BIG SKY BANCORP INC
10QSB, 1998-08-11
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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                 U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                        WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
                          ------------------

                              FORM 10-QSB


(Mark One)

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

      For the quarterly period ended June 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: 0-25284

                          BIG SKY BANCORP, INC.
                          ---------------------
         (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

State of Delaware                          81-0494188
- -----------------                          ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of          (I.R.S. Employer 
incorporation or organization)            Identification No.)

711 South First Street  Hamilton, Mt         59840
- ------------------------------------        -------
(Address of principal executive office)    (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (406) 363-4400
                                                    --------------
Not applicable                                               
- --------------
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last 
  report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Sections 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 the number of shares outstanding of the issuer's classes of common
stock, as of the latest practicable date.

           Class                     Outstanding July 31, 1998
          -------                    -------------------------
Common Stock, par value $.01                 323,721
 per share


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                              FORM 10-QSB

                    FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1998    

                                INDEX


                                                             

PART I - Financial Information                             Page Number

     Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition             1

     Consolidated Statements of Income                          2

     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                      3-4

     Notes to Financial Statements                              5

     Management's Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated
     Financial Statements                                       6-11


PART II - Other Information                                      12


SIGNATURES                                                       13 



<PAGE>
<PAGE>
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                     BIG SKY BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

ASSETS                                         JUNE 30, 1998    MARCH 31, 1998
- ------                                         -------------    --------------
                                                       ( Unaudited )
Cash ( including interest-bearing accounts
  of $ 7,656,000 and $ 5,820,000 )             $   9,066,000    $   7,029,000
Investment securities available for sale, at
  fair value ( cost $ 142,000 and  $ 141,000 )       546,000          547,000
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale, 
  at fair value (cost $7,436,000 and $7,402,000)   7,585,000        7,651,000
Investment securities held to maturity, at 
  amortized cost (fair value $8,305,000
  and $7,810,000)                                  8,324,000        7,825,000
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity,
  at amortized cost (fair value $437,000 and 
  $484,000)                                          414,000          458,000
Loans receivable, net                             34,288,000       35,042,000
Accrued interest receivable                          390,000          320,000
Real estate owned                                        ---              ---
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank Stock         2,051,000        2,012,000
Premises and equipment                             1,235,000        1,255,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets                    124,000          129,000
                                               -------------    -------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                   $  64,023,000    $  62,268,000
                                               =============    =============

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- ------------------------------------
LIABILITIES

Deposits                                       $  49,214,000    $  47,770,000
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle    5,000,000        5,000,000
Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance      413,000          497,000
Accrued expenses and other liabilities               585,000          314,000
Deferred taxes                                       749,000          740,000
                                               -------------    -------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES                                 55,961,000       54,321,000
                                               -------------    -------------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Common stock, ($0.01 par value per share; 
Authorized 1,500,000 shares; Issued 323,721
and 308,721 shares; outstanding, 308,721 shares        3,000            3,000
Additional paid - in capital                         922,000          922,000
Unrealized appreciation on securities
  available for sale, net of tax                     339,000          325,000
Retained earnings                                  7,070,000        6,984,000
Unearned compensation - MRDP                        (272,000)        (287,000)
                                               -------------    -------------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                         8,062,000        7,947,000
                                               -------------    -------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY     $  64,023,000    $  62,268,000
                                               =============    =============

                                        1
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                      BIG SKY BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


                                    THREE MONTHS ENDED      THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                      JUNE 30, 1998           JUNE 30, 1997
                                      -------------           -------------
                                                  ( Unaudited )
INTEREST INCOME:
Loans receivable                        $   801,000           $     805,000
Investments securities                      129,000                 211,000
Mortgage-backed securities                  136,000                 139,000
FHLB stock dividends and other              120,000                  57,000
                                        -----------           -------------
Total interest income                     1,186,000               1,212,000


INTEREST EXPENSE                            656,000                 649,000
                                        -----------           -------------
Net interest income                         530,000                 563,000

Provision for loan losses                    (7,000)                 (8,000)
                                        -----------           -------------
Net interest income after provision
  for loan losses                           523,000                 555,000
                                        -----------           -------------
OTHER INCOME:
Rental income                                20,000                  32,000
Loan fees and service charges                15,000                  19,000
Other                                         4,000                   1,000
                                        -----------           -------------
Total other income                           39,000                  52,000
                                        -----------           -------------

OTHER EXPENSES:
Salaries and employee benefits              189,000                 194,000
Occupancy                                    44,000                  50,000
FDIC insurance                               13,000                  13,000
Outside services                             25,000                  26,000
Advertising                                  12,000                  10,000
Other expense                               139,000                  66,000
                                        -----------           -------------
Total other expense                         422,000                 359,000
                                        -----------           -------------
Income before income taxes                  140,000                 248,000
Income tax expense                           54,000                 101,000
                                        -----------           -------------
NET INCOME                              $    86,000           $     147,000
                                        ===========           =============

NET INCOME PER SHARE:
Basic                                   $       .28           $         .48    
                                        ===========           =============
Diluted                                 $       .25           $         .44    
                                        ===========           =============

                                       2
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BIG SKY BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                      THREE MONTHS ENDED   THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                        JUNE 30, 1998        JUNE 30, 1997
                                        -------------        -------------
                                                     ( Unaudited )
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income                                $   86,000           $  147,000

ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET INCOME TO NET
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Depreciation and amortization               20,000               21,000
  Provision for loan losses                    7,000                8,000
  Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividend      (39,000)             (35,000)
  Cash provided (used) by changes in
    operating assets and liabilities:
  Accrued interest receivable                (70,000)            (154,000)
  Prepaid expenses and other assets            5,000               (5,000)
  Accrued expenses and other liabilities     271,000              (11,000)
  Deferred taxes                               9,000               99,000
  Deferred loan fees, net                    (16,000)               3,000
                                          ----------           ----------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES    273,000               73,000

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Principal repayments on loans              2,125,000            2,237,000
Loan originations                         (1,356,000)          (2,267,000)
Principal repayments on mortgage-backed 
   securities available for sale              91,000               75,000
Principal repayments on mortgage-backed
   securities held to maturity                46,000               26,000
Proceeds from maturity of investment 
   securities held to maturity                    --              450,000
Purchase of investment securities held 
   to maturity                              (500,000)          (1,000,000)
Purchase of investment securities
   available for sale                         (2,000)                  --
                                          ----------           ----------
  Net cash provided by investing
    activities                               404,000             (479,000)
                                          ----------           ----------

                                       3
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BIG SKY BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)

                                      THREE MONTHS ENDED   THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                        JUNE 30, 1998        JUNE 30, 1997
                                        -------------        -------------
                                                     ( Unaudited )
 FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net increase (decrease) in deposit 
  accounts due on demand                   438,000             (675,000)
Net increase (decrease) in certificate
  accounts                               1,006,000             (458,000)
Net decrease in advances from borrowers    (84,000)            (113,000)
                                        ----------           ----------
  Net cash used in financing activities  1,360,000           (1,246,000)
                                        ----------           ----------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE)  IN CASH         2,037,000           (1,652,000)
CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                7,029,000            3,017,000
                                        ----------           ----------
CASH, END OF PERIOD                     $9,066,000           $1,365,000
                                        ==========           ==========

SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH 
INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Fair value adjustment to securities
  available for sale                       553,000              349,000
Income tax effect related to fair value 
  adjustment                              (214,000)            (136,000)

Cash paid for:
  Interest                                 661,000              653,000
  Income taxes                              10,000               44,000

                                       4
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BIG SKY BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

1.   Basis of Presentation

     The information contained in the financial statements is unaudited.  In
     the opinion of management, the financial statements contain all
     adjustments (none of which were other than recurring entries) necessary
     for a fair statement of the results of operations for the interim
     period.  The results of operations for the three months ended June 30,
     1998 are not necessarily indicative of the results which may be expected
     for the entire fiscal year.

2.   Net Income Per Share

     Basic net income per share is based on net income and the weighted
     average number of shares outstanding during the period.  The dilutive
     effect of outstanding stock options is included in diluted earnings per
     share.

3.   Principles of Consolidation

     The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts
     of the Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, First Federal Savings
     and Loan Association of Montana ("Association").  Significant
     intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the
     consolidation.

                                       5
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF  
                            FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains certain "forward-looking statements."  The Company
desires to take advantage of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this statement for
the express purpose of availing itself of the protections of such safe harbor
with respect to all of such forward-looking statements, which are included in
Management's Discussion and Analysis, describe future plans or strategies and
include the Company's expectations of future financial results.  The words
"believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," and similar
expressions identify forward-looking statements.  The Company's ability to
predict results or the effect of future plans or strategies is inherently
uncertain.  Factors which could affect actual results include interest rate
trends, the general economic climate in the Company's market area and the
country as a whole, loan delinquency rates, and changes in federal and state
regulation.  These factors should be considered in evaluating the
forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such
statements.
 
Merger Announcement

On April 23, 1998, a definitive agreement to merge was executed between Big
Sky Bancorp, Inc. ("Big Sky"), and Sterling Financial Corporation
("Sterling"), of Spokane, Washington.  

Under the terms of the agreement, Sterling will acquire Big Sky and its
subsidiary, First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Montana ("First
Federal").  Big Sky will be merged into Sterling, and First Federal will be
merged into Sterling's subsidiary, Sterling Savings Association.

Sterling will issue, subject to exercise of Big Sky options, up to 497,545
shares of common stock in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding Big
Sky stock.  The merger will be structured as a tax-free reorganization and
accounted for as a pooling of interests.

General

Total assets increased by $ 1,755,000, or 2.82%, to $ 64,023,000 at June 30,
1998 as compared to $ 62,268,000 at March 31, 1998.

Deposits increased by $ 1,444,000, or 3.02%, to $ 49,214,000 at June 30, 1998
as compared to $ 47,770,000 at March 31, 1998.  

Net loans decreased by $ 754,000, or 2.15%, to $ 34,288,000 at June 30, 1998
as compared to $ 35,042,000 at March 31, 1998.

                                       6
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Investments and mortgage-backed securities increased by $ 338,000, or 2.35%,
to $ 16,869,000 at June 30, 1998, as compared to $ 16,481,000 at March 31,
1998.

Cash increased by $ 2,037,000, or 28.98%, to $ 9,066,000 at June 30, 1998, as
compared to $ 7,029,000 at March 31, 1998.  The increase in cash was primarily
the result of the increase in deposits and the decrease in loans.

Capital Position

The Corporation's capital increased by $ 115,000, or 1.45%, to 
$ 8,062,000 at June 30, 1998, from $ 7,947,000 at March 31, 1998.  

The Association's capital position relative to its minimum capital
requirements under the Financial institution's Reform, Recovery and
Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA) at June 30, 1998 was as follows:

                                            Amount      Percentage of
                                                            Assets
                                          -----------       ------
Tangible capital.....................     $ 7,557,000       11.9 %
Minimum tangible capital requirement.         952,000        1.5 %
                                          -----------       ----
Excess...............................     $ 6,605,000       10.4 %
                                          ===========       ====

Core capital.........................     $ 7,557,000       11.9 %
Minimum core capital requirement.....       1,904,000        3.0 %
                                          -----------       ----
Excess...............................     $ 5,653,000        8.9 %
                                          ===========       ====

Risk-based capital...................     $ 7,890,000       29.9 %
Minimum risk-based capital requirement.     2,113,000        8.0 %
                                          -----------       ----
Excess.................................   $ 5,777,000       21.9 %
                                          ===========       ====

Liquidity

The Company's liquidity ratio increased to 21.57% at June 30, 1998, from
17.98% at March 31, 1998.  The Company is required to maintain cash and
certain investment securities in an amount equal to 4% of its deposit accounts
and short-term borrowings.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan loss reserves was $ 537,000 at June 30, 1998, as
compared to $ 534,000 at March 31, 1998.  The allowance is based upon
management's consideration of current and anticipated economic conditions
which may affect the ability of the borrowers in the loan portfolio to repay
the loans.  Management also reviews individual loans for which full
collectibility may not be reasonably assured and considers, among other
matters, the

                                       7
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
estimated net realizable value of the underlying collateral.  The increase in
the allowance for potential loan losses was implemented by management as a
prudent risk-management strategy.  Management does not believe that any
significant changes in portfolio risk have occurred during the three month
period ended June 30, 1998, as compared to March 31, 1998.

Year 2000 Compliance

As with other organizations, the data processing programs and typical office
equipment such as computers, telephone, telecopiers, HVAC controls, alarm
systems and elevators were originally designed to recognize calendar years by
their last two digits.  Software and hardware programmed to recognize only two
digit fields may not work properly with dates beyond 1999, and will either
need to be replaced or reprogrammed to function properly after January 1,
2000.

The Company has adopted a Year 2000 ("Y2K") Policy and Action Plan to address
the issue.  The plan provides for four phases, (1) Awareness, (2) Assessment,
(3) Validation and (4) Implementation.  The Data Processing Review and
Oversight Committee has been designated to work with the Y2K project officer
to successfully complete the project.  The President is designated as the Y2K
project officer.  The Board of Directors will be kept informed of the status
of the project and of all problems discovered throughout the process.  The
Awareness and Assessment phases are virtually complete, and emphasis will now
be placed on the Validation and Implementation phases.

Data processing for the Company is provided by a third party service bureau. 
Software provided by the service bureau is used for such applications as
general ledger, deposit, loan, accounts payable and payroll, among others. 
The service bureau has stated that it has been preparing for the Y2K since the
early 1980's, and writes all of its code to comply with the requirements of
having the century marker as part of the application routines.  The service
bureau has stated that it is actively engaged in finishing its preparations
for Y2K compliance.  A committee has been formed and monthly updates have
begun to keep its users informed of its progress.  The awareness and
assessment phases are now virtually complete.  The renovation phase is well on
its way, and the service bureau emphasis will now be on the validation phase.

The Company believes that the Y2K problem will not pose significant
operational problems and is not anticipated to be material to its financial
position or results of operations in any given year.

                                       8
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                   COMPARISON OF THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
            JUNE 30, 1998 TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997

General

Total assets increased by $ 1,398,000, or 2.23%, to $ 64,023,000 at June 30,
1998, from $ 62,625,000 at June 30, 1997.

Cash increased by $ 7,701,000, or 564.18%, to $ 9,066,000 at June 30, 1998, as
compared to $ 1,365,000 at June 30, 1997.  The increase in cash was primarily
the result of an increase in deposits and a decrease in loans and securities. 
Due to the low interest rate environment and the flat yield curve during the
quarter ended June 30, 1998, the Company elected to temporarily increase its
cash position rather than incur the extension risk inherent in longer term
investments, which would produce only slightly higher yields than otherwise
available in liquid or very short term investments. 

Investments and mortgage-backed securities decreased by $ 5,309,000, or
23.94%, to $ 16,869,000 at June 30, 1998, from $ 22,178,000 at June 30, 1997.

Net loans decreased by $ 1,007,000, or 2.85%, to $ 34,288,000 at June 30,
1998, from $ 35,295,000 at June 30, 1997.  

Total deposits increased by $ 275,000, or .56%, to $ 49,214,000 at June 30,
1998, from $ 48,939,000 at June 30, 1997.  

At June 30, 1998, advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle ("FHLB")
totalled $ 5,000,000, unchanged from June 30, 1997. 

The Corporation's capital increased by $ 677,000, or 9.17%, to $ 8,062,000 at
June 30, 1998, from $ 7,385,000 at June 30, 1997.

The Company did not have any real estate owned as a result of foreclosure at
June 30, 1998 or June 30, 1997.

Net Income

Net income for the three months ended June 30, 1998 decreased by 
$ 61,000, or 41.50%, to $ 86,000, from $ 147,000 for the three months ended
June 30, 1997.

A principal reason for the decrease in net income was the increase in
consulting and legal fees incurred in connection with the Company's proposed
merger with Sterling Financial Corporation.  

Basic earnings per share decreased by $ .20, or 41.70%, to $ .28 for the three
months ended June 30, 1998, as compared to $ .48 for the three months ended
June 30, 1997.

                                       9
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Diluted earnings per share decreased by $ .19, or 43.18%, to $ .25 for the
three months ended June 30, 1998, as compared to $ .44 for the three month
period ended June 30, 1997.

Total interest income for the three month period ending June 30, 1998
decreased by $ 26,000, or 2.15%, to $ 1,186,000, as compared to $ 1,212,000
for the three month period ending June 30, 1997.

Interest and fees on loans decreased by $ 4,000, or .50%, to $ 801,000 for the
three month period ending June 30, 1998, as compared to $ 805,000 for the
three month period ending June 30, 1997.

Interest on investments decreased by $ 82,000, or 38.86%, to $ 129,000 for the
three month period ending June 30, 1998, as compared to $ 211,000 for the same
period last year.

Interest on mortgage-backed securities decreased by $ 3,000, or 2.16%, to $
136,000 for the three month period ending June 30, 1998, as compared to $
139,000 for the three month period ending June 30, 1997.

Other interest and dividends increased by $ 63,000, or 110.53%, to 
$ 120,000 for the three month period ending June 30, 1998, as compared to $
57,000 for the three month period ending June 30, 1997.

Total other income decreased by $ 13,000, or 25.00%, to $ 39,000 for the three
month period ending June 30, 1998, as compared to $ 52,000 for the three month
period ending June 30, 1997.
 
Rental income decreased by $ 12,000, or 37.50%, to $ 20,000 for the three
month period ending June 30, 1998, as compared to $ 32,000 for the three month
period ending June 30, 1997.  

Loan fees and service charges decreased by $ 4,000, or 21.05%, to $ 15,000 for
the quarter ending June 30, 1998, as compared to $ 19,000 for the quarter
ending June 30, 1997.

Interest expense increased by $ 7,000, or 1.08%, to $ 656,000 for the three
month period ending June 30, 1998, as compared to $ 649,000 for the three
month period ending June 30, 1997.

Total other expense increased by $ 63,000, or 17.55%, to $ 422,000 for the
quarter ending June 30, 1998, from $ 359,000 for the comparable period in
1997.

Salary and employee benefit expense decreased by $ 5,000, or 2.58%, to
$189,000 for the three month period ended June 30, 1998, as compared to
$194,000 for the comparable period last year.  

Occupancy expense decreased by $ 6,000, or 12.00%, to $ 44,000 for the three
month period ended June 30, 1998, as compared to $ 50,000 for the three month
period ended June 30, 1997.

                                       10
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
FDIC/SAIF insurance expense remained the same at $ 13,000 for each of the
quarters ending June 30, 1998 and June 30, 1997.  

Outside services expense decreased by $ 1,000, or 3.85%, to $ 25,000 for the
three month period ending June 30, 1998, as compared to $ 26,000 for the three
month period ending June 30, 1997.

Advertising expense increased by $ 2,000, or 20.00%, to $ 12,000 for the
quarter ending June 30, 1998, as compared to $ 10,000 for the quarter ending
June 30, 1997.

Other expense increased by $ 73,000, or 110.61%, to $ 139,000 during the three
month period ended June 30, 1998, as compared to $ 66,000 for the three month
period ended June 30, 1997.  The increase was primarily due to $ 68,000 of
additional expense incurred for consulting and legal fees related to the
proposed merger with Sterling Financial Corporation.  

Income tax expense decreased by $ 108,000, or 43.55%, to $ 54,000 for the
three month period ended June 30, 1998, as compared to $ 101,000 for the three
month period ending June 30, 1997.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income decreased by $ 33,000, or 5.86%, to $ 530,000 for the
three month period ending June 30, 1998, from $ 563,000 for the three month
period ending June 30, 1997.

The cost of funds increased by 16 basis points, to 4.94% at June 30, 1998,
from 4.78% at June 30, 1997.  The yield on earning assets decreased by 18
basis points, to 7.51% at June 30, 1998, from 7.69% at June 30, 1997.  As a
result, interest spread decreased by 34 basis points, to 2.57% at June 30,
1998, from 2.91% at June 30, 1997.   

Average net interest margin decreased by 28 basis points, to 3.17% for the
three month period ending June 30, 1998, from 3.45% for the three month period
ending June 30, 1997.

Provision for Loan Losses

Provision for loan losses was $ 7,000 for the three month period ending June
30, 1998, as compared to $ 8,000 for the three month period ending June 30,
1997. 

                                       11
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                        PART II - Other Information

Item 1 - Legal Proceedings 

Periodically, there have been various claims and lawsuits involving the
Association, such as claims to enforce liens, condemnation proceedings on
properties in which the Association holds security interests, claims involving
the making and servicing of real property loans and other issues incident to
the Association's business.  In the opinion of management and the
Association's legal counsel, no significant loss is expected from any of such
pending claims or lawsuits.  Aside from such pending claims and lawsuits which
are incident to the conduct of the Association's ordinary business, the
Association is not a party to any material pending legal proceedings.

Item 2 - Changes in Securities 

None.

Item 3 - Default Upon Senior Securities  

None.

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

None.

Item 5 - Other Information  

None.

Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

     (a) Exhibits: none

     (b) Reports on Form 8-K:  A report on Form 8-K was filed on May 1, 1998,
     announcing the execution of a definitive merger agreement between Big Sky
     Bancorp, Inc., and Sterling Financial Corporation pursuant, to which Big
     Sky will be merged into Sterling and Big Sky's wholly-owned subsidiary,
     First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Montana, will be merged
     into Sterling's wholly-owned subsidiary, Sterling Savings Association.

                                       12
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                               SIGNATURES
                               ----------

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                Big Sky Bancorp, Inc.
                                ---------------------
                                     (Registrant)

      
DATE: August 10, 1998           BY: /s/Michael E. McKee
                                    ----------------------------------
                                    Michael E. McKee  
                                    President       
                                    (Duly Authorized Officer)


                                BY: /s/Ernest M. Kwiatkowski
                                    ----------------------------------
                                    Ernest M. Kwiatkowski
                                    Vice President - Treasurer
                                    (Principal Financial Officer)

                                       13
<PAGE>


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                         9066000
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                         7656000
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    8131000
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         8738000
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           8742000
<LOANS>                                       34288000
<ALLOWANCE>                                     537000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                64023000
<DEPOSITS>                                    49214000
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            1747000
<LONG-TERM>                                    5000000
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                          3000
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