[FSF LETTERHEAD]









December 12, 1996

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

      On behalf of the Board of Directors and management of FSF Financial Corp.,
we cordially  invite you to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held
at the office of FSF  Financial  Corp.  at 201 Main  Street  South,  Hutchinson,
Minnesota  55350 on January 21, 1997, at 8:30 a.m. The attached Notice of Annual
Meeting and Proxy Statement describe the formal business to be transacted at the
Meeting.  During  the  Meeting,  we will also  report on the  operations  of the
Company.  Directors and officers of the Company,  as well as  representatives of
Bertram Cooper & Co., LLP, independent  accountants,  will be present to respond
to any questions stockholders may have.

      Whether or not you plan to attend the  Meeting,  please  sign and date the
enclosed  form of proxy and return it in the  accompanying  postage-paid  return
envelope  as  promptly  as  possible.  This will not  prevent you from voting in
person at the  Meeting,  but will  assure  that your vote is  counted if you are
unable to attend the Meeting. YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

                                          Sincerely,


                                          /s/ George B. Loban
                                          George B. Loban
                                          President




                                          /s/ Donald A. Glas
                                          Donald A. Glas
                                          Chief Executive Officer







                              FSF FINANCIAL CORP.
                             201 MAIN STREET SOUTH
                         HUTCHINSON, MINNESOTA  55350
                                (320) 234-4500
                   NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                        To be Held on January 21, 1997

      NOTICE IS HEREBY  GIVEN  that the  Annual  Meeting  of  Stockholders  (the
"Meeting") of FSF Financial Corp. (the "Company"), will be held at the Company's
office at 201 Main Street South, Hutchinson, Minnesota 55350 on Tuesday, January
21, 1997, at 8:30 a.m. The Meeting is for the purpose of considering  and acting
upon:

      1.    The election of three directors of the Company;
      2.    The ratification of the appointment of Bertram Cooper & Co., LLP as
            independent auditors of FSF Financial Corp. for the fiscal year 
            ending September 30, 1997; and

Execution of a proxy in the form enclosed also permits the proxy holder to vote,
in their  discretion,  upon such other matters that may come before the Meeting.
As of the date of  mailing,  the  Board of  directors  is not aware of any other
matters that may come before the Meeting.

Action may be taken on any one of the foregoing  proposals at the Meeting on the
date  specified  above or on any date or dates to which,  by  original  or later
adjournment,  the Meeting may be adjourned.  Stockholders of record at the close
of business on December 11, 1996, are the  stockholders  entitled to vote at the
Meeting and any adjournments thereof.

You are  requested to complete  and to sign the enclosed  form of proxy which is
solicited  by the Board of  Directors  and to return it promptly in the enclosed
envelope.  The proxy will not be used if you  attend and vote at the  Meeting in
person.

      EACH STOCKHOLDER, WHETHER OR NOT HE OR SHE PLANS TO ATTEND THE MEETING, IS
REQUESTED TO SIGN,  DATE, AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY WITHOUT DELAY IN
THE ENCLOSED  POSTAGE-PAID  ENVELOPE.  ANY PROXY GIVEN BY THE STOCKHOLDER MAY BE
REVOKED BY FILING WITH THE  SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY A WRITTEN  REVOCATION  OR A
DULY EXECUTED PROXY BEARING A LATER DATE. ANY STOCKHOLDER PRESENT AT THE MEETING
MAY REVOKE HIS OR HER PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON ON EACH MATTER BROUGHT BEFORE THE
MEETING.  HOWEVER,  IF YOU ARE A STOCKHOLDER  WHOSE SHARES ARE NOT REGISTERED IN
YOUR OWN NAME, YOU WILL NEED ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION FROM YOUR RECORD HOLDER TO
VOTE IN PERSON AT THE MEETING.


                                    BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS


                                    /s/ Arliss M. Haag
                                    Arliss M. Haag, Secretary

Hutchinson, Minnesota
December 12, 1996

IMPORTANT:  THE PROMPT  RETURN OF PROXIES  WILL SAVE THE  COMPANY THE EXPENSE OF
FURTHER  REQUESTS  FOR  PROXIES  IN ORDER TO INSURE A QUORUM AT THE  MEETING.  A
SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED
IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.







                                 PROXY STATEMENT
                                       OF
                               FSF FINANCIAL CORP.
                              201 MAIN STREET SOUTH
                           HUTCHINSON, MINNESOTA 55350
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                January 21, 1997


                                     GENERAL

      This Proxy  Statement is furnished to holders of common  stock,  $0.10 par
value per share  ("Common  Stock"),  of FSF  Financial  Corp.  (the  "Company").
Proxies  are being  solicited  by the board of  directors  of the  Company  (the
"Board"  or  "Board  of  Directors")  to  be  used  at  the  Annual  Meeting  of
Stockholders of the Company (the "Meeting")  which will be held at the Company's
office at 201 Main  Street  South,  Hutchinson,  Minnesota  55350 on January 21,
1997, 8:30 a.m. local time.

      At the Meeting,  stockholders will consider and vote upon (i) the election
of three  directors  and (ii) the  ratification  of the  appointment  of Bertram
Cooper & Co.,  LLP as  independent  auditors  of the Company for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 1997. The Board of Directors knows of no additional matters
that will be presented for  consideration at the Meeting.  Execution of a proxy,
however,  confers on the designated proxy holder discretionary authority to vote
the shares  represented by such proxy in accordance  with their best judgment on
such other  business,  if any,  that may properly come before the Meeting or any
adjournment thereof.


                       VOTING AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES

      Stockholders  who execute  proxies  retain the right to revoke them at any
time. Unless so revoked, the shares represented by such proxies will be voted at
the  Meeting  and all  adjournments  thereof.  Proxies may be revoked by written
notice  delivered  in person or mailed to the  Secretary  of the  Company at the
address of the Company shown above or by the filing of a later dated proxy prior
to a vote being taken on a particular  proposal at the Meeting. A proxy will not
be voted if a  stockholder  attends  the  Meeting  and votes in person.  Proxies
solicited  by the  Board  of  Directors  will be voted  in  accordance  with the
directions given therein.  Where no instructions  are indicated,  signed proxies
will be voted  "FOR"  the  proposals  set  forth  in this  Proxy  Statement  for
consideration  at the  Meeting or any  adjournment  thereof.  The proxy  confers
discretionary authority on the persons named therein to vote with respect to the
election of any person as a director  should the nominee be unable to serve,  or
for good  cause,  will not serve,  and  matters  incident  to the conduct of the
Meeting.


                VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF

      Stockholders  of record as of the close of business  on December  11, 1996
("Voting Record Date"),  are entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock
then held.  As of the Voting Record Date,  the Company had  3,304,310  shares of
Common Stock issued and outstanding.







      The articles of incorporation of the Company (the "Articles") provide that
in no event  shall any record  owner of any  outstanding  Common  Stock which is
beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by a person who beneficially owns in
excess of 10% of the then  outstanding  shares of Common Stock (the  "Limit") be
entitled or  permitted  to any vote with respect to the shares held in excess of
the Limit.  Beneficial ownership is determined pursuant to the definition in the
Articles and includes shares  beneficially owned by such person or any of his or
her  affiliates or associates  (as defined in the  Articles),  shares which such
person or his or her affiliates or associates have the right to acquire upon the
exercise of conversion rights or options, and shares as to which such person and
his or her  affiliates or associates  have or share  investment or voting power,
but shall not include shares  beneficially owned by any employee stock ownership
or similar plan of the issuer or any subsidiary.

      The  presence  in  person  or by  proxy  of at  least  a  majority  of the
outstanding  shares of Common  Stock  entitled  to vote (after  subtracting  any
shares held in excess of the Limit) is necessary  to  constitute a quorum at the
Meeting.

      As to the election of directors as stated in "Information  with Respect to
Nominees for Director,  Directors continuing in Office, and Executive Officers -
Election of Directors,"  the form of proxy being provided by the Board enables a
stockholder to vote for the election of the nominees  proposed by the Board,  or
to withhold  authority to vote for one or more of the nominees  being  proposed.
Directors  are elected by a plurality of votes cast,  without  respect to either
(i) broker  non-votes or (ii)  proxies as to which  authority to vote for one or
more of the nominees being proposed is withheld.

      As to  the  ratification  of  independent  auditors  as  set  forth  under
"Ratification  of  Appointment  of  Auditors,"  and all other  matters  that may
properly come before the Meeting, by checking the appropriate box, a stockholder
may: (i) vote "FOR" the item,  (ii) vote "AGAINST" the item, or (iii)  "ABSTAIN"
with respect to the item. Unless otherwise  required by law, the ratification of
auditors shall be determined by a majority of the total votes cast affirmatively
or negatively  without  regard to (a) broker  non-votes or (b) proxies for which
the "ABSTAIN" box is selected as to the matter.

      As to all other matters that may properly come before the Meeting,  unless
otherwise  required by law,  the  Articles,  or the bylaws of the  Company  (the
"Bylaws"),  a majority of the votes cast by shareholders  shall be sufficient to
pass on any other matter.

      Persons and groups owning in excess of 5% of the Common Stock are required
to file certain  reports  regarding  such  ownership  pursuant to the Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934 Act,  as  amended  (the "1934  Act").  Other than as noted
below,  management  knows of no person or entity,  including any "group" as that
term is used in  ss.13(d)(3)  of the 1934  Act,  who or which is the  beneficial
owner of more than 5% of the  outstanding  shares of Common  Stock on the Voting
Record Date.  Information  concerning  the security  ownership of  management is
included  under  "Information  with Respect to Nominees for Director,  Directors
Continuing in Office, and Executive Officers."

                                       -2-







                                                                             Percent of Shares of
                                                Amount and Nature of             Common Stock
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner            Beneficial Ownership             Outstanding
- ------------------------------------            --------------------         --------------------
                                                                                
First Federal fsb                                    359,720 (1)                    10.9%
Employee Stock Ownership Plan Trust ("ESOP")
201 Main Street South
Hutchinson, Minnesota

Brandes Investment Partners, Inc.                    246,950 (2)                     7.5%
12750 High Bluff Drive
San Diego, California

Security Bancshares Company                          200,000 (3)                     6.1%
P.O. Box 212
Glencoe, Minnesota



- ----------------------------------
(1)   The ESOP purchased such shares for the exclusive  benefit of plan employee
      participants  with funds borrowed from the Company.  These shares are held
      in a  suspense  account  and will be  allocated  among  ESOP  participants
      annually on the basis of  compensation  as the ESOP debt is repaid.  As of
      the Voting Record Date,  85,433 shares have been allocated  under the ESOP
      to participant accounts.  See "Director and Executive Officer Compensation
      - Other Benefits Employee Stock Ownership Plan."
(2)   Based on an amended Schedule 13G received by the Company on May 15, 1996.
(3)   Based on a Schedule 13G received by the Company on March 14, 1996.


            SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

      Section  16(a)  of the  1934  Act  requires  the  Company's  officers  and
directors,  and persons who own more than ten  percent of the Common  Stock,  to
file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of the Common Stock, on Forms
3, 4 and 5, with the Securities and Exchange  Commission  ("SEC") and to provide
copies of those Forms 3, 4 and 5 to the Company. The Company is not aware of any
beneficial owner of more than ten percent of its Common Stock.

      Based upon a review of the copies of the forms  furnished  to the Company,
or written  representations  from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were
required,  the Company  believes  that all  Section  16(a)  filing  requirements
applicable  to its officers and  directors  were complied with during the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1996.


               INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR,
             DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE, AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Election of Directors

      The Articles  require that  directors  be divided into three  classes,  as
nearly equal in number as possible, each class to serve for a three year period,
with  approximately  one-third of the directors  elected each year. The Board of
Directors currently consists of nine members. Three directors will be elected

                                       -3-





at the Meeting,  to serve for three-year  terms,  as noted below, or until their
respective successors have been elected and qualified.

     Sever B. Knutson, Roger R. Stearns, and George B. Loban have been nominated
by the Board of Directors to serve as directors.  Mr. Glas, Mr. Caturia, and Mr.
Dempsey are currently members of the Board. If a nominee is unable to serve, the
shares  represented  by all valid proxies will be voted for the election of such
substitute  as the Board of Directors may recommend or the size of the Board may
be reduced to eliminate the vacancy.  At this time, the Board knows of no reason
why any nominee might be unavailable to serve.

     The following table sets forth the nominees and the directors continuing in
office,  their name,  age, the year they first became a director of the Company,
the  Associations,  or the Bank, the expiration  date of their current term as a
director of the Company,  and the number and  percentage of shares of the Common
Stock beneficially  owned. Each director of the Company, is also a member of the
Board of Directors of the Bank.

     Each nominee director's current term as set forth below was set pursuant to
an  agreement  of merger dated March 15, 1994  ("Agreement  of Merger")  between
First Federal Savings and Loan  Association of Hastings  ("Hastings")  and First
State Federal Savings and Loan Association  ("First State")  (collectively,  the
"Associations")  in  connection  with the merger (the  "Merger")  and  immediate
conversion from mutual to stock form (the "Conversion") of the Associations (the
Merger and the  Conversion  are referred to herein as the "Merger  Conversion").
The Agreement of Merger does not provide for appointment to any additional terms
after appointment to the initial term of such directors.





                               Year First     Current         Shares of
                               Elected or     Term to       Common Stock            Percent
Name                Age(1)      Appointed     Expire     Beneficially Owned(2)      of Class
- ----                ------     ----------     -------    ---------------------      --------

BOARD NOMINEES FOR TERM TO EXPIRE IN 2000

                                                                        
Sever B. Knutson      64          1984         1997           40,116(3)(4)            1.2%

Roger R. Stearns      48          1990         1997           38,347(3)(5)            1.2%

George B. Loban       46          1979         1997          125,566(6)               3.8%

                   THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE ABOVE
                           NOMINEES BE ELECTED AS DIRECTORS


DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE(7)

Carl O. Bretzke       69          1971         1998          37,616(8)                1.1%

Richard H. Burgart    49          1994         1998          75,337(9)                2.3%

Donald A. Glas        46          1981         1999         126,780(10)               3.8%

James J. Caturia      58          1984         1999          14,432(3)(11)            0.4%

Jerome J. Dempsey     63          1984         1999           6,815                   0.2%

All Directors and
Executive Officers as a
Group (10 persons)                                          487,385(3)               14.7%



- -----------------------
(1)   At September 30, 1996.
(2)   Beneficial  ownership  as of the Voting  Record Date.  Includes  shares of
      Common  Stock held  directly as well as by spouses or minor  children,  in
      trust and other  indirect  ownership,  over which  shares the  individuals
      effectively  exercise sole or shared voting and investment  power,  unless
      otherwise indicated. Excludes stock options to purchase shares

                                       -4-





     of  Common  Stock  pursuant  to the 1994  Stock  Option  Plan  that are not
     exercisable  within 60 days of the Record Date. See "Director and Executive
     Officer  Compensation - Other  Benefits -1994 Stock Option Plan."  Includes
     shares of Common  Stock  awarded  under the  Bank's  Management  Stock Plan
     ("MSP").  See "Director and Executive Officer Compensation - Other Benefits
     - Management Stock Plan."
(3)  Excludes  shares of Common  Stock held under the Employee  Stock  Ownership
     Plan  ("ESOP") or MSP for which such  individual  serves as a member of the
     ESOP or MSP  Committee  or Trustee  Committee.  Such  individual  disclaims
     beneficial  ownership  with  respect  to such  shares  held in a  fiduciary
     capacity. See "Director and Executive Officer Compensation - Other Benefits
     - Employee Stock Ownership Plan."
(4)  Includes  10,000  shares  owned by the  spouse  of Mr.  Knutson,  which Mr.
     Knutson may be deemed to beneficially own.
(5)  Includes 7,800 shares held by Stearns Foundation, Inc. of which Mr. Stearns
     is an officer and director,  and 1,000 shares held in trust for each of Mr.
     Stearns' son and daughter,  which Mr. Stearns may be deemed to beneficially
     own.
(6)  Includes  250 shares  held by the son of Mr.  Loban,  2,000  shares held in
     trust for the benefit of the minor  child of Mr.  Loban,  and 2,901  shares
     held in the individual retirement account of the spouse of Mr. Loban, which
     Mr. Loban may be deemed to beneficially own.
(7)  Maurice P. Zweber is a director of the  Company  whose term  expires at the
     Meeting.  Mr. Zweber is retiring from his position effective at the Meeting
     and at that time, the Board size will be reduced to eight persons.
(8)  Includes  10,000  shares  owned by the  spouse  of Mr.  Bretzke,  which Mr.
     Bretzke may be deemed to beneficially own.
(9)  Includes 743 shares held in the individual retirement account of the spouse
     of Mr. Burgart and 25 shares held in trust for the benefit of the minor son
     of Mr. Burgart, which Mr. Burgart may be deemed to beneficially own.
(10) Includes 2,165 shares owned by the spouse of Mr. Glas and 1,000 shares held
     in trust for the benefit of the minor child of Mr. Glas, which Mr. Glas may
     be deemed to beneficially own.
(11) Includes 1,679 shares in the individual retirement account of the spouse of
     Mr. Caturia, which Mr. Caturia may be deemed to beneficially own.

      The following  individuals  hold the executive  offices in the Company set
forth opposite their names.


Name                      Age (1)     Position(s) Held With the Company
- ----                      -------     ---------------------------------

Donald A. Glas               46       Co-Chair and Chief Executive Officer

George B. Loban              46       Co-Chair and President

Richard H. Burgart           49       Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Arliss M. Haag               59       Secretary


(1)   At September 30, 1996.

     The executive  officers of the Company are elected annually and hold office
until their  respective  successors  have been  elected and  qualified  or until
death, resignation, or removal by the Board of Directors.

Biographical Information

     The  principal  occupation  of each  director,  nominee for  director,  and
executive officer of the Company is set forth below. Unless otherwise noted, all
persons have held there present occupation for the last five years.

     Sever B.  Knutson  served as  director  of First  State from 1984 until the
Merger and has served as a director of the  Company and the Bank since 1994.  He
is the former  President and majority  stockholder of Lynn Card Company,  a mail
order  business  located  in  Hutchinson,  Minnesota.  Mr.  Knutson  chairs  the
Transportation  Committee of the Hutchinson Community  Development  Corporation.
Mr. Knutson also serves as the Operations Officer for the Hutchinson Squadron of
the Civil Air Patrol.  Mr. Knutson served as an Officer in the United States Air
Force for 22 years, retiring in 1972.


                                       -5-





     Roger R.  Stearns  served as a director  of First State from 1990 until the
Merger and has served as a director of the Company and the Bank since 1994.  Mr.
Stearns is the President and owns 48% of the  outstanding  stock of Stearnswood,
Incorporated,  a  manufacturing  company located in Hutchinson,  Minnesota.  Mr.
Stearns was Treasurer of the Hutchinson  School District Board and has served as
the Chair of Little Crow Telemedia  Network and Director of the Central  Prairie
Railway Association.  Mr. Stearns is also a member of the Legislative Task Force
of the  Hutchinson  Area  Chamber of  Commerce  and serves as a Director of Blue
Cross & Blue  Shield of  Minnesota,  is Trustee  and  Secretary  of the  Stearns
Foundation, and is a member of the Bank Shell Restoration Committee.

     Maurice P. Zweber served as director of Hastings from 1950 until the Merger
and has served as director of the Company and the Bank since 1994. Mr. Zweber is
a retired  postmaster.  Mr. Zweber's term expires at the Meeting and he will not
stand for  re-election.  Following Mr. Zweber's  retirement from the Board,  the
size of the Board will be reduced to eight persons.

     George B. Loban is Co-Chair and President of the Company.  Upon  completion
of the Merger,  Mr. Loban became  President  and Co-Chair of the Bank.  Prior to
joining the Bank, Mr. Loban served as a director, President, and Chief Executive
Officer of Hastings  from 1984.  He serves as Vice  Chairman of the Federal Home
Loan Bank of Des Moines and is a member of the Governmental Affairs Committee of
the FHLB System.  He also serves on several  committees of the ACB. Mr. Loban is
involved in the Hastings  Chamber of Commerce,  United Way, and School  Business
Partnership, and is a director of the Hastings Industrial Park Board.

     Carl O.  Bretzke  served as a director  of First  State from 1971 until the
Merger and has  served as a director  of the  Company  and the Bank since  1994.
Presently,  Mr.  Bretzke  serves  as Chair  of the  Community  Reinvestment  Act
Committee and is a member of the Audit Committee. Dr. Bretzke served as a Family
Physician in Hutchinson  for 38 years.  Dr,  Bretzke is a past  president of the
Hutchinson  Medical Center and McLeod County  Medical  Society and past chief of
the  Hutchinson  Hospital  Medical  Staff.  Dr.  Bretzke  currently  serves as a
volunteer  physician for St. Mary's Health Clinic in Shakopee,  Minnesota,  is a
director of the Hutchinson  Area  Foundation for Health Care, and is a member of
the McLeod County HIV/STD Advisory Council.  Dr. Bretzke is past chairman of the
Hutchinson  Planning  Commission,  Hutchinson Park Board, and Hutchinson  School
Board.  Dr.  Bretzke is a past  president of the  Hutchinson  Optimist Club, and
served as moderator for the First Congregational Church in Hutchinson,  where he
has been a lifelong  member.  Dr. Bretzke is a member of the American Legion and
the Masonic Order.

     Richard  H.  Burgart  has  served as a director  of the  Company  and Chief
Financial  Officer and  Treasurer  of the  Company and the Bank since 1994.  Mr.
Burgart  began  his  employment  with  First  State  in 1985  and was the  Chief
Financial  Officer and Treasurer of First State from 1988 until the Merger.  Mr.
Burgart has participated in the Hutchinson Dollars for Scholars,  the Hutchinson
Youth Hockey Association,  and the Hutchinson Community Development Corporation.
Mr.  Burgart  is a  member  of the  First  Congregational  Church  and he is the
national Chairman of the Financial Managers Society.

     Donald A. Glas is Co-Chair and Chief  Executive  Officer of the Company and
the Bank.  Mr. Glas started with First State in 1972 and served as President and
Chief Executive Officer from 1983 until the Merger. In addition, Mr. Glas serves
as a  director  and  Chair  of  Firstate  Services,  Incorporated.  He is also a
founding director and a committee member of the Hutchinson Community Development
Corporation.  In addition,  Mr. Glas serves on the Legislative Affairs Committee
of the  America's  Community  Bankers  ("ACB"),  a national  trade group for the
industry. Mr. Glas also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the FHLB
of Des Moines,  served on the Consumer  Advisory  Council of the Federal Reserve
Board, and was a member of the Hutchinson  Technical College Advisory Board, the
Activity Advisory Committee of Hutchinson Schools, the Chamber of Commerce,  the
Hutchinson Main Street Organization, the United Way, and the Crow River Drumline
Association.

                                       -6-






     James J.  Caturia  served as a  director  of  Hastings  from 1984 until the
Merger and has served as a director of the  Company and the Bank since 1994.  He
is the owner and manager of Caturia  Interiors,  Inc.,  Hastings,  Minnesota,  a
retail home furnishings company. Mr. Caturia is a member of the Hastings Chamber
of Commerce.

     Jerome R.  Dempsey  served as a director  of  Hastings  from 1984 until the
Merger and has served as a director of the Company and the Bank since 1994.  Mr.
Dempsey taught and served as an  administrator  for the Hastings  Public Schools
for 19  years.  In 1992,  Mr.  Dempsey  was  elected  to a two- year term in the
Minnesota  House of  Representatives  and was  re-elected in 1994.  Mr.  Dempsey
serves on the Bonding, Environment and Natural Resources, Government Operatives,
and Regulated Industries Committees. Mr. Dempsey is a member of the Council 1600
Knights of  Columbus,  the  Hastings  United Way,  and the  Hastings  Chamber of
Commerce.  In  addition,  Mr.  Dempsey is involved  with the  Special  Olympics,
Habitat for Humanity, and the American Cancer Society.

     Arliss M. Haag  served as  Secretary  of First  State  from 1983  until the
Merger and has been  serving as the  Secretary of the Company and the Bank since
1994.  She also serves as the  Treasurer of the  Hutchinson  Woman's Club and as
committee chair of the Peace Lutheran Dorcas Club. Ms. Haag currently  serves as
a driver for the Meals on Wheels Program.

Nominations for Directors

      Nominations  of candidates for election as directors at any annual meeting
of  stockholders  may be made (a) by, or at the  direction of, a majority of the
Board of  Directors  or (b) by any  stockholder  entitled to vote at such annual
meeting.  Only persons  nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in
the Articles may be eligible for election as directors at an annual meeting.

      Nominations,  other than those made by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors, must be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Secretary of
the Company.  To be timely,  a  stockholder's  notice shall be delivered  to, or
mailed and received at, the principal  executive offices of the Company not less
than 60 days prior to the anniversary  date of the immediately  preceding annual
meeting of  stockholders  of the Company.  Such  stockholder's  notice shall set
forth (a) as to each  person  whom the  stockholder  proposes  to  nominate  for
election  or  re-election  as a director  and as to the  stockholder  giving the
notice (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of such person,
(ii) the principal  occupation or employment of such person, (iii) the number of
shares of Common Stock that are beneficially  owned (as defined in the Articles)
by such  person  on the date of such  stockholder  notice,  and  (iv) any  other
information  relating  to  such  person  that is  required  to be  disclosed  in
solicitations  of proxies with  respect to nominees  for election as  directors,
pursuant to the 1934 Act, including, but not limited to, information which would
be required to be filed with the SEC; and (b) as to the  stockholder  giving the
notice (i) the name and address,  as they appear on the Company's books, of such
stockholder  and  any  other  stockholders  known  by  such  stockholder  to  be
supporting  such nominees and (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock that are
beneficially  owned by such stockholder on the date of such  stockholder  notice
and, to the extent known, by any other stockholders known by such stockholder to
be  supporting  such  nominees on the date of such  stockholder  notice.  At the
request of the board of directors,  any person nominated by, or at the direction
of, the Board for  election as a director at an annual  meeting  must furnish to
the  Secretary  of the Company  that  information  required to be set forth in a
stockholder's notice of nomination that pertains to the nominee.

      The Board or a  committee  of the Board may  reject  any  nomination  by a
stockholder not timely made in accordance with the requirements of the Articles.
A stockholder  may be given the  opportunity to correct a notice not meeting the
requirements  of the Articles as provided in the Articles.  Notwithstanding  the
procedures  set forth in the Articles,  if neither the Board nor such  committee
makes a  determination  as to the validity of any  nominations by a stockholder,
the presiding officer of the annual

                                       -7-





meeting shall determine and declare at the annual meeting whether the nomination
was made in accordance with the terms of the Articles.  If the presiding officer
determines  that a nomination or proposal was made in accordance  with the terms
of the Articles, such officer shall so declare at the annual meeting and ballots
shall be  provided  for use at the  meeting  with  respect  to such  nominee  or
proposal.  If the presiding officer determines that a nomination or proposal was
not made in  accordance  with the terms of this  Article,  such officer shall so
declare at the annual meeting and the defective  nomination or proposal shall be
disregarded.

Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors

      The Board of Directors conducts its business through meetings of the Board
and through activities of its committees.  Each member of the Board of Directors
(except  for Mr.  Burgart)  also  currently  serves  as a member of the board of
directors of the Bank, which meets monthly and may have special meetings.
All committees act for both the Company and the Bank.

      During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, the Board of Directors of
the Company and the Bank held 13 regular  meetings and no special  meetings.  No
director attended fewer than 75% of the total meetings of the Board of Directors
of the Company and the Bank and the  committees  on which such  director  served
during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996.

      The Audit  Committee  of the Company is  responsible  for  overseeing  the
Company's  internal  audit  procedures.  Currently,  the  members  of the  Audit
Committee are Messrs.  Knutson,  Bretzke,  and Dempsey.  The Audit Committee met
four times during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996.

      The Nominating  Committee of the Company recommends  nominees for election
as directors to the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee,  which met one
time during the fiscal year ended  September  30,  1996,  consists of the entire
Board of  Directors.  Although the Board of  Directors  will  consider  nominees
recommended by stockholders,  it has not actively solicited recommendations from
stockholders.


                  DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

Directors' Compensation

      The  Company  compensates  its  directors  by  means  of a  $4,000  annual
retainer.  Each director of the Company is a director of the Bank,  and receives
fees accordingly.

      During the fiscal year ended  September 30, 1996, each member of the Board
of  Directors  of the Bank  received  a fee of $450 per  meeting  attended  from
October 1995 through March 1996 and $500 per meeting attended from April through
September of 1996, plus a $4,000 annual  retainer.  In addition,  committee fees
consisted  of $300  for  each  committee  meeting  attended.  Furthermore,  some
directors received fees for being directors of Firstate Services,  Incorporated,
the Bank's  subsidiary.  For the year ended  September 30, 1996,  total director
fees paid to all directors as a group were $132,550.

Executive Compensation

      General.  Since  the  formation  of the  Company,  none  of its  executive
officers  or other  personnel  have  received  remuneration  from  the  Company.
Executive  officers received  compensation from the Bank.  However, a portion of
the executive officers' compensation is reimbursed to the Bank by the Company in
accordance with a cost sharing agreement between the two entities.


                                       -8-


      Summary  Compensation  Table.  The following table sets forth the cash and
non-cash  compensation  awarded to or earned by the Chief Executive  Officer and
certain other  executive  officers of the Bank for the years ended September 30,
1996,  1995, and 1994.  Except as set forth below,  no executive  officer of the
Company had a salary and bonus during such periods  that  exceeded  $100,000 for
services rendered in all capacities to the Bank or the Company in the aggregate.



                                                                                    Long Term Compensation
                                                  Annual Compensation                       Awards
                                       ----------------------------------------   ---------------------------
                                                                                                  Securities
                                                                                   Restricted     Underlying
Name and                                                         Other Annual        Stock         Options/        All Other
Principal Position         Year         Salary      Bonus(1)    Compensation(2)   Awards($)(3)    SARs (#)(4)    Compensation
- ------------------         ----        --------     --------    ---------------   ------------    -----------    ------------

                                                                                            
Donald A. Glas             1996        $135,000     $35,500        $13,400               --             --       $23,079 (5)
Director and Chief         1995        $119,250     $40,000        $11,125         $427,000        112,412       $36,613 (5)
Executive Officer          1994        $101,250     $35,000        $12,225               --             --       $15,188 (6)

George B. Loban            1996        $135,000     $35,500        $12,200               --             --       $23,079 (5)
Director and President     1995        $115,000     $40,000        $ 9,850         $427,000        112,412       $36,613 (5)
                           1994 (8)    $ 82,000     $20,500             --               --             --       $15,375 (7)

Richard H. Burgart(9)      1996        $ 92,000     $26,600        $12,200               --             --       $20,496 (5)
Chief Financial            1995        $ 82,500     $29,750        $ 7,500         $213,578         44,965       $30,401 (5)
Officer and Treasurer



- ------------------------
(1)  Awarded  pursuant  to the  Incentive  Compensation  Policy.  See  "-  Other
     Benefits - Incentive Compensation Policy."
(2)  Includes  director's fees. For Mr. Glas or Mr. Loban for fiscal 1996, 1995,
     and 1994,  or for Mr.  Burgart for fiscal 1996 and 1995,  there were no (a)
     perquisites  over the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of any of such  individual's
     total  salary  and  bonus  for  the  year;  (b)  payments  of  above-market
     preferential  earnings on deferred  compensation;  (c) payments of earnings
     with  respect  to  long-term   incentive   plans  prior  to  settlement  or
     maturation;  (d) tax payment reimbursements;  or (e) preferential discounts
     on stock.
(3)  Represents  44,965  shares of Common Stock awarded to both Mr. Glas and Mr.
     Loban and 22,482 shares of Common Stock  awarded to Mr.  Burgart on January
     17,  1995 based  upon a market  price of $9.50 as of the date of the award.
     Awards  are earned at a rate of 20% per year  beginning  one year after the
     effective date of the grant.  The total value of the restricted  stock held
     for the  benefit of Mr.  Glas,  Mr.  Loban,  and Mr.  Burgart by the MSP at
     September  30, 1996 was  $468,643,  $468,643,  and  $229,308,  respectively
     (calculated by multiplying $12.75, the closing average bid and ask price of
     the Company's  unrestricted  Common Stock at September 30, 1996, by 35,972,
     35,972,  and  17,985,  the  number  of  awarded,   but  unvested,   shares,
     respectively).  Dividends paid on the  restricted  Common Stock are accrued
     and held in arrears until the restricted  Common Stock for which  dividends
     were paid becomes vested.
(4)  The options,  by their terms,  are first  exercisable  at a rate of 20% per
     year  beginning  on January 17,  1996,  but in no event shall any option be
     exercisable more then ten years after the effective date of grant.
(5)   Represents employer contribution to the ESOP.
(6)  Represents  employer  contributions to the Simplified Employee Pension Plan
     ("SEP") for Mr. Glas.
(7)  Represents employer  contributions to the SEP for Mr. Loban, which was paid
     by Hastings. The Bank has assumed the SEP of Hastings as part of the Merger
     Conversion.
(8)  All  compensation to Mr. Loban during the period was paid by Hastings prior
     to the Merger.
(9)  Mr. Burgart's  salary and bonus first exceeded  $100,000 in the fiscal year
     ended September 30, 1995.

      Employment  Agreements.  The Bank entered into employment  agreements with
Chief  Executive  Officer and Co-Chair  Donald A. Glas,  President  and Co-Chair
George B. Loban,  and Chief Financial  Officer and Treasurer  Richard H. Burgart
(the"Officers").  The employment  agreements  provide for a term of three years.
The  agreements may be terminable by the Bank for "just cause" as defined in the
agreement.  If the Bank  terminates an Officer  without just cause,  the Officer
will be entitled to a  continuation  of his salary from the date of  termination
through the  remaining  term of the  agreement,  but in no event for a period of
less than one year. The employment  agreements  contain a provision stating that
in the event of  involuntary  termination  of employment in connection  with, or
within one year after, any change in control of the Bank, each will be paid in a
lump sum an amount  equal to 2.99 times his salary.  In the event of a change in
control of the Bank, at September 30, 1996, the Officers would

                                       -9-





currently be entitled to an  aggregate  lump sum payment of  approximately  $1.2
million.  The  aggregate  payments that would be made would be an expense to the
Bank,  thereby  reducing net income and the Bank's  capital by that amount.  The
agreements  are reviewed  annually by the Board of Directors and may be extended
for additional one-year periods upon a determination of satisfactory performance
within the Board's sole discretion.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

     The Compensation  Committee  currently consists of Messrs.  Zweber (Chair),
Caturia,  Stearns, and Knutson, all present members of the Board of Directors of
the Bank and the Company.  Executive  Officers of the Company or the Bank do not
participate in matters involving their compensation.

Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation

     The executive officers of the Company and the Bank consist of Mr. George B.
Loban (Co- Chairman of the Board and President), Mr. Donald A. Glas (Co-Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive  Officer),  Richard H. Burgart (Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer), and Arliss M. Haag (Secretary).

     The Bank Compensation  Committee meets annually to review compensation paid
to  executive  officers and to determine  the  compensation  levels for all Bank
employees.  The Committee reviews various published surveys of compensation paid
to employees  performing  similar duties for depository  institutions  and their
holding companies,  with a particular focus on the level of compensation paid by
comparable  institutions  in  and  around  the  Bank's  market  area,  including
institutions  with  total  assets of  between  $250  million  and $500  million.
Although  the  Committee  does not  specifically  set  compensation  levels  for
executive  officers  based on  whether  particular  financial  goals  have  been
achieved by the Bank the Committee  does consider the overall  profitability  of
the Bank when making these decisions.  With respect to each particular employee,
his or her  particular  contributions  to the Bank  over the past  year are also
evaluated.

     Effective  April 1,  1996,  Mr.  Glas,  Co-Chairman  of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer, and Mr. Loban,  Co-Chairman of the Board and President,  each
received a salary increase from $125,000 to $145,000, and Mr. Burgart received a
salary increase from $85,000 to $99,000.  The Committee will consider the annual
compensation paid to presidents,  chief executive officers,  and chief financial
officers of financial  institutions  in the State of Minnesota  and  surrounding
states with assets of between $250  million and $500 million and the  individual
job  performance  of such  individual in  consideration  of its specific  salary
increase  decision  with respect to  compensation  to be paid to the  President,
Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer in the future.

      Compensation Committee:

            Maurice P. Zweber
            James J. Caturia
            Roger R. Stearns
            Sever B. Knutson

Other Benefits

     Long Term  Incentive  Plans.  The Company  does not  presently  sponsor any
long-term incentive plans nor did it make any payouts to George B. Loban, Donald
A. Glas,  or Richard H.  Burgart  under such plans  during the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1996.


                                      -10-





     Simplified Employee Pension. The Bank presently maintains a SEP whereby the
institution makes annual  discretionary  contributions to employees'  Individual
Retirement  Accounts  ("IRAs")  in an amount not to exceed 15% of  compensation.
Eligible participants are those employees age 21 or over and who are employed at
least three of the  preceding  five years.  At the time of the Merger,  the Bank
assumed a SEP  maintained  by  Hastings.  Total SEP  expense for the fiscal year
ended September 30, 1996 (including the SEP maintained by Hastings)  amounted to
approximately  $-0-.  The Bank no longer  makes  contributions  to such SEP as a
result of  contributions  made to the Employee Stock Ownership  Plan,  described
below.

     Incentive  Compensation  Policy.  The  Bank has an  Incentive  Compensation
Policy for selected management personnel (18 persons). Compensation awards under
this  policy  appear  as a  bonus  in the  year  earned.  Awards  are  based  on
individuals  attaining various financial and business plan objectives set by the
Board of Directors.  Total  bonuses  earned by all  participants  covered by the
policy  (including Mr. Glas, Mr. Loban, and Mr. Burgart)  totalled  $182,250 for
the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996.

     Supplemental  Executive  Retirement  Plans.  The Bank  maintains an insured
executive  salary  continuation  plan  ("ESCP")  for  the  benefit  of  eligible
executive  employees  (six  persons).  The  purpose  of the  ESCP is to  furnish
executive employees with post-retirement and death benefits in addition to those
which will be provided under the Bank's SEP and other retirement  benefits.  The
ESCP is also  designed to foster the  retention  of executive  employees.  It is
anticipated  that  benefits  payable  under the ESCPs will  equal  approximately
$5,159  per month in the case of Mr.  Glas upon his  retirement  at age 56 for a
maximum of 180 months,  $4,166 in the case of Mr. Loban upon his  retirement age
56 for a maximum of 120 months,  and $3,810 per month in the case of Mr. Burgart
upon his  retirement at age 60 for a maximum of 180 months.  Payments  under the
ESCP  are  accrued  for  financial  reporting  purposes  during  the  period  of
employment.  The Bank's policy is to fund the ESCP costs accrued with  insurance
contracts. The accrued liability for all participants (six persons) at September
30, 1996,  in connection  with the ESCP amounted to $583,887 of which  $133,470,
$111,023,  and $52,831 were  attributable to Messrs.  Glas,  Loban, and Burgart,
respectively. There are no tax consequences to any executive officer or the Bank
related to the plans prior to the payment of  benefits.  Upon receipt of payment
of benefits,  the executive  employees will recognize taxable ordinary income in
the amount of such payments  received and the Bank will be entitled to recognize
a tax-deductible  compensation  expense at that time. At the time of the Merger,
the Bank assumed the ESCP of Hastings.

     Employee Stock  Ownership  Plan. The Bank has established an employee stock
ownership plan, the ESOP, for the exclusive benefit of participating  employees.
Participating  employees are  employees  who have  completed one year of service
with the Bank or its subsidiary and attained age 21. The ESOP is to be funded by
contributions made by the Bank in cash or the Common Stock. Benefits may be paid
either in shares of the Common Stock or in cash.  The ESOP  borrowed  funds from
the Company to acquire  359,720  shares of the Common Stock issued in the Merger
Conversion, representing 8.0% of the outstanding shares, of which 274,287 shares
remained  unallocated as of the Voting Record Date.  This loan is secured by the
shares  purchased  and  earnings  of ESOP  assets.  Shares  purchased  with loan
proceeds are held in a suspense account for allocation among participants as the
loan is repaid.  During  the fiscal  year ended  September  30,  1996,  the Bank
contributed $457,783 to the ESOP.

     A committee  consisting of Messrs.  Knutson,  Stearns,  Zweber, and Caturia
(the "ESOP Committee") administers the ESOP and also serves as the ESOP trustees
(the "ESOP Trustees"). The Board of Directors or the ESOP Committee may instruct
the ESOP Trustees  regarding  investments of funds  contributed to the ESOP. The
ESOP Trustees must vote all allocated shares held in the ESOP in accordance with
the  instructions  of  the  participating  employees.   Unallocated  shares  and
allocated  shares for which no timely direction is received will be voted by the
ESOP  Trustees  as  directed by the Board of  Directors  or the ESOP  Committee,
subject to the Trustees' fiduciary duties.


                                      -11-





      1994 Stock  Option  Plan.  The Board of  Directors  adopted the 1994 Stock
Option  Plan (the  "Option  Plan").  Pursuant  to the  Option  Plan,  additional
authorized  shares were  reserved for  issuance by the Company upon  exercise of
stock options to be granted to officers, directors, and employees of the Company
and the Bank from time to time under the Option Plan.  The purpose of the Option
Plan is to provide additional incentive to certain officers,  directors, and key
employees by facilitating their purchase of a stock interest in the Company. The
Option Plan,  which became  effective  January 17, 1995, the date of stockholder
approval,  provides for a term of ten years,  after which no awards may be made,
unless earlier terminated by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Option Plan.
Options  awarded  pursuant  to the  Option  Plan  vest at a rate of 20% per year
beginning on the anniversary  date of the grant. An initial grant of options was
made on the date of stockholder approval. No options have been awarded under the
Option Plan since that time.

      The following table set forth additional  information  concerning  options
granted under the Option Plan.

                  OPTION/SAR EXERCISES AND YEAR END VALUE TABLE

              Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year,
                          and FY-End Option/SAR Value





                                                                Number of Securities      Value of Unexercised
                                                               Underlying Unexercised         In-The-Money
                                                                    Options/SARs              Options/SARs
                                                                at FY-End (#)(1)(2)        at FY-End ($)(1)(3)
                                                            -------------------------   -------------------------
                  Shares Acquired           Value
Name              on Exercise (#)        Realized ($)       Exercisable/Unexercisable   Exercisable/Unexercisable
- ----              ---------------        ------------       -------------------------   -------------------------

                                                                                      
Donald A. Glas          0                     0                   44,965/67,447             $134,895/$219,202
George B. Loban         0                     0                   44,956/67,447             $134,895/$219,202
Richard H. Burgart      0                     0                   17,986/26,979             $ 58,454/$ 87,681



- ------------------------------
(1)  No Stock  Appreciation  Rights  (SARs) have been  awarded  under the Option
     Plan.
(2)  Includes  options that are exercisable  within 60 days of the Voting Record
     Date.
(3)  Based upon an  exercise  price of $9.50 per share and the  average  bid and
     asked price of $12.75 as of September 30, 1996.

      Management  Stock Plan. The board of directors of the Bank has adopted the
Management  Stock Plan (the "MSP") as a method of providing  executive  officers
and key  employees of the Bank with a  proprietary  interest in the Company in a
manner designed to encourage such persons to remain in the employment or service
with the  Bank.  Awards  under  the MSP were  made in  recognition  of prior and
expected  future  services  to the  Bank to  those  executive  officers  and key
employees of the Bank responsible for  implementation of the policies adopted by
the board of directors of the Bank, the profitable operation of the Bank, and as
a means of  providing a further  retention  incentive  and direct  link  between
compensation and the  profitability of the Bank.  Awards under the MSP vest at a
rate of 20% per year beginning on the anniversary  date of the date of grant. An
initial  grant of  restricted  stock was made on January 17,  1995,  the date of
stockholder  approval of the MSP. No additional awards of restricted stock under
the MSP have been made since that time.


                                      -12-






                               PERFORMANCE GRAPH

      The following graph compares the cumulative  total  shareholder  return of
the Common  Stock of the  Company  with that of (a) the total  return  index for
domestic  companies  listed on the Nasdaq  Stock Market and (b) the total return
index for banks listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. These total return indices of
the Nasdaq Stock  Market are  computed by the Center for Research in  Securities
Prices ("CRSP") at the University of Chicago.  All three investment  comparisons
assume the  investment  of $100 at the market close on October 7, 1994 (the date
the Common Stock was first traded).  and the  reinvestment of dividends as paid.
The graph provides comparisons as of September 30, 1996.

      There  can be no  assurance  that the  Company's  stock  performance  will
continue  with the same or  similar  trends  depicted  in the graph  below.  The
Company will not make or endorse any predictions as to future stock performance.


[GRAPHIC OMITTED - PLOTTING POINTS SHOWN BELOW]




                          Comparison of Cumulative Total Returns

=================================================================================================
                                October 7, 1994        September 30, 1995    September 30, 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             
Nasdaq US Index                     100.00                   140.87                166.89
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nasdaq Bank Index                   100.00                   128.57                164.36
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FSF Financial Corp.                 100.00                   135.65                137.19
=================================================================================================



                                      -13-






                CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

      The Bank had no "interlocking"  relationships existing on or after October
1,  1995 in  which  (i) any  executive  officer  is a  member  of the  Board  of
Directors/Trustees  of another  entity,  one of whose  executive  officers  is a
member  of the  board of  directors  of the Bank,  or where  (ii) any  executive
officer is a member of the  compensation  committee  of another  entity,  one of
whose executive officers is a member of board of directors of the Bank.

      The Bank,  like many  financial  institutions,  has  followed  a policy of
granting various types of loans to executive officers, directors,  employees, or
immediate family members or affiliates thereof.  The loans have been made in the
ordinary course of business and on  substantially  the same terms and conditions
(including  interest  rates  and  collateral)  that  apply to the  Bank's  other
customers,  and do not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility,  nor
present other unfavorable  features.  All loans by the Bank to its directors and
executive  officers are subject to OTS regulations  restricting  loans and other
transactions  with  affiliated  persons of the Bank. The Bank's  affiliates must
qualify  for any loans on the same  terms  and  conditions  that  apply to other
customers.


                    RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS

      Bertram Cooper & Co., LLP was the Company's  independent public accountant
for the  fiscal  year ended  September  30,  1996.  The Board of  Directors  has
approved  the  selection  of Bertram  Cooper & Co.,  LLP as its auditors for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 1997,  subject to ratification by the Company's
stockholders.  A  representative  of Bertram Cooper & Co., LLP is expected to be
present at the Meeting to respond to  stockholders'  questions and will have the
opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires.

      Ratification of the  appointment of the auditors  requires the affirmative
vote of a majority of the votes cast by the  stockholders  of the Company at the
Meeting.  The Board of Directors  recommends  that  stockholders  vote "FOR" the
ratification  of the  appointment  of Bertram Cooper & Co., LLP as the Company's
auditors for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1997.


                                 OTHER MATTERS

      The Board of  Directors  is not aware of any  business  to come before the
Meeting  other  than those  matters  described  above in this  Proxy  Statement.
However,  if any other matters  should  properly come before the Meeting,  it is
intended that proxies in the accompanying  form will be voted in respect thereof
in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons voting such proxies.


                                 MISCELLANEOUS

      The cost of soliciting  proxies will be borne by the Company.  The Company
will reimburse  brokerage firms and other  custodians,  nominees and fiduciaries
for  reasonable  expenses  incurred by them in sending  proxy  materials  to the
beneficial  owners  of Common  Stock.  In  addition  to  solicitations  by mail,
directors,  officers and regular  employees  of the Company may solicit  proxies
personally or by telegraph or telephone without additional compensation.


                                      -14-






                                ANNUAL REPORTS

      The  Company's  Annual  Report to  Stockholders  for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1996,  including  financial  statements,  and the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K will be mailed to all stockholders of record as of the close
of business on December 11, 1996. Any stockholder who has not received a copy of
the  Annual  Report by  December  31,  1996 may  obtain a copy by writing to the
Secretary of the Company.  The Annual Report to  Stockholders  and Form 10-K are
not to be treated as a part of the proxy solicitation material or as having been
incorporated herein by reference.


                             STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

      In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Company's proxy materials for
next year's Annual Meeting of  Stockholders,  any  stockholder  proposal to take
action at such meeting must be received at the  Company's  executive  offices at
201 Main Street South,  Hutchinson,  Minnesota  55350,  no later than August 14,
1997. Any such proposals shall be subject to the requirements of the proxy rules
adopted under the 1934 Act.

                                    BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS


                                    /s/ Arliss M. Haag
                                    Arliss M. Haag, Secretary
Hutchinson, Minnesota
December 12, 1996



                                      -15-






                               FSF FINANCIAL CORP.
                              201 MAIN STREET SOUTH
                           HUTCHINSON, MINNESOTA 55350
                                 (320) 234-4500
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                JANUARY 21, 1996

      The  undersigned  hereby  appoints the Board of Directors of FSF Financial
Corp. (the "Company"), or its designee, with full powers of substitution, to act
as attorneys and proxies for the undersigned, to vote all shares of common stock
of the Company which the  undersigned  is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders (the "Meeting"),  to be held at the Company's  office,  201 Main
Street South, Hutchinson,  Minnesota 55350 on Tuesday, January 21, 1997, at 8:30
a.m. and at any and all adjournments thereof, as follows:

                                                            FOR       WITHHELD

1.     The election as director of all nominees
       listed below each for a 3 year term:

       Sever B. Knutson, Roger R. Stearns,                  |_|          |_|
       George B. Loban

INSTRUCTIONS:  To  withhold  your vote for any  individual  nominee,  insert the
nominee's name on the line provided below.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                       FOR    AGAINST    ABSTAIN
2.     Proposal to ratify the appointment
       of Bertram Cooper & Co., LLP as independent
       auditors of FSF Financial Corp. for
       the fiscal year ending September 30, 1997.      |_|      |_|        |_|

       The Board of  Directors  recommends  a vote "FOR" all of the above listed
propositions.

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, BUT IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE SPECIFIED, THIS
SIGNED  PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE  PROPOSITIONS  STATED.  IF ANY OTHER
BUSINESS IS PRESENTED AT SUCH  MEETING,  THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED BY THOSE NAMED
IN THIS  PROXY IN  THEIR  BEST  JUDGMENT.  AT THE  PRESENT  TIME,  THE  BOARD OF
DIRECTORS KNOWS OF NO OTHER BUSINESS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE MEETING.






               THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

       Should the  undersigned be present and elects to vote at the Meeting,  or
at any  adjournments  thereof,  and after  notification  to the Secretary of the
Company at the Meeting of the  stockholder's  decision to terminate  this proxy,
the power of said  attorneys  and proxies shall be deemed  terminated  and of no
further force and effect. The undersigned may also revoke this proxy by filing a
subsequently  dated proxy or by notifying the Secretary of the Company of his or
her decision to terminate this proxy.

       The  undersigned  acknowledges  receipt  from  the  Company  prior to the
execution  of this proxy of an Annual  Report to  Stockholders,  a Notice of the
Meeting and a Proxy Statement dated December 12, 1996.


                                          Please check here if you
Dated:                , 199         |_|   plan to attend the Meeting.
       ---------------     --



____________________________              ___________________________
SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER                  SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER



____________________________              ___________________________
PRINT NAME OF STOCKHOLDER                 PRINT NAME OF STOCKHOLDER


Please sign exactly as your name appears on this form of proxy.  When signing as
attorney, executor,  administrator,  trustee, or guardian, please give your full
title. If shares are held jointly, each holder should sign.


PLEASE  COMPLETE,  DATE,  SIGN,  AND MAIL THIS PROXY  PROMPTLY  IN THE  ENCLOSED
POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.











                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (Rule 14a-101)

                     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
           Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
                      Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )


Filed by the registrant [X]
Filed by a party other than the registrant [ ]

Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement    [ ]   Confidential, for use of the Commission
                                         Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material pursuant to ss. 240.14a-11(c) or ss. 240.14a-12

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


   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
  [X]  No fee required
  [ ]  Fee  computed on table below per  Exchange  Act Rules  14a-6(i)(1)  and
       0-11.

       (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:


       (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:


       (3) Per unit  price or other  underlying  value of  transaction  computed
pursuant  to Exchange  Act Rule 0-11.  (set forth the amount on which the filing
fee is calculated and state how it was determined):


       (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:


       (5)  Total fee paid:


  [ ]   Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

  [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as  provided  by  Exchange  Act
Rule  0-11(a)(2)  and identify the filing for which the  offsetting fee was paid
previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration  statement  number, or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

       (1) Amount previously paid:


       (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:


       (3) Filing Party:


       (4) Date Filed: