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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Company and Nature of Operations - Washington Federal Bank, a federally-insured Washington state chartered commercial bank dba WaFd Bank (the “Bank” or “WaFd Bank”), was founded on April 24, 1917 in Ballard, Washington and is engaged primarily in providing lending, depository, insurance and other banking services to consumers, small to mid-sized businesses, and owners and developers of commercial real estate. Washington Federal, Inc., a Washington corporation, was formed as the Bank’s holding company in November, 1994.

On September 27, 2023, Articles of Amendment were filed with the Washington Secretary of State to change the name of Washington Federal, Inc. to WaFd, Inc. This change was effective on September 29, 2023. As used throughout this document, the terms “WaFd” or the “Company” or “we” or “us” and “our” refer to WaFd, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, and the term “Bank” refers to the operating subsidiary, Washington Federal Bank dba WaFd Bank.

The Company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. The Bank conducts its activities through a network of 210 bank branches located in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and California.

Basis of Presentation - The Company has prepared the consolidated unaudited interim financial statements included in this report. 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.

On February 29, 2024, WaFd, Inc. closed its previously announced merger with Luther Burbank Corporation ("Luther Burbank" or "LBC"), a California corporation, effective as of 12:00am on March 1, 2024 (the "Effective Time"). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time Luther Burbank merged with and into the Company (the “Corporate Merger”), with the Company surviving the Corporate Merger. Promptly following the Corporate Merger, Luther Burbank’s wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Luther Burbank Savings, merged with and into WaFd Bank with WaFd Bank as the surviving institution (the “Bank Merger”). The Corporate Merger and the Bank Merger are collectively referred to in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as the “Merger.”

The Merger was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and was effectively an all-stock transaction accounted for as a business combination. The Company's financial results for any periods ended on and prior to February 29, 2024 reflect WaFd results only on a standalone basis. As a result, financial results for the third quarter of 2024, and the nine months ended may not be directly comparable to prior reported periods. Refer to Note B - Business Combination for further details.

The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes contained in the Company's 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on November 17, 2023 for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 ("2023 Annual Financial Statements"). 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 2023 Annual Financial Statements. There have not been any material changes in the Company's significant accounting policies compared to those contained in its 2023 Annual Financial Statements.

Business Combinations - The Company applies the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. Under the acquisition method, the acquiring entity recognizes the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values. Management utilizes prevailing valuation techniques appropriate for the asset or liability being measured in determining these fair values. This method often involves estimates based on third party valuations based on discounted cash flow analyses or other valuation techniques, all of which are inherently subjective. Any excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets and other identifiable intangible assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed from contingencies must also be recognized at fair value if the fair value can be determined during the measurement period. Acquisition-related costs, including conversion and restructuring charges, are expensed as incurred. Fair values are subject to refinement over the measurement period, not to exceed one year after the closing date.
Restricted Cash Balances - The Company was not required to maintain cash reserve balances with the Federal Reserve Bank as of June 30, 2024. As of June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, the Company held counterparty cash collateral of $276,450,000 and $326,750,000, respectively, related to derivative contracts.

Equity Securities - The Company records equity securities within Other assets in its Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. These equity investments are accounted for under different methods.

Low-income housing tax credit investments are accounted for under the proportional amortization method.
For equity investments where the Company has significant influence, the Company applies the equity method of accounting, which adjusts the carrying value of the investment to recognize a proportionate share of the financial results of the investment entity, regardless of whether any distribution is made. Any adjustments to the fair value of these investments are recorded in Other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
For investments in certain nonmarketable equity securities investments where the equity method of accounting is not applicable, the Company applies the fair value method. Any adjustments to the fair value of these investments are recorded in Other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Fair value is determined by reference to readily determinable market values, if applicable. As these investments do not have readily determinable fair values, they are generally accounted for at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable transactions involving the same or similar investments from the same issuer. This practice is referred to as the measurement alternative.
Equity investments in qualified real estate funds can use the NAV expedient for fair value measurement. Under this method, the net asset value (NAV) determined by the fund is used as fair value for the investment. At June 30, 2024, equity investments held by the Company and recorded at NAV had a carrying amount of $37,057,000 and a remaining unfunded commitment of $3,280,000. These NAV based investments cannot be transferred without consent and we do not have redemption rights except in certain transformational events. Equity investments measured at NAV are not classified in the fair value hierarchy.

Allowance for Credit Losses (Loans Receivable) - The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) for the expected credit losses of the loan portfolio as well as unfunded loan commitments. The amount of ACL is based on ongoing, quarterly assessments by management. The current expected credit loss methodology (“CECL”) requires an estimate of the credit losses expected over the life of an exposure (or pool of exposures).

The ACL consists of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded commitments. The estimate of expected credit losses under the CECL methodology is based on relevant information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amounts. Historical loss experience is generally the starting point for estimating expected credit losses. We then consider whether the historical loss experience should be adjusted for asset-specific risk characteristics or current conditions at the reporting date that did not exist over the period that historical experience was based for each loan type. Finally, we consider forecasts about future economic conditions or changes in collateral values that are reasonable and supportable.

Portfolio segment is defined as the level at which an entity develops and documents a systematic methodology to determine its ACL. The Company has designated two loan portfolio segments, commercial loans and consumer loans. These loan portfolio segments are further disaggregated into classes, which represent loans of similar type, risk characteristics, and methods for monitoring and assessing credit risk. The commercial loan portfolio segment is disaggregated into five classes: multi-family, commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, construction, and land acquisition and development. The risk of loss for the commercial loan portfolio segment is generally most indicated by the credit risk rating assigned to each borrower. Commercial loan risk ratings are determined by experienced senior credit officers based on specific facts and circumstances and are subject to periodic review by an independent internal team of credit specialists. The consumer loan portfolio segment is disaggregated into five classes: single-family-residential mortgage, custom construction, consumer lot loans, home equity lines of credit, and other consumer. The risk of loss for the consumer loan portfolio segment is generally most indicated by delinquency status and general economic factors. Each commercial and consumer loan portfolio class may also be further segmented based on risk characteristics.

For the majority of the Company's loan portfolio classes, the historical loss experience is determined using a cohort methodology. This method pools loans into groups (“cohorts”) sharing similar risk characteristics and tracks each cohort’s net charge-offs over the lives of the loans to calculate a historical loss rate. The historical loss rates for each cohort are then
averaged to calculate an overall historical loss rate which is applied to the current loan balance to arrive at the quantitative baseline portion of the allowance for credit losses for the respective loan portfolio class. For certain loan portfolio classes, the Company determined there was not sufficient historical loss information to calculate a meaningful historical loss rate using the cohort methodology. For any such loan portfolio class, the weighted-average remaining maturity (“WARM”) methodology is being utilized until sufficient historical loss data is obtained. The WARM method multiplies an average annual loss rate by the expected remaining life of the loan pool to arrive at the quantitative baseline portion of the allowance for credit losses for the respective loan portfolio class.

The Company also considers qualitative adjustments to the historical loss rate for each loan portfolio class. The qualitative adjustments for each loan class consider the conditions over the period from which historical loss experience was based and are split into two components: 1) asset or class specific risk characteristics or current conditions at the reporting date related to portfolio credit quality, remaining payments, volume and nature, credit culture and management, business environment or other management factors and 2) reasonable and supportable forecast of future economic conditions and collateral values.

The Company performs a quarterly asset quality review which includes a review of forecasted gross charge-offs and recoveries, nonperforming assets, criticized loans, risk rating migration, delinquencies, etc. The asset quality review is performed by management and the results are used to consider a qualitative overlay to the quantitative baseline. The second qualitative adjustment noted above, economic conditions and collateral values, encompasses a one-year reasonable and supportable forecast period. The overlay adjustment for the reasonable and supportable forecast assumes an immediate reversion after the one-year forecast period to historical loss rates for the remaining life of the respective loan pool.

The Company may establish a specific reserve for individually evaluated loans that do not share similar risk characteristics with the loans included in each respective loan pool if management deems it appropriate. If this occurs, these individually evaluated loans are removed from their respective pools and typically represent collateral dependent loans but may also include other non-performing loans.

Allowance for Credit Losses (Held-to-Maturity Debt Securities) - For held-to-maturity (“HTM”) debt securities, the Company is required to utilize a CECL methodology to estimate expected credit losses. Substantially all of the Company’s HTM debt securities are issued by U.S. government agencies or U.S. government-sponsored enterprises. These securities carry the explicit and/or implicit guarantee of the U.S. government and have a long history of zero credit loss. See Note F "Fair Value Measurements" for more information about HTM debt securities.

Allowance for Credit Losses (Available-for-Sale Debt Securities) - The impairment model for available-for-sale (“AFS”) debt securities differs from the CECL methodology applied for HTM debt securities because AFS debt securities are measured at fair value rather than amortized cost. For AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either criteria is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For AFS debt securities where neither of the criteria are met, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the credit rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited to the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any remaining discount that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as a provision for (or recapture of) credit losses. Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of an AFS security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. See Note F "Fair Value Measurements" for more information about AFS debt securities.

Accrued Interest Receivable - The Company made the following elections regarding accrued interest receivable (“AIR”):

Presenting accrued interest receivable balances separately from their underlying instruments within the consolidated statements of financial condition.
Excluding accrued interest receivable that is included in the amortized cost of financing receivables from related disclosure requirements.
Continuing the Company's policy to write off accrued interest receivable by reversing interest income in cases where the Company does not reasonably expect to receive payment.
Not measuring an allowance for credit losses for accrued interest receivable due to the Company’s policy of writing off uncollectible accrued interest receivable balances in a timely manner, as described above.

Non-Accrual Loans - Loans are placed on non-accrual status when, in the judgment of management, the probability of collection of interest is deemed to be insufficient to warrant further accrual. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is deducted from interest income. The Bank does not accrue interest on loans 90 days or more past due. If payment is made on a loan so that the loan becomes less than 90 days past due, and the Bank expects full collection of principal and interest, the loan is returned to full accrual status. Any interest ultimately collected is credited to income in the period of recovery. A loan is charged-off when the loss is estimable and it is confirmed that the borrower is not expected to be able to meet contractual obligations.

If a consumer loan is on non-accrual status before being modified, it will stay on non-accrual status following restructuring until it has been performing for at least six months, at which point it may be moved to accrual status. 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, management will conclude that collection of the entire principal and interest due is still in doubt. In those instances, the loan will remain on non-accrual status.

Collateral-Dependent Loans - A financial asset is considered collateral-dependent when the debtor is experiencing financial difficulty and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the sale or operation of the collateral. For all classes of loans and leases deemed collateral-dependent, the Company elected the practical expedient to estimate expected credit losses based on the collateral’s fair value less cost to sell. In most cases, the Company records a partial charge-off to reduce the loan’s carrying value to the collateral’s fair value less cost to sell. Substantially all of the collateral consists of various types of real estate including residential properties; commercial properties such as retail centers, office buildings, and lodging; agriculture land; and vacant land.

Off-balance-sheet exposures - Off-balance-sheet credit exposures for the Company include unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit from the Federal Home Loan Banks of both Des Moines and San Francisco ("FHLB-DM" and "FHLB-SF", respectively), which are used as collateral for public funds deposits. The reserve for unfunded commitments is recognized as a liability (other liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial condition), with adjustments to the reserve recognized through provision for credit losses in the consolidated statements of income. The reserve for unfunded commitments represents the expected lifetime credit losses on off-balance sheet obligations such as commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. However, a liability is not recognized for commitments that are unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The reserve for unfunded commitments is determined by estimating future draws, including the effects of risk mitigation actions, and applying the expected loss rates on those draws. Loss rates are estimated by utilizing the same loss rates calculated for the allowance for credit losses related to the respective loan portfolio class. See Note I “Commitments and Contingencies” for more information.
Intangible assets - Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of businesses acquired over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Other intangibles, including core deposit intangibles, are acquired assets that lack physical substance but can be distinguished from goodwill. Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated for potential impairment on an annual basis and between tests if there are applicable circumstances such as material adverse changes in legal, business, regulatory and economic factors. We have determined our goodwill balance is all related to a single reporting unit and perform a quantitative impairment assessment. An impairment loss is recorded when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. If circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable, an impairment charge could be recorded. Other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated lives and are subject to impairment testing when events or circumstances change.
The Company performs a goodwill impairment assessment annually and continuously monitors for triggering events and circumstances that could negatively impact the key assumptions in determining the fair value of goodwill.
As a result of the Merger, the Company recorded $105,560,000 in goodwill and $37,022,000 in core deposit intangible assets. Additional information on the Merger and purchase price allocation is provided in Note B "Business Combination". The core deposit intangible asset value was determined by an analysis of the cost differential between the core deposits acquired,
inclusive of estimated servicing costs, and alternative funding sources for those deposits. The core deposit intangible asset recorded is amortized on an accelerated basis over 6 years. In addition to the effects of the Merger, the Company added a small amount of intangibles during year-to-date fiscal 2024 as the result of acquisitions made by subsidiary WAFD Insurance Group, Inc. No impairment losses separate from the scheduled amortization have been recognized in the periods presented.
The table below provides detail regarding the Company's intangible assets.
GoodwillCore Deposit and Other IntangiblesTotal
(In thousands)
Balance at September 30, 2023$304,750 $5,869 $310,619 
Additions375 375 750 
Amortization— (266)(266)
Balance at December 31, 2023305,125 5,978 311,103 
Additions106,276 37,462 143,738 
Amortization— (1,302)(1,302)
Balance at March 31, 2024411,401 42,138 453,539 
Additions812 1,102 1,914 
Amortization— (3,198)(3,198)
Balance at June 30, 2024$412,213 $40,042 $452,255 

The table below presents the estimated future amortization expense of other intangibles for the next five years as of June 30, 2024.
Fiscal YearExpected Expense
(In thousands)
2024$5,904 
20259,856 
20267,306 
20275,561 
20285,200 
Thereafter6,215 
Total Intangibles Assets$40,042 


Subsequent events - The Company has evaluated events and transactions through the date the consolidated financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure.

New Accounting Pronouncements - In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06 Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments In Response to the SEC's Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative to clarify or improve disclosure and presentation requirements on a variety of topics and align the requirements in the FASB accounting standard codification with the Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. The amendments will be effective for the Company only if the SEC removes the related disclosure requirement from its existing regulations no later than June 30, 2027. If the SEC timely removes such a related requirement from its existing regulations, the corresponding amendments within the ASU will become effective for the Company on the same date with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the amendments in this update to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (Topic 280) to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The ASU applies to all public entities that are required to report segment information in accordance with ASC 280. For public companies amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this ASU to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Tax - Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (Topic 740) which requires reporting companies to break out their income tax expense and tax rate reconciliation in more detail. For public companies, the requirements will become effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this ASU to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.