EXHIBIT 12.1 STATEMENT RE COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For the Twelve Months Ended September 30 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dollars in thousands) 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 - -------------------------------------------- ---------------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- FIXED CHARGES: Real estate Interest and debt expense $ 39,585 $ 42,817 $ 40,819 $ 40,514 $ 41,040 Ground rent -- 69 101 101 109 ---------------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- Total fixed charges for ratio - real estate 39,585 42,886 40,920 40,615 41,149 Banking Interest expense 245,507 238,410 239,815 188,836 189,114 ---------------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- Total fixed charges for ratio - total company $ 285,092 $ 281,296 $ 280,735 $ 229,451 $ 230,263 ================ ================ =============== ================ =============== EARNINGS: Operating income - total company $ 85,689 $ 165,950 $ 61,194 $ 21,935 $ 28,342 Total fixed charges for ratio - total company 285,092 281,296 280,735 229,451 230,263 ---------------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- Total earnings for ratio $ 370,781 $ 447,246 $ 341,929 $ 251,386 $ 258,605 ================ ================ =============== ================ =============== RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 1.3 x 1.6 x 1.2 x 1.1 x 1.1 x ================ ================ =============== ================ =============== Excess of available earnings over fixed charges $ 85,689 $ 165,950 $ 61,194 $ 21,935 $ 28,342 ================ ================ =============== ================ ===============