On January 2, 2023 Brent Beardall, President and CEO of Washington Federal, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiary Washington Federal Bank, dba WaFd Bank, was on board a private plane that crashed in Provo, Utah. He was transported by ambulance to the hospital for surgery with multiple injuries, including broken bones and lacerations, and is expected to make a full recovery. Mr. Beardall will take a temporary leave of absence from his duties as President and CEO while he recovers from his injuries.

Effective January 3, 2023, Executive Vice President and Chief Consumer Banker, Cathy Cooper, will temporarily assume Mr. Beardall's duties as President and CEO during his recovery. Ms. Cooper, 57, joined WaFd Bank in 1996 and has served as an Executive Vice President of WaFd Bank overseeing retail banking and client experience since 2016. Ms. Cooper will not receive any additional compensation related to her assumption of Mr. Beardall's duties during his absence.