First Federal Bankshares, Inc.


PRESS RELEASE

July 21, 2005
For Immediate Release

For Further Information Contact:    Barry Backhaus
                                    First Federal Bankshares, Inc.
                                    329 Pierce Street, P.O. Box 897
                                    Sioux City, IA  51102
                                    712.277.0200


                         FIRST FEDERAL BANKSHARES, INC.
                 APPOINTS RONALD JORGENSEN TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS


Sioux  City,  Iowa - July 21,  2005.  First  Federal  Bankshares,  Inc.  (Nasdaq
National  Market - "FFSX") has announced the expansion of its Board of Directors
from eight to nine members,  and the  appointment  of Ronald A. Jorgensen to its
Board of Directors.

A native of Sioux City,  Mr.  Jorgensen is the Vice  President  for Business and
Finance at Morningside College, a private four-year institution founded in 1894.
Previously,  Mr.  Jorgensen  served  for 17 years as Vice  President  and  Chief
Financial  Officer  of what is now U.S.  Bank in  Sioux  City.  Barry  Backhaus,
President and Chief Executive  Officer of the Company,  welcomed the addition of
Mr.  Jorgensen to the Board.  Mr. Backhaus said, "Most of our Board members have
known Mr. Jorgensen for a number of years. We look forward to the expertise that
he will bring to the Company, not only in the finance area, but also his general
business knowledge and experience."

Mr.  Jorgensen  was also  appointed to the Board of the  Company's  wholly owned
principal operating subsidiary,  First Federal Bank. First Federal Bank operates
eight offices in northwest  Iowa, an office in South Sioux City,  Nebraska,  and
six offices in central Iowa.




     329 Pierce Street . P.O. Box 897 . Sioux City IA 51102 . 712-277-0200