================================================================================ SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ) Filed by the Registrant [_] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [X] Check the appropriate box: [_] Preliminary Proxy Statement [_] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) [_] Definitive Proxy Statement [_] Definitive Additional Materials [X] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12 GREAT WESTERN FINANCIAL CORPORATION - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): [X] No fee required. [_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) 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 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (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: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes: [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] I. CORPORATE PROFILE II. THE AHMANSON STORY III. GREAT WESTERN PROPOSAL IV. EXECUTION RISK V. INVESTMENT SUMMARY 1 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] THIS PRESENTATION CONTAINS CERTAIN FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS WITH RESPECT TO THE FINANCIAL CONDITION, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND BUSINESS OF AHMANSON AND, ASSUMING THE CONSUMMATION OF THE PROPOSED MERGER, A COMBINED AHMANSON/GREAT WESTERN FINANCIAL CORPORATION, INCLUDING STATEMENTS RELATING TO: (A) THE COST SAVINGS AND ACCRETION TO CASH EARNINGS AND REPORTED EARNINGS THAT WILL BE REALIZED FROM THE PROPOSED MERGER; (B) THE IMPACT ON REVENUES OF THE PROPOSED MERGER, INCLUDING THE POTENTIAL FOR ENHANCED REVENUES AND THE IMPACT ON REVENUES OF CONSOLIDATION OF RETAIL BRANCHES AND OTHER OPERATIONS AS PLANNED; (C) AHMANSON'S STOCK PURCHASE PROGRAM; AND (D) THE RESTRUCTURING CHARGES EXPECTED TO BE INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED MERGER. THESE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS INVOLVE CERTAIN RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. FACTORS THAT MAY CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE CONTEMPLATED BY SUCH FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, THE FOLLOWING POSSIBILITIES: (1) EXPECTED COST SAVINGS FROM THE PROPOSED MERGER CANNOT BE FULLY REALIZED OR REALIZED WITHIN THE EXPECTED TIME FRAME; (2) REVENUES FOLLOWING THE PROPOSED MERGER ARE LOWER THAN EXPECTED; (3) COMPETITIVE PRESSURE AMONG DEPOSITORY INSTITUTIONS INCREASES SIGNIFICANTLY; (4) COSTS OR DIFFICULTIES RELATED TO THE INTEGRATION OF THE BUSINESSES OF AHMANSON AND GREAT WESTERN FINANCIAL CORPORATION ARE GREATER THAN EXPECTED; (5) CHANGES IN THE INTEREST RATE ENVIRONMENT REDUCE INTEREST MARGINS; (6) GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, EITHER NATIONALLY OR IN THE STATES IN WHICH THE COMBINED COMPANY WILL BE DOING BUSINESS, ARE LESS FAVORABLE THAN EXPECTED; OR (7) LEGISLATION OR REGULATORY CHANGES ADVERSELY AFFECT THE BUSINESSES IN WHICH THE COMBINED COMPANY WOULD BE ENGAGED. FURTHER INFORMATION ON OTHER FACTORS WHICH COULD AFFECT THE FINANCIAL RESULTS OF AHMANSON AFTER THE PROPOSED MERGER IS INCLUDED IN FILINGS BY AHMANSON WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ("COMMISSION"), INCLUDING A REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 FILED WITH THE COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 18, 1997, AS AMENDED, AND THE COMMISSION FILINGS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN. 2 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] A CONSUMER BANK MARCH 31, 1997 . ASSETS $48.7 BILLION . DEPOSITS $34.4 BILLION . LOANS $45.3 BILLION . MARKET CAPITALIZATION $ 4.0 BILLION . # OF FINANCIAL SERVICE CENTERS / STATES 380 / 3 . # OF LOAN OFFICES / STATES 124 / 9 . MORTGAGE SERVICING $59 BILLION 3 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] BUILDING BLOCKS TO SUCCESS 1994 - ---- New Management Team Assembled Franchise Rationalization and Enhancement 1995 - ---- Stock Buyback Program Initiated Technology Development HOME Run, CPI, Electronic Banking New Initiatives Investment Sales, HOME Run, Consumer Lending 1996 - ---- Business Banking & Cash Management Developed Acquired 61 First Interstate Branches Realize Consumer Lending & Investment 1997 - ---- Improving Credit Quality Accelerated EPS Growth Exceeded 15% ROE Goal Exceeded Efficiency Targets 4 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] FINANCIAL GOALS . ROE - FIRST 15%, NOW 18% . EFFICIENCY RATIO - BELOW 50% . EPS GROWTH . CAPITAL - "WELL CAPITALIZED" 5 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] AHMANSON'S PARADIGM . FILL THE VOID LEFT BY SECURITY PACIFIC AND FIRST INTERSTATE, AND CROCKER TOO . PROVIDE CUSTOMERS WITH A COMPLETE LINE OF CONSUMER AND SMALL BUSINESS BANKING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES . QUALITY SERVICE PROVIDER . CUSTOMER DRIVEN ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY CAPABILITIES . TRUSTED FINANCIAL ADVISOR 6 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] A CONCEPTUAL APPROACH TO AHMANSON'S PROFITABILITY ONE CAN VIEW AHMANSON AS COMPRISING 2 BANKS . Bank A is a high performance consumer bank with growth potential . Bank B has a more traditional thrift balance sheet and can be viewed as a "cash cow" Bank A Bank B ------ ------ Asset size $20 billion $30 billion Assets . Consumer loans . Mortgage loans . Business loans . MBS . Mortgage loans Funding . Checking . Higher cost CD's . Passbook . Borrowings . Money Market . Lower cost CD's ROE potential 25-30% 10-15% 7 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] AHMANSON STRATEGY Grow Bank A: Increase Low Cost Deposits . Consumer Checking . Business Banking . Cash Management Enhance Bank A: Produce Fee Income . Investment and Annuity Products . Bank Services . Cash Management Services . Loan Servicing . Mortgage Banking Loan Sales Shrink Bank B: Originate more mortgages for sale Enhance Bank B: Substitute higher yielding assets . Consumer Loans . Business Loans Enhance Overall Profitability: . Contain expenses . Reduce credit risk . Stock repurchase programs 8 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] GROWTH IN CONSUMER ACCOUNTS ------ 1995 1996 % Change ---- ---- -------- Households 1.2 million 1.4 million 17% Accounts with 45,000 317,000 604% debit cards Checking balances $2.5 billion $3.3 billion 31% 9 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] GROWTH IN OTHER FEE INCOME ------ . 1Q97 annual run rate is $79 million or $0.42 EPS higher than 1995 results [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] ($ in millions) 1Q96 2Q96 3Q96 4Q96 1Q97 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- $27 $31 $34 $44 $46 10 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] MANY SOURCES OF FEE INCOME Q1 Q1 % ($ in millions) 1996 1997 Change ------ ------ ------ Deposit Related . Service Charges $11.4 $22.8 100% . ATM 1.5 2.5 67 . Branch Services 1.9 2.5 32 . Debit Card .2 1.0 400 ------ ------ Deposit Related 15.0 28.8 92 Investment Sales 3.9 7.3 87 Loan Related 7.9 9.6 22 ------ ------ Total $26.8 $45.7 71 11 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] GROWTH IN INVESTMENT PRODUCT SALES ------ AVERAGE DAILY CORE SALES [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] ($ in millions) 1995 1996 1Q97 ---- ---- ---- $0.6 $2.2 $3.5 12 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] GROWTH IN HIGHER MARGIN BUSINESS ------- CONSUMER LOANS FUNDED [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] ($ in millions) Quarters: 1Q96 2Q96 3Q96 4Q96 1Q97 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- $17 $52 $71 $131 $136 13 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] CONSUMER LENDING . OBJECTIVE - GROW ASSET BASE TO $5 BILLION BY THE END OF THE DECADE . COMPLETE PRODUCT LINE STRATEGY OF SECURED AND UNSECURED PRODUCTS . RETENTION OF ONLY "A" CREDITS ON THE BALANCE SHEET . TARGET CUSTOMERS AND CHANNELS - 40% OF AHMANSON'S CURRENT 1.7 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS - NEW CUSTOMERS THROUGH ALL EXISTING CHANNELS AND NEW INITIATIVES 14 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] ASSET ORIGINATION IMPROVING EARNING ASSET COMPOSITION LOAN ORIGINATION MIX 1Q 1995 1997 ------ ------ Real Estate 99% 87% Consumer 1 12 Business 0 1 15 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] COST CONTAINMENT EFFECTIVE G&A MANAGEMENT [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] Quarters: 4Q95 1Q96 2Q96 3Q96 4Q96 1Q97 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- G&A ($ in Millions): $199 $193 $190 $190* $188 $187 *3Q96 excludes SAIF recapitalization and one-time First Interstate acquisition charges 16 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] COST CONTAINMENT IMPROVED EFFICIENCY RATIOS [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] 1995 1Q96 1Q97 ---- ---- ---- Efficiency Ratio: 59% 54% 49% 17 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] ASSET QUALITY . Credit costs down 36% . Loan Loss Reserves strong and stable [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] ($ in millions) 1Q96 2Q96 3Q96 4Q96 1Q97 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Provision 46 34 36 29 24 REO 26 27 25 28 22 Loan Loss Reserves 385 382 398 389 388 18 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] ASSET QUALITY RESIDENTIAL 1-4 FAMILY 60 DAY DELINQUENCIES KEY LEADING INDICATOR OF NONPERFORMING ASSETS [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] 12/95 3/96 6/96 9/96 12/96 3/97 ($ in millions): $144 $134 $134 $121 $121 $100/*/ * 60 Day Delinquencies dropped to lowest level since November 1989 19 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL 1-4 FAMILY 90+ DAYS DELINQUENT [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] 1st QTR96 1st QTR97 PRE86 2.14 1.17 86 2.31 1.44 87 2.67 2.42 88 3.94 2.50 89 4.20 2.79 90 4.74 3.23 91 4.26 3.42 92 3.25 2.02 93 1.31 1.42 94 0.57 0.93 95 0.22 0.64 96 0.00 0.08 20 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] ASSET QUALITY NONPERFORMING ASSETS DOWN 19% LEADING INDICATOR OF CREDIT COSTS [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] 3/96 6/96 9/96 12/96 3/97 ($ in millions): $977 $954 $898 $846 $793/*/ *NPAs dropped to lowest level since November 1990 21 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] COMPONENTS OF CREDIT COSTS FIRST QUARTER 1997 [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] Pre-'93 Post-'92 Total Loans Portfolio Portfolio Peer Group Average ----------- --------- --------- ------------------ % of Loans & REO: 0.40% 0.71% 0.13% 0.20% (a) 1996 average of BVFS, GWF, WAMU, COFI and TCB 22 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] THE VALUE OF FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN ASSET QUALITY ON EPS * Each 10 bps of credit cost improvement adds $0.24 to EPS [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] 10 bps 15 bps 20 bps ------ ------ ------ $0.24 $0.36 $0.48 23 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] ASSET ORIGINATION RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE WHAT WE WON'T DO FOR VOLUME . 0 POINT LOANS WITHOUT PREPAYMENT PENALTIES . DEEP DISCOUNT TEASERS . 40 YEAR TERMS (OVER 60% OF LOANS IN 1994-1995) . UNLIMITED COFI PRODUCTION . EXPENSIVE HOMES TO CERTAIN SELF-EMPLOYED BORROWERS . LAGGING ADJUSTABLES WITHOUT PREPAYMENT PENALTIES IN A RISING RATE ENVIRONMENT 24 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] ASSET ORIGINATION DECAFFEINATING: RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE ORIGINATION MIX 1Q 1995 1997 ---- ---- COFI 68% 11% 12Mat/LAMA 0 49 T-Bill 9 4 Fixed 23 36 25 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] A CONSUMER BANK WITH BUSINESS BANKING CAPABILITY . LARGE, PROFITABLE AND UNDERSERVED SEGMENT . FULLY UTILIZES EXISTING DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM . LEVERAGES STRONG LOYALTY AND NAME RECOGNITION . HIGH ROE . BUILT CAPABILITIES FOR FIRST INTERSTATE ACQUISITION . IN PROCESS OF ROLLOUT TO ENTIRE CALIFORNIA FRANCHISE 26 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] PRODUCT CAPABILITIES MORTGAGE LENDING . SECONDARY MARKET ORIENTATION VS PORTFOLIO LENDER . HOME RUN 90% COMPLETED . 1997 ESTIMATED COST PER LOAN $ 3,000 . ESTIMATED COST PER LOAN AT - $6 BILLION - $ 2,000 - $10 BILLION - $ 1,450 27 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] CAPITAL MANAGEMENT STOCK BUYBACK PROGRAMS 3RD STOCK BUYBACK PROGRAM - ------------------------- AUTHORIZED: NOV. 15, 1996 AMOUNT: $250 MILLION TOTAL STOCK BUYBACKS - -------------------- AUTHORIZED TO DATE: COMMON STOCK $650 MILLION PREFERRED STOCK $175 MILLION ------------ $825 MILLION 28 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] CAPITAL MANAGEMENT COMMON STOCK BUYBACK ACTIVITY -- 16% of Common Stock repurchased since start of programs # Shares Average (millions) Price paid ---------- ---------- Through Dec. 31, 1996 17.0 $26.11 YTD-March, 1997 2.2 $35.06 Programs to date 19.2 $27.11 Remaining authorized $131 million 29 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] 1997 FIRST QUARTER /(1)/ IMPROVED NET INCOME AND EPS PERCENT INCREASE FROM 1996 [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] Dollars Fully-Diluted EPS %: 59% 93% (1) First quarter 1997 includes gain on sale of Arizona branches ($9.5 million or $0.08 EPS) 30 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] REPORTED EARNINGS PER SHARE [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] 1Q97 1Q96 2Q96 3Q96 4Q96 1Q97 Cash ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- $0.45 $0.50 $0.56/(1)/ $0.69/(2)/ $0.79/(3)/ $0.82/(3)/ (1) 3Q96 excludes SAIF recap and First Interstate branch acquisition charges (2) 4Q96 excludes gain on sale of San Antonio branches ($0.05 EPS) (3) 1Q97 excludes gain on sale of Arizona branches ($0.08 EPS) 31 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] ACCELERATED CASH EPS GROWTH Street estimates indicate continued above average growth . Street Estimates CAGR (Cash Earnings) - 1996 to 1998 = 31% - 1996 to 1999 = 23% [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] 1995 1996 1997E 1998E 1999E ---- ---- ----- ----- ----- $1.42 $2.31 $3.35/(1)/ $3.94/(1)/ $4.34/(2)/ (1) Based on First Call estimates, adjusted for goodwill and CDI amortization (2) 1999 reflects 10% growth rate over 1998 First Call estimate, adjusted for goodwill and CDI amortization Note: 1995 excludes goodwill accounting change and gain on sale of New York branches 1996 excludes SAIF recap and First Interstate branch acquisition charges 32 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] FEATURES OF AHMANSON OFFER Exchange Ratio: . 1.20x when AHM stock price is below $41.67 . Floating to provide value of $50.00 to GWF stockholders when AHM is between $41.67 and $45.45 . Exchange ratio of 1.10x when AHM is greater than $45.45 Determination of . The exchange ratio will be fixed based on the Final Exchange average AHM stock price for the 20 trading days Ratio: prior to receipt of OTS approval or through what ever mechanism is agreed upon in a definitive agreement with GWF 33 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] EXCHANGE RATIO ANALYSIS [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] AHM VALUE OF STOCK PRICE GWF SHARES ----------- ---------- 36.00 43.20 36.10 43.32 36.20 43.44 36.30 43.56 36.40 43.68 36.50 43.80 36.60 43.92 36.70 44.04 36.80 44.16 36.90 44.28 37.00 44.40 37.10 44.52 37.20 44.64 37.30 44.76 37.40 44.88 37.50 45.00 37.60 45.12 37.70 45.24 37.80 45.36 37.90 45.48 38.00 45.60 38.10 45.72 38.20 45.84 38.30 45.96 38.40 46.08 38.50 46.20 38.60 46.32 38.70 46.44 38.80 46.56 38.90 46.68 39.00 46.80 39.10 46.92 39.20 47.04 39.30 47.16 39.40 47.28 39.50 47.40 39.60 47.52 39.70 47.64 39.80 47.76 39.90 47.88 40.00 48.00 40.10 48.12 40.20 48.24 40.30 48.36 40.40 48.48 40.50 48.60 40.60 48.72 40.70 48.84 40.80 48.96 40.90 49.08 41.00 49.20 41.10 49.32 41.20 49.44 41.30 49.56 41.40 49.68 41.50 49.80 41.60 49.92 41.70 50.00 41.80 50.00 41.90 50.00 42.00 50.00 42.10 50.00 42.20 50.00 42.30 50.00 42.40 50.00 42.50 50.00 42.60 50.00 42.70 50.00 42.80 50.00 42.90 50.00 43.00 50.00 43.10 50.00 43.20 50.00 43.30 50.00 43.40 50.00 43.50 50.00 43.60 50.00 43.70 50.00 43.80 50.00 43.90 50.00 44.00 50.00 44.10 50.00 44.20 50.00 44.30 50.00 44.40 50.00 44.50 50.00 44.60 50.00 44.70 50.00 44.80 50.00 44.90 50.00 45.00 50.00 45.10 50.00 45.20 50.00 45.30 50.00 45.40 50.00 45.50 50.05 45.60 50.16 45.70 50.27 45.80 50.38 45.90 50.49 46.00 50.60 46.10 50.71 46.20 50.82 46.30 50.93 46.40 51.04 46.50 51.15 46.60 51.26 46.70 51.37 46.80 51.48 46.90 51.59 47.00 51.70 47.10 51.81 47.20 51.92 47.30 52.03 47.40 52.14 47.50 52.25 47.60 52.36 47.70 52.47 47.80 52.58 47.90 52.69 48.00 52.80 48.10 52.91 48.20 53.02 48.30 53.13 48.40 53.24 48.50 53.35 48.60 53.46 48.70 53.57 48.80 53.68 48.90 53.79 49.00 53.90 49.10 54.01 49.20 54.12 49.30 54.23 49.40 54.34 49.50 54.45 49.60 54.56 49.70 54.67 49.80 54.78 49.90 54.89 50.00 55.00 4/25/97 Value of AHM Offer: $42.60 4/25/97 Value of WAMU Offer: $40.84 34 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] KEY MERGER ASSUMPTIONS . STREET AHM AND GWF EARNINGS ESTIMATES . COST SAVINGS OF $454 MILLION OR 46% OF GWF BASE . REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS OF $50 MILLION OR 3% OF GWF BASE - NET INTEREST INCOME FROM CONSUMER LENDING AND BUSINESS BANKING - FEE INCOME FROM RETAIL DEPOSITS, CASH MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENT SALES . CREDIT RESERVE OF $100 MILLION BASED ON WAMU DUE DILIGENCE AND GREAT WESTERN CONCURRENCE . RESTRUCTURING RESERVE OF $450 MILLION (99% OF COST SAVES) 35 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] IMPACT ON AHM STOCKHOLDERS AHM Stock Price $45.50 $43.50 $35.50 Exchange Ratio 1.10x 1.15x 1.20x Reported EPS 1998E $3.35 $3.27 $3.35 1999E 4.25 4.14 4.21 Cash EPS 1998E $4.33 $4.21 $4.10 1999E 5.32 5.18 5.05 36 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] IMPACT ON ACCRETION / (DILUTION) % Accretion (Dilution) ---------------------- Exchange Ratio 1998 1999 -------- ------ ------ Reported EPS AHM = $35.50 1.20x (11)% 1% AHM = $43.50 1.15 (14) (1) AHM = $45.50 1.10 (11) 2 Cash EPS AHM = $35.50 1.20x 4% 16% AHM = $43.50 1.15 7 19 AHM = $45.50 1.10 10 23 37 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] ENHANCED OPERATING PERFORMANCE EFFICIENCY RATIO - ---------------- 1997E 1998E 1999E ----- ----- ----- 45% 39% 35% CASH ROE - -------- 1997E 1998E 1999E ----- ----- ----- 19% 28% 32% 38 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] AHM OFFER CLEARLY SUPERIOR TO GWF STOCKHOLDERS ON AN EPS BASIS AHM Offer WAMU Offer ------------------------ -------------------------- AHM AHM AHM Revised Reasonable Cash Basis $45.50 $43.50 $35.50 Projections Assumptions - ---------- ------------------------ -------------------------- Pro Forma EPS 1998E $4.33 $4.21 $4.10 $4.81 $4.42 1999E 5.32 5.18 5.05 5.89 5.13 Exchange Ratio 1.10x 1.15x 1.20x 0.90x 0.90x ============================================================================ Pro Forma Cash EPS per GWF Stockholder 1998E $4.76 $4.84 $4.92 $4.32 $3.97 1999E 5.85 5.96 6.06 5.30 4.62 ============================================================================ 39 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] AND..... THE PROBLEM WITH THE WAMU OFFER CAN BE SUMMED UP IN JUST TWO LINES $ VALUE OF AHM AND WAMU OFFERS [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] AHM WAMU --- ---- 17-Mar $47.70 $46.01 18-Mar $46.80 $45.45 19-Mar $47.55 $45.45 20-Mar $47.40 $45.45 21-Mar $47.25 $45.11 AHM OFFER 24-Mar $46.95 $45.23 IS $1.76 OR 25-Mar $46.50 $46.07 4.3% HIGHER 26-Mar $46.65 $45.45 27-Mar $44.85 $44.61 31-Mar $43.65 $43.48 1-Apr $44.40 $43.31 2-Apr $43.65 $42.53 3-Apr $43.80 $43.59 4-Apr $42.45 $42.92 7-Apr $42.60 $43.14 8-Apr $44.55 $44.44 9-Apr $44.25 $43.26 10-Apr $44.70 $42.98 11-Apr $42.30 $40.95 14-Apr $42.30 $41.74 15-Apr $44.40 $42.86 16-Apr $43.95 $42.08 17-Apr $43.95 $42.53 18-Apr $43.20 $41.96 21-Apr $42.90 $41.85 22-Apr $43.20 $41.63 23-Apr $43.95 $42.08 24-Apr $43.65 $41.40 25-Apr $42.60 $40.84 THE CHOICE IS CLEAR: THE AHMANSON OFFER PROVIDES GWF STOCKHOLDERS WITH HIGHER MARKET VALUE 40 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] COMPELLING STRATEGIC FRANCHISE . CREATES CONSUMER BANKING POWERHOUSE - SOLIDIFIES, ENHANCES AND DEEPENS POSITION IN CALIFORNIA AND FLORIDA - MAJOR MARKET POSITION IN ALL KEY MARKETS - CREATES 10TH LARGEST U.S. DEPOSITORY INSTITUTION . PROVIDES ADDITIONAL SCALE IN KEY BUSINESSES - MORTGAGE BANKING/SERVICING - SMALL BUSINESS BANKING - RETAIL BANKING AND CONSUMER LENDING - INVESTMENT PRODUCTS . CONSISTENT WITH BOTH AHM'S AND GWF'S STRATEGIC PLANS 41 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] COMPELLING STRATEGIC FRANCHISE - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- At 3/31/97 AHM GWF COMBINED - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets $49 billion $43 billion $92 billion Loans and MBS 45 39 84 Deposits 34 28 62 Loan Servicing 59 50/(1)/ 109 Branches 380 416 796/595/(2)/ Mortgage Lending 124 657/(1)/ 781 and Consumer Finance offices Households 1.7 million 2.7 million/(1)/ 4.4 million Business Customers 82,000 96,000/(1)/ 178,000 (1) Estimated (2) After 201 branch consolidations in California and Florida 42 COMPELLING STRATEGIC FRANCHISE STRENGTHENS AHM'S POSITION AS CA'S THIRD LARGEST INSTITUTION CALIFORNIA'S MOST EFFICIENT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rank Institution Branches Deposits Deposits/Branch Share - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ First Tier Institutions 1 BankAmerica 1,047 $78.1 billion $74.6 million 21% 2 Wells Fargo 680/(1)/ 55.5 81.6 15 3 AHM + GWF 417/(2)/ 50.2 120.4 13 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ * Ahmanson 301 28.4 94.4 8 * Great Western 296 21.8 73.6 6 5 Union BanCal 261 17.9 68.4 5 6 First Nationwide 203 14.0 69.2 4 7 WAMU 158 12.8 81.0 3 8 Glendale 162 9.2 56.6 2 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1) Estimated (2) After consolidation of 180 California branches Source: SNL Securities: as of 6/30/96 adjusted for announced acquisitions 43 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] COMPELLING STRATEGIC FRANCHISE MARKET RANK IMPROVES IN 18 OF 21 OVERLAPPING MSAs CA DEPOSIT MARKET SHARE PRO FORMA MARKET SHARE RANK ------------------------------------ [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] Rank Top 5 CA MSAs* BofA Wells AHM + GWF . #1 1 of 5 ------- ------ --------- . #2 3 of 5 21% 15% 13% . #3 1 of 5 ------ . #1, 2 or 3 5 of 5 Top 10 CA MSAs* . #1 1 of 10 . #2 4 of 10 . #3 3 of 10 ------- . #1, 2, or 3 8 of 10 Source: SNL Securities; as of 6/30/96 adjusted for announced acquisition *Based on population 44 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] COMPELLING STRATEGIC FRANCHISE . TOP 5 MSAS* REPRESENT 62% OF CALIFORNIA POPULATION AND 61% OF DEPOSITS [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] Los Angeles Riverside San Diego Orange County Oakland ----------- --------- --------- ------------- ------- Wells: 9% 10% 18% 13% 14% AHM + GWF: 16% 18% 23% 17% 10% BofA: 20% 20% 18% 18% 31% Rank of AHM + GWF in market: #2 #2 #1 #2 #3 Population (000): 9,324 3,024 2,702 2,615 2,234 Deposits (billions): $123.5 18.2 23.1 $31.8 $29.7 Source: SNL Securities: as of 6/30/96 adjusted for announced acquisitions * Based on population 45 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] COMPELLING STRATEGIC FRANCHISE . CREATES SOUTHEAST FLORIDA'S 4TH LARGEST BANKING INSTITUTION [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] Miami Fort Lauderdale West Palm Beach ----- --------------- --------------- AHM + GWF: 10% 14% 15% Barnett: 13% 18% 15% NationsBank: 13% 17% 10% First Union: 18% 18% 16% Population (000): 2,061 1,434 991 Deposits (billions): $34.5 $22.0 $17.1 Source: SNL Securities: as of 6/30/96 adjusted for announced acquisitions * Based on population 46 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] COMPELLING STRATEGIC FRANCHISE . SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES AHM'S MORTGAGE BANKING BUSINESS - OVER $10 BILLION IN ANNUAL ORIGINATIONS, WITH $109 BILLION SERVICING PORTFOLIO - ENHANCES EFFICIENCY OF ORIGINATION AND DELIVERY SYSTEM - LOW MARGINAL COST OF SERVICING 1996 Pro Forma Rank Single Family Originations California 3rd Florida 3rd National 10th Servicing 7th 47 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] CRITICAL MASS IN 3 KEY STATES TOTAL MAJOR MSAS [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] MSAs in CA, TX, FL ----------- Ahmanson Markets: 26 MSAs in WA, OR, UT, ID, MT -------------- WAMU's Non-CA Markets: 8 Notes: MSAs with over 100,000 households Only includes MSAs where AHM or WAMU has a branch banking presence 48 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] CRITICAL MASS IN 3 KEY STATES TOTAL NON-FARM JOBS [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] (in millions) CA TX FL -- -- -- Ahmanson Markets: 13.0 8.4 6.3 Sum of WA, OR, UT, ID & MT -------------------------- WAMU's Non-CA Markets: 5.8 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Growth by State - Feb 96 - Feb 97 49 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] CRITICAL MASS IN 3 KEY STATES NON-FARM JOB GROWTH [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] (in thousands) CA TX FL -- -- -- Ahmanson Markets: 365 204 201 Sum of WA, OR, UT, ID & MT -------------------------- WAMU's Non-CA Markets: 193 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Growth by State - Feb 96 - Feb 97 50 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] AHM OFFER LOW RISK AHM offer remains predicated on a simple, proven formula: Significant Cost Savings plus Accelerated Stock Repurchase equals Enhanced Shareholder Value: 1. Significant accretion 2. Accelerated EPS growth 51 AHMANSON'S MERGER BENEFITS ASSUMPTIONS CONSERVATIVE - -- PLUS AHM HAS THE IN-MARKET ADVANTAGE [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] (in millions) Revenue Total Merger Cost Savings Enhancements Benefits ------------ ------------ ------------ AHM: $454 $ 50 $504 WAMU: $340 $334 $674 52 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] COST SAVINGS ADVANTAGE CLEARLY BELONGS TO AHMANSON SIGNIFICANT BRANCH OVERLAP ADVANTAGE BRANCHES WITHIN 2 MILES [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] AHM -- overlap in California and Florida: 224 WAMU -- overlap in California only: 101 53 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] AHM+GWF COMBINATION CREATES LARGER AND MORE EFFICIENT CA FRANCHISE [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] NUMBER OF BRANCHES ------------------ --18% larger franchise AHM + GWF 417 WAMU + GWF 354 DEPOSITS/BRANCH (a) ------------------- (in millions) --23% more efficient AHM + GWF $120.4 WAMU + GWF $ 97.7 (a) After branch consolidations: AHM (180), WAMU (100) 54 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] AHM+GWF COMBINATION PROVIDES SUPERIOR CA MARKET SHARE [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] TOTAL DEPOSITS -------------- (in billions) --45% larger base AHM + GWF $50.2 WAMU + GWF $34.6 CA MARKET SHARE --------------- --WAMU/GWF inferior #3 player B OF A 21% WELLS FARGO 15% AHM + GWF 13% WAMU + GWF 9% 55 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] AHMANSON'S REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS PRUDENT WAMU'S ARE SUBSTANTIALLY OVERSTATED Assumed Incremental Revenue Enhancements as a % of GWF Revenue Base/(a)/ [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] % Revenue Enhancements --- -------------------- AHM: 3% $ 50 WAMU: 19% $334 (a) Great Western Financial 1Q 1997 Total Revenues annualized 56 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] AHMANSON'S ACQUISITION EXPERIENCE MORE RELEVANT AHM WAMU ----- ---- Total M&A Transactions/(a)/ 50 15 Total CA Acquisitions 25 1 Total CA Acquisitions Integrated 25 0 CA Bank Acquisitions 1 0 Total CA branches acquired 263 158 Total CA branches consolidated 131 0 (a) Includes acquisitions & divestitures since 1990 57 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] AHMANSON'S PROVEN INTEGRATION CAPABILITY . AHMANSON ACCOMPLISHMENTS / CAPABILITIES - 50 ACQUISITIONS OR DIVESTITURES IN THE LAST 5 YEARS - SUCCESSFULLY INSTALLED, UPGRADED, OR CONVERTED OVER 18 SEPARATE SYSTEMS FOR FI ACQUISITION - SUCCESSFULLY CONVERTED FIRST INTERSTATE HOGAN SYSTEM TO AHMANSON IN-HOUSE SYSTEM IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS - WAMU AND GWF ON RADICALLY DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF HOGAN, SO CONVERSION IS COMPLEX AT BEST - SAME LOAN SERVICING SYSTEM (CPI-ALLTEL) AS GWF AND WAMU - SAME CONSUMER LOAN SERVICING SYSTEM (EDS) AS GWF 58 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] WAMU EXECUTION RISK "PICK YOUR POISON" . COST SAVES OVERSTATED - ABILITY TO ACHIEVE $340MM IN EXPENSE REDUCTIONS . REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS UNACHIEVABLE - ABILITY TO ACHIEVE $334MM IN INCREMENTAL REVENUE - CURRENT LENDING PROGRAMS BY WAMU INCONSISTENT WITH SPREAD CLAIMS - COMBINATION OF AGGRESSIVE COST SAVES AND REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS IS UNPRECEDENTED . INTEREST RATE RISK EXPOSURE HIGH - FIXED RATE LOANS - WHOLESALE FUNDING . QUADRUPLE SIZE OF COMPANY IN 1 YEAR . LACK OF RELEVANT MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE . WAMU TRANSACTION STRUCTURE IS INFLEXIBLE - NO BUYBACK 59 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] COST SAVINGS OVERSTATED . UNPRECEDENTED COST SAVES BY A WIDE MARGIN - WHATEVER THE "COMPARABLE" BENCHMARK . ASSUMES IN-MARKET COST SAVES FOR LARGELY A MARKET EXTENSION TRANSACTION . PROJECTS 75% OF AHMANSON'S COST SAVES DESPITE HAVING LESS THAN ONE-HALF THE BRANCH OVERLAP . AND WITHOUT THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HEADQUARTERS OVERLAP 60 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] WAMU COST SAVINGS OVERSTATED . WAMU'S PROJECTIONS ARE SIGNIFICANTLY OVERSTATED IF COST SAVINGS ARE NORMALIZED TO COMPARABLE TRANSACTIONS - MARKET EXTENSION MERGERS (SEE APPENDIX) == COST SAVINGS OVERSTATED BY $170 MILLION - IN-MARKET MERGERS (SEE APPENDIX) == COST SAVINGS OVERSTATED BY $107 MILLION 61 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] WAMU'S REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS ARE UNACHIEVABLE NET INTEREST INCOME INCREASES OF $246MM OVERSTATED . Majority of loan assets targeted for portfolio retention are low return - Fixed rate loan spreads only 1.15% /(a)/ - COFI loan spreads only 1.35% /(a)/ - Not 1.66% or 1.73% assumed in WAMU pro formas - 84% of WAMU's 1Q 1997 originations were fixed or COFI . Retention of loans originated but previously sold is flawed - Over 80% are fixed rate loans == Low returns if fully hedged == High interest rate exposure . What happens to WAMU's servicing income & gains on sale ? (a) Pre-tax - from WAMU's 4/10/97 Investor Package 62 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] LOAN GROWTH UNACHIEVABLE $ % (billions of dollars) 1Q/96 1Q/97 Change Change ------------------------------------ Old WAMU $1.7 $2.0 $0.3 18 American 1.3 1.5 0.2 15 ------------------------------------ New WAMU $3.0 $3.5 $0.5 17 - ------------------------------------------------ GWF 2.2 - ------------------------------------------------ Pro Forma WAMU $5.7 - ------------------------------------------------ Proposed Q4/97 Change $3.1 - ------------------------------------------------ Proposed Q4/97 $8.8 - ------------------------------------------------ % Increase 54% - ------------------------------------------------ . $3.1B is "over and above" what WAMU/GWF could do on their own . 1Q of ASB experience far short of that reality . Higher interest rates will slow originations 63 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] WAMU ASSUMED FEE INCOME GROWTH UNACHIEVABLE [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] 1997 to 1998 Growth ------------------- GWF 9%* GWF + Enhancements 28% WAMU 13%* WAMU + GWF 11%* WAMU + GWF + Enhancements 21% - - HOW CAN WAMU ACHIEVE FEE PROJECTIONS WITH "TOTALLY FREE CHECKING" PRODUCTS AND OTHER FEE CONCESSIONS ? - - WHERE ARE THE EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE FEE ENHANCEMENTS ? * LEHMAN BROTHERS RESEARCH REPORTS DATED JAN. 6, 1997 FOR WAMU AND JAN. 3, 1997 FOR GWF 64 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] WAMU MERGER CREATES HIGHER INTEREST RATE EXPOSURE WAMU'S RELIANCE ON LOAN ORIGINATION/RETENTION WILL ONLY SERVE TO FURTHER EXACERBATE WAMU'S EXPOSURE: . Balance sheet growth has been and will be funded by wholesale borrowings . More than doubling of originations required will greatly increase exposure to fixed rate loans . WAMU's prior experience in managing interest rate risk was less than stellar for the 12 months following the Pacific First merger . WAMU cannot use share repurchases as a low risk use of excess capital, given pooling of interest accounting treatment BY CONTRAST, AHM'S MERGER BENEFITS ARE NOT THREATENED BY FLUCTUATIONS IN INTEREST RATES: . Accretion primarily predicated upon cost savings and share repurchases . AHM maintains the flexibility of investing capital as opportunities arise . AHM in best quintile of peer group for interest rate sensitivity -- AHM/GWF=LESS INTEREST RATE RISK 65 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] INTEREST RATE RISK/(1)/ [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] --AHM holds less fixed rate assets in portfolio FIXED RATE/TOTAL LOANS ---------------------- AHM: 5% WAMU: 24% --AHM less reliant on wholesale funding WHOLESALE FUNDING/INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES ---------------------------------------------- AHM: 24% WAMU: 43% (1) As of 3/31/97 66 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] WHOLESALE BORROWINGS 1Q 1997 CHANGE - -- WAMU funding loan growth with interest rate sensitive wholesale borrowings [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] (in billions) AHM: ($ 0.9) WAMU: $ 1.1 67 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] AHMANSON'S MANAGEMENT HAS MORE RELEVANT EXPERIENCE FOR GWF MERGER Bank or Consumer Total Finance H.F. Ahmanson Position Experience Experience --------------------- -------------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- Charles Rinehart Chairman & CEO 28 7 Bruce Willison President & COO 24 23 Kevin Twomey Senior EVP & CFO 28 9 Madeleine Kleiner Senior EVP, General Counsel & Secretary 20 18/(1)/ Anne-Drue Anderson EVP, Treasurer & Director of Marketing 12 4 Carl Forsythe EVP, Director of Personal Financial Services 16 12 Nancy Markle EVP, Chief Information Officer 30 4/(2)/ Jan Cloyde EVP, Director of Banking Services 23 22 Will Barrett EVP, Director of Consumer Lending 30 24 Bob McAuslan Chief Credit Officer 24 23 ---------- - -- By contrast, WAMU's executive management has no consumer finance -- experience, and virtually no bank experience. -- (1) Includes 18 years of financial institutions practice at a major law firm. (2) Includes 3 years at a GSE working substantially with banks. 68 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] RELEVANT MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE WAMU AHM ------- ----- California market experience Limited Yes Florida market experience No Yes California credit cycle knowledge Limited Yes Consumer finance expertise No Yes Relevant asset / liability experience No Yes Local executive management No Yes 69 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] INTEGRATION RISK HOW FAR IS TOO FAR? --- IRWINDALE TO CHATSWORTH = 48 MILES SEATTLE TO CHATSWORTH = 1,124 MILES [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] [MAP OF UNITED STATES SHOWING DISTANCE OF SEATTLE TO CHATSWORTH AND IRWINDALE TO CHATSWORTH ALSO MINNEAPOLIS TO NEW YORK 1,233 MILES LITTLE ROCK TO NEW YORK 1,219 MILES ATLANTA TO NEW YORK 870 MILES] 70 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] WAMU'S UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH CREATES SIGNIFICANT RISK WAMU proposes to more than quadruple in asset size in less than 12 months: . Has more than doubled balance sheet with out of market assets . Projected cost savings at GWF and ASB equal to 52% of WAMU's operating expenses in 1996 (Dollars in Billions) ----------------------------------------------------------- WAMU WAMU WAMU Pro Forma % 9/30/96 3/31/97 for GWF Change ----------------------------------------------------------- Offices 317 500 916 189% Deposits $11 $24 $52 373% Assets 22 46 89 305% ----------------------------------------------------------- 71 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] WAMU'S TRANSACTION STRUCTURE IS HIGHLY INFLEXIBLE WAMU'S TRANSACTION LEAVES NO MARGIN FOR ERROR: . INABILITY TO PROFITABLY REDIRECT CAPITAL IN THE EVENT THAT LOAN GROWTH PROJECTIONS ARE EVEN LESS ACHIEVABLE IN A RISING RATE ENVIRONMENT . INABILITY TO OPTIMIZE THE EFFICIENCY OF THEIR CAPITAL STRUCTURE WITH PREFERRED IN PLACE OF COMMON . WILL BE RESTRICTED FROM DIVESTING MATERIAL ASSETS FOR 2 YEARS - ARISTAR - FLORIDA 72 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] A COMPELLING INVESTMENT . CLEAR LOW RISK PATH TO FUNDAMENTAL OPERATING IMPROVEMENT EXISTS . AHM ATTRACTIVELY PRICED, WITH OR WITHOUT GWF . MARKETPLACE DOES NOT APPEAR TO FULLY REFLECT: - REDUCTION IN CREDIT COSTS - SHARE REPURCHASES - GROWING POWER OF NEW CAPABILITIES ON OPERATING EARNINGS 73 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] CLEAR PATH TO OPERATING EARNINGS IMPROVEMENT EXISTS CONTINUED REDUCTION IN CREDIT COST WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE EPS . In addition, significant excess capital will be generated and can be potentially used for share repurchases in 1997 and 1998 Annualized Credit Costs ----------------------------------------------------- Street Estimate 40 bps 30 bps 20 bps -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Implied) Net Income $382MM $382MM $410MM $437MM (Implied) Cash EPS /(1)/ $3.35 $3.35 $3.59 $3.84 (Implied) Cash ROE 17.2% 17.2% 18.5 19.7 (1) Compares to street consensus cash estimates of $3.35 in 1997 We have assumed that Street Estimate credit costs are 40 bps. 74 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] AHM - AN ATTRACTIVELY PRICED INVESTMENT APPLYING MARKET P/E MULTIPLES TO AHM'S ADJUSTED CASH EPS YIELDS VALUES SIGNIFICANTLY IN EXCESS OF CURRENT MARKET PRICE: - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Street Peer Group Implied Stock Premium to Estimate /(1)/ 1997E P/E Price Market - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash EPS $3.35 12.0X $40.25 13% Adjusted for Credit Costs: 40 bps $3.35 12.0X $40.28 13% 30 bps $3.59 12.0X $43.18 22% 20 bps $3.84 12.0X $46.08 30% - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Assumes consensus estimates are based upon projected credit costs of 40 bps. (2) Based on closing prices of 4/25/97. Peer Group includes: BVFS, TCB, GWF, WAMU and COFI 75 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] AHMANSON - AN ATTRACTIVELY PRICED INVESTMENT Assuming AHM were to trade in line with its peers, analysis implies a market price of between $41.38 and $45.67 per share: [GRAPH APPEARS HERE] ROE BVFS GWF AHM COFI WAMU TCB Price/Tangible Book 10.00% 1.58 11.00% 1.67 11.50% 1.72 12.00% 1.76 13.00% 1.84 14.00% 1.93 14.71% 1.98 15.00% 2.02 16.00% 2.11 17.00% 2.20 17.70% 1.92 18.00% 2.29 19.00% 2.38 19.26% 2.39 20.00% 2.46 20.30% 1.92 20.66% 2.54 21.00% 2.55 22.00% 2.64 22.99% 2.72 23.00% 2.73 24.00% 2.82 76 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] AHM - SUCCESSFUL ACQUISITION OF GWF A BONUS REALIZING THE ACCRETION FROM A GWF TRANSACTION WOULD ONLY BE ICING ON THE CAKE FOR AHM'S SHAREHOLDERS AVG 1998 Implied P/E Mult for Implied Stock Premium to Street Estimates Peer Group Price Market - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current Consensus Estimate 1998 $3.94 10.4x $40.81 15% Pro Forma GWF Deal 1998 $4.10/(1)/ 10.4x $42.47 20% - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1) Based upon 1.20x exchange ratio 77 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] APPENDIX 78 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] WAMU/GWF IS PRINCIPALLY A MARKET EXTENSION MERGER Projected Transaction Cost Saves - -------------------------------- ---------- US Bancorp / West One 23% First Union / First Fidelity 18% First Chicago / NBD 15% Boatmens / Fourth Financial 24% National City / Integra 21% Charter One / First Fed 21% WAMU / American Savings 20% First Bank System / First Interstate 22% ---------- Average 20% - ----------------------------------------------------------- Projected Cost Savings: As a % of GWF's total expenses 38% As a % of Average 190% - ----------------------------------------------------------- 79 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] COMPARISON TO IN-MARKET DEALS OVERSTATED Projected Transaction Cost Saves - -------------------------------- ---------- Fleet / Shawmut 44% PNC / Midlantic 30% Chemical / Chase 40% UJB / Summit 48% CoreStates / Meridian 35% Mercantile / Roosevelt 37% Wells / First Interstate 46% Bank of Boston / Baybanks 39% ---------- Average 40% - ------------------------------------------------------ Projected cost savings: As a % of GWF's CA expenses 58% As a % of Average 145% - ------------------------------------------------------ 80 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] AHM/HOME SAVINGS SENIOR MANAGERS Years at Name Position AHM/HSA Prior Bank and Non-Bank Experience - ---- -------- ------- ---------------------------------- Charles Rinehart Chairman & CEO 7 7 years at a major consumer finance company including 5 years as president; 14 years in various positions at a major insurance company Bruce Willison President & COO 1 23 years at a major commercial bank, including 10 years as a commercial bank CEO Kevin Twomey Sr. Exec. Vice President & CFO 4 4 years as CFO of a large thrift; 9 years in various financial positions at large regional commercial banks Madeleine Kleiner Sr. Exec. Vice President, General 2 18 years at a large L.A. law firm working in Counsel & Secretary and Chief the financial institutions practice, partner Administrative Officer for 12 years Anne-Drue Anderson EVP, Treasurer & Director of Marketing 4 4 years of commercial banking, 4 years at a large thrift Carl Forsythe EVP, Personal Financial Services 1.5 9 years at large regional and major commercial banks, 4 years thrift experience and 3 years at a Big Three automotive company in finance positions Nancy Markle EVP, CIO 3 4 years bank and GSE experience, 23 years of information technology experience in various industries Jan Cloyde EVP, Director of Banking Services 1 22 years of commercial banking Will Barrett EVP, Director of Consumer Lending 6 24 years of consumer lending Bob McAuslan Chief Credit Officer .5 23 years of commercial banking 81 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] SHARES OF GREAT WESTERN FINANCIAL CORPORATION ("GWF") COMMON STOCK HELD BY H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY ("AHMANSON"), ITS DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CERTAIN EMPLOYEES, OTHER REPRESENTATIVES OF AHMANSON AND CERTAIN OTHER PERSONS WHO MAY SOLICIT PROXIES OR CONSENTS, AND CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN ANY OF THEM AND GWF Ahmanson and certain other persons named below may solicit proxies (a) to elect three nominees and one or more alternate nominees (the "Nominees") as directors of GWF at the annual meeting of stockholders of GWF to be held on a date to be announced (the "Annual Meeting") and (b) in favor of the adoption at the Annual Meeting of a non-binding stockholder resolution and seven proposals to amend the By-laws of GWF. Ahmanson and certain other persons named below are also soliciting consents from stockholders of GWF to approve proposals, without a stockholders' meeting, to adopt non-binding resolutions of stockholders and amendments to the By-laws of GWF. The participants in this solicitation may include Ahmanson; the directors of Ahmanson (Byron Allumbaugh, Harold A. Black, Richard M. Bressler, David R. Carpenter, Phillip D. Matthews, Richard L. Nolan, Delia M. Reyes, Charles R. Rinehart, Frank M. Sanchez, Elizabeth A. Sanders, Arthur W. Schmutz, William D. Schulte, and Bruce G. Willison); the following executive officers and employees of Ahmanson or its subsidiaries: Kevin M. Twomey (Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer), Madeleine A. Kleiner (Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel), Anne-Drue M. Anderson (Executive Vice President and Treasurer), Tim S. Glassett (First Vice President and Assistant General Counsel), Linda McCall (Senior Vice President and Director of Corporate Taxes), Stephen A. Swartz (Senior Vice President and Director of Investor Relations), Barbara Timmer (Senior Vice President and Director of Government and Legislative Affairs), Mary A. Trigg (Senior Vice President and Director of Public Relations), Eric Warmstein (Senior Vice President and Director of Corporate Development), Samantha Davies (Vice President of Public Relations), Adrian Rodriguez (Vice President of Public Relations), and Peter Bennett (Assistant Vice President of Public Relations); and the following Nominees: Lawrence A. Del Santo, Robert T. Gelber, Wolfgang Schoellkopf, Hugh M. Grant and John E. Merow. 82 [LOGO OF H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY] [LOGO OF HOME SAVINGS OF AMERICA] As of April 25, 1997, Ahmanson is the beneficial owner of 3,550,500 shares of GWF Common Stock. Other than Mr. Gelber, who owns 332 shares of GWF Common Stock, none of the Nominees is the beneficial owner of any GWF Common Stock. Other than set forth herein, as of April 25, 1997, neither Ahmanson nor any of its directors, executive officers or other representatives or employees of Ahmanson, any Nominees or other persons known to Ahmanson, who may solicit proxies has any security holdings in GWF. Ahmanson disclaims beneficial ownership of any securities of GWF held by any pension plan or other employee benefit plan of Ahmanson or by any affiliate of Ahmanson. Ahmanson further disclaims beneficial ownership of any securities of GWF held by Ahmanson or any of its subsidiaries for the benefit of third parties or in customer or fiduciary accounts in the ordinary course of business. Although Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation ("CSFB") and Montgomery Securities ("Montgomery"), financial advisors to Ahmanson, do not admit that they or any of their directors, officers, employees or affiliates are a "participant," as defined in Schedule 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or that such Schedule 14A requires the disclosure of certain information concerning CSFB or Montgomery, CSFB and Montgomery may assist Ahmanson in such a solicitation. Each of CSFB and Montgomery engages in a full range of investment banking, securities trading, market-making and brokerage services for institutional and individual clients. In the normal course of their respective businesses, each of CSFB and Montgomery may trade securities of GWF for their own account and the account of their customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities. As of April 24, 1997, CSFB held a net long position of 5,443 shares of GWF common stock and Montgomery held no shares of GWF common stock. Except as disclosed above, to the knowledge of Ahmanson, none of Ahmanson, the directors or executive officers of Ahmanson, the employees or other representatives of Ahmanson who may participate in this solicitation or the Nominees named above has any interest, direct or indirect, by security holdings or otherwise, in GWF. 83