July 28, 1997

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                         Contact
                                      
                                                      David R. Farmer
                                                      Beal Bank, SSB
                                                      (972) 404-4000



                      BEAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION REPORTS

                            SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

   DALLAS, TEXAS -- Beal Financial Corporation, the holding company for Beal 
Bank, SSB, today reported consolidated net income of $17.7 million for the 
three month period ending June 30, 1997 and $51.0 million for the six month 
period ending June 30, 1997. This compares to $15.3 million and $31.8 million 
for the three and six month periods ending June 30, 1996.
   Total assets decreased $116.3 million, or 8.3 percent, to $1.2 billion at 
June 30, 1997 when compared to total assets at December 31, 1996. This 
decrease resulted primarily from a decrease in net loans receivable of $99.0 
million, principally due to normal principal repayments of loans.
   Beal Bank's net worth totaled $169.3 million at June 30, 1997 resulting in 
regulatory capital ratios as of June 30, 1997 of Tier 1 capital of 13.27 
percent, and Risk-based capital of 17.54 percent.
   Beal Bank, headquartered in Dallas, maintains branch offices in Houston, 
and Chicago.