Ratio (2) September 30, 2015 — Amount Loans to Total Loans (1) Coverage Ratio (2)
(In thousands) (In thousands)
Single-family residential $ 47,755 60.6 % 0.9 % $ 47,348 62.5 % 0.8 %
Construction 7,014 1.3 5.8 6,680 1.4 5.1
Construction - custom 1,062 2.4 0.5 990 2.3 50.0
Land - acquisition & development 6,778 0.9 8.1 5,781 0.8 7.7
Land - consumer lot loans 3,001 1.1 2.9 2,946 1.1 2.8
Multi-family 5,048 11.7 0.5 5,304 11.8 0.5
Commercial real estate 10,344 10.2 1.1 8,960 9.4 1.0
Commercial & industrial 24,096 8.4 3.1 24,980 7.1 3.9
HELOC 820 1.4 0.6 902 1.4 0.7
Consumer 1,983 2.0 1.1 2,938 2.2 1.5
$ 107,901 100 % $ 106,829 100 %

(1) Represents the total amount of the loan category as a % of total gross loans, excluding non-acquired and non-covered loans outstanding not subject to the allowance for loan loss.

(2) Represents the allocated allowance of the loan category as a % of total gross loans, excluding non-acquired and non-covered loans outstanding not subject to the allowance for loan loss, for the same loan category.

Real Estate Owned : Real estate owned decreased during the three months ended December 31, 2015 by $19,000,000 to $42,098,000 . The decrease is primarily due to sales of REO properties during the quarter.

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I – Financial Information

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following table shows the composition of the Bank’s customer accounts by deposit type.

December 31, 2015 — Deposit Account Balance As a % of Total Deposits Wtd. Avg. Rate September 30, 2015 — Deposit Account Balance As a % of Total Deposits Wtd. Avg. Rate
(In thousands) (In thousands)
Non-interest checking $ 1,016,514 9.5 % — % $ 976,250 9.2 % — %
Interest checking 1,636,584 15.4 0.06 1,579,516 14.9 0.06
Savings (passbook/stmt) 782,646 7.3 0.10 700,794 6.6 0.10
Money Market 2,488,340 23.4 0.14 2,564,318 24.1 0.13
CD’s 4,727,035 44.4 0.97 4,810,825 45.2 0.95
Total $ 10,651,119 100 % 0.48 % $ 10,631,703 100 % 0.48 %

Customer accounts : Customer accounts increased $19,416,000 , or 0.2% , to $10,651,119,000 at December 31, 2015 compared with $10,631,703,000 at September 30, 2015 .

FHLB advances and other borrowings : Total borrowings were $1,928,000,000 as of December 31, 2015 , and increase of $98,000,000 since September 30, 2015 . The increase represents short term FHLB advances held as of December 31, 2015 .

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Income : The quarter ended December 31, 2015 produced net income of $35,098,000 compared to $38,407,000 for the same quarter one year ago, as described more fully below.

Net Interest Income : For the quarter ended December 31, 2015 , net interest income was $4,686,000 higher than the same quarter of the prior year. Average earning assets were slightly lower by $149,121,000 period over period. However, the average yield on interest earning assets increased by 10 basis points and the cost of funds decreased by 8 basis points. The net result was a net interest margin of 3.18% in the quarter ended December 31, 2015 compared to 3.01% in quarter ended December 31, 2014 , which drove higher net interest income.

The following table sets forth certain information explaining changes in interest income and interest expense for the period indicated compared to the same period one year ago. For each category of interest-earning asset and interest-bearing liability, information is provided on changes attributable to (1) changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by old rate) and (2) changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by old volume). The change in interest income and interest expense attributable to changes in both volume and rate has been allocated proportionately to the change due to volume and the change due to rate.

Rate / Volume Analysis:

Comparison of Quarters Ended 12/31/15 and 12/31/14 — Volume Rate Total
(In thousands)
Interest income:
Loans receivable $ 10,748 $ (6,178 ) $ 4,570
Mortgaged-backed securities (1,867 ) (322 ) (2,189 )
Investments (1) (2,487 ) 1,945 (542 )
All interest-earning assets 6,394 (4,555 ) 1,839
Interest expense:
Customer accounts (92 ) (636 ) (728 )
FHLB advances and other borrowings (869 ) (1,250 ) (2,119 )
All interest-bearing liabilities (961 ) (1,886 ) (2,847 )
Change in net interest income $ 7,355 $ (2,669 ) $ 4,686

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I – Financial Information

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


(1) Includes interest on cash equivalents and dividends on FHLB & FRB stock

Provision (Reversal) for Loan Losses : There was no provision for loan losses recorded for the three months ended December 31, 2015 , which compares to a reversal of provision of $5,500,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2014 . The lack of provision for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 was a result of continued improvement in credit quality of the loan portfolio offset by net growth in the loan portfolio. The related improvement in the credit quality of the loan portfolio relates to the following factors.

The Company had recoveries, net of charge-offs, of $1,072,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 , compared with $842,000 of net recoveries for the same quarter one year ago. Non-performing assets amounted to $98,846,000 , or 0.67% , of total assets at December 31, 2015 , compared to $164,317,000 , or 1.13% of total assets at December 31, 2014 . Non-accrual loans decreased from $98,353,000 at December 31, 2014 , to $56,748,000 at December 31, 2015 , a 42.3% decrease. The percentage of delinquent loans decreased from 1.47% at December 31, 2014 , to 0.98% at December 31, 2015 .

Unfunded commitments are likely to increase as commercial loans become a greater portion of the loan mix. The reserve for unfunded commitments was $3,085,000 as of December 31, 2015 , which is unchanged since September 30, 2015 . Management believes the allowance for loan losses plus the reserve for unfunded commitments, totaling $110,986,000 , or 1.10% of gross loans, is sufficient to absorb estimated losses inherent in the portfolio. See Note E for further discussion and analysis of the allowance for loan losses for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 .

Other Income : For the three months ended December 31, 2015 , total other income was $10,635,000 as compared to $5,380,000 three months ended December 31, 2014 . The increase was primarily due to other income including the following unusual items in the quarter ended December 31, 2014 . One, there was a prepayment charge of $2,600,000 on a $100,000,000 FHLB advance that was accruing interest at 4% and scheduled to mature in September 2015. The prepayment charge was offset by a reduction in interest expense over the remaining nine months of the FHLB advance. Two, Management recorded a $2,000,000 FDIC indemnification asset write-down related to the commercial loans acquired from Horizon Bank in 2010. The portion of that agreement related to commercial loans expired after March 31, 2015. Deposit fee income was $5,917,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2015 compared to $5,977,000 three months ended December 31, 2014 .

Other Expense : The quarter ended December 31, 2015 results include total other expense of $64,509,000 compared to $53,600,000 for the same quarter one year ago, a 20.4% increase. This increase was driven primarily by $6,600,000 of expenses related to the Company's conversion of its core system that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 . Additionally, the quarter ended December 31, 2014 benefited from an adjustment of $1,900,000 to FDIC insurance premiums. Compensation and benefits expense increased $ 539,000 . The number of staff, including part-time employees on a full-time equivalent basis, was 1,825 and 1,862 at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Total other expense for the quarters ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 equaled 1.77% and 1.46% , respectively, of average assets.

Gain (Loss) on Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure: Gains recognized on real estate acquired through foreclosure was a net gain of $1,420,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2015 , compared to $315,000 for the same period one year ago.

Taxes : Income taxes decreased to $19,317,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 , as compared to $21,371,000 for the same period one year ago. The effective tax rate for three months ended December 31, 2015 was 35.50% while for the period ended December 31, 2014 it was 35.75%. The Company expects a lower effective tax rate going forward due to the effects of the addition of bank owned life insurance and increased investment in low income housing tax credit partnerships.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Management believes that there have been no material changes in the Company’s quantitative and qualitative information about market risk since September 30, 2015 . For a complete discussion of the Company’s quantitative and qualitative market risk, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s 2015 Form 10-K.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures . The Company maintains a set of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, and that such information is

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I – Financial Information

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer along with the Company’s Executive Vice President and Interim Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management has evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer along with the Company’s Executive Vice President and Interim Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"). Based on the evaluation, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer along with the Company’s Executive Vice President and Interim Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting . During the period to which this report relates, there have not been any changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, such controls.

44

WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART II – Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

From time to time the Company and its subsidiaries are engaged in legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, none of which are considered to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed under "Part I--Item 1A--Risk Factors" in the 2015 Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2015 . These factors could materially and adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and capital position, and could cause its actual results to differ materially from our historical results or the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this report.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table provides information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of the Company of the Company’s common stock during the three months ended December 31, 2015 .

Period Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid Per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan (1) Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan at the End of the Period
October 1, 2015 to October 31, 2015 110,658 $ 22.29 110,658 4,090,572
November 1, 2015 to November 30, 2015 12,150 25.17 12,150 4,078,422
December 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 300,274 23.86 300,274 3,778,148
Total 423,082 $ 23.49 423,082 3,778,148

(1) The Company's only stock repurchase program was publicly announced by its Board of Directors on February 3, 1995 and has no expiration date. Under this ongoing program, a total of 46,956,264 shares have been authorized for repurchase. This includes the authorization of an additional 5,000,000 shares that may be repurchased under Washington Federal's share repurchase program that was announced in May 2015.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

Item 5. Other Information

Not applicable

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Item 6. Exhibits

(a)
31.1 Section 302 Certification by the Chief Executive Officer
31.2 Section 302 Certification by the Interim Chief Financial Officer
32 Section 906 Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and the Interim Chief Financial Officer
101 Financial Statements from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2015 formatted in XBRL

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

February 5, 2016 / S / R OY M. W HITEHEAD
ROY M. WHITEHEAD Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
February 5, 2016 / S / B RENT J. B EARDALL
BRENT J. BEARDALL Executive Vice President and Interim Chief Financial Officer

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