Exhibit 1
Letterhead of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
December 4, 2000
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549
We were previously the independent accountants for Allstate Financial
Corporation, and on March 17, 2000, we reported on the consolidated balance
sheet of Allstate Financial Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999
and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and
cash flows for the year then ended. On December 4, 2000, we were dismissed as
independent accountants of Allstate Financial Corporation.
We have read Allstate Financial Corporation's statements included under Item 4
of its Form 8-K dated December 4, 2000, and we agree with such statements.
/s/ McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
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