FIRST MIDWEST FINANCIAL INC
10-K405, 1998-12-29
SAVINGS INSTITUTIONS, NOT FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 10-K

[X]      ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES 
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998

                                       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 0-22140.

                          FIRST MIDWEST FINANCIAL, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 (Name of small business Issuer in its charter)

         Delaware                                               42-1406262
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                            (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                            Identification No.)

     Fifth at Erie, Storm Lake, Iowa                            50588
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip Code)

                    Issuer's telephone number: (712) 732-4117

           Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                      None

           Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                     Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
                                (Title of Class)

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

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

         Issuer's  revenues  for the most  recent  fiscal  year ended were $33.9
million.
<PAGE>
         As of December  15, 1998,  the  Registrant  had issued and  outstanding
2,514,745 shares of Common Stock. The aggregate market value of the voting stock
held by non-affiliates  of the Registrant,  computed by reference to the average
of the  closing  bid and asked  prices of such stock on the Nasdaq  System as of
December 15, 1998,  was $21.9  million.  (The  exclusion from such amount of the
market  value of the shares owned by any person shall not be deemed an admission
by the Registrant that such person is an affiliate of the Registrant.)

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

         PARTS  II and IV of Form  10-K --  Portions  of the  Annual  Report  to
         Shareholders  for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998. PART III of
         Form 10-K -- Portions of the Proxy  Statement for the Annual Meeting of
         Shareholders to be held during January 1999.
<PAGE>

                           Forward-Looking Statements

         First  Midwest   Financial,   Inc.  ("First   Midwest,"  and  with  its
subsidiaries,  the "Company"), and its wholly-owned operating subsidiaries First
Federal  Savings Bank of the Midwest and Security  State Bank,  may from time to
time make written or oral  "forward-looking  statements",  including  statements
contained in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission  (including
this Annual  Report on Form 10-K and the Exhibits  hereto and  thereto),  in its
reports to shareholders and in other  communications  by the Company,  which are
made in good faith by the Company  pursuant to the "safe  harbor"  provisions of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

         These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the
Company's  beliefs,  plans,  objectives,  goals,  expectations,   anticipations,
estimates  and   intentions,   that  are  subject  to   significant   risks  and
uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various factors (some of which
are beyond the Company's control). The words "may", "could", "should",  "would",
"believe",  "anticipate",  "estimate",  "expect",  "intend",  "plan" and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking  statements.  The following
factors, among others, could cause the Company's financial performance to differ
materially from the plans,  objectives,  expectations,  estimates and intentions
expressed in such forward-looking  statements: the strength of the United States
economy in general and the strength of the local  economies in which the Company
conducts operations;  the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal
policies  and laws,  including  interest  rate  policies of the Federal  Reserve
Board;  inflation,  interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations;  the timely
development  of and  acceptance  of new products and services of the Company and
the perceived  overall value of these products and services by users,  including
the  features,  pricing  and  quality  compared  to  competitors'  products  and
services;  the  willingness  of users to  substitute  competitors'  products and
services for the Company's products and services;  the success of the Company in
gaining  regulatory  approval of its products and services,  when required;  the
impact of changes in financial  services' laws and  regulations  (including laws
concerning taxes,  banking,  securities and insurance);  technological  changes;
acquisitions; changes in consumer spending and saving habits; and the success of
the Company at managing the risks involved in the foregoing.

         The  Company  wishes  to  caution  readers  that  such  forward-looking
statements  speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake,  and
expressly  disclaims  any intent or  obligation,  to update any  forward-looking
statement,  whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on
behalf of the Company.
<PAGE>  

                                     PART I

Item 1.  Description of Business

General

         The Company is a Delaware  corporation,  the principal  assets of which
are First  Federal  Savings Bank of the Midwest  ("First  Federal") and Security
State Bank ("Security").  First Midwest,  on September 20, 1993, acquired all of
the capital stock of First Federal in connection with First Federal's conversion
from the mutual to stock form  ownership  (the  "Conversion").  On September 30,
1996,  the  Company  became  a bank  holding  company  upon its  acquisition  of
Security,  as discussed  below. All references to the Company prior to September
20, 1993, are to First Federal and its subsidiary on a consolidated basis.

         Since  the  Conversion,  the  Company  has been an active  acquiror  of
financial  institutions.  On March 28, 1994,  First Midwest  acquired  Brookings
Federal Bank in  Brookings,  South Dakota  ("Brookings").  On December 29, 1995,
First  Midwest  acquired  Iowa  Savings  Bank,  FSB in Des  Moines,  Iowa ("Iowa
Savings").  Brookings and Iowa Savings were both merged with, and now operate as
divisions of, First Federal.  On September 30, 1996, First Midwest completed the
acquisition of Central West Bancorporation  ("CWB"). CWB was the holding company
for Security in Stuart,  Iowa,  which upon the merger of CWB into First  Midwest
resulted in Security becoming a stand-alone banking subsidiary of First Midwest.
Unless the context otherwise requires,  references herein to the Company include
First Midwest, Security and First Federal and its subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis. See "Management's  Discussion and Analysis -- Acquisitions  Completed" in
the Annual  Report to  Shareholders  attached  hereto as Exhibit 13 (the "Annual
Report").

         First  Federal and  Security  (collectively,  the "Banks") are the only
direct,  active subsidiaries of First Midwest. The Banks are  community-oriented
financial  institutions  offering a variety of  financial  services  to meet the
needs of the communities they serve. The Company,  through its subsidiary Banks,
provides a full range of financial  services.  The  principal  business of First
Federal  historically  has  consisted of  attracting  retail  deposits  from the
general  public and  investing  those  funds  primarily  in one- to  four-family
residential mortgage loans and, to a lesser extent,  commercial and multi-family
real estate, agricultural operating and real estate, construction,  consumer and
commercial  business loans primarily in First Federal's  market area.  Recently,
First  Federal's  lending  activities  have  expanded  to include  an  increased
emphasis on  originations  and purchases of  commercial  and  multi-family  real
estate loans.  The  principal  business of Security has been and continues to be
attracting  retail deposits from the general public and investing those funds in
agricultural  real estate and operating  loans and, to a lesser extent,  one- to
four-family residential,  commercial business and consumer loans. The Banks also
purchase  mortgage-backed  securities  and invest in U.S.  Government and agency
obligations  and other  permissible  investments.  At September  30,  1998,  the
Company had total  assets of $418.4  million,  deposits of $283.9  million,  and
shareholders' equity of $42.3 million.

         The Company's  revenues are derived primarily from interest on mortgage
loans,  mortgage-backed  securities,  investments,  consumer loans, agricultural
operating loans, commercial business loans, income from service charges and loan
originations, loan servicing fee income, and

                                        2
<PAGE>
income  from  the  sale of  mutual  funds,  insurance  products,  annuities  and
brokerage services through its service corporation subsidiaries

         First Federal,  directly  through its  wholly-owned  subsidiary,  First
Services   Financial  Limited  ("First   Services"),   and  indirectly   through
independent contractors,  offers mutual funds and, in some locations,  insurance
products and annuities. In addition, Brookings Service Corporation (a subsidiary
of First Services)  offers full service  brokerage  services  through  PrimeVest
Financial Services, Inc., a third party vendor.

         First  Midwest and the Banks are subject to  comprehensive  regulation.
See "Regulation" herein.

         The  executive  offices of the  Company  are  located at Fifth at Erie,
Storm Lake, Iowa 50588. Its telephone number at that address is (712) 732-4117.

         The Company is aware of the issues associated with the programming code
in existing  computer systems as the year 2000 approaches.  The issue is whether
computer  systems will properly  recognize date sensitive  information  when the
year changes to 2000.  Systems that do not properly  recognize such  information
could generate  erroneous data or cause a system to fail. The Company is heavily
dependent on computer  processing in its business  activities  and the Year 2000
issue  creates risk for the Company from  unforeseen  problems in the  Company's
computer  system  and from  third  parties  whom  the  Company  uses to  process
information. Such failures of the Company's computer system and/or third parties
computer  systems  could  have a  material  impact on the  Company's  ability to
conduct its business.  See the discussion on "Year 2000 Issues" contained in the
Annual Report.

Market Area

         First  Federal's  main office is located at Fifth at Erie,  Storm Lake,
Iowa.  First Federal also operates one branch office also located in Storm Lake,
as well as nine  additional  branch  offices  located in the  communities of Des
Moines (two offices),  Lake View, Laurens,  Manson,  Odebolt, Sac City, Iowa and
two offices in Brookings, South Dakota. Security currently operates its business
through  three  full  service  offices in Casey,  Menlo and  Stuart,  Iowa.  The
Company's  primary market area includes Adair,  Buena Vista,  Calhoun,  Guthrie,
Ida,  Pocahontas,  Polk and Sac Counties in Iowa and  Brookings  County in South
Dakota.

         Storm  Lake is  located  in  northwest  Iowa  approximately  150  miles
northwest  of Des  Moines  and 200 miles  south of  Minneapolis  in Buena  Vista
County.  Like much of the State of Iowa,  Storm Lake and the  Company's  primary
market area are highly  dependent upon farming and agricultural  markets.  Major
employers in the area include Buena Vista County Hospital, IBP, Inc. and Bil Mar
Foods of Iowa.  A $235  million  electricity  generating  windfarm,  the world's
largest,  is under construction in Buena Vista county. The estimated  completion
date is April 1999. Annual payroll for the permanent workforce is expected to be
$1.5 million. Storm Lake is also home to Buena Vista University, which currently
enrolls 1,385 full-time students at its Storm Lake campus.


                                        3
<PAGE>
         Brookings is located in east central  South  Dakota,  approximately  50
miles  north of Sioux  Falls  and 200 miles  west of  Minneapolis  in  Brookings
County. First Federal's market area in South Dakota encompasses  approximately a
30 mile radius of Brookings.  The area is generally  rural, and agriculture is a
significant  industry in the  community.  South Dakota State  University  is the
largest  employer in Brookings.  The University had 8,200 students  enrolled for
the 1998 fall term and employs 524 full-time professors.  The community also has
several manufacturing companies, including 3M, Larson Manufacturing, Daktronics,
Falcon Plastics and Twin City Fan. The Brookings  division  operates from a main
office located in downtown Brookings and one drive-up branch office also located
in Brookings.

         Des Moines,  the capitol of Iowa,  is  centrally  located in the state.
First  Federal's  Des  Moines  market  area  encompasses  Polk  County  and  the
surrounding  counties in central Iowa. The West Des Moines office  operates in a
high-traffic  area across from a major mall. The Highland Park office is located
approximately  five minutes  north of downtown Des Moines.  Des Moines is one of
the top three insurance centers in the world, with sixty-seven insurance company
headquarters  and over one  hundred  regional  insurance  offices.  Other  major
businesses  include  Hy-Vee  Food  Stores,  Inc.,  Bridgestone-Firestone,  Inc.,
Communication  Data Services,  Inc.,  Pioneer Hi-Bred,  John Deere, and Meredith
Corporation.  Universities  in the area  include  Drake  University,  Upper Iowa
University,  Simpson  College,  Grand View  College,  Hamilton  College  and the
University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences.

         Security's  main office is in Stuart,  which is located in west central
Iowa  approximately  40 miles  west of Des  Moines  on the  border  of Adair and
Guthrie  counties.  Security's  market area is highly  dependent  on farming and
agriculture-related  businesses.  Agriculture-related businesses in recent years
have performed well due to a relatively stable  agricultural  environment in the
Company's market area. In recent months,  however,  agriculture commodity prices
have declined  significantly for the major agricultural products produced in the
Company's  market  area.  Commodity  price  fluctuations  are a  normal  part of
agriculture,  but it is  unusual  for the  pricing of all major  products  to be
depressed at the same time.  Although there has been minimal effect  observed to
date, an extended period of low commodity  prices could result in reduced demand
for goods and services provided by agriculture-related  businesses,  which could
also affect other businesses in the Company's market area.

         In recent years,  the westward  expansion of Des Moines,  combined with
direct  interstate  highway  access  to  Stuart,  has  resulted  in  significant
development of new service-related businesses in the community. This development
provides economic diversity to Security's market area.

Lending Activities

         General.  Historically,  the Company has originated fixed-rate, one- to
four-family  mortgage loans. In the early 1980's,  the Company began to focus on
the origination of  adjustable-rate  mortgage ("ARM") loans and short-term loans
for retention in its  portfolio in order to increase the  percentage of loans in
its portfolio with more frequent  repricing or shorter  maturities,  and in some
cases higher yields,  than fixed-rate  residential  mortgage loans. The Company,
however,  has continued to originate  fixed-rate  residential  mortgage loans in
response  to consumer  demand.  See  "Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis --
Asset/Liability Management" in the Annual Report.

                                        4
<PAGE>
         While the Company  historically  has focused its lending  activities on
the  origination of loans secured by first mortgages on  owner-occupied  one- to
four-family  residences,   it  also  originates  and  purchases  commercial  and
multi-family  real estate loans and originates  consumer,  commercial  business,
residential   construction  and   agriculturally   related  loans.  The  Company
originates  most of its loans in its primary  market area.  More  recently,  the
Company has increased its emphasis, both in absolute dollars and as a percentage
of its gross loan portfolio,  on these less traditional lending  activities.  At
September 30, 1998, the Company's net loan portfolio totaled $270.3 million,  or
64.6% of the Company's total assets.

         Loan  applications  are  initially  considered  and approved at various
levels of authority,  depending on the type, amount and  loan-to-value  ratio of
the loan.  The Company has loan  committees  for each of the Banks  comprised of
officers of such Banks.  Loans in excess of certain amounts require the approval
of at least two  committee  members who must also be executive  officers,  or by
such  Bank's  Board of  Directors,  which  has  responsibility  for the  overall
supervision  of  the  loan  portfolio.   The  Company   reserves  the  right  to
discontinue,  adjust or create new lending  programs to respond to its needs and
to competitive factors.

         At September 30, 1998, the Company's largest lending  relationship to a
single borrower or group of related borrowers totaled $5.5 million.  The Company
had eight other lending  relationships in excess of $2.5 million as of September
30,  1998  with  the  average   outstanding   balance  of  such  loans  totaling
approximately  $3.5  million.  At September  30,  1998,  each of these loans was
performing in accordance  with its  repayment  terms,  except for a $3.9 million
commercial  real estate  participation  loan secured by four nursing homes which
was  more  than  90 days  delinquent  at  fiscal  year  end.  See  "Business  --
Non-Performing Assets, Other Loans of Concern and Classified Assets."


                                        5

<PAGE>
         Loan Portfolio  Composition.  The following table provides  information
about the  composition  of the Company's loan portfolio in dollar amounts and in
percentages (before deductions for loans in process, deferred fees and discounts
and allowances for losses) as of the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 September 30,
                                              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       1994                           1995                            1996          
                                              -----------------------        ----------------------        -------------------------
                                               Amount         Percent         Amount         Percent         Amount        Percent  
                                               ------         -------         ------         -------         ------        -------  
                                                                             (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                           <C>               <C>          <C>               <C>         <C>                <C>   
Real Estate Loans
 One- to four-family.....................     $ 55,162          34.3%        $ 57,274          30.4%       $  78,476          31.6% 
 Commercial and multi-family.............       59,920          37.3           73,419          38.9           85,157          34.2  
 Agricultural............................        8,064           5.0            7,021           3.7           11,068           4.5  
 Construction or development.............       10,248           6.4           17,877           9.5            7,819           3.1  
                                              --------          ----         --------          ----        ---------          ----  
     Total real estate loans.............      133,394          83.0          155,591          82.5          182,520          73.4  
                                              --------          ----         --------          ----        ---------          ----  
                                                                                                                                    
Other Loans:                                                                                                                        
 Consumer Loans:                                                                                                                    
  Home equity............................        3,784           2.4            4,906           2.6            7,823           3.1  
  Automobile.............................        2,944           1.8            3,663           1.9            5,356           2.2  
  Deposit account........................          385            .2              330            .2              666            .3  
  Student................................          422            .3              382            .2              324            .1  
  Other (1)..............................        3,063           1.9            3,727           2.0            6,259           2.5 
                                              --------          ----         --------          ----        ---------          ----  
     Total consumer loans................       10,598           6.6           13,008           6.9           20,428           8.2  
 Agricultural operating..................        7,784           4.8           11,905           6.3           30,364          12.2  
 Commercial business.....................        8,931           5.6            8,173           4.3           15,468           6.2 
                                              --------          ----         --------          ----        ---------          ----  
     Total other loans...................       27,313          17.0           33,086          17.5           66,260          26.6  
                                              --------          ----         --------          ----        ---------          ----  
    
     Total loans.........................      160,707         100.0%         188,677         100.0%         248,780       100.0%   
                                                               =====                          =====                        =====    
                                                                                                                                    
Less:                                                                                                                               
 Loans in process........................        3,425                          8,071                          2,240                
 Deferred fees and discounts.............          343                            404                            650                
 Allowance for losses....................        1,442                          1,650                          2,356                
                                              --------                       --------                       --------                
                                                                                                                                    
 Total loans receivable, net.............     $155,497                       $178,552                       $243,534                
                                              ========                       ========                       ========                
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>
                                                                    September 30,
                                              --------------------------------------------------------
                                                        1997                             1998
                                              -------------------------       ------------------------
                                                Amount          Percent        Amount          Percent
                                                ------          -------        ------          -------
<S>                                           <C>                 <C>         <C>                <C>                                
Real Estate Loans                        
 One- to four-family.....................     $  73,903           27.8%       $ 85,799           30.5 %              
 Commercial and multi-family.............        74,870           28.1          66,845           23.8                               
 Agricultural............................        11,732            4.4          10,537            3.8                               
 Construction or development.............        21,264            8.0          32,990           11.7     
                                              ---------        --------        --------         ------    
     Total real estate loans.............       181,769           68.3         196,171           69.8     
                                              ---------         ------        --------         ------     
                                                                                                          
Other Loans:                                                                                              
 Consumer Loans:                                                                                          
  Home equity............................        14,007            5.3          15,285            5.4     
  Automobile.............................         6,106            2.3           4,445            1.6     
  Deposit account........................           533             .2             716             .3     
  Student................................           383             .1             421             .1     
  Other (1)..............................         6,369            2.4           5,372            1.9     
                                              ---------        -------        --------        -------     
     Total consumer loans................        27,398           10.3          26,239            9.3     
 Agricultural operating..................        38,650           14.5          37,234           13.2     
 Commercial business.....................        18,456            6.9          21,587            7.7     
                                              ---------        -------        --------        -------     
     Total other loans...................        84,504           31.7          85,060           30.2     
                                              ---------         ------        --------         ------     
     Total loans.........................       266,273          100.0%        281,231          100.0%    
                                                                 =====                          =====     
                                                                                                          
Less:                                                                                                     
 Loans in process........................         8,700                          7,738                    
 Deferred fees and discounts.............           553                            298                    
 Allowance for losses....................         2,379                          2,909                    
                                              ---------                       --------                    
                                                                                                          
 Total loans receivable, net.............      $254,641                       $270,286                    
                                               ========                       ========                    
                                                                               
</TABLE>
(1) Consist generally of various types of secured and unsecured consumer loans.



                                        6
<PAGE>

         The  following  table  shows  the  composition  of the  Company's  loan
portfolio by fixed and adjustable rate at the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 September 30,
                                              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        1994                           1995                           1996          
                                              -------------------------        -----------------------      ------------------------
                                               Amount           Percent        Amount         Percent        Amount         Percent 
                                               ------           -------        ------         -------        ------         ------- 
                                                                                (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                           <C>                 <C>          <C>               <C>        <C>              <C>    
Fixed Rate Loans:
 Real estate:
  One- to four-family.....................    $ 19,913            12.4%        $22,875           12.1%      $ 41,322         16.6%  
  Commercial and multi-family.............      13,340             8.3          14,262            7.6         14,036          5.6   
  Agricultural............................       1,806             1.1           5,536            2.9          4,250          1.7   
  Construction or development.............       4,231             2.6           2,342            1.3          2,938          1.2
                                              --------            ----         -------           ----       --------         ----   
     Total fixed-rate real estate loans...      39,290            24.4          45,015           23.9         62,546         25.1   
 Consumer.................................      10,022             6.2          12,303            6.5         19,145          7.7   
  Agricultural operating..................       5,945             3.7           7,335            3.9         14,998          6.1   
  Commercial business.....................       7,887             4.9           5,521            2.9          7,200          2.9  
                                              --------            ----         -------           ----       --------         ----   
     Total fixed-rate loans...............      63,144            39.2          70,174           37.2        103,889         41.8 
                                              --------            ----         -------           ----       --------         ----   
                                                                                                                                    
Adjustable Rate Loans:                                                                                                              
 Real estate:                                                                                                                       
  One- to four-family.....................      35,249            21.9          34,399           18.2         37,154         14.9   
  Commercial and multi-family.............      46,580            29.0          59,157           31.4         71,121         28.6   
  Agricultural............................       6,258             3.9           1,485             .8          6,818          2.7   
  Construction or development.............       6,017             3.8          15,535            8.2          4,881          2.0 
                                              --------            ----         -------           ----       --------         ----   
     Total adjustable-rate real                                                                                                     
     estate loans.........................      94,104            58.6         110,576           58.6        119,974         48.2   
 Consumer.................................         576              .4             705             .4          1,283           .5   
 Agricultural operating...................       1,839             1.1           4,570            2.4         15,366          6.2   
 Commercial business......................       1,044              .7           2,652            1.4          8,268          3.3 
                                              --------            ----         -------           ----       --------         ----   
     Total adjustable rate loans..........      97,563            60.8         118,503           62.8        144,891         58.2 
                                              --------            ----         -------           ----       --------         ----   
     Total loans..........................     160,707           100.0%        188,677          100.0%       248,780        100.0%  
                                                                 =====                          =====                       =====   
                                                                                                                                    
Less:                                                                                                                               
 Loans in process.........................       3,425                           8,071                         2,240                
 Deferred fees and discounts..............         343                             404                           650                
 Allowance for loan losses................       1,442                           1,650                         2,356                
                                              --------                        ---------                     --------                
     Total loans, net.....................    $155,497                        $178,552                      $243,534                
                                              ========                        ========                      ========                
                                                                                                           
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 September 30, 1998
                                              -------------------------------------------------------
                                                         1997                          1998            
                                              -------------------------       -----------------------                    
                                                 Amount        Percent         Amount         Percent   
                                                 ------        -------         ------         -------                               
<S>                                           <C>                 <C>         <C>                <C>                                
Fixed Rate Loans:                          
 Real estate:                              
  One- to four-family.....................    $  33,369           12.5%       $ 51,235           18.2 %  
  Commercial and multi-family.............       11,124            4.2          11,582            4.1    
  Agricultural............................        5,978            2.3           4,982            1.8    
  Construction or development.............        2,997            1.1           1,829             .7    
                                              ---------         ------           -----       --------    
     Total fixed-rate real estate loans...       53,468           20.1          69,628           24.8    
 Consumer.................................       26,100            9.8          24,909            8.8    
  Agricultural operating..................       16,280            6.1          18,821            6.7    
  Commercial business.....................       10,462            3.9          15,108            5.4    
                                               --------         ------          ------        -------    
     Total fixed-rate loans...............      106,310           39.9         128,466           45.7    
                                                -------          -----         -------         ------    
                                                                                                         
Adjustable Rate Loans:                                                                                   
 Real estate:                                                                                            
  One- to four-family.....................       40,534           15.2          34,564           12.3    
  Commercial and multi-family.............       63,746           23.9          55,263           19.6    
  Agricultural............................        5,754            2.2           5,555            2.0    
  Construction or development.............       18,267            6.9          31,161           11.1    
                                               --------         ------          ------         ------    
     Total adjustable-rate real
     estate loans.........................      128,301           48.2         126,543           45.0    
 Consumer.................................        1,298             .5           1,330             .5    
 Agricultural operating...................       22,370            8.4          18,413            6.5    
 Commercial business......................        7,994            3.0           6,479            2.3    
                                              ---------        --------       --------        -------    
     Total adjustable rate loans..........      159,963           60.1         152,765           54.3    
                                                -------         ------         -------         ------    
     Total loans..........................      266,273          100.0%        281,231          100.0%   
                                                                 ======                         =====    
                                                                                                         
Less:                                                                                                    
 Loans in process.........................        8,700                          7,738                   
 Deferred fees and discounts..............          553                            298                   
 Allowance for loan losses................        2,379                          2,909                   
                                              ---------                          -----                   
     Total loans, net.....................     $254,641                       $270,286                   
                                               ========                       ========                                              
</TABLE>
                                       7
<PAGE>
         The following table  illustrates  the interest rate  sensitivity of the
Company's loan portfolio at September 30, 1998.  Mortgages which have adjustable
or renegotiable  interest rates are shown as maturing in the period during which
the  contract  reprices.  The table does not  reflect  the  effects of  possible
prepayments or enforcement of due-on-sale clauses.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    Real Estate
                       -----------------------------------
                                                                                      Agricultural           Commercial
                              Mortgage(1)    Construction         Consumer              Operating             Business 
                       ------------------  ---------------    ------------------     -----------------     ----------------      
                               Weighted           Weighted              Weighted              Weighted             Weighted   
                                Average            Average               Average               Average              Average   
                       Amount     Rate     Amount    Rate     Amount       Rate      Amount      Rate      Amount     Rate    
                       ------     ----     ------    ----     ------       ----      ------      ----      ------     ----    
                                                                  (Dollars in Thousands)
Due During
Years Ending
September 30,
<S>                   <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>           <C>     <C>           <C>     <C>         <C>     
1999(2) ..........    $85,770     8.54%   $22,955     9.44%   $10,253       9.65%   $33,639       9.70%   $16,206     9.77%    
2000-2003 ........     40,649     8.19      8,955     8.52     12,441       9.65      2,912       9.04      5,132     9.52     
2003 and following     36,762     7.82      1,080     9.16      3,545       9.86        683       8.91        249     8.27     


<CAPTION>
                            Total 
                    --------------------         
                                Weighted  
                                 Average  
                    Amount        Rate   
                    ------        ----   
                    <C>            <C>    
1999(2) ..........  $168,823       9.08% 
2000-2003 ........    70,089       8.62  
2003 and following    42,319       8.05  

</TABLE>

(1) Includes one- to four-family, multi-family, commercial and agricultural real
estate loans.  (2) Includes  demand loans,  loans having no stated  maturity and
overdraft loans.



                                        8

<PAGE>
         The total  amount of loans due after  September  30,  1999  which  have
predetermined  interest rates is $77.0 million,  while the total amount of loans
due after such date which have floating or adjustable  interest  rates is $130.2
million.

         One- to Four-Family  Residential Mortgage Lending.  One- to four-family
residential  mortgage loan originations are generated by the Company's marketing
efforts, its present customers, walk-in customers and referrals from real estate
agents and builders.  At September 30, 1998,  the Company's  one- to four-family
residential  mortgage  loan  portfolio  totaled $85.8  million,  or 30.5% of the
Company's total gross loan portfolio.  Approximately 25.8% of the Company's one-
to  four-family  mortgage  loans or 7.9% of the Company's  gross loans have been
purchased,  generally from other financial  institutions.  See  "--Originations,
Purchases,  Sales and  Servicing of Loans and  Mortgage-Backed  Securities."  At
September  30,  1998,  the average  outstanding  principal  balance of a one- to
four-family residential mortgage loan was $47,000.

         The  Company  offers  fixed-rate  and ARM loans.  During the year ended
September 30, 1998, the Company originated $4.3 million of adjustable-rate loans
and $17.8 million of fixed-rate loans secured by one- to four-family residential
real estate. The Company's one- to four-family residential mortgage originations
are secured  primarily  by  properties  located in its  primary  market area and
surrounding areas.

         The Company originates one- to four-family  residential  mortgage loans
with terms up to a maximum of 30-years and with  loan-to-value  ratios up to 95%
of the lesser of the  appraised  value of the security  property or the contract
price.  The Company  generally  requires  that  private  mortgage  insurance  be
obtained in an amount sufficient to reduce the Company's exposure to at or below
the  80%  loan-to-value  level.  Residential  loans  generally  do  not  include
prepayment penalties.

         The Company currently offers one, three and five year ARM loans with an
initial interest rate margin over the yield on the  corresponding  U.S. Treasury
Security.  These loans have a fixed-rate for the stated period and,  thereafter,
such loans adjust annually.  These loans generally  provide for an annual cap of
up to a 200 basis points and a lifetime cap of 600 basis points over the initial
rate. As a consequence  of using an initial  fixed-rate  and caps,  the interest
rates on these loans may not be as rate  sensitive as is the  Company's  cost of
funds.  The Company's ARMs do not permit negative  amortization of principal and
are not  convertible  into a fixed rate loan.  From time to time the Company may
permit  ARM loans to be  assumed  by  qualified  borrowers  upon  payment  of an
assumption  fee. The Company  qualifies ARM loan  borrowers at the fully indexed
rate. The Company's  delinquency  experience on its ARM loans has generally been
similar to its experience on fixed rate residential loans.

         Due to consumer  demand,  the Company also offers  fixed-rate  mortgage
loans  with terms up to 30 years,  most of which  conform  to  secondary  market
standards,  i.e.,  Federal National Mortgage  Association  ("FNMA"),  Government
National  Mortgage  Association   ("GNMA"),   and  Federal  Home  Loan  Mortgage
Corporation  ("FHLMC")  standards.  Interest  rates charged on these  fixed-rate
loans are competitively  priced according to market conditions.  The Company has
historically retained its fixed-rate loans for its loan portfolio, however, from
June 1996 through March 1998, the Company sold, with servicing retained, most of
its  fixed-rate  loans with terms of 15 years or  greater to FNMA.  The  Company
recently  suspended  selling  these loans due to limited  opportunity  for other
types of

                                        9
<PAGE>
investments  or  to  purchase  loans  due  to  the  present  low  interest  rate
environment. The Company may decide to sell loans in the future.

         In underwriting one- to four-family  residential real estate loans, the
Company  evaluates both the borrower's  ability to make monthly payments and the
value of the property  securing the loan. Most  properties  securing real estate
loans made by the Company are appraised by independent  fee appraisers  approved
by the Board of Directors. The Company generally requires borrowers to obtain an
attorney's  title  opinion,  and fire and property  insurance  (including  flood
insurance, if necessary) in an amount not less than the amount of the loan. Real
estate loans originated by the Company  generally contain a "due on sale" clause
allowing  the  Company to declare the unpaid  principal  balance due and payable
upon the sale of the security property.

         Commercial and  Multi-Family  Real Estate Lending.  The Company is also
engaged in commercial and multi-family real estate lending in its primary market
area and  surrounding  areas  and has  purchased  whole  loan and  participation
interests in loans from other  financial  institutions.  The purchased loans and
loan participation  interests are generally secured by properties located in the
Midwest and  Northwest.  The Company,  in order to supplement its loan portfolio
and consistent with management's  objectives to expand the Company's  commercial
and  multi-family  loan portfolio,  purchased  $16.3 million,  $26.8 million and
$18.3  million of such loans during  fiscal 1998,  1997 and 1996,  respectively.
However,  due to a large number of prepayments  and maturities of commercial and
multi-family  real  estate  loans  during  fiscal 1998 and 1997 as a result of a
favorable interest rate environment, at September 30, 1998 and 1997, the Company
had  $66.8  million  and  $74.9   million,   respectively,   of  commercial  and
multi-family  real estate loans compared to $85.2 million at September 30, 1996.
At September 30, 1998,  $4.6 million,  or 6.9% of the Company's  commercial  and
multi-family  real estate  loans were  non-performing.  See " --  Non-Performing
Assets, Other Loans of Concern and Classified Assets."

         The Company's commercial and multi-family real estate loan portfolio is
secured   primarily   by   apartment   buildings,    nursing   homes,   assisted
living/retirement  facilities,  office buildings and, to a lesser extent, hotels
and  warehouses.  Commercial and  multi-family  real estate loans generally have
terms  that do not  exceed  25 years,  loan-to-value  ratios of up to 75% of the
appraised value of the security property,  and are typically secured by personal
guarantees  of the  borrowers.  The  Company  has a variety  of rate  adjustment
features and other terms in its  commercial  and  multi-family  real estate loan
portfolio.  Commercial and  multi-family  real estate loans provide for a margin
over a number of different  indices.  In underwriting  these loans,  the Company
currently  analyzes the  financial  condition of the  borrower,  the  borrower's
credit  history,  and  the  reliability  and  predictability  of the  cash  flow
generated by the property securing the loan.  Appraisals on properties  securing
commercial  real  estate  loans  originated  by the  Company  are  performed  by
independent appraisers.

         At  September  30,  1998,   the  Company's   largest   commercial   and
multi-family real estate loan was a $3.9 million  participation  loan secured by
four nursing homes  located in Minnesota.  At fiscal year end this loan was more
than 90 days delinquent.  See "Business -- Non-Performing Assets, Other Loans of
Concern and Classified  Assets." The Company had three other  commercial  and/or
multi-family  loans in excess of $2.5  million at such date.  All of these loans
are currently  performing in accordance with their terms. At September 30, 1998,
the average  outstanding  principal balance of a commercial or multi-family real
estate loan held by the Company was $346,000.


                                       10
<PAGE>
         Multi-family  and  commercial  real estate  loans  generally  present a
higher level of risk than loans secured by one- to four-family residences.  This
greater risk is due to several factors, including the concentration of principal
in a limited  number of loans and  borrowers,  the  effect of  general  economic
conditions  on income  producing  properties  and the  increased  difficulty  of
evaluating and monitoring  these types of loans.  Furthermore,  the repayment of
loans secured by multi-family and commercial real estate is typically  dependent
upon the successful  operation of the related real estate  project.  If the cash
flow from the project is reduced  (for  example,  if leases are not  obtained or
renewed,  or a  bankruptcy  court  modifies a lease term,  or a major  tenant is
unable to fulfill its lease  obligations),  the borrower's  ability to repay the
loan may be impaired.

         Construction   Lending.   The  Company  makes   construction  loans  to
individuals for the  construction of their residences as well as to builders for
the   construction  of  one-  to  four-family   residences  and  commercial  and
multi-family real estate. At September 30, 1998, the Company's construction loan
portfolio  totaled $33.0  million,  or 11.7% of the  Company's  total gross loan
portfolio.

         Construction  loans to individuals for their  residences are structured
to be converted to permanent loans at the end of the construction  phase,  which
typically  runs up to twelve  months.  These  construction  loans have rates and
terms which generally  match the one- to four-family  loan rates then offered by
the  Company,  except  that  during the  construction  phase the  borrower  pays
interest  only.  Generally,  the maximum  loan-to-value  ratio of owner occupied
single  family  construction  loans  is  80%  of  appraised  value.  Residential
construction  loans are generally  underwritten  pursuant to the same guidelines
used for  originating  permanent  residential  loans. At September 30, 1998, the
Company had $2.0 million of construction loans to borrowers intending to live in
the properties upon completion of construction.

         Construction  loans  to  builders  of  one- to  four-family  residences
require the payment of interest only for up to 24 months and have terms of up to
24 months.  These loans may  provide  for the payment of interest  and loan fees
from loan proceeds and carry adjustable rates of interest.  Loan fees charged in
connection  with the origination of such loans range from 1% to 2%. At September
30, 1998, the Company did not have any construction loans to builders of one- to
four-family residences.

         Construction  loans on commercial and multi-family real estate projects
may be secured by apartments,  agricultural facilities,  small office buildings,
medical facilities,  assisted living facilities,  hotels or other property,  and
are structured to be converted to permanent loans at the end of the construction
phase, which generally runs up to 18 months. These construction loans have rates
and terms which match any permanent  multi-family or commercial real estate loan
then  offered by the  Company,  except  that during the  construction  phase the
borrower pays interest only.  These loans  generally  provide for the payment of
interest and loan fees from loan  proceeds.  At September 30, 1998,  the Company
had approximately  $31.0 million of loans for the construction of commercial and
multi-family  real  estate.  This amount  consisted of six loans  totaling  $5.0
million for the  construction  of apartment  complexes,  two loans totaling $7.8
million for the construction of assisted living facilities,  nine loans totaling
$17.5 million for the construction of commercial  office buildings and two loans
totaling  $840,000  for the  construction  of  hotels.  All of these  loans were
performing in accordance with their terms at September 30, 1998.

                                       11

<PAGE>
         Construction loans are obtained  principally through continued business
from  builders  who  have  previously  borrowed  from  the  Company,  as well as
referrals from existing customers and walk-in customers. The application process
includes a submission to the Company of accurate plans, specifications and costs
of the  project  to be  constructed.  These  items  are also  used as a basis to
determine the appraised  value of the subject  property.  Loans are based on the
lesser  of  the  current  appraised  value  of  the  property  or  the  cost  of
construction (land plus building).

         Because of the uncertainties inherent in estimating  construction costs
and the market for the project upon  completion,  it is relatively  difficult to
evaluate  accurately  the total loan funds  required to complete a project,  the
related  loan-to-value  ratios and the  likelihood  of  ultimate  success of the
project. Construction loans to borrowers other than owner-occupants also involve
many of the same risks  discussed above  regarding  multi-family  and commercial
real estate loans and tend to be more sensitive to general  economic  conditions
than many other  types of loans.  Also,  the  funding of loan fees and  interest
during the  construction  phase  makes the  monitoring  of the  progress  of the
project  particularly  important,  as customary early warning signals of project
difficulties may not be present.

         Agricultural  Lending.  The  Company  originates  loans to finance  the
purchase of farmland,  livestock, farm machinery and equipment, seed, fertilizer
and for other farm  related  products.  At September  30, 1998,  the Company had
agricultural  real estate loans  secured by farmland of $10.5 million or 3.8% of
the Company's gross loan portfolio. At the same date, $37.2 million, or 13.2% of
the  Company's  gross loan  portfolio,  consisted  of secured  loans  related to
agricultural operations.

         Agricultural  operating loans are originated at either an adjustable or
fixed rate of interest  for up to a one year term or, in the case of  livestock,
upon sale.  Most  agricultural  operating  loans have terms of one year or less.
Such loans provide for payments of principal and interest at least annually,  or
a lump sum payment  upon  maturity if the  original  term is less than one year.
Loans secured by agricultural  machinery are generally  originated as fixed-rate
loans with terms of up to seven  years.  At  September  30,  1998,  the  average
outstanding  principal  balance of an  agricultural  operating  loan held by the
Company was  $43,000.  At September  30, 1998,  $1.7  million,  or 4.7%,  of the
Company's agricultural operating loans were non-performing.

         Agricultural   real  estate  loans  are  frequently   originated   with
adjustable rates of interest.  Generally, such loans provide for a fixed rate of
interest for the first three years, adjusting annually thereafter.  In addition,
such loans generally provide for a ten year term based on a 20 year amortization
schedule.  Adjustable-rate  agricultural  real estate loans provide for a margin
over the yields on the  corresponding  U.S.  Treasury  Security  or prime  rate.
Fixed-rate agricultural real estate loans generally have terms up to five years.
Agricultural  real estate loans are generally limited to 80% of the value of the
property  securing  the loan.  At  September  30,  1998,  none of the  Company's
agricultural real estate portfolio was non-performing.

         Agricultural lending affords the Company the opportunity to earn yields
higher  than  those  obtainable  on one-  to  four-family  residential  lending.
Nevertheless,  agricultural  lending involves a greater degree of risk than one-
to four-family  residential  mortgage loans because of the typically larger loan
amount. In addition, payments on loans are dependent on the successful operation
or management  of the farm property  securing the loan or for which an operating
loan is  utilized.  The success of the loan may also be affected by many factors
outside the control of the farm borrower.

                                       12
<PAGE>
         Weather presents one of the greatest risks as hail, drought, floods, or
other conditions, can severely limit crop yields and thus impair loan repayments
and the value of the  underlying  collateral.  This risk can be  reduced  by the
farmer with multi-peril crop insurance which can guarantee set yields to provide
certainty  of  repayment.   Unless  the  circumstances  of  the  borrower  merit
otherwise,  the Bank  generally  does  not  require  its  borrowers  to  procure
multi-peril  crop or hail  insurance.  However,  recent  changes  in  government
support  programs  generally  require  that  farmers  procure  multi-peril  crop
insurance to be eligible to participate in such programs.

         Grain and  livestock  prices also  present a risk as prices may decline
prior to sale resulting in a failure to cover production costs.  These risks may
be reduced by the farmer with the use of futures contracts or options to provide
a "floor"  below which  prices will not fall.  The  Company  generally  does not
monitor or require the use by borrowers of future contracts or options.

         Another  risk is the  uncertainty  of  government  programs  and  other
regulations.  Some farmers rely on the income from  government  programs to make
loan payments and if these programs are discontinued or  significantly  changed,
cash flow problems or defaults could result.

         Finally,   many  farms  are  dependent  on  a  limited  number  of  key
individuals   upon  whose  injury  or  death  may  result  in  an  inability  to
successfully operate the farm.

         Consumer  Lending.  The  Company  offers a variety of secured  consumer
loans,  including  automobile,  boat, home equity,  home improvement,  federally
guaranteed  student loans, and loans secured by savings  deposits.  In addition,
the Company  offers other  secured and  unsecured  consumer  loans.  The Company
currently  originates  substantially  all of its  consumer  loans in its primary
market area and surrounding areas. The Company originates consumer loans on both
a direct and indirect basis. At September 30, 1998, the Company's  consumer loan
portfolio totaled $26.2 million,  or 9.3% of its total gross loan portfolio.  Of
the consumer loan portfolio at September 30, 1998, substantially all were short-
and intermediate-term, fixed-rate loans.

         The largest component of the Company's consumer loan portfolio consists
of home equity  loans and lines of credit.  Substantially  all of the  Company's
home  equity  loans and lines of  credit  are  secured  by second  mortgages  on
principal  residences.  The Company will lend amounts  which,  together with all
prior liens,  may be up to 100% of the appraised value of the property  securing
the loan.  Home equity loans and lines of credit have maximum  terms of up to 15
years and 10 years, respectively.

         The Company  currently  originates  automobile  loans on a direct basis
only.  Direct loans are loans made when the Company  extends credit  directly to
the  borrower,  as opposed to  indirect  loans,  which are made when the Company
purchases loan contracts,  often at a discount,  from  automobile  dealers which
have  extended  credit  to  their  customers.  The  Company's  automobile  loans
typically are  originated at fixed interest rates with terms up to 60 months for
new and used vehicles. Loans secured by automobiles are generally originated for
up to 80% of the N.A.D.A. book value of the automobile securing the loan.

         Consumer loan terms vary according to the type and value of collateral,
length of  contract  and  creditworthiness  of the  borrower.  The  underwriting
standards  employed by the Company for consumer loans include an application,  a
determination of the applicant's payment history on other

                                       13
<PAGE>
debts and an assessment of ability to meet existing  obligations and payments on
the  proposed  loan.  Although  creditworthiness  of the  applicant is a primary
consideration,  the underwriting process also includes a comparison of the value
of the security, if any, in relation to the proposed loan amount.

         Consumer  loans may  entail  greater  credit  risk than do  residential
mortgage  loans,  particularly in the case of consumer loans which are unsecured
or  are  secured  by  rapidly   depreciable   assets,  such  as  automobiles  or
recreational  equipment.  In  such  cases,  any  repossessed  collateral  for  a
defaulted  consumer loan may not provide an adequate  source of repayment of the
outstanding loan balance as a result of the greater  likelihood of damage,  loss
or  depreciation.  In addition,  consumer loan  collections are dependent on the
borrower's  continuing  financial  stability,  and thus are  more  likely  to be
affected by adverse  personal  circumstances.  Furthermore,  the  application of
various federal and state laws,  including  bankruptcy and insolvency  laws, may
limit the amount which can be recovered  on such loans.  At September  30, 1998,
$149,000 or .6% of the Company's consumer loan portfolio was non-performing.

Commercial  Business Lending.  The Company also originates  commercial  business
loans.  The  Company  offers  commercial  business  loans  to  service  existing
customers, to consolidate its banking relationships with these customers, and to
further its asset/liability  management goals. Most of the Company's  commercial
business  loans have been extended to finance local and regional  businesses and
include short-term loans to finance machinery and equipment purchases, inventory
and  accounts  receivable.  Commercial  loans  also  involve  the  extension  of
revolving credit for a combination of equipment acquisitions and working capital
in expanding  companies.  At September 30, 1998,  $21.6 million,  or 7.7% of the
Company's total gross loan portfolio was comprised of commercial business loans.

         The maximum term for loans extended on machinery and equipment is based
on the projected  useful life of such  machinery and equipment.  Generally,  the
maximum  term on  non-mortgage  lines of credit is one year.  The  loan-to-value
ratio on such  loans and lines of credit  generally  may not  exceed  80% of the
value of the  collateral  securing the loan. The Company's  commercial  business
lending policy includes credit file documentation and analysis of the borrower's
character,  capacity to repay the loan, the adequacy of the  borrower's  capital
and  collateral as well as an  evaluation of conditions  affecting the borrower.
Analysis  of the  borrower's  past,  present  and  future  cash flows is also an
important  aspect of the Company's  current credit analysis.  Nonetheless,  such
loans,   are  believed  to  carry  higher  credit  risk  than  more  traditional
investments.

         The largest commercial  business loan outstanding at September 30, 1998
was a $5.1  million  warehouse  line of  credit  secured  by the  assignment  of
automobile  contracts.  The next largest commercial business loan outstanding at
September 30, 1998 was a $2.7 million  participation  loan secured by marketable
securities and escrowed  operating revenues with a remaining term to maturity of
three years.  These loans are  currently  performing  in  accordance  with their
terms. The Company had no other commercial  business loans outstanding in excess
of $1.0  million at  September  30, 1998.  At  September  30, 1998,  the average
outstanding  principal balance of a commercial business loan held by the Company
was $61,000.

         Unlike  residential  mortgage  loans,  which  generally are made on the
basis of the borrower's ability to make repayment from his or her employment and
other income and which are secured by real property whose value tends to be more
easily ascertainable, commercial business loans typically

                                       14
<PAGE>
are made on the basis of the borrower's  ability to make repayment from the cash
flow of the borrower's business.  As a result, the availability of funds for the
repayment of commercial  business  loans may be  substantially  dependent on the
success of the business  itself (which,  in turn, is likely to be dependent upon
the general economic  environment).  The Company's commercial business loans are
usually,  but not always,  secured by business  assets and personal  guarantees.
However,  the  collateral  securing the loans may  depreciate  over time, may be
difficult  to appraise  and may  fluctuate  in value based on the success of the
business.  At September 30, 1998,  $209,000 or 1.0% of the Company's  commercial
business loan portfolio was non-performing.

Originations,  Purchases,  Sales  and  Servicing  of Loans  and  Mortgage-Backed
Securities

         Loans are generally  originated by the Company's staff of salaried loan
officers. Loan applications are taken and processed in the branches and the main
office of the Company.  While the Company  originates both  adjustable-rate  and
fixed-rate  loans, its ability to originate loans is dependent upon the relative
customer demand for loans in its market. Demand is affected by the interest rate
environment.

         The   Company,   from  time  to  time,   sells  whole  loans  and  loan
participations  generally without recourse. At September 30, 1998, there were no
loans outstanding sold with recourse. When loans are sold, with the exception of
student loans, the Company typically retains the  responsibility  for collecting
and remitting  loan  payments,  making certain that real estate tax payments are
made on behalf of borrowers,  and otherwise  servicing the loans.  The servicing
fee is  recognized  as income over the life of the loans.  The Company  services
mortgage  loans that it originated  and sold totaling $11.0 million at September
30, 1998,  of which $6.8 million were sold to FNMA and $4.2 million were sold to
others.

         In periods of economic uncertainty,  the Company's ability to originate
large dollar volumes of loans may be substantially reduced or restricted, with a
resultant  decrease  in  related  loan  origination  fees,  other fee income and
operating  earnings.  In  addition,  the  Company's  ability  to sell  loans may
substantially  decrease as potential buyers  (principally  government  agencies)
reduce their purchasing activities.

                                       15
<PAGE>
         The following table shows the loan origination  (including  undisbursed
portions of loans in process),  purchase and repayment activities of the Company
for the periods indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Year Ended September 30,
                                               --------------------------------- 
                                                 1996          1997        1998
                                               ---------     -------     -------   
                                                          (In Thousands)
<S>                                            <C>           <C>         <C>     
Originations by type:
 Adjustable rate:
  Real estate - one- to four-family .......    $  10,554     $  7,875    $  4,356
              - commercial and multi-family        2,869        4,873       8,543
              - agricultural real estate ..        2,244         --         1,808
  Non-real estate - consumer ..............          948          931         745
                  - commercial business ...        2,629        9,998       7,459
                  - agricultural operating        12,052       27,469      20,905
                                               ---------     --------    --------
         Total adjustable-rate ............       31,296       51,146      43,816

 Fixed rate:
  Real estate - one- to four-family .......        6,213        7,260      17,775
              - commercial and multi-family        3,065        4,214       7,756
              - agricultural real estate ..        1,561        2,581       2,576
  Non-real estate - consumer ..............       16,899       23,688      20,172
                  - commercial business ...        8,812       19,127      29,437
                  - agricultural operating        22,781       27,635      25,716
                                               ---------     --------    --------
         Total fixed-rate .................       59,331       84,505     103,432
                                               ---------     --------    --------

         Total loans originated ...........       90,627      135,651     147,248

Purchases:
Real estate- one-to-four-family ...........         --           --        15,933
          - commercial and multi-family ...       18,252       26,766      16,324
  Non-real estate - commercial business ...        6,723        3,053       4,290
              - agricultural operating ....         --           --           400
                                               ---------     --------    --------
                                                  24,975       29,819      36,947
  Loans from Iowa Savings acquisition .....       16,734         --          --
  Loans from Security acquisition .........       21,005         --          --
                                               ---------     --------    --------
         Total loans ......................       62,714       29,819      36,947
  Total mortgage-backed securities ........       23,406       16,417      39,409
                                               ---------     --------    --------
         Total purchased ..................       86,120       46,236      76,356
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                            <C>           <C>         <C>     
Sales and Repayments:
  Real estate - one- to four-family .......          560        3,324       5,613
  Non-real estate - consumer ..............          504          268        --
                                               ---------     --------    --------
         Total loans ......................        1,064        3,592       5,613
  Mortgage-backed securities ..............         --           --         5,916
                                               ---------     --------    --------
         Total sales ......................        1,064        3,592      11,529
                                               ---------     --------    --------
  Loan principal repayments ...............       91,900      144,364     163,435
  Mortgage-backed securities repayments ...        8,834        7,969      15,713
                                               ---------     --------    --------
  Total principal repayments ..............      100,734      152,333     179,148
                                               ---------     --------    --------
         Total reductions .................      101,798      155,925     190,677
Increase (decrease) in other items, net ...         (673)         370          60
                                               ---------     --------    --------
         Net increase (decrease) ..........    $  74,276     $ 26,332    $ 32,987
                                               =========     ========    ========
</TABLE>



                                       16

<PAGE>
         The  following  table shows the Company's  purchased  whole real estate
loans and real estate loan  participations  by state and amount held in the loan
portfolio at September 30, 1998. The Company also purchases  commercial business
loans.  At September 30, 1998, the Company's  portfolio of purchased  commercial
business loans totaled $5.4 million.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        One- to Four-Family Loans             Commercial and Multi-Family                 Construction Loans        
                    ----------------------------------   -------------------------------------   -----------------------------------
                                            Percent of                        Percent of total                            Percent of
                                 Number     total One-                 Number    Commercial                   Number        total   
                                   of         to Four                    of     and Multi-                     of       Construction
    Location         Balance      Loans        Family      Balance      Loans   Family Loans     Balance      Loans          Loan   
    --------         -------      -----        ------      -------      -----   ------------     -------      -----          ----   
                                                                 (Dollars in Thousands)

<S>                <C>            <C>         <C>       <C>            <C>        <C>         <C>            <C>           <C>   
Arizona..........  $      97         4          .11%    $     479         1          .72%      $ 1,200           1           3.64% 
California.......        195        15          .23           ---       ---          ---           ---         ---            --- 
Colorado.........         39         5          .05           494         1          .74           839           2           2.54  
Connecticut......        884        41         1.03           ---       ---          ---           ---         ---            --- 
Florida..........         12         1          .01           ---       ---          ---           ---         ---            --- 
Illinois.........        ---       ---          ---           789         3         1.18           ---         ---            --- 
Indiana..........        ---       ---          ---           525         1          .79           ---         ---            --- 
Iowa.............        522        42          .61         2,872         7         4.30           500           1           1.52  
Minnesota........        ---       ---          ---         6,810        11        10.19         5,608           3          17.00  
Missouri.........      1,065        22         1.24         1,117         6         1.67           ---         ---            --- 
Nebraska.........        191        13          .22           411         1          .61         1,781           1           5.40  
Nevada...........        ---       ---          ---         1,067         2         1.60           ---         ---            ---
New Mexico.......        ---       ---          ---           ---       ---          ---         5,275           1          15.99
New York.........      1,945        90         2.27           ---       ---          ---           ---         ---            ---
North Dakota.....         95        14          .11         3,521         9         5.27           900           1           2.73
Ohio.............        126         4          .15           ---       ---          ---           ---         ---            ---
South Dakota.....        722        50          .84         4,321         7         6.46         1,320           2           4.00
Texas............      1,399        38         1.63           286         1          .43           ---         ---            ---
Washington.......     14,667        53        17.09         5,864         3         8.77         7,840           3          23.76
Wisconsin........        ---       ---          ---         8,716        13        13.03         5,392           5          16.34
Wyoming..........        136         7          .16           ---       ---          ---           ---         ---            --- 
                   ---------       ---        -----      --------       ---        -----      --------         ---          -----  
  Total..........  $  22,095       399        25.75%     $ 37,272        66        55.76%     $ 30,655          20          92.92% 
                   =========       ===        =====      ========        ==        =====      ========          ==          =====  
                                                                                              
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Total Purchased Loans       
                    -----------------------------------
                                       
                                  Number        Percent    
                                    of         of Total    
                    Balance        Loans         Loans     
                    -------        -----         -----     
<S>                <C>             <C>           <C>     
Arizona..........  $ 1,776           6             .63%    
California.......      195          15             .07   
Colorado.........    1,372           8             .49     
Connecticut......      884          41             .31   
Florida..........       12           1             ---     
Illinois.........      789           3             .28   
Indiana..........      525           1             .19   
Iowa.............    3,894          50            1.38     
Minnesota........   12,418          14            4.42     
Missouri.........    2,182          28             .78   
Nebraska.........    2,383          15             .85     
Nevada...........    1,067           2             .38   
New Mexico.......    5,275           1            1.88     
New York.........    1,945          90             .69   
North Dakota.....    4,516          24            1.60     
Ohio.............      126           4             .04   
South Dakota.....    6,363          59            2.26     
Texas............    1,685          39             .60   
Washington.......   28,371          59           10.09     
Wisconsin........   14,108          18            5.02     
Wyoming..........      136           7             .05                                                              
                   -------         ---           -----                                       
  Total..........  $90,022         485           32.01%    
                   =======         ===           =====
</TABLE>

                                       17
<PAGE>
Non-Performing Assets, Other Loans of Concern, and Classified Assets

         When a borrower fails to make a required payment on real estate secured
loans and  consumer  loans  within 16 days after the payment is due, the Company
generally institutes  collection procedures by mailing a delinquency notice. The
customer is contacted again, by notice or telephone, when the payment is 45 days
past due and again  before 75 days past due.  In most cases,  delinquencies  are
cured promptly;  however,  if a loan secured by real estate or other  collateral
has been  delinquent for more than 90 days,  satisfactory  payment  arrangements
must be adhered to or the Company will initiate foreclosure or repossession.

         Generally,  when a loan becomes  delinquent 90 days or more or when the
collection of principal or interest becomes doubtful, the Company will place the
loan on a  non-accrual  status and,  as a result,  previously  accrued  interest
income on the loan is taken out of  current  income.  The loan will  remain on a
non-accrual status until the loan becomes current.

         The following  table sets forth the  Company's  loan  delinquencies  by
type,  before allowance for loan losses,  by amount and by percentage of type at
September 30, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Loans Delinquent For:
                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              30-59 Days                     60-89 Days                 90 Days and Over
                                    -----------------------------   -----------------------------      --------------------------
                                                         Percent                         Percent                         Percent    
                                                            of                              of                              of      
                                     Number    Amount    Category    Number    Amount    Category      Number   Amount   Category   
                                     ------    ------    --------    ------    ------    --------      ------   ------   --------   
                                           (Dollars in Thousands)                                                                   
<S>                                    <C>    <C>           <C>       <C>     <C>           <C>         <C>     <C>           <C>   
Real Estate:                                                                                                                        
  One- to four-family............      51     $ 1,924       2.2%        9     $   308         .4%         9     $   338         .4% 
  Commercial and multi-family....       5       2,869       4.3         2       1,836        2.7          8       4,635        6.9  
  Agricultural real estate.......       1          72        .7        --         ---        ---         --         ---        ---  
Consumer.........................      56         452       1.7        24         211         .8         24         149         .6  
Agricultural operating...........      13         610       1.6        16         843        2.3         41       1,738        4.7  
Commercial business..............      19         810       3.8        13         377        1.7         11         209        1.0  
                                      ---     -------                 ---     -------                    --      ------             
    Total........................     145     $ 6,737       2.4%       64     $ 3,575        1.3%        93      $7,069        2.5% 
                                      ===     =======                 ===     =======                    ==      ======             
</TABLE>                                        

         Delinquencies 90 days and over constituted 2.5% of total loans and 1.7%
of total assets.



                                       18

<PAGE>
         The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of non-performing
assets  in the  Company's  loan  portfolio.  Loans,  with some  exceptions,  are
typically  placed on  non-accrual  status when the loan  becomes 90 days or more
delinquent or when the collection of principal  and/or interest become doubtful.
For all years  presented,  the Company has had no  troubled  debt  restructuring
(which  involve  forgiving a portion of interest  or  principal  on any loans or
making loans at a rate  materially  less than that of market rates).  Foreclosed
assets include assets acquired in settlement of loans.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      September 30,
                                                 --------------------------------------------------------
                                                  1994        1995        1996        1997         1998
                                                 -------     ------       ------    -------       -------  
                                                               (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                              <C>         <C>          <C>       <C>           <C>    
Non-accruing loans:
  One- to four-family.......................     $   311     $   127      $  347    $   444       $   298
  Commercial and multi-family...............         302         199       1,623      1,692           777
  Agricultural real estate..................         137          46         127        ---           ---
  Consumer..................................         105         206         331        246           142
  Agricultural operating....................          78         100         184        289         1,738
  Commercial business.......................          38          48          33        204           209
                                                 -------     -------    --------     ------       -------
     Total non-accruing loans...............         971         726       2,645      2,875         3,164
                                                 -------     -------      ------     ------        ------

Accruing loans delinquent
  90 days or more...........................         ---         ---         177        282         3,905
                                               ---------   ---------     -------     ------       -------
     Total non-performing loans.............         971         726       2,822      3,157         7,069
                                                 -------     -------      ------      -----       -------

 Foreclosed assets:
  One- to four-family.......................         ---          48          75         85            19
  Commercial real estate....................         ---         ---         ---         67         1,324
  Consumer..................................         ---         ---           8        ---            19
  Commercial business.......................         ---         ---           9          4           ---
                                                 -------    --------    --------  ---------     ---------
     Total..................................         ---          48          92        156         1,362
 Less:  Allowance for losses................         ---         ---           5        ---           299
                                                 -------     -------    --------   --------     ---------
     Total..................................         ---          48          87        156         1,063
                                                 -------     -------     -------     ------      --------

Total non-performing assets.................     $   971     $   774    $  2,909   $  3,313      $  8,132
                                                 =======     =======    ========   ========      ========
Total as a percentage of total
 assets.....................................        .35%        .29%        .75%       .82%         1.94%
                                                 ======      ======      ======     ======        ======
</TABLE>

         For the year ended  September  30, 1998,  gross  interest  income which
would have been recorded had the  non-accruing  loans been current in accordance
with their original terms amounted to approximately  $385,000, of which none was
included in interest income.

         Non-accruing Loans. At September 30, 1998, the Company had $3.2 million
in  non-accruing  loans,  which  constituted  1.1% of the  Company's  gross loan
portfolio.  At  such  date,  there  were  no  non-accruing  loans  or  aggregate
non-accruing  loans to one  borrower  in excess of  $300,000  in net book value,
except as described below.
<PAGE>

         Non-accruing  loans at September  30, 1998  included a commercial  real
estate participation loan in the amount of $509,000 secured by a shopping center
located  in  North  Dakota.   In  addition,   non-accruing   loans  included  an
agricultural  operating  loan in the  amount of  $837,000  that,  subsequent  to
September 30, 1998, was  restructured to provide  additional  collateral and the
payment of all accrued  interest.  Also  included in  non-accruing  loans was an
agricultural  operating  loan in the  amount of  $404,000  that is in process of
being restructured.

                                       19

<PAGE>
         The balance of  non-accruing  commercial and  multi-family  real estate
loans declined at September 30, 1998 primarily as a result of the foreclosure by
the  Company on a $1.6  million  loan  secured by a 104 unit  apartment  complex
located in  Wisconsin.  The  Company  has a 58%  participation  interest in this
property,  which is in the process of being  sold.  See "--  Foreclosed  Assets"
below.

         Accruing  Loans  Delinquent  90 Days or More.  At  September  30, 1998,
accruing  loans  delinquent 90 days or more  included a $3.9 million  commercial
real estate  participation  loan secured by four nursing  homes.  Subsequent  to
fiscal year end, the loan was refinanced with a reduction of the loan balance to
approximately  $1.0 million and all accrued  interest was paid at that time. The
new loan is secured by one nursing home located in Minnesota.

         Foreclosed  Assets. At September 30, 1998, the Company had $1.1 million
of net foreclosed assets. Substantially all of the Company's foreclosed property
at September  30, 1998  consisted of the 104 unit  apartment  complex  discussed
under "Non-accruing Loans" above.

         Other  Loans of  Concern.  At  September  30,  1998,  there  were loans
totaling  $3.9 million not  included in the table above where known  information
about the  possible  credit  problems of  borrowers  caused  management  to have
concern as to the  ability  of the  borrower  to comply  with the  present  loan
repayment  terms.  This amount  consisted  of two  commercial  real estate loans
totaling $1.1 million,  eight one- to  four-family  residential  mortgage  loans
totaling  $299,000,  nine commercial  business loans totaling  $473,000,  twenty
agricultural  operating  loans  totaling  $1.9 million and four  consumer  loans
totaling $84,000.

         Commercial  real estate loans of concern at September 30, 1998 included
a  $1,072,000  participation  loan secured by an  apartment  complex  located in
Wisconsin.  This loan was  delinquent  89 days at that date.  The borrower is in
process of obtaining  financing  which would be used to repay this loan in full,
including accrued interest.

         Classified Assets.  Federal  regulations provide for the classification
of loans and other assets such as debt and equity  securities  considered by the
Office  of  Thrift   Supervision   (the  "OTS")  to  be  of  lesser  quality  as
"substandard,"  "doubtful" or "loss." An asset is considered "substandard" if it
is  inadequately  protected by the current net worth and paying  capacity of the
obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. "Substandard" assets include those
characterized by the "distinct  possibility"  that the savings  association will
sustain "some loss" if the deficiencies are not corrected.  Assets classified as
"doubtful"   have  all  of  the   weaknesses   inherent   in  those   classified
"substandard,"  with the added  characteristic  that the weaknesses present make
"collection or liquidation in full," on the basis of currently  existing  facts,
conditions,  and values, "highly questionable and improbable." Assets classified
as "loss" are those  considered  "uncollectible"  and of such minimal value that
their continuance as assets without the establishment of a specific loss reserve
is  not   warranted.   The  loans  held  by  Security  are  subject  to  similar
classification by its regulatory authorities.

         When assets are classified as either substandard or doubtful,  the Bank
may establish general  allowances for loan losses in an amount deemed prudent by
management.  General  allowances  represent  loss  allowances  which  have  been
established to recognize the inherent risk associated  with lending  activities,
but which,  unlike  specific  allowances,  have not been allocated to particular
problem  assets.  When  assets are  classified  as "loss,"  the Bank is required
either to establish a specific allowance for

                                       20

<PAGE>
losses equal to 100% of that portion of the asset so classified or to charge-off
such amount. The Banks'  determinations as to the classification of their assets
and the  amount of their  valuation  allowances  are  subject to review by their
regulatory authorities, who may order the establishment of additional general or
specific loss allowances.

         On the basis of  management's  review of its assets,  at September  30,
1998,  the  Company  had  classified  a total of $6.4  million  of its assets as
substandard, $835,000 as doubtful and none as loss.

         Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is established
through a provision for loan losses based on management's evaluation of the risk
inherent in its loan  portfolio and changes in the nature and volume of its loan
activity,  including  those  loans  which are being  specifically  monitored  by
management.  Such  evaluation,  which  includes a review of loans for which full
collectibility may not be reasonably assured, considers among other matters, the
estimated  fair  value  of  the  underlying  collateral,   economic  conditions,
historical  loan loss  experience and other factors that warrant  recognition in
providing for an adequate loan loss allowance.

         Current economic conditions in the agricultural sector of the Company's
market area  indicate  potential  weakness  due to  historically  low  commodity
prices.  The agricultural  economy is accustomed to commodity price fluctuations
and is generally able to handle such fluctuations  without significant  problem.
However,  an extended period of low commodity prices could result in weakness of
the  Company's  agricultural  loan  portfolio  and  could  create a need for the
Company to increase its allowance for loan losses through  increased  charges to
provision for loan losses.

         Real estate properties acquired through foreclosure are recorded at the
lower of cost or fair value.  If fair value at the date of  foreclosure is lower
than the balance of the related loan, the difference  will be charged-off to the
allowance for loan losses at the time of transfer.  Valuations are  periodically
updated by management and if the value declines, a specific provision for losses
on such property is established by a charge to operations.

         Although   management  believes  that  it  uses  the  best  information
available to determine the allowances, unforeseen market conditions could result
in adjustments and net earnings could be significantly affected if circumstances
differ   substantially   from  the   assumptions   used  in  making   the  final
determination.  Future additions to the Company's  allowances will be the result
of periodic loan,  property and collateral  reviews and thus cannot be predicted
in advance.


                                       21
<PAGE>
         The following  table sets forth an analysis of the Company's  allowance
for loan losses.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Year Ended September 30,
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------------  
                                                               1994        1995        1996        1997        1998
                                                             -------    --------    --------    --------    ---------    
                                                                             (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>     
Balance at beginning of period..........................      $  825    $  1,442    $  1,650    $  2,356    $  2,379
Brookings acquisition...................................         518         ---         ---         ---         ---
Iowa Savings acquisition................................         ---         ---         132         ---         ---
Security acquisition....................................         ---         ---         563         ---         ---

Charge-offs:
  One-to four-family....................................         ---         ---         ---         ---       (103)
  Agricultural operating ...............................         ---         ---         ---         ---       (595)
  Commercial and multi-family...........................         ---        (30)        (35)         (2)       (299)
  Consumer..............................................         (6)        (12)        (54)        (66)       (152)
  Commercial business...................................         ---         ---         ---        (55)        (17)
                                                             -------    --------    --------    -------    ---------
    Total charge-offs...................................         (6)        (42)        (89)       (123)     (1,166)
Recoveries:
 Consumer...............................................         ---         ---         ---         ---          17
 Commercial business....................................         ---         ---         ---         ---           5
  Commercial and multi-family...........................         ---         ---         ---           2         ---
 Agricultural operating.................................         ---         ---         ---          24          11
                                                             -------     -------     -------      ------    --------
    Total recoveries....................................         ---         ---         ---          26          33
                                                             -------     -------     -------      ------    --------

    Net charge-offs.....................................         (6)        (42)        (89)        (97)     (1,133)

Additions charged to operations.........................         105         250         100         120       1,663
                                                              ------    --------     -------      ------      ------
Balance at end of period................................    $  1,442    $  1,650    $  2,356    $  2,379    $  2,909
                                                            ========    ========    ========    ========    ========

Ratio of net charge-offs during the period to average
loans outstanding during the period.....................        .01%        .03%        .04%        .04%       .44 %
                                                              =====      ======       =====       =====      =====

Ratio of net charge-offs during
 the period to average non-
 performing assets......................................        .54%       5.08%       5.30%       4.46%      21.50%
                                                              =====     =======        ====        ====       =====
</TABLE>


         For each of the periods  indicated  in the table above,  the  additions
charged to  operations  (provision  for loan losses) were  relatively  constant,
except for fiscal 1998.  For more  information on the provision for loan losses,
see 'Management's Discussion and Analysis - Results of Operations" in the Annual
Report.


                                       22
<PAGE>
         The distribution of the Company's  allowance for losses on loans at the
dates indicated is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        September 30,
                                           1994                             1995                          1996               
                                   ------------------------        ------------------------        --------------------      
                                                    Percent                        Percent                      Percent      
                                                   of Loans                       of Loans                     of Loans      
                                                    in Each                        in Each                      in Each      
                                                   Category                       Category                     Category      
                                                    to Total                       to Total                     to Total     
                                   Amount            Loans          Amount            Loans        Amount         Loans      
                                   ------            -----          ------            -----        ------         -----      
                                                                     (Dollars in Thousands)

<S>                                <C>               <C>           <C>                <C>          <C>            <C>        
One- to four-family........        $  166            34.32%        $   172            30.36%       $  235         31.54%        
Commercial and multi-                                                                                                           
  family real estate.......           449            37.29             551            38.92           639         34.23         
Agricultural real estate...            81             5.02              70             3.72           138          4.45         
Construction...............            77             6.38             134             9.47            59          3.14         
Consumer...................           106             6.59             145             6.89           270          8.21         
Agricultural operating.....           166             4.84             208             6.31           531         12.21         
Commercial business........           134             5.56             123             4.33           271          6.22         
Unallocated................           263              ---             247              ---           213           ---            
                                   ------           ------         -------           -------       ------        ------           
                                                                                                                                
     Total.................        $1,442           100.00%        $ 1,650           100.00%       $2,356        100.00%        
                                   ======           ======         =======           ======        ======        ======         
                                                                                                                              
<CAPTION>
                                              1997                         1998                               
                                     ------------------------    ------------------------- 
                                                      Percent                      Percent                
                                                     of Loans                     of Loans               
                                                     in Each                       in Each               
                                                     Category                     Category               
                                                     to Total                     to Total              
                                      Amount           Loans       Amount           Loans               
                                      ------            -----      ------           -----               
<S>                                 <C>                <C>       <C>                <C>                 
                                   
One- to four-family........         $   222            27.75%    $   257            30.50%   
 Commercial and multi-
  family real estate.......             712            28.12         602            23.77      
Agricultural real estate...             117             4.41         132             3.75    
Construction...............             106             7.99         165            11.73    
Consumer...................             289            10.29         277             9.33    
Agricultural operating.....             580            14.51       1,024            13.24    
Commercial business........             277             6.93         324             7.68    
Unallocated................              76              ---         128              ---      
                                    -------           ------      ------           ------    
                                                                                             
     Total.................          $2,379           100.00%     $2,909           100.00%   
                                     ======           ======      =======          ======    
                                  
</TABLE>

                                       23
<PAGE>
Investment Activities

         General.  The investment  policy of the Company  generally is to invest
funds among various  categories of  investments  and  maturities  based upon the
Company's need for liquidity,  to achieve the proper balance  between its desire
to minimize risk and maximize yield, to provide  collateral for borrowings,  and
to fulfill the  Company's  asset/liability  management  policies.  The Company's
investment and mortgage-backed  securities  portfolios are managed in accordance
with a written  investment  policy  adopted by the Board of  Directors  which is
implemented by members of the Bank's Investment Committee.

         As  of  September  30,  1998,  the  Company's  entire   investment  and
mortgage-backed securities portfolios were classified as available for sale. For
additional  information  regarding the Company's  investment and mortgage-backed
securities portfolios,  see Notes 1 and 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements in the Annual Report.

         Investment  Securities.  It is the Company's general policy to purchase
investment  securities which are U.S.  Government  securities and federal agency
obligations, state and local government obligations, commercial paper, corporate
debt securities and overnight federal funds.

         The  following  table sets forth the  carrying  value of the  Company's
investment  security portfolio,  excluding  mortgage-backed  securities,  at the
dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              September 30,
                                                           -----------------------------------------------
                                                                 1996             1997             1998
                                                           --------------   --------------    ------------
                                                                              (In Thousands)
<S>                                                        <C>              <C>               <C>         
Investment Securities:
 Trust preferred securities(1)..........................   $          ---   $          ---    $     27,256
 U.S. government securities..............................           6,178            2,956             757
 Federal agency obligations..............................          63,032           65,529          27,015
 Corporate bonds.........................................             202              ---             ---
 Municipal bonds.........................................           1,392            1,390           1,341
 Equity investments......................................           1,433            1,255           1,230
 FHLMC preferred stock...................................           1,598              336             427
 FNMA common stock.......................................              70               94             129
                                                                ---------       ----------      ----------
     Subtotal............................................          73,905           71,560          58,155

FHLB stock...............................................           5,525            5,629           5,506
                                                                 --------          -------       ---------

     Total investment securities and FHLB stock..........      $   79,430       $   77,189      $   63,661
                                                               ==========       ==========      ==========
Other Interest-Earning Assets:
  Interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions
  and Federal Funds sold.................................      $   13,892        $  12,177       $   5,818
                                                               ==========        =========       =========
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
(1)      Within  the  trust  preferred  securities  presented  above,  there are
         securities  from  individual  issuers that exceed 10% of the  Company's
         total equity.  The name and the aggregate market value of securities of
         each  individual  issuer are as follows,  as of September 30, 1998: PNC
         Capital  Trust - $4.89  million ;  KeyCorp  Capital I - $4.86  million;
         Huntington  Capital II - $4.85 million;  BankBoston  Capital Trust IV -
         $4.83 million; BankAmerica Capital III - $4.82 million.

                                       24

<PAGE>
         The composition and maturities of the Company's  investment  securities
portfolio,   excluding  equity  securities,   FHLB  stock  and   mortgage-backed
securities, are indicated in the following table.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 September 30, 1998
                                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   After 1      After 5
                                                    Year         Years
                                     1 Year or     Through      Through       After        Total Investment
                                       Less        5 Years     10 Years     10 Years          Securities
                                     -------     ---------    ---------     --------     -------------------- 
                                     Carrying     Carrying     Carrying     Carrying     Amortized     Market
                                       Value        Value        Value        Value        Cost         Value
                                       -----        -----        -----        -----        ----         -----
                                                              (Dollars in Thousands)

<S>                                   <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>     
Trust preferred securities.......     $    ---     $    ---     $    ---    $ 27,256     $ 27,638     $ 27,256
Municipal bonds..................           61          903          377         ---        1,307        1,341
U.S. government securities.......          757          ---          ---         ---          749          757
Federal agency obligations.......          749       10,707       15,559         ---       26,236       27,015
                                      --------     --------     --------    --------     --------     -------- 

Total investment securities......     $  1,567     $ 11,610     $ 15,936    $ 27,256     $ 55,930     $ 56,369
                                      ========     ========     ========    ========     ========     ========

Weighted average yield...........        5.88%        5.76%        7.10%       6.66%        6.58%        6.58%
</TABLE>
         Mortgage-Backed  Securities.  The Company's mortgage-backed and related
securities   portfolio   consists   primarily   of   securities   issued   under
government-sponsored  agency  programs,  including  those of the GNMA,  FNMA and
FHLMC. The Company also holds Collateralized  Mortgage Obligations  ("CMOs"), as
well as a limited amount of privately issued mortgage pass-through certificates.
The GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC certificates are modified pass-through  mortgage-backed
securities that represent undivided interests in underlying pools of fixed-rate,
or certain  types of  adjustable-rate,  predominantly  single-family  and,  to a
lesser   extent,    multi-family   residential   mortgages   issued   by   these
government-sponsored  entities. FNMA and FHLMC generally provide the certificate
holder a guarantee  of timely  payments of interest,  whether or not  collected.
GNMA's  guarantee to the holder is timely  payments of principal  and  interest,
backed by the full faith and  credit of the U.S.  Government.  Privately  issued
mortgage pass-through  certificates  generally provide no guarantee as to timely
payment of interest or principal, and reliance is placed on the creditworthiness
of the issuer, which the Company monitors on a regular basis.

         CMOs are  special  types of  pass-through  debt in which the  stream of
principal and interest payments on the underlying  mortgages or  mortgage-backed
securities  is used to create  classes with  different  maturities  and, in some
cases,  amortization  schedules,  as well as a residual interest, with each such
class  possessing  different  risk  characteristics.  At September 30, 1998, the
Company  held  CMOs  totaling  $11.3  million,  all of  which  were  secured  by
underlying  collateral  issued  under  government-sponsored  agency  programs or
residential real estate mortgage loans. Premiums associated with the purchase of
these  CMOs  are not  significant,  therefore,  the  risk of  significant  yield
adjustments because of accelerated prepayments is limited. Yield adjustments are
encountered as interest rates rise or decline,  which in turn slows or increases
prepayment rates and affect the average lives of the CMOs.


                                       25
<PAGE>
         At  September  30,  1998,  $59.5  million  or  95.4%  of the  Company's
mortgage-backed  securities  portfolio  had  fixed  rates of  interest  and $2.9
million or 4.6% of such portfolio had adjustable rates of interest.

         Mortgage-backed  securities  generally  increase  the  quality  of  the
Company's  assets by virtue of the insurance or guarantees  that back them,  are
more  liquid than  individual  mortgage  loans and may be used to  collateralize
borrowings or other  obligations  of the Company.  At September 30, 1998,  $36.6
million or 58.7% of the  Company's  mortgage-backed  securities  were pledged to
secure various obligations of the Company.

         While  mortgage-backed  securities  carry  a  reduced  credit  risk  as
compared  to whole  loans,  such  securities  remain  subject to the risk that a
fluctuating  interest  rate  environment,  along with other  factors such as the
geographic  distribution  of  the  underlying  mortgage  loans,  may  alter  the
prepayment rate of such mortgage loans and so affect both the prepayment  speed,
and  value,   of  such   securities.   The  prepayment   risk   associated  with
mortgage-backed  securities  is  monitored  periodically,  and  prepayment  rate
assumptions  adjusted as  appropriate  to update the  Company's  mortgage-backed
securities  accounting  and  asset/liability  reports.   Classification  of  the
Company's mortgage-backed securities portfolio as available for sale is designed
to minimize that risk.

         The  following  table sets forth the  carrying  value of the  Company's
mortgage-backed securities at the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                    September 30,
                                                                     ------------------------------------------
                                                                       1996              1997             1998
                                                                     -------          --------       ----------
                                                                                   (In Thousands)

<S>                                                                  <C>               <C>              <C>    
GNMA......................................................           $ 6,392           $20,925          $42,951
CMO.......................................................             4,637             3,832           11,283
FHLMC.....................................................             4,740             3,813            2,827
FNMA......................................................            18,711            14,939            4,711
Privately Issued Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates.......             1,106               916              682
                                                                     -------          --------       ----------

     Total................................................           $35,586           $44,425          $62,454
                                                                     =======           =======          =======

</TABLE>



                                       26
<PAGE>
         The  following  table  sets  forth the  contractual  maturities  of the
Company's  mortgage-backed  securities at September 30, 1998.  Not considered in
the  preparation  of the  table  below is the  effect of  prepayments,  periodic
principal repayments and the adjustable-rate nature of these instruments.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Due in
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------
                                                               After 1        After 5                   September 30,
                                                                Year           Years                         1998
                                                 1 Year or    Through        Through         After          Balance
                                                   Less        5 Years       10 Years       10 Years      Outstanding
                                                 --------     --------       --------       -------       ----------- 
                                                                         (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                              <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>              <C>    
GNMA.....................................        $   ---       $    ---      $      ---      $42,951          $42,951
CMO......................................            ---            ---             448       10,835           11,283
FHLMC....................................            ---            353           1,145        1,329            2,827
FNMA.....................................            233            223              67        4,188            4,711
Privately Issued Mortgage
  Pass-Through Certificates(1)...........            ---            ---             ---          682              682
                                                 -------       --------      ----------    ---------        ---------

     Total...............................         $  233        $   576       $   1,660      $59,985          $62,454
                                                  ======        =======       ==========     =======          =======

Weighted average yield...................          7.47%          9.38%           8.58%        6.99%            7.06%
</TABLE>

(1) This security is rated AA by a nationally recognized rating agency.

         At September 30, 1998,  the  contractual  maturity of 96% of all of the
Company's  mortgage-backed  securities  was in excess of ten  years.  The actual
maturity  of a  mortgage-backed  security  is  typically  less  than its  stated
maturity due to prepayments of the underlying  mortgages.  Prepayments  that are
different than anticipated will affect the yield to maturity. The yield is based
upon the interest income and the amortization of any premium or discount related
to  the  mortgage-backed   security.   In  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting  principles,  premiums and discounts are amortized over the estimated
lives of the loans,  which decrease and increase interest income,  respectively.
The  prepayment  assumptions  used to  determine  the  amortization  period  for
premiums and discounts can significantly affect the yield of the mortgage-backed
security,  and these  assumptions  are reviewed  periodically  to reflect actual
prepayments.  Although  prepayments  of  underlying  mortgages  depend  on  many
factors, including the type of mortgages, the coupon rate, the age of mortgages,
the  geographical  location of the underlying  real estate  collateralizing  the
mortgages and general levels of market  interest rates,  the difference  between
the interest  rates on the  underlying  mortgages  and the  prevailing  mortgage
interest  rates  generally is the most  significant  determinant  of the rate of
prepayments.  During periods of falling  mortgage  interest rates, if the coupon
rate of the underlying  mortgages  exceeds the prevailing  market interest rates
offered for mortgage loans,  refinancing generally increases and accelerates the
prepayment  of the  underlying  mortgages and the related  security.  Under such
circumstances,  the Company may be subject to  reinvestment  risk because to the
extent that the Company's  mortgage-backed  securities amortize or prepay faster
than  anticipated,  the Company may not be able to reinvest the proceeds of such
repayments and prepayments at a comparable rate.

                                       27

<PAGE>
Sources of Funds

         General.  The  Company's  sources  of funds are  deposits,  borrowings,
amortization  and  repayment of loan  principal  (including  interest  earned on
mortgage-backed  securities),  interest  earned on or  maturation  of investment
securities and short-term investments, and funds provided from operations.

         Borrowings, including Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") of Des Moines and
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago ("FRB") advances,  reverse repurchase agreements
and  retail  repurchase  agreements,  may be used at  times  to  compensate  for
seasonal  reductions  in  deposits  or deposit  inflows  at less than  projected
levels,  may  be  used  on a  longer-term  basis  to  support  expanded  lending
activities, and may also be used to match the funding of a corresponding asset.

         Deposits.  The Company  offers a variety of deposit  accounts  having a
wide  range of  interest  rates and terms.  The  Company's  deposits  consist of
passbook  savings  accounts,  money  market  savings  accounts,  NOW and regular
checking  accounts,  and certificate  accounts  currently  ranging in terms from
fourteen days to 60 months.  The Company only solicits deposits from its primary
market area and does not use  brokers to obtain  deposits.  The  Company  relies
primarily on competitive  pricing policies,  advertising and customer service to
attract and retain these deposits.

         The flow of deposits is influenced  significantly  by general  economic
conditions,   changes  in  money  market  and  prevailing  interest  rates,  and
competition.

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

                                       28

<PAGE>
         The following  table sets forth the savings flows at the Company during
the periods indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Year Ended September 30,
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                         1996            1997            1998
                                      ---------       ---------       ---------
                                                 (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                   <C>             <C>             <C>      
Opening balance .................     $ 171,793       $ 233,406       $ 246,116
Deposits acquired from:
  Iowa Savings ..................        15,642            --              --
  Security ......................        27,718            --              --
Deposits ........................       360,606         543,824         615,028
Withdrawals .....................      (350,626)       (541,351)       (589,176)
Interest credited ...............         8,273          10,237          11,890
                                      ---------       ---------       ---------

 Ending balance .................     $ 233,406       $ 246,116       $ 283,858
                                      =========       =========       =========

Net increase (decrease) .........     $  61,613       $  12,710       $  37,742
                                      =========       =========       =========

Percent increase (decrease) .....         35.86%           5.45%        15.34 %
                                      =========       =========       =========

</TABLE>

         The following table sets forth the dollar amount of savings deposits in
the  various  types of deposit  programs  offered by the Company for the periods
indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Year Ended September 30,
                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1996                       1997                        1998
                                          ----------------------     -----------------------     ----------------------- 
                                                        Percent                    Percent                      Percent
                                           Amount       of Total       Amount      of Total       Amount        of Total
                                           ------       --------       ------      --------       ------        --------
                                                                  (Dollars in Thousands)
Transactions and Savings
Deposits:
<S>                                       <C>              <C>        <C>              <C>         <C>              <C>          
Commercial Demand...................      $  5,453         2.34%      $  5,572         2.26%       $ 4,971          1.75%        
Passbook Accounts...................        18,278         7.83         21,562         8.76         18,610          6.56         
NOW Accounts........................        16,087         6.89         16,408         6.67         16,637          5.86         
Money Market Accounts...............        14,994         6.42         11,869         4.82         22,509          7.93 
                                          --------       ------       --------       ------       --------        ------         
                                                                                                                                 
Total Non-Certificate...............        54,812        23.48         55,411        22.51         62,727         22.10  
                                          --------       ------       --------       ------       --------        ------         
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                       <C>              <C>        <C>              <C>         <C>              <C>          
Certificates:                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                 
Variable............................         3,154         1.35          1,259          .51            559           .20         
 0.00 - 3.99%.......................           342          .15            202          .08             95           .03         
 4.00 -  5.99%......................       123,835        53.06        129,409        52.58        130,729         46.05         
 6.00 -  7.99%......................        47,987        20.56         56,515        22.97         87,940         30.98         
 8.00 -  9.99%......................         3,276         1.40          3,320         1.35          1,808           .64 
                                           --------       ------       --------       ------       --------        ------         
                                                                                                                                
Total Certificates..................       178,594        76.52        190,705        77.49        221,131         77.90  
                                          --------       ------       --------       ------       --------        ------         
Total Deposits......................      $233,406       100.00%      $246,116       100.00%      $283,858        100.00%        
                                          ========       ======       ========       ======       ========        ======         
</TABLE>
                                                   

                                       29

<PAGE>
         The  following  table  shows  rate  and  maturity  information  for the
Company's certificates of deposit as of September 30, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    0.00-           4.00-       6.00-       8.00-                   Percent
                               Variable             3.99%           5.99%       7.99%       9.99%      Total        of Total
                               --------             -----           -----       -----       -----      -----        --------
                                                                  (Dollars in Thousands)
Certificate accounts
maturing in
quarter ending:
<S>                                <C>              <C>            <C>          <C>         <C>        <C>            <C>     
December 31, 1998                  $138             $74            $ 30,083     $13,247     $  402     $ 43,944         19.87 % 
March 31, 1999 ...                   71              --              23,904       9,305      1,046       34,326         15.52      
June 30, 1999 ....                   23              --              18,618      15,853        317       34,811         15.74      
September 30, 1999                   63              --              14,946      15,005         40       30,054         13.59      
December 31, 1999                   112              --               8,337       8,477          3       16,929          7.66      
March 31, 2000 ...                  152              --              11,347       4,083         --       15,582          7.05      
June 30, 2000 ....                  --               --               8,529       8,130         --       16,659          7.53      
September 30, 2000                  --               --               7,322       3,869         --       11,191          5.06      
December 31, 2000                   --               --               1,264       1,648         --        2,912          1.32      
March 31, 2001 ...                  --               --               1,730         908         --        2,638          1.19      
June 30, 2001 ....                  --               --               1,194       1,939         --        3,133          1.42      
September 30, 2001                  --               --               1,186       1,452         --        2,638          1.19      
 Thereafter ......                  --               21               2,269       4,024         --        6,314          2.86      
                                   ----             ---            --------     -------     ------     --------        ------  
                                                                                                                                   
 Total ...........                 $559             $95            $130,729     $87,940     $1,808     $221,131        100.00%     
                                   ====             ===            ========     =======     ======     ========        ====== 
                                                                                                                                   
 Percent of total                   .25%            .04%              59.12%      39.77%       .82%      100.00%                   
                                    ===             ===            =======      =======     ======     ========                    
</TABLE>                                                          
         The following table indicates the amount of the Company's  certificates
of deposit and other deposits by time  remaining  until maturity as of September
30, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Maturity
                                                       ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       After      After
                                                       3 Months       3 to 6     6 to 12       After
                                                       or Less        Months      Months     12 months      Total
                                                       -------        ------      ------     ---------      -----
                                                                           (In Thousands)

<S>                                                    <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>      
Certificates of deposit less than $100,000.......      $ 38,639      $30,693   $ 61,126      $ 76,490      $206,948

Certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more......         5,305        3,633      3,739         1,506        14,183
                                                       -------       -------   --------      ---------     ---------

Total certificates of deposit....................      $ 43,944      $34,326   $ 64,865      $ 77,996      $221,131 (1)
                                                       =========     ========  ========      =========     ========    
</TABLE>

(1) Includes  deposits from governmental and other public entities totaling $4.3
million.

                                       30

<PAGE>
         Borrowings.  Although  deposits  are the  Company's  primary  source of
funds, the Company's policy has been to utilize  borrowings when they are a less
costly source of funds, can be invested at a positive  interest rate spread,  or
when the Company desires additional capacity to fund loan demand.

         The Company's  borrowings  historically have consisted of advances from
the FHLB of Des Moines upon the security of a blanket collateral  agreement of a
percentage  of  unencumbered  loans  and  the  pledge  of  specific   investment
securities.  Such  advances  can be made  pursuant to several  different  credit
programs,  each of which has its own interest rate and range of  maturities.  At
September  30, 1998,  the Company had $85.3 million of advances from the FHLB of
Des Moines and the ability to borrow up to an additional  $51.3 million.  All of
the Company's advances currently carry fixed rates, except a $10 million line of
credit which adjusts  daily.  At September  30, 1998,  advances  totaling  $21.6
million  (including  the line of credit)  had terms to  maturity  of one year or
less. The remaining $63.7 million had maturities ranging up to 9 years.

         From time to time, the Company has offered retail repurchase agreements
to its customers. These agreements typically range from 14 days to five years in
term,  and  typically  have been  offered in minimum  amounts of  $100,000.  The
proceeds of these  transactions are used to meet cash flow needs of the Company.
At September  30,  1998,  the Company had  approximately  $4.1 million of retail
repurchase agreements outstanding.

         The  Company  has  also,  from  time  to  time,  entered  into  reverse
repurchase agreements through nationally  recognized  broker-dealer firms. These
agreements  are  accounted  for as  borrowings by the Company and are secured by
certain  of  the  Company's  investment  and  mortgage-backed   securities.  The
broker-dealer  takes  possession  of the  securities  during the period that the
reverse  repurchase  agreement is outstanding.  The terms of the agreements have
typically  ranged from 30 days to a maximum of six  months.  The Company has not
entered into any reverse repurchase agreements in the past five years.

         The  following  table  sets forth the  maximum  month-end  balance  and
average  balance  of FHLB  advances,  retail  repurchase  agreements  and  other
borrowings (consisting of FRB advances) for the periods indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Year Ended September 30,
                                                                   -------------------------------------
                                                                    1996           1997          1998
                                                                    ----           ----          ----
                                                                             (In Thousands)
<S>                                                                <C>           <C>            <C>     
Maximum Balance:
  FHLB advances.............................................       $110,491      $107,426       $109,766
  Retail repurchase agreements..............................          2,790         2,790          4,075
  Other borrowings..........................................          1,400(1)      2,900          2,100

Average Balance:
  FHLB advances.............................................       $ 69,265      $ 80,685       $ 95,328
  Retail repurchase agreements..............................          2,198         2,285          2,916
  Other borrowings..........................................            ---         1,258            557

</TABLE>

(1)  Acquired  on  September  30, 1996 in  connection  with the  acquisition  of
Security.


                                       31
<PAGE>
         The following table sets forth certain  information as to the Company's
FHLB advances and other borrowings at the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             At September 30,
                                                                    -----------------------------------
                                                                     1996          1997         1998
                                                                    --------     --------     --------- 
                                                                           (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                                                 <C>          <C>           <C>     
FHLB advances................................................       $102,288     $107,426      $ 85,264
Retail repurchase agreements.................................          2,790        1,800         4,075
Other borrowings.............................................          1,400        2,900           550
                                                                    --------     --------     --------- 

     Total borrowings........................................       $106,478     $112,126      $ 89,889
                                                                    ========     ========      ========

Weighted average interest rate of FHLB advances..............          5.81%        5.86%         5.91%

Weighted average interest rate of retail repurchase
 agreements..................................................          5.52%        5.79%         5.71%

Weighted average interest rate of other borrowings...........          5.40%        5.55%         5.45%
</TABLE>

Subsidiary Activities

         The only  subsidiaries  of the Company are First  Federal and Security.
First  Federal has one service  subsidiary,  First  Services  Financial  Limited
("First Services"). At September 30, 1998, the net book value of First Federal's
investment in First Services was approximately $766,000.  Security does not have
any subsidiaries.

         First Federal organized First Services,  its sole service  corporation,
in 1983.  First Services is located in Storm Lake,  Iowa and offers mutual funds
and, in some locations, insurance products and annuities. In addition, Brookings
Service  Corporation  ("BSC"),  a  subsidiary  of First  Services,  offers  full
brokerage  services through PrimeVest  Financial  Services,  Inc., a third party
vendor. First Services,  together with its subsidiary BSC, recognized a net loss
of $1,000 during fiscal 1998.

Regulation

         General.  First Midwest  currently has two  wholly-owned  subsidiaries,
First  Federal,  a  federally-chartered  thrift  institution  and  Security,  an
Iowa-chartered   commercial   bank.   First  Federal  is  subject  to  extensive
regulation,  supervision and examination by the OTS, as its chartering authority
and primary federal regulator,  and by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(the "FDIC"),  which insures its deposits up to applicable limits. First Federal
is a member of the FHLB System and is subject to certain  limited  regulation by
the FRB. Such  regulation  and  supervision  governs the  activities in which an
institution  can engage and the manner in which such  activities  are conducted,
and is  intended  primarily  for  the  protection  of  the  insurance  fund  and
depositors.  Security  is  subject  to  extensive  regulation,  supervision  and
examination by the Iowa Superintendent of Banking (the "ISB") and the FRB, which
are its state and primary federal regulators,  respectively.  It is also subject
to regulation by the FDIC,  which insures its deposits up to applicable  limits.
As with First Federal, such regulation and

                                       32
<PAGE>
supervision  governs  the  activities  in which it can  engage and the manner in
which such activities are conducted and is intended primarily for the protection
of the insurance fund and depositors.

         First  Midwest is regulated as a bank holding  company by the FRB. Bank
holding companies are subject to comprehensive regulation and supervision by the
FRB under the Bank Holding  Company Act of 1956 (the "BHCA") and the regulations
of the FRB. As a bank holding company,  First Midwest must file reports with the
FRB and such  additional  information as the FRB may require,  and is subject to
regular  inspections  by the FRB.  First  Midwest  is  subject  to the  activity
limitations  imposed  under the BHCA and in  general  may  engage in only  those
activities that the FRB has determined to be closely related to banking.

         Regulatory  authorities  have  been  granted  extensive  discretion  in
connection with their supervisory and enforcement  activities which are intended
to strengthen  the financial  condition of the banking  industry,  including the
imposition   of   restrictions   on  the  operation  of  an   institution,   the
classification of assets by the institution and the adequacy of an institution's
allowance for loan losses. Any change in such regulation and oversight,  whether
by the OTS, the FDIC,  the FRB or the Congress  could have a material  impact on
First Midwest, First Federal or Security and their respective operations.

         Certain of these regulatory requirements and restrictions are discussed
below or elsewhere in this document.

         Federal  Regulation  of Financial  Institutions.  The OTS has extensive
authority  over  the  operations  of  savings  associations.  As  part  of  this
authority,  First Federal is required to file periodic  reports with the OTS and
is subject to periodic examination by the OTS and the FDIC. The last regular OTS
examination  of First Federal was as of July 23, 1998.  When these  examinations
are conducted by the OTS, the examiners may require First Federal to provide for
higher  general or specific loan loss  reserves.  Security is subject to similar
regulation  and  oversight  by the ISB and the FRB and was last  examined  as of
April 20, 1998.

         Each federal banking regulator has extensive enforcement authority over
its regulated  institutions.  This enforcement  authority includes,  among other
things, the ability to assess civil money penalties,  to issue  cease-and-desist
or  removal  orders  and to  initiate  injunctive  actions.  In  general,  these
enforcement  actions may be initiated for violations of laws and regulations and
unsafe or unsound  practices.  Other  actions or inactions may provide the basis
for enforcement action,  including misleading or untimely reports.  Except under
certain  circumstances,  public disclosure of final  enforcement  actions by the
regulator is required.

         In addition,  the investment,  lending and branching authority of First
Federal is prescribed by federal laws and it is prohibited  from engaging in any
activities not permitted by such laws.  Security is subject to such restrictions
under state law as administered by the ISB.  Federal  savings  associations  are
also generally authorized to branch nationwide whereas Iowa chartered banks such
as Security are limited to establishing  branches in the counties  contiguous to
the county  where their home office is located.  At September  30,  1998,  First
Federal and Security were in compliance with the noted restrictions.


                                       33
<PAGE>
         First    Federal's    general    permissible    lending    limit    for
loans-to-one-borrower  is equal to the greater of $500,000 or 15% of  unimpaired
capital  and  surplus  (except  for  loans  fully  secured  by  certain  readily
marketable  collateral,  in  which  case  this  limit  is  increased  to  25% of
unimpaired capital and surplus). Security is subject to similar restrictions. At
September 30, 1998,  First  Federal's and  Security's  lending limit under these
restrictions  was $5.0 million and  $932,000,  respectively.  First  Federal and
Security are in compliance with the loans-to-one-borrower limitation.

         The federal  banking  agencies  have  adopted  guidelines  establishing
safety and  soundness  standards on such matters such as loan  underwriting  and
documentation,  asset quality,  earnings standards,  internal controls and audit
systems,  interest  rate risk  exposure  and  compensation  and  other  employee
benefits. Any institution which fails to comply with these standards must submit
a compliance plan. A failure to submit a plan or to comply with an approved plan
will subject the institution to further enforcement action.

         Insurance of Accounts and  Regulation  by the FDIC.  First Federal is a
member of the Savings Association  Insurance Fund (the "SAIF") and Security is a
member of the Bank Insurance Fund (the "BIF"),  each of which is administered by
the FDIC.  Deposits  are  insured up to  applicable  limits by the FDIC and such
insurance  is  backed  by  the  full  faith  and  credit  of the  United  States
Government.  As insurer,  the FDIC  imposes  deposit  insurance  premiums and is
authorized to conduct  examinations of and to require  reporting by FDIC-insured
institutions. It also may prohibit any FDIC-insured institution from engaging in
any activity the FDIC  determines  by regulation or order to pose a serious risk
to the SAIF or the BIF. The FDIC also has the authority to initiate  enforcement
actions  against any FDIC insured  institution  after giving its primary federal
regulator  the  opportunity  to take such action,  and may terminate the deposit
insurance if it determines that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound
practices or is in an unsafe or unsound condition.

         The FDIC's deposit insurance premiums are assessed through a risk-based
system under which all insured  depository  institutions  are placed into one of
nine  categories  and  assessed  insurance  premiums  based upon their  level of
capital and supervisory evaluation. The current assessment rates range from zero
to .27% of deposits.  Risk  classification  of all insured  institutions will be
made by the FDIC for each semi-annual  assessment period.  Institutions that are
well-capitalized  and have a high  supervisory  rating are subject to the lowest
assessment  rate. At September 30, 1998,  each of First Federal and Security met
the  capital  requirements  of a "well  capitalized"  institution  and  were not
subject  to any  assessment  See  Note 15 of  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial
Statements in the Annual Report.

         The FDIC is authorized to increase  assessment  rates,  on a semiannual
basis,  if it  determines  that the reserve ratio of the SAIF or the BIF, as the
case may be, will be less than the designated  reserve ratio of 1.25% of SAIF or
BIF insured deposits,  respectively. In setting these increased assessments, the
FDIC must seek to restore the reserve ratio to that designated reserve level, or
such higher reserve ratio as established by the FDIC.  Premiums for both BIF and
SAIF insured institutions are also subject to change in future periods depending
upon an institution's risk classification.

         Prior to the enactment of the  legislation  recapitalizing  the SAIF in
1996, a portion of the SAIF assessment imposed on savings  associations was used
to repay obligations issued by a federally

                                       34
<PAGE>
chartered  corporation  to provide  financing for resolving the thrift crisis in
the 1980s.  Although the legislation also now requires assessments to be made on
BIF-assessable  deposits  for this  purpose,  effective  January 1,  1997,  that
assessment  will be  limited  to 20% of the  rate  imposed  on  SAIF  assessable
deposits  until the earlier of December 31, 1999 or when no savings  association
continues  to  exist,   thereby   imposing  a  greater  burden  on  SAIF  member
institutions  such  as  First  Federal.  Thereafter,   however,  assessments  on
BIF-member   institutions  will  be  made  on  the  same  basis  as  SAIF-member
institutions.  The rates  established by the FDIC to implement this  requirement
for all FDIC-insured  institutions is approximately a 6 basis points  assessment
on SAIF  deposits  and a 1 basis  point  assessment  on BIF  deposits  until BIF
insured institutions participate fully in the assessment.

         Regulatory   Capital   Requirements.    Federally   insured   financial
institutions,  such as First  Federal and  Security,  are required to maintain a
minimum level of regulatory capital.  These capital requirements mandate that an
institution  maintain  at least  the  following  ratios:  (1) a core (or Tier 1)
capital to  adjusted  total  assets  ratio of 4% (which can be reduced to 3% for
highly rated  institutions);  (2) a Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets ratio
of 4% and (3) a risk based capital to risk-weighted  assets ratio of 8%. Capital
requirements  in  excess  of  these  standards  may  be  imposed  on  individual
institutions  on a  case-by-case  basis.  See Note 15 of  Notes to  Consolidated
Financial Statements in the Annual Report.

         An  FDIC-insured   institution's  primary  federal  regulator  is  also
authorized and, under certain  circumstances  required,  to take certain actions
against an "undercapitalized institution" (generally defined to be one with less
than either a 4% core capital ratio,  a 4% Tier 1 risked-based  capital ratio or
an 8% risk-based  capital  ratio).  Any such  institution  must submit a capital
restoration plan and until such plan is approved by the OTS may not increase its
assets,  acquire  another  institution,  establish a branch or engage in any new
activities,  and  generally  may not make  capital  distributions.  The  primary
federal  regulator is also authorized,  and with respect to institution's  whose
capital is further depleted, required to impose additional restrictions that can
affect all aspects of the institution's operations, including the appointment of
a receiver for a "critically  undercapitalized"  institution  (i.e.,  one with a
tangible  capital  ratio of 2% or less).  As a condition  to the approval of the
capital   restoration   plan,  any  company   controlling  an   undercapitalized
institution  must agree that it will  enter into a limited  capital  maintenance
guarantee  with  respect  to  the  institution's   achievement  of  its  capital
requirements.

         The  imposition  of any of these  measures on First Federal or Security
may have a substantial adverse effect on Company's operations and profitability.
First Midwest  shareholders do not have  preemptive  rights,  and therefore,  if
First  Midwest is directed by the OTS,  the FRB or the FDIC to issue  additional
shares of Common Stock, such issuance may result in the dilution in shareholders
percentage of ownership of First Midwest.

         Limitations   on  Dividends  and  Other  Capital   Distributions.   OTS
regulations impose various  restrictions on savings associations with respect to
their ability to make distributions of capital,  which include dividends,  stock
redemptions or repurchases,  cash-out mergers and other transactions  charged to
the capital account.  Generally,  savings  associations,  such as First Federal,
that before and after the proposed distribution meet their capital requirements,
may make capital  distributions during any calendar year equal to the greater of
100% of net  income  for the  year-to-date  plus 50% of the  amount by which the
lesser of the  association's  tangible,  core or risk-based  capital exceeds its
capital

                                       35
<PAGE>
requirement  for such  capital  component,  as measured at the  beginning of the
calendar year, or 75% of its net income for the most recent four quarter period.
However,  an association deemed to be in need of more than normal supervision by
the OTS may have its dividend authority restricted by the OTS. First Federal may
pay dividends in accordance with this general authority.

         Savings  associations  proposing to make any capital  distribution need
only  submit  written  notice  to the OTS 30 days  prior  to such  distribution.
Savings  associations  that do not,  or would  not meet  their  current  minimum
capital requirements  following a proposed capital  distribution,  however, must
obtain OTS, as well as FDIC, approval prior to making such distribution. The OTS
may object to the distribution  during that 30-day period notice based on safety
and soundness concerns. See "Regulatory Capital Requirements."

         Security  may  pay  dividends,  in cash or  property,  only  out of its
undivided  profits.  In  addition,  FRB  regulations  prohibit  the  payment  of
dividends  by a state  member bank if losses have at any time been  sustained by
such bank that equal or exceed its  undivided  profits then on hand,  unless (i)
the prior approval of the FRB has been obtained and (ii) at least  two-thirds of
the  shares  of each  class of stock  outstanding  have  approved  the  dividend
payment.  FRB  regulations  also prohibit the payment of any dividend by a state
member bank without the prior  approval of the FRB if the total of all dividends
declared by the bank in any  calendar  year exceeds the total of its net profits
for that year  combined  with its  retained  net  profits  of the  previous  two
calendar  years (minus any required  transfers to a surplus or to a fund for the
retirement of any preferred stock).

         Qualified Thrift Lender Test. All savings associations, including First
Federal,  are required to meet a qualified  thrift lender  ("QTL") test to avoid
certain  restrictions  on  their  operations.   This  test  requires  a  savings
association  to have  at  least  65% of its  portfolio  assets  (as  defined  by
regulation) in qualified thrift investments on a monthly average for nine out of
every 12 months  on a  rolling  basis or meet the  requirements  for a  domestic
building and loan  association  under the Internal  Revenue  Code.  Under either
test, the required assets primarily consist of residential housing related loans
and  investments.  At  September  30, 1998,  First  Federal met the test and has
always met the test since its effectiveness.

         Any savings association that fails to meet the QTL test must convert to
a national  bank  charter,  unless it  requalifies  as a QTL within one year and
thereafter  remains a QTL, or limits its new investments and activities to those
permissible for both a savings association and a national bank. In addition, the
association is immediately  ineligible to receive any new FHLB borrowings and is
subject  to  national  bank  limits  for  payment  of  dividends  and  branching
authority.  If such  association  has not requalified or converted to a national
bank within three years after the failure, it must divest of all investments and
cease all activities not permissible  for a national bank. In addition,  it must
repay promptly any outstanding FHLB  borrowings,  which may result in prepayment
penalties.

         Community  Reinvestment  Act.  Under  the  Community  Reinvestment  Act
("CRA"),  every  FDIC  insured  institution  has a  continuing  and  affirmative
obligation  consistent  with safe and sound  banking  practices to help meet the
credit  needs  of its  entire  community,  including  low  and  moderate  income
neighborhoods.  The CRA does not  establish  specific  lending  requirements  or
programs  for  financial   institutions  nor  does  it  limit  an  institution's
discretion to develop the types of products and services that

                                       36
<PAGE>
it believes are best suited to its  particular  community,  consistent  with the
CRA. The CRA requires the OTS and the FRB, in connection with the examination of
First Federal and Security,  respectively, to assess the institution's record of
meeting the credit needs of its  community  and to take such record into account
in its evaluation of certain applications, such as a merger or the establishment
of a branch,  by the institution.  An  unsatisfactory  rating may be used as the
basis for the denial of such an application.  First Federal was examined for CRA
compliance in May 1997 and Security was examined in April 1996 and both received
a rating of "satisfactory."

Bank Holding Company Regulation

         General.  Bank holding  companies  such as First Midwest are subject to
comprehensive  regulation by the FRB under the BHCA and the  regulations  of the
FRB. As a bank holding  company,  First Midwest is required to file reports with
the FRB and such additional  information as the FRB may require,  and is subject
to  regular  inspections  by the FRB.  The FRB also  has  extensive  enforcement
authority  over bank  holding  companies,  including,  among other  things,  the
ability to assess  civil money  penalties,  to issue cease and desist or removal
orders and to require that a holding company divest subsidiaries  (including its
bank  subsidiaries).  In  general,  enforcement  actions  may be  initiated  for
violations of law and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices.

         Under FRB  policy,  a bank  holding  company  must serve as a source of
strength  for its  subsidiary  banks.  Under this  policy the FRB may  require a
holding  company  to  contribute   additional  capital  to  an  undercapitalized
subsidiary bank.

         Under the BHCA, a bank holding company must obtain FRB approval before:
(i) acquiring, directly or indirectly, ownership or control of any voting shares
of another bank or bank holding company if, after such acquisition, it would own
or control  more than 5% of such shares  (unless it already owns or controls the
majority of such shares);  (ii) acquiring all or substantially all of the assets
of another bank or bank holding company;  or (iii) merging or consolidating with
another bank holding company.

         The BHCA  prohibits a bank holding  company,  with certain  exceptions,
from  acquiring  direct or indirect  ownership or control of more than 5% of the
voting  shares of any company  which is not a bank or bank holding  company,  or
from engaging  directly or indirectly in activities other than those of banking,
managing or controlling banks, or providing  services for its subsidiaries.  The
principal  exceptions to these prohibitions  involve certain non-bank activities
which,  by  statute  or by FRB  regulation  or order,  have been  identified  as
activities closely related to the business of banking or managing or controlling
banks. The list of activities permitted by the FRB includes, among other things,
operating  a savings  institution  (such as First  Federal),  mortgage  company,
finance company,  credit card company or factoring  company;  performing certain
data processing  operations;  providing certain investment and financial advice;
underwriting   and  acting  as  an   insurance   agent  for  certain   types  of
credit-related  insurance;  leasing  property  on a  full-payout,  non-operating
basis;  real estate and personal  property  appraising;  and, subject to certain
limitations, providing securities brokerage services for customers. The scope of
permissible activities may be expanded from time to time by the FRB.
Such activities may also be affected by federal legislation.


                                       37
<PAGE>
         Interstate Banking and Branching. The FRB may approve an application of
an adequately capitalized and adequately managed bank holding company to acquire
control of, or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, a bank located
in a state  other than such  holding  company's  home state,  without  regard to
whether the transaction is prohibited by the laws of any state.  The FRB may not
approve the acquisition of a bank that has not been in existence for the minimum
time period (not  exceeding  five years)  specified by the  statutory law of the
host  state or if the  applicant  (and its  depository  institution  affiliates)
controls or would  control  more than 10% of the insured  deposits in the United
States or 30% or more of the deposits in the target  bank's home state or in any
state in which the target bank maintains a branch.  Iowa has adopted a five year
minimum existence requirement.  States are authorized to limit the percentage of
total insured deposits in the state which may be held or controlled by a bank or
bank holding company to the extent such limitation does not discriminate against
out-of-state banks or bank holding  companies.  Individual states may also waive
the 30% state-wide concentration limit.

         The federal banking  agencies are also generally  authorized to approve
interstate  merger  transactions  without regard to whether such  transaction is
prohibited by the law of any state.  Interstate  acquisitions of branches or the
establishment of a new branch is permitted only if the law of the state in which
the branch is located permits such  acquisitions.  Interstate mergers and branch
acquisitions  are also subject to the nationwide and statewide  insured  deposit
concentration amounts described above. Iowa permits interstate branching only by
merger.

         Dividends. The FRB has issued a policy statement on the payment of cash
dividends by bank holding companies,  which expresses the FRB's view that a bank
holding company should pay cash dividends only to the extent that its net income
for the past year is sufficient  to cover both the cash  dividends and a rate of
earning  retention that is consistent with the holding  company's capital needs,
asset quality and overall  financial  condition.  The FRB also indicated that it
would be inappropriate for a company  experiencing serious financial problems to
borrow funds to pay dividends.  Furthermore,  under the prompt corrective action
regulations adopted by the FRB, the FRB may prohibit a bank holding company from
paying any dividends if the holding  company's bank  subsidiary is classified as
"undercapitalized."

         Bank  holding  companies  are  required  to give the FRB prior  written
notice of any purchase or redemption of its outstanding equity securities if the
gross  consideration for the purchase or redemption,  when combined with the net
consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the preceding 12
months,  is equal to 10% or more of their  consolidated  net worth.  The FRB may
disapprove  such a purchase or  redemption  if it  determines  that the proposal
would  constitute  an unsafe  or  unsound  practice  or would  violate  any law,
regulation,  FRB order, or any condition  imposed by, or written agreement with,
the FRB. This notification  requirement does not apply to any company that meets
the  well-capitalized  standard for commercial banks, has a safety and soundness
examination  rating  of at  least a "2"  and is not  subject  to any  unresolved
supervisory issues.

         Capital Requirements.  The FRB has established capital requirements for
bank holding  companies that  generally  parallel the capital  requirements  for
commercial  banks and  federal  thrift  institutions  such as First  Federal and
Security. First Midwest is in compliance with these requirements.


                                       38
<PAGE>
Federal Home Loan Bank System

         First  Federal and Security are both members of the FHLB of Des Moines,
which is one of 12 regional FHLBs,  that  administers the home financing  credit
function of savings associations.  Each FHLB serves as a reserve or central bank
for its members within its assigned region. It is funded primarily from proceeds
derived from the sale of consolidated  obligations of the FHLB System.  It makes
loans to members  (i.e.,  advances) in accordance  with policies and  procedures
established by the board of directors of the FHLB. These policies and procedures
are subject to the  regulation  and  oversight  of the Federal  Housing  Finance
Board. All advances from the FHLB are required to be fully secured by sufficient
collateral as determined  by the FHLB. In addition,  all long-term  advances are
required to provide funds for residential home financing.

         As members of the FHLB System,  First Federal and Security are required
to purchase and maintain stock in the FHLB of Des Moines. At September 30, 1998,
the  Banks  had in the  aggregate  $5.5  million  in FHLB  stock,  which  was in
compliance with this requirement.  For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998,
dividends  paid by the FHLB of Des Moines to First Federal and Security  totaled
$370,000.  Over the past five calendar  years such  dividends have averaged 7.3%
and were 6.7% for the first three quarters of the calendar year 1998.

         Under  federal  law the FHLBs are  required  to  provide  funds for the
resolution  of  troubled  savings  associations  and to  contribute  to low- and
moderately priced housing programs through direct loans or interest subsidies on
advances targeted for community investment and low- and moderate-income  housing
projects.  These  contributions  have  affected  adversely  the  level  of  FHLB
dividends  paid and could continue to do so in the future.  These  contributions
could also have an adverse  effect on the value of FHLB stock in the  future.  A
reduction in value of First  Federal's FHLB stock may result in a  corresponding
reduction in First Federal's capital.

Federal and State Taxation

         Federal Taxation. Savings banks such as First Federal that meet certain
definitional  tests relating to the  composition of assets and other  conditions
prescribed by the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended (the "Code"),  are
permitted  to  establish  reserves  for bad debts and to make  annual  additions
thereto which may, within specified  formula limits,  be taken as a deduction in
computing taxable income for federal income tax purposes.  The amount of the bad
debt  reserve  deduction  for  "non-qualifying  loans"  is  computed  under  the
experience  method. The amount of the bad debt reserve deduction for "qualifying
real property  loans"  (generally  loans secured by improved real estate) may be
computed under either the experience  method or the percentage of taxable income
method (based on an annual election).

         Under the  experience  method,  the bad debt  reserve  deduction  is an
amount  determined  under a formula based  generally upon the bad debts actually
sustained by the savings bank over a period of years.

         The  percentage of specially  computed  taxable  income that is used to
compute a savings  bank's bad debt reserve  deduction  under the  percentage  of
taxable income method (the "percentage bad debt

                                       39
<PAGE>
deduction") is 8%. The percentage bad debt deduction thus computed is reduced by
the  amount  permitted  as  a  deduction  for  non-qualifying  loans  under  the
experience  method.  The availability of the percentage of taxable income method
permits qualifying savings banks to be taxed at a lower effective federal income
tax rate than that applicable to  corporations  generally  (approximately  31.3%
assuming the maximum percentage bad debt deduction).

         Under the percentage of taxable income method,  the percentage bad debt
deduction  cannot  exceed the amount  necessary  to increase  the balance in the
reserve for  "qualifying  real property  loans" to an amount equal to 6% of such
loans  outstanding  at the end of the  taxable  year or the  greater  of (i) the
amount  deductible  under the  experience  method or (ii) the amount  which when
added to the bad debt deduction for "non-qualifying  loans" equals the amount by
which 12% of the amount comprising  savings accounts at year-end exceeds the sum
of surplus, undivided profits and reserves at the beginning of the year.

         In  August   1996,   legislation   was   enacted   that   repeals   the
above-described  reserve  method of  accounting  (including  the  percentage  of
taxable income method) used by many thrift  institutions  to calculate their bad
debt reserve for federal  income tax  purposes.  Thrift  institutions  with $500
million or less in assets may, however,  continue to use the experience  method.
As a result,  First  Federal  must  recapture  that  portion of the reserve that
exceeds the amount that could have been taken  under the  experience  method for
post-1987 tax years.  At September 30, 1998,  First Federal's  post-1987  excess
reserves amounted to approximately $1.5 million. The recapture will occur over a
six-year  period,  the  commencement  of which will be  delayed  until the first
taxable year beginning  after December 31, 1997. The  legislation  also requires
thrift  institutions to account for bad debts for federal income tax purposes on
the same basis as commercial  banks for tax years  beginning  after December 31,
1995.

         In addition to the regular income tax, corporations,  including savings
banks  such as First  Federal,  generally  are  subject  to a  minimum  tax.  An
alternative  minimum tax is imposed at a minimum tax rate of 20% on  alternative
minimum  taxable  income,  which is the sum of a  corporation's  regular taxable
income (with certain  adjustments) and tax preference  items, less any available
exemption.  The alternative  minimum tax is imposed to the extent it exceeds the
corporation's  regular  income tax and net  operating  losses can offset no more
than 90% of alternative  minimum  taxable  income.  For taxable years  beginning
after 1986 and before 1996, corporations,  including savings banks such as First
Federal,  are also subject to an environmental  tax equal to 0.12% of the excess
of alternative  minimum taxable income for the taxable year (determined  without
regard to net operating losses and the deduction for the environmental tax) over
$2.0 million.

         To the  extent  earnings  appropriated  to a  savings  bank's  bad debt
reserves for  "qualifying  real property  loans" and deducted for federal income
tax purposes  exceed the allowable  amount of such reserves  computed  under the
experience  method  and to the extent of the bank's  supplemental  reserves  for
losses  on  loans   ("Excess"),   such  Excess  may  not,  without  adverse  tax
consequences,   be  utilized  for  the  payment  of  cash   dividends  or  other
distributions   to  a  shareholder   (including   distributions  on  redemption,
dissolution or  liquidation) or for any other purpose (except to absorb bad debt
losses).  As of September  30,  1998,  First  Federal's  Excess for tax purposes
totaled approximately $6.8 million.


                                       40
<PAGE>
         First Midwest and its subsidiaries file consolidated federal income tax
returns on a fiscal year basis using the accrual method of  accounting.  Savings
banks, such as First Federal,  that file federal income tax returns as part of a
consolidated  group are required by applicable  Treasury  regulations  to reduce
their taxable income for purposes of computing the percentage bad debt deduction
for losses  attributable  to activities of the  non-savings  bank members of the
consolidated  group  that are  functionally  related  to the  activities  of the
savings bank member.

         First Midwest and its consolidated  subsidiaries  have not been audited
by the IRS  within  the  past ten  years.  In the  opinion  of  management,  any
examination  of still  open  returns  (including  returns  of  subsidiaries  and
predecessors  of, or entities merged into,  First Midwest) would not result in a
deficiency which could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition
of First Midwest and its subsidiaries.

         Iowa  Taxation.  First  Federal and Security  file Iowa  franchise  tax
returns.  First Midwest and First Federal's subsidiary file Iowa corporation tax
returns on a fiscal year-end basis.

         Iowa imposes a franchise tax on the taxable  income of mutual and stock
savings banks and commercial banks. The tax rate is 5%, which may effectively be
increased,  in individual  cases,  by  application  of a minimum tax  provision.
Taxable  income under the franchise tax is generally  similar to taxable  income
under the federal  corporate  income tax, except that,  under the Iowa franchise
tax, no deduction is allowed for Iowa  franchise tax payments and taxable income
includes  interest  on  state  and  municipal  obligations.   Interest  on  U.S.
obligations  is  taxable  under the Iowa  franchise  tax and  under the  federal
corporate income tax.

         Taxable income under the Iowa corporate income tax is generally similar
to taxable income under the federal corporate income tax, except that, under the
Iowa tax, no deduction is allowed for Iowa income tax  payments;  interest  from
state and  municipal  obligations  is  included  in income;  interest  from U.S.
obligations  is excluded from income;  and 50% of federal  corporate  income tax
payments are excluded  from income.  The Iowa  corporate  income tax rates range
from  6% to 12%  and may be  effectively  increased,  in  individual  cases,  by
application  of a minimum tax  provision.  The taxable income for Iowa franchise
tax purposes is  apportioned  to Iowa  through the use of a  one-factor  formula
consisting of gross receipts only.

         South Dakota Taxation. First Federal files a South Dakota franchise tax
return  due to the  operations  of its  Brookings  division.  The  South  Dakota
franchise  tax is  imposed  only  on  depository  institutions.  First  Midwest,
Security and First Federal's subsidiaries are therefore not subject to the South
Dakota franchise tax.

         South  Dakota  imposes  a  franchise  tax on the  taxable  income  of a
depository institution at the rate of 6%. Taxable income under the franchise tax
is generally  similar to taxable income under the federal  corporate income tax,
except that,  under the South Dakota  franchise tax, no deduction is allowed for
state income and franchise  taxes,  bad debt  deductions  are  determined on the
basis of actual  charge-offs,  income  from  municipal  obligations  exempt from
federal  taxes are  included in the  franchise  taxable  income,  and there is a
deduction  allowed for federal  income taxes  accrued for the fiscal  year.  The
taxable  income for South Dakota  franchise tax purposes is apportioned to South
Dakota through the

                                       41
<PAGE>
use of a three-factor formula consisting of tangible real and personal property,
payroll and gross receipts.

         Delaware  Taxation.  As a Delaware  holding  company,  First Midwest is
exempted  from Delaware  corporate  income tax but is required to file an annual
report  with and pay an annual fee to the State of  Delaware.  First  Midwest is
also subject to an annual franchise tax imposed by the State of Delaware.

Competition

         The Company faces strong  competition,  both in originating real estate
and other loans and in attracting  deposits.  Competition  in  originating  real
estate loans comes  primarily  from  commercial  banks,  savings  banks,  credit
unions,  insurance companies,  and mortgage bankers making loans secured by real
estate located in the Company's market area.  Commercial banks and credit unions
provide vigorous  competition in consumer lending. The Company competes for real
estate and other  loans  principally  on the basis of the quality of services it
provides to borrowers, interest rates and loan fees it charges, and the types of
loans it originates.

         The Company  attracts  all of its deposits  through its retail  banking
offices,  primarily from the  communities in which those retail banking  offices
are located; therefore, competition for those deposits is principally from other
commercial banks,  savings banks, credit unions and brokerage offices located in
the same  communities.  The Company  competes  for these  deposits by offering a
variety of deposit accounts at competitive rates, convenient business hours, and
convenient branch locations with interbranch  deposit and withdrawal  privileges
at each.

         The  Company  serves  Adair,  Buena  Vista,   Calhoun,   Guthrie,  Ida,
Pocahontas,  Polk and Sac counties in Iowa and Brookings County in South Dakota.
There are 31 commercial banks, four savings banks, other than First Federal, and
one credit union which  compete for  deposits  and loans in the First  Federal's
primary market area in northwest Iowa and eight  commercial  banks,  one savings
bank, other than First Federal,  and one credit union which compete for deposits
and loans in First Federal's market area in South Dakota. In addition, there are
twelve commercial banks in Security's  primary market area in west central Iowa.
First Federal recently  entered the Des Moines,  Iowa market area as a result of
the  acquisition  of Iowa  Savings  and  competes  for  deposits  and loans with
numerous financial institutions located throughout the metropolitan area.

Employees

         At September 30, 1998, the Company and its  subsidiaries had a total of
118 employees, including 16 part-time employees. The Company's employees are not
represented  by  any  collective  bargaining  group.  Management  considers  its
employee relations to be good.


                                       42
<PAGE>
Executive Officers of the Company Who Are Not Directors

         The following information as to the business experience during the past
five years is supplied with respect to the executive officers of the Company who
do not serve on the Company's  Board of Directors.  There are no arrangements or
understandings between such persons named and any persons pursuant to which such
officers were selected.

         Fred A.  Stevens - Mr.  Stevens,  age 51, is Senior Vice  President  of
First  Federal.  In addition,  Mr. Stevens serves as President and a director of
First  Services  Financial  Limited.  Mr.  Stevens is  primarily  involved  with
residential  and consumer  lending,  collections and business  development.  Mr.
Stevens  joined  First  Federal  in 1974 as a loan  officer,  was  elected  Vice
President in 1982, and Senior Vice  President in 1986. He was elected  Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 1989, Corporate Secretary in 1990,
and Trust Officer in 1992.  Mr.  Stevens was elected to his current  position in
September  1998. Mr. Stevens is a former  President of the Storm Lake Chamber of
Commerce and the Storm Lake Rotary Club.  Mr.  Stevens  received his Bachelor of
Science degree from Westmar College, Le Mars, Iowa.

         Donald J.  Winchell  - Mr.  Winchell,  age 46,  serves  as Senior  Vice
President,  Treasurer  and Chief  Financial  Officer of First  Midwest and First
Federal,  and is responsible for the formulation and  implementation of policies
and objectives for First  Federal's  finance,  accounting,  data  processing and
audit  functions.  His duties  include  financial  planning,  interest rate risk
management,   accounting,   investments,   financial   policy   development  and
compliance,  budgeting,  asset/liability management, internal controls, and data
processing  systems and  procedures.  Mr.  Winchell  also serves as Treasurer of
First Services Financial Limited and Brookings Service Corporation. Mr. Winchell
joined First Federal in 1989 as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,  was
appointed Treasurer in 1990, and Senior Vice President in 1992. Prior to joining
First Federal,  Mr. Winchell served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of Midwest  Federal  Savings  and Loan  Association  of  Nebraska  City,
Nebraska  since 1981. Mr.  Winchell  received a Bachelor of Science degree and a
Bachelor of Business  Administration  degree from Washburn  University,  Topeka,
Kansas. Mr. Winchell is a certified public accountant.

Item 2.   Description of Property

         The Company  conducts its business at its main office and branch office
in Storm Lake,  Iowa,  and five other  locations  in its primary  market area in
Northwest  Iowa.  The Company  also  operates  two offices in  Brookings,  South
Dakota,  through the Company's  Brookings Federal Bank division of the Bank; two
offices in Des Moines, Iowa, through the Company's Iowa Savings Bank division of
the Bank; and three offices in West Central Iowa through the Company's  Security
State Bank subsidiary.

         The  Company  owns all of its  offices,  except for the  branch  office
located at Storm Lake Plaza,  Storm  Lake,  Iowa as to which the land is leased.
The total net book value of the  Company's  premises  and  equipment  (including
land, building and leasehold improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment)
at  September  30, 1998 was $4.0  million.  See Note 8 of Notes to  Consolidated
Financial Statements in the Annual Report.


                                       43
<PAGE>
         The Company  believes that its current  facilities are adequate to meet
the present  and  foreseeable  needs of the  Company and the Banks.  In November
1996,  the Company  purchased an existing  building  located in West Des Moines,
Iowa. In March 1998,  the facility  opened as an  additional  office of the Iowa
Savings Bank Division of First Federal.

         The Bank  maintains an on-line data base with a service  bureau,  whose
primary business is providing such services to financial  institutions.  The net
book value of the data processing and computer equipment utilized by the Company
at September 30, 1998 was approximately $286,000.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

         The Company is involved as  plaintiff  or  defendant  in various  legal
actions arising in the normal course of its business. While the ultimate outcome
of these  proceedings  cannot be predicted with certainty,  it is the opinion of
management,   after  consultation  with  counsel  representing  Company  in  the
proceedings, that the resolution of these proceedings should not have a material
effect on Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.

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

         No matter was  submitted  to a vote of  security  holders,  through the
solicitation  of proxies or otherwise,  during the quarter  ended  September 30,
1998.


                                     PART II

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

         Page 56 of the attached  1998 Annual Report to  Shareholders  is herein
incorporated by reference.

Item 6.           Selected Financial Data

         Page 10 of the attached  1998 Annual Report to  Shareholders  is herein
incorporated by reference.

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

         Pages 11 through 22 of the attached 1998 Annual Report to  Shareholders
are herein incorporated by reference.

Item 7A.          Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

         Pages 17 through 19 of the attached 1998 Annual Report to  Shareholders
are herein incorporated by reference.

Item 8.           Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

         Pages 23 through 53 of the attached 1998 Annual Report to  Shareholders
are herein incorporated by reference.

                                       44
<PAGE>
Item 9.           Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting 
                  and Financial Disclosure

         There has been no  Current  Report  on Form 8-K filed  within 24 months
prior to the date of the most recent financial  statements reporting a change of
accountants and/or reporting disagreements on any matter of accounting principle
or financial statement disclosure.


                                    PART III

Item 10.          Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

Directors

         Information  concerning directors of the Company is incorporated herein
by  reference  from the  Company's  definitive  Proxy  Statement  for the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders  held in January 1999, a copy of which will be filed not
later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year.

Executive Officers

         Information   concerning   executive   officers   of  the  Company  are
incorporated  herein by reference from the Company's  definitive Proxy Statement
for the Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders  to be held in January  1999, a copy of
which will be filed not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal  year,
and from the information set forth under the caption "Executive  Officers of the
Company Who Are Not Directors" contained in Part I of this Form 10-K.

Compliance with Section 16(a)

         Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's  directors and
executive  officers,  and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of
the Company's equity  securities,  to file with the SEC reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity  securities  of
the Company. Officers,  directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required
by SEC  regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms
they file.

         To the Company's  knowledge,  based solely on a review of the copies of
such reports furnished to the Company and written  representations that no other
reports were  required  during the fiscal year ended  September  30,  1998,  all
Section 16(a) filing  requirements  applicable  to its  officers,  directors and
greater than 10 percent beneficial owners were complied with.

Item 11.          Executive Compensation

         Information concerning executive compensation is incorporated herein by
reference from the Company's  definitive  Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting
of  Shareholders  to be held in January  1999, a copy of which will be filed not
later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year.


                                       45

<PAGE>
Item 12.          Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

         Information  concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners
and management is incorporated herein by reference from the Company's definitive
Proxy  Statement for the Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders  to be held in January
1999,  a copy of which  will be filed not later than 120 days after the close of
the fiscal year.

Item 13.          Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

         Information   concerning  certain  relationships  and  transactions  is
incorporated  herein by reference from the Company's  definitive Proxy Statement
for the Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders  to be held in January  1999, a copy of
which will be filed not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year.

                                       46

<PAGE>
                                     PART IV

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

         (a)      The following is a list of documents filed as part of this 
                  report:

                  (1)  Financial Statements:

                           The following  financial  statements are incorporated
                  by reference under Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K:


                  1.    Report of Independent Auditors.


                  2.    Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 1998 and
                        1997.

                  3.    Consolidated  Statements  of Income for the Years  Ended
                        September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996.

                  4.    Consolidated  Statements  of  Changes  in  Shareholders'
                        Equity for the Years Ended  September 30, 1998, 1997 and
                        1996.

                  5.    Consolidated  Statements  of Cash  Flows  for the  Years
                        Ended September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996.

                  6.    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

                  (2)  Financial Statement Schedules:

                           All financial  statement  schedules have been omitted
                  as  the   information   is  not  required  under  the  related
                  instructions or is inapplicable.

                  (3)      Exhibits:

                           See Index of Exhibits.

         (b)      Reports on Form 8-K:

         Within the three month period ended September 30, 1998, there was filed
on August 25, 1998, one report on Form 8-K of a press release,  dated August 24,
1998, declaring a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders.

                                       47

<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

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

                                      FIRST MIDWEST FINANCIAL, INC.


Date:    December 28, 1998            By:      /s/James S. Haahr
                                               -----------------
                                               James S. Haahr
                                               (Duly Authorized Representative)

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
this  Report has been  signed  below by the  following  persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


By:      /s/James S. Haahr                              Date:  December 28, 1998
         ----------------- 
         James S. Haahr, Chairman of the Board
         President and Chief Executive Officer
         (Principal Executive Officer)

By:      /s/E. Wayne Cooley                             Date:  December 28, 1998
         ------------------ 
         E. Wayne Cooley, Director

By:      /s/E. Thurman Gaskill                          Date:  December 28, 1998
         --------------------- 
         E. Thurman Gaskill, Director

By:      /s/Rodney G. Muilenburg                        Date:  December 28, 1998
         ----------------------- 
         Rodney G. Muilenburg, Director

By:      /s/Jeanne Partlow                              Date:  December 28, 1998
         ----------------- 
         Jeanne Partlow, Director


By:      /s/G. Mark Mickelson                           Date:  December 28, 1998
         --------------------- 
         G. Mark Mickelson, Director

By:      /s/J. Tyler Haahr                              Date:  December 28, 1998
         -----------------  
         J. Tyler Haahr, Director, Senior Vice
         President, Secretary and Chief Operating
         Officer

By:      /s/Donald J. Winchell                          Date:  December 28, 1998
         --------------------- 
         Donald J. Winchell, Senior Vice President
         Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
         (Principal Financial and Accounting
         Officer)


<PAGE>
                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


  Exhibit
  Number                         Description
  ------                         -----------

  3(i)            Registrant's Articles of Incorporation as currently in effect,
                  filed  on June  17,  1993 as an  exhibit  to the  Registrant's
                  registration  statement  on  Form  S-1  (Commission  File  No.
                  33-64654), are incorporated herein by reference.

  3(ii)           Registrant's  Bylaws,  as amended and  restated on January 26,
                  1998.

  4               Registrant's  Specimen  Stock  Certificate,  filed on June 17,
                  1993 as an exhibit to the Registrant's  registration statement
                  on Form S-1 (Commission  File No.  33-64654),  is incorporated
                  herein by reference.

  10.1            Registrant's  1995 Stock Option and Incentive  Plan,  filed as
                  Exhibit  10.1 to  Registrant's  Report on Form  10-KSB for the
                  fiscal  year ended  September  30, 1996  (Commission  File No.
                  0-22140), is incorporated herein by reference.

  10.2            Registrant's  1993 Stock Option and Incentive  Plan,  filed on
                  June 17, 1993 as an exhibit to the  Registrant's  registration
                  statement  on Form  S-1  (Commission  File No.  33-64654),  is
                  incorporated herein by reference.

  10.3            Employment agreement between First Federal Savings Bank of the
                  Midwest   and  J.  Tyler   Haahr,   filed  as  an  exhibit  to
                  Registrant's  Report on Form 10-K for the  fiscal  year  ended
                  September  30,  1997  (Commission   File  No.   0-22140),   is
                  incorporated herein by reference.

  10.4            Registrant's Supplemental Employees' Investment Plan, filed as
                  an  exhibit  to  Registrant's  Report on Form  10-KSB  for the
                  fiscal  year ended  September  30, 1994  (Commission  File No.
                  0-22140), is incorporated herein by reference.

  10.5            Employment  agreements  between First Federal  Savings Bank of
                  the Midwest and James S. Haahr,  Fred A. Stevens and Donald J.
                  Winchell,  filed  on  June  17,  1993  as an  exhibit  to  the
                  Registrant's  registration  statement on Form S-1  (Commission
                  File No. 33-64654), is incorporated herein by reference.

  10.6            Registrant's Executive Officer Compensation Program.



<PAGE>
 Exhibit
 Number                                      Description
 ------                                      -----------


  10.7            Registrant's Executive Officer Incentive Stock Option Plan for
                  Mergers and Acquisitions.

  11              Statement  re:  computation  of per share  earnings  (included
                  under  Note  1  and  2  of  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial
                  Statements  in the  Annual  Report to  Shareholders'  attached
                  hereto as Exhibit 13)

  13              Annual Report to Shareholders

  21              Subsidiaries of the Registrant

  23              Consent of Expert

  27.1            Financial Data Schedule for the  12 months ended September 30,
                  1998 (electronic filing only).

  27.2            Restated Financial Data Schedule for the 12 months ended 
                  September 30, 1997 (electronic filing only).

  27.3            Restated Financial Data Schedule for the 3 months, 6 months
                  and 9 months ended December 31, 1996, March 31, 1997 and June
                  30, 1997, respectively (electronic filing only).

  27.4            Restated Financial Data Schedule for the 9 months and 12
                  months ended June 30, 1996 and September 30, 1996,
                  respectively (electronic filing only).

                                                                   Exhibit 3(ii)

                                                          (Amended and Restated)
                                                                January 26, 1998

                          FIRST MIDWEST FINANCIAL, INC.
                                     BY-LAWS


                                    ARTICLE I

                                  STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1.                 Annual Meeting.

         An annual meeting of the stockholders, for the election of directors to
succeed those whose terms expire and for the  transaction of such other business
as may properly  come before the meeting,  shall be held at such place,  on such
date, and at such time as the Board of Directors shall each year fix, which date
shall be within  thirteen  (13)  months  subsequent  to the later of the date of
incorporation or the last annual meeting of stockholders.

Section 2.                 Special Meetings.

         Subject  to the  rights  of the  holders  of any  class  or  series  of
preferred  stock of the  Corporation,  special  meetings of  stockholders of the
Corporation  may be  called  only  by  the  Board  of  Directors  pursuant  to a
resolution  adopted by a majority  of the total  number of  directors  which the
Corporation  would have if there  were no  vacancies  on the Board of  Directors
(hereinafter the "Whole Board").

Section 3.                 Notice of Meetings.

         Written  notice  of the  place,  date and time of all  meetings  of the
stockholders  shall be given,  not less than ten (10) nor more than  sixty  (60)
days  before the date on which the  meeting is to be held,  to each  stockholder
entitled  to vote at such  meeting,  except  as  otherwise  provided  herein  or
required to law (meaning,  here and hereinafter,  as required from time to time,
by the Delaware  General  Corporation Law or the Certificate of Incorporation of
the Corporation).

         When a meeting is adjourned  to another  place,  date or time,  written
notice need not be given of the  adjourned  meeting if the place,  date and time
thereof  are  announced  at the  meeting  at which  the  adjournment  is  taken;
provided, however, that if the date of any adjourned meeting is more than thirty
(30) days after the date for which the meeting was originally  noticed,  or if a
new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, written notice of the place,
date and time of the adjourned meeting shall be given in conformity herewith. At
any  adjourned  meeting,  any business may be  transacted  which might have been
transacted at the original meeting.

Section 4.                 Quorum.

         At any meeting of the  stockholders,  the holders of at least one-third
of all of the shares of the stock  entitled to vote at the  meeting,  present in
person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for all purposes, unless or except
to the extent that the preserve of a larger number may be required by law.
<PAGE>
         If a quorum  shall  fail to attend any  meeting,  the  chairman  of the
meeting or the holders of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote who
are present,  in person or by proxy,  may adjourn the meeting to another  place,
date or time.

         If a notice of any adjourned special meeting of stockholders is sent to
all  stockholders  entitled to vote  thereat,  stating that it will be held with
those present  constituting a quorum,  then except as otherwise required by law,
those  present at such  adjourned  meeting  shall  constitute a quorum,  and all
matters shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast at such meeting.

Section 5.                 Organization.

         Such person as the Board of Directors  may have  designated  or, in the
absence of such a person,  the Chairman of the Board of the  Corporation  or, in
his or her absence, such person as may be chosen by the holders of a majority of
the shares entitled to vote who are present,  in person or by proxy,  shall call
to order any meeting of the stockholders and act as chairman of the meeting.  In
the absence of the  Secretary of the  Corporation,  the secretary of the meeting
shall be such person as the chairman appoints.

Section 6.                 Conduct of Business.

         (a) The chairman of any meeting of  stockholders  shall  determine  the
order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such regulation of
the manner of voting  and the  conduct  of  discussion  as seem to him or her in
order.  The polls for each matter upon which the  stockholders  will vote at the
meeting will be opened and closed in accordance with law.

         (b) At any annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall
be  conducted  as shall have been  brought  before the  meeting (i) by or at the
direction  of  the  Board  of  Directors  or  (ii)  by  any  stockholder  of the
Corporation  who is entitled to vote with respect  thereto and who complies with
the  notice  procedures  set forth in this  Section  6(b).  For  business  to be
properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must
have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation.
To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be delivered or mailed to and received
at the principal  executive  offices of the Corporation not less than sixty (60)
days prior to the anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting;  provided,
however,  that in the event that the date of the annual  meeting is  advanced by
more than  twenty  (20) days,  or delayed by more than fifty (50) days from such
anniversary  date,  notice by the  stockholder to be timely must be so delivered
not later than the close of business on the later of the  sixtieth  day prior to
such annual  meeting or the tenth day  following  the day on which notice of the
date of the annual meeting was mailed or public announcement of the date of such
meeting is first made. A  stockholder's  notice to the Secretary shall set forth
as to each matter such stockholder  proposes to bring before the annual meeting,
(i) 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, (ii)
the  name  and  address,  as they  appear  on the  Corporation's  books,  of the
stockholder who proposed such business,  (iii) the class and number of shares of
the Corporation's  capital stock that are beneficially owned by such stockholder
and  (iv)  any  material   interest  of  such   stockholder  in  such  business.
Notwithstanding  anything in these By-laws to the contrary, no business shall be
brought before or conducted at an annual  meeting except in accordance  with the
provisions of this Section 6(b). The officer of the  Corporation or other person
presiding over the annual meeting shall, if the facts so warrant,  determine and
declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting
in  accordance  with the  provisions  of this  Section 6(b) and, if he should so
determine,  he  shall  so  declare  to the  meeting  and any  such  business  so
determined  to  be  not  properly  brought  before  the  meeting  shall  not  be
transacted.
<PAGE>
              At any special  meeting of the  stockholders,  only such  business
shall be conducted  as shall have been  brought  before the meeting by or at the
direction of the Board of Directors.

         (c) Only persons who are  nominated in accordance  with the  procedures
set  forth in these  By-laws  shall  be  eligible  for  election  as  directors.
Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation
may be made at a meeting of  stockholders  at which  directors are to be elected
only  (i) by or at the  direction  of the  Board  of  Directors  or  (ii) by any
stockholder of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at
the meeting who complies  with the notice  procedures  set forth in this Section
6(c).  Such  nominations,  other than those made by or at the  direction  of the
Board of  Directors,  shall be made by timely notice in writing to the Secretary
of the Corporation.  To be timely, a stockholder's  notice shall be delivered or
mailed to and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not
less than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the meeting; provided,  however,
that in the event that less than forty (40) days' notice or prior  disclosure of
the date of the meeting is given or made to stockholders,  to be timely,  notice
by the  stockholder  must be so received not later than the close of business on
the 10th day  following  the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting
was mailed or such public disclosure was made. Such  stockholder's  notice shall
set forth (i) as to each person whom such  stockholder  proposes to nominate for
election or re-election as a director,  all information  relating to such person
that is required to be  disclosed  in  solicitations  of proxies for election of
directors,  or is otherwise  required,  in each case pursuant to Regulation  14A
under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended  (including such person's
written  consent  to being  named in the proxy  statement  as a  nominee  and to
serving as a director if  elected);  and (ii) as to the  stockholder  giving the
notice, (x) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation's  books, of
such  stockholder,  and (y) the class and number of shares of the  Corporation's
capital stock that are beneficially owned by such stockholder. At the request of
the Board of  Directors,  any person  nominated  by the Board of  Directors  for
election as a director  shall furnish to the Secretary of the  Corporation  that
information  required to be set forth in a  stockholder's  notice of  nomination
which  pertains to the  nominee.  No person  shall be eligible for election as a
director of the Corporation  unless  nominated in accordance with the provisions
of this Section 6(c). The officer of the  Corporation or other person  presiding
at the meeting shall,  if the facts so warrant,  determine that a nomination was
not  made in  accordance  with  such  provisions  and,  if he or she  should  so
determine,  he or  she  shall  so  declare  to the  meeting  and  the  defective
nomination shall be disregarded.

Section 7.                 Proxies and Voting.

         At all meetings of stockholders, every stockholder entitled to vote may
vote in person or by proxy executed in writing (or as otherwise  permitted under
applicable law) by the stockholder or his duly  authorized  attorney-in-fact  in
accordance with the procedures established for the meeting. Proxies solicited on
behalf of the management  shall be voted as directed by the  stockholder  or, in
the  absence of such  direction,  as  determined  by a majority  of the Board of
Directors.  No proxy  shall be valid  after  eleven  months from the date of its
execution except for a proxy coupled with an interest.

         Each  stockholder  shall  have one (1) vote  for  every  share of stock
entitled to vote which is  registered  in his or her name on the record date for
the  meeting,  except as  otherwise  provided  herein or in the  Certificate  of
Incorporation of the Corporation or as required by law.
<PAGE>
         All voting,  including the election of directors  but  excepting  where
otherwise required by law, may be by a voice vote; provided,  however,  that the
Board  of  Directors,  in its  discretion,  or the  officer  of the  Corporation
presiding at the meeting of  stockholders,  in his discretion,  may require that
any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast pursuant to a roll call. Every vote
taken by ballot shall be counted by an inspector or inspectors  appointed by the
Board of Directors in advance of the meeting of stockholders  and such inspector
or  inspectors  shall act at the meeting or any  adjournment  thereof and make a
written report thereof, in accordance with law.

         All elections shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast, and
except as  otherwise  required by the law or as provided in the  Certificate  of
Incorporation,  all other matters shall be determined by a majority of the votes
cast.

Section 8.                 Stock List.

         The  officer  who  has  charge  of  the  stock  transfer  books  of the
Corporation  shall  prepare  and  make,  in the  time  and  manner  required  by
applicable law, a list of stockholders entitled to vote and shall make such list
available for such purposes,  at such places,  at such times and to such persons
as required by law. The stock  transfer  books shall be the only  evidence as to
the identity of the stockholders entitled to examine the stock transfer books or
to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

Section 9.                 Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting.

         Subject  to the  rights  of the  holders  of any  class  or  series  of
preferred stock of the Corporation, any action required or permitted to be taken
by the  stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual
or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by
any consent in writing by such stockholders.

Section 10.                Inspectors of Election.

         The  Board  of   Directors   shall,   in  advance  of  any  meeting  of
stockholders,  appoint one or more persons as  inspectors  of election to act at
the  meeting or any  adjournment  thereof and make a written  report  thereof in
accordance with law.

                                   ARTICLE II

                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1.                 General Powers, Number and Term of Office.

         The  business  and  affairs of the  Corporation  shall be managed by or
under the direction of the Board of Directors.  The number of directors shall be
set as provided for in the Certificate of Incorporation. The number of directors
who  shall  constitute  the  Whole  Board  shall be such  number as the Board of
Directors shall from time to time have designated  except that in the absence of
any such  designation,  such number  shall be seven (7).  The Board of Directors
shall  annually  elect a Chairman  of the Board and a  President  from among its
members and shall designate,  when present,  either the Chairman of the Board of
the President to preside at its meetings.
<PAGE>
         The  directors,  other than those who may be elected by the  holders of
any class or series of preferred stock, shall be divided into three classes,  as
nearly equal in number as  reasonably  possible,  with the term of office of the
first  class  to  expire  at the  conclusion  of the  first  annual  meeting  of
stockholders, the term of office of the second class to expire at the conclusion
of the annual meeting of stockholders one year thereafter and the term of office
of the  third  class to  expire  at the  conclusion  of the  annual  meeting  of
stockholders two years  thereafter,  with each director to hold office until his
or her  successor  shall have been duly  elected and  qualified.  At each annual
meeting of  stockholders,  commencing with the first annual  meeting,  directors
elected to succeed  those  directors  whose terms  expire shall be elected for a
term of  office  to expire at the  conclusion  of the  third  succeeding  annual
meeting of stockholders after their election,  with each director to hold office
until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

Section 2.                 Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships.

         Subject  to the  rights  of the  holders  of any  class  or  series  of
preferred stock then  outstanding,  and unless the Board of Directors  otherwise
determines,  newly  created  directorships  resulting  from any  increase in the
authorized  number of  directors  or any  vacancies  in the  Board of  Directors
resulting from death, resignation,  retirement,  disqualification,  removal from
office or other  cause may be filled  only by a majority  vote of the  directors
then in office,  though less than a quorum,  and each  director so chosen  shall
hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of  stockholders  at which
the term of office of the class to which he or she has been elected expires, and
until such director's  successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.  No
decrease  in the number of  authorized  directors  constituting  the Board shall
shorten the term of any incumbent director.

Section 3.                 Regular Meetings.

         Regular  meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such place
or places,  on such date or dates,  and at such time or times as shall have been
established  by the Board of Directors and  publicized  among all  directors.  A
notice of each regular meeting shall not be required.

Section 4.                 Special Meetings.

         Special  meetings of the Board of Directors  may be called by one-third
(1/3) of the directors  then in office  (rounded up to the nearest whole number)
or by the  Chairman of the Board and shall be held at such place,  on such date,
and at such time as they or he or she shall fix. Notice of the place,  date, and
time of each such special  meeting shall be given to each director by whom it is
not waived by  mailing  written  notice  not less than five (5) days  before the
meeting or by telegraphing or telexing or by facsimile  transmission of the same
not less than  twenty-four  (24) hours  before  the  meeting.  Unless  otherwise
indicated in the notice  thereof,  any and all business may be  transacted  at a
special meeting.

Section 5.                 Quorum.

         At any meeting of the Board of Directors,  a majority of the authorized
number of directors then  constituting  the Board shall  constitute a quorum for
all purposes.  If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, a majority of those
present may adjourn the meeting to another place, date, or time, without further
notice or waiver thereof. Notwithstanding the above, at any adjourned meeting of
the Board of Directors, at least one-third of the authorized number of directors
then constituting the Board shall constitute a quorum for all purposes.
<PAGE>
Section 6.                 Participation in Meetings By Conference Telephone.

         Members of the Board of  Directors,  or of any committee  thereof,  may
participate  in a meeting  of such  Board or  committee  by means of  conference
telephone  or similar  communications  equipment  by means of which all  persons
participating  in the meeting can hear each other and such  participation  shall
constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 7.                 Conduct of Business.

         At any meeting of the Board of Directors,  business shall be transacted
in such order and manner as the Board may from time to time  determine,  and all
matters shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the directors  present,
except as otherwise  provided  herein or required by law. Action may be taken by
the Board of Directors  without a meeting if all members thereof consent thereto
in  writing,  and the  writing  or  writings  are  filed  with  the  minutes  of
proceedings of the Board of Directors.

Section 8.                 Powers.

         The Board of  Directors  may,  except  as  otherwise  required  by law,
exercise  all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or
done by the  Corporation,  including,  without  limiting the  generality  of the
foregoing, the unqualified power:

         (1) To declare dividends from time to time in accordance with law;

         (2) To purchase or otherwise acquire any property, rights or privileges
on such terms as it shall determine;

         (3) To authorize the creation,  making or issuance,  in such form as it
may   determine,   of  written   obligations   of  every  kind,   negotiable  or
non-negotiable,  secured  or  unsecured,  and  to do  all  things  necessary  in
connection therewith;

         (4) To remove any officer of the Corporation with or without cause, and
from time to time to devolve the powers and duties of any officer upon any other
person for the time being;

         (5) To confer upon any officer of the Corporation the power to appoint,
remove and suspend subordinate officers, employees and agents;

         (6) To adopt  from time to time such  stock,  option,  stock  purchase,
bonus or other compensation plans for directors,  officers, employees and agents
of the Corporation and its subsidiaries as it may determine;

         (7) To adopt from time to time such  insurance,  retirement,  and other
benefit plans for directors,  officers,  employees and agents of the Corporation
and its subsidiaries as it may determine; and,

         (8) To adopt from time to time regulations, not inconsistent with these
By-laws, for the management of the Corporation's business and affairs.

Section 9.                 Compensation of Directors.

         Directors, as such, may receive, pursuant to resolution of the Board of
Directors,  fixed fees and other  compensation  for their services as directors,
including  without  limitation,  their  services as members of committees of the
Board of Directors.
<PAGE>
Section 10.                Qualifications

         Any  member of the Board of  directors  shall,  in order to  qualify as
such,  be domiciled in or have his or her primary  place of business  located in
any  county,  a portion of which is within a 70 mile radius of any office of any
subsidiary financial institution of the Company.

                                   ARTICLE III

                                   COMMITTEES

Section 1.                 Committees of the Board of Directors.

         The Board of  Directors,  by a vote of a majority of the Whole Board of
Directors,  may from time to time designate  committees of the Board,  with such
lawfully  delegable  powers and duties as it  thereby  confers,  to serve at the
pleasure of the Board and shall,  for those  committees and any others  provided
for  herein,  elect a director or  directors  to serve as the member or members,
designating, if it desires, other directors as alternate members who may replace
any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Any committee
so designated  may exercise the power and authority of the Board of Directors to
declare a dividend, to authorize the issuance of stock or to adopt a certificate
of  ownership  and  merger  pursuant  to  Section  253 of the  Delaware  General
Corporation  Law  if  the  resolution   which  designated  the  committee  or  a
supplemental  resolution  of the Board of  Directors  shall so  provide.  In the
absence or  disqualification  of any member of any  committee  and any alternate
member in his or her place,  the member or members of the  committee  present at
the meeting and not disqualified  from voting,  whether or not he or she or they
constitute a quorum,  may be unanimous vote appoint  another member of the Board
of  Directors  to act at the meeting in the place of the absent or  disqualified
member.

Section 2.                 Conduct of Business.

         Each  committee  may  determine  the  procedural  rules for meeting and
conducting  its  business  and  shall  act in  accordance  therewith,  except as
otherwise  provided herein or required by law. Adequate  provision shall be made
for notice to members of all  meetings;  one-third  (1/3) of the  members  shall
constitute a quorum  unless the  committee  shall  consist of one (1) or two (2)
members,  in which  event one (1)  member  shall  constitute  a quorum;  and all
matters shall be determined  by a majority vote of the members  present.  Action
may be taken by any committee  without a meeting if all members  thereof consent
thereto in writing and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the
proceedings of such committee.

Section 3.                 Nominating Committee.

         The Board of  Directors  shall  appoint a  Nominating  Committee of the
Board,  consisting of not less than three (3) members, one of which shall be the
Chairman of the Board.  The  Nominating  Committee  shall have  authority (a) to
review  any  nominations  for  election  to the  Board  of  Directors  made by a
stockholder  of the  Corporation  pursuant  to Section  6(c)(ii) of Article I of
these  By-laws in order to determine  compliance  with such  By-law,  and (b) to
recommend to the Whole Board  nominees for election to the Board of Directors to
replace those directors whose terms expire at the annual meeting of stockholders
next ensuing.
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE IV

                                    OFFICERS

Section 1.                 Generally.

         (a)  As  soon  as  may be  practicable  after  the  annual  meeting  of
stockholders,  the Board of Directors  shall  choose a Chairman of the Board,  a
Present, one or more Vice Presidents,  a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer
and from time to time may choose such other officers as it may deem proper.  The
Chairman  of the  Board  and the  President  shall  be  chosen  from  among  the
directors. Any number of officers may be held by the same person.

         (b) The term of office of all  officers  shall be until the next annual
election of officers and until their respective  successors are chosen,  but any
officer  may be removed  from  office at any time by the  affirmative  vote of a
majority of the authorized  number of directors then  constituting  the Board of
Directors.

         (c) All officers  chosen by the Board of Directors shall each have such
powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective  offices,  subject to
the specific  provisions of this Article IV. Such officers  shall also have such
powers  and  duties  as from  time to time  may be  conferred  by the  Board  of
Directors or by any committee thereof.

Section 2.                 Chairman of the Board of Directors.

         The Chairman of the Board of Directors  of the  Corporation  shall have
general  responsibilities for the conduct of meetings of the Board of Directors,
subject  to the  direction  of the Board of  Directors,  Section 3 herein and to
Article I, Section 6.

Section 3.                 President.

         The President shall be the chief executive  officer and, subject to the
control of the Board of Directors,  shall have general power over the management
and oversight of the administration and operation of the Corporation's  business
and general  supervisory  power and authority over its policies and affairs.  He
shall see that all orders and  resolutions  of the Board of Directors and of any
committee thereof are carried into effect.

         Each meeting of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors shall be
presided over by the Chairman of the Board,  or, in his absence,  the President,
or, in his  absence,  by such  officer  as has been  designated  by the Board of
Directors  or, in his  absence,  by such officer or other person as is chosen at
the  meeting.  The  Secretary  or, in his  absence,  the General  Counsel of the
Corporation or such officer as has been designated by the Board of Directors or,
in his  absence,  such  officer  or other  person  as is  chosen  by the  person
presiding, shall act as secretary of each such meeting.


Section 4.                 Vice President.

         The Vice President or Vice Presidents, if any, shall perform the duties
of the  President in his absence or during his  disability  to act. In addition,
the Vice  Presidents  shall  perform the duties and exercise the powers  usually
incident to their respective  offices and/or such other duties and powers as may
be properly  assigned to them from time to time by the Board of  Directors,  the
Chairman of the Board or the President.
<PAGE>
Section 5.                 Secretary.

         The  Secretary  or an  Assistance  Secretary  shall  issue  notices  of
meetings,  shall  keep  their  minutes,  shall  have  charge of the seal and the
corporate books,  shall perform such other duties and exercise such other powers
as are usually  incident to such offices  and/or such other duties and powers as
are properly  assigned  thereto by the Board of  Directors,  the Chairman of the
Board or the President.

Section 6.                 Chief Financial Officer.

         The  Chief  Financial  Officer  shall  have  charge of all  monies  and
securities of the Corporation,  other than monies and securities of any division
of the Corporation  which has a treasurer or financial  officer appointed by the
Board of Directors,  and shall keep regular  books of account.  The funds of the
Corporation  shall be  deposited  in the  name of the Corporation  of the  Chief
Financial  Officer with such banks or trust  companies as the Board of Directors
from time to time  shall  designate.  He or she shall sign or  countersign  such
instruments as require his or her  signature,  shall perform all such duties and
have all such powers as are usually  incident to such officer  and/or such other
duties  and  powers  as are  properly  assigned  to him or her by the  Board  of
Directors,  the Chairman of the Board or the  President,  and may be required to
give bond for the faithful performance of his or her duties in such sum and with
such surety as may be required by the Board of Directors.

Section 7.                 Assistant Secretaries and Other Officers.

         The Board of Directors  may appoint one or more  assistant  secretaries
and one or more assistants to the Chief Financial  Officer,  or one appointee to
both such  positions,  which  officers  shall have such powers and shall perform
such duties as are  provided  in these  By-laws or as may be assigned to them by
the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President.

Section 8.                 Action with Respect to Securities of Other 
                           Corporations.

         Unless otherwise  directed by the Board of Directors,  the President or
any officer of the  Corporation  authorized by the President shall have power to
vote and otherwise act on behalf of the  Corporation,  in person or by proxy, at
any meeting of  stockholders of or with respect to any action of stockholders of
any  other  corporation  in  which  this  Corporation  may hold  securities  and
otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers which this  Corporation  may
possess by reason of its ownership of securities in such other corporation.

                                    ARTICLE V

                                      STOCK

Section 1.                 Certificates of Stock.

         Each  stockholder  shall be entitled to a certificate  signed by, or in
the name of the Corporation  by, the President or a Vice  President,  and by the
Secretary  or an  Assistant  Secretary,  or the Chief  Financial  Officer  or an
assistant to the Chief Financial Officer,  certifying the number of shares owned
by him or  her.  Any or all  of  the  signatures  on the  certificate  may be by
facsimile.
<PAGE>
Section 2.                 Transfers of Stock.

         Transfers  of stock shall be made only upon the  transfer  books of the
Corporation  kept  at  an  office  of  the  Corporation  or by  transfer  agents
designated to transfer  shares of the stock of the  Corporation.  Except where a
certificate  is  issued  in  accordance  with  Section  4 of  Article V of these
By-laws,  an outstanding  certificate for the number of shares involved shall be
surrendered for cancellation before a new certificate is issued therefor.

Section 3.                 Record Date.

         In order that the Corporation may determine the  stockholders  entitled
to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders, or to receive payment of
any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or to exercise any
rights in respect of any  change,  conversion  or  exchange  of stock or for the
purpose of any other  lawful  action,  the Board of  Directors  may fix a record
date,  which  record  date shall not  precede  the date on which the  resolution
fixing the record date is adopted  and which  record date shall not be more than
sixty  (60)  nor less  than ten (10)  days  before  the date of any  meeting  of
stockholders,  nor more than  sixty  (60) days  prior to the time for such other
action as hereinbefore described;  provided,  however, that if no record date is
fixed by the Board of Directors,  the record date for  determining  the Board of
Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or
to vote at a meeting of  stockholders  shall be at the close of  business on the
day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived,  at
the close of business on the day next  preceding the day on which the meeting is
held,  and,  for  determining  stockholders  entitled to receive  payment of any
dividend or other  distribution or allotment of rights or to exercise any rights
of change,  conversion or exchange of stock or for any other purpose, the record
date  shall  be at the  close  of  business  on the day on  which  the  Board of
Directors adopts a resolution relating thereto.

         A  determination  of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to
vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting;
provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the
adjourned meeting.

Section 4.                 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.

         In the event of the loss,  theft or destruction  of any  certificate of
stock,  another may be issued in its place  pursuant to such  regulations as the
Board  of  Directors  may  establish  concerning  proof of such  loss,  theft or
destruction  and  concerning  the  giving  of a  satisfactory  bond or  bonds of
indemnity.

Section 5.                 Regulations.

         The issue,  transfer,  conversion and  registration  of certificates of
stock shall be governed by such other  regulations as the Board of Directors may
establish.
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE VI

                                     NOTICES

Section 1.                 Notices.

         Except as otherwise  specifically  provided  herein or required by law,
all notices required to be given to any stockholder, director, officer, employee
or agent shall be in writing and may in every  instance be given  effectively by
hand delivery to the recipient  thereof,  by depositing such notice in the mail,
postage  paid,  by sending  such  notice by prepaid  telegram  or mailgram or by
sending such notice by facsimile machine or other electronic  transmission.  Any
such notice shall be addressed to such stockholder,  director, officer, employee
or agent at his or her last known  address  as the same  appears on the books of
the Corporation.  The time when such notice is received,  if hand delivered,  or
dispatched,  if  delivered  through  the mail,  by  telegram  or  mailgram or by
facsimile  machine or other  electronic  transmission,  shall be the time of the
giving of the notice.

Section 2.                 Waivers.

         A written  waiver of any  notice,  signed by a  stockholder,  director,
officer,  employee or agent,  whether  before or after the time of the event for
which notice is to be given,  shall be deemed  equivalent to the notice required
to be given to such stockholder,  director,  officer, employee or agent. Neither
the business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in such a waiver.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1.                 Facsimile Signatures.

         In addition to the provisions for use of facsimile signatures elsewhere
specifically authorized in these By-laws, facsimile signatures of any officer or
officers of the  Corporation may be used whenever and as authorized by the Board
of Directors or a committee thereof.

Section 2.                 Corporate Seal.

         The Board of Directors may provide a suitable seal, containing the name
of the Corporation,  which seal shall be in the charge of the Secretary.  If and
when so directed by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, duplicates of
the seal may be kept and used by the Chief Financial  Officer or by an Assistant
Secretary or an assistance to the Chief Financial Officer.

Section 3.                 Reliance upon Books, Reports and Records.

         Each director,  each member of any committee designated by the Board of
Directors,  and each officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his
or her  duties,  be fully  protected  in relying in good faith upon the books of
account or other records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions,
reports or  statements  presented to the  Corporation  by any of its officers or
employees,  or  committees  of the Board of Directors so  designated,  or by any
other person as to matters  which such director or committee  member  reasonably
believes are within such other person's  professional  or expert  competence and
who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.
<PAGE>
Section 4.                 Fiscal Year.

         The fiscal  year of the  Corporation  shall  begin on October 1 of each
year.

Section 5.                 Time Periods.

         In applying any provision of these  By-laws which  requires that an act
be done or not be done a  specified  number of days prior to an event or that an
act be done  during a period of a  specified  number of days  prior to an event,
calendar  days shall be used,  the day of the doing of the act shall be excluded
and the day of the event shall be included.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                   AMENDMENTS

         The By-laws of the Corporation  may be adopted,  amended or repealed as
provided  in  Article  SEVENTH  of  the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of  the
Corporation.

                    FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK OF THE MIDWEST
                     Executive Officer Compensation Program



I.       Statement of Policy

         It is the policy of First  Federal  Savings  Bank of the  Midwest  (the
"Bank") to attract and retain  competent  and qualified  executive  officers who
will provide the leadership and  management  skills  required to attain the long
range goals of the institution. The Board of Directors recognizes the importance
of a compensation  program which encourages and rewards achievement and provides
incentives for continued  performance  excellence.  As such,  First Federal will
recognize  an  executive  officer's  demonstrated  commitment  to the  long-term
objectives through a program which consistently rewards performance at the upper
level of comparable institutions.

II.      General

         Executive  officer  compensation is comprised of two  components,  base
compensation and incentive compensation.  Base compensation shall be established
at a level  which is  commensurate  with  the  level  of  responsibility  of the
position and an acceptable  level of  performance  by the  incumbent.  Incentive
compensation shall be used as the method to reward performance of the individual
and  company   which   exceeds  that  which  is  expected   within  the  general
responsibilities of the position. For purposes of this compensation program, the
two components of compensation are discussed separately.

         Comparative   compensation  information  shall  be  derived  from  such
comprehensive sources as SNL Securities,  MCS Associates,  Savings and Community
Bankers of America,  The  American  Banker and major  accounting  firms.  Use of
comparative  sources shall not be limited to those listed.  Information shall be
utilized which is considered pertinent, taking into consideration the operations
of this institution.

         A review of  individual  performance  shall also include  factors which
demonstrate  conformity with the responsibility for the safe and sound operation
of the Bank. The relevance of specific factors will vary based on the individual
position and will  include  such items as  compliance  with  internal  policies,
accepted business practices and regulatory requirements; observed leadership and
administrative  abilities;  the level of technical  competence  demonstrated  in
carrying out the  responsibilities of the position;  and the ability to plan and
respond to changing  circumstances.  Quantitative  goals are not established for
these factors in the determination of base compensation; however, such goals are
to be used in part in the determination of incentive compensation. The goals and
objectives  as outlined in the Bank's  strategic  business  plan shall also be a
factor in the measurement of individual performance.

III.     Base Compensation

         It is  the  policy  of  First  Federal  to  provide  a  level  of  base
compensation  which is  commensurate  with  the  position  and the  demonstrated
abilities of the individual  executive officer.  Individual base compensation is
considered  a  function  of the  position  and the  past  experience,  level  of
achievement and the anticipation of continued  performance of the officer.  Base
compensation  shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors at least  annually and
revised as considered appropriate.
<PAGE>
         On an  annual  basis,  the  Board  shall  determine  the  level of base
compensation for each executive officer within the guidelines outlined in former
FHLBB R #42  Memoranda  (Exhibit  1) and  Section  310.3 of the Office of Thrift
Supervision  Thrift  Activities  Regulatory  Handbook  (Exhibit 2). All relevant
supporting  information  relied on by the Board in determining such levels shall
be retained and available for future reference.

IV.      Incentive Compensation

         A program of  incentive  compensation  has been  established  to reward
those  officers who provide a level of  performance  for the Bank which warrants
recognition  in the  form  of  compensation  above  base  compensation  amounts.
Incentive  compensation will be based on 1) performance by the individual and 2)
overall  company   performance.   The  Board  may  award  total  cash  Executive
Compensation  not to exceed 50% of base  compensation  and stock  options not to
exceed 20% of base compensation as described in this plan.

         On an  annual  basis,  the Board of  Directors  shall  award  incentive
compensation to those individual  executive officers for which such compensation
is  considered  appropriate.  The Board is not required to  authorize  incentive
compensation to eligible  executive  officers even if all guidelines are met, if
in the Board's  discretion,  the  officer's  performance  does not warrant  such
award.  The Board shall  follow the  guidelines  listed below as a basis for its
decision to award such incentive compensation.

         A.       Guidelines for Incentive Compensation - Individual Performance

                  The Board of Directors  may award an  individual  up to 25% of
                  base  compensation  in cash  and 15% of base  compensation  in
                  options based on that individual's performance. The Board will
                  analyze each  performance  and  contribution to the Company as
                  described  in  Section  II.  The  analysis  will be of overall
                  individual  performance with various  performance  areas being
                  weighted as reasonably determined by the Board.

         B.       Guidelines for Incentive Compensation - Company Performance

                  1.  The Bank must, at fiscal year end, have a level of capital
                      which is at least 125% of the regulatory  minimum for each
                      of the capital requirements.

                  2.  The  combined  return on  average  equity for the Bank and
                      Security  State Bank must be at least equal to 9.00%.  For
                      purposes of determining  compliance  with this  guideline,
                      return on equity  shall be  determined  based either on an
                      assumed  capitalization  at 8.00% of average assets, or on
                      actual   capitalization  if  less  than  8.00%.  Also  for
                      purposes of this  guideline,  earnings shall be reduced by
                      the assumed earnings on capital in excess of 8.00% (net of
                      tax, and based on the average  earning asset yield for the
                      period)  and  shall  be  increased  by the  amount  of any
                      amortization of goodwill.

                      In the  event  that an  acquisition  or other  significant
                      non-routine  occurrence were to cause this requirement not
                      to be met, the Board is authorized to exercise  discretion
<PAGE>
                      in the award of incentive compensation,  provided that all
                      other   requirements   have  been  met.  For  purposes  of
                      determining   compliance   with  this   requirement,   net
                      non-operating  income  shall not account for greater  than
                      25% of total income.

                  3.  The Bank's  ratio of  classified  assets to total  capital
                      must not exceed  35%.  Classified  assets  are  defined as
                      those  assets  classified,   under  current  policies  and
                      regulations,  as  substandard  and doubtful as reported on
                      the appropriate  lines of the quarterly  thrift  financial
                      report.

                  4.  The Bank's  interest  rate risk  exposure,  as  determined
                      quarterly by the Office of Thrift Supervision and based on
                      Thrift  Bulletin No. 13 guidelines for the  measurement of
                      interest  rate risk  exposure,  must not allow the  Bank's
                      capital   position   to   fall   below   minimum   capital
                      requirements.

                  5.  The composite CAMEL rating, as reported to the Bank by the
                      Office  of Thrift  Supervision,  reflects  the  regulatory
                      perception  of  the  institution's  overall  strength  and
                      compliance with regulatory requirements.  As such, a CAMEL
                      rating  of  1  or  2 is  considered  acceptable  to  allow
                      consideration of incentive compensation.

                  6.  Prior to the approval of any incentive  compensation,  the
                      Board shall have reviewed all  independent  audit reports,
                      Office  of  Thrift  Supervision  reports  of  examination,
                      Federal   Deposit   Insurance   Corporation   reports   of
                      examination  and any  relevant  documents  related to such
                      audits and  examinations  which have  occurred  during the
                      period for which the incentive compensation is considered.
                      The Board's review of those  documents  should be directed
                      toward a  determination  of  management's  safe and  sound
                      implementation    and   compliance   with   policies   and
                      procedures,  and the  frequency  and  significance  of any
                      violation of law or regulation.

         As  part  of  the  documentation  in  support  of  awarding   incentive
         compensation, the Board shall include its summary conclusions in regard
         to the review of these reports.
<PAGE>
Amount of Incentive Compensation - Company Performance

         If the foregoing  criteria have been met and individual  performance is
considered  to warrant,  the following  schedule  shall be used to determine the
allowable incentive compensation to be paid to executive officers.

         If Return on Average Equity            Incentive Compensation Award
             Equals or Exceeds:                  as a % of Base Compensation:

                                                  Cash          Stock Options
                                                  ----          -------------
                   9.00%                          2.50%              -
                   9.25%                          2.75%              -
                   9.50%                          3.00%              -
                   9.75%                          3.50%              -
                  10.00%                          4.00%              2.50%
                  10.25%                          4.50%              3.00%
                  10.50%                          5.00%              3.50%
                  10.75%                          5.50%              4.00%
                  11.00%                          6.00%              4.50%
                  11.25%                          6.50%              5.00%
                  11.50%                          7.00%              5.00%
                  11.75%                          7.50%              5.00%
                  12.00%                          8.00%              5.00%

         In the event that return on average  equity exceeds  12.25%,  incentive
compensation  awards  shall be  determined  at the  discretion  of the  Board of
Directors,  with the cash award based on the Company's performance not to exceed
25% of the individual executive officer's base compensation.

V.       Calculation of Stock Options

         The award of stock  options  under this plan is subject to the approval
of such awards by the First Midwest  Financial,  Inc. Stock Option Committee and
is dependent on the availability of such stock options.  In the event that stock
options  are not  available  in amounts  sufficient  to meet total  awards,  the
available  stock options will be awarded on a pro-rata basis to recipients.  The
number  of stock  options  to be  awarded  shall be  determined  by  taking  the
indicated  percentage  times  base  compensation,  divided  by a fixed  price of
$6.6667 per share,  such fixed price to be adjusted for any subsequent change in
outstanding shares by reason of reorganization,  recapitalization,  stock split,
stock dividend,  combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or any
change in corporate structure. The exercise price of stock options awarded under
this plan shall be the closing  average  bid/ask  market price on the  effective
date of grant.

VI.      Review and Authorization

         The  executive  officer  compensation  program shall be reviewed by the
Board of  Directors  on an  annual  basis  and  will be  revised  as  considered
necessary.  The minutes of the meeting of the Board shall reflect the review and
the nature of any revisions.

         Authorization  for  changes  in base  compensation  and the  payment of
incentive  compensation  shall be  documented  in the  minutes of the meeting at
which the Board makes such  authorization.  Information  used in support of such
authorization shall be made a part of the board minutes.
<PAGE>















                                   Exhibit 1




                            [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]
<PAGE>













                                   Exhibit 2




                            [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]


                          FIRST MIDWEST FINANCIAL, INC.
                  Executive Officer Incentive Stock Option Plan
                          for Mergers and Acquisitions


Statement of Policy

         It is the policy of First Midwest  Financial,  Inc. (the  "Company") to
maintain a program by which the  executive  officers  of the Company are awarded
incentive stock options in accordance with the Company's  long-term objective of
growth  through  mergers and  acquisitions.  As such,  the  Company  shall award
incentive  stock  options  to  executive   officers  of  the  Company  upon  the
consummation of mergers and acquisitions according to the criteria listed below.

Guidelines for Award of Incentive Stock Options

1.   The award of incentive stock options shall be effective upon the closure of
     a merger or acquisition of a financial institution.

2.   The recipient shall be immediately  100% vested as of the effective date of
     grant in the incentive stock options awarded under this plan .

3.   The award of incentive  stock  options  under this plan shall be subject to
     the availability of such stock options. In the event that stock options are
     not  available  in amounts  sufficient  to meet the total  award under this
     plan,  the available  stock options will be awarded on a pro-rata  basis to
     the recipients.

4.   The exercise price of the incentive  stock options  awarded under this plan
     shall be the closing  average bid/ask market price on the effective date of
     grant.

5.   The total number of incentive  stock options  awarded under this plan shall
     be  allocated  at  the   discretion  of  the   Audit-Compensation/Personnel
     Committee.

Amount of Incentive Stock Options Awarded

                                                  Aggregate Number of Incentive
           Dollar Amount of Assets Acquired:         Stock Options Granted:
           ---------------------------------         ----------------------

                  Under $100 million                          22,500
                  $100 - $150 million                         30,000
                  $150 - $200 million                         37,500
                  $200 - $250 million                         45,000
                  $250 - $300 million                         52,500
                  $300 - $400 million                         60,000
                  $400 - $500 million                         67,500
                  Over $500 million                           75,000




                                   EXHIBIT 13


                          ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          Financial Highlights

At September 30
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                                 1998            1997          1996            1995         1994          1993

<S>                                          <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>      
Total assets                                 $418,380        $404,589       $388,008       $264,213     $274,115     $ 160,827
Loans receivable, net                         270,286         254,641        243,534        178,552      155,497        80,224
Total deposits                                283,858         246,116        233,406        171,793      176,167       122,813
Shareholders' equity                           42,286          43,477         43,210         38,013      34,683         33,438
Book value per common share(1)               $  16.56        $  16.11       $  14.81       $  14.13     $ 12.46      $   11.21
Total equity to assets                          10.11%          10.75%         11.14%         14.39%      12.65%         20.79%
 
For the Fiscal Year
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                                  1998            1997         1996            1995         1994          1993

Net interest income                          $  12,829       $  11,946      $ 10,359        $ 9,405     $  7,870     $   5,077
Net income                                       2,785(3)        3,642         2,414(4)       3,544        2,729         1,352
Diluted earnings per share(1)                $    1.03(3)    $    1.28      $   0.90(4)     $  1.33     $   0.92     $    0.44(2)
Net yield on interest-earning assets              3.26%           3.38%         3.47%          3.63%        3.94%         3.21%
Return on average assets                           .68%(3)         .98%          .77%(4)       1.31%        1.29%          .84%
Return on average equity                          6.43%(3)         8.41%        6.22%(4)       9.86%        7.89%         7.10%
</TABLE>


[GRAPHIC-CHART DEPICTING TOTAL ASSETS]
[GRAPHIC-CHART DEPICTING TOTAL DEPOSITS]
[GRAPHIC-CHART DEPICTING NET INTEREST INCOME]
[GRAPHIC-CHART DEPICTING NET INCOME]

(1)  Amounts reported have been adjusted for the three-for-two  stock split paid
     January 2, 1997 in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend.
(2)  Diluted  earnings  per share is based on the  assumption  that the weighted
     average shares  outstanding  at September 30, 1993,  were  outstanding  the
     entire year.
(3)  Reflects a one-time pre-tax charge of $1.5 million for loan related losses.
     Net income,  Diluted  earnings  per share,  Return on average  assets,  and
     Return on average  equity  would have been  $3,725,000,  $1.38,  .90%,  and
     8.60%, respectively.
(4)  Reflects the one-time industry wide special  assessment to recapitalize the
     Savings Association  Insurance Fund. Excluding the special assessment,  Net
     income, Diluted earnings per share, Return on average assets, and Return on
     average  equity  would  have been  $3,209,000,  $1.19,  1.01%,  and  8.22%,
     respectively.
<PAGE>
Chairman's Letter -- To Our Shareholders

[GRAPHIC-PHOTO OF CHAIRMAN]

Vision. Every company needs one. Our vision informs you, as a shareholder, where
First Midwest  Financial is going.  While a strong  history is important,  how a
company  performs  in the  future is even more  significant.  First  Midwest  is
preparing today for a profitable tomorrow. What is our vision? To build the best
super-community bank system in our market area.

     As you read the financial  section of this year's annual  report,  you will
find First Midwest continues its profitable  growth.  For the fiscal year ending
September 30, 1998, the company reported net income of $3.7 million or $1.38 per
share on a diluted basis. Earnings reflect a 7.8 percent per share increase over
the same period  last year when net income was $3.6  million or $1.28 per share.
The 1998 net income is prior to a one-time  pre-tax  charge of $1.5  million for
loan related losses taken during the second quarter. The one-time charge relates
primarily  to  mismanagement  and  possible  fraud by one loan officer who is no
longer with the company.  The one-time  charge  increases the company's  reserve
balances,  set aside for potential losses in the company's loan portfolio.  With
the  one-time  charge,  net income for fiscal year 1998 is $2.8 million or $1.03
per diluted share.

     Earnings  for  the  Security  State  Bank   subsidiary   are   particularly
noteworthy.  The bank  achieved a 111 percent  increase  in earnings  during the
fiscal  year.  On  September  30, 1998,  the  subsidiary  reported net income of
$355,000 compared to $168,000 during the same period the previous year.  Average
monthly net income continues to rise, promising future gains.

     Assets  jumped from $161  million on September  30, 1993,  when the company
became  publicly  traded,  to over $418  million on  September  30,  1998.  This
increase  represents  a gain of more than 160  percent.  During the 1998  fiscal
year,  assets grew $13 million from $405 million to $418 million.  Shareholders'
equity at fiscal  year end totaled  $42.3  million,  or $16.56 per common  share
outstanding.

     Deposits  increased  $38  million  during the 1998 fiscal  year,  from $246
million to $284 million.  This deposit trend  represents a 15 percent gain, much
of it in demand deposit accounts where the cost of money is lower.

     Timeless  checking,  a packaged  account that  promotes  cross-selling  and
relationship  banking,  has  had a  tremendous  impact  on  our  retail  banking
operations  since  its  introduction  a year  ago.  Coupled  with the new  photo
QUICKcard  Cash & Check and  improved  money  market  accounts,  the company has
increased its demand deposit account  balances over 30 percent.  Deposit account
fee income jumped 27 percent during the fiscal year.

     First Midwest was named one of only twenty-eight  national finalists in the
Bank Marketing  Association's  Golden Coin Awards for its Timeless and QUICKcard
introductions. The award was based on the following: 1) industry innovations, 2)
strategy development,  3) tactical implementation,  and 4) results. We are proud
of this recognition.

     Since  initiating the first stock  repurchase  program in 1994, the company
has invested a total of $11.2  million for shares  purchased at an average price
of $14.97 per share (adjusted for a stock dividend), thereby creating additional
value for shareholders. On August 24, 1998, the company announced its intentions
to repurchase an additional 5 percent of outstanding shares. At fiscal year end,
the company 

2
<PAGE>
had 77,835 shares remaining to repurchase under the program.

     On November 23, 1998, First Midwest  announced an increase in the company's
quarterly  cash  dividend  from 12 cents per share to 13 cents  per  share.  The
dividend,  which represents an increase of 8.33 percent,  is payable on or about
January  4, 1999 to  shareholders  of record as of  December  15,  1998.  We are
pleased to pay this increased cash dividend to you, our shareholder.

     International financial uncertainty has contributed toward erratic moves in
the U.S.  markets,  particularly  those with  Asian  exposure.  First  Midwest's
investment  portfolio does not have  significant  exposure to the Asian markets.
Consistent  with our business  management,  First Midwest's  capital  investment
strategies are  conservative  and have provided  steady growth and returns.  The
market skepticism has provided an opportunity for our banks to increase deposits
from  customers  looking for an insured  investment  with a  guaranteed  rate of
return.

     Year 2000 (Y2K) is of concern to all  businesses.  Many fear that  numerous
computer  systems  will be  incapable of adapting to the year 2000 in the coming
years,  making  businesses  unable to operate.  First Midwest is working closely
with its regulators, vendors, and borrowers regarding this issue, and taking all
necessary precautions to ensure its banks are Y2K ready.

     Most of First Midwest's  operations are located in the heart of agriculture
country.  Rising  concerns about the  agricultural  economy's  outlook are real.
Congress  has  increased  farm  appropriations  by about $7  billion to ease the
burden on area farmers and related  industry.  The bank is well  diversified and
capitalized to support the industry during this potential crisis. We will remain
prudent in our lending practices.

     I am pleased to announce the  appointments of four new  division/subsidiary
presidents:  Tyler Haahr,  First  Federal  Savings Bank;  Tim Harvey,  Brookings
Federal Bank;  Troy Moore,  Iowa Savings Bank; and Dick Coleman,  Security State
Bank.  They team with our  dedicated  officers  and staff to  provide  essential
leadership that will guide the company toward its vision. As you read more about
each bank  division/subsidiary,  you will see that tradition,  customer service,
innovation,   and  teamwork  are  important  concepts  of  our   super-community
structure. Concepts we feel help lead to results.

     Looking ahead,  First Midwest  continues to seek  opportunities to increase
shareholder value,  which includes the acquisition of savings banks,  commercial
banks,  and other  related-service  companies in our  geographical  area.  Other
capital management  strategies such as dividends and stock repurchases will also
be  considered.  Each  opportunity is evaluated  carefully.  We are committed to
increasing return on equity that will, in turn,  provide  increased  shareholder
value for you.
<PAGE>
[GRAPHIC-CHART DEPICTING DEMAND DEPOSIT BALANCE GROWTH]
[GRAPHIC-CHART DEPICTING ATM CARD & QUICKCARD GROWTH]
[GRAPHIC-CHART DEPICTING DEPOSIT ACCOUNT FEE INCOME GROWTH]


     First Midwest employees, customers, and you, our shareholders, are bound by
a common interest -- the success of First Midwest Financial.  We are positioning
ourselves  for  that  success.   The  company  is  committed  to  growth.   More
importantly,  profitable growth. We are innovative yet prudent in the management
of our company. Safety and soundness remain top priorities of the banks.

     On behalf of the Board of Directors,  employees, and customers, I thank you
for your confidence and support. Our vision is to build the best super-community
bank system in our market area. Each year of improvement, profitable growth, and
hard work takes us one step closer. I am confident we will realize our goals and
you, our shareholder,  will benefit with increased returns. Bank with us and see
the difference.



Sincerely,







/S/James S. Haahr
- -----------------
James S. Haahr
Chairman of the Board, President & CEO

December 16, 1998


                                                                               3
<PAGE>
First Federal Savings Bank


Tradition.  Established in 1954, First Federal builds upon its history of trust,
community,  and growth. The vision: Be the bank of choice for financial services
in our markets. The mission:  Provide cost effective and innovative products and
services  to  meet  customers'   changing  needs  while  maintaining   friendly,
knowledgeable customer service.

     "We are committed to our  employees,  customers,  and  communities,"  noted
Tyler Haahr,  Division President and COO for all First Federal  divisions.  "The
bank was established  years ago to help local families buy homes and earn a fair
return  on their  savings.  We still  provide  those  services  today,  and have
expanded our offerings to better serve our customers."

     In  addition  to  mortgage   loans,   First  Federal   offers   commercial,
agricultural,  consumer, and other personalized loans. "With consolidated assets
over $418 million,  we are able to support loan needs in our markets," commented
Bill Beatty, Vice President of Lending. "It is rewarding to know that we help so
many people."

     Products  like  the  service-packaged   Timeless  Checking  account,  photo
QUICKcard Cash & Check, money market,  certificates of deposit, savings account,
ready reserve,  overdraft  insurance,  and retirement and trust services provide
options  for  deposit  customers.  "Diversification  is an  important  aspect of
financial management. We help customers by offering a wide range of products and
services."  stated  Melody  Buckendahl,  Vice  President  Savings  and  Division
Supervisor.  First  Federal  believes  there is value in one-stop  shopping  and
working with those you trust.

     "Changing  times  mean  new  challenges,"  added  Sue  Jesse,  Senior  Vice
President and Division  Manager.  "While we remain  committed to the ideals that
made  us  successful,  we  also  embrace  change."  A  proactive  sales  culture
reinforces  the bank's pledge to exceed  customer  expectations.  Employee sales
efforts,  new  and  competitive  products,  and a  true  dedication  to  service
excellence help position the seven First Federal offices for profitable growth.

 First Federal 1998 highlights:

   Experienced senior leadership joins the management team.

   Net checking account numbers jump 9 percent.

   Deposit balances in checking and money market accounts soar 24 percent.

   Timeless  Checking and the photo QUICKcard & Check  differentiate  the bank's
   products and create brand recognition.

   Annual customer Service Checks provide individualized service and new sales.

   Additional  Registered  Representative  joins  team to offer  more  customers
   alternative  investment options.  (Non-traditional bank products are provided
   through First  Services  Financial  Limited.  They are not  FDIC-insured,  or
   guaranteed by First Federal or any affiliates.)

   Increased  community  participation  improves  bank's  image:  Pork  Feed for
   Charity,  Spring Fling, Touchdown  Scholarships,  Quasquicentenial Storm Lake
   Birthday Party sponsor,  American Cancer Society Relays for Life team,  Teach
   Children to Save Day, and much more.
<PAGE>
SIDE BAR- PAGE 4

             J. Tyler Haahr  
                  President  
     Storm Lake Division of  
      First Federal Savings  
        Bank of the Midwest  
                             
              Economic Data       
         Average Land Value  
       as of September 1998  
      High-quality farmland  
         in northwest Iowa:  
            $2,515 per acre  
                             
      Building Permits 1997  
                 Storm Lake  
   Residential -- $4,739,513 
    Commercial -- $5,793,034 
                             
  Taxable Retail Sales 1997  
                 Storm Lake  
               $115,283,638  
                             
          Unemployment Rate  
            as of June 1998  
         Buena Vista County  
                       2.0%  

 
DIRECTORS OF FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK OF THE MIDWEST

JAMES S. HAAHR
     Chairman of the Board, President & CEO for
     First Midwest Financial, Inc., and First Federal
     Savings Bank of the Midwest.  Chairman of the
     Board for Security State Bank

J. TYLER HAAHR
     Senior Vice President, Secretary & COO for First Midwest
     Financial, Inc.  Executive Vice President, Secretary, COO
     & Division President for First Federal Savings Bank of the
     Midwest and CEO of Security State Bank

E. WAYNE COOLEY
     Executive Secretary, Iowa Girls' High School
     Athletic Union, Des Moines, Iowa

E. THURMAN GASKILL
     State Senator of Iowa, District 8
     Owner, Grain Farming Operation
     Corwith, Iowa

G. MARK MICKELSON
     Vice President of Acquisitions, Northwestern Growth
     Corporation, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

RODNEY G. MUILENBURG
     Dairy Specialist, Minneapolis Division
     Purina Mills, Inc., Storm Lake, Iowa


4
<PAGE>
                                                          Brookings Federal Bank


Customer Service. Brookings Federal Bank recognizes solid customer relationships
are essential for long-term retail growth. Tim Harvey, newly appointed President
and Brookings  native,  believes in building  alliances between the bank and its
customers.  The vision:  Become the institution of choice for financial services
in our marketplace. The mission: Provide customer-oriented products and services
profitably and efficiently with hometown warmth.

     "Because  the  customer  is our top  priority,  we  will  focus  on  having
`customer-centric'  operations," stated Tim. "This means that the customer is at
the center of everything we do."  Brookings  Federal Bank team members  actively
embrace this philosophy by  communicating  continuous  improvement  ideas,  pro-
actively  implementing best known methods, and anticipating  customer needs. "We
strive to exceed  customer  expectations.  It works," noted Jean Engen,  Savings
Supervisor.

     Brookings  Federal  Bank, a division of First  Federal  Savings Bank of the
Midwest since 1994,  hurdled past challenges in its agricultural  loan portfolio
this past year. New leadership,  additional lending expertise,  training,  and a
consistent  agricultural  philosophy  contributed toward  improvement.  The bank
remains  committed to  agricultural  as well as all types of lending and is well
positioned to face upcoming  opportunities  and challenges.  Enhanced  policies,
customer communication, and personnel will promote future success.

     "Our  operational  focus this year is to provide steady,  quality growth in
our loan and deposit  accounts,"  commented Tim. "We will do this by controlling
operating  expenses and reinforcing  the bank's  dependability,  stability,  and
customer  service.  With new leadership,  it is important  customers know we are
still  committed to  providing  them  financial  products and service with added
value." Updated data systems and new services will also contribute to the bank's
profitable growth.

Brookings Federal 1998 highlights:

   Tim Harvey provides new leadership for the Bank.
  
   Call Program,  introduced this year,  establishes new accounts as a result of
   proactive customer and non-customer contacts.
  
   First annual customer Service Checks provide  individualized  service and new
   sales.

   New Money Market Gold account attracts deposits.
  
   New Timeless Checking features and the QUICKcard Cash & Check add benefits to
   customers and additional fee income opportunities for the bank. New automated
   teller machine (ATM) attracts traffic.

   Alternative investments, offered through PrimeVest Investment Center via
   Brookings Service Corporation, offers customers additional financial options.
   (Products   not   FDIC-insured,   or  guaranteed  by  First  Federal  or  any
   affiliates.)

   Increased community  participation improves bank's image: Sole Sponsor of the
   South Dakota State University Stan Marshall Golf Tournament,  Sole Sponsor of
   the March of Dimes  Children's  Walk,  Pork Feed for Charity,  Spring  Fling,
   Touch-down Scholarship, Teach Children to Save Day, and much more.
<PAGE>
BROOKINGS FEDERAL BANK ADVISORY BOARD

FRED J. RITTERSHAUS
     Chairman of the Advisory Board
     Consulting Engineer and Partner,
     Banner and Associates, Inc.

VIRGIL G. ELLERBRUCH
     Vice Chairman of the Advisory Board
     Assistant Dean of Engineering,
     South Dakota State University

O. DALE LARSON
     Owner, Larson Manufacturing

EARL R. RUE
     Consulting Manager, Running's Fleet and Farm

J. TYLER HAAHR
     Senior Vice President, Secretary & COO for First Midwest
     Financial, Inc. and Executive Vice President, Secretary, COO,
     & Division President for First Federal Savings Bank of the
     Midwest

TIM D. HARVEY
     President, Brookings Federal Bank




SIDEBAR PAGE 5:


Tim D. Harvey
President
Brookings Federal Bank
Division of First Federal
Savings Bank of the  Midwest


Economic Data
 Average Land Value as of
February 1998
High-productivity, non-irrigated cropland in east-central
South Dakota:  $944 per acre

Building Permits 1997
Brookings
Residential -- $6,938,650
Commercial -- $16,625,500

Taxable Retail Sales 1997
Brookings
$149,490,631

Unemployment Rate
as of June 1998
Brookings
1.4%

                                                                               5
<PAGE>
Iowa Savings Bank

Innovation. Iowa Savings Bank bounds ahead in technology, product offerings, and
profitability  since becoming part of First Federal  Savings Bank of the Midwest
in 1995.  The bank's  results far exceed  original  goals and  projections.  The
vision:  Help all customers reach their financial goals. The mission:  Provide a
culture focused on continuous improvement, sales and performance,  adaptability,
profitability, and providing customers the best financial products available.

     Iowa Savings Bank's historical focus on savings and single-family home loan
products  has  expanded to include the  offerings  of a full  service  financial
institution.  "We knew there was great market  potential in Des Moines,"  stated
Troy Moore,  President.  "Branching  into the  developing  West Des Moines area,
adding new products,  and improving  existing ones have  contributed  toward the
bank's dramatic growth." Bryce Loring, Vice President of Lending added, "We have
a competent  team of employees  who  understand  and serve the needs of existing
customers.  In  fact,  many new  accounts  come  from  returning  customers  and
referrals."

     Customers  at Iowa  Savings  now have the  option  to  manage  all of their
finances  from one  location  thanks to improved  product  and service  choices.
Timeless Checking with its packaged benefits,  the photo QUICKcard Cash & Check,
and tiered money market accounts are three products with a significant impact on
retail customers.

     "Iowa Savings Bank has benefited  from the resources a larger  organization
provides," stated Lora White,  Operations and Branch Manager. "We work as a team
and strive toward continuous improvement and customer satisfaction." The company
has developed  uniform product mixes across the bank offices that are consistent
with strategic objectives. Retirement products, credit cards, ready reserve, ACH
origination, loans, and other services have been improved this past year. Action
plans for additional product and service innovations and improvements are slated
for the coming year.

     Iowa  Savings  Bank and the  other  banks  achieved  autonomy  through  new
company-wide  promotions and events.  A first annual Service Check  promotion in
February gave customers an opportunity to review their  financial  situation and
update products and services. The results were educated employees and customers,
new  accounts,   and  a  reinforced  message  that  the  bank  is  dedicated  to
individualized, hometown service.

     A new Tell-A-Friend  Timeless and QUICKcard  promotion added a unique twist
for customers  and employees in all bank markets.  Each person could earn a free
gift if they  referred a friend to the bank and a new account  was  opened.  The
average  checking and QUICKcard  accounts  opened  during that period  increased
significantly.

     "Our company is prepared to tackle new challenges," stated Troy. "We are in
a competitive  market where customers are bombarded with a variety of promotions
and  advertising.  Advertising  is  easy;  it  is  sales  that  requires  work."
Establishing a proactive  sales culture to meet  customers'  needs is a priority
for Iowa Savings Bank.

     The  company is aware of  current  and  expected  industry  changes  and is
positioning  itself to  capitalize  on these  opportunities.  New  products  and
services, additional resources, experienced leadership, and exceptional customer
service prove to be a successful  formula for profitable  growth at Iowa Savings
Bank and the other banks.
<PAGE>
Iowa Savings Bank 1998 highlights:

   Troy Moore succeeds Jeanne Partlow, who retired as President in June after 47
   successful years in the financial  industry.  Jeanne remains an active member
   of First Midwest Financial's Board of Directors.

   Total  deposits  increase over $47 million,  a 133 percent  increase from the
   previous fiscal year.

   Net checking account numbers jump 370 percent.

   Deposit balances in checking and money market accounts soar 4400 percent.

   Sales and Service - A Commitment to  Excellence  program,  newly  introduced,
   provides sales training and programs to support proactive sales and team work
   that improves customer service.

   New  Registered   Representative  offers  customers  alternative   investment
   options.   (Non-traditional  bank  products  are  provided  through  Ameritas
   Investment Corp. They are not FDIC-insured, or guaranteed by First Federal or
   any affiliates.)

   Increased  community  participation  improves bank's image:  Grand Opening in
   West Des Moines, Pork Feed for Charity, Touchdown Scholarship, Teach Children
   to Save Day, and much more.

SIDEBAR:


                                                                      Troy Moore
                                                                       President
                                                               Iowa Savings Bank
                                                       Division of First Federal
                                                             Savings Bank of the
                                                                         Midwest

                                                                   Economic Data
                                                        Average Land Value as of
                                                                  September 1998
                                                        High-quality farmland in
                                                   central Iowa: $2,643 per acre

                                                           Building Permits 1997
                                                  Metropolitan Statistical Area*
                                                   Residential -- $1,239,100,000
                                                    Commercial -- $1,189,600,000

                                                       Taxable Retail Sales 1997
                                                                      Des Moines
                                                                  $3,935,454,815

                                                               Unemployment Rate
                                                                as of June, 1998
                                                                     Polk County
                                                                            1.9%

                                                       * MSA = Dallas, Polk, and
                                                                 Warren Counties

6
<PAGE>
                                                             Security State Bank


Teamwork.  Security State Bank, the company's  only  state-chartered  commercial
bank,  exemplifies  how working  together  can help boost  customer  service and
profitability.  The vision: Grow safely,  soundly,  and profitably to become the
financial institution of choice in our market place. The mission: Offer the best
bank services available that meet customers' needs.

     "The past year we worked to improve operational  efficiencies,  enhance the
loan  portfolio,  and  streamline  responsibilities,"  stated Dana Hansen,  Vice
President  and Casey  Branch  Manager.  "Our  efforts  are  showing  with record
profitability and improved communication within our office, with customers,  and
with the other banks in our organization."

     Security  State Bank  employees  have seen the  benefits of teamwork  since
becoming associated with First Midwest Financial in 1996. Administrative support
from the finance,  marketing,  account services, and data processing departments
allows the entire organization to operate more efficiently and effectively. This
assistance  translates into more streamlined job  responsibilities  and improved
customer service.

     Common goals,  values, and idea sharing help the bank grow more profitable.
"We are only as strong as our  weakest  link,"  noted Dick  Coleman,  President.
"When you have strong people  working  together  toward the same goals,  you are
going to be  successful."  This  philosophy  holds  true as  Charles  Shafer,  a
customer and owner of Agri Drain Corp.  commented,  "I am impressed with the men
and women at Security State Bank.  They are sincere and are genuinely  concerned
about the welfare of their clients.  Security's  association  with First Midwest
offers the benefits of a large financial  institution  coupled with the personal
service you expect from a local bank."

Security State Bank 1998 highlights:

   Dick Coleman joins team in October as President.

   Security State Bank  contributes  record  earnings of $355,070 to the holding
   company, a 111 percent increase from the previous fiscal year.

   West Central Economic  Development group, serving Adair and Guthrie Counties,
   opens its  office in the lower  level of  Security  State  Bank in Stuart and
   provides additional opportunity for new business.

   New Registered Representative offers customers alternative investment options
   -- a first in the  Security  State Bank market  area.  (Non-traditional  bank
   products  are  provided  through  Ameritas  Investment  Corp.  They  are  not
   FDIC-insured,  or guaranteed  by Security  State Bank or any  affiliates.)  

   Sales and Service -- A Commitment to Excellence  program,  newly  introduced,
   provides sales training and programs to support proactive sales and teamwork
   that improves customer service.

   Increased community  participation  improves bank's image: Spring Fling, Pork
   Feed for Charity, Touchdown Scholarship, Teach Children to Save Day, Good Egg
   Days parade sponsor, and much more.
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS OF SECURITY STATE BANK


JAMES S. HAAHR
     Chairman of the Board, President & CEO for
     First Midwest Financial, Inc., and First Federal
     Savings Bank of the Midwest.  Chairman of the
     Board for Security State Bank

JEFFREY N. BUMP
     Partner, Bump and Bump Law Offices
     Stuart and Panora, Iowa

E. WAYNE COOLEY
     Executive Secretary, Iowa Girls' High School
     Athletic Union, Des Moines, Iowa

E. THURMAN GASKILL
     State Senator of Iowa, District 8
     Owner, Grain Farming Operation
     Corwith, Iowa

J. TYLER HAAHR
     Senior Vice President, Secretary & COO for First Midwest
     Financial, Inc.  Executive Vice President, Secretary, COO
     & Division President for First Federal Savings Bank of the
     Midwest and CEO of Security State Bank

G. MARK MICKELSON
     Vice President of Acquisitions, Northwestern Growth
     Corporation, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

RODNEY G. MUILENBURG
     Dairy Specialist, Minneapolis Division
     Purina Mills, Inc., Storm Lake, Iowa

RICHARD H. COLEMAN
     President, Security State Bank



<PAGE>
SIDEBAR:


Richard H. Coleman
President
Security State Bank



Dana Hansen
Vice President
Security State Bank



Economic Data
 Average Land Value as of
September 1997
High-quality farmland in west-
central Iowa:  $2,521 per acre

Building Permits 1997
Stuart
Residential -- N/A
Commercial -- N/A

Taxable Retail Sales 1997
Stuart
$7,449,918

Unemployment Rate
as of June 1998
Guthrie County   2.5%


                                                                               7
<PAGE>
Bank Locations

[GRAPHIC-PHOTOS AND MAP OF BANK LOCATIONS]


First Federal Savings Bank of the Midwest,
Main Bank Office,  Fifth at Erie,
Storm Lake, Iowa.


Security State Bank,
Main Office, 615 South Division Street,
Stuart, Iowa


Brookings Federal Bank,
Main Office, 600 Main Avenue,
Brookings, South Dakota


Iowa Savings Bank,
Main Office, 3448 Westown Parkway, West
Des Moines, Iowa


OFFICE LOCATIONS

First Federal Savings Bank
Storm Lake Division
Main Bank Office
Fifth at Erie
P.O. Box 1307
Storm Lake, Iowa  50588
712-732-4117
800-792-6815
712-732-7105 fax

Storm Lake Plaza Office
1415 North Lake Avenue
Storm Lake, Iowa  50588
712-732-6655
712-732-7924 fax

Lake View Office
Fifth at Main
Lake View, Iowa  51450
712-657-2721
712-657-2896 fax

Laurens Office
104 North Third Street
Laurens, Iowa  50554
712-845-2588
712-845-2029 fax

Manson Office
Eleventh at Main
Manson, Iowa  50563
712-469-3319
712-469-2458 fax
<PAGE>
Odebolt Office
219 South Main Street
Odebolt, Iowa  51458
712-668-4881
712-668-4882 fax

Sac City Office
518 Audubon Street
Sac City, Iowa  50583
712-662-7195
712-662-7196 fax

Brookings Federal Bank Division
Main Office
600 Main Avenue
P.O. Box 98
Brookings, South Dakota  57006
605-692-2314
800-842-7452
605-692-7059 fax

Eastbrook Office
425 22nd Avenue South
Brookings, South Dakota  57006
605-692-2314

Iowa Savings Bank
Division
Main Office
3448 Westown Parkway
West Des Moines, Iowa  50266
515-226-8474
515-226-8475 fax

Highland Park Office
3624 Sixth Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa  50313
515-288-4866
515-288-3104 fax

Security State Bank
Main Office
615 South Division
P.O. Box 606
Stuart, Iowa  50250
515-523-2203
800-523-8003
515-523-2460 fax

Casey Office
101 East Logan
P.O. Box 97
Casey, Iowa  50048
515-746-3366
800-746-3367
515-746-2828 fax

Menlo Office
501 Sherman
P.O. Box 36
Menlo, Iowa  50164
515-524-4521

8
<PAGE>


Financial Contents

   10  Selected Consolidated Financial Information

   11  Management's Discussion and Analysis

   23  Report of Independent Auditors

   24  Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 1998 and 1997

   25  Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended September 30, 1998,
       1997 and 1996

   26  Consolidated  Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the Years
       Ended September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996

   28  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
       for the Years Ended September 30, 1998,
       1997 and 1996

   30  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


                                                                               9
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
First Midwest Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

September 30,                                                  1998          1997          1996             1995          1994
(IN THOUSANDS)
SELECTED FINANCIAL CONDITION DATA

<S>                                                          <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>           <C>     
Total assets ...........................................     $418,380      $404,589      $388,008         $264,213      $274,115
Loans receivable, net ..................................      270,286       254,641       243,534          178,552       155,497
Securities available for sale ..........................      120,610       115,985       109,492           70,232        37,180
Securities held to maturity ............................         --            --            --               --          65,917
Excess of cost over net assets acquired, net ...........        4,498         4,863         5,091            1,690         1,815
Deposits ...............................................      283,858       246,116       233,406          171,793       176,167
Total borrowings .......................................       89,888       112,126       106,478           52,248        61,218
Shareholders' equity ...................................       42,286        43,477        43,210           38,013        34,683
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>

Year Ended September 30,                                       1998          1997          1996             1995          1994
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
SELECTED OPERATIONS DATA

<S>                                                          <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>           <C>     
Total interest income ..................................     $ 32,059      $ 29,005      $ 24,337         $ 21,054      $ 15,153
Total interest expense .................................       19,230        17,059        13,978           11,649         7,283
                                                             --------      --------      --------         --------      --------
   Net interest income .................................       12,829        11,946        10,359            9,405         7,870
   Provision for loan losses ...........................        1,663           120           100              250           105
                                                             --------      --------      --------         --------      --------
Net interest income after provision for loan losses ....       11,166        11,826        10,259            9,155         7,765
Total noninterest income ...............................        1,875         1,700         1,419            2,286         1,078
Total noninterest expense ..............................        8,253         7,382         7,568(3)         5,576         4,938
                                                             --------      --------      --------         --------      --------
Income before income taxes and cumulative
   effect of changes in accounting principles ..........        4,788         6,144         4,110            5,865         3,905
Income tax expense .....................................        2,003         2,502         1,696            2,321         1,433
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles ..         --            --            --               --             257
                                                             --------      --------      --------         --------      --------
Net income .............................................     $  2,785      $  3,642       $ 2,414(3)        $3,544      $  2,729
                                                             ========      ========       =========         ======      ========

Earnings per common and common equivalent share:
   Income before cumulative effect of changes
       in accounting principles(1)
       Basic earnings per share ........................     $   1.08      $   1.34       $  0.95(3)        $ 1.39      $   0.86
       Diluted earnings per share ......................     $   1.03      $   1.28       $  0.90(3)        $ 1.34      $   0.83
   Net income(1),
       Basic earnings per share ........................     $   1.08      $   1.34       $  0.95(3)        $ 1.39      $   0.95
       Diluted earnings per share ......................     $   1.03      $   1.28       $  0.90(3)        $ 1.34      $   0.92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended September 30,                                           1998         1997         1996              1995          1994
SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS AND OTHER DATA
<S>                                                              <C>          <C>          <C>                <C>          <C>  
Performance Ratios
 
   Return on assets (ratio of net income
       to average total assets)(2) .....................           0.68%        0.98%        0.77%(3)          1.31%         1.29%
   Return on shareholders' equity (ratio of net
       income to average equity)(2) ....................           6.43         8.41         6.22(3)           9.86          7.89
   Interest rate spread information:
       Average during year .............................           2.76         2.80         2.83              3.13          3.25
       End of year .....................................           2.76         2.75         2.84              2.85          2.96
   Net yield on average interest-earning assets ........           3.26         3.38         3.47              3.63          3.94
   Ratio of operating expense to average total assets ..           2.00         2.00         2.40              2.06          2.30
Quality Ratios
   Non-performing assets to total assets at end of year            1.94          .82          .75               .29           .35
   Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans ...          41.15        75.36        83.49            227.27        148.51
Capital Ratios
   Shareholders' equity to total assets at end of period          10.11        10.75        11.14             14.39         12.65
   Average shareholders' equity to average assets ......          10.51        11.62        12.44             13.28         20.52
   Ratio of average interest-earning assets to
        average interest-bearing liabilities ...........         110.22%      112.00%      113.72%           111.35%       119.04%
Other Data
   Book value per common share outstanding(1) ..........     $    16.56   $    16.11   $    14.81        $    14.13        $12.46
   Dividends declared per share(1) .....................           0.48         0.36         0.29              0.20           --
   Dividend payout ratio ...............................          44.05%       26.41%       30.90%            14.53%          --
   Number of full-service offices ......................             13           13           12                 8             8
</TABLE>

(1)Amounts  reported have been adjusted for the  three-for-two  stock split paid
   January 2, 1997 in the form of a 50% stock dividend.

(2)Return on assets  and  return on  equity  for  fiscal  year 1994 is 1.17% and
   7.54%, respectively, excluding the cumulative effect of changes in accounting
   principles.

(3)Reflects the one-time  industry-wide  special  assessment to recapitalize the
   Savings Association Insurance Fund.

10
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

General
First  Midwest  Financial,  Inc.  (the  "Company" or "First  Midwest") is a bank
holding  company  whose  primary  assets are First  Federal  Savings Bank of the
Midwest ("First Federal") and Security State Bank ("Security").  The Company was
incorporated  in 1993 as a  unitary  non-diversified  savings  and loan  holding
company and, on September  20, 1993,  acquired all of the capital stock of First
Federal in connection with First Federal's  conversion from mutual to stock form
of ownership.  On September 30, 1996, the Company became a bank holding  company
in conjunction  with the acquisition of Security.  All references to the Company
prior to September  20, 1993,  except where  otherwise  indicated,  are to First
Federal and its subsidiary on a consolidated basis.

The Company focuses on establishing and maintaining long-term relationships with
customers,  and is  committed  to serving  the  financial  service  needs of the
communities in its market area.  The Company's  primary market area includes the
following counties: Adair, Buena Vista, Calhoun, Ida, Guthrie, Pocahontas, Polk,
and Sac located in Iowa,  and  Brookings  county  located in east central  South
Dakota.  The Company  attracts  retail deposits from the general public and uses
those  deposits,  together with other borrowed  funds, to originate and purchase
residential  and  commercial  mortgage  loans,  to make consumer  loans,  and to
provide financing for agricultural and other commercial business purposes.

The  Company's  basic  mission is to maintain  and enhance core  earnings  while
serving its primary  market area. As such,  the Board of Directors has adopted a
business  strategy  designed to (i) maintain the Company's  tangible  capital in
excess of  regulatory  requirements,  (ii) maintain the quality of the Company's
assets,  (iii)  control  operating  expenses,  (iv)  maintain  and, as possible,
increase  the  Company's  interest  rate  spread,  and (v) manage the  Company's
exposure to changes in interest rates.

Acquisitions Completed
On September 30, 1996,  First Midwest  completed the acquisition of Central West
Bancorporation ("Central West") and its wholly-owned subsidiary,  Security State
Bank,  located in Stuart,  Iowa. Upon acquisition,  Central West was merged into
First  Midwest and Security  became a  wholly-owned,  stand-alone  subsidiary of
First Midwest.  Security operates offices in Stuart,  Menlo and Casey,  Iowa. At
the date of acquisition,  Central West had assets of  approximately  $33 million
and equity of $2.6 million.  Central West  shareholders  received cash of $18.04
and 2.3528  shares of the common  stock of First  Midwest for each  Central West
share held,  totaling an aggregate  consideration of approximately $5.2 million.
The  acquisition  was  accounted  for  as  a  purchase,   and  the  accompanying
consolidated financial statements reflect the combined results since the date of
acquisition.  The  excess of cost over the  estimated  fair  value of the assets
acquired and liabilities assumed,  totaling approximately $2.8 million, is being
amortized  over a fifteen  year  period  (see Notes 1 and 3 to the  Consolidated
Financial Statements).

     On December 29, 1995,  First  Midwest  completed  the  acquisition  of Iowa
Bancorp,  Inc. ("Iowa  Bancorp") and its wholly-owned  subsidiary,  Iowa Savings
Bank, a federal savings bank ("Iowa Savings") located in Des Moines,  Iowa. Upon
acquisition,  Iowa  Bancorp was merged  into the  Company  and Iowa  Savings was
merged into First Federal.  The Iowa Savings office operates as the Iowa Savings
Bank  Division of First  Federal  Savings  Bank of the  Midwest.  At the date of
<PAGE>
acquisition,  Iowa Bancorp had assets of approximately $25 million and equity of
$7.2 million.  The Company purchased all of Iowa Bancorp's  379,980  outstanding
shares and  36,537  shares  subject  to option for a cash  payment of $20.39 per
share less the exercise  price of shares  subject to option.  Total net purchase
price was $8.0 million. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase, and the
accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements  reflect the combined  results
since the date of acquisition.  The excess of cost over the estimated fair value
of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, totaling approximately $760,000,
is  being  amortized  over a  fifteen  year  period  (see  Notes  1 and 3 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements).

Financial Condition
The  following  discussion  of the Company's  consolidated  financial  condition
should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  Selected  Consolidated   Financial
Information and Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes included
elsewhere herein.

The  Company's  total  assets at  September  30,  1998 were $418.4  million,  an
increase of $13.8 million,  or 3.4%,  from $404.6 million at September 30, 1997.
The  increase  in assets was due  primarily  to the  increased  origination  and
purchase of loans during the period.

The   Company's   portfolio  of  securities   available   for  sale,   excluding
mortgage-backed securities,  decreased $13.4 million, or 18.7%, to $58.2 million
at September 30, 1998 from $71.6 million at September 30, 1997.  The decrease in
securities  available for sale was the result of securities  that matured,  were
called or were sold  during the period in an amount  greater  than new  security
purchases.  During fiscal 1998, the Company sold  securities  available for sale
totaling  $18.3  million,  consisting  primarily of 


                                                                              11
<PAGE>
common and preferred equity securities that had appreciated over purchase cost.

The balance in mortgage-backed securities  available-for-sale increased by $18.1
million, or 40.8%, from $44.4 million at September 30, 1997, to $62.5 million at
September  30, 1998.  The  increase  resulted  from the  purchase of  fixed-rate
mortgage-backed  securities  in an amount  greater than sales and  repayments on
existing mortgage-backed  securities. The purchase of mortgage-backed securities
were  generally  funded by proceeds  from the  maturity,  call, or sale of other
securities available for sale and increases in customer deposits.

The Company's  portfolio of net loans receivable  increased by $15.7 million, or
6.2%, to $270.3  million at September 30, 1998 from $254.6  million at September
30,  1997.  The  increase  in net  loans  receivable  is  due  to the  increased
origination of commercial business loans, the increased origination and purchase
of residential  mortgage loans, and the increased purchase of construction loans
on commercial and  multi-family  properties.  Consumer and  agricultural-related
loan balances  declined as a result of repayments in excess of new  originations
during the period.

The balance of customer  deposits  increased by $37.8  million,  or 15.4%,  from
$246.1  million at September  30, 1997 to $283.9  million at September 30, 1998.
The increase in deposits resulted from management's continued efforts to enhance
deposit product design and marketing  programs.  Deposit  balances  increased in
interest-bearing  transaction accounts and other time certificates of deposit in
the amounts of $7.9 million and $30.4 million, respectively. Noninterest-bearing
checking account balances declined by $601,000.

The Company's  borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines ("FHLB")
decreased by $22.1 million,  or 20.6%, from $107.4 million at September 30, 1997
to $85.3 million at September 30, 1998.  The  reduction in FHLB  borrowings  was
primarily the result of an increase in customer deposits that were used to repay
borrowings during the period.

Shareholders'  equity  decreased  $1.2  million,  or 2.8%,  to $42.3  million at
September  30, 1998 from $43.5  million at September  30, 1997.  The decrease in
shareholders'  equity is the result of stock repurchases and the payment of cash
dividends on common stock in an amount greater than net earnings for the period.

Results of  Operations

The following  discussion of the Company's  results of operations should be read
in  conjunction  with  the  Selected  Consolidated   Financial  Information  and
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  and the related  notes  included  elsewhere
herein.

The  Company's  results of operations  are  primarily  dependent on net interest
income,  noninterest  income  and the  Company's  ability  to  manage  operating
expenses. Net interest income is the difference,  or spread, between the average
yield on  interest-earning  assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing
liabilities.  The interest rate spread is affected by regulatory,  economic, and
competitive  factors that influence  interest  rates,  loan demand,  and deposit
flows. The Company,  like other financial  institutions,  is subject to interest
rate risk to the extent that its  interest-earning  assets  mature or reprice at
different times, or on a different basis, than its interest-bearing liabilities.

The  Company's   noninterest  income  consists  primarily  of  fees  charged  on
transaction accounts and for the origination of loans, both of which help offset
the  costs  associated  with  establishing  and  maintaining  deposit  and  loan
accounts.  In addition,  noninterest  income is derived from the  activities  of
<PAGE>
First Federal's wholly-owned subsidiaries,  First Services Financial Limited and
Brookings Service  Corporation.  Both engage in the sale of various  non-insured
investment  products.  Historically,  the Company  has not  derived  significant
income as a result of gains on the sale of securities and other assets. However,
during the years ended September 30, 1998,  1997, and 1996,  gains were recorded
in the amounts of $399,000, $217,000, and $79,000,  respectively, as a result of
the sale of securities available for sale.

On September 30, 1996,  federal  legislation  was signed into law requiring that
all  thrift  institutions  pay a one-time  assessment  to  restore  the  Savings
Association  Insurance  Fund (SAIF) to its  statutory  reserve level of at least
1.25%  of  insured  depositor  accounts.  The  assessment  was  0.657%  of First
Federal's  insured  deposits as of March 31, 1995,  including those held by Iowa
Savings  at that  date.  As a result  of the  special  assessment,  the  Company
recognized a pre-tax charge of $1.27 million,  or $795,000 net of related income
taxes, as of the September 30, 1996 effective date of the legislation.

12
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth the weighted average  effective  interest rate on
interest-earning  assets and interest-bearing  liabilities at the end of each of
the years presented.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
At September 30,                                                       1998              1997            1996
<S>                                                                    <C>               <C>              <C>  
WEIGHTED AVERAGE YIELD ON
Loans receivable.                                                      8.80%             8.84%            8.74%
Mortgage-backed securities                                             7.15              7.34             7.06
Securities available for sale                                          6.50              6.63             5.99
Other interest-earning assets                                          5.33              5.57             5.04
Combined weighted average yield on interest-earning assets             8.15              8.12             7.87

WEIGHTED AVERAGE RATE PAID ON
Demand, NOW deposits and Money Market                                  2.81              2.11             2.35
Savings deposits                                                       3.56              3.65             3.22
Time deposits                                                          5.85              5.87             5.78
FHLB advances                                                          5.91              5.86             5.81
Other borrowed money                                                   5.68              5.64             5.48
Combined weighted average rate paid on
interest-bearing liabilities                                           5.39              5.37             5.03

Spread                                                                 2.76%             2.75%            2.84%

</TABLE>

RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS
The following  schedule presents the dollar amount of changes in interest income
and  interest  expense  for major  components  of  interest-earning  assets  and
interest-bearing  liabilities.  It distinguishes between the increase related to
higher  outstanding  balances  and  that due to the  levels  and  volatility  of
interest   rates.   For   each   category   of   interest-earning   assets   and
interest-bearing liabilities, information is provided on changes attributable to
(i) changes in volume (i.e.,  changes in volume multiplied by old rate) and (ii)
changes in rate (i.e.,  changes in rate multiplied by old volume).  For purposes
of this table,  changes  attributable  to both rate and volume,  which cannot be
segregated have been allocated  proportionately  to the change due to volume and
the change due to rate.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Year Ended September 30,                                       1998 vs. 1997                             1997 vs. 1996
                                                 ---------------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
                                                   Increase       Increase        Total       Increase       Increase        Total
                                                  (Decrease)     (Decrease)     Increase     (Decrease)     (Decrease)     Increase
                                                 Due to Volume   Due to Rate   (Decrease)   Due to Volume   Due to Rate   (Decrease)
                                                 -------------   -----------   ----------   -------------   -----------   ----------
                                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>          <C>    
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS
Loans receivable .............................       $   665        $ (43)       $   622        $ 3,700        $ 166        $ 3,866
Mortgage-backed securities ...................         1,402          (65)         1,337           (115)         (65)          (180)
Securities available for sale ................           814          293          1,107            836           93            929
FHLB stock ...................................            (2)         (10)           (12)            63          (10)            53
                                                     -------        -----        -------        -------        -----        -------
Total interest-earning assets ................       $ 2,879        $ 175        $ 3,054        $ 4,484        $ 184        $ 4,668
                                                     -------        -----        -------        -------        -----        -------

INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
Demand and NOW deposits ......................       $   101        $  17        $   118        $    91        $  63        $   154
Savings deposits .............................           (12)           8             (4)           140          (36)           104
Time deposits ................................         1,403          (67)         1,336          1,825          134          1,959
FHLB advances ................................           860         (153)           707            688          111            799
Other borrowed money .........................           (18)          32             14             80          (16)            64
                                                     -------        -----        -------        -------        -----        -------
Total interest-bearing liabilities ...........       $ 2,334        $(163)       $ 2,171        $ 2,824        $ 256        $ 3,080
                                                     -------        -----        -------        -------        -----        -------
Net effect on net interest income ............       $   545        $ 338        $   883        $ 1,660        $ (72)       $ 1,588
                                                     =======        =====        =======        =======        =====        =======

</TABLE>
                                                                              13
<PAGE>
AVERAGE BALANCES, INTEREST RATES AND YIELDS
The following  table presents for the periods  indicated the total dollar amount
of  interest  income  from  average  interest-earning  assets and the  resultant
yields, as well as the interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities,
expressed  both in dollars and rates.  No tax equivalent  adjustments  have been
made. All average balances are quarterly  average balances.  Non-accruing  loans
have been included in the table as loans carrying a zero yield.

Year Ended September 30,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                    1998                              1997                            1996
                                      ----------------------------   -------------------------------  ------------------------------
                                        Average    Interest            Average      Interest            Average     Interest
                                      Outstanding  Earned    Yield   Outstanding    Earned     Yield  Outstanding   Earned     Yield
                                        Balance     /Paid    /Rate     Balance       /Paid     /Rate    Balance      /Paid     /Rate
                                        -------     -----    -----     -------       -----     -----    -------      -----     -----
                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                    <C>         <C>         <C>    <C>           <C>         <C>    <C>         <C>         <C>  
INTEREST-EARNING  ASSETS
Loans receivable(1)                    $ 256,482   $ 23,055    8.99%  $ 249,076     $ 22,433    9.01%  $ 207,983   $ 18,567    8.93%
Mortgage-backed securities                52,722      3,678    6.98      32,618        2,341    7.18      34,213      2,521    7.37 
Securities available for sale             78,789      4,952    6.29      65,843        3,845    5.84      51,494      2,916    5.66 
FHLB stock                                 5,514        374    6.78       5,546          386    6.96       4,644        333    7.17 
                                       ---------   --------           ---------     --------           ---------   --------      
Total interest-earning assets            393,507   $ 32,059    8.15%    353,083     $ 29,005    8.21%    298,334   $ 24,337    8.16%
Noninterest-earning assets                18,415   ========              19,408     ========              13,417   ========
                                      ----------                      ---------                        ---------
Total Assets                          $  411,922                       $372,491                        $ 311,751                    
                                      ==========                       ========                        =========                    
                                                                                                                                 
INTEREST-BEARING  LIABILITIES                                                                                                    
Demand and NOW deposits               $   34,202   $    933    2.73%  $  30,398     $    815    2.68%   $  26,730  $    661    2.47%
Savings deposits                          20,090        502    2.50      20,538          506    2.46       14,906       402    2.70 
Time deposits                            203,932     11,998    5.88     180,088       10,662    5.92      149,247     8,703    5.83 
FHLB advances                             95,328      5,593    5.87      80,685        4,886    6.06       69,265     4,087    5.90 
Other borrowed money                       3,473        204    5.87       3,543          190    5.36        2,198       126    5.73 
                                       ---------   --------           ---------     --------           ---------   --------  
Total interest-bearing liabilities       357,025   $ 19,230    5.39%    315,252     $ 17,059    5.41%     262,346  $ 13,979    5.33%
                                                   ========                         ========                       ========  
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1998                              1997                            1996
                                      ----------------------------   -------------------------------  ------------------------------
                                        Average    Interest            Average      Interest            Average     Interest
                                      Outstanding  Earned    Yield   Outstanding    Earned     Yield  Outstanding   Earned     Yield
                                        Balance     /Paid    /Rate     Balance       /Paid     /Rate    Balance      /Paid     /Rate
                                        -------     -----    -----     -------       -----     -----    -------      -----     -----
                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                    <C>         <C>         <C>    <C>           <C>         <C>    <C>         <C>         <C>  

Noninterest-bearing:                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                 
Deposits                                   5,646                          5,619                             2,647
Liabilities                                5,956                          8,320                             7,969 
                                      ----------                      ---------                        ---------                    
Total liabilities                        368,627                        329,191                           272,962                   
Shareholders' equity                      43,295                         43,300                            38,789  
                                      ----------                      ---------                        ---------                    
Total liabilities and                                                                                                            
 shareholders equity                  $  411,922                      $ 372,491                         $ 311,751                   
                                      ==========                      =========                         =========                   
                                                                                                                                 
Net interest-earning assets           $   36,482                      $  37,831                         $  35,988                   
                                      ==========                      =========                         =========                   
Net interest income                                $ 12,829                         $  11,946                        $10,358        
                                                   ========                         =========                        =======        
Net interest rate spread                                       2.76%                            2.80%                          2.83%
                                                               ====                             ====                           ==== 
Net yield on average interest-                                                                                                   
 earning assets                                                3.26%                            3.38%                          3.47%
                                                               ====                             ====                           ==== 
Average interest-earning assets to 
 average interest-bearing liabilities     110.22%                        112.00%                           113.72%
                                          ======                         ======                            ====== 

</TABLE>

(1) Calculated net of deferred loan fees, loan  discounts,  loans in process and
loss reserves.


14
<PAGE>
COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 1997

General Net income for the year ended September 30, 1998 decreased $857,000,  or
23.5%,  to $2,785,000,  from  $3,642,000 for the same period ended September 30,
1997.  The decrease in net income  reflects a one-time  charge to provision  for
loan and foreclosed real estate losses in the pre-tax amount of $1,500,000.  The
one-time charge was taken to increase the allowance for loan and foreclosed real
estate losses, related primarily to mismanagement and possible fraud by one loan
officer that is no longer with the Company.

Net  Interest  Income  The  Company's  net  interest  income  for the year ended
September 30, 1998 increased by $883,000,  or 7.4%, to  $12,829,000  compared to
$11,946,000  for the same period ended  September 30, 1997.  The increase in net
interest  income  reflects  an  overall  increase  in  the  balance  of  average
interest-earning  assets  during the  period.  The net yield on average  earning
assets decreased to 3.26% for the period ended September 30, 1998 from 3.38% for
the same period in 1997.  The decrease in net yield is due to a decline in total
average  interest-earning  assets  compared  to total  average  interest-bearing
liabilities and an increase in the average balance of non-accruing  loans during
the 1998 period.

During recent years,  the Company has increased its  origination and purchase of
multi-family and commercial real estate loans,  including  construction loans on
such property types,  and has increased its origination of consumer,  commercial
business,  and agricultural  business loans. The Company anticipates activity in
this type of lending  will  continue in future  years.  Net  interest  income is
expected  to  continue  an  upward  trend as a result  of this  type of  lending
activity.  Interest  rate  yields are  generally  higher on these loan  products
compared  to yields  provided by  conventional  single-family  residential  real
estate  loans.  This lending  activity is  considered to carry a higher level of
risk due to the nature of the  collateral and the size of individual  loans.  As
such,  the Company  anticipates  continued  increases in its  allowance for loan
losses as a result of this lending activity.

Interest  Income Interest income for the year ended September 30, 1998 increased
$3,054,000,  or 10.5%,  to $32,059,000  from  $29,005,000 for the same period in
1997.  The  increase  reflects a $2,444,000  increase in interest  earned on the
portfolio of securities  available for sale,  which  increased to $8,630,000 for
the year ended  September 30, 1998,  from  $6,185,000  in 1997.  The increase in
interest  income  from  securities  resulted  from a higher  average  securities
portfolio  balance and, to a lesser  extent,  to a higher  average  yield on the
securities portfolio during fiscal 1998 compared to 1997. In addition,  interest
income  increased  due to a $622,000  increase  in  interest  earned on the loan
portfolio as a result of a higher average loan  portfolio  balance during fiscal
1998 compared to 1997.

Interest Expense Interest expense increased $2,171,000, or 12.7%, to $19,230,000
for the year ended  September 30, 1998 from  $17,059,000  for the same period in
1997.  The  increase  in  interest  expense is due to  increases  in the average
outstanding balance of demand deposits,  time deposits, and FHLB advances during
the year ended  September  30,  1998,  compared to the same period in 1997.  The
increase  in the  average  balance of demand  and time  deposits  resulted  from
internal growth of the deposit  portfolio.  The average balance of FHLB advances
increased due to borrowing activity throughout the period used primarily to fund
growth of the loan portfolio and the purchase of securities  available for sale.
The increase in interest  expense was partially  offset by lower  interest rates
paid on time deposits and FHLB  borrowings  during the year ended  September 30,
1998,  compared to the previous year, as market  interest  rates  generally have
trended downward.
<PAGE>
Provision  for Loan  Losses  The  provision  for loan  losses for the year ended
September  30, 1998 was  $1,663,000  compared to $120,000 for the same period in
1997.  During 1998, the Company  determined  that an  agricultural  loan officer
located in a  subsidiary  branch  office  had,  through  abuse of  position  and
misrepresentation  to management,  authorized the disbursement of funds on loans
for which  collateral  was  inadequate.  In addition,  the  possibility of fraud
exists related to self-dealing  by the loan officer in the  disbursement of loan
proceeds to persons and  entities  with which the loan  officer was  affiliated.
This  mismanagement  and  possible  fraud  was  discovered  as a  result  of the
Company's  routine  internal audit  procedures.  The loan officer involved is no
longer  with  the  Company.  The  Company  has  contacted  authorities,  and  an
investigation is in process at this time. A thorough review was performed by the
Company of the  accounts  in which the loan  officer  was  involved.  Management
believes it has identified all loans for which material weaknesses exist and has
classified those loans accordingly.

Based on the resulting increase in classified assets,  management  considered it
prudent to increase the allow-ance  for losses  through an additional  charge to
the  provision  for loan  losses in the amount of $1.3  million  and a 

                                                                              15
<PAGE>
charge  to  provision  for loss on  foreclosed  real  estate  in the  amount  of
$200,000.  These  amounts were charged  against  income during the quarter ended
March 31, 1998.  Future  recoveries are dependent on the ultimate  resolution of
weaknesses found in the loans, which can not be determined at this time, and any
insurance proceeds that may be received.

Management  believes  that,  based on a  detail  review  of the loan  portfolio,
historic  loan losses,  current  economic  conditions,  and other  factors,  the
current  level of provision  for loan  losses,  and the  resulting  level of the
allowance for loan losses, reflects an adequate reserve against potential losses
from the loan portfolio.

Current economic  conditions in the agricultural  sector of the Company's market
area indicate  potential  weakness due to historically low commodity prices. The
agricultural  economy is  accustomed  to  commodity  price  fluctuations  and is
generally able to handle such fluctuations without significant problem. However,
an  extended  period of low  commodity  prices  could  result in weakness of the
Company's agricultural loan portfolio and could create a need for the Company to
increase its allowance for loan losses  through  increased  charges to provision
for loan losses.

Although the Company  maintains its allowance for loan losses at a level that it
considers to be adequate,  there can be no assurance that future losses will not
exceed estimated amounts, or that additional provisions for loan losses will not
be required in future periods. In addition,  the Company's  determination of the
allowance for loan losses is subject to review by its regulatory agencies, which
can require the establishment of additional general or specific allowances.

Noninterest  Income  Noninterest  income for the year ended  September  30, 1998
increased $174,000,  or 10.2%, to $1,875,000 from $1,701,000 for the same period
in 1997.  The increase in noninterest  income  reflects an increase in loan fees
and deposit  service  charges of $155,000  for fiscal 1998  compared to the same
period in 1997 as a result of increased lending activity and increased  activity
on transaction  accounts subject to service charges. In addition,  gain on sales
of  securities  available  for sale  increased  by  $182,000  for the year ended
September 30, 1998 compared to 1997.  Noninterest  income was reduced for fiscal
1998  compared to 1997 due to a decline in brokerage  commissions  from sales of
non-insured  investment  products through First Federal's  subsidiaries and as a
result of an increase in net loss on sales of foreclosed real estate.

Noninterest  Expense  Noninterest  expense  increased by $870,000,  or 11.8%, to
$8,252,000 for the year ended  September 30, 1998 compared to $7,382,000 for the
same period in 1997. Noninterest expense for employee compensation and benefits,
and occupancy and equipment  expense  increased during fiscal 1998,  compared to
the same period in 1997,  primarily as a result of the full year  operation of a
new branch  office in West Des Moines,  Iowa. In addition,  noninterest  expense
reflects  a $299,000  charge to  provision  for  potential  loss on real  estate
primarily related to a 104 unit apartment complex located in Madison, Wisconsin,
which was acquired through foreclosure during fiscal 1998.

Income Tax Expense  Income tax  expense  decreased  by  $498,000,  or 19.9%,  to
$2,004,000  for the year ended  September 30, 1998 from  $2,502,000 for the same
period in 1997. The decrease in income tax expense  reflects the decrease in the
level of taxable income for the period ended  September 30, 1998 compared to the
same period in 1997.
<PAGE>
COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

General Net income for the year ended  September 30, 1997 increased  $1,228,000,
or 50.9%, to $3,642,000, from $2,414,000 for the same period ended September 30,
1996. The increase in net income  reflects  increases in net interest income and
non-interest income, and a reduction in non-interest expense.  Previous year net
income  reflects the one-time  special  assessment to recapitalize  SAIF,  which
reduced net income by $795,000, net of income taxes.

Net  Interest  Income  The  Company's  net  interest  income  for the year ended
September 30, 1997 increased by $1,587,000, or 15.3%, to $11,946,000 compared to
$10,359,000  for the same period ended  September 30, 1996.  The increase in net
interest income reflects an overall increase in average  interest-earning assets
during the period  resulting  from the  acquisition of Central West at September
30, 1996, and internal  increases in the portfolio of loans and securities.  The
net yield on average  earning  assets  decreased  to 3.38% for the period  ended
September  30, 1997 from 3.47% for the same period in 1996.  

16
<PAGE>
The  decrease  in net  yield  is  due  primarily  to a  decline  in net  average
interest-earning  assets and an increase in the average  balance of non-accruing
loans during the 1997 period.

Interest  Income Interest income for the year ended September 30, 1997 increased
$4,668,000,  or 19.2%,  to $29,005,000  from  $24,337,000 for the same period in
1996. The increase is primarily due to a $3,866,000  increase in interest earned
on the loan  portfolio,  to $22,433,000  for the year ended  September 30, 1997,
from  $18,567,000  in 1996. The increase in loan interest  income  resulted from
higher  average  loan  portfolio  balances  due to  internal  growth of the loan
portfolio  and the  acquisition  of Central West and, to a lesser  extent,  to a
higher average yield on the loan portfolio during the period.

Interest Expense Interest expense increased $3,080,000, or 22.0%, to $17,059,000
for the period ended September 30, 1997 from  $13,979,000 for the same period in
1996.  The  increase  in  interest  expense is due to  increases  in the average
outstanding  balance of time  deposits and FHLB  advances  during the year ended
September  30,  1997,  compared to the same period in 1996.  The increase in the
average  balance of time deposits  resulted from internal  growth of the deposit
portfolio and the acquisition of Central West. The average  outstanding  balance
of FHLB advances increased due to borrowing activity  throughout the period used
primarily  to fund  growth of the loan  portfolio  and to fund the  purchase  of
securities. To a lesser extent, the increase in interest expense reflects higher
interest  rates  paid on  interest-bearing  liabilities  during  the year  ended
September 30, 1997, compared to the previous year.

Provision  for Loan  Losses  The  provision  for loan  losses for the year ended
September  30, 1997 was  $120,000  compared  to $100,000  for the same period in
1996.  Noninterest  Income  Noninterest  income for the year ended September 30,
1997 increased  $282,000,  or 19.9%,  to $1,701,000 from $1,419,000 for the same
period in 1996.  The increase in  noninterest  income  reflects an increase from
loan fees and deposit service  charges of $278,000 for fiscal 1997,  compared to
the same period in 1996, as a result of increased lending activity and increased
activity on transaction  accounts subject to service charges.  In addition,  the
gain on sales of securities  available for sale increased  $137,000 for the year
ended  September 30, 1997 compared to 1996.  Noninterest  income was reduced for
fiscal 1997 compared to 1996 due to a $223,000 decline in brokerage  commissions
as a result of a decline in sales of  non-insured  investment  products  through
First Federal's subsidiaries.

Noninterest  Expense  Noninterest  expense  decreased by $186,000,  or 2.5%,  to
$7,382,000 for the year ended  September 30, 1997 compared to $7,568,000 for the
same period in 1996.  The decrease in  noninterest  expense  reflects the fiscal
1996  payment  of a one-time  special  assessment  in the amount of  $1,266,000,
pre-tax, for the recapitalization of SAIF. In addition,  noninterest expense was
reduced  as a result of  federal  legislation  that  reduced  deposit  insurance
premiums  during the year ended  September  30,  1997.  Noninterest  expense for
employee  compensation  and  benefits,  and  occupancy  and  equipment  expense,
increased  during fiscal 1997,  compared to the same period in 1996, as a result
of the  acquisition  of Central West at September 30, 1996, and as a result of a
new branch office opening in Des Moines, Iowa.

Income Tax Expense  Income tax  expense  increased  by  $806,000,  or 47.5%,  to
$2,502,000  for the year ended  September 30, 1997 from  $1,696,000 for the same
period in 1996. The increase in income tax expense  reflects the increase in the
level of taxable income for the period ended  September 30, 1997 compared to the
same period in 1996.
<PAGE>
ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT AND MARKET RISK


Qualitative  Aspects of Market Risk As stated  above,  the  Company  derives its
income  primarily from the excess of interest  collected over interest paid. The
rates of interest the Company earns on assets and pays on liabilities  generally
are established contractually for a period of time. Market interest rates change
over time. Accordingly,  the Company's results of operations, like those of many
financial institution holding companies and financial institutions, are impacted
by changes in interest rates and the interest rate sensitivity of its assets and
liabilities.  The  risk  associated  with  changes  in  interest  rates  and the
Company's  ability to adapt to these  changes is known as interest rate risk and
is the Company's significant market risk.

                                                                              17
<PAGE>
ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT AND MARKET RISK (Continued)

Quantitative  Aspects  of Market  Risk In an  attempt  to manage  the  Company's
exposure to changes in interest rates and comply with applicable regulations, we
monitor the Company's  interest  rate risk. In monitoring  interest rate risk we
continually  analyze and manage  assets and  liabilities  based on their payment
streams  and  interest  rates,  the  timing  of  their  maturities,   and  their
sensitivity to actual or potential changes in market interest rates.

An asset or liability is interest rate  sensitive  within a specific time period
if it will mature or reprice  within that time period.  If the Company's  assets
mature or reprice more rapidly or to a greater extent than its liabilities, then
net  portfolio  value and net  interest  income  would tend to  increase  during
periods of rising interest rates and decrease during periods of falling interest
rates. Conversely, if the Company's assets mature or reprice more slowly or to a
lesser extent than its  liabilities,  then net portfolio  value and net interest
income  would  tend to  decrease  during  periods of rising  interest  rates and
increase during periods of falling interest rates.

The Company currently focuses lending efforts toward  originating and purchasing
competitively   priced   adjustable-rate   and  fixed-rate  loan  products  with
relatively short terms to maturity,  generally 15 years or less. This allows the
Company to maintain a portfolio  of loans that will be  sensitive  to changes in
the level of interest rates while  providing a reasonable  spread to the cost of
liabilities used to fund the loans.

The Company's primary  objective for its investment  portfolio is to provide the
liquidity necessary to meet loan funding needs. The investment portfolio is also
used in the ongoing management of changes to the Company's  asset/liability mix,
while contributing to profitability through earnings flow. The investment policy
generally  calls for funds to be invested  among various  categories of security
types and  maturities  based upon the Company's  need for  liquidity,  desire to
achieve a proper balance between  minimizing risk while  maximizing  yield,  the
need  to  provide  collateral  for  borrowings,  and to  fulfill  the  Company's
asset/liability management goals.

The  Company's  cost of funds  responds to changes in interest  rates due to the
relatively short-term nature of its deposit portfolio. Consequently, the results
of  operations  are generally  influenced  by the level of  short-term  interest
rates.  The Company  offers a range of  maturities  on its  deposit  products at
competitive rates and monitors the maturities on an ongoing basis.

The Company  emphasizes and promotes its savings,  money market,  demand and NOW
accounts  and,  subject  to market  conditions,  certificates  of  deposit  with
maturities of six months through five years, principally from its primary market
area. The savings and NOW accounts tend to be less  susceptible to rapid changes
in interest rates.

In managing its  asset/liability  mix, the Company,  at times,  depending on the
relationship between long- and short-term interest rates, market conditions, and
consumer  preference,  may place somewhat greater emphasis on maximizing its net
interest margin than on strictly  matching the interest rate  sensitivity of its
assets and  liabilities.  Management  believes the increased net income that may
result from an  acceptable  mismatch in the actual  maturity or repricing of its
asset and  liability  portfolios  can,  during  periods of  declining  or stable
interest rates,  provide sufficient returns to justify the increased exposure to
<PAGE>
sudden and  unexpected  increases in interest rates which may result from such a
mismatch.  The Company  has  established  limits,  which may change from time to
time, on the level of acceptable  interest rate risk. There can be no assurance,
however, that in the event of an adverse change in interest rates, the Company's
efforts to limit interest rate risk will be successful.

Net Portfolio Value The Company uses a Net Portfolio  Value ("NPV")  approach to
the  quantification  of  interest  rate  risk.  This  approach   calculates  the
difference  between the present value of expected cash flows from assets and the
present  value of expected  cash flows from  liabilities,  as well as cash flows
from  off-balance-sheet  contracts.  Management  of  the  Company's  assets  and
liabilities is performed within the context of the marketplace,  but also within
limits established by the Board of Directors on the amount of change in NPV that
is acceptable given certain interest rate changes.

Presented  below,  as of  September  30, 1998,  is an analysis of the  Company's
interest  rate risk as  measured  by  changes  in NPV for an  instantaneous  and
sustained  parallel shift in the yield curve, in 100 basis point increments,  up
and down 300 basis points.  As  illustrated  in the table,  the Company's NPV is
more  sensitive  to rising  rate  changes  than  declining  rates.  This  occurs
primarily because,  as rates rise, the market value of fixed-rate loans declines
due both to the rate increase and the related  slowing of  prepayments on loans.
When rates decline, the Company does not experience a significant rise in market
value for these loans because  borrowers prepay at relatively  higher rates. The
value of the Company's  deposits and borrowings change in approximately the same
proportion in rising and falling rate scenarios.

18
<PAGE>
                          ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT AND MARKET RISK (Continued)


                                                           At September 30, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Change in Interest Rate Board Limit
(Basis Points)            % Change            $ Change               % Change
                                       (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

+300 bp                     (50)%              $(5,579)                  (13)%
+200 bp                      (40)               (2,957)                    (7)
+100 bp                      (25)               (1,477)                    (3)
   0 bp                        -                    --                     --
- - 100 bp                     (10)                1,115                      3
- - 200 bp                     (15)                1,877                      4
- - 300 bp                     (20)                2,284                      5

 
Certain  shortcomings  are  inherent in the method of analysis  presented in the
foregoing tables. For example,  although certain assets and liabilities may have
similar maturities or periods to repricing,  they may react in different degrees
to changes in market interest  rates.  Also, the interest rates on certain types
of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest
rates,  while  interest  rates on other  types may lag behind  changes in market
rates. Additionally, certain assets such as adjustable-rate mortgage loans, have
features which restrict changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over
the life of the  asset.  Further,  in the event of a change in  interest  rates,
prepayments and early withdrawal  levels would likely deviate from those assumed
in  calculating  the tables.  Finally,  the ability of some borrowers to service
their debt may decrease in the event of an interest rate  increase.  The Company
considers all of these factors in monitoring its exposure to interest rate risk.

The Office of Thrift  Supervision  ("OTS") issued a regulation  which uses a net
market value  methodology  to measure the interest  rate risk exposure of thrift
institutions. Under OTS regulations, an institution's "normal" level of interest
rate risk in the event of an assumed 200 basis point change in interest rates is
a decrease  in the  institution's  NPV in an amount not to exceed two percent of
the present value of its assets.  Thrift institutions with greater than "normal"
interest  rate risk  exposure  must take a deduction  from their  total  capital
available  to meet  their  risk-based  capital  requirement.  The amount of that
deduction is one-half of the  difference  between (a) the  institution's  actual
calculated  exposure to a 200 basis  point  interest  rate  increase or decrease
(whichever  results  in the  greater  pro  forma  decrease  in NPV)  and (b) its
"normal"  level of exposure  which is 2.00% of the present  value of its assets.
The regulation,  however,  will not become effective until the OTS evaluates the
process by which thrift  institutions may appeal an interest rate risk deduction
determination. It is uncertain as to when this evaluation may be completed.

Management  reviews the OTS measurements and related peer reports on a quarterly
basis.  In addition to  monitoring  selected  measures of NPV,  management  also
monitors  the  effects  on net  interest  income  resulting  from  increases  or
decreases  in  interest  rates.  This  measure is used in  conjunction  with NPV
measures to identify excessive interest rate risk.
<PAGE>
Asset Quality 

It is management's  belief, based on information  available,  that the Company's
historic level of asset quality has been satisfactory.  During fiscal year 1998,
however,  the Company  experienced  a  significant  increase in the level of its
non-performing assets. At September 30, 1998,  non-performing assets, consisting
of  non-accruing  loans,  real estate owned and repossessed  consumer  property,
totaled $8,132,000,  or 1.94% of total assets, compared to $3,313,000,  or 0.82%
of total assets,  for the fiscal year ended 1997. The increase in non-performing
assets for fiscal  1998 as compared to 1997  includes a  $1,449,000  increase in
non-accruing  agricultural  operating  loans, a $3,623,000  increase in accruing
loans  more than 90 days  delinquent  related  to a  participation  loan on four
nursing homes located in Minnesota and a $907,000  increase in foreclosed assets
due to the acquisition  through  foreclosure of an apartment  complex located in
Madison, Wisconsin.

The  increase  in   non-performing   assets   reflects  an  increased  level  of
delinquencies  in the  Company's  agricultural  loan  portfolio due primarily to
weakness  in the  underwriting  process  as a result  of abuse of  position  and
misrepresentation to management by an agricultural loan officer who is no longer
with the  Company.  Several  loans  underwritten  by this loan  officer were not
underwritten  following the written guidelines  established by the Company,  and
has resulted in higher than normal levels of loan delinquency and increased risk
of loss on these loans. The Company has performed a thorough review of all loans

                                                                              19
<PAGE>
ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT AND MARKET RISK (Continued)

underwritten  by this loan officer and has increased its allowance for loan loss
accordingly. The Company has implemented internal control procedures designed to
prevent this situation from recurring.

The increase in  non-performing  assets also relates to a participation  loan in
the amount of  $3,858,000  at September  30, 1998 secured by four nursing  homes
located in Minnesota.  This loan was  delinquent  more than 90 days at September
30,  1998  due to a  disruption  in the  borrower's  cash  flow.  Subsequent  to
September  30,  1998,  this loan was  restructured  with a reduction of the loan
balance to $1,010,000  and all accrued  interest  paid current.  The new loan is
secured by one nursing home located in Minnesota.  Also during fiscal 1998,  the
Company  acquired  through  foreclosure a 104 unit apartment  complex located in
Madison,  Wisconsin.  The  Company  has a 58%  participation  interest  in  this
property.  Subsequent to September 30, 1998, a signed contract has been received
for the purchase of this property,  subject to due diligence by the buyer,  at a
net sales price  approximately  equal to the Company's  carrying value at fiscal
year end.

Liquidity  and  Sources  of Funds The  Company's  primary  sources  of funds are
deposits,   borrowings,   principal   and   interest   payments   on  loans  and
mortgage-backed securities, and maturing investment securities.  While scheduled
loan  repayments and maturing  investments are relatively  predictable,  deposit
flows and early loan  repayments are influenced by the level of interest  rates,
general economic conditions, and competition.

Federal  regulations  require First Federal to maintain minimum levels of liquid
assets.  Currently,  First  Federal is required to maintain  liquid assets of at
least 4% of the average daily balance of net  withdrawable  savings deposits and
borrowings  payable on demand in one year or less during the preceding  calendar
quarter.  Liquid assets for purposes of this ratio  include  cash,  certain time
deposits,  U.S.  Government,  governmental  agency, and corporate securities and
obligations, unless otherwise pledged. First Federal has historically maintained
its  liquidity  ratio at levels in excess  of those  required.  First  Federal's
regulatory  liquidity  ratios were 15.4%,  9.8%, and 5.4% at September 30, 1998,
1997 and 1996, respectively.

Liquidity  management  is both a daily and  long-term  function of the Company's
management strategy.  The Company adjusts its investments in liquid assets based
upon management's assessment of (i) expected loan demand in the Company's market
area, (ii) the projected availability of purchased loan products, (iii) expected
deposit flows, (iv) yields available on interest-bearing  deposits,  and (v) the
objectives  of its  asset/liability  management  program.  Excess  liquidity  is
generally invested in interest-earning  overnight deposits and other short- term
government agency obligations.  If the Company requires funds beyond its ability
to generate  them  internally,  it has  additional  borrowing  capacity with the
Federal  Home Loan Bank of Des Moines and has  collateral  eligible for use with
reverse repurchase agreements.

The primary investing activities of the Company are the origination and purchase
of loans and the purchase of  securities.  During the years ended  September 30,
1998,  1997 and 1996, the Company  originated  loans of $147.2  million,  $135.7
million  and $90.6  million,  respectively.  Purchases  of loans  totaled  $36.9
million,  $29.8 million and $25.0 million  during the years ended  September 30,
1998,  1997 and 1996,  respectively.  During the years ended September 30, 1998,
1997 and  1996,  the  Company  purchased  mortgage-backed  securities  and other
securities available for sale in the amount of $89.9 million,  $67.6 million and
$121.0 million, respectively.
<PAGE>
At September 30, 1998, the Company had outstanding  commitments to originate and
purchase loans of $27.4 million. (See Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements.)  Certificates  of deposit  scheduled  to mature in one year or less
from  September  30,  1998  total  $143.1  million.   Based  on  its  historical
experience, management believes that a significant portion of such deposits will
remain with the Company, however, there can be no assurance that the Company can
retain all such deposits.  Management believes, however, that loan repayment and
other sources of funds will be adequate to meet the Company's foreseeable short-
and long-term liquidity needs.

On September 20, 1993,  the Bank  converted  from a federally  chartered  mutual
savings and loan  association  to a federally  chartered  stock savings bank. At
that time, a  liquidation  account was  established  for the benefit of eligible
account  holders who continue to maintain  their account with the Bank after the
conversion.  The  liquidation  account is reduced  annually  to the extent  that
eligible  account holders have reduced their qualifying  deposits.  At September
30, 1998, the liquidation account approximated $2.6 million.

Under the Financial Institution's Reform,  Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989
("FIRREA") and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act of 1991 ("FDICIA"), the capital
requirements applicable to all financial  institutions,  including First Federal
and Security,  were substantially  increased.  First Federal and Security are in
full compliance with the fully phased-in capital  requirements.  (See Note 15 of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

20
<PAGE>
                          ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT AND MARKET RISK (Continued)

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices The  Consolidated  Financial  Statements
and Notes  thereto  presented  herein  have been  prepared  in  accordance  with
generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  which require the  measurement  of
financial  position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without
considering the change in the relative  purchasing  power of money over time due
to inflation. The primary impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost
of the Company's operations. Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all the
assets and  liabilities  of the  Company are  monetary  in nature.  As a result,
interest  rates  generally  have  a  more  significant  impact  on  a  financial
institution's  performance  than do the effects of general  levels of inflation.
Interest rates do not  necessarily  move in the same  direction,  or to the same
extent, as the prices of goods and services.

Impact of New  Accounting  Standards  During the next few years,  new accounting
pronouncements  that have been issued will take effect and others are  expected.
These are summarized below.

In the  future,  several  new  accounting  pronouncements  will be  implemented.
Statement  No. 130  requires  "other  comprehensive  income" and  "comprehensive
income"  to be  displayed  along with net  income.  Other  comprehensive  income
includes   changes  in  unrealized  gains  and  losses  on  available  for  sale
securities,  the  offset  of some  pension  liabilities  currently  recorded  as
reductions in equity, foreign currency translation and, in the future, will also
include  deferred hedging gains and losses.  Comprehensive  income is net income
plus other comprehensive income.

Statement No. 131 for public companies redefines segment reporting to follow how
each company's chief operating  decision maker gets  information  about business
segments to make operating decisions.

Statement  No. 132  increases and revises  pension plan  disclosures  for public
companies, and simplifies such disclosures for nonpublic companies.

Statement No. 133 on derivatives  will, in 2000,  require all  derivatives to be
recorded  at fair value in the  balance  sheet,  with  changes in fair value run
through  income.  If derivatives  are  documented  and effective as hedges,  the
change in the  derivative  fair value  will be offset by an equal  change in the
fair value of the hedged item.

Statement No. 134 on mortgage  banking will, in 1999,  allow mortgage loans that
are  securitized to be classified as trading,  available for sale or, in certain
circumstances, held to maturity. Currently these must be classified as trading.

Implementation  guidance on Statement No. 125 will clarify the  requirement  for
loan  participations  to  contain  the right  for the  purchaser  to resell  the
participation,  to avoid  classifying the  participation as a secured  borrowing
instead of a reduction of loans.

Proposals will require that  purchased  loans,  including  those acquired in the
purchase of an entire bank,  be recorded net of estimated  uncollectible  loans.
This means that no  allowance  for loan  losses  will carry over or be  recorded
except  through  subsequent  expense,  although  subsequent  losses equal to the
amount estimated at purchase will not be shown as charge-offs.
<PAGE>
The AICPA guidance for financial  institutions  in its accounting  guide will be
revised to conform to current  literature,  make a few changes,  and combine the
banking/savings guide, credit union and finance company guides, eliminating some
differences therein.  Some changes will be to disclose loans past due 90 days or
more that are still on accrual  and to  disclose  the  policy  for  charging-off
loans.

The FASB continues to study several  issues,  including  recording all financial
instruments at fair value and abolishing pooling of interests accounting.  Also,
it is likely that APB 25's measurement for stock option plans will be limited to
employees  and  not  to   nonemployees   such  as  directors,   thereby  causing
compensation expense for stock options to directors.


                                                                YEAR 2000 ISSUES

The  Company  is aware of the issues  associated  with the  programming  code in
existing  computer  systems  as the year 2000  approaches.  The issue is whether
computer  systems will properly  recognize date sensitive  information  when the
year changes to 2000.  Systems that do not properly  recognize such  information
could generate  erroneous data or cause a system to fail. The Company is heavily
dependent on computer  processing in its business  activities  and the Year 2000
issue  creates risk for the Company from  unforeseen  problems in the  Company's
computer  system  and from  third  parties  whom  the  Company  uses to  process
information. Such failures of the Company's computer system and/or third parties
computer  systems  could  have a  material  impact on the  Company's  ability to
conduct its business.

The Company's primary data processing is provided by a major third party vendor.
This provider has advised the Company that it has  completed  the  renovation of
its 

                                                                              21
<PAGE>
system to be Year 2000 ready,  and is currently in process of providing users of
the system the  opportunity to test the system for readiness.  The Company plans
to perform its initial test of the data  processing  provider's  system for Year
2000 readiness by December 31, 1998.

The Company has performed an  assessment of its computer  hardware and software,
and has  determined  those  systems that require  upgrade to be Year 2000 ready.
Such  upgrades  have either been  completed or will be completed by December 31,
1998. In addition,  the Company has reviewed  other external third party vendors
that provide services to the Company (i.e. utility  companies,  electronic funds
transfer providers,  alarm companies,  insurance  providers,  loan participation
companies,  and mortgage loan secondary market  agencies),  and has requested or
already  received  certification  letters from these  vendors that their systems
will be Year 2000 ready on a timely basis.  Testing will be performed with these
service providers, where possible, to determine their Year 2000 readiness.

The Company  could incur  losses if loan  payments  are delayed due to Year 2000
problems affecting significant borrowers. The Company is communicating with such
parties to assess their progress in evaluating and  implementing  any corrective
measures  required by them to be Year 2000 ready.  To date,  the Company has not
been advised by such parties that they do not have plans in place to address and
correct the issues associated with the Year 2000 problem;  however, no assurance
can be given as to the  adequacy  of such  plans or to the  timeliness  of their
implementation.  As part of the current credit approval process, new and renewed
loans are evaluated as to the borrower's Year 2000 readiness.

Based on the Company's review of its computer systems,  management  believes the
cost of the  remediation  effort to make its  systems  Year 2000  ready  will be
approximately $60,000. In addition, it is estimated that 1,500 man hours will be
incurred by Company personnel related to Year 2000 issues at an approximate cost
of $40,000. Such costs will be charged to expense as they are incurred.

The Company has developed a Year 2000  contingency  plan that  addresses,  among
other issues, critical operations and potential failures thereof, and strategies
for business continuation.

Although   management  believes  the  Company's  computer  systems  and  service
providers will be Year 2000 ready, there can be no assurance that these systems,
or those systems of other companies on which the Company's systems rely, will be
fully functional in the Year 2000. Such failure could have a significant adverse
impact on the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
<PAGE>
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Company, and its wholly-owned  subsidiaries First Federal and Security,  may
from  time to  time  make  "forward-looking  statements,"  including  statements
contained in the Company's  filings with the Securities and Exchange  Commission
(the "SEC"),  in its reports to shareholders and in other  communications by the
Company,  which are made in good faith by the Company and the Banks  pursuant to
the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities  Litigation Reform Act of
1995.

These  forward-looking   statements  include  statements  with  respect  to  the
Company's and the Banks' beliefs, expectations,  estimates, and intentions, that
are subject to significant  risks and  uncertainties,  and are subject to change
based on various  factors (some of which are beyond the Company's and the Banks'
control). The following factors, among others, could cause the Company's and the
Banks'  financial  performance  to  differ  materially  from  the  expectations,
estimates,  and intentions  expressed in such  forward-looking  statements:  the
strength of the United  States  economy in general and the strength of the local
economies in which the Company and the Banks conduct operations; the effects of,
and  changes  in,  trade,  monetary,  and fiscal  policies  and laws,  including
interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board;  inflation,  interest rate,
market, and monetary  fluctuations;  the timely development of and acceptance of
new products and services of the Banks, and the perceived overall value of these
products  and services by users;  the impact of changes in  financial  services'
laws and regulations;  technological changes; acquisitions;  changes in consumer
spending  and saving  habits;  and the  success of the  Company and the Banks at
managing the risks involved in the foregoing.

The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Additional discussion of factors
affecting  the  Company's  business and  prospects is contained in the Company's
periodic  filings with the SEC. The Company does not  undertake,  and  expressly
disclaims any intent or  obligation,  to update any  forward-looking  statement,
whether  written or oral,  that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of
the Company or the Banks.


22
<PAGE>
                                                  Report of Independent Auditors


                                             BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS
                                  FIRST MIDWEST FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                STORM LAKE, IOWA


We have audited the  accompanying  consolidated  balance sheets of First Midwest
Financial,  Inc. and  Subsidiaries  (the "Company") as of September 30, 1998 and
1997 and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders'
equity and cash flows for the years ended  September  30,  1998,  1997 and 1996.
These financial  statements are the responsibility of the Company's  management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial  statements based
on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated  financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material  respects,  the financial  position of the Company as of
September 30, 1998 and 1997 and the results of its operations and its cash flows
for the  years  ended  September  30,  1998,  1997 and 1996 in  conformity  with
generally accepted accounting principles.

CROWE, CHIZEK AND COMPANY LLP
South Bend, Indiana
October 22, 1998


                                                                              23
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
First Midwest Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

September 30, 1998 and 1997                                                    1998              1997
                                                                          -------------     -------------
<S>                                                                       <C>               <C>          
ASSETS

Cash and due from banks ..............................................    $     908,984     $     875,169
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions - short-term        5,818,460        10,709,907
Federal funds sold ...................................................             --           1,267,350
                                                                          -------------     -------------
Total cash and cash equivalents ......................................        6,727,444        12,852,426
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
  (cost approximates market value) ...................................             --             200,000
Securities available for sale ........................................      120,609,531       115,985,045
Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses
  of $2,908,902 in 1998 and $2,379,091 in 1997 .......................      270,286,189       254,640,971
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock, at cost .........................        5,505,800         5,629,300
Accrued interest receivable ..........................................        4,968,607         5,366,109
Premises and equipment, net ..........................................        4,048,945         4,176,311
Foreclosed real estate, net of allowances of $299,532 in 1998 and
 $-0- in 1997 ........................................................        1,063,317           156,300
Other assets .........................................................        5,170,562         5,582,116
                                                                          -------------     -------------
       Total assets ..................................................    $ 418,380,395     $ 404,588,578
                                                                          =============     =============

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits ..................................    $   4,971,562     $   5,572,296
Savings, NOW and money market demand deposits ........................       57,755,615        49,838,735
Other time certificates of deposit ...................................      221,130,975       190,704,667
                                                                          -------------     -------------
         Total deposits ..............................................      283,858,152       246,115,698
Advances from FHLB ...................................................       85,263,562       107,426,225
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase .......................        4,074,567         1,800,000
Other borrowings .....................................................          550,000         2,900,000
Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance ......................          405,218           449,487
Accrued interest payable .............................................          834,741         1,065,746
Accrued expenses and other liabilities ...............................        1,108,592         1,354,418
                                                                          -------------     -------------
         Total liabilities ...........................................      376,094,832       361,111,574
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                       <C>               <C>          
Shareholders' Equity
Preferred stock, 800,000 shares authorized; none issued ..............             --                --
Common stock, $.01 par value; 5,200,000 shares authorized;
  2,957,999 shares issued and 2,553,245 shares outstanding
  at September 30, 1998; 2,957,999 shares issued and 2,698,904
  shares outstanding at September 30, 1997 ...........................           29,580            29,580
Additional paid-in capital ...........................................       21,330,075        20,984,754
Retained earnings - substantially restricted .........................       27,985,814        26,427,657
Net unrealized appreciation on securities available for sale,
  net of tax of $474,346 in 1998 and $568,013 in 1997 ................          798,820           960,371
Unearned Employee Stock Ownership Plan shares ........................         (367,200)         (567,200)
Treasury stock, 404,754 and 259,095 common shares, at cost,
  at September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively .......................       (7,491,526)       (4,358,158)
                                                                          -------------     -------------
                  Total shareholders' equity .........................       42,285,563        43,477,004
                                                                          -------------     -------------


                    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity .......    $ 418,380,395     $ 404,588,578
                                                                          =============     =============
</TABLE>

The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.


24
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       First Midwest Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                                                                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


Years ended September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996              1998              1997             1996
                                                       ------------     ------------     ------------
<S>                                                    <C>              <C>              <C>         
Interest and dividend income
Loans receivable, including fees ..................    $ 23,054,813     $ 22,432,828     $ 18,567,097
Securities available for sale .....................       8,629,761        6,185,385        5,437,734
Dividends on FHLB stock ...........................         374,220          386,462          332,634
                                                       ------------     ------------     ------------
                                                         32,058,794       29,004,675       24,337,465
Interest expense
Deposits ..........................................      13,432,454       11,982,913        9,766,586
FHLB advances and other borrowings ................       5,797,499        5,076,144        4,212,024
                                                       ------------     ------------     ------------
                                                         19,229,953       17,059,057       13,978,610
                                                       ------------     ------------     ------------

Net interest income ...............................      12,828,841       11,945,618       10,358,855

Provision for loan losses .........................       1,662,472          120,000          100,000
                                                       ------------     ------------     ------------

Net interest income after provision for
  loan losses .....................................      11,166,369       11,825,618       10,258,855

Noninterest income
Loan fees and deposit service charges .............       1,263,367        1,108,233          830,256
Gain on sales of securities available for sale, net         398,903          216,614           79,317
Gain (loss) on sales of foreclosed real estate, net         (33,034)          (6,722)          (8,630)
Brokerage commissions .............................          52,479           69,379          292,189
Other income ......................................         193,158          313,168          226,163
                                                       ------------     ------------     ------------
                                                          1,874,873        1,700,672        1,419,295
Noninterest expense
Employee compensation and benefits ................       4,644,809        4,341,038        3,732,839
Occupancy and equipment expense ...................       1,133,187        1,006,190          668,784
SAIF deposit insurance special assessment .........            --               --          1,265,996
SAIF deposit insurance premium ....................         143,199          220,849          433,367
Data processing expense ...........................         339,385          321,369          289,390
Provision for losses on foreclosed real estate ....         299,532             --             20,000
Other expense .....................................       1,692,728        1,492,819        1,157,886
                                                       ------------     ------------     ------------
                                                          8,252,840        7,382,265         7,568,262
                                                       ------------     ------------     ------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                    <C>              <C>              <C>         
Income before income taxes ........................       4,788,402        6,144,025        4,109,888

Income tax expense ................................       2,003,520        2,502,069        1,696,323
                                                       ------------     ------------     ------------

Net income ........................................    $  2,784,882     $  3,641,956     $  2,413,565
                                                       ============     ============     ============

Earnings per common and common equivalent share
Basic earnings per common share ...................    $       1.08     $       1.34     $        .95
                                                       ============     ============     ============
Diluted earnings per common share .................    $       1.03     $       1.28     $        .90
                                                       ============     ============     ============ 

</TABLE>
The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.

                                                                              25
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
First Midwest Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Years ended September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996
                                                                                          Net Unrealized
                                                                                           Appreciation
                                                                                          (Depreciation)    Unearned
                                                                                           on Securities   Employee
                                                                Additional                    Available      Stock      
                                                       Common      Paid-in      Retained      For Sale,    Ownership    
                                                       Stock       Capital       Earnings    Net of Tax   Plan Shares   
<S>                                                 <C>         <C>            <C>             <C>        <C>            
Balance at September 30, 1995 ....................  $  19,915   $ 19,310,045   $22,080,579     $571,564   $  (967,200)   

Purchase of 41,910 common shares of treasury
  stock ..........................................      --              --              --           --           --     
Retirement of 958 common shares ..................       (10)             10            --           --           --     
30,000 common shares committed to
  be released under the ESOP .....................      --           303,524            --           --       200,000   
Amortization of recognition and retention
  plan common shares and tax benefit of
  restricted stock under the plan ................      --           168,120            --           --           --     
Cash dividends declared on common stock
  ($.29 per share) ...............................      --              --        (745,761)          --           --     
Issuance of 171,158 common shares from
  treasury stock in connection with
  acquisition of Central West Bancorporation .....      --         1,192,990            --           --           --     
Issuance of 9,450 common shares from
  treasury stock due to exercise of stock options       --          (112,138)           --           --           --     
Net change in unrealized appreciation
  (depreciation) on securities available for sale,
  net of tax of ($321,866) .......................      --              --              --     (542,866)          --     
Net income for the year ended September 30, 1996 .      --              --       2,413,565           --           --     
                                                    ---------   ------------   -----------     --------   -----------    
Balance at September 30, 1996 ....................    19,905      20,862,551    23,748,383       28,698      (767,200)  

Purchase of 248,419 common shares of
  treasury stock .................................      --              --              --           --           --     
Retirement of 3,474 common shares ................       (35)             35            --           --           --     
30,000 common shares committed to be
  released under the ESOP ........................      --           295,740            --           --       200,000   
Amortization of recognition and retention
  plan common shares and tax benefit of
  restricted stock under the plan ................      --            93,401            --           --           --     
Cash dividends declared on common stock
  ($.36 per share) ...............................      --              --        (961,849)          --           --     
Issuance of 970,978 common shares for stock
  dividend declared on common stock, net
  of cash paid in lieu of fractional shares ......     9,710          (9,710)         (833)          --           --     
Purchase of 7,263 common shares upon
  exercise of stock options ......................      --              --              --           --           --     
Issuance of 41,347 common shares from treasury
  stock due to exercise of stock options .........      --          (257,263)           --           --           --     
Net change in unrealized appreciation on
  securities available for sale, net of tax of 
      $ 549,689 ..................................      --              --              --      931,673           --     
Net income for the year ended September 30, 1997 .      --              --       3,641,956           --           --     
                                                    ---------   ------------   -----------     --------   -----------    
Balance at September 30, 1997 ....................    29,580      20,984,754    26,427,657      960,371      (567,200)  
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Total      
                                                        Treasury    Shareholders'   
                                                         Stock         Equity      
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>           
Balance at September 30, 1995 ....................  $ (3,002,207)  $ 38,012,696  
                                                                                 
Purchase of 41,910 common shares of treasury                                     
  stock ..........................................      (630,710)      (630,710) 
Retirement of 958 common shares ..................          --             --    
30,000 common shares committed to                                                
  be released under the ESOP .....................          --          503,524  
Amortization of recognition and retention                                        
  plan common shares and tax benefit of                                          
  restricted stock under the plan ................          --          168,120  
Cash dividends declared on common stock                                          
  ($.29 per share) ...............................          --         (745,761) 
Issuance of 171,158 common shares from                                           
  treasury stock in connection with                                              
  acquisition of Central West Bancorporation .....     2,743,644      3,936,634  
Issuance of 9,450 common shares from                                             
  treasury stock due to exercise of stock options        206,638         94,500  
Net change in unrealized appreciation                                            
  (depreciation) on securities available for sale,                               
  net of tax of ($321,866) .......................          --         (542,866) 
Net income for the year ended September 30, 1996 .          --        2,413,565  
                                                    ------------   ------------                             
Balance at September 30, 1996 ....................      (682,635)    43,209,702  
                                                                                              
Purchase of 248,419 common shares of                                             
  treasury stock .................................    (4,268,777     (4,268,777) 
Retirement of 3,474 common shares ................          --             --    
30,000 common shares committed to be                                             
  released under the ESOP ........................          --          495,740  
Amortization of recognition and retention                                        
  plan common shares and tax benefit of                                          
  restricted stock under the plan ................          --           93,401  
Cash dividends declared on common stock                                          
  ($.36 per share) ...............................          --         (961,849) 
Issuance of 970,978 common shares for stock                                      
  dividend declared on common stock, net                                         
  of cash paid in lieu of fractional shares ......          --             (833) 
Purchase of 7,263 common shares upon                                             
  exercise of stock options ......................      (175,445)      (175,445) 
Issuance of 41,347 common shares from treasury                                   
  stock due to exercise of stock options .........       768,699        511,436  
Net change in unrealized appreciation on                                         
  securities available for sale, net of tax of                                   
      $ 549,689 ..................................          --          931,673  
Net income for the year ended September 30, 1997 .          --        3,641,956  
                                                    ------------   ------------  
Balance at September 30, 1997 ....................    (4,358,158)    43,477,004  
                                                    
</TABLE>
26
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
First Midwest Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED)

Years ended September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996


                                                                                          Net Unrealized
                                                                                           Appreciation
                                                                                          (Depreciation)     Unearned
                                                                                           on Securities     Employee
                                                                Additional                     Available       Stock    
                                                    Common       Paid-in         Retained      For Sale,     Ownership  
                                                     Stock       Capital         Earnings     Net of Tax    Plan Shares 
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>              <C>            <C>           <C>       
Balance at September 30, 1997 ..................    $29,580    $ 20,984,754     $26,427,657    $ 960,371     $(567,200)
Purchase of 152,226 common shares of
  treasury stock ...............................       --              --              --           --            --   
30,000 common shares committed to be
  released under the ESOP ......................       --           454,460            --           --         200,000
Cash dividends declared on common stock
  ($.48 per share) .............................       --              --        (1,226,725         --            --   
Purchase of 1,033 common shares upon
  exercise of stock options ....................       --              --              --           --            --   
Issuance of 7,600 common shares from treasury
  stock due to exercise of stock options .......       --          (109,139)           --           --            --   
Net change in unrealized appreciation on
  securities available for sale, net of tax of
  $(93,667) ....................................       --              --              --       (161,551)         --   

Net income for the year ended September 30, 1998       --              --         2,784,882         --            --   
                                                    -------    ------------     -----------    ---------     --------- 

Balance at September 30, 1998 ..................    $29,580    $ 21,330,075     $27,985,814    $ 798,820     $(367,200)
                                                    =======    ============     ===========    =========     ========= 
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Total      
                                                       Treasury      Shareholders'  
                                                         Stock           Equity   
                                                  
<S>                                                 <C>             <C>         
Balance at September 30, 1997 ..................    $(4,358,158)    $ 43,477,004

Purchase of 152,226 common shares of
  treasury stock ...............................     (3,271,203)      (3,271,203)
30,000 common shares committed to be
  released under the ESOP ......................           --            654,460
Cash dividends declared on common stock
  ($.48 per share) .............................           --         (1,226,725)
Purchase of 1,033 common shares upon
  exercise of stock options ....................        (21,972)         (21,972)
Issuance of 7,600 common shares from treasury
  stock due to exercise of stock options .......        159,807           50,668
Net change in unrealized appreciation on
  securities available for sale, net of tax of
  $(93,667) ....................................           --           (161,551)

Net income for the year ended September 30, 1998           --          2,784,882
                                                    -----------     ------------
Balance at September 30, 1998 ..................    $(7,491,526)    $ 42,285,563
                                                    ===========     ============

</TABLE>

The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.

                                                                              27
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
First Midwest Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Years ended September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996                  1998             1997              1996  

<S>                                                       <C>              <C>              <C>          
Cash flows from operating activities

Net income ...........................................    $  2,784,882     $  3,641,956     $   2,413,565

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
  from operating activities
   Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net .....         973,454        1,092,782           907,721
   Provision for loan losses .........................       1,662,472          120,000           100,000
   Provision for losses on foreclosed real estate ....         299,532             --              20,000
   Gain on sales of securities available for sale, net        (398,903)        (216,614)          (79,317)
   Proceeds from the sales of loans held for sale ....       5,613,115        3,592,055         1,064,000
   Originations of loans held for sale ...............      (5,613,115)      (3,592,055)       (1,064,000)
   Stock dividends from FHLB stock ...................            --               --             (78,900)
   (Gain) loss on sales of office property, net ......            --               --             (24,739)
   (Gain) loss on sales of foreclosed real estate, net          33,034            6,722             8,630
   Net change in
       Accrued interest receivable ...................         397,502         (337,062)       (1,406,034)
       Other assets ..................................          46,622          223,344          (399,200)
       Accrued interest payable ......................        (231,005)        (205,719)          348,940
       Accrued expenses and other liabilities ........        (152,159)      (2,348,712)        1,689,497
                                                          ------------     ------------     -------------
          Net cash from operating activities .........       5,415,431        1,976,697         3,500,163

Cash flows from investing activities
Net change in interest-bearing deposits in other
  financial institutions .............................         200,000          100,000          (300,000)
Purchase of securities available for sale ............     (89,877,636)     (67,569,576)     (120,994,759)
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale .      18,280,412          804,067           366,829
Proceeds from maturities and principal repayment of
  securities available for sale ......................      67,062,074       61,943,630        95,068,472
Loans purchased ......................................     (36,947,582)     (29,819,316)      (24,975,540)
Net change in loans ..................................      18,415,456       18,519,590        (3,599,754)
Proceeds from sales of foreclosed real estate ........         440,401           93,453           132,842
Purchase of FHLB stock ...............................        (447,700)        (104,600)       (1,355,100)
Proceeds from redemption of FHLB stock ...............         571,200             --                --
Purchase of Iowa Bancorp, Inc., net of cash received .            --               --          (5,217,265)
Purchase of Central West Bancorporation, net of cash
  received ...........................................            --               --            (229,430)
Purchase of premises and equipment, net ..............        (227,895)        (842,423)         (845,380)
Proceeds from sales of assets ........................            --               --              72,925
                                                          ------------     ------------     -------------
   Net cash from investing activities ................     (22,531,270)     (16,875,175)      (61,876,160)

</TABLE>
28
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       First Midwest Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                                                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

Years ended September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996            1998              1997               1996
<S>                                                 <C>               <C>               <C>           
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in noninterest-bearing demand,
  savings, NOW, and money market demand deposits    $   7,316,146     $     599,642     $    (295,265)
Net change in other time deposits ..............       30,426,308        12,110,330        18,548,037
Proceeds from advances from FHLB ...............      198,850,000       143,000,000       210,000,000
Repayments of advances from FHLB ...............     (221,012,663)     (137,861,578)     (160,510,585)
Net change in securities sold under agreements
  to repurchase ................................        2,274,567          (989,918)        1,640,000
Net change in other borrowings .................       (2,350,000)        1,500,000              --
Net change in advances from borrowers for taxes
  and insurance ................................          (44,269)          (40,756)          (11,279)
Cash dividends paid ............................       (1,226,725)         (962,682)         (745,761)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options ........           28,696           335,991            94,500
Purchase of treasury stock .....................       (3,271,203)       (4,268,777)         (630,710)
                                                    -------------     --------------    ------------- 
   Net cash from financing activities ..........       10,990,857        13,422,252        68,088,937
Net change in cash and cash equivalents ........       (6,124,982)       (1,476,226)        9,712,940
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year .       12,852,426        14,328,652         4,615,712
                                                    -------------     --------------    ------------- 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year .......    $   6,727,444     $  12,852,426     $  14,328,652
                                                    =============     =============     =============

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the year for:
   Interest ....................................    $  19,460,958    $   17,264,776     $ 13,629,670
   Income taxes ................................        1,795,805         2,415,042        1,736,192

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and
  financing activities
Loans transferred to foreclosed real estate ....    $   1,679,984    $      169,657     $    220,474
Issuance of common stock for purchase of
  Central West Bancorporation ..................             --                --          3,936,634
</TABLE>


The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.


                                                                              29
<PAGE>
                 First Midwest Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 1998,1997 AND 1996

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation:  The consolidated  financial statements include the
accounts of First Midwest  Financial,  Inc., a bank holding  company  located in
Storm Lake,  Iowa,  (the  "Company")  and its  wholly-owned  subsidiaries  which
include  First  Federal  Savings  Bank of the  Midwest  (the  "Bank"  or  "First
Federal"),  Security State Bank ("Security"),  First Services Financial Limited,
which  offers  brokerage  services  and  non-insured   investment  products  and
Brookings  Service  Corporation.   All  significant  intercompany  balances  and
transactions have been eliminated.

Nature  of  Business,   Concentration   of  Credit  Risk  and  Industry  Segment
Information:  The primary  source of income for the  Company is the  purchase or
origination of consumer,  commercial,  commercial  real estate,  and residential
real estate loans. See Note 5 for a discussion of concentrations of credit risk.
The Company  accepts  deposits  from  customers in the normal course of business
primarily in northwest and central Iowa and eastern  South  Dakota.  The Company
operates  primarily in the banking  industry which accounts for more than 90% of
its revenues, operating income and assets.

Assets held in trust or  fiduciary  capacity  are not assets of the Company and,
accordingly,  are  not  included  in  the  accompanying  consolidated  financial
statements.  At September 30, 1998 and 1997, trust assets totaled  approximately
$14,165,000 and $12,392,000, respectively.

Use of Estimates in Preparing Financial Statements: The preparation of financial
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting  principles requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets,  liabilities and disclosure of contingent  assets and liabilities at the
date of the  financial  statements  and the  reported  amounts  of  revenue  and
expenses  during the reporting  period.  Actual  results could differ from those
estimates.

Certain  Significant  Estimates:  The allowance for loan losses,  fair values of
securities  and  other  financial  instruments,   and  stock-based  compensation
expense,  involve  certain  significant  estimates  made  by  management.  These
estimates  are reviewed by management  routinely  and it is reasonably  possible
that  circumstances that exist at September 30, 1998 may change in the near-term
future and that the  effect  could be  material  to the  consolidated  financial
statements.

Certain  Vulnerability  Due  to  Certain  Concentrations:  Management  is of the
opinion that no  concentrations  exist that make the Company  vulnerable  to the
risk of near-term severe impact.

Cash and Cash  Equivalents:  For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash
equivalents  is  defined  to  include  the  Company's  cash on hand and due from
financial  institutions  and  short-term   interest-bearing  deposits  in  other
financial  institutions.  The Company  reports net cash flows for customer  loan
transactions, deposit transactions, interest-bearing deposits in other financial
institutions, and short-term borrowings with maturities of 90 days or less.

Securities:  The Company classifies securities into held to maturity,  available
for sale and trading categories. Held to maturity securities are those which the
Company  has the  positive  intent  and  ability  to hold to  maturity,  and are
reported at amortized cost.  Available for sale securities are those the Company
<PAGE>
may decide to sell if needed for liquidity,  asset-liability management or other
reasons.  Available  for  sale  securities  are  reported  at fair  value,  with
unrealized  gains and losses included as a separate  component of  shareholders'
equity,  net of tax. Trading  securities are bought  principally for sale in the
near term,  and are  reported  at fair value  with  unrealized  gains and losses
included in earnings.

Gains and losses on the sale of  securities  are  determined  using the specific
identification  method based on amortized  cost and are  reflected in results of
operations  at the time of sale.  Interest  and  dividend  income,  adjusted  by
amortization  of purchase  premium or discount  over the  estimated  life of the
security using the level yield method, is included in earnings.

Loans Held for Sale:  Mortgage  loans  originated  and  intended for sale in the
secondary  market are carried at the lower of cost or estimated  market value in
the aggregate.  Net unrealized losses are recognized in a valuation allowance by
charges to income.

Loan Servicing Rights:  Effective October 1, 1996, the Company adopted Statement
of Financial  Accounting  Standards  ("SFAS") No. 122,  "Accounting for Mortgage
Servicing  Rights." This Statement changed the accounting for mortgage servicing
rights  retained by a loan  originator.  Under this standard,  if the originator
sells or securitizes  mortgage loans and retains the related  servicing  rights,
the total cost of the mortgage  loan is allocated  between the loan 

30
<PAGE>
(without the servicing rights) and the servicing rights, based on their relative
fair values. Under prior practice, all such costs were assigned to the loan. The
costs  allocated  to mortgage  servicing  rights are now  recorded as a separate
asset  and are  amortized  in  proportion  to,  and over  the  life of,  the net
servicing  income.  The  carrying  value of the  mortgage  servicing  rights are
periodically evaluated for impairment.  The effect of adopting the statement was
not material.

Loans Receivable: Loans receivable that management has the intent and ability to
hold for the  foreseeable  future or until  maturity or pay-off are  reported at
their outstanding principal balances adjusted for any charge-offs, the allowance
for  loan  losses,  and any  deferred  fees or  costs on  originated  loans  and
unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans.

Premiums or discounts on purchased loans are amortized to income using the level
yield method over the remaining  period to  contractual  maturity,  adjusted for
anticipated prepayments.

Interest  income on loans is accrued  over the term of the loans  based upon the
amount of  principal  outstanding  except when  serious  doubt  exists as to the
collectibility of a loan, in which case the accrual of interest is discontinued.
Interest income is subsequently recognized only to the extent that cash payments
are received until, in  management's  judgment,  the borrower has the ability to
make  contractual  interest and  principal  payments,  in which case the loan is
returned to accrual status.

Loan Origination Fees, Commitment Fees, and Related Costs: Loan fees and certain
direct  loan  origination  costs  are  deferred,  and  the  net  fee or  cost is
recognized as an adjustment to interest income using the interest method.

Allowance  for Loan  Losses:  Because  some loans may not be repaid in full,  an
allowance  for loan  losses  is  recorded.  The  allowance  for loan  losses  is
increased  by a provision  for loan losses  charged to expense and  decreased by
charge-offs  (net of recoveries).  Estimating the risk of loss and the amount of
loss on any loan is necessarily subjective.  Management's periodic evaluation of
the  adequacy  of the  allowance  is  based  on the  Company's  past  loan  loss
experience,  known and inherent risks in the portfolio,  adverse situations that
may  affect  the  borrower's  ability  to  repay,  the  estimated  value  of any
underlying  collateral,  and current economic  conditions.  While management may
periodically  allocate  portions of the  allowance  for  specific  problem  loan
situations,  the whole  allowance is  available  for any loan  charge-offs  that
occur.

Loans are  considered  impaired if full  principal or interest  payments are not
anticipated in accordance  with the contractual  loan terms.  Impaired loans are
carried at the present  value of expected  future cash flows  discounted  at the
loan's  effective  interest  rate or at the fair value of the  collateral if the
loan is  collateral  dependent.  A portion of the  allowance  for loan losses is
allocated to impaired loans if the value of such loans is deemed to be less than
the unpaid balance.  If these allocations cause the allowance for loan losses to
require an increase,  such  increase is reported as a component of the provision
for loan losses.

Smaller-balance  homogeneous  loans are evaluated for impairment in total.  Such
loans include  residential  first mortgage  loans secured by one-to-four  family
residences, residential construction loans, and automobile,  manufactured homes,
home equity and second  mortgage  loans.  Commercial  loans and  mortgage  loans
secured by other  properties are evaluated  individually  for  impairment.  When
<PAGE>
analysis of borrower  operating results and financial  condition  indicates that
underlying  cash flows of the  borrower's  business are not adequate to meet its
debt service requirements,  the loan is evaluated for impairment.  Often this is
associated with a delay or shortfall in payments of 90 days or more.  Nonaccrual
loans are often also considered  impaired.  Impaired loans, or portions thereof,
are charged off when deemed uncollectible.

Foreclosed Real Estate:  Real estate properties acquired through, or in lieu of,
loan  foreclosure  are  initially   recorded  at  fair  value  at  the  date  of
acquisition, establishing a new cost basis. Any reduction to fair value from the
carrying  value of the related loan at the time of  acquisition is accounted for
as a loan loss and charged against the allowance for loan losses. Valuations are
periodically  performed by  management  and  valuation  allowances  are adjusted
through a charge to income for changes in fair value or estimated selling costs.

Income  Taxes:  The Company  records  income tax expense  based on the amount of
taxes due on its tax return plus deferred  taxes  computed based on the expected
future tax  consequences of temporary  differences  between the carrying amounts
and tax bases of assets and  liabilities,  using enacted tax rates.  A valuation
allowance,  if needed,  reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be
realized.


                                                                              31
<PAGE>
Premises and Equipment: Land is carried at cost. Buildings,  furniture, fixtures
and  equipment  are  carried  at  cost,  less   accumulated   depreciation   and
amortization  computed  principally by using the  straight-line  method over the
estimated  useful lives of the assets  ranging from 3 to 40 years.  These assets
are reviewed for impairment under SFAS No. 121 when events indicate the carrying
amount may not be recoverable.

Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan:  The Company  accounts for its employee  stock
ownership plan ("ESOP") in accordance with AICPA  Statement of Position  ("SOP")
93-6.  Under SOP  93-6,  the cost of  shares  issued  to the  ESOP,  but not yet
allocated to participants, are presented in the consolidated balance sheets as a
reduction of shareholders' equity. Compensation expense is recorded based on the
market price of the shares as they are  committed to be released for  allocation
to participant accounts. The difference between the market price and the cost of
shares  committed  to be released is recorded  as an  adjustment  to  additional
paid-in capital.  Dividends on allocated ESOP shares are recorded as a reduction
of retained earnings; dividends are not paid on unearned ESOP shares.

Financial  Instruments with  Off-Balance-Sheet  Risk: The Company, in the normal
course of business,  makes  commitments to make loans which are not reflected in
the  consolidated  financial  statements.  A  summary  of these  commitments  is
disclosed in Note 16.

Intangible Assets:  Goodwill arising from the acquisition of subsidiary banks is
amortized over 15 years using the straight-line method. As of September 30, 1998
and 1997, unamortized goodwill totaled approximately  $4,497,815 and $4,862,747,
respectively.  Amortization expense was $364,932,  $363,923 and $170,070 for the
years ended September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996.

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase: The Company enters into sales of
securities  under  agreements to  repurchase  with primary  dealers only,  which
provide  for  the  repurchase  of  the  same  security.  Securities  sold  under
agreements to purchase  identical  securities are collateralized by assets which
are held in  safekeeping in the name of the Bank by the dealers who arranged the
transaction.  Securities  sold under  agreements  to  repurchase  are treated as
financings and the  obligations to repurchase such securities are reflected as a
liability. The securities underlying the agreements remain in the asset accounts
of the Company.

Stock  Dividends:   Common  share  amounts  related  to  the  ESOP  plan,  stock
compensation  plans and earnings and  dividends per share are restated for stock
splits and stock dividends,  including the three-for-two stock split effected in
the form of a 50% stock dividend which was paid on January 2, 1997.

Earnings  Per Common  Share:  Basic and diluted  earnings  per common  share are
computed under a new accounting  standard  effective  beginning with the quarter
ended  December 31, 1997.  All prior earnings per common share amounts have been
restated to be  comparable.  Basic earnings per common share is based on the net
income  divided by the  weighted  average  number of common  shares  outstanding
during the period.  ESOP shares are  considered  outstanding  for  earnings  per
common share  calculations  as they are committed to be released;  unearned ESOP
shares are not considered outstanding. Management recognition and retention plan
shares  are  considered   outstanding   for  basic  earnings  per  common  share
calculations as they become vested.  Diluted earnings per common share shows the
dilutive  effect of  additional  potential  common shares  issuable  under stock
options and nonvested shares issued under  management  recognition and retention
plans.
<PAGE>
Reclassifications:  Certain amounts in the 1997 and 1996 consolidated  financial
statements were reclassified to conform with the 1998 presentation.

Stock Compensation:  Expense for employee  compensation under stock option plans
is based on  Accounting  Principles  Board  ("APB")  Opinion  25,  with  expense
reported  only if options  are granted  below  market  price at grant  date.  If
applicable,  disclosures of net income and earnings per share are provided as if
the fair value method of SFAS No. 123 were used for stock-based compensation.

New  Accounting  Pronouncements:  During  the next  few  years,  new  accounting
pronouncements  that have been issued will take effect and others are  expected.
These are summarized below.

In the  future,  several  new  accounting  pronouncements  will be  implemented.
Statement  No. 130  requires  "other  comprehensive  income" and  "comprehensive
income"  to be  displayed  along with net  income.  Other  comprehensive  income
includes   changes  in  unrealized  gains  and  losses  on  available  for  sale
securities,  the  offset  of some  pension  liabilities  currently  recorded  as
reductions in equity, foreign currency translation,  and in the future will also
include  deferred hedging gains and losses. 

32
<PAGE>
Comprehensive income is net income plus other comprehensive income.

Statement No. 131 for public companies redefines segment reporting to follow how
each company's chief operating  decision maker gets  information  about business
segments to make operating decisions.

Statement  No. 132  increases and revises  pension plan  disclosures  for public
companies, and simplifies such disclosures for nonpublic companies.

Statement No. 133 on derivatives  will, in 2000,  require all  derivatives to be
recorded  at fair value in the  balance  sheet,  with  changes in fair value run
through  income.  If derivatives  are  documented  and effective as hedges,  the
change in the  derivative  fair value  will be offset by an equal  change in the
fair value of the hedged item.

Statement No. 134 on mortgage  banking will, in 1999,  allow mortgage loans that
are  securitized to be classified as trading,  available for sale, or in certain
circumstances held to maturity. Currently these must be classified as trading.

Implementation  guidance on Statement No. 125 will clarify the  requirement  for
loan  participations  to  contain  the right  for the  purchaser  to resell  the
participation,  to avoid  classifying the  participation as a secured  borrowing
instead of a reduction of loans.

Proposals will require that  purchased  loans,  including  those acquired in the
purchase of an entire bank,  be recorded net of estimated  uncollectible  loans.
This means that no  allowance  for loan  losses  will carry over or be  recorded
except  through  subsequent  expense,  although  subsequent  losses equal to the
amount estimated at purchase will not be shown as charge-offs.

The AICPA guidance for financial  institutions  in its accounting  guide will be
revised to conform to current  literature,  make a few changes,  and combine the
banking/savings  guide,  credit union,  and finance company guides,  eliminating
some  differences  therein.  Some changes will be to disclose  loans past due 90
days  or more  that  are  still  on  accrual  and to  disclose  the  policy  for
charging-off loans.

The FASB continues to study several  issues,  including  recording all financial
instruments at fair value and abolishing pooling of interests accounting.  Also,
it is likely that APB 25's measurement for stock option plans will be limited to
employees  and  not  to   nonemployees   such  as  directors,   thereby  causing
compensation expense for stock options to directors.
<PAGE>
                                              NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

A reconciliation  of the numerators and denominators  used in the computation of
basic  earnings  per common  share and  diluted  earnings  per  common  share is
presented below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year ended September 30,                       1998            1997           1996
<S>                                        <C>             <C>             <C>        
Basic Earnings Per Common Share:
   Numerator
       Net income .....................    $ 2,784,882     $ 3,641,956     $ 2,413,565
                                           ===========     ===========     ===========
Denominator
   Weighted average common
     shares outstanding ...............      2,646,105       2,822,021       2,682,650

   Less:  Weighted average unallocated
     ESOP shares ......................        (71,327)       (101,375)       (130,662)
                                           -----------     -----------     -----------
   Weighted average common shares
     outstanding for basic earnings per
     common share .....................      2,574,778       2,720,646       2,551,988
                                           ===========     ===========     ===========

Basic earnings per common share .......    $      1.08     $      1.34     $       .95
                                           ===========     ===========     ===========
</TABLE>
                                                                              33
<PAGE>
NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year ended September 30,                   1998          1997           1996
<S>                                     <C>           <C>           <C>       
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
Numerator
   Net income ......................    $2,784,882    $3,641,956    $2,413,565
                                        ==========    ==========    ==========
Denominator
   Weighted average common
     shares outstanding for basic
     earnings per common share .....     2,574,778     2,720,646     2,551,988

   Add:  Dilutive effects of assumed
     exercises of stock options ....       127,862       130,638       136,811
                                        ----------    ----------    ----------
   Weighted average common
     and dilutive potential
     common shares outstanding .....     2,702,640     2,851,284     2,688,799
                                        ==========    ==========    ==========

Diluted earnings per common share ..    $     1.03    $     1.28    $      .90
                                        ==========    ==========    ==========
</TABLE>

Incentive  stock options for 55,500 shares of common stock,  granted  during the
year ended September 30, 1997, were not considered in computing diluted earnings
per  common  share for the year  ended  September  30,  1997  because  they were
antidilutive.  Additionally,  on September  30, 1998 the Company  granted  stock
options for 13,418  shares of common stock which may affect the  computation  of
diluted earnings per common share in future periods.

During the year ended  September 30, 1998,  the Company  redeemed  approximately
5.6% of its beginning year outstanding  common shares (152,226 shares) under its
common stock  repurchase  program.  This  repurchase  will affect the  Company's
future earnings per common share  computations by reducing amounts available for
investment and weighted average shares outstanding.


NOTE 3 - ACQUISITIONS


On December  29,  1995,  the Company  acquired  100% of the common stock of Iowa
Bancorp, Inc. ("Iowa Bancorp"),  and its wholly-owned  subsidiary,  Iowa Savings
Bank, a federal  savings  bank,  in a purchase  transaction  with $25 million in
assets.  Each share of Iowa  Bancorp's  common stock was exchanged for $20.39 in
cash.  The Company paid  approximately  $8 million.  Iowa  Bancorp's  results of
operations  are  included in the  consolidated  income  statement of the Company
beginning as of the purchase date.

Presented  below are the  consolidated  proforma  results of  operations  of the
Company  for the year  ended  September  30,  1996,  assuming  the Iowa  Bancorp
acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of the fiscal year.
<PAGE>


Net interest income                                                $10,467,578
Net income                                                           2,268,794
Earnings per common and common
  equivalent share
   Basic earnings per common share                                        $.89
   Diluted earnings per common share                                      $.84


34
<PAGE>
                                               NOTE 3 - ACQUISITIONS (Continued)

On September 30, 1996, the Company  acquired 100% of the common stock of Central
West Bancorporation ("Central West"), and its wholly-owned subsidiary,  Security
State Bank, in a purchase  transaction with $33 million in assets. Each share of
Central  West's  common stock was exchanged for $18.04 in cash and 2.3528 shares
of the Company's common stock. The Company paid  approximately  $1.3 million and
issued  256,737  common shares  valued at $15.33 per share,  as restated for the
three-for-two  stock  split  paid on  January  2,  1997,  for a total  value  of
$3,936,634.   Central   West's   results  of  operations  are  included  in  the
consolidated income statement of the Company beginning as of the purchase date.

Presented  below are the  consolidated  proforma  results of  operations  of the
Company  for the year ended  September  30,  1996,  assuming  the  Central  West
acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of the fiscal year.


Net interest income                                               $11,326,730
Net income                                                          2,410,218
Earnings per common and common
  equivalent share
   Basic earnings per common share                                       $.86
   Diluted earnings per common share                                     $.82


                                                             NOTE 4 - SECURITIES

YEAR END SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE WERE AS FOLLOWS:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Gross            Gross
                                          Amortized      Unrealized       Unrealized          Fair
1998                                         Cost           Gains            Losses           Value

Debt securities
<S>                                     <C>             <C>             <C>               <C>         
Trust preferred ....................    $ 27,638,030    $    61,333     $    (443,567)    $ 27,255,796

Obligations of states and
   political subdivisions ..........       1,307,076         34,588              (711)       1,340,953
U.S. Government and federal agencies      26,985,523        786,407               (77)      27,771,853
Mortgage-backed securities .........      61,767,555        778,961           (92,073)      62,454,443
                                        ------------    -----------     -------------     ------------
                                         117,698,184      1,661,289          (536,428)     118,823,045
Marketable equity securities .......       1,638,181        315,815          (167,510)       1,786,486
                                        ------------    -----------     -------------     ------------

                                        $119,336,365    $ 1,977,104     $    (703,938)    $120,609,531
                                        ============    ===========     =============     ============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997

Debt securities
<S>                                     <C>             <C>             <C>               <C>         
Obligations of states and
   political subdivisions ..........    $  1,367,421    $    26,299     $      (3,775)    $  1,389,945
U.S. Government and federal agencies      68,129,132        543,889          (188,059)      68,484,962
Mortgage-backed securities .........      43,644,377        882,930          (102,162)      44,425,145
                                        ------------    -----------     -------------     ------------
                                         113,140,930      1,453,118          (293,996)     114,300,052
Marketable equity securities .......       1,315,731        369,652              (390)       1,684,993
                                        ------------    -----------     -------------     ------------

                                        $114,456,661    $ 1,822,770     $    (294,386)    $115,985,045
                                        ============    ===========     =============     ============
</TABLE>
                                                                              35

<PAGE>
NOTE 4 - SECURITIES (Continued)

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity are
shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual  maturities because
borrowers may have the right to call or prepay  obligations with or without call
or prepayment penalties.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       September 30, 1998
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                    Amortized           Fair
                                                       Cost             Value
<S>                                               <C>               <C>         
Due in one year or less ....................      $  1,558,889      $  1,567,466
Due after one year through five years ......        11,373,772        11,609,811
Due after five years through ten years .....        15,359,937        15,935,529
Due after 10 years .........................        27,638,031        27,255,796
                                                  ------------      ------------
                                                    55,930,629        56,368,602
Mortgage-backed securities .................        61,767,555        62,454,443
                                                  ------------      ------------

                                                  $117,698,184      $118,823,045
                                                  ============      ============
</TABLE>
Activities   related  to  the  sale  of   securities   available  for  sale  and
mortgage-backed securities available for sale are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Years Ended September 30,
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                           1998           1997            1996
<S>                                    <C>               <C>            <C>     
Proceeds from sales ............       $18,280,412       $804,067       $366,829
Gross gains on sales ...........           398,903        216,614         79,317
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
NOTE 5 - LOANS RECEIVABLE, NET

Year end loans receivable were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         1998              1997
<S>                                                 <C>               <C>          
One to four family residential mortgage loans:
   Insured by FHA or guaranteed by VA ..........    $     299,454     $     388,589
   Conventional ................................       85,499,468        73,514,864
Construction ...................................       32,989,982        21,263,847
Commercial and multi-family real estate loans ..       66,845,149        74,869,777
Agricultural real estate loans .................       10,536,857        11,732,395
Commercial business loans ......................       21,587,249        18,456,004
Agricultural business loans ....................       37,233,902        38,650,322
Consumer loans .................................       26,238,825        27,397,629
                                                    -------------     -------------
                                                      281,230,886       266,273,427
Less:  Allowance for loan losses ...............       (2,908,902)       (2,379,091)
       Undistributed portion of loans in process       (7,738,379)       (8,700,400)
       Net deferred loan origination fees ......         (297,416)         (552,965)
                                                    -------------     -------------

                                                    $ 270,286,189     $ 254,640,971
                                                    =============     =============
</TABLE>
36
<PAGE>
                                      NOTE 5 - LOANS RECEIVABLE, NET (Continued)

Activity in the allowance  for loan losses for the years ended  September 30 was
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1998            1997            1996
<S>                                           <C>             <C>             <C>        
Beginning balance ........................    $ 2,379,091     $ 2,356,113     $ 1,649,520
Provision for loan losses ................      1,662,472         120,000         100,000
Recoveries ...............................         33,635          25,638            --
Iowa Bancorp allowance at acquisition date           --              --           132,500
Central West allowance at acquisition date           --              --           563,310
Charge-offs ..............................     (1,166,296)       (122,660)        (89,217)
                                              -----------     -----------     -----------

Ending balance ...........................    $ 2,908,902     $ 2,379,091     $ 2,356,113
                                              ===========     ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

Virtually  all  of  the  Company's  originated  loans  are  to  Iowa  and  South
Dakota-based  individuals  and  organizations.  The  Company's  purchased  loans
totalled  approximately  $93,482,000  at September  30, 1998 and were secured by
properties  located,  as a  percentage  of  total  loans,  as  follows:  10%  in
Washington,  5% in  Wisconsin,  4% in Minnesota,  2% in New Mexico,  2% in North
Dakota,  2% in South Dakota,  and the remaining 8% in sixteen other states.  The
Company's  purchased loans totalled  approximately  $75,851,000 at September 30,
1997 and were secured by properties  located, as a percentage of total loans, as
follows: 6% in Wisconsin,  5% in Washington,  3% in Minnesota, 2% in Iowa, 2% in
North Dakota and the remaining 10% in seventeen other states.

The Company  originates and purchases  commercial real estate loans. These loans
are considered by management to be of somewhat greater risk of  uncollectibility
due to the dependency on income production. The Company's commercial real estate
loans  include  approximately  $8,100,000  and  $10,776,000  of loans secured by
nursing homes at September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The remainder of the
commercial  real estate  portfolio is  diversified  by industry.  The  Company's
policy for requiring  collateral and guarantees varies with the creditworthiness
of each borrower.

The amount of restructured  and related party loans as of September 30, 1998 and
1997 were not significant.  The amount of non-accruing loans as of September 30,
1998 and 1997 were $3,164,000 and $2,875,000, respectively.

Impaired loans were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1998          1997
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>      
Year end loans with no allowance for loan losses
  allocated .......................................      $     --    $      --
Year end loans with allowance for loan losses
  allocated .......................................       912,629    2,131,692
Amount of the allowance allocated .................       240,300      337,600


Average of impaired loans during the year .........       677,696    1,707,690
Interest income recognized during impairment ......            --       49,000
Cash-basis interest income recognized .............            --       49,000
</TABLE>
                                                                              37
<PAGE>
NOTE 6 - FORECLOSED REAL ESTATE

Year end foreclosed real estate was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1998         1997
<S>                                                     <C>             <C>     
Foreclosed real estate .............................    $ 1,362,849     $156,300
Less:  Allowance for foreclosed real estate losses .       (299,532)        --
                                                        -----------     --------

                                                        $ 1,063,317     $156,300
                                                        ===========     ========
</TABLE>

Activity in the allowance for foreclosed  real estate losses for the years ended
September 30 was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1998        1997         1996
<S>                                               <C>         <C>         <C>   
Balance, beginning of period .................    $   --      $ 5,000     $   --
Provision for losses on foreclosed real estate     299,532       --         20,000
Less:  Losses charged against allowance ......        --       (5,000)     (15,000)
                                                  --------    -------     --------

Balance, end of period .......................    $299,532    $  --       $  5,000
                                                  ========    =======     ========

</TABLE>

NOTE 7 - LOAN SERVICING

Mortgage  loans  serviced  for others  are not  reported  as assets.  The unpaid
principal balances of these loans at year end were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1998              1997
<S>                                                <C>                <C>       
Mortgage loan portfolios serviced
  for FNMA ................................        $ 6,766,000        $4,884,000
Other .....................................          4,198,000         1,000,000
                                                   -----------        ----------

   Total ..................................        $10,964,000        $5,884,000
                                                   ===========        ==========
</TABLE>

Custodial  escrow  balances  maintained  in connection  with the foregoing  loan
servicing  were  approximately  $111,000 and $19,000 at  September  30, 1998 and
1997, respectively.
<PAGE>
NOTE 8 - PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Year end premises and equipment were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1998               1997
<S>                                              <C>                <C>        
Land .....................................       $   535,233        $   535,233
Buildings ................................         4,674,969          4,607,698
Furniture, fixtures and equipment ........         2,450,526          2,292,295
                                                 -----------        -----------
                                                   7,660,728          7,435,226
Less accumulated depreciation ............        (3,611,783)        (3,258,915)
                                                 -----------        -----------

                                                 $ 4,048,945        $ 4,176,311
                                                 ===========        ===========
</TABLE>
Depreciation  of premises  and  equipment  included in occupancy  and  equipment
expense was  $355,261,  $346,444 and $214,201 for the years ended  September 30,
1998, 1997 and 1996.

38
<PAGE>
NOTE 9 - DEPOSITS

Jumbo  certificates  of  deposit  in  denominations  of  $100,000  or  more  was
approximately $14,183,000 and $19,265,000 at year end 1998 and 1997.

At September 30, 1998, the scheduled  maturities of certificates of deposit were
as follows for the years ended September 30:


1999                                                   $ 143,137,661
2000                                                      60,253,793
2001                                                      11,322,012
2002                                                       2,261,005
2003                                                       3,853,953
Thereafter                                                   302,551
                                                       -------------

                                                       $ 221,130,975
                                                       =============


NOTE 10 - ADVANCES FROM FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK

At  September  30,  1998,  advances  from the FHLB of Des Moines  with fixed and
variable  rates ranging from 5.05% to 7.82% mature in the year ending  September
30 as follows:


1999                                                   $  21,600,000
2000                                                      14,600,000
2001                                                       7,200,000
2002                                                       5,863,562
2003                                                               -
Thereafter                                                36,000,000
                                                       -------------
                                                       $  85,263,562
                                                       =============

The Bank and Security have executed blanket pledge  agreements  whereby the Bank
and  Security  assign,  transfer  and pledge to the FHLB and grant to the FHLB a
security interest in all property now or hereafter owned.  However, the Bank and
Security  have the right to use,  commingle and dispose of the  collateral  they
have  assigned to the FHLB.  Under the  agreements,  the Bank and Security  must
maintain "eligible  collateral" that has a "lending value" at least equal to the
"required collateral amount," all as defined by the agreements.

At year end 1998  and  1997,  the Bank  and  Security  pledged  securities  with
amortized costs of approximately  $41,980,000 and $83,544,000 and fair values of
approximately  $42,636,000 and $84,261,000  against  specific FHLB advances.  In
addition, qualifying mortgage loans of approximately $82,165,000 and $65,305,000
were pledged as collateral at year end 1998 and 1997.


                                                                              39
<PAGE>
NOTE 11 - SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE

Year end securities sold under agreements to repurchase  totaled  $4,074,567 and
$1,800,000 for 1998 and 1997. An analysis of securities sold under agreements to
repurchase is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Years ended
                                                        --------------------------------
                                                              1998               1997
<S>                                                     <C>               <C>           
Highest month-end balance                               $    4,074,567    $    2,789,918
Average balance                                              2,915,614         2,284,590
Weighted average interest rate during the period                 5.80%             5.62%
Weighted average interest rate at end of period                  5.71%             5.79%
</TABLE>

At year end 1998,  securities sold under agreements to repurchase had maturities
ranging from 1 to 20 months with a weighted  average  maturity of 6 months.  The
Company pledged securities with amortized costs of approximately  $4,285,000 and
$2,267,000  and  fair  values  of   approximately   $4,439,000  and  $2,380,000,
respectively,  at year end 1998 and 1997 as collateral for securities sold under
agreements to repurchase.

NOTE 12 - OTHER BORROWINGS

Other  borrowings at year end 1998 and 1997 consisted of $550,000 and $2,900,000
of advances from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.  The advances  outstanding
at year end 1998 had a 5.45%  interest  rate and were due  October 2, 1998.  The
Company pledged securities with amortized costs of approximately  $1,499,000 and
$3,491,000  and fair values of  approximately  $1,512,000 and $3,507,000 at year
end 1998 and 1997 as collateral for other borrowings.

NOTE 13 - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): The Company maintains an ESOP for eligible
employees who have 1,000 hours of employment with the Bank and who have attained
age 21. The ESOP borrowed $1,534,100 from the Company to purchase 230,115 shares
of the Company's common stock. Collateral for the loan is the unearned shares of
common  stock  purchased  with the loan  proceeds by the ESOP.  The loan will be
repaid principally from the Bank's discretionary  contributions to the ESOP over
a period of 8 years.  The interest rate for the loan is 8%. Shares  purchased by
the ESOP are held in suspense for allocation  among  participants as the loan is
repaid.  ESOP  expense of  $654,460,  $495,740 and $451,500 was recorded for the
years ended  September  30,  1998,  1997 and 1996.  Contributions  of  $200,000,
$200,000 and $200,000 were made to the ESOP during the years ended September 30,
1998, 1997 and 1996.

Contributions  to the  ESOP and  shares  released  from  suspense  in an  amount
proportional  to the  repayment  of the  ESOP  loan  are  allocated  among  ESOP
participants on the basis of  compensation  in the year of allocation.  Benefits
generally become 100% vested after seven years of credited service. Prior to the
completion  of seven years of credited  service,  a participant  who  terminates
employment  for  reasons  other than death,  normal  retirement,  or  disability
receives a reduced benefit based on the ESOP's vesting schedule. Forfeitures are
reallocated among remaining  participating  employees, in the same proportion as
contributions.  Benefits  are payable in the form of stock upon  termination  of
employment.  The Company's  contributions to the ESOP are not fixed, so benefits
payable under the ESOP cannot be estimated.
<PAGE>
ESOP participants are entitled to receive distributions from their ESOP accounts
only upon termination of service.

For the years ended September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996, 30,000, 30,000 and 30,000
shares  with an  average  fair  value of  $21.82,  $16.52  and $15.05 per share,
respectively, were committed to be released. Also, for the years ended September
30, 1998, 1997 and 1996,  allocated shares and total ESOP shares reflects 8,617,
4,517 and 2,858 shares withdrawn from the ESOP by participants who are no longer
with the Company, net of shares purchased for dividend reinvestment.

40
<PAGE>
NOTE 13 - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Continued)


Year end ESOP shares are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             1998          1997           1996
<S>                                        <C>            <C>            <C>    
Allocated shares ....................      157,128        135,745        110,262

Unearned shares .....................       55,080         85,080        115,080
                                          --------     ----------     ----------

Total ESOP shares ...................      212,208        220,825        225,342
                                          ========     ==========     ==========

Fair value of unearned shares .......     $950,130     $1,690,965     $1,860,460
                                          ========     ==========     ==========
</TABLE>

Stock Options and Incentive Plans: Certain officers and directors of the Company
have been granted  options to purchase  common stock of the Company  pursuant to
stock option plans.

SFAS No. 123, which became effective for stock-based  compensation during fiscal
years  beginning  after December 15, 1995,  requires  proforma  disclosures  for
companies  that do not adopt its fair value  accounting  method for  stock-based
employee  compensation  for awards  granted in the first  fiscal year  beginning
after  December  15,  1994.  Accordingly,  the  following  proforma  information
presents  net income and  earnings per share had the fair value method been used
to measure  compensation  cost for stock option  plans.  The  exercise  price of
options  granted is equivalent  to the market value of  underlying  stock at the
grant date. Accordingly, compensation cost actually recognized for stock options
was $-0- for 1998, 1997 and 1996.

The fair value of options  granted during 1998, 1997 and 1996 is estimated using
the following  weighted-average  information:  risk-free interest rate of 4.49%,
6.44% and 6.18%,  expected life of 7.0 years, expected dividends of 2.69%, 2.02%
and 1.90% per year and expected  stock price  volatility of 20%, 18% and 18% per
year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 1998             1997             1996
<S>                                      <C>               <C>              <C>           
Net income as reported .........         $    2,784,882    $    3,641,956   $    2,413,565
Proforma net income ............         $    2,689,596    $    3,531,215   $    2,266,238


Reported earnings per common and
  common equivalent share
   Basic .......................         $         1.08    $         1.34   $          .95
   Diluted .....................         $         1.03    $         1.28   $          .90

Proforma earnings per common and
  common equivalent share
   Basic .......................        $          1.04    $         1.30   $          .89
   Diluted .....................        $          1.00    $         1.24   $          .84
</TABLE>

In future years,  the proforma  effect of not applying this standard is expected
to increase as additional options are granted.

                                                                              41
<PAGE>
NOTE 13 - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Continued)


Stock  option  plans  are used to  reward  employees  and  provide  them with an
additional  equity interest.  Options are issued for 10 year periods,  with 100%
vesting generally occurring 48 months after grant date. At fiscal year end 1998,
151,117  shares were  authorized  for future  grants.  Information  about option
grants follows.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Number         Weighted-average
                                                       of options       exercise price
<S>                                                     <C>              <C>      
Outstanding, September 30, 1995 ...............          264,141          $    6.80
Granted .......................................           58,740              15.44
Exercised .....................................          (14,175)              6.67
Forfeited .....................................             --                   --
                                                         -------
Outstanding, September 30, 1996 ...............          308,706               8.45


Granted .......................................           69,930              17.91
Exercised .....................................          (51,838)              9.87
Forfeited .....................................           (1,500)             14.75
                                                         -------
Outstanding, September 30, 1997 ...............          325,298              10.23


Granted .......................................           13,418              17.88
Exercised .....................................           (7,600)              6.67
Forfeited .....................................             --                  --
                                                         -------

Outstanding, September 30, 1998 ...............          331,116          $   10.62
                                                         =======          =========
</TABLE>

The weighted-average fair value per option for options granted in 1998, 1997 and
1996 was $2.01,  $4.15 and $3.52.  At year end 1998,  options  outstanding had a
weighted-average remaining life of 6.29 years and a range of exercise price from
$6.67 to $20.13.

Options exercisable at year end are as follows.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Number           Weighted-average
                                          of options            exercise price
<S>                                         <C>                     <C>  
1996                                        242,487                 $8.89
1997                                        269,798                 $8.77
1998                                        285,491                 $9.54
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Management  Recognition  and  Retention  Plans:  The Company  granted  7,191 and
106,428  (8,986 of which  have  been  forfeited  under  terms of the Plan due to
termination of service)  restricted  shares of the Company's common stock on May
23, 1994 and September 20, 1993,  respectively,  to certain officers of the Bank
pursuant to a  management  recognition  and  retention  plan (the  "Plan").  The
holders of the restricted stock have all of the rights of a shareholder,  except
that they cannot sell,  assign,  pledge or transfer any of the restricted  stock
during the restricted  period.  The  restricted  stock vests at a rate of 25% on
each  anniversary of the grant date.  Expense of $-0-,  $41,947 and $117,064 was
recorded for these plans for the years ended 1998,  1997 and 1996.  There was no
remaining  unamortized unearned compensation value of the plans at September 30,
1998 or 1997.


42
<PAGE>
                                                          NOTE 14 - INCOME TAXES

The Company,  the Bank and its  subsidiaries  and Security  file a  consolidated
federal income tax return on a fiscal year basis.  Prior to fiscal year 1997, if
certain  conditions  were met in  determining  taxable income as reported on the
consolidated  federal income tax return, the Bank was allowed a special bad debt
deduction  based on a percentage of taxable income (8% for 1996) or on specified
experience  formulas.  The Bank used the percentage of taxable income method for
the tax year ended September 30, 1996. Tax legislation passed in August 1996 now
requires the Bank to deduct a provision for bad debts for tax purposes  based on
actual loss experience and recapture the excess bad debt reserve  accumulated in
tax years beginning after September 30, 1987. The related amount of deferred tax
liability which must be recaptured is approximately $554,000 and is payable over
a six year  period  beginning  no later than the tax year ending  September  30,
1999.

The provision for income taxes consists of:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     1998             1997              1996
<S>                             <C>                <C>              <C>        
Federal
   Current ..............       $ 2,012,841        $1,599,255       $ 1,735,099
   Deferred .............          (230,887)          569,133          (282,756)
                                -----------        ----------       -----------
                                  1,781,954         2,168,388         1,452,343

State
   Current ..............           304,679           314,712           290,825
   Deferred .............           (83,113)           18,969           (46,845)
                                -----------        ----------       -----------
                                    221,566           333,681           243,980
                                -----------        ----------       -----------

Income tax expense ......       $ 2,003,520        $2,502,069       $ 1,696,323
                                ===========        ==========       ===========
</TABLE>
Total income tax expense  differs from the statutory  federal income tax rate as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended September 30,

                                                      1998            1997            1996   
<S>                                               <C>             <C>             <C>        
Income taxes at 34% Federal tax rate .......      $ 1,628,000     $ 2,089,000     $ 1,397,000
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
  State income taxes - net of federal benefit         146,000         220,000         161,000
  Excess of cost over net assets acquired ....        124,000         124,000          58,000
  Excess of fair value of ESOP shares released
    over cost ................................        155,000         101,000          86,000
  Other - net ................................        (49,480)        (31,931)         (5,677)
                                                  -----------     -----------     -----------
   Total income tax expense ..................    $ 2,003,520     $ 2,502,069     $ 1,696,323
                                                  ===========     ===========     ===========
</TABLE>
                                                                              43
<PAGE>
NOTE 14 - INCOME TAXES (Continued)

Year end deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1998              1997
<S>                                                                <C>             <C>        
Deferred tax assets:
   Bad debts ..................................................    $   375,000     $   128,000
   Deferred loan fees .........................................        111,000         140,000
   Management incentive program ...............................           --            27,000
   Allowance for foreclosed real estate losses ................        118,000            --
   Other items ................................................         46,000         101,000
                                                                   -----------     -----------
                                                                       650,000         396,000

Deferred tax liabilities:
   Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividend ......................       (452,000)       (452,000)
   Accrual to cash basis ......................................       (178,000)       (258,000)
   Net unrealized appreciation on securities available for sale       (474,346)       (568,013)
   Other ......................................................        (76,000)        (56,000)
                                                                   -----------     -----------
                                                                    (1,180,346)     (1,334,013)
Valuation allowance ...........................................           --              --
                                                                   -----------     -----------

Net deferred tax asset (liability) ............................    $  (530,346)    $  (938,013)
                                                                   ===========     =========== 
</TABLE>
Federal  income  tax  laws  provide  savings  banks  with  additional  bad  debt
deductions  through  September  30,  1987,  totaling  $6,744,000  for the  Bank.
Accounting  standards do not require a deferred tax  liability to be recorded on
this amount,  which liability  otherwise would total $2,300,000 at September 30,
1998 and 1997. If the Bank were  liquidated or otherwise  ceases to be a bank or
if tax laws were to change, the $2,300,000 would be recorded as expense.


NOTE 15 - CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS ON RETAINED EARNINGS

The Company has two primary  subsidiaries,  First  Federal and  Security.  First
Federal and Security  are subject to various  regulatory  capital  requirements.
Failure to meet minimum capital  requirements can initiate certain  mandatory or
discretionary  actions by regulators  that, if  undertaken,  could have a direct
material effect on the financial  statements.  Under capital adequacy guidelines
and the regulatory  framework for prompt  corrective  action,  First Federal and
Security must meet specific  quantitative capital guidelines using their assets,
liabilities,  and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory
accounting practices. The requirements are also subject to qualitative judgments
by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Regulations require First Federal to maintain minimum capital amounts and ratios
as set forth below.  Management  believes,  as of September 30, 1998, that First
Federal meets the capital adequacy requirements.


44
<PAGE>
NOTE 15 - CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS ON RETAINED EARNINGS
                                                                     (Continued)

First  Federal's  actual  capital and  required  capital  amounts and ratios are
presented below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     Minimum
                                                                                                  Requirement
                                                                             Minimum               To Be Well
                                                                         Requirement        Capitalized Under
                                                                          For Capital        Prompt Corrective
                                                       Actual      Adequacy Purposes        Action Provisions
                                            -----------------      ------------------      ------------------
                                            Amount      Ratio      Amount       Ratio      Amount       Ratio
                                            ------      -----      ------       -----      ------       -----
                                                                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
As of September 30, 1998
<S>                                        <C>          <C>       <C>            <C>       <C>           <C>   
Total Capital (to risk weighted assets)    $33,520      13.2%     $ 20,396       8.0%      $25,495       10.0% 
Tier 1 (Core) Capital                                                                                          
  (to risk weighted assets) ...........    $31,113      12.2%      $10,198       4.0%      $15,297        6.0% 
Tier 1 (Core) Capital                                                                                          
  (to adjusted total assets) ..........    $31,113       8.3%      $11,219       3.0%          N/A        N/A  
Tangible Capital                                                                                               
  (to adjusted total assets) ..........    $31,113       8.3%      $ 5,610       1.5%          N/A        N/A  
Tier 1 (Core) Capital                                                                                          
  (to average assets) .................    $31,113       8.8%      $14,108       4.0%      $17,635        5.0% 
                                                                                                               
As of September 30, 1997                                                                                       
Total Capital (to risk weighted assets)    $31,239      14.1%      $17,780       8.0%      $22,225       10.0% 
Tier 1 (Core) Capital                                                                                          
  (to risk weighted assets) ...........    $29,465      13.3%      $ 8,890       4.0%      $13,335        6.0% 
Tier 1 (Core) Capital                                                                                          
  (to adjusted total assets) ..........    $29,465       8.2%      $10,791       3.0%          N/A        N/A  
Tangible Capital                                                                                               
  (to adjusted total assets) ..........    $29,465       8.2%      $ 5,396       1.5%          N/A        N/A
Tier 1 (Core) Capital                                                                                          
  (to average assets) .................    $29,465       8.8%      $13,383       4.0%      $16,728        5.0% 
                                                                                          
</TABLE>


Regulations  of the Office of Thrift  Supervision  limit the amount of dividends
and  other  capital  distributions  that  may be paid by a  savings  institution
without  prior  approval  of the Office of Thrift  Supervision.  The  regulatory
restriction  is based on a  three-tiered  system with the  greatest  flexibility
being  afforded to  well-capitalized  (Tier 1)  institutions.  First  Federal is
currently a Tier 1  institution.  Accordingly,  First Federal can make,  without
prior regulatory  approval,  distributions  during a calendar year up to 100% of
its net income to date during the calendar year plus an amount that would reduce
by  one-half  its  "surplus   capital   ratio"  (the  excess  over  its  capital
requirements) at the beginning of the calendar year.  Accordingly,  at September
30, 1998,  approximately  $6,500,000 of First  Federal's  retained  earnings was
potentially available for distribution to the Company.
<PAGE>
Quantitative  measures  established  by  regulation to ensure  capital  adequacy
require  Security to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table
below)  of total  risk-based  capital  and Tier 1  capital  (as  defined  in the
regulations)  to  risk-weighted  assets  (as  defined),  and  a  leverage  ratio
consisting  of Tier 1 capital  (as  defined)  to average  assets  (as  defined).
Management  believes,  as of September 30, 1998, that Security meets all capital
adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

As  of  the  most  recent  notification  date,  the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance
Corporation  categorized  Security  as well  capitalized  under  the  regulatory
framework for prompt  corrective  action.  To be categorized as well capitalized
Security must  maintain  minimum,  Tier 1 risk-based,  Tier 1 leverage and total
risk-based  capital  ratios  as set  forth  in the  table  below.  There  are no
conditions  or events since that  notification  that  management  believes  have
changed the institution's category. At September 30, 1998, approximately $24,000
of Security's  retained  earnings was potentially  available for distribution to
the Company.


                                                                              45
<PAGE>
NOTE 15 - CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS ON RETAINED EARNINGS
(Continued)

Security's  actual capital and required capital amounts and ratios are presented
below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       Minimum Requirement
                                                                             Minimum            To Be Well
                                                                         Requirement     Capitalized Under
                                                                         For Capital     Prompt Corrective
                                                       Actual      Adequacy Purposes     Action Provisions
                                            -----------------      -----------------     ------------------  
                                            Amount      Ratio      Amount      Ratio      Amount      Ratio

                                                                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                          <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>   
As of September 30, 1998

Total Capital (to risk weighted assets) .    $3,751      16.7%      $1,794      8.0%       $2,242      10.0% 
Tier 1 Capital (to risk  weighted assets)    $3,469      15.5%      $  897      4.0%       $1,345       6.0% 
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets) ......    $3,469       8.8%      $1,585      4.0%       $1,981       5.0% 
                                                                                                             
As of September 30, 1997                                                                                     
Total Capital (to risk weighted assets) .    $3,744      13.9%      $2,148      8.0%       $2,685      10.0% 
Tier 1 Capital (to risk  weighted assets)    $3,406      12.7%      $1,074      4.0%       $1,611       6.0% 
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets) ......    $3,406       9.9%      $1,379      4.0%       $1,724       5.0% 
                                                                                                           
</TABLE>
NOTE 16 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the normal course of business,  the Company's  subsidiary  banks make various
commitments  to  extend  credit  which  are not  reflected  in the  accompanying
consolidated financial statements.

At September 30, 1998 and 1997, loan  commitments  approximated  $27,353,000 and
$15,782,000,  respectively,  excluding undisbursed portions of loans in process.
Loan  commitments  at  September  30, 1998  included  commitments  to  originate
fixed-rate  loans  with  interest  rates  ranging  from 6.5% to 12.50%  totaling
$6,142,000 and adjustable-rate loan commitments with interest rates ranging from
8.3% to 10.25% totaling $9,277,000. The Company also had commitments to purchase
adjustable  rate loans of $9,934,000  with interest  rates ranging from 7.75% to
9.75%, and commitments to purchase $2,000,000 in fixed rate loans at 7.45% as of
year end 1998.  Loan  commitments at September 30, 1997 included  commitments to
originate  fixed-rate  loans with  interest  rates  ranging from 7.37% to 11.50%
totaling  $4,876,000 and  adjustable-rate  loan  commitments with interest rates
ranging from 7.9% to 12.0% totaling $5,523,000. The Company also had commitments
to purchase adjustable-rate loans of $5,343,000 with interest rates ranging from
8.395% to 10.00%,  and  commitments  to purchase  $40,000 in fixed rate loans at
9.0% as of year end 1997.  Commitments,  which are disbursed  subject to certain
limitations,  extend over various periods of time. Generally, unused commitments
are  canceled  upon  expiration  of the  commitment  term  as  outlined  in each
individual contract.

The exposure to credit loss in the event of non- performance by other parties to
financial  instruments  for  commitments  to extend credit is represented by the
contractual amount of those instruments. The same credit policies and collateral
requirements are used in making  commitments and conditional  obligations as are
used for on-balance-sheet instruments.
<PAGE>
Since certain commitments to make loans and to fund lines of credit and loans in
process  expire without being used,  the amount does not  necessarily  represent
future cash  commitments.  In addition,  commitments  used to extend  credit are
agreements  to  lend to a  customer  as long as  there  is no  violation  of any
condition established in the contract.

Securities with amortized costs of  approximately  $7,663,000 and $5,835,000 and
fair values of approximately $7,859,000 and $5,710,000 at September 30, 1998 and
1997, respectively, were pledged as collateral for public funds on deposit.

Securities with amortized costs of  approximately  $6,557,000 and $2,077,000 and
fair values of approximately $6,827,000 and $2,149,000 at September 30, 1998 and
1997, respectively, were pledged as collateral for individual, trust, and estate
deposits.

Under  employment  agreements with certain  executive  officers,  certain events
leading to separation  from the Company  could result in cash payments  totaling
approximately $2,794,000 as of September 30, 1998.

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to certain claims and legal actions
arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management,  after

46
<PAGE>
                             NOTE 16 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Continued)

consultation  with legal counsel,  the ultimate  disposition of these matters is
not expected to have a material  adverse  effect on the  consolidated  financial
position or results of operations of the Company.


NOTE 17 - PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Presented below are condensed financial statements for the parent company, First
Midwest Financial, Inc.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
September 30, 1998 and 1997


                                                                       1998              1997
<S>                                                              <C>              <C>         
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents ...................................    $    104,518     $  2,166,091
Securities available for sale ...............................       4,257,486        1,254,610
Investment in subsidiary banks ..............................      40,643,747       39,309,383
Loan receivable from ESOP ...................................         367,200          567,200
Other assets ................................................         131,945          306,656
                                                                 ------------     ------------

Total assets ................................................    $ 45,504,896     $ 43,603,940
                                                                 ============     ============

LIABILITIES
Loan payable to subsidiary banks ............................    $  3,050,000     $       --
Accrued expenses and other liabilities ......................         169,333          126,936
                                                                 ------------     ------------
Total liabilities ...........................................       3,219,333          126,936

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock ................................................          29,580           29,580
Additional paid-in capital ..................................      21,330,075       20,984,754
Retained earnings - substantially restricted ................      27,985,814       26,427,657
Net unrealized appreciation on securities available for sale,
  net of tax of $474,346 in 1998 and $568,013 in 1997 .......         798,820          960,371
Unearned Employee Stock Ownership Plan shares ...............        (367,200)        (567,200)
Treasury stock, at cost .....................................      (7,491,526)      (4,358,158)
                                                                 ------------     ------------
Total shareholders' equity ..................................      42,285,563       43,477,004
                                                                 ------------     ------------

   Total liabilities and shareholders' equity ...............    $ 45,504,896     $ 43,603,940
                                                                 ============     ============
</TABLE>


                                                                              47
<PAGE>
NOTE 17 - PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Years ended September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996


                                                           1998           1997            1996
<S>                                                     <C>           <C>             <C>        
Dividend income from subsidiary banks ..............    $2,000,000    $ 6,000,000     $ 9,500,000
Interest income ....................................       272,260        145,339         219,546
Gain on sales of securities available for sale, net        317,960        216,614          51,237
                                                        ----------    -----------     -----------
                                                         2,590,220      6,361,953       9,770,783

Interest expense ...................................        72,581        132,014            --
Operating expenses .................................       354,945        348,162         182,743
                                                        ----------    -----------     -----------
                                                           427,526        480,176         182,743


Income before income taxes and equity in
  undistributed net income of subsidiaries .........     2,162,694      5,881,777       9,588,040

Income tax expense (benefit) .......................        50,000        (55,000)         53,000
                                                        ----------    -----------     -----------

Income before equity in undistributed net
  income of subsidiaries ...........................     2,112,694      5,936,777       9,535,040

(Distributions in excess of) equity in undistributed
  net income of subsidiary banks ...................       672,188     (2,294,821)     (7,121,475)
                                                        ----------    -----------     -----------

Net income .........................................    $2,784,882    $ 3,641,956     $ 2,413,565
                                                        ==========    ===========     ===========
</TABLE>
48
<PAGE>
                       NOTE 17 - PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
Years ended September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996


                                                                            1998             1997            1996
<S>                                                                     <C>             <C>             <C>         
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income .........................................................    $ 2,784,882     $ 3,641,956     $  2,413,565
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
  net cash from operating activities
   Distribution in excess of (equity in undistributed)
       net income of subsidiary banks ..............................       (672,188)      2,294,821        7,121,475
   Amortization of recognition and retention plan ..................           --            41,947          117,064
   Gain on sales of securities available for sale, net .............       (317,960)       (216,614)         (51,237)
   Change in other assets ..........................................        174,711        (245,225)         110,759
   Change in accrued expenses and other liabilities ................        142,705        (611,711)         721,109
                                                                        -----------     -----------     ------------
       Net cash from operating activities ..........................      2,112,150       4,905,174       10,432,735

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of securities available for sale ..........................     (5,150,000)       (231,000)      (1,014,438)
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale ...............      2,195,509         804,067          338,750
Purchase of Iowa Bancorporation, Inc. ..............................           --              --         (6,529,615)
Purchase of Central West Bancorporation ............................           --              --         (1,923,519)
Repayments on loan receivable from ESOP ............................        200,000         200,000          200,000
                                                                        -----------     -----------     ------------
   Net cash from investment activities .............................     (2,754,491)        773,067       (8,928,822)

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from loan payable to subsidiary banks .....................      4,550,000            --               --
Repayments on loan payable to subsidiary banks .....................     (1,500,000)           --               --
Cash dividends paid ................................................     (1,226,725)       (962,682)        (745,761)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options ............................         28,696         335,991           94,500
Purchase of treasury stock .........................................     (3,271,203)     (4,268,777)        (630,710)
                                                                        -----------     -----------     ------------
   Net cash from financing activities ..............................     (1,419,232)     (4,895,468)      (1,281,971)
                                                                        -----------     -----------     ------------

Net change in cash and cash equivalents ............................     (2,061,573)        782,773          221,942

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year .....................      2,166,091       1,383,318        1,161,376
                                                                        -----------     -----------     ------------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year ...........................    $   104,518     $ 2,166,091     $  1,383,318
                                                                        ===========     ===========     ============

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the year for interest .............................    $    72,581     $   132,014     $         --

Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities:
Issuance of common stock for purchase of
  Central West Bancorporation ......................................    $        --     $        --     $  3,936,634
                                                                        ===========     ===========     ============
</TABLE>

The extent to which the  Company may pay cash  dividends  to  shareholders  will
depend on the cash currently available at the Company, as well as the ability of
the subsidiary banks to pay dividends to the Company (see Note 15).

                                                                              49
<PAGE>
NOTE 18 - SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Quarter Ended
                                           ------------------------
                            December 31     March 31        June 30   September 30
<S>                          <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>       
Fiscal year 1998:
Total  interest income ..    $7,894,734    $7,839,781    $7,996,291    $8,327,988
Total interest expense ..     4,712,639     4,622,771     4,815,319     5,079,224
Net interest income .....     3,182,095     3,217,010     3,180,972     3,248,764
Provision for loan losses        35,000     1,345,000        55,000       227,472
   Net income ...........       989,055        46,316       893,056       856,455


Earnings per common and
  common equivalent share
   Basic ................    $      .38    $      .02    $      .35    $      .34
   Diluted ..............    $      .36    $      .02    $      .33    $      .32

Fiscal year 1997:
Total  interest income ..    $7,305,929    $6,882,095    $7,331,501    $7,485,150
Total interest expense ..     4,288,793     3,973,985     4,356,367     4,439,912
Net interest income .....      3,017,13     2,908,110     2,975,134     3,045,238
Provision for loan losses        30,000        30,000        30,000        30,000
   Net income ...........       953,216       849,539       912,504       926,697


Earnings per common and
  common equivalent share
   Basic ................    $      .34    $      .31    $      .34    $      .35
   Diluted ..............    $      .33    $      .29    $      .33    $      .33

Fiscal year 1996:
Total  interest income ..    $5,363,332    $5,962,258    $6,499,056    $6,512,819
Total interest expense ..     2,960,194     3,407,485     3,735,106     3,875,825
Net interest income .....     2,403,138     2,554,773     2,763,950     2,636,994
Provision for loan losses        30,000        30,000        30,000        10,000
     Net income .........       776,845       726,806       892,181        17,733


Earnings per common and
  common equivalent share
   Basic ................    $      .31    $      .28    $      .35    $      .01
   Diluted ..............    $      .29    $      .27    $      .33    $      .01
</TABLE>
50
<PAGE>
                                  NOTE 19 - FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

SFAS No. 107, "Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial  Instruments," requires
that  the  Company  disclose  estimated  fair  value  amounts  of its  financial
instruments.  It is management's belief that the fair values presented below are
reasonable  based on the valuation  techniques and data available to the Company
as of September 30, 1998 and 1997, as more fully  described  below. It should be
noted that the  operations of the Company are managed from a going concern basis
and not a liquidation  basis.  As a result,  the ultimate value realized for the
financial instruments  presented could be substantially  different when actually
recognized  over time through the normal course of operations.  Additionally,  a
substantial  portion of the Company's  inherent value is the  subsidiary  banks'
capitalization and franchise value.  Neither of these components have been given
consideration in the presentation of fair values below.


The  following  presents the  carrying  amount and  estimated  fair value of the
financial  instruments  held by the Company at September 30, 1998 and 1997. This
information is presented  solely for compliance with SFAS No. 107 and is subject
to change over time based on a variety of factors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1998                                1997
                                                   ----                                ---- 
                                        Carrying          Estimated         Carrying           Estimated
                                          Amount           Fair Value        Amount           Fair Value
SELECTED ASSETS
<S>                                   <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>          
Cash and cash equivalents ........    $   6,727,444     $   6,727,000     $  12,852,426     $  12,852,000
Interest-bearing deposits in
  other financial institutions ...             --                --             200,000           200,000
Securities available for sale ....      120,609,531       120,610,000       115,985,045       115,985,000
Loans receivable, net ............      270,286,189       273,096,000       254,640,971       254,455,000
FHLB Stock .......................        5,505,800         5,506,000         5,629,300         5,629,000
Accrued interest receivable ......        4,968,607         4,969,000         5,366,109         5,366,000

SELECTED LIABILITIES
Noninterest bearing demand
  deposits .......................       (4,971,562)       (4,972,000)       (5,572,296)       (5,572,000)
Savings, NOW and money
  market demand deposits .........      (57,755,615)      (57,756,000)      (49,838,735)      (49,839,000)
Other time certificates of deposit     (221,130,975)     (222,807,000)     (190,704,667)     (190,190,000)
                                      -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
   Total deposits ................     (283,858,152)     (285,535,000)     (246,115,698)     (245,601,000)


Advances from FHLB ...............      (85,263,562)      (87,360,000)     (107,426,225)     (107,247,000)
Securities sold under
  agreements to repurchase .......       (4,074,567)       (4,095,000)       (1,800,000)       (1,806,000)
Other borrowings .................         (550,000)         (550,000)       (2,900,000)       (2,900,000)
Advances from borrowers
  for taxes and insurance ........         (405,218)         (405,000)         (449,487)         (449,000)
Accrued interest payable .........         (834,741)         (835,000)       (1,065,746)       (1,066,000)

OFF-BALANCE-SHEET
  INSTRUMENTS
Loan commitments .................      (27,353,000)             --         (15,782,000)             --
</TABLE>
                                                                              51

<PAGE>
NOTE 19 - FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Continued)

The following sets forth the methods and  assumptions  used in  determining  the
fair value  estimates for the Company's  financial  instruments at September 30,
1998 and 1997.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: The carrying amount of cash and short-term investment
is assumed to approximate the fair
value.

Interest-bearing  Deposits In Other Financial Institutions:  The carrying amount
of  interest-bearing  deposits  in other  financial  institutions  is assumed to
approximate the fair value.

Securities  Available For Sale:  Quoted market prices or dealer quotes were used
to determine the fair value of securities available for sale.

Loans Receivable,  Net: The fair value of loans receivable, net was estimated by
discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans
would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for similar remaining
maturities.  When using the  discounting  method to determine fair value,  loans
were  gathered by  homogeneous  groups with  similar  terms and  conditions  and
discounted at a target rate at which similar loans would be made to borrowers as
of September 30, 1998 and 1997. In addition,  when  computing the estimated fair
value for all loans,  allowances for loan losses have been  subtracted  from the
calculated fair value for consideration of credit issues.

FHLB  Stock:  The fair value of such  stock  approximates  book value  since the
Company  is able to redeem  this stock  with the  Federal  Home Loan Bank at par
value.

Accrued Interest Receivable:  The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable
is assumed to approximate the fair value.

Deposits:  The fair  value of  deposits  were  determined  as  follows:  (i) for
noninterest  bearing  demand  deposits,  savings,  NOW and money  market  demand
deposits,  since  such  deposits  are  immediately  withdrawable,  fair value is
determined to  approximate  the carrying  value (the amount  payable on demand);
(ii) for other time  certificates of deposit,  the fair value has been estimated
by  discounting  expected  future cash flows by the current  rates offered as of
September 30, 1998 and 1997 on  certificates  of deposit with similar  remaining
maturities.  In accordance  with SFAS No. 107, no value has been assigned to the
Company's  long-term  relationships  with its deposit  customers  (core value of
deposits  intangible)  since such  intangible  is not a financial  instrument as
defined under SFAS No. 107.

Advances from FHLB: The fair value of such advances was estimated by discounting
the expected future cash flows using current  interest rates as of September 30,
1998 and 1997, for advances with similar terms and remaining maturities.

Securities Sold Under  Agreements to Repurchase and Other  Borrowings:  The fair
value of securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other borrowings was
estimated by discounting the expected  future cash flows using derived  interest
rates  approximating  market  as  of  September  30,  1998  and  1997  over  the
contractual maturity of such borrowings.

Advances From Borrowers for Taxes and Insurance: The carrying amount of advances
from borrowers for taxes and insurance is assumed to approximate the fair value.
<PAGE>
Accrued  Interest  Payable:  The carrying amount of accrued  interest payable is
assumed to approximate the fair value.

Loan  Commitments:  The  commitments  to originate and purchase loans have terms
that  are  consistent  with  current  market  terms.  Accordingly,  the  Company
estimates that the fair values of these commitments are not significant.

Limitations:  It must be noted that fair value  estimates are made at a specific
point  in  time,  based on  relevant  market  information  about  the  financial
instrument.  Additionally,  fair value  estimates  are based on existing on- and
off-balance-sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value
of anticipated future business,  customer  relationships and the value of assets
and liabilities that are not considered financial  instruments.  These estimates
do not  reflect  any premium or discount  that could  result from  offering  the
Company's entire holdings of a particular  financial  instrument for sale at one
time. Furthermore, since no market exists for certain of the Company's financial
instruments,  fair value  estimates may be based on judgments  regarding  future
expected loss experience,  current economic conditions,  risk characteristics of
various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective
in nature and involve  uncertainties  and matters of  significant  judgment  and
therefore  cannot be  determined  with a high  level of  precision.  Changes  in
assumptions  as 

52
<PAGE>
                      NOTE 19 - FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Continued)

well  as  tax   considerations   could   significantly   affect  the  estimates.
Accordingly,  based on the limitations described above, the aggregate fair value
estimates are not intended to represent the underlying value of the Company,  on
either a going concern or a liquidation basis.

                                    NOTE 20 - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES

On December  29,  1995,  the Company  purchased  all of the common stock of Iowa
Bancorp for $8,000,000 in cash. In conjunction with the acquisition, liabilities
were assumed as follows:


Fair value of assets acquired                                    $  25,429,434
Cash paid                                                           (8,000,000)
                                                                 -------------

   Liabilities assumed                                           $  17,429,434
                                                                 =============

On September 30, 1996, the Company, purchased all of the common stock of Central
West for  $1,312,474 in cash and issued  256,737 common shares at a market value
of $15.33 per share, as restated for the  three-for-two  stock split effected in
the form of a 50% stock  dividend paid on January 2, 1997. In  conjunction  with
the acquisition, liabilities were assumed as follows:


Fair value of assets acquired                                    $  35,577,247
Cash paid                                                          (1,312,474)
Common stock issued                                                (3,936,634)
                                                                 ------------

   Liabilities assumed                                           $  30,328,139
                                                                 =============



                                     NOTE 21 - FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE PREMIUM


The deposits of savings associations such as the Bank are insured by the Savings
Association  Insurance fund ("SAIF"). A recapitalization plan signed into law on
September  30, 1996  provided  for a one-time  assessment  of 65.7 basis  points
applied to all SAIF deposits as of March 31, 1995.  Based on the Bank's deposits
as of this date, a one-time  assessment of  $1,265,996  was paid and recorded as
federal deposit insurance premium expense for the year ended September 30, 1996.



                                                                              53
<PAGE>
Directors of First Midwest Financial, Inc.

[GRAPHIC-PHOTOS OF DIRECTORS]


James S. Haahr -- Chairman of the Board,  President and Chief Executive  Officer
for First Midwest Financial, Inc. and First Federal Savings Bank of the Midwest;
Chairman  of the Board for  Security  State Bank.  Mr.  Haahr is a member of the
Board of Trustees of Buena Vista University. He has served in various capacities
since  beginning  his career with First  Federal in 1961.  He is a member of the
Board of Directors of  America's  Community  Bankers and a member of the Savings
Association Insurance Fund Industry Advisory Committee. Mr. Haahr is former Vice
Chairman of the Board of  Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines,
former  Chairman  of the  Iowa  League  of  Savings  Institutions,  and a former
director of the U.S.  League of Savings  Institutions.  Board  committee:  First
Federal Trust Committee. James S. Haahr is the father of J. Tyler Haahr.

J. Tyler Haahr -- Senior Vice President,  Secretary and Chief Operating  Officer
for First Midwest Financial,  Inc.; Executive Vice President,  Secretary,  Chief
Operating Officer,  and Division President for First Federal Savings Bank of the
Midwest;  Chief Executive Officer of Security State Bank; and Vice President and
Secretary of First Services Financial Limited.  First Midwest and its affiliates
have  employed  Mr. Haahr since March 1997.  Previously  Mr. Haahr was a partner
with the law firm of Lewis  and Roca LLP,  Phoenix,  Arizona.  Board  committee:
First Federal Trust Committee. J. Tyler Haahr is the son of James S. Haahr.

E. Wayne Cooley -- Member of the Board of Directors for First Midwest Financial,
Inc.,  First Federal  Savings Bank of the Midwest,  and Security State Bank. Dr.
Cooley has served as Executive Secretary of the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic
Union in Des Moines,  Iowa,  since 1954. He is Executive  Vice  President of the
Iowa High School  Speech  Association,  a member of the Buena  Vista  University
Board of Trustees, a member of the Drake Relays Executive Committee,  and on the
Board of Directors of the Women's College  Basketball  Association Hall of Fame.
Dr.  Cooley has served as  Chairman  of the Iowa Heart  Association  and as Vice
Chairman   of   the   Iowa   Games.   Board   committees:    Chairman   of   the
Audit-Compensation/Personnel Committee and member of the Stock Option Committee.

E.  Thurman  Gaskill  --  Member  of the Board of  Directors  for First  Midwest
Financial,  Inc., First Federal Savings Bank of the Midwest,  and Security State
Bank. Mr. Gaskill has owned and operated a grain farming  operation located near
Corwith,  Iowa,  since  1958.  He has  served  as a  commissioner  with the Iowa
Department  of Economic  Development  and also as a  commissioner  with the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources.  Mr. Gaskill is the past president of Iowa Corn
Growers Association, past chairman of the United States Feed Grains Council, and
has served in numerous other agriculture  positions.  He was elected to the Iowa
State Senate in 1998 and represents  District 8. Board  committees:  Chairman of
the First Federal Trust Committee and member of the Audit-Compensation/Personnel
Committee.

G.  Mark  Mickelson  --  Member of the  Board of  Directors  for  First  Midwest
Financial,  Inc., First Federal Savings Bank of the Midwest,  and Security State
Bank. Mr. Mickelson is Vice President of Acquisitions  for  Northwestern  Growth
Corporation in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Northwestern Growth Corporation is the
unregulated  investment subsidiary of Northwestern Public Service. Mr. Mickelson
graduated  with high  honors from  Harvard Law School and is a Certified  Public
Accountant.   Board  committees:   First  Federal   Audit-Compensation/Personnel
Committee and Stock Option Committee.
<PAGE>
Rodney G.  Muilenburg  -- Member of the  Board of  Directors  for First  Midwest
Financial,  Inc., First Federal Savings Bank of the Midwest,  and Security State
Bank. Mr.  Muilenburg is employed as a dairy specialist with Purina Mills,  Inc.
and  supervises  the sale of  agricultural  products  in a  region  encompassing
northwest  Iowa,  southeastern  South  Dakota,  and southwest  Minnesota.  Board
committees:   Chairman  of  the  Stock  Option   Committee  and  member  of  the
Audit-Compensation/Personnel Committee.

Jeanne Partlow -- Member of the Board of Directors for First Midwest  Financial,
Inc.  Mrs.  Partlow  retired in June 1998 as  President of the Iowa Savings Bank
Division of First Federal, located in Des Moines, Iowa. She was President, Chief
Executive  Officer and  Chairperson  of the Board of Iowa Savings Bank,  F.S.B.,
from 1987 until the end of December 1995, when Iowa Savings Bank was acquired by
and became a division of First Federal Savings Bank of the Midwest. Mrs. Partlow
is a past member of the Board of  Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des
Moines.

54
<PAGE>
Executive Officers

[GRAPHIC-PHOTOS OF OFFICERS]

JAMES S. HAAHR

Chairman of the Board,  President and Chief Executive  Officer for First Midwest
Financial,  Inc. and First Federal Savings Bank of the Midwest;  and Chairman of
the Board for Security State Bank


J. TYLER HAAHR

Senior Vice President,  Secretary and Chief Operating  Officer for First Midwest
Financial,  Inc.; Executive Vice President,  Secretary, Chief Operating Officer,
and Division President for First Federal Savings Bank of the Midwest;  and Chief
Executive Officer for Security State Bank 


DONALD J. WINCHELL, CPA

Senior Vice President,  Treasurer and Chief Financial  Officer for First Midwest
Financial, Inc. and First Federal Savings Bank of the Midwest; and Secretary for
Security State Bank



ELLEN E. H. MOORE

Vice  President,  Marketing and Sales for First  Midwest  Financial,  Inc.;  and
Senior Vice President  Marketing and Sales for First Federal Savings Bank of the
Midwest


TIM D. HARVEY

President for Brookings  Federal Bank Division of First Federal  Savings Bank of
the Midwest


TROY MOORE

President for Iowa Savings Bank
Division of First Federal Savings Bank of the Midwest


RICHARD H. COLEMAN

President for Security State Bank


SUSAN C. JESSE

Senior Vice President for  First Federal Savings Bank of the Midwest


FRED A. STEVENS

Senior Vice President for First Federal Savings Bank of the  Midwest

                                                                              55
<PAGE>
Corporate Information


Corporate Headquarters
First Midwest Financial, Inc.
First Federal Building
Fifth at Erie
P.O. Box 1307
Storm Lake, Iowa  50588

Annual Meeting of Shareholders
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders will convene at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 25,
1999.  The meeting will be held in the Board Room of First Federal  Savings Bank
of the Midwest, Fifth at Erie, Storm Lake, Iowa. Further information with regard
to this meeting can be found in the proxy statement.

General Counsel
Mack, Hansen, Gadd, Armstrong & Brown, P.C.
316 East Sixth Street
P.O. Box 278
Storm Lake, Iowa  50588

Special Counsel
Silver, Freedman & Taff, LLP
1100 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC  20005-3934

Independent Auditors
Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP
330 East Jefferson Boulevard
P.O. Box 7
South Bend, Indiana  46624

Shareholder Services and Investor Relations
Shareholders  desiring to change the name,  address,  or ownership of stock;  to
report  lost  certificates;  or to  consolidate  accounts,  should  contact  the
corporation's transfer agent:

Registrar & Transfer Company
10 Commerce Drive
Cranford, New Jersey  07016
Telephone:  1-800-368-5948

Annual Report on Form 10-K
Analysts,  investors, and others seeking a copy of the Form 10-K or other public
financial information should contact the following:

Investor Relations
First Midwest Financial, Inc.
First Federal Building, Fifth at Erie
P.O. Box 1307
Storm Lake, Iowa  50588
Telephone:  712-732-4117
<PAGE>
Stock Market Information
First  Midwest  Financial,  Inc.'s  common stock  trades on the Nasdaq  National
Market under the symbol "CASH." The Wall Street Journal  publishes daily trading
information for the stock under the abbreviation,  "FstMidwFnl," in the National
Market  Listing.  The price range of the common  stock as reported on the Nasdaq
System for each quarter of fiscal 1997 and 1998, after giving retroactive effect
for the  three-for-two  stock  split paid by the  Company in the form of a fifty
percent stock dividend on January 2, 1997, was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                   1997       1998         Fiscal Year 1997          Fiscal Year 1998
               Dividend   Dividend
                   Paid       Paid          Low        High            Low       High
<S>                <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>   
First Quarter      $.09       $.12         $15.00     $16.67         $19.50     $22.63
Second Quarter     $.09       $.12         $15.25     $17.88         $21.88     $23.25
Third Quarter      $.09       $.12         $15.00     $18.00         $21.38     $25.25
Fourth Quarter     $.09       $.12         $16.25     $20.88         $17.13     $24.00
</TABLE>


The prices reflect inter-dealer quotations without retail mark-up,  mark-down or
commissions, and do not necessarily represent actual transactions.

Dividend payment  decisions are made with  consideration of a variety of factors
including earnings,  financial condition, market considerations,  and regulatory
restrictions.  Restrictions on dividend payments are described in Note 14 of the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.

As of September 30, 1998,  First  Midwest had  2,553,245  shares of common stock
outstanding,  which were held by 321 shareholders of record. The shareholders of
record  number does not reflect  approximately  608 persons or entities who hold
their stock in nominee or "street" name.

The following  securities  firms indicated they were acting as market makers for
First Midwest Financial, Inc. stock as of September 30, 1998: Everen Securities,
Inc.; Herzog, Heine, Geduld, Inc.; Howe Barnes Investments,  Inc.; Piper Jaffray
Companies, Inc.; Sandler O'Neill & Partners; and Tucker Anthony Incorporated.




                                   EXHIBIT 21

                         SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT


<PAGE>







                         SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT



                                                                    State of
                                                 Percentage       Incorporation
                                                     of                or
     Parent                 Subsidiary           Ownership        Organization
     ------                 ----------           ---------        ------------

First Midwest            First Federal              100%            Federal
 Financial, Inc.          Savings Bank
                          of the Midwest

First Midwest            Security State             100%            Iowa
 Financial, Inc.          Bank

First Federal            First Services             100%            Iowa
 Savings Bank of          Financial Limited
 the Midwest

First Services           Brookings Service          100%            South Dakota
 Financial Limited       Corporation


The financial statements of First Midwest Financial,  Inc. are consolidated with
those of its subsidiaries.







                                   EXHIBIT 23

                                CONSENT OF EXPERT


<PAGE>









                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



We consent to the  incorporation  by reference  in  Registration  Statement  No.
33-80171  of First  Midwest  Financial,  Inc.  on Form  S-8 and in  Registration
Statement  No.  333-9871  of First  Midwest  Financial,  Inc. on Form S-3 of our
report  dated  October  22,  1998,  contained  in  Exhibit  13 to First  Midwest
Financial, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September
30, 1998.



                                               /s/ Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                   Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP


South Bend, Indiana
December 28, 1998

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                         908,984
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                       5,818,460
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                120,609,531
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                    273,195,091
<ALLOWANCE>                                  2,908,902
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             418,380,395
<DEPOSITS>                                 283,858,152
<SHORT-TERM>                                25,874,567
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                          2,348,551
<LONG-TERM>                                 64,013,562
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        29,580
<OTHER-SE>                                  42,255,983
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>             418,380,395
<INTEREST-LOAN>                             23,054,813
<INTEREST-INVEST>                            9,003,981
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                            32,058,794
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                          13,432,454
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          19,229,953
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                       12,828,841
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                1,662,472
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                             398,903
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              8,252,840
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              4,788,402
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                   2,784,882
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,784,882
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.03
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.26
<LOANS-NON>                                  3,164,000
<LOANS-PAST>                                 3,905,000
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                              3,888,531
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                             2,379,091
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                1,166,296
<RECOVERIES>                                    33,635
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                            2,908,902
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                         2,780,902
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                        128,000
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<RESTATED>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                         875,169
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                      10,909,907
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                             1,267,350
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                115,985,045
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                    257,020,062
<ALLOWANCE>                                  2,379,091
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             404,588,578
<DEPOSITS>                                 246,115,698
<SHORT-TERM>                                47,250,000
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                          2,869,651
<LONG-TERM>                                 64,876,225
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        29,580
<OTHER-SE>                                  43,447,424
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>             404,588,578
<INTEREST-LOAN>                             22,432,828
<INTEREST-INVEST>                            6,571,847
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                            29,004,675
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                          11,982,913
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          17,059,057
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                       11,945,618
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  120,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                             216,614
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              7,382,265
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              6,144,025
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                   3,641,956
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 3,641,956
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.28
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.38
<LOANS-NON>                                  2,875,252
<LOANS-PAST>                                   282,000
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                              7,234,106
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                             2,356,113
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  122,660
<RECOVERIES>                                    25,638
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                            2,379,091
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                         2,303,091
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                         76,000
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<RESTATED>
       
<S>                             <C>                         <C>                         <C>                         
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                       6-MOS                       9-MOS                  
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997                 SEP-30-1997                 SEP-30-1997 
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996                 MAR-31-1997                 JUN-30-1997 
<CASH>                                         693,116                     829,601                     751,853 
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                       7,136,406                   8,639,194                  10,659,359 
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                             4,929,800                   4,331,563                     300,588 
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0                           0                           0 
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                 92,218,350                  90,528,990                  85,925,932 
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0                           0                           0 
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0                           0                           0 
<LOANS>                                    246,447,865                 248,538,499                 259,401,012 
<ALLOWANCE>                                  2,381,956                   2,398,632                   2,404,052 
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             369,885,071                 370,177,010                 374,824,236 
<DEPOSITS>                                 232,612,127                 235,521,226                 240,050,507 
<SHORT-TERM>                                44,739,918                  43,990,000                  43,360,000 
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                          4,779,499                   3,673,101                   3,821,459 
<LONG-TERM>                                 44,085,005                  44,082,144                  44,879,218 
                                0                           0                           0 
                                          0                           0                           0 
<COMMON>                                        29,591                      29,580                      29,580 
<OTHER-SE>                                  43,638,931                  42,880,959                  42,683,472 
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>             369,885,071                 370,177,010                 374,824,236 
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              5,550,790                  10,949,965                  16,659,797 
<INTEREST-INVEST>                            1,755,139                   3,238,060                   4,859,729 
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0                           0                           0 
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             7,305,929                  14,188,025                  21,519,526 
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                           2,950,598                   5,828,238                   8,884,273 
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           4,288,793                   8,262,778                  12,619,145 
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        3,017,136                   5,925,247                   8,900,381 
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   30,000                      60,000                      90,000 
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0                           0                      91,340 
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              1,813,345                   3,643,135                   5,488,371 
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,581,446                   3,013,197                   4,540,359 
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                   1,581,446                   1,802,756                   2,715,260 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                           0                           0 
<CHANGES>                                            0                           0                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                   953,216                   1,802,756                   2,715,260 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .34                         .65                         .99 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .33                         .62                         .94 
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                       0                           0                           0 
<LOANS-NON>                                  2,704,258                   2,878,335                   3,076,268 
<LOANS-PAST>                                   206,057                           0                           0 
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0                           0                           0 
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                              1,376,867                   2,242,430                   1,506,590 
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                             2,356,113                   2,356,113                   2,356,113 
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    4,157                      17,481                      66,028 
<RECOVERIES>                                         0                           0                      23,967 
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                            2,381,956                   2,398,632                   2,404,052 
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                         2,381,956                   2,398,632                   2,206,656 
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0                           0                           0 
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0                           0                     197,396 
         

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<RESTATED>
       
<S>                             <C>                       <C>                    
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                     12-MOS                 
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1996 
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996             SEP-30-1996 
<CASH>                                         410,412                 736,979 
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                      17,749,210               5,043,636 
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0               8,848,037 
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0                       0 
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                 86,130,956             109,491,558 
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0                       0 
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0                       0 
<LOANS>                                    224,572,696             245,889,632 
<ALLOWANCE>                                  1,811,535               2,356,113 
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             342,094,680             388,008,298 
<DEPOSITS>                                 203,913,766             233,405,726 
<SHORT-TERM>                                67,829,918              74,039,918 
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                          3,881,865               4,915,149 
<LONG-TERM>                                 27,440,539              32,437,803 
                                0                       0 
                                          0                       0 
<COMMON>                                        19,905                  19,905 
<OTHER-SE>                                  39,008,687              43,189,797 
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>             342,094,680             388,008,298 
<INTEREST-LOAN>                             13,639,540              18,567,097 
<INTEREST-INVEST>                            4,185,105               5,770,368 
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0                       0 
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                            17,824,645              24,337,465 
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                           7,179,841               9,766,586 
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          10,102,785              13,978,610 
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        7,721,860              10,358,855 
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   90,000                 100,000 
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                              57,129                  79,317 
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              4,667,498               7,568,262 
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              4,013,339               4,109,888 
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                   4,013,339               4,109,888 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0 
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0 
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,395,832               2,413,565 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .94                     .95 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .89                     .90 
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                       0                    3.47 
<LOANS-NON>                                    562,000               2,645,000 
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0                 176,700 
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0                       0 
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0               1,408,515 
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                             1,649,520               1,649,520 
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   45,000                  89,217 
<RECOVERIES>                                         0                       0 
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                            1,811,535               2,356,113 
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                         1,811,535               2,143,113 
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0                       0 
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0                 213,000 
                                                              

</TABLE>


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