ES&L BANCORP INC
10-Q, 1998-02-17
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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                   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                       Washington, D.C.  20549

                                                     

                              FORM 10-Q

    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE       
    SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 1997

                           OR

     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
     SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

              Commission File Number:  0-18782

            ES&L BANCORP, INC.                                   
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

      Delaware                       16-1387158      
(State or other jurisdiction of      (I.R.S. Employer
  incorporation or organization)     Identification No.)

   300 W. Water St., Elmira, New York            14901    
(Address of principal executive offices)      (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone no., including area code:  (607) 733-5533

                                                                 
  Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if
               changed since last report.

     Indicate by check  X  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 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    

     APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:  Indicate the number
of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common
stock, as of the latest practicable date.   833,733

<PAGE>
             ES&L BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      December 31, 1997


                          Index                              Page


Part I -  Financial Information

Item 1 -  Financial Statements:

          Consolidated Statements of Financial                 1  
                      Condition as of December 31, 1997
          (Unaudited) and June 30, 1997

          Consolidated Statements of Income                    2  
                    
   (Unaudited) for the three months and
          six months ended December 31, 1997 and 1996

          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                3  
                    
   (Unaudited) for the six months ended
          December 31, 1997 and 1996

          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements           4  
                 
         Item 2 -  Management's Discussion and Analysis of    5   
                    
   Financial Condition and Results of Operations

          Non-Performing Loans at December 31, 1997 and           
          June 30, 1997                                      11

          Risk-Based Capital Information at December 31, 
          1997 and June 30, 1997                             12

Part II - Other Information                                       
                
Signatures                                                   13  

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
E S & L BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

                                     DECEMBER 31, 1997   JUNE 30,
1997
                                        (UNAUDITED)       
(AUDITED)
<S>                                  <C>               <C>
ASSETS

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS                 $1,986,627         
$721,891
    FEDERAL FUNDS SOLD                        $700,000            
   $0
    SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS                          $0           
$1,041

TOTAL CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS             $2,686,627         
$722,932

    SECURITIES HELD FOR SALE                   $79,326          
$66,156
    MORTGAGE-BACKED HELD FOR SALE           $1,354,643       
$1,403,848
    INVESTMENT SECURITIES                   $2,022,600       
$4,022,932
    MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES                $147,058         
$171,794
    MORTGAGE LOANS HELD FOR SALE            $5,172,514       
$4,460,810
    LOANS RECEIVABLE                      $132,346,694     
$131,710,850
    FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK STOCK            $1,313,100       
$1,313,100
    REAL ESTATE OWNED                         $121,666         
$131,000
    INSUBSTANCE FORECLOSURES                        $0            
   $0
    INVEST. IN JOINT VENTURE-BARR.            $783,831         
$676,001
    INVEST. IN JOINT VENTURE-MTG.BK.          $171,699         
$183,318
    PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET             $2,975,175       
$3,053,735
    ACCR. INT. REC.-LOANS                     $844,020         
$811,247
    ACCR. INT. REC.-INVESTMENT                 $53,710          
$89,675
    ACCR. INT. REC.-S\T INVEST.                     $0            
   $0
    OTHER ASSETS                            $1,078,964         
$823,746


SUB TOTAL                                 $148,464,999     
$148,918,212

          TOTAL ASSETS                    $151,151,626     
$149,641,144


LIABILITIES
    DEPOSITS-NON INT. BEARING               $5,026,209       
$4,851,413
    DEPOSITS-INT. BEARING                 $107,754,385     
$106,897,105
    ADV. FROM FED. HOME LOAN BANK          $21,301,927      
$20,606,615
    OTHER BORROWED MONEY                            $0            
   $0
    ACCR. INT. PAYABLE-DEPOSITS                   $289          
$26,777
    ACCR. INT. PAYABLE-BORROWINGS              $89,212          
$69,695
    ADV. FM BORROW. FOR TAXES\INS.          $2,788,678       
$2,565,036
    OTHER LIABILITIES                         $385,526         
$469,221
    PAYABLE TO SUBSIDIARY                           $0            
   $0

TOTAL LIABILITIES                         $137,346,226     
$135,485,862


EQUITIES
    COMMON STOCK                                $8,560           
$8,560
    ADD'L PAID IN CAPITAL                   $2,599,654       
$2,599,654
    RETAINED EARNINGS                      $11,476,824      
$11,595,957
    NET UNREALIZED GAINS                       $62,456          
$59,482
    TREASURY STOCK                           ($342,093)       
($108,371)

TOTAL EQUITIES                             $13,805,400      
$14,155,282


     TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY         $151,151,626     
$149,641,144

SHARES OUTSTANDING                             833,773          
847,034

</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
E S & L BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
 
 <CAPTION>
                                        THREE MONTHS ENDING       
SIX MONTHS ENDING
                                               DEC 31,            
       DEC 31,
                                          1997         1996       
 1997         1996
                                       (Unaudited)  (Unaudited) 
(Unaudited)  (Unaudited)
                                      <C>           <C>        
<C>           <C>
Interest Income:
   Loans                                $2,999,191   $2,856,434  
$6,015,599   $5,657,176
   Investment Securities                   $59,321      $83,643   
 $149,308     $168,664
   Mortgage-Backed Securities              $28,901      $31,207   
  $57,987      $70,322
   Interest-Earning Deposits and Other      $5,959       $2,833   
   $9,202       $4,913
                                     
- ----------------------------------------------------
                 Total Interest Income  $3,093,372   $2,974,117  
$6,232,096   $5,901,075

Interest Expense:
   Deposits                             $1,385,291   $1,284,405  
$2,781,783   $2,566,775
   Borrowings                             $344,412     $321,539   
 $670,890     $585,592
                                     
- ----------------------------------------------------
                Total Interest Expense  $1,729,703   $1,605,944  
$3,452,673   $3,152,367

Net Interest Income                     $1,363,669   $1,368,173  
$2,779,423   $2,748,708
Provision For Loan Losses                  $75,000           $0   
 $150,000           $0
                                     
- ----------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income After Provision     $1,288,669   $1,368,173  
$2,629,423   $2,748,708
          for Loan Loss

Other Income:
   Service Fees And Other Charges          $40,783      $34,281   
  $84,102      $65,745
   Gain on the Sale of Investments            $530          $89   
   $1,376          $89
   Income From Loan Servicing              $65,894      $92,014   
 $133,662     $177,384
   Other Operating Income                  $36,426      $49,254   
 $103,549     $145,770
   Income from Joint Venture               $14,000      $10,000   
  $17,500      $22,000
   Gain on Sale of Mortgages              $137,219      $83,345   
 $240,199     $178,743
                                     
- ----------------------------------------------------
                    Total Other Income    $294,852     $268,983   
 $580,388     $589,731

Other Expenses:
   Employee Compensation & Benefits       $466,029     $488,091   
 $942,930     $968,845
   Office Occupancy and Equipment         $103,578     $142,745   
 $222,773     $258,827
   Federal Deposit Insurance Premiums      $28,852      $58,272   
  $56,828     $787,483
   Other                                  $183,440     $186,081   
 $366,995     $343,269
                                     
- ----------------------------------------------------
                   Total Other Expense    $781,899     $875,189  
$1,589,526   $2,358,424
                                     
- ----------------------------------------------------
Income Before Taxes                       $801,622     $761,967  
$1,620,285     $980,015
Income Taxes                              $306,525     $291,273   
 $606,693      $84,755
                                     
- ----------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME                                $495,097     $470,694  
$1,013,592     $895,260
                                      ============ ============
============ ============

Earnings Per Share:                          $0.60        $0.56   
    $1.21        $1.06
                                      ============ ============
============ ============

Dividend Per Common Share                    $0.17        $0.17   
    $1.34        $0.34
                                      ============ ============
============ ============
Average Common Shares Outstanding          834,107      847,191   
  839,573      846,672
                                      ============ ============
============ ============

</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
E S & L BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

<CAPTION>
                                                                  
                                                                  
                                 1997               1996
                                 (Unaudited)        (Unaudited)
<S>                              <C>                <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES                              
                        
Net Income                   $    1,013,592       $     895,260   
Adjustments To                        
Reconcile Net Income To Net            
Cash Provided From 
Operating Activities:
     Depreciation                    82,758              96,848
   Provision for Loan Losses         75,000                   0
   Net Amortization Of 
   Premiums & Discounts              83,608              (1,760)
   Deferred Loan Origination Fees    (7,272)            (21,830)
  (Income)/Loss From Joint Ventures (17,500)            (22,000)
Changes in Certain Assets 
and Liabilities:
Mortgage Loans Held For Sale       (711,704)             38,429 
Foreclosed Real Estate                9,334              31,815
Accrued Interest Receivable           3,192             (43,007)
Other Assets                       (255,218)             98,042
Accrued Interest Payable             (6,971)            (28,622)
Advances From Borrowers For 
  Taxes and Insurance               223,642             155,842 
Other Borrowings                          0                   0
Other Liabilities                   (83,695)           (396,357) 
                               --------------     --------------
Net Cash (Used For) Provided     
From Operating Activities   $       408,766      $      802,660 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES:                            
    
 Net Other Increase In              
Loans Receivable                  ( 947,419)         (5,381,948)
Investment In Joint Ventures        (92,611)           (116,951)
Proceeds From Sale of             
Foreclosed Real Estat               168,900                   0
Purchase of FHLB Stock                    0            (209,300)
Proceeds From Maturities 
of Investments                    2,000,332           1,005,762
Purchase of Investment Securities         0          (1,325,000)
Proceeds From Sale of 
Securities Available For Sale             0                   0 
Change in Mark to 
Market Adjustment Items              (4,956)            (17,423)
Principal Reductions On 
Mortgage-Backed Securities           73,941             269,460 
Purchases Of Property & 
Equipment, Net                      ( 4,198)            (68,091)
                              --------------      --------------
Net Cash Provided From 
(Used For) Investing Activities $ 1,193,989       $   (5,843,491) 
   

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Interest Credited To 
Dep. Accts., Excl. Escrow Accts.  2,778,565            2,565,294
Net Other (Decrease) 
Increase in Deposits             (1,746,489)          (4,040,182)
Payments On Advances            
From Federal Home Loan Bank     (56,904,688)         (45,504,403)
Proceeds From Advances 
From Federal Home Loan Bank      57,600,000           52,900,000 
Proceeds From Exercise 
of Stock Options                          0               16,000
Purchase of Treasury Stock         (233,722)             (54,730)
Dividends Paid on Common Stock   (1,132,726)            (289,603)
                             --------------        --------------
Net Cash (Used For) 
Provided From Financing     $       360,940             5,592,376

Net Increase (Decrease) 
In Cash Equivalents               1,963,695               551,545 
Cash and Cash Equivalents 
At Beginning Of Period              722,932             1,373,763
                              --------------       
- --------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents 
At End of Period            $     2,686,627         $   1,925,308 
                              ==============       
==============

</TABLE>
<PAGE>
ES&L BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  Basis of Presentation:

     The consolidated financial statements include the accounts
of the Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Elmira
Savings and Loan, F.A.(the Bank), as well as the Bank's wholly
owned subsidiaries, Brilie Corporation (d/b/a ES&L Financial
Services) and ES&L Mortgage Corporation (d/b/a Cayuga Mortgage
Company).  All significant inter-company accounts have been
eliminated.

     The consolidated financial statements for the three months
and six months ending December 31, 1997 and 1996 are unaudited
and do not include information or footnotes necessary for a
complete presentation of financial condition and results
of operations and changes in cash flows in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles, but reflect, in the
opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal
recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly these
consolidated financial statements.  The results for the three
months and six months ending December 31, 1997 are not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the
entire fiscal year ending June 30, 1998.

2.  Net Income Per Common Share:

     Net income per common share is based on the weighted average
total shares outstanding during the respective periods.  Weighted
average total shares outstanding for the periods included herein
are as follows:

                            Dec. 31, 1997     Dec. 31, 1996

   Three Months Ended         834,107            847,191
   Six Months Ended           839,573            846,672
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

GENERAL:

     ES&L Bancorp, Inc., (the "Corporation") is a Delaware
Corporation whose primary asset is the stock of Elmira Savings &
Loan, F.A. (the "Bank").  The Bank, a federally chartered savings
association, founded in 1888, operates through one
office located in Elmira, New York.

     The Corporation, through the Bank, is primarily engaged in
the business of accepting deposits from the general public and
originating loans secured by residential real estate.  The Bank
also engages in commercial real estate lending in its primary
market area and, to a lesser extent, consumer lending and invests
in government, federal agency obligations, and high grade
corporate debt securities.

     The Bank's operations include two wholly-owned subsidiaries,
Brilie Corporation (d/b/a ES&L Financial Services) and ES&L
Mortgage Corporation (d/b/a Cayuga Mortgage Company). Brilie
Corporation is a provider of nontraditional investment and
insurance products to the Bank's customers and the general
public. The investment products, which include life insurance and
annuity contracts, health insurance and mutual funds, are offered
under an agency relationship with major insurance companies and
third party mutual funds providers.  ES&L Mortgage Corporation is
engaged in mortgage banking activities through the origination of
mortgage loans for sale to investors, one of whom is the Bank.

FINANCIAL CONDITION:

On December 31, 1997 the Corporation's total assets equaled
$151,151,626, an increase of $1,510,482, or 1.01%, from the July
1, 1997 beginning of its 1998 fiscal year.  The majority of the
increase results from a combination of an increase in the
Corporation's net loans receivable and mortgage loans held for
sale, which have increased $635,844 and $711,704, respectively
over the first six months of the 1998 fiscal year.  The
Corporation has also experienced a $2,000,332 reduction in
investment securities, as a result of the maturity of certain
callable investment instruments.  The receipt of the proceeds
from the maturity of these investments has resulted in a nearly
identical increase in the Corporation's cash and cash
equivalents.

The growth in assets was funded by an increase of $1,032,076 in
deposits held by the Corporation, along with a $695,312 increase
in advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.  At
December 31, 1997 total deposits outstanding equaled
$112,780,594, compared to $111,748,518 at June 30, 1997.  During
the same six month period, total advances from the Federal Home
Loan Bank increased from $20,606,615 to $21,301,927.

The Corporation's shareholders' equity has decreased by $349,882
to $13,805,400 since the start of the 1998 fiscal period.  The
decrease is primarily the result of a $1.00 per share special
cash dividend paid to shareholders in the first quarter of
this fiscal year.  This dividend was paid in addition to the
regular quarterly dividends during the semiannual period.  For
the six months ending December 31, 1997 the Corporation has paid
$1,132,726 in dividends to shareholders.
<PAGE>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS: QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND
DECEMBER 31, 1996.

The Corporation recorded interest income of $3,093,372 for the
quarter ending December 31, 1997, an increase of $119,255, or
4.01%, compared to interest income of $2,974,117 for the quarter
ending December 31, 1996. The majority of the interest income
earned by the Corporation is derived from its loan portfolio.  
For the quarter ending December 31, 1997 interest income
generated from loans totaled $2,999,191, an increase of $142,757,
or 5.00%, compared to $2,856,434 in loan interest income recorded
during the comparable quarter.  The increase in earnings is a
direct result of an increase in the average balance of
loans outstanding, while the average yield earned on the
portfolio was nearly identical during both periods.  For the 1997
quarter the average balance of the loan portfolio was $140.2
million, yielding 8.56%, compared to $133.2 million, yielding
8.58%, for the December 1996 quarter.  During the current
quarter, as was previously mentioned, the Corporation recorded a
reduction in its investment security portfolio.  As a result, the
average balance of the investment security portfolio, and the
average yield earned on the portfolio, decreased.  For the three
months ending December 31, 1997 the average balance of the
Corporation's investment security portfolio totaled $3.9 million,
yielding 6.16%, compared to $5.3 million, yielding 6.29%, for the
December 1996 period.  As a result, interest earned on
investments decreased by $24,322, from $83,643 for the December
1996 period to $59,321 for the December 1997 quarter.

Interest expense paid by the Corporation was $1,729,703 for the
quarter ending December 31, 1997, an increase of $123,759, or
7.71%, compared to $1,605,944, for the quarter ending December
31, 1996.  

Interest paid to depositors totaled $1,385,291 for the December
1997 quarter, an increase of $100,886, or 7.85%, compared to
$1,284,405  during the December 1996 quarter.  The majority of
the increase in deposit interest expense is largely related to an
increase in the average balance of deposits outstanding, however
the average cost of deposits also increased during the 1997
period. For the three months ending December 31, 1997 the average
balance of deposits outstanding was $113.9 million (costing
4.87%), compared to $108.0 million (costing 4.76%) during
the same quarter one year ago.  An increase in both the average
balance and average cost of the Corporation's borrowings,
advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB),  resulted in a
$22,873, or 7.11%, increase in the cost of borrowings. 
Average borrowings outstanding were $23.7 million (costing 5.80%)
and $23.0 million (costing 5.59%) for the quarters ending
December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. As was previously
mentioned, the Corporation has funded asset growth by utilizing
both retail deposits and  FHLB advances.  Over the past few years
the Corporation has utilized low rate, short term advances to
fund asset grow. However, because of the relatively flat yield
curve and the current low interest rate environment, the
Corporation somewhat adjusted its strategy.  During December 1997
the Corporation modified the maturity schedule of its borrowings
by reducing its overnight line of credit by $10 million in favor
of a 10 year FHLB borrowing, which features a 5 year fixed rate
and is callable after 5 years.  The Corporation believes the new
advance helps manage its interest rate sensitivity in addition to
taking advantage of current low rates.
<PAGE>
Provisions for loan losses are charged to earnings to bring the
allowance to a level considered appropriate based on historical
experience, the volume and type of lending conducted by the
Corporation, industry standards, the status of past due
principal and interest payments, general economic conditions -
particularly as they relate to the Corporation's market area -
and other factors related to the collectibility of the
Corporation's loan portfolio.  During the quarter ending December
31, 1997 the Corporation's provision for loan losses totaled
$75,000.  No provision was charged to earnings during the
comparable period. No significant individual loans prompted the
Corporation's increase, rather it reflects the growth
in the Corporation's loan portfolio.  At December 31, 1997  the
Corporation's allowance for loan loss equaled $1,495,592,
compared to $1,334,292 at December 31, 1996.

The Corporation's total other income rose $25,869, or 9.62%, to
$294,852 for the quarter ending December 31, 1997, compared to
$268,983 during the comparable quarter.  The increase results
primarily from an increase in gains recorded on the
sale of mortgages, which totaled $137,219, for the December 1997
quarter, an increase of $53,874, over the same quarter one year
ago.  The increase is related to both an increase in mortgage
sales, as well as an accounting change required by the
Financial Accounting Standards Board.  The accounting change,
Financial Accounting Standards No. 122 (SFAS 122) entitled
"Accounting for Mortgage Servicing Rights," was not in effect
during the comparable 1996 quarter.  The Corporation sells
substantially all of its fixed rate residential mortgage
originations into the secondary mortgage market.  Given the
attractive long term fixed rates currently available in the
secondary mortgage market the Corporation, and its mortgage
banking subsidiaries, experienced an increase in salable
originations compared to the comparable quarter.  Income from
loan servicing decreased by $26,120, or 28.39%, to $65,894 for
the quarter ending December 31, 1997.  The entire decrease is
related to the amortization of the value of mortgage servicing
related to SFAS 122, identified above.  This accounting policy 
was not in effect for the Corporation during the December 1996
quarter.  Without the impact of the accounting change, servicing
income would have increased during the current quarter by
approximately $9,000. Other operating income totaled $36,426 for
the quarter ending December 31, 1997, a decrease of $12,828, or
26.04%, compared to $49,254 for the comparable quarter.  The
decrease is largely the result of decreased commission revenue
from the sale of non-insured investment products by  ES&L
Financial Services, one of the Corporation's subsidiaries.

Other operating  expenses of the Corporation decreased by
$93,290, or 10.66%, to $781,899 for the quarter ending December
31, 1997, compared to $875,189 during the quarter ending December
31, 1996.  Employee compensation and benefit expense decreased by
$22,062, or 4.52%, to $466,029, primarily as a result of a
reduction in employees at the Corporation's mortgage banking and
"cashless" deposit office in Ithaca, NY.  Management of the
Corporation decided to replace Ithaca staff with existing
employees from the Corporation's main office.  Salary and benefit
costs have risen as a result of wage adjustments and increases in
benefit expense, but have been more than offset by the reduced
number of employees. Office occupancy, equipment and service fee
expenses totaled $103,578 for the 1997 quarter, a decrease
of $39,167, or 27.44% compared to the same quarter one year ago.
The majority of the decrease is related to a reduction in
depreciation expenses of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, as
well as a credit against service fee expenses from one of the
Corporation's service providers.  Federal deposit insurance
premiums have also decreased as a result of the passage of 
federal legislation to recapitalize the Bank's federal deposit
insurance fund.  Included in the legislation was a reduction
<PAGE>
in on-going premiums paid to the fund.  As a result, during the
December 1997 quarter the Corporation's deposit insurance expense
totaled $28,852, a reduction of $29,420, or 50.49%, compared to
the December 1996 quarter. 

The Corporation's income tax expense for the December 1997
quarter was $306,525, an increase of $15,252 over the same
quarter one year ago.  The increase is directly related to an
increase in the Corporation's net income before taxes.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS: SIX MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND
DECEMBER 31, 1996.

During the six months ending December 31, 1997 the Corporation
recorded interest income of $6,232,096, an increase of  $331,021,
or 5.61%, compared to $5,901,075 earned during the six months
ended December 31, 1996. 

Interest generated from the Corporation's loan portfolio
increased by $358,423, or 6.34%, to $6,015,599 during the 1997
six month period, compared to $5,657,176 for the comparable six
month period.  The majority of the increase in loan interest is
the result of an increase in the average balance of loans
outstanding.  During the six month period ending December 31,
1997 the average balance of loans outstanding totaled $139.9
million, yielding 8.60%, compared to $131.7 million, yielding
8.59%, for the comparable 1996 period.  As was mentioned
previously, a decrease in the average balance of the
Corporation's investment security portfolio occurred as a
result of the maturity of investments held by the Corporation. 
Correspondingly, the average balance of the investment portfolio
decreased from $5.2 million, yielding 6.47%, for the period
ending December 31, 1996 to $4.6 million, yielding 6.48%, for
the December 1997 six month period.  As a result interest earned
on the investment securities portfolio decreased by $19,356, or
11.48%, to $149,308 during the six month 1997 period.  Interest
earned on the Corporation's mortgage-backed security (MBS)
portfolio was $57,987 for the six months ending December 31,
1997, a reduction of $12,335,  compared to the six months ending
December 31, 1996. The decrease was prompted by a reduction in
the average balance of the portfolio that more than offset an
increase in the average yield earned on the securities.
The average balance of the Corporation's MBS portfolio was $2.1
million, yielding 6.84%, and $1.5 million, yielding 7.86%,  for
the six months ending December 31, 1996 and 1997, respectively.

During the six months ending December 31, 1997 the Corporation
recorded total interest expense of $3,452,673, an increase of
$300,306, or 9.53% over the comparable 1996 period.  

The majority of the Corporation's interest expense is paid to
depositors.  For the six months ending December 31, 1997 interest
expense paid to depositors totaled $2,781,783, an increase of
$215,008, or 8.38%, compared to deposit interest expense
of $2,566,775 paid during the six months ending December 31,
1996. The increase in expense is a result of an increase in the
average balance and average cost of average deposits outstanding. 
The Corporation's average deposits outstanding were $114.6
million (costing 4.85%) and $108.7 million (costing 4.72%)
for the semiannual periods ending December 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. Interest paid on the Corporation's borrowings,
advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB), also
increased during the 1997 quarter from $585,592 for the six
months ending December 31, 1996 to $670,890 for the 1997 six
month period.  The $85,298, or 14.57%, increase was the result of
increases in the average balance and average cost of the
borrowings.  For the six months ending December 31, 1997 average
borrowings totaled 
<PAGE>
22.9 million (costing 5.86%), compared to $21.1 million (costing
5.55%) for the comparable six month period.

Provisions for loan losses are charged to earnings to bring the
allowance to a level considered appropriate based on historical
experience, the volume and type of lending conducted by the
Corporation, industry standards, the status of past due
principal and interest payments, general economic conditions -
particularly as they relate to the Corporation's market area -
and other factors related to the collectibility of the
Corporation's loan portfolio.  During the six months ending
December 31, 1997 the Corporation's provision for loan losses
totaled $150,000.  No provision was charged to earnings during
the comparable period. No significant individual loans prompted
the Corporation's increase, rather it reflects the growth
in the Corporation's loan portfolio.  At December 31, 1997 the
Corporation's allowance for loan loss totaled $1,495,592,
compared to $1,334,292 at December 31, 1996.

The Corporation's total other income decreased by $9,343, or
1.58%, to $580,388 for the six months ending December 31, 1997,
compared to $589,731 for the 1996 six month period.  Gains on the
sale of mortgages increased by $61,456 to $240,199 during the
December 1997 period as a result of both increased mortgage sales
and a change in accounting policy, as required by the Financial
Accounting Standards Board.  The accounting change, Statement of
Accounting Standards No. 122 (SFAS 122), entitled "Accounting for
Mortgage Servicing Rights,"  was not in effect for the
Corporation during the comparable period.  Of the $61,456
increase in income during the 1997 six month period approximately
$37,000 is related to increased income from sales, while
the balance is the result of the accounting change.  Service fees
and other charges earned by the Corporation increased by $18,357
to $84,102 for the six months ending December 31, 1997.  The
increase was attributable to small increases in several
types of fee income remitted by customers.  Income from loan
servicing was $133,662 for the six months ending December 31,
1997, a decrease of $43,722, compared to $177,384 for the
comparable 1996 period.  The decrease is directly attributable to
the amortization of the value of mortgage servicing related to
SFAS 122, which was identified above.  The accounting standard
was not in effect for the Corporation during the 1996 comparable
period.  Excluding the impact of SFAS 122 would have shown an
increase in loan servicing income.  Other operating income earned
by the Corporation during the six months ending December 31, 1997
was $103,549, a decrease of $42,221, when compared to the same
period in 1996.  Included in income during the 1996 six month
period was a $35,000 settlement of a deficiency judgment against
a former commercial loan customer.  No income of this type is
included during the current period.  

Total other expenses of the Corporation decreased by $768,898 to
$1,589,526 during the six months ending December 31, 1997,
compared to $2,358,424 for the six month period ending December
31, 1996.  The majority of the decrease is attributable to a
reduction in expenses related to federal deposit insurance. 
During the first quarter of the 1996 period the Corporation, in
response to the passage of federal legislation to  recapitalize
its insurance fund, paid a one time, pre-tax, special
assessment of $657,000.  The assessment was charged to all
institutions insured by the Savings Association Insurance Fund
(SAIF).  Included in the legislation was also a provision which
reduced  the Corporation's ongoing insurance premiums to a level
nearly equal to its competitors, who are insured by the Bank
Insurance Fund. Deposit insurance expense for the six months
ending December 31, 1997 was $56,828, compared to $787,483 for
the six months ending December 31, 1996. Employee compensation
<PAGE>
and benefits decreased by $25,915, or 2.67%, to $942,930 for the
1997 six month period, compared to $968,845 for the comparable
period.  As has been stated earlier, the decrease is largely
attributable to the fact that the number of employees of the
Corporation was less during the 1997 six month period, than
during the same six month period of 1996, and more than offset
any wage and benefit cost increases. Office occupancy, equipment
and service fee expense was $222,773 for the 1997 semiannual
period, a reduction of $36,054, or 13.93%, compared to the six
months ending December 1996.  The majority of the decrease is
related to a reduction of depreciation expense for the
Corporation and its subsidiaries, as well as a credit
against service fee expenses from one of the Corporation's
service providers.  Other expenses of the Corporation have
increased $23,726, or 6.91%, to $366,995 for the six months
ending December 31, 1997, compared to $343,269 for the same
period one year ago.  No single expense prompted the majority of
the increase, although the Corporation has recorded increases in
advertising and loan origination expenses
during the 1997 period.

For the six months ending December 31, 1997 the Corporation has
recorded an income tax provision of $606,693, which is an
increase of $521,938 over the six months ending December 31,
1996.  The income tax provision during the 1996 period was
substantially reduced after an extensive study of all tax
liabilities during the first quarter of the that fiscal year. 
The provision during the first six months of the 1998 fiscal year
approximates the statutory tax rate on the Corporation's pre-tax
earnings for the period, less any applicable tax credits.
<PAGE>
ELMIRA SAVINGS & LOAN, F.A.
NON-PERFORMING LOANS
        
     Loans are reviewed on a monthly basis and are placed on
non-accrual status when the opinion of management, the collection
of additional interest is doubtful. Residential and commercial
mortgage loans are generally placed on non-accrual when
either principal or interest is more than 90 days past due.
Interest accrued and unpaid at the time a loan is placed on
non-accrual status is charged again interest income.  Subsequent
payments are either applied to the outstanding principal balance
or recorded as interest income, depending on the assessment
ultimate collectibility of the loan.  Consumer loans are
generally charged off or before the loan becomes 120 days
delinquent, although collection efforts continue.
    
    The following table sets forth information with respect to
the Association's non-performing assets at June 30, 1997 and
December 31, 1997, respectively:
    
<TABLE>  
<CAPTION>    
                             12-31-97             06-30-97
<S>                        <C>                   <C>
Loans accounted for on a 
non-accrual basis:
 Real Estate:
 Residential               $  279,755.72      $   250,077.90
 Commercial                   718,225.04           61,131.53
 Commercial/Line of Credit     47,799.80                0.00
 Consumer/Home Equity          51,795.81           29,193.56
 Commercial(Non-Mortgage)      10,505.87                0.00
 Education                          0.00                0.00
 Consumer                       8,155.30                0.00
 Other                              0.00                0.00
 Total                     $1,116,237.54       $  340,402.99
    
    
Accruing  loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more:

 Real Estate:
 Residential               $    2,848.86       $    62,897.62
 Commercial                         0.00          316,148.25
 Commercial/Line of Credit          0.00                0.00
 Consumer/Home Equity               0.00                0.00
 Commercial(Non-Mortgage)           0.00                0.00
 Education                          0.00                0.00
 Consumer                           0.00                0.00
 Other                              0.00                0.00
 Total                     $    2,848.86      $    379,448.86
    
 Total of non-accrual &
 90 days past due loans    $1,119,086.40      $    719,448.86
    
 Percentage of total loans         0.81%                .53%
    
 Other non-performing 
 assets                    $  121,665.64      $    131,000.00
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

ELMIRA SAVINGS & LOAN, F.A.
RISK BASED CAPITAL CALCULATION
    
 <TABLE>   
    
    The table below presents the Association's capital position
elative to its various minimum statutory and regulatory
equirements at December 31, 1997 and June 30, 1997 respectively:
                    
<CAPTION>                                                         

                     12-31-97                   06-30-97
                               PERCENT                 PERCENT
                                  OF                      OF
                  AMOUNT       ASSETS (1)  AMOUNT      ASSETS (1)
<S>              <C>             <C>      <C>           <C> 
Tangible Capital  12,884,054.44   8.56%   13,139,533.36  8.78%
Tangible Capital 
Requirement        2,256,655.81    1.50%    2,244,520.13  1.50%
    Excess        10,627,398.63    7.06%   10,895,013.23  7.28%
    
Core Capital      12,884,054.44    8.56%   13,139,533.36  8.78%
Core Capital 
Requirement        4,513,311.62    3.00%    4,489,040.27  3.00%
    Excess         8,370,742.82    5.56%    8,650,493.09  5.78%
    
Core and 
Supplementary 
Capital           14,146,928.78   14.03%   14,377,130.95 14.55%
Current 
Risk-Based Capital
 Requirement.       8,065,218.31    8.00%    7,907,432.38  8.00% 
    Excess          6,081,710.47    6.03%    6,469,698.57  6.55%
    
<FN>    
(1) Based upon tangible assets for purposes of the tangible
capital and core capital requirements and risk-weighted assets
for purpose of the risk-based capital requirement.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>    
                                                                  
                         09-30-97        06-30-97
<S>                   <C>               <C>  
Tangible Assets -      151,111,347.45    149,634,675.66
Risk Weighted Assets - 100,924,354.03     98,842,904.78
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                      ES&L BANCORP, INC.

                           PART II
                       OTHER INFORMATION




Item 1 - Legal Proceedings
       Not Applicable

Item 2 - Changes in Securities
       Not Applicable

Item 3 - Defaults Upon Senior Securities
       Not Applicable
    
Item 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security-Holders.

(a)  The registrant held its 1997 annual meeting of stockholders
on Monday, October
27, 1997.

(b)  This item is inapplicable since (i) proxies for the
     registrant's annual meeting were solicited pursuant to
     Regulation 14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
     (ii) there was no solicitation in opposition to management's
     nominees as listed in the proxy statement and (iii) all of
     such nominees were elected.

(c)  The matters voted upon at the annual meeting were: (i) the
     election of directors; and (ii) the ratification of the
     appointment of Mengel, Metzger, Barr & Co., LLP as 
     independent auditors for the Corporation for the fiscal
     year ending June 30, 1998.

     1. Election of Directors:
                                           For          Against

        John F. Cadwallader              718,045         450
        Adrian P. Hulsebosch             718,270         225
        Paul Morss                       718,495          0

     2. Ratification of Appointment of Auditors:

               For            Against           Abstain

             718,215             0                280

(d)  This item is inapplicable since the registrant's
stockholders did not receive
any solicitation subject to Rule 14a-11 in connection with the
annual meeting.

Item 5 - Other Information

     On January 20, 1998, the Board of Directors of ES&L Bancorp,
Inc. declared a
cash dividend of $0.17 per share.  The total of dividends to be
paid will be
$141,741.  The dividend will be paid on February 27, 1998 to
stockholders of record
on February 13, 1998.

Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
   Not Applicable     
<PAGE>
                          SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements 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.

                         ES&L BANCORP, INC.

                                                       
                      WILLIAM A. McKENZIE
                      President and Chief Executive Officer
                      (Duly Authorized Officer)

                                                       
                      J. MICHAEL ERVIN
                      Sr. Vice President and Chief
                      Financial Officer
                      (Principal Financial Officer)


Date:  February 17, 1998 

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         2686627 
<SECURITIES>                                   3603627
<RECEIVABLES>                                139912530
<ALLOWANCES>                                 (1495592)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         2975175
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               151151626
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        137346226
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                          8560
<OTHER-SE>                                    13796840
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 151151626
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               6812484
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               1589526
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                150000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             3452673
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                1620285
<INCOME-TAX>                                    606693
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            1013592
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   1013592
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.21
        

</TABLE>


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