Washington Federal Inc. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the second quarter and six months ended March 31, 2013. For the quarter, total interest income was $126,505,000 against $154,581,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $93,023,000 against $104,602,000 a year ago. Net interest income after provision for loan losses was $93,023,000 against $86,602,000 a year ago. Income before income taxes was $53,902,000 against $53,236,000 a year ago. Net income was $35,978,000 or $0.34 per basic and diluted share against $34,071,000 or $0.32 per basic and diluted share a year ago. Return on average assets was 1.10% against 1.00% a year ago. Return on average common equity was 7.49% against 7.12% a year ago. Higher earnings during the quarter were largely due to improved asset quality driven by progress in housing and overall market conditions in the company's eight state territory. The decreases in both net interest income and net interest margin were the result of lower volume and yields on loans outstanding combined with lower yields on investments. For the six months, total interest income was $257,813,000 against $310,507,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $188,457,000 against $208,316,000 a year ago. Net interest income after provision for loan losses was $184,857,000 against $179,106,000 a year ago. Income before income taxes was $109,076,000 against $105,452,000 a year ago. Net income was $71,260,000 or $0.67 per basic and diluted share against $67,489,000 or $0.63 per basic and diluted share a year ago. Return on average assets was 1.11% against 0.99% a year ago. Return on average common equity was 7.45% against 7.07% a year ago. For the year 2013, the company expects its effective tax rate to be approximately 36%. The company has filed an application with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to covert its current federal savings association charter to a national bank charter. Management and the board view the national bank charter as more closely aligned with the company's business model and the current regulatory structure. In connection with national bank conversion, Washington Federal Inc. will file an application with the Federal Reserve for approval to become a bank holding company. Net loan charge-offs decreased from $29 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2012 to $4 million in the second quarter ended March 31, 2013, an 86.3% decrease.

The Board of Directors of Washington Federal Inc. announced a quarterly cash dividend of 9 cents per share, a 1 cent per share or 12.5% increase over the prior quarter. The dividend will be payable on April 19, 2013 to common stockholders of record on April 5, 2013.

Washington Federal Inc. Presents at D.A. Davidson & Co.'s 15th Annual Financial Services Conference, May-09-2013 09:10 AM. Venue: Bell Harbor Conference Center, 2211 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121, United States.

Washington Federal Inc. Presents at 2013 West Coast Financial Services Conference, Mar-04-2013 . Venue: The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey, California, United States.

Washington Federal Inc. announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the quarter ended December 31, 2012. For the quarter, the company reported interest income of $131,309,000 compared to $155,926,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $95,434,000 compared to $103,714,000 a year ago. Income before income taxes was $55,174,000 compared to $52,216,000 a year ago. Net income was $35,282,000 or $0.33 per basic and diluted share compared to $33,418,000 or $0.31 per basic and diluted share a year ago. Return on average assets was 1.11% compared to 0.98% a year ago. Return on average common equity was 7.41% compared to 7.02% a year ago. Net loan charge-offs decreased from $14 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 to $10 million in the current quarter, a 29% decrease.