Washington Federal announced the promotion of Robert D. "Bob" Peters to manage its Commercial Banking Group. Peters joined Washington Federal one year ago as the Director of Corporate Banking. He previously spent 28 years with Bank of America where he served as their Washington state president and commercial market executive in Seattle.

The new role combines two positions and is part of the company's long-term succession plan. Executive Vice President Jack B. Jacobson, who has served as the Manager of the Commercial Real Estate Group since 2000, is retiring from that position; however, he will remain with the company on a reduced schedule in an executive capacity, focused primarily on business development. Executive Vice President Thomas E. Kasanders, who has headed the Company's Business Banking Group for the past six years, and has been with the company since 2004, will also step down as part of the company's succession plan.

He will remain in an executive position responsible for Treasury Management, WAFD Insurance and the commercial credit training program, until his planned retirement at the end of 2016.