SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                          Washington, D.C.  20549

                                  FORM 8-K

                               CURRENT REPORT


Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934



Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)       January 21, 2004
                                                ------------------------------



                          Washington Federal, Inc.
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          (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)




  Washington                           0-25454                     91-161606
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(State or other jurisdiction    (Commission File Number)        (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                                          Identification No.)




425 Pike Street, Seattle, Washington                                 98101
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(Address of principal executive offices)                           (Zip Code)




Registrant's telephone number, including area code       (206) 624-7930
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                              Not Applicable
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(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
 report)




Item 7.   Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
          -------------

     (a)  Not applicable.

     (b)  Not applicable.

     (c)  Not applicable.





Item 9.   Regulation FD Disclosure
          -------------

    At Washington Federal Inc.'s annual meeting of Stockholders
on January 21, 2004, the Board of Directors announced a
10% stock dividend.  A copy of the press release announcing
the stock dividend is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1







                                  SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                  WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC.



Dated: January 22, 2004           By:  /s/ Brent J. Beardall
                                        ---------------------
                                        Brent J. Beardall
                                        Senior Vice President and
                                        Chief Financial Officer