SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 2, 2026-- WaFd Bank and its holding company WaFd, Inc. (Nasdaq: WAFD) today announced that it is the official banking partner for Network of Giving across the United States, supporting the continued national expansion of the purpose-driven digital commerce and community impact ecosystem.

This partnership brings together the Network of Giving Foundation’s governance and the Network of Giving’s platform’s patented, philanthropic driven technology with WaFd Bank’s trusted financial infrastructure and long-standing commitment to community service.

As the first financial institution to participate, WaFd Bank will facilitate the secure collection, settlement, and distribution of merchant contributions generated through everyday digital commerce. This role strengthens the platform’s ability to support nonprofits, empower small and medium sized businesses, and deliver measurable community impact at scale.

The Network of Giving platform enables consumers to securely link any bank's credit and debit cards and automatically trigger merchant-funded micro-contributions when shopping locally. These merchant-funded contributions come at no cost to the consumer, are 100% consumer directed, and audited for full accountability.

“WaFd Bank has believed in the Network of Giving from the very beginning,” said Brent Beardall, President and CEO of WaFd Bank. “We have always understood the power of financial services and digital commerce to do good for our communities and for society. Network of Giving brings those strengths together in a new way of giving that is simple, transparent, and deeply impactful. Our team recognizes the potential of this platform to strengthen local businesses and uplift nonprofits. We are proud to stand alongside the Network of Giving Foundation as its official banking partner and to help bring this innovation to communities across the country.”

“Network of Giving is built on a simple but powerful idea: everyday actions can strengthen local communities,” said David Saalfrank, Network of Giving Foundation’s Chief Evangelist and Advisory Council Member. “WaFd Bank and its leadership team have championed this vision. Their unwavering commitment, values, and belief in the power of community make them the ideal partner to steward this work nationally. With WaFd Bank’s support, every micro-contribution is securely collected, transparently distributed, and directed to the nonprofits that serve our neighbors. We are also pleased that WaFd is joining Network of Giving Foundation’s Public Benefit Corporation and Special Purpose Philanthropic Entity, helping guide long‑term mission alignment and community benefit with impact,” said Saalfrank.

Network of Giving continues the release of its initial U.S. activation in Seattle, supporting four leading nonprofits: Special Olympics Washington, Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington, Northwest Harvest, and United Way of King County.

With WaFd Bank’s national role, the Network of Giving platform and the Network of Giving Foundation are well positioned to bring this paradigm shifting model to additional states and communities nationwide.

About WaFd Bank

WaFd Bank is a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Seattle, Washington and traded on the NASDAQ as WAFD. Established in 1917, WaFd Bank has more than 200 branches across nine western states (Washington, California, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas). The bank provides comprehensive banking, lending, and digital financial services to individuals and businesses and it nationally recognized for its commitment to strong relationships, sound business practices and community engagement. For more information, please visit www.wafdbank.com.

About Network of Giving Foundation

The Network of Giving Foundation is the mission-aligned steward of Network of Giving platform. Through governance, oversight, and long-term purpose driven leadership, the Foundation ensures that Network of Giving platform remains community centered, transparent, and supported by independent audit and assurance, built for durable impact across the United States and globally.

The Foundation’s structure supports independence, accountability, including its governance circle and advisory roles. It also provides alignment across the broader Network of Giving ecosystem, including the Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) and the Special Purpose Philanthropic Entity (SPPE), ensuring that operational and technology components remain anchored in community benefit and purpose with audit and assurance.

More at NetworkofGivingFoundation.org

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Kristi Ellefson
WaFd Bank
Kristi.Ellefson@wafd.com
(206) 349-7292

Dennis Scully
Network of Giving Foundation
dennis.s@networkofgivingfoundation.org
(602) 786-8008

Source: WaFd Bank