SEATTLE, WA – Washington Mutual, a retailer of consumer financial services, today announced that it has been selected as one of DiversityInc’s “Top 50 Companies for Diversity” for the second consecutive year.

“Washington Mutual is committed to diversity and we’re pleased to be recognized by DiversityInc,” said Kerry Killinger, Washington Mutual’s chairman, president and CEO. “Building and maintaining a diverse employee and supplier base is an important component of our core values and remains an integral part of our business.”

To be considered for the list, DiversityInc asked all Fortune 500 companies a series of fifty questions regarding the sex, race and ethnicity of managers, directors, best-paid executives and new hires. The survey team also probed into how much money was spent on minority suppliers and looked at the percentage of advertising dollars dedicated to reaching consumers of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds.

“A corporation’s diversity commitment is worthless without strong support of the CEO and top management. Questions demonstrating that support were among the most highly valued,” said DiversityInc’s Executive Editor Barbara Frankel. “Washington Mutual’s commitment to diversity is supported from the top-down and the company clearly understands that diversity is good business practice.”

“As a company, our commitment is to create and cultivate an environment in which every employee, regardless of his or her background, feels valued and respected. Providing equal employment opportunities is consistent with our corporate values and we follow through on this commitment in everything we do,” added Killinger.

Washington Mutual ranked number 33 on the list, reporting that 42 percent of new hires were minorities in 2002, 36 percent of the company’s management staff are minorities and fifty percent of the company’s managers are women. A comprehensive report of DiversityInc’s “Top 50 Companies for Diversity” will appear in the June/July 2003 issue of DiversityInc Magazine.

In addition to its recognition for diversity, Washington Mutual was rated No. 27 in Fortune magazine’s annual “50 Best Companies for Minorities” and Family Digest magazine recognized WaMu as one of the “Best Companies for African Americans. Latina Style magazine named WaMu one of the “50 Best Companies for Latinas to Work For in the U.S.” and the company ranked second on Hispanic Business magazine’s list of the “corporate elite” with Hispanic employees at executive and management 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.

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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