EXHIBIT 99


                                     [LOGO]

                                  PRESS RELEASE
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                           CONTACT:  JAMES L. DAVIDSON, JR.
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October 15, 1997                                          PRESIDENT & CEO
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                           FFVA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                     Announces 10% Stock Repurchase Program

         Lynchburg,  Virginia -- October 15, 1997 -- FFVA Financial Corporation,
the holding  company of First Federal  Savings Bank of Lynchburg,  has announced
that it has adopted a stock repurchase  program under which it may repurchase up
to 452,000 shares of the Company's  common stock commencing on or after  October
15, 1997.

         The repurchases  will be made in open-market  transactions,  subject to
the availability of stock,  market  conditions,  the trading price of the stock,
and  the  Company's  financial  performance.   Repurchased  shares  will  become
authorized  but  unissued  shares and will be  utilized  for  general  corporate
purposes.

         First Federal Savings Bank of Lynchburg is  headquartered in Lynchburg,
Virginia and operates  through its main office and eleven  branch  offices.  The
Bank's  deposits are insured up to maximum  legal limits by the Federal  Deposit
Insurance  Corporation  (FDIC).  At September  30,  1997,  the Company had total
assets  and   stockholders'   equity  of  $567.3   million  and  $75.5  million,
respectively. The Company's common stock is listed on The Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol "FFFC."




                                 (804) 845-2371
                                925 Main Street
                           Lynchburg, Virginia 24505