FIRSTAR CORP /NEW/
10-K, 1999-03-24
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                   Securities and Exchange Commission 
                         Washington, D.C. 20549

                               FORM 10-K 

              Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                    the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998   Commission File Number 1-2981
  
 
                             FIRSTAR CORPORATION             


             Wisconsin                             39-1940778       
      (State of Incorporation)        (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)  
  

            777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
                        Telephone Number (414) 765-4321


         Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                             Name of Each Exchange on
          Title of Each Class                    Which Registered
          -------------------                -------------------------

     Common Stock, $0.01 par value         New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
     Preferred Share Purchase Rights       New York Stock Exchange, Inc.


     Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports 
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period 
that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES  X    NO     

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to 
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be 
contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive 
proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III 
of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  [X]

As of March 1, 1999, 220,250,656 shares of common stock were outstanding,
and the aggregate market value of the shares (based upon the closing
price) held by nonaffiliates was approximately $17.3 billion.


                    Documents Incorporated by Reference:
  
Portions of the 1999 Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement are
incorporated by reference into Part III of the Form 10-K.

<PAGE>
                        FORM 10-K TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
                                                                       
Part I                                                                  Page
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 1  - Business.........................................................1
Item 2  - Properties.......................................................2
Item 3  - Legal Proceedings................................................2
Item 4  - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders..............2

Part II                                                                         
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 5  - Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
          Matters..........................................................2
Item 6  - Selected Financial Data..........................................3
Item 7  - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
          Results of Operations............................................3
Item 7A - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.......3
Item 8  - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data......................3
Item 9  - Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting 
          and Financial Disclosure.........................................3

Part III                                                                        
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 10 - Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant...............3    
Item 11 - Executive Compensation...........................................5
Item 12 - Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
          and Management...................................................5
Item 13 - Certain Relationships and Related Transactions...................5
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------    
     

Part IV
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 14 - Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports
          on Form 8-K......................................................5


- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURES.................................................................7
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------



<PAGE>
                             PART I


ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General

     Firstar Corporation ("Firstar") is the organization created by
the merger of Star Banc Corporation and Firstar Corporation("old
Firstar Corporation")  on November 20, 1998.  Firstar is a
regional, multi-state bank holding company headquartered in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Firstar owns 100 percent of the capital
stock of eight bank subsidiaries having over 700 banking offices
in Wisconsin, Ohio, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana,
Kentucky, Tennessee and Arizona.  Firstar also owns various
nonbank and limited purpose bank subsidiaries engaged in related
financial services.

     Firstar provides banking services throughout the midwestern
United States.  Firstar's bank subsidiaries provide a broad
range of financial services for companies based in its market
region, national business organizations, governmental entities
and individuals.  These commercial and consumer banking
activities include accepting demand, time and savings deposits;
making both secured and unsecured business and personal loans;
and issuing and servicing credit cards.  The bank subsidiaries
also engage in correspondent banking and provide a full range of
trust and investment management services to individual and
corporate customers.  International banking services consisting
of foreign trade financing, issuance and confirmation of letters
of credit, funds collection and foreign exchange transactions
are conducted.   Nonbank subsidiaries provide retail brokerage
services, trust and investment management services, residential
mortgage banking activities, consumer financing, title
insurance, business insurance, consumer and credit related
insurance, and corporate operational services.

     Firstar's operations include three primary business segments:
consumer banking, wholesale banking, and trust and private
banking.  Information on these lines of business are included in
Note 25 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
included in Firstar's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders which
is incorporated herein by reference.


Competition

     Banking and bank-related services are highly competitive. 
Firstar's subsidiaries compete primarily in  the Midwestern
United States with numerous competitors, some of which are
larger and have greater financial resources.  Firstar competes
with other commercial banks and financial intermediaries, such
as savings banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions,
mortgage companies, leasing companies and a variety of financial
services and advisory companies located throughout the country.


Supervision

     Firstar's business activities as a bank holding company are
regulated by the Federal Reserve Board under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended.  The activities of Firstar and
those of its banking and nonbanking subsidiaries are limited to
the business of banking and activities closely related or
incidental to banking.

     The business of banking is highly regulated, and there are
various requirements and restrictions in the laws of the United
States and the states in which the subsidiary banks operate
including the requirement to maintain reserves against deposits
and adequate capital to support their operations, restrictions
on the nature and amount of loans which may be made by the
banks, restrictions relating to investment (including loans to
and investments in affiliates), branching and other activities
of the banks.

     Firstar's subsidiary banks with  national charters are
supervised and examined by the Comptroller of the Currency.  The
subsidiary banks with  state charters are supervised and
examined by their respective state banking agencies and either
by the Federal Reserve if a member bank of the Federal Reserve
or by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation("FDIC") if a
nonmember.  All of the Firstar subsidiary banks are also subject
to examination by the FDIC.



                              -1-
<PAGE>
     In recent years Congress has enacted significant legislation
which has substantially changed the federal deposit insurance
system and the regulatory environment in which depository
institutions and their holding companies operate.  The Financial
Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989
("FIRREA"), the Comprehensive Thrift and Bank Fraud Prosecution
and Taxpayer Recovery Act of 1990 and the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA") have
significantly increased the enforcement powers of the federal
regulatory agencies having supervisory authority over Firstar
and its subsidiaries.  FIRREA also provides that all commonly
controlled FDIC insured depository institutions may be held
liable for any loss incurred by the FDIC resulting from a
failure of, or any assistance given by the FDIC, to any of such
commonly controlled institutions.  Federal regulatory agencies
have implemented provisions of FDICIA with respect to taking
prompt corrective action when a depository institution's capital
falls to certain levels.  Under the rules, five capital
categories have been established which range from "critically
undercapitalized" to "well capitalized".  Failure of a
depository institution to maintain a capital level within the
top two categories will result in specific actions from the
federal regulatory agencies.  These actions could include the
inability to pay dividends, restricting new business activity,
prohibiting bank acquisitions, asset growth limitations and
other restrictions on a case by case basis.

     In addition to the impact of regulation, commercial banks are
affected significantly by the actions of the Federal Reserve
Board as it attempts to control the money supply and credit
availability in order to influence the economy.  Changes to such
monetary policies have had a significant effect on operating
results of financial institutions in the past and are expected
to have such an effect in the future; however, the effect of
possible future changes in such policies on the business and
operations of Firstar cannot be determined.


ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

     On December 31, 1998, Firstar had 705 banking locations, of
which 370 were owned and 335 were leased.  All of these offices
are considered by management to be well maintained and adequate
for the purpose intended.  See Note 8 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements included in Firstar's  1998
Annual Report to Shareholders which is incorporated herein by
reference for further information on properties.


ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

	Firstar and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal
actions and proceedings in the normal course of business, some
of which involve substantial claims for compensatory or punitive
damages.  Although litigation is subject to many uncertainties
and the ultimate exposure with respect to these matters cannot
be ascertained, management does not believe that the final
outcomes will have a material adverse effect on the financial
condition of Firstar.


ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

	Special meetings of shareholders of old Firstar Corporation and
Star Banc Corporation were held on October 27, 1998 to approve
the merger of the two companies.  The result of this vote was
previously reported in the Form 10Q of Firstar for the period
ended September 30, 1998.



                            PART II



ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
        STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

     See Note 28 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements included in Firstar's 1998 Annual Report to
Shareholders which is incorporated  by reference for information
on stock price ranges and dividends.  The principal markets for
the quotations of stock prices is the New York Stock Exchange. 
There were 21,558 holders of record of Firstar's $0.01 par value
Common Stock on March 1, 1999.



                              -2-
<PAGE>
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     The information required by this item is included on page 15 of
Firstar's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders which is
incorporated  by reference.


ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
        CONDITION AND RESULTS	OF OPERATIONS

     The information required by this item is included on pages 16
to 33 of Firstar's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders  which is
incorporated  by reference.


ITEM 7A. QUATITIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     The information required by this item is included on pages 19
to 21 of Firstar's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders  which is
incorporated  by reference.


ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

     The Consolidated Financial Statements of Firstar, the
accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and the
Report of Independent Auditors contained in Firstar's 1998
Annual Report to Shareholders are incorporated  by reference.


ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
        ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

     The Form 8-K of Firstar dated March 9, 1999 is incorporated by
reference.  This filing reported the dismissal of Arthur
Anderson LLP and the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
as Firstar's independent public accountants.  


                             PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

     The Notice of the 1999 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement filed
pursuant to Regulation 14A is incorporated  by reference.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following is a list of the twenty executive officers of
Firstar as of December 31, 1998.  All of these officers are
elected annually by their respective boards of directors.  All
of the officers have been employed by Firstar or Star Banc
Corporation and/or one or more of its subsidiaries during the
past five years with the exceptions of Messrs Arrigoni and Berta
who were previously employed by banking organizations acquired
by Firstar.  There are no family relationships between any of
the executive officers.


Name 	                 Age    Position 

Jerry A Grundhofer      54    President and Chief Executive Officer 
                              (Since June 1993) 

Daniel A Arrigoni       48    Executive Vice President, Mortgage
                              Banking (Since December 1998) 
 	 	 
John A Becker           56    Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
                              (Since January 1990) 

Kathy P. Beechem        47    Executive Vice President, Metro and
                              In-Store Banking (Since December 1998) 



                             -3-
<PAGE>
Daniel B. Benhase       39    Executive Vice President, Trust and
                              Investments (Since 1994) 
	
Vince A. Berta          40    Executive Vice President, Western
                              Kentucky Region (Since December 1998) 

Joseph A. Campanella    56    Executive Vice President, Community
                              Banking (Since June 1991) 

Richard K. Davis        40    Vice Chairman, Consumer
                              Banking (Since November 1993) 

Roger L. Fitzimonds     60    Chairman of the Board
                              (Since February 1991) 

Timothy J. Fogerty      41    Executive Vice President, Operations
                              (Since 1995) 

Kenneth R. Griffith     51    Executive Vice President, Retail
                              Lending and Finance Company
                              (Since December 1998)  

John R. Heistad         52    Executive Vice President, Credit
                              Administration (Since January 1992) 

Jerome C. Kohlhepp      53    Executive Vice President, Specialized
                              Lending (Since 1994)  

Mark J.Masuhr           55    Executive Vice President,
                              Commercial Products (Since December 1998)

David M. Moffett        46    Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer
                              (Since September 1993)

Ronald E. Roder         50    Executive Vice President, Information
                              Services (Since December 1988)

Stephen E. Smith        51    Executive Vice President, Human Resources
                              (Since 1995)

Mary Ellen Stanek       42    President and Chief Executive Officer,
                              Firstar Investment Research and Management
                              Company (Since April 1994)

Patricia A. Wesner      45    Executive Vice President, Credit Card/
                              Debit Card (Since December 1998)

Jay B. Williams         47    Executive Vice President, Sales and
                              Marketing (Since December 1998)


                             -4-
<PAGE>
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The Notice of the 1999 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement filed
pursuant to Regulation 14A is incorporated by reference.


ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
         MANAGEMENT

     The Notice of the 1999 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement filed
pursuant to Regulation 14A is incorporated by reference.


ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     The Notice of the 1999 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement filed
pursuant to Regulation 14A is incorporated by reference.


                             PART IV

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON
         FORM 8-K

  (a)1.  Financial Statements

     The following financial statements of Firstar are incorporated
by reference from pages 34 to 58 of the 1998 Annual Report to
Shareholders.

     Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1998 and 1997

     Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December
     31, 1998, 1997 and 1996

     Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Years
     Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996

     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
     December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996

     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     Independent Auditors' Report


  (a)2.  Financial Statement Schedules

     All financial statement schedules have been included in the
consolidated financial statements or are either not applicable
or not significant.


  (a)3.  Exhibits

         3.1  Articles of Incorporation of Firstar Corporation 
              (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the 
              Registration Statement No. 333-64099 of Firstar)

         3.2  By-Laws of Firstar Corporation (incorporated by 
              reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Registration 
              Statement No.  333-64099 Firstar)

         4.1  Preferred Shares Purchase Rights Plan of Firstar 
              Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 
              of Form 8-K/A dated November 20, 1998 of Firstar)

        10.1  1986 Stock Incentive Plan(previously filed as an 
              exhibit to Star Banc Corporation's Registration 
              Statement No. 33-9494 and incorporated by reference)
                          
        10.2  Amended 1991 Stock Incentive Plan (previosly filed 
              as an exhibit to Star Banc Corporation's 1993 Proxy 
              Statement and incorporated by reference)

        10.3  1987 Deferred Compensation Plan (previously filed as an
              exhibit to Star Banc Corporation's Registration Statement 
              No. 33-10085 and incorporated  by reference)

        10.4  1996 Stock Incentive Plan (previously filed as an exhibit
              to Star Banc Corporation's 1996 Proxy Statement and 
              incorporated by reference)

        10.5  Severence and Employment Agreements of Messrs. Fitzsimonds
              and Becker (incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.1 
              and 10.2 of the Registration Statement No.  333-64099 
              of Firstar)



                             -5-
<PAGE>
        10.6  Severence and Employment Agreements of Mr. Grundhofer

        13.   1998 Annual Report to Shareholders

        21.   Subsidiaries of Firstar Corporation

        23.   Consent of Independent Auditors

        24.   Powers of Attorney

        27.   Financial Data Schedule

              Firstar will file with the Commission its long-term debt
              indentures as exhibits upon request.  Copies of exhibits 
              may be obtained at a cost of 30 cents per page upon 
              written request to the chief financial officer.

  (b)  A Form 8-K dated November 20, 1998 was filed relating to
the completed merger of Star Banc Corporation and Firstar
Corporation.

       A Form 8-K/A dated November 20, 1998 was filed relating to the
adoption of the Preferred Shares Purchase Plan of Firstar

       A Form 8-K dated March 9, 1999 was filed relating to the change
of Firstar's independent public accountants, the announcement of
a three-for-one stock split and the announcement of a stock
buyback plan. 



                             -6-
<PAGE>
                          SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be 
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized as 
of March 22, 1999.  


                                              FIRSTAR CORPORATION 

                                             /s/ Jerry A. Grundhofer
                                             ------------------------
                                             Jerry A. Grundhofer 
                                             President, Chief Executive 
                                             Officer and Director


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this 
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the 
Registrant and in the capacities indicated as of March 22, 1999.


/s/ Jerry A. Grundhofer                      /s/ Roger L. Fitzsimonds
- --------------------------                   ------------------------
Jerry A. Grundhofer                          Roger L. Fitzsimonds    
President, Chief Executive                   Chairman and Director     
Officer and Director                                                 


/s/ David M. Moffett                         /s/ James D. Hogan
- --------------------------                   ------------------------
David M. Moffett                             James D. Hogan
Vice Chairman and Chief                      Senior Vice President
Financial Officer                            and Controller



DIRECTORS
Paul M Baker*
Michael E. Batten*
James R. Bridgeland, Jr.*
Laurance L. Browning, Jr.*
Victoria B. Buyniski*
Robert C. Buchanan*
Samuel M. Cassidy*
George M. Chester, Jr*
V. Anderson Coombe*
John C. Dannemiller*
James L. Forbes*
David B. Garvin*
J. P. Hayden, Jr*
Joe F. Hladky*
Roger L. Howe*
Thomas J. Klinedinst, Jr.*
William H. Lacy*
Sheldon B. Lubar*
Kenneth P. Manning*
Daniel F. McKeithan, Jr.*
Charles S. Mechem, Jr.* 
Daniel J. Meyer* 
David B. O'Maley* 
Robert J. O'Toole* 
O'dell M. Owens, M.D.,M.P.H.* 
Thomas E. Petry* 
Judith D. Pyle
John J. Stollenwerk* 
Oliver W. Waddell* 
William W. Wirtz 


 		 

*By:  /s/ Jerry A. Grundhofer 
- -----------------------------
Jerry A. Grundhofer 
Attorney-in-fact



                             -7-



 EXHIBIT 10.6

                         EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


     AGREEMENT by and between Firstar Corporation (f/k/a Firstar 
(WI) Corporation), a Wisconsin corporation (the "Company") and Jerry A. 
Grundhofer (the "Executive"), dated as of the 20th day of November, 
1998.

     1.  Certain Definitions.  The "Effective Date" shall mean 
the first date after the date hereof on which a Change of Control (as 
defined in Section 2) occurs.  Anything in this Agreement to the 
contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and if the 
Executive's employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date 
on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably 
demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) 
was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably 
calculated to effect a Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in 
connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control, then for all 
purposes of this Agreement the "Effective Date" shall mean the date 
immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.

     2.  Change of Control.  For the purpose of this Agreement, a 
"Change of Control" shall mean:

     (a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group 
(within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (a "Person") of 
beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under 
the Exchange Act) of 35% or more of either (i) the then outstanding 
shares of common stock of the Company (the "Outstanding Company Common 
Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting 
securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of 
directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities"); provided, 
however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following 
acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisi-
tion directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, 
(iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) 
sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by 
the Company or (iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a 
transaction which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of 
subsection (c) of this Section 2; or

     (b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the 
Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at 
least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual 
becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or 
nomination for election by the Company's shareholders, was approved by a 
vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incum-
bent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member 
of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such 
individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an 
actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or 
removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of 
proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or


<PAGE>
     (c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or 
consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all 
of the assets of the Company (a "Business Combination"), in each case, 
unless, following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially 
all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, 
respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding 
Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination 
beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, 
respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the 
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled 
to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of 
the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, 
without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction 
owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company's assets 
either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially 
the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such 
Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Out-
standing Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person 
(excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company 
or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) 
beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 35% or more of, respectively, 
the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting 
from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then 
outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent 
that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and (iii) 
at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the 
corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the 
Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, 
or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; 
or

     (d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a 
complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

     3.  Employment Period.  The Company hereby agrees to 
continue the Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to 
remain in the employ of the Company subject to the terms and conditions 
of this Agreement, for an initial period commencing on the date hereof 
and ending on the third annual anniversary of such date (the "Employment 
Period").  On the first annual anniversary of the date of this Agreement 
and on each annual anniversary of the date of this Agreement thereafter, 
the Employment Period shall be extended automatically for an additional 
one-year period unless either party gives written notice to the other 
(the "Non-Renewal Notice") not less than 30 days prior to any such 
anniversary that the Employment Period shall not thereafter renew or be 
extended automatically, in which case the Employment Period shall expire 
on the annual anniversary of the date of this Agreement that is the 
scheduled date of expiration of the Employment Period on the date such 
Non-Renewal Notice is given; provided, however, that the Employment 



                             - 2 -
<PAGE>
Period shall not extend beyond, and shall in all events expire on the 
day immediately following the date of the Executive's 65th birthday.  
Notwithstanding the above, upon a Change of Control, if the Executive is 
still employed by the Company, the Employment Period shall be extended 
until the third anniversary of the Effective Date, or if the Executive 
is still employed by the Company but the Employment Period has 
terminated prior to the Change of Control, a new three year Employment 
Period shall commence upon a Change of Control; provided, however, that 
the Employment Period shall not extend beyond, and shall in all events 
expire on the day immediately following the date of the Executive's 65th 
birthday.

     4.  Terms of Employment.  (a) Position and Duties.  (i) 
During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be President and Chief 
Executive Officer of the Company and, in such capacity, the Executive 
shall be responsible for the strategic direction and operations of the 
Company, and shall serve on the Company's Board of Directors and shall 
have such other duties, responsibilities and authority as shall be 
consistent therewith.  The Executive shall also be Chairman, President 
and Chief Executive Officer of Star Bank, National Association and 
Firstar Bank, Milwaukee, N.A. and shall serve on their respective Boards 
of Directors.  In addition to the above, the Executive shall become 
Chairman of the Company upon the earlier of June 1, 2000 or termination 
of Mr. Roger Fitzsimonds' employment with the Company.

          (ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any 
periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, 
the Executive agrees to devote full attention and time during normal 
business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and to use the 
Executive's reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and 
efficiently such responsibilities.  During the Employment Period it 
shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A) 
serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) 
deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational 
institutions and (C) manage personal investments, so long as such 
activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the 
Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance 
with this Agreement.  It is expressly understood and agreed that to the 
extent that any such activities have been conducted by the Executive 
prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities 
(or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto) 
subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to 
interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities to 
the Company.


                             - 3 -
<PAGE>
     (b) Compensation.  (i) Base Salary.  During the Employment 
Period, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base 
Salary") of $800,000 until December 31, 1998 and $850,000 commencing 
January 1, 1999 and thereafter until adjusted following any review of 
the Annual Base Salary as hereinafter provided.  The Annual Base Salary 
shall be paid in equal monthly installments.  During the Employment 
Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed at least every 12 
months.  Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or 
reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement.  
Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced below $850,000 or after any such 
increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement 
shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased.

          (ii) Annual Bonus.  In addition to Annual Base Salary, 
the Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the 
Employment Period, an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") pursuant to the 
Company's annual incentive plans, pro rated in the case of a bonus for 
any year during which the Executive was employed for less than 12 
months; provided, however, after the Effective Date, the Annual Bonus 
shall be no less than 100% of the Executive's Annual Base Salary (the 
"Minimum Bonus").  Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than 
the end of the third month of the fiscal year next following the fiscal 
year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the Executive shall 
elect to defer the receipt of such Annual Bonus.  For the 1999 fiscal 
year, the Executive's target bonus for achieving target performance 
levels under the Company's 1999 Executive Bonus Plan shall be 100% of 
his 1999 Annual Base Salary, and his maximum bonus under such plan shall 
be 200% of his 1999 Annual Base Salary.  During the Employment Period, 
the target and maximum Annual Bonus levels shall be reviewed at least 
every 12 months.  Any increase in such levels shall not serve to limit 
or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement and 
the target and maximum Annual Bonus levels shall not be lowered after 
any such increase and shall not be less than 100% and 200% of the 
Executive's Annual Base Salary, respectively.

          (iii) Stock Awards.  On the date hereof, as part of 
the Executive's compensation for the 1999 fiscal year, the Executive and 
the Company shall enter into a separate written agreement providing for 
the immediate grant to the Executive of a nonqualified stock option to 
acquire 180,000 shares of the Company's common stock pursuant to the 
terms of the Company's Stock Incentive Plan (the "Initial Option"), and 
further providing that the Initial Option generally shall vest and 
become exercisable in four equal annual installments on each of the 
first four anniversaries of its date of grant, all as more particularly 
provided in such agreement.  On the date hereof, the Executive and the 
Company shall enter into a separate written agreement providing for the 


                             - 4 -
<PAGE>
immediate grant to the Executive of an additional nonqualified stock 
option to acquire 200,000 shares of the Company's common stock pursuant 
to the terms of the Company's Stock Incentive Plan (the "Performance 
Option"), and further providing that the Performance Option generally 
shall vest and become exercisable upon the fifth anniversary of the date 
of grant of the Performance Option, all as more particularly provided in 
such agreement.  The agreement granting and governing the Initial Option 
and the agreement granting and governing the Performance Option shall 
also include provisions for accelerated vesting in the event of (1) 
Executive's death or Disability, (2) any termination of Executive's 
employment other than a termination by the Company for Cause or a 
termination by Executive without Good Reason, or (3) a Change of 
Control.

     For each of the 2000 fiscal year and the 2001 fiscal year of 
the Employment Period, the Executive shall be granted additional stock 
incentive awards so that Executive's total direct compensation (Annual 
Base Salary plus target Annual Bonus plus long-term incentives) is 
maintained at approximately the 75th percentile of the total direct 
compensation of chief executive officers at peer financial institutions 
(which peers shall be selected based on comparable market capitalization 
or comparable asset size or both, as determined by the Company's 
independent compensation consultants and accepted by the Company's Board 
of Directors).  In each year of the Employment Period subsequent to the 
2001 fiscal year, the Board of Directors shall have the discretion to 
grant additional stock incentive awards commensurate with its assessment 
of the Executive's and the Company's performance and prevailing levels 
of market compensation.
 
          (iv) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans.  During 
the Employment Period, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in 
all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and 
programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company 
and its affiliated companies.  The Executive shall participate in, and 
shall be fully vested in his benefit under the Company's Non-Qualified 
Retirement Plan (the "NQRP") under which the Executive shall be given 
service credit for his service with BankAmerica Corporation, Security 
Pacific Corporation and Wells Fargo N.A. (together, the "Prior 
Employers"), provided that the Company's obligation under the NQRP shall 
be offset by any pension benefits to which the Executive is entitled 
from the Prior Employers, provided further that after the Effective Date 
in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide 
the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to 
both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, 
that such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and 
retirement benefit opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the 
aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the Company and 
its affiliated companies for the Executive under such plans, practices, 


                             - 5 -
<PAGE>
policies and programs as in effect at any time during the 120-day period 
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the 
Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date 
to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, 
after taking into account the difference in age between the Executive 
and the peer executives.  For purposes of calculating the Executive's 
supplemental pension benefit under the Company's NQRP, the amount of the 
Annual Bonus used in computing final average pay under such plan shall 
be the greater of (i) the Executive's target bonus under the Company's 
Executive Bonus Plan, or (ii) the Annual Bonus actually earned by the 
Executive.

          (v) Welfare Benefit Plans.  During the Employment 
Period, the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, 
shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits 
under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided 
by the Company and its affiliated companies including, without 
limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, salary 
continuance, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel 
accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable gener-
ally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated 
companies, provided that after the Effective Date in no event shall such 
plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with 
benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most 
favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for 
the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately 
preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, 
those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other 
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.  For 
purposes of determining eligibility for retiree medical benefits 
provided by the Company, the Executive shall be treated as though he is 
at least age 55 and has at least 10 years of service with the Company.

          (vi) Expenses.  During the Employment Period, the 
Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all 
reasonable business expenses incurred by the Executive.

          (vii) Fringe Benefits.  During the Employment Period, 
the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without 
limitation, tax and financial planning services, payment of club dues, 
and a monthly car allowance of $1,000, net to the Executive after giving 
effect to (x) all income taxes payable by Executive that are 
attributable to such allowance, and (y) any benefits that result from 
the deductibility by the Executive of any such taxes.

          (viii) Vacation.  During the Employment Period, the 
Executive shall be entitled to four weeks of paid vacation.

     5.  Termination of Employment.  (a) Death or Disability.  
The Executive's employment shall terminate automatically upon the 
Executive's death during the Employment Period.  If the Company 
determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has 
occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of 
Disability set forth below), it may give to the Executive written notice 
in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement of its intention to 
terminate the Executive's employment.  In such event, the Executive's 
employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day 
after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective 
Date"), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the 
Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the 
Executive's duties.  For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall 
mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive's duties with the 
Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive business days as a 
result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is 
determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the 
Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the 
Executive's legal representative.

     (b) Cause.  The Company may terminate the Executive's 
employment during the Employment Period for Cause.  For purposes of this 
Agreement, "Cause" shall mean:

          (i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive 
to perform substantially the Executive's duties with the 
Company or one of its affiliates (other than any such 
failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental 
illness), after a written demand for substantial performance 
is delivered to the Executive by the Board or the Chief 
Executive Officer of the Company which specifically 
identifies the manner in which the Board or Chief Executive 
Officer believes that the Executive has not substantially 
performed the Executive's duties, or

          (ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal 
conduct or gross misconduct which is materially and 
demonstrably injurious to the Company.

For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of 
the Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or 
omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable 
belief that the Executive's action or omission was in the best interests 
of the Company.  Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given 
pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or based upon the 
advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be 
done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the 
best interests of the Company.  The cessation of employment of the 
Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there 
shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly 
adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire membership 
of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose 
(after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the Executive 
is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the 
Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the 
Executive is guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) 
above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

     (c) Good Reason.  The Executive's employment may be 
terminated by the Executive for Good Reason.  For purposes of this 
Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean:

          (i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties 
inconsistent with the Executive's position (including 
status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), au-
thority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by 
Section 4(a) of this Agreement, or any other action by the 
Company which results in a diminution in such position, 
authority, duties or responsibilities; 

          (ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of 
the provisions of Section 4(b) of this Agreement;

          (iii) the Company's requiring the Executive to be 
based at any office or location after the Effective Date 
other than where the Executive was located immediately prior 
to the Effective Date other than in connection with a change 
of the Company's headquarters if the Executive is relocated 
to such headquarters, or, after the Effective Date, the 
Company's requiring the Executive to travel on Company 
business to a substantially greater extent than required 
immediately prior to the Effective Date;

          (iv) any purported termination by the Company of the 
Executive's employment otherwise than as expressly permitted 
by this Agreement; or

          (v) any failure by the Company to comply with and 
satisfy Section 11(c) of this Agreement.


Notwithstanding the above, "Good Reason" shall exclude an isolated, 
insubstantial and inadvertent action or failure to act not taken or 
occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly 
after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive.

For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good 
Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive.  Anything in this 
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the 
Executive for any reason during the 30-day period immediately following 
the first anniversary of the Effective Date shall be deemed to be a ter-
mination for Good Reason for all purposes of this Agreement.

     (d) Notice of Termination.  Any termination by the Company 
for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by 
Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with 
Section 12(b) of this Agreement.  For purposes of this Agreement, a 
"Notice of Termination" means a written notice which (i) indicates the 
specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to 
the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and 
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the 
Executive's employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the 
Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt 
of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not 
more than thirty days after the giving of such notice).  The failure by 
the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination 
any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason 
or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company, 
respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company, 
respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the 
Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.

     (e) Date of Termination.  "Date of Termination" means (i) if 
the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by 
the Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of 
Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case may be, 
(ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other 
than for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date 
on which the Company notifies the Executive of such termination and 
(iii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of death or 
Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the 
Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.

     6.  Obligations of the Company upon Termination.  (a) Good 
Reason; Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability.  If, during the 
Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's 
employment other than for Cause or Disability or the Executive shall 
terminate employment for Good Reason:

          (i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump 
sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the 
aggregate of the following amounts:

               A.  the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base 
Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent 
not theretofore paid, (2) the product of (x) the 
higher of (I) the Minimum Bonus and (II) the Annual 
Bonus paid or payable, including any bonus or portion 
thereof which has been earned but deferred (and 
annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than 
twelve full months or during which the Executive was 
employed for less than twelve full months), for the 
most recently completed fiscal year during the 
Employment Period, if any (such higher amount being 
referred to as the "Highest Annual Bonus") and (y) a 
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days 
in the current fiscal year through the Date of 
Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 and 
(3) any compensation previously deferred by the 
Executive (together with any accrued interest or 
earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in 
each case to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum 
of the amounts described in clauses (1), (2), and (3) 
shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Accrued 
Obligations"); and

               B.  the amount equal to the product of (1) three 
and (2) the sum of (x) the Executive's Annual Base 
Salary and (y) the Highest Annual Bonus; and

               C.  if the Date of Termination is on or after 
the Effective Date, an amount equal to the difference 
between (a) the actuarial equivalent of the benefit 
(utilizing actuarial assumptions no less favorable to 
the Executive than those in effect under the Company's 
qualified defined benefit retirement plan (the 
"Retirement Plan") immediately prior to the Effective 
Date) under the Retirement Plan and any excess or 
supplemental retirement plan in which the Executive 
participates (together, the "SERP") which the 
Executive would receive if the Executive's employment 
continued for three years after the Date of 
Termination assuming for this purpose that all accrued 
benefits are fully vested, and, assuming that the 
Executive's compensation in each of the three years is 
that required by Section 4(b)(i) and Section 4(b)(ii), 
and (b) the actuarial equivalent of the Executive's 
actual benefit (paid or payable), if any, under the 
Retirement Plan and the SERP as of the Date of Ter-
mination;

          (ii) all stock options, restricted stock and other 
stock-based compensation shall become immediately exer-
cisable or vested, as the case may be;

          (iii) for three years after the Executive's Date of 
Termination, or such longer period as may be provided by the 
terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, 
the Company shall continue benefits to the Executive and/or 
the Executive's family at least equal to those which would 
have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, 
programs, practices and policies described in Section 
4(b)(v) of this Agreement if the Executive's employment had 
not been terminated or, if more favorable to the Executive, 
as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect 
to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated 
companies and their families, provided, however, that if the 
Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is 
eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under 
another employer provided plan, the medical and other wel-
fare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those 
provided under such other plan during such applicable period 
of eligibility.  For purposes of determining eligibility 
(but not the time of commencement of benefits) of the 
Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, 
practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be 
considered to have remained employed until three years after 
the Date of Termination and to have retired on the last day 
of such period;

          (iv) the Company shall, at its sole expense as 
incurred, provide the Executive with outplacement services 
the scope and provider of which shall be selected by the 
Executive in his sole discretion; and

          (v) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, 
the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any 
other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or 
which the Executive is entitled to receive under any plan, 
program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the 
Company and its affiliated companies (such other amounts and 
benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other 
Benefits").

     (b) Death.  If the Executive's employment is terminated by 
reason of the Executive's death during the Employment Period, this 
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive's 
legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of 
Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other 
Benefits.  Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive's estate 
or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of 
the Date of Termination.  With respect to the provision of Other 
Benefits after the Effective Date, the term Other Benefits as utilized 
in this Section 6(b) shall include, without limitation, and the 
Executive's estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, 
benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the 
Company and affiliated companies to the estates and beneficiaries of 
peer executives of the Company and such affiliated companies under such 
plans, programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits, if 
any, as in effect with respect to other peer executives and their 
beneficiaries at any time during the 120-day period immediately 
preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive's 
estate and/or the Executive's beneficiaries, as in effect on the date of 
the Executive's death with respect to other peer executives of the 
Company and its affiliated companies and their beneficiaries.

     (c) Disability.  If the Executive's employment is terminated 
by reason of the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, 
this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the 
Executive, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely 
payment or provision of Other Benefits.  Accrued Obligations shall be 
paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date 
of Termination.  With respect to the provision of Other Benefits after 
the Effective Date, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section 
6(c) shall include, and the Executive shall be entitled after the 
Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and other benefits at 
least equal to the most favorable of those generally provided by the 
Company and its affiliated companies to disabled executives and/or their 
families in accordance with such plans, programs, practices and policies 
relating to disability, if any, as in effect generally with respect to 
other peer executives and their families at any time during the 120-day 
period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to 
the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as in effect at any time 
thereafter generally with respect to other peer executives of the 
Company and its affiliated companies and their families.

     (d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason.  If the Executive's 
employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, 
this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the 
Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive (x) his 
Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination, (y) the amount of 
any compensation previously deferred by the Executive, and (z) Other 
Benefits, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid.  If the 
Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the Employment 
Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement shall 
terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for 
Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other 
Benefits.  In such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the 
Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of 
Termination.  Upon a termination of the Executive's employment for Cause 
by the Company or by the Executive without Good Reason, the Executive 
shall forfeit all stock options that are not vested on the Date of 
Termination.

     7.  Non-exclusivity of Rights.  Nothing in this Agreement 
shall prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future 
participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the 
Company or any of its affiliated companies and for which the Executive 
may qualify nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such 
rights as the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with 
the Company or any of its affiliated companies.  Amounts which are 
vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive 
under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or 
agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies at or 
subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance 
with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement 
except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.

     8.  Full Settlement.  The Company's obligation to make the 
payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its 
obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, 
counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which 
the Company may have against the Executive or others.  In no event shall 
the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other 
action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive 
under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts shall not 
be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment.  The 
Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, 
all legal fees and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as 
a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the 
Company, the Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of, 
or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of 
performance thereof (including as a result of any contest by the 
Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), 
plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable 
Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); provided that the Company 
shall have no such obligation if it is determined by a court that the 
Company was not in breach of the Agreement and that the Executive's 
claims were not made in good faith.

     9.  Certain Additional Payments by the Company.

     (a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary not-
withstanding, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or 
distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive 
(whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the 
terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to 
any additional payments required under this Section 9) (a "Payment") 
would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code 
or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect 
to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and 
penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise 
Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional 
payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by 
the Executive of all taxes and any benefits that result from the 
deductibility by the Executive of such taxes (including, in each case, 
any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), 
including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and 
penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the 
Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up 
Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.

     (b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all 
determinations required to be made under this Section 9, including 
whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such 
Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such 
determination, shall be made by KPMG Peat Marwick or such other 
certified public accounting firm as may be designated by the Executive 
(the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting 
calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business 
days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a 
Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company.  In the 
event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for 
the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the 
Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to 
make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall 
then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder).  All fees and 
expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company.  
Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be 
paid by the Company to the Executive within five days of the receipt of 
the Accounting Firm's determination.  Any determination by the Account-
ing Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive.  As a 
result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code 
at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm 
hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have 
been made by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), 
consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder.  In the 
event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) 
and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise 
Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment 
that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by 
the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.

     (c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any 
claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require 
the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment.  Such notification 
shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business 
days after the Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall 
apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which 
such claim is requested to be paid.  The Executive shall not pay such 
claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on 
which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending 
on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is 
due).  If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the 
expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the 
Executive shall:

          (i) give the Company any information reasonably 
requested by the Company relating to such claim,

          (ii) take such action in connection with contesting 
such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in 
writing from time to time, including, without limitation, 
accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by 
an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,

          (iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in 
order effectively to contest such claim, and

          (iv) permit the Company to participate in any 
proceedings relating to such claim; provided, however, 
that the Company shall bear and pay directly all 
costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) 
incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold 
the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or 
income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) 
imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and ex-
penses.  Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 
9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with 
such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all 
administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the 
taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, 
either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund 
or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees 
to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative 
tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more 
appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, 
that if the Company directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue for 
a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the 
Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the 
Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis from any Excise Tax or income 
tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with 
respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with 
respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the 
statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year 
of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed 
to be due is limited solely to such contested amount.  Furthermore, the 
Company's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect 
to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive 
shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other 
issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing 
authority.

     (d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount 
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(a) or 9(c), the Executive 
becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the 
Executive shall (subject to the Company's complying with the 
requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly pay to the Company the amount of 
such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after 
taxes applicable thereto).  If, after the receipt by the Executive of an 
amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), a determination 
is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with 
respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in 
writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the 
expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall 
be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of 
such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up 
Payment required to be paid.

     10.  Confidential Information; Covenant Not to Compete.

     (a)	Confidential Information.  The Executive shall hold in 
a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or 
confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or 
any of its affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which 
shall have been obtained by the Executive during the Executive's 
employment by the Company or any of its affiliated companies and which 
shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by the 
Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation of this 
Agreement).  After termination of the Executive's employment with the 
Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of 
the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, 
communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone 
other than the Company and those designated by it.  In no event shall an 
asserted violation of the provisions of this Section 10 constitute a 
basis for deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the 
Executive under this Agreement.

     (b)  Covenant Not to Compete.  

          A.  Executive agrees that for a period of one (1) 
year following his termination of employment with the 
Company for Cause or other than Good Reason, he will not in 
any way engage in, represent, furnish consulting services 
to, be employed by, or have any interest in any "Banking 
Institution" (as hereinafter defined) that has headquarters 
in Ohio or Wisconsin or states contiguous to Ohio or 
Wisconsin.  Further, Executive shall not (1) induce or 
attempt to induce any person or entity which is a customer 
of the Company or any of its affiliates as of the date of 
termination of Executive's employment to cease or reduce 
doing business with the Company or any of its affiliates, or 
(2) solicit or endeavor to cause any employee of the Company 
or its affiliates to leave the employ of the Company or any 
of its affiliates.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the 
Executive shall not be prevented from owning up to three 
percent (3%) of the outstanding stock of any publicly traded 
company which is a Banking Institution.

          B.  As used herein, the term "Banking Institution" 
means any national or state chartered bank, bank holding 
company, any other institution that engages as its principal 
activity in taking deposits or making loans, or any 
affiliates of any such institutions.

          C.  Executive agrees that this covenant is 
reasonable with respect to its duration, geographic area and 
scope, and acknowledges that compliance with Section 10(b) 
is necessary to protect the business and goodwill of the 
Company.

     11.  Successors.  (a) This Agreement is personal to the 
Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not 
be assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of 
descent and distribution.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of 
and be enforceable by the Executive's legal representatives.

     (b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be 
binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

     (c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct 
or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or 
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume 
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to 
the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no 
such succession had taken place.  As used in this Agreement, "Company" 
shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its 
business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform 
this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.

     12.  Miscellaneous.  (a) This Agreement shall be governed by 
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio, without 
reference to principles of conflict of laws.  The captions of this 
Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force 
or effect.  This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than 
by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their 
respective successors and legal representatives.

     (b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be 
in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by 
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, 
addressed as follows:

     If to the Executive:

          Jerry A. Grundhofer
          c/o Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
          51 W. 52 Street
          New York, New York 10019

          Attention: Adam D. Chinn, Esq.



     If to the Company:

          Firstar Corporation
          777 E. Wisconsin Avenue
          Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202

          Attention: Director-Human Resources


or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the 
other in writing in accordance herewith.  Notice and communications 
shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.

     (c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of 
this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability off any 
other provision of this Agreement.

     (d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under 
this Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be 
required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

     (e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon 
strict compliance with any provision hereof or any other provision of 
this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the 
Company may have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of 
the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to 
Section 5(c)(i)-(v) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a 
waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of 
this Agreement.

     13.  No Prohibited Payments.  Notwithstanding anything in 
this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not make any payment 
to the Executive which, according to the opinion of the Company's 
outside counsel, would violate Section 2523(k) of the Comprehensive 
Thrift and Bank Fraud Prosecution and Taxpayer Recovery Act of 1990 
(codified at 12 U.S.C.  1828(k)), or any rules or regulations 
promulgated thereunder.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the 
Executive's hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of 
Directors, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its 
name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.



                         JERRY A. GRUNDHOFER
                      
                         /s/ Jerry A. Grundhofer
                                


                         FIRSTAR CORPORATION

                         By  /s/ Laurance L. Browning, Jr.
                         ---------------------------------------	
                         Laurance L. Browning, Jr.
                         Chairman, Compensation Committee


                         By  /s/ Jennie P. Carlson
                         ---------------------------------------
                         Jennie P. Carlson
                         Senior Vice President, General
                         Counsel, and Secretary








EXHIBIT 13

FIRSTAR
SERVICE GUARANTEED

ANNUAL REPORT 1998

FIRSTAR

<PAGE>
CONTENTS

EARNINGS GROWTH STRATEGIES
 2   Graphs of Selected Financial Results
 3   Financial Highlights
 4   Letter to Shareholders
 6   1998 Highlights
15   Consolidated Six-Year Selected Financial Data


FINANCIAL SECTION
16   Management's Discussion and Analysis
17      Results of Operations
24      Balance Sheet 
34   Consolidated Financial Statements
38   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
58   Responsibility for Financial Statements 
        of Firstar Corporation
58   Report of Independent Public Accountants
59   Corporate Directors
60   Office of the CEO and Managing Committee
61   Corporate Information


THE FIVE STAR SERVICE GUARANTEE
Firstar guarantees we will deliver on core service standards which are 
most important to our customers, such as quick response; questions 
answered promptly; accurate and timely statements and other information; 
availability of ATM machines; timely loan application decisions....plus 
many others. Each line of business has a customized Five Star Service 
Guarantee for its customers. If Firstar ever fails to deliver on any part 
of its guarantee, the customer's account is credited with the specified 
amount of payment, from a minimum of $5.00 up to $250.00.


<PAGE>
SOME BANKS PROMISE GREAT SERVICE . . .
FIRSTAR GUARANTEES IT!

All Firstar employees wear a Firstar "service guaranteed" lapel pin
everyday to tell our customers that quality service is paramount at
Firstar.

FIRSTAR
SERVICE GUARANTEED

<PAGE>
THE NEW FIRSTAR
On November 20, 1998, Star Banc Corporation and Firstar Corporation
announced that their merger of the two bank holding companies had been
completed.  The combined company is now called Firstar Corporation and
its common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker
symbol FSR.

FIRSTAR
1998:   Star and Firstar merge to form the new Firstar.

1998:   Star Banc
        :Acquisition of Great Financial in Kentucky
        :Acquisition of 49 Bank One branches in Ohio
        :Acquisition of Trans Financial in Kentucky and Tennessee

1997:   Star Banc
        :Internet Banking introduced

1996:   Firstar
        :American Bancorporation of St. Paul acquisition

        Star Banc
        :Merge Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana banks into one
        :Five Star Service Guarantee introduced

1995:   Firstar
        :First Colonial Bankshares acquisition

        Star Banc
        :Household Bank acquisition in Columbus, Ohio
        :Star Banc Finance consumer finance subsidiary founded
        :24-Hour Banking System launched

1994:   Firstar
        :Investor's Bank acquisition

        Star Banc
        :TransOhio acquisition expands presence in Cleveland

1993:   Star Banc
        :Ameritrust acquisition in Cleveland

1991:   Firstar
        :Banks of Iowa acquisition

1989:   Firstar
        :Name changed to Firstar Corporation

        Star Banc
        :Corporation reincorporated as Star Banc Corporation

1988:   Firstar
        :First Wisconsin expands into Minnesota and Arizona

        Star Banc
        :All subsidiary banks renamed Star Bank

1987:   Firstar
        :Purchase of first non-Wisconsin bank, DuPage Bank & Trust in
         Glen Ellyn, Illinois

1986:   Star Banc
        :Expansion into Kentucky and Indiana

1974:   Firstar
        :First Wisconsin builds the tallest office building in the state,
         (42 floors), on E. Wisconsin Avenue.  Now known as Firstar Center

1973:   Star Banc
        :Holding company was formed as First National Cincinnati
         Corporation

1969:   Firstar
        :Wisconsin Charge Card is forerunner of MasterCard International;
         Firstar is one of four MasterCard founders

1951:   Star Banc
        :First branches opened

1928:   Firstar
        :First Wisconsin merges with the historic Second Ward Savings Bank
         founded by August Uihlein, CEO of Schlitz Brewery

1919:   Firstar
        :First National Bank and Wisconsin National Bank combine.  Name
         is changed to First Wisconsin Bank of Milwaukee

1914:   Firstar
        :New 16-story building at N. Water and E. Mason Streets becomes
         new home to First National Bank

1863:   Firstar
        :Farmers and Millers Bank becomes the first bank in Wisconsin to
         apply for a national charter
        :Farmers and Millers Bank reorganizes as the First National Bank
         of Milwaukee.  Organizers include brewing tycoon Frederick Pabst

        Star Banc
        :The First National Bank of Cincinnati founded on July 13, 1863,
         under National Charter Number 24, with $1 million in 
         capitalization	

1853:   Firstar
        :Farmers and Millers Bank opens in Milwaukee with $50,000 in
         capital

<PAGE>
FSR

CORPORATE PROFILE
Firstar Corporation, a multi-state bank holding company, incorporated
in Wisconsin, is the largest publicly held company headquartered in 
Wisconsin.  

Through its subsidiary full-service banks, Firstar offers a comprehensive
line-up of banking and related financial services to individuals,
businesses, financial institutions, non-profit organizations and
government entities in its primary market areas.  Firstar currently
operates more than 710 banking offices in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana,
Tennessee, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Arizona and Florida.
In addition, Firstar offers other financial services through its non-
bank subsidiaries, including its wholly owned consumer finance company,
Firstar Finance, Inc.  The corporation's FIRMCO subsidiary provides
investment vehicles and investment management services

IN 1998, STAR BANC CORPORATION OF CINCINNATI AND FIRSTAR OF MILWAUKEE
MERGED TO FORM THE NEW FIRSTAR.

Firstar Corporation is the fourth largest banking company in the Midwest
and the 21st largest in the nation.  The corporation was founded in 1853
and operates under National Bank Charter Number 24, granted in 1863.  In
1973, the bank holding company was formed.  In 1998, Star Banc Corporation
of Cincinnati and Firstar of Milwaukee merged to form the new Firstar.

<PAGE>
EXPECTATIONS OF THE MERGER
Enhance return to shareholders
Achieve immediate and meaningful accretion to earnings
Accelerate earnings-per-share growth rate
Provide greater value and increased levels of service to our customers
Improve operating performance in all key measurements
Accelerate proven revenue growth strategies across expanded Midwestern
  footprint
Achieve substantial operating efficiencies
Strenthen loan mix
Strengthen capital position

EARNINGS GROWTH STRATEGIES
The new Firstar's earnings growth strategies do not change from year to
year; they are fundamental to our continued success, and we have 
committed ourselves to managing long-term in the context of these 
strategies.  They have worked for Firstar and mirror strengths of the
corporation.  In 1998, we used our mergers and acquisitions strategy
to implement the other four growth strategies.

- - Profitable Growth of Business Lines
- - Balance Sheet Management
- - Capital Management
- - Cost Management
- - Mergers and Acquisitions

<PAGE>
FIVE YEAR BAR CHARTS OF NET INCOME, EPS, DIVIDENDS, AVERAGE
BALANCES AND VARIOUS RATIOS:

                                      1994    1995    1996    1997    1998

Net Income*                         $370.8  $408.5  $459.8  $499.2  $604.6  
(in millions of dollars)

Diluted Earnings Per Share*          $1.70   $1.86   $2.14   $2.36   $2.74  
(in dollars)

Common Dividends Declared Per Share  $0.47   $0.53   $0.63   $0.80   $0.99
(in dollars)

Average Shareholders' Equity to 
Average Total Assets                  8.52%   8.27%   8.28%   8.25%   9.25%
(in percents)

Return on Average Common Equity*     16.64%  16.93%  18.16%  19.16%  17.89% 
(in percents)

Return on Average Assets*             1.41%   1.39%   1.50%   1.58%   1.66% 
(in percents)

Net Interest Margin                   4.77%   4.52%   4.63%   4.66%   4.46%
(in percents)

Efficiency Ratio*                    60.66%  59.05%  56.64%  55.44%  55.19% 
(in percents)

Market Capitalization                 $2.6     $4.2    $6.5  $11.8   $20.3
(in billions of dollars)

Average Shareholders' Equity         $2.25   $2.43   $2.54   $2.61   $3.38
(in billions of dollars)

Average Total Assets                $26.39  $29.33  $30.67  $31.63  $36.52
(in billions of dollars)

Dividend Payout Ratio*               35.68%  37.79%  37.50%  39.17%  44.88%
(in percents)

* Excluding merger-related charges and nonrecurring items; see Financial
  Highlights on facing page.  All financial results are pooled results.


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                    2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(amounts in thousands except per share data)         1998   % change           1997   % change           1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>              <C>      <C>               <C>     <C>    
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 Net income                                   $   430,147      (16.3)%  $   513,894       23.7%   $   415,418
 Net interest income, fully taxable equivalent  1,456,075        8.4      1,342,726        4.0      1,291,324
 Noninterest income                               860,148       20.8        712,043       14.6        621,415
 Net revenue                                    2,316,223       12.7      2,054,769        7.4      1,912,739
 Noninterest expenses                           1,521,192       35.0      1,126,506       (2.2)     1,152,252
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE  
 Basic earnings per common share              $      1.99      (19.8)%  $      2.48       26.5%   $      1.96
 Diluted earnings per common share                   1.95      (19.8)          2.43       25.9           1.93
 Common dividends declared (a)                       0.99       23.8           0.80       27.0           0.63
 Book value per common share                        16.14       21.0          13.34        5.2          12.68
 Period-end market value (a)                        93.00       62.1          57.38       87.3          30.63
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE BALANCES 
 Total assets                                 $36,524,976       15.5%   $31,625,258        3.1%   $30,666,581
 Earning assets                                32,618,681       13.2     28,817,754        3.3     27,885,728
 Loans, net of unearned interest               25,027,756       10.9     22,569,767        6.0     21,291,977
 Total deposits                                26,830,998       13.1     23,723,890        1.3     23,423,081
 Total shareholders' equity                     3,379,195       29.5      2,609,363        2.7      2,540,314
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AT YEAR END 
 Common shares issued and
   outstanding                                    218,747                   205,690                   211,252
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS 
 Return on average assets                            1.18%                     1.62%                     1.35%
 Return on average common equity                    12.73                     19.73                     16.40
 Average shareholder's equity
   to average total assets                           9.25                      8.25                      8.28
 Regulatory capital ratios:
   Tier 1 risk-based capital                         8.92                      9.60                     10.01
   Total risk-based capital                         11.01                     12.03                     12.75
   Leverage ratio--average assets                    7.52                      8.23                      7.80
 Net interest margin                                 4.46                      4.66                      4.63
 Noninterest income to net revenue                  37.14                     34.65                     32.49
 Efficiency ratio                                   65.68                     54.82                     60.24
 Net profit margin                                  18.57                     25.01                     21.72
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXCLUDING MERGER RELATED CHARGES AND OTHER NONRECURRING ITEMS (b)
 Net income                                   $   604,564       21.1%   $   499,152        8.6%   $   459,769   
 Noninterest expense                            1,278,222       13.5      1,126,506        4.0      1,083,463
 Diluted earnings per common share                   2.74       16.1           2.36       10.3           2.14
 Return on average assets                            1.66%                     1.58%                     1.50%
 Return on average common equity                    17.89                     19.16                     18.16
 Efficiency ratio                                   55.19                     55.44                     56.64
 Net profit margin                                  26.10                     24.57                     24.04
 Net charge-offs                              $   103,351        9.1    $    94,731       19.3    $    79,379
 Net charge-offs to average loans                    0.41%                     0.42%                     0.37%


(a) Per share amount based on historical Star Banc Corporation amounts.       
(b) Amounts and ratios are calculated excluding the following nonrecurring items:
    Merger-related charges and additional loan loss provision recorded in 1998 for the merger of Star Banc
      and Firstar, and the acquisition of Trans Financial, Inc.
    A one-time gain on the sale of merchant processing contracts in 1997.
    Restructuring charges related to Firstar Forward and the one-time SAIF special assessment in 1996.
</TABLE>

BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES                3
<PAGE>
FELLOW SHAREHOLDERS:

We are pleased to report that 1998 was an excellent year financially, as 
well as a year of great change within your corporation. With change comes 
opportunity, and the new Firstar is positioned to maximize the 
opportunities of the evolving financial services industry. 

CORPORATION GROWS THROUGH ACQUISITIONS
The size of your corporation has doubled through internal growth and 
important acquisitions in growth markets. We made several important 
acquisitions in Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee and completed 
the strategic merger that created the new Firstar, the nation's 21st 
largest banking company with assets of $38.5 billion and operations in 10 
states.

On November 20, 1998, we completed the largest merger in the company's 
history, combining Star Banc Corporation, headquartered in Cincinnati, and 
Firstar Corporation of Milwaukee. 

EXPECTATIONS OF THE NEW FIRSTAR
We have the highest expectations for this new corporation. The merger pact 
was struck for all the right reasons - for the benefit of our 
shareholders, our customers and our communities. Chief among these reasons 
is our certainty that as a combined organization, the new Firstar will 
perform better than either the former Star Banc Corporation or the former 
Firstar could have done alone. 

The merger is built on a combination of revenue enhancements and cost 
synergies. The benefits of the merger are not predicated on cost savings 
alone, but also on building our businesses.


BAR CHART OF TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS RETURNS

                               3 years    2 years    1 year

Firstar                           70.3%      77.1%     64.4% 
S&P Regional Bank Index           28.0       28.7      10.4
S&P 500                           28.1       30.9      28.5  


We can now export a highly developed Consumer Banking business across ten 
states. Our asset management businesses together will position us among the 
leaders in the industry. And both Star and Firstar had the premier 
Commercial Banking businesses in their respective markets for small and 
middle market companies. In all lines of business, we will introduce 
innovations in delivery, enhancements to products and extensions of our 
Five Star Service Guarantee.
 
Our earnings growth strategies have not changed during this year. During 
1998, the spotlight was on executing our strategy of mergers and 
acquisitions, while pursuing our other strategies as well. There is nothing 
mysterious or secretive about the way we manage this business. In fact, it 
is pretty basic: we will continue to increase earnings and earnings per 
share through increased revenues from our major lines of business; we will 
continue to reduce and control expenses; our balance sheet management and 
capital management policies are directed at earnings growth and shareholder 
value.

OPPORTUNITY TO GROW OUR BUSINESSES
This merger provides the opportunity to expand a franchise that was already 
among the industry's premier performers. We have said many times, and it 
remains true through the building of the new Firstar, that bigger for the 
sake of size alone is not better; only growing to become a better company 
is better. The Firstar transaction meets that criteria on all fronts. 

The new Firstar is now the fourth largest banking company in the Midwest 
with substantial market share in several states. Those are excellent 
positions from which to strengthen our businesses even further. Our 
internal operating momentum is strong, and the energy and excitement 
generated by the recent merger will only accelerate that momentum.

FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR 1998
The year 1998 was a good year for the new Firstar in terms of our first 
reported combined financial results. Although the results are good, they 
are not yet nearly good enough. During 1999 we will increase revenues and 
reduce and control expenses, the keys to success in this business and the 
key to increasing value to our shareholders.

FIRSTAR CORPORATION                    4
<PAGE>
Before merger-related charges, net income for the year 1998 reached a 
record $604.6 million, a 21.1 percent increase over 1997. Diluted earnings 
per share, before merger-related charges, was $2.74 per share, compared to 
$2.36 per share in 1997, a 16.1 percent increase. Other financial 
highlights and key results can be found on pages 2 and 3 of this report.

Although we have achieved some cost savings in the short time since the 
merger of Star Banc and Firstar, significant additional savings are 
expected during 1999 as the integration of the two organizations continues. 

Firstar's combined financial results were very good. But they do not 
reflect the level of performance that Star Banc achieved as a separate 
organization, and we will be managing the new Firstar to bring results into 
line with past Star Banc Corporation results, and then exceed them. The 
year 1999 will be spent improving results in all key measurement areas.

We are expanding our incentive compensation Pay for Performance program 
throughout the new combined corporation. Pay for Performance mirrors our 
increasing earnings and earnings per share philosophy, and the program is 
tied to sales, service and other objective measurements. Only when the 
corporation meets its goals in terms of earnings per share for our 
shareholders is Pay for Performance activated. 

PROGRESS ON THE MERGER
The management of the merger process is on track, and it is proceeding as 
we anticipated. A very strong management structure is in place and all 
major staffing decisions have been made and filled with top quality experts 
who know their businesses. We have selected the critical information 
systems required to support all of our operations with an eye to future 
capabilities as well as today's needs. Systems conversions are being made 
now and will continue through the summer until the new Firstar is operating 
as a single, unified company. Credit policies and procedures have been 
standardized and incorporated across the new corporation, and we have 
effective customer retention and customer growth sales and marketing 
programs already in progress.

SHAREHOLDER RETURNS
During the year 1998, Firstar was recognized by the investment community 
for our performance in generating total shareholder returns, which reached 
64.4% in 1998, the highest among all banks. You can see a selection of 
these rankings and awards on page 14 of this report. We are very proud of 
every one; each is another indication that we are fulfilling our promise to 
you to manage this company for your benefit.

In December, Firstar Corporation increased the company's quarterly dividend 
on common stock by seven cents to $0.30 per share, payable January 15, 1999 
to shareholders of record December 31, 1998. The increase in the quarterly 
dividend boosted Firstar's total current annual dividend to $1.20 per 
common share, compared to the previous annual dividend of $0.92 per common 
share. Firstar Corporation has increased its quarterly stock dividend for 
27 consecutive years. 

Our focus on our shareholders and increasing the return on their investment 
in this company has not changed during this year of growth. All of our 
strategies and our operational decisions are predicated on increasing 
shareholder value.

In this first letter to the shareholders of the new Firstar, we repeat what 
has become our guiding principal of management: we put the highest priority 
on increasing the value of your investment in Firstar Corporation. It is 
the reason we come to work each day.

Sincerely,

/s/ Jerry A. Grundhofer    /s/ Roger L. Fitzsimonds

Jerry A. Grundhofer        Roger L. Fitzsimonds
President and Chief        Chairman
Executive Officer 


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES                5
<PAGE>
COMMERCIAL BANKING
Firstar is recognized as a pre-eminent regional commercial bank which 
builds long-term relationships with our business customers. Superior 
customer service, knowledgeable bankers, market and industry expertise, 
rapid response time, and solid credit standards combine to create client 
satisfaction. Firstar operates in a broad region of healthy economic 
diversity and Firstar's loan portfolios are well-diversified.


PRODUCTS AND SERVICES / DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
- -----------------------------------------------

CORPORATE AND MIDDLE MARKET BANKING
Firstar has been a leading commercial banking provider since its 
founding in 1853. Firstar is able to meet the needs of all businesses in 
our market areas, with a focus on building long-term relationships with 
middle market and larger corporate customers. 

STRUCTURED CAPITAL - ASSET BASED LENDING
Offers secured and monitored lending products, primarily for 
manufacturers, distributors, select retail and service-related 
companies. Financing is generally for leveraged buyouts, acquisitions, 
growth financing and selective turnarounds.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
Firstar's Commercial Real Estate portfolio is primarily in-market and 
divided evenly between income producing and investor-owned properties. 
This is Firstar's largest secured lending business.

EQUIPMENT LEASE FINANCING
Provides secured equipment financing and leases for a wide range of 
assets, with separate groups focusing on transportation equipment, 
general assets and the high-tech sector. Target segments range from 
small businesses to middle market to Fortune 500 companies.

GLOBAL SERVICES
Firstar's Global Services division provides to its clients incomparable 
customer service, advanced technological delivery, international 
strategic alliances and experienced managers with Firsthand worldwide 
knowledge. Firstar's international trade services support the 
import/export businesses of our commercial customers, and corporate 
banking services are provided to U.S.A.-based subsidiaries of 
foreign-owned companies.

TREASURY MANAGEMENT
Firstar Treasury Management offers a full line of cash management 
services, competitive prices and superior technology-based delivery. 
Services are customized to maximize client efficiency.


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                    6
<PAGE>
1998 HIGHLIGHTS
- ---------------

CORPORATE AND MIDDLE MARKET BANKING
Firstar's highly regarded commercial lending capabilities, the expansion 
of our markets, superior customer service, depth of experience and the 
continued health of the U.S. and Midwest economies resulted in record 
loans outstanding to a highly diversified customer base across all 
industries.

STRUCTURED CAPITAL - ASSET BASED LENDING
Eclipsed $1 billion in senior secured credit facilities extended to a 
variety of businesses. Market coverage now encompasses Midwest, 
Southeast and Southwest states.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
Firstar's Commercial Real Estate Division achieved record loan 
production during 1998. Moreover, it continued its solid record of 
outstanding credit quality as it focused its lending in stable 
Midwestern markets with its strong, relationship-driven borrowers.

EQUIPMENT LEASE FINANCING
The acquisition in August 1998 of Cargill Leasing Corporation expanded 
the scope of our lease and equipment finance products, provided national 
market presence and servicing capabilities and, together with existing 
portfolios, created one of the 20 largest U.S. bank owned leasing and 
equipment finance businesses. We reported record new business volumes.

GLOBAL SERVICES
Despite a worldwide volatile economy, we still achieved double digit 
increases in revenue due to the successful import/export businesses of 
our fine commercial customers in the Midwest. We also saw record foreign 
exchange business and increased revenue in our International Corporate 
Banking division.

TREASURY MANAGEMENT
Firstar introduced Online Banker, our internet, Java-based platform, 
integrating all balance reporting and custom reports. Future phases 
include transactions, ACH/wire transfer and image delivery. Treasury 
Management revenue increased over 20 percent, including the near 
doubling of retail lockbox revenue.

OUTLOOK
- -------

CORPORATE AND MIDDLE MARKET BANKING
As a larger organization due to the merger, with a franchise footprint 
across the Midwest, we have the ability to service our customers and 
prospects through enhanced products and services and expanded credit 
limits, so we are able to accommodate and lead larger credit 
relationships.

STRUCTURED CAPITAL - ASSET BASED LENDING
Outlook for this business is very strong given the division's historical 
growth trend coupled with its now expanded geographic markets and 
seasoned professional lenders.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
This portfolio now consists of $5.8 billion in loans. Approximately $2.5 
billion is owner-occupied and the balance is developer and investor-type 
loans. The merger positions the bank well for larger traditional 
commercial real estate and construction lending opportunities in 14 
significant Midwestern markets.

EQUIPMENT LEASE FINANCING
The ability to provide a broader range of products to our customer base, 
the continued growth of business through direct sales to new prospects 
and the continued expansion of the economy combine for an excellent 
outlook for this business.

GLOBAL SERVICES
Our truly global reach through a network of over 1,000 banks around the 
world, the knowledge and depth of our international staff and Firstar's 
guaranteed service are effective competitive advantages as we market 
international services in our strong Midwestern markets.

TREASURY MANAGEMENT
We will maximize the potential of our 700+ branch network, new vault 
locations and wholesale and retail lockbox locations. Expansion of the 
Online Banker features continues through 1999, and we will introduce 
image delivery of lockbox items. Revenue will increase with our sales 
synergy across 10 states.



BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES                7
<PAGE>
TRUST AND INVESTMENTS
Firstar offers comprehensive trust and investment management services to 
companies and individuals. While the majority of our clients can be 
found in the Midwest, Firstar is truly a national provider of trust 
services as well. 

Firstar Trust and Investments generated over $260 million in noninterest 
income or about 30 percent of the corporation's total noninterest income 
in 1998. With a three-year revenue growth rate of 15.4 percent, it is 
clear that this line of business is meeting the demanding requirements 
of our diverse client base.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES / DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
- -----------------------------------------------

PERSONAL TRUST
Personal Trust takes a wealth management approach to meeting client 
needs and includes traditional trusts, investment management, and 
brokerage services. Personal Trust officers are located in 40 offices 
throughout our market areas. Traditional products include portfolio 
management and estate planning. Specialized products include off-shore 
accounts, asset allocation services and unique services for professional 
athletes through our Pro Sports division.

MUTUAL FUND SERVICES/CUSTODY SERVICES
Includes administration, accounting, transfer agent and custody service 
to 173 families of funds, second in the nation. We also service 517 
funds placing us eighth nationally. Clients can choose full turnkey or 
specialized custody services.

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
Manages $41 billion in assets for our clients. Our FIRMCO group is a 
nationally recognized investment adviser and a top bond manager; its 
equity focus is on growth stocks at reasonable valuations. Our Firstar 
Capital Management group specializes in both value and growth stocks, as 
well as specialized income-oriented investment products. FIRMCO and 
Firstar Capital Management are the advisers to the Firstar Funds with $7 
billion in 18 funds and the Firstar Stellar Funds with $3 billion in 12 
funds.

INSTITUTIONAL TRUST
Focuses on managing pensions, 401(k) retirement plans, endowments and 
foundations. Our services include daily valuation internet access and 
fund selections from both proprietary funds and national funds.

BROKERAGE
Firstar Investment Services offers investment products through a third 
party partnership. 140 investment representatives market mutual funds, 
annuities and many other investment products through our branches.

CORPORATE TRUST/STOCK TRANSFER
Acts as Bond Trustee for municipal and corporate bond issues. Our 
specialized businesses include structured finance (Student Loans), 
mortgage document custody and stock transfer services for our corporate 
clients.

PRIVATE BANKING
Works with each client on a one-to-one basis to orchestrate a customized 
wealth management plan to meet the client's specific needs and financial 
goals. Acts as client's confidential envoy to the bank's full scope of 
credit, deposit, international, trust and asset management services.


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                    8
<PAGE>
1998 HIGHLIGHTS
- ---------------

PERSONAL TRUST
Record new business, new offices and a strong investment market fueled a 
14 percent revenue increase. Traditional personal trust services showed 
strong results, as did our more specialized services including LifeCycle 
asset allocation. Pro Sports represents clients who play for 23 of the 
30 teams in the NFL, nine of the 29 teams in the NBA and nine of the 30 
teams in MLB.

MUTUAL FUND SERVICES/CUSTODY SERVICES
Record new business and cross-sell opportunities as a result of the 
merger drove revenue 24 percent higher. This business again was the 
fastest growing segment of our Trust and Investment group due to 
superior technology and outstanding service.

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
Assets under management increased 20 percent to $41 billion, and nine 
mutual funds, advised by FIRMCO or Firstar Capital Management, are 
currently rated either 4- or 5-Star by Morningstar. FIRMCO-managed bond 
accounts exceeded their benchmark index for the 13th consecutive year.

INSTITUTIONAL TRUST
Enhanced automation, including internet access, and a wide variety of 
investment choices led to record sales and revenue in our retirement 
plan services. Foundation and Endowment income increased 20 percent with 
outstanding investment performance and attentive service.

BROKERAGE
Sales volume increased 24 percent compared to 1997. Repeat business from 
our client base combined with record referrals to create success in 
1998.

CORPORATE TRUST/STOCK TRANSFER
Our specialized businesses, including Student Loan debt administration 
and mortgage document custody grew at a 25 percent rate and combined 
with our traditional stock transfer and bond administration business 
lines to achieve another record year.

PRIVATE BANKING
As the market of high-income, high net worth individuals needing 
specialized service continued to grow, we reported total loans 
increasing 18.9 percent and total deposits increasing 39.1 percent, 
reflecting Firstar's superior customer service and commitment to our 
clients.


OUTLOOK
- -------

PERSONAL TRUST
We anticipate continued growth as evidenced by record sales volume, 
significant prospects and continuing generational wealth transfer 
opportunities. Our strong staff and broad distribution channels are 
competitive advantages.

MUTUAL FUND SERVICES/CUSTODY SERVICES
This outstanding business should only continue its growth rate, as 
underscored by Firstar's increasing market share in an expanding market, 
as well as significant growth within our client base.

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
Our broad variety of fund offerings designed to meet a wide range of 
investment goals, combined with excellent performance records, is now 
available throughout all markets of the expanded franchise. The higher 
visibility of the funds, with increased resources and a broader market, 
make the outlook very favorable.

INSTITUTIONAL TRUST
Excellent outlook as evidenced by record sales in 1998. Our established 
reputation for superior on-site training and service, enhanced 
automation and a broader investment menu will enable Firstar Trust to 
continue our leadership position in this business.

BROKERAGE
The investment program grows in concert with our expanding branch 
network. Enhanced products, expanded marketing programs, and more 
efficient delivery in 1999 further improve the outlook.

CORPORATE TRUST/STOCK TRANSFER
Firstar's dominant market share allows us to grow and succeed in this 
specialized business. Improved automation will enhance both client 
service and efficiency during 1999.

PRIVATE BANKING
Future Private Banking strategy remains consistent; we differentiate 
ourselves and our service through our "banking privately" approach, 
which has resulted in a growing network of clients and referrals in 
eight states.


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES                9
<PAGE>
CONSUMER BANKING 
At Firstar, customer service and convenience set the standard for the 
industry. Firstar delivers on its commitment to define convenience and 
service in our market areas. Among the rewards for banking with Firstar 
is our multiple distribution channel system; financial products and 
services that are easy to use and understand; our exclusive Five Star 
Service Guarantee; and new products that meet changing customer needs. 
Firstar delivers on its promise as the Bank Without Boundaries through 
our exclusive 24-Hour Banking System.


PRODUCTS AND SERVICES / DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
- -----------------------------------------------

METROPOLITAN CONSUMER BANKING
In large urban markets, Consumer Banking products and services are 
delivered through the coordinated management of major, independent lines 
of business, including Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking and Trust & 
Investments.

COMMUNITY BANKING
Regional Presidents manage smaller and non-urban markets with local 
autonomy in resource allocation, community affairs, business 
development, loan approvals and pricing. Firstar's full line of products 
and services are made available in these markets.

SMALL BUSINESS BANKING
Provides specialized services for businesses with annual sales up to $5 
million throughout all Firstar markets, primarily to businesses with 
fewer than 50 employees and borrowing needs less than $500,000.

MORTGAGE BANKING
Provides loan origination services for first mortgages for purchase and 
refinancing. Also acts as wholesale buyer of first mortgages from 
brokers, smaller banks and credit unions. In addition, provides 
originations, processing and loan closings for banks and credit unions 
and provides relocation financing for corporate transfers. Among the top 
25 mortgage companies in the U.S. with 1998 production exceeding $8 
billion.


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   10
<PAGE>
1998 HIGHLIGHTS
- ---------------

METROPOLITAN CONSUMER BANKING
With the Star/Firstar merger, we had the opportunity to extend our 
successful Consumer Banking business across a franchise which has 
doubled in size. Our In-Store banking network grew by 40 additional 
locations.

COMMUNITY BANKING
We introduced our successful Community Banking concept into new markets 
in Ohio, Wisconsin and Iowa, plus central and southern Kentucky and 
Northern Tennessee following mergers and acquisitions in those areas.

SMALL BUSINESS BANKING
With more than 80 dedicated Small Business banking officers and two 
Business Loan Express Centers, Firstar is well positioned to become the 
industry leader in a business that provides specialized products and 
services to this growing segment. Firstar serves more than 80,000 Small 
Business customers.

MORTGAGE BANKING
During 1998, we combined the operations of four strong mortgage 
businesses into the new Firstar Mortgage Banking business: those of Star 
Banc Corporation, Great Financial, Trans Financial and Firstar 
Corporation. This combination created a powerful line of business 
operating in 16 states with a loan servicing portfolio of $20 billion 
and more than 300 thousand loans.


OUTLOOK
- -------

METROPOLITAN CONSUMER BANKING
Our successful Metropolitan Consumer Banking business has been a 
competitive advantage, and it will be a primary focus of the new 
Firstar's growth strategy of building our lines of business.

COMMUNITY BANKING
Our Community Banking concept of delivering all Firstar's products and 
services in smaller towns and non-urban areas through locally managed 
banks, personal attention and community involvement are generating new
business and customer loyalty in these valuable markets.

SMALL BUSINESS BANKING
The potential in our combined markets is virtually limitless, as this is 
an underserved segment, and Firstar has the line up of products and 
services that can support small business growth and profitability. Our 
1999 initiatives will include launching a leasing vendor program, 
offering a new PC Banking service and new marketing efforts.

MORTGAGE BANKING
We will maximize the potential of this large mortgage company with an 
emphasis on production, exacting management of the profitability 
equation and the leadership of an outstanding management team. Our 
production strategy is grounded in a sales culture which features 
incentive-based compensation; an integrated approach among production 
offices, closing and underwriting, and multiple production channels.


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               11
<PAGE>
EXPANDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Traditional branches remain the foundation of our growing branch network 
where experienced bankers are the link between the customer and all the 
services of Firstar. We use the "concierge concept" in which the 
branch acts as the liaison between the customer and specialized banking 
services.

Non-traditional branches are increasingly important. Non-traditional 
branches account for more than 15 percent of our total branches, and 
this will grow. Non-traditional branches include In-Store branches in 
supermarkets and corporate on-site branches at Procter & Gamble 
facilities, hospitals and even world famous Churchill Downs. We also 
have branches at retirement centers and at convenience stores or 
"C-Stores."

Traditional Branches                    595
In-Store Branches                 93
Corporate On-Site Branches        12
Retirement Centers                 9
C-Stores                           2
Video Banking Centers              2
ATMs                                  1,400+
Internet/PC Banking                  50,000
Mobile ATMs	                       2


ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY
Firstar offers a network of specialized delivery points utilizing some 
of the most advanced automated features and functions available in the 
industry.

The industry's most fully functional ATMs dispense stamps, account 
statements, phone minutes, stop payment orders, check reorders and more.
 
Express Call Centers provide customer service and sales, fielding more 
than 20 million calls a year.
 
Workplace Banking is a customized package of financial services 
especially for the employees of Firstar business customers.
 
Student Banking meets the specialized needs of college students, as well 
as faculty and staff, through specialized packages, campus card programs 
and convenient ATMs.

Internet Banking continues to expand through Firstar's website, 
firstar.com, for banking transactions, bill payment, financial planning 
and account information.

Telesales Solutions informs customers of additional products and 
services which can enhance their financial well being.


PRODUCTS AND SERVICES / DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
- -----------------------------------------------

CREDIT/DEBIT CARD
Under the trade name Elan, Firstar provides payment options in the form 
of credit and debit services through MasterCard(r) and Visa(r) brands to 
roughly 1 million cardholders. Firstar also works with companies and 
incentive firms to offer custom incentive programs.

RETAIL LENDING
Indirect Lending provides loans and leases for autos, plus loans for 
recreational vehicles, boats, motorcycles and home improvement through 
dealership networks. Floor-plan Lending provides financing to auto, RV, 
marine, motorcycle and heavy truck dealers, primarily for inventory, but 
also for real estate and other capital needs. Student Lending provides 
loans for college tuition.

FIRSTAR FINANCE (FORMERLY STAR BANC FINANCE)
Through branch sales, direct customer contact and broker channels, 
provides financing for real estate, home improvement, auto and 
installment loans and a special Memorial Loan funeral financing program.
 
INSURANCE SERVICES
Chartered as one of 16 bank holding companies in the country 
"grandfathered" to sell unrestricted lines of insurance, Firstar 
insurance services sells a complete line of life, health, property and 
casualty insurance to individuals and businesses.


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   12
<PAGE>
1998 HIGHLIGHTS
- ---------------

CREDIT/DEBIT CARD
Firstar issues a full roster of cards including regular, platinum, young 
adult, college and secured. For businesses: platinum travel, business 
travel and purchasing cards. We provide services for merchant acquiring 
(both paper and electronic) and service over 900 correspondent financial 
institutions.

RETAIL LENDING
Firstar grew indirect loans and leases by more than 21 percent in 1998, 
while improving market penetration to first or second position in all 
markets. Loan application quality improved across all categories.

FIRSTAR FINANCE (FORMERLY STAR BANC FINANCE)
Now operating in 20 states, outstandings for 1998 exceeded $378 million, 
nearly an 80 percent increase over 1996. With an efficiency ratio of 
31.8 percent, this continues to be an outstanding business for Firstar.

INSURANCE SERVICES
We saw measurable results from increased referrals by our investments 
specialists, trust officers, direct mail and point-of-sale merchandising 
in our branches. Customers and prospects can now get insurance quotes 
through our web site.


OUTLOOK
- -------

CREDIT/DEBIT CARD
Firstar will increase credit card account production through our large 
branch network, successfully merge the card portfolios of Star Bank and 
Firstar and utilize strong marketing support for sales efforts and 
product enhancements. New incentive programs to support increased sales 
goals will be established.

RETAIL LENDING
With the expansion of our sales and service culture into new markets, 
the conversion to a single loan system, the streamlining of our credit 
approval process, new product offerings and competitive rates and terms, 
we expect to exceed substantial growth goals.

FIRSTAR FINANCE (FORMERLY STAR BANC FINANCE)
We will introduce this alternative business in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa 
and Minnesota, modify some loan offerings to meet customer needs and 
increase sales opportunities, while developing even more effective 
collection systems.

INSURANCE SERVICES
Specialized insurance for small family businesses is a good fit in 
conjunction with our Small Business lending. We continue to partner with 
strong insurance company partners in expanding our insurance sales to 
the former Star customer base. We are increasing referral incentive 
programs, and our branch network is a potent distribution system to 
reach middle market businesses, individuals and families.


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               13
<PAGE>
CORPORATE INITIATIVES

The new Firstar Corporation is in a very competitive position within 
eight Midwestern states to compete for customers and deliver 
state-of-the-art products and services. 

Our strategic acquisitions this year in Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, 
combined with the merger between Star Banc and Firstar, have created a 
powerful financial services franchise. Firstar focuses on shareholder 
value; customer convenience, service and satisfaction; employee growth 
and performance; and support of the communities in which we do business.

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
During 1998, a number of strategic acquisitions added to the value of 
the corporation.  

NOV 1998	:	Star Banc Corporation/Firstar Corporation merger
AUG 1998	:	Trans Financial, Inc. acquisition
                  Cargill Leasing Corporation acquisition
JUN 1998	:	Acquisition of 49 Bank One branches in Ohio
FEB 1998 	:	Great Financial Corporation acquisition

FIRSTAR JOINS THE S&P 500 INDEX
After the closing bell on December 31, 1998, Firstar of_cially joined 
other leading companies in becoming part of the S&P 500 stock index. 
This prestigious index is widely regarded as the standard of measure for 
large cap U.S. stock performance.

SOUND CAPITAL AND BALANCE SHEET MANAGEMENT
Managing capital for the benefit of the corporation and our shareholders 
is a primary goal. We have a very disciplined approach to managing 
capital, evaluating and balancing capital allocation among investments 
in the corporation, adequate capital cushion to weather any potential 
economic downturns, the industry's regulatory requirements, dividends 
and other corporate needs.

Firstar's balance sheet management continues to focus on curtailing 
low-return assets, such as lower-yield securities and residential 
mortgages through securitization and sales. Core funding for 
higher-yielding loans, particularly consumer loans, comes from our 
deposit base rather than higher-cost purchased funds.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
In 1998, we announced an unprecedented five-year, $5.15 billion 
Community Development initiative in the former Star markets. The 
initiative extended our excellent record of investing in our 
communities, and we believe it was the largest commitment, as a 
percentage of total assets, of any bank. In its first year, the 
initiative is significantly ahead of plan in funding home mortgages, 
small business loans, community loans and grants, small farm loans and 
other community needs for low to moderate income individuals and 
communities. We are pleased to announce that we are expanding this 
initiative into our new markets across the combined corporation.

RECOGNITION OF FIRSTAR PERFORMANCE
Firstar was named to the Lehman Brothers, Inc. "10 Uncommon Values" 
list which features stocks which Lehman Brothers believes will 
outperform the market in the coming year.

American Banker, a national daily financial newspaper, named Firstar 
Corporation as the top performing bank in the country for 1998.

Firstar was ranked as the number one stock in the U.S. in the category 
of "Defensive Stocks" according to "CNBC's TOP 100" September 7, 
1998 program.

Firstar was one of only 31 public companies named to The Wall Street 
Journal's 1998 Shareholder Scoreboard Honor Roll. 

In the November 1998 issue of Money Magazine, Firstar was named to the 
"Steady Climbers" list of stocks which offer proven performance, solid 
prospects and reasonable prices.

Forbes magazine's annual "The Forbes Platinum 400" edition, dated 
January 11, 1999, listed Firstar as one of "1999's Winners" and named 
Jerry A. Grundhofer Banker of the Year.


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   14
<PAGE>
FIRSTAR CORPORATION SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(amounts in thousands except per share data)                                                                        5 Year
                                                                                                                  Compound
                                        1998         1997         1996         1995         1994         1993  Growth Rate
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>               <C>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:
Interest income                  $ 2,641,488  $ 2,377,099  $ 2,275,675  $ 2,192,418  $ 1,803,450  $ 1,649,040         9.9%
Interest expense                   1,228,709    1,074,932    1,023,404    1,018,634      691,899      607,056        15.1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income                1,412,779    1,302,167    1,252,271    1,173,784    1,111,551    1,041,984         6.3
Taxable equivalent
  adjustment(a)                       43,296       40,559       39,053       38,490       39,630       37,278         3.0 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income (Fte)          1,456,075    1,342,726    1,291,324    1,212,274    1,151,181    1,079,262         6.2
Noninterest income                   860,148      712,043      621,415      554,732      504,804      522,840        10.5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net revenue                        2,316,223    2,054,769    1,912,739    1,767,006    1,655,985    1,602,102         7.7
Noninterest expense                1,521,192    1,126,506    1,152,252    1,086,385    1,026,566      992,953         8.9
Provision for loan losses            113,636      117,772       97,334       67,117       50,475       64,892        11.9
Net income                           430,147      513,894      415,418      380,831      357,684      342,261         4.7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE:   
Basic earnings per common share  $      1.99  $      2.48  $      1.96  $      1.76  $      1.66  $      1.59         4.6%
Diluted earnings per common share       1.95         2.43         1.93         1.74         1.64         1.57         4.4
Common dividends declared (b)           0.99         0.80         0.63         0.53         0.47         0.39        20.5
Period-end market value (b)            93.00        57.38        30.63        19.83        12.13        11.67        51.5
Weighted average common shares       216,510      206,761      211,286      215,299      213,975      211,340         0.5
Weighted average diluted
  common shares                      221,018      211,383      214,880      219,161      218,642      217,900         0.3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE BALANCES:
Loans, net of
  unearned interest              $25,027,756  $22,569,767  $21,291,977  $19,981,634  $17,884,906  $16,187,945         9.2%
Loans held for sale                  988,432      297,743      286,088      189,383      144,116           --          --
Investment securities              6,491,001    5,744,135    6,168,349    6,401,651    5,780,779    5,357,232         3.9 
Short-term investments               111,492      206,109      139,314      234,360      323,226      549,043       (27.3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest-earning assets     32,618,681   28,817,754   27,885,728   26,807,028   24,133,027   22,094,220         8.1  
Total assets                      36,524,976   31,625,258   30,666,581   29,327,958   26,385,339   24,315,538         8.5
Noninterest-bearing deposits       5,614,373    4,893,322    4,733,197    4,188,735    4,071,936    3,974,983         7.2
Interest-bearing deposits         21,216,625   18,830,568   18,689,884   18,058,090   16,331,182   15,857,719         6.0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deposits                    26,830,998   23,723,890   23,423,081   22,246,825   20,403,118   19,832,702         6.2
Short-term borrowings              4,075,149    3,547,654    3,354,009    3,378,162    2,664,178    1,521,488        21.8
Long-term debt                     1,681,527    1,271,041      929,515      821,517      673,333      509,819        27.0
Shareholders' equity               3,379,195    2,609,363    2,540,314    2,425,113    2,248,238    2,074,482        10.3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS:
Return on average assets                1.18%        1.62%        1.35%        1.30%        1.36%        1.41%
Return on average common equity        12.73        19.73        16.40        15.78        16.05        16.95
Net interest margin                     4.46         4.66         4.63         4.52         4.77         4.88
Noninterest expense to net revenue     65.68        54.82        60.24        61.48        61.99        61.98
Noninterest income to net revenue      37.14        34.65        32.49        31.39        30.48        32.63
Dividend payout ratio                  63.08        38.04        41.51        40.54        36.99        32.38
Average shareholders' equity
  to average total assets               9.25         8.25         8.28         8.27         8.52         8.53
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXCLUDING MERGER-RELATED CHARGES
AND OTHER NONRECURRING ITEMS: (c)
Net income                       $   604,564  $   499,152  $   459,769  $   408,464  $   370,774  $   342,261        12.1%
Diluted earnings per common share       2.74         2.36         2.14         1.86         1.70         1.57        11.7
Return on average assets                1.66%        1.58%        1.50%        1.39%        1.41%        1.41%
Return on average common equity        17.89        19.16        18.16        16.93        16.64        16.95
Noninterest expense to net revenue     55.19        55.44        56.64        59.05        60.66        61.98
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(a) Taxable equivalent adjustment was calculated utilizing a marginal federal
    income tax rate of 35 percent for 1993-1998.
(b) Per share amounts based on historical Star Banc Corporation amounts.
(c) Amounts and ratios are calculated excluding the following nonrecurring
    items:
    Merger-related charges recorded in 1998 for the merger of Star Banc and
      Firstar, and the acquisition of Trans Financial, Inc.
    A one-time gain on the sale of merchant processing contracts in 1997.
    Restructuring charges related to Firstar Forward and the one-time SAIF
      special assessment in 1996.
    Merger-related charges recorded in 1995, and check kiting loss in 1994.


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES                15
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

OVERVIEW  

On November 20, 1998, Star Banc Corporation ("Star Banc") and Firstar 
Corporation ("Firstar") merged through an exchange of shares to form 
the new Firstar Corporation ("the Corporation"). The merger was a 
tax-free stock exchange and was accounted for as a pooling-of-interests. 
The combined company is a $38.48 billion regional bank holding company, 
headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with over 710 branch offices in 
eight Midwest states and Arizona, in addition to trust operations in 
Florida. Under the terms of the agreement, Firstar shareholders received 
0.76 shares of common stock of the combined company for each share of 
Firstar common stock and Star Banc shareholders received one share of 
common stock in the combined company for each common share of Star Banc 
Corporation. All prior period financial information has been restated to 
include the historical results of Star Banc, Firstar and Trans 
Financial, Inc. (discussed below).

The Corporation reported earnings before merger-related charges and 
other nonrecurring items at record levels for 1998 with an increase of 
21.1 percent to $604.6 million compared to $499.2 million in 1997 and 
$459.8 million in 1996. Excluding merger-related charges and other 
nonrecurring items, diluted earnings per share increased 16.1 percent to 
$2.74, compared to $2.36 in 1997. Including merger-related charges, net 
income was $430.1 million in 1998, compared to $513.9 million for 1997 
and $415.4 million for 1996. Basic earnings per share declined 19.8 
percent to $1.99 in 1998, compared to $2.48 in 1997 and $1.96 in 1996. 
Diluted earnings per share was $1.95 in 1998, compared to $2.43 in 1997 
and $1.93 in 1996. Table 1 provides a summary of significant items 
affecting the change in diluted earnings per share for 1996 through 
1998.

In connection with the merger, the Corporation expects to incur 
approximately $325 million of restructuring and merger-related charges. 
In 1998, the Corporation incurred pre-tax merger related charges of $243 
million as a result of the merger and the acquisition of Trans Financial,
Inc. (discussed later). These charges included $87 million in severance
and employee related costs, $50 million in occupancy and equipment
charges, $34 million in conversion costs and contract terminations, 
$23 million to establish or augment charitable foundations and 
$49 million in other merger costs such as legal, investment banking
fees and other professional fees. In addition, an $18 million provision
for loan losses was charged to earnings on the merger dates, in
connection with a change in the management of Trans Financial and
Firstar problem loans.

Earnings results for 1998 reflected a 13.7 percent increase in tax 
equivalized net revenues (excluding gains/(losses) on sales of 
securities and the gain on sale of merchant processing contracts in 
1997) fueled by a 23.9 percent increase in noninterest income. Tax 
equivalized net interest income increased $113 million or 8.4 percent in 
1998, as a result of a 13.2 percent increase in average earning assets. 
Excluding merger-related charges and nonrecurring items, the 
Corporation's return on average assets and return on average common 
equity were 1.66 percent and 17.89 percent, respectively, in 1998. This 
compares to a return on average assets of 1.58 percent in 1997 and 1.50 
percent in 1996 and a return on average common equity of 19.16 percent 
in 1997 and 18.16 percent in 1996.


FIVE YEAR BAR CHART OF DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE*
(in dollars)
          1994          1995          1996          1997          1998
         $1.70         $1.86         $2.14         $2.36         $2.74
*Excluding merger-related and non-recurring items.


Excluding gains/(losses) on sales of securities and a one-time gain on 
the sale of merchant processing contracts in 1997, noninterest income 
increased $166 million or 23.9 percent in 1998. Excluding merger-related 
expenses, noninterest expenses were up $152 million or 13.5 percent
over 1997. The increase in noninterest income was due in part to a
113.9 percent increase in mortgage banking income. Noninterest
expenses were up due to the acquisitions of Great Financial Corporation,
Cargill Leasing Corporation and Bank One branch offices, in addition
to the opening of new retail facilities in 1998. 

Total assets at December 31, 1998, were $38.48 billion, up $5.62 billion 
or 17.1 percent from $32.86 billion a year earlier. Total loans, net of 
unearned interest, were $25.87 billion at the end of 1998, an increase 
of 11.4 percent compared to $23.22 billion at the end of 1997. Loan
growth was led by increases of 17.1 percent in commercial loans and
11.8 percent in retail loans for 1998. Deposits totaled $28.85 billion
at December 31, 1998, up 17.8 percent compared to $24.49 billion at 
December 31, 1997. Deposits increased as a result of the Great
Financial and branch acquisitions, in addition to an increase in core
deposit levels, primarily demand deposits and money market deposit
accounts.

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS 
In addition to the merger of Star Banc Corporation and Firstar 
Corporation, the Corporation completed the following acquisitions:
On August 21, 1998, the Corporation acquired Trans Financial, Inc. 
("Trans Financial"), a $2.4 billion financial services holding company 
based in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The purchase of Trans Financial was a 
tax-free stock exchange, which was accounted for as a 
pooling-of-interests. Under the terms of the agreement, the Corporation 
exchanged 0.9003 shares of Star Banc common stock for each share of 
Trans Financial. A total of 10.7 million shares were issued in this 
acquisition.

On July 31, 1998, the Corporation acquired Cargill Leasing Corporation 
("Cargill") for a cash payment of $220 million. Cargill is a 
commercial leasing company with approximately $600 million in assets. 
This acquisition was accounted for as a purchase transaction with $64 
million recorded as goodwill.

In June and August, 1998, Star Bank, N.A. ("Star Bank") acquired a 
total of 57 branch offices located in 28 counties throughout Ohio and 
Kentucky from Bank One, N.A. In this acquisition Star Bank acquired $1.2 
billion in deposits and $155 million in loans for a premium of $137 
million. The remaining cash received in this transaction was invested in 
mortgage-backed securities.

On February 7, 1998, the Corporation completed its acquisition of Great 
Financial Corporation ("Great Financial") for 70 percent stock and 30 
percent cash. The 70 percent of Great Financial Corporation's shares was 
exchanged for common shares of Star Banc, at an exchange ratio of 0.949 
Star Banc shares for each share of Great Financial. The remaining 30 
percent of Great Financial shares were exchanged for $44.00 in cash for 
each share. The Corporation issued 9.5 million shares and the total 
value of the acquisition was $648 million. This transaction was 
structured as a tax-free 


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   16
<PAGE>
TABLE 1 -- ANALYSIS OF DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE --
                                                         Dollar Change B/(W)
                                                         --------------------
                                                          1998 vs.  1997 vs.
                                1998      1997      1996      1997      1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest income               $11.95    $11.25    $10.59    $ 0.70    $ 0.66
Interest expense               (5.56)    (5.09)    (4.76)    (0.47)    (0.33)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income             6.39      6.16      5.83      0.23      0.33
Provision for loan losses      (0.51)    (0.56)    (0.45)     0.05     (0.11)
Noninterest income              3.89      3.37      2.89      0.52      0.48
Noninterest expense            (6.88)    (5.33)    (5.37)    (1.55)     0.04 
Income taxes                   (0.94)    (1.21)    (0.97)     0.27     (0.24)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted earnings per
  common share                $ 1.95    $ 2.43    $ 1.93    $(0.48)   $ 0.50
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

exchange for shareholders receiving stock and was accounted for as a 
purchase transaction. The Great Financial acquisition added 
approximately $2.8 billion in assets and $2.0 billion in deposits, in 
addition to 45 branch offices in Kentucky and Indiana. 

The Corporation has continued to make acquisitions in order to enhance 
its branch network. In 1997 and 1996, Star Bank completed purchases of 
branch offices in southwestern Ohio from Amerifirst Bank and 
Connersville, Indiana from National City Bank. 

In January 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued 
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 131, 
"Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information." 
This statement supercedes SFAS No. 14, "Financial Reporting for 
Segments of a Business Enterprise." This statement requires disclosure 
on a business segment basis, as defined by the Corporation, a 
description of products and services, interest income and expense, 
profit and loss and assets as measured by the Corporation's management 
in assessing performance of its business segments. Line of business 
results and related disclosures are shown in Note 25 of the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Interest Income
Net interest income, the difference between total interest income and 
total interest expense, is the Corporation's principal source of 
earnings. The amount of net interest income is determined by the volume 
of interest-earning assets, the level of rates earned on those
interest-earning assets, and the cost of supporting funds. The
difference between rates earned on interest-earning assets (with
an adjustment made to tax-exempt income to provide comparability with
taxable income) and the cost of supporting funds is measured by the
net interest margin. 

Tax-equivalent net interest income increased $113 million or 8.4 percent 
in 1998, following a 4.0 percent increase in 1997. The increase in 1998 
was due to increased volumes from continued strong loan growth and the 
earning assets added as a result of the Great Financial, Bank One branch 
and Cargill acquisitions. This increase was partially offset by negative 
earning asset mix changes and compression of interest spreads. As a 
result of the acquisitions of Great Financial and Bank One branches, the 
majority of the assets acquired were lower yielding residential 
mortgages and mortgage-backed securities. The increase in 1997 was the 
result of a three basis point improvement in net interest margin, as 
discussed below, as well as a $932 million or 3.3 percent increase in 
average earning assets.

The net interest margin was 4.46 percent in 1998, 4.66 percent in 1997 
and 4.63 percent in 1996. The decrease in net interest margin in 1998 
reflects the decline in rates on earning assets, as a result of the 
prime rate decreases in 1998 and overall decline in loan rates. Yields 
on commercial loans and retail loans decreased 29 basis points and 18 
basis points, respectively, in 1998. Earning asset rates were also down 
due to the increases of residential mortgages and mortgage-backed 
securities associated with the bank and branch acquisitions discussed 
above. Also contributing to the decline in net interest margin was a 
four basis point increase in costs of supporting funds, related to a 17 
basis point increase in money market deposit accounts and higher levels 
of long-term debt. Net interest margin is expected to improve in 1999 as 
reductions in lower yielding assets are used to fund commercial and 
retail loan growth.

The increase in net interest margin in 1997 was due to an improvement in 
the mix of earning assets as loan growth was partially funded by sales 
and maturities of lower yielding investment securities. In addition, 
real estate loan and investment security yields were up in 1997. These 
factors were partially offset by an increase in funding costs. 


FIVE YEAR BAR CHART OF NET INTEREST INCOME
(in millions of dollars)

          1994          1995          1996          1997          1998
         $1,151        $1,212        $1,291        $1,343        $1,456



BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               17
<PAGE>
TABLE 2 -- AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND AVERAGE RATES --
For the years ended December 31 (dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       1998                               1997                               1996

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                             Daily             Average          Daily             Average          Daily             Average
                           Average   Interest     Rate        Average   Interest     Rate        Average   Interest     Rate
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>          <C>          <C>      <C>          <C>          <C>      <C>          <C>          <C>
Assets:
Commercial loans       $ 9,054,440  $  743,946   8.22%    $ 7,974,788  $  679,033   8.51%    $ 7,351,108  $  635,785   8.65%
Real estate loans        8,896,558     739,918   8.32       8,267,489     696,663   8.43       8,320,874     696,104   8.37
Retail loans             7,076,758     676,783   9.56       6,327,490     616,007   9.74       5,619,995     546,376   9.72
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total loans         25,027,756   2,160,647   8.63      22,569,767   1,991,703   8.82      21,291,977   1,878,265   8.82
Loans held for sale        988,432      70,808   7.16         297,743      20,878   7.01         286,088      20,454   7.15
Taxable investment
  securities             5,017,636     340,080   6.78       4,419,626     297,967   6.74       4,936,054     318,059   6.44
Non-taxable invest-
  ment securities        1,473,365     107,140   7.27       1,324,509      95,791   7.23       1,232,295      90,496   7.34
Trading securities           2,757          73   2.65           2,238         133   5.94          10,140         392   3.87
Money market
  investments              108,735       6,036   5.55         203,871      11,186   5.49         129,174       7,062   5.47
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       
    Total interest-
      earning assets    32,618,681   2,684,784   8.23      28,817,754   2,417,658   8.39      27,885,728   2,314,728   8.30
Cash and due
  from banks             1,762,970                          1,504,094                          1,548,174        
Allowance for
  loan losses             (397,440)                          (361,538)                          (337,655)       
Other assets             2,540,765                          1,664,948                          1,570,334        
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      
    Total assets       $36,524,976                        $31,625,258                        $30,666,581          
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Savings and
  NOW deposits         $ 5,720,515  $  120,462   2.11%    $ 5,395,516  $  112,884   2.09%    $ 5,422,981  $  113,297   2.09%
Money market
  deposit accounts       5,144,219     226,132   4.40       3,963,229     167,817   4.23       3,655,533     143,621   3.93
Time deposits $100,000
  and over               1,836,702      99,605   5.42       1,738,467      95,962   5.52       1,735,364      96,810   5.58
Time deposits under
  $100,000               8,515,189     465,759   5.47       7,733,356     427,743   5.53       7,876,006     434,295   5.51
Short-term borrowings    4,075,149     207,650   5.10       3,547,654     183,642   5.18       3,354,009     171,694   5.12
Long-term debt           1,681,527     109,101   6.49       1,271,041      86,884   6.84         929,515      63,687   6.85
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total interest-
      bearing
      liabilities       26,973,301   1,228,709   4.56      23,649,263   1,074,932   4.55      22,973,408   1,023,404   4.45
Noninterest-bearing
  deposits               5,614,373                          4,893,322                          4,733,197      
Other liabilities          558,107                            473,310                            419,662        
Shareholders' equity     3,379,195                          2,609,363                          2,540,314        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Total liabilities
      and shareholders'
      equity           $36,524,976                        $31,625,258                        $30,666,581          
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest
  revenue/margin                    $1,456,075   4.46%                 $1,342,726   4.66%                 $1,291,324   4.63%
Interest rate spread                             3.67                               3.84                               3.85
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      
</TABLE>

Note:  Interest and average rate are presented on a fully-taxable equivalent
basis. Taxable equivalent amounts are calculated utilizing the marginal federal
income tax rate of 35 percent.  The yield on available-for-sale securities
is computed based on historical cost balances.  The total of nonaccrual loans
is included in the daily average balance.


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   18
<PAGE>
TABLE 3 -- VOLUME/RATE VARIANCE ANALYSIS --
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(dollars in thousands)                     Change from 1997 to 1998     Change from 1996 to 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in:                   Volume      Rate     Total   Volume      Rate      Total
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>  
Interest income:
  Commercial loans                      $ 91,963  $(27,050) $ 64,913  $ 54,089  $(10,841)  $ 43,248
  Real estate loans                       56,175   (12,920)   43,255    (4,466)    5,025        559
  Retail loans                            64,646    (3,870)   60,776    68,972       659     69,631
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total loans                      212,784   (43,840)  168,944   118,595    (5,157)   113,438  
  Loans held for sale                     48,435     1,495    49,930       836      (412)       424
  Investment securities                   51,176     2,286    53,462   (28,174)   13,377    (14,797)
  Money market instruments                (5,174)      (36)   (5,210)    3,584       281      3,865 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
        Total                            307,221   (40,095)  267,126    94,841     8,089    102,930
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------        
Interest expense:
  Savings and NOW deposits                 5,542     2,036     7,578      (575)      162       (413)
  Money market deposit accounts           49,978     8,337    58,315    12,122    12,074     24,196
  Time deposits $100,000 and over          5,435    (1,792)    3,643       174    (1,022)      (848)
  Time deposits under $100,000            43,244    (5,228)   38,016    (7,888)    1,336     (6,552)
  Short-term borrowings                   30,242    (6,234)   24,008     9,940     2,008     11,948 
  Long-term debt                          27,941    (5,724)   22,217    23,401      (204)    23,197
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total                            162,382    (8,605)  153,777    37,174    14,354     51,528 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net variance                            $144,839  $(31,490) $113,349  $ 57,667  $ (6,265)  $ 51,402
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Note:  Interest on non-taxable loans and securities is computed on a
fully-taxable equivalent basis. Taxable equivalent amounts are calculated
utilizing the marginal federal income tax rate of 35 percent. The change in
interest due to both volume and rate has been allocated completely to changes
in rate. 


In order to reduce the Corporation's exposure to adverse changes in 
interest rates, the Corporation had entered into interest rate swaps and 
floors in previous years. The notional amount of these interest rate 
contracts was $795 million at December 31, 1998, down from $1.3 billion 
at December 31, 1997. Interest rate swaps lowered net interest income 
slightly in 1998 with no effect on net interest margin. Interest rate 
swaps lowered net interest income $1.8 million and net interest margin 
one basis point in 1997 and $4.4 million and two basis points in 1996.

Table 2 provides detailed information as to average balances, interest 
income and expense, and rates earned or paid by major balance sheet 
category for the years 1996 through 1998. Table 3 provides an analysis 
of the changes in net interest income attributable to changes in volume 
of interest-earning assets or interest-bearing liabilities and to 
changes in rates earned or paid.


FIVE YEAR BAR CHART OF NET INTEREST MARGIN
(in percents)

          1994          1995          1996          1997          1998
          4.77%         4.52%         4.63%         4.66%         4.46%


Interest rate sensitivity and market risk
The Corporation's major market risk exposure is changing interest rates. 
To minimize the volatility of net interest income and exposure to 
economic loss, the Corporation manages its exposure to adverse changes 
in interest rates through asset and liability management activities 
within guidelines established by its Asset/Liability Policy Committee 
("ALPC"). The ALPC has the responsibility for approving and ensuring 
compliance with asset/liability management policies of the Corporation, 
including interest rate risk exposure, off-balance-sheet activity and 
the investment portfolio position. 

In order to manage interest rate risk, the Corporation may utilize 
interest rate swap agreements and interest rate floors. These interest 
rate contracts are treated as hedges, and accordingly, the income and 
expense related to these transactions is recognized on the hedged 
instrument as an adjustment to interest income or expense. No new 
interest rate contracts were added in 1997 or 1998. In 1998, three 
interest rate swaps were terminated in order to reduce the Corporation's 
interest rate sensitivity. In 1997, the Corporation terminated two of 
its interest rate swaps in order to reduce its liability rate sensitive 
position. Additional information on the Corporation's interest rate swap 
contracts is presented in Note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

One of the primary tools of management to measure interest rate risk and 
the effect of interest rate changes on net interest income and net 
interest margin is simulation analysis. Through these simulations, 
management estimates the impact on net interest income of a 300 basis 
point upward or downward gradual change of market interest rates over a 
one year time period. Asset/liability policy guidelines state that a 300 
basis point up or down change in interest rates cannot result in more 
than a 7.5 percent change in net interest income, as compared to a
base case, without Board approval and a strategy in place to reduce
interest rate risk below the maxi-


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               19
<PAGE>
mum level. In simulations as of December 31, 1998, the 300 basis point 
upward change resulted in a decrease in net interest income compared to 
the base case, while the 300 basis point downward change resulted in an 
increase in net interest income. Both of these changes were less than 
one percent of net interest income in the base case. At December 31, 
1998 the Corporation was well within policy guidelines.

Net interest income is also affected by the relationship between 
different interest rates. For example, a 50 basis point narrower spread 
between the prime rate and the federal funds rate is projected to cause 
a four basis point decline in net interest margin and less than one 
percent reduction in net interest income over a one year period. These 
simulations include assumptions about how the balance sheet is likely to 
change with loan and deposit growth assumptions. Assumptions are made to 
project rates for new loans and deposits based on historical analysis 
and management's outlook. Mortgage loan prepayment assumptions are 
developed from industry median estimates of prepayment speeds. The 
results of these simulations can be significantly influenced by 
assumptions utilized for managed rate deposits.

The Corporation also manages its interest rate sensitivity position to 
maintain a balance between the amounts of interest-earning assets and 
interest-bearing liabilities which are expected to mature or reprice at 
any point in time. The interest rate sensitivity ("Gap"), Table 4, 
demonstrates the repricing characteristics of the Corporation's 
interest-earning assets, liabilities and interest rate swap positions as 
of December 31, 1998. Table 4 shows the Corporation in a liability 
sensitive position through the one year repricing period in the amount 
of $1.66 billion or 4.4 percent of total assets. Generally, a liability 
sensitive position indicates that falling interest rates would 
positively impact net interest margin, while raising interest rates 
would negatively affect net interest margin. The Corporation calculates 
a one-year risk equivalent position, which translates the earnings risk 
for all periodic gap mismatches into an equivalent one-year risk 
adjusted mismatched gap position. 

Although the periodic Gap analysis provides management with a method of 
measuring current interest rate risk, it only measures rate sensitivity 
at a specific point in time. Gap analysis does not take into 
consideration that assets and liabilities with similar repricing 
characteristics may not reprice at the same time or to the same degree 
and does not necessarily predict the impact of changes in general levels 
of interest rates on net interest income.

The Corporation also utilizes market value of equity as a measurement 
tool in managing interest rate sensitivity. The market value of equity 
measures the degree at which the market values of the Corporation's 
assets and liabilities will change given a change in interest rates. 
Asset/liability policy guidelines state that a 200 basis point upward or 
downward change in interest rates cannot result in more than a 15 
percent change in equity as compared to the base case. At December 31, 
1998, the Corporation was well within this guideline.

The Corporation enters into forward commitments related to residential 
real estate loans which have interest rate risk. At December 31, 1998 
the Corporation had committed to deliver $1.8 billion in residential 
real estate loans during 1999. The Corporation has no forward 
commitments that extend beyond one year.

The Corporation also enters into foreign exchange forward contracts 
primarily to accommodate the business needs of its customers. Foreign 
exchange-based forward contracts provide for the delayed delivery of a 
purchase of foreign currency. The foreign exchange risk associated with 
these contracts is mitigated by entering into offsetting foreign 
exchange con-


TABLE 4 -- INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY (GAP ANALYSIS) --
As of December 31, 1998 (dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      0-30       31-90       91-180       181-365          1-5       Over 5
                                        Total         Days        Days         Days          Days        Years        Years
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Interest-Earning Assets:
Loans                               $25,868,057  $ 9,071,036  $ 1,532,283  $ 1,670,195  $ 2,905,118  $ 8,580,810  $ 2,108,615
Held for sale                         1,539,892    1,539,892           --           --           --           --           --
Trading securities                        2,754        2,754           --           --           --           --           --
Investment securities                 6,356,309      398,210      262,410      518,914      593,097    3,241,772    1,341,906
Money market instruments                 75,524       75,524           --           --           --           --           --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total                        33,842,536   11,087,416    1,794,693    2,189,109    3,498,215   11,822,582    3,450,521
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
Deposits:
  Savings, NOW and MMDA              12,080,956    2,418,108    3,685,242    1,219,713      600,687    4,157,206           --
  Other interest-bearing deposits    10,120,610    1,620,868    2,048,089    2,341,612    2,191,316    1,837,183       81,542
Short-term borrowings                 3,643,308    3,215,729        6,681       29,908      196,686      192,897        1,407
Long-term debt                        1,708,869       87,083      347,284       21,529       16,206      646,361      590,406
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total                        27,553,743    7,341,788    6,087,296    3,612,762    3,004,895    6,833,647      673,355
Interest rate swap positions                 --      (50,000)    (220,000)          --       90,000      180,000           -- 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total gap                             6,288,793    3,695,628   (4,512,603)  (1,423,653)     583,320    5,168,935    2,777,166
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cumulative gap                      $        --  $ 3,695,628  $  (816,975) $(2,240,628) $(1,657,308) $ 3,511,627  $ 6,288,793
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Note:  Savings, NOW and money market deposit accounts (MMDA) are subject to
immediate withdrawal. However, for the purpose of the above analysis these
accounts are reported based on an historical analysis of Firstar Bank
accounts.


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   20
<PAGE>
tracts. The Corporation holds some foreign exchange spot contracts for 
proprietary trading purposes, however the average amount of these 
contracts was immaterial for the last three years.  Additional 
disclosures related to derivatives are shown in Note 20 of the Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Noninterest Income
Noninterest income is a growing source of revenue for the Corporation, 
representing 37.1 percent of tax equivalized net revenue in 1998, up 
from 34.7 percent in 1997 and 32.5 in 1996. Noninterest income increased 
20.8 percent to $860 million in 1998, compared to $712 million in 1997 
and $621 million in 1996. The increase in 1998 was led by mortgage 
banking income, which increased $80 million or 113.9 percent, along with 
a $28 million or 12 percent increase in trust income. Significant growth 
also occurred in several other areas, with cash management income, ATM 
income, and insurance commissions all increasing over 20 percent in 
1998.

Included in 1997 was a $23 million gain on the sale of credit card 
merchant processing contracts, related to the formation of a joint 
venture with NOVA Information Systems, Inc. to provide payment 
processing services to merchants. Excluding this one-time gain, 
noninterest income increased $166 million or 23.9 percent in 1998.

Trust income, which is the Corporation's largest source of fee income, 
increased 12.0 percent to $262 million in 1998, following an 18.9 
percent increase in 1997. In both 1997 and 1998, the Corporation 
realized significant increases in asset levels as a result of new 
business in each trust area. Revenue growth was led by continued 
expansion of mutual funds, for which the Corporation's subsidiaries 
serve as investment advisors, increases in custodial assets and higher 
market values of trust assets.

Managed trust assets increased 16.2 percent to $41 billion at the end of 
1998, compared to $35 billion at the end of 1997. Trust showed strong 
growth along all business lines with increases from new business and 
higher market values. At year-end 1998, total trust assets (both 
discretionary and non-discretionary) were $158.0 billion. In 1997 trust 
assets in the custody division almost doubled and the Star Funds mutual 
funds were up 28.4 percent.

Mortgage banking income increased $80 million or 113.9 percent to $151 
million in 1998, following a 9.0 percent increase in 1997. The increase 
in 1998 was due to the significant mortgage banking business acquired 
(primarily in the Great Financial acquisition), in addition to higher
origination volumes and refinancing activity. Gains on sale of
mortgage loans increased 124.4 percent and servicing income was up
90.2 percent in 1998. Mortgages serviced for others increased to
$14.7 billion at December 31, 1998, from $7.9 billion at
December 31, 1997. The increase in 1997 was due to higher levels
of gains on sale of loans on the secondary market, in addition to 
higher gains on the sale of mortgage servicing rights. Servicing income 
declined slightly in 1997 as a result of the sale of servicing rights 
originated in 1996 and the Corporation's decision to sell 1997 mortgage 
originations on the secondary market servicing released. The Corporation 
sold $6.40 billion of residential mortgage loans into the secondary 
market in 1998, compared to $2.82 billion in 1997 and $2.30 billion in 
1996.

Retail deposit fees and cash management income increased a combined $25 
million or 16.1 percent following a 3.4 percent increase in 1997. The 
growth in 1998 was led by increases in income from cash management 
services, and the Great Financial and Bank One branch acquisitions. The 
modest growth in 1997 was a result of increases in cash management 
services, in addition to higher core deposit levels and transaction 
volumes in Ohio. These increases were partially offset by the 
standardization and reduction of deposit products across other Firstar 
markets in 1997, which resulted in declines in certain consumer deposit 
accounts.

Credit card fees declined $4 million or 4.2 percent in 1998, following 
an 8.6 percent increase in 1997. The decline in 1998 is due to a $16 
million decline in merchant revenue as a result of the transfer of 
merchant processing income to the joint venture formed with NOVA 
Information Systems Inc. in the fourth quarter of 1997. Excluding 
merchant processing revenue, credit card income increased 20.2 percent 
in 1998. The increase in 1997 was due to an increase in the credit card 
customer base, in addition to higher levels of interchange income.

ATM income has had substantial growth in the last two years increasing 
$6 million or 28.0 percent in 1998, following a 44.1 percent increase in 
1997. The Corporation continues to add new automated teller machines as 
a result of acquisitions and new installations with bank owned ATMs 
increasing to 867 at December 31, 1998, compared to 535 ATMs at December 
31, 1997. 

All other income increased 5.1 percent to $155 million in 1998, 
following a 25.7 percent increase in 1997. Excluding the one-time gain 
on merchant processing in 1997, other income increased $30 million or 
24.3 percent in 1998. This increase was due to higher income as a result 
of additional investments in corporate owned life insurance programs and 
strong growth in insurance commissions. Commissions from brokerage 
services also showed strong growth in both 1998 and 1997 with increases 
of 18.9 percent and 13.4 percent, respectively. Additional investments 
in corporate owned life insurance programs also contributed to the 
growth in 1997. Table 5 provides a summary of changes in noninterest 
income for the last three years.


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               21
<PAGE>
TABLE 5 -- NONINTEREST INCOME --
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the years ended December 31 (dollars in thousands)
                                                                          % Increase/   % Increase/
                                                                           (decrease)    (decrease)
                                                1998      1997      1996    1998/1997     1997/1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>       <C>       <C>            <C>           <C>
Trust income                                $262,259  $234,195  $196,891        12.0%         18.9%
Mortgage banking                             151,096    70,644    64,811       113.9           9.0 
Retail deposit fees                           92,486    83,579    81,496        10.7           2.6
Cash management income                        84,522    68,831    65,928        22.8           4.4
Credit card income                            84,853    88,615    81,622        (4.2)          8.6
ATM income                                    28,672    22,397    15,547        28.0          44.1
Brokerage revenue                             22,259    18,720    16,515        18.9          13.4
International income                          17,213    15,059    14,031        14.3           7.3
Corporate owned life insurance                15,560     5,786     3,079       168.9          87.9
Insurance commissions                         18,910    14,621    13,786        29.3           6.1
All other income                              81,223    70,691    70,074        14.9           0.9
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             859,053   693,138   623,780        23.9%         11.1%
Gain on sale of merchant processing               --    22,821        --         n/m           n/m
Investment securities gains/(losses)--net      1,095    (3,916)   (2,365)        n/m           n/m
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total noninterest income            $860,148  $712,043  $621,415        20.8%         14.6%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

n/m - not meaningful


Noninterest Expense
Total noninterest expense increased 35.0 percent to $1.52 billion in 
1998, compared to $1.13 billion in 1997 and $1.15 billion in 1996. As a 
result of the merger and the acquisition of Trans Financial, the 
Corporation recorded $243 million in merger-related charges in 1998. In 
1996, the Corporation recorded a $53 million charge in connection with 
Firstar Forward, a corporate-wide restructuring program, and was charged 
a special one-time assessment of $16 million to recapitalize the Savings 
Association Insurance Fund ("SAIF"). 

Excluding merger-related charges, restructuring charges and the SAIF 
special assessment, noninterest expense increased $152 million or 13.5 
percent, following a 4.0 percent increase in 1997. The Corporation's 
noninterest expense ratio improved to 55.2 percent in 1998, compared to 
55.4 percent in 1997 and 56.6 percent in 1996. The increase in 
noninterest expense in 1998 was due primarily to the Great Financial, 
Cargill and Bank One branch acquisitions, in addition to new retail 
facilities, higher incentive levels and additional costs related to Year 
2000 system changes. Although expenses grew significantly due to the 
acquisitions, significant cost savings and efficiencies are expected in 
the future as a result of these acquisitions.

Salary expense increased 13.1 percent in 1998, following a 2.6 percent 
increase in 1997. Pension and other employee benefits were up 6.5 
percent in 1998, following a decline in 1997. Salaries increased in 1998 
due to staff added as a result of the acquisitions, in addition to 
higher staff  levels in retail banking, related to new facilities, and 
expansion in Firstar Finance, Inc. Higher incentive costs based on the 
increase in staff levels and higher profit levels also contributed to 
the increase in salaries. Pension and benefits expense was up as higher 
staff levels increased healthcare and payroll tax costs.

Salaries were up in 1997, despite a reduction in headcount, due to 
increases in temporary staff costs and performance based incentives. The 
decline in FTE head count in 1997 was a result of the Firstar Forward 
restructuring program. Benefit expenses were down slightly in 1997 due 
to lower pension and postretirement benefit costs. 

Equipment expense increased 9.9 percent in 1998, following an 8.5 
percent increase in 1997. Equipment expense was up in 1998 due to higher 
levels of depreciation, maintenance and repair expenses, related to the 
additional offices acquired in the acquisitions of Great Financial and 
Bank One branches. The increase in 1997 was the result of higher 
depreciation expense as the Corporation continues to invest in and 
upgrade personal computers, data processing and other automation 
equipment.

Occupancy expense increased 12.2 percent to $102 million in 1998, 
following a slight decline in 1997. The increase in 1998 was due to 
additional facilities related to the acquisitions previously discussed 
and the end of a deferred building gain amortization of $7 million, 
which reduced expense in previous years. In 1997, increased occupancy 
expenses related to branch acquisitions and new retail facilities were 
offset by the amortization of a deferred gain on the sale of a building. 

Intangible amortization, marketing, supplies and communication expenses 
increased significantly in 1998 as a result of the acquisitions. 
Professional services expense declined 11.9 percent in 1998 as a result 
of a $3 million decline in outside legal expenses.


FIVE YEAR BAR CHART OF EFFICIENCY RATIO*
(in percents)

          1994          1995          1996          1997          1998
         60.66%        59.05%        56.64%        55.44%        55.19%

*Excluding merger-related and non-recurring items.


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   22
<PAGE>
Outside processing services increased 20.5 percent in 1998 as a result 
of higher transaction volumes and additional contract programming costs. 
Processing expenses were up due to additional volumes in the mutual 
funds processing area and the outsourcing of payroll processing to a 
third party provider. The additional contract programmers costs were due 
primarily to Year 2000 system changes.

All other expenses increased 10.3 percent to $306 million in 1998, 
following a 5.4 percent increase in 1997. The increase in 1998 was due 
in part to higher levels of courier, FDIC, mortgage servicing, and state 
taxes, as a result of the acquisitions. Other expenses also included
additional litigation costs in 1998. 

Table 6 provides a summary of changes in noninterest expense for the 
last three years.


TABLE 6 -- NONINTEREST EXPENSE --
For the years ended December 31 (dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      % Increase/  % Increase/
                                                                       (decrease)   (decrease)
                                        1998        1997        1996    1998/1997    1997/1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
<S>                               <C>         <C>         <C>              <C>          <C>
Salaries                          $  540,977  $  478,159  $  466,133        13.1%         2.6%
Pension and other 
  employee benefits                   97,025      91,114      97,089         6.5         (6.2)
Equipment expense                    103,713      94,369      86,952         9.9          8.5
Occupancy expense--net               102,464      91,348      91,460        12.2         (0.1)
Amortization of goodwill
  and other intangible assets         57,121      35,292      30,030        61.9         17.5
Outside services                      70,938      58,871      48,682        20.5         20.9 
Postage and courier                   37,451      34,847      31,620         7.5         10.2
Marketing expense                     32,467      29,527      31,285        10.0         (5.6)
Professional services                 28,283      32,101      32,559       (11.9)        (1.4)
Travel and entertainment              16,791      16,164      13,626         3.9         18.6
Stationery and supplies               27,664      24,884      32,627        11.2        (23.7)
All other noninterest
  expense                            163,328     139,830     121,400        16.8         15.2
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   1,278,222   1,126,506   1,083,463        13.5          4.0
SAIF special assessment                   --          --      15,522         n/m          n/m
Merger and restructuring expenses    242,970          --      53,267         n/m          n/m
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total noninterest expense     $1,521,192  $1,126,506  $1,152,252        35.0%        (2.2)%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

n/m - not meaningful


Income Taxes
The Corporation's effective tax rate declined to 32.6 percent in 1998, 
compared to 33.3 percent in 1997 and 33.4 percent in 1996. 

The implementation of various tax planning strategies contributed to the 
decline in the effective rate for 1998. Additional tax benefits received 
from investments in corporate owned life insurance programs also 
contributed to the decline in the effective tax rate.

Year 2000
The Corporation's Year 2000 ("Y2K") project is directed by a Year 2000 
Project Management Office ("PMO") chaired by the Vice Chairman of 
Consumer Banking. The PMO provides direct oversight of the Y2K 
initiative and meets twice a month to review the project's progress. The 
Corporation's Board of Directors receives project updates at every 
regular meeting. 

The Corporation has completed its assessment of Y2K issues, developed a 
plan, and arranged for the required resources to complete the necessary 
remediation efforts. The Corporation is utilizing both internal and 
external resources to reprogram, or replace, and test the software and 
hardware for Y2K modifications. Currently, the Corporation has 
remediated, tested, and returned to production more than 97 percent of 
its applications. Testing and remediation of all applications is 
expected to be completed by March 31, 1999. The Corporation has 
established a separate test environment to accommodate its Y2K testing 
activity and the anticipated need to test with its customers and other 
third parties during 1999. 

The Corporation relies on several third party service providers for key 
business processes and works closely to monitor their Y2K efforts. The 
Corporation has obtained written and verbal verification from 
significant third party service providers and vendors of their
Y2K readiness with focus on the vendors' readiness and alternatives,
where possible, for vendors that have been identified as critical. 
While the Corporation continues to discuss, obtain written
certification from, and test the systems of critical vendors and third 
party service providers as to Y2K compliance, no assurance exists that 
any impact associated with incompatible systems after December 31, 1999 
will not have a material adverse effect on the Corporation's business, 
financial condition or results of operations.

The Corporation previously established business continuity plans for its 
various lines of business and is assessing these plans for the possible 
impact of Y2K anticipated failures. Existing business continuity plans 
will be adjusted where appropriate for those scenarios that may have the 
most severe impact on its operations. This activity is expected to be 
completed by June 30, 1999.


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               23
<PAGE>
Major risks associated with the Y2K issue as it applies to external 
parties include, but are not limited to, failure of voice and data 
communications systems due to loss of satellites or problems at 
communications companies; ATM shutdowns; non-availability or delays in 
cash couriers/shipments; failure of government systems; and shutdown of 
government facilities or utility companies. Major risks associated with 
internal systems include, but are not limited to, inability to complete 
transactions or properly process customer data; inability to process 
electronic transactions; failure of time locks or security systems and 
inability to meet customer demands for cash.

The costs of the Y2K project are primarily staff related and are 
expensed as incurred. Currently, the Corporation estimates that the 
total cost of the Y2K project will be approximately $32 million. The 
Corporation incurred approximately $18 million in expenses in 1998 and 
$5 million in 1997. 


BALANCE SHEET
Loans
Loans, net of unearned interest, increased $2.65 billion to $25.87 
billion at December 31, 1998, compared to $23.22 billion at December 31, 
1997. The Corporation experienced strong growth in the commercial and 
retail loan areas with increases of 15.0 percent and 9.2 percent, 
respectively in 1998, excluding the effect of the Great Financial 
acquisition. Commercial loan growth was led by commercial leasing which 
increased $667 million or 124 percent due primarily to the acquisition 
of Cargill.   In addition, asset-based lending increased $217 million or 
33.8 percent. Retail loans were up due to a 34.7 percent increase in 
retail leasing, in addition to strong growth in home equity and 
installment lending. Commercial real estate and construction loans were 
up a combined $716 million or 14.0 percent in 1998 with strong growth in 
construction loans.

Table 7 provides a summary of loans by type at year-end for each of the 
past five years. Table 8 provides maturity distribution data for 
selected types of loans. 


TABLE 7 -- LOANS BY TYPE --
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As of December 31 (dollars in thousands)
                                                1998           1997           1996           1995           1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C> 
Commercial                               $ 8,059,594    $ 7,372,246    $ 6,730,943    $ 6,320,863    $ 5,978,250
Commercial leasing                         1,204,549        537,557        416,018        359,511        290,459
Real estate construction and development   1,213,682        965,226        772,567        703,481        557,596
Commercial real estate mortgage            4,611,442      4,144,214      4,085,373      3,876,116      3,788,563
Residential real estate mortgage           3,285,400      3,494,746      4,021,476      3,928,675      3,832,499
Credit card                                1,220,240      1,182,703      1,109,168        961,776        807,412
Retail leasing                             1,365,435      1,013,899        735,425        420,560        287,857
Other retail                               4,907,715      4,505,434      4,184,704      3,871,480      3,713,855
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total loans, net of 
          unearned interest              $25,868,057    $23,216,025    $22,055,674    $20,442,462    $19,256,491
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent of total loans by type
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial                                      31.2%          31.8%          30.5%          30.9%          31.0%
Commericial leasing                              4.7            2.3            1.9            1.8            1.5
Real estate construction and development         4.7            4.2            3.5            3.4            2.9
Commercial real estate mortgage                 17.8           17.9           18.5           19.0           19.7
Residential real estate mortgage                12.7           15.0           18.2           19.2           19.9
Credit card                                      4.7            5.1            5.0            4.7            4.2
Retail leasing                                   5.3            4.4            3.3            2.1            1.5
Other retail                                    18.9           19.3           19.1           18.9           19.3
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total loans, net of 
          unearned interest                    100.0%         100.0%         100.0%         100.0%         100.0%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


TABLE 8 -- SELECTED LOAN MATURITY DISTRIBUTION --
As of December 31, 1998 (dollars in thousands)
                   
                                         Over One        Over
                           One Year  Through Five        Five
                            or Less         Years       Years        Total
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial               $ 3,707,771   $ 4,314,871  $1,241,501 $ 9,264,143
Real estate                2,343,475     1,541,199   5,225,850   9,110,524
Retail                       616,813     5,691,873   1,184,704   7,493,390
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total loans      $ 6,668,059   $11,547,943  $7,652,055 $25,868,057
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Total of these selected loans due after one year with:
  Predetermined interest rates                                 $11,746,512
  Floating interest rates                                        7,453,486
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   24
<PAGE>
Residential mortgage loans declined $209 million or 6.0 percent in 1998, 
following a 13.1 percent decline in 1997. Excluding the effect of the 
Great Financial acquisition, residential mortgages declined 24.5 percent 
in 1998. The decline in the residential mortgage portfolio reflects the 
Corporation's strategy to reduce its level of residential mortgages and 
the related adverse prepayment risk, with the proceeds from sales and 
maturities being used to fund growth in higher yielding commercial and 
retail loans.

Following this strategy, the Corporation sold approximately 80 percent 
of residential mortgage originations on the secondary market in 1998. 
The Corporation sells loans both with servicing retained and serviced 
released. The Corporation expects to sell a larger percentage of loans 
servicing released in 1999. In 1998 the Corporation sold $6.40 billion 
of residential mortgage loans into the secondary market, compared to 
$2.82 billion      in 1997. As of December 31, 1998, the Corporation 
serviced $14.7 billion in mortgage loans for outside investors, compared 
to $7.8 billion at December 31, 1997.

Asset Quality
As of December 31, 1998, the allowance for loan losses was $396 million 
or 1.53 percent of total loans, net of unearned interest. This compares 
to $373 million or 1.61 percent of total loans, net of unearned 
interest, as of December 31, 1997. The provision for loan losses totaled 
$114 million in 1998, $118 million in 1997 and $97 million in 1996. 
Table 9 provides a summary of activity in the allowance for loan loss 
account by type of loan.

As shown in Table 9, net charge-offs increased in 1998 to 0.49 percent 
of average outstanding loans, compared to 0.42 in 1997 and 0.37 in 1996. 
As a result of a change in intent in the management of Trans Financial 
and Firstar problem loans, approximately $18 million of loans were 
charged off in conformity with Star Bank's policy of aggressively 
eliminating problem credits. Excluding the merger-related charge-offs, 
net charge-offs declined slightly in 1998 to 0.41 percent of average 
outstanding loans.

The decrease in net charge-offs as a percent of average loans in 1998 
was the result of slight declines in both commercial and retail loans. 
The increase in net charge-off levels in 1997 was due to a higher level 
of consumer charge-offs. Net charge-offs in the retail area increased 
$19 million in 1997, resulting in an increase of 19 basis points as a 
percentage of average loans. This increase was led by credit cards as 
net charge-offs as a percent of average loans increased 30 basis points 
to 4.22 percent. The increase in credit card net charge-offs was 
consistent with national trends. Partially offsetting the increase in 
retail charge-offs was a decline in commercial charge-off levels, as 
commercial charge-offs as a percentage of average loans declined seven 
basis points to 0.27 percent. 


FIVE YEAR BAR CHART OF NET CHARGE-OFFS TO AVERAGE LOANS
(in percents)

          1994          1995          1996          1997          1998
          0.23%         0.25%         0.37%         0.42%         0.41%*

*Excluding additional merger-related charge-offs.


The Corporation continues to focus on growing consumer loans as a higher 
percentage of the total loan portfolio and, as a result, would expect 
higher charge-off levels. In addition, as demonstrated by the additional 
merger-related charge-offs in 1998, the Corporation continues its 
commitment to maintaining strict credit standards and addressing problem 
credits at an early stage. Tables 10 and 11 provide information related 
to nonperforming assets and loans 90 days or more past due.

Although the Corporation experienced increases in charge-off levels in 
1997 and 1996, nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets as a 
percentage of total loans remained at historically low levels. 
Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans remained flat at 0.48 
percent at December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997, down from 0.59 
percent at December 31, 1996. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of 
total loans and other real estate owned remained at historically low 
levels in 1998, up slightly to 0.53 percent at December 31, 1998, 
compared to 0.52 percent a year earlier. 

Nonaccrual loans increased $14 million at December 31, 1998 to $124 
million following a $19 million decline in 1997. The increase in 
nonperforming loans was led by increases in commercial loans, commercial 
mortgages and construction loans. These increases were due in part to 
the acquisition of Great Financial and were consistent with additional 
loan volumes in these areas. The decrease in nonperforming loans for 
1997 was led by declines in the commercial loan and commercial leasing 
areas. Despite the increase in charge-off levels in 1997, nonaccrual 
retail loans declined slightly in 1997. The Corporation's credit 
exposure to foreign countries is not significant. Due to the uncertainty 
of economic conditions, it is difficult to project future levels of
nonperforming loans.

Other real estate owned, which is carried at the lower of cost or fair 
value less estimated selling costs, represents real estate of which the 
Corporation has taken ownership in partial or total satisfaction of 
loans, in addition to closed banking offices. Other real estate owned
was $12 million at December 31, 1998, a $2 million increase from
$10 million at December 31, 1997. This slight increase was primarily
due to the acquisition of Great Financial. Other real estate owned
has remained relatively flat in the $10 to $12 million range since
1996, down from historical levels.


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               25
<PAGE>
TABLE 9 -- SUMMARY OF LOAN LOSS EXPERIENCE --
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As of December 31 (dollars in thousands)          1998           1997           1996           1995           1994
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C> 
Average loans--net of unearned interest    $25,027,756    $22,569,767    $21,291,977    $19,981,634    $17,884,906
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allowance for loan losses:
  Balance--beginning of year               $   372,933    $   349,892    $   317,971    $   299,060    $   285,375
  Acquired bank reserves                        30,788             --         13,966            865          4,714
    Charge-offs:
      Commercial                               (55,864)       (32,268)       (37,984)       (25,504)       (33,858)
      Commercial real estate                    (7,133)        (3,643)        (5,405)        (9,408)        (3,959)
      Residential real estate                   (3,099)        (2,314)        (3,715)        (1,957)        (1,642)
      Credit card                              (59,643)       (55,487)       (45,439)       (24,208)       (19,253)
      Other retail                             (45,099)       (39,249)       (26,785)       (22,559)       (16,377)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total charge-offs                     (170,838)      (132,961)      (119,328)       (83,636)       (75,089)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Recoveries:
      Commercial                                20,055         11,024         14,280         13,424         12,356
      Commercial real estate                     2,907          3,185          3,859          2,872          4,233
      Residential real estate                      265            435          2,065            486            837
      Credit card                                9,391          9,194          6,928          6,642          5,559
      Other retail                              16,819         14,392         12,817         11,141         10,600
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total recoveries                        49,437         38,230         39,949         34,565         33,585
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Net charge-offs                     (121,401)       (94,731)       (79,379)       (49,071)       (41,504)
    Provision charged to earnings              113,636        117,772         97,334         67,117         50,475
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Balance--end of year                      $  395,956     $  372,933     $  349,892     $  317,971     $  299,060
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans:
   Commercial                                     0.40%          0.27%          0.34%          0.19%          0.37%
   Commercial real estate                         0.08           0.01           0.03           0.15          (0.01)
   Residential real estate                        0.08           0.05           0.04           0.04           0.02
   Credit card                                    4.36           4.22           3.92           2.13           1.94
   Other retail                                   0.48           0.48           0.31           0.28           0.16
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total loans                                  0.49           0.42           0.37           0.25           0.23
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of allowance for loan
  losses to end of year loans                     1.53%          1.61%          1.59%          1.56%          1.55%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


Loans past due 90 days or more increased slightly to $75 million at 
December 31, 1998 compared to $74 million at December 31, 1997. The 
increase in 1998 was primarily in the residential mortgage area, as a 
result of the Great Financial acquisition, offset by declines in 
commercial loans and commercial real estate. Management is not aware of 
any material amounts of loans outstanding, not disclosed in Tables 10 
and 11, where there is significant uncertainty as to the ability of the 
borrower to comply with present payment terms. In addition, as of 
December 31, 1998, there were no significant other interest-earning 
assets classified as nonperforming or past due 90 days or more. 

Certain accruing FHA/VA loans, in addition to insured FHA and guaranteed 
VA loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more, are purchased 
by the Corporation from GNMA pools it services or from third parties. By 
purchasing delinquent loans out of pools, the Corporation is able to 
retain the benefit of the net interest rate differential between the 
coupon rate the Corporation (as servicer) would otherwise be obligated 
to pay the GNMA security holder and the Corporation's cost of funds. 
Most of the Corporation's investment in delinquent FHA and VA loans is 
recoverable through claims made against FHA and VA. Any credit losses 
incurred are no greater than if the FHA/VA loans remained in the GNMA 
pools and the Corporation remained as servicer. The same risk from 
foreclosure or loss of interest exists for the Corporation as servicer 
or owner of the loan. At December 31, 1998, total loans included $130 
million of these FHA/VA buyout loans.

Responsibility for the establishment of credit risk policies lies with 
the Credit Policy Management Group. Composed of members of senior 
management, this group approves these policies and reviews the results 
once they have been implemented. To ensure that credit risk is 
maintained at an appropriate level, the credit risk policies address 
underwriting standards, internal lending limits and provide for 
diversification and monitoring of credit within the portfolio on a 
consolidated basis. In monitoring the level of credit risk within the 
loan portfolio, the Corporation utilizes a variety of risk management 
techniques. As part of these techniques, risk ratings are individually 
assigned to each commercial and commercial real estate loan within the 
portfolio and reported to management on a monthly basis. Risk ratings 
are independently reviewed for propriety by the Corporation's loan 
review department. The system provides for the proper measurement of the 
level of risk within the portfolio and facilitates appropriate 
management and control.

The specific valuation allowance recorded on impaired loans, as 
prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 114 (as 
amended by 


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   26
<PAGE>
SFAS No. 118), is included in the total allowance for loan losses. In 
addition to the valuation for impaired loans, the adequacy of the total 
allowance for loan losses is monitored on a continual basis and is based 
on management's evaluation of several key factors, including: the 
quality of the current loan portfolio, current economic conditions, 
concentrations in loan types, geographic areas and industries, 
evaluation of significant problem loans, an analysis of periodic loan 
reviews, historical charge-off and recovery experience and other 
pertinent information. These factors are taken in conjunction with a 
mathematical analysis of the wholesale and retail portfolios to 
determine identifiable losses. It is these identifiable losses for which 
reserves are specifically allocated. These estimates are reviewed 
continually and, as adjustments become necessary, they are reported in 
earnings in the periods in which they become known. For 1999, management 
expects net charge-offs of approximately 0.50 to 0.60 percent of  
average loans. The estimated net charge-offs for the various loan 
portfolios are as follows: commercial loans and leasing $44 million, 
commercial real estate and construction $4 million, residential 
mortgages $3 million, credit card loans $55 million and other retail 
loans $34 million.


FIVE YEAR BAR CHART OF ALLOWANCE AS A % OF NONPERFORMING LOANS
(in percents)

          1994         1995          1996          1997          1998
           275          226           269           334           318


Management believes that the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 
1998 was adequate to absorb all anticipated losses in the loan portfolio 
as of that date. The allowance for loan losses is based on estimates and 
ultimate losses may vary from current estimates.

The recorded investment in impaired loans at December 31, 1998 was $98 
million, an increase of $16 million from December 31, 1997. The related 
valuation allowance (as calculated under SFAS No. 114) on impaired loans 
at December 31, 1998 was $9 million.
 

TABLE 10 - NONPERFORMING ASSETS --
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As of December 31 (dollars in thousands)      1998      1997      1996      1995      1994
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C> 
Loans on nonaccrual status:
  Commercial                              $ 60,567  $ 56,510  $ 66,802  $ 59,646  $ 52,936
  Commercial mortgage                       36,728    26,760    34,059    53,355    38,647
  Residential mortgage                      20,717    22,743    21,520    23,146    10,793
  Retail                                     6,463     4,600     6,789     2,821     5,523
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total nonaccrual loans             124,475   110,613   129,170   138,968   107,899
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans which have been renegotiated:            
  Commercial                                     6        11        84       141       362
  Commercial mortgage                           42       263     1,028     1,336       674
  Residential mortgage                          --       678        --        --        --
  Retail                                        --         9        --        --        --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total renegotiated loans                48       961     1,112     1,477     1,036
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total nonperforming loans          124,523   111,574   130,282   140,445   108,935
Other real estate owned                     11,852    10,048    12,641    15,153    21,272
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total nonperforming assets        $136,375  $121,622  $142,923  $155,598  $130,207
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans past due 90 days or more:
  Commercial                              $ 14,137  $ 22,522  $ 26,491  $ 22,682  $  9,876
  Commercial mortgage                       11,802    17,295    29,796     9,331     7,665
  Residential mortgage                      16,473     5,141     8,599    11,864     5,044
  Retail                                    32,682    29,237    27,544    17,900    16,094
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total loans past due 90 days     
          or more                         $ 75,094  $ 74,195  $ 92,430  $ 61,777  $ 38,679
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percentage of nonperforming loans
  to loans                                    0.48%     0.48%     0.59%     0.69%     0.57%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percentage of nonperforming assets
  to loans and other real estate owned        0.53      0.52      0.65      0.76      0.68
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percentage of allowance for loan
  losses to nonperforming loans                318       334       269       226       275
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               27
<PAGE>
TABLE 11 - COMPOSITION OF NONPERFORMING LOANS --
(dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                December 31, 1998                                     December 31, 1997
                     ----------------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------------------
                               Nonperforming Loans                                   Nonperforming Loans
                     ------------------------------------------            ------------------------------------------
                                                                  90 Days                                               90 Days
                                                                       or                                                    or
                        Non-                         Percentage      More     Non-                         Percentage      More
                     accrual  Restructured    Total    of Loans  Past Due  accrual  Restructured    Total    of Loans  Past Due
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>               <C>  <C>           <C>    <C>       <C>              <C>   <C>           <C>    <C> 
Commercial loans:
  Corporate          $ 54,151          $ 6  $ 54,157      0.67%  $ 14,137  $ 55,431         $ 11  $ 55,442      0.76%  $ 22,432
  Commercial
    leasing             6,416           --     6,416      0.53         --     1,079           --     1,079      0.15         90
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total
        commercial
        loans          60,567            6    60,573      0.65     14,137    56,510           11    56,521      0.71     22,522
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Real estate loans:
  Residential          20,717           --    20,717      0.63     16,473    22,743          678    23,000      0.67      5,141
  Commercial
    mortgage           28,962           42    28,004      0.75      8,823    24,097          263    24,781      0.61     14,908
  Construction/
    land
    development         7,766           --     7,766      0.17      2,979     2,663           --     2,663      0.16      2,387
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total real
        estate loans   57,445           42    57,487      0.63     28,275    49,503          941    50,444      0.59     22,436
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retail loans:
  Other retail          3,344           --     3,344      0.07     13,604     1,998            9     2,007      0.04     12,769
  Credit cards          2,629           --     2,629      0.22     17,608     2,092           --     2,092      0.18     15,603
  Retail leasing          490           --       490      0.04      1,470       510           --       510      0.05        865
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total retail
        loans           6,463           --     6,463      0.09     32,682     4,600            9     4,609      0.07     29,237
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total loans    $124,475          $48  $124,523      0.48%   $75,094  $110,613         $961  $111,574      0.48%   $74,195
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


Investment Securities
The Corporation's investment portfolio increased $756 million to $6.36 
billion at December 31, 1998, compared to  $5.60 billion a year earlier. 
This increase was due to the Great Financial acquisition and securities 
purchased with the cash received from the Bank One branch acquisition. 
In addition the Corporation securitized $615 million in residential 
mortgages which were transferred to investment securities in 1998. These 
increases were partially offset by scheduled maturities and paydowns of 
mortgage-backed securities.

In 1998, the Corporation purchased $1.43 billion in securities, $784 
million of which was purchased with the cash received from the Bank One 
branch acquisition. The acquisition of Great Financial and the mortgage 
swaps increased the investment portfolio $1.73 billion. The securities 
added as a result of Great Financial and the mortgage swaps were all 
classified as available-for-sale. As a result of the merger of Star Banc 
Corporation and Firstar, Firstar's $2.29 billion held-to-maturity 
portfolio was transferred to available-for-sale securities. This 
transfer was done to conform the Firstar investment portfolio to the 
combined company's interest rate risk and investment policies. The 
Corporation sold $540 million in securities in 1998. All securities 
sales were from the available-for-sale portfolio. 


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   28
<PAGE>
It is anticipated the investment portfolio will decline in 1999 as the 
funds received from maturities will be used to help fund expected loan 
growth. However, if purchases of securities are made, the Corporation is 
expected to invest in similar types of securities as have been held in 
the portfolio. Credit risk has been minimized by restricting purchases 
of mortgaged-backed securities to U.S. Agency backed or AAA rated 
securities. To reduce interest rate risks associated with these 
securities, purchases are restricted to securities with relatively
short maturities and/or durations. 

The investment portfolio is primarily made up of GNMA adjustable rate 
mortgages, FNMA and FHLMC pass-through securities (primarily balloons 
and 15 year fixed rates), CMOs, U.S. Treasuries and "bank qualified" 
municipal securities. The CMOs consist of planned amortization classes 
("PACs") and sequential pay bonds that are in the first or second 
classes. Table 12 provides information as to the composition of the 
Corporation's investment securities portfolio as of December 31, 1998.

As of December 31, 1998, the Corporation's investment securities 
portfolio included $6.22 billion in securities classified as 
available-for-sale and $135 million classified as held-to-maturity. As 
of December 31, 1998, the Corporation reported a net unrealized gain of 
$156 million on investment securities, resulting in an increase to 
shareholders' equity of $100 million (net of tax). In 1998, the 
unrealized net gain reported as a separate component of equity increased 
from $33 million to $100 million, increasing equity $67 million. This 
change was primarily the result of the reclassification of Firstar's 
held-to-maturity securities to available-for-sale and the recording of a 
net unrealized gain for those securities.


TABLE 12 - INVESTMENT SECURITIES --
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Available-for-Sale                           Held-to-Maturity
                                     ------------------------------------------    -----------------------------------------
                                                              Average  Weighted                            Average  Weighted
As of December 31, 1998              Amortized     Market    Maturity   Average    Amortized    Market    Maturity   Average
(dollars in thousands)                    Cost      Value      -Years     Yield         Cost     Value      -Years     Yield
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>         <C>              <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>            <C>     <C>   
U.S. Treasury and agencies:
  Within one year                  $  321,378  $  328,407       0.48      6.25%    $     --   $     --         --        --%
  One through five years              907,109     951,933       2.57      6.97           --         --         --        --
  Five through ten years               28,995      30,041       3.10      6.85           --         --         --        --
  Over ten years                        6,286       6,451       2.85      6.94           --         --         --        --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total                         1,263,768   1,316,832       2.05      6.79           --         --         --        --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mortgage-backed securities:
  Within one year                      21,240      22,176       0.25      8.85       15,489     15,377       0.50      6.77
  One through five years              103,540     106,940       1.38      8.01       46,466     46,130       2.96      6.67
  Five through ten years              371,932     389,590       3.03      7.63           --         --         --        --
  Over ten years                    2,545,299   2,587,819       4.45      6.89           --         --         --        --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total                         3,042,011   3,106,525       4.14      7.33       61,955     61,507       2.34      6.70
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Obligations of states and
  political subdivisions:
    Within one year                   173,569     176,898       0.41      6.65       16,552     16,618       0.52      7.09
    One through five years            744,521     760,032       2.69      6.95       10,457     10,846       2.97      8.40
    Five through ten years            509,022     525,648       6.55      7.10       13,364     14,517       7.07      9.66
    Over ten years                     40,529      44,454       8.05     11.51       33,079     33,799      16.43      8.92
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total                         1,467,641   1,507,032       3.91      7.09       73,452     75,780       9.23      8.57 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other debt securities:
  Within one year                       1,005       1,044       0.50      6.92           --         --         --        --
  One through five years                4,102       4,121       2.81      7.03           --         --         --        --
  Five through ten years                3,069       2,981       6.75      6.84           --         --         --        --
  Over ten years                           --          --         --        --           --         --         --        --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total                             8,176       8,146       3.63      6.94           --         --         --        --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Reserve Bank stock
  and other equity securities         234,708     234,875         --        --           --         --         --        --
Money Market Funds                     47,492      47,492         --        --           --         --         --        --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total investment securities  $6,063,796  $6,220,902         --        --     $135,407   $137,287         --        --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Note: Information related to mortgage-backed securities included above is
presented based upon weighted average maturities anticipating future
prepayments. Average yields are presented on a fully-taxable equivalent
basis. Yields on available-for-sale securities are computed based on 
historical cost balances.


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               29
<PAGE>
Deposits
Total deposits increased $4.36 billion to $28.85 billion at December 31, 
1998, compared to $24.49 billion a year earlier. The increase in 1998 
was the result of a $1.09 billion increase in noninterest-bearing 
deposits and a $3.28 billion increase in interest-bearing deposits.
The acquisitions of Great Financial and Bank One branches added 
$3.08 billion in deposits including $376 million in noninterest-
bearing deposits, $996 million in savings, NOW and money market 
accounts and $1.71 billion in certificates of deposit. Excluding 
these acquisitions, nonininterest-bearing deposits increased $712 
million or 12.8 percent, led by strong growth in nonpersonal deposits. 
Interest-bearing deposits increased $573 million or 3.0 percent, as NOW 
and MMDA deposits increased 10.2 percent and 28.5 percent, respectively, 
partially offset by declines in savings accounts and certificates of 
deposit (CDs). With the increase in core deposits in 1998, the 
Corporation reduced its level of national market funding with a $289 
million decline in CDs $100,000 and over. 

The declining rate environment over the last several years (particularly 
for bank core deposits) has prompted many customers to increase their 
liquidity by increasing funds in immediately accessible deposit vehicles 
and reducing the amount in longer term instruments such as certificates 
of deposit. As short-term market rates and savings rates remained low 
in 1998, customers continued to transfer their funds out of certificates
of deposit and savings accounts into tiered rate money market accounts. 
The Corporation has also noted a continued shift by customers out of 
traditional bank products to other nonbank or nondeposit financial 
instruments or investments. 

Table 13 provides a summary of total deposits by type at year-end for 
each of the last five years. Table 14 provides maturity distribution for 
domestic time deposits $100,000 and over.


TABLE 13 - DEPOSITS BY TYPE --
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As of December 31 (dollars in thousands)             1998           1997           1996           1995           1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>  
Noninterest-bearing deposits                  $ 6,649,199    $ 5,561,341    $ 5,683,407    $ 5,040,075    $ 4,520,239
Interest-bearing deposits:
  Savings                                       2,272,495      2,228,974      2,543,654      2,734,161      3,000,129
  NOW accounts                                  3,848,752      3,221,349      2,886,959      2,888,617      2,965,530
  Money market deposit accounts                 5,959,710      4,243,790      3,880,328      3,277,297      2,792,731
  Time deposits $100,000 and over - domestic    1,614,748      1,676,693      1,783,535      1,783,055      1,366,618
  Foreign deposits $100,000 and over              343,574        185,682        207,642        166,352        356,550
  All other time deposits                       8,162,287      7,368,238      7,684,150      7,560,570      7,106,742
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total deposits                            $28,850,765    $24,486,067    $24,669,675    $23,450,127    $22,108,539
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent of total deposits by type
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest-bearing deposits                         23.0%          22.7%          23.0%          21.5%          20.5%
Interest-bearing deposits:
  Savings                                             7.9            9.1           10.3           11.7           13.6
  NOW accounts                                       13.3           13.2           11.7           12.3           13.4
  Money market deposit accounts                      20.7           17.3           15.7           14.0           12.6
  Time deposits $100,000 and over - domestic          5.6            6.8            7.2            7.6            6.2
  Foreign deposits $100,000 and over                  1.2            0.8            0.9            0.7            1.6
  All other time deposits                            28.3           30.1           31.2           32.2           32.1
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total deposits                                  100.0%         100.0%         100.0%         100.0%         100.0%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   30
<PAGE>
TABLE 14 - MATURITY OF DOMESTIC TIME DEPOSITS $100,000 AND OVER --
As of December 31, 1998 (dollars in thousands)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months or less                          $  659,740
Over three months through six months             339,880
Over six months through twelve months            382,748
Over twelve months                               232,380
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total                                     $1,614,748
- -------------------------------------------------------------------

Liquidity
The Asset/Liability Policy Committee ("ALPC") establishes policies, as 
well as analyzes and manages the Corporation's liquidity to ensure that 
adequate funds are always available to meet normal operating 
requirements in addition to unexpected customer demands for funds, 
such as high levels of deposit withdrawals or loan demand. The most 
important factor in the preservation of liquidity is the maintenance 
of public confidence which facilitates the retention and growth of 
a large, stable supply of core deposits and funds. Ultimately, 
public confidence is generated through profitable operations and a 
strong capital position. The Corporation's strong record in both of 
these areas has enabled it to succeed in developing a large and reliable 
base of core funding from within its market areas.

The ALPC's liquidity policies limit the amount the Corporation's 
subsidiary banks can borrow, subject to the Corporation's ability to 
borrow funds in the capital markets in an efficient and cost effective 
manner. In addition, the Corporation's strategic liquidity and 
contingent planning are subject to the amount of asset liquidity present 
in the balance sheet. The ALPC periodically reviews the Corporation's 
ability to meet funding deficiencies due to adverse business events. 
These funding needs are then matched up with specific asset-based 
sources to ensure sufficient funds are available. Also, strategic 
liquidity policy requires the Corporation to diversify its national 
market funding sources to avoid concentration in any one market. As of 
December 31, 1998, the Corporation was 94.0 percent core funded from 
customers within its market area.

The Corporation's subsidiary banks are members of the Federal Home Loan 
Bank and maintain Grand Cayman offices for issuing eurodollar 
certificates of deposit. At December 31, 1998, there was $344 million in 
eurodollar deposits outstanding. Star Bank, N.A. and Firstar Bank, 
Milwaukee also have established relationships with dealers to 
issue national market retail certificates of deposit. At December 31, 
1998, there were no deposits outstanding in this program. In 1996, 
Star Bank, N.A. updated an offering circular in order to issue 
senior or subordinated bank notes of up to $500 million, to be available 
as an alternative funding source. In December 1997, Star Bank, N.A. 
issued $100 million in subordinated notes, and Firstar Bank Milwaukee, 
N.A. issued $250 million of five-year senior bank notes. In addition to 
these funding alternatives, the Corporation's subsidiary banks have 
maintained a presence in the national fed funds, repurchase agreements 
and certificate of deposit markets. The following debt ratings assist 
the Corporation and its subsidiary banks in their abilities to gather 
funds from the capital markets.


TABLE 15 -- Debt Ratings --
As of December 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Standard                 Thompson
                          & Poor's     Moody's   Bank Watch    Fitch
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Holding company               
   Senior debt                  A-          A2           A+        A
   Subordinated debt         BBB+3          A3           --       A-
   Commercial paper            A-2         P-1        TBW-1      F-1
Bank                 
   Senior debt                   A          A1          AA-       A+
   Subordinated debt            A-          A2           A+        A
   Short term CDs              A-1         P-1        TBW-1      F-1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
  
The parent company obtains cash to meet its obligations from dividends 
collected from its subsidiaries. Federal banking laws regulate the 
amount of dividends that may be declared by banking subsidiaries. During 
1998, the Corporation's subsidiary banks could have provided an 
additional $343 million in dividends to the parent company, without 
additional regulatory approval, and still exceeded minimum regulatory 
capital ratios. 


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               31
<PAGE>
The Corporation issues commercial paper notes through a private 
placement memorandum up to an aggregate amount of $200 million, with 
maturities of up to 270 days. The Corporation also issues medium term 
notes through a universal shelf registration statement up to an 
aggregate amount of $250 million, with maturities of 12 to 60 months. 
The proceeds from the commercial paper and medium term notes programs 
are used to provide funding to Star Banc Finance, Inc. and other 
nonbanking subsidiaries, and for general corporate purposes. At December 
31, 1998, there was $131 million in commercial paper and $249 million in 
medium term notes outstanding. 

In the first quarter of 1999, the Corporation is expected to prepare a 
new universal shelf registration statement for the issuance of various 
debt instruments such as, unsecured senior or subordinated debt 
securities, warrants to purchase debt securities, shares of common 
stock, preferred stock, or depository shares. This shelf registration 
will provide the parent company with an additional source of funding for 
future investments in subsidiaries, acquisitions, repayment of maturing 
obligations and other general corporate purposes. The parent company can 
also obtain funding on a short-term basis through the issuance of 
short-term notes. 

The Corporation's consolidated long-term debt decreased $36 million to 
$1.71 billion at December 31, 1998. This decrease was the result of 
payoffs and maturities of Federal Home Loan Bank and subordinated notes, 
partially offset by the issuance of medium term notes by the parent 
company. 

In December 1996 and again in June 1997, the Corporation issued $150 
million of Corporation-obligated mandatorily redeemable Capital 
Securities. The $299 million outstanding at December 31, 1998 qualifies 
as tier 1 capital for regulatory capital purposes. The proceeds from the 
sale of these securities were used for general corporate purposes.

Capital Resources
The Corporation's total shareholders' equity increased $780 million or 
28.4 percent to $3.53 billion at December 31, 1998, compared to $2.75 
billion at December 31, 1997. This increase was the result of the $458 
million in equity added for the Great Financial acquisition, in 
addition to the retention of earnings. Unrealized gains on 
available-for-sale securities also increased equity $67 million 
in 1998.

The Corporation increased its annual dividend rate per common share 23.8 
percent from $0.80 in 1997 to $0.99 in 1998. Excluding merger-related 
charges and other nonrecurring items, the dividend payout ratio for 1998 
increased to 44.9 percent, following payout ratios of 39.1 percent in 
1997 and 37.5 percent in 1996. 


FIVE YEAR BAR CHART OF COMMON DECLARED DIVIDENDS*             
(in percents)

          1994         1995          1996          1997          1998
          0.47         0.53          0.63          0.80          0.99

*Based on historical Star Banc amounts.


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   32
<PAGE>
Stock buyback programs which were in place at both Star Banc and the old 
Firstar were rescinded in 1998 in connection with the acquisition of 
Trans Financial and the merger of Star and Firstar. Repurchased shares 
had been held as treasury shares primarily for reissue in connection 
with the employee stock option plans and preferred stock conversions. 
The Corporation had repurchased 664,000 shares in 1998 prior to the 
programs being rescinded.

Banking industry regulators define minimum capital requirements for 
banks and bank holding companies. The Corporation's tier 1 and total 
risk-based capital ratios as of December 31, 1998 amounted to 8.92 
percent and 11.01 percent, respectively, well above the minimum 
requirements of 4.00 percent for tier 1 and 8.00 percent 
for total risk-based capital. This compares to tier 1 and total 
risk-based capital ratios of 9.60 percent and 12.03 percent at December 
31, 1997. Regulatory authorities have also established a minimum 
"leverage" ratio of 3.00 percent, which is defined as tier 1 equity to 
average quarterly assets. At December 31, 1998, the Corporation's 
leverage ratio was 7.52 percent, compared to 8.23 percent a year 
earlier. The decline in the tier 1 and total risk-based capital ratios 
in 1998 was due primarily to the intangible assets added as the result 
of the Great Financial, Cargill and Bank One branch acquisitions. 

The Corporation's subsidiary banks all maintain risk-based capital and 
leverage ratios within the "well capitalized" category as defined by 
the FDIC. The "well capitalized" category requires tier 1 and total 
risk-based capital ratios of at least 6.00 percent and 10.00 percent, 
respectively, and a minimum leverage ratio of 5.00 percent. 

Table 16 provides a summary of the components of tier 1 and total 
risk-based capital, the amounts of risk-weighted assets and capital 
ratios as defined by the regulatory agencies as of December 31, 1998 and 
1997.


TABLE 16 - REGULATORY CAPITAL RATIOS --
As of December 31 (dollars in thousands)               1998           1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tier 1 capital:
  Common shareholders' equity                   $ 3,529,913    $ 2,749,891
  Trust preferred securities                        298,629        298,581
  Less:  Unrealized gains          
           on securities                             99,847         32,848
         Goodwill and other adjustments             914,309        402,083
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total tier 1 capital                          2,814,386      2,613,541
Tier 2 capital components:
  Qualifying long-term debt                         274,083        320,417
  Allowance for loan losses                         383,359        340,755
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total risk-based capital                        $ 3,471,828    $ 3,274,713
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risk-Weighted Assets:
  Risk-weighted assets on-balance-sheet         $26,401,134    $23,190,842
  Risk-weighted assets off-balance-sheet          5,135,282      4,037,399   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net risk-weighted assets                    $31,536,416    $27,228,241
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fourth quarter average assets, 
  net of adjustments                            $37,411,036    $31,748,568
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risk-based capital ratios:
  Tier 1                                               8.92%          9.60%
  Total                                               11.01          12.03
Tier 1 leverage ratio                                  7.52           8.23
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------


Forward-looking information
With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed or 
incorporated by reference in this Annual Report may contain certain 
forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties 
including, but not limited to, economic conditions, product demand 
and industry capability, competitive products and pricing, new 
product development, the regulatory and trade environment and 
other risks indicated in filings with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission.


FIVE YEAR LINE CHART OF COMMON STOCK PRICE & BOOK VALUE
(in dollars)

                              1994     1995     1996     1997     1998
          High               $14.92   $20.75   $31.38   $58.00   $93.94
          Low                 11.17    12.08    18.71    29.70    53.13
          Book Value          10.73    11.66    12.68    13.34    16.14


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               33
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of December 31 (dollars in thousands)              1998          1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets:
Cash and due from banks                        $ 2,349,532   $ 1,902,542
Money market investments                            75,524       326,378
Trading securities                                   2,754         2,293
Investment securities:
 Available-for-sale                              6,220,902     2,993,323
 Held-to-maturity                                  135,407     2,606,673
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total securities                            6,356,309     5,599,996
Loans held for sale                              1,539,892       453,332
Loans:
 Commercial loans                                9,264,143     7,909,803
 Real estate loans                               9,110,524     8,604,186
 Retail loans                                    7,493,390     6,702,036
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total loans, net of unearned interest      25,868,057    23,216,025
           Allowance for loan losses              (395,956)     (372,933)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net loans                                  25,472,101    22,843,092
Premises and equipment                             629,464       544,285
Acceptances--customers' liability                   29,916        24,124
Other assets                                     2,020,347     1,164,400
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total assets                              $38,475,839   $32,860,442
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities:
Deposits:
 Noninterest-bearing deposits                  $ 6,649,199   $ 5,561,341
 Interest-bearing deposits                      22,201,566    18,924,726
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total deposits                             28,850,765    24,486,067
Short-term borrowings                            3,643,308     3,414,330
Long-term debt                                   1,708,869     1,744,767
Acceptances outstanding                             29,916        24,124
Other liabilities                                  713,068       441,263
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total liabilities                          34,945,926    30,110,551
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' Equity:
Preferred stock                                         --         5,308
Common stock:
 Issued - 219,430,580 in 1998   
        - 210,919,576 in 1997                        2,194         2,109
Surplus                                          1,176,537       783,209
Retained earnings                                2,267,263     2,095,443
Employee stock ownership plan                           --        (1,846)
Treasury stock, at cost:
 Held - 683,486 in 1998
      - 5,229,270 in 1997                          (15,928)     (167,180)
Accumulated other comprehensive income              99,847        32,848
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total shareholders' equity                  3,529,913     2,749,891
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total liabilities and 
      shareholders' equity                     $38,475,839   $32,860,442
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.



FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   34 
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

For the years ended December 31 (amounts in thousands except per share data)

                                               1998        1997        1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest Income:
Interest and fees on loans               $2,152,359  $1,982,684  $1,869,407   
Interest and fees on loans held for sale     70,808      20,878      20,454
Interest on investment securities:
  Taxable                                   340,080     298,134     318,320
  Non-taxable                                72,132      64,090      60,088
Interest on money market investments          6,036      11,182       7,062
Interest on trading securities                   73         131         344
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total interest income                2,641,488   2,377,099   2,275,675
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest Expense:
Interest on deposits                        911,958     804,406     788,023
Interest on short-term borrowings           207,650     183,642     171,694
Interest on long-term debt                  109,101      86,884      63,687
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total interest expense               1,228,709   1,074,932   1,023,404
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net interest income                  1,412,779   1,302,167   1,252,271
Provision for loan losses                   113,636     117,772      97,334
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net interest income after 
       provision for loan losses          1,299,143   1,184,395   1,154,937
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest Income:
Trust income                                262,259     234,195     196,891
Mortgage banking income                     151,096      70,644      64,811
Retail deposit fees                          92,486      83,579      81,496
Cash management income                       84,522      68,831      65,928
Credit card income                           84,853      88,615      81,622
ATM income                                   28,672      22,397      15,547
Investment securities gains/(losses)-net      1,095      (3,916)     (2,365)
All other income                            155,165     147,698     117,485
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total noninterest income               860,148     712,043     621,415
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest Expense:
Salaries                                    540,977     478,159     466,133
Pension and other employee benefits          97,025      91,114      97,089
Equipment expense                           103,713      94,369      86,952
Occupancy expense-net                       102,464      91,348      91,460
All other expense                           434,043     371,516     341,829
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1,278,222   1,126,506   1,083,463
SAIF special assessment                          --          --      15,522
Merger and restructuring expenses           242,970          --      53,267
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total noninterest expense            1,521,192   1,126,506   1,152,252
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income tax                    638,099     769,932     624,100
Income tax                                  207,952     256,038     208,682
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net income                          $  430,147  $  513,894  $  415,418
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Share:
Basic earnings per common share          $     1.99  $     2.48  $     1.96
Diluted earnings per common share              1.95        2.43        1.93
Dividends declared on common stock             0.99        0.80        0.63
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average common shares              216,510     206,761     211,286
Weighted average diluted common shares      221,018     211,383     214,880
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               35 
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            Employee
                                                                                                               Stock
                                                                                            Accumulated    Ownership
                                                                                                  Other  Plan Shares
                                   Preferred   Common                Retained   Treasury  Comprehensive    Purchased       Total
(dollars in thousands)                 Stock    Stock     Surplus    Earnings      Stock         Income    With Debt      Equity
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>      <C>      <C>         <C>        <C>            <C>           <C>        <C>
Balance, January 1, 1996             $15,625  $ 2,153  $  833,564  $1,664,409  $ (77,639)    $ 39,681      $ (3,029)  $2,474,764
Net income                                --       --          --     415,418         --           --            --      415,418
Unrealized loss on securities
  available for sale                      --       --          --          --         --      (23,003)           --      (23,003)
Reclassification adjustment for
  losses realized in net income           --       --          --          --         --        2,365            --        2,365
Income taxes                              --       --          --          --         --        7,182            --        7,182
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income                                                                                                     401,962
Cash dividends declared on
  common stock                            --       --          --    (172,436)        --           --            --     (172,436)
Cash dividends declared on
  preferred Stock                         --       --          --        (872)        --           --            --         (872)
Conversion of Preferred
  stock into common stock             (4,281)      --      (1,726)         --      6,007           --            --           --
Issuance of common stock
  and treasury shares                     --       --      (2,491)         --    257,400           --            --      254,909
Purchase of treasury stock                --       --          --          --   (270,578)          --            --     (270,578)
Shares reserved to meet deferred
  compensation obligations                --       --       1,903          --       (279)          --            --        1,624
Amortization of restricted
  Stock                                   --       --         795          --       (311)          --            --          484
ESOP debt reduction, net                  --       --          --          --         --           --           578          578
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996            11,344    2,153     832,045   1,906,519    (85,400)      26,225        (2,451)   2,690,435
Net income                                --       --          --     513,894         --           --            --      513,894
Unrealized gain on securities
  available for sale                      --       --          --          --         --        8,412            --        8,412
Reclassification adjustment for
  gains realized in net income            --       --          --          --         --        3,916            --        3,916
Income taxes                              --       --          --          --         --       (5,705)           --       (5,705)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income                                                                                                     520,517
Cash dividends declared on
  common stock                            --       --          --    (195,497)        --           --            --     (195,497)
Cash dividends declared on
  preferred Stock                         --       --          --        (483)        --           --            --         (483)
Conversion of Preferred
  stock into common stock             (6,036)      --        (518)     (3,780)    10,334           --            --           --
Issuance of common stock
  and treasury shares                     --        1       1,210      (2,601)    48,533           --            --       47,143
Purchase of treasury stock                --       --          --          --   (139,724)          --            --     (139,724)
Purchase and retirement of
  common stock                            --      (45)    (52,828)   (122,609)        --           --            --     (175,482)
Shares reserved to meet deferred
  compensation obligations                --       --       2,868          --       (923)          --            --        1,945
Amortization of restricted
  stock                                   --       --         432          --         --           --            --          432
ESOP debt reduction, net                  --       --          --          --         --           --           605          605
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1997             5,308    2,109     783,209   2,095,443   (167,180)      32,848        (1,846)   2,749,891
Net income                                --       --          --     430,147         --           --            --      430,147
Unrealized gain on securities
  available for sale                      --       --          --          --         --      105,724            --      105,724
Reclassification adjustment for
  gains realized in net income            --       --          --          --         --       (1,095)           --       (1,095)
Income taxes                              --       --          --          --         --      (37,630)           --      (37,630)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income                                                                                                     497,146
Cash dividends declared on
  common stock                            --       --          --    (271,253)        --           --            --     (271,253)
Cash dividends declared on
  preferred stock                         --       --          --         (83)        --           --            --          (83)
Conversion of preferred stock
  into common stock                   (5,308)       3       4,721         492         64           --            --          (28)
Issuance of common stock
  and treasury shares                     --       84     384,767      12,517    185,878           --            --      583,246
Purchase of treasury stock                --       --          --          --    (39,008)          --            --      (39,008)
Purchase and retirement of
  common stock                            --       (2)    (12,558)         --     12,251           --            --         (309)
Shares reserved to meet deferred
  compensation obligations                --       --       9,126          --     (7,933)          --            --        1,193
Amortization of restricted
  stock                                   --       --       7,272          --         --           --            --        7,272
ESOP debt reduction, net                  --       --          --          --         --           --         1,846        1,846
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1998           $    --  $ 2,194  $1,176,537  $2,267,263  $ (15,928)    $ 99,847      $     --   $3,529,913 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   36
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the years ended December 31 (dollars in thousands) 
                                                  1998      1997        1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income                                  $  430,147 $  513,894 $  415,418
Adjustments to reconcile net income to 
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization                  137,621     79,506     92,542
Intangible amortization                         57,121     35,292     30,030
Provision for loan losses                      113,636    117,772     97,334
Net (increase) decrease in trading securities     (461)    11,196       (853)
Provision for deferred taxes                    72,307     40,280     31,217
(Gain)/loss on sale of premises and
 equipment-net                                     (39)    (1,179)     1,624 
(Gain)/loss on sale of securites--and
 other assets                                    2,614      2,197      1,106 
(Gain)/loss on sale of mortgage loans          (71,904)   (24,411)   (15,389)
Mortgage loans originated for sale on 
 the secondary market                       (7,502,234)(2,959,059)(2,132,975)
Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans         6,409,834  2,822,771  2,304,212
Net change in other assets and liabilities     (67,160)  (186,673)    16,083 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total adjustments                         (848,665)   (62,308)   424,931 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net cash provided by(used in)
     operating activities                     (418,518)   451,586    840,349
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity
 securities                                    378,736    438,334    469,127
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-
 sale securities                             1,099,814    965,585    850,082
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale
 securities                                    539,961    216,028    406,077
Purchase of held-to-maturity securities       (169,161)  (630,958)  (268,512)
Purchase of available-for-sale securities   (1,255,768)  (588,761)  (744,134)
Net change in loans                         (1,421,887)(1,421,831)  (739,685)
Proceeds from sales of loans                   726,822    104,833     31,170
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment    1,549     11,306     15,227
Purchase of premises and equipment            (154,694)  (102,513)   (83,541)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired            (354,858)        --     64,718
Net change due to acquisitions of branch
 offices                                       901,611     81,978     32,513
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net cash provided by/(used in)
     investing activities                      292,125   (925,999)    33,042 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net change in deposits                       1,180,822   (260,419)    78,611 
Net change in short-term borrowings           (348,495)   497,528   (316,087)
Principal payments on long-term debt          (789,223)   (29,324)  (229,395)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt       449,634    540,327    152,254
Proceeds from issuance of trust capital  
 securities                                         --    148,554    150,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock          90,685     29,883     27,478
Purchase of treasury stock                     (39,317)  (315,208)  (277,905)
Shares reserved to meet deferred
 compensation obligations                        1,193      1,945      1,624
Dividends paid                                (222,770)  (192,514)  (171,661)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net cash provided by/(used in)
     financing activities                      322,529    420,772   (585,081)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents        196,136    (53,641)   288,310 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
 of year                                     2,228,920  2,282,561  1,994,251
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year    $2,425,056 $2,228,920 $2,282,561
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
For the years ended December 31 (dollars in thousands)
                                                  1998      1997        1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Paid During the Year for:
Interest                                    $1,244,114 $1,070,493 $1,031,970
Income taxes                                   137,166    196,824    171,822
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noncash transfer of loans to other real
 estate owned                                   19,427     11,388     10,963
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               37 
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies     
The accounting and reporting policies of Firstar Corporation 
("Firstar") and subsidiaries follow generally accepted accounting 
principles and conform to general practices within the banking industry. 
The following is a description of the more significant accounting 
policies followed by Firstar.

Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Firstar 
and all of its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and 
transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of financial 
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles 
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the 
amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and 
accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates. 
Financial statements have been restated to include historical 
information of acquisitions accounted for as pooling-of-interests. 
Certain amounts within the consolidated financial statements from prior 
years have been restated to conform to the current year's presentation.

Nature of Operations
Firstar Corporation is a multi-state bank holding company headquartered 
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Financial services are provided through over 
710 banking offices in Wisconsin, Ohio, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, 
Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Arizona, and Florida. These banking 
services include accepting demand, time and savings deposits; making 
both secured and unsecured business and personal loans; providing trust 
and investment management services to individuals and corporate 
customers; providing correspondent banking services to other financial 
institutions; conducting mortgage banking activities; providing 
international banking services; conducting retail brokerage services; 
providing mutual fund custody services; and other related banking 
activities.

Investment Securities     
When securities are purchased, they are classified in the 
held-to-maturity portfolio, the available-for-sale portfolio, or as 
trading securities. Held-to-maturity securities are debt securities that 
Firstar has the positive intent and ability to hold to
maturity. Held-to-maturity securities are reported at historical cost 
adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. 
Available-for-sale securities are debt and equity securities which will 
be held for an indefinite period of time and may be sold from time to 
time for asset/liability purposes, in order to manage interest rate risk 
or for liquidity needs. Available-for-sale securities are reported at 
fair value. Unrealized gains or losses for these securities are included 
in comprehensive income as a separate component of shareholders' equity. 
Debt and equity securities that are bought and held principally for the 
purpose of selling them in the near term are classified as trading 
securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses 
included in current earnings. The cost of securities sold is determined 
on a specific identification basis. 

Loans     
Loans are stated at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned 
interest and unamortized origination fees and costs. Interest income on 
loans is recognized using the interest method or methods that 
approximate the interest method. Loans held-for-sale are carried in the 
aggregate at lower of cost or fair value after consideration of related 
loan sale commitments. 

Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when, in the opinion of 
management, there is a reasonable doubt as to future collectibility of 
interest or principal. Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status 
when they are past due 90 days as to either principal or interest. 
However, loans that are well secured and in the process of collection 
may not be placed on nonaccrual status, at the judgment of senior 
management. All accrued interest receivable is reversed when loans are 
put on nonaccrual status.

Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level adequate to 
absorb probable loan and lease losses inherent in the portfolio. The 
allowance is based upon a continuing review of loans which includes 
consideration of actual net loan loss experience, changes in the size 
and character of the loan portfolio, identification of problem 
situations which may affect the borrowers' ability to repay, estimated 
value of underlying collateral and evaluation of current economic 
conditions. With respect to loans which are deemed impaired, the 
calculation of allowance levels is based upon the discounted present 
value of expected cash flows to be received from the debtor or other 
measures of value such as market prices or collateral values. Firstar 
considers all nonaccrual commercial loans to be impaired. Loan losses 
are recognized through charges to the allowance for loan losses. Any 
subsequent recoveries are added to the allowance.

Premises and Equipment     
Premises and equipment are reported at cost, less accumulated 
depreciation and amortization. Expenditures for major additions and 
improvements are capitalized, and maintenance and repair costs are 
charged to operating expense. Depreciation and amortization of premises 
and equipment are computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated 
useful lives of the individual assets.

Other Real Estate Owned     
Other real estate owned represents real estate of which Firstar has 
taken control in partial or total satisfaction of loans, in addition to 
closed bank offices.

Other real estate owned is carried at the lower of cost or fair value, 
less estimated costs to sell, and is included in other assets in the 
consolidated balance sheets. Losses at the time property is classified 
as other real estate owned are charged to the allowance for loan losses. 
Subsequent gains and losses, as well as operating income or expense 
related to other real estate owned, are recorded in noninterest expense.

Mortgage Servicing Rights     
Mortgage servicing rights associated with loans sold, where servicing is 
retained, are capitalized and included in other assets in the balance 
sheet. The value of these capitalized servicing rights are amortized in 
proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenue 
and recorded as a reduction of servicing income. The carrying value of 
these rights are periodically reviewed for impairment based on fair 
value, with any impairment recognized through a valuation allowance. For 
purposes of measuring impairment, servicing rights are stratified based 
on the underlying loan type and note rate and compared to a valuation 
prepared based on a discounted cash flow methodology, current prepayment 
speeds and discount rate. Impairment is recognized through a valuation 
allowance for each impaired stratum.


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   38
<PAGE>
Intangible Assets     
The excess of Firstar's cost of acquisitions over the fair value of net 
assets acquired is being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods 
of 12 to 25 years. Core deposit intangibles, which represent the net 
present value of the future economic benefits related to deposits 
purchased, are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods 
ranging from 8 to 17 years. Other identified intangible assets are being 
amortized on a straight-line basis over 25 years.

Firstar reviews intangible assets for impairment whenever events or 
changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be 
recoverable. Asset values and the related amortization expense are based 
on estimated lives and significant changes in these lives could 
significantly affect future amortization expense.

Income Taxes
Firstar and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax 
return. Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability 
method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are 
recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable 
to differences between the financial statement carrying 
amount of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax 
bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted 
tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences 
are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax 
assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income 
in the period that includes the enactment date.

Derivative Financial Instruments
Firstar uses interest rate swaps, caps and floors to manage its interest 
rate risks from recorded financial assets and liabilities. These 
instruments are accounted for on an accrual basis when the instrument 
can be demonstrated to effectively hedge the cash flows of a designated 
asset or liability  and such asset or liability exposes Firstar to 
interest rate risk. Amounts to be paid or received under interest rate 
swaps, caps and floors are recognized as interest income or expense of 
the related asset or liability. Gains and losses on early termination of 
these instruments are deferred and amortized as an adjustment to the 
yield on the related asset or liability over the shorter of the 
remaining contract life or the maturity of the related asset or 
liability. If the related asset or liability is sold or otherwise 
liquidated, the instrument is marked to market, with the resultant gains 
and losses recognized in other income. Fees paid or received in 
connection with caps or floors are deferred and amortized over the life 
of the instrument. 

Interest rate swaps, caps, floors and foreign exchange contracts are 
offered to Firstar's customers. In these transactions, Firstar acts as 
an intermediary and hedges its risk by entering into offsetting 
positions with other counterparties. The fair value of these 
transactions are included in other assets and liabilities and the 
related gain or loss is recorded in other income.

Stock-Based Compensation
Firstar has various stock-based compensation plans that authorize the 
granting of stock options, restricted stock, and other stock-based 
awards to eligible employees. These plans are accounted for under the 
intrinsic value based method as prescribed APB No. 25 "Accounting for 
Stock Issued to Employees." Included in the Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements are the pro forma disclosures required by Statement 
of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123 "Accounting for 
Stock-Based Compensation," which assumes the fair value based method of 
accounting had been adopted.

Statement of Cash Flows
For purposes of reporting cash flows on the consolidated statements of 
cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due 
from banks, federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements 
to resell.

Earnings per Common Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income applicable 
to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of 
common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is 
computed by dividing an adjusted net income by the sum of the weighted 
average number of shares and the potentially dilutive shares that could 
be issued through stock award programs or convertible securities.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 
130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income." This statement established 
standards for reporting the components of comprehensive income 
prominently within the financial statements. Comprehensive income 
includes net income plus certain transactions that are reported directly 
within shareholders' equity, such as unrealized gains/(losses) on 
available-for-sale securities. The adoption of this statement in 1998 
did not have any impact on the financial position or results of 
operations of Firstar.	

In January 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS 
No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related 
Information." This statement supercedes SFAS No. 14, "Financial 
Reporting for Segments of a Business Enterprise." This statement 
requires disclosure on a business segment basis, as defined by the 
Corporation, a description of products and services, and financial 
information as measured by Firstar's management in assessing performance 
of its business segments. See Note 25 for line of business results and 
related disclosures.

In February 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS 
No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other 
Postretirement Benefits." This statement revises disclosures about 
pension and other postretirement benefit plans, but does not change the 
measurement or recognition of these plans. The adoption of this 
statement did not have any impact on the financial position or results 
of operation of Firstar.

In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 
133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." 
This statement requires the recognition of all derivatives as either 
assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and the measurement of those 
instruments at fair value. The statement requires that changes in the 
derivatives' fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless 
specific hedge accounting criteria are met. The statement is effective 
in the first quarter of 2000. Firstar has not determined the impact, if 
any, that this statement could have on its financial position or results 
of operations. 


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               39
<PAGE>
NOTE 2 - Mergers and Acquisitions
On November 20, 1998, Firstar Corporation and Star Banc Corporation 
merged under a pooling of interests transaction and accordingly all 
financial information has been restated to include the historical 
information for both companies. As a result of the
merger, a new holding company was formed which retained the name 
Firstar Corporation. Each share of Star Banc Corporation stock was 
converted into and exchanged for one share of the new Firstar 
Corporation common stock while each share of Firstar Corporation stock 
was converted into and exchanged for 0.76 of a share of the new Firstar 
Corporation common stock.

On August 21, 1998 Firstar acquired Trans Financial, Inc. under 
a pooling-of-interests transaction and accordingly all financial 
information has been restated to include the historical 
information of Trans Financial. 

The proforma effect of aquisitions accounted for as purchases was not 
material.

Separate results of operation of the three companies for the periods 
prior to the mergers were as follows:


                             Year Through
                           -----------------
                           Sept. 30  June 30
(dollars in millions)          1998     1998     1997     1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income
  Firstar Corporation       $   561  $   371  $   760  $   759
  Star Banc Corporation         483      275      462      418
  Trans Financial, Inc.          --       42       80       75
- --------------------------------------------------------------
    Total                   $ 1,044  $   688  $ 1,302  $ 1,252
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Net income
  Firstar Corporation       $   231  $   150  $   295  $   250
  Star Banc Corporation         186      124      195      158
  Trans Financial, Inc.          --       14       24        7
- --------------------------------------------------------------
    Total                   $   417  $   288  $   514  $   415
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets
  Firstar Corporation       $20,666  $19,972  $19,794  $19,705
  Star Banc Corporation      17,291   14,849   10,959   10,094
  Trans Financial, Inc.          --    2,237    2,107    1,144
- --------------------------------------------------------------
    Total                   $37,957  $37,058  $32,860  $30,943
- --------------------------------------------------------------

The following table summarizes other acquisitions completed during the
past three years:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Goodwill &
                                                                            Intangibles    Cash      Shares   Method of
(dollars in millions)                       Date  Assets   Loans  Deposits     Recorded    Paid      Issued  Accounting
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>               <C>     <C>       <C>          <C>     <C>     <C>           <C>
Trans Financial, Inc.                August 1998  $2,409  $1,594    $1,620       $   --  $   --  10,700,000     Pooling
Cargill Leasing Corporation            July 1998     613     545        --           64     220         n/a    Purchase
Bank One branches               June/August 1998     193     155     1,198          137     137         n/a    Purchase
Great Financial Corporation        February 1998   2,809   1,943     2,001          363     135   9,500,000    Purchase
American Bancorporation, Inc.          July 1996   1,187     614       881           89      39   6,080,000    Purchase
Harvest Financial Corp.             January 1996     353     297       247           17      --   1,348,550    Purchase
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

NOTE 3 - Merger and Restructuring Expenses
Firstar recorded merger, integration and restructuring charges of $243.0 
million in 1998 and $53.3 million in 1996. Merger and integration 
charges in 1998 were associated with the mergers of Firstar Corporation 
and Star Banc Corporation in the fourth quarter of 1998 and the 
acquisition of Trans Financial Inc. in the third quarter of 1998. The 
restructuring charge recorded in 1996 was associated with a company-wide 
reorganization effort. The components of the charges are shown below:

(dollars in thousands)                1998     1996
- ---------------------------------------------------
Severance and related costs       $ 86,576  $27,129
Fixed asset write-downs             26,646    3,908
Lease termination charges           16,476       --
System conversions                  34,026       --
Charitable contributions            23,000       --
Professional fees                   45,700   20,000
Other merger-related expenses       10,546    2,230
- ---------------------------------------------------
  Total                           $242,970  $53,267
- ---------------------------------------------------

The following table presents a summary of activity with respect to the
merger-related accrual.

(dollars in thousands)              1998
- -----------------------------------------
Balance January 1, 1998        $      --
Merger-related charge            242,970
Cash payments                   (102,120)
Noncash write-downs              (11,652)
- -----------------------------------------
Balance December 31, 1998      $ 129,198
- -----------------------------------------

Firstar expects to incur additional merger-related expenses during 1999 
in connection with the combining of operations of Firstar Corporation 
and Star Banc Corporation.


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   40
<PAGE>
NOTE 4 - Reserve Balance Requirements
Banking regulations require the Firstar banking subsidiaries to maintain 
cash reserves which are unavailable for investment. The amounts of such 
reserves, which are included in cash and due from banks in the 
consolidated balance sheets, were $369 million and $380 million at 
December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

NOTE 5 - Investment Securities
The table below summarizes unrealized gains and losses for 
held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities at December 31, 1998 
and 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1998                                     1997
                              ---------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------
                               Amortized     Unrealized          Fair   Amortized     Unrealized          Fair
(dollars in thousands)              Cost    Gains  Losses       Value        Cost    Gains  Losses       Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>        <C>       <C>     <C>         <C>         <C>      <C>     <C>
Held-to-Maturity
Mortgage-backed securities    $   61,955  $    --  $  448  $   61,507  $1,228,760  $32,038  $1,526  $1,259,272
Obligations of state and
 political subdivisions           73,452    2,951     623      75,780   1,371,661   25,177   1,998   1,394,840
Other debt securities                 --       --      --          --       6,252       --       8       6,244
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total held-to-maturity
   securities                 $  135,407  $ 2,951  $1,071  $  137,287  $2,606,673  $57,215  $3,532  $2,660,356
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available-for-Sale
U.S. Treasuries and agencies  $1,263,768  $53,076  $   12  $1,316,832  $1,579,024  $36,650  $  903  $1,614,771
Mortgage-backed securities     3,042,011   66,666   2,152   3,106,525   1,055,321   16,705     455   1,071,571
Obligations of state and
  political subdivisions       1,467,641   39,737     346   1,507,032      52,648    1,423      17      54,054
Other debt securities              8,176        1      31       8,146      14,333       79      16      14,396
Money market mutual funds         47,492       --      --      47,492      38,773       --      --      38,773
Federal Reserve/FHLB stock
 and other equity securities     234,708      167      --     234,875     200,747        8     997     199,758
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total available-for-sale
   securities                 $6,063,796 $159,647  $2,541  $6,220,902  $2,940,846  $54,865  $2,388  $2,993,323
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The following table presents the amortized cost and fair value maturity 
information of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities at 
December 31, 1998.

                                                Amortized          Fair
(dollars in thousands)                               Cost         Value
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Held-to-Maturity
One year or less                               $   32,041    $   31,995
After one year through five years                  56,923        56,976
After five years through ten years                 13,364        14,517
After ten years                                    33,079        33,799 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total                                      $  135,407    $  137,287
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Available-for-Sale
One year or less                               $  517,192    $  528,525
After one year through five years               1,759,272     1,823,026
After five years through ten years                913,018       948,260
After ten years                                 2,592,114     2,638,724
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total                                       5,781,596     5,938,535
    Equity securities                             282,200       282,367
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total                                      $6,063,796    $6,220,902
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Note:  Maturity information related to mortgage-backed securities included
above is presented based upon weighted average maturities anticipating future
prepayments.


As of December 31, 1998, Firstar reported a net unrealized gain of $157 
million for available-for-sale securities. For 1998, the unrealized gain 
reported as a separate component of equity (net of tax) changed from an 
unrealized gain of $33 million to an unrealized gain of $100 million, 
increasing shareholders' equity $67 million.

The following table provides information as to the amount of gross gains 
and (losses) realized through the sales of available-for-sale investment 
securities.

(dollars in thousands)                       1998      1997      1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross gains                               $ 2,514   $ 1,684   $   175
Gross (losses)                             (1,419)   (5,600)   (2,540)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net securities gains/(losses)         $ 1,095   $(3,916)  $(2,365)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Securities with a carrying value of $3,242 million at December 31, 1998 
and $2,741 million at December 31, 1997, were pledged to secure deposits 
and for other purposes. All securities pledged to secure deposits and 
repurchase agreements are controlled solely by Firstar.


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               41
<PAGE>
NOTE 6 - Loans
The composition of loans is summarized below. Loans are presented net of 
unearned interest which amounted to $455,913,000 and $227,200,000 at 
December 31, 1998 and 1997 respectively.

As of December 31 (dollars in thousand)             1998         1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial                                   $ 8,059,594  $ 7,372,246
Commercial leasing                             1,204,549      537,557
Real estate construction and development       1,213,682      965,226
Commercial real estate mortgage                4,611,442    4,144,214  
Residential real estate mortgage               3,285,400    3,494,746
Credit card                                    1,220,240    1,182,703
Retail leasing                                 1,365,435    1,013,899
Other retail                                   4,907,715    4,505,434
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total loans, net of
     unearned interest                       $25,868,057  $23,216,025 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------

The following table lists information related to nonperforming loans as
of December 31.

(dollars in thousands)                              1998      1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans on nonaccrual status                      $124,475  $110,613
Restructured loans                                    48       961
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total nonperforming loans                  $124,523  $111,574
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest that would have been recognized
  on nonperforming loans in accordance 
  with their original terms                     $ 13,474  $ 13,531
Actual interest recorded for nonaccrual
  and restructured loans                           6,741     3,851
- ------------------------------------------------------------------ 

Firstar evaluates the credit risk of each customer on an individual 
basis and obtains collateral when it is deemed appropriate. Collateral 
varies by individual loan customer, but may include accounts receivable, 
inventory, real estate, equipment, deposits, personal and government 
guaranties, and general security agreements. Access to collateral 
is dependent on the type of collateral obtained. On an ongoing basis, 
Firstar monitors its collateral and the collateral value related to
the loan balance outstanding.


NOTE 7 - Allowance for Loan Losses and Impaired Loans
A summary of the activity in the allowance for loan losses is shown in 
the following table.

(dollars in thousands)                   1998      1997      1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance--beginning of year           $372,933  $349,892  $317,971
  Loans charged off                  (170,838) (132,961) (119,328)
  Recoveries on loans
    previously charged off             49,437    38,230    39,949
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net charge-offs                    (121,401)  (94,731)  (79,379)
  Acquired reserves                    30,788        --    13,966
  Provision charged
    to earnings                       113,636   117,772    97,334
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance--end of year                 $395,956  $372,933  $349,892
- ------------------------------------------------------------------

A portion of the reserve for loan losses is allocated to loans deemed
impaired.  All impaired loans are included in nonperforming assets.
Information on these loans and their related reserve for loan losses
are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(dollars in thousands)                     1998                   1997                   1996
- --------------------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------  ---------------------
                                    Recorded  Valuation    Recorded  Valuation    Recorded  Valuation
                                  Investment  Allowance  Investment  Allowance  Investment  Allowance
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>       <C>          <C>
Impaired Loans:     
  Valuation allowance required       $44,096     $9,042     $49,043     $6,933    $ 45,900     $6,513
  No valuation allowance required     53,568         --      32,278         --      55,831         --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total impaired loans         $97,664     $9,042     $81,321     $6,933    $101,731     $6,513
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average balance of impaired
  loans during year                  $86,054                $94,793               $110,468
Interest income recognized 
  on impaired loans during year        4,238                  3,297                  4,423
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

 
FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   42
<PAGE>

NOTE 8 - Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment as of December 31 are summarized in the following 
table.

(dollars in thousands)                            1998        1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Land                                        $   74,431  $   65,059
Bank buildings                                 481,568     451,499
Furniture, fixtures & equipment                475,694     455,486
Leasehold improvements                          83,931      47,431
Construction in progress                        22,022      17,844
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
            Total premises and equipment     1,137,646   1,037,319
Less: Accumulated depreciation
      and amortization                         508,182     493,034
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
            Net premises and equipment      $  629,464  $  544,285
- ------------------------------------------------------------------

Depreciation and amortization expense related to premises and equipment 
amounted to $78,335,000 in 1998, $69,747,000 in 1997 and $67,856,000 in 
1996.

Total rental expense was $57,805,000 in 1998, $60,679,000 in 1997 and 
$54,071,000 in 1996.

Future minimum rental payments, net of sublease rental payments, related 
to non-cancelable operating leases having initial terms in excess of one 
year are $34,416,000 in 1999, $34,268,000 in 2000, $31,757,000 in 2001, 
$30,632,000 in 2002, $30,645,000 in 2003 and $90,612,000 in later years.


NOTE 9 - Mortgage Servicing Rights
Mortgage servicing rights are capitalized based upon their fair value at 
the time a loan is sold. Servicing assets are also established based on 
the future sale commitment of these assets. Impairment testing is 
performed on a quarterly basis in accordance with SFAS No. 125, which 
was adopted by Firstar in 1997.

The fair value of capitalized mortgage servicing rights was $199.8 
million on December 31, 1998 and $86.2 million on December 31, 1997. 
Firstar serviced $14.7 billion and $7.9 billion of mortgage loans for 
other investors as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. 
Changes in capitalized mortgage servicing rights are summarized 
as follows:
                           
(dollars in thousands)                      1998       1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at beginning of year            $ 72,337   $ 67,146
Amount added in acquisitions              51,731         --
Amount capitalized                       152,070     41,931 
Amortization                             (28,586)   (10,430)
Sales                                    (64,630)   (26,292)
Valuation allowance                         (230)       (18)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
  Balance at end of year                $182,692   $ 72,337
- ------------------------------------------------------------


NOTE 10 - Intangible Assets
The following is a summary of intangible assets as of December 31 which 
are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

(dollars in thousands)                        1998        1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Intangibles from acquisitions:
  Excess of cost over fair value
   of assets acquired                   $  615,470  $  243,559
  Core deposit benefits                    253,004     112,572
  Other identified intangibles              54,815      57,082
Mortgage servicing rights                  182,692      72,337
Purchased credit card relationships          6,572       5,340
- --------------------------------------------------------------
    Total intangible assets             $1,112,553  $  490,890
- --------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE 11 - Deposits
The following is a summary of Firstar's total deposits as of 
December 31.

(dollars in thousands)                      1998           1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest-bearing deposits         $ 6,649,199    $ 5,561,341
Savings accounts                       2,272,495      2,228,974
NOW accounts                           3,848,752      3,221,349
Money market deposit accounts          5,959,710      4,243,790
Time deposits $100,000 and over        1,614,748      1,676,693
Foreign deposits $100,000 and over       343,574        185,682
All other time deposits                8,162,287      7,368,238
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
  Total interest-bearing deposits     22,201,566     18,924,726
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total deposits                   $28,850,765    $24,486,067
- ---------------------------------------------------------------


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               43
<PAGE>
NOTE 12 - Short-Term Borrowings 
The following table is a summary of short-term borrowings for the
last three years.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(dollars in thousands)                  1998               1997               1996
- ------------------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------
                                   Amount  Rate       Amount  Rate       Amount  Rate
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>         <C>    <C>         <C>    <C>         <C>
At year end:
  Federal funds purchased      $2,137,425  4.7%   $1,688,732  4.9%   $  842,331  5.2%
  Securities sold under
    agreements to repurchase    1,018,093  3.5       942,663  4.7     1,306,669  4.5
  Commercial paper                131,035  5.5       102,103  5.8        66,078  5.5
  Treasury, tax and loan notes     99,271  3.8       499,937  5.2       441,754  4.4
  Other short-term borrowings     257,484  5.2       180,895  3.5       259,970  6.1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total                    $3,643,308  4.4%   $3,414,330  4.9%   $2,916,802  4.9%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average for the year:
  Federal funds purchased      $2,227,898  5.4%   $1,750,515  5.5%   $1,325,106  5.4%
  Securities sold under
     agreements to repurchase   1,101,839  4.3     1,246,289  4.7     1,412,965  4.8
  Commercial paper                100,110  5.4       101,616  5.6       101,429  5.5
  Treasury, tax and loan notes    260,169  5.3       250,803  5.3       165,652  5.1
  Other short-term borrowings     385,133  5.6       198,431  5.5       348,857  5.3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total                    $4,075,149  5.1%   $3,547,654  5.2%   $3,354,009  5.1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum month-end balances:
  Federal funds purchased      $2,741,348         $2,203,052         $1,436,415     
  Securities sold under
     agreements to repurchase   1,191,019          1,546,318          1,502,796   
  Commercial paper                131,035            125,007            146,720    
  Treasury, tax and loan notes    757,879            597,852            627,892
  Other short-term borrowings     461,381            300,282            382,677   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


NOTE 13 - Long-Term Debt
The following is a summary of Firstar's long-term debt as of
December 31.

(dollars in thousands)                           1998       1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Home Loan Bank notes               $  485,314 $  552,438
Medium term notes                             248,784    106,065
6.38% subordinated notes                      148,994    148,799
6.63% subordinated notes                       99,004     98,878
7.15% subordinated notes                           --    100,000
7.25% subordinated notes                       32,685     32,740
10.25% subordinated notes                          --     78,340
8.32% trust capital securities                150,000    150,000
Variable rate trust capital securities        148,629    148,581
6.25% senior bank notes                       248,191    247,730
6.48% senior bank notes                            --     30,000
7.13% senior bank notes                        25,000     25,000
5.88% senior notes                             99,785         --
Other debt                                     22,483     26,196
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
        Total long-term debt               $1,708,869 $1,744,767
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

The holding company has a line of credit of $200 million, of which the 
total amount was available as of December 31, 1998.

Notes payable to the Federal Home Loan Bank are collateralized by 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock and first mortgage residential real estate 
loans. The notes mature from 1999 through 2012 and have a variable 
interest rate averaging 5.12% as of December 31, 1998.

Firstar's unsecured medium term notes mature from 1999 through 2002 and 
have interest rates ranging from 5.45% to 6.97%.

Star Bank, N.A. issued $150 million of 6.38% notes under an indenture 
dated as of February 24, 1994. The notes, which are subordinated to all 
unsubordinated indebtedness of the bank for borrowed money, are 
unsecured and mature March 1, 2004.

Star Bank, N.A. issued $100 million of 6.63% notes under an indenture 
dated as of February 6, 1996. The notes, which are subordinated to all 
unsubordinated indebtedness of the bank for borrowed money, are 
unsecured and mature December 15, 2006.

Firstar issued $33 million of 7.25% notes under an indenture dated as of 
September 16, 1993. The notes, which are subordinated to all 
unsubordinated indebtedness of Firstar for borrowed money, are unsecured 
and mature September 15, 2003.


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   44
<PAGE>
On December 17, 1996 and July 15, 1997, Firstar Capital Trust I and Star 
Capital Trust I, respectively, both statutory business trusts ("the 
Trusts") created by Firstar, issued $150 million of 8.32% Capital 
Securities and $150 million of Floating Rate Securities (together "the 
Securities") which will mature on December 15, 2026 and July 15, 2027, 
respectively. The Floating Rate Securities pay quarterly distributions 
at an annual rate equal to three month LIBOR plus .765%. The principle 
combined assets of the Trusts are $309 million of Firstar's subordinated 
debentures with like maturities and interest rates to the Securities. 
Additionally, the Trusts have issued $9 million in the aggregate of 
common securities to Firstar. The Securities, the assets of the Trusts 
and common securities issued by the Trusts are redeemable in whole or in 
part on or after December 23, 2006 and June 15, 2007, respectively, or 
at any time in whole but not in part from the date of issuance upon the 
occurrence of certain events. Firstar has fully and unconditionally 
guaranteed the obligations of the Trusts. Firstar has the right to defer 
payment of interest on the debentures at any time or from time to time 
for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters, provided that no 
deferred periods extend beyond the stated maturities of the debentures. 
Such deferral of interest payments by Firstar could result in a deferral 
of distribution payments on the related Securities. The Securities 
qualify as Tier I capital of Firstar for regulatory capital purposes.

Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A. issued $250 million of 6.25% senior bank 
notes on December 4, 1997. The notes are unsecured and mature on 
December 1, 2002.

Star Bank, N.A. issued $25 million of 7.13% senior bank notes on May 30, 
1996. The notes are unsecured and mature on May 30, 2000.

Firstar issued $100 million of 5.88% senior notes in November 2, 1998. 
The notes are unsecured and mature on November 1, 2003.

Long-term debt has aggregate maturities for the five years 1999 through 
2003 as follows: $247,264,000 in 1999, $216,053,000 in 2000, $50,282,000 
in 2001, $311,540,000 in 2002, $132,954,000 in 2003.


NOTE 14 - Pension Plans
Firstar has non-contributory defined benefit pension plans covering 
substantially all employees. The benefits are based on years of service 
and employees' compensation while employed. The plans include both 
funded and unfunded plans. The funding policy, where applicable, is to 
make an annual contribution to the plan which at least equals the 
minimum required contribution. The pension plans were amended in 1998 to 
conform certain provisions of the previously separate plans of Firstar 
Corporation and Star Banc Corporation upon their merger. Plan assets 
primarily consist of listed stocks, corporate bonds, U.S. Treasury and 
Agency securities, and mutual funds. Included in plan assets are shares 
of Firstar stock with a market value of $20 million and $12 million at 
December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The tables below summarize 
data relative to the plans.

(dollars in thousands)                         1998      1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------
Change in benefit obligation:
  Benefit obligation at beginning of year  $449,578  $384,489
  Service cost                               14,942    12,815
  Interest cost                              31,594    29,409
  Amendments                                 (3,943)      728
  Curtailments                                   --    (1,259)
  Actuarial gain                               (704)   44,818
  Benefits paid                             (17,163)  (21,422)
- -------------------------------------------------------------
    Benefit obligation at end of year      $474,304  $449,578
- -------------------------------------------------------------
Change in plan assets:     
  Fair value of plan assets at
    beginning of year                      $442,235  $377,011
  Actual return on plan assets                6,019    67,498
  Employer contribution                      62,743    19,147
  Benefits paid                             (17,163)  (21,421)
- -------------------------------------------------------------
    Fair value of plan assets at 
      end of year                          $493,834  $442,235
- -------------------------------------------------------------
Funded status                              $ 19,530  $ (7,343)
Unrecognized transition obligation           (4,412)   (6,809)
Unrecognized prior service cost               1,105     4,395
Unrecognized net loss                        47,066    21,022
- -------------------------------------------------------------
    Prepaid pension cost                   $ 63,289  $ 11,265
- -------------------------------------------------------------


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               45
<PAGE>
Information about pension plans based upon status is as follows:

(dollars in thousands)                         1998      1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------
Plans with assets in excess of obligations:
  Fair value of plan assets                $493,834  $442,235
  Benefit obligation                       (432,505) (411,364)
- -------------------------------------------------------------
    Funded status                          $ 61,329  $ 30,871
- -------------------------------------------------------------
Plans with obligations in excess of assets:
  Fair value of plan assets                $     --  $     --
  Benefit obligation                        (41,799)  (38,214)
- -------------------------------------------------------------
    Funded status                          $(41,799) $(38,214)
- -------------------------------------------------------------

Weighted average assumptions used in determining pension values
were as follows:

                                               1998      1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------
Discount rate                                  6.50%     7.20%
Expected return on plan assets                 9.66%     9.45%
Rate of compensation increase                  4.00%     5.34%
- -------------------------------------------------------------

Pension costs included the following components for the years
ended December 31:

(dollars in thousands)                       1998      1997     1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Service cost                             $ 14,942  $ 12,815  $ 13,560
Interest cost                              31,594    29,409    26,468
Expected return on plan assets            (36,003)  (31,718)  (26,632)
Net amortization and deferral               1,256      (170)      216 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Net periodic benefit cost            $ 11,789  $ 10,336  $ 13,612 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------- 


NOTE 15 - Other Employee Benefits
Firstar provides health care benefits to certain retired employees and 
has a group of active employees who will be eligible for health care 
benefits upon their retirement. The plan was amended upon the merger of 
Firstar Corporation and Star Banc Corporation to limit eligibility of 
future retirees. This action was treated as a plan curtailment. The 
liability for these benefits is unfunded. The tables below summarize 
data relative to these plans:

(dollars in thousands)                         1998      1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------
Change in benefit obligation:
  Benefit obligation at beginning of year  $ 54,752  $ 49,435
  Service cost                                  111       943
  Interest cost                               2,970     3,854
  Amendments                                (12,053)      255
  Actuarial gain (loss)                       2,967     3,502
  Benefits paid                              (3,281)   (3,237)
- -------------------------------------------------------------
    Benefit obligation at end of year      $ 45,466  $ 54,752
- -------------------------------------------------------------
Funded status                              $ 45,466  $ 54,752 
Unrecognized transition obligation             (283)  (41,641)
Unrecognized prior service cost                  89     6,940
Unrecognized net loss                         6,457    12,342
- -------------------------------------------------------------
    Postretirement benefit liability       $ 51,729  $ 32,393
- -------------------------------------------------------------

Postretirement benefit costs included the following components
for the years ended December 31:

(dollars in thousands)                       1998      1997     1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Service cost                             $    111  $    943  $    963
Interest cost                               2,970     3,854     4,551
Curtailments                               18,136     1,287     2,181 
Net amortization and deferral               1,400     2,040     2,600 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Net periodic benefit cost            $ 22,617  $  8,124  $ 10,295 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------- 

The weighted average discount rates used in determining the amount of 
benefit obligation were 6.25% and 7.18% at December 31, 1998 and 1997, 
respectively. The measurement of benefit obligation at December 31, 1998 
assumed a health care cost trend rate of 8.50% which gradually decreases 
to 5.50% by 2004 and thereafter. To illustrate, increasing the assumed 
health care cost trend by one percentage point in each year would 
increase the benefit obligation by $3,182,000 and the aggregate of the 
service and interest cost components of benefit cost by $218,000, while 
decreasing the assumed cost trend by one percentage point would decrease 
the benefit obligation by $2,758,000 and the aggregate of the service 
and interest cost components of benefit cost by $187,000.

Firstar has 401(k) savings plans under which eligible employees can 
participate by contributing a portion of their salary for investment in 
one or more investment funds. Contributions are made to the accounts of 
each participant. Amounts expensed in connection with these plans were 
$9,713,000 in 1998, $12,784,000 in 1997 and $10,034,000 in 1996.

In 1998, Firstar terminated an employee stock ownership plan ("ESOP") 
associated with the acquisition of Trans Financial. Expenses related to 
the ESOP had been recognized based on cash contributions to the plan. 
Contributions to the ESOP were $390,000 and $621,000 in 1997 and 1996, 
respectively. Approximately 430,000 Firstar shares were issued to the 
participants upon termination of the ESOP.


NOTE 16 - Stock options and compensation plans
In 1997, the shareholders of Firstar approved the adoption of the 1996 
Stock Incentive Plan ("the Plan") replacing the 1986 and 1991 plans.  
The Plan provides for the grant, to selected key managerial personnel, 
of options to purchase shares of  common stock generally at the stock's 
fair market value at the date of grant.  In addition, the Plan provides 
for the grant, to selected key managerial personnel, of stock awards and 
shares of common stock which are subject to restriction on transfer and 
to a right of repurchase by Firstar.  Not more than 7.5 million 
authorized and unissued shares of common stock, in the aggregate, are 
available for issue under the Plan.  The Plan will terminate on January 
7, 2001.

In 1998, the Firstar Stock Option Plan for all employees was adopted. 
The 1998 Firstar Plan provided a one-time grant to all eligible 
employees of stock options at the stock's fair market value at the 
grant date. The 1998 Firstar Plan was in addition to all employee 
StarShare Plan grants in 1993 and 1996.  These one-time grants were 
made to all active employees as a performance award.  The 1998 
Firstar Plan and StarShare Plan grants were one-time grants and 
therefore no additional shares are available under these plans.


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   46
<PAGE>
In connection with the merger with Firstar Corporation and the 
acquisitions of Trans Financial and Great Financial, all existing 
options for shares of the acquired companies were converted into an 
equivalent number of options for shares of Firstar common stock.  No 
additional options are eligible to be granted under these plans.

The grants of options under the 1998 Firstar Plan vest over a four-year 
period.  All options of the 1996 Stock Incentive Plan and the other
options acquired through acquisitions which were outstanding prior to
the merger of Star and Firstar became fully vested as a result of the
merger.  All options of the 1996 Incentive Plan granted since November
20, 1998 vest over a four-year period.  All stock options granted 
expire ten years from date of grant.

The following is a summary of stock options, awards and restricted 
shares outstanding and exercised under various stock incentive and 
option plans of Firstar corporation.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              1998                    1997                    1996
                                     ---------------------   ---------------------   ---------------------     
                                                 Weighted-               Weighted-               Weighted-
                                          Stock    Average        Stock    Average        Stock    Average
                                        Options   Exercise      Options   Exercise      Options   Exercise
                                     and Awards      Price   and Awards      Price   and Awards      Price
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     
<S>                                  <C>            <C>      <C>            <C>      <C>            <C>    
Stock Incentive and Directors Plans:
Number of shares outstanding 
  at beginning of year               11,404,734     $24.72   10,585,447     $17.19   10,278,995     $13.87
    Granted                           4,263,127      59.18    2,886,349      45.09    2,555,113      27.24
    Exercised                        (2,894,935)     23.78   (1,677,130)     12.76   (1,764,268)     11.31
    Cancelled                          (531,660)     32.81     (389,932)     24.49     (484,393)     19.67
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of shares outstanding 
  at end of year                     12,241,266     $38.49   11,404,734     $24.72   10,585,447     $17.19
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exercisable at end of year            9,430,966     $29.18    5,315,617     $16.58    5,185,923     $11.66
Weighted average fair value of
  Options granted                        $23.73                  $12.40                   $5.30
  Restricted stock and awards             70.36                   40.00                      --
Available for future grant under 
  the Plans                           3,196,249               9,549,475               4,493,538    
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Employee Stock Option Plans:
Options outstanding at 
  beginning of year                   1,110,616     $29.51    1,491,261     $29.35      187,563     $11.75
    Granted                           3,400,000      72.38           --         --    1,420,875      30.33
    Exercised                          (304,574)     29.38     (119,322)     25.91      (94,371)     11.75
    Cancelled                           (89,076)     29.63     (261,323)     30.27      (22,806)     18.36
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options outstanding at 
  end of year                         4,116,966     $64.91    1,110,616     $29.51    1,491,261     $29.35
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exercisable at end of year              716,966     $29.51      256,772     $26.76       78,486     $11.75
Weighted average fair value
  of options granted                     $28.60                      --                   $6.46
Available for future grant under 
  the Plans                                  --                      --                      --  
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


The fair value and pro forma income information calculated for 
options granted is estimated on the date of grant using the 
Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average 
assumptions for 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively: expected volatility 
of 39.80 percent, 22.42 percent, and 16.02 percent, risk free interest 
rates of 4.64 percent, 5.96 percent, and 6.00 percent, dividend yields 
of 1.29 percent, 1.43 percent, and 2.02 percent, and for all years, 
expected lives of five years.


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               47
<PAGE>
The following table summarizes information about stock options 
outstanding at December 31, 1998, under various stock incentive and 
option plans of Firstar Corporation:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             Options Outstanding                           Options Exercisable
                  -----------------------------------------------   -----------------------------
                       Number  Weighted-Average                          Number
       Range of   Outstanding         Remaining  Weighted-Average   Exercisable  Weighted-Average
Exercise Prices   at 12/31/98  Contractual Life    Exercise Price   at 12/31/98    Exercise Price
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>               <C>                <C>                   <C>        <C>                  <C> 
Stock Incentive and Directors Plans:
 $ 5.58 - 10.54       450,474        2.22 Years            $ 8.52       450,474            $ 8.52
  11.25 - 11.92     1,470,556        5.27 Years             11.39     1,470,556             11.39
  12.17 - 18.33     1,280,799        5.07 Years             15.61     1,280,799             15.61
  19.00 - 23.33     1,432,003        6.36 Years             20.56     1,432,003             20.56
  24.83 - 32.35     1,520,311        7.66 Years             29.06     1,520,311             29.06
  37.25 - 50.99     1,962,202        8.51 Years             43.35     1,962,202             43.35
  51.06 - 63.75     1,241,125        8.99 Years             57.36     1,241,125             57.36
  64.50 - 71.63     2,883,796        9.87 Years             71.28        73,496             64.94
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $ 5.58 - 71.63    12,241,266        7.51 Years            $38.49     9,430,966            $29.18
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Employee Stock Option Plans:
 $11.75 - 12.00        31,631        4.08 Years            $11.75        31,631            $11.75
  30.33               685,335        7.94 Years             30.33       685,335             30.33
  72.38             3,400,000        9.94 Years             72.38            --                --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $11.75 - 72.38     4,116,966        9.56 Years            $64.91       716,966            $29.51
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The Corporation applies APB Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations 
in accounting for all its stock-based compensation plans. Accordingly, 
no compensation expense has been recognized for stock option grants.

SFAS No. 123 encourages a "fair value" based method of accounting for 
stock-based compensation plans. Had the Corporation recognized 
compensation expense based on the fair value of options at their grant 
date, as prescribed by SFAS No. 123, the Corporation's net income for 
1998, 1997, and 1996 would have been $417,774,000, $508,044,000, and 
$413,824,000, respectively. Pro forma basic earnings per share would 
have been $1.93 in 1998, $2.45 in 1997, and $1.95 in 1996. Pro forma 
diluted earnings per share would have been $1.89 in 1998, $2.40 in 1977, 
and $1.92 in 1996. These pro forma disclosures are not likely to be 
representative of the effect on reported net income and earnings per 
share for future years since current options vest over a four-year 
period and additional options are generally granted each year.

Recipients of stock awards are entitled to a compensation equivalent of 
the dividends that would have been payable on the awards reserved, over 
the number of  years the award is deemed to be fully earned. 
Compensation expense and the related increase in equity is recognized by 
the Corporation over the service period until the award is fully earned, 
based on the market value of the award. Compensation expense recognized 
was $7,272,000 in 1998, $432,000 in 1997, and $365,000 in 1996.

Firstar's performance based stock plan granted performance shares to key 
executives. Payouts are predicated upon achievement of Firstar return on 
equity goals in relation to peer group banking companies and the market 
value of Firstar's common stock over a three-year period. The grants are 
designated in shares of stock and the participant is paid the value of 
the earned shares one-half in cash and one-half in shares of Firstar 
common stock plus a dividend equivalent for the performance period. This 
plan was terminated in 1998 with the merger of Firstar and Star Banc 
Corporation and prorata payments were made which resulted in the 
issuance of 42,863 shares. Compensation expense recorded under this plan 
was $4,351,000 in 1998, $4,502,000 in 1997, and $4,104,000 in 1996.

Directors and selected senior officers of the Corporation and its 
banking subsidiaries may participate in the Corporation's Deferred 
Compensation Plan through which they may postpone the receipt of 
compensation. Amounts deferred under the plan may be valued on the basis 
of an interest index or be used to purchase shares of the Corporation's 
common stock. Although the plan is unfunded for tax purposes, a portion 
of the shares of treasury stock held at December 31, 1998 and 1997, and 
1996 were acquired to meet obligations arising from this plan and are 
considered common stock equivalents for the purpose of computing 
earnings per share.

The Corporation has entered into severance agreements with certain 
officers of the Corporation. In general, the agreements provide for the 
payment of a lump sum benefit to the officer, plus the continuation of 
certain medical and insurance benefits and immediate exercisability of 
stock options, in the event that the officer's employment is terminated 
involuntarily by the Corporation, or voluntarily by the officer for good 
reason, following a change in control of the Corporation during the 
officer's protected period. The benefits payable under the agreements 
can be up to three times the officer's base salary and incentive bonus. 


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   48
<PAGE>
NOTE 17 - Income Taxes
The taxes applicable to income before income taxes were as follows:

(thousands of dollars)                         1998       1997       1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current income taxes:                
  Federal                                 $ 121,146  $ 195,411  $ 156,536
  State and other                            14,499     20,347     20,929
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal                                135,645    215,758    177,465
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred income taxes:
  Federal                                    77,791     39,795     29,483
  State and other                            (5,484)       485      1,734
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal                                 72,307     40,280     31,217
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Provision for income taxes            $ 207,952  $ 256,038  $ 208,682
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exercised stock options produced tax benefits of $41,011,000 in 1998, 
$17,260,000 in 1997 and $9,812,000 in 1996 which were allocated directly 
to shareholders' equity.

The effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate of 35%  
as shown below:

                                               1998       1997       1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statutory tax rate                             35.0%      35.0%      35.0%
Increase (reduction) in rate
  resulting from:
    Tax-exempt income                          (4.2)      (3.2)      (3.8)
    State and local taxes--
      net of federal income
      tax benefit                               0.9        1.8        2.4
    Amortization of
      nondeductible intangibles                 1.5        0.6        0.8
    Nondeductible merger and
      acquisition costs                         1.3
    Increase in cash surrender value
      of life insurance                        (1.1)      (0.5)      (0.5)
    Other--net                                 (0.8)      (0.4)      (0.5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Effective tax rate                     32.6%      33.3%      33.4%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The significant components of deferred income tax expense attributable 
to income from continuing operations are as follows:

(dollars in thousands)                         1998       1997       1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax expense
  (exclusive of the effect of
  other components listed below)          $  72,394  $  40,482  $  30,685
Change in valuation allowance
  due to creation/utilization
  of net operating losses                       (87)      (202)       532
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total                                 $  72,307  $  40,280  $  31,217
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The valuation allowance decreased $87,000 in 1998, decreased $202,000 in 
1997 and increased $532,000 in 1996. The valuation allowance has been 
recognized primarily to offset deferred tax assets related to state net 
operating loss carry forwards totaling approximately $386,544,000 which 
expire at various times within the next 20 years.

The significant components of the net deferred tax asset/(liability) 
were as follows:

(dollars in thousands)                         1998       1997       1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Equipment leased to customers           $(251,215) $(143,542) $(101,820)
  Securities available for sale             (57,716)   (19,315)   (13,881)
  Bank premises and equipment               (16,886)   (19,338)   (18,769)
  Acquired assets accounted for  
    as a purchase                           (11,777)   (12,560)   (13,779)
  Pension and post-retirement
    benefits                                 (8,492)        --         --
  Deferred loan fees/costs                   (4,525)        --         --
  FHLB dividends                             (9,959)    (3,244)    (2,152)
  Other-net                                  (6,214)    (1,303)        --
Deferred tax assets:
  Reserve for loan losses                   144,625    142,456    133,736
  Pension and post-retirement         
    benefits                                     --      9,778      8,776
  State and federal net
    operating loss carry forwards            20,406     11,462     11,887
  Deferred compensation                      14,977     15,117     16,595
  Deferred loan fees/costs                       --      2,857      3,740
  Merger-related charges                     43,790         --         --
  Federal AMT credit carryforward             7,568         --         --
  Charitable contributions carryforward       4,100         --         --
  Other-net                                      --         --      4,237
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal                             (131,318)   (17,632)    28,570
      Valuation allowance                   (10,854)   (10,941)   (11,143)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Net deferred tax asset/(liability)  $(142,172) $ (28,573) $  17,427
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               49
<PAGE>
NOTE 18 - Shareholders' Equity
The authorized and outstanding shares of Firstar are as follows:

December 31                                        1998          1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value
  Authorized                                 10,000,000    10,000,000
  Outstanding                                        --            --
Preferred stock from acquired bank:
  Series D - Authorized                              --        40,250
           - Outstanding                             --        10,615
Common stock, $.01 par value
  Authorized                                800,000,000   800,000,000
  Outstanding (net of treasury stock)       218,747,094   205,690,306
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------


Under the Firstar Preferred Share Purchase Rights Plan each share of 
common stock entitles its holder to one right. Under certain conditions, 
each right entitles the holder to purchase one one-hundredth of a share 
of preferred stock at a price of $300, subject to adjustment. The rights 
will only be exercisable if a person or a group has acquired, or 
announced an intention to acquire, 15% or more of the outstanding shares 
of Firstar common stock. Under certain circumstances, including the 
existence of a 15% acquiring party, each holder of a right, other than 
the acquiring party, will be entitled to purchase at the exercise price 
Firstar common shares having a market value of two times the exercise 
price. In the event of the acquisition of Firstar by another company 
subsequent to a party acquiring 15% or more of Firstar common stock, 
each holder of a right is entitled to receive the acquiring company's 
common shares having a market value of two times the exercise price. The 
rights may be redeemed at a price of $.01 per right prior to the 
existence of a 15% acquiring party, and thereafter, may be exchanged for 
one common share per right prior to the existence of a 50% acquiring 
party. The rights will expire on December 1, 2008. The rights do not 
have voting or dividend rights and until they become exercisable, have 
no dilutive effect on the earnings of Firstar. Under the rights plan, 
the Board of Directors of Firstar may reduce the thresholds applicable 
to the rights from 15% to not less than 10%.

A reconciliation of the transactions affecting Accumulated Other 
Comprehensive Income included in shareholders' equity for the years 
ended December 31, is as follows:

                                                           Tax    Net of 
(dollars in thousands)                     Pre-tax      Effect       Tax
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
Unrealized losses on securities
  available for sale                      $(23,003)  $  8,005   $(14,998)
Reclassification adjustment for losses
  realized in net income                     2,365       (823)     1,542
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total                                 $(20,638)  $  7,182   $(13,456)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997
Unrealized gains on securities
  available for sale                      $  8,412   $ (3,895)  $  4,517
Reclassification adjustment for gains
  realized in net income                     3,916     (1,810)     2,106
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total                                 $ 12,328   $ (5,705)  $  6,623
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998
Unrealized gains on securities
  available for sale                      $105,724   $(38,023)  $ 67,701
Reclassification adjustment for gains
  realized in net income                    (1,095)       393       (702)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total                                 $104,629   $(37,630)  $ 66,999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   50
<PAGE>
NOTE 19 - Regulatory Capital
Firstar and its banking subsidiaries are subject to various capital 
requirements as defined by banking industry regulators for banks and 
bank holding companies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can 
initiate certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions 
by the regulators that, if undertaken, could have a material effect on 
the financial statements of Firstar. As of the most recent notification 
from its regulators, at December 31, 1998 and 1997, all of Firstar's 
subsidiary banks were categorized as "well capitalized" under the 
regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

The following provides a summary of Firstar and its subsidiary banks' 
tier 1 and total risk-based capital amounts and ratios, as compared to 
minimum capital requirements for 1998 and 1997.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                   For Minimum    
                                                                 Capital Adequacy     To Be Well
(dollars in thousands)                            Actual             Purposes         Capitalized
- ----------------------------------------   ------------------   ----------------   ----------------
                                               Amount  Ratio      Amount  Ratio      Amount  Ratio
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>    <C>        <C>
 As of December 31, 1998:
 Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
  Consolidated                             $3,471,828  11.01%  $2,522,913  8.00%         n/a   n/a 
  Star Bank, N.A.                           1,502,182  10.39    1,157,095  8.00   $1,446,869 10.00%
  Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A.                798,358  10.93      584,566  8.00      730,708 10.00
  Firstar Bank Wisconsin                      303,377  10.58      229,472  8.00      286,840 10.00
  Firstar Bank Minnesota, N.A.                183,423  10.58      138,688  8.00      173,360 10.00
  Firstar Bank Iowa, N.A.                     222,062  10.50      169,159  8.00      211,449 10.00
  Firstar Bank Illinois                       215,356  14.69      117,246  8.00      146,558 10.00
  Firstar Bank U.S.A., N.A.                   196,111  10.84      144,716  8.00      180,896 10.00

 Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
  Consolidated                              2,814,386   8.92    1,261,457  4.00          n/a   n/a
  Star Bank, N.A.                             997,341   6.90      578,548  4.00      867,822  6.00 
  Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A.                549,083   7.51      292,283  4.00      438,425  6.00
  Firstar Bank Wisconsin                      240,467   8.38      114,736  4.00      172,104  6.00
  Firstar Bank Minnesota, N.A.                151,647   8.75       69,344  4.00      104,016  6.00
  Firstar Bank Iowa, N.A.                     181,688   8.59       84,580  4.00      126,869  6.00
  Firstar Bank Illinois                       196,992  13.44       58,623  4.00       87,935  6.00
  Firstar Bank U.S.A., N.A.                   128,498   7.10       72,358  4.00      108,537  6.00
   
 Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets):
  Consolidated                              2,814,386   7.52    1,496,441  4.00          n/a   n/a
  Star Bank, N.A.                             997,341   6.08      656,168  4.00      830,210  5.00
  Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A.                549,083   6.29      348,933  4.00      436,167  5.00
  Firstar Bank Wisconsin                      240,467   6.35      151,536  4.00      189,420  5.00
  Firstar Bank Minnesota, N.A.                151,647   6.09       99,669  4.00      124,587  5.00
  Firstar Bank Iowa, N.A.                     181,688   6.23      116,597  4.00      145,746  5.00
  Firstar Bank Illinois                       196,992   7.54      104,561  4.00      130,701  5.00
  Firstar Bank U.S.A., N.A.                   128,498   8.22       62,503  4.00       78,128  5.00

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As of December 31, 1997:
 Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
  Consolidated                             $3,274,713  12.03%  $2,178,259  8.00%         n/a   n/a 
  Star Bank, N.A.                           1,150,460  10.50      876,902  8.00   $1,096,128 10.00%
  Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A.                655,236  10.21      513,593  8.00      641,992 10.00
  Firstar Bank Wisconsin                      353,984  11.43      247,791  8.00      309,738 10.00
  Firstar Bank Minnesota, N.A.                241,675  12.27      157,544  8.00      196,930 10.00
  Firstar Bank Iowa, N.A.                     243,698  11.63      167,814  8.00      209,767 10.00
  Firstar Bank Illinois                       212,508  14.31      118,464  8.00      148,080 10.00
  Firstar Bank U.S.A., N.A.                   139,390  12.76       87,381  8.00      109,227 10.00

 Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
  Consolidated                              2,613,541   9.60    1,089,130  4.00          n/a   n/a
  Star Bank, N.A.                             765,614   6.98      438,451  4.00      657,677  6.00
  Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A.                538,295   8.38      256,797  4.00      385,195  6.00
  Firstar Bank Wisconsin                      303,196   9.79      123,895  4.00      185,843  6.00
  Firstar Bank Minnesota, N.A.                216,964  11.02       78,772  4.00      118,158  6.00
  Firstar Bank Iowa, N.A.                     210,707  10.04       83,907  4.00      125,860  6.00
  Firstar Bank Illinois                       193,882  13.05       59,232  4.00       88,848  6.00
  Firstar Bank U.S.A., N.A.                   105,705   9.68       43,691  4.00       65,536  6.00

 Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets):
  Consolidated                              2,613,541   8.23    1,269,943  4.00          n/a   n/a
  Star Bank, N.A.                             765,614   6.24      490,744  4.00      613,430  5.00
  Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A.                538,295   7.29      295,445  4.00      369,306  5.00
  Firstar Bank Wisconsin                      303,196   7.57      160,213  4.00      200,266  5.00
  Firstar Bank Minnesota, N.A.                216,964   8.16      106,353  4.00      132,941  5.00
  Firstar Bank Iowa, N.A.                     210,707   7.29      115,672  4.00      144,590  5.00
  Firstar Bank Illinois                       193,882   7.28      106,498  4.00      133,122  5.00
  Firstar Bank U.S.A., N.A.                   105,705  12.77       33,114  4.00       41,393  5.00

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               51
<PAGE>
NOTE 20 - Financial Instruments and Commitments
Firstar is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk 
in the normal course of business in managing its interest rate risk and 
meeting the financing needs of its customers. These financial 
instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of 
credit, interest rate swap agreements, interest rate caps and floors, 
forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies and forward 
commitments to sell residential mortgage loans. These instruments 
involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk 
in excess of the amount recognized on the consolidated balance sheet. 
The contract or notional amounts of these instruments reflect the extent 
of involvement that Firstar has in particular classes of financial 
instruments.

Firstar's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the 
other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend 
credit, standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit is 
represented by the contract amount of these instruments. Commitments 
generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and 
may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected 
to or typically expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment 
amount does not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The 
Corporation uses the same credit policies in making commitments and 
conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments. The 
need for collateral is assessed on a case-by-case basis, based upon 
management's credit evaluation of the other party.

The following table shows the contract amount of off-balance sheet 
financial instruments associated with Firstar's commercial and consumer 
lending activities as of December 31.

(dollars in thousands)                  1998         1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------
Commitments to extend credit     $11,276,724   $8,674,181
Credit card lines                  4,362,189    4,314,225
Standby letters of credit            578,423      932,557
Letters of credit                     59,803       62,780
- ---------------------------------------------------------

As part of its asset and liability management, Firstar uses various 
types of interest rate contracts for the purpose of managing its 
interest rate risk. The use of interest rate contracts enables Firstar 
to synthetically alter the repricing characteristics of designated 
earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. The following table 
summarizes the notional amounts and fair market values of interest rate 
contracts used in the interest rate risk management process at December 
31.

                                    1998                1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Notional  Market    Notional   Market
(dollars in thouands)           Value   Value       Value    Value
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest rate swaps
  In a receivable position   $270,000  $3,841  $  470,000  $ 1,440
  In a payable position         8,000    (158)    153,000   (4,548)
Interest rate floors
  In a receivable position    516,500     343     716,000    1,729
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
                             $794,500  $4,026  $1,339,000  $(1,379)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------

The interest rate swaps were used to convert certain fixed rate deposits 
and borrowed funds to a variable rate basis and to convert certain 
floating rate commercial loans to a fixed rate basis. Interest rate 
floors provide for the receipt of payments when the three month LIBOR 
rate is below a predetermined level. These interest rate floors have 
been entered into to protect against the impact of declining rates on 
certain variable rate loans along with the interest rate risk associated 
with certain money market deposit accounts which have guaranteed minimum 
interest rates.

The net cash flows associated with these off-balance-sheet interest rate 
contracts used to manage interest rate risk reduced net interest income 
by $142,000, $1,833,000 and $4,380,000 during 1998, 1997 and 1996, 
respectively. The maturity of these interest rate contracts as of 
December 31, 1998 is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>          
                             Maturity Range of Derivative Financial Instruments 
                             --------------------------------------------------
(dollars in millions)                    1999       2000        2001      Total
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>      
Interest Rate Swaps
 Receive fixed rate                   $     90   $    140   $     40   $    270
   Average receive rate                   8.78%      9.08%      8.61%      8.91%
   Average pay rate                       7.75%      7.75%      7.75%      7.75%
 Receive variable rate                $      8         --         --   $      8
   Average receive rate                   5.25%        --         --       5.25%
   Average pay rate                       8.59%        --         --       8.59%
 Interest rate floors                 $    211   $    305         --   $    516
   Average floor rate                     5.09%      4.75%        --       4.89%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total                            $    309   $    445   $     40   $    794
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


Firstar enters into commitments to sell groups of residential mortgage 
loans that it originates or purchases as part of its mortgage banking 
activities. Firstar commits to sell the loans at specified prices in a 
future period typically within 90 days. The risk associated with these 
commitments consists primarily of loans not closing in sufficient 
volumes and at appropriate yields to meet the sale commitments. Firstar 
had contracts totaling $1.8 billion and $605 million on December 31, 
1998 and 1997, respectively. Gains or losses on these contracts are 
included in the determination of the market value of mortgages held for 
sale.

Firstar also acts as an intermediary for customers in their management 
of interest rate and foreign currency risk. In this regard, Firstar will 
enter into interest rate swaps, caps, floors and foreign exchange 
contracts with its customers to minimize their exposure to market risk. 
Firstar enters into essentially offsetting transactions with other 
counterparties. Revenue from this intermediary activity was $5.7 million 
and $4.3 million in 1998 and 1997, respectively. Information on these 
transactions at December 31 is shown below:	

                                    1998                1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Notional  Market    Notional   Market
(dollars in thouands)          Amount   Value      Amount    Value
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest rate swaps
  In a receivable position   $535,111  $11,726   $282,858   $2,872
  In a payable position       464,931    9,203    266,858    2,037 
Interest rate caps/floors
  In a receivable position     97,500     182      63,215      639
  In a payable position        97,500     182      63,215      639
Foreign exchange contracts
  In a receivable position     81,000     873      71,000    3,242
  In a payable position        73,000     364      84,000    1,479
- -------------------------------------------------------------------

The notional values of derivative financial instruments do not represent 
direct credit exposures. Firstar is exposed to credit-related losses in 
the event of nonperformance by counterparties to these instruments. 
Where appropriate, Firstar requires collateral based upon the positive 
market value of the exposure taking into account bilateral netting 
agreements with certain counterparties. Based upon market values of all 
derivative financial instruments, Firstar's credit exposure was $17.0 
million at December 31, 1998.


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   52
<PAGE>
NOTE 21 - Litigation
Various legal claims have arisen during the normal course of business 
which, in the opinion of management, will not result in material 
liability to Firstar.


NOTE 22 - Dividend Restriction
Bank regulatory agencies limit the amount of dividends a subsidiary bank 
can declare to the parent company in any calendar year without obtaining 
prior approval. Dividends totaling $90 million required regulatory 
agency approval in 1998. The amount of dividends available to the parent 
company from the bank subsidiaries at January 1, 1999 was $343 million.


NOTE 23 - Earnings Per Share
The following table shows the amounts used in the computation of basic 
and diluted earnings per share, in accordance with SFAS No. 128.

(dollars in thousands except per share data)
                                        1998        1997        1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                          $430,147    $513,894    $415,418
Dividends on preferred stock             (83)       (483)       (872)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net income available to
   common shareholders              $430,064    $513,411    $414,546
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average shares:
Common shares                        216,510     206,761     211,286
Convertible preferred shares             139         451         827
Options & stock plans                  4,369       4,171       2,767
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
  Weighted average diluted
   common shares                     221,018     211,383     214,880
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings per common share        $1.99       $2.48       $1.96
Diluted earnings per common share      $1.95       $2.43       $1.93
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE 24 - Other noninterest expense
The following are included in all other expenses for the years ended 
December 31.

(dollars in thousands)                  1998       1997       1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization of intangibles          $57,121    $35,292    $30,030
Outside processing services           70,938     58,871     48,682
Postage and courier                   37,451     34,847     31,620
Marketing                             32,467     29,527     31,285
- ------------------------------------------------------------------


NOTE 25 - Business Segments
Firstar's operations include three primary business segments: Consumer 
Banking, Wholesale Banking, and Trust and Private Banking. Selected 
financial information by business segment is summarized below. This 
information is derived from the internal reporting systems used by 
management to assess segment performance.

Consumer banking provides deposit, installment and credit card
lending, mortgage banking, leasing, investment, payment systems 
and other financial services to individuals and small businesses. 
These services are provided through retail branch offices, ATMs, 
voice banking, PC and video banking options.

Wholesale banking provides traditional business lending, asset-based 
lending, commercial real estate loans, equipment financing, cash 
management services and international trade services to businesses and 
governmental entities.

Trust and private banking provides personal financial and asset 
management services, comprehensive employee benefit plan services, 
mutual fund custody and record keeping, and corporate bond and stock 
transfer services.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the year ended December 31, 1998 (dollars in thousands)

                                                        Trust and                                Merger-
                               Consumer    Wholesale      Private                                Related
                                Banking      Banking      Banking     Treasury        Total     Expenses  Consolidated
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
Net interest income         $   848,746  $   379,068  $    61,845  $   123,120  $ 1,412,779  $        --   $ 1,412,779
Provision for loan losses        78,019       10,707        2,034        4,576       95,336       18,300       113,636
Noninterest income              453,544      117,218      281,848        7,538      860,148           --       860,148
Noninterest expense             910,165      141,239      200,414       26,404    1,278,222      242,970     1,521,192
Income taxes                    102,960      112,872       46,299       32,674      294,805      (86,853)      207,952
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net income              $   211,146  $   231,468  $    94,946  $    67,004  $   604,564  $  (174,417)  $   430,147
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average balances:
  Loans                     $10,692,100  $10,307,489  $ 1,815,758  $ 3,212,409  $25,027,756
  Total assets               13,178,705   10,863,454    1,227,816   11,255,001   36,524,976
  Deposits                   21,634,300    3,304,805    1,381,739      510,154   26,830,998
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Treasury includes the net effect of transfer pricing of interest income 
and expense along with the operating results of the investment 
securities and residential mortgage loan portfolios. All revenue and 
expenses of administrative and support functions has been allocated to 
the primary business segments.

Prior year amounts are not presented due to the unavailability of 
comparable data from the merged companies.


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               53
<PAGE>
NOTE 26 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Disclosure of fair value information about both on and off-balance-sheet 
financial instruments is provided where it is practicable to estimate 
that value. For many of Firstar's financial instruments, however, an 
available trading market does not exist; therefore, significant 
estimations and present value calculations were used to determine fair 
values as described below. Changes in estimates and assumptions could 
have a significant impact on these fair values.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
For cash and due from banks, federal funds sold, securities purchased 
under agreement to resell and interest-bearing deposits in banks, the 
carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

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 or estimated 
current replacement cost of the instrument.

Loans
For variable rate loans which reprice frequently or are based on market 
changes, with no significant changes in credit risk, fair values are 
based on carrying values. The fair values for all other types of loans 
(including nonperforming loans) are estimated by discounting the future 
cash flows using current rates being offered for similar loans to 
borrowers of similar credit quality.

Deposit Liabilities
The fair values of noninterest-bearing deposits, savings, NOW and money 
market deposit accounts are, by definition, equal to the amount payable 
on demand at the reporting date. The carrying values of variable rate, 
fixed-term time deposits and certificates of deposit approximate their 
fair values. For fixed-rate certificates of deposit, fair values are 
estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on rates currently 
offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

Short-Term Borrowings
The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased, securities sold under 
agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings approximate 
their fair values.

Long-Term Debt
Fair values of Firstar's long-term debt are estimated by using 
discounted cash flow analyses, based on current market rates for debt 
with similar terms and remaining maturities.

Off-Balance-Sheet Instruments
The fair value of interest rate swap agreements is based on the present 
value of the swap primarily using counter party or third party dealer 
quotes. Fair values for caps and floors were obtained using an option 
pricing model. These values represent the estimated amount Firstar would 
receive or pay to terminate the contracts or agreements taking into 
account current interest rates and market volatility. Prices obtained 
from counter parties or pricing models are tested by obtaining third 
party valuations. The fair value of commitments to extend credit and 
standby letters of credit is not material and is not shown here.

Due to the wide range of valuation techniques and numerous estimates and 
assumptions which must be made for financial instruments which lack 
available secondary markets, management is concerned that reasonable 
comparability of estimated fair value disclosures between financial 
institutions may not be likely.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of Firstar's 
financial instruments at December 31.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(dollars in thousands)                       1998                             1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Carrying Amount    Fair Value    Carrying Amount    Fair Value
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>           <C>                <C>           <C>
Financial assets:   
  Cash and cash equivalents       $ 2,425,056   $ 2,425,056        $ 2,228,920   $ 2,228,920
  Trading securities                    2,754         2,754              2,293         2,293
  Investment securities             6,356,309     6,358,189          5,599,996     5,653,679
  Net loans                        25,472,101    25,815,254         22,843,092    23,223,334
  Loans held for sale               1,539,892     1,543,031            453,332       453,741
Financial liabilities:
  Deposits                         28,850,765    28,929,861         24,486,067    24,517,235 
  Short-term borrowings             3,463,308     3,463,308          3,414,330     3,414,330 
  Long-term debt                    1,708,869     1,758,513          1,744,767     1,780,873 
Derivative financial instruments:
  Asset and liability management: 
    Interest rate contracts
      Asset                                --         4,184                 --         3,169 
      Liability                            --           158                 --         4,548
  Customer activities:
    Interest rate contracts
      Asset                            11,908        11,908              3,511         3,511 
      Liability                         9,385         9,385              2,676         2,676 
    Foreign exchange contracts
      Asset                               873           873              3,242         3,242
      Liability                           364           364              1,479         1,479
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   54
<PAGE>
NOTE 27 - PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Balance Sheets
As of December 31 (dollars in thousands)                     1998        1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets:
Investment in subsidiaries:
  Banking subsidiaries                                 $3,475,800  $2,884,869
  Nonbank subsidiaries                                     89,204      65,935
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total investment 
      in subsidiaries                                   3,565,004   2,950,804
Cash and cash equivalents                                 120,178      55,332
Other investments                                           7,126      18,209
Advances to subsidiaries                                  704,795     491,108
Other assets                                               87,391      25,754
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total assets                                      $4,484,494  $3,541,207
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Short-term borrowings                                  $  131,035  $  102,103
Long-term debt                                            684,523     622,919
Other liabilities                                         139,023      66,294
Shareholders' equity                                    3,529,913   2,749,891
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total liabilities and
      shareholders' equity                             $4,484,494  $3,541,207
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Statements of Income
For the years ended December 31 (dollars in thousands)
                                                     1998      1997      1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue:
Dividends from subsidiaries
  Banking subsidiaries                           $402,450  $464,423  $431,414
  Nonbank subsidiaries                             15,000     6,225     7,600
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total dividends
      from subsidiaries                           417,450   470,648   439,014
Fees and assessments from subsidiaries             44,098    49,919    36,826
Other income                                       37,013    19,504    13,065
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total revenue                                498,561   540,071   488,905
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense:
Interest on short-term borrowings                   9,640     5,636    11,452
Interest on long-term debt                         43,130    40,466    21,133
Other operating expense                            71,654    61,472    52,598
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total expense                                124,424   107,574    85,183
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income tax benefit                  374,137   432,497   403,722
Income tax benefit                                 12,773    15,708    11,340 
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries     43,237    65,689       356 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net income                                  $430,147  $513,894  $415,418
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               55 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31 (dollars in thousands)                 1998         1997         1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>          <C>          <C>       
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income                                                        $ 430,147    $ 513,894    $ 415,418
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
  by operating activities:
    Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries                  (43,237)     (65,689)        (356)
    Depreciation and amortization                                    10,572        3,482        2,079
    Net change in receivables from subsidiaries                        (942)       2,574        2,274 
    Gain on sale of securities available for sale                        --         (210)          -- 
    Net change in other assets and other liabilities                   (774)       3,928       19,804 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Net cash provided by operating activities                    395,766      457,979      439,219
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital contributions to subsidiaries                              (211,005)      (7,875)      (6,928)
Net change in advances to subsidiaries                              (99,062)    (333,857)     (87,734)
Cash from mergers of holding companies                               55,789           --           --
Cash received from sale of interest in partnership to subsidiary         --           --       27,063
Other investing activity                                              1,034       (3,395)      (3,051)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Net cash used in investing activities                       (253,244)    (345,127)     (70,650)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net change in short-term borrowings                                  28,932      (38,975)     104,265
Net change in long-term debt                                         63,601      254,600       93,530 
Dividends paid                                                     (222,770)    (192,514)    (171,661)
Common stock transactions                                            51,368     (285,325)    (250,427)
Shares reserved to meet deferred compensation obligations             1,193        1,945        1,624
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Net cash used in financing activities                        (77,676)    (260,269)    (222,669)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents                              64,846     (147,417)     145,900 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                       55,332      202,749       56,849
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                          $ 120,178    $  55,332    $ 202,749
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information 
For the years ended December 31 (dollars in thousands)                 1998         1997         1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense                                                  $  76,761    $  43,936    $  32,903
Taxes paid                                                          137,166      196,824      171,822 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   56 
<PAGE>
NOTE 28 - SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

The following is a summary of quarterly results of operations for 1998 and
1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(amounts in thousands, except per share data)                        Quarter Ended
1998                                                  Dec. 31    Sept. 30     June 30     Mar. 31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>      
Net interest income                                  $368,902    $355,405    $349,741    $338,731
Provision for loan losses                              28,503      32,038      24,450      28,645
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   340,399     323,367     325,291     310,086
Noninterest income                                    223,628     227,821     211,656     197,043
Noninterest expense                                   547,089     358,548     315,160     300,395
Income taxes                                            3,921      63,018      73,113      67,900
Net income                                             13,017     129,622     148,674     138,834
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share:    
  Basic earnings per common share                    $   0.06    $   0.60    $   0.68     $  0.65
  Diluted earnings per common share                      0.06        0.58        0.67        0.64
  Cash dividends declared on common stock                0.30        0.23        0.23        0.23
  Book value per common share                           16.14       16.15       15.76       15.31
  Market price -- high                                  93.94       73,50       64.38       61.25
                  low                                   57.19       54.88       59.19       53.13
Weighted average common shares outstanding            218,429     217,799     217,265     212,472
Weighted average diluted common shares                222,820     222,294     221,711     217,176
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios:
  Return on average assets                               0.13%       1.38%       1.65%       1.64%
  Return on average common equity                        1.44       14.88       17.81       18.30
  Net interest margin                                    4.48        4.42        4.45        4.51
  Efficiency ratio                                      90.63       60.31       55.09       55.02
  Noninterest income to net revenue                     37.05       38.32       36.99       36.09
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                     Quarter Ended
1997                                                  Dec. 31    Sept. 30     June 30     Mar. 31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income                                  $330,109    $326,897    $323,937    $321,224
Provision for loan losses                              38,118      28,191      26,157      25,306
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   291,991     298,706     297,780     295,918
Noninterest income                                    206,159     178,957     168,028     158,899
Noninterest expense                                   301,832     279,972     274,923     269,779
Income taxes                                           62,796      66,116      64,702      62,424
Net income                                            133,522     131,575     126,183     122,614
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share:    
  Basic earnings per common share                    $   0.65    $   0.64    $   0.61    $   0.58
  Diluted earnings per common share                      0.63        0.62        0.60        0.58
  Cash dividends declared on common stock                0.20        0.20        0.20        0.20
  Book value per common share                           13.34       12.98       12.83       12.16
  Market price -- high                                  58.00       47.06       44.75       45.25
                  low                                   46.13       42.63       38.88       29.70
Weighted average common shares outstanding            206,276     206,153     206,136     208,509
Weighted average diluted common shares                211,215     210,857     210,592     212,924
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios:
  Return on average assets                               1.65%       1.64%       1.61%       1.60%
  Return on average common equity                       19.57       19.92       20.06       19.72
  Net interest margin                                    4.66        4.62        4.61        4.64
  Efficiency ratio                                      55.21       54.24       54.75       55.08
  Noninterest income to net revenue                     37.71       34.67       33.46       32.44
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               57 
<PAGE>
RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FIRSTAR CORPORATION

Responsibility for the financial information presented in the Annual 
Report rests with Firstar Corporation's management. The Corporation 
believes that the consolidated financial statements reflect fairly the 
substance of transactions and present fairly the Corporation's financial 
position and results of operations in conformity with generally accepted 
accounting principles appropriate in the circumstances applying certain 
estimates and judgments as required. 

In meeting its responsibilities for the reliability of the financial 
statements, the Corporation depends on its system of internal controls. 
The system is designed to provide reasonable assurance that assets are 
safeguarded and transactions are executed in accordance with the 
appropriate corporate authorization and recorded properly to permit the 
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles. Although control procedures are designed 
to achieve these objectives, it must be recognized that errors or 
irregularities may nevertheless occur. Also, estimates and judgments are 
required to assess and balance the relative cost and expected benefits 
of the controls. The Corporation believes that its internal controls 
provide reasonable assurance that errors or irregularities that could be 
material to the financial statements are prevented or would be detected 
within a timely period by employees in the normal course of performing 
their assigned functions. An important element of the system is a 
continuing and extensive internal audit program. 

The board of directors of the Corporation has an Audit Committee 
composed of directors who are not officers or employees of the 
Corporation. The committee meets periodically and privately with 
management, the internal auditors and the independent public accountants 
to consider audit results and to discuss internal accounting control, 
auditing and financial reporting matters. 

Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, have been engaged 
to render an independent professional opinion on the Corporation's 
financial statements. Their audit is conducted in accordance with 
generally accepted auditing standards and forms the basis for their 
report as to the fair presentation, in the financial statements, of the 
Corporation's financial position, operating results and cash flows. 



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Firstar Corporation: 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of FIRSTAR 
CORPORATION (a Wisconsin corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 
31, 1998 and 1997 and the related consolidated statements of income, 
changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the 
three years in the period ended December 31, 1998. These financial 
statements are the responsibility of the Corporation's management. 
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these 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 financial statements are 
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test 
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the 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 financial statements referred to above present 
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Firstar 
Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the 
results of their operations and cash flows for each of the three years 
in the period ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally 
accepted accounting principles. 

/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

Cincinnati, Ohio
January 11, 1999



FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   58
<PAGE>
CORPORATE DIRECTORS

Paul M. Baker 3,4
Formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 
Great Financial Corporation

Michael E. Batten 1,3
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Twin Disc, Incorporated

James R. Bridgeland, Jr. 1,5
Partner, Taft, Stettinius & Hollister

Laurance L. Browning, Jr. 2,5
Formerly Vice Chairman, Emerson Electric Co.

Robert C. Buchanan 2
President and Chief Executive Officer, Fox Valley Corporation

Victoria B. Buyniski 3,4
President and Chief Executive Officer, United Medical Resources, Inc.

Samuel M. Cassidy 1
Formerly President and Chief Executive Officer, Star Bank, N.A. 
and Executive Vice President, Star Banc Corporation

George M. Chester, Jr. 4
Partner, Covington & Burling

V. Anderson Coombe 3
Chairman, The Wm. Powell Co.

John C. Dannemiller 4,5
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Applied Industrial
Technologies

Roger L. Fitzsimonds 1
Chairman, Firstar Corporation

James L. Forbes 1,2
President and Chief Executive Officer, Badger Meter, Inc.

David B. Garvin 3
Ironwood Farm

Jerry A. Grundhofer 1
President and Chief Executive Officer, Firstar Corporation

J.P. Hayden, Jr. 1,2,3,5
Chairman, The Midland Company

Joe F. Hladky 3,4
President, The Gazette Company

Roger L. Howe 1,2,3
Formerly Chairman, U.S. Precision Lens, Inc.

Thomas J. Klinedinst, Jr. 3,4
Chairman, President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer, 
Thos. E. Wood, Inc.

William H. Lacy 2,5
President and Chief Executive Officer, MGIC Investment Corporation

Sheldon B. Lubar 1,5
Chairman, Lubar & Company

Kenneth P. Manning 2,3
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Universal Foods Corporation

Daniel F. McKeithan, Jr. 1,3,5
President and Chief Executive Officer, Tamarack Petroleum Company, Inc.

Charles S. Mechem, Jr. 2
Chairman, Cincinnati Bell, Inc. 

Daniel J. Meyer 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Cincinnati Milacron, Inc.

David B. O'Maley 2
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, 
Ohio National Financial Services

Robert J. O'Toole 2,4
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, A.O. Smith Corporation

O'dell M. Owens, M.D., M.P.H. 4
The Franciscan Health System of the Ohio Valley

Thomas E. Petry 1,2,3
Formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 
Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc.

Judith D. Pyle 3
Vice Chairman, The Pyle Group and Georgette Klinger, Inc.

John J. Stollenwerk 3,4
President, Allen-Edmonds Shoe Corporation

Oliver W. Waddell 1
Formerly Chairman, Star Banc Corporation and Vice Chairman, Star Bank, N.A. 

William W. Wirtz 3
President, Wirtz Corporation


1=Executive Committee
2=Compensation Committee
3=Audit Committee
4=Community Outreach and Fair Lending Committee
5=Committees on Directors/Governance


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               59
<PAGE>
OFFICE OF THE CEO

Jerry A. Grundhofer
President and Chief Executive Officer

Roger L. Fitzsimonds
Chairman

John A. Becker
Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer

Richard K. Davis
Vice Chairman
Consumer Banking

David M. Moffett
Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer


MANAGING COMMITTEE

Jerry A. Grundhofer
President and Chief Executive Officer

Daniel A. Arrigoni
Executive Vice President
Mortgage Banking

John A. Becker
Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer

Kathy P. Beechem
Executive Vice President
Metro Banking and In-Store Banking

Daniel B. Benhase
Executive Vice President
Trust and Investments

Vince A. Berta
Executive Vice President
Western Kentucky Region

Joseph A. Campanella
Executive Vice President
Community Banking

Richard K. Davis
Vice Chairman
Consumer Banking

Roger L. Fitzsimonds
Chairman

Timothy J. Fogarty
Executive Vice President
Operations

Kenneth R. Griffith
Executive Vice President
Retail Lending and Finance Company

John R. Heistad
Executive Vice President
Credit Administration

Jerome C. Kohlhepp
Executive Vice President
Specialized Lending

Mark J. Masuhr
Executive Vice President
Commercial Products

David M. Moffett
Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer

Ronald E. Roder
Executive Vice President
Information Systems

Stephen E. Smith
Executive Vice President
Human Resources

Mary Ellen Stanek
President and Chief Executive Officer
FIRMCO

Patricia A. Wesner
Executive Vice President
Credit Card/Debit Card

Jay B. Williams
Executive Vice President
Sales and Marketing


FIRSTAR CORPORATION                   60
<PAGE>
CORPORATE INFORMATION


The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Firstar Corporation will be held at
11:00 a.m. (CDT), Tuesday, April 13, 1999, in the Miller Room, Miller
Brewing Company Pavilion at O'Donnell Park, 910 East Michigan Street,
Downtown Milwaukee.

Financial Information
Additional financial or general information, including copies of this annual
report, Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and
interim reports published quarterly during the year may be obtained 
online at www.firstar.com/about/about.html or by contacting:

Firstar Investor Relations
Request Line
414.765.4808

or

Joseph D. Messinger
First Vice President
Investor Relations
414.765.5235


Media requests should be made to:
Steven W. Dale 
Vice President 
Media Relations
414.765.4455


Stock Listing
Firstar Corporation common stock is listed under the symbol "FSR" on the New
York Stock Exchange.


Transfer Agent/Shareholder Services
Inquiries relating to shareholder records, stock transfers, changes of
ownership, changes of address and dividend payment should be sent to the
transfer agent at the following address:

Firstar Bank Milwaukee N.A.
1555 North River Center Drive, Suite 301
Milwaukee, WI  53212
1.800.637.7549


Dividend Reinvestment
Firstar Corporation offers its shareholders an automatic dividend
reinvestment program. The program enables shareholders to reinvest their
dividends in shares at the prevailing market price. For more information, write
to Firstar Bank Milwaukee N.A., Dividend Reinvestment Department,
1555 North River Center Drive, Suite 301, Milwaukee, WI  53212 or call
1.800.637.7549.


Independent Public Accountants
The independent public accountants of Firstar Corporation for 1999 are 
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP.


Corporate Headquarters
Firstar Center
777 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI  53202
414.765.4321

Online
For product, corporate and financial information, please visit our site
on the web at http://www.firstar.com.


BANK WITHOUT BOUNDARIES               61
<PAGE>
FIRSTAR CORPORATION
Corporate Headquarters
777 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 U.S.A.
Website:  www.firstar.com

Cincinnati Headquarters
425 Walnut Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 U.S.A.




Subsidiaries of Firstar Corporation		                    Exhibit 21		



Firstar Corporation has no parents.  The following list shows the name of 
each subsidiary of Firstar and the percentage of ownership as of December 31, 
1998. 

                                      Percentage   Jurisdiction in which
Name of Subsidiary                     Ownership  Incorporated or Organized 
- ------------------------------------  ----------  -------------------------
1  Firstar Bank, National 
   Association                              100%  United States 

1  Firstar Bank Milwaukee, National 
   Association                              100%  United States 

1  Firstar Bank Wisconsin                   100%  Wisconsin 

1  Firstar Bank Iowa, National 
   Association 	                          100%  United States 

1  Firstar Bank Burlington, National 
   Association                              100%  United States 

1  Firstar Bank of Minnesota, National 
   Association                              100%  United States 

1  Firstar Bank Illinois                    100%  Illinois 

1  Firstar Bank U.S.A., National 
   Association                              100%  United States 

2  Firstar Metropolitan Bank & Trust        100%  Arizona 

1  Firstar BankWausau, National 
   Association                              100%  United States

6  Firstar Corporation(WI)                  100%  Wisconsin 

1  Firstar Corporation of Arizona           100%  Arizona 

1  Firstar Mutual Funds LLC                 100%  Wisconsin 

1  Firstar Trust Company of Florida, 
   National Association                     100%  United States 

1  Firstar Investment Research & 
   Management Company, LLC                  100%  Wisconsin 

1  Firstar Insurance Services, LLC 	        100%  Wisconsin 

3  Firstar Investment Services, Inc.        100%  Wisconsin 

1  Elan Life Insurance Company            79.00%  Arizona 

1  Firstar Title Corp.                      100%  Wisconsin 

3  Firstar Community Investment 
   Corporation                              100%  Wisconsin 

3  Firstar Equipment Finance 
   Corporation 	                          100%  Wisconsin 

3  Firstar Lease Receivables 
   Corporation 	                          100%  Wisconsin 

3  Firstar Home Mortgage Corporation        100%  Wisconsin 

3  Firstar Equipment Corporation            100%  Wisconsin 

1  Firstar Finance, Inc                     100%  Ohio 

1  Star Capital Corporation                 100%  Ohio 

1  Miami Valley Insurance Company           100%  Arizona 

<PAGE>
3  Firstar Trade Services 
   Corporation                              100%  Wisconsin 

5  Firstar Trade Services Limited           100%  Hong Kong 

3  Milwaukee Capital Corporation            100%  Nevada 

4  Wisconsin Capital Corporation            100%  Nevada 

1  Firstar Capital Trust I                  100%  Delaware 

1  Star Capital I                           100%  Delaware 

			

Notes 	 	
- -----
1  Subsidiary of Firstar Corporation(WI)  	 	
2  Subsidiary of Firstar Corporation of Arizona 	 	
3  Subsidiary of Firstar Bank Milwaukee, National Association 	 	
4  Subsidiary of Firstar Bank Wisconsin 	 	
5  Subsidiary of Firstar Trade Services Corporation 	 	
6  Subsidiary of Firstar Corporation 		




                                                       EXHIBIT 23









                 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS




     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation of our report incorporated by reference in this
Form 10-K, into the Company's previously filed Registration
Statement Files No. 2-94845, No. 33-9494, No. 33-10085, No. 33-
24672, No. 33-46018, No. 33-61308, No. 33-38830, No. 33-41030,
No. 33-19830, No. 33-57521, No. 33-57523, No. 33-58559, No. 33-
58913, No. 33-58915, No. 33-59207, No. 33-53109, No. 333-26665, 
No. 333-69229, No. 333-69233, and No. 333-69231.




                                /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
                                _____________________________
                                ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP





Cincinnati, Ohio, 
March 19, 1999



EXHIBIT 24


                     POWER OF ATTORNEY



     We, the undersigned Directors of Firstar Corporation, hereby
appoint Jerry A. Grundhofer and Jennie P. Carlson or either of
them with full power of substitution, our true and lawful
attorneys and agents, to do any and all acts and things in our
names and on our behalf as Directors of the Corporation, which
said attorneys and agents may deem necessary or advisable to
enable the Corporation to comply with the Securities Act of
1934, as amended, and any rules, regulations or requirements of
the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with the
filing of the Corporation's annual report on Form 10-K for the
year 1998, including, without limitation, signing for us, or any
of us, in our names as Directors of the Corporation, such Form
10-K and any and all amendments thereto, and we hereby ratify
and confirm all that said attorneys and agents shall do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, and
the rules and regulations thereunder, this Power of Attorney has
been signed below by the following persons as Directors of the
Corporation as of the 12th day of January, 1999.



/s/ Paul M. Baker
- -----------------------------
Director
Paul M. Baker


/s/Michael E. Batten
- -----------------------------
Director
Michael E. Batten


/s/ James R. Bridgeland, Jr.
- -----------------------------
Director
James R. Bridgeland, Jr.


/s/Laurance L. Browning, Jr.	
- -----------------------------
Director
Laurance L. Browning, Jr.	


/s/ Robert C. Buchanan
- -----------------------------
Director
Robert C. Buchanan


/s/Victoria B. Buyniski
- -----------------------------
Director
Victoria B. Buyniski


/s/ Samuel M. Cassidy, III
- -----------------------------
Director
Samuel M. Cassidy, III


/s/ George M. Chester, Jr.
- -----------------------------
Director
George M. Chester, Jr.


/s/ V. Anderson Coombe
- -----------------------------
Director
V. Anderson Coombe


/s/  John C. Dannemiller
- -----------------------------
Director
John C. Dannemiller


/s/James L. Forbes
- -----------------------------
Director
James L. Forbes


/s/David B. Garvin	
- -----------------------------
Director
David B. Garvin	


/s/ J.P. Hayden, Jr.
- -----------------------------
Director
J.P. Hayden, Jr.


/s/ Joe F. Hladky
- -----------------------------
Director
Joe F. Hladky


/s/ Roger L. Howe
- -----------------------------
Director
Roger L. Howe


/s/ Thomas J. Klinedinst, Jr.
- -----------------------------
Director
Thomas J. Klinedinst, Jr.


/s/ William H. Lacy
- -----------------------------
Director
William H. Lacy


/s/ Sheldon B. Lubar
- -----------------------------
Director
Sheldon B. Lubar


/s/ Kenneth P. Manning
- -----------------------------
Director
Kenneth P. Manning


/s/ Daniel F. McKeithan, Jr.
- -----------------------------
Director
Daniel F. McKeithan, Jr.


/s/ Charles S. Mechem, Jr.
- -----------------------------
Director
Charles S. Mechem, Jr.


/s/ Daniel J. Meyer
- -----------------------------
Director
Daniel J. Meyer


/s/ David B. O'Maley
- -----------------------------
Director
David B. O'Maley


/s/ Robert J. O'Toole
- -----------------------------
Director
Robert J. O'Toole


/s/ O'dell M. Owens, M.D.
- -----------------------------
Director
O'dell M. Owens, M.D.


/s/ Thomas E. Petry
- -----------------------------
Director
Thomas E. Petry



- -----------------------------
Director
Judith D. Pyle	


/s/ John J. Stollenwerk
- -----------------------------
Director
John J. Stollenwerk


/s/ Oliver W. Waddell
- -----------------------------
Director
Oliver W. Waddell



- -----------------------------
Director
William W. Wirtz






<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                         9
<MULTIPLIER>                                                  1,000
       
 
<S>                                  <C>
 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                        DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                             DEC-31-1998
 
<CASH>                                                    2,349,532
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                       24,678
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                             50,846
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                              2,754
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                               6,220,902
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                      135,407
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                        137,287
<LOANS>                                                  25,868,057
<ALLOWANCE>                                                 395,956
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                           38,475,839
<DEPOSITS>                                               28,850,765
<SHORT-TERM>                                              3,643,308
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                         742,984
<LONG-TERM>                                               1,708,869
<COMMON>                                                      2,194
                                             0
                                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                                3,527,719
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                           38,475,839
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                           2,152,359
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                           412,212
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                             76,917
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                          2,641,488
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                          911,958
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                        1,228,709
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                     1,412,779
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                               113,636
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                            1,095
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                           1,521,192
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                             638,099
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                                  430,147
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0
<CHANGES>                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                                430,147
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  1.99
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  1.95
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                                 4.46
<LOANS-NON>                                                 124,475
<LOANS-PAST>                                                 75,094
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                                 48
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<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                            372,933
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                               170,838
<RECOVERIES>                                                 49,437
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                           395,956
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                        395,956
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                               0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                           0
 
        

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<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                         9
<MULTIPLIER>                                                  1,000
<RESTATED>
       
 
<S>                                  <C>
 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                        DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                             DEC-31-1997
 
<CASH>                                                    1,902,542
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                       16,964
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                            309,374
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                              2,293
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<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                    2,606,673
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                      2,660,356
<LOANS>                                                  23,216,025
<ALLOWANCE>                                                 372,933
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                           32,860,442
<DEPOSITS>                                               24,486,067
<SHORT-TERM>                                              3,414,330
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                         465,387
<LONG-TERM>                                               1,744,767
<COMMON>                                                      2,109
                                             0
                                                   5,308
<OTHER-SE>                                                2,742,474
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                           32,860,442
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                           1,982,684
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                           362,224
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                             32,191
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                          2,377,099
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                          804,406
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                        1,074,932
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                     1,302,167
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                               117,772
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                           (3,916)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                           1,126,504
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                             769,934
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                                  513,896
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0
<CHANGES>                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                                513,896
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  2.49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  2.43
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                                 4.66
<LOANS-NON>                                                 110,613
<LOANS-PAST>                                                 74,195
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                                961
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                                   0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                            349,892
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                               132,961
<RECOVERIES>                                                 38,230
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                           372,933
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                        372,933
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                               0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                           0
 
        

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<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                         9
<MULTIPLIER>                                                  1,000
<RESTATED>
       
 
<S>                                  <C>
 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                 12-MOS
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<PERIOD-END>                                             DEC-31-1996
 
<CASH>                                                    2,027,979
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                        6,547
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                            243,035
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                             13,489
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<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                    2,418,733
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                      2,455,774
<LOANS>                                                  22,055,674
<ALLOWANCE>                                                 349,892
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                           31,865,187
<DEPOSITS>                                               24,669,675
<SHORT-TERM>                                              2,916,802
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                         502,819
<LONG-TERM>                                               1,085,456
<COMMON>                                                      2,153
                                             0
                                                  11,344
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<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                           31,865,187
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                           1,869,407
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                           378,408
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                             27,860
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                          2,275,675
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                          788,023
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                        1,023,404
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                     1,252,271
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                                97,334
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                           (2,365)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                           1,152,252
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<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                                  415,418
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0
<CHANGES>                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                                415,418
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  1.96
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  1.93
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                                 4.63
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<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                              1,112
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<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                            317,971
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                               119,328
<RECOVERIES>                                                 39,949
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                           349,892
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                        349,892
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                               0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                           0
 
        

</TABLE>


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