EXHIBIT 32.3
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                CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
                       AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
             OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 (FURNISHED HEREWITH)

I, James R. Baio,  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Franklin
Resources,  Inc. (the "Company"),  certify, as of the date hereof and solely for
purposes  of and  pursuant  to 18 U.S.C.  Section  1350 as adopted  pursuant  to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

     1.   The  quarterly  report on Form 10-Q of the Company  for the  quarterly
          period ended March 31, 2005 (the  "Report")  fully  complies  with the
          requirements  of  Section  13(a)  or  15(d),  as  applicable,  of  the
          Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     2.   The  information  contained  in the  Report  fairly  presents,  in all
          material respects,  the financial  condition and results of operations
          of the Company at the dates and for the periods indicated.

This  Certification  has not been,  and shall not be  deemed,  "filed"  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

Dated:  May 9, 2005                 /S/ JAMES R. BAIO
                                    -----------------
                                    James R. Baio
                                    Senior Vice President and
                                    Chief Financial Officer