1














                      1996 ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS
                                 EXHIBIT 13.0


 2


                                        SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
                                         AND OTHER DATA OF THE COMPANY
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          AT DECEMBER 31,
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         1996        1995       1994       1993      1992
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                                                                         
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA:  
  Total assets........................................  $382,361    359,483    350,400    322,548   308,356
  Loans receivable, net...............................   262,431    242,859    238,103    207,627   183,828
  Investment securities...............................    57,127     53,305     55,619     55,596    42,229
  Mortgage-backed securities, net.....................    32,840     31,268     32,626     30,962    52,783
  Trading account securities..........................        --         --         --      7,519     9,829
  Interest-bearing deposits...........................     5,380      7,574      1,535      1,541     2,139
  Deposits............................................   280,434    255,308    235,679    240,845   245,225
  Borrowed funds......................................    55,158     52,658     60,375     26,300     7,320
  Stockholders' equity (1)............................    39,859     45,820     48,409     49,477    49,989
  Book value per share (actual shares outstanding) (2)     15.11      15.31      14.03      13.55     12.53
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         1996        1995       1994       1993      1992
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                                                                         
SELECTED OPERATING DATA:
  Interest income.....................................  $ 27,230     26,870     24,589     24,204    25,170
  Interest expense....................................    15,277     14,391     10,045      8,835    11,696
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net interest income..............................    11,953     12,479     14,544     15,369    13,474
  Less provision for loan losses......................        24         16         30         15        70
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net interest income after provision
       for loan losses................................    11,929     12,463     14,514     15,354    13,404
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Non-interest income:
    Gain on sale of investment securities, mortgage-
      backed securities, and loans receivable.........         4        129        422        165         6
    Insurance commissions.............................       148        140        145        215       243
    Income from joint ventures........................       675        477        455        355       457
    Fees and service charges..........................       179        181        247        522       356
    Other.............................................       301        340        268        487       137
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total non-interest income.....................     1,307      1,267      1,537      1,744     1,199
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Non-interest expense:
    Compensation and benefits.........................     4,320      3,928      3,811      4,142     3,717
    Office occupancy and equipment expenses...........     1,208      1,042        892        844       848
    Insurance premiums................................       827        841        881        806       832
    SAIF special assessment...........................     1,698         --         --         --        --
    Data processing...................................       262        243        225        215       219
    Other.............................................     1,087        970        946      1,021       760
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total non-interest expense....................     9,402      7,024      6,755      7,028     6,376
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Income before income taxes..........................     3,834      6,706      9,296     10,070     8,227
  Income tax expense..................................     1,206      2,174      3,229      3,668     2,879
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net income........................................  $  2,628      4,532      6,067      6,402     5,348
===========================================================================================================
  Primary earnings per share (2)......................  $   0.91       1.31       1.61       1.59      1.26
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Fully diluted earnings per share (2)................      0.91       1.30       1.61       1.59      1.26
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Dividends declared per common share (2).............      0.73       0.68       0.17       0.80        --
===========================================================================================================
(1) The  Association  may not pay  dividends  to the Company on its stock if its
    regulatory  capital would thereby be reduced below (i)  the aggregate amount
    then required  for the  liquidation  account,  or (ii) the  amount of its
    regulatory capital requirements.
(2) All prior share related information has been restated to reflect the 3-for-2
    stock split effect, including earnings per share data.


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 3




                                        SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
                                         AND OTHER DATA OF THE COMPANY

- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         1996        1995       1994       1993      1992
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

                                                                                     
SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS AND OTHER DATA:
  Return on average assets (1)                           0.72%       1.26       1.80       2.03      1.80
  Return on average stockholders' equity (2)             6.30        9.26      12.12      12.49     14.23
  Average stockholders' equity to average assets        11.45       13.67      14.84      16.23     12.64
  Stockholders' equity to total assets                  10.42       12.75      13.82      15.34     16.21
  Interest rate spread during period                     3.08        3.15       4.17       4.74      4.33
  Net interest margin (3)                                3.47        3.68       4.60       5.18      4.79
  Operating expenses to average assets (4)               2.57        1.96       2.00       2.23      2.14
  Non-performing loans to total loans (5)                0.30        0.30       0.24       0.26      0.22
  Non-performing assets to total assets (6)              0.24        0.23       0.21       0.18      0.18
  Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans     92.60       98.69     125.30     124.65    192.58
  Allowance for loan losses to non-performing assets    80.93       92.97     101.79     124.65    142.73
  Net interest income to operating expenses              1.27x       1.78       2.15       2.19      2.11
  Average interest-earning assets to average
    interest-bearing liabilities                         1.09        1.12       1.14       1.15      1.11
  Loan originations                                   $66,603      50,630     67,116     74,133    60,883
  Number of deposit accounts                           22,402      21,080     19,282     19,184    19,739
  Number of offices                                         6           5          5          5         4   
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Return on average  assets was  calculated on an annualized  basis.  The 1996
    ratio would have been 1.00% without the one-time SAIF assessment.
(2) Return  on  average  stockholders'  equity  for  1996  would have been 8.74%
    without the one-time SAIF  assessment.  
(3) Calculation  is based upon net  interest  income  before  provision for loan
    losses divided by  interest-earning  assets.
(4) For  purposes  of  calculating these ratios,   operating expenses equal non-
    interest  expense  less  amortization  of  excess  of  cost  over net assets
    acquired.  The 1996 ratio would have been 2.11%  without  the  one-time SAIF
    assessment.
(5) Non-performing  loans consist of loans 90 days or more delinquent.
(6) Non-performing assets consist of non-performing loans and real estate owned.


                                                                               5

 4

                          MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND
                 ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
                                   OPERATIONS










                                    GENERAL

Southwest Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") was organized on February 11, 1992 as
the holding company of Southwest Federal Savings and Loan Association of Chicago
(the  "Association")  in connection  with the  Association's  conversion  from a
federally  chartered  mutual  to a  stock  savings  association.

The Company's  business  currently  consists of the business of the Association,
Southwest Bancshares Development  Corporation and Southwest Service Corporation.
The Association's  results of operations are dependent primarily on net interest
income,  which is the difference  between the interest income earned on its loan
and investment  portfolios and its cost of funds,  which is the interest paid on
its deposits and borrowings.  The Association's  operating expenses  principally
consist of employee compensation,  office occupancy expenses,  federal insurance
premiums  and other  general  and  administrative  expenses.  The  Association's
results of operations are also  significantly  affected by general  economic and
competitive   conditions,   particularly   changes  in  market  interest  rates,
government  policies and actions of regulatory  authorities.  The Association is
subject to  regulation by the Office of Thrift  Supervision  (the "OTS") and the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC").

Southwest  Service  Corporation (the "SSC") is a wholly-owned  subsidiary of the
Association engaged in real estate development activities and the operation of a
general insurance agency.

Southwest   Bancshares   Development   Corporation  (the  "SBDC"),  an  Illinois
corporation,  was formed  November 19, 1992 as a wholly-owned  subsidiary of the
Company to also engage in real estate development activities.

The Company authorized a 3-for-2 stock split in the form of a 50% stock dividend
distributed  November  13, 1996 to  stockholders  of record on October 22, 1996.
Accordingly, stockholders of record received


6
 5

one additional share for each two shares owned as of October 22, 1996. All prior
share related  information  has been restated to reflect the stock split effect,
including earnings per share data.

                               MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

The Association was originally  organized in 1883 and has operated as a
traditional  thrift  institution  seeking to attract  deposits  from the general
public  and  investing  those  deposits,  together  with  funds  generated  from
operations, primarily in loans on one- to four-family, owner-occupied residences
and mortgage-backed  securities. The Association's strategy has been to maintain
profitability and a strong capital position.  This strategy has been implemented
by  maintaining  a stable core of low cost  transaction  accounts in its deposit
base and managing  growth while  continuing  to serve its depositor and borrower
customers.  

Over the past five years,  the Company's  return on average  assets has averaged
1.52%.  The  Company's  interest rate margin during this five year period ranges
from 3.47% to 5.18%, with an average of 4.34%.

Highlights of the key components of the Association's strategy are as follows:

                                     STABLE
                                  DEPOSIT BASE

The  Association  seeks to  maintain a stable  core  deposit  base by  providing
quality service to its customers  without  significantly  increasing its cost of
funds or  operating  expense  ratios.  The core deposit  base,  passbook and NOW
accounts, totalled $68.0 million, or 24.24% of total deposits and had a weighted
average nominal rate of 2.86% on such deposits at December 31, 1996.

                               HIGH ASSET QUALITY

Management  seeks to  maintain  high  asset  quality  in its loan  portfolio  by
applying  the  Association's  underwriting  standards  which it utilizes for all
originated   mortgage  loans  and  by  purchasing   mortgage-backed   securities
guaranteed by government  sponsored  agencies.  As a result,  the  Association's
ratio of  non-performing  loans to total loans was .30% at December 31, 1996 and
has not exceeded .30% in the last five years.



- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS

[The following table is representative of the pyramid  graph shown in the middle
of page 7 of the Annual Report to Stockholders.]

                            At December 1996
                            ----------------
                                
Other Assets                      7.9%
Mortgage-Backed
   Securities                     8.6%
Investment Securities            14.9%
Loans                            68.6%
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                     MANAGED
                                 DEPOSIT GROWTH

The  Association has managed its deposit growth  primarily  through the selected
pricing of its deposit products.  This has enabled the Association to maintain a
strong  stockholders'  equity to total  assets  ratio,  as well as to invest its
funds on a selective basis. Between December 31, 1992 and December 31, 1996, the
Association's  deposits have increased by $35.2 million, or 14.36%. Total assets
increased during this same time period by $74.0 million, or 24.00%.

                               FIXED-RATE MORTGAGE
                                    INVESTING

The Chicago-area  mortgage market is highly  competitive,  with  adjustable-rate
mortgage  ("ARM")  loans being  particularly  difficult  to  originate  on terms
attractive  to the lender.  Management  believes  that  investment in fixed-rate
mortgage loans improves net interest income as such loans

                                                                               7

 6

generally  are  higher  yielding   compared  to  ARMs,  which  in  order  to  be
competitively  priced to home buyers,  often carry lower  interest  rates in the
early  years of the loan and have  limits  on  interest  rate  increases.  While
management's strategy to invest primarily in fixed-rate mortgages has maintained
profitability, the Association's investment in fixed-rate mortgage loans has had
a negative effect on the  Association's  interest rate gap position.  As part of
its strategy to reduce interest rate risk, the Association  also markets a seven
year term  adjustable-rate  home equity  line-of-credit  loan. In addition,  the
Association  has  invested in  guaranteed  Collateralized  Mortgage  Obligations
("CMOs"),  Federal Home Loan  Mortgage  Corporation  Participation  Certificates
("FHLM PCs"), Federal National Mortgage Association  Participation  Certificates
("FNMA PCs") and Real Estate Mortgage  Investment  Conduits ("REMICs") backed by
ARM loans.

                             INCOME FROM SUBSIDIARY
                                   OPERATIONS

The  Association  has  received   significant   non-interest   income  from  its
subsidiary,  SSC, whose operations include real estate development and insurance
activities.  SSC's  insurance  business is fully  operational  and  earnings are
expected  to be  relatively  stable.  SBDC was formed  November  19, 1992 and is
currently involved in three joint venture developments. In 1996, the income from
all subsidiary  operations  provided over 60% of all non-interest income for the
Company and should continue to provide income in 1997.



- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INTEREST MARGIN

[The following table is representative of the graph shown on page 8 of the
Annual Report to Stockholders.]

          Year Ended December 31,
          -----------------------

1992      1993      1994      1995      1996
- - ----      ----      ----      ----      ----
                              
4.79%     5.18%     4.60%     3.68%     3.47%
 
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                 INTEREST RATE
                              SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

The matching of assets and  liabilities  may be analyzed by examining the extent
to which  such  assets  and  liabilities  are  interest  rate  sensitive  and by
monitoring an institution's interest rate sensitivity gap. An asset or liability
is said to be interest rate  sensitive  within a specific time period if it will
mature or reprice within that time period.  The interest rate sensitivity gap is
defined as the difference between the amount of interest-earning assets maturing
or repricing  within a specific  time period and the amount of  interest-bearing
liabilities  maturing or repricing  within that time period. A gap is considered
positive when the amount of interest rate sensitive assets exceeds the amount of
interest  rate  sensitive  liabilities.  A gap is  considered  negative when the
amount of interest  rate  sensitive  liabilities  exceeds the amount of interest
rate sensitive assets.  During a period of rising interest rates, a negative gap
would tend to adversely  affect net  interest  income while a positive gap would
tend to result in an increase in net interest income. During a period of falling
interest  rates,  a  negative  gap would  tend to result in an  increase  in net
interest income while a positive gap would tend to adversely affect net interest
income.

At December 31, 1996, total  interest-bearing  liabilities maturing or repricing
within one year exceeded total interest-earning  assets maturing or repricing in
the same time period by $49.9 million,  representing  a negative  cumulative one
year gap ratio of 13.04%. Thus, during periods of rising

8

 7

interest   rates,   it  is   expected   that  the  cost  of  the   Association's
interest-bearing  liabilities  would  rise  more  quickly  than the yield on its
interest-earning  assets,  which would  adversely  affect net  interest  income.
Although  in  periods  of  falling  interest  rates the  opposite  effect on net
interest  income is  expected,  the  Association  could  experience  substantial
prepayments  of  its   fixed-rate   mortgage  loans  which  may  result  in  the
reinvestment  of such  proceeds at market  rates which may be lower than current
rates.  Management  currently believes the risk of prepayments is limited due to
the fact that the yield on the loan portfolio approximates current market rates.
The  risk of  prepayment  is  further  minimized  by the  level  of  short-term,
fixed-rate  mortgages  originated  by the  Association;  of all  mortgage  loans
originated by the  Association in 1996,  48.2% have been  shorter-term  mortgage
loans  of 15  years  or  less.  In  addition,  a seven  year  term  home  equity
line-of-credit loan was introduced in September,  1995. Management believes that
given the level of  capital of the  Association  and the  substantial  excess of
interest-earning  assets over  interest-bearing  liabilities,  the increased net
income  resulting  from a mismatch in the  maturity  of its asset and  liability
portfolios  provides  sufficient  returns  during periods of declining or stable
interest rates to justify the increased  vulnerability  to sudden and unexpected
increases in interest  rates.  The Association has taken the above steps to more
closely  monitor its  interest  rate risk as such risk  relates to  management's
strategy.  The  Association's  Board of  Directors  has  established  an  Asset/
Liability  Committee which is responsible for reviewing the Association's  asset
and  liability  policies,  including  interest rate risk.  The  Committee  meets
monthly and reports  quarterly to the Board of  Directors on interest  rate risk
and trends, as well as liquidity and capital ratios and requirements.

The  following  table sets  forth the  amounts  of  interest-earning  assets and
interest-bearing   liabilities  outstanding  at  December  31,  1996  which  are
anticipated by the Company, based upon certain assumptions, to reprice or mature
in each of the future time periods shown.  Except as stated below, the amount of
assets and liabilities  shown which reprice or mature during a particular period
were  determined  in  accordance  with the earlier of term to  repricing  or the
contractual  terms of the asset or liability.  The  Association has assumed that
its passbook  savings,  NOW and money market  accounts,  which  totalled  $107.8
million at December 31, 1996,  are withdrawn at the annual  percentage  rates of
6%,  38%  and  14%,  respectively.  These  withdrawal  rates  are  based  on the
Association's   historical   experience  regarding  deposit  withdrawals.   Loan
prepayments are based on assumptions provided by the OTS.

Certain  shortcomings  are  inherent in the method of analysis  presented in the
table.  For example,  although  certain assets and  liabilities may have similar
maturities  or  periods to  repricing,  they may react in  different  degrees to
changes in market  interest rates.  Additionally,  the interest rates on certain
types of assets and  liabilities  may  fluctuate in advance of changes in market
interest  rates,  while  interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in
market rates.  Furthermore,  certain  assets,  such as ARM loans,  have features
which restrict changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life
of the asset.  Further,  in the event of a change in interest rates,  prepayment
and early  withdrawal  levels  would  likely  deviate  significantly  from those
assumed in calculating the table.

In this current environment of narrowing interest margins,  management continues
to attempt to decrease  the interest  rate  sensitivity  by extending  liability
maturities and shortening the investment portfolio by laddering maturities.

                                                                               9

 8



                                                                         AT DECEMBER 31, 1996
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                   More Than    More Than    More Than   More Than   
                                                 0-3     4-12     One Year to Three Years    Five Years  10 Years    More Than
                                                months   months   Three Years to Five Years  to 10 Years to 20 Years 20 Years  Total
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            (Dollars in Thousands)
                                                                                                     
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS:

Mortgage loans (1).........................   $  21,169     22,404    51,028     39,910        65,388      51,583    7,263  258,745
Other loans (1)............................       6,734         --        --        113            --          --       --    6,847
Interest-bearing deposits..................       5,182        198        --         --            --          --       --    5,380
Mortgage-backed securities.................      19,190      1,076     2,455      1,962         3,320       4,719      776   33,498
Investment securities......................      20,126      8,400    10,004      8,130        11,000          --       --   57,660
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total interest-earning assets..............      72,401     32,078    63,487     50,115        79,708      56,302    8,039  362,130
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LESS:
Unearned discount and deferred fees........        (274)      (290)     (660)      (516)         (845)       (667)     (93)  (3,345)
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net interest-earning assets................   $  72,127     31,788    62,827     49,599        78,863      55,635    7,946  358,785
====================================================================================================================================

INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES:
Passbook accounts..........................   $     732      2,154     2,772      2,599         2,437       2,285   34,338   47,317
NOW accounts...............................       2,253      5,583     6,905      1,844         2,476       1,357      242   20,660
Money market accounts......................       1,479      4,217     5,073      4,325         3,688       3,144   17,844   39,770
Certificate accounts.......................      48,842     65,197    58,648         --            --          --       --  172,687
Borrowed funds.............................       9,708     13,600    28,200      3,650            --          --       --   55,158
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total interest-bearing liabilities.........   $  63,014     90,751   101,598     12,418         8,601       6,786   52,424  335,592
====================================================================================================================================

Interest sensitivity gap...................   $   9,113    (58,963)  (38,771)    37,181        70,262      48,849  (44,478)  23,193
Cumulative interest sensitivity gap........   $   9,113    (49,850)  (88,621)   (51,440)       18,822      67,671   23,193
Cumulative interest sensitivity gap as a
  percentage of total assets...............        2.38%    (13.04)   (23.18)    (13.45)         4.92       17.70     6.07
Cumulative net interest-earning
  assets as a percentage of
  interest-sensitive liabilities...........      114.46%     67.58     65.30      80.79        106.81      123.90   106.91
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) For purposes of the gap  analysis,  mortgage and other loans are reduced for
    non-performing  loans  and  undisbursed  loan  proceeds  but are not reduced
    by  the  allowance for loan losses.  At December  31,  1996,  non-performing
    loans  and  undisbursed  loan  proceeds  totalled $811,000 and $7.2 million,
    respectively.


                              RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS

The following  table  presents the extent to which changes in interest rates and
changes  in  the  volume  of   interest-earning   assets  and   interest-bearing
liabilities have affected the Association's interest income and interest expense
during the periods  indicated.  Information  is provided in each  category  with
respect to (i)  changes  attributable  to changes in volume  (changes  in volume
multiplied  by prior  rate),  (ii) changes  attributable  to changes in the rate
(changes in rate  multiplied  by prior  volume),  and (iii) the net change.  The
changes  attributable  to the  combined  impact  of  volume  and rate  have been
allocated  proportionately  to the  changes due to volume and the changes due to
rate.




- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Year Ended                 Year Ended                 Year Ended
                               December  31,  1995        December  31,  1994         December 31, 1993
                             Compared to Year Ended    Compared to Year Ended      Compared to Year Ended 
                               December  31,  1996        December  31,  1995         December 31, 1994
                            -----------------------    ------------------------    -----------------------
                               Increase (Decrease)        Increase (Decrease)        Increase (Decrease)
                             In Net Interest Income     In Net Interest Income     In Net Interest Income
                            -----------------------    ------------------------    -----------------------
                               Due to                     Due to                     Due to
                            ----------------           -----------------           ----------------
                             Volume    Rate    Net      Volume    Rate     Net      Volume   Rate      Net
                            -----------------------    ------------------------    -----------------------
                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)

                                                                         
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS:
  Mortgage loans, net.......  $ 708    (316)    392     1,632     292    1,924    2,580    (1,688)    892
  Other loans...............    276     (16)    260        58      16       74       13        (5)      8
  Mortgage-backed securities    (69)    (36)   (105)     (127)    195       68     (847)       62    (785)
  Interest-earning deposits.     88      67     155        75      (3)      72      (31)       87      56
  Investment securities.....   (371)     29    (342)      341     (94)     247      650       (39)    611
  Trading account securities     --      --      --      (104)     --     (104)    (358)      (39)   (397)
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total.................  $ 632    (272)    360     1,875     406    2,281    2,007    (1,622)    385
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES:
  Deposits..................  $ 416      76     492     2,738     481    3,219      (63)       54      (9)
  Borrowed funds............    351      43     394     1,048      79    1,127    1,001       218   1,219
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total................   $ 767     119     886     3,786     560    4,346      938       272   1,210
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Net change in net
        interest income....   $(135)   (391)   (526)   (1,911)   (154)  (2,065)   1,069    (1,894)   (825)
============================================================================================================


10


 9
                             AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET

The  following  table sets forth certain  information  relating to the Company's
consolidated  statement  of  financial  condition  at  December  31,  1996,  and
consolidated  statements of financial condition and the consolidated  statements
of earnings for the years ended  December  31, 1996,  1995 and 1994 and reflects
the average  yield on assets and  average  cost of  liabilities  for the periods
indicated.  Such yields and costs are  derived by dividing  income or expense by
the  average  balance of assets or  liabilities,  respectively,  for the periods
shown.  Average balances are derived from average monthly  balances.  Management
does not believe that the use of  month-end  balances  instead of average  daily
balances has caused any material differences in the information  presented.  The
yields and costs include fees which are considered adjustments to yields.



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


                                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At December 31,
                                               1996                     1995                   1994                   1996
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Average                  Average                  Average           Average  
                                     Average          Yield/  Average          Yield/  Average          Yield/            Yield/
                                     Balance Interest  Cost   Balance Interest  Cost   Balance Interest  Cost    Balance   Cost
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                           
ASSETS:
Interest-earning assets:
    Mortgage loans, net............  $248,717  $ 21,311  8.57%  240,500  20,919   8.70  221,706  18,995  8.57    255,584   8.09
    Other loans....................     4,199       363  8.64     1,025     103  10.05      407      29  7.13      6,847   8.70
    Mortgage-backed securities.....    31,939     2,110  6.61    32,977   2,215   6.72   34,968   2,147  6.14     33,374   6.67
    Interest-bearing deposits......     5,929       405  6.83     4,518     250   5.53    3,160     178  5.63      5,380   5.27
    Investment securities..........    53,319     3,041  5.70    59,847   3,383   5.65   53,897   3,136  5.82     57,660   5.87
    Trading account securities.....        --        --    --        --      --     --    1,852     104  5.62         --     --
====================================================================================================================================
        Total interest-earning
          assets...................   344,103    27,230  7.91   338,867  26,870   7.93  315,990  24,589  7.78    358,845   7.57
Non-interest earning assets........    20,274        --    --    19,458      --     --   21,322      --    --     23,516     --
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total assets...............  $364,377        --    --   358,325      --     --  337,312      --    --    382,361     --
====================================================================================================================================
LIABILITIES AND RETAINED EARNINGS:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
    Deposits:
      Passbook.....................  $ 47,124  $  1,441  3.06%   48,072   1,466   3.05   55,485   1,700  3.06     47,317   3.01
      Certificate..................   155,745     8,630  5.54   144,268   8,037   5.57  109,897   4,269  3.88    172,687   5.61
      NOW and money
       market accounts.............    60,549     1,817  3.00    61,759   1,893   3.07   73,628   2,208  3.00     60,430   3.08
    Borrowed funds:
      FHLB advances and other......    52,620     3,389  6.44    47,132   2,995   6.35   38,995   1,868  4.79     55,158   6.36
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total interest-
         bearing liabilities.......   316,038    15,277  4.83   301,231  14,391   4.78  278,005  10,045  3.61    335,592   4.91
Other liabilities..................     6,615        --    --     8,128      --     --    9,235      --    --      6,910     --
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total liabilities..........   322,653        --    --   309,359      --     --  287,240      --    --    342,502     --
Stockholders' equity ..............    41,724        --    --    48,966      --     --   50,072      --    --     39,859     --
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total liabilities and
          stockholders'
          equity...................  $364,377        --    --   358,325      --     --  337,312      --    --    382,361     --
====================================================================================================================================
Net interest income/interest
      rate spread (1)..............        --  $ 11,953  3.08%       --  12,479   3.15       --  14,544  4.17         --   2.66
Net earning assets/net
      interest margin (2)..........  $ 28,065        --  3.47%   37,636      --   3.68   37,985      --  4.60         --   2.99
====================================================================================================================================
Ratio of interest-earning assets to
      interest-bearing liabilities.     1.09x        --    --      1.12      --     --     1.14      --    --       1.07     --
====================================================================================================================================
(1) Interest  rate  spread  represents  the difference  between the average rate
    on  interest-earning  assets   and  the  average  cost  of  interest-bearing
    liabilities.
(2) Net interest margin  represents net interest income before the provision for
    loan losses divided by average interest-earning assets.


                                                                              11
 10

                              FINANCIAL CONDITION

Total  consolidated  assets of the Company at December 31, 1996 increased  $22.9
million,  or 6.36%,  to $382.4 million from $359.5 million at December 31, 1995.
The  increase  in assets is  essentially  related to the  increase  in net loans
receivable of $19.6 million and the $4.6 million increase in U.S. Government and
agency  obligations,  available for sale. The funding for the increase in assets
was provided  primarily by increased  deposits.  

Total cash and cash  equivalents  decreased  $4.2 million,  or 26.39%,  to $11.7
million at December  31,  1996 from $15.9  million at December  31,  1995.  This
decrease is the result of funds being more fully  invested at year end 1996 over
1995.

U.S. Government and agency obligations, available for sale, at December 31, 1996
of $46.6  million,  increased  $4.6  million,  or 10.98%,  from $42.0 million at
December 31, 1995 as a result of securities  purchased during the year exceeding
maturities.

Mortgage-backed  securities,  available for sale,  increased  $1.6  million,  or
5.03%,  to $32.8 million at December 31, 1996 from $31.3 million at December 31,
1995. 

Loans  receivable  increased  $19.6  million,  or 8.06%,  to $262.4  million  at
December 31, 1996 from $242.9  million at December 31, 1995.  The loan portfolio
represents 68.63% of total assets at December 31, 1996.

Other investments,  available for sale,  decreased  $575,000,  or 7.19%, to $7.4
million at  December  31,  1996 from $8.0  million at December  31,  1995.  This
decrease  is   primarily   the  result  of  the  partial   liquidation   of  the
adjustable-rate mortgage portfolio fund.

Investment in joint ventures increased $1.4 million,  or 24.21%, to $7.1 million
at December  31, 1996 from $5.7  million at December  31,  1995.  This  increase
provided funding for an additional joint venture project and the investment in a
low-income senior housing project.

Office properties and equipment increased $257,000, or 9.13%, to $3.1 million at
December 31, 1996 from $2.8 million at December 31, 1995.  This  increase is the
result of the final  equipment and  furnishings for the Orland Park office which
opened in February, 1996.

Prepaid expenses and other assets increased $285,000,  or 5.22%, to $5.7 million
at  December  31, 1996 from $5.5  million at December  31,  1995.  The  increase
primarily  resulted  from a $109,000  overpayment  of current  Federal and State
income taxes, a $68,000 increase in the cash surrender value of  corporate-owned
key person recovery insurance and a $103,000 increase in accounts receivable and
other assets.

Deposits  increased  $25.1 million,  or 9.84%, to $280.4 million at December 31,
1996 from $255.3 million at December 31, 1995. The Association  promoted special
eighteen  and 36 month CDs during the year and  certificate  balances  increased
$27.2  million  while  balances  in  passbook,  NOW and  money  market  accounts
decreased $2.1 million at year end 1996 from the previous year.

Borrowed money, including FHLB advances and other borrowed money, increased $2.5
million,  or 4.75%,  to $55.2 million at December 31, 1996 from $52.7 million at
December 31, 1995.  This resulted as  additional  funds were required to provide
for operating liquidity.

Advance  payments  by  borrowers  for  taxes and  insurance  were  increased  by
$246,000,  or 11.76%, at December 31, 1996 to $2.3 million from $2.1 million the
previous  year.  This resulted  primarily from the increase in the mortgage loan
portfolio.

12

 11


Other liabilities  increased $968,000,  or 26.84%, at year end December 31, 1996
to $4.6 million from $3.6 million at December 31, 1995, primarily as a result of
a note payable to fund a new limited  partnership  which will provide low income
senior citizen housing.

Total stockholders' equity was reduced $6.0 million, or 13.01%, to $39.9 million
at December 31, 1996 from $45.8  million at December 31, 1995.  This decrease in
stockholders'  equity reflects the $8.0 million decrease related to the purchase
of additional treasury stock during 1996, along with the payment of $2.0 million
in dividends  during the year which are  partially  offset by net income of $2.6
million and a $957,000 increase in paid-in capital.

                             COMPARISON OF OPERATING
                              RESULTS FOR THE YEARS
                             ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
                              AND DECEMBER 31, 1995

                                    GENERAL

Net income for the year ended  December  31, 1996  decreased by  $1,904,000,  or
42.01%, to $2,628,000 from $4,532,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995. This
decrease  is  primarily   attributable   to  the  FDIC  special   assessment  to
recapitalize  the Savings  Association  Insurance  Fund (the "SAIF") paid in the
third  quarter of 1996,  as well as an increase in other  non-interest  expense.

                                INTEREST INCOME

Interest income for the year ended December 31, 1996 was $27.2 million  compared
to $26.9  million the previous  year,  an increase of $360,000,  or 1.34%.  This
increase  was a  result  of  the  average  balance  of  interest-earning  assets
increasing by $5.2  million,  to $344.1  million in 1996 from $338.9  million in
1995,  a 1.55%  increase.  This was  partially  offset by the  average  yield on
interest-earning  assets decreasing 0.02% to 7.91% from 7.93% the previous year.
The slight  increase in  mortgage  loan  interest to $21.3  million for the year
ended  December 31, 1996 from $21.0  million the previous year was the result of
the increase in the average  mortgage  loan  portfolio of $8.2 million to $248.7
million in 1996 as compared to $240.5 million in 1995, a 3.42% increase.  Yields
decreased   to  8.57%  in  1996  from   8.70%  in  1995.   Interest   income  on
mortgage-backed securities decreased $105,000, or 4.73%, to $2.1 million for the
year ended  December 31, 1996 from $2.2  million of the prior year.  The average
balance of mortgage-backed  securities declined $1.0 million, or 3.15%, to $31.9
million  in 1996 from  $33.0  million in 1995,  while the  average  yield on the
mortgage-backed  securities portfolio decreased to 6.61% for 1996 from 6.72% the
previous  year,  a  decrease  of 0.11%.  Total  interest  earned  on  investment
securities,  other financial assets, trading account securities and dividends on
FHLB  stock of $3.4  million  for the year ended  December  31,  1996  decreased
$187,000, or 5.15%, from the $3.6 million the previous year. The average balance
of the time deposit and  securities  portfolios  decreased $5.1 million to $59.2
million for 1996 from $64.4  million in 1995,  a 7.95%  decrease.  This  average
balance  decrease of the time deposit and securities  portfolio is the result of
the proceeds of maturities of U.S. Government securities being invested in other
interest-earning assets.

                                INTEREST EXPENSE

Deposit  interest  expense for the year ended December 31, 1996 of $11.9 million
increased  by  $492,000,  or 4.32% from the same period in 1995,  primarily as a
result of the $9.3 million  increase in the average balance of deposit  accounts
and the 0.03% increase in the cost of savings.  The average  certificate deposit
base increased $11.5 mil-

                                                                              13

 12


lion in 1996 to $155.7  million from $144.3  million in 1995 as the  Association
promoted special rate eighteen and 36 month CDs during 1996. Interest expense on
borrowed funds increased $394,000, or 13.16%, to $3.4 million for the year ended
December 31, 1996 from $3.0 million the previous  year.  The average  balance of
total  borrowings  increased  $5.5  million to $52.6  million for the year ended
December  31, 1996,  an 11.64%  increase  from $47.1  million for the year ended
December  31,  1995.  This  increase  was due to  funding  requirements  for new
mortgage  loans and normal  operating  liquidity.  The average  balance of total
interest-bearing  liabilities  increased for the year ended December 31, 1996 by
$14.8  million,  or 4.92%,  to $316.0  million from $301.2  million the previous
year,  while total interest  expense  increased by $886,000,  or 6.16%, to $15.3
million from $14.4 million. The overall increase of 0.05% in the average cost of
funds is attributed to the slight  increase in overall market  interest rates in
general during the period.

                           NET INTEREST INCOME BEFORE
                            PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

Net interest income before provision for loan losses decreased $526,000 to $12.0
million,  or 4.22%,  for the year ended December 31, 1996 from $12.5 million for
the year ended  December 31, 1995.  The average net interest rate spread for the
year ended  December  31, 1996 of 3.08%  decreased  from the 3.15% level for the
year ended  December  31, 1995.  The average  yield on  interest-earning  assets
decreased to 7.91% for the year ended  December 31, 1996 from 7.93% the previous
year  combined  with the  increase in the average  cost of deposits and borrowed
funds to 4.83% for 1996 from 4.78% the  previous  year to reflect the  narrowing
spread  created  by the  overall  general  market  increase  in  interest  rates
experienced during 1996.

                            PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

The provision for loan losses of $24,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996 is
an increase from a provision of $16,000 for the previous  year.  The  cumulative
allowance  for loan losses at year end is $751,000  with the  allowance for loan
losses to non-performing loans being 92.60% on December 31, 1996, as compared to
98.69% at December 31, 1995. The Association  charged off $26,000 of loan losses
in  1996.  Non-performing  loans  totalled  $811,000,  or  .30% of  total  loans
receivable at December 31, 1996 as compared to $764,000,  or .30% of total loans
receivable at December 31, 1995. The provision reflects  management's  policy to
maintain a loan loss allowance  based on its evaluation of the risks inherent in
the loan portfolio and the general  economy.  Although the Association  believes
its  allowance  for losses is at a level  which it  considers  to be adequate to
provide for losses,  there can be no assurance  that such losses will not exceed
the estimated amounts.

                              NON-INTEREST INCOME

Non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 1996 increased slightly,  by
$40,000, or 3.15%, to $1,307,000 from $1,267,000 for the year ended December 31,
1995. The increase in joint venture  income of $198,000 was partially  offset by
the $110,000 decrease in gain on sale of securities, available for sale, and the
$48,000 decrease in miscellaneous income.

                              NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

Non-interest  expense  for the year  ended  December  31,  1996  increased  $2.4
million,  or 33.85%,  from the  previous  year.  The major  factor for the large
increase in  non-interest  expense is insurance  premium expense for the special
FDIC  assessment  of  $1.7  million.  The  $392,000,  or  10.00%,   increase  in
compensation and benefit expenses from the previous year resulted

14

 13

from salary  adjustments  in 1996 which  produced  modest benefit cost increases
along with an adjustment increasing the SERP funding.  Advertising and promotion
expenses  increased $84,000,  or 106.48%,  which relates to the promotion of the
Orland  Park  office and  special  rate CDs in 1996.  Slight  increases  in data
processing  of $20,000 and other  operating  expenses  of $31,000  relate to the
operational costs of the expanded office network.

                               INCOME TAX EXPENSE

Income tax for the year ended  December  31, 1996  decreased  $1.0  million,  or
44.54%,  to $1.2 million from $2.2 million in 1995, as a result of a decrease in
pre-tax earnings.

                            COMPARISON OF OPERATING
                           RESULTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED
                                DECEMBER 31, 1995
                             AND DECEMBER 31, 1994

                                     GENERAL

Net income for the year ended  December  31, 1995  decreased by  $1,535,000,  or
25.30%, to $4,532,000 from $6,067,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994. This
decrease is  primarily  attributable  to the  Association's  narrowing  interest
margins and  management  believes that interest  margins may have  stabilized in
this current interest rate environment.  However,  there can be no assurance how
long this stabilization will continue.

                                 INTEREST INCOME

Interest income for the year ended December 31, 1995 was $26.9 million  compared
to $24.6 million the previous year, an increase of $2.3 million,  or 9.35%. This
increase  was a  result  of  the  average  balance  of  interest-earning  assets
increasing by $22.9  million,  to $338.9  million in 1995 from $316.0 million in
1994, a 7.25%  increase.  In  addition,  the average  yield on  interest-earning
assets  increased  .15% to 7.93% from 7.78% the previous  year.  The increase in
mortgage  loan  interest to $21.0  million for the year ended  December 31, 1995
from $19.0  million  the  previous  year was the result of the  increase  in the
average  mortgage loan  portfolio of $18.8 million to $240.5  million in 1995 as
compared to $221.7 million in 1994, an 8.48% increase.  Yields also increased to
8.70% in 1995 from 8.57% in 1994. Interest income on mortgage-backed  securities
of $2.2 million for the year ended  December 31, 1995  equalled the $2.2 million
of the prior year. The average balance of  mortgage-backed  securities  declined
$2.0  million,  or 5.69%,  to $33.0  million in 1995 from $35.0 million in 1994,
while the average yield on the mortgage-backed securities portfolio increased to
6.72% for 1995 from 6.14% the  previous  year,  an increase  of .58%.  The total
interest  earned on  investment  securities,  other  financial  assets,  trading
account  securities  and  dividends  on FHLB stock of $3.6  million for the year
ended  December  31, 1995  slightly  exceeded the $3.4 million from the previous
year.  The  average  balance  of the  time  deposit  and  securities  portfolios
increased  $5.5 million to $64.4  million for 1995 from $58.9 million in 1994, a
9.26%  increase.  This  average  balance  increase is the result of  investing a
portion of the proceeds  from  maturities  of  mortgage-backed  securities.  The
average yield on total earning  assets  increased to 7.93% in 1995 from 7.78% in
1994.

                                INTEREST EXPENSE

Deposit  interest  expense for the year ended December 31, 1995 of $11.4 million
increased by $3.2 million, or 39.37% from the same period in 1994,  primarily as
a result of the  increase  of $15.1  million in the  average  balance of deposit
accounts  and an  increase  of  1.06%  in  the  cost  of  savings.  The  average
certificate deposit base increased

                                                                              15

 14


$34.4  million  in 1995 to $144.3  million  from  $109.9  million in 1994 as the
Association promoted a special rate eight month CD during 1995. Interest expense
on borrowed  funds  increased $1.1 million,  or 60.33%,  to $3.0 million for the
year ended  December 31, 1995 from $1.9 million the previous  year.  The average
balance of FHLB  advances  increased  $8.1 million to $47.1 million for the year
ended December 31, 1995, a 20.87% increase from $39.0 million for the year ended
December  31,  1994.  This  increase  was due to  funding  requirements  for new
mortgage loans and normal  operating  liquidity.  The average  balances of total
interest-bearing  liabilities  increased for the year ended December 31, 1995 by
$23.2  million,  or 8.35%,  to $301.2  million from $278.0  million the previous
year,  while total interest  expense  increased by $4.4 million,  or 43.27%,  to
$14.4 million from $10.0 million.  The overall  increase of 1.17% in the average
cost of funds is  attributed  to the rising  overall  market  interest  rates in
general during the period.

                           NET INTEREST INCOME BEFORE
                           PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

Net interest income before  provision for loan losses  decreased $2.0 million to
$12.5  million,  or 14.20%,  for the year  ended  December  31,  1995 from $14.5
million for the year ended  December  31, 1994.  The average net  interest  rate
spread for the year ended  December 31, 1995 of 3.15%  decreased  from the 4.17%
level  for  the  year  ended   December   31,   1994.   The  average   yield  on
interest-earning  assets increased to 7.93% for the year ended December 31, 1995
from 7.78% the previous  year while the increase in the average cost of deposits
and borrowed  funds to 4.78% for 1995 from 3.61% the previous  year  combined to
reflect the narrowing  spread created by the overall  general market increase in
interest rates experienced during 1995.

                            PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

The provision for loan losses of $16,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995 is
a decrease  from a provision of $30,000 for the previous  year.  The  cumulative
allowance  for loan losses at year end is $754,000  with the  allowance for loan
losses to non-performing loans being 98.69% on December 31, 1995, as compared to
125.30% at December 31,  1994.  The  Association  charged off no losses in 1995.
Non-performing  loans totalled  $764,000,  or .30% of total loans  receivable at
December 31, 1995 as compared to $589,000,  or .24% of total loans receivable at
December 31, 1994. The provision reflects management's policy to maintain a loan
loss  allowance  based  on its  evaluation  of the  risks  inherent  in the loan
portfolio  and the  general  economy.  Although  the  Association  believes  its
allowance  for losses is at a level which it considers to be adequate to provide
for  losses,  there can be no  assurance  that such  losses  will not exceed the
estimated amounts.

                              NON-INTEREST INCOME

The  decrease in  non-interest  income for the year ended  December  31, 1995 of
$270,000, or 17.57%, is primarily the result of the absence of gains on the sale
of mortgage-backed securities, available for sale, in 1995 as compared to a gain
of $271,000  recorded in 1994.  Increases  in joint  venture  income of $22,400,
gains on the sale of loans, available for sale, of $13,700, miscellaneous income
of $52,300 and the absence of  recording  unrealized  gains or losses on trading
account  securities of $22,000 in 1994 were partially  offset by the decrease in
fees and service charges of $64,200,  insurance  commissions of $5,500,  and the
gain on sale of  investment  securities,  available  for  sale of  $36,100.  The
increase in miscellaneous  income for 1995 was primarily  because of an increase
in insurance income on the SERP.

16

 15

                              NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

Non-interest expense for the year ended December 31, 1995 increased $269,000, or
3.98%,  from the  previous  year.  This  increase  in  non-interest  expense  is
primarily  a result of the  $150,000,  or  16.82%,  increase  in  occupancy  and
equipment expense which is primarily  related to the new leasehold  improvements
at the  Hometown  and 103rd and  Central  offices  and the  $117,000,  or 3.07%,
increase in  compensation  and benefit  expenses  from the  previous  year which
includes the ESOP loan repayments,  partial funding of the RRP approved with the
stock  conversion and modest salary and benefit  increases.  Slight increases in
data processing of $17,800 and other operating expenses of $82,800 relate to the
operational  costs of the expanded  office  network.  Advertising  and promotion
expenses were reduced in 1995 by $52,800 and expenses for insurance premiums and
legal,  audit and  examination  services for the year were also reduced from the
1994 level by $40,600 and $5,200, respectively.

                               INCOME TAX EXPENSE

Income tax for the year ended  December  31, 1995  decreased  $1.0  million,  or
32.68%,  to $2.2 million from $3.2 million in 1994, as a result of a decrease in
pre-tax earnings.

                              LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL
                                    RESOURCES

The  Company's  primary  sources  of funds are the  Association's  deposits  and
proceeds  from  principal  and  interest  payments on loans and  mortgage-backed
securities,  advances  from the  FHLB-Chicago  and proceeds from the maturity of
investments.   While   maturities  and  scheduled   amortization  of  loans  and
mortgage-backed  securities are predictable sources of funds,  deposit flows and
mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates,  economic
conditions  and  competition.  As of December  31,  1996,  the  Association  had
outstanding  loan  commitments  of $8.0  million,  of which  the  majority  were
fixed-rate loans with an average interest rate of 8.66%. The Association is also
committed to fund  adjustable-rate  loan participation  purchases totalling $1.1
million.  Management anticipates that it will have sufficient funds available to
meet its current loan  commitments.  Certificates of deposit which are scheduled
to mature in one year or less from  December 31, 1996 totalled  $114.0  million.
Based upon the Association's experience,  management believes that a significant
portion of such deposits will remain with the Association.

The Company's  cash flows are comprised of three primary  classifications:  cash
flows from operating activities,  investing activities and financing activities.
Cash  flows  from  operating  activities  were $4.8  million  for the year ended
December 31, 1996 as compared to $5.7  million for the same period in 1995.  Net
cash  provided for  investing  activities  was $27.4  million for the year ended
December 31, 1996 as compared to $3.2 million  provided by investing  activities
in the comparable period in 1995. Net cash provided by financing  activities was
$18.5  million for the year ended  December 31, 1996 as compared to $157,000 for
the year ended December 31, 1995.

The  primary  investment  activity  of the  Association  is the  origination  of
mortgage  loans  and  the  purchase  of  mortgage-backed  and   mortgage-related
securities.  The Association  originated $66.6 million in mortgage loans for the
year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to $50.6 million for the same period of
1995.  The Company  invested  $5.0  million in  adjustable-rate  mortgage-backed
securities  during the year ended  December  31, 1996 while no such  investments
were made in 1995. Other investing activities include primarily invest-


                                                                              17
 16

ing in U.S.  Government and agency  obligations which totalled $21.3 million and
$7.2 million for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

The  Association  is  required to maintain  minimum  levels of liquid  assets as
defined  by OTS  regulations.  This  requirement,  which  may be  varied  at the
direction of the OTS depending upon economic  conditions  and deposit flows,  is
based upon a percentage  of deposits  and  short-term  borrowings.  The required
ratio is currently 5%. The Association's  liquidity ratio was 14.74% at December
31, 1996.

The  Association's  most  liquid  assets  are cash and cash  equivalents,  which
include  investments in highly  liquid,  short-term  investments.  The levels of
these assets are dependent on the Association's  operating,  financing,  lending
and investing activities during any given period. At December 31, 1996, cash and
cash equivalents totalled $11.7 million.

The OTS capital regulations  require savings  institutions to meet three capital
standards: a 1.5% tangible capital standard; a 3% leverage (core capital) ratio;
and an 8%  risk-based  capital  standard.  Core  capital  is  defined  as common
stockholders'  equity (including  retained  earnings),  noncumulative  perpetual
preferred stock and related  surplus,  minority  interests in equity accounts of
consolidated   subsidiaries  less  intangibles  other  than  certain  qualifying
supervisory  goodwill and certain purchased  mortgage servicing rights. The core
capital  requirement  was  effectively  increased  to 4% since  OTS  regulations
stipulate that an  institution  with less than 4% core capital will be deemed to
be "undercapitalized". As of December 31, 1996, the Association's actual capital
percentages for tangible  capital of 7.60%,  core capital of 7.60%,  and current
risk-based capital of 15.71% significantly exceed the regulatory requirement for
each  category.   In  addition,   under  the  OTS's  prompt   corrective  action
regulations, the Association is considered a "well capitalized" institution.




- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPTIAL LEVELS (AT DECEMBER 31, 1996)

[The following table is representative of the bar graph shown in the middle of 
page 18 of the Annual Report to Stockholders.]

                          Required         Actual
                          Capital          Capital
                         ---------        ---------
                                      
Tangible                    1.5%             7.6%
Core                        3.0              7.6
Current Risk-
   Based                    8.0             15.7
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


On August 23, 1993, the OTS issued a final rule which sets forth the methodology
for calculating an interest rate risk component that would be incorporated  into
the OTS risk-based  regulatory capital rule effective January 1, 1994.  However,
the effective date has been delayed by the OTS. This  regulation is not expected
to have a material impact on the financial condition of the Association.


                                   DIVIDENDS

The declaration of dividends by the Board of Directors will depend upon a number
of factors including;  investment  opportunities available to the Company or the
Association, capital requirements, regulatory limitations, the Company's and the
Association's results of operations and financial condition,  tax considerations
and  general  economic  conditions.  The  Association  is not  permitted  to pay
dividends  on its capital  stock if its  stockholders'  equity  would be reduced
below the amount required for the liquidation  account or applicable  regulatory
capital requirements. The Board of Directors initiated

18

 17

a program of quarterly dividends in November, 1994 and declared a quarterly cash
dividend of 161/2 cents per share.  This amount was paid for the fourth  quarter
1994 and the first,  second and third  quarters of 1995.  The  dividend  for the
fourth  quarter  of 1995 was  increased  to 18 cents  per  share and was paid in
December,  1995, and the first, second and third quarters of 1996. A dividend of
19 cents per share was declared and paid in the fourth quarter of 1996. Although
the Board  expects to declare  regular  quarterly  dividends  in the future,  no
assurance can be given, however, that any dividends will continue to be paid.

The Company continued its stock repurchase  program by purchasing 446,117 shares
(after restatement for the 3-for-2 stock split) of its common stock during 1996.

                            IMPACT OF INFLATION AND
                                 CHANGING PRICES

The Consolidated  Financial  Statements and Notes thereto  presented herein have
been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted  Accounting  Principles (the
"GAAP"),  which  require the  measurement  of financial  position and  operating
results in terms of historical  dollars  without  considering the changes in the
relative  purchasing  power of money over time due to  inflation.  The impact of
inflation is reflected in the increased cost of the Company's operations. Unlike
most  industrial  companies,  nearly all of the assets  and  liabilities  of the
Company  are  monetary  in nature.  As a result,  interest  rates have a greater
impact on the  Company's  performance  than do the effects of general  levels of
inflation.  Interest rates do not  necessarily  move in the same direction or to
the same extent as the price of goods and services.

                                   IMPACT OF
                              PENDING LEGISLATION

Thrift  Rechartering  Legislation.  The Deposit  Insurance  Funds Act, passed in
September, 1996, provides that the Bank Insurance Fund (the "BIF") and SAIF will
merge on January 1, 1999 if there are no more  savings  associations  as of that
date.  That  legislation  also requires that the Department of Treasury submit a
report to  Congress  by March 31,  1997 that makes  recommendations  regarding a
common financial  institutions charter,  including whether the separate charters
for thrifts and banks should be  abolished.  Various  proposals to eliminate the
federal thrift  charter,  create a uniform  financial  institutions  charter and
abolish  the OTS have been  introduced  in  Congress.  The bills  would  require
federal savings institutions to convert to a national bank or some type of state
charter by a specified  date (January 1, 1998 in one bill,  June 30, 1998 in the
other) or they would  automatically  become  national banks.  Converted  federal
thrifts  would  generally  be  required  to conform  their  activities  to those
permitted for the charter selected and divestiture of nonconforming assets would
be required over a two year period, subject to two possible one year extensions.
State chartered  thrifts would become subject to the same federal  regulation as
applies to state commercial banks.  Holding  companies for savings  institutions
would become  subject to the same  regulation as holding  companies that control
commercial banks, with a limited  grandfather  provision for unitary savings and
loan holding company  activities.  The Company is unable to predict whether such
legislation would be enacted, the extent to which the legislation would restrict
or disrupt  its  operations  or whether  the BIF and SAIF funds will  eventually
merge.

                                                                              19

 18


                                 IMPACT OF NEW
                              ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No. 121 (the  "SFAS No.  121"),
"Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be
Disposed of" is effective for fiscal years  beginning  after  December 15, 1995.
The  statement   requires  that  long-lived  assets  and  certain   identifiable
intangibles to be held and used by an entity be reviewed for impairment whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset
may not be  recoverable.  An  impairment  loss is  recognized  if the sum of the
expected  future cash flows is less than the carrying  amount of the asset.  The
Company adopted SFAS No. 121 effective January 1, 1996, resulting in no material
impact  on  the  Company's   consolidated   financial  position  or  results  of
operations.

Accounting for Mortgage  Servicing Rights.  In May 1995, the Federal  Accounting
Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards
No. 122 (the "SFAS No. 122"),  "Accounting for Mortgage Servicing Rights".  This
statement amends Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 65 (the "SFAS
No. 65"), "Accounting for Certain Mortgage Banking Activities" to require that a
mortgage  banking  enterprise  recognize  as separate  assets  rights to service
mortgage loans for others, however those servicing rights are acquired. SFAS No.
122 requires that a mortgage banking enterprise assess its capitalized  mortgage
servicing  rights for impairment  based on the fair value of those rights.  SFAS
No. 122 is effective for fiscal years  beginning  after  December 15, 1995.  The
Company adopted SFAS No. 122 effective January 1, 1996, resulting in no material
impact  on  the  Company's   consolidated   financial  position  or  results  of
operations.


Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation.  In  October,  1995 the FASB  issued
Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No. 123 (the  "SFAS No.  123"),
"Accounting for  Stock-Based  Compensation".  This statement  establishes a fair
value-based method of accounting for stock options which encourages employers to
account for stock compensation  awards based on their fair value at the date the
awards  are  granted.  The  resulting  compensation  award  would be shown as an
expense on the income statement.  

SFAS No. 123 also  permits  entities  to  continue  to use the  intrinsic  value
method,  allowing  them to continue to apply  current  accounting  requirements,
which  generally  result in no  compensation  cost for most fixed  stock  option
plans.  If the  intrinsic  value  method  is  retained,  SFAS No.  123  requires
significantly expanded disclosure,  including disclosure of the pro forma amount
of net income and earnings per share as if the fair value-based method were used
to account for  stock-based  compensation.  SFAS No. 123 is effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 1995, however,  employers will be required to
include in that year's financial  statements,  information about options granted
in 1995.  The  Company  has  determined  that it will  continue to apply the APB
Opinion  #25 method in  preparing  its  consolidated  financial  statements.  No
options were granted by the Company during 1996 or 1995.


Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial  Assets and  Extinguishments
of Liabilities.  In June 1996, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 125 (the "SFAS No. 125"),  "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing
of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities".  This statement,  among
other things, applies a "financial-components approach" that focuses on control,
whereby an entity  recognizes the financial and servicing assets it controls and
the  liabilities  it has  incurred,  derecognizes  assets when  control has been
surrendered,  and  derecognizes  liabilities  when  extinguished.  SFAS No.  125

20

 19

provides consistent  standards for distinguishing  transfers of financial assets
that are sales  from  transfers  that are  secured  borrowings.  SFAS No. 125 is
effective for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of
liabilities  occurring after December 31, 1996. The Company does not expect this
pronouncement  to  have  a  significant  impact  on its  consolidated  financial
condition or results of operations.  

In December 1996, the FASB issued  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards
No.  127 (the  "SFAS No.  127"),  "Deferral  of the  Effective  Date of  Certain
Provisions  of FASB  Statement No. 125".  The statement  delays for one year the
implementation  of SFAS No.  125, as it relates to (1)  secured  borrowings  and
collateral,  and (2) for the  transfers  of  financial  assets  that are part of
repurchase agreement, dollar-roll,  securities lending and similar transactions.
The Company has adopted portions of SFAS No. 125 (those not deferred by SFAS No.
127)  effective  January  1, 1997.  Adoption  of these  portions  did not have a
significant  effect  on  the  Company's   financial   condition  or  results  of
operations.  Based on its review of SFAS No.  125,  management  does not believe
that  adoption of the portions of SFAS No. 125 which have been  deferred by SFAS
No. 127 will have a material effect on the Company.

The  foregoing  does not  constitute  a  comprehensive  summary of all  material
changes or  developments  affecting  the manner in which the  Company  keeps its
books and records and performs its financial accounting responsibilities.  It is
intended only as a summary of some of the recent pronouncements made by the FASB
which are of particular interest to financial institutions.

                                   STOCK DATA

Southwest  Bancshares,  Inc.'s  common stock is listed under the trading  symbol
"SWBI" and is traded on the Nasdaq National Market. As of February 11, 1997, the
Company had 375  stockholders  of record (not including the number of persons or
entities  holding  stock in nominee or street  name  through  various  brokerage
firms) and  2,639,141  outstanding  shares of common stock  (excluding  treasury
shares).



                                    QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) 
                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1ST QTR.  2ND QTR.  3RD QTR.  4TH QTR.   1ST QTR.   2ND QTR.   3RD QTR.   4TH QTR.
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------------------------------------
                                                               (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                                                                               
Interest income........................   $6,659    6,629      6,840     7,102      6,601      6,719      6,763      6,787
Interest expense.......................    3,640    3,595      3,904     4,138      3,273      3,591      3,766      3,761
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net interest income before provision
  for loan losses......................    3,019    3,034      2,936     2,964      3,328      3,128      2,997      3,026
Provision for loan losses .............        6        6          6         6         --          4          6          6
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net interest income after provision
  for loan losses......................    3,013    3,028      2,930     2,958      3,328      3,124      2,991      3,020
Gain on sale of assets.................       --       --         --         4         82          4         37          6
Income (loss) from real estate operations     --        6         --        --         --         (9)        --          6
Other income ..........................      268      392        366       271        162        279        272        428
Non-interest expense ..................    1,962    1,936      3,636     1,868      1,781      1,726      1,730      1,787
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income (loss) before income tax expense    1,319    1,490       (340)    1,365      1,791      1,672      1,570      1,673
Income tax expense.....................      444      503       (196)      455        640        550        556        428
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income (loss)......................   $  875      987       (144)      910      1,151      1,122      1,014      1,245
=============================================================================================================================

Primary earnings (loss) per share......   $ 0.29     0.34      (0.05)     0.33       0.32       0.31       0.29       0.39
Fully diluted earnings (loss) per share     0.29     0.34      (0.05)     0.33       0.32       0.31       0.29       0.39
Dividends declared per common share....     0.18     0.18       0.18      0.19       0.17       0.17       0.17       0.18
=============================================================================================================================



                                                                              21

 20



                         COBITZ, VANDENBERG & FENNESSY
                          CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
                       7800 WEST 95th STREET - SUITE 301
                         HICKORY HILLS, ILLINOIS 60457

                                     ------

                                 (708) 430-4106




                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

The Board of Directors
Southwest Bancshares, Inc.
Hometown, Illinois



We have audited the consolidated  statements of financial condition of Southwest
Bancshares,  Inc. and  subsidiaries  as of December  31, 1996 and 1995,  and the
related consolidated  statements of earnings,  changes in stockholders'  equity,
and cash flows for each of the three  years in the period  ending  December  31,
1996. These  consolidated  financial  statements are the  responsibility  of the
Company's  management.  Our  responsibility  is to  express  an opinion on these
consolidated  financial  statements based on our audits. 

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable  assurance about whether the  consolidated  financial  statements are
free of material  misstatements.  An audit includes examining,  on a test basis,
evidence  supporting the amounts and disclosures in the  consolidated  financial
statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant  estimates  made by  management,  as well as evaluating  the overall
consolidated  financial  statement  presentation.  We  believe  that our  audits
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated  financial statements referred to above present
fairly,  in  all  material   respects,   the  financial  position  of  Southwest
Bancshares,  Inc. and its  subsidiaries  at December 31, 1996 and 1995,  and the
results of their  operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in
the period  ending  December 31, 1996,  in conformity  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles.


                                               /s/ Cobitz, Vandenberg & Fennessy

                                                   COBITZ, VANDENBERG & FENNESSY

January 31, 1997
Hickory Hills, Illinois


22
 21




                                             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
                                                FINANCIAL CONDITION
       
                                                                          December 31,
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     1996           1995
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    
ASSETS
   Cash and amounts due from depository institutions...............   $  6,299,645    8,294,161
   Interest-bearing deposits.......................................      5,379,942    7,573,736
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total cash and cash equivalents.................................     11,679,587   15,867,897
   U.S. Government and agency obligations,
     available for sale, at fair value (note 2)....................     46,591,063   41,983,359
   Mortgage-backed securities, available for sale,
     at fair value (note 3)........................................     32,840,347   31,267,842
   Loans receivable (net of allowance for
     loan losses: 1996 - $751,443;
     1995 - $753,797) (note 4).....................................    262,430,839  242,858,914
   Foreclosed real estate..........................................        117,258       47,258
   Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago......................      3,108,000    3,318,700
   Other investments, available for sale, at fair value (note 6)...      7,427,738    8,003,176
   Investment in joint ventures (note 7)...........................      7,071,757    5,693,555
   Accrued interest receivable (note 8)............................      2,274,205    2,164,595
   Office properties and equipment - net (note 9)..................      3,079,874    2,822,128
   Prepaid expenses and other assets (note 10).....................      5,740,370    5,455,371
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total assets.............................................    382,361,038  359,482,795
================================================================================================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES
   Deposits (note 11)..............................................    280,433,964  255,308,374
   Federal Home Loan Bank advances (note 12).......................     54,158,265   52,658,265
   Other borrowed money (note 13)..................................      1,000,000           --
   Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance...........      2,334,913    2,089,182
   Other liabilities (note 14).....................................      4,575,098    3,606,788
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total liabilities........................................    342,502,240  313,662,609
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
   Preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized
     1,000,000 shares; none outstanding............................             --           --
   Common stock,  $.01  par  value;  authorized  5,000,000  
     shares;  4,437,720 shares issued and 2,637,461 shares  
     outstanding at December 31, 1996 and  4,347,155  
     shares issued and 2,993,013 shares outstanding at
     December 31, 1995.............................................         44,377       43,471
   Additional paid-in capital......................................     29,140,212   28,182,964
   Retained earnings, substantially restricted.....................     40,256,461   39,517,900
   Unrealized loss on securities available for sale,
     net of income taxes...........................................       (637,191)    (425,487)
   Treasury stock, at cost (1,800,259 and 1,354,142 shares
     at December 31, 1996 and 1995)................................    (28,182,790) (20,171,848)
   Common stock acquired by Employee Stock Ownership Plan..........       (640,000)    (960,000)
   Common stock awarded by Association Recognition
     and Retention Plan............................................       (122,271)    (366,814)
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total stockholders' equity (notes 19 and 20).............     39,858,798   45,820,186
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Commitments and contingencies (notes 21 and 22)
          Total liabilities and stockholders' equity...............   $382,361,038  359,482,795
================================================================================================


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                                                              23

 22




                                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

                                                         YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          1996          1995          1994
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  
INTEREST INCOME:
   Loans...........................................    $21,674,082    21,022,304    19,024,909
   Mortgage-backed securities......................      2,110,016     2,214,700     2,146,572
   Investment securities...........................      2,835,102     3,163,818     3,031,619
   Other financial assets..........................        404,476       250,731       141,080
   Trading account securities......................             --            --       104,810
   Dividends on FHLB stock.........................        206,091       218,386       139,308
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total interest income......................     27,229,767    26,869,939    24,588,298
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTEREST EXPENSE:
   Deposits........................................     11,887,516    11,395,669     8,177,291
   Borrowings......................................      3,388,984     2,994,820     1,867,622
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total interest expense.....................     15,276,500    14,390,489    10,044,913
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Net interest income before provision
           for loan losses.........................     11,953,267    12,479,450    14,543,385
Provision for loan losses..........................         24,000        16,000        30,000
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Net interest income after provision
           for loan losses.........................     11,929,267    12,463,450    14,513,385
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
   Fees and service charges........................        179,243       181,760       245,974
   Insurance commissions...........................        147,759       139,549       145,044
   Income from joint ventures (note 7).............        675,114       477,447       455,014
   Gain on sale of loans, held for sale (note 5)...             --        13,689            --
   Gain on sale of mortgage-backed securities,
      available for sale...........................             --            --       271,040
   Gain on sale of investment securities,
      available for sale...........................          4,313       114,744       150,890
   Unrealized loss on trading account securities...             --            --       (22,018)
   Gain (loss) on sale of real estate owned - net..          6,021        (2,691)          610
   Miscellaneous income............................        294,644       342,625       290,294
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total non-interest income..................      1,307,094     1,267,123     1,536,848
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:
   Compensation, employee benefits and related
      expenses (notes 15, 16 and 17)...............      4,320,335     3,927,849     3,809,943
   Advertising and promotion.......................        163,069        78,976       131,726
   Occupancy and equipment expense (note 9)........      1,208,062     1,042,449       891,549
   Data processing.................................        262,471       242,553       224,790
   Insurance expense...............................        265,311       267,238       323,511
   Federal insurance premiums......................        561,133       573,692       557,984
   SAIF special assessment (note 23)...............      1,698,492            --            --
   Legal, audit and examination services...........        187,105       186,162       191,368
   Other operating expenses........................        736,711       705,753       623,000
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total non-interest expense.................      9,402,689     7,024,672     6,753,871
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income before income taxes.....................      3,833,672     6,705,901     9,296,362
Provision for federal and state income
   taxes (note 18).................................      1,205,811     2,174,336     3,229,836
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Net income.................................    $ 2,627,861     4,531,565     6,066,526
================================================================================================
Earnings per share - primary.......................           $.91          1.31          1.61
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share - fully diluted.................            .91          1.30          1.61
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends declared per common share................           $.73           .68           .17
================================================================================================


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

24

 23




                                                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN
                                                                STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

                                                     THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          UNREALIZED
                                                                           LOSS ON                   COMMON      COMMON
                                                ADDITIONAL                SECURITIES                 STOCK       STOCK
                                      COMMON     PAID-IN      RETAINED    AVAILABLE     TREASURY    ACQUIRED    AWARDED
                                      STOCK      CAPITAL      EARNINGS    FOR SALE       STOCK       BY ESOP     BY RRP      TOTAL
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                        
Balance at December 31, 1993.......  $28,332   27,155,293   31,924,138    (34,700)    (7,140,539) (1,600,000)  (855,900) 49,476,624
3 for 2 stock split on
  November 13, 1996................   14,166      (14,166)          --         --             --          --         --          --
Restated balance at
  December 31, 1993................   42,498   27,141,127   31,924,138    (34,700)    (7,140,539) (1,600,000)  (855,900) 49,476,624
ADDITIONS (DEDUCTIONS) FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994:
Net income.........................       --           --    6,066,526         --             --          --         --   6,066,526
Adjustment of securities to fair
  value, net of tax effect.........       --           --           -- (3,690,464)            --          --         --  (3,690,464)
Exercise of stock options..........      600      399,400           --         --             --          --         --     400,000
Tax benefit related to
  employee stock plans.............       --      242,490           --         --             --          --         --     242,490
Purchase of treasury stock
  (259,509 shares).................       --           --           --         --     (4,069,024)         --         --  (4,069,024)
Amortization of award
  of RRP stock.....................       --           --           --         --             --          --    244,543     244,543
Contribution to fund
  ESOP loan........................       --           --           --         --             --     320,000         --     320,000
Payment of dividends...............       --           --     (581,180)        --             --          --         --    (581,180)
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1994.......  $43,098   27,783,017   37,409,484 (3,725,164)   (11,209,563) (1,280,000)  (611,357) 48,409,515
ADDITIONS (DEDUCTIONS) FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995:
Net income.........................       --           --    4,531,565         --             --          --         --   4,531,565
Adjustment of securities to fair
  value, net of tax effect.........       --           --           --  3,299,677             --          --         --   3,299,677
SFAS 87 adjustment of non-
  qualified pension plan,
  net of tax effect................       --           --     (201,991)        --             --          --         --    (201,991)
Exercise of stock options..........      373      248,627           --         --             --          --         --     249,000
Tax benefit related to
  employee stock plans.............       --      151,320           --         --             --          --         --     151,320
Purchase of treasury stock
  (495,367 shares).................       --           --           --         --     (8,962,285)         --         --  (8,962,285)
Amortization of award
  of RRP stock.....................       --           --           --         --             --          --    244,543     244,543
Contribution to fund
  ESOP loan........................       --           --           --         --             --     320,000         --     320,000
Payment of dividends...............       --           --   (2,221,158)        --             --          --         --  (2,221,158)
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1995.......  $43,471   28,182,964   39,517,900   (425,487)   (20,171,848)   (960,000)  (366,814) 45,820,186
ADDITIONS (DEDUCTIONS) FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996:
Net income.........................       --           --    2,627,861         --             --          --         --   2,627,861
Adjustment of securities to fair
  value, net of tax effect.........       --           --           --   (211,704)            --          --         --    (211,704)
SFAS 87 adjustment of non-
  qualified pension plan,
  net of tax effect................       --           --      107,510         --             --          --         --     107,510
Exercise of stock options..........      906      602,867           --         --             --          --         --     603,773
Tax benefit related to
  employee stock plans.............       --      354,381           --         --             --          --         --     354,381
Purchase of treasury stock
  (446,117 shares).................       --           --           --         --     (8,010,942)         --         --  (8,010,942)
Amortization of award
  of RRP stock.....................       --           --           --         --             --          --    244,543     244,543
Contribution to fund
  ESOP loan........................       --           --           --         --             --     320,000         --     320,000
Payment of dividends...............       --           --   (1,995,943)        --             --          --         --  (1,995,943)
3 for 2 stock split related to
  fractional shares................       --           --         (867)        --             --          --         --        (867)
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1996.......  $44,377   29,140,212   40,256,461   (637,191)   (28,182,790)   (640,000)  (122,271) 39,858,798
====================================================================================================================================


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                                                              25
 
 24





                                            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                                                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           1996          1995          1994
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 
CASH  FLOWS  FROM  OPERATING  ACTIVITIES:  
   Net  income...................................................       $2,627,861    4,531,565     6,066,526
   Adjustments  to reconcile net income to net cash 
   from operating activities:
       Depreciation..............................................          388,966      300,571       248,213
       Amortization of cost of stock benefit plans...............          564,543      564,543       564,543
       Net gain on sale of mortgage-backed securities,
          available for sale.....................................               --           --      (271,040)
       Net gain on sale of investment securities, available  
          for  sale..............................................           (4,313)    (114,744)     (150,890) 
       Net gain on sale of loans, held for sale..................               --      (13,689)           -- 
       Net (gain) loss on sale of real estate owned..............           (6,021)       2,691          (610)
       Provision  for loan losses................................           24,000       16,000        30,000
       Unrealized loss on trading account securities.............               --           --        22,018 
       Decrease in prepaid and deferred federal and state
          income taxes...........................................          352,071      457,283       488,291
       (Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable........         (109,610)     132,467      (274,596)
       Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable...........          (15,776)      56,187       243,374
       Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividend.....................               --      (49,900)           --
       Increase in other assets..................................         (273,368)    (404,902)     (561,210)
       Increase (decrease) in other liabilities..................        1,229,387      181,723      (372,073)
       Proceeds from maturities of trading account securities....               --           --       414,854
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities........................        4,777,740    5,659,795     6,447,400
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
       Purchase of mortgage-backed securities....................               --           --   (12,161,227)  
       Purchase of mortgage-backed securities, available 
          for sale...............................................       (4,969,275)          --            --
       Purchase of investment  securities,  available for sale...      (21,314,377)  (7,213,279)  (11,731,497) 
       Purchase of stock in Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago....         (476,000)    (100,000)   (1,176,500)  
       Proceeds from sale of mortgage-backed securities,
          available for sale.....................................               --           --     5,397,576
       Proceeds from maturities of mortgage-backed securities....               --      728,867     1,303,079
       Proceeds from maturities of mortgage-backed securities,
          available for sale.....................................        2,992,376    1,852,007     7,761,181
       Proceeds from sale of investment securities, available 
          for sale...............................................        4,065,375    3,782,625     8,887,203
       Proceeds from maturities of investment securities,
          available for sale.....................................       13,266,627   10,377,440     1,042,076
       Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
          stock redemption.......................................          686,700           --       217,400
       Proceeds from sale of loans, held for sale................               --    3,182,400            --
       Loan disbursements........................................      (66,239,478) (49,912,726)  (67,183,513)
       Loan repayments...........................................       50,498,285   40,205,529    36,513,514
       Participation loans purchased.............................       (6,006,504)          --            --
       Participation loans sold..................................        2,008,115    1,610,958            --
       Property and equipment expenditures.......................         (646,712)  (1,620,558)     (463,336)
       Proceeds from sale of real estate owned...................           79,678      241,789        29,458
       Investment in joint ventures..............................       (1,378,202)      84,527       327,378
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (for) investing activities..................      (27,433,392)   3,219,579   (31,237,208)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


26

 25





                                          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

                                                                             YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    1996             1995          1994
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
      Proceeds from exercise of stock options.................. $     603,773       249,000       400,000
      Deposit receipts.........................................   379,691,186   346,859,169   304,166,123
      Deposit withdrawals......................................  (365,339,561) (337,572,123) (316,791,000)
      Interest credited to deposit accounts....................    10,773,965    10,342,591     7,459,755
      Proceeds of borrowed money...............................    20,500,000    72,758,265    70,175,000
      Repayment of borrowed money..............................   (18,000,000)  (80,475,000)  (36,100,000)
      Increase (decrease) in advance payments by borrowers
         for taxes and insurance...............................       245,731      (821,040)      184,926
      Purchase of treasury stock...............................    (8,010,942)   (8,962,285)   (4,069,024)
      Dividends paid on common stock...........................    (1,996,810)   (2,221,158)     (581,180)
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by financing activities......................    18,467,342       157,419    24,844,600
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents...............    (4,188,310)    9,036,793        54,792
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year.................    15,867,897     6,831,104     6,776,312
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year....................... $  11,679,587    15,867,897     6,831,104
============================================================================================================
CASH PAID DURING THE YEAR FOR:
      Interest................................................. $  15,292,276    14,334,302     9,801,539
      Income taxes.............................................       853,736     1,717,461     2,694,628
NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
      Transfer of loans to foreclosed real estate.............. $     134,356       155,505       162,060
============================================================================================================


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                                                              27


 26


                  SOUTHWEST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED

                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1)    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

Southwest   Bancshares,   Inc.  (the   "Company")  is  a  Delaware   corporation
incorporated  on February  11, 1992 for the purpose of becoming  the savings and
loan holding  company for  Southwest  Federal  Savings and Loan  Association  of
Chicago (the "Association").  On June 23, 1992, the Association converted from a
mutual to a stock form of  ownership,  and the  Company  completed  its  initial
public  offering,  and,  with a portion of the net proceeds  acquired all of the
issued and outstanding capital stock of the Association.

The  accounting  and  reporting  policies of the  Company  and its  subsidiaries
conform to generally  accepted  accounting  principles  and to general  practice
within  the  thrift  industry.   The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in
conformity with generally accepted accounting  principles requires management to
make estimates and  assumptions  that affect the reported  amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosures of contingent  assets and liabilities at the date of
the  financial  statements  and the  reported  amounts of revenues  and expenses
during the reporting  period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The  following  is a  description  of the more  significant  policies  which the
Company  follows  in  preparing  and  presenting  its   consolidated   financial
statements.

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statementsist  of the accounts ofthe
Company,    and   its   wholly-owned    subsidiaries,    Southwest    Bancshares
Development Corporation and Southwest  Federal  Savings and Loan  Association of
Chicago,  and  the  Association's  wholly-owned  subsidiary,  Southwest  Service
Corporation.  Significant  intercompany  balances  and  transactions  have  been
eliminated in consolidation.

INVESTMENT SECURITIES,  AVAILABLE FOR SALE 
Investment  securities  available  for  sale are  recorded  in  accordance  with
Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards  ("SFAS") No. 115  "Accounting for
Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities". SFAS 115 requires the use of
fair value  accounting for securities  available for sale or trading and retains
the use of the  amortized  cost  method  for  investments  the  Company  has the
positive intent and ability to hold to maturity.

SFAS 115 requires the  classification  of debt and equity securities into one of
three  categories:  held to maturity,  available for sale,  or trading.  Held to
maturity securities are measured at amortized cost.  Unrealized gains and losses
on trading  securities  are included in income.  Unrealized  gains and losses on
available for sale securities are excluded from income and reported net of taxes
as a separate component of stockholders' equity.

The  Company  has  designated  its  investments  in U.S.  Government  and agency
obligations,  mortgage-backed securities, and equity securities as available for
sale,  and  has  recorded  these  investments  at  their  current  fair  values.
Unrealized  gains and  losses  are  recorded  in a  valuation  account  which is
included,  net of income taxes, as a separate component of stockholders' equity.
Gains and losses on the sale of available  for sale  securities  are  determined
using the specific  identification  method and are  reflected  in earnings  when
realized.


28

 27


LOANS  RECEIVABLE  AND RELATED FEES 
Loans are stated at the principal amount  outstanding,  net of loans in process,
deferred  fees and the  allowance  for losses.  Interest on loans is credited to
income as earned and  accrued  only if deemed  collectible.  Loans are placed on
nonaccrual status when, in the opinion of management, the full timely collection
of principal or interest is in doubt. As a general rule, the accrual of interest
is discontinued  when principal or interest  payments become 90 days past due or
earlier  if  conditions  warrant.  When a loan is placed on  nonaccrual  status,
previously accrued but unpaid interest is charged against current income.

Loan  origination  fees are  being  deferred  in  accordance  with  SFAS No.  91
"Accounting for  Nonrefundable  Fees and Costs  Associated  with  Originating or
Acquiring  Loans and Initial Direct Costs of Leases".  This  statement  requires
that loan  origination  fees and direct loan  origination  costs for a completed
loan be netted  and then  deferred  and  amortized  into  interest  income as an
adjustment of yield.

The Company  adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 114 "Accounting by Creditors for
Impairment of a Loan" and SFAS No. 118  "Accounting  by Creditors for Impairment
of a Loan - Income Recognition and Disclosures" effective January 1, 1995. These
statements  apply to all loans that are  identified  for  evaluation  except for
large  groups  of  smaller-balance   homogeneous  loans  that  are  collectively
evaluated for  impairment.  These loans include,  but are not limited to, credit
card, residential mortgage and consumer installment loans.

Under  these  statements,  of  the  remaining  loans  which  are  evaluated  for
impairment (a loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and
events, it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due
according  to the  contractual  terms  of the  loan  agreement),  there  were no
material  amounts of loans which met the  definition  of an impaired loan during
the year ended  December 31, 1996 and no loans to be evaluated for impairment at
December 31, 1996.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES 
The determination of the allowance for loan losses involves  material  estimates
that are  susceptible to significant  change in the near term. The allowance for
loan losses is  maintained  at a level  adequate  to provide for losses  through
charges to operating  expense.  The allowance is based upon past loss experience
and other factors which, in management's judgement,  deserve current recognition
in estimating losses. Such other factors considered by management include growth
and  composition of the loan  portfolio,  the  relationship of the allowance for
losses to outstanding loans, and economic conditions.

Management  believes  that the  allowance is  adequate.  While  management  uses
available  information  to recognize  losses on loans,  future  additions to the
allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions. In addition,
various regulatory  agencies,  as an integral part of their examination process,
periodically  review the  Company's  allowance  for losses.  Such  agencies  may
require the  Company to  recognize  additions  to the  allowance  based on their
judgements about information available to them at the time of their examination.

LOANS RECEIVABLE,  HELD FOR SALE 
That portion of loans receivable designated as held for sale are recorded at the
lower of cost or fair  value in  accordance  with  SFAS No. 65  "Accounting  for
Certain Mortgage


                                                                              29

 28



Banking  Activities".  Unrealized  declines  in fair  value are  reflected  as a
component of current earnings.

FORECLOSED REAL ESTATE 
Real estate  acquired  through  foreclosure  or deed in lieu of  foreclosure  is
carried  at the  lower  of  fair  value  minus  estimated  costs  to sell or the
acquisition  cost.  Valuations are  periodically  performed by management and an
allowance  for loss is  established  by a charge to  operations  if the carrying
value of a property exceeds its fair value minus estimated costs to sell.

DEPRECIATION 
The office buildings are being  depreciated on a straight-line  basis. All other
items are being  depreciated  on either a  straight-line  or  accelerated  basis
depending on the nature of the items.

INCOME TAXES 
The  Company  files  a   consolidated   federal   income  tax  return  with  its
subsidiaries.  The  provision  for federal and state taxes on income is based on
earnings reported in the financial statements.  Deferred income taxes arise from
the recognition of certain items of income and expense for tax purposes in years
different from those in which they are recognized in the consolidated  financial
statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated
future tax  consequences  attributable  to  differences  between  the  financial
statement   carrying  amount  of  existing  assets  and  liabilities  and  their
respective  tax bases.  Deferred tax assets and  liabilities  are measured using
enacted  tax rates in effect for the year in which those  temporary  differences
are expected to be  recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and
liabilities  of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that
includes the enactment date.

CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS  OF CASH  FLOWS  
For the purpose of reporting  cash flows,  the Company has defined cash and cash
equivalents to include cash on hand,  amounts due from depository  institutions,
and interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions.

EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings  per share for the year  ended  December  31,  1996 was  determined  by
dividing  net income  for the year by  2,872,858  and  2,873,112,  the  weighted
average  number of primary and fully  diluted  shares of common stock and common
stock  equivalents  outstanding.  Stock  options are  regarded  as common  stock
equivalents  and are  therefore  considered  in both  primary and fully  diluted
earnings per share calculations. Common stock equivalents are computed using the
treasury stock method.

STOCKHOLDERS'  EQUITY 
On  October  8, 1996,  the Board of  Directors  of  Southwest  Bancshares,  Inc.
approved a 3 for 2 stock split,  effected in the form of a stock  dividend which
was payable on November 13, 1996 to  stockholders of record on October 22, 1996.
Accordingly,  stockholders  of record  received  1  additional  share for each 2
shares owned as of October 22, 1996.  All prior share  related  information  has
been  restated to reflect the stock split effect,  including  earnings per share
data.

30

 29


2)   UNITED  STATES  GOVERNMENT  AND AGENCY  OBLIGATIONS,  AVAILABLE  FOR   SALE

Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value in accordance with SFAS
115. This portfolio is summarized as follows:




                                                         DECEMBER 31, 1996
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       GROSS          GROSS
                                    AMORTIZED       UNREALIZED     UNREALIZED          FAIR
DESCRIPTION                           COST             GAINS         LOSSES            VALUE
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               
FHLB Notes.......................  $47,295,638        26,027         730,602        46,591,063
====================================================================================================
Weighted average interest rate            5.83%
====================================================================================================



                                                         DECEMBER 31, 1995
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       GROSS          GROSS
                                    AMORTIZED       UNREALIZED     UNREALIZED          FAIR
DESCRIPTION                           COST             GAINS         LOSSES            VALUE
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               
FHLB Notes.......................  $40,691,866        26,854         736,611        39,982,109
FFCB Note........................    2,000,000         1,250              --         2,001,250
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   $42,691,866        28,104         736,611        41,983,359
====================================================================================================
Weighted average interest rate            5.41%
====================================================================================================


During the current  period,  the Company sold no securities from this portfolio.
During the year ended December 31, 1995, the Company sold  securities  realizing
gross  proceeds  of  $3,003,750,  and  profits of $3,750.  During the year ended
December  31, 1994,  the Company sold  securities  realizing  gross  proceeds of
$8,037,656 and profits of $37,656.  In addition,  during the current period, the
decrease in net  unrealized  losses of $3,932,  net of the tax effect of $1,612,
resulted in a $2,320 credit to stockholders' equity.

The contractual maturity of the above investments are summarized as follows:





                                            DECEMBER 31, 1996           DECEMBER 31, 1995
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           AMORTIZED       FAIR       AMORTIZED       FAIR
TERM TO MATURITY                              COST         VALUE         COST         VALUE
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             
Due in one year or less................  $   999,599     1,005,625    4,750,000     4,749,609
Due after one year
  through five years...................   32,883,750    32,429,594   29,978,620    29,390,625
Due after five years
  through ten years....................   12,914,761    12,655,219    7,963,246     7,843,125
Due after ten years
  through twenty years.................      497,528       500,625           --            --
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         $47,295,638    46,591,063   42,691,866    41,983,359
=================================================================================================



                                                                              31
 30


3)    MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES, AVAILABLE FOR SALE

Mortgage-backed  securities  available  for sale are  recorded  at fair value in
accordance with SFAS 115. This portfolio is summarized as follows:




                                                                  DECEMBER 31, 1996
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               GROSS           GROSS
                                               AMORTIZED     UNREALIZED      UNREALIZED       FAIR
DESCRIPTION                                       COST         GAINS           LOSSES         VALUE
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     
FHLMC participation
   certificates - fixed rate...............  $ 2,674,560      116,848          37,381       2,754,027
GNMA participation
   certificates - fixed rate...............   11,895,149       67,395         296,789      11,665,755
FHLMC participation
   certificates - adjustable rate..........    1,929,507          128          32,597       1,897,038
FNMA participation
   certificates - adjustable rate..........    7,679,426       75,433          13,190       7,741,669
CMOs - adjustable rate.....................    1,218,251           --          30,456       1,187,795
REMICs - adjustable rate (a)...............    7,978,864           --         384,801       7,594,063
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             $33,375,757      259,804         795,214      32,840,347
======================================================================================================
Weighted average interest rate                      6.61%
======================================================================================================


                                                                  DECEMBER 31, 1995
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               GROSS           GROSS
                                               AMORTIZED     UNREALIZED      UNREALIZED       FAIR
DESCRIPTION                                       COST         GAINS           LOSSES         VALUE
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      
FHLMC participation
   certificates - fixed rate...............  $ 3,226,336       99,990          30,658       3,295,668
GNMA participation
   certificates - fixed rate...............   12,961,425      100,696          10,996      13,051,125
FHLMC participation
   certificates - adjustable rate..........    2,242,344           --          14,926       2,227,418
FNMA participation 
   certificates - adjustable rate..........    3,449,914       19,755              --       3,469,669
CMOs - adjustable rate.....................    1,542,702           --          14,990       1,527,712
REMICs - adjustable rate...................    7,976,137           --         279,887       7,696,250
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             $31,398,858      220,441         351,457      31,267,842
======================================================================================================
Weighted average interest rate                      6.75%
======================================================================================================

(a)   Mortgage-backed securities with an amortized cost basis of $1,100,000 and a fair value of 
      $1,042,250 are collateral for repurchase agreements totaling $1,000,000 (see note 13).




There were no sales from this portfolio during the years ended December 31, 1996
and  1995.   During  the  year  ended   December  31,  1994,  the  Company  sold
mortgage-backed  securities realizing gross proceeds of $5,397,576,  and profits
of  $271,040.  In  addition,  during the  current  period,  the  increase in net
unrealized losses of $404,394, net of the tax effect of $165,799,  resulted in a
$238,595 charge to stockholders' equity.


32
 31

4)    LOANS RECEIVABLE

Loans receivable are summarized as follows:


                                        DECEMBER 31,
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                    1996            1995
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   
MORTGAGE LOANS:
One- to Four- family........   $167,303,458      157,374,437
Multi- family...............     50,504,361       48,452,815
Commercial..................     26,533,773       24,075,423
Construction and land
    acquisition and
    improvement
    projects................     21,966,870       22,775,464
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------
Total mortgage loans........    266,308,462      252,678,139
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER LOANS:
Secured lines of credit.....      7,215,168        1,008,285
Loans on deposits...........        112,799           78,459
Other.......................             --          142,055
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------
Total other loans...........      7,327,967        1,228,799
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------
Total loans receivable......    273,636,429      253,906,938
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------
LESS:
Loans in process............      7,187,535        6,825,767
Deferred loan fees
   and discounts............      3,266,612        3,468,460
Allowance for
   loan losses..............        751,443          753,797
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans receivable, net.......   $262,430,839      242,858,914
==================================================================
Weighted average
   interest rate............           8.14%            8.36%
==================================================================

There were ten loans delinquent  three months or more and non-accruing  totaling
$811,463,  .3% of  total  loans in force as of  December  31,  1996.  Comparable
figures for 1995 were nine loans  totaling  $764,324,  .3% of total  loans.  The
Association  has established a general loan loss reserve of $751,443 as required
by its internal policies.  

For the years ended  December  31, 1996 and 1995,  gross  interest  income which
would have been recorded had the  non-accruing  loans been current in accordance
with their  original  terms  amounted  to  approximately  $18,600  and  $22,500,
respectively.

A summary of changes in the allowance for losses on loans is as follows:


                                      YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                    1996        1995       1994
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     
Balance, beginning
   of year.....................   $753,797     737,797    707,797
Provision for
   loan losses.................     24,000      16,000     30,000
Charge-offs....................    (26,354)         --         --
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end
   of year.....................   $751,443     753,797    737,797
=================================================================

The  Association is required to maintain  qualifying  collateral for the Federal
Home Loan Bank of Chicago (the "Bank") representing approximately 170 percent of
current Bank credit. At December 31, 1996, the Association met this requirement.
Qualifying collateral is defined as fully disbursed,  whole first mortgage loans
on improved residential  property.  The mortgages must not be past due more than
90 days. They must not be otherwise  pledged or encumbered as security for other
indebtedness, and the documents must be in the physical possession or control of
the Association.  The documents that govern the  determination of the qualifying
mortgage  collateral  are the (a)  Federal  Home Loan Bank of  Chicago's  Credit
Policy  Statement,  dated  February 1, 1993,  and (b) the  Advances,  Collateral
Pledge and Security  Agreement between the Association and the Federal Home Loan
Bank of  Chicago.  
                                                                              33
 
 32


5) LOANS  RECEIVABLE,  HELD FOR SALE 

     During the year ended  December  31,  1995,  the  Association  entered into
agreements  to sell 100%  interests in  approximately  $3,000,000  in fixed rate
mortgage  loans  to  the  Federal  Home  Loan  Mortgage  Corporation,  with  the
Association retaining servicing for such loans. The Association realized profits
of $13,689 on these  transactions.  No such  activity took place during the year
ended  December  31,  1996.  Loans  serviced  for others  totaled  approximately
$7,559,200,  $10,473,900  and  $7,345,000  at December 31,  1996,  1995 and 1994
respectively.  

6) OTHER  INVESTMENTS,  AVAILABLE FOR SALE 

These investments have been designated as available for sale and are recorded at
fair value in accordance with SFAS 115. This portfolio is summarized as follows:





                                           DECEMBER 31, 1996         DECEMBER 31, 1995
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         AMORTIZED      FAIR      AMORTIZED       FAIR
DESCRIPTION                                COST         VALUE       COST          VALUE
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       
Investment in common stock of
   various entities.................   $  485,006      662,629     550,006       641,288
Municipal bonds.....................      130,000      130,000     160,000       160,000
Agency for International
   Development certificates.........        3,934        3,934       5,287         5,287
Adjustable Rate Mortgage
   Portfolio Fund...................    6,648,796    6,631,175   7,169,527     7,196,601
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       $7,267,736    7,427,738   7,884,820     8,003,176
==========================================================================================


During the current period, the Company sold securities  realizing gross proceeds
of $4,065,375,  and profits of $4,313.  During the year ended December 31, 1995,
the Company sold securities realizing gross proceeds of $778,875, and profits of
$113,694  offset by losses of $2,700.  During the year ended  December 31, 1994,
the Company sold securities realizing gross proceeds of $849,547, and profits of
$113,234.  In addition,  the increase in net unrealized gains of $41,646, net of
the tax effect of $17,075, resulted in a $24,571 credit to stockholders' equity.


34
 33

7) INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES

The Company's  subsidiaries  participate in  unconsolidated  joint ventures with
third  parties  engaged  primarily  in the  purchase  of  undeveloped  land  for
improvement,  and construction of residential or low-income  housing  properties
for sale or investment.  The  investments in  unconsolidated  joint ventures are
accounted for using the equity method. These ventures are summarized as follows:



                                             December 31,
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1996            1995
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       
HSW Partners, L.P..................   $2,450,342       1,881,174
Hartz-Southwest
   Partnership.....................    2,907,538       3,016,939
Woodlawn
   Limited Partnership.............           --           1,205
Churchview Limited
   Partnership.....................      694,788         794,237
Kedzie Limited
   Partnership.....................    1,019,089              --
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                      $7,071,757       5,693,555
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------


The  Company's  subsidiaries  have  realized net profits from joint  ventures of
$675,114, $477,447, and $455,014 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
1994  respectively.  Such profits are  credited to the  partners  based upon the
various joint venture  agreements,  and generally range from 18% to 28% of gross
profits.

Combined  statements of financial  condition and earnings of the  unconsolidated
joint ventures as of December 31, 1996 follow:



- - -----------------------------------------------------
COMBINED STATEMENT OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION
- - -----------------------------------------------------
                                                
ASSETS:
   Cash................................   $ 1,234,611
   Receivables.........................     2,703,174
   Land and development costs..........    20,102,518
   Other assets........................        19,971
- - -----------------------------------------------------
Total assets...........................    24,060,274
=====================================================
LIABILITIES:
   Borrowings..........................     6,113,018
   Other liabilities...................       173,392
- - -----------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities......................     6,286,410
- - -----------------------------------------------------
PARTNERS' CAPITAL:
   Company's subsidiaries..............     7,071,757
   Coventurer..........................    10,702,107
- - -----------------------------------------------------
Total partners' capital................    17,773,864
- - -----------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities and partners' capital   $24,060,274
=====================================================
- - -----------------------------------------------------
COMBINED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
- - -----------------------------------------------------
Sales of real estate...................   $ 3,485,524
Cost of sales..........................     1,893,652
- - -----------------------------------------------------
Gross profit...........................     1,591,872
Other income...........................       363,262
Other expense..........................       719,059
- - -----------------------------------------------------
Net income.............................   $ 1,236,075
=====================================================

                                                                              35
 34


8)    ACCRUED INTEREST RECEIVABLE

Accrued interest receivable is summarized as follows:




                                            DECEMBER 31,
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                        1996           1995
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   
U.S. Government and
   agency obligations.............. $  689,794         638,289
Mortgage-backed
   securities......................    185,900         184,457
Loans receivable...................  1,412,091       1,362,719
Other investments..................      5,069           1,615
Allowance for uncollected
   interest........................    (18,649)        (22,485)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                    $2,274,205       2,164,595
===============================================================


9)    OFFICE PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT

Office properties and equipment are
summarized as follows:



                                            December 31,
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                        1996           1995
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   
Land............................... $1,215,336         927,116
Buildings..........................  1,355,092       1,420,368
Parking lot improvements...........     12,165          12,165
Leasehold improvements.............    963,577         988,701
Furniture, fixtures, and
   equipment.......................  1,086,002         740,866
Automobiles........................     73,545          88,824
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                     4,705,717       4,178,040
Less accumulated
   depreciation....................  1,625,843       1,355,912
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                    $3,079,874       2,822,128
===============================================================


Depreciation of office properties and equipment for the years ended December 31,
1996, 1995 and 1994 amounted to $388,966,  $300,571 and $248,213,  respectively.

At December 31, 1996,  the minimum rental  commitments  under the current leases
for office space at the Hometown and Oak Lawn branch locations are approximately
as follows:



- - -------------------------------------------
                                     
1997........................    $  290,375
1998........................       298,867
1999........................       307,625
Thereafter through 2006.....     2,422,940
- - -------------------------------------------
                                $3,319,807
- - -------------------------------------------


The above  amounts are  exclusive of future  escalation  charges for real estate
taxes,  insurance,  and other costs of occupancy relating to common areas shared
with other tenants.  

Rent  expense,  including  real  estate  taxes,  insurance  and  other  costs of
occupancy,  for the  years  ended  December  31,  1996,  1995 and  1994  totaled
$312,058, $304,062 and $245,777 respectively.

During the period under  review,  the  Association  commenced  operations at its
branch  office in  Orland  Park,  Illinois.  Total  costs  for  land,  building,
furniture  and  equipment  amounted  to  approximately   $1,900,000,   of  which
approximately  $600,000  was  expended  in 1996  to  complete  construction  and
equipment purchases.

36
 35

10)   PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER ASSETS

Prepaid expenses and other assets consist of the following:





                                                                           DECEMBER 31,
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        1996         1995
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  
Prepaid pension costs.............................................. $  597,558      579,944
Current federal and state income tax overpayment-- net.............    137,276       28,046
Deferred federal and state income tax benefit-- net (a)............    831,010      865,529
Other prepaid expenses.............................................    140,591      114,712
Deferred premium on sale of loans..................................     37,303       42,539
Cash surrender value of corporate-owned
   Key Person recovery insurance...................................  3,618,179    3,549,503
Accounts receivable and other assets...............................    378,453      275,098
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    $5,740,370    5,455,371
============================================================================================
(a)   The approximate tax effect of temporary differences that  give rise to the Company's net 
      deferred tax asset at  December 31, 1996 and 1995 under SFAS 109 is as follows:






      DECEMBER 31, 1996                                  ASSETS        LIABILITIES       NET
      -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            
      Loan fees deferred for financial
         reporting purposes........................... $  900,971              --       900,971
      Bad debt reserves established for financial
         reporting purposes...........................    364,900              --       364,900
      Increases to tax bad debt reserves since
         January 1, 1988..............................         --       1,575,140    (1,575,140)
      Non-qualified pension plan expense..............    906,875              --       906,875
      Nondeductible incentive plan expense............     66,052              --        66,052
      Deferred compensation...........................      2,863              --         2,863
      Prepaid pension contribution....................         --         163,533      (163,533)
      Accelerated depreciation for tax purposes.......         --          97,933       (97,933)
      Unrealized loss on securities available for sale    442,792              --       442,792
      Other items.....................................         --          16,837       (16,837)
      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       $2,684,453       1,853,443       831,010
      ==========================================================================================



      DECEMBER 31, 1995                                  ASSETS        LIABILITIES       NET
      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  
      Loan fees deferred for financial
         reporting purposes........................... $1,062,423              --     1,062,423
      Bad debt reserves established for financial
         reporting purposes...........................    355,060              --       355,060
      Increases to tax bad debt reserves since
         January 1, 1988..............................         --       1,575,215    (1,575,215)
      Non-qualified pension plan expense..............    902,724              --       902,724
      Nondeductible incentive plan expense............     62,072              --        62,072
      Deferred compensation...........................        151              --           151
      Prepaid pension contribution....................         --         130,449      (130,449)
      Accelerated depreciation for tax purposes.......         --          87,850       (87,850)
      Unrealized loss on securities available for sale    295,680              --       295,680
      Other items.....................................         --          19,067       (19,067)
      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       $2,678,110       1,812,581       865,529
      ==========================================================================================


                                                                              37
 36

11)   DEPOSITS

Deposit accounts are summarized as follows:



                                                DECEMBER 31,
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                            1996          1995
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       
Passbooks.............................  $ 47,317,170   47,294,890
Certificates..........................   172,686,390  145,447,301
NOW and money
   market accounts....................    60,430,404   62,566,183
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------
Total.................................  $280,433,964  255,308,374
=================================================================


The composition of deposit accounts by interest rate is as follows:



                                                DECEMBER 31,
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                            1996          1995
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      
Non-interest bearing..................  $  2,128,609    3,483,326
2.00 - 3.99%..........................   105,618,965  106,379,293
4.00 - 4.99...........................     3,739,345   16,577,158
5.00 - 5.99...........................   118,665,425  109,855,200
6.00 - 6.99...........................    50,281,620   18,633,397
7.00 - 7.99...........................            --      380,000
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------
Total.................................  $280,433,964  255,308,374
=================================================================


The weighted  average interest rate on deposit accounts at December 31, 1996 and
1995 was 4.62% and 4.45% respectively. 

A summary of certificates of deposit that mature during the twelve-month periods
indicated is as follows:


                                                DECEMBER 31,
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                            1996          1995
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        
Twelve-month period ended
   December 31, 1996..................  $         --  122,417,944
Twelve-month period ended
   December 31, 1997..................   114,038,513   17,119,481
Twelve-month period ended
   December 31, 1998..................    45,714,995    5,909,876
Twelve-month period ended
   December 31, 1999..................    12,932,882           --
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------
Total.................................  $172,686,390  145,447,301
=================================================================


Interest expense on deposits consists of the following:


                                      YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  1996         1995        1994
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     
Passbooks                    $ 1,440,999    1,466,245   1,699,928
Certificates                   8,583,706    8,036,392   4,268,533
NOW and
   money
   market
   accounts                    1,862,811    1,893,032   2,208,830
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                        $11,887,516   11,395,669   8,177,291
==================================================================

The  aggregate amount of  deposit accounts with a balance of $100,000 or greater
was  approximately  $36,600,000  and  $23,400,000 at December 31, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.  Deposits  in excess of  $100,000  are not  insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation.

38

 37



12)   FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES

Advances consist of the following:





                                      DECEMBER 31,
                          ------------------------------
      MATURITY    INTEREST
       DATE        RATE             1996        1995
    ----------------------------------------------------
                                          
      1/30/96     7.86%         $        --   3,000,000
      1/03/97     5.55            2,000,000          --
      2/10/97     4.80 (a)        1,408,265   1,408,265
      2/11/97     4.80 (a)        3,000,000   3,000,000
      3/01/97     6.97 (a)        2,300,000   2,300,000
      4/18/97     6.57 (a)        2,300,000   2,300,000
      5/02/97     6.75 (a)        1,300,000   1,300,000
      5/10/97     6.39            3,000,000   3,000,000
      6/02/97     5.77            3,000,000   3,000,000
      11/21/97    5.66            4,000,000   4,000,000
      5/08/98     6.68            3,000,000   3,000,000
      5/27/98     5.74            2,000,000          --
      6/21/98     6.37 (a)          500,000          --
      9/07/98     6.18            5,000,000   5,000,000
      9/29/98     7.32 (a)        3,700,000   3,700,000
      11/15/98    5.94            3,000,000   3,000,000
      12/01/98    5.60            3,000,000   3,000,000
      1/22/99     8.19            3,000,000   3,000,000
      9/16/99     7.40            5,000,000   5,000,000
      5/16/00     6.76            2,000,000   2,000,000
      8/28/00     6.26 (a)          450,000     450,000
      9/10/01     7.00 (a)        1,200,000   1,200,000
    ----------------------------------------------------
                                $54,158,265  52,658,265
    ====================================================

    Weighted average interest rate     6.37%       6.51%
    ====================================================  

    (a)  Subject to terms and conditions of the Affordable Housing and Community
         Investment Programs.



Interest is accrued on advances  and  recorded  in other  liabilities.  Interest
expense on advances totaled $3,363,461,  $2,994,820 and $1,867,622 for the years
ended  December  31,  1996,  1995  and  1994  respectively.  See  note  4 of the
consolidated financial statements for collateral securing this indebtedness. 

13) Other Borrowed Money 

Other borrowed money is summarized as follows:




                                            DECEMBER 31,
- - -------------------------------------------------------------
                                        1996           1995
- - -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        
Securities sold under agree-
   ments to repurchase;
   maturing 1/15/97.................  $ 1,000,000          --
=============================================================

Weighted average interest rate               5.70%         --
=============================================================


During the current period,  the Company  entered into sales of securities  under
agreements  to  repurchase  (repurchase  agreements).   These  transactions  are
accounted for as financings,  and the obligation to repurchase  securities  sold
are  reflected as borrowed  money in the  consolidated  statements  of financial
condition, while the securities sold continue to be accounted for as assets. The
securities  sold under  agreements  to repurchase  consisted of  mortgage-backed
securities (see note 3), and were held in the Company's  account with the broker
who  arranged  the  transaction.  Interest  expense  incurred  on  this  type of
transaction amounted to $25,523 for the year ended December 31, 1996.


                                                                              39
 38

Activity in repurchase agreements is summarized as follows:




                                          DECEMBER 31,
- - -----------------------------------------------------------
                                       1996          1995
- - -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                     
Average balance during
   the year....................... $  458,333            --
Maximum month-end
   balance during the year........  1,000,000            --
===========================================================
Average interest rate during
   the year                              5.53%           --
===========================================================


Mortgage-backed securities underlying the agreements at year end:


                                          DECEMBER 31,
- - -----------------------------------------------------------
                                       1996          1995
- - -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                     
Amortized cost.................... $ 1,100,000           --
Fair value........................   1,042,250           --
===========================================================


In addition,  in connection  with the Company's  initial  public  offering,  the
Association  established an Employee Stock  Ownership Plan (ESOP).  The ESOP was
funded by the proceeds from a $2,240,000 loan from an  unaffiliated  third-party
lender. During 1994, the Company assumed this loan on essentially the same terms
as the original  lender.  The loan carries an interest rate of one-eighth of one
percent under prime rate,  and matures in the year 1999.  The loan is secured by
the shares of the Company purchased with the loan proceeds.  The Association has
committed to make contributions to the ESOP sufficient to allow the ESOP to fund
the  debt  service  requirements  of  the  loan.  

14)  OTHER  LIABILITIES  

Other liabilities consist of the following:


                                          DECEMBER 31,
- - -----------------------------------------------------------
                                       1996          1995
- - -----------------------------------------------------------
                                            
Accrued interest on
   deposits.......................  $  104,000      124,000
Accrued interest on
   borrowed money.................     299,351      295,127
Accrued real estate taxes.........     184,287      129,243
Accrued audit fees................      31,250       48,750
Accrued cost of non-
   qualified supplemental
   retirement plan................   2,410,586    2,463,541
Deferred and accrued
   compensation...................       6,982          369
Promissory note for capital
   contribution due
   Churchview Limited
   Partnership....................     275,000      275,000
Promissory note for capital
   contribution due
   Kedzie Limited
   Partnership....................     994,089           --
Payments received, not yet
   remitted, on loans
   serviced for others............      57,054       46,869
Loan fees paid by borrowers
   on pending loan
   applications...................      11,008       10,561
Accounts payable --
   insurance companies............      13,088       36,256
Miscellaneous accounts
   payable........................     188,403      177,072
- - -----------------------------------------------------------
                                    $4,575,098    3,606,788
===========================================================

40

 39


15)   RETIREMENT PLAN

The Association  has established a qualified  defined benefit pension plan which
covers all full-time employees having a minimum of one year of service,  and who
are at least  twenty-one years of age. The present funding policy is to make the
maximum  annual  contribution  allowed by  applicable  regulations.  The plan is
currently   being   funded  by  the  purchase  of   non-insurance   investments.
Contributions  to the plan for the years ended December 31, 1996,  1995 and 1994
amounted to $149,394,  $173,517, and $152,654  respectively.  As of December 31,
1996, no unfunded  accumulated  benefit  obligation  exists,  and therefore,  no
additional  liability is  required.  The  following  table sets forth the plan's
funded status at December 31:




                                                                1996          1995         1994
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      
Projected benefit obligation...........................    $ 2,933,900      2,768,600    2,285,400
Less plan assets at market value.......................      3,434,400      3,169,300    2,561,400
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plan assets in excess of projected benefits............        500,500        400,700      276,000
Unrecognized net assets................................       (216,700)      (229,500)    (242,200)
Unrecognized net loss..................................        115,100        147,000      188,300
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prepaid pension costs..................................    $   398,900        318,200      222,100
====================================================================================================


Net pension  expense for the years ended  December  31,  1996,  1995 and 1994 is
being accounted for per Financial  Accounting  Standards Board Statement No. 87,
"Employers' Accounting for Pensions" and includes the following components:



                                                                1996          1995         1994
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     
Service cost-benefits earned during the year...........    $   154,000        135,300      188,200
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation..........        186,200        165,000      140,000
Actual return on plan assets...........................       (258,700)      (210,200)    (190,400)
Net amortization and deferrals.........................        (12,800)       (12,700)     (12,800)
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net periodic pension cost..............................    $    68,700         77,400      125,000
====================================================================================================


The  discount  rate  used in  determining  the  actuarial  present  value of the
projected  benefit  obligation at the beginning of the year to determine the net
periodic  pension  cost and at the end of the year for the present  value of the
benefit  obligation during 1996 and 1995 was 7.25% and 6.75%  respectively.  The
expected  long-term  rate of return on assets was 8.0% during 1996 and 1995, and
the rate of increase in future compensation was 4.5% in 1996 and 1995. 

                                                                              41

 40


16) OTHER EMPLOYEE  BENEFITS 

The Association has established a non-qualified supplemental retirement plan for
the benefit of certain key officers.  This plan was  effective  October 1, 1988,
and is being funded through the purchase of life insurance contracts. The funded
status of the Association's  non-qualified supplemental retirement plan is shown
below as of December 31:



                                                                1996          1995         1994
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      
Projected benefit  obligation
   (actuarial  present  value of projected  
   benefits attributed to key officers' 
   service to date based on future
   compensation levels)................................      $2,410,586     2,463,541    1,971,684
Plan assets at market value............................              --            --           --
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funded status..........................................       2,410,586     2,463,541    1,971,684
Unrecognized prior service cost........................        (198,696)     (261,776)    (153,361)
Unrecognized net loss..................................        (160,137)     (342,358)    (107,119)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued pension cost...................................       2,051,753     1,859,407    1,711,204
Additional minimum liability...........................         358,833       604,134       79,602
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum liability......................................      $2,410,586     2,463,541    1,790,806
===================================================================================================


The additional  minimum  liability  required to be recognized  currently exceeds
unrecognized  net obligation and prior service costs.  As a result,  this excess
has been charged to retained earnings, net of the applicable tax benefit.

Included in the projected benefit obligation is an amount called the accumulated
benefit obligation.  The accumulated benefit obligation represents the actuarial
present value of benefits attributed to employee service and compensation levels
to  date.  At  December  31,  1996,  the  accumulated   benefit  obligation  was
$2,410,586. The vested portion was $2,410,586.  

Plan  expense  for the years ended  December  31,  1996,  1995 and 1994 is being
accounted  for per  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  Statement  No.  87,
"Employers' Accounting for Pensions" and includes the following components:




                                                                1996          1995         1994
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            
Service cost-benefits earned during the year................  $       --           --           --
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation...............     182,316      155,007      150,315
Net amortization and deferrals..............................      69,937       51,647       54,943
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              $  252,253      206,654      205,258
===================================================================================================


42

 41

17)   OFFICER, DIRECTOR AND EMPLOYEE PLANS

STOCK OPTION PLANS
In  conjunction  with the  Conversion,  the Company  adopted an incentive  stock
option plan for the benefit of the officers and employees of the Company and its
affiliates  and a  director's  stock  option  plan for the  benefit  of  outside
directors of the Company.  The number of shares of common stock authorized under
the Employees' Plan, after  restatement for the 3 for 2 stock split, is 321,600,
equal to 7.66% of the total  number of shares  issued in the  Conversion.  As of
December 31, 1996, 306,600 options had been granted at $6.67 per share.  Options
granted  under the  Employees'  Plan are  exercisable  at a rate of 20% per year
commencing June 23, 1993.  During 1996,  42,465 options had been exercised under
this Plan, and issued from  authorized  shares.  As of December 31, 1996,  stock
options to purchase  122,348 shares remain  outstanding in the Employees'  Plan.
The number of shares of common stock authorized under the Directors' Plan, after
restatement for the 3 for 2 stock split, is 98,400,  equal to 2.34% of the total
number of shares  issued in the  Conversion.  As of  December  31,  1996,  stock
options to purchase 92,400 shares had been granted at a price of $6.67 per share
and are exercisable immediately.  During 1996, 48,100 options had been exercised
under this Plan,  and issued from  authorized  shares.  As of December 31, 1996,
stock options to purchase  33,800 shares remain  outstanding  in the  Directors'
Plan. The term of the options issued under both Plans expires ten years from the
date of grant (June 23, 1992), or one year from the date of death, disability or
retirement of the optionee.  

EMPLOYEE STOCK  
OWNERSHIP PLAN 
In conjunction  with the Conversion,  the  Association  formed an Employee Stock
Ownership Plan ("ESOP").  The ESOP covers  substantially all employees with more
than  one  year of  employment  and who have  attained  the age of 21.  The ESOP
borrowed $2,240,000 from an unaffiliated third-party lender and purchased, after
restatement  for the 3 for 2 stock split,  336,000  common  shares issued in the
Conversion.  The debt was assumed by the Company in 1994. The  Association  will
make  scheduled  discretionary  cash  contributions  to the ESOP  sufficient  to
service the amount borrowed.  In accordance with generally  accepted  accounting
principles, the unpaid balance of the ESOP loan, which is comparable to unearned
compensation,  is  reported  as  a  reduction  of  stockholders'  equity.  Total
contributions  by the  Association to the ESOP which were used to fund principal
and interest payments on the ESOP debt totaled  $283,663,  $290,390 and $255,401
for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 respectively.


                                                                              43

 42

ASSOCIATION  RECOGNITION  AND RETENTION  PLAN 
In  conjunction   with  the  Conversion,   the  Company  formed  an  Association
Recognition  and Retention  Plan ("RRP"),  which was authorized to acquire 4% of
the shares of common stock in the Conversion.  The total shares  authorized were
awarded to directors  and to employees in key  management  positions in order to
provide them with a proprietary  interest in the Company in a manner designed to
encourage such employees to remain with the Company.


Subsequent  to the  Conversion,  the entire  balance  of shares of common  stock
required to fund the RRP (168,000 shares after restatement for the 3 for 2 stock
split) were  purchased by the RRP trustees in the open market.  The RRP trustees
completed the purchase of the shares in the open market at prices  ranging from,
after restatement for the 3 for 2 stock split, a low of $8.00 to a high of $8.17
per  share.  

The $1,353,178 contributed to the RRP is being amortized to compensation expense
as the plan  participants  become  vested in those  shares.  For the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 respectively,  $244,543,  $244,543 and $244,543
had been  amortized to expense.  The  unamortized  cost,  which is comparable to
deferred compensation, is reflected as a reduction of stockholders' equity.

18) INCOME  TAXES 

The Company has adopted  Statement of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No. 109
(SFAS 109) which  requires a change from the  deferred  method to the  liability
method of accounting  for income taxes.  Under the  liability  method,  deferred
income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of "temporary  differences"
by  applying  statutory  tax rates  applicable  to future  years to  differences
between  the  financial  statement  carrying  amounts  and tax bases of existing
assets and liabilities.

Among the  provisions  of SFAS 109 which impact the Company is the tax treatment
of bad debt  reserves.  SFAS 109  provides  that a  deferred  tax asset is to be
recognized for the bad debt reserve established for financial reporting purposes
and  requires a deferred tax  liability to be recorded for  increases in the tax
bad debt reserve since January 1, 1988,  the effective  date of certain  changes
made by the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to the  calculation of savings  institutions'
bad debt deduction. Accordingly, retained earnings at December 31, 1996 includes
approximately  $4,358,000 for which no deferred federal income tax liability has
been recognized.

44
 43

The provision for income taxes consists of the following:



                                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  1996         1995        1994
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     
Current......................  $1,098,891    1,937,573  2,615,173
Deferred.....................     106,920      236,763    614,663
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------
                               $1,205,811    2,174,336  3,229,836
==================================================================


A reconciliation of  the  statutory  federal income tax rate to effective income
tax rate is as follows:



                                            YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1996         1995        1994
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          
Statutory federal income tax rate.....   34.0%        34.0        34.0
State income taxes....................    2.2          3.4         4.5
Tax credits...........................   (3.2)        (1.8)       (1.3)
Other.................................   (1.5)        (3.2)       (2.5)
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective income tax rate.............   31.5%        32.4        34.7
========================================================================


Deferred  income tax  expense  consists of the  following  tax effects of timing
differences: 



                                                      YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    1996         1995        1994
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     
Loan fees.................................    $   161,452      103,041    179,343
Compensation related expenses.............        (52,470)      (4,836)    83,825
Depreciation..............................         10,083      (17,564)    23,055
Statutory bad debt deduction in
   excess of (less than) book provision...         (9,915)     137,055    203,945
Unrealized loss on trading securities.....             --           --     (8,468)
Joint venture income......................             --           --     14,323
Other, net................................         (2,230)      19,067    118,640
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              $   106,920      236,763    614,663
==================================================================================


19)   REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

On August 9, 1989, the Financial  Institution's Reform, Recovery and Enforcement
Act of 1989  ("FIRREA") was signed into law.  FIRREA mandated that the OTS adopt
capital  standards which require savings  institutions to satisfy three separate
capital  requirements.  Under the standards,  savings institutions must maintain
"tangible" capital equal to 1.5% of adjusted total assets,  "core" capital equal
to 3% of adjusted  total assets and a  combination  of core and  "supplementary"
capital equal to 8.0% of "risk-weighted" assets.

For  purposes of the  regulation,  the core and  tangible  capital of  Southwest
Federal  Savings  and Loan  Association  of Chicago is defined as  stockholders'
equity,  adjusted  for  investments  in  non-includable   subsidiaries  and  net
unrealized losses on securities available for sale, net of taxes. Adjusted total
assets are the Association's total assets as determined under generally accepted
accounting  principles,  adjusted for assets of non-includable  subsidiaries and
net unrealized losses on securities available for sale, net of taxes.

In  determining   compliance  with  the  risk-based  capital  requirement,   the
Association  is  allowed  to use both core  capital  and  supplementary  capital
provided  the  amount  of  supplementary   capital  used  does  not  exceed  the
Association's core capital.

                                                                              45

 44

Supplementary  capital of  Southwest  Federal  Savings and Loan  Association  of
Chicago is defined to include all of the Association's  general loss allowances.
The risk-based  capital  requirement is measured  against  risk-weighted  assets
which  equals  the sum of each  asset and the  credit-equivalent  amount of each
off-balance sheet item after being multiplied by an assigned risk weight.

At December 31, 1996 the Association's regulatory equity capital was as follows:




                                                          TANGIBLE      CORE     RISK-BASED
                                                           CAPITAL     CAPITAL    CAPITAL
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               
Stockholders' equity................................    $30,715,043  30,715,043  30,715,043
Non-includable subsidiary...........................     (3,162,471) (3,162,471) (3,174,471)
Unrealized losses on securities
   available for sale, net of taxes.................        634,089     634,089     634,089
General loss allowances.............................             --          --     751,443
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory capital computed.........................     28,186,661  28,186,661  28,926,104
Minimum capital requirement.........................      5,565,000  11,131,000  14,728,000
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Regulatory capital excess........................    $22,621,661  17,055,661  14,198,104
=============================================================================================
Computed capital ratio..............................           7.60%       7.60%      15.71%
Minimum capital ratio...............................           1.50        3.00        8.00
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Regulatory capital excess........................           6.10%       4.60%       7.71%
=============================================================================================


20)   STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
As part of the Conversion, the Association established a liquidation account for
the benefit of all eligible  depositors  who continue to maintain  their deposit
accounts  in the  Association  after  conversion.  In the  unlikely  event  of a
complete  liquidation  of the  Association,  each  eligible  depositor  will  be
entitled to receive a liquidation  distribution from the liquidation account, in
the  proportionate  amount of the then  current  adjusted  balance  for  deposit
accounts held, before distribution may be made with respect to the Association's
capital  stock.  The  Association  may not declare or pay a cash dividend to the
Company on, or repurchase  any of, its capital stock if the effect thereof would
cause the retained  earnings of the  Association  to be reduced below the amount
required  for  the  liquidation  account.  Except  for  such  restrictions,  the
existence of the liquidation account does not restrict the use or application of
retained earnings.  

The   Association's   capital  exceeds  all  of  the  fully  phased-in   capital
requirements  imposed by  FIRREA.  OTS  regulations  generally  provide  that an
institution  that exceeds all fully phased-in  capital  requirements  before and
after a proposed capital  distribution could, after prior notice but without the
approval by the OTS, make capital  distributions during the fiscal year of up to
100% of its net income to date during the fiscal year plus the amount that would
reduce by one-half  its  "surplus  capital  ratio" (the excess  capital over its
fully phased-in  capital  requirements) at the beginning of the fiscal year. Any
additional capital distributions would require prior regulatory approval.

Unlike  the  Association,  the  Company  is  not  subject  to  these  regulatory
restrictions  on the payment of  dividends  to its  stockholders.  However,  the
Company's  source  of funds for  future  dividends  may  depend  upon  dividends
received by the Company from the Association.

46

 45


21) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK 

The Company is a party to various  financial  instruments with off-balance sheet
risk in the normal course of business.  These instruments include commitments to
extend  credit,  credit  enhancement  agreements,  and letters of credit.  These
financial  instruments carry varying degrees of credit and interest-rate risk in
excess of amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements.

Commitments  to  originate  mortgage  loans of  $8,020,650  at December 31, 1996
represent  amounts  which  the  Association  plans  to fund  within  the  normal
commitment period of 60 to 90 days. Of this amount, $4,829,250 are in fixed rate
commitments  with rates  ranging  from  7.25% to 9.75%,  and  $3,191,400  are in
adjustable rate commitments.  In addition,  the Association is committed to fund
an additional  $1,119,000 in loan  participation  purchases at adjustable rates.
Because the credit worthiness of each customer is reviewed prior to extension of
the  commitment,  the Association  adequately  controls its credit risk on these
commitments, as it does for loans recorded on the balance sheet. The Association
conducts  all of its  lending  activities  in the  Chicagoland  area in which it
serves. Management believes the Association has a diversified loan portfolio and
the  concentration  of lending  activities in these local  communities  does not
result in an acute dependency upon economic conditions of the lending region.

The Company and the  Association  have  approved,  but unused,  equity  lines of
credit of  approximately  $6,421,000 at December 31, 1996.  Approval of lines of
credit  is  based  upon  underwriting   standards  and  limitations  similar  to
conventional and construction lending. The Association is also committed to fund
an  additional  investment  of  $309,000  in notes  secured by  adjustable  rate
mortgage loans issued by the Community Investment Corporation.

The Association has issued outstanding letters of credit totaling  approximately
$4,574,000 to various municipalities  regarding incomplete construction projects
on which the  Association had originated  mortgage loans, or regarding  builders
with whom the Association has had long standing relationships.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago has issued a standby  letter of credit for
$3,000,000  to the State of  Illinois on behalf of the  Association  in order to
secure a deposit of $3,000,000.

22)  CONTINGENCIES
The  Association is, from time to time, a party to certain  lawsuits  arising in
the ordinary course of its business,  wherein it enforces its security interest.
Management, based upon discussions with legal counsel, believes that the Company
and the  Association  are not  engaged  in any legal  proceedings  of a material
nature at the present time.

23) SAIF SPECIAL  ASSESSMENT  AND ITS IMACT ON SAIF INSURANCE  PREMIUMS  
The deposits of savings associations, such as Southwest Federal Savings and Loan
Association,  are presently  insured by the Savings  Association  Insurance Fund
("SAIF"),  which  together with the Bank  Insurance  Fund  ("BIF"),  are the two
insurance  funds  administered  by the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation
("FDIC").  Financial  institutions which are members of the BIF are experiencing
substantially  lower deposit insurance premiums because the BIF has achieved its
required level of reserves while the SAIF has not yet achieved

                                                                              47

 46


its  required  reserves.  In  order to help  eliminate  this  disparity  and any
competitive  disadvantage due to disparate deposit insurance premium  schedules,
legislation to recapitalize the SAIF was enacted in September 1996.

The legislation required a special one-time assessment of 65.7 cents per $100 of
SAIF insured  deposits held by the  Association  at March 31, 1995. The one-time
special assessment resulted in a charge to earnings of approximately  $1,698,000
during the year ended December 31, 1996.  The after-tax  effect of this one-time
charge to earnings totaled approximately $1,002,000. The legislation is intended
to fully  recapitalize the SAIF fund so that commercial bank and thrift deposits
will be charged the same FDIC  premiums  beginning  January 1, 1997.  As of such
date,  deposit  insurance  premiums for highly rated  institutions,  such as the
Association, will be substantially reduced.

The Association,  however,  will continue to be subject to an assessment to fund
repayment  of  the  Financing  Corporation's  ("FICO")  obligations.   The  FICO
assessment for SAIF insured institutions will be 6.48 cents per $100 of deposits
while BIF insured  institutions  will pay 1.30 cents per $100 of deposits  until
the year 2000 when the  assessment  will be imposed at the same rate on all FDIC
insured  institutions.  Accordingly,  as a result of the  reduction  of the SAIF
assessment and the resulting FICO assessment,  the annual after-tax  decrease in
assessment costs is expected to be approximately  $270,000 based upon a December
31, 1996 assessment base.

24) DISCLOSURES  ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL  INSTRUMENTS

The following  methods and  assumptions  were used to estimate the fair value of
each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that
value: 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:  For cash and interest-bearing deposits, the carrying
amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY OBLIGATIONS:  Fair values for securities are based on
quoted market prices as published in financial publications.

MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES: Fair values for mortgage-backed securities are based
on average quotes received from a third-party broker.

LOANS RECEIVABLE:  The fair values of fixed-rate  one-to-four family residential
mortgage  loans are based on quoted  market  prices  of  similar  loans  sold in
conjunction  with  securitization  transactions.   The  fair  values  for  other
fixed-rate  mortgage loans are estimated  using  discounted  cash flow analyses,
using  interest rates  currently  being offered for loans with similar terms and
collateral to borrowers of similar credit  quality.  For  adjustable-rate  loans
which reprice monthly and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values
approximate carrying values.

48

 47

OTHER INVESTMENTS:  Fair values for other investments are based on quoted market
prices received from third-party sources.

INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES:  The Company's  subsidiaries  are partners in real
estate  ventures  engaged  primarily  in the  purchase of  undeveloped  land for
improvement,  and construction of residential or low-income  housing  properties
for sale or  investment.  There are no quoted  market  prices for these  venture
interests and no stated rate of return.  It is not  practicable  to estimate the
fair  value  of  the  investment  in  these  ventures  because  of  the  limited
information  available  to  the  Company's   subsidiaries  and  because  of  the
significant cost involved to obtain an outside appraisal.  These investments are
being accounted for using the equity method. 

DEPOSIT  LIABILITIES:  The fair value of demand  deposits,  savings accounts and
money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The
fair value of fixed maturity certificates of deposit is estimated by discounting
the future cash flows using the rates currently  offered for deposits of similar
original maturities.

BORROWED MONEY:  Rates currently  available to the Company for debt with similar
terms and original  maturities are used to estimate fair value of existing debt.

FINANCIAL  INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK: Fair values of the Company's
off-balance sheet financial  instruments,  which consist of loan commitments and
letters of credit, are based on fees charged to enter into these agreements.  As
the Company currently charges no fees on these instruments,  no estimate of fair
value has been  made.  

The estimated fair values of the Company's financial  instruments as of December
31, 1996 and 1995 are as follows:


                                            DECEMBER 31, 1996
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          CARRYING      FAIR
                                           AMOUNT       VALUE
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       
FINANCIAL ASSETS:
   Cash and cash
   equivalents........................  $ 11,679,587   11,679,587
   U.S. Government
    and agency
    obligations,
    available for sale................    46,591,063   46,591,063
   Mortgage-backed
       securities,
       available for sale.............    32,840,347   32,840,347
   Loans receivable,
     gross............................   273,636,429  272,772,800
   Other investments,
       available for sale.............     7,427,738    7,427,738
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:
   Deposits...........................   280,433,964  281,467,600
   Borrowed money.....................    55,158,265   55,422,000
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------

                                            DECEMBER 31, 1996
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          CARRYING      FAIR
                                           AMOUNT       VALUE
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       
Financial assets:
   Cash and cash
    equivalents.......................  $ 15,867,897   15,867,897
   U.S. Government
    and agency
    obligations,
    available for sale................    41,983,359   41,983,359
   Mortgage-backed
       securities,
       available for sale.............    31,267,842   31,267,842
   Loans receivable,
    gross.............................   253,906,938  257,646,000
   Other investments,
       available for sale.............     8,003,176    8,003,176
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:
   Deposits...........................   255,308,374  255,250,100
   Borrowed money.....................    52,658,265   53,986,000
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                              49

 48


25)   CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY ONLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following condensed  statements of financial  condition,  as of December 31,
1996 and 1995 and condensed  statements of earnings and cash flows for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 for Southwest Bancshares,  Inc. should be
read in conjunction  with the  consolidated  financial  statements and the notes
thereto.




- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     DECEMBER 31,
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 1996          1995
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents.................. $   402,451      1,884,114
Securities available for sale..............   4,971,446      5,220,208
Loans receivable...........................   4,713,515      4,900,134
Equity investment in subsidiaries..........  31,704,547     35,406,284
Prepaid expenses and other assets..........      76,913         71,031
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            $41,868,872     47,481,771
==========================================================================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accrued taxes and other liabilities........ $    64,378         89,745
Borrowed money.............................   1,000,000             --
Common stock...............................      44,377         43,471
Additional paid-in capital.................  28,595,067     27,781,264
Retained earnings..........................  40,350,942     39,719,890
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities
   available for sale......................      (3,102)        19,249
Treasury stock............................. (28,182,790)   (20,171,848)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            $41,868,872     47,481,771
=========================================================================

- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1996        1995         1994
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             
Equity in earnings
   of subsidiaries..................  $2,298,262   3,989,933    5,638,260
Interest and dividend income........     802,521     901,223      755,604
Interest expense....................     (25,523)         --           --
Fees and service charges............      38,650          --           --
Gain on sale of investment securities
   available for sale...............         375     113,694      106,937
Unrealized loss on trading
   account securities...............          --          --      (22,018)
Non-interest expense................    (249,209)   (197,894)    (236,434)
Provision for federal and state
   income taxes.....................    (237,215)   (275,392)    (175,823)
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income..........................  $2,627,861   4,531,564    6,066,526
==========================================================================


50

 49




- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      1996        1995         1994
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
   Net income.....................................  $2,627,861   4,531,564   6,066,526
   Equity in earnings of subsidiaries.............  (2,298,262) (3,989,933) (5,638,260)
   Gain on sale of investment
    securities, available for sale................        (375)   (113,694)   (106,937)
   Unrealized loss on trading
    account securities............................          --          --      22,018
   (Increase) decrease in accrued
    interest receivable...........................     (22,207)    123,283     (66,549)
   (Increase) decrease in prepaid
    taxes and other liabilities...................     189,653      65,180     (30,568)
   Increase in accrued taxes
    and other liabilities.........................      27,773      23,509       1,195
   Proceeds from maturities of
    trading account securities....................          --          --     414,854
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities.........     524,443     639,909     662,279
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
   Proceeds from maturities of mortgage-
    backed securities, available for sale.........     165,879     278,113      87,593
   Proceeds from maturities of
    investment securities, available for sale.....          --   4,000,000          --
   Proceeds from sales of investment
    securities, available for sale................      45,375     778,875     843,250
   Purchase of investment securities,
    available for sale............................          --    (250,000) (3,657,500)
   Loan disbursements.............................  (1,610,147) (2,543,634) (1,510,000)
   Loan repayments................................   1,238,651     320,000      80,000
   Participation loans sold.......................     558,115     300,000          --
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (for) investing activities...     397,873   2,883,354  (4,156,657)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
   Proceeds from exercise of stock options........     603,773     249,000     400,000
   Proceeds of borrowed money.....................   1,000,000          --          --
   Dividends paid on common stock.................  (1,995,943) (2,221,158)   (581,180)
   Payment in lieu of issuing fractional shares...        (867)         --          --
   Dividends received from subsidiary.............   6,000,000   8,000,000   8,000,000
   Purchase of treasury stock.....................  (8,010,942) (8,962,285) (4,069,024)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (for)
   financing activities...........................  (2,403,979) (2,934,443)  3,749,796
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents...........  (1,481,663)    588,820     255,418
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year....   1,884,114   1,295,294   1,039,876
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year..........  $  402,451   1,884,114   1,295,294
=======================================================================================



                                                                              51

 50
                             CORPORATE INFORMATION

                            STOCK PRICE INFORMATION

Southwest  Bancshares,  Inc.  common  stock is traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market
under the symbol "SWBI".  Newspaper stock tables list the company as "SwBcsh" or
"SwBncsh".  The table below shows the  reported  high and low sale prices of the
common stock for the periods indicated during the fiscal year ended December 31,
1996 and 1995.


                            1996                1995
                       HIGH       LOW       HIGH        LOW
                                          
First quarter         18 1/2    17 11/32   16 1/2     13 27/32
Second quarter        18 11/32  17 27/32   18 11/32   15 27/32
Third quarter         18 11/32  17 27/32   19         14 21/32
Fourth quarter        18 3/4    17 59/64   18 27/32   17 21/32

                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Southwest Bancshares, Inc. will be held at
9:30 a.m.  on April 22,  1997,  at The Oak Lawn  Hilton  Hotel,  9333 S.  Cicero
Avenue, Oak Lawn, Illinois. All stockholders are cordially invited to attend.

                           ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

Copies of Southwest  Bancshares,  Inc. Annual Report for year ended December 31,
1996,  on Form 10-K  filed  with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  are
available without charge to stockholders upon written request to:

                                RONALD D. PHARES
                                 VICE PRESIDENT
                           SOUTHWEST BANCSHARES, INC.
                             4062 SOUTHWEST HIGHWAY
                            HOMETOWN, ILLINOIS 60456
                                  708/636-2700

                              INVESTOR INFORMATION

Shareholders,  investors and  analysts interested in additional information  may
contact:

                                RONALD D. PHARES
                                 VICE PRESIDENT

at the Corporate Office.

                       STOCK TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

Harris Trust and Savings Bank is the transfer  agent for  Southwest  Bancshares,
Inc. and maintains all  stockholder  records and can assist with stock  transfer
and registration,  address change,  changes or corrections in social security or
tax  identification  numbers,  and 1099  tax  reporting  questions.  If you have
questions, please contact the stock transfer agent at the address below:

                         HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK
                              111 W. MONROE STREET
                              POST OFFICE BOX 755
                            CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60690
                     ATTENTION: CORPORATE TRUST OPERATIONS

                               WASHINGTON COUNSEL

                           MULDOON, MURPHY & FAUCETTE
                          5101 WISCONSIN AVENUE, N.W.
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20016

                                 LOCAL COUNSEL

                         ROCK, FUSCO, REYNOLDS, CROWE &
                                GARVEY, LIMITED
                        350 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 900
                            CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60610

                              INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

                         COBITZ, VANDENBERG & FENNESSY
                        7800 WEST 95TH STREET, SUITE 301
                         HICKORY HILLS, ILLINOIS 60457


                                CORPORATE OFFICE

                           SOUTHWEST BANCSHARES, INC.
                             4062 SOUTHWEST HIGHWAY
                            HOMETOWN, ILLINOIS 60456

52