EX-99.1 2 exhibit991_december2022ear.htm EX-99.1 Document
Exhibit 99.1

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Thursday, January 12, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Washington Federal Announces Record Quarterly Earnings Per Share Of $1.16

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – Washington Federal, Inc. (Nasdaq: WAFD) (the "Company"), parent company of Washington Federal Bank ("WaFd Bank"), today announced quarterly earnings of $79,509,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, an increase of 58% from $50,281,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. After the effect of dividends on preferred stock, net income available for common shareholders was $1.16 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, compared to $0.71 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, a $0.45 or 63% increase in fully diluted earnings per common share. Return on common shareholders' equity for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 was 15.15% compared to 10.12% for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. Return on assets for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 was 1.50% compared to 1.02% for the same quarter in the prior year.
Executive Vice President, Chief Consumer Banker and acting Chief Executive Officer Cathy Cooper commented, "The first fiscal quarter of 2023 was a great start to the year. Loan growth was robust, increasing $880 million or 5.5% for the quarter. Credit quality remained strong, with yet another quarter of net recoveries and our allowance for credit losses stands at $208 million. Solid growth in our fundamental business resulted in a 36.3% increase in net interest income over the same quarter last year as the increase in the average rate earned on our interest-earning assets outpaced the increase in the average rate paid on our interest-bearing liabilities.
Our results show that the Bank continues to benefit from rising rates while we hold the line on other expenses, as reflected in our improved efficiency ratio for the quarter, even as we make additional investments in technology enhancements such as voice-authenticated banking
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and data-driven personalization. It's not surprising that deposit costs are rising and liquidity in the system is tightening, for WaFd and the banking industry, which we view both as important and needed steps for economic stability
On November 13, 2022 we announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement with Luther Burbank Corporation (NASDAQ: LBC, “Luther Burbank”), creating a continuous footprint from Seattle to Austin. We believe our complementary approach to serving the needs of our clients and communities will lead to successful partnership opportunities for growth post-merger.
I’m also gratified to report that Brent Beardall, our President and CEO who is currently on leave, is recovering from multiple injuries he sustained on January 2, 2023. We expect him to soon be discharged from the hospital to focus on rehabilitation. Brent and the entire team at WaFd are grateful for the outpouring of love and support and we are overwhelmed by the response. It truly is a privilege for all of us here at WaFd Bank to continue to press forward on the bank’s strategic initiatives, including our proposed acquisition of Luther Burbank, while we await Brent’s return to his normal duties."
Total assets were $21.7 billion as of December 31, 2022, compared to $20.8 billion at September 30, 2022, primarily due to continued growth in net loans receivable funded by increased Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") advances. Net loans increased by $880 million, or 5.5%, while FHLB advances increased $950 million, or 44.7%. Investment securities slightly decreased by $1 million during the quarter.
Customer deposits totaled $16.0 billion as of December 31, 2022, a decrease of 0.4% since September 30, 2022. Transaction accounts decreased by $144 million or 1.1% during that period, while time deposits increased $74 million or 2.2%. Our focus historically on growing transaction accounts is intended to lessen sensitivity to rising interest rates and manage interest expense. As of December 31, 2022, 78.6% of the Company’s deposits were transaction accounts, down from 79.2% at September 30, 2022. Core deposits, defined as all transaction accounts and time deposits less than $250,000, totaled 94.0% of deposits at December 31, 2022.
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Borrowings from the FHLB totaled $3.08 billion as of December 31, 2022, up from $2.13 billion at September 30, 2022 driven largely by loan growth and relatively flat customer deposit balances. The effective weighted average interest rate of FHLB borrowings was 3.14% as of December 31, 2022, an increase from 2.02% at September 30, 2022.
The Company had strong loan originations of $2.04 billion for the first fiscal quarter of 2023, comparable to $2.13 billion of originations in the same quarter one year ago. Offsetting loan originations in each of these quarters were loan repayments of $1.23 billion and $1.83 billion, respectively. Commercial loans represented 84% of all loan originations during the first fiscal quarter of 2023 and consumer loans accounted for the remaining 16%. The Company views organic loan growth funded by low-cost core deposits as the highest and best use of its capital. Commercial loans are preferable as they generally have floating interest rates and shorter durations. The weighted average interest rate on the loan portfolio was 4.73% as of December 31, 2022, an increase from 4.25% as of September 30, 2022, due primarily to higher rates on adjustable rate loans and newly originated loans.
Credit quality is being monitored closely in light of the shifting economic and monetary environment. As of December 31, 2022, non-performing assets remained low from a historical perspective and totaled $38.7 million, or 0.18% of total assets, down from $44.6 million, or 0.21%, at September 30, 2022. The change fiscal year to date is due primarily to non-accrual loans decreasing by $5.4 million, or 16%, since September 30, 2022. Delinquent loans decreased to 0.16% of total loans at December 31, 2022, compared to 0.17% at September 30, 2022. The allowance for credit losses (including the reserve for unfunded commitments) totaled $208 million as of December 31, 2022, and was 1.03% of gross loans outstanding, as compared to $205 million, or 1.06% of gross loans outstanding, at September 30, 2022. Net recoveries were $0.5 million for the first fiscal quarter of 2023, compared to net recoveries of $2.1 million for the prior year same quarter. The Company has recorded net recoveries for nine consecutive years.
The Company recorded a $2.5 million provision for credit losses in the first fiscal quarter of 2023, compared to a provision for credit losses of $0.5 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2022. The provision for loan losses in the quarter ended December 31, 2022 was
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primarily due to growth in loans receivable largely offset by continued strong credit performance and collateral protection.
The Company paid a quarterly dividend on Series A preferred stock on October 15, 2022. On December 2, 2022, the Company paid a regular cash dividend on common stock of $0.24 per share, which represented the 159th consecutive quarterly cash dividend. Tangible common shareholders' equity per share increased by $0.75, or 2.9%, to $26.24 since September 30, 2022. The ratio of total tangible shareholders' equity to tangible assets was 9.44% as of December 31, 2022.
Net interest income was $183 million for the first fiscal quarter of 2023, an increase of $48.7 million or 36.3% from the same quarter in the prior year. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to an increase in the interest rate spread of 63 basis points. This was the result of the increase of 149 basis points in the average rate earned on interest-earning assets outpacing the 86 basis point increase in the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest margin was 3.69% in the first fiscal quarter of 2023 compared to 3.64% for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 and 2.87% for the prior year quarter. This increase in net interest margin is directly attributable to both increasing market interest rates and the intentional shift over the last several years towards transaction deposits and commercial loans.
Total other income was $14.0 million for the first fiscal quarter of 2023 compared to $18.7 million in the prior year same quarter. The decrease in other income was primarily due to unrealized gains for certain equity investments of $5.1 million which were recorded in the quarter ended December 31, 2021. There was no similar gain in the quarter ended December 31, 2022.
Total other expense was $92.3 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2023, an increase of $2.7 million, or 3.0%, from the prior year's quarter. Compensation and benefits costs increased by $1.6 million, or 3.5%, over the prior year quarter primarily due to annual merit increases and investments in top talent and strategic initiatives. The Company’s efficiency ratio in the first fiscal quarter of 2023 was 46.8%, compared to 58.6% for the same period one year ago due to income growth outpacing expense growth.
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Income tax expense totaled $22.4 million for the first fiscal quarter of 2023, as compared to $13.0 million for the prior year same quarter. The effective tax rate for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 was 22.00% compared to 21.23% for the year ended September 30, 2022. The Company’s effective tax rate may vary from the statutory rate mainly due to state taxes, tax-exempt income and tax-credit investments.
WaFd Bank is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and has 200 branches in eight western states. To find out more about WaFd Bank, please visit our website www.wafdbank.com. The Company uses its website to distribute financial and other material information about the Company.
Important Cautionary Statements

The foregoing information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements, notes and other information contained in the Company’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.
This press release contains statements about the Company’s future that are not statements of historical or current fact. These statements are “forward looking statements” for purposes of applicable securities laws, and are based on current information and/or management's good faith belief as to future events. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “should,” “strategy,” “will,” or similar expressions signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risk and uncertainties, including the following risks and uncertainties, and those risks and uncertainties more fully discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s September 30, 2022 10-K, which could cause actual performance to differ materially from that anticipated by any forward-looking statements. In particular, any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties related to (i) the effect of COVID-19 and other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future and the resulting governmental and societal responses; (ii) current and future economic conditions, including the effects of declines in the real estate market, high unemployment rates, inflationary pressures, and slowdowns in economic growth; (iii) financial stress on borrowers (consumers and businesses) as a result of higher interest
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rates or an uncertain economic environment; (iv) global economic trends, including developments related to Ukraine and Russia, and related negative financial impacts on our borrowers; (v) fluctuations in interest rate risk and market interest rates, including the effect on our net interest income and net interest margin; (vi) risks related to the proposed merger with Luther Burbank; and (vii) our ability to identify and address cyber-security risks, including security breaches, “denial of service attacks,” “hacking” and identity theft. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.
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Contact:

Washington Federal, Inc.
425 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101
Brad Goode, SVP, Chief Marketing Officer
206-626-8178
brad.goode@wafd.com
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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(UNAUDITED)
December 31, 2022September 30, 2022
 (In thousands, except share and ratio data)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents$645,862 $683,965 
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value2,059,837 2,051,037 
Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost453,443 463,299 
Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $176,797 and $172,80816,993,588 16,113,564 
Interest receivable75,316 63,872 
Premises and equipment, net240,360 243,062 
Real estate owned6,117 6,667 
FHLB and FRB stock133,073 95,073 
Bank owned life insurance238,370 237,931 
Intangible assets, including goodwill of $303,457 and $303,457 308,767 309,009 
Other assets499,078 504,652 
$21,653,811 $20,772,131 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
Transaction deposits$12,547,832 $12,691,527 
Time deposits3,412,203 3,338,043 
Total customer deposits15,960,035 16,029,570 
FHLB advances3,075,000 2,125,000 
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance17,626 50,051 
Federal and state income tax liabilities, net16,995 3,306 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities259,774 289,944 
19,329,430 18,497,871 
Shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 300,000 and 300,000 shares issued; 300,000 and 300,000 shares outstanding300,000 300,000 
Common stock, $1.00 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized; 136,373,350 and 136,270,886 shares issued; 65,387,745 and 65,330,126 shares outstanding136,373 136,271 
Additional paid-in capital1,689,209 1,686,975 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes41,726 52,481 
Treasury stock, at cost; 70,985,605 and 70,940,760 shares(1,591,935)(1,590,207)
Retained earnings1,749,008 1,688,740 
2,324,381 2,274,260 
$21,653,811 $20,772,131 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Common shareholders' equity per share$30.96 $30.22 
Tangible common shareholders' equity per share26.24 25.49 
Shareholders' equity to total assets10.73 %10.95 %
Tangible shareholders' equity to tangible assets9.44 %9.60 %
Tangible shareholders' equity + allowance for credit losses to tangible assets10.27 %10.45 %
Weighted average rates at period end
   Loans and mortgage-backed securities4.59 %4.13 %
   Combined loans, mortgage-backed securities and investments4.46 4.04 
   Customer accounts0.94 0.51 
   Borrowings3.14 2.02 
   Combined cost of customer accounts and borrowings1.29 0.68 
   Net interest spread3.17 3.36 

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(UNAUDITED)
As of
SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATADecember 31, 2022September 30, 2022June 30, 2022March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
(In thousands, except share and ratio data)
Cash$645,862 $683,965 $607,421 $1,947,504 $1,880,647 
Loans receivable, net16,993,588 16,113,564 15,565,165 15,094,926 14,592,202 
Allowance for credit losses ("ACL")208,297 205,308 203,479 201,384 201,411 
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value2,059,837 2,051,037 2,150,732 1,909,605 1,946,139 
Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost453,443 463,299 477,884 301,221 326,387 
Total assets21,653,811 20,772,131 20,158,831 20,560,279 19,973,171 
Transaction deposits12,547,832 12,691,527 12,668,251 13,139,606 12,550,062 
Time deposits3,412,203 3,338,043 3,297,369 3,251,042 3,351,984 
FHLB advances3,075,000 2,125,000 1,700,000 1,720,000 1,720,000 
Total shareholders' equity2,324,381 2,274,260 2,220,111 2,191,701 2,149,126 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Common shareholders' equity per share30.96 30.22 29.39 28.97 28.33 
Tangible common shareholders' equity per share26.24 25.49 24.66 24.23 23.59 
Shareholders' equity to total assets10.73 %10.95 %11.01 %10.66 %10.76 %
Tangible shareholders' equity to tangible assets9.44 %9.60 %9.63 %9.29 %9.35 %
Tangible shareholders' equity + ACL to tangible assets10.27 %10.45 %10.65 %10.29 %10.38 %
Common shares outstanding65,387,745 65,330,126 65,321,869 65,306,928 65,263,738 
Preferred shares outstanding300,000 300,000 300,000 300,000 300,000 
Loans to customer deposits 106.48 %100.52 %97.49 %92.09 %91.76 %
CREDIT QUALITY
ACL to gross loans1.03 %1.06 %1.08 %1.13 %1.18 %
ACL to non-accrual loans713.83 %594.51 %554.76 %598.66 %447.99 %
Non-accrual loans to net loans0.17 %0.21 %0.24 %0.22 %0.31 %
Non-accrual loans29,180 34,534 36,679 33,639 44,959 
Non-performing assets to total assets0.18 %0.21 %0.25 %0.23 %0.27 %
Non-performing assets38,650 44,554 50,430 47,243 54,790 
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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)

 Three Months Ended December 31,
 20222021
 (In thousands, except share and ratio data)
INTEREST INCOME
Loans receivable$203,946 $138,509 
Mortgage-backed securities10,613 4,792 
Investment securities and cash equivalents18,860 7,139 
233,419 150,440 
INTEREST EXPENSE
Customer accounts31,646 8,461 
FHLB advances and other borrowings18,974 7,843 
50,620 16,304 
Net interest income182,799 134,136 
Provision (release) for credit losses2,500 500 
Net interest income after provision (release)180,299 133,636 
OTHER INCOME
Gain (loss) on sale of investment securities— 81 
Loan fee income1,502 1,921 
Deposit fee income6,353 6,443 
Other Income6,169 10,236 
14,024 18,681 
OTHER EXPENSE
Compensation and benefits49,070 47,425 
Occupancy10,102 10,090 
FDIC insurance premiums3,675 3,100 
Product delivery4,621 4,721 
Information technology12,329 11,421 
Other12,481 12,856 
92,278 89,613 
Gain (loss) on real estate owned, net(112)562 
Income before income taxes101,933 63,266 
Income tax provision22,424 12,985 
Net income79,509 50,281 
Dividends on preferred stock3,656 3,656 
Net income available to common shareholders$75,853 $46,625 
PER SHARE DATA
Basic earnings per common share$1.16 $0.72 
Diluted earnings per common share1.16 0.71 
Cash dividends per common share0.24 0.23 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding65,341,97465,207,837
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding65,430,69065,350,174
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Return on average assets1.50 %1.02 %
Return on average common equity15.15 10.12 
Net interest margin3.69 2.87 
Efficiency ratio46.78 58.64 



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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)

 Three Months Ended
 December 31, 2022September 30, 2022June 30, 2022March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
 (In thousands, except share and ratio data)
INTEREST INCOME
Loans receivable$203,946 $174,710 $149,113 $139,260 $138,509 
Mortgage-backed securities10,613 8,263 8,618 4,659 4,792 
Investment securities and cash equivalents18,860 14,960 9,417 6,919 7,139 
233,419 197,933 167,148 150,838 150,440 
INTEREST EXPENSE
Customer accounts31,646 17,071 9,284 8,225 8,461 
FHLB advances and other borrowings18,974 7,243 6,118 7,525 7,843 
50,620 24,314 15,402 15,750 16,304 
Net interest income182,799 173,619 151,746 135,088 134,136 
Provision (release) for credit losses2,500 1,500 1,500 (500)500 
Net interest income after provision (release)180,299 172,119 150,246 135,588 133,636 
OTHER INCOME
Gain (loss) on sale of investment securities— 18 — — 81 
Loan fee income1,502 1,154 1,618 2,475 1,921 
Deposit fee income6,353 6,604 6,613 6,282 6,443 
Other income6,169 6,706 9,319 6,902 10,236 
14,024 14,482 17,550 15,659 18,681 
OTHER EXPENSE
Compensation and benefits49,070 51,304 48,073 47,115 47,425 
Occupancy10,102 10,568 10,053 11,788 10,090 
FDIC insurance premiums3,675 2,231 2,100 2,100 3,100 
Product delivery4,621 5,104 4,667 5,044 4,721 
Information technology12,329 12,228 11,831 11,722 11,421 
Other expense12,481 11,707 10,679 10,648 12,856 
92,278 93,142 87,403 88,417 89,613 
Gain (loss) on real estate owned, net(112)(488)448 129 562 
Income before income taxes101,933 92,971 80,841 62,959 63,266 
Income tax provision22,424 19,576 17,546 13,600 12,985 
Net income79,509 73,395 63,295 49,359 50,281 
Dividends on preferred stock3,656 3,656 3,656 3,656 3,656 
Net income available to common shareholders$75,853 $69,739 $59,639 $45,703 $46,625 
PER SHARE DATA
Basic earnings per common share$1.16 $1.07 $0.91 $0.70 $0.72 
Diluted earnings per common share1.16 1.07 0.91 0.70 0.71 
Cash dividends per common share0.24 0.24 0.24 0.24 0.23 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding65,341,97465,326,70665,315,48165,301,17165,207,837
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding65,430,69065,423,81765,395,66665,445,20665,350,174
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Return on average assets1.50 %1.44 %1.25 %0.98 %1.02 %
Return on average common equity15.15 14.22 12.50 9.80 10.12 
Net interest margin3.69 3.64 3.22 2.90 2.87 
Efficiency ratio46.78 49.52 51.63 58.65 58.64 
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