Washington Mutual, Inc.

Washington Mutual Honored for Contributions to Education

July 9, 2003

DENVER,CO – Washington Mutual (WaMu), one of the nation’s largest financial services companies, will be honored for its contributions to education on Tuesday, July 15, in Denver, during the 2003 National Forum on Education Policy, presented by the Education Commission of the States (ECS). The company is receiving the ECS Corporate Award, which recognizes a for-profit corporation or organization that has demonstrated a substantial investment in and sustained commitment to improving public education in the United States.

“Washington Mutual’s Chairman, Kerry Killinger, is personally and deeply committed to improving education. Because of his leadership and encouragement, WaMu as a company and its individual employees are engaged in many activities that benefit students, teachers and schools,” said Ted Sanders, ECS president.

“A quality education is key to unlocking the doors of success in business and life,” said Killinger. “This award is a tremendous honor and showcases the spirit and dedication of our employee’s efforts in America’s classrooms.”

In 2002, WaMu spent $14.9 million to help improve education, designating nearly half of those funds for professional development opportunities for teachers. WaMu, in partnership with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, also provides scholarships to educators who work to improve their teaching skills and pursue professional certification through the board.

Additionally, WaMu encourages its employees and financial centers to partner with one or more local schools through programs such as:

Class Acts – a corporate volunteer program in which thousands of employees assist in classrooms, throw teacher appreciation parties, paint classrooms and organize school-supply drives

Classroom Presentations – a program where employee volunteers offer lessons on topics ranging from money basics for elementary school children to managing checking and credit accounts for high school students

School Savings – an 80-year-old program that teaches students good money management skills through free, interest-bearing savings accounts and weekly “Bank Days” at local schools

NOTICE TO THE MEDIA: More than 500 governors, state legislators, state higher education decision makers, business leaders and others will share their best thinking and strategies on subjects ranging from how to implement No Child Left Behind to how to fund schools in tight economic times to how teachers should be prepared. For more information about the ECS Chairman’s Award, to receive a complete National Forum agenda, register for the meeting, review the list of participants or schedule interviews with participants, contact Kim Sharpe, ECS public relations officer, at 303.299.3680 or [email protected]. Also visit the ECS Web site Also visit the ECS Web site www.ecs.org for more information about ECS and the 2003 National Forum.