EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT
I, William J. Small, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this Amendment No. 1 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A of First Defiance Financial Corp; and |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
| | |
Date: December 11, 2008 | /s/ William J. Small |
| | William J. Small |
| | Chairman, President and |
| | Chief Executive Officer |
