CSB FINANCIAL GROUP INC
DEF 14A, 1998-12-07
SAVINGS INSTITUTIONS, NOT FEDERALLY CHARTERED
Previous: DOLLAR TREE STORES INC, 8-K, 1998-12-07
Next: CBT GROUP PLC, S-8, 1998-12-07



                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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

Check the appropriate box:


[ ]  Preliminary Proxy Statement            [ ] Confidential, for use of the
[x]  Definitive Proxy Statement                 Commission Only (as permitted by
[ ]  Definitive Additional Materials            Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to 
     Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12


                            CSB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                            CSB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
                   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)

Payment of filing fee (check the appropriate box):

[x]  No fee required.
[ ]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

     1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

     2)  Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

     3)  Per  unit  price  or other  underlying  value  of  transaction
         computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11:

     4)  Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

     5)  Total fee paid:

[ ]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

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

     1)  Amount Previously Paid:

     2)  Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

     3)  Filing Party:

     4)  Date Filed:


<PAGE>


                            CSB Financial Group, Inc.

                             200 South Poplar Street
                            Centralia, Illinois 62801
                                 (618) 532-1918






December 8, 1998



Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially  invited to attend the Annual Meeting of  Stockholders  of CSB
Financial  Group,  Inc. to be held at the Carlyle  office of  Centralia  Savings
Bank, 801 12th Street,  Carlyle,  Illinois, on Friday, January 8, 1999, at 10:00
a.m., Central Time.

The attached  Notice of the Annual  Meeting and Proxy  Statement  describes  the
formal  business to be  transacted at the meeting.  During the meeting,  we will
also report on the operations of the Corporation.  Directors and officers of the
Corporation,  as well as a  representative  of  McGladrey  &  Pullen,  LLP,  the
Corporation's   independent  auditors,   will  be  present  to  respond  to  any
appropriate questions stockholders may have.

To ensure  proper  representation  of your shares at the Annual  Meeting  please
sign,  date, and return the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed  postage-prepaid
envelope as soon as possible even if you  currently  plan to attend the meeting.
This will not prevent you from voting in person,  but will assure that your vote
is counted if you are unable to attend the meeting.

Sincerely,

CSB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

/s/ K. Gary Reynolds

K. Gary Reynolds
President and Chief Executive Officer


<PAGE>


                            CSB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
                             200 SOUTH POPLAR STREET
                            CENTRALIA, ILLINOIS 62801
                                 (618) 532-1918

                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                          TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 8, 1999


         NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN,  that the Annual Meeting of  Stockholders  (the
"Meeting") of CSB Financial Group, Inc. (the  "Corporation") will be held at the
Carlyle office of Centralia Savings Bank, 801 12th Street, Carlyle, Illinois, on
Friday, January 8, 1999, at 10:00 a.m., Central Time.

         The Meeting is for the purpose of considering and acting upon:

         1. The election of two directors of the Corporation; and

         2. Such other  matters as may  properly  come before the Meeting or any
            adjournments thereof.

         The Board of Directors  has fixed the close of business on November 23,
1998 as the record date for the  determination of the  stockholders  entitled to
vote at the Meeting and any adjournments thereof.

         You are requested to complete and sign the enclosed proxy card which is
solicited  by the Board of  Directors  and to mail it promptly  in the  enclosed
envelope.



                                        BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                       /s/ K. Gary Reynolds

                                       K. Gary Reynolds
                                       President and Chief Executive Officer


Centralia, Illinois
December 8, 1998




IMPORTANT: THE PROMPT RETURN OF PROXIES WILL SAVE THE CORPORATION THE EXPENSE OF
FURTHER  REQUESTS  FOR  PROXIES  IN ORDER TO INSURE A QUORUM.  A  SELF-ADDRESSED
ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR  CONVENIENCE.  NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN
THE UNITED STATES.




<PAGE>



                                 PROXY STATEMENT
                                       OF
                            CSB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
                             200 SOUTH POPLAR STREET
                            CENTRALIA, ILLINOIS 62801
                                 (618) 532-1918

                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                 JANUARY 8, 1999

                               GENERAL INFORMATION


         This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection  with the  solicitation
of  proxies  by the  Board  of  Directors  of CSB  Financial  Group,  Inc.  (the
"Corporation")  to be  used  at  the  Annual  Meeting  of  Stockholders  of  the
Corporation (the  "Meeting").  The Meeting will be held at the Carlyle office of
Centralia Savings Bank (the ASavings Bank@), 801 12th Street, Carlyle, Illinois,
on Friday, January 8, 1999, at 10:00 a.m., Central Time. The accompanying Notice
of Meeting,  this Proxy  Statement  and the Proxy Card are being first mailed to
stockholders  on or about  December  8, 1998.  The  Corporation  is the  holding
company for the Savings Bank.

         Stockholders who execute proxies retain the right to revoke them at any
time. Unless so revoked, the shares represented by such proxies will be voted at
the Meeting and all adjournments thereof. A stockholder who has executed a proxy
has the power to revoke it at any time before it is voted by delivering  written
notice of  revocation to the  Secretary of the  Corporation  at 200 South Poplar
Street,  Centralia,  Illinois  62801, by executing and delivering a subsequently
dated proxy, or by attending the Meeting and voting in person. Proxies solicited
by the Board of Directors of the  Corporation  will be voted in accordance  with
the directions given therein. Where no instructions are indicated,  proxies will
be voted for the nominees for directors set forth below.

         A quorum of  stockholders  is  necessary to take action at the Meeting.
The presence,  in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares
of Common Stock entitled to vote at the Meeting shall constitute a quorum. Votes
cast by proxy or in person at the Meeting will be tabulated by the inspectors of
election  appointed  for the Meeting and will be counted as present for purposes
of determining whether a quorum is present.

         The  expenses  of  solicitation,  including  the cost of  printing  and
mailing,  will  be  paid  by the  Corporation.  Officers  and  employees  of the
Corporation may solicit  proxies  personally,  by telephone or by telegram.  The
Corporation may also reimburse brokers, nominees and other fiduciaries for their
reasonable  expenses in  forwarding  proxy  solicitation  material to beneficial
owners.

                 VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF


         Stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 23, 1998
(the"Record  Date") are  entitled to one vote for each share of common  stock of
the Corporation  (the "Common Stock") then held.  Stockholders are not permitted
to cumulate  their votes for the election of  directors.  As of the Record Date,
the Corporation had 732,920 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.



<PAGE>


         The following  table sets forth,  as of the Record Date,  the number of
shares  of  Common  Stock  beneficially  owned  by  each  person  known  by  the
Corporation  to be the  beneficial  owner  of  more  than  five  percent  of the
outstanding  shares of Common  Stock,  each  director  of the  Corporation,  the
executive  officer  (who is also a director)  named in the Summary  Compensation
Table below,  and all directors and executive  officers of the  Corporation as a
group.


                                       Amount and Nature of    Percent of Common
Name of Beneficial Owner              Beneficial Ownership(1)  Stock Outstanding

First Financial Fund, Inc.                   74,600(2)               10.2%
Gateway Center Three
100 Mulberry Street, 9th Floor
Newark, New Jersey 07102-4077

John Hancock Advisers, Inc.                  50,000(3)                6.8%
101 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts  02199

Tontine Financial Partners, L.P.             84,829(4)               11.6%
c/o Jeffrey L. Gendell
Tontine Management, L.L.C.
200 Park Avenue, Suite 3900
New York, New York   10166

Wellington Management Company LLP            74,600(5)               10.2%
75 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts  02109

Wesley N. Breeze                              7,378(6)                1.0%(12)

A. John Byrne                                20,070(7)                2.7%(12)

Michael Donnewald                            40,948(8)                5.6%(12)

Larry M. Irvin                               16,348(9)                2.2%(12)

W. Harold Monken                             27,898(10)               3.8%(12)

K. Gary Reynolds                             22,819(11)               3.1%(12)

All directors and executive                 145,979                  19.3%(13)
officers as a group (8 persons)

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

(1)  Unless otherwise  indicated,  the nature of beneficial ownership for shares
     shown in this column is sole voting and investment power.

(2)  Based on Amended  Schedule 13G dated  February 10, 1998.  All 74,600 shares
     are beneficially  owned with sole voting and shared investment power. These
     are the same 74,600  shares  reported as  beneficially  owned by Wellington
     Management Company LLP.

(3)  Based on Amended  Schedule 13G dated January 29, 1998, which was also filed
     on behalf of The Berkley Financial Group ("TBFG"),  the parent  corporation
     of John Hancock  Advisers,  Inc.  ("JHA") and a wholly-owned  subsidiary of
     John Hancock Subsidiaries,  Inc. ("JHS"); JHS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
     John Hancock  Mutual Life Insurance  Company  ("JHMLIC");  and JHMLIC.  The
     address of TBFG is the same as the above address of JHA. The address of JHS
     and JHMLIC is John  Hancock  Place,  P.O.  Box 111,  Boston,  Massachusetts
     02117.


<PAGE>


(4)  Based on  Schedule  13D dated  October  24,  1997.  All  84,829  shares are
     beneficially owned with shared voting and shared investment power.

(5)  Based on Amended Schedule 13G dated January 13, 1998. All 74,600 shares are
     beneficially  owned with no voting and shared investment  power.  These are
     the same 74,600 shares  reported as  beneficially  owned by First Financial
     Fund, Inc.

(6)  Of the 7,378  shares  reported as  beneficially  owned by Wesley N. Breeze,
     3,908 are held in joint tenancy with Robyn D. Breeze, his wife, and 572 are
     held by Robert W. Baird & Co.,  Inc.  in trust for the benefit of Wesley N.
     Breeze and Robyn D. Breeze.  Also includes options to purchase 2,070 shares
     of Common Stock under the  Corporation=s  1995 Stock  Option and  Incentive
     Plan.

(7)  Of the 20,070 shares reported as beneficially owned by A. John Byrne, 1,000
     are held by Robert  Thomas,  Inc. in trust for the benefit of  Catherine S.
     Byrne, his wife, 12,500 are held by the Dwight P. Friedrich Trust for which
     Mr.  Byrne acts as trustee  with shared  voting and  investment  power with
     respect to such shares and 2,000 are held by the Dwight P. Friedrich Family
     Trust for which Mr. Byrne acts as trustee with shared voting and investment
     power with respect to such shares.  Also includes options to purchase 2,070
     shares of Common  Stock  under the  Corporation=s  1995  Stock  Option  and
     Incentive Plan.

(8)  Includes  options  to  purchase  2,070  shares  of Common  Stock  under the
     Corporation=s 1995 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.

(9)  Of the 16,348  shares  reported  as  beneficially  owned by Larry M. Irvin,
     1,250 are held by Mathew Irvin,  his son. Also includes options to purchase
     2,070 shares of Common Stock under the Corporation=s  1995 Stock Option and
     Incentive Plan.

(10) Of the 27,898 shares  reported as  beneficially  owned by W. Harold Monken,
     14,503 are held in joint tenancy with Jan Monken,  his wife,  and 5,245 are
     held by Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc. in trust for the benefit of Jan Monken.
     Also  includes  options to purchase  2,070 shares of Common Stock under the
     Corporation=s 1995 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.

(11) Of the 22,819 shares  reported as  beneficially  owned by K. Gary Reynolds,
     313 are held in joint tenancy by Jeanette  Reynolds,  his wife, and Gregory
     Reynolds,  his son, and 313 are held by Jeanette  Reynolds as custodian for
     Kristen  Reynolds,  his daughter.  Also includes options to purchase 10,350
     shares of Common  Stock  under the  Corporation=s  1995  Stock  Option  and
     Incentive Plan.

(12) Percentage is calculated on a partially  diluted  basis,  assuming only the
     exercise of stock options by such individual  which are exercisable  within
     60 days.

(13) Percentage is calculated on a fully diluted basis, assuming the exercise of
     all stock options which are exercisable within 60 days.

                       PROPOSAL I - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS


         The  Corporation's  Board of  Directors  consists of six  members.  The
Corporation's  Certificate of Incorporation  provides that directors are elected
for terms of three years,  one-third of whom are elected annually. Two directors
will be elected at the Meeting to serve for a three-year  period, or until their
respective  successors  have been elected and qualified.  The Board of Directors
has  nominated  for election as  directors  A. John Byrne and K. Gary  Reynolds.
Directors Byrne and Reynolds have both been members of the Board of Directors of
the  Corporation  since its  formation in December,  1994.  Each director of the
Corporation,  including each director nominee, is also a director of the Savings
Bank.



<PAGE>


         If any nominee is unable to serve, the shares  represented by all valid
proxies will be voted for the election of such substitute  nominees as the Board
of Directors may recommend,  or the Board of Directors may by resolution  reduce
the size of the  Board.  At this  time,  the Board  knows of no  reason  why any
nominee  might be unable to serve.  The two  individuals  receiving  the highest
number of votes cast will be elected as directors of the Corporation.

         The  following  table  sets  forth  as to  each  nominee  and  director
continuing in office, his name, age, principal  occupation and the year he first
became a director of the Corporation.  Unless otherwise indicated, the principal
occupation  listed for each person  below has been his  occupation  for the past
five years.
<TABLE>

                                                                                            Year First       Year
                                                                                              Became         Term
            Name                   Age(1)                Principal Occupation               Director(2)     Expires
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>       <C>                                            <C>             <C>    

DIRECTOR NOMINEES

A. John Byrne                        67      Retired since 1996.  Prior to that time he        1988         1999
                                             was an accountant with accounting firm of
                                             Glass & Shuffet, Ltd., Centralia, Illinois

K. Gary Reynolds                     47      President and Chief Executive Officer of          1994         1999
                                             the Corporation and Savings Bank since
                                             1994. Prior to that time, he was an
                                             examiner with the Office of the Comptroller
                                             of the Currency

DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE

Wesley N. Breeze
                                     56      Chairman of the Board of the Savings Bank         1986         2000
                                             and owner and operator of Byrd Watson Drug
                                             Store, Centralia, Illinois

Larry M. Irvin                       57      Owner and operator of Irvin Funeral Homes,        1983         2000
                                             Ltd., Centralia, Illinois

Michael Donnewald                    45      President of Donnewald Distributing Co.,          1990         2001
                                             Centralia, Illinois

W. Harold Monken                     59      President and part-owner of an auto               1983         2001
                                             dealership in Centralia, Illinois
- -------------------------

(1)  At December 1, 1998.

(2)  Includes prior service on the Board of Directors of the Savings Bank.

                 The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR"
                  the election of Directors Byrne and Reynolds
                           for a term of three years.


                MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS


         The Boards of Directors of the Corporation and the Savings Bank conduct
their  business  through  meetings of the full  Boards and  through  meetings of
committees of the Board.  During the fiscal year ended  September 30, 1998,  the
Board  of  Directors  of the  Corporation  held 13  meetings,  and the  Board of
Directors of the Savings Bank held 15 meetings.  No director of the  Corporation
or the Savings Bank attended  fewer than 75% of the total meetings of the Boards
and committee meetings on which such Board member served during this period.



<PAGE>


         The  Corporation  does not maintain any standing  audit,  nominating or
compensation  committee  of its Board of  Directors.  The full Board acts on all
matters  relating to its audit function and the  nomination of  individuals  for
election as directors.  Because all employees of the Corporation and the Savings
Bank are  compensated  only at the Savings Bank level,  all matters  relating to
compensation  are addressed by the Savings  Bank's Board of Directors,  with the
exception  that  matters  relating to the  Corporation=s  1995 Stock  Option and
Incentive Plan (the AStock Option Plan@) and the Corporation's 1997 Nonqualified
Stock Option Plan are addressed by the  Corporation=s  Option Plan Committee and
matters  relating to the  Corporation's  Management  Development and Recognition
Plan (the  "Management  Recognition  Plan") are  addressed by the  Corporation's
Management Recognition Plan Committee.

         The Option Plan  Committee is comprised  of Messrs.  Breeze,  Byrne and
Monken.  The  Management  Recognition  Plan  Committee  is  comprised of Messrs.
Breeze,  Byrne and  Monken.  Each of these  committees  met one time  during the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1998.


                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION


         Summary  Compensation  Information.  The  following  tables  set  forth
compensation information for the fiscal years ended September 30, 1998, 1997 and
1996 with respect to the  Corporation's  and the Savings Bank's Chief  Executive
Officer.  The amounts  reflected in the tables were paid by the Savings Bank for
services  rendered  to the Savings  Bank.  Officers  of the  Corporation  do not
receive any additional  compensation for serving in such capacities.  No officer
or employee of the Savings Bank received  compensation  in excess of $100,000 in
the fiscal year ended  September  30,  1998.  The person  named in the tables is
sometimes referred to herein as the "named executive officer."

</TABLE>
<TABLE>

                                       Annual Compensation             Long-Term Compensation
                                  -----------------------------  --------------------------------------
                                                                 Restricted  Securities              
      Name and                                     Other Annual     Stock    Underlying     All Other  
 Principal Position       Year    Salary   Bonus   Compensation     Award    Options (#)   Compensation
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>    
K. Gary Reynolds          1998    $70,640  $  - -    $    - -    $   - -          - -        $34,755(1)
President and Chief       1997    $70,640  $  900    $    - -    $48,438(2)    25,875        $14,852(3)
Executive Officer         1996    $70,640  $2,500    $    - -    $   - -          - -        $18,914(4)

(1)  Consists  of an ESOP  allocation  of 2,130  shares at  $13.50  per share or
     approximately  $28,755 at the date of  allocation  and $6,000 in directors'
     fees.  The increased ESOP  allocation  for fiscal 1998 resulted  indirectly
     from a one-time significant reduction in the ESOP loan.

(2)  Consists  of an award on October  10,  1996 of 5,175  shares of  restricted
     stock at $9.36 per share (the  market  value per share at such date)  under
     the Corporation=s Management Recognition Plan. Such shares vest over a five
     year  period  from the date of grant with 20%  vesting on each  anniversary
     date of the initial grant date.

(3)  Consists  of an ESOP  allocation  of 785  shares  at  $10.13  per  share or
     approximately  $7,952 at the date of  allocation  and $6,900 in  directors=
     fees.

(4)  Consists  of an ESOP  allocation  of 1,233  shares  at $9.50  per  share or
     approximately  $11,714 at the date of  allocation  and $7,200 in directors=
     fees.



<PAGE>


         The following table sets forth  information  with respect to the fiscal
year end values of  unexercised  options  under the  Corporation=s  Stock Option
Plan.

</TABLE>
<TABLE>
                                                       Number of Securities            Value of Unexercised
                                                       Underlying Unexercised Options  In-the-Money Options
                                                       at Fiscal Year End (#)          at Fiscal Year End (1)
                                                       ----------------------          ----------------------
                         Shares Acquired      Value
        Name             on Exercise (#)    Received     Exercisable    Unexercisable   Exercisable   Unexercisable
- --------------------    ------------------ ----------  -------------    -------------   ------------  -------------
<S>                     <C>                <C>         <C>              <C>             <C>           <C>
K. Gary Reynolds               --             $--          5,175           20,700         $2,018         $8,073
President and Chief
Executive Officer
<FN>

(1)  This amount represents the difference between the market value of one share
     of the  Corporation=s  Common Stock on  September  30, 1998 ($9.75) and the
     option  exercise  price ($9.36) times the total number of shares subject to
     exercisable or unexercisable options.
</FN>
</TABLE>


         Employment  Agreement.  The Savings  Bank  entered  into an  employment
agreement  with K. Gary  Reynolds,  effective  January 1, 1995.  The  employment
agreement  provides  that Mr.  Reynolds  will be employed for a term expiring on
November 30 of each year (the "Anniversary  Date") beginning  November 30, 1995.
The term of the agreement  will be  automatically  renewed for another  one-year
period, unless the Board of Directors of the Savings Bank has given Mr. Reynolds
90 days'  notice  prior to an  Anniversary  Date of its  intent not to renew the
employment  agreement.  Under such circumstances,  the employment agreement will
expire  on the next  Anniversary  Date.  Under  the  employment  agreement,  Mr.
Reynolds's  base salary for fiscal 1998 was $70,640 per year. Mr.  Reynolds will
be entitled  to receive  annually an increase in his base salary in an amount at
least  equal  to the  average  percentage  increase,  if any,  granted  to other
officers and  employees  of the Savings  Bank.  In addition to base salary,  the
agreement   provides   for   participation   in  any  group   health,   medical,
hospitalization,  dental care, sick leave pay, life insurance,  or death benefit
and disability plan offered by the Savings Bank to its employees.  The agreement
also  provides  for  participation  in the ESOP,  the  Corporation's  Management
Recognition Plan and the Corporation's Stock Option Plan.

         The employment  agreement provides for continuing benefits in the event
Mr. Reynolds is terminated,  or his employment  agreement is not renewed,  other
than for "cause" (as defined in the employment  agreement).  In such  instances,
Mr.  Reynolds will receive  severance pay equal to 12 months of his base salary.
If Mr.  Reynolds is terminated  after a change in control but during the term of
the  employment  agreement  and prior to January 1, 2002,  then the Savings Bank
will pay to Mr. Reynolds a sum equal to his last two years of base compensation.
A "change of control" is defined in the employment  agreement as the acquisition
of more than 25% of the Savings Bank's or the Corporation's  outstanding  common
stock,  or the equivalent in voting power of any class or classes of outstanding
capital  stock of the Savings  Bank, by any  corporation,  person or group.  The
employment  agreement  further  provides  that,  within 24 months of a change of
control,  Mr. Reynolds may elect to treat any  substantial  change in his duties
and responsibilities, made without his consent, or any material reduction in his
compensation, as a termination resulting from a change of control.



<PAGE>



                             DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION


         All  directors  of the  Savings  Bank (both  non-officer  and  officer)
receive a fee of $500 for each regular monthly meeting of the Board they attend.
No fees are paid for attending committee meetings.  Directors of the Corporation
do not receive any fees in consideration of their service.


                          TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT


         The Savings Bank makes loans to executive officers and directors of the
Savings Bank and their  affiliates in the ordinary course of its business.  Such
loans  to  executive  officers,  directors  and  their  affiliates  are  made on
substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral,  as those
prevailing at the time the transaction is originated for comparable transactions
with  nonaffiliated  persons and do not,  in the  opinion of the Savings  Bank's
management,  involve more than the normal risk of  collectibility or present any
other unfavorable  features.  As of September 30, 1998,  approximately  $466,450
were  outstanding  from the Savings Bank to executive  officers and directors of
the Savings Bank and their affiliates.


                                    AUDITORS


         The  Board  of  Directors  has  selected   McGladrey  &  Pullen,   LLP,
independent public  accountants,  to be the Corporation's  auditors for the 1999
fiscal  year.  A  representative  of  McGladrey & Pullen,  LLP is expected to be
present at the Meeting to respond to appropriate  questions of stockholders  and
to make a statement if he desires.


                                  OTHER MATTERS


         The Board of Directors of the  Corporation is not aware of any business
to come  before the Meeting  other than those  matters  described  above in this
Proxy Statement.  However,  if any other matters should properly come before the
Meeting,  it is intended that proxies in the accompanying  form will be voted in
respect  thereof in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons voting
the proxies.

         The Corporation's  Annual Report to Stockholders,  including  financial
statements,  has been mailed with this Proxy  Statement to all  stockholders  of
record as of the close of business on November  23, 1998.  The Annual  Report to
Stockholders is not to be treated as part of the proxy solicitation  material or
as having been incorporated herein by reference.



<PAGE>



           NOTICE PROVISIONS FOR STOCKHOLDER NOMINATIONS OF DIRECTORS


         Any  stockholder  wishing to nominate an  individual  for election as a
director must comply with certain provisions in the Corporation's Certificate of
Incorporation.  The  Corporation's  Certificate of Incorporation  establishes an
advance notice procedure with regard to the nomination,  other than by or at the
direction  of the Board of  Directors  of the  Corporation,  of  candidates  for
election as directors.  Generally, such notice must be delivered to or mailed to
and received by the  Secretary of the  Corporation  at the  principal  executive
offices of the  Corporation not later than the close of business on the 40th day
nor  earlier  than the  close of  business  on the 70th day  prior to the  first
anniversary of the preceding  year's annual meeting.  The stockholder  must also
comply with certain other provisions set forth in the Corporation's  Certificate
of  Incorporation  relating to the nomination of an individual for election as a
director.  For a copy of all the provisions in the Corporation's  Certificate of
Incorporation  relating to the  nomination  of an  individual  for election as a
director,  an  interested  stockholder  should  contact  the  Secretary  of  the
Corporation at 200 South Poplar Street, Centralia, Illinois 62801.


                   NOTICE PROVISIONS FOR STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS


         Any stockholder wishing to bring business before an annual meeting must
comply with certain  provisions in the Corporation's  Bylaws.  The Corporation's
Bylaws  establish an advance notice  procedure with regard to certain matters to
be brought before an annual meeting of  stockholders  of the  Corporation  other
than by or at the direction of the Board of Directors of the  Corporation.  Such
notice must be delivered  to or mailed to and  received by the  Secretary at the
principal  executive  offices  of the  Corporation  not later  than the close of
business on the 40th day nor earlier  than the close of business on the 70th day
prior to the first  anniversary  of the  preceding  year's annual  meeting.  The
stockholder  must also comply with  certain  other  provisions  set forth in the
Corporation's  Bylaws  relating to the  bringing  of  business  before an annual
meeting.  For a copy of all the provisions in the Corporation's  Bylaws relating
to the bringing of business before an annual meeting, an interested  stockholder
should  contact the  Secretary of the  Corporation  at 200 South Poplar  Street,
Centralia, Illinois 62801.


             SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE


         Based  solely  on a  review  of  copies  of Form 3, 4 and 5  beneficial
ownership  reports and  amendments  thereto  furnished to the  Corporation,  and
written  representations  that no other reports were required,  the  Corporation
believes  that  its  directors  and  officers   complied  with  all   applicable
requirements  of Section  16(a) of the Exchange Act during the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1998,  except that Larry Griffin,  an officer of the  Corporation,
failed  to  file a Form 3 upon  becoming  an  officer  of the  Corporation.  Mr.
Griffin=s Form 3 holdings were subsequently disclosed on a Form 5 for the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1998.



<PAGE>



              INCLUSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS IN PROXY MATERIALS


         In  order to be  eligible  for  inclusion  in the  Corporation's  proxy
materials  for next  year's  Annual  Meeting of  Stockholders,  any  stockholder
proposal to take action at such  meeting  must be received at the  Corporation's
main  office at 200 South  Poplar  Street,  Centralia,  Illinois,  no later than
August 10, 1999. Any such proposal shall be subject to the  requirements  of the
proxy rules adopted under the Exchange Act.


                                   FORM 10-KSB
A COPY OF THE FORM 10-KSB FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AS FILED
WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE TO
  STOCKHOLDERS AS OF THE RECORD DATE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO K. GARY REYNOLDS,
   PRESIDENT, CSB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC., 200 SOUTH POPLAR STREET, CENTRALIA,
ILLINOIS 62801.



<PAGE>



                                 REVOCABLE PROXY

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

         The undersigned  hereby appoint(s) W. Harold Monken and Larry M. Irvin,
or  either  of  them,  as  proxies  for the  undersigned,  with  full  power  of
substitution, to act and to vote all the shares of common stock of CSB Financial
Group, Inc. that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present
at the  annual  meeting  of  stockholders  to be held at the  Carlyle  office of
Centralia Savings Bank, 801 12th Street, Carlyle,  Illinois, on January 8, 1999,
or at any  adjournments or postponements  thereof.  Said proxies are directed to
vote as  instructed on the matters set forth on this card and otherwise at their
discretion.  Receipt of a copy of the notice of said meeting and proxy statement
are hereby acknowledged.

THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED,  WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN
BY THE UNDERSIGNED  STOCKHOLDER(S).  IF NO DIRECTIONS ARE GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL
BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES LISTED BELOW.

          (Please sign, date and mail in the enclosed return envelope.)

         THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ALL THE NOMINEES
 PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN THE BOX IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER USING DARK INK ONLY :


                                                       For all
Election of Directors                                 Except the
                                      Withhold    Nominee(s) Written
Nominees:                        For  Authority         Below
- ------------------------------- ----- ---------   ------------------- 
A. John Byrne; K. Gary Reynolds  [ ]    [ ]            [ ]              
                                                           -------------

Dated:  ______________  , 199__ 
                                      Signature of Stockholder


                                      Signature of Stockholder (if held jointly)

                                      IMPORTANT:  Please sign exactly as your 
                                      name or names appear on the left.  If 
                                      stock is held jointly,  all joint  owners 
                                      must sign.   Executers, administrators,
                                      trustees, guardians, custodians,
                                      corporate officers and others signing
                                      in a representative capacity should
                                      put their full title.

                                      Please  check  the  following  box  if  
                                      you  plan  to attend the Meeting.  [ ]




© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission