JSB FINANCIAL INC
DEF 14A, 1997-03-27
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION


Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                               (Amendment No. ___)


Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]

Check the appropriate box:
[ ]  Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ]  Confidential,  For  Use  of the  Commission  Only  (as  permitted  by  Rule
     14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive  Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss.240.14a-11(c) or ss.240.14a-12


                               JSB Financial, Inc.
                ------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)


      --------------------------------------------------------------------
      (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than Registrant)


Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X]  No fee required
[ ]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i) (1) and 0-11

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

[ ]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided  by  Exchange  Act
     Rule 0- 11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the  offsetting  fee was
     paid  previously.  Identify the previous filing by  registration  statement
     number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

         1)    Amount Previously Paid:  .......................................
         2)    Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:  .................
         3)    Filing Party:  .................................................
         4)    Date Filed:  ...................................................


<PAGE>



                            JSB Financial, Inc. Logo



                                303 Merrick Road
                            Lynbrook, New York 11563
                                 (516) 887-7000





                                                                  March 28, 1997

Dear Stockholder:

         You are cordially  invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(the "Annual  Meeting") of JSB  Financial,  Inc.  (the  "Company"),  the holding
company  for  Jamaica  Savings  Bank FSB,  which will be held on May 13, 1997 at
10:00 a.m., at the Long Island Marriott Hotel and Conference  Center,  101 James
Doolittle Boulevard,  Uniondale, New York 11553. (For directions see inside back
cover.)

         The  attached  Notice of the  Annual  Meeting  and the Proxy  Statement
describe the formal business to be transacted at the Annual  Meeting.  Directors
and officers of JSB  Financial,  Inc. as well as a  representative  of KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP, the Company's independent  auditors,  will be present at the Annual
Meeting to respond to any questions that our stockholders may have.

         There are three  matters to be considered  at the Annual  Meeting.  The
Board of Directors of JSB Financial,  Inc. has  determined  that Proposal 1, the
election of the nominees for directors named in the Proxy Statement and Proposal
2, the ratification of the appointment of independent auditors,  are in the best
interests  of the  Company  and  our  stockholders  and  the  Board  unanimously
recommends  a vote "FOR" each of these  items.  For the reasons set forth in the
Proxy Statement,  the Board unanimously  recommends a vote "AGAINST" Proposal 3,
the stockholder proposal.

         YOUR  VOTE IS  IMPORTANT.  You are  urged  to  sign,  date and mail the
enclosed  proxy card  promptly in the  postage-paid  envelope  provided.  If you
attend  the  Annual  Meeting,  you may vote in person  even if you have  already
mailed in your proxy card.

         On behalf of the Board of Directors and our employees,  I wish to thank
you for your continued support. We appreciate your interest.

                                                     Sincerely yours,

                                                     PARK T. ADIKES
                                                     Chairman of the Board
                                                     and Chief Executive Officer



<PAGE>


                               JSB FINANCIAL, INC.
                                303 Merrick Road
                            Lynbrook, New York 11563
                                 (516) 887-7000
                              --------------------


                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                           To Be Held on May 13, 1997
                              --------------------

        NOTICE IS HEREBY  GIVEN that the Annual  Meeting  of  Stockholders  (the
"Annual Meeting") of JSB Financial, Inc. ("JSB Financial" or the "Company") will
be held at the Long  Island  Marriott  Hotel and  Conference  Center,  101 James
Doolittle Boulevard, Uniondale, New York 11553, on May 13, 1997, at 10:00 a.m.

        The Annual Meeting is for the purpose of considering and voting upon the
following matters:

         1.  Election of three Directors for terms of three years each;

         2.  Ratification of the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as
              independent auditors of the Company for the year ending
              December 31, 1997;

         3.  Stockholder proposal, opposed by the Board of Directors, as set
              forth in this Proxy Statement; and

         4.  Such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting
              or any adjournment thereof.

        Pursuant to the Bylaws of the Company,  the Board of Directors has fixed
March  17,  1997,  as the  record  date for the  determination  of  stockholders
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and at any  adjournments
thereof.  Only record holders of the common stock of the Company as of the close
of business  on that date will be entitled to vote at the Annual  Meeting or any
adjournments  thereof.  A list of  stockholders  entitled  to vote at the Annual
Meeting  will be  available  at Jamaica  Savings  Bank FSB,  303  Merrick  Road,
Lynbrook,  New York,  for a period of ten days prior to the Annual  Meeting  and
also will be available for inspection at the Annual Meeting.

                                By Order of the Board of Directors


                                JOANNE CORRIGAN
                                Secretary



Lynbrook, New York
March 28, 1997



<PAGE>



                               JSB FINANCIAL, INC.
                                303 Merrick Road
                            Lynbrook, New York 11563
                                 (516) 887-7000
                                  -------------


                                 PROXY STATEMENT
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                  May 13, 1997
                                  ------------

Solicitation and Voting of Proxy

        This  Proxy  Statement   ("Proxy   Statement")  is  being  furnished  to
stockholders  of JSB  Financial,  Inc.  ("JSB  Financial"  or the  "Company") in
connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of proxies to be used
at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders  (the "Annual  Meeting") to be held at the
Long Island Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, 101 James Doolittle Boulevard,
Uniondale,  New  York  11553,  on  May  13,  1997,  at  10:00  a.m.,  and at any
adjournments  thereof.  The 1996 Annual  Report to  Stockholders,  including the
financial  statements  for the year ended  December 31, 1996,  accompanies  this
Proxy Statement.

        This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card are initially being
mailed to stockholders on or about March 28, 1997.

        Regardless  of the  number  of  shares  of  common  stock  owned,  it is
important that  stockholders be represented by proxy or present in person at the
Annual  Meeting.  Stockholders  are requested to vote by completing the enclosed
proxy card and  returning  it,  signed and dated,  in the enclosed  postage-paid
envelope.  Stockholders  are urged to indicate their vote in the spaces provided
on the proxy card.  Proxies solicited by the Board of Directors of JSB Financial
will be  voted  in  accordance  with  the  directions  given  therein.  Where no
instructions are indicated,  proxies will be voted "FOR" the election of each of
the nominees for Director named in this Proxy Statement,  "FOR" the ratification
of the  appointment  of KPMG Peat  Marwick  LLP as  independent  auditors of the
Company for the year ending  December  31, 1997 and  "AGAINST"  the  stockholder
proposal as discussed herein.

        The  Board of  Directors  knows of no  additional  matters  that will be
presented  for  consideration  at the  Annual  Meeting.  Execution  of a  proxy,
however, confers on the designated proxyholders  discretionary authority to vote
the shares in  accordance  with their best judgment on such other  business,  if
any,  that may  properly  come  before  the Annual  Meeting or any  adjournments
thereof.

        A proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its  exercise  by the filing
of written notice of revocation with the Secretary of the Company, by delivering
to the Company a duly  executed  proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the
Annual  Meeting,  filing a notice of revocation with the Secretary and voting in
person.  However,  if you are a stockholder  whose shares are not  registered in
your own name, you will need additional  documentation from your recordholder to
vote personally at the Annual Meeting.

        The cost of solicitation  of proxies in the form enclosed  herewith will
be borne by JSB Financial.  In addition to the  solicitation of proxies by mail,
Morrow & Co.,  Inc.,  a proxy  solicitation  firm,  will  assist the  Company in
soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting and will be paid a fee estimated to be
$4,000, plus out-of-pocket expenses. Proxies may also be solicited personally or
by telephone or telegraph by Directors, officers and employees of the Company or
Jamaica Savings Bank FSB (the "Bank"), without additional compensation therefor.
JSB Financial will also request persons,  firms and corporations  holding shares
in their names, or in the name of their nominees,  which are beneficially  owned
by others,  to send proxy  material to and obtain  proxies from such  beneficial
owners,  and will reimburse such holders for their reasonable  expenses in doing
so.

<PAGE>

Voting Securities

        The  securities  which may be voted at the  Annual  Meeting  consist  of
shares of common stock of JSB Financial  (the "Common  Stock"),  with each share
entitling  its  owner to one vote on all  matters  to be voted on at the  Annual
Meeting except as described  below.  The close of business on March 17, 1997 has
been fixed by the Board of Directors as the record date (the "Record  Date") for
the  determination  of  stockholders  entitled  to  notice of and to vote at the
Annual  Meeting  and any  adjournments  thereof.  The total  number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date was 9,824,884 shares.

        Record holders of Common Stock that is  beneficially  owned by a person,
in excess of 10% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (the "Limit") are not
entitled  to vote any  shares  held in excess of the  Limit,  as  determined  in
accordance with the Company's  Certificate of  Incorporation.  The presence,  in
person  or by proxy,  of at least a  majority  of the total  number of shares of
Common Stock,  entitled to vote (after  subtracting any shares held in excess of
the  Limit  pursuant  to the  provisions  of  Article  Fourth  of the  Company's
Certificate of  Incorporation) is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual
Meeting. In the event there are not sufficient votes for a quorum at the time of
the Annual  Meeting,  the Annual Meeting may be adjourned in order to permit the
further solicitation of proxies.

        As to  Proposal  1, the  election  of  Directors,  the proxy  card being
provided by the Board of  Directors  enables a  stockholder  to vote,  "FOR" the
election of the nominees proposed by the Board, or to have their "VOTE WITHHELD"
for one or more of the  nominees  being  proposed.  Under  Delaware  law and the
Company's  Bylaws,  Directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast,  without
regard to either (i) broker non-votes, or (ii) proxies marked "VOTE WITHHELD".

        As to Proposal 2, the ratification of independent auditors, and Proposal
3, the  stockholder  proposal and concerning all other matters that may properly
come before the Annual Meeting,  by checking the appropriate  box, a stockholder
may: (i) vote "FOR" the item;  (ii) vote "AGAINST" the item; or (iii)  "ABSTAIN"
from voting on such item. Under the Company's Bylaws,  unless otherwise required
by law, all other  matters  shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast,
without regard to either (a) broker  non-votes,  or (b) proxies marked "ABSTAIN"
as to that matter.

        Proxies solicited hereby will be returned to the proxy solicitors or the
Company's  transfer  agent,  and will be  tabulated by  inspectors  of election,
designated by the Board of Directors,  who will not be employees or Directors of
the Company or any of its affiliates. After the Annual Meeting, the proxies will
be returned to the Company for safekeeping.

<PAGE>

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

        The following  table sets forth certain  information as to those persons
believed by management to be beneficial  owners of more than 5% of the Company's
outstanding  shares of Common Stock on March 11, 1997. Persons and groups owning
in excess of 5% of the  Company's  Common  Stock are  required  to file  certain
reports  regarding  such  ownership with the Company and with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission  ("SEC"), in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the "Exchange Act").  Other than listed below, the Company is not aware of
any person or group that owned more than 5% of the Company's  Common Stock as of
March 11, 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     Name and Address                     Amount and Nature of           Percent of
Title of Class                      of Beneficial Owner                   Beneficial Ownership            Class(1)
- --------------                      -------------------                   --------------------           ----------
<S>                                 <C>                                    <C>                            <C>

Common Stock..........              Jamaica Savings Bank FSB               1,028,331(2)                   10.5%
                                    Employee Stock Ownership
                                    Plan and Trust ("ESOP")

                                    C/O Jamaica Savings Bank FSB
                                    303 Merrick Road
                                    Lynbrook, New York 11563

- ------------
<FN>

(1) The total  number of shares of Common  Stock  outstanding  on March 11, 1997
 was 9,823,503 shares.

(2) An unrelated corporate trustee,  Marine Midland Bank, has been appointed for
the  ESOP.  The ESOP  trustee,  subject  to its  fiduciary  duty,  must vote all
allocated  shares held in the ESOP in accordance  with the  instructions  of the
participating  employees.  As of March  11,  1997  1,014,165  shares  have  been
allocated to participants' accounts.  Under the ESOP, unallocated shares held in
the suspense  account will be voted in a manner  calculated  to most  accurately
reflect  the  instructions  it has  received  from  participants  regarding  the
allocated  stock,  so long as such vote is in accordance  with the provisions of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
</FN>
</TABLE>


                 PROPOSALS TO BE VOTED ON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING

PROPOSAL 1.  ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

        The number of Directors of JSB  Financial is currently  set at ten (10).
All ten  members  of the  Board of  Directors  of JSB  Financial  also  serve as
Directors of the Bank.  Directors are elected for staggered terms of three years
each,  with a term of  office of only one class of  Directors  expiring  in each
year.  Directors  serve until their  successors  are elected and  qualified.  No
person being nominated as a Director is being proposed for election  pursuant to
any agreement or understanding between any person and JSB Financial,  other than
as described under "Executive Compensation - Employment Agreements."

        The three  nominees  proposed  for  election  at the Annual  Meeting are
Messrs. Alfred F. Kelly, Howard J. Dirkes, Jr. and Ms. Cynthia Gibbons, who have
been nominated for a three year term which will expire during the year 2000. All
three of the nominees  named are also  presently  Directors  of the Bank.  It is
intended  that the shares  represented  by the enclosed  proxy,  if executed and
returned,  will be voted  "FOR"  the  election  of all  three  nominees,  unless
otherwise  indicated by marking "VOTE  WITHHELD" on the proxy card. In the event
that any such  nominee  is unable or  declines  to serve for any  reason,  it is
intended  that  proxies will be voted "FOR" the election of the balance of those
nominees  named and "FOR" such other persons as shall be designated by the Board
of  Directors.  The Board of Directors  has no reason to believe that any of the
persons named will be unable or unwilling to serve.

                 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR"
            THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES NAMED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT


<PAGE>

Information With Respect to Nominees and Continuing Directors

        The  following  table sets forth the names of  nominees  and  continuing
Directors,  their ages, a brief description of their recent business experience,
including occupations and employment, certain directorships held by each and the
year in which each became a Director of the Company.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Principal Occupation at                                                        Expiration
Present and for the Past Five Years                                      Director       of Current        Age at
Directorships                                                             Since            Term           12/31/96
- -------------------------------------------------------------            --------       ----------        --------
<S>                                                                       <C>               <C>            <C> 
Nominees:
Alfred F. Kelly                                                           1990              1997           66
        Mr. Kelly is a Director of the Company and has
  been a Director of the Bank since 1971. He retired as
  President of Canada Life Insurance Company of New York
  in 1992, where he continues as a director.

Howard J. Dirkes, Jr.                                                     1990              1997           65
        Mr. Dirkes is a Director of the Company and has
  been a Director of the Bank since  1972.  He is the
  President of Lo Temp Sales Corporation,  an importer
  and marketing distributor of commercial  refrigeration
  equipment, a position he has held since 1956.

Cynthia Gibbons*                                                          1997              1997           40
        Ms. Gibbons is a Director of the Company and
  the Bank.  She is a Vice President of Koeppel Tener Real
  Estate Services, Inc., a firm specializing in real estate
  consulting, appraisal  and due diligence services.  Prior,
  Ms. Gibbons was an Appraisal Associate for Chemical
  Bank, a national commercial  banking firm and Vice
  President of  J.A. Cowan & Associates, Inc., a real estate
  valuation firm.  Ms. Gibbons holds a MBA and a MAI
  designation from the Appraisal Institute.

Continuing Directors:
Richard W. Meyer                                                          1990              1998           77
        Mr. Meyer is a Director of the Company and has
  been a Director of the Bank since 1963.  He retired as
  a director of USLife Income Fund, Inc. during 1991.

Park T. Adikes                                                            1990              1998           65
        Mr. Adikes is Chairman of the Board and Chief
  Executive Officer of the Company and the  Bank.  He
  has been a Director of the Bank since 1964 and
  Chairman of the Bank since 1975.  Mr. Adikes joined
  the Bank in 1954 and became the Chief Executive
  Officer of the Bank in 1970.

Arnold B. Pritcher                                                        1990              1998           71
        Mr. Pritcher is a Director of the Company and
  has been a Director of the Bank since 1971.  He is
  President of International Gem Corporation, a
  position he has held since 1950.

<FN>
*  Ms. Gibbons was elected by the Board on March 11, 1997 to replace Director
Joseph J. Blaine, who died on February 11, 1997.  Ms. Gibbons is the daughter
of James E. Gibbons, Jr., a Director of the Company.
</FN>
</TABLE>


<PAGE>  

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Name and Principal Occupation at                                                        Expiration
Present and for the Past Five Years                                      Director       of Current        Age at
Directorships                                                             Since             Term          12/31/96
- -------------------------------------------------------------            --------       ----------        --------
<S>                                                                       <C>               <C>              <C>

James E. Gibbons, Jr.                                                     1990              1999             79
        Mr. Gibbons is a Director of the Company and
  has been a Director of the Bank since 1963.  He is
  President of Sackman-Gibbons Associates, a real
  estate consulting firm in East Meadow, New York.
  He is also a Director of Eastern Realty Investment
  Corporation.

Paul R. Screvane                                                          1990              1999             82
        Mr. Screvane is a Director of the Company
  and has been a Director of the Bank since 1967.  He
  retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
  Federal Metal Maintenance Inc. during 1992.

Edward P. Henson                                                          1990              1999             57
        Mr. Henson is President and a Director of the
  Company and the Bank and has served in both these
  capacities since 1990.  Mr. Henson served as
  Executive Vice President (Operations) from 1987
  to 1990.

Joseph C. Cantwell                                                        1996              1999             66
        Mr. Cantwell has been a Director of the
 Company and the Bank since 1996. He retired as 
 Vice President of Bankers Trust Company in 1988
 after almost 40 years of service.  Mr. Cantwell is
 currently a consultant to a number of firms in the
 financial services industry.

</TABLE>

Meetings of the Board and Committees of the Board

        During 1996,  the Board of Directors of the Company held twelve  regular
meetings.  The Board of  Directors  of the  Company  meets  monthly and may have
additional  special  meetings  upon the request of one third of the Directors or
the Chairman. The Board of Directors of the Company maintains various committees
either  at the  Bank or  Company  level,  including,  but not  limited  to,  the
Executive  Committee,  Audit  Committee,  Nominating  Committee and Compensation
Committee,  which are discussed below. No Director of the Company attended fewer
than 75% of the  aggregate  of the total number of Board  meetings  held and the
total number of committee meetings on which such Director served during 1996.

        Executive  Committee - The Executive  Committee,  comprised of Directors
Gibbons,  Meyer,  Screvane,  and Kelly, meets as needed and is authorized to act
for the Board  between  regular  meetings  with most  powers of the  Board.  The
Executive Committee did not meet in 1996.

        Audit  Committee - The Audit  Committee,  comprised of  Directors  Kelly
(Chairman),  Pritcher, Dirkes and Cantwell, meets on call and is responsible for
reviewing  and  reporting  to the Board on the  Company's  financial  condition,
reviewing  the audit  reports  from its internal  and  independent  auditors and
analyzing loan review  reports.  The Audit  Committee held eight meetings during
1996.

        Nominating  Committee  - The  Nominating  Committee  for the 1997 Annual
Meeting,  comprised  of  Directors  Adikes,  Meyer  and  Screvane,  reviews  any
nominations  to the Board of Directors made by  stockholders  of the Company and
recommends  to the Board of Directors,  nominees for election to the Board.  The
Company's Bylaws also provide for stockholder nominations of directors. The same
provisions require such nominations to be made pursuant to timely written notice
to the Secretary of the Company. Such notice must contain all

<PAGE>

information  relating to the nominee  required to be disclosed by the  Company's
Bylaws and by the SEC. See  "Additional  Information  - Notice of Business to be
Conducted at the Annual  Meeting".  The  Nominating  Committee  met once for the
nominations discussed herein, for this Annual Meeting.

        Compensation Committee - The Compensation Committee was comprised of all
seven of the Company's outside Directors for 1996, including, Directors; Gibbons
(Chairman),  Meyer,  Screvane,  Kelly,  Pritcher,  Dirkes and Cantwell, who have
never been  employed  by the  Company or the Bank.  The  Compensation  Committee
presents to the Board for ratification,  the compensation of the Company's Chief
Executive   Officer,   and  approves  the  compensation  paid  to  other  senior
executives.  The  Compensation  Committee  met once in 1996.  See "Report of the
Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation".

PROPOSAL 2.  RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

        The Company's independent auditors for the year ended December 31, 1996,
were KPMG Peat Marwick LLP. The  Company's  Board of Directors  has  reappointed
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to continue as independent  auditors for JSB Financial for
the year ending December 31, 1997 subject to ratification of such appointment by
the  stockholders.  Representatives  of KPMG Peat  Marwick  LLP are  expected to
attend the Annual Meeting. They will be given an opportunity to make a statement
if they  desire  to do so and  will  be  available  to  respond  to  appropriate
questions from stockholders present at the Annual Meeting.

        Unless marked to the contrary,  the shares  represented  by the enclosed
Proxy  will  be  voted  "FOR"  ratification  of  KPMG  Peat  Marwick  LLP as the
independent auditors of the Company.


                 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR"
            RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
                   AS THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS OF THE COMPANY

PROPOSAL 3.  STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL

        A  stockholder  has  submitted  the proposal set forth below.  The name,
address and shareholdings of the proponent will be furnished upon request to the
Secretary of the Company.

        RESOLVED:  That it is  recommended  that the Board of  Directors  of JSB
Financial,  Inc.  engage  the  services  of a leading  investment  banking  firm
specializing  in financial  institutions,  with  particular  expertise in thrift
institutions,  to make  recommendations to the Board of Directors as to specific
actions to be taken to enhance  shareholder value. These  recommendations  could
include among others: a large share repurchase program; the sale or acquisitions
of branches or the active  solicitation of merger overtures from other financial
institutions.

                 STOCKHOLDER'S STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSAL

        Long-tenured  directors and management of JSB Financial continue to miss
business opportunities. Some say that the institution has developed a reputation
as being unwilling to welcome  necessary changes to enhance  shareholder  value.
During  1995 and the first 10 months of 1996,  JSB  Financial  stock,  including
dividends,  has increased 37.4% and 16.6%,  respectively while the Media General
S&L Peer Group Index has  increased  58.4% and 22.2%.  During the calendar  year
1995 and the first three quarters of 1996 annualized, JSB Financial has produced
a return on equity of 6.7% and 7.7%.  Notwithstanding  the above,  the directors
paid the CEO for 1995 a special year-end performance bonus of $250,000 on top of
a $700,000  salary.  Annual  plus  long-term  compensation  for the CEO  totaled
$1,249,672 for 1995. SNL, a bank reporting firm,  ranks the compensation of Park
T. Adikes in the 99th  percentile of their selected Peer Group.  While the board
claims  it is  aware  of its  fiduciary  and  legal  responsibilities,  it seems
incapable of initiating  actions  independent  of management.  While  management
"..has  previously  stated  that it  would  consider  opportunities.."  to "..be
acquired by another institution, `if the price is right'", it has been unwilling
to initiate  actions and has sent clear  signals that it does not welcome  being
approached.  If the board were truly interested in "..the wishes of the majority
of our  stockholders",  it would  retain an  investment  banker to  provide  the
initiative and expertise which it apparently lacks. A rising tide has lifted the
value of all New York thrifts. Managements that have been proactive in enhancing
shareholder value have seen their shares rise much more than JSB. All NY Thrifts
that have  been  public  from  1991 - 1995,  (exclusive  of those  acquired  and
excluding dividends) rose 383.6%, while JSB increased only 79.4% during the same
period. There is a consequence to lack of strategy and laissez-faire management.

<PAGE>

Being  well-capitalized and in sound financial condition are not accomplishments
for which a local  thrift  management  should  be  rewarded  given  the  current
favorable banking  environment.  Management can certainly  continue to focus its
efforts on  improved  corporate  performance  while being  sufficiently  open to
entertain advice from outside knowledgeable consultants.

        Unless marked to the contrary,  the shares  represented  by the enclosed
proxy will be voted "AGAINST" the stockholder proposal.



        OPPOSING STATEMENT OF THE JSB FINANCIAL, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                             TO STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL

 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES THAT THE STOCKHOLDER'S PROPOSAL IS UNNECESSARY
       AND THEREFORE CONTRARY TO THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY AND ITS
    STOCKHOLDERS. THE BOARD ALSO BELIEVES THAT THE STOCKHOLDER'S STATEMENT IN
                     SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSAL IS MISLEADING.

        Since its initial public  offering in 1990, the Company has  steadfastly
increased stockholder return. The Company has remained  continuously  profitable
while at the same  time  having  increased  dividends  by 250% from 10 cents per
share per quarter in 1990 to 35 cents in the first quarter of 1997.

        The   proponent   has  drafted  the  proposal  so  that  it  might  lead
stockholders  to believe that the Company  does not address the  recommendations
made. The Board, in the exercise of its fiduciary  duties,  carefully  considers
various strategic actions, including those recommended by the proponent, that it
believes  would best serve the  interests of the  stockholders.  Therefore,  the
Board believes the proposal is unnecessary.

        The Company's comparative  performance as presented by the proponent and
the stock performance graph included on page 16 have certain limitations that we
wish to address.  The performance of both the peer group and the Nasdaq National
Market (the "broad market") include the impact of stock price run-ups  resulting
from acquisition activity. In addition, the significant volume of initial public
stock offerings made by financial  institutions over the past five years and the
price escalations that generally followed, further skew the return data in favor
of the peer group and the broad market. While it is not practicable to eliminate
the impact of the  acquisition  activity,  in an  attempt to remove  some of the
inequity,  we have  included  an  extended  performance  graph  on page 17 which
presents the  Company's  performance  in  comparison  to its peers and the broad
market from the time of the Company's initial stock offering. Based on this time
period,  the Company's  performance is substantially  equal to that of its peers
and above that of the broad market.

        The proponent failed to note the most recent performance of all New York
thrifts that were public from 1991 through 1995. Assuming an equal dollar amount
was invested in each company,  the stock  performance  for year end 1995 to year
end 1996 of these New York thrifts  increased by 20.6% while the Company's stock
value  increased by 24.0%.  This reflects the price increase at year end 1996 to
$38.00 per share from the year end 1995 price of $31.625,  plus dividends.  This
fact further supports the Board's  contention that the proponent's  statement in
support of the proposal is misleading.

        The Board believes that  compensation of the Chief Executive should take
into account both  short-term  and long-term  corporate  performance.  Given the
consistent  success of Jamaica  Savings Bank over the many years that Mr. Adikes
has been the  Chairman,  the Board  believes  that his  compensation  package is
appropriate.

        A more extreme  proposal was made by the proponent at the Company's 1996
Annual  Meeting  and a  relatively  identical  proposal  was  presented  at  the
Company's 1995 Annual Meeting. The Company's  stockholders clearly rejected each
of these proposals with 78% of the votes cast against the 1996 proposal, and 84%
of the votes cast against the 1995 proposal.
This definitively indicates the will of a majority of our stockholders.

 FOR THE REASONS STATED ABOVE, THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT
                 YOU VOTE "AGAINST" ADOPTION OF THIS PROPOSAL.

<PAGE>

                          STOCK OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

        The following  table sets forth  information as of March 11, 1997, as to
shares of Common Stock  beneficially  owned by Directors,  nominees  named under
"Election of Directors" and "Named  Executive  Officers" (as defined on page 12,
herein)  individually  and by  Executive  Officers  and  Directors  as a  group.
Ownership  information  is based upon  information  furnished by the  respective
individuals.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     Shares of Common Stock                   Percent of
        Name                                                         Beneficially Owned (1)                    Class (2)
        ----                                                       --------------------------                 -----------
        <S>                                                              <C>                                     <C>

        Directors:
        Park T. Adikes ........................................            400,920 (3)                           4.1%
        Edward P. Henson ......................................            111,950 (3)                           1.1
        James E. Gibbons, Jr. .................................             59,001 (4)                            - (5)
        Richard W. Meyer ......................................             40,701 (4)                            - (5)
        Paul R. Screvane ......................................             38,841 (4)                            - (5)
        Alfred F. Kelly .......................................             37,076 (4)                            - (5)
        Arnold B. Pritcher ....................................             76,351 (4)                            - (5)
        Howard J. Dirkes, Jr. .................................             49,501 (4)                            - (5)
        Joseph C. Cantwell ....................................              9,200 (6)                            - (5)
        Cynthia Gibbons .......................................              1,000 (7)                            - (5)

        Named Executive Officers:
        John F. Bennett .......................................             75,428 (3)                            - (5)
        Ronald C. Spielberger .................................             67,506 (3)                            - (5)
        Thomas R. Lehmann .....................................             34,330 (3)                            - (5)

        All Executive Officers and Directors of the
         Company as a group (19 persons) ......................          1,244,801 (8)                           7.6(9)

- ------------
<FN>

Note: The above table does not include the 158,000  options granted to Executive
Officers and Directors  pursuant to the 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "1996 Option
Plan"),  on January 1, 1997, which shares are not exercisable until they vest on
July 1, 1997.


(1) Each  person  effectively  exercises  sole (or shared  with  spouse or other
immediate  family member) voting and  dispositive  power as to shares  reported.
Excluded  are  166,848  shares  held by a trust  which was  established  for the
Benefit  Restoration  Plan (the "Restore Plan") in connection with the Company's
benefit  plans.  Shares  held in this  trust are voted at the  direction  of the
Employee Benefits Committee of the Bank's Board of Directors. The assets held by
the trust,  including  the  Company's  shares,  are subject to the claims of the
general creditors of the Company and the Bank.


(2)  The total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on March 11, 1997
 was 9,823,503.

(3)  Includes  150,396,  16,000,  39,293,  10,000 and 16,400  shares for Messrs.
Adikes, Henson,  Bennett,  Spielberger and Lehmann,  respectively,  which may be
acquired through the exercise of stock options granted and exercisable under the
JSB Financial,  Inc. 1990 and 1996 Stock Option Plans.  Does not include 20,000,
16,000, 10,000, 10,000 and 10,000 options granted on January 1, 1997, to Messrs.
Adikes, Henson, Bennett,  Spielberger and Lehmann,  respectively,  which vest on
July 1, 1997.


(4) Includes 25,000 shares subject to options granted and exercisable  under the
1990 Stock  Option Plan (the "1990  Option  Plan") and 4,000  shares  subject to
options  granted  under the 1996 Option  Plan.  Does not include  4,000  options
granted on January 1, 1997, which vest on July 1, 1997.


(5)  Is less than 1.0% of the Company's voting securities, when rounded to the
nearest tenth.

(6) Includes 9,000 shares subject to options  granted and  exercisable  under
the 1996 Option Plan.  Does not include 4,000 options granted on January 1,
1997, which vest on July 1, 1997.


(7)  Does not include 9,000 options granted to Ms. Gibbons on March 11, 1997,
which vest on September 12, 1997.


(8)  Includes 499,965 shares subject to exercisable options.


(9)  Percent calculated without regard to 499,965 shares subject to exercisable
options.
</FN>
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                             DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION


        Directors'  Fees.  All Directors  and the Director  Emeritus of the Bank
received a fee of $1,000 for each  monthly  Board  meeting  attended and for the
Annual Meeting. All Directors,  except those who are officers of the Bank or the
Company and the  Director  Emeritus,  received a flat fee of $6,000 per quarter.
The Chairman of the Audit Committee  received a flat annual fee of $10,000 while
members of that committee  received a flat annual fee of $7,000.  In addition to
the  Chairman  of the  Bank's  Mortgage  Committee  receiving  an annual  fee of
$10,000,  the Chairman and the Bank's Mortgage  Committee members received a fee
of $750 for each  meeting  attended.  All  members of the  Executive  Committee,
Finance Committee and the Bank's Community Reinvestment Act Committee received a
fee of $750 for each  meeting  attended.  The  Chairman  of the Bank's  Employee
Benefits  Committee  received an annual fee of $2,500 while members  received an
annual fee of $1,500. The Chairman of the Compensation Committee received a flat
annual fee of $2,500 while members of the Compensation Committee received a flat
annual  fee of $1,500.  Directors  of the Bank also  serve as  Directors  of the
Company  but do not receive  additional  fees for  service as  Directors  of the
Company.

        Outside  Directors'  Consultation  and Retirement  Plan.  Under the 1990
Jamaica  Savings Bank FSB Outside  Directors'  Consultation  and Retirement Plan
(the "Consultation Plan"), any Director who has served as an outside Director of
the Company or the Bank for 15 years is a participant in the Consultation  Plan.
A  consulting   Director   shall  be  paid  his/her  annual  benefit  under  the
Consultation Plan in equal monthly installments for the lesser of (a) the number
of months which such  participant has agreed to act as a consulting  Director or
(b) one-half of the number of months such  participant  has served as an outside
Director for the Bank up to a maximum of 120 months. The annual benefit shall be
an  amount  equal  to the  Director's  retainer  fee and the  fees  payable  for
attendance at 12 regular Directors'  meetings determined as of the participant's
termination date.

        The  1990  Stock  Option  Plan  for  Outside  Directors.  Under  the JSB
Financial,  Inc.  1990  Stock  Option  Plan for  Outside  Directors  (the  "1990
Directors' Option Plan"), certain outside Directors were granted, effective June
27, 1990, non-statutory stock options to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock.
In  addition,  the active  Director  Emeritus  was granted  non-statutory  stock
options to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock.  The exercise price per share
of each  option  granted  under the 1990  Directors'  Option  Plan is $10.00 per
share.  The  remaining  153,000  unexercised  options  granted  under  the  1990
Directors'  Option Plan were  exercisable  at December 31,  1996.  There were no
options available for grant under the 1990 Directors' Option Plan during 1996.

        The 1996 Option Plan.  Under the 1996 Option Plan,  on an annual  basis,
each member of the Board of Directors,  who is not an officer or employee of the
Company or the Bank,  is granted  nonstatutory  common stock options to purchase
4,000 shares of the common stock, each active Director Emeritus is granted 2,000
options and  individuals  who become  directors  are granted 5,000  options.  On
January  1,  1996,  members of the Board of  Directors  and the active  Director
Emeritus of the Company were granted  options to purchase an aggregate of 39,000
shares (with dividend equivalent rights ("DERs") discussed below) at an exercise
price of $31.625, (the market closing price of the Company's common stock on the
business  day prior to grant).  See Stock  Ownership of  Management,  on page 8,
herein.  These options became  exercisable on November 14, 1996.  Simultaneously
with the grant of options,  "limited  rights" with respect to the shares covered
by the  options  were  granted.  These  limited  rights are subject to terms and
conditions  and can be  exercised  only in the event of a change in control,  as
defined in the 1996 Option Plan, of the Company.  Upon the exercise of a limited
right,  the holder shall  receive  from the Company a cash payment  equal to the
difference between the exercise price of the option and the fair market value of
the underlying shares of common stock. The Company amended the 1996 Option Plan,
as  originally  adopted,  to allow  for the cash  payment  for the DER to option
holders rather than have the DER reduce the exercise  price of the option.  This
change  separated  the  cost of the DER  from  the  cost of the  option,  and is
expected to result in less expense volatility. The option period for each option
grant will expire no later than ten years from the date of the grant.

                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

        Under rules  established  by the SEC, the Company is required to provide
certain data and information in regard to the compensation and benefits provided
to the Company's  Chief Executive  Officer and other  Executive  Officers of the
Company.  The disclosure  requirements for the Chief Executive Officer and other
Executive  Officers  include  the use of  tables  and a  report  explaining  the
rationale and  considerations  that led to  fundamental  compensation  decisions
affecting those individuals.  In fulfillment of this requirement,  the executive
compensation  committee  of the  Bank  (the  "Compensation  Committee"),  at the
direction  of the Board of  Directors  has  prepared  the  following  report for
inclusion in this Proxy Statement.

Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation

        Cash  compensation  to the Executive  Officers of the Company is paid by
the Bank; therefore, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the
Bank fulfills this function and is responsible for establishing the compensation
levels  and  benefits  for  Executive  Officers  of the Bank,  who also serve as
Executive Officers of the Company. All independent outside Directors are members

<PAGE>

of the Compensation  Committee of the Bank. The Compensation  Committee annually
reviews and  determines  the  compensation  of the Chief  Executive  Officer and
approves  the  compensation  paid  to the  other  executives.  The  Compensation
Committee  is also  responsible  for  establishing  the  policies  which  govern
employee annual  compensation  and stock ownership  programs.  The  compensation
structure is aimed at  establishing  levels of  compensation  designed to reward
performance  and to retain and  provide  incentive  to the  Company's  Executive
Officers. The Compensation Committee believes that any compensation in excess of
$1.0 million to Executive  Officers is not expected to result in any significant
loss of tax benefits to the Company.

        Each Executive  Officer has an employment  agreement with the Bank, that
has  been  guaranteed  by  the  Company.   See  "Employment   Agreements."   The
Compensation Committee approves any perquisites to Executive Officers.

        Base Salaries and Performance  Bonuses.  In determining salary levels of
the  Executive  Officers,   the  Compensation  Committee  considers  the  entire
compensation  package,  including stock plans. Rather than establishing specific
performance goals, salary levels and performance bonuses are aimed at reflecting
the overall  financial  performance  of the Company and the  performance of each
Executive  Officer over time, which  evaluation is subjective.  The Compensation
Committee  reviews various  published surveys of compensation paid to executives
performing   similar  duties  for  financial   institutions  and  their  holding
companies,  with focus placed on  financial  institutions  in the Bank's  market
area.  Thus,  the peer group utilized for  comparison of  compensation  includes
some,  but not all,  of the  companies  included in the peer group for the Stock
Performance  Graph.  While salary  levels are not targeted to  correspond to any
high,  median or low end of the  companies  surveyed,  these  surveys serve as a
guide for the Compensation  Committee in determining  salary levels. In December
of each  year,  the  Compensation  Committee  determines  the  level  of  salary
adjustment,  if any, to take effect on January 1 of the  following  year for all
officers of the Bank.

        Performance  bonuses, if any, are based on a combination of a percentage
of  salary  and  dollar  amounts,  and at  the  discretion  of the  Compensation
Committee,  may vary. The Compensation  Committee granted a midyear  performance
bonus to all  employees,  including  Executive  Officers based on 5.0% of annual
salary. In addition,  a year end performance bonus was granted to all employees,
including Executive Officers,  except Mr. Adikes and Mr. Henson,  based on 15.0%
of annual salary.  Mr. Adikes received a year-end  performance bonus of $250,000
or 35.7% of his 1996 salary and Mr. Henson received a year-end performance bonus
of $60,000 or 17.1% of his 1996 salary.

        Stock  Programs.  The Board of Directors  of JSB  Financial,  Inc.,  the
Compensation  Committee and management  believe that significant  employee stock
ownership  is  a  major  incentive  in  maximizing  Company   profitability  and
therefore, aligning the interests of employees and stockholders.  Therefore, the
Company sponsors an ESOP and has implemented  stockholder approved Option Plans.
The  remaining  options  granted  pursuant to the 1990 Option Plan vested during
1995.  Contributions  to the ESOP are  currently  based on  approximately  6% of
employees' base salary.

        During 1996, the Company's  stockholders  approved the 1996 Option Plan,
under which 126,000  options were granted to all executive  officers as a group.
Stock options under such plan were allocated by the Employee Benefits  Committee
of the Bank, on a discretionary  basis, after considering the practices of other
financial  institutions,  as verified by external  surveys,  and  reviewing  the
executive officers' level of responsibility and contributions to the Company and
the Bank.  See  "Option/SAR  Grants in 1996".  Such  options were granted at the
closing  market price of the Common Stock,  as of December 31, 1995, of $31.625.

<PAGE>

These options became  exercisable on November 14, 1996, six months from the date
of  stockholder  approval.  All options  granted under the 1996 Option Plan will
expire no later than ten years  from the date on which the  option was  granted.
The  Compensation  Committee  considers  prior  grants  when  determining  stock
compensation.

        The Company  amended the 1996 Option Plan,  as  originally  adopted,  to
allow for the cash payment for the DER to option  holders;  rather than have the
DER reduce the exercise price of the option.  This change  separated the cost of
the DER from the cost of the option,  and is expected to result in less  expense
volatility.

        Compensation.  In determining  salary level and performance  bonuses for
Mr.  Adikes,  the  Compensation  Committee  reviews  indicators of the Company's
financial strength,  efficiency,  and profitability.  The Compensation Committee
exercises its judgment and  discretion,  rather than  attempting to set absolute
targets for any of the ratios reviewed in connection with the above  indicators,
in determining salary and/or performance bonus.

        Mr.  Adikes'  1996  salary  continued  at its  1995  and  1994  level of
$700,000.  Total  performance  bonuses  paid  to Mr.  Adikes  during  1996  were
$285,000, which equaled his 1995 and 1994 bonuses. Mr. Adikes 1996 total bonuses
were comprised of a $250,000  special year-end  performance  bonus and a $35,000
midyear  performance  bonus.  The Compensation  Committee  determined Mr. Adikes
performance  bonus based on the criteria  discussed above which  encompassed his
overall  performance.  The Compensation  Committee believes the placement of Mr.
Adikes'  salary  and  performance  bonus  at the  high  end of  salaries  of the
companies surveyed,  as supported by evaluation of his services and performance,
is clearly appropriate and in the best interest of our stockholders.

                           The Compensation Committee:

                                 James E. Gibbons, Jr. - Chairman
                                 Paul R. Screvane
                                 Richard W. Meyer
                                 Alfred F. Kelly
                                 Arnold B. Pritcher
                                 Howard J. Dirkes, Jr.
                                 Joseph C. Cantwell


<PAGE>

Summary Compensation Table

        The  following  table sets forth the  compensation  paid by the Bank for
services rendered during the three years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively, to the Chief Executive Officer and the four highest paid Executive
Officers  who  received  more than  $100,000  in salary  and bonus  (the  "Named
Executive  Officers").  JSB Financial has not paid any  compensation  other than
through the Bank.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

                                                      Annual Compensation         Long Term Compensation
                                                      -------------------         ----------------------
                                                                                            Securities
                                                                             Restricted     Underlying       All Other
                                                                               Stock          Options/       Compensa-
Name and Principal Position            Year            Salary      Bonus      Awards(1)     SARs(#)(2)        tion(3)
- ---------------------------            ----            ------      -----     ----------     ----------      ----------
<S>                                    <C>            <C>          <C>         <C>           <C>            <C>

Park T. Adikes                         1996           $700,000     $285,000       -          20,000         $263,932
Chairman of the Board, Chief           1995            700,000      285,000    $54,622         -             210,050
Executive Officer and Director         1994            700,000      285,000       -            -             362,014

Edward P. Henson                       1996            350,000       77,500       -          16,000           61,584
President and Director                 1995            325,000       76,250      9,223         -              55,101
                                       1994            300,000       75,000       -            -             105,041

John F. Bennett                        1996            115,000       23,000       -          10,000           15,102
Senior Vice President                  1995            110,000       22,000      7,992         -              14,230
                                       1994            105,000       21,000       -            -              38,359

Ronald C. Spielberger                  1996            115,000       23,000       -          10,000           13,738
Senior Vice President                  1995            110,000       22,000      7,687         -              13,061
                                       1994            105,000       21,000       -            -              36,924

Thomas R. Lehmann                      1996             97,000       19,400       -          10,000            7,476
Senior Vice President                  1995             87,000       17,400      2,597         -               7,448
                                       1994             75,000       15,000       -            -              23,081

<FN>

(1) On April 11, 1995,  awards were made from the Bank Recognition and Retention
Plans and Trusts ("BRRPs")  consisting  primarily of forfeited shares. The value
of shares  awarded  and  immediately  vested  during  1995  under the BRRPs plus
accrued  dividends and interest  totaled  $55,222,  $9,325,  $8,080,  $7,771 and
$2,626  for  Messers.   Adikes,  Henson,   Bennett,   Spielberger  and  Lehmann,
respectively,  at December 31, 1995.  At December 31, 1995,  all shares  awarded
pursuant to the BRRPs were vested. The BRRPs were terminated during 1995.


(2)  Reflects options granted on January 1, 1996 which became exercisable
November 14, 1996.


(3) Items  included  in other  compensation  for 1996  pertain to the  following
items: (i) ESOP; $7,486, $10,792,  $8,284, $8,284 and $6,954 for Messrs. Adikes,
Henson, Bennett, Spielberger and Lehmann, respectively, (ii) the Restore Plan in
connection  with the ESOP;  $215,574,  $36,442,  $4,712 and  $4,104 for  Messrs.
Adikes, Henson, Bennett and Spielberger, respectively, (iii) the Restore Plan in
connection with the Incentive Savings Plan ("ISP"); $24,092 for Mr. Adikes, (iv)
life insurance premiums;  $3,780,  $1,350,  $2,106,  $1,350 and $522 for Messrs.
Adikes,  Henson,  Bennett,  Spielberger  and  Lehmann,   respectively,  and  (v)
Director's Fees; $13,000 each to Messrs. Adikes and Henson.
</FN>
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

       Employment  Agreements.  The Bank and the  Company  maintain  employment
agreements  with Messrs.  Adikes,  Henson and Spielberger and the Bank maintains
employment agreements with Messrs.  Bennett and Lehmann. The original employment
agreements  each  provided  for a  three-year  term.  Commencing  on  the  first
anniversary date and continuing each anniversary date thereafter, the agreements
extend for an additional  year so that the remaining terms shall be three years,
provided,  however,  that the Board of  Directors  has  determined  to renew the
agreements. The agreements provide that the base salary of the executive will be
reviewed  annually.  In addition to the base salary, the agreements provide for,
among other things,  disability  pay,  participation  in stock benefit plans and
other fringe benefits applicable to executive personnel.  The agreements provide
for  termination  by the Bank or the Company for cause at any time. In the event
the Bank or the Company  chooses to terminate  the  executive's  employment  for
reasons  other than for cause,  or in the event of the  executive's  resignation
from the Bank and the  Company  upon (i)  failure to reelect  the  executive  to
his/her  current  office  or board  membership,  (ii) a  material  change in the
executive's  functions,  duties or  responsibilities,  or  relocation of his/her
principal place of employment,  (iii)  liquidation or dissolution of the Bank or
the Company, or (iv) a breach of the agreement by the Bank or the Company, or if
termination,  voluntary or  involuntary,  results  from a change in control,  as
defined in the employment  agreements ("Change in Control"),  of the Bank or the
Company, the executive or, in the event of death, his/her beneficiary,  would be
entitled to a severance payment equal to the greater of the payments due for the
remaining  term  of  the  agreement  or  three  times  his/her   average  annual
compensation  over the  past  three  years of  employment  with  the  Bank.  The
agreements  also provide for a lump sum cash payment for the  executive's  life,
medical,  dental and disability coverage for the remaining unexpired term of the
agreements,  however,  if  termination  is due to a Change in Control,  then the
executive is entitled to a lump sum cash  payment for the  benefits  covering 36
months.  Payments to the  executive  under the Bank's  agreements  are
guaranteed by the Company.

        These agreements provide for an annual base salary to be paid in 1997 by
the Bank or the  Company in lieu of the Bank of  $700,000,  $375,000,  $119,000,
$122,000  and  $103,000 to Messrs.  Adikes,  Henson,  Bennett,  Spielberger  and
Lehmann,  respectively.  In the event of a Change in Control, based upon current
compensation  which  includes  salary,  bonus and  benefits  received  under any
employee  benefit plan pursuant to the  agreements,  payments  pursuant to these
agreements would be approximately $3,496,486, $2,189,387, $789,419, $807,115 and
$647,662  to  Messrs.   Adikes,  Henson,   Bennett,   Spielberger  and  Lehmann,
respectively.

        Payments  under the employment  agreements,  in the event of a Change in
Control,  including other payments that might be made as a result of a Change in
Control,  may constitute an excess  parachute  payment under Section 280G of the
Internal  Revenue  Code (the  "Code")  of 1986,  as  amended,  resulting  in the
imposition  of an excise tax on the  recipient and denial of a tax deduction for
such  excess  amounts to the Company  and the Bank.  If any  amounts  payable in
connection  with any change in control are  determined  to be "excess  parachute
payments"  under Section 280G of the Code resulting in the imposition of the 20%
excise tax on such payments  under  Section 4999 of the Code,  each officer will
receive  from the  Company  an  additional  amount  such that the  effect of the
imposition of that excise tax is effectively eliminated.

        Stock Option Plans.  The Company  maintains  two option plans,  the 1990
Option Plan and the 1996 Option Plan.  During 1996,  the Company's  stockholders
approved the 1996 Option Plan. No awards were granted under the 1990 Option Plan
during 1996.

<PAGE>

                           OPTION/SAR* GRANTS IN 1996

     The following  table shows all grants of options  under the JSB  Financial,
Inc. 1996 Option Plan to the Named  Executive  Officers during 1996 and contains
certain information about the present value of the option on the date of grant.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     Individual Grants
                                                 --------------------------------------------------------------
                            Number of            Percent of Total
                            Securities            Options/SARs
                           Underlying              Granted to       Exercise or                       Grant Date
                           Options/SARs           Employees in       Base price        Expiration      Present
Name                        Granted (1)          Calendar 1996 (2)   Per Share           Date           Value(3)
- ----                       -------------        ------------------  -------------    -------------   ------------
<S>                           <C>                   <C>               <C>              <C>              <C>  

Park T. Adikes                20,000                15.87%            $31.625          12/31/05         $152,600

Edward P. Henson              16,000                12.70              31.625          12/31/05          122,080

John F. Bennett               10,000                 7.94              31.625          12/31/05           76,300

Ronald C. Spielberger         10,000                 7.94              31.625          12/31/05           76,300

Thomas R. Lehmann             10,000                 7.94              31.625          12/31/05           76,300

- ------------
<FN>

*SAR - Stock appreciation rights.

(1) All options granted on January 1, 1996, were granted at an exercise price of
$31.625,  the market closing price of the Company's common stock on the business
day before grant.  The option period during which an individual  granted options
may exercise  such option will  generally  commence six months after the date of
grant  and will  expire  no later  than ten  years  from the date of the  grant.
Options  granted  during  1996  provide for  limited  rights and DERs,  as fully
discussed  under  Directors'  Compensation  - The  1996  Option  Plan on page 9,
herein.

(2)  Based upon a total of 126,000 options granted to employees during 1996.

(3) In accordance  with SEC rules,  the  Black-Scholes  option pricing model was
chosen to estimate the grant date present value of the options set forth in this
table.  The stock  option  value of $7.63  was  determined  using the  following
assumptions:  volatility  rate of  21.9%;  risk-free  interest  rate  of  5.44%;
historic annual dividend yield on underlying  stock of 3.63%;  estimated  option
term of six years.
</FN>
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

        The following table shows options exercised by Named Executive  Officers
during 1996,  including the aggregate value of gains on the date of exercise and
certain  information  with  respect  to the  number of  shares  of Common  Stock
represented by outstanding options held by such persons as of December 31, 1996.
Also  reported are the values of  "in-the-money"  options  which  represent  the
positive  spread  between the exercise  price of any such existing stock options
and the year end price of the Common Stock of $38.00.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                 AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES DURING THE YEAR
             ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES

                                                         Number of              Value of Unexercised In-the-
                                                    Underlying Securities          Money Options/SARS
                         Shares                     Options/SARs at Year-End(#)     at Year-End (1)
                        Acquired        Value      ---------------------------- ---------------------------- 
Name                  on Exercise(#)  Realized(2)  Exercisable   Unexercisable  Exercisable    Unexercisable
- ----                  --------------  ----------   -----------   -------------  -----------    -------------
<S>                        <C>        <C>            <C>              <C>       <C>              <C>

Park T. Adikes              -         $  -           150,396          -         $3,778,588       $   -

Edward P. Henson            -            -            16,000          -            102,000           -

John F. Bennett             -            -            39,293          -            883,954           -

Ronald C. Spielberger       -            -            10,000          -             63,750           -

Thomas R. Lehmann          3,183       83,554         16,400          -            242,950           -

- ------------
<FN>

(1) Options are subject to limited rights pursuant to which the options,  to the
extent  outstanding for at least six months,  may be exercised in the event of a
change in  control  of the  Company or the Bank.  Upon the  exercise  of limited
rights, the optionee would receive cash payments equal to the difference between
the exercise  price of the related  option on the date of the grant and the fair
market  value of the  underlying  shares of Common Stock on the date the limited
rights are exercised.


(2) Market value of underlying securities at exercise,  minus the exercise price
of $10.00  per share  pursuant  to the 1990  Option  Plan.  No  options  granted
pursuant to the 1996 Option Plan were exercised.
</FN>
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

Stock Performance Graph

        The  following  graph,  which  is  required  by the  SEC,  compares  the
Company's five-year  cumulative return to stockholders (stock price appreciation
plus dividends) from December 31, 1991 through December 31, 1996 with the return
for the  Nasdaq  Stock  Market  and an  index  of  performance  for  peer  group
companies,  as compiled by Media General Financial  Services.  According to this
graph,  JSB  Financial  had a return lower than the peer group for the specified
five year period.  However,  certain limitations affect the comparability of the
data.  The  performance  of both the peer group and the Nasdaq  National  Market
include the impact of stock price run-ups  resulting from acquisition  activity.
In addition,  the  significant  volume of initial public stock offerings made by
financial  institutions  over the past five years and the price escalations that
generally followed,  further skew the return data in favor of the peer group and
the broad  market.  While it is not  practicable  to eliminate the impact of the
acquisition  activity,  in an attempt to remove  some of the  inequity,  we have
presented an extended  performance graph on page 17 which presents the Company's
performance in comparison to its peers and the broad market from the time of the
Company's  initial  stock  offering.  Based on this time period,  the  Company's
performance  is  substantially  equal to that of its peers and above that of the
broad market.

                               JSB FINANCIAL, INC.

                 COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
    JSB Financial, Inc., The Nasdaq Stock Market Index, and Peer Group Index



(Performance Graph)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Dec. 31, 1991*   Dec. 31, 1992   Dec. 31, 1993   Dec. 31, 1994   Dec. 31, 1995   Dec. 31, 1996
                           -------------    -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                            <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>             <C>

JSB Financial Inc.             100.00           122.62          138.47          146.53         201.85          251.26
The Nasdaq Stock
 Market Index                  100.00           100.98          121.13          127.17         164.96          204.98
Media General S&L
 Peer Group Index (1)          100.00           132.76          164.62          157.68         249.75          325.95
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<FN>
*Assumes $100.00 invested on December 31, 1991.

(1) The peer group, as compiled by Media General Financial Services, consists of
all  thrifts  publicly  traded on the New York Stock  Exchange,  American  Stock
Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market at December 31, 1996.
</FN>
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

        We have presented the following  performance  graph using a base date of
June 27,  1990,  as this was the date that the  Company's  stock began  trading.
Management  believes that this graph provides a more  reflective  picture of the
Company's  stock  performance  compared with the peer group and the Nasdaq Stock
Market  Index  than the five  year  stock  performance  graph  presented  on the
previous page.

                               JSB FINANCIAL, INC.

                      COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
    JSB Financial, Inc., The Nasdaq Stock Market Index, and Peer Group Index



(Performance Graph)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           June 27,    Dec. 31,    Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,    Dec. 31,    Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,    Dec. 31,
                             1990*       1990        1991         1992       1993         1994         1995        1996
<S>                         <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>

JSB Financial Inc.          100.00     101.63      144.34       176.99      199.87      211.50       291.35      362.67
The Nasdaq Stock
 Market Index               100.00       83.32     106.97       108.02      129.57      136.03       176.45      203.28
Media General  S&L
 Peer Group Index (1)       100.00       72.90     117.74       156.31      193.82      185.66       294.06      365.40
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<FN>
*Assumes $100.00 invested on June 27, 1990, at $12.75,  the closing price of JSB
Financial stock.

(1) The peer group, as compiled by Media General Financial Services, consists of
all  thrifts  publicly  traded on the New York Stock  Exchange,  American  Stock
Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market at December 31, 1996.
</FN>
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

     Pension and Pension  Restoration  Plan.  The Bank  maintains the Retirement
Plan of Jamaica Savings Bank FSB (the "Retirement Plan"), a defined benefit plan
for eligible employees of the Bank. In addition,  the Bank maintains the Restore
Plan, an unfunded  non-qualified plan, to compensate  participants in any of the
Bank's  qualified  plans for benefits  which would have accrued under such plans
absent  the  limitations  of  Sections  415 and  401(a)(17)  of the Code.  As of
December  31,  1996  all  of the  Named  Executive  Officers  were  eligible  to
participate in the Restore Plan, but only Messrs.  Adikes and Henson had accrued
supplemental  pension  benefits  thereunder.  Estimated  annual benefits payable
under the  Retirement  Plan and the  supplemental  retirement  benefits  payable
pursuant  to the  Restore  Plan,  are  reflected  in the  following  table.  The
supplemental  retirement  benefit  payable  under the Restore Plan is determined
upon the  participant's  retirement and will be paid in the manner designated by
the retiree.

        The following  table sets forth, in straight life annuity  amounts,  the
estimated  annual  benefits  payable upon  retirement at age 65 in calendar year
1996,  expressed  in the form of a single  life  annuity,  in the final  average
salary and creditable service classifications specified.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  PENSION AND PENSION RESTORATION PLAN TABLE


                                                             Years of Service
                                                             ----------------
Remuneration                            15               20                25               30               35(1)
- ------------                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>                <C> 

$ 25,000                           $  5,300         $  7,200          $  9,700         $  12,200          $ 14,700
  50,000                             12,600           17,000            22,000            27,000            30,000
  75,000                             20,100           27,000            34,500            42,000            45,000
 100,000                             27,600           37,000            47,000            57,000            60,000
 150,000(3)                          42,600           57,000            72,000            87,000            90,000
 200,000(3)                          57,600           77,000            97,000           117,000           120,000(2)
 250,000(3)                          72,600           97,000           122,000(2)        147,000(2)        150,000(2)
 300,000(3)                          87,600          117,000           147,000(2)        177,000(2)        180,000(2)
 350,000(3)                         102,600          137,000(2)        172,000(2)        207,000(2)        210,000(2)
 400,000(3)                         117,600          157,000(2)        197,000(2)        237,000(2)        240,000(2)
 500,000(3)                         147,600(2)       197,000(2)        247,000(2)        297,000(2)        300,000(2)
 600,000(3)                         177,600(2)       237,000(2)        297,000(2)        357,000(2)        360,000(2)
 700,000(3)                         207,600(2)       277,000(2)        347,000(2)        417,000(2)        420,000(2)
 800,000(3)                         237,600(2)       317,000(2)        397,000(2)        477,000(2)        480,000(2)

- ------------
<FN>
(1) The maximum  benefit  under the  Retirement  Plan's  formula is 60% of final
average salary.

(2) These are  hypothetical  benefits  based upon the  Retirement  Plan's normal
benefit formula.  The maximum annual benefit  permitted under Section 415 of the
Code for 1996 was  $120,000,  or, if higher,  a  participant's  current  accrued
benefit as of  December  31,  1982 (but not more than  $136,425).  The  $120,000
ceiling  will be  adjusted  for  increases  in the  cost of  living  in  $10,000
increments in 1997 and  succeeding  years.  The Bank  maintains a  non-qualified
Restore Plan for the purpose of providing  the benefits  that would  normally be
paid under the  Retirement  Plan,  but are precluded from being paid due to this
limitation.

(3) The maximum  annual  salary  permitted  under the Code for 1996 is $150,000.
Benefits  accrued as of December  31, 1993 on the basis of  compensation  limits
prior  to 1994 are  preserved.  The  $150,000  compensation  limitation  will be
adjusted for  increases in the cost of living in $10,000  increments in 1997 and
succeeding  years.  The Bank  maintains  a  non-qualified  Restore  Plan for the
purpose  of  providing  the  benefits  that  would  normally  be paid  under the
Retirement Plan, but are precluded from being paid due to this limitation.
</FN>
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

     Compensation utilized for the pension formula is the average of the highest
salaried  three  consecutive  years of creditable  service.  For 1996, the final
average annual salary for the Named Executive Officers was based on the salaries
presented  in the  "Summary  Compensation  Table" for 1996,  1995 and 1994.  The
resulting  average salaries are as follows:  Mr. Adikes,  $700,000;  Mr. Henson,
$325,000;  Mr. Bennett,  $110,000;  Mr.  Spielberger,  $110,000 and Mr. Lehmann,
$86,333.  Benefit  amounts are not subject to any deduction for Social  Security
benefits or other offset amounts.

        The  following  table sets forth the years of  creditable  service as of
December 31, 1996 for each of the individuals named in the compensation table.

                                                   Creditable Service
                                                   -------------------
                                                    Years       Months
                                                   -------------------
       Park T. Adikes .........................      42            1
       Edward P. Henson ..................           36            7
       John F. Bennett ........................      36           11
       Ronald C. Spielberger .............           37            7
       Thomas R. Lehmann ...............             27            3



Indebtedness of Management and Transactions With Certain Related Persons

        All loans or  extensions  of credit to Executive  Officers and Directors
are made in the ordinary course of business,  on  substantially  the same terms,
including  interest  rates and  collateral as those  prevailing at the time, for
comparable  transactions  with other  persons and do not  involve  more than the
normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features.

                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Stockholder Proposals for 1998 Annual Meeting

        To be considered for inclusion in the Proxy Statement and proxy relating
to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 1998, a stockholder proposal
must be received by the Secretary of the Company at the address set forth on the
first page of the Proxy  Statement,  not later than November 28, 1997.  Any such
proposal will be subject to 17 C.F.R.
Section 240.14a-8 of the Rules and Regulations of the SEC.

Notice of Business to be Conducted at the Annual Meeting

        The  Bylaws of the  Company  provide  an advance  notice  procedure  for
certain  business  to be  brought  before  an  annual  meeting.  In order  for a
stockholder to properly bring business before an annual meeting, the stockholder
must give  written  notice to the  Secretary of the Company not less than ninety
(90) days before the time originally fixed for such meeting; provided,  however,
that in the event that less than one hundred  (100) days notice or prior  public
disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to  stockholders,  notice
by the  stockholder  to be timely must be  received  not later than the close of
business on the tenth day  following  the day on which such notice of the annual
meeting was mailed or such public  disclosure  was made. The notice must include
the  stockholders'  name and address,  as it appears on the Company's  record of
stockholders,  a brief  description of the business desired to be brought before
the annual  meeting and the reasons for  conducting  such business at the annual
meeting,  the class and number of shares of the Company's capital stock that are
beneficially  owned  by such  stockholder  and  any  material  interest  of such
stockholder in the proposed business.

<PAGE>

            OTHER MATTERS WHICH MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING

        The Board of Directors  knows of no business which will be presented for
consideration at the Annual Meeting other than as stated in the Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders.  If, however, other matters are properly brought before
the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying
proxy to vote the shares represented  thereby on such matters in accordance with
their best judgment.

        Whether or not you intend to be present at this Annual Meeting,  you are
urged to return your proxy  promptly.  If you are present at this Annual Meeting
and wish to vote your shares in person, your proxy may be revoked upon request.

        A COPY OF THE FORM 10-K FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, AS FILED
WITH THE SEC, WILL BE FURNISHED  WITHOUT CHARGE TO STOCKHOLDERS AS OF THE RECORD
DATE UPON WRITTEN  REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY,  JSB  FINANCIAL,  INC., 303 MERRICK
ROAD, LYNBROOK, NEW YORK 11563.

                               By Order of the Board of Directors

                               JOANNE CORRIGAN
                               Secretary


Lynbrook, New York
March 28, 1997


   YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON.
   WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAD PLANNED TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOU
   ARE REQUESTED TO SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY
   IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE.



<PAGE>


                              LONG ISLAND MARRIOTT
                           HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER
                          101 JAMES DOOLITTLE BOULEVARD
                            UNIONDALE, NEW YORK 11553
                                 (516) 794-3800



From Manhattan and Points West:
     Midtown  Tunnel  to Long  Island  Expressway  (Route  495)  East to Exit 38
Northern  State Parkway to Exit 31A  Meadowbrook  Parkway South to Exit M4 West,
Hempstead Turnpike (Route 24W) continue 100 yards to Hotel on right.

From Eastern Long Island (North Shore):
     Long Island  Expressway  (Route 495) West to Exit 42 Northern State Parkway
to Exit 31A Meadowbrook Parkway South to Exit M4 West, Hempstead Turnpike (Route
24W) continue 100 yards to Hotel on right.

or alternatively:

Long Island  Expressway  (Route 495) West to Exit 39 Glen Cove Road South to Old
Country  Road.  Turn left  (East)  one mile to  Merrick  Avenue.  Turn  right to
Hempstead Turnpike (Route 24). Turn right, Hotel is 200 yards on the right.

From Eastern Long Island (South Shore):
     Sunrise Highway to Southern State Parkway to Exit 22N. Meadowbrook Parkway
North to Exit M4 Hempstead Turnpike West(Route 24W).  Follow road to Hempstead 
Turnpike, Hotel is 100 yards on the right.

From Kennedy Airport:
     JFK Expressway East to Belt Parkway East (becomes Southern State Parkway at
Nassau  County  border)  Southern  State  Parkway  East to Exit 22N  Meadowbrook
Parkway  North to Exit M4  Hempstead  Turnpike  West (Route 24).  Follow road to
Hempstead Turnpike, Hotel is 100 yards on the right.

From Laguardia Airport:
     Grand Central Parkway  (Eastern L.I.) becomes the Northern State Parkway at
Nassau  County  border to Exit 31A  Meadowbrook  Parkway  South to Exit M4 West,
Hempstead Turnpike (Route 24W) continue 100 yards to Hotel on right.

From Hempstead Turnpike (West to East):
     Just past Hofstra  University,  make a left onto Earl  Ovington  Boulevard.
Follow road around the Nassau  Coliseum,  right onto James Doolittle  Boulevard.
Hotel will be on the right.


<PAGE>


                               JSB FINANCIAL, INC.
                THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                   MAY 13,1997
                                   10:00 A.M.

         The  undersigned  hereby  appoints the official proxy  committee of the
Board of Directors of JSB Financial,  Inc. (the "Company") consisting of Richard
W.  Meyer,  James E.  Gibbons,  Jr. and Edward P. Henson each with full power of
substitution,  to act as attorneys and proxies for the undersigned,  and to vote
all shares of Common Stock of the Company which the  undersigned  is entitled to
vote only at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders  ("the Annual  Meeting"),  to be
held at the  Long  Island  Marriott  Hotel  and  Conference  Center,  101  James
Doolittle Boulevard,  Uniondale,  New York 11553, on May 13, 1997 at 10:00 a.m.,
and at any and all adjournments thereof.

                     This proxy is continued on the reverse side.
              Please sign on the reverse side and return promptly.



This proxy is revocable  and will be voted as directed,  but if no  instructions
are  specified,  this  proxy  will be voted FOR  Proposals  1 and 2 and  AGAINST
Proposal 3. If any other business is presented at the Annual Meeting, this proxy
will be voted  by those  named in this  proxy  in their  best  judgment.  At the
present time, the Board of Directors  knows of no other business to be presented
at the Annual Meeting.


Please mark your votes as indicated in this example    X


THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" PROPOSALS 1 AND 2.

                                                                VOTE
                                                       FOR     WITHHELD
Proposal 1.  Election as directors of all nominees
listed (except as marked to the contrary below).       ---       ---

Alfred F. Kelly
Howard J. Dirkes, Jr.
Cynthia Gibbons

Instruction:  To withhold your vote for any individual nominee,
write that nominee's name on the line provided below.

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


Proposal 2. The  ratification  of the  appointment  of KPMG Peat  Marwick LLP as
independent auditors of the Company for the year ending December 31, 1997.
                                                    FOR     AGAINST    ABSTAIN

                                                    ---       ---         ---


THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "AGAINST" PROPOSAL 3.

Proposal 3. The stockholder proposal as set forth in the proxy statement.
                                                    FOR     AGAINST    ABSTAIN

                                                    ---       ---         ---


PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE
PAID ENVELOPE.

The undersigned  acknowledges receipt from the Company prior to the execution of
this proxy of a Notice of Annual  Meeting and of a Proxy  Statement  dated March
28, 1997.

WILL ATTEND MEETING  ___

Signature(s) __________________________________________  Date _____________
NOTE:  Please sign exactly as your name appears on this card. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your full
title.  If shares are held jointly, each holder may sign but only one
signature is required.



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