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Washington Federal (WAO) Risk Analysis

Public companies are required to disclose risks that can affect the business and impact the stock. These disclosures are known as “Risk Factors”. Companies disclose these risks in their yearly (Form 10-K), quarterly earnings (Form 10-Q), or “foreign private issuer” reports (Form 20-F). Risk factors show the challenges a company faces. Investors can consider the worst-case scenarios before making an investment. TipRanks’ Risk Analysis categorizes risks based on proprietary classification algorithms and machine learning. Washington Federal disclosed 2 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Washington Federal reported the most risks in the “Legal & Regulatory” category.

Risk Overview Q2, 2026

Source: the company's latest filing for the period ended Jun 30, 2026, filed Aug 04, 2026

Risk Distribution
2Risks
Sector Avg.Finance & CorporateTech & InnovationLegal & RegulatoryProductionAbility to SellMacro & Political
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy

Risk Change Over Time

Washington Federal disclosed risks per quarterNo. of Risks01020304050Q3Q4Q12023Q2Q3Q4Q12024Q2Q3Q4Q12025Q2Q3Q4Q12026Q2Showing: Q2, 2026
Risks removedRisks addedRisks changedWashington Federal Risk Factors
  • Regulation - Risk 1
    A "Needs to Improve" rating under the Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") may impact our reputation, restrict our operations and limit our ability to pursue certain strategic opportunities.

    On December 27, 2024, the Bank received an overall CRA rating from the FDIC of "Needs to Improve" for the period covering June 3, 2020 to March 26, 2024. Based on its performance on the individual components of the CRA tests, the Bank received a "High Satisfactory" rating on both the Investment Test and the Service Test and a "Needs to Improve" rating on the Lending Test, which resulted in the overall "Needs to Improve" rating. The Bank disagreed with the overall CRA rating and appealed. On January 16, 2026, the Supervision Appeals Review committee ("SARC") of the FDIC issued a decision granting the Bank's appeal and elevated the Bank's rating on the CRA Lending Test from "Needs to Improve" to "Low Satisfactory" and upgraded the Bank's overall CRA rating to "Satisfactory." We anticipate that our next CRA exam will occur sometime in 2027. If the Bank were to receive a "Needs to Improve" rating in future exams, it could result in restrictions on certain expansionary activity, including mergers and acquisitions and the establishment and relocation of bank branches, result in a loss of expedited processing of applications to undertake certain activities have an impact on our relationships with certain states, counties, municipalities or other public agencies to the extent applicable law, regulation or policy limits, restricts or influences whether such entity may do business with a company that has a below "Satisfactory" rating. In addition, a "Needs to Improve" rating could also negatively affect our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.

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Risk Highlights Q2, 2026

Main Risk Category
Legal & Regulatory
With 2 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
2
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 32
Recent Changes
1Risks added
0Risks removed
0Risks changed
Since Jun 2026
Number of Risk Changed
0
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 1

Risk Word Cloud

inflationary pressures and rising prices may affect our results of operations and financial condition.affect our results of operationsunstable global economic conditions may have serious adverse consequences on our business, financial condition, and operations.unstable global economic conditionsour ability to pay dividends is subject to limitations that may affect our ability to continue to pay dividends to shareholders.our ability to pay dividendsour operations are focused in the western united states, subjecting us to the risks of general economic conditions in these market areas.risks of general economic conditionsnon-compliance with banking rules and regulations, including the usa patriot act, bank secrecy act, community reinvestment act, fair lending laws, real estate settlement procedures act, truth-in-lending act, flood insurance reform act or other laws and regulations could result in fines or sanctions, and curtail our expansion opportunities.real estate settlement procedures actwe are exposed to risks related to our operational, technological, and third-party provided technology infrastructure.third-party provided technology infrastructurewe may not be able to continue to grow organically or through acquisitions.to continue to grow organicallywe operate in a highly regulated industry, which limits the manner and scope of our business activities.scope of our business activitiesa person holding our common stock could have the voting power of their shares of common stock on all matters significantly reduced under washington's anti-takeover statutes, if the person acquires 10% or more of the voting stock of the company.person holding our common stocka pandemic or similar health crisis, may adversely affect our business and our customers, counterparties, employees, and third-party service providers in the future.third-party service providers

Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 2

Regulation1 | 100.0%
  • Regulation - Risk 1Added
    A "Needs to Improve" rating under the Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") may impact our reputation, restrict our operations and limit our ability to pursue certain strategic opportunities.

    On December 27, 2024, the Bank received an overall CRA rating from the FDIC of "Needs to Improve" for the period covering June 3, 2020 to March 26, 2024. Based on its performance on the individual components of the CRA tests, the Bank received a "High Satisfactory" rating on both the Investment Test and the Service Test and a "Needs to Improve" rating on the Lending Test, which resulted in the overall "Needs to Improve" rating. The Bank disagreed with the overall CRA rating and appealed. On January 16, 2026, the Supervision Appeals Review committee ("SARC") of the FDIC issued a decision granting the Bank's appeal and elevated the Bank's rating on the CRA Lending Test from "Needs to Improve" to "Low Satisfactory" and upgraded the Bank's overall CRA rating to "Satisfactory." We anticipate that our next CRA exam will occur sometime in 2027. If the Bank were to receive a "Needs to Improve" rating in future exams, it could result in restrictions on certain expansionary activity, including mergers and acquisitions and the establishment and relocation of bank branches, result in a loss of expedited processing of applications to undertake certain activities have an impact on our relationships with certain states, counties, municipalities or other public agencies to the extent applicable law, regulation or policy limits, restricts or influences whether such entity may do business with a company that has a below "Satisfactory" rating. In addition, a "Needs to Improve" rating could also negatively affect our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.

See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.

FAQ

What are “Risk Factors”?
Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment. They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result. It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.
How do companies disclose their risk factors?
Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process. Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”. Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report. According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.
How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?
Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing. You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector. Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements. A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.
What are all the risk factor categories?
TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below. 1. Financial & Corporate Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results. Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing. Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments. Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances. 2. Legal & Regulatory Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company. Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation. Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy. Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives. 3. Production Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory. Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers. Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls. Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation. 4. Technology & Innovation Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development. Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology. Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks. Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying. 5. Ability to Sell Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers. Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes. Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration. Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation. 6. Macro & Political Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions. Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19. International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company. Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.