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                      OREGON TRAIL FINANCIAL CORP.
                      ----------------------------
         (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

                      OREGON TRAIL FINANCIAL CORP.
                      ----------------------------
              (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)

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                        OREGON TRAIL FINANCIAL CORP.

                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                           ---------------------

         STILWELL SUIT AGAINST OREGON TRAIL DIRECTOR ROUSE DISMISSED

Baker City, OR, September 12, 2001 / Oregon Trail Financial Corp.
(Nasdaq:OTFC), the holding company for Pioneer Bank, announced today that
State Circuit Court Judge Janice R. Wilson has granted the Motion for Summary
Judgment filed by Charles H. Rouse, an Oregon Trail Financial Director sued by
the Stilwell Group (State ex rel. Stilwell Associates, L.P. vs. Charles Henry
Rouse; Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for Multnomah County, Case No.
01-02-01777).  Stilwell Associates had alleged that Mr. Rouse was holding
office illegally because he violated the Company's residency requirement for
directors.  The Judge granted the motion after hearing oral argument from
lawyers for both parties, and specifically found that there is "no evidence"
to support the case.

     Mr. Rouse said:  "I am pleased that the Court recognizes that I did
nothing wrong.  I only hope our shareholders will see what's really going on
here."

     Stephen Whittemore, Chairman of the Board of Oregon Trail stated:  "This
is the first of two meritless cases filed by the Stilwell Group trying to
remove directors of our Company.  What is particularly outrageous is the
Stilwell Group's abuse of our Courts in filing unfounded claims for wrong
doing, causing the Company to incur tens of thousands of dollars in legal
costs, and then complaining to shareholders that our earnings are too low.  On
top of that, the Stilwell Group is soliciting proxies for its candidate based
in part on these same false and misleading allegations."

CONTACT:  Berniel L. Maughan, President and CEO, Oregon Trail Financial Corp.,
(541) 523-6327.