Pros

Base compensation is above the local market, although benefits lag behind other local companies. The influx of East Cost management over the past few years means that new hires with connections to the new bosses will often get a fast track ahead of long time WaMulians - it's a great time to jump over from GE or JP Morgan and get on the fast track up the corporate ladder with your college alumni buddies or former colleagues. Of course, like many companies, much depends on who the department manager is and how they like to run their group. There are still areas within WaMu that are a great place to work, although the number of these is shrinking over time.

Cons

The company is in downsizing mode at present, so there is a greater and greater workload on fewer and fewer people. The overall morale is low, discontent is high.
There has been a strong drive by management to have greater control over decisions, expenditure, etc. As a result, the empowerment to get things down at the grass roots level has been eroded to nothing.

Advice to Senior Management

Stop listening to what your directs are telling you. Get out there among the rank and file for a change. Get out there on the teller line, on the floor in the back office. Make your own conclusions about what's working and what's not. The Senior VPs are great at telling you what you want to hear - how about finding out the real story for yourself?