Exhibit 99.1

                                  CERTIFICATION
                       PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
                    AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE
                           SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

      In connection with the Annual Report of Washington Federal, Inc.(the
"Company") on Form 10-K for the period ended September 30, 2002, as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), the
undersigned hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the
undersigned's best knowledge and belief:

      (a) the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

      (b) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.

Dated this 23rd day of December, 2002.


                                          Washington Federal, Inc.
                                          ------------------------
                                          (Company)



                                          /s/ Roy M. Whitehead
                                          --------------------
                                          Roy M. Whitehead
                                          Vice Chairman, President and
                                          Chief Executive Officer

                                          /s/ Ronald L. Saper
                                          -------------------
                                          Ronald L. Saper
                                          Executive Vice President and
                                          Chief Financial Officer