PIONEER FINANCIAL CORP \KY\
DEF 14A, 1996-12-13
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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<PAGE>

                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
 
          PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES 
                             EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Filed by the Registrant [X]
 
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
 
Check the appropriate box:
 
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement             [_] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE 
                                                COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED 
                                                BY RULE 14a-6(e)(2))
 
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
 
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
 
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S)240.14a-11(c) or (S)240.14a-12
 
                        PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION 
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

                        PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION 
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
[X] No fee required.
 
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
 
    (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
 
        
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
 
        
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
        pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the 
        filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): 
 
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
 
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (5) Total fee paid:

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------

[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
 
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act 
    Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was 
    paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement 
    number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
 
    (1) Amount Previously Paid:
   
        -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

        -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    (3) Filing Party:

        -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    (4) Date Filed:

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Notes:

<PAGE>
 
                                          December 16, 1996


Dear Shareholder:

       Our 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held at 10:00 a.m. on
Wednesday, January 8, 1997, at the main office at 25 E. Hickman Street,
Winchester, Kentucky.  At the meeting action will be taken to elect three Direc-
tors to serve for a term of three years.  In addition, we will ratify the
appointment by the Board of Directors of Miller, Mayer, Sullivan & Stevens LLP,
to prepare the fiscal year 1997 audit.  At the meeting I will report on the
business outlook for the fiscal year.  I urge you to attend the meeting.

       The formal notice of the meeting and the Proxy Statement containing
information relative to the meeting follow this letter.

       Please be sure to sign and return the enclosed proxy card whether or not
you plan to attend the meeting so that your shares will be voted.  If you do
attend the meeting, you will have an opportunity to revoke your proxy and vote
in person if you prefer.

       If you have any questions about the meeting or proxy, please visit our
main office at 25 E. Hickman Street, Winchester, Kentucky, or call us at (606)
744-3972.  The Board of Directors appreciates your interest in Pioneer.

       Your Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.35 per 
share payable this date to shareholders of record on December 1, 1996; your 
dividend check is enclosed.  As of March 15, 1996, the annual dividend was 
increased to $1.40 per share, which is payable quarterly rather than annually.

                                          Sincerely,

                                          /s/ Carl C. Norton
                                          ---------------------------------
                                          Carl C. Norton, President
<PAGE>
 
                         PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                              WINCHESTER, KENTUCKY

                              25 E. Hickman Street
                          Winchester, Kentucky  40391
                                 (606) 744-3972

                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

                         TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 8, 1997

     Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of shareholders of Pioneer
Financial Corporation (the "Corporation") will be held at 10:00 a.m. on January
8, 1997 at the home office of the Corporation's wholly-owned subsidiary, Pioneer
Federal Savings Bank, at 25 E. Hickman Street, Winchester, Kentucky, for the
following purposes:

     1.  To elect three Directors of the class whose term of office expires in
1997, to serve for a term of three years;

     2.  To ratify the appointment of Miller, Mayer, Sullivan & Stevens LLP to
serve as the auditors of the Savings Bank for fiscal year 1997; and

     3.  To receive the reports of officers and transact such other business as
may properly come before the meeting.  Management is not aware of any such
other business.

     The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on December 2, 1996
as the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to
vote at the annual meeting.

     The Proxy Statement accompanies this Notice.

                                           By Order of the Board of Directors

                                           /s/ Carl C. Norton

                                           CARL C. NORTON, PRESIDENT

Dated this 16th day of December, 1996
Winchester, Kentucky

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS URGES YOU TO CONSIDER THIS PROXY MATERIAL CAREFULLY AND
TO FILL IN, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO
ASSURE THAT YOUR VOTES WILL BE COUNTED.  YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY AT ANY TIME
BEFORE IT IS VOTED BY DELIVERING TO THE SECRETARY OF PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPOR
ATION EITHER A WRITTEN REVOCATION OF THE PROXY OR A DULY EXECUTED PROXY BEARING
A LATER DATE, OR BY APPEARING AT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING IN PERSON.  A
RETURN ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE.
<PAGE>
 
                         PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                              25 E. Hickman Street
                          Winchester, Kentucky  40391
                                 (606) 744-3972

                                PROXY STATEMENT

                        ANNUAL MEETING, JANUARY 8, 1997

THE PROXY AND SOLICITATION

This Proxy Statement is being mailed on December 16, 1996 to the shareholders of
Pioneer Financial Corporation in connection with the solicitation, by the Board
of Directors, of the enclosed form of Proxy for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 1997, at the main
office, 25 East Hickman Street, Winchester, Kentucky.  A shareholder may revoke
a writing appointing a Proxy either by giving notice to the Corporation in
writing, by executing a later-dated Proxy, or by appearing at the meeting and
voting in person. The cost of soliciting the Proxy will be borne by Pioneer
Financial Corporation.

PURPOSES OF ANNUAL MEETING

The Annual Meeting has been called for the purposes of:  (1) electing three
Directors of the class whose term of office expires in 1997; and (2) ratifying
the appointment of Miller, Mayer, Sullivan & Stevens LLP, as auditors for the
fiscal year 1997.  In addition, the shareholders may receive reports of
officers, and transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.

     The persons named in the enclosed Proxy have been selected by the Board of
Directors and will vote shares represented by valid Proxies.  They have
indicated that, unless otherwise specified in the Proxy, they intend to vote to
elect as Directors the nominees listed on pages 5 and 6.  All of the nominees
are presently members of the Corporation's Board of Directors.

     The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any of the nominees
will be unable to serve as a Director.  Each of the nominees has agreed to serve
as a Director, if elected, and has heretofore served as a Director.  In the
event, however, of the death or unavailability of any nominee or nominees, the
Proxy to that extent will be voted for such other person or persons as the Board
of Directors may recommend.

     Miller, Mayer, Sullivan & Stevens LLP and York, Neel & Company, LLP, under
a joint venture agreement, were the auditors of record for the Corporation for
fiscal year 1996.  The joint venture of Miller, Mayer, Sullivan & Stevens LLP
and York, Neel & Company, LLP has been dissolved.  Miller, Mayer, Sullivan &
Stevens LLP, have been appointed by the Board of Directors as auditors of the
Corporation for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1997.  If no contrary
directions are indicated, Proxies will
<PAGE>
 
be voted in favor of ratification of the appointment of auditors.

     The Corporation has no knowledge of any other matters to be presented to
the meeting.  In the event other matters do properly come before the meeting,
the persons named in the Proxy will vote in accordance with their judgment on
such matters.

     Shares may be voted at the meeting in person or by proxy.  The accompanying
proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Pioneer Financial Corporation
and is intended to permit each shareholder as of the record date to vote.  All
valid proxies received prior to the meeting will be voted.  Unless marked to the
contrary, such proxies will be voted for the election of three directors, and
for the ratification of the appointment of independent auditors.  If any other
business is brought before the meeting, the proxies will be voted in accordance
with the judgment of the persons voting the proxies.  A shareholder who has
given a proxy may revoke it at any time prior to such proxy being voted at the
meeting by filing with Pioneer Federal an instrument revoking it, or a duly
executed proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the meeting and giving
notice of such revocation.  Attendance at the meeting does not by itself
constitute revocation of a proxy.

     The owners of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Corporation must
be present, in person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting to constitute a quorum.

     The three nominees for directors receiving a plurality of the votes cast at
the meeting in person or by proxy shall be elected.  All other matters require
for approval the favorable vote of a majority of shares voted at the meeting in
person or by proxy.

     In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by the
directors, officers and employees of Pioneer Federal Savings Bank, the wholly-
owned subsidiary of the Corporation, without additional compensation, by
personal interview, telephone, telegraph or otherwise.  Arrangements may also be
made with brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries who
hold the voting securities of record for the forwarding of solicitation material
to the beneficial owners thereof.  Pioneer Financial Corporation will reimburse
such brokers, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the reasonable out-of-
pocket expenses incurred by them in connection therewith.

1998 SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

The deadline for shareholders to submit proposals to be considered for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is
expected to be September 1, 1997.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
VOTING SECURITIES

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on December 2, 1996 as
the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of the meeting
and to vote.  The Corporation has outstanding and entitled to vote at the
meeting 208,233 shares of common stock.  Shareholders are entitled to one vote
for each share held on the record date on all matters presented to the
shareholders at the Annual Meeting except that, in the election of directors,
cumulative voting rules will apply.  Under cumulative voting, each shareholder
is entitled to cast as many votes in the aggregate as shall equal the number of
shares of common stock owned by him or her multiplied by the number of directors
to be elected.  Each shareholder, or his or her Proxy, may cast all of his or
her votes (as thus determined) for a single nominee for director or may
distribute them among two or more nominees, in the shareholder's discretion.  As
to the authority of the persons named as Proxies in the accompanying Proxy card
to cumulate votes, see the section entitled ITEM ONE -NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS
DIRECTORS FOR TERM OF OFFICE EXPIRING IN 2000.

     The following table sets forth information furnished to the Corporation
with respect to persons known by the Corporation to be the beneficial owners of
more than 5% of the Corporation's common stock (as of September 30, 1996).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Name and Address of             Number of Shares         Percent
Beneficial Owner                Beneficially Owned       of Stock
- - - -----------------------         ------------------       ---------
<S>                             <C>                      <C>
Lee Ricketts                          10,736              5.16%
c/o Corner Drug Store
2 N. Main Street
Winchester, Kentucky
</TABLE>

     In addition, Cede & Company holds 25,226 shares (12.11%) as nominal owner
for other persons and entities.  We are assured by members of that firm that
none of the parties for whom it holds Pioneer Financial stock would be the
beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Corporation's stock.

     The following table sets forth, as of December 1, 1996, information
furnished to the Corporation with respect to the beneficial ownership by each
Director and nominee, and by all present Directors and officers as a group, of
the Corporation's common stock.  This table further provides, for each Director,
the age, period from which each has served as a Director of Pioneer Federal
Savings Bank (the Corporation's wholly-owned subsidiary), his principal
occupation or employment, and information with respect to the beneficial
ownership, as such term is defined under Rules and Regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, of the outstanding shares of the Corporation's Common
Stock by each director and by all directors and officers as a group.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Amount & Nature
Name, Age, Principal (1)                         Current     of Beneficial
Occupation, Directorship            Director      Term        Ownership of     Percent
& Business Experiences               Since       Expires     Common Shares    of Stock
- - - ----------------------------      -----------  -----------  ---------------  ----------
<S>                                <C>         <C>          <C>              <C>
Nominees for Director:
Ewart W. Johnson (74)                  1989(4)    1997            5,275        2.53%
  Retired; Director
Nora M. Linville (74)                  1976       1997            2,400        1.15%
  Retired; Director and
  Secretary to the Board
Thomas D. Muncie (59)                  1974       1997            2,850        1.37%
  President, Muncie
  Buick-GMC Truck, Inc.;
  Director
Continuing Directors:
William M. Cress (54)                  1991       1998            1,050         .50%
  Engineer; Director
Carl C. Norton (40)                    1993       1998            5,666        2.72%
  Banker; President and
  Director
Janet W. Prewitt (49)                  1972       1998            5,850        2.81%
  Attorney; Director and
  Chairman of the Board
Robert G. Strode (57)                  1974       1998            6,785        3.26%
  General Contractor; Director
George W. Billings, Jr.  (72)          1980       1999              618         .30%
  Retired; Director
Andrew James Ryan (37)                 1995       1999
  President, Andy Ryan
  Pontiac Nissan, Inc.;
  Director
Nancy M. Lawwill (60)                  1981       1999            2,000         .96%
  Banker; Director,
  Vice President, Treasurer
  and Assistant Secretary
Wayne M. Martin (50)                   1991       1999              500         .24%
  President, WKYT-TV 27;
  Director
Advisory Directors to
  Pioneer Federal Savings Bank:
Roger Davis                                                         400         .19%
Martha W. Hampton                                                 2,400        1.15%
John D. Harrison                                                    500         .24%
Clifford R. Langley                                               5,000        2.40%
Willard M. Martin                                                 5,015        2.41%
Nellie K. Meadows                                                 1,000         .48%
Beckner Shimfessel                                                2,500        1.20%
All directors and executive                                      32,994       15.84%
officers as a group,
excluding advisory directors
(12 persons)
All directors and executive                                      49,809       23.92%
officers as a group,
including advisory directors
(19 persons)
</TABLE>
- - - ------------------------
(1)  All members of the Board of Directors have held the positions set forth
     above for at least five years, unless otherwise indicated.
(2)  Includes all shares of Corporation Common Stock owned by each director's
     spouse, or as custodian or trustee over which shares such individuals
     effectively exercise sole voting and investment power.
(3)  Ms. Prewitt is an equity partner in the law firm of White, McCann &
     Stewart.  Her law firm received gross fees from Pioneer Federal of
     $143,191.47 during fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, including
     $29,888.92 of commissions from title insurance written in connection with
     loans made at the Savings Bank.  Ms. Prewitt's share of the gross fees was
     $34,365.95.
(4)  Mr. Johnson was elected director of the Bank on May 28, 1965 and served in
     that position until his resignation on October 17, 1972.  He served as a
     Director Emeritus of the Savings Bank from 1972 until the January, 1989
     Annual Meeting of Shareholders, when he was elected to serve the remaining
     unexpired term then held by Clifford R. Langley.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     Each officer, director and beneficial owner of more than 10% of any class
of equity securities of Pioneer Financial Corporation is required to file a
report with the Securities Exchange Commission and/or Office of Thrift
Supervision initially reporting securities beneficially owned by him or her, and
then reporting any change in ownership of securities.  These reports must be
filed by the 10th day of the calendar month following the date on which such a
transaction occurred.  All of the statements of changes in beneficial ownership
of securities to be filed by officers and directors of Pioneer Financial
Corporation have been timely filed in fiscal year 1996, except that: Mrs.
Prewitt had, prior to the death of her father in August, 1996, reported his
6,000 shares as being beneficially owned by her (she having had the power to
vote those shares pursuant to Power of Attorney). Following Mr. White's death,
she failed to timely file the report reducing the number of shares beneficially
owned by her, but she has filed that report in the interim.


NOMINEES AND DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS OF OFFICE WILL CONTINUE

Pioneer Financial Corporation is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of
eleven members, as set forth in Pioneer's Bylaws.  The Board is divided into
three classes, with the members of each class serving for three year terms.
Information as to each of the nominees and continuing Directors is given below.
Unless stated to the contrary, the Directors have been engaged in their current
occupations for at least the five preceding years.  One class of the Board is
due for election at this Annual Meeting (Item No. One, below).

     The nominees for election as members of the Board of Directors, with
information furnished to the Corporation by them as of December 1, 1996, are as
follows:


   ITEM NO. ONE - NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS FOR TERM OF
                       OFFICE EXPIRING IN 2000

EWART W. JOHNSON (age 74) is a retired businessman and former Kentucky State
Parks Commissioner.  He was elected a Director of Pioneer Federal on May 28,
1965 and served in that position until his resignation on October 17, 1972.  He
served as a Director Emeritus of the Savings Bank from 1972 until the January,
1989 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, when he was elected to serve the remaining
unexpired term then held by Clifford R. Langley.  Mr. Johnson serves on the
Operations/Business Plan Committee.

NORA M. LINVILLE (age 74) has been a Director of the Savings Bank since 1976.
She retired from Pioneer Federal as Executive Vice President in 1992, having
been with Pioneer Federal since 1952.  She serves as Secretary to the Board and
on the Executive, Salary and Audit Committees.

                                       5
<PAGE>
THOMAS D. MUNCIE (age 59) has been a Director of Pioneer Federal since 1974.  He
is President of Muncie Buick-GMC Truck, Inc., an automobile dealership located
in Winchester.  Mr. Muncie currently serves on the Executive and
Operations/Business Plan Committees.

If any person or persons other than the aforesaid nominees are nominated as
directors, then the Proxies named in the enclosed Proxy card, or their
substitutes, or a majority of them, shall have the right in their discretion to
vote for some number less than all the aforesaid nominees or for less than all
of the aforesaid nominees equally.  If any of the aforesaid nominees becomes
unwilling or unable to accept nomination or election, then the Proxies shall
have the right to vote for any substitute nominee in place of the nominee who
has become unwilling or unable to accept nomination or election.

The Board of Directors has nominated Mrs. Linville and Messrs. Johnson and
Muncie to serve as Directors until 2000, or until their respective successors
shall have been elected and shall qualify.  Election of the nominees requires
the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes actually cast at the Annual
Meeting.  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE
ELECTION OF THESE NOMINEES AS DIRECTORS.

CONTINUING DIRECTORS

     Present Directors whose term of office will continue after the meeting,
with information furnished to the Savings Bank by them as of December 1, 1996,
are as follows:

            PRESENT DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS OF OFFICE EXPIRE IN 1998

CARL C. NORTON (age 40) is President of Pioneer Financial Corporation and
Pioneer Federal Savings Bank, and as such is Chairman of all committees of the
Board of Directors.  He is a Winchester native, a past president of the Central
Kentucky League of Savings Institutions and a director of the Winchester Clark
County Chamber of Commerce and the Winchester-Clark County Industrial
Developmental Authority.  Mr. Norton holds a Bachelors degree in accounting from
the University of Kentucky and he is a graduate of the Kentucky School of
Banking and the School of Banking of the South.  Mr. Norton has over sixteen
years of banking experience.  He has served as a director of Pioneer Federal
since January, 1993, and has been employed by Pioneer since February, 1992.
Prior to coming to Pioneer Federal, Mr. Norton was Executive Vice-President and
Chief Managing Officer of First Security Bank of Clark County.

JANET W. PREWITT (age 49) has been a Director of Pioneer Federal since 1972.
She served as the Savings Bank's President from 1976 until 1993, and is
currently Chairperson of the Board of Directors of both Pioneer Financial
Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pioneer Federal Savings Bank.  Mrs.
Prewitt is

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
an equity partner in the law firm of White, McCann & Stewart, a general practice
law firm located in Winchester, which serves as general counsel to Pioneer
Federal and Pioneer Financial.  Legal services performed by the law firm are
attended by Mr. John H. Rompf, Jr., and Mrs. Beverly Ann Shea (Mrs. Prewitt's
sister) of the firm, who are not otherwise associated with the Corporation nor
the Savings Bank.  In fiscal 1996, Pioneer Federal paid White, McCann & Stewart
$143,191.47 in legal fees (including the law firm's percentage of commissions
paid on title insurance premiums paid by Pioneer Federal during fiscal 1996 and
some prior years).  Of this sum, $137,703.73 represented fees earned in
connection with title examinations and title insurance for real estate loans,
while the balance represented fees in foreclosure actions and fees for quarterly
and annual reports.

WILLIAM M. CRESS (age 54) is Executive Vice President of Hinkle Contracting
Corporation in Paris, Kentucky.  He has been employed by Hinkle since 1972,
having spent 12 years with the Kentucky Department of Highways prior to that.
He majored in Civil Engineering at the University of Kentucky and is a
Registered Professional Engineer.  He is a native of Powell County and currently
resides in Stanton.  He is Director of Beech Fork Golf Club and past President
of the Plant-Mix Asphalt Industry of Kentucky, Powell County Education
Foundation, and Powell County Alumni Association.  Mr. Cress was an Advisory
Director of the Savings Bank from June 17, 1980 until January 9, 1991, when he
was elected to serve the remaining unexpired term then held by John D. Harrison.
Mr. Cress serves on the Salary and Operations/Business Plan Committees.

ROBERT G. STRODE (age 57) has been a Director of Pioneer Federal since 1974.
Mr. Strode retired in June, 1990 as Vice President of Ag-Gro Fertilizer Company,
a fertilizer processing company located in Winchester.  Mr. Strode currently
serves on the Audit and Executive Committees.

            PRESENT DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS OF OFFICE EXPIRE IN 1999

GEORGE W. BILLINGS, JR. (age 72) has been a Director of Pioneer Federal since
1980.  He retired as Postmaster for the
United States Postal Service in Stanton, Kentucky in January, 1989.  Mr.
Billings currently serves on the Audit, Salary and Asset/Liability Committees.

NANCY M. LAWWILL (age 60) has been a Director of Pioneer Federal since 1981.
She has served as Pioneer Federal's Treasurer since 1973, as Assistant Secretary
since 1974 and as Vice President since 1994.  She has been with the Savings Bank
since 1966, and is the Savings Bank's data processing and computer coordinator
and is in charge of operations, as well as serving as a Loan Officer.  Mrs.
Lawwill serves on the Loan, Asset/Liability and CRA Committees.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
WAYNE M. MARTIN (age 50) was elected to Pioneer Federal's Board of Directors on
January 9, 1991, to serve the remainder of Mr. Beckner Shimfessel's term.  He is
President and General Manager for WKYT-TV 27 in Lexington, and has been with
WKYT since March, 1987.  He is a Winchester native, and is President-elect of
the Kentucky Broadcasters Association.  Mr. Martin holds a Bachelors degree in
Business Administration, a Masters degree in Education and a Rank I
Administrative certification - all from Morehead State University.  He also
serves on the Board of Trustees of Cardinal Hill, is Chairman of the Greater
Lexington United marketing Committee, Director and Vice President of the Child
Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass, and is an Elder of First Christian Church,
Winchester, Kentucky.  Mr. Martin currently serves on the Salary, CRA and
Executive Committees.

ANDREW JAMES RYAN (age 37) was elected a Director of Pioneer Federal and Pioneer
Financial on December 1, 1995 to fill the remainder of the term of Michael S.
Houlihan, who died suddenly on November 28, 1995.  Mr. Ryan is President of Andy
Ryan Pontiac Nissan, Inc, an automobile dealership in Winchester.  He was
General Manager of White Chevrolet and Pontiac of Manchester from 1982 until
moving to Winchester in November, 1991 to assume his current duties.  He is
President of the Winchester New Car Dealers Association, a member of the
Winchester Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, and is a deacon of First Christian Church,
Winchester, Kentucky.  Mr. Ryan currently serves on the Operations/Business Plan
Committee.

ADVISORY DIRECTORS

Pioneer Federal Savings Bank, Pioneer Financial's wholly-owned subsidiary, has
seven Advisory Directors who are elected to that position by the Board of
Directors when, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, the Savings Bank would
benefit from the particular expertise of such persons.  These Directors are
assigned to the various committees of the Bank's Board of Directors.  Advisory
Directors do not have voting or other authority at the Board and committee
meetings.  Advisory Directors who have served as Directors of the Savings Bank
carry the honorary title of Director Emeritus.  Directors are routinely asked to
serve as Advisory Directors upon retirement as Directors.  The following persons
currently serve as Advisory Directors to the Savings Bank:  Clifford R. Langley,
John D. Harrison, Beckner Shimfessel and Willard M. Martin (all of whom were
appointed Directors Emeritus upon retirement from the Board of Directors); Roger
Davis, Martha W. Hampton, Nellie K. Meadows (all of whom are residents of Powell
County, Kentucky, where a branch office of the Savings Bank is located).

FAMILY ASSOCIATIONS AMONG DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Wayne M. Martin, Director, is the son of Willard M. Martin, a Director Emeritus
of the Savings Bank.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors of the Corporation and of Pioneer Federal Savings Bank,
its principal subsidiary, have established the following committees, the members
of which are designated annually by the Board of Directors of the Corporation
and of the Savings Bank.  The President serves as Chairman of all committee
meetings (except Salary Committee), and the Chairman of Pioneer Financial's
Board serves as an ex-officio member of all committees.

     Loan Committee.  The Loan Committee meets at least weekly, and makes
decisions on all mortgage loan applications.  All loans approved are presented
to the Board of Directors for ratification, except that loans to a borrower who
owes or would owe the Savings Bank more than $200,000 are presented to the Board
of Directors for approval.  Regular members of the Loan Committee include the
Executive Officers of the Savings Bank and its Loan Officers.

     Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee meets on an as-needed basis.  The
committee nominates the independent auditor, discusses accounting changes, and
analyzes the financial position of the Savings Bank.  Members of the Audit
Committee include Messrs. Strode, Billings, Willard Martin and Mrs. Linville.

     Asset/Liability Committee.  The Asset/Liability Committee meets quarterly
to analyze the Savings Bank past and present performance and the risks inherent
in future strategies, which may be employed by the Bank.  Members of the
Asset/Liability Committee are Mrs. Prewitt, Mrs. Lawwill, Mr. Billings and Mr.
Tony Parrish, the Savings Bank's Chief Financial Officer.

     Operations/Business Plan Committee.  The Operations/Business Plan Committee
meets on an as-needed basis, to discuss, analyze, and monitor operation systems
and procedures of the Corporation and of the Savings Bank.  Members of the
committee include Messrs. Cress, Johnson, Muncie, Shimfessel, and Ryan.

     CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) Committee.  This Committee meets
periodically to review HMDA (Home Mortgage Disclosure Act) data and CRA
activities conducted by the Savings Bank.  This Committee also sets CRA policy
and direction for the upcoming months.  Members of the CRA Committee include
Mrs. Hampton, Mrs. Prewitt, Mrs. Lawwill, and Messrs. Norton, Wayne Martin, and
Trent.

     Executive Committee.  The Executive Committee acts for the Board of
Directors between Board meetings.  Committee members include Mrs. Linville, and
Messrs. Norton, Wayne Martin, Strode and Muncie.  The committee meets on an as-
needed basis.

     Salary Committee.  The Salary Committee meets on an as-needed basis to
review salaries of employees.  Members of this

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
committee include Mrs. Linville, and Messrs. Billings, Cress and Wayne Martin.

     Nominating Committee.  Pursuant to the Corporation's By-laws, the Board of
Directors as a whole acts as a Nominating Committee for selecting the
management's nominees for election as Directors.  The Nominating Committee must
deliver its written nominations to its secretary at least 20 days prior to the
Annual Meeting.  No other nominations for Directors shall be voted upon at the
Annual Meeting, except those made by shareholders in writing delivered to the
secretary at least 10 days prior to the Annual Meeting.  If the Nominating
Committee does not act prior to 20 days before the Annual Meeting, then
nominations may be made at the meeting by any shareholder entitled to vote.  The
Board, at its September 17, 1996 meeting, nominated Mrs. Linville and Messrs.
Johnson and Muncie for election as Directors for the above-listed term.

     During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, the Savings Bank's Board
of Directors held 12 regular meetings and 1 special meeting.  The Savings Bank's
Loan Committee met 52 times, while the Salary Committee met once during fiscal
1996.  The Operations/Business Plan Committee met once; the Executive Committee
met 9 times during the fiscal year.  The Audit Committee held 1 formal meeting,
to receive the report of the Corporation's auditors for fiscal year 1996.  The
CRA Committee met once; the Asset/Liability Committee held 2 meetings.  A Powell
County Branch Committee (consisting of Directors and Advisory Directors from
Powell County) meets on a regular basis to discuss procedures and issues
particularly pertinent to the operation of the Powell County Branch.  This
Committee held 8 meetings during fiscal 1996.  During Fiscal 1996, the
Corporation's Board of Directors held 4 regular meetings and 3 special meetings,
and 1 unanimous consents without meeting.  No Director of the Corporation
attended fewer than 75% of the total meetings of the Board of Directors and
committees on which such Board member served during this period, except for Mr.
Johnson, who was out of the state for a significant period of time.  Further,
Mr. Beverly White, a Director Emeritus of the Savings Bank, became ill during
fiscal 1996, and eventually resigned.  He missed three regular meetings of the
Savings Bank's Board of Directors prior to his resignation, but did not accept a
Director's fee for those months.

DIRECTORS' FEES

Directors are paid by Pioneer Federal Savings Bank a fee of $400 per month, plus
$25 for each committee meeting attended.  Directors Emeritus are paid $400 per
month; other Advisory Directors are paid $200 per month.   Directors who are
officers of the Corporation receive no fees for serving on the Board of
Directors or for attending Board meetings or committee meetings.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS

The following information is supplied with respect to officers and significant
employees of Pioneer Federal Savings Bank, the Corporations principal
subsidiary, who do not serve on the Corporation's nor the Savings Bank's Board
of Directors. No arrangements or understandings exist between the Corporation or
Pioneer Federal and any person listed below pursuant to which such person was
elected as an officer.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                  POSITIONS CURRENTLY HELD
       NAME              AGE        WITH PIONEER FEDERAL
    <S>                  <C>    <C> 
    Janet Tutt            54    Assistant Treasurer since 1980;
                                 employee of Pioneer since 1974

    Doris Estes           48    Bypass Branch Manager and Loan
                                 Officer since August, 1993;
                                 Employee of Pioneer since 1984

    Dianna Davis          47    Stanton Branch Manager/Loan Officer
                                 since October, 1995 and an
                                 employee of the Bank since 1985

    Bobby R. Trent        47    Compliance/Security since June,
                                 1995; was previously Chief Operations
                                 Officer/Compliance Officer with
                                 Salt Lick Deposit Bank

    Vicki Rupard          36    Loan Officer since September, 1995;
                                 Was previously Mortgage
                                 Administrative Assistant with
                                 Peoples Commercial Bank

   Anthony Parrish        30    Chief Financial Officer since
                                 April, 1996; was previously
                                 employed as Sr. Vice-President and
                                 Chief Financial Officer at Peoples
                                 Commercial Bank

   Rob Agee               29    Loan officer since June, 1996; was
                                 previously a Mortgage Loan Officer
                                 with Pikeville National Bank

</TABLE> 

REMUNERATION OF OFFICERS

The following table sets forth for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996,
certain information as to compensation received by all executive officers of the
Corporation as a group for services in all capacities to the Corporation.
During such period, only one executive officer of the Corporation or of Pioneer
Federal received total cash compensation in excess of $60,000.00, that being
President Carl C. Norton.  Mr. Norton's cash compensation by Pioneer Federal
during fiscal 1996 was

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
$86,402.34.  Ms. Prewitt's  compensation as Chairman of the Board of Pioneer
Federal and of the Corporation, when added to her equity portion of the fees
paid by Pioneer to White, McCann & Stewart, did not exceed $60,000.00 during
fiscal 1996 or any prior year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 

     NUMBER OF PERSONS            CAPACITIES IN                    CASH
         IN GROUP                 WHICH SERVED               COMPENSATION (1)
- - - --------------------------     ------------------           ----------------
<S>                            <C>                          <C>
All Executive Officers         Executive Officers              $185,262.79
  as a Group (4 persons,        (including Chief
  4 positions)                  Financial Officer)
Other Significant Employees    Controller, Branch              $188,380.02
  as a group (7 persons,        Manager, Asst. Treas.,
  5 positions)                  Loan Officers, Compliance/
                                Security
</TABLE>

(1)  In addition to cash compensation, all executive officers of the Savings
Bank are participants in the Savings Bank's group life insurance and Blue
Cross/Blue Shield major medical insurance plans, the costs of which are paid by
the Savings Bank.  The Savings Bank maintains a "401(k)" employee profit sharing
plan as described under the Employees' Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
The Plan became effective December 19, 1985.  Under the Plan, the Savings Bank
may make contributions in accordance with Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue
Code.  The Savings Bank's contributions are allocated to each participant based
on the ratio the participant's compensation bears to the total compensation.
Employees may also contribute to the Plan.  The Plan covers all full-time
employees who have attained the age of 20 1/2 years once they have completed 6
months of service at an anniversary date of the Plan.  The participant's account
balance vests at 20% after completing 2 years of service; this vesting is
increased by 20% for each year thereafter, with 100% vesting after 6 years of
service.  Upon retirement, the employee may withdraw all or parts of his vested
portion of the Plan at his discretion (in accordance with Section 401(k)).  The
Board Chairperson of the Savings Bank participates in the "401(k)" plan.  During
fiscal 1996 the Savings Bank made no contributions to the "401(k)" plan on
behalf of the Executive Officers or Other Significant Employees.

In addition, Pioneer Federal Savings Bank established an Employee Stock
Ownership Plan on October 31, 1994.  Under the Plan, the Savings Bank may make
contributions in accordance with Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue code in
the form of cash or stock for employees of the Savings Bank who are eligible on
attainment of age 20 1/2 and completion of at least a six-month period of
service are eligible to participate.  The Savings Bank made a cash contribution
to the ESOP of $30,512.44 made during fiscal 1996; of this sum, $10,796.00 was
contributed to the ESOP on behalf of the Executive Officers and $4,312.74 was
contributed to the ESOP on behalf of the Other Significant Employees.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
The following chart shows annual compensation (there being no long-term
compensation) of the Corporation's President and Chief Managing Officer for the
last three fiscal years (including his compensation by Pioneer Federal Savings
Bank):

                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                   ANNUAL COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL    FISCAL YEAR  -----------------------------------------------
POSITION              ENDED 9/30         SALARY         BONUS     OTHER (BENEFITS)
- - - --------------------  -----------  ----------------  -----------  ----------------
<S>                   <C>          <C>               <C>          <C>
 
Carl C. Norton,          1996         $83,892.34      $ 2,500.00     $10,656.35
President and            1995         $79,999.92      $ 2,500.00     $ 9,374.60
Chief Managing           1994         $72,115.84      $ 2,700.00     $ 8,993.84
Officer
</TABLE>

TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Pioneer Federal currently offers loans to its officers and Directors for various
purposes consistent with the Corporation's and the Savings Bank's regular
lending policies as limited by applicable law and regulation.  These loans are
made in the ordinary course of business, are made on the same terms and
conditions as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with non-
affiliated persons, and, in the judgment of management, do not involve more than
normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.

     Set forth below is certain information relating to loans made to Pioneer
Federal executive officers and Directors (and their affiliates and immediate
family members) whose total aggregate loan balances exceeded $60,000.00 at any
time during the year ended September 30, 1996.  Loans which were originated by
the Savings Bank but have been sold on the secondary market are note included.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borrower and                      Original    Original      Current
   Type of              When        Loan      Interest     Interest     9/30/96
    Loan             Originated    Amount       Rate         Rate       Balance
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>       <C>
Wayne Martin,           8/29/96   $51,375.00       9%           9%   $ 51,375.00
Director:
 residential/
 real estate
 
Chris Martin, son of    5/30/96    52,700.00       6%           6%   $ 52,439.20
Director Martin
residential/
real estate
(first mortgage,
home)

Andrew James Ryan,      6/28/96   196,000.00       9%           9%   $ 53,455.00
Director:
residential/
real estate,
(construction loan - in process)                                     -----------
                                                                     $157,269.20

</TABLE> 

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
During the year ended September 30, 1996, there were no loans made to Pioneer
Federal officers (who are not considered principal officers for the purposes of
the annual audit) whose total aggregate loan balances exceeded $60,000 at any
time during the fiscal year.  Loans which were originated by the Savings Bank
but have been sold on the secondary market are not included.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

  Four shareholders combined to form East Kentucky Holdings, a general
partnership, in 1994.  On July 24, 1994, the Savings Bank filed a lawsuit styled
                                                                                
Pioneer Federal Savings Bank v. Fred M. Higgins, Catherine H. Howard, Charles
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lester Key, Phillip R. Perry, individually and d/b/a East Kentucky Holdings, a
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kentucky general partnership, (collectively, the "EKH Group") in the United
- - - ----------------------------                                               
States District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, Civil Action No. 94-232.
The Complaint alleged that the EKH Group, acting in concert, engaged in a tender
offer with respect to the Bank's stock without complying with the disclosure and
filing requirements of Sections 14(d) and 14(e) of the Williams Act, the Change
in Bank Control Act and the applicable regulations.  Through that lawsuit, the
Bank sought an injunction requiring the EKH Group to cease their tender offer
activities, to comply with applicable laws and to restrict their activities with
respect to the Bank.

     The EKH Group filed a Counterclaim which sought to enjoin an alleged tender
offer by the Savings Bank, its officers, directors, agents and others acting in
concert with them.  The Counterclaim also requested the Court to order the
Savings Bank to declare a dividend to its shareholders, to seek competitive
bids for its legal services, to evaluate and disclose bona fide offers to
purchase the Bank, and to fully disclose and address any conflicts of interest
of the Bank's directors.

     Pioneer and the members of the EKH group entered into a Mutual Release and
Agreed Order of Dismissal of the civil matter.  The Savings Bank redeemed the
EKH stock at a price per share of $41.50 in July, 1996, following confirmation
from the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) that the redemption was consistent
with all statutes, rules, regulations, policies, directives or orders of the
OTS.

     The redemption included the 58,069 shares of stock of the EKH group and
6,175 shares of stock owned by the Corporation's chairman, Janet W. Prewitt, and
certain of those persons presumed to be acting in concert with her.  The
redemption of the shares of Ms. Prewitt, etc., is necessitated by the EKH
redemption to keep the ownership of the Corporation's stock by Ms. Prewitt and
those presumed to be acting in concert with her below 10% and thus avoid her
undergoing the personal expense and time involved in a control filing with the
OTS.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
               ITEM NO. TWO - SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

Miller, Mayer, Sullivan & Stevens LLP, have been appointed as the Corporation's
independent auditor for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1997 pursuant to
the recommendation of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.  A
representative of Miller, Mayer, Sullivan & Stevens LLP is expected to be
present at the meeting with an opportunity to make a statement if he desires to
do so and to answer appropriate questions with respect to that firm's
examination of the Corporation's financial statements and records for the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1996.

     The appointment of the auditors must be approved by a majority of the votes
cast by the stockholders of the Corporation at the Meeting.  THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE APPROVAL OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS.

                         ITEM NO. THREE - OTHER MATTERS

The Board of Directors is not aware of any business to come before the Meeting
other than those matters described above in this Proxy Statement.  However, if
any other matters should properly come before the Meeting, it is intended that
Proxies in the accompanying form will be voted in respect thereof in accordance
with the judgment of the person or persons holding the Proxies.

ANNUAL REPORT

The Annual Report of the Corporation for the fiscal year ended September 30,
1996 is enclosed herewith.  The consolidated financial statements of the
Corporation and its subsidiary and the accompanying notes and report of
independent auditors, the quarterly data and supplementary information on the
effects of inflation, the selected financial data for each of the last five
fiscal years, and management's discussion and analysis of the summary of
operations contained in the Annual Report are incorporated by reference in this
Proxy Statement.

                              By Order of the Board of Directors

                              /s/ Carl C. Norton

                              CARL C. NORTON, PRESIDENT

Dated this 16th day of December, 1996, Winchester, Kentucky

- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------
FORM 10-K
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------

     A COPY OF THE CORPORATION'S FORM 10-K AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE TO STOCKHOLDERS AS OF THE
RECORD DATE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY, PIONEER FINANCIAL
CORPORATION, 25 EAST HICKMAN STREET, WINCHESTER, KENTUCKY 40391.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
                                REVOCABLE PROXY
                 SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                         PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

     The undersigned shareholder hereby appoints the Board of Directors of
Pioneer Financial Corporation, with full power of substitution, to act as proxy
for and to vote the stock of the undersigned at the annual meeting of
Shareholders of Pioneer Financial Corporation, Winchester, Kentucky, to be held
at its registered office, 25 East Hickman Street, Winchester, Kentucky, on
Wednesday, January 8, 1997, at 10:00 A.M., Eastern Standard time, or any
adjournment thereof, for the purposes stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting.

     The undersigned hereby directs this proxy to be voted as follows:

1.  Election of the following as Directors to serve until the Annual Meeting 
in January, 2000, or until their successors are elected and qualified (this 
proxy will be voted for each nominee listed unless:  (a) the box labelled 
"AGAINST" is marked, or (b) the nominee's name is marked out by striking 
through, in which event another name may be substituted):

  Ewart W. Johnson                               FOR  [ ]      AGAINST  [ ]    
                       -------------------------                
  Nora M. Linville                               FOR  [ ]      AGAINST  [ ]    
                       -------------------------                
  Thomas D. Muncie                               FOR  [ ]      AGAINST  [ ]    
                       -------------------------                

2.  Ratification of the appointment of Miller, Mayer, Sullivan & Stevens LLP, to
serve as the independent auditors of the Corporation for fiscal year 1997;

   FOR  [ ]   AGAINST  [ ]    ABSTAIN  [ ]

3.  The undersigned further authorizes my/our proxies to vote this proxy for or
against any other business as may properly come before the meeting, in the
discretion of the above-named proxies:

   FOR  [ ]   AGAINST  [ ]    ABSTAIN  [ ]

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED.  IF NO CONTRARY DIRECTION IS INDICATED,
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ABOVE PROPOSITIONS.

                                           Dated:____________________________
    
                                           __________________________________
                                                    (Stockholder)
    
                                           __________________________________
                                                    (Stockholder)
(Please sign and date this proxy.  Please sign
exactly as indicated above.)
<PAGE>

                                                                        APPENDIX

                         PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION



                         ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

                              FISCAL YEAR ENDING

                              SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
<PAGE>
 
                         PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                         ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
                     FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

                               Table of Contents

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                            Page
                                                            ----
<S>                                                         <C>

Corporate Profile .........................................   1

Consolidated Financial Highlights .........................   2

Letter to Shareholders  ...................................   3

Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Data ............   4

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
     Condition and Results of Operations  .................   6

Financial Statements ......................................  21

     Letter from Auditors .................................  21
 
     Consolidated Balance Sheets ..........................  22
 
     Consolidated Statement of Income .....................  23
 
     Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity .......  24
 
     Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows .................  25
 
     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ...........  27

Corporate Information .....................................  48

Form 10-K .................................................  49
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
                         PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

Corporate Profile

     Pioneer Financial Corporation (herein "Corporation"), a Kentucky
corporation, was organized in 1994 as a thrift holding company.  On December 20,
1994, the shareholders of Pioneer Federal Savings Bank approved an agreement and
plan of reorganization dated October 31, 1994, whereby the Savings Bank became a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Pioneer Financial Corporation.  In accordance with
the Reorganization Plan, the shareholders of Pioneer Federal exchanged their
shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis for common shares in Pioneer
Financial Corporation.  Pioneer Federal is the main asset of Pioneer Financial,
and the consolidated financial statements of the Corporation and of the Savings
Bank are included herein.

     Pioneer Federal Savings Bank (herein "Savings Bank"), with assets of more
than $74 million at September 30, 1996, is the larger of the two thrift
institutions in Winchester, Kentucky.  It currently ranks third in deposits
among the six financial institutions located in Winchester.  In addition,
Pioneer has a branch office located in Stanton, Kentucky, where it is one of
only two financial institutions with full service offices (and the only thrift
institution) in that community.

     The business of Pioneer Federal consists primarily of attracting deposits
from the general public and using such deposits, together with other borrowings
and funds, to make residential mortgage loans, commercial real estate loans
(primarily permanent loans), consumer loans (including automobile and personal
loans) and to invest in mortgage-backed securities and other investments.
Pioneer Federal Savings Bank has been in existence since 1885, when the
Commonwealth of Kentucky granted a charter to its predecessor, Winchester
Building & Savings Association.  It became a federally-chartered association in
1978, under the name of Pioneer Federal Savings and Loan Association.  In 1985,
the Association obtained a federal savings bank charter and changed its name to
Pioneer Federal Savings Bank.  Pioneer Federal was issued a federal stock
savings bank charter on July 15, 1987, upon successful completion of its
conversion from mutual to a stock form.

     Pioneer Financial Corporation is subject to regulation by the Securities
and Exchange Commission and the Office of Thrift Supervision.  Pioneer Federal
Savings Bank is subject to regulation by the Office of Thrift Supervision and
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which administers the Savings
Association Insurance Fund, that insures Pioneer Federal's deposits.  Pioneer
Federal owns stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati and is a member
of the Federal Home Loan Bank system.

     Pioneer Federal has a wholly-owned subsidiary, Pioneer Service Corporation,
which holds stock in Intrieve, Inc.   Intrieve provides on line computer
processing and inquiry service to Pioneer Federal and other thrift institutions.
<PAGE>
 
     The principal executive offices of the Corporation and of the Savings Bank
are located at 25 East Hickman Street, Winchester, Kentucky 40391, telephone
number (606) 744-3972.

Consolidated Financial Highlights

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  
                                      September 30,
                               ----------------------------
                                   1996           1995
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------- 

<S>                            <C>           <C>
For the Year
     Net interest income ..... $ 2,797,403     $ 3,036,789
     Net income ..............     706,982       1,077,503
At Year End
     Total assets ............ $74,401,137     $78,835,918
     Loans receivable, net ...  35,247,421      32,213,705
     Savings deposits ........  64,335,165      67,087,921
     Stockholders' equity ....   8,244,635      10,539,778
     Stockholders' equity
       to total liabilities ..        12.5%           15.4%
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------- 
</TABLE>

Capital Stock

     At the present time, there is no established market in which shares of the
Corporation's capital stock are regularly traded, nor are there any uniformly
quoted prices for such shares.  However, Hilliard-Lyons in Lexington, Kentucky
is maintaining a "work-out market" in the stock, with the most recent price
being $41.50 per share.

     During fiscal year 1996, the Corporation paid quarterly dividends of 33c
per share on December 15, 1995, and 35c per share on March 15, 1996, June 15,
1996 and September 15, 1996 to shareholders of record as of December 1, 1995,
March 1, 1996, June 1, 1996 and September 1, 1996, respectively.

     As of November 13, 1996, Pioneer Financial Corporation had approximately
301 stockholders.


                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          [LETTERHEAD OF PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION APPEARS HERE]

                               December 16, 1996

Dear Shareholder:

     Pioneer Federal Savings Bank and its Holding Company, Pioneer Financial
Corporation, had another great year for the fiscal year which ended September
30, 1996.  The financial statements contained in the enclosed materials show a
reduced net income which is the result of the special assessment to those
institutions insured by the SAIF portion of the FDIC.  Without the special
assessment, Pioneer's net income for the fiscal year just ended would have been
$994,000.

     Even though our net income was reduced by the special assessment, it was
good news for Pioneer and all other SAIF insured institutions.  Our annual SAIF
premium before the special assessment was 23c per $1,000 of deposits.  That was
much higher than the premium paid by well capitalized BIF insured institutions.
We, like the other extremely strong SAIF insured institutions (and there are
many like us) were paying the price of the savings and loan debacle of the
1980's.  The special assessment has recapitalized the Savings Association
Insurance Fund (SAIF) and our assessment for the coming year will be 4c per
$1,000 of deposits.  Therefore, we will make up the sums paid in this special
assessment fairly quickly.

     Historically, bank stocks have sold at a higher premium to book value than
have thrift stocks.  One of the main reasons for this has been the great
disparity between the insurance assessment for BIF institutions (most banks) and
SAIF institutions (most thrifts, like Pioneer).  Even though the special
assessment was very painful to those of us who had done nothing to cause the
SAIF losses, the result will be good for all banking institutions.  The
resolution of the BIF/SAIF premium  disparity will be real good for Pioneer.

     When I wrote you last year, I told you that we expected to do a "face lift"
for the Hickman Street office in 1996.  Carl Norton, his fine staff and your
Board of Directors have worked hard to determine the best way to do the
renovation without crippling our ability to serve our customers.  We do hope to
begin work very soon.

     As always, we are very grateful for the support of our shareholders,
customers, and employees.  We look forward to the  challenges and opportunities
of the coming year.

                              Sincerely,

                              /s/ Janet W. Prewitt 
                              -----------------------------
                              Janet W. Prewitt
                              Chairman, Board of Directors



                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
                           (in Thousands of Dollars)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                   As of September 30,
                                  -----------------------------------------------
                                    1886     1995      1994      1993      1992
                                  -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>                               <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Total amount of:
 Loans receivable, net..........  $35,247   $32,214   $29,384   $34,290   $35,149
 Investments....................   31,574    38,676    41,104    36,720    35,386
 Cash...........................      733       790       633       462       626
 Interest bearing deposits /1/..    4,935     5,162     6,271     4,605     3,594
 Assets.........................   74,401    78,836    79,648    78,432    77,578
 Deposits.......................   64,335    67,088    68,686    68,198    67,989
 Borrowings.....................      699       742       757       795       941
 Stockholders' equity...........    8,245    10,540     9,806     9,087     8,074
 
OTHER DATA
Number of:
 Loans outstanding..............    2,409     2,418     2,344     2,412     2,402
 Savings accounts...............    9,117     9,207     9,253     9,766    10,732
 Full customer service
  offices open..................        3         3         3         3         3
</TABLE>

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>
                                              Year ended September 30, 
                                  -----------------------------------------------
                                    1996     1995      1994      1993      1992
                                  -------   -------   -------   -------   -------

<S>                               <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
OPERATIONS DATA
Total Amount of:
 Interest income................  $ 5,659   $ 5,656   $ 5,210   $ 5,819   $ 6,032
 Interest expense...............   (2,862)   (2,619)   (2,293)   (2,517)   (3,229)
 Provision for loan losses            (57)      (19)       (5)     (178)     (218)
                                  -------   -------   -------   -------   -------      
 Net interest income
  after provision for              
   loan losses..................    2,740     3,018     2,913     3,123     2,585
 Non-interest income............      445       404       389       432       289

 Non-interest expense...........    2,092     1,776     1,718     1,614     1,460
                                  -------   -------   -------   -------   -------      
 Net income before
  income taxes and
  cumulative effect of
  change in accounting        
   principles...................    1,093     1,646     1,584     1,941     1,414

 Income tax expense.............      386       568       534       670       514
  Cumulative effect of
  change in accounting
  principle /2/.................                          (18)
                                  -------   -------   -------   -------   -------      

 Net Income.....................  $   707    $1,078   $ 1,032   $ 1,271   $  900
                                  =======   =======   =======   =======   =======
</TABLE>
- - - --------------------
/1/ Includes Federal funds sold.
/2/ Reflects adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS")
    No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes".


                                       4
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
KEY OPERATING RATIOS:
                                                       At or for the
                                                 Years Ended September 30,
                                     --------------------------------------------------
                                       1996       1995       1994     1993       1992
                                     -------     -------    -------  -------    -------

<S>                                  <C>        <C>         <C>      <C>        <C>
Performance Ratios:                                    
- - - -------------------                                    
Return on average                                      
 assets /1/ ....................      0.89%        1.36%      1.30%    1.61%      1.25%
Return on average                                                             
 equity /1/ ....................      6.97%       10.52%     10.83%   14.78%     11.56%
Average equity to                                                              
 average assets /1/ ............     12.72%       12.91%     12.05%   10.91%     10.55%
Interest rate spread ...........      3.18%        3.51%      3.43%    3.96%      3.43%
Net interest margin ............      3.63%        3.94%      3.78%    4.30%      3.88%
Dividend payout ................      50.0%       32.7 %     30.3 %   20.3 %     22.7 %
                                                                               
Asset Quality Ratios:                                                          
- - - ---------------------                                                          
Nonperforming assets                                                           
 to total assets at                                                           
 end of year ...................      0.30%        0.24%      0.13%    0.26%      0.28%
Allowance for loan                                                            
 losses to total                                                              
 assets at end of year .........      0.51%        0.45%      0.44%    0.51%      0.33%
Allowance for loan                                                             
 losses to nonper-                                                            
 forming loans at end                                                         
 of year........................    171.30%      183.33%    334.62%  193.20%    118.72%
Allowance for loan                                                            
 losses to total                                                              
 loans receivable,                                                            
 net............................      1.06%        1.05%      1.15%    1.17%      0.74%
                                                                              
Capital Ratios:                                                               
- - - ---------------                                                               
Equity to total assets                                                         
 at end of year.................     11.08%       13.27%     12.31%   11.58%     10.41%
Average equity to                                                             
 average assets  /1/ ...........     12.72%       12.91%     12.05%   10.91%     10.55%
Ratio of average                                                              
 interest earning                                                              
 assets to average                                                            
 interest bearing                                                              
 liabilities /1/ ...............    112.01%      112.55%  1 111.74%  110.30%    110.30%
</TABLE>                                                                   
- - - ----------------------                                                     
/1/Average balances are based upon month-end balances.                     
                   

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL

     In accordance with an agreement and plan of reorganization dated October
31, 1994 and approved by shareholders on December 20, 1994, Pioneer Federal
Savings Bank became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pioneer Financial Corporation.
The principal assets of the corporation is the outstanding capital stock of the
Savings Bank, and the operations of the Corporation consist solely of the
operations of the Savings Bank.  Therefore this discussion relates primarily to
the Savings Bank.

     Historically, the Savings Bank has functioned as a financial intermediary,
attracting deposits from the general public and using such deposits to make
mortgage loans and, to a lesser extent, consumer loans, and to purchase
investment securities with a significant concentration in mortgage-backed
securities.  As such, its earnings have depended primarily on its net interest
income, or "spread", which is the difference between the amount it receives from
interest earned on loans and investments ("interest-earning assets") and the
amount it pays in interest on its deposits ("interest-bearing liabilities").
Results of operations are also dependent upon the level of the Savings Bank's
non-interest income, including fee income and service charges and by the level
of its non-interest expenses, the most significant component of which is
salaries and employee benefits.

     The operations of the Savings Bank are significantly affected by prevailing
economic conditions and the monetary, fiscal and regulatory policies of
government agencies.  Lending activities are influenced by the demand for and
supply of housing, competition among lenders, the level of interest rates and
the availability of funds.  Deposit flows and costs of funds are likewise
heavily influenced by prevailing market rates of interest on competing
investment alternatives, account maturities and the levels of personal income
and savings in the Savings Bank's market areas.

     Historically, Pioneer Federal made long-term real estate loans with fixed
rates of interest.  Beginning in 1980, Pioneer Federal diversified its loan
portfolio by offering adjustable rate loans and short-term fixed rate loans with
a balloon payment.  Adjustable rate loans are those in which the interest rate
may change during the term of the loan. Adjustable rate loans and shorter term,
fixed-rate loans allow the average yield received by the Savings Bank on its
total loan portfolio to more closely reflect prevailing interest rates, so as to
keep pace with changes in interest rates paid on savings accounts.


                                       6

<PAGE>
 
ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

     Net interest income, the primary component of the Savings Bank's net
earnings, is derived from the difference or "spread" between the yield on
interest-earning assets and the cost of the interest-bearing liabilities.  The
Savings Bank has sought to reduce its exposure to changes in interest rates by
matching more closely the effective maturities or repricing characteristics of
its interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  The matching of
the Savings Bank's assets and liabilities may be analyzed by examining the
extent to which its assets and liabilities are interest rate sensitive and by
monitoring the expected effects of interest rate changes on an institution's net
interest income and net portfolio value.

     An asset or liability is interest rate sensitive within a specific time
period if it will mature or reprice within that time period.  If the Savings
Bank's assets mature or reprice more quickly or to a greater extent than its
liabilities, the Savings Bank's net portfolio value and net interest income
would tend to increase during periods of rising interest rates but decrease
during periods of falling interest rates.  If the Savings Bank's assets mature
or reprice more slowly or to a lesser extent than its liabilities, the Savings
Bank's net portfolio value and net interest income would tend to decrease during
periods of rising interest rates but increase during periods of falling interest
rates.  The Savings Bank's policy has been to mitigate the interest rate risk
inherent in the historical savings institution business of originating long-term
loans funded by short-term deposits by pursuing certain strategies designed to
decrease the vulnerability of its earnings to material and prolonged changes in
interest rates.

     Management's principal strategy in managing the Savings Bank's interest
rate risk has been to maintain short and intermediate term assets in the
portfolio, including locally originated adjustable rate mortgage loans.  The
Savings Bank does not actively offer long-term fixed rate loans.  All fixed rate
loans that are offered and retained by the Savings Bank are secured by one to
four-family owner-occupied dwellings for terms of no more than 15 years.
Likewise, the interest rate charged on the Savings Bank's adjustable rate loans
typically reprice after one, three or five years with maximum periodic interest
rate adjustment limits ("caps").  At September 30, 1996, the Savings Bank had no
loans that reprice after five years from that date.  In managing its portfolio
investment and mortgage-backed and related securities, the Savings Bank seeks to
purchase investment and mortgage-backed and related securities that mature on a
basis that approximates the estimated maturities of the Savings Bank's
liabilities.


                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     Management has attempted to lengthen the average maturity of its
liabilities by adopting a tiered pricing program for its certificates of
deposit.  The Savings Bank offers higher rates of interest on its longer term
certificates in order to encourage depositors to invest in certificates with
longer maturities.

INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

     The Savings Bank's future financial performance depends to a large extent
on how successful it is in limiting the sensitivity of earnings and net asset
value to changes in interest rates.  Such sensitivity may be analyzed by
examining the amount by which the market value of the Savings Bank's portfolio
equity changes given an immediate and sustained change in interest rates.  Based
on the latest information available, it is estimated that the Savings Bank's
market value of portfolio equity at September 30, 1996 would decrease by
approximately $1.0 million or 7% given a 200 basis point immediate and sustained
increase in interest rates.  It is estimated that the Savings Bank's market
value of portfolio equity at September 30, 1996 would decrease by approximately
$100,000 or 1% given a 200 basis point immediate and sustained decrease in
interest rates.

AVERAGE BALANCES, INTEREST AND AVERAGE YIELDS

     The Savings Bank's earnings depend primarily on its net interest income,
the difference between the income it receives on its loan portfolio and other
investments and its cost of money, consisting primarily of interest paid on
savings deposits.  Net interest income is affected by (i) the difference between
rates of interest earned on its interest-earning assets and rates paid on its
interest-bearing liabilities (commonly known as "the spread"); and (ii) the
relative amounts of its interest-earning assets and interest-bearing
liabilities.  When interest-earning assets approximate or exceed interest-
bearing liabilities, any positive spread will generate net interest income.
Thrift institutions have traditionally used interest rate spreads as a measure
of net interest income.  Another indicator of an institution's net interest
income is its "net yield on interest-earning assets", which is net interest
income divided by average interest-earning assets.

     The following table sets forth certain information relating to the Savings
Bank's average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and
reflects the average yield on assets and average cost of liabilities for the
periods indicated.  Such yields and costs are derived by dividing income or
expense by the average monthly balance of assets or liabilities, respectively,
for the periods presented.  During the periods indicated, nonaccruing loans are
included in the net loan category.  Average balances are derived from month-end
average balances.  Management does not believe that the use of month-end
balances instead of average daily balances has caused any material difference in
the information presented.


                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                        AVERAGE BALANCES AND YIELD/RATES
                           (In thousands of dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                       Year ended September 30,
                                  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                 1996                            1995                             1994 
                                  --------------------------------  -------------------------------  -------------------------------

                                                          Average                          Average                           Average
                                     Average              Yield/     Average               Yield/     Average                Yield/
                                   Balance /1/  Interest   Rate    Balance /1/  Interest  Average   Balance /1/  Interest     Rate
                                  ------------  --------  -------  -----------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------
<S>                               <C>           <C>       <C>      <C>          <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>       <C>      
Interest Earning Assets:
 Loans /2/.......................   $33,358     $3,057     9.16%    $31,622     $2,813      8.90%     $31,089    $2,717      8.74
 Investment Securities...........     5,352        384     7.17       7,872        474      6.02        4,076       238      5.84
 Mortgage-Backed Securities......    30,064      1,783     5.93      31,280      2,019      6.45       36,382     2,063      5.67
 Other Investments...............     8,333        435     5.22       6,368        350      5.50        5,563       192      3.45
                                  ------------  --------  -------  -----------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------
  Total Interest Earning
   Assets........................    77,107      5,659     7.34      77,142      5,656      7.33       77,110     5,210      6.76
                                                --------                        --------                         --------           
Non Interest Earning Assets......     2,704                           2,275                             1,979
                                  ------------                     -----------                      -----------                     
   Total Assets..................    79,811                          79,417                             79,089
                                  ============                     ===========                      ===========                     
Interest Bearing Liabilities:
 Savings Deposits................    68,118      2,816     4.13      67,794      2,569      3.79       68,236     2,241      3.28
 FHLB Advances...................       719         46     6.40         744         50      6.72          775        52      6.71
                                  ------------  --------  -------  -----------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  ---------
  Total Interest Bearing
   Liabilities...................    68,837      2,862     4.16      68,538      2,619      3.82       69,011     2,293      3.32
                                                --------                        --------                         --------           
Non Interest Bearing
 Liabilities.....................       825                             630                               545
Stockholders' Equity.............    10,149                          10,249                             9,533
                                  ------------                     -----------                      -----------                     
   Total Liabilities and
  Stockholders' Equity...........   $79,811                         $79,417                           $79,089
                                  ============                     ===========                      ===========                     
Net Interest Income..............               $2,797                          $3,037                           $2,917
                                                ========                        ========                         ========           
Interest Rate Spread /3/.........                          3.18%                            3.51%                            3.44%
                                                         ========                        =========                        ==========
Net Interest Margin /4/..........                          3.63%                            3.94%                            3.78%
                                                         ========                        =========                        ==========
Ratio of Average Interest
  Bearing Assets to Average
  Interest Bearing Liabilities                           112.01%                          112.55%                          111.74%
                                                         =======                         ========                         =========
</TABLE>
- - - ---------------------------------
/1/  Average Balances are based on month-end balances.
/2/  Includes loans held for sale.
/3/  Represents the difference between the average yield on interest-earning
     assets and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
/4/  Represents net interest income as a percentage of the average balance of
     interest-earning assets for the same period.


                                       9
<PAGE>
Rate/Volume Analysis

  The following table sets forth certain information regarding changes in
interest income and interest expense of the Savings Bank for the periods
indicated.  For each category of interest-earning asset and interest-bearing
liability, information is provided on changes attributable to (1) changes in
volume (changes in volume multiplied by old rate); (2) changes in rate (change
in rate multiplied by old volume); (3) changes in rate-volume (changes in rate
multiplied by the change in volume).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              Year ended September 30,
                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    1995 vs. 1996                       1994 vs. 1995                      1993 vs. 1994
                                 Increase/(Decrease)                 Increase/(Decrease)                Increase/(Decrease)        
                                        Due to                             Due to                             Due to
                         ----------------------------------  ---------------------------------  ----------------------------------
                         Volume     Rate     R/V     Total   Volume   Rate      R/V     Total    Volume   Rate      R/V     Total
                         -------  -------  -------  -------  ------- -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------

<S>                      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Interest Income:
 Loan Portfolio.........  157.5     82.2      4.5    244.2     46.6    48.0      0.8     95.4   (308.0)  (301.0)    28.1   (580.9)
 Investments............ (151.7)    90.5    (29.0)   (90.2)   235.2     0.5      0.4    236.1    164.3    (55.5)   (55.2)    53.6
 Mortgage Backed
  Securities............  (78.4)  (164.7)     6.3   (236.8)  (289.3)  285.2    (40.0)   (44.1)   107.0   (207.5)   (10.2)  (110.7)
 Other Interest Income..  109.1    (17.8)    (5.5)    85.8     30.7   111.4     16.1    158.2     42.0    (10.9)    (1.5)    29.6
                         -------  -------  -------  -------  ------- -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 Total Interest-earning                                   
  Assets................   36.5     (9.7)   (23.7)    (3.0)    23.2   445.1    (22.7)   445.6      5.3   (574.9)   (38.8)  (608.4)
                         =======  =======  =======  =======  ======= =======  =======  =======  =======  =======  =======  =======

Interest Expense:
 Savings Deposits.......   12.3    233.5      1.1    246.9    (14.5)  345.3     (2.2)   328.6      1.4   (220.0)    (0.1)  (218.7)
 Borrowings and Federal
  Home Loan Bank 
  Advances..............   (1.7)    (2.4)      .1     (4.0)    (2.1)   (0.2)     0.0     (2.3)    (1.5)    (4.8)     0.1     (6.2)
                         -------  -------  -------  -------  ------- -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Total Interest-bearing            
  liabilities...........   10.6    231.1      1.2    242.9    (16.6)  345.1     (2.2)   326.3     (0.1)  (224.8)     0.0   (224.9)
                         =======  =======  =======  =======  ======= =======  =======  =======  =======  =======  =======  =======

Net change in net 
 interest income 
 (expense)..............   25.9   (240.9)   (24.9)  (239.9)    39.8   100.0    (20.5)   119.3      5.4   (350.1)   (38.8)  (383.5)
                         =======  =======  =======  =======  ======= =======  =======  =======  =======  =======  =======  =======

</TABLE>
Note:  The total rate and volume variances have been allocated to rate and
volume changes depending on the degree of variance in each category for the year
in question.  Changes in both rate and volume are allocated proportionately
between changes in rate and changes in volume.  Average balances are derived
from month-end balances.  Management does not believe that the use of month-end
balances instead of average daily balances has caused any material difference in
the information presented.


                                      10
<PAGE>
 
COMPARISON OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1995

     The Company's consolidated assets decreased $4.4 million, or 5.6% to $74.4
million, at September 30, 1996 compared to 78.8 million at September 30, 1995.
Securities available-for-sale increased $2.1 million, securities held-to-
maturity decreased $9.2 million, loans increased $3.0 million, cash and cash
equivalents plus certificates of deposit decreased $285,000, and other non-
interest earning assets decreased by $81,000.

     Securities available-for-sale increased $2.1 million due to a $3.6 million
purchase of two mortgage-backed securities offset by $1.5 million in principal
repayments received on mortgage-backed securities and amortization of premiums.
Securities held-to-maturity decreased $9.2 million due to the call and maturity
of two U.S. Treasury instruments and three bonds totaling $14.6 million, the
redemption of $55,000 of FHLB stock, and principal repayments received on
mortgage backed securities and amortization of premiums totalling $5.0 million
offset by the purchase of $10.5 million in U.S. Government obligations and debt
securities of U.S. Government agencies. Securities classified as held-to-
maturity at September 30, 1996 reflected unrealized losses of $528,000.
Management considers these unrealized losses as temporary declines in the fair
value and does not consider any of the securities permanently impaired.

     Liabilities of the Company decreased $2.1 million or 3.1% to $66.2 million
at September 30, 1996 compared to $68.3 million at September 30, 1995. The
decrease in liabilities was primarily due to the decrease in deposits of $2.7
million, reflecting the strong competition within the local market area and
expiration of the Savings Bank's term for rotated community deposits (Clark
County School Board).

     Stockholders' equity decreased by $2.3 million to $8.2 million at September
30, 1996 compared to $10.5 million at September 30, 1995. The decrease was due
to the $2.7 million repurchase of 64,244 shares pursuant to an agreement
approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on October 17, 1995 and
payment of dividends totaling $354,000 offset by net income of $707,000 plus an
increase of $18,000 in the net unrealized appreciation of securities available-
for-sale.

COMPARISON OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND
1995

Net Income

     Income before the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
decreased by $371,000 or 34.4% to $707,000 for the year ended September 30, 1996
as compared to $1,078,000 for the same period in 1995. The net decrease was due
to a decrease of $239,000 in net interest income, an increase of $39,000 in the
provision for loan losses and an increase of $316,000 in non-interest expense
offset by an increase of $41,000 in non-interest income and a decrease of
$182,000 in income tax expense.


                                      11
<PAGE>
 
Interest Income

     Interest income was $5.7 million for the years ended September 30, 1996 and
1995. For the year ended September 30, 1996, interest income was 7.34% of
average interest earning assets as compared to 7.33% for the year ended
September 30, 1995.

Interest Expense

     Interest expense was $2.9 million, or 4.16% of average interest bearing
liabilities for the year ended September 30, 1996 as compared to $2.6 million,
or 3.82% of average interest bearing liabilities for the corresponding period in
1995. The increase in interest expense was primarily the result of an increase
of 34 basis points in the average rate paid on deposits and an increase of
approximately $300,000 in average interest bearing deposits in 1996 compared to
1995.

Provision for Loan Losses

     The provision for loan losses was approximately $57,000 and $19,000 for the
years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Management considers many
factors in determining the necessary levels of the allowance for loan losses,
including an analysis of specific loans in the portfolio, estimated value of the
underlying collateral, assessment of general trends in the real estate market,
delinquency trends, prospective economic and regulatory conditions, inherent
loss in the loan portfolio and the relationship of the allowance for loan losses
to outstanding loans. At September 30, 1996, the allowance for loan losses
represented 1.06% of total loans compared to 1.05% at September 30, 1995.

Non-Interest Income

     Non-interest income amounted to $445,000 and $404,000 for the years ended
September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Non-interest income increased $41,000
in the 1996 period compared to the same period in 1995. The increase was due to
an additional net gain on the sale of securities and loans of $26,000 plus an
increase of $15,000 in service fees on loans and deposits for the year ended
September 30, 1996 as compared to the corresponding period in 1995.

Non-Interest Expense

     Non-interest expenses increased $316,000 or 17.8% to $2.1 million for the
year ended September 30, 1996 compared to $1.8 million for the same period in
1995. Non-interest expense was 2.6% and 2.2% of average assets for the years
ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The increase of $316,000 was
primarily due to an increase of $444,000 in federal insurance premiums offset by
$101,000 decrease in legal fees and a $30,000 decrease in other operating
expenses. The increase of $444,000


                                      12
<PAGE>
 
in federal insurance premiums was primarily due to a special assessment of
$435,000 assessed by the FDIC to recapitalize the Savings Association Insurance
Fund (SAIF), pursuant to legislation signed by the President on September 30,
1996.  The decrease of $101,000 in legal expenses was due to special services
provided during 1995 which was not a recurring expense, plus reimbursement of
$44,000 in legal fees pursuant to a legal settlement in fiscal year 1996.  The
decrease of $30,000 in other operating expenses was primarily due to a $23,000
decrease in loan related expenses net of reimbursements.

Income Tax Expense

     The provision for income tax expense amounted to approximately $386,000 and
$568,000 for the years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively.  The
provision for income tax expense as a percentage of income before income tax
expense and cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle amounted to
35.3% and 34.5% for 1996 and 1995, respectively.

COMPARISON OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 AND
1994

Net Income

     Income before the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
increased by $27,000 or 2.6% to $1,078,000 for the year ended September 30, 1995
as compared to $1,050,000 for the same period in 1995. The net increase was due
to an increase of $119,000 in net interest income, plus an increase of $14,000
in non-interest income offset by increases of $14,000 in the provision for loan
losses, $58,000 in non-interest expense and $34,000 in income tax expense. The
Company changed its method of accounting for federal income taxes in Fiscal Year
1994, which resulted in additional expense of $18,000, reducing net income to
$1,032,000 for 1994.

Interest Income

     Interest income was $5.7 million, or 7.33% of average interest earning
assets for the year ended September 30, 1995 as compared to $5.2 million, or
6.76% of average interest earning assets for the year ended September 30, 1994.
The increase in interest income was primarily the result of an increase of 57
basis points in the average rate earned on interest earning assets.

Interest Expense

     Interest expense was $2.6 million, or 3.82% of average interest bearing
liabilities for the year ended September 30, 1995 as compared to $2.3 million,
or 3.32% of average interest bearing liabilities for the corresponding period in
1994. The increase in interest expense was primarily the result of an increase
of 50 basis points in the average rate paid on deposits


                                      13
<PAGE>
 
partially offset by the decrease of approximately $473,000 in average interest
bearing deposits in 1995 compared to 1994.

Provision for Loan Losses

     The provision for loan losses was $19,000 and $5,000 for the years ended
September 30, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Management considers many factors in
determining the necessary levels of the allowance for loan losses, including an
analysis of specific loans in the portfolio, estimated value of the underlying
collateral, assessment of general trends in the real estate market, delinquency
trends, prospective economic and regulatory conditions, inherent loss in the
loan portfolio and the relationship of the allowance for loan losses to
outstanding loans. At September 30, 1995, the allowance for loan losses
represented 1.05% of total loans compared to 1.15% at September 30, 1994.

Non-Interest Income

     Non-interest income amounted to $404,000 and $388,000 for the years ended
September 30, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Non-interest income increased $14,000
in fiscal year 1995 compared to the same period in 1994. The increase was due to
an increase of $49,000 in service fees on loans and deposits offset by a
decrease of $35,000 in the net gain on the sale of securities and loans for the
year ended September 30, 1995 as compared to the corresponding period in 1994.

Non-Interest Expense

     Non-interest expenses increased $58,000 or 3.4% to $1.8 million for the
year ended September 30, 1995 compared to $1.7 million for the same period in
1994. Non-interest expense was 2.2% of average assets for both years ended
September 30, 1995 and 1994. The increase of $58,000 was primarily due to an
increase of $61,000 in compensation and benefits and an increase of $50,000 in
other operating expenses offset by a $40,000 decrease in legal expenses and a
$13,000 decrease in various other non-interest expense accounts. Compensation
and benefits increased $61,000 due to normal salary increases and a bonus paid
in 1995 that was not paid in 1994. The decrease of $40,000 in legal expenses was
due to special services provided in 1994 which was not a recurring expense. The
increase of $50,000 in other operating expense was caused primarily by an
increase of $22,000 related to loan expenses, an increase of $12,000 in
expenditures related to the new holding company and a net increase of $16,000 in
various other expenditures.

Income Tax Expense

     The provision for income tax expense amounted to approximately $568,000 and
$534,000 for the years ended September 30, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The
provision for income tax expense as a percentage of income before income tax
expense and


                                      14
<PAGE>
 
cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle amounted to 34.5% and
33.7% for 1995 and 1994, respectively.

MORTGAGE BANKING ACTIVITY

     Net loans increased from $32.0 million at September 30, 1995 to $35.2
million at September 30, 1996, an increase of 10.1%. The Savings Bank's
portfolio of loans owned by others but serviced by the Savings Bank increased
 .4% from $50.1 million at September 30, 1995 to $50.3 million at September 30,
1996. The Savings Bank originated all of the loans which it services.

LIQUIDITY AND COMMITTED RESOURCES

     The Corporation's primary source of liquidity is dividends paid by the
Savings Bank. The Savings Bank is subject to certain regulatory limitations with
respect to the payment of dividends to the Corporation.

     The Savings Bank's primary sources of funds are deposits and proceeds from
principal and interest payments on loans and mortgage-backed securities.
Additional sources of liquidity are advances from the FHLB of Cincinnati and
other borrowings. At September 30, 1996, the Savings Bank had outstanding
advances from the FHLB of Cincinnati totalling $698,798.

     OTS regulations require that the Savings Bank maintain specified levels of
liquidity. Liquidity is measured as a ratio of cash and certain investments to
withdrawable savings. The minimum level of liquidity required by the regulations
is presently 5.0%. As of September 30, 1996, the Savings Bank's liquidity ratio
under applicable federal regulations was 24.8% as compared to 26.7% at September
30, 1995. At September 30, 1996, the Savings Bank had $25.7 million in
certificates of deposit maturing within one year, and $11.7 million maturing
between one and three years. Management believes, based on past experience, that
the Savings Bank will retain much of the deposits or replace them with new
deposits.

     As of September 30, 1996, the Savings Bank had $2.3 million in loans
approved but not closed; none of these were evidenced by written commitments.
The Savings Bank anticipated selling $1.2 million of the loans approved but not
closed. As of September 30, 1996, Pioneer Federal had four formal commitments to
sell loans, totalling $138,000.

     The Savings Bank is required to maintain specified amounts of capital
pursuant to federal law and regulations promulgated by OTS. The capital
standards generally require the maintenance of regulatory capital sufficient to
meet a tangible capital requirement, a core capital requirement and a risk-based
capital requirement. At September 30, 1996, the Savings Bank's tangible and core
capital totalled $8.1 million. This amount exceeded the tangible capital
requirement of $1.1 million by $7.0 million, and the core capital requirement of
$2.2 million by $5.9 million on


                                      15
<PAGE>
 
that date.  At September 30, 1996, the Savings Bank's risk-based capital
totalled $8.5 million, which exceeded its risk-based capital requirement of $2.5
million by $6.0 million.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

     The consolidated financial statements of the Company and notes thereto,
presented elsewhere herein, have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, which require the measurement of financial
position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without
considering the change in the relative purchasing power of money over time and
due to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of
the Company's operations. Unlike most industrial companies, nearly all the
assets and liabilities of the Company are monetary. As a result, interest rates
have a greater impact on the Company's performance than do the effects of
general level of inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same
direction or to the same extent as the price of goods and services.

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

     Disclosures of Fair Value of Financial Instruments.  In December, 1991, the
     ---------------------------------------------------                        
Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair Value of
Financial Instruments."  SFAS No. 107 requires the Company to disclose the fair
value of its financial instruments, which will include the majority of its
balance sheet accounts in addition to selected off-balance sheet items.  SFAS
No. 107 became effective for the Company in fiscal 1996 because the Company has
less than $150 million in total assets.  Earlier adoption was required for
entities with assets in excess of $150 million.  SFAS No. 107 focuses only on
disclosure of fair values in the financial statements and,therefore, has no
effect on consolidated financial position and results of operations.

     Accounting for Impaired Loans.  In September, 1993, the FASB issued SFAS 
     ------------------------------      
No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan." SFAS No. 114
specifies that allowances for loan losses on impaired loans should be determined
using the present value of estimated future cash flows of the loan, discounted
at the loans' effective interest rate. A loan is impaired when it is probable
that all principal and interest amounts will not be collected according to the
loan contract. SFAS No. 114 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 1994, which for the Company is the 1996 fiscal year. Management
adopted SFAS No. 114 on October 1, 1995, without material impact on consolidated
financial position or results of operations. In October, 1994, the FASB amended
certain of the revenue recognition provisions of SFAS No. 114 by the issuance of
SFAS No. 118. Such revisions similarly had no material effect on the
consolidated financial condition or results of operations of the Company.


                                      16
<PAGE>
 
     Derivative Financial Instruments.  In October, 1994, the FASB issued SFAS 
     ---------------------------------                                     
No. 119, "Disclosure About Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of
Financial Instruments."  SFAS No. 119 requires financial statement disclosure of
certain derivative financial instruments, defined as futures, forwards, swaps,
option contracts, or other financial instruments with similar characteristics.
In the opinion of management, the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 119 will
not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition or
results of operations, as the Company does not invest in derivative financial
instruments, as defined in SFAS No. 119.  As a result, the applicability of SFAS
No. 119 relates solely to disclosure requirements pertaining to fixed-rate and
adjustable-rate loan commitments.

    Accounting for ESOP.  The Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the
    --------------------                                                     
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("AcSEC") has issued
Statement of Position ("SOP 93-6") on "Employers' Accounting for Employee Stock
Ownership Plans" ("ESOP").  SOP 93-6, among other things, changes the measure of
compensation expense recorded by employers from the cost of ESOP shares to the
fair value of ESOP shares.  To the extent that fair value of the Company's ESOP
shares differs from the costs of such shares, compensation expense must be
recorded in the Company's financial statements for the fair value of ESOP shares
allocated to participants for a reporting period.  SOP 93-6 was adopted by the
Company during fiscal 1995, without material financial statement effect.

     Accounting for Mortgage Servicing.  In May, 1995, the FASB issued SFAS No.
     ----------------------------------                                        
122, "Accounting for Mortgage Servicing Rights."  SFAS No. 122 requires that the
Company recognizes as separate assets rights to service mortgage loans for
others, regardless of how those servicing rights were acquired.  An institution
that acquires mortgage servicing rights through either the purchase or
origination of mortgage loans and sells those loans with servicing rights
retained would allocate some of the cost of the loans to the mortgage servicing
rights.  SFAS No. 122 also requires that an enterprise allocate the cost of
purchasing or originating the mortgage loans between the mortgage servicing
rights and the loans when mortgage loans are securitized, if it is practicable
to estimate the fair value of mortgage servicing rights.  Additionally, SFAS No.
122 requires that capitalized mortgage servicing rights and capitalized excess
servicing receivables be assessed for impairment.  Impairment would be measured
based on fair value.  SFAS No. 122 is to be applied prospectively in the
Company's fiscal year beginning October 1, 1996, to transactions in which an
entity acquires mortgage servicing rights and to impairment evaluations of all
capitalized mortgage servicing rights and capitalized excess servicing
receivables whenever acquired.  Retroactive application is prohibited.
Management adopted SFAS No. 122 on October 1, 1996, as required, without
material effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of
operations.


                                      17
<PAGE>
 
     Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. In October, 1994, the FASB issued
     ----------------------------------------                                  
SFAS No. 123 entitled "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation."  SFAS no. 123
establishes a fair value based method of accounting for stock-based compensation
paid to employees.  SFAS No. 123 recognizes the fair value of an award of stock
or stock options on the grant date and is effective for transactions occurring
after December, 1995.  Companies are allowed to continue to measure compensation
cost for those plans using the intrinsic value based method of accounting, which
generally does not result in compensation expense recognition for most plans.
Companies that elect to remain with the existing accounting are required to
disclose in a footnote to the financial statements pro forma net earnings and,
if presented, earnings per share, as if SFAS No. 123 had been adopted.  The
Company does not currently have any outstanding stock options and therefore
adoption of SFAS No. 123 will not have a material effect on the Company's
consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

     Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets.  In June, 1996, the FASB 
     ---------------------------------------------               
issued SFAS No. 125, "Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, Servicing
Rights, and Extinguishment of Liabilities," that provides accounting guidance on
transfers of financial assets, servicing of financial assets, and extinguishment
of liabilities. SFAS No. 125 introduces an approach to accounting for transfers
of financial assets that provides a means of dealing with more complex
transactions in which the seller disposes of only a partial interest in the
assets, retains rights or obligations, makes use of special purpose entities in
the transaction, or otherwise has continuing involvement with the transferred
assets. The new accounting method, the financial components approach, provides
that the carrying amount of the financial assets transferred be allocated to
components of the transaction based on their relative fair values. SFAS No. 125
provides criteria for determining whether control of assets has been
relinquished and whether a sale has occurred. If the transfer does not quality
as a sale, it is accounted for as a secured borrowing. Transactions subject to
the provisions of SFAS No. 125 include, among others, transfers involving
repurchase agreements, securitizations of financial assets, loan participations,
factoring arrangements, and transfers of receivables with recourse.

     An entity that undertakes an obligation to service financial assets
recognizes either a servicing asset or liability for the servicing contract
(unless related to a securitization of assets, and all the securitized assets
are retained and classified as held-to-maturity). A servicing asset or liability
that is purchased or assumed is initially recognized at its fair value.
Servicing assets and liabilities are amortized in proportion to and over the
period of estimated net servicing income or net servicing loss and are subject
to subsequent assessments for impairment based on fair value.


                                      18
<PAGE>
 
     SFAS No. 125 provides that a liability is removed from the balance sheet
only if the debtor either pays the creditor and is relieved of its obligation
for the liability or is legally released from being the primary obligor.

     SFAS No. 125 is effective for transfer and servicing of financial assets
and extinguishment of liabilities occurring after December 31, 1996, and is to
be applied prospectively. Earlier or retroactive application is not permitted.
Management does not believe that adoption of SFAS No. 125 will have a material
adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of
operations.

Other Developments - BIF-SAIF Premium Disparity; Deposit Insurance Assessment;
Bad Debt Reserve Recapture

     The Bank's savings deposits are insured by the Savings Associations
Insurance Fund ("SAIF"), which is administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation ("FDIC"). The assessment rate currently ranges from 0.23% of
deposits for well capitalized institutions to 0.31% of deposits for
undercapitalized institutions.

     The FDIC also administers the Bank Insurance Fund ("BIF"), which has the
same designated reserve ratio as the SAIF. On August 8, 1995, the FDIC adopted
an amendment to the BIF risk-based assessment schedule which lowered the deposit
insurance assessment rate for most commercial banks and other depository
institutions with deposits insured by the BIF to a range of 0.31% of insured
deposits for undercapitalized BIF-insured institutions to 0.04% of deposits for
well-capitalized institutions, which constitute over 90% of BIF-insured
institutions. The FDIC amendment became effective September 30, 1995. On
November 14, 1995, the BIF assessment rate schedule was further revised to a
statutory minimum of $2,000 annually for well capitalized institutions to 0.27%
for deposits for undercapitalized institutions. These revisions to the BIF
assessment rate schedule created a substantial disparity in the deposit
insurance premiums paid by BIF and SAIF members and placed SAIF-insured savings
institutions such as the Bank at a significant competitive disadvantage to BIF-
insured institutions.

     On September 30, 1996, the President signed legislation which among other
things, recapitalized the Savings Associations Insurance Fund through a special
assessment on most savings financial institutions, such as the Savings Bank. The
special assessment amounted to 65.7 basis points applied to the Savings Bank's
insured deposits as of March 31, 1995, and amounted to $435,000. The expense was
recognized in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended September
30, 1996 and the after tax impact was to reduce net income by $287,000 or $1.12
per share of common stock. As a result of this special assessment, the insurance
assessment rate on the Bank's deposits will be reduced to the same rates
assessed banks insured by BIF beginning January 1, 1997.


                                      19
<PAGE>
 
     In addition, the legislation repealed the bad debt deduction under the
percentage of taxable income method of the Internal Revenue Code for savings
banks.  Savings banks, like the Bank, which have previously used the percentage
of taxable income method in computing its bad debt deduction for tax purposes
will be required to recapture into taxable income post-1987 reserves over a six-
year period beginning with the 1996 taxable year (fiscal year 1997 for the
Bank).  The start of such recapture may be delayed until the 1998 taxable year
if the dollar amount of the institutions's residential loan originations in each
year is not less than the average dollar amount of residential loans originated
in each of the nine most recent years disregarding the years with the highest
and lowest originations during such period.  For purposes of this test,
residential loan originations would not include refinancing and home equity
loans.  The impact of this legislation will not have a material impact on the
financial statements of the Company.

DIVIDENDS ON AND PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

     During fiscal year 1996, the Corporation declared dividends in the
following amounts:

       December 15, 1995         33c per share
       March 15, 1996            35c per share
       June 15, 1996             35c per share
       September 15, 1996        35c per share


     Under OTS regulations, the Savings Bank may not pay cash dividends on its
Common Stock if, as a result thereof, its regulatory capital would be reduced
below its regulatory requirement. The Savings Bank exceeded all of the minimum
regulatory capital requirements during the entire fiscal year.

     The Savings Bank's stock sold for $41.50 per share at the beginning of the
fiscal year; the Corporation's stock sold for up to $40.00 per share at mid-
year, and the last sale during the fiscal year was at $41.50 per share.

CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

     Miller, Mayer, Sullivan & Stevens LLP, and York, Neel & Company, LLP, joint
venturers, have been appointed as the Corporation's independent auditor for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 1996 pursuant to the recommendation of the
Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. A representative of Miller, Mayer,
Sullivan & Stevens LLP is expected to be present at the annual meeting with an
opportunity to make a statement if he desires to do so and to answer appropriate
questions with respect to that firm's examination of the Corporation's financial
statements and records for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996.


                                      20
<PAGE>
 
               [LETTERHEAD OF YORK, NEEL & COMPANY APPEARS HERE]

                     MILLER, MAYER, SULLIVAN & STEVENS LLP
                         CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
                      "INNOVATORS OF SOLUTION TECHNOLOGY"
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

Board of Directors
Pioneer Financial Corporation
Winchester, Kentucky


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Pioneer
Financial Corporation and Subsidiary as of September 30, 1996 and 1995 and the
related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows
for each of the years in the three year period ended September 30, 1996. These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the management of
Pioneer Financial Corporation (Company).  Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are
free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial
statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Pioneer Financial
Corporation and Subsidiary as of September 30, 1996 and 1995, and the results of
their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three year
period ended September 30, 1996 in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.


/s/ Miller, Mayer, Sullivan & Stevens    /s/ York, Neel & Company, LLP

Lexington, Kentucky                      Owensboro, Kentucky
November 11, 1996                        November 11, 1996

                                       
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                          SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1995
                          ---------------------------
ASSETS                                                                              1996          1995
                                                                                ------------  ----------- 
<S>                                                                             <C>           <C>
Cash and due from banks                                                          $   732,573  $   790,037
Interest bearing deposits                                                          1,529,881    4,874,490
Federal funds sold                                                                 3,211,000
Certificates of deposit                                                              194,000      288,000
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value                                       7,601,611    5,468,682
Securities held-to-maturity, fair value of $23,520,598                          
     and $32,898,797 for 1996 and 1995, respectively                              23,972,497   33,207,364
Loans receivable, net                                                             35,247,421   32,026,342
Loans held for sale                                                                               187,363
Accrued interest receivable                                                          535,269      675,154
Premises and equipment, net                                                        1,175,987    1,177,412
Prepaid federal income taxes                                                         119,357
Other assets                                                                          81,541      141,074
                                                                                 -----------  -----------  
         Total assets                                                            $74,401,137  $78,835,918
                                                                                 ===========  =========== 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Deposits                                                                         $64,335,165  $67,087,921
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank                                                 698,798      742,430
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance                                 26,788       23,396
Deferred federal income taxes                                                        138,040      120,420
Federal income taxes payable                                                                        7,614
Other liabilities                                                                    957,711      314,359
                                                                                 -----------  -----------  
         Total liabilities                                                        66,156,502   68,296,140
                                                                                 -----------  ----------- 
 
Stockholders' equity
 Common stock, $1 par value, 500,000 shares authorized; 208,233 and                  208,233      272,477
     272,477 shares, issued and outstanding for 1996 and 1995, respectively
 Additional paid-in capital                                                        1,797,432    2,351,858
 Retained earnings, substantially restricted                                       6,213,169    7,907,176
 Net unrealized appreciation on securities available-for-sale,                   
     net of deferred income taxes                                                     25,801        8,267
                                                                                 -----------  -----------  
         Total stockholders' equity                                                8,244,635   10,539,778
                                                                                 -----------  ----------- 
         Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                              $74,401,137  $78,835,918
                                                                                 ===========  ===========

          The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE> 

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
            FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
                      ----------------------------------
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
 
                                                                      1996           1995        1994
                                                                   ----------     ----------  ----------
<S>                                                                <C>            <C>         <C> 
INTEREST INCOME:
     Interest on loans                                             $3,057,393     $2,812,782   $2,717,427
     Interest and dividends on securities                           2,167,280      2,493,348    2,300,702
     Other interest income                                            434,493        349,560      192,087
                                                                   ----------     ----------   ----------
          Total interest income                                     5,659,166      5,655,690    5,210,216
                                                                   ----------     ----------   ---------- 
INTEREST EXPENSE:
     Interest on deposits                                           2,815,403      2,569,375    2,240,756
     Interest on borrowings                                            46,360         49,526       51,781
                                                                   ----------     ----------   ----------
          Total interest expense                                    2,861,763      2,618,901    2,292,537
                                                                   ----------     ----------   ----------
 
Net interest income                                                 2,797,403      3,036,789    2,917,679
Provision for loan losses                                              57,433         19,000        5,000
                                                                   ----------     ----------   ----------
          Net interest income after provision for loan losses       2,739,970      3,017,789    2,912,679
                                                                   ----------     ----------   ---------- 
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
     Loan and other service fees, net                                 409,519        394,470      344,683
     Gain on matured security                                          33,310
     Gain (loss) on sale of securities                                                 1,822       (6,083)
     Gain on sale of loans                                              2,698          7,546       50,533
                                                                   ----------     ----------   ----------
                                                                      445,527        403,838      389,133
                                                                   ----------     ----------   ----------
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:
     Compensation and benefits                                        863,508        848,817      787,870
     Occupancy expenses, net                                          190,194        203,789      204,357
     Office supplies and expenses                                     110,441        103,926      106,578
     Federal and other insurance premiums                             616,705        172,036      177,736
     Legal expenses                                                     3,827        104,953      144,637
     Data processing expenses                                         136,616        141,176      140,157
     State franchise tax                                               64,790         64,409       69,496
     Other operating expenses                                         106,117        136,875       87,003
                                                                   ----------     ----------   ----------
                                                                    2,092,198      1,775,981    1,717,834
                                                                   ----------     ----------   ----------

Income before income tax expense and cumulative effect of          
 change in accounting principle                                     1,093,299      1,645,646    1,583,978
Income tax expense                                                    386,317        568,143      533,755
                                                                   ----------     ----------   ---------- 
Income before cumulative effect of change in                       
  accounting principle                                                706,982      1,077,503    1,050,223
 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle                                               (17,881)
                                                                   ----------     ----------   ---------- 
Net income                                                         $  706,982     $1,077,503   $1,032,342
                                                                   ==========     ==========   ==========
 
Earnings per share                                                      $2.76          $3.95        $3.79
                                                                   ==========     ==========   ==========

          The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
            FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, 1995, AND 1994

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   NET UNREALIZED   
                                                                                  APPRECIATION ON   
                                                        ADDITIONAL                   SECURITIES            TOTAL   
                                             COMMON       PAID-IN      RETAINED    AVAILABLE-FOR-      STOCKHOLDERS'
                                              STOCK       CAPITAL      EARNINGS         SALE              EQUITY    
                                             --------   ----------   -----------  ---------------    --------------- 
<S>                                          <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>                <C>
Balance, September 30, 1993                  $272,477   $2,351,858   $ 6,462,175   $                     $ 9,086,510
 
   Net Income                                                          1,032,342                           1,032,342
 
   Declaration of dividend                                              (313,349)                           (313,349)
                                             --------   ----------   -----------  ---------------    --------------- 
 
Balance, September 30, 1994                   272,477    2,351,858     7,181,168                           9,805,503
 
   Net Income                                                          1,077,503                           1,077,503
 
   Declaration of dividend                                              (351,495)                           (351,495)
 
   Cumulative effect October 1, 1994 of                                                   
     change in accounting for securities                                                   64,189             64,189
 
   Change in net unrealized gain on                                                     
    securities available-for-sale, net of
    deferred income taxes                                                                 (55,922)           (55,922)
                                             --------   ----------   -----------  ---------------    ---------------  

Balance, September 30, 1995                   272,477    2,351,858     7,907,176            8,267         10,539,778
 
 Net Income                                                              706,982                             706,982
 
     Declaration of dividend                                            (353,533)                           (353,533)
 
     Stock repurchase (64,244 shares)         (64,244)    (554,426)   (2,047,456)                         (2,666,126)
 
Change in net unrealized gain on                                                  
 securities available-for-sale, net of
 deferred income taxes                                                                    17,534              17,534
                                             --------   ----------   -----------  --------------     ---------------  
Balance, September 30, 1996                  $208,233   $1,797,432   $ 6,213,169        $ 25,801         $ 8,244,635
                                             ========   ==========   ===========  ==============     ===============

     The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
            FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
                                ------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                    1996         1995           1994
                                                               ------------   -----------   ------------ 
<S>                                                            <C>            <C>           <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income                                                     $    706,982   $ 1,077,503   $  1,032,342
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
 operating activities:
     Provision for loan losses                                       57,433        19,000          5,000
     Amortization of investment premium (discount)                  168,615       108,179        359,511
     Amortization of organizational cost                             13,507        12,382
     Provision for depreciation                                      53,365        79,900         77,132
     Amortization of loan fees                                      (92,303)      (48,617)       (64,067)
     FHLB stock dividend                                            (27,400)      (36,900)       (28,400)
     Securities (gain)loss, net                                     (33,310)       (1,822)         6,083
     Loans originated for sale                                  (10,162,642)   (7,457,985)   (17,868,395)
     Proceeds from loans held for sale                           10,165,340     7,465,531     17,918,928
     Gain on sale of loans                                           (2,698)       (7,546)       (50,533)
     Change in:
          Prepaid expense                                            46,028       (57,523)        (8,088)
          Interest receivable                                       139,885       (58,475)        42,931
          Interest payable                                           15,914         5,886        (15,741)
          Accrued liabilities                                       627,438        55,866         29,843
          Income taxes payable                                     (118,385)       11,364         46,935
                                                               ------------   -----------   ------------ 
     Net cash provided by operating activities                    1,557,769     1,166,743      1,483,481
                                                               ------------   -----------   ------------ 
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
Net (increase) decrease in loans                                 (2,998,846)   (2,800,413)     5,012,344
Investment securities, matured                                                                   895,000
Purchase of investment securities                                                             (4,195,075)
Purchase of mortgage-backed securities                                                       (21,160,745)
Sale of mortgage-backed securities                                                             8,217,951
Principal repayments, mortgage-backed securities                  6,486,307     3,995,015     11,590,282
Purchase of premises and equipment                                  (51,941)      (18,494)       (61,380)
Purchase of FHLB stock                                                                           (68,400)
Redemption of FHLB stock                                             55,200        91,800
Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale                             4,488,932
Purchase of securities available-for-sale                        (3,614,506)   (5,679,519)
Purchase of securities held-to-maturity                         (10,484,665)   (8,074,208)
Maturity of securities held-to-maturity                          14,578,264     7,548,430
Maturity of certificates of deposit                                  94,000
                                                               ------------   -----------   ------------  
     Net cash provided (used) by investing activities             4,063,813      (448,457)       229,977
                                                               ------------   -----------   ------------  

                                  (Continued)
      The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE> 

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED
            FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, 1995, AND 1994
                      ---------------------------------- 
 
                                                             1996          1995          1994
                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------- 
<S>                                                      <C>           <C>           <C>
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
Net increase (decrease) in demand deposits,              
NOW accounts and savings accounts                         (1,678,188)   (4,229,812)    3,577,821
Net increase (decrease) in certificates of deposit        (1,074,568)    2,632,198    (3,089,972)
Cash dividends                                              (353,533)     (351,495)     (313,349)
Federal Home Loan Bank Advance, repayments                   (43,632)      (14,606)      (37,887)
Net increase (decrease) in custodial accounts                  3,392         5,492       (13,247)
Stock repurchase                                          (2,666,126)
                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------- 
     Net cash provided (used) by financing activities     (5,812,655)   (1,958,223)      123,366
                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------- 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents            (191,073)   (1,239,937)    1,836,824
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year               5,664,527     6,904,464     5,067,640
                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------- 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year                   $ 5,473,454   $ 5,664,527   $ 6,904,464
                                                         ===========   ===========   ===========
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES
  Cash payments for:
     Interest on deposits                                $ 2,811,085   $ 2,563,490   $ 2,256,496
     Income taxes                                        $   505,000   $   627,000   $   505,000
  Mortgage loans originated to finance sale of                                        
     foreclosed real estate                                                          $    46,500
 
  Transfers from loans to real estate acquired                                      
     through foreclosures                                                             $   78,414

    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                      ----------------------------------

1.   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     On December 20, 1994, the stockholders of Pioneer Federal Savings Bank
     (Bank) approved an agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated October 31,
     1994, whereby the Bank through a reverse merger became a wholly owned
     subsidiary of Pioneer Financial Corporation (Company), a unitary savings
     and loan holding company. In accordance with the Reorganization Plan,
     stockholders of the Bank exchanged their shares of common stock on a one
     for one basis for common shares in the Company's common stock, which
     represented 100% of the outstanding stock of the Company.

     The Company is a corporation organized under the laws of Kentucky. The
     Company is a savings and loan holding company whose activities are
     primarily limited to holding the stock of the Bank. The Bank is a federally
     chartered stock savings bank and a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank
     System. As a member of this system, the Bank is required to maintain an
     investment in capital stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati
     (FHLB) in an amount equal to at least the greater of 1% of its outstanding
     loan and mortgage-backed securities or .3% of total assets as of December
     31 of each year.

     The Bank conducts a general banking business in central Kentucky which
     primarily consists of attracting deposits from the general public and
     applying those funds to the origination of loans for residential, consumer,
     and nonresidential purposes. The Bank's profitability is significantly
     dependent on net interest income which is the difference between interest
     income generated from interest-earning assets (i.e. loans and investments)
     and the interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities (i.e.
     customer deposits and borrowed funds). Net interest income is affected by
     the relative amount of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing
     liabilities and the interest received or paid on these balances. The level
     of interest rates paid or received by the Bank can be significantly
     influenced by a number of environmental factors, such as governmental
     monetary policy, that are outside of management's control.

     The consolidated financial information presented herein has been prepared
     in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and
     general accounting practices within the financial services industry. In
     preparing consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP,
     management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
     reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent
     assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues
     and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from
     such estimates.

     The following is a summary of the Company's significant accounting policies
     which have been consistently applied in the preparation of the accompanying
     consolidated financial statements.

     PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION.  The consolidated financial statements include
     the accounts of the Company and the Bank. All significant intercompany
     accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                              -----------------

     LOAN ORIGINATION FEES.  The Bank accounts for loan origination fees in
     accordance with SFAS No. 91 "Accounting for Nonrefundable Fees and Costs
     Associated with Originating or Acquiring Loans and Initial Direct Cost of
     Leases." Pursuant to the provisions of SFAS No. 91, origination fees
     received from loans, net of direct origination costs, are deferred and
     amortized to interest income using the level-yield method, giving effect to
     actual loan prepayments. Additionally, SFAS No. 91 generally limits the
     definition of loan origination costs to the direct costs attributable to
     originating a loan, i.e., principally actual personnel costs. Fees received
     for loan commitments that are expected to be drawn upon, based on the
     Bank's experience with similar commitments, are deferred and amortized over
     the life of the loan using the level-yield method. Fees for other loan
     commitments are deferred and amortized over the loan commitment period on a
     straight-line basis.

     INVESTMENT SECURITIES.  On October 1, 1994, the Bank adopted Statement of
     Financial Accounting Standards(SFAS) No.  115 "Accounting for Certain
     Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." SFAS No.  115 requires that all
     investments in debt securities and all investments in equity securities
     that have readily determinable fair values be classified into three
     categories.  Securities that management has positive intent and ability to
     hold until maturity are classified as held-to-maturity. Securities that are
     bought and held specifically for the purpose of selling them in the near
     term are classified as trading securities.  All other securities are
     classified as available-for-sale.  Securities classified as trading and
     available-for-sale are carried at market value.  Unrealized holding gains
     and losses for trading securities are included in current income.
     Unrealized holding gains and losses for available-for-sale securities are
     reported as a net amount in a separate component of stockholders' equity
     until realized.  Investments classified as held-to-maturity will be carried
     at amortized cost. The cumulative effect of this change was to increase
     stockholders' equity by $97,256, net of deferred taxes of $33,067, as of
     October 1, 1994.

     Securities that management has the intent and ability to hold to maturity
     are classified as held-to-maturity, and carried at cost, adjusted for
     amortization of premium or accretion of discount over the term of the
     security, using the level yield method.  Included in this category of
     investments is the FHLB stock which is a restricted stock carried at cost.
     Securities available-for-sale are carried at market value.  Adjustments
     from amortized cost to market value are recorded in stockholders' equity
     net of deferred income tax until realized.  The identified security method
     is used to determine gains or losses on sales of securities.

     Prior to October 1, 1994, investment securities were carried at cost,
     adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. The
     investment securities were carried at cost, as it was management's intent
     and the Bank had the ability to hold the securities until maturity.
     Investment securities held for indefinite periods of time, or which
     management utilized as part of its asset/liability management strategy, or
     that would be sold in response to changes in interest rates, prepayment
     risk, or the perceived need to increase regulatory capital were classified
     as held-for-sale at the point of purchase and carried at the lower of cost
     or market.

     Regulations require the Bank to maintain an amount of cash and U.S.
     government and other approved securities equal to a prescribed percentage
     (5% at September 30, 1996 and 1995) of

                                  (Continued)

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                ---------------

     deposit accounts (net of loans secured by deposits) plus short-term
     borrowings.  At September 30, 1996 and 1995, the Bank met these
     requirements.

     OFFICE PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT.  Office properties and equipment are
     stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.  Depreciation is computed
     using the straight line method and the double declining balance method over
     the estimated useful lives of the related assets.  The gain or loss on the
     sales of property and equipment is recorded in the year of disposition.

     REAL ESTATE OWNED.  Real estate owned is generally comprised of property
     acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure.  Foreclosed
     real estate is recorded at the lower of cost or fair value, net of selling
     expenses, which subsequently becomes the cost, at the date of foreclosure.
     Expenses relating to holding property, including interest expense, are not
     capitalized.  These expenses are charged to operations as incurred.  Gains
     on the sale of real estate are recognized upon the ultimate disposal of the
     property.  Valuations are periodically performed by management, and an
     allowance for losses is established by a charge to operations if the
     carrying value of a property exceeds its net realizable value.

     LOANS RECEIVABLE.  Mortgage loans held for sale are valued at the lower of
     cost or market, as calculated on an aggregate loan basis.  All other loans
     are stated at the principal amount outstanding. The Bank has adequate
     liquidity and capital, and it is generally management's intention to hold
     such assets to maturity.

     The allowance for loan losses is increased by charges to income and
     decreased by charge-offs (net of recoveries).  Management's periodic
     evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is based on the Bank's past
     loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse
     situations that may affect the borrower's ability to pay, estimated value
     of any underlying collateral, and current economic conditions.  While
     management uses the best information available, future adjustments may be
     necessary if conditions differ substantially from assumptions used in
     management's evaluation. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an
     integral part of their examination process, periodically review the
     allowance for loan losses and may require additions to the allowances based
     on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their
     examination.

     Interest earned on loans receivable is recorded in the period earned.
     Uncollectible interest on loans that are contractually past due is charged
     off or an allowance is established based on management's periodic
     evaluation.  The allowance is established by a charge to interest income
     equal to all interest previously accrued, and income is subsequently
     recognized only to the extent cash payments are received until, in
     management's judgment, the borrower's ability to make periodic interest and
     principal payments is back to normal, in which case the loan is returned to
     accrual status.

     In June 1993, the FASB issued SFAS No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for
     Impairment of a Loan." This promulgation, which was amended by SFAS No. 118
     as to certain income recognition and disclosure provisions, became
     effective as to the Company in fiscal 1996. The new accounting standards
     require that impaired loans be measured based upon the present value of
     expected future

                                  (Continued)

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                ----------------

     cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, or as an
     alternative, at the loan's observable market price or fair value of the
     collateral. The Bank's current procedures for evaluating impaired loans
     result in carrying such loans at the lower of cost or fair value.

     The Bank adopted SFAS No. 114, as subsequently amended, on October 1, 1995,
     without material effect on consolidated financial condition or results of
     operations.

     A loan is defined under SFAS No. 114 as impaired when, based on current
     information and events, it is probable that a creditor will be unable to
     collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan
     agreement. In applying the provisions of SFAS No. 114, the Bank considers
     its investment in one-to-four family residential loans and consumer
     installment loans to be homogenous and therefore excluded from separate
     identification for evaluation of impairment. With respect to the Bank's
     investment in impaired multi-family and nonresidential loans, such loans
     are collateral dependent, and as a result, are carried as a practical
     expedient at the lower of cost or fair value.

     Collateral dependent loans when put in non-accrual status are considered to
     constitute more than a minimum delay in repayment and are evaluated for
     impairment under SFAS No. 114 at that time.

     DEPOSITS.  The Bank's deposits are insured by the Savings Association
     Insurance Fund ("SAIF"), which is administered by the Federal Deposit
     Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"). The Bank currently pays an assessment rate
     of 23% on customer deposits under $100,000. On September 30, 1996, the
     President signed legislation, which among other things, recapitalized the
     Savings Association Insurance Fund through a special assessment on savings
     financial institutions, such as the Bank. The special assessment amounted
     to $435,000 for the Bank and is included in the Federal and other insurance
     premium expense for the year ended September 30, 1996. As a result of the
     recapitalization of the SAIF, the Bank's assessment rate for insurance on
     deposits, beginning in 1997, is expected to be reduced to approximately 4%
     on deposits under $100,000.

     INCOME TAXES.  The Company accounts for federal income taxes in accordance
     with the provisions of SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." SFAS
     No. 109 established financial accounting and reporting standards for the
     effects of income taxes that result from the Company's activities within
     the current and previous years. Pursuant to the provisions of SFAS No. 109,
     a deferred tax liability or deferred tax asset is computed by applying the
     current statutory tax rates to net taxable or deductible differences
     between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its reported amount in
     the financial statements that will result in taxable or deductible amounts
     in future periods. Deferred tax assets are recorded only to the extent that
     the amount of net deductible temporary differences or carryforward
     attributes may be utilized against current period earnings, carried back
     against prior years earnings, offset against taxable temporary differences
     reversing in future periods, or utilized to the extent of management's
     estimate of future taxable income. A valuation allowance is provided for
     deferred tax assets to the extent that the value of net deductible
     temporary differences and carryforward attributes exceeds management's
     estimates of taxes payable on future taxable income. Deferred tax
     liabilities are provided on the total amount of net temporary differences
     taxable in the future.

                                  (Continued)

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                ----------------

     The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with the Bank.
     The current income tax expense or benefit is allocated to each Corporation
     included in the consolidated tax return based on their tax expense or
     benefit computed on a separate return basis.

     EFFECT OF IMPLEMENTING NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS.  In March 1995, the FASB
     issued SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
     and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of." SFAS No. 121 establishes
     accounting standards for the impairment of long-lived assets, certain
     identifiable intangibles and goodwill related to those assets to be held
     and used, and for long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangible
     assets to be dispose of. The Standard requires an impairment loss to be
     recognized when the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of
     the asset. Management does not anticipate the implementation of this
     standard having a material adverse impact on the financial statements.

     In May 1995, the FASB issued SFAS No. 122 "Accounting for Mortgage
     Servicing Rights," which amended SFAS No. 65 "Accounting for Certain
     Mortgage Banking Activities." SFAS No. 122 requires a mortgage banking
     enterprise to recognize as separate assets rights to service mortgage loans
     for others; however, these servicing rights are acquired. This statement
     applies prospectively in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1995.
     The Company is not required to adopt the standard for the periods presented
     in these financial statements, and as such, has not determined the impact
     on the consolidated financial statements of adopting this standard.

     CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS.  For purposes of reporting consolidated cash
     flows, the Bank considers cash, balances with banks, federal funds sold,
     and interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions with original
     maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash
     equivalents includes approximately $4.5 million on deposit with other banks
     which is not covered by FDIC insurance.

     RECLASSIFICATION.  Certain presentations of accounts previously reported
     have been reclassified in these consolidated financial statements. Such
     reclassifications had no effect on net income or retained income as
     previously reported.


                                  (Continued)

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                ----------------

2.   INVESTMENT SECURITIES

     The cost and estimated fair value of securities held by the Bank as of
     September 30, 1996 and 1995 are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   1996
                                            --------------------------------------------------
                                                            GROSS       GROSS     
                                             AMORTIZED   UNREALIZED   UNREALIZED
                                               COST         GAINS       LOSSES     FAIR VALUE
                                            -----------  -----------  ----------   -----------
<S>                                         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>  
Securities, available-for-sale:
  SBA Pools                                 $ 3,068,229      $ 8,043     $         $ 3,076,272
  Mortgage-Backed Securities                  4,494,290       44,614       13,565    4,525,339
                                            -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                            $ 7,562,519      $52,657     $ 13,565  $ 7,601,611
                                            ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========
Securities, held-to-maturity:
  Debt Securities:
  U.S. Government and Federal Agencies      $   500,000      $           $  1,565  $   498,435
  Municipal Bonds                               817,221        1,024                   818,245
                                            -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                              1,317,221        1,024        1,565    1,316,680
                                            -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------- 
   Mortgage-Backed Securities                22,146,476       74,622      525,980   21,695,118
                                            -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------- 
   Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati,    
   capital stock - 5,088 shares                 508,800                                508,800
                                            -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                            $23,972,497      $75,646     $527,545  $23,520,598
                                            ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========
</TABLE> 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                   1995
                                            --------------------------------------------------
                                                            GROSS       GROSS     
                                             AMORTIZED   UNREALIZED   UNREALIZED
                                               COST         GAINS       LOSSES     FAIR VALUE
                                            -----------  -----------  ----------  ------------
<S>                                          <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>  
Securities, available-for-sale:
   SBA Pools                               $ 3,263,731      $18,951     $         $ 3,282,682
   Mortgage-Backed Securities                2,192,425                     6,425    2,186,000
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                           $ 5,456,156      $18,951     $  6,425  $ 5,468,682
                                           ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========
Securities, held-to-maturity:
   Debt Securities:
   U.S. Government and Federal Agencies    $ 5,043,343      $44,570     $         $ 5,087,913
   Municipal Bonds                             316,901          900                   317,801
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                             5,360,244       45,470                 5,405,714
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------- 
   Mortgage-Backed Securities               27,310,520                   354,037   26,956,483
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------- 
   Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati,    
   capital stock - 5,366 shares                536,600                                536,600
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                           $33,207,364      $45,470     $354,037  $32,898,797
                                           ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========
</TABLE>

                                  (Continued)
                                       32
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                ----------------

   The amortized cost and estimated market value of debt securities at September
   30, 1996, by contractual maturity, are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               ESTIMATED
                                                                           AMORTIZED             MARKET
                                                                             COST                 VALUE
                                                                         -------------        -------------
<S>                                                                      <C>                  <C>
   Due in one year or less                                                 $   100,000          $   100,000
   Due after one year through five years                                     1,099,258            1,091,591
   Due after five years through ten years
   Due after ten years                                                         117,963              125,089
                                                                           -----------          -----------
                                                                           $ 1,317,221          $ 1,316,680
                                                                           ===========          ===========
</TABLE> 
 
   Effective October 1, 1994, the Bank changed its policy in accounting for debt
   and equity securities to conform with the requirements of SFAS No. 115
   "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." The
   unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale of $39,093 net of deferred
   income taxes of $13,292 has been recorded as a separate component of
   stockholders' equity as of September 30, 1996.

   For the year ended September 30, 1996, the Bank received $14,578,264 from the
   maturity and call of U.S. Government instruments and debt securities backed
   by U.S. Government agencies, all of which were classified as securities held-
   to-maturity. The Bank recognized a gain of $33,310 on the call of a Federal
   National Mortgage Association (FNMA) bond.

   For the year ended September 30, 1995, the Bank received $548,050 from the
   sale of equity securities and $3,940,882 from the sale of mortgage-backed
   securities, all of which were classified as securities available-for-sale.
   The Bank recognized a gain of $506,267 on the sale of the equity securities
   and a $504,445 loss on the sale of the mortgage-backed securities. For the
   year ended September 30, 1994, the Bank received $8,217,951 from the sale of
   mortgage-backed securities recognizing a loss of $6,083.
 
   The Bank has pledged mortgage-backed securities totaling $2,855,000 to secure
   certain municipal deposits as of September 30, 1996.
 

                                  (Continued)
                                       33
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                ----------------

3.  LOANS RECEIVABLE
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
 
   Loans receivable, net at September 30, 1996 and 1995 consists of the following: 

                                                                              1996                 1995
                                                                          ------------          -----------
<S>                                                                       <C>                   <C>
   Loans secured by first lien mortgages on real estate:
      Residential, one-to-four family properties                           $21,252,055          $20,068,885
      Multi-family and commercial properties                                 2,127,870            1,557,696
      Agricultural loans                                                       565,313              789,132
      Construction loans                                                     1,808,092            2,054,728
 
   Other loans:
      Commercial loans                                                       4,796,056            3,925,614
      Loans secured by deposits                                              1,048,311              973,157
      Home equity loans                                                      1,662,736            1,175,119
      Other secured loans                                                    2,710,992            2,686,983
      Signature loans, unsecured                                               271,109              212,431
                                                                          ------------          -----------
                                                                            36,242,534           33,443,745

     Loans in process                                                         (403,128)            (863,886)
     Provisions for loan losses                                               (382,469)            (352,244)
     Deferred loan origination fees                                           (209,516)            (201,273)
                                                                          ------------          -----------
        Loans receivable, net                                              $35,247,421          $32,026,342
                                                                          ============          ===========
</TABLE>

   The Bank services loans sold to other associations or governmental agencies
   of approximately $50,317,000,  $50,138,000, and $48,468,000, as of September
   30, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

   The Bank provides an allowance to the extent considered necessary to provide
   for losses that may be incurred upon the ultimate realization of loans.  The
   changes in the allowance for loss on loans is analyzed as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                   ------------------------------
                                     1996       1995       1994
                                   --------   --------   -------- 
<S>                                <C>        <C>        <C>
Balance at beginning or period     $352,244   $347,618   $397,512
Additions charged to operations      57,433     19,000      5,000
Charge-offs                         (36,901)   (18,433)   (71,038)
Recoveries                            9,693      4,059     16,144
                                   --------   --------   --------  
Balance at end of period           $382,469   $352,244   $347,618
                                   ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>

At September 30, 1996, the Bank had identified impaired loans totaling
$18,000. The allowance for loan losses included $18,000 related to these
impaired loans. The average amount of impaired loans for the year ended
September 30, 1996 was $34,800. Interest income received and recognized on
impaired loans totaled $2,324 for the year ended September 30, 1996.

                                  (Continued)
                                       34
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                ----------------

   The following is a summary of non-performing loans (in thousands) for the
   years ended September 30, 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             SEPTEMBER 30,
                                       --------------------------
                                         1996     1995     1994
                                       -------- -------- -------- 
   <S>                                 <C>      <C>      <C>
   Non-accrual loans                      $ 18     $ 41     $ 32
   Loans past due 90 days or more          205      151       72
                                       -------- -------- -------- 
   Total non-performing loan balances     $223     $192     $104
                                       ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
   If interest on non-accrual loans had been accrued, such income would have
   been approximately $5,035, $2,391, and $7,072,  for 1996, 1995, and 1994,
   respectively.

   Loans to executive officers and directors, including loans to affiliated
   companies of which executive officers and directors are principal owners, and
   loans to members of the immediate family of such persons at September 30,
   1996 and 1995 are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         SEPTEMBER 30,
                                     --------------------
                                        1996       1995
                                     ---------   --------
   <S>                               <C>         <C>
   Balance at beginning or period    $ 132,127   $126,435
      Additions during year            222,827     20,032
      Repayments                      (151,378)   (14,340)
                                     ---------   --------
   Balance at end of period          $ 203,576   $132,127
                                     =========   ========
</TABLE>
4. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
   Office premises and equipment at September 30, 1996 and 1995 includes the following:

                                             USEFUL          
               DESCRIPTION                    LIFE          1996           1995
               -----------               -----------    ------------   ------------
<S>                                      <C>            <C>            <C>
Land, buildings, and improvements        30-45 years     $ 1,637,310    $ 1,599,420
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment       5-10 years          720,748        705,062
                                         -----------     -----------   ------------ 
Balance at end of period                                   2,358,058      2,304,482

   Less accumulated depreciation                          (1,182,071)    (1,127,070)
                                                         -----------    ----------- 
                                                         $ 1,175,987    $ 1,177,412
                                                         ===========    ===========

   Depreciation expense for the years ended September 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994
   amounted to $53,365, $79,900, and $77,132, respectively.
</TABLE> 
                                  (Continued)
                                       35
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                ----------------

5. DEPOSITS

   Deposit accounts at September 30, 1996 and 1995 are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                                                           -------------------------
                                                                                                              1996          1995
                                                                                                           ------------  -----------
<S>                                                                                                        <C>           <C>
   Demand deposit accounts, non-interest bearing                                                            $ 2,463,426  $ 2,521,436

   Passbook accounts with a weighted average rate of 2.94% and 
   3.00% at September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively                                                         9,757,570    9,939,079
 
   NOW and MMDA deposits with a weighted average rate of 2.48% 
   and 2.43% at September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively                                                    13,424,027   14,862,696
                                                                                                           ------------  -----------
                                                                                                             25,645,023   27,323,211

 
   Certificate of deposits with a weighted average interest  rate of 
   5.24% and 5.37% at September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively                                              38,690,142   39,764,710
                                                                                                           ------------  -----------
      Total Deposits                                                                                        $64,335,165  $67,087,921
                                                                                                           ============  ===========
 
   Jumbo certificates of deposit (minimum denomination of $100,000)                                         $ 6,064,944  $ 6,742,571
                                                                                                           ============  ===========

</TABLE> 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
   Certificates of deposit by maturity at September 30, 1996 and 1995 (in thousands) are as follows:
                                                                                                                SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                                                           -------------------------
                                                                                                              1996          1995
                                                                                                           ------------  -----------
<S>                                                                                                        <C>           <C>
    Less than 1 year                                                                                       $     25,659  $    29,949
    1-2 years                                                                                                    10,291        6,403
    2-3 years                                                                                                     1,421        1,514
    Maturing in years thereafter                                                                                  1,319        1,899
                                                                                                           ------------  -----------
                                                                                                           $     38,690  $    39,765
                                                                                                           ============  ===========
</TABLE> 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
   Certificates of deposit by maturity and interest rate category at September 30, 1996 (in thousands) are as follows:
                                                                                           AMOUNT DUE
                                    --------------------------------------------------------------
                                    LESS THAN                                 AFTER 3     
                                     ONE YEAR     1-2 YEARS     2-3 YEARS      YEARS       TOTAL
                                    ---------    -----------   -----------   ---------   ---------
    <S>                                 <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>         <C> 
    2.01--4.00%                       $   384        $             $           $           $   384
    4.01--6.00%                        23,767         9,378         1,198         201       34,544
    6.01--8.00%                         1,508           913           223       1,118        3,762
                                    ---------    ----------   -----------   ---------    ---------
                                      $25,659       $10,291        $1,421      $1,319      $38,690
                                    =========    ==========   ===========   =========    =========
 
</TABLE>
                                  (Continued)
                                       36
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               ----------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>  
   Interest expense on deposits for the periods indicated are as follows:
                                                        
                                                                    YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                             ---------------------------------------
                                                                 1996           1995        1994
                                                             -----------     ----------  -----------
<S>                                                          <C>             <C>         <C> 
   Money market and NOW account                               $  415,846     $  395,111   $  367,268
   Savings Accounts                                              288,054        307,751      358,322
   Certificates                                                2,111,503      1,866,513    1,515,166
                                                             -----------     ----------  -----------
                                                              $2,815,403     $2,569,375   $2,240,756
                                                             ===========     ==========  ===========
              
</TABLE>
             
   The Bank maintains arrangements for clearing NOW and MMDA accounts with the
   Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati.  The Bank is required to maintain
   adequate collected funds in its Demand Account to cover average daily
   clearings.  The Bank was in compliance with this requirement at September 30,
   1996 and 1995.

6. ADVANCES FROM FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK

   The advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                     ----------------------------
   MATURITY DATE               INTEREST RATE           1996                1995
   -------------               -------------         --------            --------          
   <S>                         <C>                   <C>                 <C> 
   1/1/2006                         6.80%            $186,460            $198,502
                                        
   2/1/2007                         6.35%             362,467             386,337
                                        
   4/1/2007                         7.50%             124,282             131,705

   7/1/2025                         5.50%              25,589              25,886
                                                     --------            --------
                                                     $698,798            $742,430
                                                     ========            ========
</TABLE> 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
   The following summarizes the amounts due on FHLB advances by year for each of the
   next five fiscal years and thereafter.
 
   FISCAL YEAR                                                          AMOUNT
   -----------                                                         --------
   <S>                                                                   <C>  
   1997                                                                  $ 46,629
   1998                                                                    49,835
   1999                                                                    53,261
   2000                                                                    56,923
   2001                                                                    60,839
   Subsequent to 2001                                                     431,311 
                                                                         --------
                                                                         $698,798
                                                                         ========
</TABLE>

                                  (Continued)
                                       37
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               ----------------

   At September 30, 1996 and 1995, the Bank had a cash management advance line
   of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati that allows the Bank
   to borrow up to $4,000,000 for a maximum thirty day period at a fixed rate or
   for a maximum of ninety days at a variable rate.  No commitment fees are paid
   under the agreement.  There were no borrowings against this line of credit at
   September 30, 1996.

   These advances are collateralized by Federal Home Loan Bank stock and a
   blanket agreement against certain real estate loans.

7. INCOME TAXES

   Effective January 1, 1993, the Bank adopted SFAS No.  109 "Accounting for
   Income Taxes" which requires an asset and liability approach to accounting
   for income taxes.  The cumulative effect of adopting SFAS No.  109 was to
   decrease net income for the year ended September 30, 1994 by $17,881.

   The provision for income taxes for the periods indicated consist of the
   following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                    YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                  ----------------------------
                                    1996      1995      1994
                                  --------  --------  --------
   <S>                            <C>       <C>       <C>
   Federal income tax expense:
      Current expense             $377,730  $526,821  $488,740
      Deferred expense               8,587    41,322    45,015
                                  --------  --------  -------- 
                                  $386,317  $568,143  $533,755
                                  ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>

  Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences in the recognition of
  income and expenses for tax and financial statement purposes.  The source of
  these temporary differences and the tax effect of each are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                  ----------------------------
                                    1996      1995      1994
                                  --------  --------  -------- 
   <S>                            <C>       <C>       <C>
   FHLB stock                      $ 3,598   $  (878)  $ 9,656
   Allowance for loan losses        12,153    44,860    36,626
   Other, net                       (7,164)   (2,660)   (1,267)
                                  --------  --------  -------- 
      Net deferred tax expense     $ 8,587   $41,322   $45,015
                                  ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>

                                  (Continued)
                                       38
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               ----------------

For the periods indicated, total income tax expense differed from the amounts
computed by applying the U.S. Federal income tax rate of 34% to income before
income taxes as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                                                       YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                                                    ------------------------------
                                                                                                       1996      1995       1994 
                                                                                                    --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>
Expected income tax expense at federal tax rate                                                     $371,722   $559,520   $538,552
Other, net                                                                                            14,595      8,623     (4,797)
                                                                                                    --------   --------   -------- 
   Total income tax expense                                                                         $386,317   $568,143   $533,755
                                                                                                    ========   ========   ========
Effective income tax rate                                                                               35.3%      34.5%      33.7%
                                                                                                    ========   ========   ========
 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of September 30, 1996 and 1995 consisted of the following:
                                                                                                                 1996       1995
                                                                                                               --------   --------
Deferred tax assets:  
   Deferred loan fee income                                                                                    $ 71,235   $ 66,360
                                                                                                               --------   --------
Deferred tax liabilities:
   FHLB stock                                                                                                    86,886     83,288
   Allowance for loan losses                                                                                    106,089     93,937
   Other, net                                                                                                     3,008      5,296
                                                                                                               --------   --------
                                                                                                                195,983    182,521
                                                                                                               --------   --------
   Net deferred taxes payable                                                                                  $124,748   $116,161
                                                                                                               ========   ========
</TABLE>

  In addition to the net deferred tax liabilities outlined in the preceding
  table, the financial statements include a deferred tax liability of $13,292
  and $4,259 on the unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale as of
  September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively. These amounts have been charged
  against the unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale with the net
  amount of $25,801 and $8,267 recorded as a separate component of stockholders'
  equity at September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

  The Internal Revenue Code allows savings institutions a special bad debt
  deduction, subject to certain limitations, based on the greater of actual
  experience or a percentage of taxable income method before such deduction.
  The effective bad debt deduction under the percentage of taxable income method
  is equal to approximately 8% of taxable income. In September of 1996,
  legislation was passed by Congress, which repealed the bad debt deduction
  under the percentage of taxable income method of the Internal Revenue Code for
  savings banks. Savings banks, like the Bank, which have previously used the
  percentage of taxable income method in computing its bad debt deduction for
  tax purposes will be required to recapture into taxable income post 1987 tax
  reserves over a six-year period, effective in fiscal year 1997 for the Bank.
  The impact of this legislation will not have a material impact on the
  financial statements of the Company.

                                  (Continued)
                                       39
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                ----------------

8. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND REGULATORY CAPITAL

   REGULATORY CAPITAL.  The Bank is subject to minimum regulatory capital
   requirements promulgated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS). Such
   minimum capital standards generally require the maintenance of regulatory
   capital sufficient to meet each of three tests, hereinafter described as the
   tangible capital requirement, the core capital requirement and the risk-based
   capital requirement. The tangible capital requirement provides for minimum
   tangible capital (defined as stockholders' equity less all intangible assets)
   equal to 1.5% of adjusted total assets. The core capital requirement provides
   for minimum core capital (tangible capital plus certain forms of supervisory
   goodwill and other qualifying intangible assets such as capitalized mortgage
   servicing rights) equal to 3.0% of adjusted total assets. A recent OTS
   proposal, if adopted in present form, would increase the core capital
   requirement to a range of 4%-5% of adjusted total assets for substantially
   all savings institutions. Management anticipates no material change to the
   Bank's present excess regulatory capital position as a result of this change
   in the regulatory capital requirement. The risk-based capital requirement
   provides for the maintenance of core capital plus general loss allowances
   equal to 8.0% of risk-weighted assets. In computing risk-weighted assets, the
   Savings Bank multiplies the value of each asset on its statement of financial
   condition by a defined risk-weighting factor, e.g., one-to-four family
   residential loans carry a risk-weighted factor of 50%.

   As of September 30, 1996, the Bank's regulatory capital exceeded all minimum
   regulatory capital requirements as shown in the following table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         REGULATORY CAPITAL
                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
                                   TANGIBLE               CORE              RISK-BASED  
                                    CAPITAL   PERCENT    CAPITAL  PERCENT     CAPITAL    PERCENT
                                   --------   -------   -------   -------   ----------   -------
                                                           (IN THOUSANDS)
                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>
Capital under generally              $8,169          %  $8,169           %      $8,169          %
 accepted accounting principles

Adjusments:                        
 Net unrealized appreciation
  on securities available-for-
  sale                                  (26)               (26)                    (26)

  General valuation allowances                                                     364
                                   --------             -------             ----------   
Regulatory capital computed           8,143      10.9     8,143      10.9        8,507      26.8
Minimum capital requirement           1,117       1.5     2,234       3.0        2,498       8.0
                                   --------   -------   -------   -------   ----------   -------
Regulatory capital-excess            $7,026       9.4%   $5,909       7.9%      $6,009      18.8%
                                   ========   =======   =======   =======   ==========   =======
</TABLE>

   RETAINED EARNINGS RESTRICTION.  The Bank is allowed a special bad debt
   deduction limited generally to eight percent (8%) of otherwise taxable income
   and subject to certain limitations based on aggregate loans and savings
   account balances at the end of the year. If the amount qualifying as
   deductions under

                                  (Continued)
                                       40
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                ----------------

   the Internal Revenue Code are later used for purposes other than for bad debt
   losses, they will be subject to Federal income tax at the then current
   corporation rate. Retained earnings at September 30, 1996 includes
   approximately $1,596,000, for which Federal income tax has not been provided
   nor has been required to be provided (see Note 7).

   LIQUIDATION ACCOUNT.  Upon conversion to a capital stock savings bank,
   eligible account holders who continued to maintain their deposit accounts in
   the Bank were granted priority in the event of the future liquidation of the
   Bank through the establishment of a special "Liquidation Account" in an
   amount equal to the consolidated net worth of the Bank at September 30, 1986.
   The Liquidation Account was $2,531,513 at September 30, 1986 and will be
   reduced in proportion to reductions in the balance of eligible account
   holders as determined on each subsequent fiscal year end. The existence of
   the Liquidation Account will not restrict the use or application of net worth
   except with respect to the cash payment of dividends.

   DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS: The payment of cash dividends by the Bank on its
   Common Stock is limited by regulations of the OTS.  Interest on savings
   accounts will be paid prior to payments of dividends on common stock.  The
   Bank may not declare or pay a cash dividend to the Company in excess of 100%
   of its net income to date during the current calendar year plus the amount
   that would reduce by one-half the Bank's capital ratio at the beginning of
   the year without prior OTS approval.  Additional limitation on dividends
   declared or paid, or repurchases of the Bank stock are tied to the Bank's
   level of compliance with its regulatory capital requirements.

9. STOCK REPURCHASE

   Pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement approved by the Board of Directors and
   the Office of Thrift Supervision, the Company purchased 64,244 shares of the
   Company's outstanding stock, of which 58,069 shares were owned by a group of
   stockholders collectively known as the "EKH Group." The 64,244 shares of
   common stock were purchased in July of 1996 at a total cost of $2,666,126.

10. RETIREMENT BENEFITS

   PROFIT SHARING PLAN:  On December 17, 1985, the Board of Directors of the
   Bank adopted an employee pension benefit plan (referred to as a "401K Profit
   Sharing Plan") as described under the Employees' Retirement Income Security
   Act of 1974.  The Plan became effective December 19, 1985. The Plan covers
   all full time employees who have been employed six months prior to the
   anniversary date of the Plan.  Under the Plan, the Bank makes discretionary
   contributions based on profits, in accordance with Section 401(k) of the
   Internal Revenue Code.  The Bank did not make any contributions to the Plan
   for the year ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, and contributed $27,514 to
   the Plan for the year ended September 30, 1994.

   On October 31, 1994, the Board of Directors of the Bank established an
   Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "ESOP") in which employees meeting age and
   service requirements are eligible to participate.  The ESOP is effective
   beginning January 1, 1994. The ESOP Plan covers all employees

                                  (Continued)
                                       41
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                ---------------

   who have attained the age of 18 and completed at least 1,000 hours of service
   annually. Contributions to the Plan are determined by the Board of Directors
   for each plan year and can be made in the form of company stock, cash, or
   other consideration. The amount of the Company's contribution for each plan
   year shall at a minimum be the amount necessary to service any debt incurred
   by the Trustee on behalf of the Trust for the purchase of Company stock. At
   September 30, 1996 the Trust had not incurred any debt for the purchase of
   Company stock.

   The Company accounts for the ESOP transactions in accordance with Statement
   of Position 93-6 "Employers Accounting for Employee Stock Ownership Plans."
   As a nonleveraged ESOP the compensation cost for the periods included in
   these financial statements is based on the Company's contribution approved by
   the Board of Directors for the periods presented. Contributions to the ESOP
   Trust amounted to $30,512 and $24,425 for the years ended September 30, 1996
   and 1995, respectively.

11. RELATED PARTIES

   Mrs. Janet White Prewitt serves the Company as Chairman of the Board of
   Directors.  Mrs.  Prewitt is an equity partner in the law firm of White,
   MCCann, and Stewart that serves as general counsel to Pioneer Federal Savings
   Bank.  The fees paid to the Law Firm for fiscal years 1996, 1995, and 1994
   were $103,969, $77,385, and $107,951, respectively.  (See Note 4 for a
   summary of loans to officers and directors).  In addition, White, MCCann, and
   Stewart receives commissions on title insurance premiums related to real
   estate mortgages originated by the Bank.  These commissions amounted to
   $29,889, $14,915, and $21,960 for the years ended September 30, 1996, 1995,
   and 1994, respectively.

12. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK AND CONCENTRATION OF
    CREDIT RISK

   The Bank is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the
   normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.
   These financial instruments include mortgage commitments outstanding which
   amounted to approximately $1,107,600 and $774,500 for the year ended
   September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively plus unused lines of credit granted
   to customers totaling $1,689,376 and $2,366,602 at September 30, 1996 and
   1995, respectively.  In addition, at September 30, 1996 and 1995,
   respectively, the Bank had made loan commitments for real estate loans
   secured by first mortgages totaling $1,169,350 and $1,032,375, which it
   anticipated selling in the secondary market.  These instruments involve, to
   varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the
   amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.

   The Bank's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the
   other party to the financial instrument for loan commitments and consumer
   lines of credit are represented by the contractual amount of those
   instruments.  The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments
   and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.
   Since many of the loan commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the
   total commitment amount does not necessarily represent future requirements.
   The Bank evaluates each customer's credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis.
   The amount of collateral obtained upon extension of credit is based on


                                  (Continued)
                                       42
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                ---------------

   management's credit evaluation of the counterparty.  Collateral held varies,
   but primarily includes residential real estate.

   The Bank has concentrated its lending activity within a 90 mile radius of
   Winchester, Kentucky. Therefore, a substantial portion of its debtors'
   ability to honor their contracts is dependent on the economy of this area.

13. EARNINGS PER SHARE

   Earnings per share for the year ended September 30, 1996, 1995, and 1994 was
   calculated by dividing net income $706,982, $1,077,503, and $1,032,342 by the
   weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the
   year, which was 256,416 for the year ended September 30, 1996 and 272,477 for
   the years ended September 30, 1995 and 1994.

14. DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

   In December 1991, the FASB issued SFAS No. 107, "Disclosures About Fair Value
   of Financial Instruments." This statement extends the existing fair value
   disclosure practices for some instruments by requiring all entities to
   disclose the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), both assets
   and liabilities recognized and not recognized in the statements of financial
   condition, for which it is practicable to estimate fair value.

   There are inherent limitations in determining fair value estimates, as they
   relate only to specific data based on relevant information at that time. As a
   significant percentage of the Bank's financial instruments do not have an
   active trading market, fair value estimates are necessarily based on future
   expected cash flows, credit losses, and other related factors. Such estimates
   are accordingly, subjective in nature, judgmental and involve imprecision.
   Future events will occur at levels different from that in the assumptions,
   and such differences may significantly affect the estimates.

   The statement excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial
   instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair
   value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company.
   Additionally, the tax impact of the unrealized gains or losses has not been
   presented or included in the estimates of fair value.

   The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating
   its fair value disclosures for financial instruments.

   CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS.  The carrying amounts reported in the statement of
   financial condition for cash and short-term instruments approximate those
   assets' fair values.

   INVESTMENT SECURITIES.  Fair values for investment securities are based on
   quoted market prices, where available. If quoted market prices are not
   available, fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable
   instruments. No active market exists for the Federal Home Loan Bank capital
   stock. The

                                  (Continued)
                                       43
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                ---------------

   carrying value is estimated to be fair value since if the Bank withdraws
   membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank, the stock must be redeemed for face
   value.

   LOANS RECEIVABLE.  The fair value of loans was estimated by discounting the
   future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be
   made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining
   maturities.

   DEPOSITS.  The fair value of savings deposits and certain money market
   deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair
   value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit is estimated using the rates
   currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

   LOAN COMMITMENTS AND UNUSED HOME EQUITY LINES OF CREDIT.  The fair value of
   loan commitments and unused home equity lines of credit is estimated by
   taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present
   credit-worthiness of the counterparties.

   The estimated fair value of the Company's financial instruments at September
   30, 1996 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                        CARRYING      FAIR
                                         AMOUNT       VALUE
                                      -----------  -----------
<S>                                   <C>          <C>
ASSETS
   Cash and cash equivalents          $ 5,733,454  $ 5,733,454
   Securities available-for-sale        7,601,611    7,601,611
   Securities held-to-maturity         23,972,497   23,520,598
   Loans receivable, net               35,247,421   35,330,761
 
LIABILITIES
   Deposits                            64,335,165   64,393,038
   FHLB advances                          698,798      500,093
 
UNRECOGNIZED FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
   Loan commitments                                  1,107,600
   Unused lines of credit                            1,689,376

</TABLE>

                                  (Continued)
                                       44
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                ----------------

15. PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION FINANCIAL INFORMATION (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)

    The parent company's principal assets are its investment in the Bank and
    cash balances on deposit with the Bank.  The following are condensed
    financial statements for the parent company as of and for the year ended
    September 30, 1996.

                         PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                  CONDENSED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                              SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ASSETS:
<S>                                                             <C>
  Cash and due from banks                                         $   26,773
  Investment in subsidiary                                         8,167,641 
  Organizational cost, net                                            41,648
  Other assets                                                         8,573
                                                                  ----------
    Total assets                                                  $8,244,635
                                                                  ==========
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock                                                    $  208,233
  Additional paid-in capital                                       1,797,432
  Retained earnings                                                6,213,169
  Net unrealized appreciation on securities available-for-sale        25,801
                                                                  ----------
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                    $8,244,635
                                                                  ==========
</TABLE>
                         PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                         CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                         YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
INCOME:
<S>                                                               <C>
Cash dividends from Bank                                          $3,019,659
                                                                  ----------
                                         
EXPENSE:
Amortization of organizational expense                                13,507
Other operating                                                        5,689
                                                                  ----------
                                                                      19,196
                                                                  ----------
Income  before income tax benefit                                  3,000,463
Income tax benefit                                                     6,512
                                                                  ----------
Net income                                                        $3,006,975
                                                                  ==========
</TABLE>

                                  (Continued)
                                       45
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                ---------------

                         PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                       CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                         YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
<S>                                                                    <C>
Net income                                                             $3,006,975
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
 by operating activities:
  Amortization of organizational cost                                      13,507
  Increase in receivables                                                  (6,468)
                                                                       ----------
  Net cash provided by operating activities                             3,014,014
                                                                       ----------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

  Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
                                                                       ----------

 FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 Dividends paid                                                          (353,533)
 Stock repurchase                                                      (2,666,126)
                                                                       ---------- 
 
  Net cash used by financing activities                                (3,019,659)
                                                                       ---------- 
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents                                      (5,645)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                           32,418
                                                                       ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                             $   26,773
                                                                       ==========

</TABLE> 
                                   (Continued)
                                       46
<PAGE>
 
                 PIONEER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                ---------------
                                      
16.   PIONEER SERVICE CORPORATION

      On August 30, 1978, the Savings Bank formed Pioneer Service Corporation, a
      wholly owned subsidiary, by purchasing its stock for $16,000.  The
      Subsidiary was created to hold stock in a not for profit corporation that
      provides on line computer processing and inquiry service for the Bank and
      other savings and loan institutions.

      Summary balance sheets for the wholly owned subsidiary, Pioneer Service
      Corporation are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                          PIONEER SERVICE CORPORATION
                  BALANCE SHEETS, SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1995
                                -------------- 
ASSETS                                                 1996           1995
                                                    ----------     ----------
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>
Cash                                                   $   653        $   683
Investments                                             15,000         15,000
                                                    ----------     ----------
                                                       $15,653        $15,683
                                                    ==========     ==========
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                              
                                                                  
Common stock                                           $16,000        $16,000
Paid-in capital                                          1,000          1,000
Deficit                                                 (1,347)        (1,317)
                                                    ----------     ----------
                                                       $15,653        $15,683
                                                    ==========     ========== 
The Service Corporation incurred expenses of $30 and $45 for the years ended 
September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

</TABLE>

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
                             CORPORATE INFORMATION

OFFICES
 
Executive offices:          Branch offices:
  25 East Hickman Street      Pioneer Drive          Pendleton Street
  Winchester, KY 40391        Winchester, KY 40391   Stanton, KY 40380
  (606) 744-3972              (606) 744-3896         (606) 663-4104

                                   DIRECTORS
George W. Billings, Jr.                      William M. Cress
Retired U.S. Postmaster,                     Exec. Vice President,
  Proprietor of Billings                       Hinkle Contracting
  Tax Service, Stanton, KY                     Corporation, Stanton, KY

Ewart W. Johnson                             Nancy M. Lawwill
Retired, Lexington, KY                       Vice President, Treasurer
                                               and Assistant Secretary,
                                               Pioneer Federal

Nora M. Linville                             Wayne M. Martin
Secretary, Pioneer Federal                   President and General
  and Retired Executive                        Manager, WKYT-TV,
  Vice President                               Lexington, KY

Thomas D. Muncie                             Carl C. Norton
President, Muncie Buick-GMC                  President and Secretary,
  Truck, Inc.                                  Pioneer Financial;
                                               President, Pioneer Federal

Janet W. Prewitt                             Andrew James Ryan
Board Chair, Pioneer Financial               President, Andy Ryan
  and Pioneer Federal; Asst.                   Pontiac-Nissan, Inc.
  Secretary, Pioneer Financial;
  and Attorney, White, McCann
  & Stewart

Robert G. Strode
  Retired Vice President
  Ag-Gro Fertilizer Company

                              ADVISORY DIRECTORS

John D. Harrison                             Roger Davis
Retired; Stanton, KY                         Clay City, KY

Martha W. Hampton                            Clifford R. Langley
Stanton, KY                                  Winchester, KY

Nellie K. Meadows                            Willard M. Martin
Clay City, KY                                Retired Housing Authority
                                             Executive Director

Beckner Shimfessel
Retired Clark County Clerk

                                       48
<PAGE>
 
                   OTHER OFFICERS AND SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES

Anthony Parrish             Janet R. Tutt            Rob Agee
Chief Financial             Assistant Treasurer      Loan Officer
  Officer
 
Dianna Davis                Doris Estes              Bobby R. Trent
Branch Manager/             Branch Manager/          Compliance/Security
  Loan Officer                Loan Officer
 
Vicki Rupard
Loan Officer
 
AUDITORS                                     LEGAL COUNSEL
 
Miller, Mayer, Sullivan & Stevens LLP        White, McCann & Stewart
2365 Harrodsburg Road                        125 S. Main Street
Lexington, KY  40504                         Winchester, KY  40391


ANNUAL MEETING

The Annual Meeting of the shareholders of Pioneer Financial Corporation will be
held on Wednesday, January 8, 1997, at 10:00 a.m. at the main office, 25 East
Hickman Street, Winchester, Kentucky.

FORM 10-K

  A COPY OF THE CORPORATION'S FORM 10-K AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE TO STOCKHOLDERS AS OF THE
RECORD DATE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY, PIONEER FINANCIAL
CORPORATION, 25 EAST HICKMAN STREET, WINCHESTER, KENTUCKY 40391.

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