Washington Federal has named Michael Brown as Arizona Regional President, announced Roy Whitehead, Washington Federal’s Chairman, President and CEO. In his new role, Brown will be responsible for all Company operations and activity throughout the state of Arizona.

“Mike has over thirty years of experience in the financial services industry and will do a great job leading our Arizona banking team. He is well-versed in the Arizona economy and understands the financing needs of a variety of industries. We are confident he’ll excel as our Regional President,” commented Whitehead.

Brown’s appointment as Arizona Regional President will be especially important as Washington Federal looks to expand banking operations throughout the state by acquiring thirteen (13) new branches in Arizona in May 2014. By mid-May, the Company will operate thirty-six (36) locations throughout the state.

Previous to joining Washington Federal, Brown served as the president of Western Alliance Equipment Finance, a subsidiary of Western Alliance Bancorporation in Phoenix. Prior to that, he served as executive vice president and group head of the CIT Group, president of Wells Fargo Leasing Corporation, president of First Interstate Leasing, and regional sales manager for General Electric Capital.  Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kansas State University.

Washington Federal, with headquarters in Seattle, Washington, has over 230 branches in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico. Established in 1917, the company provides consumer and commercial deposit services, insurance products, and financing for small to middle market businesses, commercial real estate and residential real estate, including consumer mortgages and home equity lines of credit. As of March 31, 2014, the Company reported $14.4 billion in assets, $10.3 billion in deposits and $1.9 billion in stockholders' equity.