Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The consolidated unaudited interim financial statements included in this report have been prepared by Washington Federal, Inc. (“The Company”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation are reflected in the interim financial statements. The September 30, 2012 Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition was derived from audited financial statements.

The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Company’s 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2012 Form 10-K”) as filed with the SEC. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

The significant accounting policies used in preparation of our consolidated financial statements are disclosed in our 2012 Form 10-K. Other than as discussed below, there have not been any material changes in our significant accounting policies compared to those contained in our 2012 Form 10-K.

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 at December 31, 2012, excluding covered loans, of $252,553,000. The Company estimates losses on off-balance-sheet credit exposures by including the exposures with the related principal balance outstanding and then applying its general reserve methodology.

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