GREAT SOUTHERN BANCORP INC
10-K, 1997-09-29
SAVINGS INSTITUTIONS, NOT FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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<PAGE>   1
                               UNITED STATES
                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          Washington, D.C. 20549
                               FORM 10-K
 (Mark One)
   /X/ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
       SECURITIES ACT OF 1934
       For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997, or

   / / TRANSACTION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
       SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
       For the transition period from ________ to ________

                       Commission File Number 0-18082

                      Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.
         (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                 Delaware
          (State of jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

                                43-1524856
                  (IRS Employer Identification Number)

                            1451 E. Battlefield
                           Springfield, Missouri
                 (Address of principal executive offices)

                                   65804
                                 (Zip Code)

                              (417) 887-4400
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  
      Common Stock, Par Value $.01

   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.                         / /
   The aggregate market value of the voting stock of the Registrant 
held by non-affiliates of the Registrant on September 8, 1997, 
computed by reference to the closing price of such shares, was 
$142,419,465.  At September 8, 1997, 8,080,537 shares of Common 
Stock, par value $.01 per share, were outstanding. 

                           Index to Exhibits is page 71.

<PAGE>   2

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
   Portions of the Registrant's Annual Report to Security Holders 
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997 (the "Annual  Report"), 
which was electronically filed on September 19, 1997, are 
incorporated by reference into Parts I, II and IV.  With the 
exception of the information explicitly incorporated by reference 
in this Form 10-K, the 1997 Annual Report to Security Holders is 
not to be deemed filed as part of this Form 10-K.
   Portions of the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement prepared 
in connection with the 1997 annual meeting of stockholders (the 
"Definitive Proxy Statement"), which was electronically filed on 
September 18, 1997, are incorporated by reference into Part III.


TABLE OF CONTENTS
  Item                                                      Page
Part I
   1. Business  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
   2. Properties  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  60
   3. Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  61
   4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders .  61
Part II
   5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
        Stockholder Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  63
   6. Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  64
   7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
        Condition and Results of Operations . . . . . . . .  65
   8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . .  65
   9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
        Accounting and Financial Disclosures  . . . . . . .  66
Part III
  10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant. .  66
  11. Executive Compensation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  66
  12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
         and Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  66
  13. Certain Relationship and Related Transactions . . . .  66
Part IV
  14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports
        on Form 8-K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  67
  Signatures  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  70
  Index to Exhibits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  71
<PAGE>   3

PART I
ITEM 1.  BUSINESS.

Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.

Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. (the "Holding Company", "Bancorp" or 
"Company") was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware 
in July 1989, by authorization of the Board of Directors of Great 
Southern Bank FSB ("Great Southern" or the "Bank"), for the purpose 
of becoming a holding company that would own all of the outstanding 
stock of Great Southern issued upon the conversion (the 
"Conversion") of Great Southern from a mutual savings and loan to a 
stock savings and loan.  After receiving the approval of the Office 
of Thrift Supervision, Department of the Treasury (the "OTS"), the 
Holding Company acquired all of the common stock of Great Southern 
issued in connection with the completion of the Conversion in 
December 1989.

As a Delaware corporation, the Holding Company is authorized to 
engage in any activity that is permitted by the Delaware General 
Corporation Law and is not prohibited by law or regulatory policy.  
The Holding Company currently conducts its business as a savings 
and loan holding company.  Through the holding company structure, 
it is possible to expand the size and scope of the financial 
services offered by the Holding Company beyond those offered by the 
Bank prior to the Conversion.  The holding company structure 
provides the Holding Company with greater flexibility than the Bank 
would have to diversify its business activities, through existing 
or newly formed subsidiaries, or through acquisitions or mergers of 
both mutual and stock thrift institutions as well as other 
companies.  The assets of the Holding Company consist of the stock 
of Great Southern, the stock of other financial services companies 
(less than 5% of each), the stock of other 100% owned subsidiaries, 
interest in housing related partnerships and cash.  Through 
subsidiaries, the Holding Company offers insurance, appraisal, 
travel, discount brokerage and related services, which are 
discussed further below.  The activities of the Holding Company 
have been funded by retained proceeds of the Conversion and through 
dividends from Great Southern and borrowings from third parties.  
See "Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Stock and Related 
Stockholder Matters" and "Regulation - Holding Company Regulation" 
and "Federal and State Taxation."  Activities of the Holding 
Company may also be funded through sales of additional securities 
or through income generated by other activities of the Holding 
Company.  At this time, there are no plans regarding such 
activities.

The executive offices of the Holding Company are located at 1451 
East Battlefield, Springfield, Missouri 65804, and its telephone 
number at that address is (417) 887-4400.








<PAGE>   4

Great Southern Bank

Great Southern was incorporated as a Missouri-chartered mutual 
savings and loan association in 1923 and in 1989 was converted to a 
Missouri-chartered stock savings and loan association.  In 1994, 
Great Southern changed to a new charter as a federal savings bank.  
Headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, Great Southern offers a 
broad range of banking services through its 25 branches located in 
southwestern and central Missouri.  At June 30, 1997, the Bank had 
total assets of $701 million, deposits of $460 million and 
stockholders' equity of $54 million, or 7.7% of total assets.  Its 
deposits are insured by the Savings Association Insurance Fund 
("SAIF") to the maximum levels permitted by the Federal Deposit 
Insurance Corporation ("FDIC").

Great Southern is principally engaged in the business of attracting 
deposits from the general public and using such deposits, together 
with borrowings and other funds, to originate residential and 
commercial real estate loans and commercial business and consumer 
loans.  Great Southern originates a variety of conventional, 
residential real estate mortgage loans, principally in compliance 
with Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") and Federal 
National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") standards for resale in the 
secondary market.  Great Southern promptly sells most of the fixed-
rate residential mortgage loans that it originates.  Prior to 
fiscal 1996, the ongoing servicing of these loans was primarily 
retained by Great Southern.  Beginning in fiscal 1996, the 
servicing of these loans was primarily released to the purchaser of 
the loan.  Great Southern retains substantially all of the 
adjustable-rate mortgage loans in its portfolio.

Great Southern also originates commercial real estate and 
construction loans, primarily on properties located in its 
southwestern and central Missouri market area, or, in the case of 
loans secured by properties outside of its market area, primarily 
to borrowers residing or doing business in southwestern and central 
Missouri.  Great Southern originates commercial business loans and 
is also an issuer of letters of credit.  See "-- Commercial 
Business Lending," "- Classified Assets," and "- Loan Delinquencies 
and Defaults" below and Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements in the Annual Report to Stockholders, which portions are 
incorporated herein by reference.  Letters of credit are contingent 
obligations and are not included in the Bank's loan portfolio.

For many years, Great Southern has followed a strategy of 
emphasizing quality loan origination through residential, 
commercial and consumer lending activities in its local market 
area.  The goal of this strategy has been to maintain its position 
as one of the leading providers of financial services in its market 
area, while simultaneously diversifying assets and reducing 
interest rate risk by originating and holding adjustable-rate loans 
in its portfolio and selling fixed-rate loans in the secondary 
market.  The Bank continues to place primary emphasis on 
residential mortgage and other real estate lending.

The main office of the Bank is located at 1451 East Battlefield, 
Springfield, Missouri 65804 and its telephone number at that 
address is (417) 887-4400.
<PAGE>  5

Market Area

Great Southern's primary market area encompasses 15 counties in 
southwestern and central Missouri.  The Bank's branches and ATMs 
support deposit and lending activities throughout the region, 
serving such diversified markets as Springfield, Joplin, the resort 
areas of Branson Lakes and Lake of the Ozarks, and various smaller 
communities in the Bank's market area.  The management of the Bank 
believes that its share of the savings and lending markets in its 
market area is less than 10% and their affiliates an even smaller 
percent, with the exception of the travel agency, which may have a 
larger percent.

Great Southern's largest concentration of loans and deposits is in 
the Greater Springfield area.  With a population of approximately 
295,000, the Greater Springfield area is the third largest 
metropolitan area in Missouri.  Employment in this area is 
diversified, including small and medium-sized manufacturing 
concerns, service industries, especially in the resort and leisure 
activities sectors, agriculture, the federal government, and a 
major state university.  Springfield is also a regional health care 
center.  The unemployment rate in this area is, and has 
consistently been, below the national average.

The next largest concentration of loans is in the Branson Lakes 
area which is located approximately 35 miles south of Springfield 
and is one of the fastest growing areas in Missouri.  The region is 
a vacation and entertainment center attracting an estimated 6 
million tourists annually to its theme parks, resorts, country 
music shows and other recreational facilities.  As a result of the 
rapid growth of the Branson Lakes area, property values increased 
at unusually high rates in recent years.  This has also provided 
for increased loan demand and a more volatile lending market than 
has previously been present in the Branson Lakes area.  Property 
values have experienced downward pressure during the past couple of 
years, partly as a result of this rapid increase.

During the past few years, a significant portion of the Bank's loan 
originations has been secured by properties in the Branson Lakes 
area.  Approximately $123 million, or 20%, of the total loan 
portfolio at June 30, 1997 was secured by properties in this area.  
Of this amount, $57 million are loans secured by commercial real 
estate, commercial construction and other residential properties 
and $66 million are loans secured by one- to four-family 
residential and one- to four-family construction properties.  In 
addition, the Bank`s commercial business and consumer loan 
portfolio includes approximately $3.3 million of loans to customers 
in the Branson Lakes area.  See "- Commercial Real Estate and 
Construction Lending", "- Commercial Business Lending", "- 
Classified Assets" and "- Loan Delinquencies and Defaults".








<PAGE>   6
Lending Activities-General

The principal lending activity of Great Southern is the origination 
of fixed and adjustable-rate conventional residential real estate 
loans to enable borrowers to purchase or refinance owner-occupied 
homes.  In addition, the Bank makes commercial real estate loans, 
commercial business loans (i.e., commercial loans not secured by 
real estate), consumer loans and residential and commercial 
construction loans.  Although Great Southern is permitted under 
applicable regulations to originate or purchase loans and loan 
participations secured by real estate located in any part of the 
United States, the Bank has concentrated its lending efforts in 
Missouri, with the largest concentration of its lending activity 
being in southwestern and central Missouri.

Great Southern has a policy of obtaining collateral for 
substantially all real estate loans.  The percentage of collateral 
value Great Southern will loan on real estate and other property 
varies based on factors including, but not limited to, the type of 
property and its location and the borrower's credit history.  As a 
general rule, Great Southern will loan up to 80% of the appraised 
value on one- to four-family residential property and will loan up 
to an additional 15% with private mortgage insurance for the loan 
amount above the 80% level.  For commercial real estate and other 
residential real property loans, Great Southern generally loans up 
to a maximum of 75% of the appraised value.  The origination of 
loans secured by other property are considered and determined on an 
individual basis by management with the assistance of any industry 
guides and other information which may be available.

From its beginnings in 1923 through the early 1980s, Great Southern 
primarily made long-term, fixed-rate real estate loans that it 
retained in its loan portfolio.  Substantially all of the fixed-
rate loans in Great Southern's current portfolio were originated by 
Great Southern prior to 1980.  Beginning in the early 1980's, Great 
Southern increased its efforts to originate short-term and 
adjustable-rate loans.  Substantially all of the adjustable-rate 
mortgage loans originated by Great Southern are held for its own 
portfolio.  As a result, adjustable-rate real estate loans as a 
percentage of Great Southern's total loan portfolio increased from 
71% at June 30, 1992, to 83% at June 30, 1997.  See the discussion 
on interest rate sensitivity in Management's Discussion and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the 
Annual Report to Stockholders, which portions are incorporated 
herein by reference.














<PAGE>   7

During the fiscal years 1993 and 1994, Great Southern experienced 
increased levels of adjustable-rate residential loans refinancing 
into fixed-rate residential loans, as well as stronger competition 
in the residential lending market.  As a result of the shift in 
loan demand to fixed-rate residential loans, which the Bank does 
not retain in its portfolio, Great Southern increased its 
originations of commercial real estate loans to help maintain the 
desired size of the loan portfolio as well as the overall Company 
size and profit levels.  During the last half of fiscal 1994, 
during fiscal 1995 and during fiscal 1997, Great Southern 
experienced an increase in levels of adjustable-rate residential 
lending and a decrease in levels of fixed-rate residential lending 
as a result of increasing interest rates.  In fiscal 1996, Great 
Southern experienced an increase in levels of fixed-rate 
residential lending and a decrease in levels of adjustable-rate 
residential lending as a result of leveling or slightly declining 
interest rates.  Great Southern will continue to place strong 
emphasis on the origination of one- to four-family residential 
loans subject to market conditions.

Loan applications are approved at various levels of authority, 
depending on the type, amount and loan-to-value ratio of the loan.  
Loan commitments of more than $100,000 ($203,450 in the case of 
fixed-rate one-to four-family residential loans for resale) must be 
approved by Great Southern's loan committee.  The loan committee is 
comprised of the CEO of the Bank, as chairman of the committee, and 
other senior officers of the Bank involved in lending activities.































<PAGE>   8

Loan Portfolio Composition

The following table sets forth information concerning the 
composition of the Bank's loan portfolio in dollar amounts and in 
percentages (before deductions for loans in process, deferred fees 
and discounts and allowance for loan losses) as of the dates 
indicated.  The table is based on information prepared in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and is 
qualified by reference to financial statements and the notes 
thereto.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        June 30,
                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1997             1996              1995             1994             1993
                                 ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                  Amount    %      Amount     %      Amount    %      Amount    %      Amount    %
                                 -------- ------  -------- ------  -------- ------  -------- ------  -------- ------
                                                              (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                              <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>
Real Estate Loans:
  Residential
    One- to four- family         $244,767  39.5%  $249,348  42.5%  $243,771  43.5%  $203,157  40.9%  $205,980  43.5%
    Other Residential              95,886  15.4     81,191  13.8     77,744  13.9     65,906  13.2     45,413   9.6
  Commercial                      191,556  30.8    172,478  29.4    133,244  23.8    105,977  21.3     93,318  19.7
  Residential Construction:
    One- to four-family             9,529   1.5     13,455   2.3     13,319   2.4     18,338   3.7     17,433   3.7
    Other residential               4,243    .7     13,533   2.3     23,804   4.2     37,588   7.6     38,675   8.2
  Commercial construction          21,932   3.5     16,518   2.8     27,273   4.9     30,894   6.2     41,798   8.8
                                  ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----
    Total real estate loans       567,913  91.4    546,523  93.1    519,155  92.7    461,860  92.9    442,617  93.5
                                  ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----
Other Loans:
  Consumer loans:
    Guaranteed student loans       11,592   1.9     11,256   1.9     11,822   2.1      9,445   1.9      6,692   1.4
    Automobile                      6,006    .9      6,062   1.1      5,651   1.0      4,814   1.0      2,777   0.6
    Home equity and improvement     4,183    .7      3,688   0.6      3,518   0.6      2,618   0.5      3,192   0.7
    Other                           5,885    .9      5,921   1.0      5,272   1.0      4,513   0.9      3,681   0.8
                                  ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----
      Total Consumer loans         27,666   4.4     26,927   4.6     26,263   4.7     21,390   4.3     16,342   3.5
  Commercial business loans        25,959   4.2     13,737   2.3     14,515   2.6     13,907   2.8     14,162   3.0
                                  ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----
        Total other loans          53,625   8.6     40,664   6.9     40,778   7.3     35,297   7.1     30,504   6.5
                                  ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----
           Total loans            621,538 100.0%   587,187 100.0%   559,933 100.0%   497,157 100.0%   473,121 100.0%
                                          =====            =====            =====            =====            =====
Less:
  Loans in process                 18,812           22,383           22,316           35,739           38,879
  Deferred fees and discounts       3,493            3,689            3,761            4,032            4,125
  Allowance for loan losses        15,524           14,356           14,601           13,636           10,590
                                  -------          -------          -------          -------          -------
Total loans receivable, net      $583,709         $546,759         $519,255         $443,750         $419,527
                                  =======          =======          =======          =======          =======
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   9

The following table shows the fixed- and adjustable-rate composition 
of the Bank's loan portfolio at the dates indicated.  The table is 
based on information prepared in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        June 30,
                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1997             1996             1995             1994             1993
                                 ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                  Amount     %     Amount     %     Amount     %     Amount     %     Amount     %
                                 -------- ------  -------- ------  -------- ------  -------- ------  -------- ------
                                                              (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                              <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>
Fixed-Rate Loans:
  Real Estate Loans
    Residential
      One- to four- family       $ 12,305   2.0%  $ 13,212   2.2%  $ 14,260   2.5%  $ 15,488   3.1%  $ 25,231   5.3%
      Other Residential            34,467   5.6     34,413   5.9     32,515   5.8     30,250   6.1     21,233   4.5
    Commercial                      5,865    .9     25,374   4.3     12,774   2.3     14,438   2.9     25,314   5.4
                                  ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----
      Total real estate loans      52,637   8.5     72,999  12.4     59,549  10.6     60,176  12.1     71,778  15.2
    Consumer loans                 10,769   1.7     12,844   2.2     11,706   2.1      9,282   1.8      6,260   1.3
    Commercial business loans         502    .1        415   0.1        994   0.2        864   0.2        522   0.1
                                  ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----
      Total fixed-rate loans       63,908  10.3     86,258  14.7     72,249  12.9     70,322  14.1     78,560  16.6
                                  ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----
Adjustable-Rate Loans:
  Real Estate Loans
    Residential
      One- to four- family        232,462  37.4    236,136  40.2    229,510  41.0    187,670  37.7    180,749  38.2
      Other Residential            61,419   9.9     46,778   8.0     45,228   8.1     37,675   7.6     24,180   5.1
    Commercial                    185,691  29.9    147,104  25.0    120,470  21.5     91,689  18.4     68,004  14.4
    Residential construction:
      One- to four-family           9,529   1.5     13,455   2.3     13,319   2.4     18,338   3.7     17,433   3.7
      Other residential             4,243    .7     13,533   2.3     23,804   4.2     35,568   7.2     38,675   8.2
    Commercial construction        21,932   3.5     16,518   2.8     27,273   4.9     30,744   6.2     41,798   8.8
                                  ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----
      Total real estate loans     515,276  82.9    473,524  80.6    459,604  82.1    401,684  80.8    370,839  78.4
    Consumer loans                 16,897   2.7     14,083   2.4     14,559   2.6     12,108   2.5     10,082   2.1
    Commercial business loans      25,457   4.1     13,322   2.3     13,521   2.4     13,043   2.6     13,640   2.9
                                  ------  -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----
      Total adjustable-rate loans 557,630  89.7    500,929  85.3    487,684  87.1    426,835  85.9    394,561  83.4
                                  ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----    ------- -----
        Total loans               621,538 100.0%   587,187 100.0%   559,933 100.0%   497,157 100.0%   473,121 100.0%
                                          =====            =====            =====            =====            =====
Less:
    Loans in process               18,812           22,383           22,316           35,739           38,879
    Deferred fees and discounts     3,493            3,689            3,761            4,032            4,125
    Allowance for loan losses      15,524           14,356           14,601           13,636           10,590
                                  -------          -------          -------          -------          -------
  Total loans receivable, net    $583,709         $546,759         $519,255         $443,750         $419,527
                                  =======          =======          =======          =======          =======

</TABLE>


<PAGE>  10

The following schedule illustrates the contractual maturities of the 
Bank's loan portfolio at June 30, 1997.  Loans which have adjustable 
interest rates are shown as maturing in the period during which the 
loan is contractually due.  This schedule does not reflect the effects 
of possible prepayments or enforcement of due-on-sale clauses.  The 
table is based on information prepared in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Other Residential
                  One- to Four-Family       and Other            Commercial and
                    Residential Real        Residential            Commercial        One- to Four-Family
                    Estate Loans            Construction           Construction        Construction
                  --------------------   -------------------    ------------------   --------------------
 Due During                  Weighted              Weighted              Weighted               Weighted
 Years Ended                  Average               Average               Average                Average
 June 30,            Amount    Rate         Amount    Rate         Amount   Rate         Amount   Rate
                                                    (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>       <C>          <C>      <C>
1998(1)            $  5,771    9.55%      $ 21,560    8.88%      $ 57,353   9.59%       $ 9,529   9.59%
1999                  1,224    9.20         11,706    8.66         19,267   9.57             --   0.00
2000                    729    8.24          4,989    8.74         34,946   9.62             --   0.00
2001 and 2002         2,628    8.52         16,464    8.98         61,876   9.62             --   0.00
2003 to 2007         10,003    8.30          9,872    9.39         19,542   9.67             --   0.00
2008 to 2012         26,818    8.06         23,170    9.09         11,315   9.46             --   0.00
2013 to 2023         26,568    8.02          9,578    8.79          9,189   9.64             --   0.00
2024 and following  171,026    8.07          2,790    9.06             --   0.00             --   0.00
                    -------                -------                -------                ------
                   $244,767               $100,129               $213,488               $ 9,529
                    =======                =======                =======                ======

                                                Commercial
                          Consumer               Business                 Total (2)
                   --------------------  ----------------------     --------------------
 Due During                   Weighted                Weighted                 Weighted
 Years Ended                   Average                 Average                  Average
 June 30,             Amount    Rate        Amount      Rate           Amount    Rate
                                         (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                 <C>                   <C>          <C>           <C>        <C>
1998 (1)            $  2,889    8.85%     $ 16,609      9.55%        $113,711    9.43%
1999                   1,722   11.19           756      9.55           34,675    9.32
2000                   2,578   10.17         2,459      9.52           45,701    9.53
2001 and 2002         15,590    8.07         3,234      9.58           99,792    9.24
2003 to 2007           4,813   10.05         2,901      9.58           47,131    9.35
2008 to 2012              70   10.26            --      0.00           61,373    8.71
2013 to 2023              --    0.00            --      0.00           45,335    8.51
2024 and following         4    6.80            --      0.00          173,820    8.09
                      ------                ------                    -------
                     $27,666               $25,959                   $621,538
                      ======                ======                    =======
<FN>
_____________________________
  (1) Includes demand loans, loans having no stated maturity and 
overdraft loans.
  (2) Of the $508 million of loans due after June 30, 1998, $55 
million, or 11%, have fixed rates of interest and $453 million, or 
89%, have adjustable rates of interest.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>  11
Lending Activities - Environmental Issues

Loans secured with real property, whether commercial, residential 
or other, may have a material, negative effect on the financial 
position and results of operation of the lender if the collateral 
is environmentally contaminated.  The result can be, but is not 
necessarily limited to, liability for the cost of cleaning up the 
contamination imposed on the lender by certain federal and state 
laws, a reduction in the borrower's ability to pay because of the 
liability imposed upon it for any clean up costs, a reduction in 
the value of the collateral because of the presence of 
contamination or a subordination of security interests in the 
collateral to a super priority lien securing the clean up costs by 
certain state laws.

Management of the Bank is aware of the risk that the Bank may be 
negatively affected by environmentally contaminated collateral and 
attempts to control such risk through commercially reasonable 
methods, consistent with guidelines arising from applicable 
government or regulatory rules and regulations, and to a more 
limited extent publications of the lending industry.  Management 
currently is unaware (without, in many circumstances specific 
inquiry or investigation of existing collateral, some of which was 
accepted as collateral before risk controlling measures were 
implemented) of any environmental contamination of real property 
securing loans in the Bank's portfolio that would subject the Bank 
to any material risk.  No assurance can be made, however, that the 
Bank will not be adversely affected by environmental contamination.

Lending Activities - Residential Real Estate Lending

At June 30, 1997 and 1996, loans secured by residential real estate 
totaled $341 million and $331 million, respectively, and 
represented approximately 55% and 56%, respectively, of the Bank's 
total loan portfolio. In fiscal 1997 and 1996, Great Southern 
originated $60 million and $84 million, respectively, of 
adjustable-rate residential mortgages.  Fixed-rate single-family 
residential mortgages are originated at interest rates and on terms 
agreed to by investors in the secondary market (generally the FHLMC 
guidelines.)  The loans are promptly sold, primarily with servicing 
released (primarily with servicing retained prior to fiscal 1996) 
and without recourse, in order to generate fee income and reduce 
the Bank's exposure to changes in interest rates.  In fiscal year 
1997 and 1996, Great Southern originated $31 million and $35 
million, respectively, of fixed-rate loans and sold $27 million and 
$37 million, respectively, into the secondary market.

The Bank currently is originating adjustable-rate residential 
mortgage loans primarily with one-year adjustment periods.  Rate 
adjustments are based upon changes in prevailing rates for one-year 
U.S. Treasury securities, and are generally limited to 2% maximum 
annual adjustments as well as a maximum aggregate adjustment over 
the life of the loan.  Accordingly, the interest rates on these 
loans typically may not be as rate sensitive as is the Bank's cost 
of funds.  Generally, the Bank's adjustable-rate mortgage loans are 
not convertible into fixed-rate loans, do not permit negative 
amortization of principal and carry no prepayment penalty.


<PAGE>  12

The Bank's portfolio of adjustable-rate mortgage loans also 
includes a number of loans with different adjustment periods, 
without limitations on periodic rate increases and rate increases 
over the life of the loans or which are tied to other short-term 
market indices.  These loans were originated prior to the industry 
standardization of adjustable-rate loans.  Since adjustable-rate 
mortgage loans have not been subject to an interest rate 
environment which causes them to adjust to the maximum, such loans 
entail unquantifiable risks resulting from potential increased 
payment obligations on the borrower as a result of upward 
repricing.  Further, the adjustable-rate mortgages offered by Great 
Southern, as well as by many other financial institutions, 
sometimes provide for initial rates of interest below the rates 
which would prevail were the index used for pricing applied 
initially.  Compared to fixed-rate mortgage loans, these loans are 
subject to increased risk of delinquency or default as the higher, 
fully-indexed rate of interest subsequently comes into effect in 
replacement of the lower initial rate.  The Bank has not 
experienced an increase in delinquencies in adjustable-rate 
mortgage loans due to a relatively low interest rate environment in 
recent years.

In underwriting one- to four-family residential real estate loans, 
Great Southern evaluates both the borrower's ability to make 
monthly payments and the value of the property securing the loan.  
It is Great Southern's policy that all loans in excess of 80% of 
the appraised value of the property be insured by a private 
mortgage insurance company approved by Great Southern for the 
amount of the loan in excess of 80% of the appraised value.  In 
addition, Great Southern requires borrowers to obtain title and 
fire and casualty insurance in an amount not less than the amount 
of the loan.  Real estate loans originated by the Bank generally 
contain a "due on sale" clause allowing the Bank to declare the 
unpaid principal balance due and payable upon the sale of the 
property securing the loan.  In the case of fixed-rate loans, the 
Bank generally enforces these due on sale clauses to the extent 
permitted by law.

Lending Activities-Commercial Real Estate and Construction Lending

Commercial real estate lending has traditionally been a part of 
Great Southern's business activities.  Beginning in fiscal 1986, 
Great Southern expanded its commercial real estate lending in order 
to increase the yield on, and the proportion of interest rate 
sensitive loans in, its portfolio.  Starting early in fiscal 1988, 
Great Southern reduced its originations of commercial real estate 
loans due to the lower spreads available and the Bank's increased 
levels of problem loans in this area.  In addition, the Financial 
Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 
("FIRREA") further limited the Bank's commercial real estate 
lending, due to limits imposed on the amounts and types of loans 
the Bank would be permitted to originate.  See "Regulation".  
Starting in fiscal 1992, Great Southern increased its origination 
of commercial real estate and commercial business loans.




<PAGE>  13

Great Southern expects to continue to maintain the current 
percentage of commercial real estate and commercial business loans 
in its total loan portfolio by originating loans secured by 
commercial real estate and other commercial business assets, 
subject to commercial real estate and other market conditions and 
to applicable regulatory restrictions.  See "Regulation" and "- 
Qualified Thrift Lender Test" below.

At June 30, 1997 and 1996, loans secured by commercial real estate 
totaled $192 million and $172 million, respectively, or 
approximately 30.8% and 29.4%, respectively, of the Bank's total 
loan portfolio.  At June 30, 1997 and 1996, construction loans 
secured by projects under construction and the land on which the 
projects are located aggregated $36 million and $44 million, 
respectively, or 5.7% and 7.4%, respectively, of the Bank's total 
loan portfolio.  Substantially all of the Bank's commercial real 
estate loans have been originated with adjustable rates of 
interest, the majority of which are tied to the Bank's prime rate.  
At the date of origination, the amounts of the loan commitments 
with respect to substantially all of these loans did not exceed 75% 
of the appraised value of the properties securing the loans.

The Bank's construction loans generally have terms of one year or 
less.  The construction loan agreements for one- to four-family and 
other residential projects generally provide that principal 
payments are required as individual condominium units or single-
family houses are built and sold to a third party.  This insures 
the remaining loan balance as a proportion to the value of the 
remaining security does not increase.  Loan proceeds are disbursed 
in increments as construction progresses.  Generally, the amount of 
each disbursement is based on the construction cost estimate of an 
independent architect, engineer or qualified fee inspector who 
inspects the project in connection with each disbursement request.  
Normally, Great Southern's construction loans are made either as 
the initial stage of a combination loan (i.e., with a commitment 
from the Bank to provide permanent financing upon completion of the 
project) or with a commitment from a third party to provide 
permanent financing.

The Bank's commercial real estate and construction loans generally 
involve larger principal balances than do its residential loans.  
At June 30, 1997, 95 of the Bank's commercial real estate and 
construction loans had net principal balances in excess of $1.0 
million, with the largest being $6 million.  The aggregate net 
principal balance of all such loans having net principal balances 
in excess of $1.0 million was $185 million at that date.  Current 
law subjects savings associations to the same loans-to-one borrower 
restrictions that are applicable to national banks with limited 
provisions for exceptions.  In general, the national bank standard 
restricts loans to a single borrower to no more than 15% of a 
bank's unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus, plus an 
additional 10% if the loan is collateralized by certain readily 
marketable collateral.  (Real estate is not included in the 
definition of "readily marketable collateral.")  As computed on the 
basis of the Bank's unimpaired capital and surplus at June 30, 
1997, this limit was approximately $10.4 million.  See 
"Regulation".  At June 30, 1997 the Bank was in compliance with the 
loans to one borrower limit.
<PAGE>  14

The table below sets forth, by type of security property, the 
number and amount of Great Southern's commercial real estate and 
construction loans at June 30, 1997.  The amounts shown do not 
reflect allowances for losses.  See "- Classified Assets" and "- 
Loan Delinquencies and Defaults" for a discussion of the Bank's 
largest non-performing assets and items of concern.  The table is 
based on information prepared in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               Number     Original    Outstanding                  Amount
                                                 of         Loan       Principal   Undisbursed      Non-
                                               Loans     Commitment     Balance       Amount     Performing
                                               -----     ----------   -----------  ------------  ----------
                                                                       (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                             <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>
Commercial Real Estate Loans
  Hotels/Motels                                  58        $ 58,897      $ 48,823     $    29      $   --
  Medical and long term care                     22          18,787        21,268           4          --
  Golf courses and recreational                  33          22,451        19,843          37          --
  Shopping centers                               61          28,158        24,447         446          --
  Commercial land development                   114          42,993        19,606         538          --
  Office buildings                               53          23,962        22,306           3          --
  Industrial real estate                         45          13,170        11,061         124          --
  Restaurants                                    42          17,663        15,804         100         121
  Other                                          52          10,525         8,398       2,135          --
                                                ---         -------       -------       -----       -----
    Total commercial real estate loans          480         236,606       191,556       3,416         121
                                                ---         -------       -------       -----       -----
Construction Loans
  One- to four-family residential                98           9,529         5,908       3,449         655
  Other residential                               8           4,243         2,437       1,806          --
  Commercial real estate:
    Hotels/Motels                                 4           8,610         6,983       1,627          --
    Commercial land development                  11           3,418         2,316       1,102         195
    Restaurants                                   2           2,141           737       1,404          --
    Golf courses and recreational                 2           3,025           170       2,855          --
    Medical and long term care                    1           3,166            57       3,110          --
    Other                                         5           1,743         1,699          43          --
                                                ---         -------       -------      ------       -----
      Total construction loans                  131          35,875        20,307      15,396         850
                                                ---         -------       -------      ------       -----
        Total                                   611        $272,481      $211,863     $18,812      $  971
                                                ===         =======       =======      ======       =====
</TABLE>












<PAGE>  15

Commercial real estate and construction lending generally affords 
the Bank an opportunity to receive interest at rates higher than 
those obtainable from residential lending and to receive higher 
origination and other loan fees.  In addition, commercial real 
estate and construction loans are generally made with adjustable 
rates of interest or, if made on a fixed-rate basis, for relatively 
short terms.  Nevertheless, commercial real estate lending entails 
significant additional risks as compared with residential mortgage 
lending.  Commercial real estate loans typically involve large loan 
balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers but 
generally involve lower loan-to-value ratios.  In addition, the 
payment experience on loans secured by commercial properties is 
typically dependent on the successful operation of the related real 
estate project and thus may be subject, to a greater extent, to 
adverse conditions in the real estate market or in the economy 
generally.

Construction loans also involve additional risks attributable to 
the fact that loan funds are advanced upon the security of the 
project under construction, which is of uncertain value prior to 
the completion of construction.  Moreover, because of the 
uncertainties inherent in estimating construction costs, delays 
arising from labor problems, material shortages, and other 
unpredictable contingencies, it is relatively difficult to evaluate 
accurately the total loan funds required to complete a project, and 
the related loan-to-value ratios.  See also the discussion under 
the headings "- Classified Assets" and "- Loan Delinquencies and 
Defaults" below.

Lending Activities - Commercial Business Lending

Great Southern is authorized to make secured or unsecured loans for 
commercial, corporate, business and agricultural purposes and to 
engage in commercial leasing activities up to a maximum of 10% of 
the institution's assets.  At June 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, 
Great Southern had $26.0 million and $13.7 million in commercial 
business loans outstanding, or 4.2% and 2.3%, respectively, of the 
Bank's total loan portfolio.  The largest amount of commercial 
business loans outstanding to any one borrower or group of 
affiliated borrowers at June 30, 1997, had a principal balance of 
$3.9 million.  Great Southern's commercial business lending 
activities encompass loans with a variety of purposes and security, 
including loans to finance accounts receivable, inventory and 
equipment.














<PAGE>  16

The following table sets forth information regarding the number and 
amount of the Bank's commercial business loans as of June 30, 1997.  
The amounts shown do not reflect allowances for losses.  See "- 
Classified Assets" and "- Loan Delinquencies and Defaults" for a 
discussion of the Bank's largest non-performing assets and related 
items.  The table is based on information prepared in accordance 
with generally accepted accounting principles.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Outstanding  Amount
                                  Number   Principal    Non-
                                 of Loans   Balance   Performing
                                 -------- ----------- ----------
                                         (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                 <C>     <C>          <C>
Secured Loans:
  Accounts receivable, floor plans,
    inventory and equipment         118     $18,673      $  --
  Stocks and bonds                   26       3,280         --
  Deposit accounts and
    promissory notes                 41       1,235         --
  Other                              13       1,044        600
                                    ---      ------        ---
    Total secured loans             198      24,232        600
Unsecured Loans                      39       1,727         --
                                    ---      ------        ---
  Total Commercial Business Loans   237     $25,959       $600
                                    ===      ======        ===
</TABLE>



Unlike residential mortgage loans, which generally are made on the 
basis of the borrower's ability to make repayment from his or her 
employment and other income and which are secured by real property 
whose value tends to be more easily ascertainable, commercial 
business loans are of higher risk and typically are made on the 
basis of the borrower's ability to make repayment from the cash 
flow of the borrower's business.  Commercial business loans are 
generally secured by business assets, such as accounts receivable, 
equipment and inventory.  As a result, the availability of funds 
for the repayment of commercial business loans may be substantially 
dependent on the success of the business itself.  Further, the 
collateral securing the loans may depreciate over time, may be 
difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based on the 
success of the business.











<PAGE>  17

The Bank's management recognizes the generally increased risks 
associated with commercial business lending.  Great Southern's 
commercial business lending policy emphasizes complete credit file 
documentation and analysis of the borrower's character, capacity to 
repay the loan, the adequacy of the borrower's capital and 
collateral as well as an evaluation of the industry conditions 
affecting the borrower.  Analysis of the borrower's past, present 
and future cash flows is also an important aspect of Great 
Southern's credit analysis.  The majority of Great Southern's 
commercial business loans have been to borrowers in southwestern 
and central Missouri.  Great Southern intends to continue its 
commercial business lending in this geographic area.

As part of its commercial business lending activities, Great 
Southern issues letters of credit and receives fees averaging 
approximately 1% of the amount of the letter of credit per year.  
At June 30, 1997, Great Southern had 49 letters of credit 
outstanding in the aggregate amount of $9.2 million.  Approximately 
98% of the aggregate amount of these letters of credit were 
secured, including one $8.2 million letter of credit, secured by 
real estate, which was issued to enhance the issuance of housing 
revenue refunding bonds.

Lending Activities - Consumer Lending

Great Southern management views consumer lending as an important 
component of its business strategy.  Specifically, consumer loans 
generally have short terms to maturity, adjustable rates or both, 
thus reducing Great Southern's exposure to changes in interest 
rates, and carry higher rates of interest than do residential 
mortgage loans.  In addition, Great Southern believes that the 
offering of consumer loan products helps to expand and create 
stronger ties to its existing customer base.

Great Southern offers a variety of secured consumer loans, 
including automobile loans, home equity loans and loans secured by 
savings deposits.  In addition, Great Southern also offers home 
improvement loans, guaranteed student loans and unsecured consumer 
loans.  Consumer loans totaled $27.7 million and $26.9 million at 
June 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, or 4.4% and 4.6%, 
respectively, of the Bank's total loan portfolio.

The underwriting standards employed by the Bank for consumer loans 
include a determination of the applicant's payment history on other 
debts and an assessment of ability to meet existing obligations and 
payments on the proposed loan.  Although creditworthiness of the 
applicant is of primary consideration, the underwriting process 
also includes a comparison of the value of the security, if any, in 
relation to the proposed loan amount.

Beginning in fiscal 1998, the Bank implemented indirect lending 
relationships primarily with automobile dealerships.  Through these 
dealer relationships, the dealer completes the application with the 
consumer and then submits it to the Bank for credit approval.  
While automobile dealers will be the Bank's initial concentrated 
effort, the program is available for use with most tangible 
products where financing of the product is provided through the 
seller.
<PAGE>  18

Student loans are underwritten in compliance with the regulations 
of the US Department of Education for the Federal Family Education 
Loan Programs (FFELP).  The FFELP loans are administered and 
guaranteed by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education 
as long as the Bank complies with the regulations.  The Bank has 
contracted with the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (the 
"MOHELA") to originate and service these loans and to purchase 
these loans during the grace period immediately prior to the loans 
beginning their repayment period.  This repayment period is 
generally at the time the student graduates or does not maintain 
the required hours of enrollment.

Consumer loans may entail greater risk than do residential mortgage 
loans, particularly in the case of consumer loans that are 
unsecured or secured by rapidly depreciable assets such as 
automobiles.  In such cases, any repossessed collateral for a 
defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of 
repayment of the outstanding loan balance as a result of the 
greater likelihood of damage, loss or depreciation.  The remaining 
deficiency often does not warrant further substantial collection 
efforts against the borrower.  In addition, consumer loan 
collections are dependent on the borrower's continuing financial 
strength, and thus are more likely to be adversely affected by job 
loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy.  Furthermore, the 
application of various federal and state laws, including federal 
and state consumer bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the 
amount which can be recovered on such loans.  Such loans may also 
give rise to claims and defenses by a consumer loan borrower 
against an assignee of such loan such as the Bank, and a borrower 
may be able to assert against such assignee claims and defenses 
which it has against the seller of the underlying collateral.

Applicable laws and regulations permit institutions to make secured 
and unsecured consumer loans (which, together with any commercial 
paper or corporate debt securities held by the Bank as permitted by 
the OTS, may not exceed a maximum of 35% of the institution's 
assets).  Loans in excess of 30% of the assets may be invested only 
in loans which are made by the institution directly to the original 
obligor and with respect to which the institution does not pay any 
finder, referral or other fee, directly or indirectly, to any third 
party.

Originations, Purchases, Sales and Servicing of Loans

The Bank originates loans through internal loan production 
personnel located in the Bank's main bank and branch offices.  
Walk-in customers and referrals from real estate brokers and 
builders are also important sources of loan originations.  The 
table below shows the dollar volume of loan originations for the 
periods indicated.  For the fiscal years ended June 30, 1997, 1996 
and 1995, the table reflects approximately $13.2 million, $31.5 
million, and $7.5 million of loans refinanced which were previously 
included in the loan portfolio or were loans owned by investors and 
serviced by the Bank.  Due to the high level of adjustable-rate 
loans refinanced into fixed-rate loans and the higher fixed-rate 



<PAGE>  19

loans refinanced into lower fixed-rates, management has included 
the refinanced amounts in the origination table to more accurately 
reflect the amount of originations and sales during all fiscal 
years.

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997 the Bank originated $190 
million adjustable-rate loans and $57 million fixed-rate loans 
compared to $193 million adjustable-rate loans and $52 million 
fixed-rate loans during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996.  
Management does not expect the high growth of originations 
experienced during the past five years to continue.  However, as 
long as the lower interest rate environment continues, there is a 
higher level of financing and refinancing expected than would exist 
in a higher rate environment.

Great Southern also purchases whole real estate loans and 
participation interests in real estate loans from the FHLMC as well 
as private investors, such as other thrift institutions, banks and 
life insurance companies.  Great Southern may limit its ability to 
control its credit risk when it purchases participations in such 
loans.  The terms of participation agreements vary; however, 
generally Great Southern may not have direct access to the borrower 
or information about the borrower, and the institution 
administering the loan may have some discretion in the 
administration of performing loans and the collection of non-
performing loans.

Beginning in fiscal 1998, Great Southern intends to increase the 
number and amount of commercial real estate and commercial business 
loan participations.  Due to changes in the financial institutions 
market locally, there have been several experienced bank executives 
start up new banks.  These banks do not have the capital to handle 
larger commercial credits.  Great Southern subjects these loans to 
the normal underwriting standards used for originated loans and 
rejects any credits that do not meet those guidelines.  The 
originating bank will retain the servicing of these loans.

In fiscal 1997, 1996, 1995 and 1994, there were no loan whole 
purchases by the Bank.  In fiscal 1993, the Bank purchased 2 whole 
loans from another financial institution, totaling $2.4 million in 
total principal balance, secured by commercial real estate.  At 
June 30, 1997 and 1996, approximately $11.6 million, or 1.9% and 
$12.5 million, or 2.1%, respectively, of the Bank's total loan 
portfolio consisted of purchased whole loans.

Great Southern also sells whole real estate loans and participation 
interests in real estate loans to the FHLMC as well as private 
investors, such as other thrifts, banks and life insurance 
companies.  These loans and loan participations are generally sold 
without recourse and for cash in amounts equal to the unpaid 
principal amount of the loans or loan participations determined 
using present value yields to the buyer.  The sale amounts 
generally produce gains to the Bank and allow a margin for 
servicing income on loans where the servicing is retained by the 
Bank.  Loan participations are generally sold with Great Southern 
retaining control of the servicing of the loan.


<PAGE>  20

The Bank sold whole real estate loans and loan participations in 
aggregate amounts of $26.6 million, $36.6 million and $8.7 million 
during the years ended June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.  
Sales of whole real estate loans and participations in real estate 
loans generally can be beneficial to the Bank since these sales 
generally generate income at the time of sale, produce future 
servicing income on loans where servicing is retained, provide 
funds for additional lending and other investments, and increase 
liquidity.

Great Southern also sells guaranteed student loans to the MOHELA at 
the time the borrower is scheduled to begin making repayments on 
the loans.  Prior to July 1995, these loans were generally sold 
with limited recourse and for cash in amounts equal to the unpaid 
principal amount of the loans.  Beginning in July 1995, Great 
Southern re-negotiated its agreement with the MOHELA and these 
loans will generally be sold with limited recourse and for cash in 
amounts equal to the unpaid principal amount of the loans and a 
transfer fee based on average borrower indebtedness.  The fee is 
based on a sliding scale with a higher fee paid for a larger 
average borrower indebtedness and a lower fee paid for a smaller 
average borrower indebtedness.  The Bank sold guaranteed student 
loans in aggregate amounts of $7.7 million, $8.6 million and $5.0 
million during the years ended June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995, 
respectively.  Sales of guaranteed student loans generally can be 
beneficial to the Bank since these sales remove the burdensome 
servicing requirements of these types of loans once the borrower 
begins repayment.

Gains, losses and transfer fees on sales of loans and loan 
participations are recognized at the time of the sale.  When real 
estate loans and loan participations sold have an average 
contractual interest rate that differs from the agreed upon yield 
to the purchaser (less the agreed upon servicing fee), resulting 
gains or losses are recognized in an amount equal to the present 
value of the differential over the estimated remaining life of the 
loans.  Any resulting discount or premium is accreted or amortized 
over the same estimated life using a method approximating the level 
yield interest method.  When real estate loans and loan 
participations are sold with servicing released, as the Bank did 
beginning in fiscal 1996, an additional fee is received for the 
servicing rights.  Net gains and transfer fees on sales of loans 
for the years ended June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995 were $520,000 
$540,000 and $91,000, respectively.

Prior to fiscal 1996, when whole real estate loans were sold, the 
Bank typically retained the responsibility for servicing the loans.  
The Bank receives a servicing fee for performing these services.  
The Bank had the servicing rights for approximately $70 million, 
$80 million and $88 million at June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995, 
respectively, of loans owned by others.  The servicing of these 
loans generated net servicing fees to the Bank for the years ended 
June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995 of $272,000, $316,000 and $347,000, 
respectively.  When guaranteed student loans are sold, the Bank 
typically releases the responsibility for servicing the loans to 
the MOHELA.


<PAGE>  21

In addition to interest earned on loans and loan origination fees, 
the Bank receives fees for loan commitments, letters of credit, 
prepayments, modifications, late payments, transfers of loans due 
to changes of property ownership and other miscellaneous services.  
The fees vary from time to time, generally depending on the supply 
of funds and other competitive conditions in the market.  Fees from 
prepayments, commitments, letters of credit and late payments 
totaled $916,000, $487,000 and $470,000 for the years ended June 
30, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.  Loan origination fees, net 
of related costs, are accounted for in accordance with Statement of 
Financial Accounting Standards No. 91 "Accounting for Nonrefundable 
Fees and Costs Associated With Originating or Acquiring Loans and 
Initial Direct Costs of Leases."  Loan fees and certain direct loan 
origination costs are deferred, and the net fee or cost is 
recognized in interest income using the level-yield method over  
the contractual life of the loan.  For further discussion of this 
issue see Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in 
the Annual Report to Stockholders, which portions are incorporated 
herein by reference.


The table on the following page shows the loan origination, 
purchase, sale and repayment activities of the Bank for the periods 
indicated.  The table is based on information prepared in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

































<PAGE>  22

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Year Ended June 30,
                                                     ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                        1997        1996        1995        1994        1993
                                                     ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
                                                                     (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                  <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Loans Originated:
  Adjustable-Rate Loans:
    Real Estate:
      One- to four-family residential                $  46,586   $  54,699   $  76,753   $  53,077   $  51,912
      Other Residential                                 13,171      28,977      27,324      38,315      47,597
      Commercial                                        73,551      70,812      49,473      38,141      68,677
      Construction                                      14,736      20,237      21,253      28,524      22,645
    Non-real Estate:
      Consumer loans                                     8,668       8,383       7,848       8,519       6,744
      Commercial business loans                         33,602       9,742      12,741       6,044       7,228
                                                       -------     -------     -------      ------      ------
        Total adjustable-rate                          190,314     192,850     195,392     155,582     204,803
                                                       -------     -------     -------      ------      ------
  Fixed-Rate Loans:
    Real Estate:
      One- to four-family residential                   31,447      34,855       8,927      49,288      44,554
      Other Residential                                 10,355       5,499           0       7,044       3,692
      Commercial                                         6,299       1,787       2,031       3,787       3,595
    Non-real Estate:
      Consumer loans                                     8,234       9,863      10,112       8,944       3,923
      Commercial business loans                          1,140          92       9,039       2,295         199
                                                       -------     -------     -------     -------      ------
        Total fixed-rate                                57,475      52,096      30,109      71,358      55,963
                                                       -------     -------     -------     -------      ------
Total loans originated                                 247,789     244,946     225,501     243,978     260,766

Loans Purchased:
  Real Estate loans (1)                                      0           0           0           0       2,395
                                                       -------     -------     -------     -------      ------
    Total additions                                    247,789     244,946     225,501     243,978     263,161
                                                       -------     -------     -------     -------      ------
Loans Sold:
  Real Estate loans (2)                                 26,611      36,643       8,686      53,544      40,487
  Consumer loans (3)                                     7,684       8,566       5,036       3,887       2,289
                                                       -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
    Total sales                                         34,295      45,209      13,722      57,431      42,776
Principal repayments                                   164,369     169,658     143,020     160,206     113,156
Decrease (increase) other items, net                    14,774       2,825       5,983       2,306      (1,393)
                                                       -------     -------     -------     -------      ------
  Total reductions                                     213,438     217,692     162,725     219,943     154,539
                                                       -------     -------     -------     -------      ------
Net increase                                         $  34,351   $  27,254   $  62,776   $  24,035    $108,622
                                                       =======     =======     =======     =======      ======
- -------------------------------------
<FN>
(1)  Substantially all of the loans for June 30, 1993 are commercial real estate loans.
(2)  Substantially all of  these loans are fixed-rate, one- to four-family residential loans.
(3)  Substantially all of these loans are guaranteed student loans where the borrowers graduated and the loans 
were sold prior to the beginning of repayment.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>  23

Allowance for Losses on Loans and Foreclosed Assets

Management periodically reviews Great Southern's allowance for loan 
losses, considering numerous factors, including, but not 
necessarily limited to, general economic conditions, loan portfolio 
composition, prior loss experience, and independent appraisals.  
Further allowances are established when management determines that 
the value of the collateral is less than the amount of the unpaid 
principal of the related loan plus estimated costs of the 
acquisition and sale or when management determines a borrower of an 
unsecured loan will be unable to make full repayment.  Allowances 
for estimated losses on foreclosed assets (real estate and other 
assets acquired through foreclosure) are charged to expense, when 
in the opinion of management, any significant and permanent decline 
in the market value of the underlying collateral reduces the market 
value to less than the carrying value of the asset.

The Bank has increased its lending in the Branson Lakes area during 
recent years primarily due to the substantial growth in the area.  
While management believes the loans it has funded have been 
originated pursuant to sound underwriting standards, and 
individually have no unusual credit risk, the short period of time 
in which the Branson Lakes area has grown and the lower than 
expected increase in tourists visiting the area during recent years 
causes some concern as to the credit risk associated with the 
Branson Lakes area as a whole.  Due to this concern and the overall 
growth of the commercial real estate and other residential real 
estate loan portfolios, management provided increased levels of 
loan loss allowances over the past five years.

The allowances for losses on loans and foreclosed assets are 
maintained at an amount management considers adequate to provide 
for potential losses.  Although management believes that it uses 
the best information available to make such determinations, future 
adjustments to the allowances for losses on loans and foreclosed 
assets may be necessary, and net income could be significantly 
affected, if circumstances differ substantially from the 
assumptions used in making the initial determinations.

At June 30, 1997 and 1996, Great Southern had an allowance for 
losses on loans and foreclosed assets of $15.8 million and $15.4 
million, respectively, of which $3.4 million and $1.6 million, 
respectively, had been allocated as an allowance for specific 
loans, $319,000 and $1.1 million, respectively, had been allocated 
for foreclosed assets and $1.6 million and $832,000, respectively, 
had been allocated for impaired loans.  The allowances are 
discussed further in Notes 3 and 4 of the Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Annual Report 
to Stockholders, which portions are incorporated herein by 
reference.







<PAGE>  24

The following table sets forth an analysis of the Bank's allowance 
for losses on loans showing the details of the allowance by types 
of loans and the allowance balance by loan type.  The table is 
based on information prepared in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                 Year Ended June 30,
                                            -----------------------------------------------------------
                                              1997         1996         1995         1994         1993
                                            -------      -------      -------      -------      -------
                                                              (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Balance at beginning of period              $14,356      $14,601      $13,636      $10,590      $ 6,029
                                             ------       ------       ------       ------       ------
Charge-offs:
  One- to four-family residential               185          189           13           85          189
  Other residential                              34        1,072          474          101           25
  Commercial real estate                        364          509          227           33           70
  Construction                                   14            0            0            0            0
  Consumer                                       70          198           48           33           28
  Commercial business                             9           25          120           32          106
                                             ------       ------       ------       ------       ------
    Total charge-offs                           676        1,993          882          284          418
                                             ------       ------       ------       ------       ------
Recoveries:
  One- to four-family residential                 0           33            0            8            0
  Other residential                              11            0            0            0            0
  Commercial real estate                         88          136          442          181          183
  Consumer                                        9           48           22           59           53
  Commercial business                            30           80           64           57           66
                                             ------       ------       ------       ------       ------
    Total recoveries                            138          297          528          307          302
                                             ------       ------       ------       ------       ------
Net charge-offs (recoveries)                    538        1,696          354          (23)         116
Provision for losses on loans
        (charged to expense)                  1,706        1,451        1,319        3,023        4,677
                                             ------       ------       ------       ------       ------
Balance at end of period                    $15,524      $14,356      $14,601      $13,636      $10,590
                                             ======       ======       ======       ======       ======
Ratio of net charge-offs to
        average loans outstanding             0.09%        0.32%        0.07%       (0.01%)       0.03%
                                              ====         ====         ====         ====         ====
</TABLE>















<PAGE>  25

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The allowance for losses on loans at the date indicated is summarized as follows.  The table is based on 
information prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

                                                                    June 30,
                     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          1997              1996             1995               1994               1993
                     ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  -----------------  ----------------
                               % of              % of              % of              % of               % of
                              Loans to          Loans to          Loans to          Loans to          Loans to
                               Total             Total             Total             Total             Total
                      Amount   Loans    Amount   Loans    Amount   Loans   Amount    Loans    Amount   Loans
                     -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
                                                      (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                  <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
One- to four-family
  residential and
  construction       $ 1,039   41.0%   $   757   44.8%   $   670   45.9%   $   363   44.6%   $   320   47.2%
Other residential
  and construction        35   16.1        503   16.1        480    8.1        668   20.8        557   17.8
Commercial real estate
  and construction
  and commercial
    business           9,699    38.5     7,875   34.5      7,596   31.3      7,394   30.3      3,995   31.5
Consumer                 502     4.4       488    4.6        546    4.7        414    4.3        359    3.5
Unallocated            4,249     0.0     4,733    0.0      5,309    0.0      4,797    0.0      5,359    0.0
                      ------  -----     ------  -----     ------  -----      -----  -----      -----  -----
    Total            $15,524  100.0%   $14,356  100.0%   $14,601  100.0%   $13,636  100.0%   $10,590  100.0%
                      ======  =====     ======  =====     ======  =====      =====  =====      =====  =====
</TABLE>


Loan Delinquencies and Defaults

When a borrower fails to make a required payment on a loan, the 
Bank attempts to cause the delinquency to be cured by contacting 
the borrower.  In the case of loans secured by residential real 
estate, a late notice is sent 15 days after the due date.  If the 
delinquency is not cured by the 30th day, a delinquent notice is 
sent to the borrower.  Additional written contacts are made with 
the borrower 45 and 60 days after the due date.  If the delinquency 
continues for a period of 65 days, the Bank usually institutes 
appropriate action to foreclose on the collateral.  The actual time 
it takes to foreclose on the collateral varies depending on the 
particular circumstances and the applicable governing law.  If 
foreclosed, the property is sold at public auction and may be 
purchased by the Bank.  Delinquent consumer loans are handled in a 
generally similar manner, except that initial contacts are made 
when the payment is five days past due and appropriate action may 
be taken to collect any loan payment that is delinquent for more 
than 15 days.  The Bank's procedures for repossession and sale of 
consumer collateral are subject to various requirements under the 
applicable consumer protection laws as well as other applicable 
laws and the determination by the Bank that it would be beneficial 
from a cost basis.


<PAGE>  26

Delinquent commercial business loans and loans secured by 
commercial real estate are initially handled by the loan officer in 
charge of the loan, who is responsible for contacting the borrower.  
The Senior Vice President in charge of commercial lending also 
works with the commercial loan officers to see that necessary steps 
are taken to collect such delinquent loans.  In addition, the Bank 
has a Problem Loan Committee which meets at least monthly and 
reviews all commercial loans 30 days or more delinquent as well as 
other loans not 30 days delinquent which management feels may 
present possible collection problems.  If an acceptable work out of 
a delinquent commercial loan cannot be agreed upon, the Bank may 
initiate foreclosure on any collateral securing the loan.  However, 
in all cases, whether a commercial or other loan, the prevailing 
circumstances may be such that management may determine it is in 
the best interest of the Bank not to foreclose on the collateral.

Delinquent loans at June 30, 1997 were $14.5 million compared to 
$12.1 million at June 30, 1996.  This increase is mainly 
attributable to an increase in the 30-59 day and 90 days and over 
delinquent categories offset by a decrease in the 60-89 day 
category.  The increase in total delinquencies mainly occurred in 
the other residential real estate and construction categories.  For 
loans that Great Southern is servicing, the owners generally 
prescribe the collection procedures.  Great Southern may act on the 
owners behalf in the collection process.

The table on the following page sets forth information concerning 
delinquent mortgage and other loans held in the Bank's portfolio at 
June 30, 1997, as well as comparative information for June 30, 
1996, in dollar amount and as a percentage of the Bank's total loan 
portfolio.  The amounts presented represent the total outstanding 
principal balances of the related loans rather than the actual 
payment amounts which are overdue.  For related information, see 
the discussion under the heading "- Allowance for Losses on Loans 
and Foreclosed Assets" above.  The table is based on information 
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles.





















<PAGE>  27

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Loans Delinquent for
                            ---------------------------------------
                                                 90 Days   Total
                             30-59      60-89      and   Delinquent
                              Days       Days     Over     Loans
                            -------    -------   ------- ----------
                                     (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                          <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>  
One- to four-family
   residential real estate:
      Number of loans            29         8        33         70
      Amount                 $1,711    $  615    $2,708    $ 5,034
      Percent                  0.28%     0.10%     0.44%      0.81%
Other residential:
      Number of loans             1         1         1          3
      Amount                 $1,104    $  156    $ 4,254    $ 5,514
      Percent                  0.18%     0.03%     0.68%      0.89%
Commercial real estate:
      Number of loans             9         5         2         16
      Amount                 $1,741    $  606    $  316    $ 2,663
      Percent                  0.28%     0.10%     0.05%      0.43%
Construction:
      Number of loans             2         1         0          3
      Amount                 $  198    $   95    $    0     $  293
      Percent                  0.03%     0.02%     0.00%      0.05%
Consumer:
      Number of loans            44        24        62        130
      Amount                 $  120    $   48    $  184    $   352
      Percent                  0.02%     0.01%     0.03%      0.06%
Commercial business:
      Number of loans             5         1         1          7
      Amount                 $   64    $    1    $  600    $   665
      Percent                  0.01%     0.00%     0.10%      0.11%
Total June 30, 1997:
      Number of loans            90        40        99        229
      Amount                 $4,938    $1,521    $8,062    $14,521
      Percent                  0.79%     0.24%     1.30%      2.34%

Total June 30, 1996:
      Number of loans           102        56        88        246
      Amount                 $2,930    $3,667    $5,454    $12,051
      Percent                  0.50%     0.62%     0.93%      2.05%
</TABLE>













<PAGE>  28

Classified Assets

Federal regulations provide for the classification of loans and 
other assets such as debt and equity securities considered to be of 
lesser quality as "substandard," "doubtful" or "loss" assets.  The 
regulations require insured institutions to classify their own 
assets and to establish prudent general allowances for losses from 
assets classified "substandard" or "doubtful."  For the portion of 
assets classified as "loss," an institution is required to either 
establish specific allowances of 100% of the amount classified or 
charge such amount off its books.  Assets that do not currently 
expose the insured institution to sufficient risk to warrant 
classification in one of the aforementioned categories but possess 
potential weaknesses, are required to be designated "special 
mention" by management.  In addition, the OTS may require the 
establishment of a general allowance for losses based on assets 
classified as "substandard" and "doubtful" or based on the general 
quality of the asset portfolio of an institution.  Following are 
the total classified assets per the Bank's internal asset 
classification list.  There were no significant off-balance sheet 
items classified at June 30, 1997.  The Bank's significant 
classified assets are discussed individually below.

<TABLE>
                                                                        Total      Allowance
            Asset Category        Substandard   Doubtful     Loss    Classified   for Losses
        -----------------------   -----------   --------     ----    ----------   ----------
                                                  (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                 <C>          <C>         <C>       <C>          <C>
        Loans and off-balance
          sheet risks               $14,331      $    0      $175      $14,506      $15,524
        Foreclosed assets             5,575           0         0        5,575          319
                                     ------       -----       ---       ------       ------
            Total                   $19,906      $    0      $175      $20,081      $15,843
                                     ======       =====       ===       ======       ======
</TABLE>

The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of non-
performing assets (classified loans which are not performing under 
regulatory guidelines and all foreclosed assets, including assets 
acquired in settlement of loans) in the Bank's loan portfolio at 
the times indicated.  Loans are placed on non-accrual status when 
the loan becomes 90 days delinquent or when the collection of 
principal, interest, or both, otherwise becomes doubtful.  For all 
years presented, the Bank has not had any (i) accruing loans 
delinquent more than 90 days or (ii) troubled debt restructurings, 
which involve forgiving a portion of interest or principal on any 
loans or making loans at a rate materially less than that of market 
rates.  It has been the Bank's practice to sell its foreclosed 
assets to new borrowers and originate loans with higher loan-to-
value ratios than those generally required for the Bank's one- to 
four-family residential loans.  Starting in fiscal 1993, the Bank 
adopted a policy of presenting such loans in the non-performing 
assets category until sufficient payments of principal and interest 
are received or the loan has a 90% loan-to-value ratio.  
Substantially all of the loans presented in this category are 
performing and the Bank is accounting for the interest on these 
loans on the accrual method.
<PAGE>  29

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       June 30,
                                               -------------------------------------------------------
                                                 1997        1996        1995        1994        1993
                                               -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
                                                                 (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                            <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Non-accruing loans:
  One- to four-family residential              $ 2,018     $ 1,195     $   149     $   341     $   739
  Other residential                              3,826         934          --         200         198
  Commercial real estate                           316       1,407       2,004       4,500         766
  One- to four-family construction                 655         121          --          --          99
  Consumer                                         219         202         260         195          52
  Commercial business                              600         744         652         786          64
  Commercial construction                           --         851          --          --          --
                                                ------      ------      ------      ------      ------
    Total non-accruing loans                     7,634       5,454       3,065       6,022       1,918
Loans in connection with sales of
  foreclosed assets                                246         453         775       1,321       2,541
                                                ------      ------      ------      ------      ------
    Total non-performing loans                   7,880       5,907       3,840       7,343       4,459
                                                ------      ------      ------      ------      ------
Foreclosed assets:
  One- to four-family residential                  544         517         695       1,440         650
  Other residential                              1,150       7,121       3,359       1,709         198
  Commercial real estate                         4,276       3,309       4,878       6,180       9,451
                                                ------      ------      ------      ------      ------
    Total foreclosed assets                      5,970      10,947       8,932       7,620      10,101
                                                ------      ------      ------      ------      ------
Total non-performing assets                    $13,850     $16,854     $12,772     $14,963     $14,560
                                                ======      ======      ======      ======      ======
Total non-performing assets as a
      percentage of average total assets          2.07%       2.45%       2.18%       2.83%       3.04%
                                                  ====        ====        ====        ====        ====
</TABLE>

Impaired loans totaled $10,163,000 and $5,455,000 at June 30, 1997 
and 1996, respectively.

Interest of $487,000 and $923,000 was recognized on average 
impaired loans of $9,362,000 and $9,210,000 for 1997 and 1996. 
Interest recognized on impaired loans on a cash basis during 1997 
and 1996 was not materially different.

The level of non-performing assets are primarily attributable to 
the Bank's commercial real estate, other residential, construction 
and commercial business lending activities.  These activities 
generally involve significantly greater credit risks than single-
family residential lending.  The level of non-performing assets 
increased at a rate greater than that of the Bank's commercial 
lending portfolio in fiscal 1996, and at a rate less than that of 
the Bank's commercial lending portfolio in fiscal 1993, 1994, 1995 
and 1997.  For a discussion of the risks associated with these 
activities, see the discussions under the heading  "- Commercial 
Real Estate and Construction Lending" and "- Commercial Business 
Lending" above.

The Bank encounters certain environmental risks in its lending and 
related activities.  Under federal and state environmental laws, 
lenders may become liable for the costs of cleaning up hazardous 
materials found on property held as collateral as well as property 
acquired at foreclosure on defaulted loans.  This issue is 
discussed in more detail under the heading "Lending Activities-
Environmental Issues" above.

<PAGE>  30

Investment Activities

Federally-chartered thrift institutions have authority to invest in 
various types of liquid assets, including U. S. Treasury 
obligations and securities of various federal agencies, 
certificates of deposit at insured institutions, obligations issued 
by a State (with a 10% limit on obligations of a single issuer) 
that qualify as liquid assets (see "Liquidity") and certain other 
assets.  The Bank's authority to invest in commercial paper and 
corporate debt securities is subject to its overall 35% consumer 
loan limit.  See "Lending Activities -- Consumer Lending" above.
Great Southern must maintain minimum levels of investments that are 
liquid assets as specified by the OTS as discussed under the 
heading "Regulation-Liquidity" below.  Liquidity may increase or 
decrease depending upon the availability of funds and comparative 
yields on investments in relation to the return on loans.  
Historically, the Bank has maintained its liquid assets above the 
minimum requirements imposed by the regulations and at a level 
believed adequate to meet requirements of normal daily activities, 
repayment of maturing debt and potential deposit outflows.  Cash 
flow projections are regularly reviewed and updated to assure that 
adequate liquidity is maintained.  For further discussion, see the 
discussion under the heading "Regulation-Liquidity" below and Note 
1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 
Annual Report to Stockholders, which portions are incorporated 
herein by reference.

The Bank's investment securities portfolio at June 30, 1997 and 
1996 contained no securities (tax exempt or of any issuer) with an 
aggregate book value in excess of 10% of the Bank's retained 
earnings, excluding those issued by the United States Government, 
or its agencies.

On August 15, 1995, the OTS adopted its final rule on regulatory 
capital-stockholders' equity.  This rule requires debt and equity 
securities to be segregated into the following three categories: 
trading, held-to-maturity and available-for-sale.  Trading 
securities are purchased and held principally for the purpose of 
reselling them within a short period of time.  The unrealized gains 
and losses are included in earnings.

Investments classified as held-to-maturity are accounted for at 
amortized cost, but an institution must have both positive intent 
and the ability to hold those securities to maturity.  There are 
very limited circumstances under which securities held-to-maturity 
can be sold without jeopardizing the cost basis accounting for the 
remainder of the securities in this category.  These circumstances 
include a significant deterioration of the issuer's 
creditworthiness; changes in the tax law that reduce the tax-exempt 
status of interest on the debt securities; major business 
combinations that require a significant disposition of assets to 
maintain the institutions' existing interest rate risk or credit 
risk policy; and certain changes in statutory or regulatory 
investment authority or capital requirements.  Any security that 
might be sold in response to changes in the market interest rates, 
changes in the security's prepayment risk, increases in loan demand 
or general liquidity needs or similar factors would not be 
classified as held-to-maturity.
<PAGE>  31

Securities not classified as either trading or held-to-maturity are 
considered available-for-sale.  Unrealized gains and losses on the 
available-for-sale securities are excluded from earnings and 
reported as a net amount in a separate component of stockholders' 
equity until realized.

As of June 30, 1997 and 1996, the Bank held approximately $49.8 
million and $49.2 million, respectively, in principal amount of 
investment securities which the Bank intends to hold until 
maturity.  As of such dates, these securities had a market value of 
approximately $49.9 million and $49.3 million, respectively.  In 
addition, as of June 30, 1997 and 1996, the Company held 
approximately $7.4 million and $4.7 million, respectively, in 
principal amount of investment securities which the Company 
classified as available-for-sale.  The implementation of the OTS 
policy statement has not had a material impact on the Bank's 
financial condition or results of operations since management has 
historically purchased securities with the intent of holding until 
maturity.  This issue is discussed further under the heading 
"Regulation-Accounting" below and in Notes 1 and 2 of Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report to 
Stockholders, which portions are incorporated herein by reference.

The amortized cost and approximate fair values of, and gross 
unrealized gains and losses on, investment securities at the dates 
indicated are summarized as follows.  The table is based on 
information prepared in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               June 30, 1997
                                              --------------------------------------------------
                                                              Gross        Gross     Approximate
                                              Amortized    Unrealized    Unrealized     Fair
                                                 Cost         Gains        Losses       Value
                                              ---------    ----------    ----------  -----------
                                                            (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                            <C>            <C>          <C>        <C>
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES:
  Equity securities                             $5,175       $2,233         $  0        $7,408
                                                 =====        =====          ===         =====
HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES:
  U.S. Treasury                                $ 7,057       $    8         $  4       $ 7,061
  U.S. government agencies                      42,700          110           12        42,798
                                                ------         ---          ---        ------
    Total held-to-maturity securities          $49,757       $  118         $ 16       $49,859
                                                ======          ===          ===        ======

                                                                 June 30, 1996
                                              --------------------------------------------------
                                                              Gross        Gross     Approximate
                                              Amortized    Unrealized    Unrealized     Fair
                                                 Cost         Gains        Losses       Value
                                              ---------    ----------    ----------  -----------
                                                            (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                             <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES:
  Equity securities                             $4,498        $259         $102        $4,656
                                                 =====         ===          ===         =====
HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES:
  U.S. Treasury                                $ 6,902        $  7         $ 22       $ 6,887
  U.S. government agencies                      41,831         159           35        41,955
  States and political subdivisions                449           0            0           449
                                                ------         ---          ---        ------
    Total held-to-maturity securities          $49,182        $166         $ 57       $49,291
                                                ======         ===          ===        ======
<PAGE>  32
                                                                 June 30, 1995
                                              --------------------------------------------------
                                                              Gross        Gross     Approximate
                                              Amortized    Unrealized    Unrealized     Fair
                                                 Cost         Gains        Losses       Value
                                              ---------    ----------    ----------  -----------
                                                            (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                             <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES:
  Equity securities                             $2,498        $593         $  0        $3,091
                                                 =====         ===          ===         =====
HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES:
  U.S. Treasury                                $ 1,267        $ 20         $  0       $ 1,287
  U.S. government agencies                      45,247         334           59        45,522
  States and political subdivisions                456           0            0           456
                                                ------         ---          ---        ------
    Total held-to-maturity securities          $46,970        $354         $ 59       $47,265
                                                ======         ===          ===        ======
- ------------------------------------
<FN>
  (1) See "Regulation-Federal Home Loan Bank System" and Note 2 of 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report to 
Stockholders, which portions are incorporated herein by reference.
</TABLE>

The following table presents the contractual maturities and 
weighted average yields of held-to-maturity securities at June 30, 
1997.  The table is based on information prepared in accordance 
with generally accepted accounting principles.

                                             Amortized  Approximate
                                      Cost     Yield    Fair Value
                                    -------  ---------  -----------
                                        (Dollars in thousands)
In one year or less                 $18,047     5.85%     $18,073
After one through five years         31,710     6.11%      31,786
                                     ------                ------
    Total                           $49,757               $49,859
                                     ======                ======


Sources of Funds

General.  Deposit accounts have traditionally been the principal 
source of the Bank's funds for use in lending and for other general 
business purposes.  In addition to deposits, the Bank obtains funds 
through advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, 
Iowa ("FHLBank"), collateralized short-term borrowings under 
repurchase agreements, loan repayments, loan sales, and cash flows 
generated from operations.  Scheduled loan payments are a 
relatively stable source of funds, while deposit inflows and 
outflows and the related costs of such funds have varied widely.  
Borrowings such as FHLBank advances may be used on a short-term 
basis to compensate for seasonal reductions in deposits or deposit 
inflows at less than projected levels and may be used on a longer 
term basis to support expanded lending activities.  The 
availability of funds from loan sales is influenced by general 
interest rates as well as the volume of originations.






<PAGE>  33

Deposits.  The Bank attracts both short-term and long-term deposits 
from the general public by offering a wide variety of accounts and 
rates.  In recent years, the Bank has been required by market 
conditions to rely increasingly on short-term accounts and other 
deposit alternatives that are more responsive to market interest 
rates than the passbook accounts and regulated fixed-interest-rate, 
fixed-term certificates that were the Bank's primary source of 
deposits prior to 1978.  The Bank offers regular passbook accounts, 
checking accounts, various money market accounts, fixed-interest-
rate certificates with varying maturities, certificates of deposit 
in minimum amounts of $100,000 ("Jumbo" accounts), brokered 
certificates and individual retirement accounts.  The composition 
of the Company's deposits at the end of recent periods is set forth 
in Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in 
the Annual Report to Stockholders, which portions are incorporated 
herein by reference.

The following table sets forth the dollar amount of deposits, by 
interest rate range, in the various types of deposit programs 
offered by the Company at the dates indicated.  The table is based 
on information prepared in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 June 30,
                                      -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                             1997                   1996                   1995
                                      ------------------     -------------------     ------------------
                                                Percent                 Percent                Percent
                                       Amount   of Total       Amount   of Total      Amount   of Total
                                      --------  --------     ---------  --------     --------  --------
                                                            (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                   <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>
Time deposits:
    0.00% -   3.99%                   $    724      .16      $  2,376     0.60      $  3,746     0.97%
    4.00% -   4.99%                     14,166     3.08        14,472     3.65        30,873     8.03
    5.00% -   5.99%                    212,238    46.22       169,905    42.79        84,499    21.99
    6.00% -   6.99%                     51,540    11.22        32,596     8.21        89,817    23.37
    7.00% -   7.99%                     12,326     2.69        17,123     4.31        20,105     5.23
    8.00%  - 10.25%                        507      .11           646     0.16         3,801     0.99
                                       -------   ------       -------   ------       -------   ------
Total Time deposits                    291,501    63.48       237,118    59.72       232,841    60.58
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits    14,572     3.17         8,886     2.24         8,182     2.13
Savings deposits (2.51%-2.50%-2.52%)    35,065     7.64        37,010     9.32        38,285     9.96
Interest-bearing demand
     deposits (2.36%-2.41%-2.51%)      115,232    25.09       112,224    28.26       103,335    26.89
Accrued Interest                         2,866      .62         1,817      .46         1,684     0.44
                                       -------   ------       -------   ------       -------   ------
Total Deposits                        $459,236   100.00      $397,055   100.00%     $384,327   100.00%
                                       =======   ======       =======   ======       =======   ======
</TABLE>

<PAGE>  34

The following table sets forth the deposit flows of the Company 
during the periods indicated.  Net increase refers to the amount of 
deposits during a period less the amount of withdrawals during the 
period.  The net increase in deposits during the year ended June 
30, 1997 and June 30, 1995 was primarily in time deposits while 
during the year ended June 30, 1996 the net increase was in 
interest-bearing deposits.  Deposit flows at savings institutions 
may also be influenced by external factors such as competitors' 
pricing, governmental credit policies and, particularly in recent 
periods, depositors' perceptions of the adequacy of federal 
insurance of accounts.  The table is based on information prepared 
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Year Ended June 30,
                                      ----------------------------------------
                                         1997           1996           1995
                                      ----------     ----------     ----------
                                              (Dollars in thousands)
     <S>                              <C>            <C>            <C>
     Opening balance                  $  397,055     $  384,327     $  358,987
     Deposits                          2,143,074      1,731,347      1,652,386
     Withdrawals                       2,092,700      1,730,268      1,636,288
     Interest credited                    11,807         11,649          9,242
                                       ---------      ---------      ---------
     Ending Balance                   $  459,236     $  397,055     $  384,327
                                       =========      =========      =========
     Net increase                        $62,181        $12,728        $25,340
                                          ======         ======         ======
     Percent increase                     15.66%          3.31%          7.06%
                                           ====           ====           ====
</TABLE>


The variety of deposit accounts offered by the Bank has allowed it 
to be competitive in obtaining funds and has allowed it to respond 
with flexibility to changes in consumer demand.  The Bank has 
become more susceptible to short-term fluctuations in deposit 
flows, as customers have become more interest rate conscious.  The 
Bank manages the pricing of its deposits in keeping with its 
asset/liability management and profitability objectives.  Based on 
its experience, management believes that its passbook and 
certificate accounts are relatively stable sources of deposits, 
while its checking accounts have proven to be more volatile.  
However, the ability of the Bank to attract and maintain deposits, 
and the rates paid on these deposits, has been and will continue to 
be significantly affected by money market conditions.










<PAGE>  35

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The following table sets forth the time remaining until maturity of the Bank's time deposits as of June 30, 
1997.  The table is based on information prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

                                                             Maturity
                                    ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Over       Over        Over
                                    3 Months      3 to 6     6 to 12       12
                                     or Less      Months      Months      Months       Total
                                    --------     -------     -------     -------     --------
                                                      (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                  <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Time deposits:
  Less than $100,000                $ 53,048     $33,606     $48,642     $32,677     $167,973
  $100,000 or more                    15,573       6,429      10,109      12,378       44,489
  Brokered                            66,809       1,085         890       8,603       77,387
  Public funds (1)                     1,309         343          --          --        1,652
                                      ------      ------      ------      ------      -------
    Total                           $136,739     $41,463     $59,641     $53,658     $291,501
                                      ======      ======      ======      ======      =======
<FN>
(1)  Deposits from governmental and other public entities.
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The following table shows rate and maturity information for the Bank's time deposits as of June 30, 1997.  The 
table is based on information prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

                                  0.00-     4.00-     5.00-     6.00-     7.00-     8.00-              % of
                                  3.99%     4.99%     5.99%     6.99%     7.99%    10.25%     Total    Total
                                 ------    -------   -------   -------   -------   ------   --------  -------
                                                            (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                              <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>         <C>    <C>       <C>
Time deposits maturing
    in quarter ending:
  September 30, 1997             $  659    $13,839  $116,834   $ 5,168   $     9     $230   $136,739   46.91%
  December 31, 1997                  --         26    37,122     3,954       331       30     41,463   14.22
  March 31, 1998                     16        140    19,483     4,598       528       --     24,765    8.50
  June 30, 1998                      --        108    19,768     7,318     7,681        1     34,876   11.96
  September 30, 1998                 --         32     4,182     9,210        --        2     13,426    4.61
  December 31, 1998                  --         12     3,698     3,496        --       20      7,226    2.48
  March 31, 1999                      1         --     3,520     3,989       183       20      7,713    2.65
  June 30, 1999                       2         --     2,882     4,982        99        1      7,966    2.73
  September 30, 1999                 --         --       305       767        --       --      1,072    0.37
  December 31, 1999                  --          8       465       374       296       --      1,143    0.39
  March 31, 2000                     --         --       653     1,526       373       --      2,552    0.88
  June 30, 2000                      --         --       697       863        82       --      1,642    0.56
  September 30, 2000                 --          1       128     1,179        --       --      1,308    0.45
  December 31, 2000                  --         --       150       138         2       --        290    0.10
  March 31, 2001                     --         --       647       123        --       --        770    0.26
  June 30, 2001                      --         --       190       456        61       --        707    0.24
  Thereafter                         46         --     1,514     3,399     2,681      203      7,843    2.69
                                   ----     ------   -------    ------    ------      ---    -------  ------
    Total                        $  724    $14,166  $212,238   $51,540   $12,326     $507   $291,501  100.00%
                                  =====     ======   =======    ======    ======      ===    =======  ======
</TABLE>
<PAGE>  36

Borrowings.  Great Southern's other sources of funds include 
advances from the FHLBank and collateralized borrowings.  As a 
member of the FHLBank, the Bank is required to own capital stock in 
the FHLBank and is authorized to apply for advances from the 
FHLBank.  FIRREA requires that all long-term FHLBank advances be 
for the purpose of financing residential housing.  Pursuant to 
FIRREA, the Federal Housing Finance Board has promulgated 
regulations which establish standards of community investment for 
FHLBank members to maintain continued access to long-term advances.  
Each FHLBank credit program has its own interest rate, which may be 
fixed or variable, and range of maturities.  The FHLBank may 
prescribe the acceptable uses for these advances, as well as other 
risks on availability, limitations on the size of the advances and 
repayment provisions.  The Bank has a $75 million revolving line of 
credit with the FHLBank which provides for immediately available 
funds.  At June 30, 1997, $30.8 million of the revolving line was 
in use with $44.2 million remaining available.  These funds can be 
drawn by the Bank for lending or other liquidity needs with some 
limitations.

The Bank's borrowings also include borrowings collateralized with 
whole mortgage loans from the Bank's portfolio and investment 
securities from the Bank's held-to-maturity portfolio.  These 
borrowings are also discussed in Note 8 of  "Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements included in the Annual Report to 
Stockholders", which portions are incorporated herein by reference.

The following table sets forth the maximum month-end balances and 
average daily balances of FHLBank advances and collateralized 
borrowings during the periods indicated.  The table is based on 
information prepared in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles.

                                       Year Ended June 30,
                                ------------------------------
                                   1997       1996       1995
                                ------------------------------
                                    (Dollars in thousands)
Maximum Balance:
  FHLBank advances              $207,576   $188,450   $156,667
  Collateralized borrowings       28,744     20,132     18,695

Average Balances:
  FHLBank advances              $166,023   $169,468   $127,361
  Collateralized borrowings       18,894     17,344     15,607













<PAGE>  37

The following table sets forth certain information as to the 
Company's FHLBank advances and collateralized borrowings at the 
dates indicated.  The table is based on information prepared in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

                                            June 30,
                                 -------------------------------
                                   1997       1996        1995
                                 --------    -------    --------
                                      (Dollars in thousands)

FHLBank advances                 $151,881    $180,797    $154,323
Collateralized borrowings          28,744      16,468      13,947
                                  -------     -------     -------
  Total borrowings               $180,625    $197,265    $168,270
                                  =======     =======     =======

Weighted average interest rate
  of FHLBank advances               6.42%      6.06%      6.61%
                                    ====       ====        ====

Weighted average interest rate
  of collateralized borrowings      3.24%      2.63%      2.96%
                                    ====       ====        ====

Subsidiaries

Great Southern.  As a federally-chartered savings bank, Great 
Southern may invest up to 3% of its assets in service corporations.  
The Bank had no investment in service corporations at June 30, 1997 
and 1996.

Holding Company.  At June 30, 1997, the Holding Company's total 
investment in Great Southern Financial Corporation ("GSFC") and 
Great Southern Capital Management, Inc. ("Capital Management") was 
$1.1 million and $456,000, respectively.  Both GSFC and Capital 
Management are incorporated under the laws of the state of 
Missouri.  These subsidiaries are primarily engaged in the 
following activities:

Appraisal Services.  Appraisal Services, Inc., incorporated in 
1976, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GSFC and performs primarily 
residential real estate appraisals for a number of clients, the 
majority of which is for the Bank and its loan customers.  
Appraisal Services, Inc. had a net loss of $2,000 and net income of 
$7,000 in fiscal 1997 and 1996, respectively.

General Insurance Agency.  Great Southern Insurance, a division of 
GSFC, was organized in 1974.  It acts as a general property, 
casualty and life insurance agency for a number of clients, 
including the Bank.  Great Southern Insurance had net income of 
$133,000 and $98,000 in fiscal 1997 and 1996, respectively.






<PAGE>  38

Travel Agency.  Great Southern Travel, a division of GSFC, was 
organized in 1976.  At June 30, 1997, it was the largest travel 
agency based in southwestern Missouri.  Great Southern Travel 
operates from 15 full-time locations, including a facility at the 
Springfield-Branson Regional Airport, and additional part-time 
locations.  It engages in personal, commercial and group travel 
services.  Great Southern Travel had net income of $46,000 and 
$122,000 in fiscal 1997 and 1996, respectively.

Brokerage Services.  Capital Management, organized in 1988, offers 
a full line of financial consultation, investment counseling and 
discount brokerage services.  Capital Management operates through 
Great Southern's branch office network.  Capital Management had net 
income of $243,000 and $257,000 in fiscal 1997 and 1996, 
respectively.

Competition

Great Southern faces strong competition both in originating real 
estate and other loans and in attracting deposits.  Competition in 
originating real estate loans comes primarily from other savings 
institutions, commercial banks and mortgage bankers making loans 
secured by real estate located in the Bank's market area.  
Commercial banks and finance companies provide vigorous competition 
in consumer lending.  The Bank competes for real estate and other 
loans principally on the basis of the interest rates and loan fees 
it charges, the types of loans it originates and the quality of 
services it provides to borrowers.  The other lines of business of 
the Bank including loan servicing and loan sales, as well as the 
Holding Company subsidiaries, face significant competition in their 
markets.

The Bank faces substantial competition in attracting deposits from 
other savings institutions, commercial banks, money market and 
mutual funds, credit unions and other investment vehicles.  The 
Bank attracts a significant amount of deposits through its branch 
offices primarily from the communities in which those branch 
offices are located; therefore, competition for those deposits is 
principally from other savings institutions and commercial banks 
located in the same communities.  The Bank competes for these 
deposits by offering a variety of deposit accounts at competitive 
rates, convenient business hours, and convenient branch and ATM 
locations with interbranch deposit and withdrawal privileges at 
each branch location.

The authority to offer money market deposits and the expanded 
lending and other powers authorized for thrift institutions by 
federal and state legislation have resulted in increased 
competition for both deposits and loans between thrift institutions 
and other financial institutions such as commercial banks.

Employees

At June 30, 1997, the Bank and its affiliates had a total of 498 
employees, including 213 part-time employees.  None of the Bank's 
employees is represented by any collective bargaining agreement.  
Management considers its employee relations to be good.

<PAGE>  39

REGULATION

General

Great Southern is a federal-chartered, federally insured, Federal 
Savings Bank which is a member of the FHLBank System ("FHLBank 
System").  Accordingly, Great Southern is subject to broad federal 
regulation and oversight extending to all of its operations.  Great 
Southern is a member of the FHLBank of Des Moines and is subject to 
certain limited regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal 
Reserve System ("Federal Reserve Board").  As the savings and loan 
holding company of Great Southern, the Holding Company also is 
subject to federal regulation and oversight.  The purpose of the 
regulation of the Holding Company is to protect Great Southern and 
its depositors.

On August 9, 1989, FIRREA was enacted into law.  FIRREA 
substantially changed the regulatory structure and oversight for 
all savings associations, including Great Southern, and their 
holding companies.  Prior to FIRREA, Great Southern's deposits were 
insured by the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation 
("FSLIC") and Great Southern was subject to regulation by the 
FHLBB, as operating head of the FSLIC.  Under FIRREA, the FHLBB was 
abolished and its regulatory authority over Great Southern and its 
holding company was transferred to the OTS. The FSLIC was abolished 
and replaced by the SAIF, a new deposit insurance fund administered 
by the FDIC.  As a result, the FDIC has certain regulatory and 
examination authority over Great Southern.  FIRREA revised many 
substantive requirements and limitations to which Great Southern is 
subject, generally resulting in increased restrictions on Great 
Southern's authorized investment and lending activities.  FIRREA 
also provided for various changes in the regulation of savings and 
loan holding companies, such as the Holding Company.  In addition, 
FIRREA revised the structure of the FHLBank System, including the 
requirements for obtaining advances from the FHLBank.

The Board of Directors of the Bank approved the conversion of the 
Bank from a Missouri-chartered savings bank to a federal savings 
bank charter.  The conversion process required the preparation and 
filing of an application with the OTS regional office.  The OTS 
approved the conversion in December 1994. By converting, the Bank 
was able to eliminate the duplicate cost associated with complying 
with both federal and state regulations and has not seen a material 
change in its business.

The Company and Great Southern are subject to extensive regulation 
by the federal government.  The regulatory structure also gives the 
regulators extensive discretion in their regulatory activities.  
Any changes in such regulatory structure or regulation could have a 
material adverse affect on the operations of the Company or Great 
Southern. Certain of the material regulatory requirements and 
restrictions applicable to the Company and the Bank are discussed 
below or elsewhere in this document.  However, the following is a 
brief summary of certain aspects of the regulation of the Company 
and Great Southern and does not purport to fully discuss such 
regulation.


<PAGE>  40

Federal Regulation

The OTS has extensive authority over the operations of the Bank.  
As part of this authority, Great Southern is required to file 
periodic reports with the OTS and is subject to periodic 
examinations by the OTS.  The investment and lending authority of 
Great Southern is limited by federal law and regulations.

Certain of these regulations limit Great Southern's investments 
including investments in equity securities, real estate, service 
corporations and operating subsidiaries, as well as land loans and 
nonresidential construction loans with loan-to-value ratios in 
excess of 80%.  In addition, as noted below, certain investments 
increase the capital requirements of the Bank.  Federal laws and 
regulations also impose certain limitations on Great Southern's 
operations, including restrictions on loans to one borrower, 
transactions with affiliates and affiliated persons, liability 
growth and capital distributions.  Federal laws and regulations 
also impose requirements for the retention of housing and thrift-
related investments.  See "--Qualified Thrift Lender Test."

Federal law provides that no savings association may invest in 
corporate debt securities not rated in one of the four highest 
rating categories by a nationally recognized rating organization.  
In addition, investment in loans secured by nonresidential real 
property may not exceed 400% of capital, with authority in the OTS 
to increase that investment level on a case-by-case basis.  The 
authority of Great Southern to engage in transactions with 
affiliates, including the Holding Company and its non-savings 
association subsidiaries, or to make loans to certain insiders, is 
subject to certain provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.  Among 
other things, those provisions require that these transactions with 
affiliates be on terms and conditions comparable to those for 
similar transactions with non-affiliates.  See "--Transactions With 
Affiliates."  In addition, these affiliate transactions are 
regulated further by the OTS to address safety and soundness 
concerns.

The OTS has extensive enforcement authority over all savings 
associations and their holding companies, including Great Southern 
and the Holding Company, and this enforcement authority has been 
enhanced substantially by FIRREA and the Federal Deposit Insurance 
Corporation Improvements Act of 1991 ("FDICIA").  This enforcement 
authority includes, among other things, the ability to assess civil 
money penalties, to issue cease-and-desist or removal orders and to 
initiate injunctive actions.  In general, these enforcement actions 
may be initiated for violations of laws and regulations and unsafe 
or unsound practices.  Other actions or inactions may provide the 
basis for enforcement action, including misleading or untimely 
reports filed with the OTS.  FIRREA significantly increased the 
amount of and grounds for civil money penalties.  FIRREA requires, 
except under certain circumstances, public disclosure of final 
enforcement actions by the OTS.

The FDIC has been granted certain regulatory and oversight 
authority over federal associations by FIRREA.  See "--Insurance of 
Accounts and Regulation by the FDIC."

<PAGE>  41

Insurance of Accounts and Regulation by the FDIC

The FDIC maintains two separate deposit insurance funds: the Bank 
Insurance Fund (the "BIF") and the Savings Association Insurance 
Fund (the "SAIF").  Great Southern's depositors are insured by the 
SAIF up to $100,000 per insured account (as defined by law and 
regulation).  This insurance is backed by the full faith and credit 
of the United States Government.

As insurer, the FDIC is authorized to conduct examinations of and 
to require reporting by SAIF-insured associations.  It also may 
prohibit any FDIC-insured institution from engaging in any activity 
the FDIC determines by regulation or order to pose a serious threat 
to the SAIF.  The FDIC also has the authority to initiate 
enforcement actions against savings associations, after first 
giving the OTS an opportunity to take such action.

On September 30, 1996, the President signed into law the Deposit 
Insurance Fund Act of 1996 (the "Act").  The Act included 
provisions to recapitalize the SAIF through a one-time special 
assessment of 65.7 basis points of SAIF assessable deposits held by 
savings associations at March 31, 1995.  Great Southern's special 
assessment was $2.5 million and was reflected in expense in the 
September 1996 quarter.

Great Southern pays annual assessments for SAIF insurance.  Under 
current FDIC regulations, the annual SAIF assessment rate is based, 
in part, on the degree of risk to the deposit insurance fund that, 
in the opinion of the FDIC, is presented by a particular depository 
institution compared to other depository institutions.  The FDIC 
uses a matrix having as variables the level of capitalization of a 
particular institution and the level of supervision that its 
operations require; and the risk-based amendment rates determined 
in this fashion range from 0.00% of deposits for the least risky to 
0.27% for the most risky.  In establishing the SAIF assessment 
rate, the FDIC is required to consider the SAIF's expected 
operating expenses, case resolution expenditures and income and the 
effect of the assessment rate on SAIF members' earnings and 
capital.  There is no cap on the amount the FDIC may increase the 
SAIF assessment rate.  The Bank currently has a risk based 
assessment rate of 0.00%.  In addition, the FDIC is authorized to 
raise the assessment rates in certain instances.  Any increases in 
the assessments would negatively impact the earnings of Great 
Southern.

The FDIC may terminate the deposit insurance of any insured 
depository institution if it determines, after a hearing, that the 
institution has engaged or is engaging in unsafe or unsound 
practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue 
operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, order or 
any condition imposed by or an agreement with the FDIC.  It also 
may suspend deposit insurance temporarily during the hearing 
process for the permanent termination of insurance, if the 
institution has no tangible capital.  If insurance of accounts is 
terminated, the accounts at the institution at the time of the 
termination, less subsequent withdrawals, shall continue to be 
insured for a period of six months to two years, as determined by 
the FDIC.
<PAGE>  42

The Act also authorized the FDIC to collect assessments against BIF 
and SAIF assessable deposits to be paid to the Financing Coporation 
(the FICO") to service interest on FICO debt issued during the 
1980's.  Beginning January 1997, the FICO assessment rate was set 
at .0648% for SAIF insured deposits and .013% on BIF insured 
deposits.

The Act also requires the Treasury Department to conduct a survey 
of all issues considered to be relevant to the development of a 
common charter for all FDIC insured institutions and the 
termination of separate and distinct charters for banks and savings 
associations.  The law specifies that the BIF and SAIF are to be 
merged by 1999, if there are no savings associations in existence 
at that time.  A merger of the deposit insurance funds could 
potentially occur prior to 1999 if certain conditions are met.


Regulatory Capital Requirements

Federally insured savings associations, such as Great Southern, are 
required to maintain a minimum level of regulatory capital.  These 
requirements have increased significantly in recent years.  FIRREA 
required the OTS to establish new capital standards for all savings 
associations, including a tangible capital requirement, a leverage 
ratio (or core capital) requirement and a risk-based capital 
requirement.  FIRREA mandated that these new capital requirements 
be generally as stringent as the comparable capital requirements 
for national banks.

The capital regulations promulgated pursuant to FIRREA require that 
all savings associations have tangible capital of at least 1.5% of 
adjusted total assets.  Tangible capital generally includes common 
stockholders' equity (including retained earnings), most non-
cumulative perpetual preferred stock and related earnings, certain 
non-withdrawable accounts and pledged deposits at mutual 
institutions and minority equity interests in fully consolidated 
subsidiaries. Tangible capital excludes intangible assets, except 
that purchased mortgage servicing rights remain includable in 
tangible capital in an amount that may not exceed the lesser of (i) 
90% of their fair market value (if determinable), or (ii) 100% of 
their current amortized book value under GAAP (except that 
purchased mortgage servicing rights owned on February 9, 1990 are 
grandfathered and may be recognized for regulatory capital purposes 
to the extent otherwise permitted by the OTS).  Great Southern has 
no purchased mortgage servicing rights.  In general, for purposes 
of calculating the tangible capital ratio, adjusted total assets is 
defined as consolidated total assets in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), excluding intangible 
assets (except includable purchased mortgage servicing rights).  In 
addition, as described in more detail below, certain subsidiary 
investments are excluded from capital and from adjusted total 
assets for purposes of determining compliance with the tangible 
capital requirement.





<PAGE>  43

The OTS regulations establish special capitalization requirements 
for savings associations that own service corporations and other 
subsidiaries.  According to these regulations certain subsidiaries 
are consolidated for capital purposes and others are excluded from 
assets and capital.  In determining compliance with the tangible 
capital requirement and the leverage limit, all subsidiaries 
engaged solely in activities permissible for national banks, 
engaged solely in mortgage-banking activities, or engaged in 
certain other activities solely as agent for its customers are 
includable subsidiaries that are consolidated for capital purposes 
in proportion to the association's level of ownership, including 
the assets of includable subsidiaries in which the association has 
a minority interest that is not consolidated for GAAP purposes (the 
investment in such subsidiaries is excluded from adjusted total 
assets).  For all other subsidiaries ("non-includable 
subsidiaries"), the debt and equity investments in such 
subsidiaries are deducted from assets and capital.  At June 30, 
1997, Great Southern had tangible capital equal to 7.7% of adjusted 
total assets, which exceeds the minimum requirement of 1.5% as in 
effect on June 30, 1997.

The capital standards mandated by FIRREA also include a leverage 
ratio requirement that requires all savings associations to 
maintain core capital equal to at least 3% of adjusted total 
assets.  Core capital generally consists of common stockholders' 
equity (including retained earnings), most non-cumulative preferred 
stock and related surplus, certain non-withdrawable accounts and 
pledged deposits at mutual institutions and minority equity 
interests in consolidated subsidiaries.  Intangible assets, 
including goodwill, are excluded from core capital, except, as 
described in more detail below, purchased mortgage servicing 
rights.  In general, for purposes of calculating the core capital 
ratio, adjusted total assets is defined as consolidated total 
assets in accordance with GAAP, excluding intangible assets not 
permitted to be included in core capital.  In addition, the special 
capitalization requirements for subsidiaries that apply for 
determining the tangible capital requirement also apply for 
determining the leverage ratio requirement.

Purchased mortgage servicing rights may be included in core capital 
up to the lesser of (i) 90% of their fair market value (if 
determinable), or (ii) their current amortized book value under 
GAAP (except that purchased mortgage servicing rights owned on 
February 9, 1990 are grandfathered and may be recognized for 
regulatory capital purposes to the extent otherwise permitted by 
the OTS).  At June 30, 1997, Great Southern had no purchased 
mortgage servicing rights eligible for inclusion in capital.

At June 30, 1997, Great Southern had core capital equal to 7.7% of 
adjusted total assets, which exceeds the minimum leverage ratio 
requirement of 3% now in effect.







<PAGE>  44

The risk-based requirement promulgated by OTS requires savings 
associations to have total capital of at least 8% of risk-weighted 
assets.  Total capital consists of core capital, as defined above, 
and supplementary capital. Supplementary capital consists of 
certain permanent and maturing capital instruments that do not 
qualify as core capital, plus general loss reserves up to a maximum 
of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets.  The extent to which maturing 
capital instruments may be included as supplementary capital 
decreases as the maturity date of the instrument approaches.  At 
June 30, 1997, Great Southern had no capital instruments that 
qualified as supplementary capital. At June 30, 1997, Great 
Southern had $15.3 million in general loss reserves, which is $8.7 
million greater than 1.25% of risk-weighted assets.  Supplementary 
capital qualifies as total capital only to the extent it does not 
exceed an association's core capital.  At June 30, 1997, Great 
Southern had $6.6 million in qualifying supplementary capital.

To calculate risk-weighted assets, on-balance sheet assets and off-
balance sheet assets (after being converted to an on-balance sheet 
credit equivalent amount) are risk-weighted in four risk categories 
from 0% to 100%, depending on the credit risk inherent in the 
asset.  Before being assigned a risk-weight, off-balance sheet 
items are adjusted by conversion factors of 0% to 100% to determine 
the amount of the on-balance credit equivalent amount against which 
risk-based capital must be maintained.  The risk-weightings are 
applied to the on-balance sheet credit equivalents based on the 
obligor.  On June 30, 1997, Great Southern had total capital 
(including $53.8 million in core capital and $6.6 million in 
qualifying supplementary capital) of $60.4 million and risk-
weighted assets (including $10 million in converted off-balance 
sheet assets) of $519 million; or total capital of 11.6% of risk-
weighted assets.  This amount is in excess of the required level.

The OTS has adopted a rule, implemented as of March 31, 1995, 
incorporating an interest rate risk component into the risk-based 
capital requirement for savings associations such as the Bank.  
Under this rule, an institution's interest rate risk is measured by 
the decline in net portfolio value ("NPV") resulting from a 
hypothetical 200 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates 
(whichever leads to the lower NPV) divided by the estimated 
economic value of its assets.  An institution is required to make a 
deduction from total capital for purposes of calculating its risk-
based capital if a decline in its NPV (resulting from a 200 basis 
point shock) exceeds 2 percent of its assets (expressed in present 
value terms).  Such an institution is required to deduct from its 
total risk-based capital an amount equal to one-half of the 
difference between its measured interest rate risk and 2 percent, 
multiplied by the estimated economic value of its assets.  The new 
rule has not had a significant effect on Great Southern's 
compliance with capital requirements.








<PAGE>  45

Any savings association that fails any of the new capital standards 
is subject to enforcement actions by the OTS or the FDIC.  In 
addition, FIRREA authorizes, and under certain circumstances 
requires, the OTS to take certain actions against associations that 
fail to meet current or future capital requirements.  OTS shall 
prohibit the asset growth of any association not meeting its 
capital standards, except for certain limited growth in low-risk 
assets up to net interest credited, and shall issue a capital 
directive against the association.  FIRREA enables associations to 
seek exemptions from the various sanctions or penalties for failure 
to meet their capital requirements, other than the mandatory growth 
restrictions and appointment of a conservator or receiver.  The OTS 
will grant no exemptions without the submission of an approved 
capital plan.  FDICIA, which is discussed below, also requires 
certain regulatory actions if a savings institution does not meet 
these capital standards.


Capital Distributions Regulation

An OTS regulation limits the capital distributions that can be made 
by savings associations, including cash dividends, payments by an 
association to repurchase or otherwise acquire its shares, payments 
to shareholders of another institution in a cash-out merger and 
other distributions charged against capital (the "Capital 
Distributions Regulation").  The Capital Distributions Regulation 
establishes a three-tiered system of regulation based primarily on 
capital levels, with the greatest flexibility being afforded to 
well-capitalized, well-managed institutions.

An association that has capital immediately prior to, and on a pro 
forma basis after giving effect to, a proposed capital distribution 
that is equal to or greater than the amount of its fully phased-in 
capital requirement, as modified to reflect any individual minimum 
capital requirement applicable to the association would be a Tier 1 
association ("Tier 1 Association"), provided the association has 
not been notified by the OTS that it is in need of more than normal 
supervision.  An association that satisfies the Tier 1 capital 
criteria but that has been notified that it has need of more than 
normal supervision could be treated as a Tier 2 or Tier 3 
association (a determination left to the discretion of the OTS).

An association that has capital immediately prior to, and on a pro 
forma basis after giving effect to, a proposed capital distribution 
that is equal to or in excess of its minimum capital requirement 
but that is less than its fully phased-in capital requirement would 
be a Tier 2 association ("Tier 2 Association").  An association 
that does not satisfy its minimum capital requirement immediately 
prior to, or on a pro forma basis after giving effect to, the 
proposed capital distribution would be a Tier 3 association ("Tier 
3 Association").







<PAGE>  46

A Tier 1 Association could, after prior notice but without the need 
to obtain prior approval from the OTS, make capital distributions 
during a calendar year up to the higher of (1) 100% of the 
association's net income to date during the calendar year plus the 
amount that would reduce by one-half the association's "surplus 
capital ratio" (the percentage by which its capital-to-assets ratio 
exceeds the ratio of its fully phased-in capital requirement to its 
assets) at the beginning of the calendar year or (2) 75% of the 
association's net income over the most recent four-quarter period.  
Any additional amount of capital distributions would require prior 
regulatory approval.

A Tier 2 Association could, after prior notice but without the need 
to obtain prior approval from the OTS, (1) make capital 
distributions of up to 75% of its net income over the most recent 
four-quarter period if the association's current capital satisfies 
the risk-based capital standard that was applicable to it on 
January 1, 1993, or (2) make capital distributions of up to 50% of 
its net income over the most recent four-quarter period if the 
association's current capital satisfies the risk-based standard 
that was applicable to it on January 1, 1991; or (3) make capital 
distributions of up to 25% of its net income over the most recent 
four-quarter period if the association's current capital satisfies 
the current risk-based capital requirement applicable to it.  In 
computing an association's current permissible amount of capital 
distributions, an association must deduct the amount of capital 
distributions that it has previously made during the most recent 
four-quarter period.  Any additional amount of capital 
distributions would require prior regulatory approval.

A Tier 3 Association is not permitted to make any capital 
distributions without prior regulatory approval unless the capital 
distribution is consistent with a pre-approved capital plan.

The Capital Distributions Regulation provides that its requirements 
supersede the provisions of agreements or conditions to approved 
applications controlling associations' capital distributions that 
are less stringent than the restrictions imposed under the Capital 
Distributions Regulation.  An association that is subject to 
restrictions under an agreement or application condition that is 
more stringent than the restrictions imposed under the Capital 
Distributions Regulation may seek approval from the OTS to become 
subject exclusively to the restrictions imposed under the Capital 
Distributions Regulation.

The OTS has notified Great Southern that for purposes of the 
Capital Distributions Regulation it is currently being treated as a 
Tier 1 Association for purposes of computing permissible capital 
distributions.  Notwithstanding the Capital Distribution 
Regulations, the regulatory authorities have broad discretion to 
prohibit the payment of capital distributions in certain instances, 
including if such authorities determine that the payment would 
constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.  In addition, FDICIA can 
limit capital distributions.  See also "Item 5. Market for the 
Registrant's Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters" and 
"FDICIA" below.


<PAGE>  47

Liquidity

Federally insured savings associations are required to maintain an 
average daily balance of liquid assets equal to a certain 
percentage of the sum of average daily balances of net withdrawable 
deposit accounts and borrowings payable in one year or less.  The 
liquidity requirement may vary from time to time (between 4% and 
10%) depending upon economic conditions and savings flows of all 
savings associations.  At the present time, the required liquid 
asset ratio is 5%.

For purposes of this ratio, liquid assets include specified short-
term assets (e.g., cash, certain time deposits, certain bankers' 
acceptances and short-term United States Treasury obligations), and 
long-term assets (e.g., United States Treasury obligations of more 
than one and less than five years and state agency obligations with 
a maximum term of two years).  The regulations governing liquidity 
requirements include as liquid assets debt securities hedged with 
forward commitments obtained from, or debt securities subject to 
repurchase agreements with, members of the Association of Primary 
Dealers in United States Government Securities or banks whose 
accounts are insured by the FDIC, debt securities directly hedged 
with a short financial futures position, and debt securities that 
provide the holder with a right to redeem the security at par 
value, regardless of the stated maturities of such securities.  
FIRREA also authorizes the OTS to designate as liquid assets 
certain mortgage-related securities and certain mortgage loans 
(qualifying as backing for certain mortgage-backed securities) with 
less than one year to maturity.  Short-term liquid assets currently 
must constitute at least 1% of an association's average daily 
balance of net withdrawable deposit accounts and current 
borrowings.  Penalties may be imposed upon associations for 
violations of liquidity requirements.  At June 30, 1997, Great 
Southern was in compliance with these requirements, with an overall 
liquidity ratio of 7.4% and a short-term liquidity ratio of 5.8%.

The Company has been in various buy-back programs since May 1990.  
During the year ended June 30, 1997, the Company repurchased 
961,967 shares of its common stock at an average price of $16.20 
per share and reissued 254,992 shares of treasury stock at an 
average price of $2.01 per share for stock option exercises.  
During the year ended June 30, 1996, the Company repurchased 
281,196 shares of its common stock at an average price of $11.92 
per share and reissued 87,776 shares of treasury stock at an 
average price of $1.58 per share for stock option exercises.

Management intends to continue its stock buy-back programs as long 
as repurchasing the stock contributes to the overall growth of 
shareholder value.  The number of shares of stock that will be 
repurchased and the price that will be paid is the result of many 
factors, several of which are outside of the control of the 
Company, the primary factors of which are the number of shares 
available in the market from sellers at any given time and the 
price of the stock within the market as determined by the market.




<PAGE>  48

Management believes that the Company had at June 30, 1997, and 
continues to have, sufficient cash flows and borrowing capacity 
available to meet its commitments and other foreseeable cash needs 
for operations.  At June 30, 1997, the Company had commitments of 
approximately $80 million to fund loan originations, issued lines 
of credit, outstanding letters of credit and unadvanced loans.

Accounting

An OTS policy statement clarifies and reemphasizes that the 
investment activities of a savings association must be in 
compliance with approved and documented investment policies and 
strategies, and must be accounted for in accordance with GAAP.  
Under the policy statement, management must support its 
classification of and accounting for loans and securities (i.e., 
whether held for investment, sale or trading) with appropriate 
documentation.  In addition, auditors must document their 
concurrence or lack thereof with management's investment policy and 
strategies, at least annually, and to monitor the association's 
compliance with such strategies.  See "Business -- Investment 
Activities."

Qualified Thrift Lender Test

Savings associations are required to satisfy a qualified thrift 
lender ("QTL") test.  The QTL test currently requires a savings 
association to hold at least 65% of its portfolio assets in 
qualified thrift investments and to continue to maintain such 
percentage holdings for at least nine months of each preceding 
twelve-month period.  Certain temporary and limited exceptions from 
meeting the new test may be granted by the OTS.  Portfolio assets 
are total assets less intangible assets, the value of properties 
used to conduct business and certain liquid assets (up to 20% of 
total assets).  Qualified thrift investments include certain assets 
(generally, residential housing related assets) which are 
includible without limitation and assets which are includible 
subject to percentage limitations.  The Management of Great 
Southern believes it satisfied the QTL test at June 30, 1997.

Any savings association that fails to meet the QTL test must 
convert to a bank charter, unless it requalifies as a QTL. If the 
association does not requalify, and converts to a bank charter, it 
must remain SAIF-insured until the date upon which the FDIC permits 
it to transfer to the Bank Insurance Fund.  If an association that 
fails the test has not yet requalified and has not converted to a 
bank, its new investments and activities are limited to those 
permissible for a national bank, and it is limited to national bank 
branching rights in its home state.  In addition, the association 
is immediately ineligible to receive any new FHLBank advances and 
is subject to national bank limits for payment of dividends.








<PAGE>  49

If such association has not requalified or converted to a bank 
within three years after the failure, it must divest itself of all 
investments and cease all activities not permissible for a national 
bank.  In addition, it must repay promptly any outstanding FHLBank 
advances.  If any association that fails the QTL test and is 
subject to these restrictions on activities and advances is 
controlled by a holding company, then within one year after the 
failure the holding company must register as a bank holding company 
and become subject to all restrictions applicable to bank holding 
companies.

Transactions with Affiliates

Transactions involving a savings association and its affiliates are 
subject to sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act.  
Generally, these requirements and limits restrict certain of these 
transactions to a percentage of the Bank's capital and require all 
such transactions to be on terms at least as favorable to the Bank 
as are available in transactions with non-affiliates.  In addition, 
a savings association may not lend to any affiliate engaged in 
activities not permissible for a bank holding company or acquire 
shares of most affiliates.  These provisions currently apply to 
transactions between the Bank and the Holding Company or the Bank 
and the Holding  Company's non-savings association subsidiaries.  
Affiliates of Great Southern include, without limitation, any 
company whose management is under a common controlling influence 
with the management of the Bank, any company controlled by 
controlling stockholders of the Bank, any company with a majority 
of interlocking directors with the Bank, and any company sponsored 
and advised on a contractual basis by the Bank or any of its 
affiliates.

Certain of these transactions are also subject to conflict of 
interest regulations enforced by the OTS.  These regulations 
require regulatory approvals for transactions by the Bank with 
affiliated persons involving the sale or purchase of property.  
Affiliated persons include officers, directors and controlling 
stockholders.  These conflict of interest regulations also impose 
restrictions on loans to affiliated persons.  FIRREA also subjects 
loans to directors and executive officers to section 22(h) of the 
Federal Reserve Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder. 
Among other things, such loans must be made on terms substantially 
the same as loans to unaffiliated individuals.


FDICIA

In December, 1991, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 
Improvements Act of 1991 became law; this statute, and the 
regulations adopted under it, have made extensive changes in 
federal banking law.  Some of these changes are discussed below.







<PAGE>  50

Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action.

FDICIA requires the Federal banking regulators to take prompt 
corrective action if an institution fails to satisfy certain 
minimum capital requirements.  Under the law, capital requirements 
include a leverage limit, a risk-based capital requirement, and a 
core capital requirement.  All institutions, regardless of their 
capital levels, will be restricted from making any capital 
distribution or paying any management fees that would cause the 
institution to fail to satisfy the minimum levels for any of its 
capital requirements.  An institution that fails to meet the 
minimum level for any relevant capital measure (an 
"undercapitalized institution") will be: (i) subject to increased 
monitoring by the appropriate Federal banking regulator; (ii) 
required to submit an acceptable capital restoration plan within 45 
days; (iii) subject to asset growth limits; and (iv) required to 
obtain prior regulatory approval for acquisitions, branching and 
new lines of business.

The capital restoration plan must include a guarantee by the 
institution's holding company that the institution will comply with 
the plan until it has been adequately capitalized on average for 
four consecutive quarters, under which the holding company would be 
liable up to the lesser of 5% of the institution's total assets or 
the amount necessary to bring the institution into capital 
compliance as of the date it failed to comply with its capital 
restoration plan.  Critically undercapitalized institutions, 
defined as those with a ratio of tangible equity to total assets of 
2 percent or less, must be seized and placed in receivership or 
conservatorship within 90 days of becoming critically 
undercapitalized, unless the Federal banking regulators determine 
that other action would better resolve the problems of such insured 
depository institution at the least possible long-term loss to the 
deposit insurance fund.  If the regulator determines that an 
institution is in unsafe or unsound condition, or is engaged in an 
unsafe or unsound practice that it has not corrected, it may 
reclassify an institution from the "well capitalized", "adequately 
capitalized", or "undercapitalized" categories into the next lower 
category.  Great Southern does not expect the prompt corrective 
action provisions to have a significant effect on its operations.

Conservatorship and Receivership Amendments.   FDICIA amended the 
grounds for the appointment of a conservator or receiver for an 
insured depository institution to include the following events: (i) 
consent by the board of directors of the institution; (ii) 
cessation of the institution's status as an insured depository 
institution; (iii) the institution is undercapitalized and has no 
reasonable prospect of becoming adequately capitalized when 
required to do so, fails to submit an acceptable capital plan or 
materially fails to implement an acceptable capital plan; and (iv) 
the institution is critically undercapitalized or otherwise has 
substantially insufficient capital.  FDICIA provides that an 
institution's directors shall not be liable to its stockholders or 
creditors for acquiescing in or consenting to the appointment of 
the FDIC or FTC as receiver or conservator or to a supervisory 
acquisition of the institution.


<PAGE>  51

Standards for Safety and Soundness.

FDICIA required the Federal bank regulatory agencies to prescribe 
standards for all insured depository institutions and depository 
institution holding companies relating to: (i) internal controls, 
information systems and audit systems; (ii) loan documentation; 
(iii) credit underwriting; (iv) interest rate risk exposure; (v) 
asset growth; and (vi) compensation, fees and benefits.  The 
compensation standards prohibit employment contracts, compensation 
or benefit arrangements, stock option plans, fee arrangements or 
other compensatory arrangements that provide excessive 
compensation, fees or benefits or could lead to material financial 
loss.  In addition, the Federal banking regulatory agencies are 
required to prescribe by regulation standards specifying: (i) 
maximum classified assets to capital ratios; (ii) minimum earnings 
sufficient to absorb losses without impairing capital; and (iii) to 
the extent feasible, a minimum ratio of market value to book value 
for publicly traded shares of depository institutions and 
depository institution holding companies.

Other Deposit Insurance Reforms.

FDICIA amended the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to prohibit 
insured depository institutions that are not well-capitalized from 
accepting brokered deposits unless a waiver has been obtained from 
the FDIC; and it limits the rate of interest that institutions 
receiving such waivers may pay on brokered deposits.  Deposit 
brokers are required to register with the FDIC.  FDICIA directed 
the FDIC to establish a risk-based assessment system for deposit 
insurance, as previously discussed.  As required by FDICIA, the 
Federal bank regulatory agencies adopted regulatory guidelines for 
real estate loans that became effective on March 19, 1993.  The 
Federal bank regulatory agencies are required to biannually review 
risk-based capital standards to ensure that they adequately address 
interest rate risk, concentration of credit risk and risks from 
non-traditional activities.

Other Regulatory or Legislative Developments.

The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 
1994 ("Riegle-Neal"), effective September 1995, eliminated certain 
restrictions which have heretofore prevented bank holding companies 
located in states other than those contiguous to the state of 
Missouri from acquiring banks or bank holding companies located 
within the state of Missouri.  As a result of the Act, financial 
institutions located outside the midwest are now permitted, with 
certain limitations, to acquire Missouri banks.  If such 
acquisitions occur, they may present added competition for the 
Bank.

Effective August 28, 1995, the State of Missouri amended certain 
provisions of the Missouri statutes, implementing minimum periods a 
bank must be in existence to be eligible for acquisition by an out-
of-state bank holding company and limiting out-of-state de novo 
charters in the State of Missouri.



<PAGE>  52

Effective June 1, 1997, the Riegle-Neal also repealed certain 
restrictions on the establishment of interstate branches located 
within the state of Missouri.  Out-of-state financial institutions 
are able to establish certain interstate branches within the state 
of Missouri.  Management believes that any such actions would 
likely benefit its competitors.  In addition, various legislative 
proposals relating to depository institutions have been or are 
expected to be introduced in the current session of Congress.  Such 
proposals may restrict, regulate or otherwise alter the power or 
ability of the Bank and other depository institutions to sell 
mutual funds and annuities or insurance products.  No prediction 
can be made as to what, if any, legislative action will ultimately 
be taken, or what affect it may have on the Bank.

Certain Transactions

Prior to FIRREA, Great Southern, like many financial institutions, 
followed a policy of granting loans to certain of its officers, 
directors and employees, generally for the financing of their 
personal residences at favorable interest rates. Generally, 
residential loans were granted at interest rates 1% above the 
Bank's cost of funds, subject to annual adjustments.  These loans 
were made in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the 
same terms and collateral as those of comparable transactions 
prevailing at the time, and did not involve more than the normal 
risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.  All 
loans by Great Southern to its directors and executive officers are 
subject to OTS regulations restricting loans and other transactions 
with affiliated persons of Great Southern.  Effective August 9, 
1989, FIRREA required that all such transactions be on terms and 
conditions comparable to those for similar transactions with non-
affiliates.  It also provided that the Company could have a policy 
allowing favorable rate loans to employees as long as it is an 
employee benefit available to a broad group of employees with in 
guidelines defined by the policy.  The Bank has such a policy in 
place that allows for loans to full-time employees with at least 
two years of service.  The terms are the same as those used prior 
to FIRREA.  In addition, all loans and other transactions between 
Great Southern and its affiliates will be subject to approval by a 
majority of the directors of Great Southern, including a majority 
of its disinterested directors.

Holding Company Regulation

The Holding Company is a non-diversified unitary savings and loan 
holding company subject to regulatory oversight of the OTS.  As 
such, the Holding Company is required to register and file reports 
with the OTS and is subject to regulation and examination by the 
OTS.  In addition, the OTS has enforcement authority over the 
Holding Company and its non-savings association subsidiaries.  
Among other things, this authority permits the OTS to restrict or  
prohibit activities that are determined to be a serious risk to the 
subsidiary savings association.  The Bank must notify the OTS at 
least 30 days before declaring any dividend to the Holding Company.




<PAGE>  53

As a unitary savings and loan holding company, the Holding Company 
generally is not subject to the regulatory limitations that are 
applicable to the scope of permissible activities of diversified 
multiple holding companies.  If the Holding Company were to acquire 
control of another savings association as a separate subsidiary, it 
would become a multiple savings and loan holding company, and the 
activities of the Holding Company and any of its subsidiaries 
(other than the Bank or any other SAIF-insured savings association) 
would become subject to new restrictions.

If the Bank fails the QTL test, the Holding Company may not 
commence or continue after such failure, directly or through its 
other subsidiaries, any business activity other than (i) furnishing 
or performing management services for a subsidiary savings 
association, (ii) conducting an insurance agency or an escrow 
business, (iii) holding or managing or liquidating assets owned by 
or acquired from a subsidiary savings association, (iv) holding or 
managing properties used or occupied by a subsidiary savings 
association, (v) acting as trustee under deeds of trust, (vi) 
performing other activities authorized by the Board of Governors of 
the Federal Reserve System and not prohibited or limited by 
regulation, or (vii) purchasing, holding or disposing of stock 
acquired in connection with the qualified stock issuance if 
approved as required by law.

The Holding Company must obtain approval from the OTS before 
acquiring control of any other SAIF-insured association.  Such 
acquisitions may sometimes be prohibited if they result in a 
multiple savings and loan holding company controlling savings 
associations in more than one state.  However, such interstate 
acquisitions may be permitted based on specific state authorization 
or in a supervisory acquisition of a failing savings association.

The Holding Company and any of its non-savings association 
subsidiaries may acquire up to 5%, in the aggregate, of the voting 
stock of any non-subsidiary savings association or savings and loan 
holding company.  This 5% limitation does not apply to certain 
types of acquisitions, including acquisitions as a bona fide 
fiduciary, as an underwriter or in an account solely for trading 
purposes.


















<PAGE>  54

Federal Reserve System

The Federal Reserve Board requires all depository institutions to 
maintain reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily NOW 
and Super NOW checking accounts) and non-personal time deposits.  
Reserves of 3% must be maintained against net transaction accounts 
of $52 million or less (subject to adjustment by the Federal 
Reserve Board) and a reserve of 10% (subject to adjustment by the 
Federal Reserve Board to a level between 8% and 14%) must be 
maintained against the portion of total transaction accounts in 
excess of such amount.  In addition, a reserve of between 0% to 9% 
(subject to adjustment by the Federal Reserve Board) must be 
maintained on non-personal time deposits.  Under current 
regulations, this reserve percentage is 0%.  The Bank may elect not 
to maintain reserves against approximately $4.4 million in accounts 
subject to these reserve requirements.  At June 30, 1997, the Bank 
was in compliance with these reserve requirements.  The balances 
maintained to meet the reserve requirements imposed by the Federal 
Reserve Board may be used to satisfy liquidity requirements that 
may be imposed by the OTS.  See "Regulation - Liquidity" above.

Savings associations are authorized to borrow from the Federal 
Reserve Bank "discount window," but Federal Reserve Board 
regulations require associations to exhaust other reasonable 
alternative sources of funds, including FHLBank advances, before 
borrowing from the Federal Reserve Bank.

Federal Home Loan Bank System

The Bank is a member of the FHLBank of Des Moines, which is one of 
12 regional FHLBanks that, prior to the enactment of FIRREA, were 
regulated by the FHLBB.  FIRREA separated the home financing credit 
function of the FHLBanks from the regulation and insurance of 
accounts for savings associations by transferring oversight over 
the FHLBanks to a new federal agency, the Federal Home Financing 
Board (FHFB).  As part of that separation, the savings association 
supervisory and examination function performed by the FHLBanks was 
transferred to the OTS.

As a member, Great Southern is required to purchase and maintain 
stock in the FHLBank of Des Moines in an amount equal to the 
greater of 1% of its aggregate unpaid residential mortgage loans, 
home purchase contracts or similar obligations at the beginning of 
each year (if less than 30% of its assets were so invested, the 
calculation must be made as if 30% of its assets were so invested), 
or 5% (or such greater percentage as established by the FHLBank) of 
its outstanding FHLBank advances.  At June 30, 1997, Great Southern 
had $10.8 million in FHLBank stock, which was in compliance with 
this requirement.  In past years, the Bank has received substantial 
dividends on its FHLBank stock.  Over the past five years, such 
dividends have averaged 7.7% and were 7.0% for fiscal year 1997.  
Certain provisions of FIRREA require all 12 FHLBanks to provide 
financial assistance for the resolution of troubled savings 
associations and to contribute to affordable housing programs 
through direct loans or interest subsidies on advances targeted for 
community investment and low- and moderate-income housing projects.  


<PAGE>  55

These contributions could cause rates on the FHLBank advances to 
increase and could affect adversely the level of FHLBank dividends 
paid and the value of FHLBank stock in the future.

Each FHLBank serves as a reserve or central bank for its members 
within its assigned region.  It is funded primarily from proceeds 
derived from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLBank 
System.  It makes loans to members (i.e., advances) in accordance 
with policies and procedures established by the board of directors 
of the FHLBank. These policies and procedures are subject to the 
regulation and oversight of the FHFB.

FIRREA established collateral requirements for FHLBank advances.  
First, all advances must be fully secured by sufficient collateral 
as determined by the FHLBank.  FIRREA prescribed eligible 
collateral as fully disbursed, whole first mortgage loans not more 
than 90 days delinquent or securities evidencing interests therein, 
securities (including mortgage-backed securities) issued, insured 
or guaranteed by the federal government or any agency thereof, 
FHLBank deposits and, to a limited extent, real estate with readily 
ascertainable value in which a perfected security interest may be 
obtained.  All member's stock in the FHLBank also serves as 
collateral for indebtedness to the FHLBank.  Other forms of 
collateral may be accepted as over collateralization or, under 
certain circumstances, to renew advances outstanding on the date of 
enactment of FIRREA.  All long-term advances are required to be 
used to provide funds for residential home financing.  The FHFB has 
established standards of community service that members must meet 
to maintain access to long-term advances.  FIRREA authorizes the 
FHLBanks to make short-term liquidity advances to solvent 
associations in poor financial condition but with prospects of 
improving, upon the request of the OTS. In addition, pursuant to 
FHFB regulations, each FHLBank is required to establish programs 
for affordable housing that involve interest subsidies from the 
FHLBanks on advances to members engaged in lending at subsidized 
interest rates for low- and moderate-income, owner-occupied housing 
and affordable rental housing, and certain other community 
purposes.


FEDERAL AND STATE TAXATION

The following discussion contains a summary of certain federal and 
state income tax provisions applicable to the Holding Company and 
the Bank.  It is not a comprehensive description of the federal 
income tax laws that may affect the Holding Company and the Bank.  
The following discussion is based upon current provisions of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") and Treasury and 
judicial interpretations thereof.









<PAGE>  56

General


The Holding Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated 
federal income tax return using the accrual method of accounting 
for the taxable year ending June 30.  All corporations joining in 
the consolidated federal income tax return are jointly and 
severally liable for taxes due and payable by the consolidated 
group.  The following discussion primarily focuses upon the 
taxation of the Bank, since the federal income tax law contains 
certain special provisions with respect to savings and loan 
associations. 

Thrift associations, such as the Bank, are subject, with certain 
exceptions, to the provisions of the Code generally applicable to 
corporations.



Bad Debt Reserve  -  Fiscal 1996 and prior

A thrift association was permitted to establish a reserve for bad 
debts and to deduct each year a reasonable addition to that reserve 
in computing its taxable income.  Thrift associations that met 
certain tests relating to the nature of their regulatory 
supervision, business operations, income and assets ("qualifying 
thrifts") were allowed to calculate their allowable bad debt 
deduction under the special rules of section 593 of the Code.  In 
order to be a qualifying thrift, at least 60% of the thrift's 
assets in any year had to be qualifying assets (including United 
States government securities, loans secured by an interest in 
residential real property or deposits, cash and certain other 
assets).  The Bank had been a qualifying thrift.

The Code provided different methods for computing the additions to 
the bad debt reserve for qualifying real property loans and 
nonqualifying loans.  Generally, a qualifying real property loan 
included any loan secured by an interest in improved real property 
or real property to be improved out of the proceeds of the loan and 
a regular or residual interest in certain real estate mortgage 
investment conduits.  A nonqualifying loan was any loan which was 
not a qualifying real property loan.  A qualifying thrift could 
elect annually to compute its addition to its reserve for 
qualifying real property loans under the more favorable of (i) a 
method based on the thrift's actual loss experience (the 
"experience method") or (ii) a method based on a specified 
percentage of the thrift's taxable income, as adjusted (the 
"percentage of taxable income" method).  The addition to the 
reserve for nonqualifying loans was computed under the experience 
method.








<PAGE>  57

Under the experience method, the deductible annual addition was the 
amount necessary to increase the balance of the reserve at the 
close of the taxable year to the greater of (i) the amount which 
bore the same ratio to loans outstanding at the close of the 
taxable year as the total net bad debts sustained during that year 
and the five preceding taxable years bore to the sum of the loans 
outstanding at the close of those six years or (ii) the balance in 
the reserve account at the close of the last taxable year beginning 
before 1988 (the "base year"), subject to further limitations in 
the event total loans outstanding were less than the total amount 
outstanding at the close of the base year.

Under the percentage of taxable income method, a qualifying thrift 
generally was allowed to deduct as an addition to its bad debt 
reserve an amount equal to 8% of such thrift's taxable income 
determined without regard to such deduction and with certain 
adjustments.  The amount thus computed was reduced by the amount 
permitted as a deduction for nonqualifying loans under the 
experience method.  The maximum effective federal income tax rate 
(exclusive of the corporate minimum tax) payable by a thrift using 
the percentage of taxable income method was approximately 31.3% 
compared to a maximum rate of 34% for other corporations.

Although the Bank filed a consolidated federal income tax return 
with the Holding Company, the Bank generally was permitted to take 
only its separate taxable income (as adjusted for this purpose) 
into account when computing its allowable bad debt reserve 
deduction under the percentage of taxable income method.  If, 
however, the Holding Company or another member of the consolidated 
group incured tax losses in activities "functionally related" to 
the Bank's business, those losses would reduce the Bank's taxable 
income for purposes of the bad debt reserve computation.  In 
addition, taxable income was reduced by net operating loss 
carryforwards of the Bank.

The amount of the addition to the reserve for losses on qualifying 
real property loans under the percentage of taxable income method 
could not exceed the amount necessary to increase the balance of 
the reserve for losses on qualifying real property loans at the 
close of the taxable year to 6% of the balance of the qualifying 
real property loans outstanding at that time.  In addition, the 
thrift's aggregate addition to its reserve for losses on qualifying 
real property loans could not exceed the greater of (i) the amount 
which, when added to the addition to the reserve for losses on 
nonqualifying loans, equaled the amount by which 12% of the total 
deposits and withdrawable accounts of depositors of the thrift at 
the close of the taxable year exceeded the sum of the thrift's 
surplus, undivided profits and reserves at the beginning of such 
year or (ii) the amount determined under the experience method.









<PAGE>  58

To the extent that a qualifying thrift's reserve for losses on 
qualifying real property loans exceeded the amount that would have 
been allowed under the experience method (the "excess bad debt 
reserve"), and if the thrift made distributions to stockholders 
that were considered to result in withdrawals from that excess bad 
debt reserve, the amounts withdrawn were included in such thrift's 
gross income in the year of withdrawal.  A dividend distribution 
was treated as first out of the thrift's current or accumulated 
earnings and profits, as calculated for federal income tax 
purposes.  Dividend distributions in excess of such thrift's 
current or accumulated earnings and profits were considered to be 
from the thrift's excess bad debt reserve, to the extent of the 
excess bad debt reserve, and thus included in the thrift's taxable 
income.  The amount considered to be withdrawn by such a 
distribution was the amount of the distribution that was deemed to 
have been made from the bad debt reserve plus the amount necessary 
to pay tax with respect to the withdrawal, so the total amount 
included in gross income, when reduced by the income tax 
attributable to the inclusion of such amount in gross income, was 
equal to the amount of the distribution that was deemed to have 
been made from the bad debt reserve.  Distributions in redemption 
of stock and distributions in partial or complete liquidation of a 
thrift were considered to be first out of such thrift's excess bad 
debt reserve and then out of the thrift's current or accumulated 
earnings and profits.


Bad Debt Reserves - Beginning Fiscal Year 1997

Legislation passed by Congress and signed by the President repealed 
the bad debt reserve method of accounting for bad debts by large 
thrifts for taxable years beginning after 1995 (year ended June 30, 
1997 for the Bank).  The legislation requires applicable excess 
reserves accumulated after 1987 (year ended June 30, 1988 for the 
Bank) be recaptured and restored to income over a six year period 
with the first year beginning after 1995 (year ended June 30, 1997 
for the Bank), and eliminates recapture of the applicable excess 
reserves accumulated prior to 1988 for thrifts converting to bank 
charters.  The post 1987 recapture may be delayed for a one- or 
two-year period if certain residential loan origination 
requirements are met.  The Bank met the residential loan 
origination requirements and delayed the recapture for one year.  
The amount of post 1987 recapture for the Bank is estimated at $5 
million which would create tax of approximately $2 million, or 
$400,000 per year for each of the remaining five years.  The $2 
million of tax has been accrued by the Bank in previous periods and 
would not be reflected in earnings when paid.

Beginning with the year ending June 30, 1997, the Bank is required 
to follow the specific charge-off method which only allows a bad 
debt deduction equal to actual charge-offs, net of recoveries, 
experienced during the fiscal year of the deduction.  In a year 
where recoveries exceed charge-offs, the Bank would be required to 
include the net recoveries in taxable income.




<PAGE>  59

Interest Deduction

In the case of a financial institution, such as the Bank, no 
deduction is allowed for the pro rata portion of its interest 
expense which is allocable to tax-exempt interest on obligations 
acquired after August 7, 1986.  A limited class of tax-exempt 
obligations acquired after August 7, 1986 will not be subject to 
this complete disallowance rule.  For tax-exempt obligations 
acquired after December 31, 1982 and before August 8, 1986 and for 
obligations acquired after August 7, 1986 that are not subject to 
the complete disallowance rule, 80% of interest incurred to 
purchase or carry such obligations will be deductible.  No portion 
of the interest expense allocable to tax-exempt obligations 
acquired by a financial institution before January 1, 1983 which is 
otherwise deductible will be disallowed.  The interest expense 
disallowance rules cited above do not significantly impact the 
Bank.

Alternative Minimum Tax

Corporations generally are subject to a 20% corporate alternative 
minimum tax ("AMT").  The AMT  must be paid by a corporation to the 
extent it exceeds that corporation's regular federal income tax 
liability.  The AMT is imposed on "alternative minimum taxable 
income," defined as taxable income with certain adjustments and tax 
preference items, less any available exemption.  Such adjustments 
and items include, but are not limited to, (i) net interest 
received on certain tax-exempt bonds issued after August 7, 1986; 
and (ii) 75% of the difference between adjusted current earnings 
and alternative minimum taxable income, as otherwise determined 
with certain adjustments.  Net operating loss carryovers may be 
utilized, subject to adjustment, to offset up to 90% of the 
alternative minimum taxable income, as otherwise determined.  A 
portion of the AMT paid, if any, may be credited against future 
regular federal income tax liability.  In addition, for taxable 
years beginning after 1986 and before 1996, corporations generally 
were also subject to an environmental tax equal to 0.12% of the 
excess of the alternative minimum taxable income (computed without 
regard to any net operating loss deduction) for a taxable year in 
excess of $2 million.

Missouri Taxation

Missouri based thrift institutions, such as the Bank, are subject 
to a franchise tax which is imposed on the thrift's net income at 
the rate of 7% of the net income.  The net income is determined 
without regard for any net operating losses.  Missouri based thrift 
institutions are entitled to a credit against the franchise tax for 
all other state or local taxes on thrift institutions, except taxes 
on real and tangible personal property owned by the Bank and held 
for lease or rental to others, contributions paid pursuant to the 
Missouri unemployment compensation law, social security taxes and 
sales and use taxes.





<PAGE>  60

The Holding Company and its non-financial subsidiaries are subject 
to an income tax which is imposed on the corporation's net income 
at the rate of 6.25% for fiscal year 1997.  The return is filed on 
a consolidated basis by all members of the consolidated group 
excluding the Bank.

Delaware Taxation

As a Delaware corporation, the Holding Company is required to file 
annual returns with and pay annual fees to the State of Delaware.  
The Holding Company is also subject to an annual franchise tax 
imposed by the State of Delaware based on the number of authorized 
shares of Holding Company common stock.

Examinations

The Holding Company and its consolidated subsidiaries have not been 
audited recently by the Internal Revenue Service with respect to 
consolidated federal income tax returns, and as such, these returns 
have been closed without audit through June 30, 1993.


Item 2. Properties.

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the 
main office and each branch office of the Company at September 15, 
1997.  The aggregate net book value of the Company's premises and 
equipment was $7.4 million and $6.7 million, respectively, at June 
30, 1997 and 1996.  See also Note 5 and Note 11 of the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report to 
Stockholders, which portions are incorporated herein by reference.  
Substantially all buildings owned are free of encumbrances or 
mortgages.  In the opinion of Management, the facilities are 
adequate and suitable for the needs of the Company.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Owned    Lease Expiration
                                                                Year         or      (Including Any
                          Location                             Opened      Leased     Renewal Option)
- -----------------------------------------------------------    ------     -------   -----------------
<S>                               <C>                           <C>       <C>             <C>
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS AND MAIN BANK:

1451 E. Battlefield               Springfield, Missouri         1976       Owned           N/A

BRANCH BANKS:

430 South Avenue                  Springfield, Missouri         1983       Owned           N/A
Kearney at Kansas                 Springfield, Missouri         1976      Leased*         2000
2410 N. Glenstone                 Springfield, Missouri         1977      Leased*         2003

1955 S. Campbell                  Springfield, Missouri         1979      Leased*         2030
2631 E. Sunshine                  Springfield, Missouri         1988      Leased*         2017
1580 W. Battlefield               Springfield, Missouri         1985      Leased*         2018

</TABLE>

<PAGE>  61
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Owned    Lease Expiration
                                                                Year         or      (Including Any
                          Location                             Opened      Leased     Renewal Option)
- -----------------------------------------------------------    ------     -------   -----------------
<S>                               <C>                           <C>       <C>             <C>

723 N. Benton                     Springfield, Missouri         1985       Owned           N/A
Highway 14                        Nixa, Missouri                1995      Leased*         2019
1505 S. Elliot                    Aurora, Missouri              1985      Leased          2003

Jefferson & Washington            Ava, Missouri                 1982       Owned           N/A
110 W. Hensley                    Branson, Missouri             1982       Owned           N/A
919 W. Dallas                     Buffalo, Missouri             1976       Owned           N/A

527 Ozark                         Cabool, Missouri              1989      Leased          2004
400 S. Garrison                   Carthage, Missouri            1990       Owned           N/A
1710 E. 32nd Street               Joplin, Missouri              1989      Leased*         2031

Highway 00 and 13                 Kimberling City, Missouri     1984       Owned           N/A
528 S. Jefferson                  Lebanon, Missouri             1978      Leased*         2018
714 S. Neosho Boulevard           Neosho, Missouri              1991       Owned           N/A

Highway 54                        Osage Beach, Missouri         1987       Owned           N/A
1000 W. Jackson **                Ozark, Missouri               1985       Owned           N/A
1701 W. Jackson                   Ozark, Missouri               1997       Owned           N/A
208 South Street                  Stockton, Missouri            1988      Leased          2005

323 E. Walnut                     Thayer, Missouri              1978      Leased*         2011
1210 Parkway Shopping Center      West Plains, Missouri         1975       Owned           N/A
1729 W. Highway 76                Branson, Missouri             1983       Owned           N/A

TRAVEL OFFICES:

5000 E. Kearney                   Springfield, Missouri         1982      Leased          2000
_____________________________
*  Building owned with land leased.
** Branch was moved to 1701 W. Jackson.  This property is vacant and in the process of being sold.

The Bank maintains depositor and borrower customer files on an on-
line basis, utilizing a telecommunications network, portions of 
which are leased.  The book value of all data processing and 
computer equipment utilized by the Bank at June 30, 1997 was 
$597,000 compared to $578,000 at June 30, 1996.  Management has a 
disaster recovery plan in place with respect to the data processing 
system as well as the Bank as a whole.

The Bank maintains a network of Automated Teller Machines ("ATMs").  
The Bank utilizes an external service for operation of the ATMs 
which also allows access to the various national ATM networks.  A 
total of 65 ATMs are located at various branches and primarily 
convenience stores located throughout southwest and central 
Missouri.  The book value of all ATMs utilized by the Bank at June 
30, 1997 was $689,000 compared to $485,000 at June 30, 1996.

<PAGE>  62

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings.

The Registrant and its subsidiaries are involved as plaintiff or 
defendant in various legal actions arising in the normal course of 
their businesses.  While the ultimate outcome of the various legal 
proceedings involving the Registrant and its subsidiaries cannot be 
predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of management, after 
consultation with legal counsel, that these legal actions currently 
are not material to the Registrant.


Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the 
quarter ended June 30, 1997.

Executive Officers of the Registrant.

Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K and Instruction 3 
to Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K, the following list is included as 
an unnumbered item in Part I of this Form 10-K in lieu of being 
included in the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement, which was 
filed on September 18, 1997.

The following information as to the business experience during the 
past five years is supplied with respect to executive officers of 
the Holding Company and its subsidiaries who are not directors of 
the Holding Company and its subsidiaries.  There are no 
arrangements or understandings between the persons named and any 
other person pursuant to which such officers were selected.  The 
executive officers are elected annually and serve at the discretion 
of their respective Boards of Directors with the exception of 
Messrs Gibson and Turner who have three year employment contracts 
with the Bank.

Don M. Gibson.   Mr. Gibson, age 53, is the Vice-Chairman, Chief 
Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the 
Bank and the Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, 
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Holding Company.  He 
has supervisory responsibilities over the Bank's Information 
Services, Accounting, Staff and Line Operations areas.  Mr. Gibson 
has been with the Holding Company since its inception in 1989 and 
the Bank since 1975.

Joseph W. Turner.   Mr. Turner, age 33, is Executive Vice President 
and General Counsel of the Holding Company and President and 
General Counsel in the commercial lending area at the Bank.  Mr. 
Turner joined the Bank in June 1991 and the Holding Company in 
1995.  Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Turner was an attorney with 
the Kansas City, Missouri law firm of Stinson, Mag and Fizzell.  
His practice was primarily in the areas of banking, creditors' 
rights and securities regulation.  Mr. Turner is the son of Mr. 
William V. Turner and the nephew of Mr. Albert F. Turner.





<PAGE>  63

Richard L. Wilson.   Mr. Wilson, age 39, is Senior Vice President 
and Controller of the Bank.  He joined the Bank in 1986 and is 
responsible for the internal and external financial reporting of 
the Holding Company and its subsidiaries.  Mr. Wilson is a 
Certified Public Accountant.

Vicki L. Bilyeu.   Mrs. Bilyeu, age 43, is First Vice President in 
the mortgage lending area at the Bank.  Mrs. Bilyeu joined the Bank 
in December 1992. Prior to joining the Bank, Mrs. Bilyeu was a 
lending officer and branch manager with a national mortgage loan 
company.

Michael D. Lawson.   Mr. Lawson, age 33, is First Vice President in 
the commercial lending area at the Bank.  Mr. Lawson joined the 
Bank in November 1996.  Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Lawson was a 
lending officer and branch manager with a competing $1 billion 
bank.

Steven G. Mitchem.   Mr. Mitchem, age 45, is First Vice President 
and Credit Administration Officer of the Bank.  He joined the Bank 
in 1990 and is responsible for administration of commercial lending 
policies and banking regulatory matters.  Prior to joining the 
Bank, Mr. Mitchem was a Senior Bank Examiner for the Federal 
Deposit Insurance Corporation.


PART II

Responses incorporated by reference into the items under Part II of 
this Form 10-K are done so pursuant to Rule 12b-23 and General 
Instruction G(2) for Form 10-K.

Item 5.  Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related 
Stockholder Matters.

Market Information.   The Holding Company's Common Stock is listed 
on the National Market System of the National Association of 
Securities Dealers Automated Quotations ("NASDAQ") System under the 
symbol "GSBC."  The following table sets forth the range of high 
and low bid prices of the Holding Company's Common Stock during 
each fiscal quarter for fiscal years 1997 and 1996, as reported by 
the NASD.  These quotations represent bid prices between dealers 
and do not include retail mark-up, mark-down, or commissions and do 
not necessarily represent actual transactions.

                                                  Dividend
                             High      Low      Declarations
   Fiscal Year 1997
      First Quarter         $15 1/2   $13 1/8       $.0875
      Second Quarter         18        14 1/2        .10
      Third Quarter          18 1/4    17            .10
      Fourth Quarter         18        16 1/8        .10

   Fiscal Year 1996
      First Quarter         $11 1/4   $ 9 1/4      $.0875
      Second Quarter         12 3/8    10 5/8       .0875
      Third Quarter          12 11/16  11 5/8       .0875
      Fourth Quarter         13 3/4    12           .0875
<PAGE>  64

The last inter-dealer bid for the Holding Company's Common Stock on 
June 30, 1997 was $16 1/4.

Holders.   For a discussion of the holders of the Registrant's 
Common Stock and dividends on such stock, see the discussion under 
the headings "Corporate Profile" and "Stock Information" of the 
Annual Report to Stockholders, which portions are incorporated 
herein by reference.


Item 6.  Selected Financial Data.

     The following selected financial data should be read in 
conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements, 
the notes thereto and the accompanying independent accountant's 
opinion included in the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders, 
which portions are incorporated herein by reference, and the 
following information is qualified by reference thereto.


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Year Ended June 30,
                                                     ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                       1997      1996      1995      1994      1993      1992
                                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                                                            (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Summary Statement of Condition Information:
  Year-end assets                                    $707,841  $668,105  $622,380  $534,740  $515,293  $470,672
  Year-end loans receivable, net                      583,709   546,759   519,255   443,750   419,527   352,016
  Year-end allowance for loan losses                   15,524    14,356    14,601    13,636    10,590     6,029
  Year-end available-for-sale securities                7,408     4,656     3,091        --        --        --
  Year-end held-to-maturity securities                 49,757    49,182    46,970    48,217    51,218    61,915
  Year-end foreclosed assets held for sale, net         5,651     9,862     7,999     6,070     8,909    12,386
  Year-end allowance for foreclosed asset losses          319     1,086       933     1,549     1,192     1,117
  Year-end intangibles                                     --     1,102     1,187     1,272     1,356     1,441
  Year-end deposits                                   459,236   397,055   384,327   358,987   326,611   350,346
  Year-end total borrowings                           180,625   197,265   168,270   108,587   130,253    64,994
  Year-end stockholders' equity (retained
    earnings substantially restricted)                 60,348    67,808    62,982    61,462    51,723    49,879
  Average loans receivable, net                       561,146   536,695   486,726   433,638   376,620   340,365
  Average total assets                                670,172   643,885   584,536   527,842   479,261   465,107
  Average deposits                                    416,041   385,734   374,011   340,933   327,647   347,511
  Average stockholders' equity                         62,200    65,355    60,942    57,758    50,618    49,614
  Year-end number of deposit accounts                  69,762    60,649    59,461    58,054    53,960    53,251
  Year-end number of full-service offices                  25        25        25        25        25        27


Summary Income Statement Information:
  Interest income                                     $55,540   $53,938   $47,110  $ 38,988  $ 37,162  $ 39,023
  Interest expense                                     28,822    28,132    23,411    17,433    16,810    22,136
  Net interest income                                  26,718    25,806    23,699    21,555    20,352    16,887
  Provision for loan losses                             1,706     1,451     1,319     3,023     4,677     2,857
  Net interest income after provision for loan losses  25,012    24,355    22,380    18,532    15,675    14,030
  Service charge fees                                   2,785     2,382     2,273     2,131     1,762     1,623
  Net realized gains on sales of
    available-for-sale securities                         205       680        21        --        --        --
  Net realized gains on sales of loans                    522       540        92       565       387       295
  Income (expense) on foreclosed assets                   286       728      (243)      588       352    (1,068)
  Other non-interest income                             6,645     5,994     5,771     5,565     4,692     4,282
  Non-interest expenses                                20,363    16,274    15,293    14,661    13,599    12,826
  Income before income taxes                           15,091    18,405    15,001    12,720     9,269     6,336
  Provision for income taxes                            5,751     7,111     5,513     4,379     4,533     2,544
  Income before change in accounting principle          9,340    11,294     9,488     8,341     4,736     3,792
  Change in accounting principle                           --        --        --     3,375        --        --
  Net income                                          $ 9,340   $11,294  $  9,488  $ 11,716  $  4,736  $  3,792




<PAGE>  65
                                                                         Year Ended June 30,
                                                       ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                         1997      1996      1995      1994      1993      1992
                                                       -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Per Common Share Data:
  Primary earnings per common share:
    Income before change in accounting principle        $1.10     $1.23     $1.00     $ .83      $.46      $.34
    Change in accounting principle                         --        --        --       .34        --        --
    Net Income                                           1.10      1.23      1.00      1.17       .46       .34
  Fully diluted earnings per common share:
    Income before change in accounting principle         1.10      1.23      1.00       .83       .46       .34
    Change in accounting principle                         --        --        --       .67        --        --
    Net Income                                           1.10      1.23      1.00      1.17       .46       .34
  Cash dividends declared                                 .39       .35       .30       .15       .07       .07
  Book value                                             7.45      7.70      7.00      6.42      5.41      4.93
  Average shares outstanding                            8,394     8,926     9,162     9,648     9,798     11,100
  Year-end actual shares outstanding                    8,105     8,812     9,006     9,570     9,558     10,110
  Year-end fully diluted shares outstanding             8,488     9,218     9,478    10,056    10,254     11,100

Earnings Performance Ratios:
  Return on average assets                               1.39%     1.75%     1.62%     1.58%     0.99%     0.82%
  Return on average stockholders' equity                15.02     17.28     15.57     14.44      9.37      7.64
  Non-interest expense to average total assets           3.04      2.53      2.62      2.78      2.77      2.99
  Average interest rate spread                           3.79      3.82      3.86      4.05      4.20      3.55
  Year-end interest rate spread                          3.90      3.72      3.79      3.87      3.71      3.60
  Net interest margin (1)                                4.17      4.21      4.25      4.31      4.51      3.87
  Adjusted efficiency ratio (excl. foreclosed assets)   55.2      45.97     48.01     49.17     50.01     55.56
  Average interest-earning assets as a percentage
    of average interest-bearing liabilities            108.5     108.4     109.3     107.4     108.3     107.5

                                                                         Year Ended June 30,
                                                       ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                         1997      1996      1995      1994      1993      1992
                                                       -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------

Asset Quality Ratios:
  Allowance for loan losses/year-end loans               2.66%     2.63%     2.81%     3.08%     2.52%    1.71%
  Non-performing assets/year-end
    loans and foreclosed assets                          2.30      2.83      2.25      3.33      3.40     4.64
  Allowance for loan losses/non-performing loans       197.01    243.03    380.23    186.04    237.50   130.89
  Net charge-offs/average loans                           .10       .32       .07     (0.01)     0.03     0.46
  Non-performing assets/average total assets             2.02      2.45      2.18      2.83      3.04     3.89

Capital Ratios:
  Average stockholders' equity to average assets         9.28%    10.15%    10.43%    10.94%    10.56%   10.67%
  Year-end tangible stockholders' equity to assets       8.53     10.09      9.93     11.26      9.77    10.28
  Common dividend pay-out ratio                          35.2     28.6      30.0      13.9      13.0     17.6

<FN>
(1) For further discussion, refer to Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations-Average Balances, Interest Rates and Yields in the Annual Report to Stockholders, which portions are 
incorporated herein by reference.
</TABLE>


Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operation.

See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition 
and Results of Operation" in the Annual Report to Stockholders, 
which portions are incorporated herein by reference.


Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Information.

The financial statements and supplementary data required by this 
Item are set forth in the Annual Report to Stockholders, which 
portions are incorporated herein by reference.  All financial 
statement schedules should be read in conjunction with the 
financial statements the notes thereto and the related report of 
the Company's independent accountants in the Annual Report and are 
qualified by reference thereto.
<PAGE>  66

Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on 
Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

None.


PART III

Responses incorporated by reference into the items under Part III 
of this Form 10-K are done so pursuant to Rule 12b-23 and General 
Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K.  The Registrant's Definitive Proxy 
Statement was electronically filed on September 18, 1997.


Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.

(a)  Directors of the Registrant

        See "Election of Directors" in the Registrant's Definitive
        Proxy Statement for fiscal year 1997, which portion is
        incorporated herein by reference.

(b)  Executive Officers of the Registrant

        Included under Part I of this Form 10-K.

(c)  Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

        See "Beneficial Ownership Reports of Management" in the
        Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement for the fiscal year
        1997, which portion is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 11.  Executive Compensation.

See "Executive Compensation" in the Registrant's Definitive Proxy 
Statement, which portion is incorporated herein by reference except 
for the "Report on Executive Compensation" and the "Stock 
Performance Graph."


Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and 
Management.

(a)  See "Voting" in the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement,
     which portion is incorporated herein by reference.

(b)  See "Stock Ownership of Management" in the Registrant's
     Definitive Proxy Statement, which portion is incorporated
     herein by reference.


Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

See "Indebtedness of Management and Transactions with Certain 
Related Persons" in the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement, 
which portion is incorporated herein by reference.

<PAGE>  67

PART IV

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

(a)  List of Documents Filed as Part of This Report

  (1)  Financial Statements

    The financial statements and related notes, together with the
    report of Baird, Kurtz and Dobson dated August 8, 1997, which
    appears on pages 25 through 39 of the Registrant's Annual
    Report to Stockholders, which portion is incorporated herein by
    reference.

  (2)  Financial Statement Schedules

    The financial statement schedules are included in the
    Annual Report to Stockholders, which portions are incorporated
    herein by reference into Item 8 of Part II of this Form 10-K.

    All financial statement schedules should be read in conjunction
    with the financial statements the notes thereto and the related
    report of the Company's independent accountants in the Annual
    Report to Stockholders and are qualified by reference thereto.
    Schedules and exhibits for which provision is made in the
    applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and
    Exchange Commission not included with these financial statement
    schedules have been omitted because they were not applicable,
    significant or the required information is shown in the
    financial statements or note thereto.

  (3)  List of Exhibits

    Exhibits incorporated by reference below are incorporated by
    reference pursuant to Rule 12b-32.

     (2)  Plan of acquisition, reorganization, arrangement,
          liquidation, or succession

            Inapplicable.

     (3)  Articles of incorporation and Bylaws

            (i) The Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation
            previously filed with the Commission (File no. 33-
            30597) as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Registration
            Statement on Form S-1 dated August 18,1989, is
            incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 3.1.

            (ii) The Registrant's Certificate of Amendment of
            Certificate of Incorporation is attached hereto as
            Exhibit 3.2.





<PAGE>  68
            (iii) The Registrant's Bylaws, as amended, previously
            filed with the Commission (File no. 33-30597) as
            Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
            10-K for fiscal year ended June 30, 1990, is
            incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 3.3.

     (4)  Instruments defining the rights of security holders,
          including indentures

            Inapplicable.

     (9)  Voting trust agreement

            Inapplicable.

    (10)  Material contracts

            The Registrant's 1989 Stock Option and Incentive Plan
            previously filed with the Commission (File no. 33-
            30597) as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Annual
            Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30,
            1990, is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit
            10.1.

            An Employment Agreement dated February 1, 1990 between
            the Registrant and William V. Turner previously filed
            with the Commission (File no. 33-30597) as Exhibit 10.3
            to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1
            dated August 18, 1989, is incorporated herein by
            reference as Exhibit 10.2.

            An Employment Agreement dated February 1, 1990 between
            the Registrant and Don M. Gibson previously filed with
            the Commission (File no. 33-30597) as Exhibit 10.3 to
            the Registrant's Registration  Statement on Form S-1
            dated August 18, 1989, is incorporated herein by
            reference as Exhibit 10.3.

            An Employment Agreement dated July 1, 1993 between the
            Registrant and Joseph W. Turner previously filed with
            the Commission (File no. 33-30597) as Exhibit 10.4 to
            the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
            fiscal year ended June 30, 1994, is incorporated herein
            by reference as Exhibit 10.4.

            The Registrant's 1997 Stock Option and Incentive Plan
            previously filed with the Commission (File no. 33-
            30597) as Annex A to the Registrant's Definitive Proxy
            Statement for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997, is
            incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 10.5.

    (11)  Statement re computation of per share earnings

            The Statement re computation of per share earnings is
            attached hereto as exhibit 11.

    (12)  Statements re computation of ratios

            Inapplicable.
<PAGE>  69

    (13)  Annual report to security holders, Form 10-Q or quarterly
          report to security holders

            The Annual Report to Stockholders was filed
            electronically on September 19, 1997.

    (16)  Letter re change in certifying accountant

            Inapplicable.

    (18)  Letter re change in accounting principles

            Inapplicable.

    (21)  Subsidiaries of the registrant

            A listing of the Registrant's subsidiaries is attached
            hereto as Exhibit 21.

    (22)  Published report regarding matters submitted to vote of
          security holders

            Inapplicable.

    (23)  Consents of experts and counsel

            The consent of Baird, Kurtz & Dobson to the
            incorporation by reference into the Form S-8 previously
            filed on December 16, 1992 with the Commission (File
            no. 33-55832) of their report on the financial
            statements included in this Form 10-K, is attached
            hereto as Exhibit 23.

    (24)  Power of attorney

            Inapplicable.

    (27)  Financial Data Schedule

            Inapplicable.

    (28)  Information from reports furnished to state insurance
          regulatory authorities

            Inapplicable.

    (99)  Additional Exhibits

            Inapplicable.

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K

        None.





<PAGE>  70

                            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 thereunto 
duly authorized.

                              GREAT SOUTHERN BANCORP, INC.
                                      (Registrant)

                              By /s/ William V. Turner
                              William V. Turner
                              President and Chairman of the Board
                                 (Principal Executive Officer)

Date:  September 17, 1997

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 and on the date 
indicated.

   Signature           Capacity in which signed        Date
- ---------------------  ------------------------- ------------------
/s/ William V. Turner   President, Chairman of   September 17, 1997
                        the Board and Director
                         (Principal Executive 
                               Officer)

/s/Don M. Gibson       Executive Vice President, September 17, 1997
                        Secretary and Treasurer
                         (Principal Financial
                         Officer and Principal
                          Accounting Officer)

/s/ William E. Barclay         Director          September 17, 1997

/s/ Larry D. Frazier           Director          September 17, 1997

/s/ William K. Powell          Director          September 17, 1997

/s/ Albert F. Turner           Director          September 17, 1997
















<PAGE>  71

                      Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.
                          Index to Exhibits
 Exhibit
   No.                        Document                    Page No.
- ---------  --------------------------------------------  ----------
    3.2    Certificate of Amendment of
             Certificate of Incorporation                     72
   11      Statement Re Computation of Earnings Per Share . . 73
   21      Subsidiaries of the Registrant . . . . . . . . . . 74
   23      Consent of Baird, Kurtz & Dobson,
             Certified Public Accountants . . . . . . . . . . 75
   27      Financial Data Schedule, which is submitted
             electronically to the Securities and Exchange
             Commission for information only and not filed. . 76












































<PAGE>  72
                      Certificate of Amendment
                                 of
                    Certificate of Incorporation
                                 of
                    Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.
                              * * * * * *
   Great Southern Bancorp, Inc., a corporation organized and 
existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the 
State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

   FIRST: that at a meeting of the board of directors of Great 
Southern Bancorp, Inc. resolutions were duly adopted setting forth 
a proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of said 
corporation, declaring said amendment to be advisable and calling a 
meeting of the stockholders of said corporation for consideration 
thereof.  The resolution setting forth the proposed amendment is as 
follows:

     RESOLVED. That the Certificate of Incorporation of this
     corporation be amended by changing the FOURTH Article thereof
     so that as amended said Article shall be and read as follows:

     FOURTH:
          A.  The total number of shares of all classes of stock
     which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is
     Twenty-One Million (21,000,000) consisting of:
              (a) One Million (1,000,000) shares of Preferred
          Stock, par value one cent ($.01) per share
          (the "Preferred Stock"); and
              (b) Twenty Million (20,000,000) shares of Common
          Stock, par value one cent ($.01) per share
          (the "Common Stock").

   SECOND: That thereafter, pursuant to resolution of its Board of 
Directors, an annual meeting of the stockholders of said 
corporation was duly called and held, upon notice in accordance 
with Section 222 of the General Corporation Law of the State of 
Delaware at which meeting the necessary number of shares as 
required by statue were voted in favor of the amendment.

   THIRD: That said amendment was duly adopted in accordance with 
the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the 
State of Delaware.

   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. has caused 
this certificate to be signed by William V. Turner, its President, 
this 16th day of October 1996.

            Place
        CORPORATE SEAL
             Here                      Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.
  (If no seal, state "None,")
                                         /s/ William V. Turner
                                       ----------------------------
ATTEST:                                William V. Turner, President

  /s/Don M. Gibson
- -----------------------------
                ,Secretary
<PAGE>  73

                                                        Exhibit 11
                                                        ----------
Statement Re Computation of Earnings Per Share

                                              Year Ended June 30,
                                            -----------------------
                                               1997         1996
                                            ----------   ----------
Primary:
   Average shares outstanding                8,394,080    8,926,192
   Net effect of dilutive stock options -
     based on the treasury stock method
     using average market price                93,682       269,412
                                             ---------    ---------
Primary Shares                               8,487,762    9,195,604
                                             =========    =========
Net income                                 $ 9,339,865  $11,293,955
                                            ==========    =========
Per share amount                                 $1.10        $1.23
                                                  ====         ====


Fully diluted:
   Average shares outstanding                8,394,080    8,926,192
   Net effect of dilutive stock options -
     based on the treasury stock method
     using the higher of average market
     price or period end market price           93,682      291,958
                                             ---------    ---------
Fully diluted shares                         8,487,762    9,218,150
                                             =========    =========
Net income                                 $ 9,339,865  $11,293,955
                                            ==========    =========
Per share amount                                 $1.10        $1.23
                                                  ====         ====























<PAGE>  74

                                                         Exhibit 21
                                                         ----------

                   SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT

                                                        State of
                                          Percentage  Incorporation
                                              of            or
     Parent               Subsidiary       Ownership   Organization
- ----------------  ----------------------  ----------  -------------
Great Southern    Great Southern Bank        100%        Missouri
  Bancorp, Inc.

Great Southern    Great Southern             100%        Missouri
  Bancorp, Inc.    Financial Corporation

Great Southern    Great Southern Capital     100%        Missouri
  Bancorp, Inc.    Management, Inc.

Great Southern    Appraisal Services, Inc.   100%        Missouri
  Financial
  Corporation




































<PAGE>  75


     We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration 
Statement No. 33-55832 on Form S-8 dated December 16, 1992, of our 
report on the consolidated financial statements and schedules 
included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of GREAT SOUTHERN 
BANCORP, INC. for the year ended June 30, 1997.


                                        /s/ Baird, Kurtz & Dobson




August 8, 1997
Springfield, Missouri






<TABLE> <S> <C>

       
<ARTICLE>    9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the Consolidated Statement of 
Income filed as part of the annual report on Form 10-K and is 
qualified in its entirety by reference to such annual report on 
Form 10-K.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>     1,000
<S>                           <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>             JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                  JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                              8,177
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>             24,308
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                        0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                        0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>         7,408
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>             49,757
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>               49,859
<LOANS>                           583,709
<ALLOWANCE>                        15,524
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                    707,841
<DEPOSITS>                        459,236
<SHORT-TERM>                      146,406
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                 7,632
<LONG-TERM>                        34,219
                   0
                             0
<COMMON>                              123
<OTHER-SE>                         60,225
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>    707,841
<INTEREST-LOAN>                    51,365
<INTEREST-INVEST>                   3,892
<INTEREST-OTHER>                      283
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                   55,540
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                 17,951
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                 28,822
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>              26,718
<LOAN-LOSSES>                       1,706
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                    205
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                    20,363
<INCOME-PRETAX>                    15,091
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>         15,091
<EXTRAORDINARY>                         0
<CHANGES>                               0
<NET-INCOME>                        9,340
<EPS-PRIMARY>                        1.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                        1.10
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                       4.17
<LOANS-NON>                         7,880
<LOANS-PAST>                            0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                        0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                     7,145
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                   14,356
<CHARGE-OFFS>                         676
<RECOVERIES>                          138
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                  15,524
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>               15,524
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                     0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>            4,248



</TABLE>


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