SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 8, 2026--
WaFd, Inc. (Nasdaq: WAFD) (the “Company”), the parent company of WaFd Bank, announced that Colin Murphy has joined the organization as Regional President for Northern Oregon. In this role, Murphy will lead the bank’s commercial and retail banking strategy across the region, with a focus on client relationships, team development, and community engagement.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260108976904/en/
Murphy brings more than 22 years of banking experience to WaFd Bank, including over 15 years dedicated to commercial banking. Most recently, he led a commercial banking team at BMO/Bank of the West, overseeing key markets across Portland, Seattle, and Boise. His leadership experience spans relationship management, market growth, and creating empowered, result-oriented teams in competitive markets.
“Colin’s deep commercial banking background, strong leadership skills, and passion for supporting local businesses make him an excellent fit,” said Dan LaCoste, Executive Director at WaFd Bank. “His experience across the Pacific Northwest aligns well with our commitment to helping businesses and communities thrive.”
Murphy is known for his relationship-based leadership style and commitment to community impact, with a focus on lasting partnerships, local business support, and team development.
“I’m excited to join WaFd Bank and lead the Northern Oregon region,” said Murphy. “I chose WaFd because of its passion for supporting small businesses and the local community. They have a strong reputation for relationship-based banking and community involvement. Their size was important to me as well. As a regional bank they care about the people they serve, but large enough to offer all the products and services their clients need. I know I have the potential to make a positive impact.”
Outside of work, Murphy enjoys spending time with his wife, Malinda, and their two children, Addie (10) and Jaxson (6). In his free time, he volunteers for the Board of Directors for Campfire Columbia, where he serves on the finance committee. He can often be found on the golf course, coaching youth softball and baseball, hiking, or traveling with his family.
About WaFd Bank:
WaFd, Inc. is the parent company of WaFd Bank, a federally insured Washington state chartered commercial bank that operates branches in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, and California. Established in 1917, the bank provides consumer and commercial deposit accounts, financing for small- to middle-market businesses, commercial real estate, residential real estate, and insurance products through a subsidiary.
Colin Murphy, Regional President, Northern Oregon
LONDON (AP) — Thousands of homes and businesses across northern France and southern England were without power Friday morning and residents faced widespread travel delays after a storm swept in off the Atlantic, bringing high winds, rain and snow to the region.
The low-pressure system, named Storm Goretti, pummeled the Isles of Scilly overnight with wind gusts up to 99 mph (159 kph) recorded in the archipelago off the southwestern tip of England. Local government officials reported blocked roads, unstable buildings and power outages that left some people without water.
More than 57,000 were without power across southwestern England, the Midlands and Wales, according to National Grid, which runs the country’s electricity transmission network.
As the storm moved across the United Kingdom it collided with an existing mass of Arctic air, bringing snow to northern areas and heavy rain to the south.
That extended the misery in northern Scotland, where snowplows have been working overtime to keep roads open after more than half a meter (20 inches) of snow fell earlier in the week. More than 250 schools across Scotland were closed on Friday, with some remaining shut for a fifth straight day.
National Rail warned people across the U.K. to check before traveling because the storm had disrupted services across England, Scotland and Wales. Birmingham Airport, which closed briefly due to snow, said had reopened with “reduced runway operations.”
The disruptions came after the Met Office, Britain’s national weather service, issued a rare red weather warning — its highest — in southwestern England for Thursday evening.
Red warnings are issued when the forecaster considers it “very likely” there will be life-threatening conditions.
Strong winds from Storm Goretti also battered northwestern France on Friday, knocking out power to about 380,000 homes, authorities said. No major damage was reported Friday morning.
Most of the outages were concentrated in the Normandy region, according to Enedis, the national power grid operator.
France’s national weather service, Météo-France, had issued weather warnings ahead of the storm, urging residents to remain home. An overnight wind gust of up to 213 kph (132 mph) was recorded in Gatteville-le-Phare in Normandy.
Regional train services were suspended across northwestern France, with disruptions expected to last at least until Friday afternoon. High-speed rail services were operating, and authorities said they anticipated minimal impact on flights at Paris airports.
People cross the medieval Charles Bridge during a heavy snowfall in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
A man clears snow from a walking path during a heavy snowfall in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Vehicles covered in snow are parked in Dowlais, near Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, as Storm Goretti continues in the UK. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)
