EAST TEXAS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
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  1200 South Beckham o P. O. Box 6910 o Tyler, TX 75711-6910 o 903-593-1767 o
                                Fax 903-593-1094


                                  NEWS RELEASE


For verification, contact:         Gerald W. Free, Vice Chairman/President/CEO
                                   Derrell W. Chapman, Vice President/COO/CFO

Telephone:        (903) 593-1767
Fax:              (903) 593-1094

For immediate release:  April 24, 2001

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                       EAST TEXAS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
                             DECLARES CASH DIVIDEND

Tyler,  Texas, April 24, 2001, - - - East Texas Financial  Services,  Inc., (OTC
Bulletin Board: ETFS.OB), the holding Company for First Federal Savings and Loan
Association of Tyler,  Texas, today reported that the Company would continue its
quarterly  cash  dividend  of  $0.05  per  share  to be paid on May 23,  2001 to
stockholders  of record as of May 9,  2001.  The  annualized  dividend  yield is
approximately 2.39% based on the most recent market price of $8.38.

East Texas  Financial  Services,  Inc., is the holding company for First Federal
Savings and Loan  Association of Tyler,  Texas,  which presently  operates three
full  service  offices  and two loan  agencies  in the  Tyler  area and one full
service office in Gilmer, TX.

The  Company's  stock is traded  under the symbol  "ETFS" on the OTC  Electronic
Bulletin Board.