EXHIBIT 5





                                October 18, 1999



Board of Directors
EverTrust Financial Group, Inc.
2707 Colby Avenue, Suite 600
Everett, Washington  98201

Members of the Board:

     We  have  acted  as  counsel  to  EverTrust   Financial  Group,  Inc.  (the
"Corporation") in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities
and  Exchange  Commission  of a  registration  statement  on Form S-8  under the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Registration  Statement") relating to 69,000 shares
of the  Corporation's  Common  Stock,  par  value  $.01 per share  (the  "Common
Stock"),  to be offered pursuant to the EverTrust  Financial Group,  Inc. 401(k)
Employee  Savings  Profit  Sharing  Plan and  Trust  (the  "Plan")  and  related
interests in the Plan.

        In this connection,  we have reviewed originals or copies,  certified or
otherwise  identified to our satisfaction,  of the Plan and agreements  thereto,
the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, resolutions of its Board of
Directors  and such other  documents  and  corporate  records as we have  deemed
appropriate for the purpose of rendering this opinion.

        Based upon the  foregoing,  it is our opinion  that the shares of Common
Stock and interests in the Plan covered by the Registration Statement will, when
sold, be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

      We hereby  consent to the  inclusion  of our opinion in this  Registration
Statement.  In giving  this  consent,  we do not admit  that we are  within  the
category of persons whose consent is required  under Section 7 of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended,  or the rules and  regulations  of the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission thereunder.

                                         Very truly yours,


                                         /s/ Silver, Freedman & Taff, L.L.P.

                                         SILVER, FREEDMAN & TAFF, L.L.P.