EX-99.A 4 a2093295zex-99_a.htm EXHIBIT 99.A
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EXHIBIT 99(a)
WASHINGTON MUTUAL, INC.

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2002		2001		2002		2001
				(in millions)
Earnings, including interest on deposits⁽¹⁾:
Income before income tax expense		$	1,539	$	1,325	$	4,591	$	3,606
Fixed charges			1,525		1,895		4,552		6,753

		$	3,064	$	3,220	$	9,143	$	10,359

Fixed charges⁽¹⁾:
	Interest expense	$	1,494	$	1,874	$	4,466	$	6,691
	Estimated interest component of net rental expense		31		21		86		62

		$	1,525	$	1,895	$	4,552	$	6,753

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges⁽²⁾			2.01		1.70		2.01		1.53

Earnings, excluding interest on deposits⁽¹⁾:
Income before income tax expense		$	1,539	$	1,325	$	4,591	$	3,606
Fixed charges			849		1,160		2,564		4,308

		$	2,388	$	2,485	$	7,155	$	7,914

Fixed charges⁽¹⁾:
	Interest expense	$	1,494	$	1,874	$	4,466	$	6,691
	Less: interest on deposits		676		735		1,988		2,445
	Estimated interest component of net rental expense		31		21		86		62

		$	849	$	1,160	$	2,564	$	4,308

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges⁽²⁾			2.81		2.14		2.79		1.84

⁽¹⁾: As defined in Item 503(d) of Regulation S-K.
⁽²⁾: These computations are included herein in compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission Regulations. However, management believes that fixed charge ratios are not meaningful measures for the business of the Company because of two factors. First, even if there were no change in net income, the ratios would decline with an increase in the proportion of income which is tax-exempt or, conversely, they would increase with a decrease in the proportion of income which is tax-exempt. Second, even if there were no change in net income, the ratios would decline if interest income and interest expense increase by the same amount due to an increase in the level of interest rates or, conversely, they would increase if interest income and interest expense decrease by the same amount due to a decrease in the level of interest rates.