Washington Mutual Merger Is Approved

Federal regulators have approved the merger of Washington Mutual Inc. and Great Western Financial Corp., Washington Mutual said Friday.

With approval from the Office of Thrift Supervision, the $7.6 billion deal to create the nation’s largest thrift needs only confirmation of approvals from state regulators, Washington Mutual said. The merger is expected to be completed by Tuesday.

Shareholders of both companies approved the merger on June 13.

The new company will have $89 billion in assets. Great Western branches, which are in California and Florida, will retain the name of the 110-year-old firm, but about 100 California branches will close.