SEATTLE, WA – Washington Mutual, a retailer of consumer financial services, today announced that it has been selected as one of Family Digest magazine’s “Best Companies for African Americans.”

“We’re very proud to have earned a place among Family Digest’s Best Companies for African-Americans,” said Kerry Killinger, Washington Mutual’s chairman, president and CEO. “While this honor recognizes our commitment to diversity in all areas of our business, we’ll continue to stay true to our core values of respect and teamwork to ensure that our company is a place where everyone is respected, valued and has the opportunity to grow and contribute to our success.”

Family Digest looked at three key areas in compiling its “Best Companies” list: recruitment of African Americans, advancement of African American managers, and work-life balance. At Washington Mutual, African Americans make up 5.2 percent of the total employee base. In the last five years, the company has added more than 4,500 African American employees, more than 1,100 African American managers, and more than 100 African American division heads to its ranks.

Washington Mutual’s family-friendly employee benefits include flexible scheduling and telecommuting options, as well as traditional benefits such as profit sharing, retirement and insurance plans. Washington Mutual maintains a performance-based environment and supports its employees with competitive benefits and extensive leadership training and growth opportunities.

In addition to its recognition for promoting African Americans, Washington Mutual has been recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” and was rated number 27 in Fortune’s annual “50 Best Companies for Minorities” evaluation. Latina Style magazine has recognized WaMu as one of the “50 Best Companies for Latinas to Work For in the U.S.” and Hispanic Business magazine
ranked WaMu second on its list of the “corporate elite” with Hispanic employees at the management and executive levels.

WaMu is committed to diversity and makes it an integral part of its business – from its intern and management training programs, to the company’s $375 billion Community Commitment which will help more minority borrowers become homeowners. Washington Mutual strives to build and maintain a diverse employee base, to offer broad geographic availability and to offer diverse products that enable access to financial services for everyone.

About Washington Mutual

With a history dating back to 1889, Washington Mutual is a national financial services company that provides a diversified line of products and services to consumers and small- to mid-sized businesses. At March 31, 2003, Washington Mutual and its subsidiaries had consolidated assets of $276.97 billion. Washington Mutual currently operates more than 2,500 consumer banking, mortgage lending, commercial banking, consumer finance and financial services offices throughout the nation. Washington Mutual’s press releases are available at www.wamu.com.

Washington Mutual, Inc.

Washington Mutual, Inc.

The WaMu Difference You'll know it right away: We're really not like other banks. We've always been about making things better for people - both for our customers and our neighbors. When you visit one of our Financial Centers, call us or find us online, you can count on Washington Mutual for real help from real people - and for products with real benefits.

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