EXHIBIT 99.1
------------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For: MAF Bancorp, Inc. Contacts: Jerry A. Weberling, Chief
55th Street & Holmes Avenue Financial Officer
Clarendon Hills, IL 60514 Michael J. Janssen, Senior
Vice President
www.mafbancorp.com (630) 325-7300

MAF BANCORP REPORTS FIRST QUARTER RESULTS OF $.60 PER DILUTED SHARE

Clarendon Hills, Illinois, April 18, 2001 - MAF Bancorp, Inc. (MAFB) announced
today that earnings per share for the first quarter ended March 31, 2001 totaled
$.60 per diluted share, a 9.1% improvement over the $.55 per diluted share
reported for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. Net income for the current
quarter totaled $14.1 million, up 7.4% over net income of $13.1 million reported
in last year's first quarter. Return on average equity and return on average
assets were 14.43% and 1.10%, respectively, in the current quarter compared to
14.88% and 1.11% in last year's comparable period. Cash earnings per share
(diluted), which excludes amortization of goodwill and deposit base intangibles,
totaled $.64 in the current quarter compared to $.58 in last year's first
quarter.

Net interest income increased by 6.4% from a year ago, totaling $32.5 million
for the quarter ended March 31, 2001 compared to $30.5 million for last year's
first quarter. The net interest margin improved to 2.66% compared to 2.59% for
the quarter ended December 31, 2000. In last year's first quarter, the net
interest margin was 2.71%. The recent widening of the difference in long-term
and short-term treasury interest rates, along with the Company's lower reliance
on wholesale funding and more aggressive efforts to reduce deposit costs, led to
the improvement in the net interest margin. Average interest-earning assets in
the current quarter grew to $4.90 billion, compared to $4.51 billion reported
for last year's first quarter and $4.86 billion reported for the quarter ended
December 31, 2000. The growth in interest-earning assets was primarily
attributable to increases in investment securities and loans receivable
balances.

Management anticipates that the recent easing in monetary policy by the Federal
Reserve Board, along with the steeper yield curve environment, should result in
the net interest margin increasing slightly by the end of 2001. Based on this
interest rate outlook and with the expected strong contribution from the
Company's retail banking business and real estate development operations, the
Company currently expects earnings for 2001 to be in the range of $2.45-$2.50
per diluted share.

Loan origination volume totaled $515.5 million in the current quarter, up
considerably from the $306.9 million reported for last year's first quarter and
up from the $361.9 million reported for the quarter ended December 31, 2000.
Fixed-rate loans remain the preferred choices of customers, a direct contrast to
a year ago when adjustable-rate loans made up nearly 71% of total originations.
This trend in consumer preference, coupled with the Company's general practice
of selling longer-term fixed-rate loans, should lead to greater loan sales and
more modest balance sheet growth in 2001 compared to 2000. Given management's
current outlook for mortgage interest rates, the Company expects fixed-rate loan
origination activity to continue to be strong for the next couple of quarters.

Non-interest income increased 27.1% to $9.9 million in the current quarter,
compared to $7.8 million reported in the first quarter of last year. Increases
in most revenue-generating areas led to this improvement in non-interest income.
Fee income from deposit account products, profits from real estate development
operations, gains on sales of loans and other loan income were all higher. Only
brokerage commissions and loan servicing fee income were lower than a year ago.

The Company's real estate development operations contributed $3.3 million to
non-interest income in the current quarter, up more than 35% from the $2.5
million of income reported for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. A total of 85
residential lots were sold in the current period compared to 93 lots in last
year's first quarter. All of the sales in the current period were in the
Company's Tallgrass of Naperville development. With available inventory at low
levels in this development, and with activity in other new developments in early
stages, the Company had only 19 lots under contract at March 31, 2001. As a
result, real estate income is expected to be relatively modest for the next two
quarters

as the Company readies additional lots for sale. For the year, however,
management continues to expect that pre-tax income from real estate development
should be in the range of $8.0-$9.5 million.

Deposit account service fees totaled $3.4 million for the current quarter, up
33.3% from the $2.6 million reported for the quarter ended March 31, 2000.
Deposit account fee income continues to be one of the Company's strongest
revenue growth areas, driven by both fee increases and expansion of the Bank's
checking account base. Total checking accounts totaled 118,400 at March 31,
2001, increasing at an annualized rate of 10.3% during the first three months of
the current year.

Lower mortgage interest rates, which have resulted in a surge in loan
refinancings, led to higher loan sale gains in the current quarter. Gains on
sales of mortgage loans totaled $691,000 in the current quarter compared to
$57,000 a year ago, as loan sale volume expanded to $126.3 million compared to
$35.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. Given management's current
outlook for mortgage interest rates, 2001 mortgage banking profits from loan
sales should substantially exceed the results from 2000. Increased prepayment
rates in the Bank's loans serviced for others portfolio, due to higher loan
refinancings, impacted loan servicing fee income during the quarter and reduced
the value of mortgage servicing rights. In the current quarter, loan servicing
resulted in a loss of $263,000 compared to income of $556,000 in last year's
first quarter. The loss was generated from increased amortization expense due to
higher than projected prepayments of loans serviced for others, and from
$215,000 of impairment reserves on existing mortgage loan servicing rights.

Non-interest expense totaled $19.9 million in the current quarter, compared to
$17.7 million reported for the quarter ended March 31, 2000 and $18.9 million
for the quarter ended December 31, 2000. Compensation and benefits expense
totaled $11.3 million in the current quarter, compared to $10.1 million a year
ago. This change was primarily due to normal salary increases, higher benefit
costs, increased staffing costs related to the increased loan volume, and
compensation associated with two additional branch locations purchased in the
second quarter of 2000. Office occupancy expense rose $309,000 due primarily to
higher utilities and maintenance expenses as well as additional expenses at the
two new branches. Advertising expenses increased $246,000 due to increased
spending relating to the Company's branding campaign.

The ratio of total non-interest expense to average assets was 1.56% for the
current quarter, compared to 1.50% in last year's first quarter and 1.47% in the
fourth quarter of 2000. The Company's efficiency ratio, a measure of the amount
of expense needed to generate each dollar of revenue, was 47.3%. This measure
continues to be considerably better than peer group averages. Income tax expense
totaled $8.3 million in the current quarter, equal to an effective income tax
rate of 37.2%, compared to $7.2 million and an effective tax rate of 35.5% for
the quarter ended March 31, 2000.

Asset quality remained excellent during the quarter. Non-performing assets at
March 31, 2001 were $19.2 million, or .37% of total assets, compared to $18.5
million or .36% of total assets at December 31, 2000. A year ago, non-performing
assets totaled $24.5 million, or .51% of total assets. The Company did not
record a provision for loan losses in the current quarter, and recorded $21,000
of net recoveries during the quarter. Provided asset quality remains excellent,
and subject to the ongoing evaluation of certain other factors, management does
not currently expect to record a provision for loan losses for the remainder of
2001. The Bank's allowance for loan losses was $18.3 million at March 31, 2001,
equal to 102% of total non-performing loans, 95% of total non-performing assets
and .43% of total loans receivable. At March 31, 2001, 88% of the Company's loan
portfolio consisted of one-to-four family residential mortgage loans.

Total assets increased to $5.26 billion at March 31, 2001, up $66.3 million from
the $5.20 billion reported at December 31, 2000. The growth in assets during the
three-month period was primarily driven by an increase in investment securities
of $42.1 million and an increase in loans receivable of $37.5 million. The
balance of loans receivable at March 31, 2001 stood at $4.37 billion. Deposit
balances grew by $92.9 million in the quarter, totaling $3.07 billion at March
31, 2001 compared to $2.97 billion at December 31, 2000, an annualized rate of
increase of 12.5%. This marked the second consecutive quarter of strong,
internal deposit growth.

On January 1, 2001, the Company transferred $92.9 million of investment and
mortgage-backed securities with a market value of $92.4 million from the
held-to-maturity category to the available-for-sale category with a net of tax
effect of $(314,000) on accumulated other comprehensive income. The transfer was
done upon adoption of SFAS 133,

"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." The cumulative
effect of the measurement of derivative instruments did not have a material
impact on the Company's financial position or results of operation.

Borrowed funds declined by $44.0 million to $1.68 billion at March 31, 2001,
compared to $1.73 billion at December 31, 2000. Total stockholders' equity was
$390.7 million at March 31, 2001, resulting in a stated book value per share of
$17.16 and a tangible book value per share of $14.18. The Company repurchased
363,900 shares of its common stock during the current quarter at an average
price of $26.96 per share. The Bank's tangible, core and risk-based capital
percentages of 6.35%, 6.35% and 11.86%, respectively, at March 31, 2001 exceeded
all minimum regulatory requirements.

MAF Bancorp is the parent company of Mid America Bank, a federally chartered
stock savings bank. The Bank operates a network of 27 retail banking offices
primarily in Chicago and its western suburbs. The Company's common stock trades
on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol MAFB.

Forward-Looking Information
---------------------------

Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts may
constitute forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), which involve significant risks
and uncertainties. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be
covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained
in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and is including this
statement for purposes of invoking these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking
statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans,
strategies and expectations of the Company, are generally identifiable by use of
the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," estimate," "project,"
"plan," or similar expressions. The Company's ability to predict results or the
actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain and actual
results may differ from those predicted. The Company undertakes no obligation to
update these forward-looking statements in the future. Factors which could have
a material adverse effect on the operations and could affect the outlook or
future prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries include, but are not
limited to, unanticipated changes in interest rates, general economic
conditions, legislative/regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the
U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve
Board, the quality or composition of the Company's loan or investment
portfolios, demand for loan products, secondary mortgage market conditions,
deposit flows, competition, demand for financial services and residential real
estate in the Company's market area, unanticipated problems in closing pending
real estate contracts, delays in real estate development projects, the possible
short-term dilutive effect of potential acquisitions, and changes in accounting
principles, policies and guidelines. These risks and uncertainties should be
considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should
not be placed on such statements.

MAF BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
2001 2000
---- ----
(UNAUDITED)

Interest income...................................... $89,147 80,091
Interest expense..................................... 56,649 49,548
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Net interest income............................... 32,498 30,543
Provision for loan losses............................ -- 300
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Net interest income after provision for loan
losses......................................... 32,498 30,243
Non-interest income:
Gain on sale of:
Loans receivable held for sale................. 691 57
Investment securities.......................... 170 133
Foreclosed real estate......................... 175 72
Income from real estate operations................ 3,349 2,475
Deposit account service charges................... 3,426 2,570
Loan servicing fee income (loss).................. (263) 556
Brokerage commissions............................. 545 678
Other............................................. 1,766 1,218
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Total non-interest income...................... 9,859 7,759
Non-interest expense:
Compensation and benefits......................... 11,341 10,145
Office occupancy and equipment.................... 2,224 1,915
Federal deposit insurance premiums................ 155 147
Data processing................................... 764 716
Advertising and promotion......................... 1,248 1,002
Amortization of goodwill.......................... 811 684
Amortization of core deposit intangibles.......... 340 276
Other............................................. 3,065 2,801
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Total non-interest expense..................... 19,948 17,686
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Income before income taxes..................... 22,409 20,316
Income taxes......................................... 8,331 7,207
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Net income........................................ $14,078 $13,109
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Basic earnings per share............................. $ .61 $ .55
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Diluted earnings per share........................... .60 .55
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MAF BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands)

MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31,
2001 2000
---- ----
(UNAUDITED)

ASSETS
Cash and due from banks..................................................... $ 81,107 77,860
Interest-bearing deposits................................................... 31,925 53,392
Federal funds sold.......................................................... 142,648 139,268
Investment securities, at cost (fair value of $13,290 at December 31,
2000).................................................................... -- 12,633
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value..................... 229,192 174,494
Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, at cost......................... 86,475 84,775
Mortgage-backed securities, at amortized cost (fair value of $79,137 at
December 31, 2000)....................................................... -- 80,301
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale, at fair value................ 110,126 24,084
Loans receivable held for sale.............................................. 162,115 41,074
Loans receivable, net of allowance for losses of $18,279 and $18,258........ 4,203,525 4,287,040
Accrued interest receivable................................................. 27,639 27,888
Foreclosed real estate...................................................... 1,345 1,808
Real estate held for development or sale.................................... 7,813 12,643
Premises and equipment, net................................................. 48,895 48,904
Other assets................................................................ 61,359 60,560
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $16,181 and
$15,030 ................................................................. 67,713 68,864
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$5,261,877 5,195,588
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Deposits................................................................. $3,067,129 2,974,213
Borrowed funds........................................................... 1,684,900 1,728,900
Advances by borrowers for taxes and insurance............................ 45,224 38,354
Accrued expenses and other liabilities................................... 73,957 66,392
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Total liabilities..................................................... 4,871,210 4,807,859
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Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares; none
outstanding........................................................... -- --
Common stock, $.01 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized;
25,420,650 shares issued; 22,768,601 and 23,110,022 shares
outstanding........................................................... 254 254
Additional paid-in capital............................................... 198,119 198,068
Retained earnings, substantially restricted.............................. 249,523 237,867
Stock in Gain Deferral Plan; 223,453 shares.............................. 511 511
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax....................... 2,032 1,435
Treasury stock, at cost; 2,875,502 and 2,534,081 shares.................. (59,772) (50,406)
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Total stockholders' equity............................................ 390,667 387,729
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$5,261,877 $5,195,588
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MAF BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(In thousands, except share data)

MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31,
2001 2000 2000
---- ---- ----

Book value per share........................ $ 17.16 $ 16.78 $ 15.00
Tangible book value per share............... 14.18 13.80 12.42
Stockholders' equity to total assets........ 7.42% 7.46% 7.29%
Tangible capital ratio (Bank only).......... 6.35 6.32 6.27
Core capital ratio (Bank only).............. 6.35 6.32 6.27
Risk-based capital ratio (Bank only)........ 11.86 11.98 12.13
Common shares outstanding:
Actual................................... 22,768,601 23,110,022 23,449,287
Basic (weighted average)................. 23,018,839 23,097,972 23,780,241
Diluted (weighted average)............... 23,493,233 23,455,319 23,953,996

Non-performing loans........................ $ 17,869 $ 16,709 $ 16,254
Non-performing assets....................... 19,213 18,517 24,475
Allowance for loan losses................... 18,279 18,258 17,567
Non-performing loans to total loans......... .42% .39% .41%
Non-performing assets to total assets....... .37 .36 .51
Allowance for loan losses to total loans.... .43 .42 .44
Mortgage loans serviced for others.......... $ 843,471 $ 785,350 $ 1,231,644

THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
---------
2001 2000

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Average balance data:
Total assets............................................. $5,128,657 $4,731,076
Loans receivable......................................... 4,368,240 3,950,441
Interest-earning assets.................................. 4,898,647 4,507,699
Deposits................................................. 2,839,382 2,583,165
Interest-bearing liabilities............................. 4,498,860 4,173,897
Stockholders' equity..................................... 390,169 352,317
Performance ratios (annualized):
Return on average assets................................. 1.10% 1.11%
Return on average equity................................. 14.43 14.88
Average yield on interest-earning assets................. 7.29 7.11
Average cost of interest-bearing liabilities............. 5.11 4.76
Interest rate spread..................................... 2.18 2.35
Net interest margin...................................... 2.66 2.71
Average interest-earning assets to average
interest-bearing liabilities.......................... 108.88% 108.00
Non-interest expense to average assets................... 1.56 1.50
Non-interest expense to average assets and loans
serviced for others................................... 1.35 1.19
Efficiency ratio......................................... 47.28 46.34
Loan originations and purchases............................. $ 515,455 $ 306,906
Loans and mortgage-backed securities sold................... 126,337 35,712
Cash dividends declared per share........................... .10 .09