As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 30, 1997      
                                                  
                                                Registration No. 333-35985      
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                            -----------------------
                                  
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1      
                                         
                                       TO      
                                   FORM SB-2
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            -----------------------

                        NORTH ARKANSAS BANCSHARES, INC.
                 (Name of Small Business Issuer in its charter)


 
           TENNESSEE                                          6035                                   [TO BE APPLIED FOR]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                              
  (State or other jurisdiction                   (Primary standard industrial                          (I.R.S. employer
of incorporation or organization)                 classification code number)                       identification number)


                               200 OLIVIA DRIVE
                           NEWPORT, ARKANSAS  72112
                                (870) 523-3611
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address and telephone number of principal executive offices and principal place
                                  of business)

                             BRAD SNIDER, PRESIDENT
                          AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                        NORTH ARKANSAS BANCSHARES, INC.
                                200 OLIVIA DRIVE
                            NEWPORT, ARKANSAS  72112
                                 (870) 523-3611
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

                                   COPIES TO:
                           Gary R. Bronstein, Esquire
                           Joan S. Guilfoyle, Esquire
                      Housley Kantarian & Bronstein, P.C.
                       1220 19th Street, N.W., Suite 700
                            Washington, D.C.  20036

   APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:  As soon as practicable
after this registration statement becomes effective.

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant
to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list
the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering.    [   ] _____________

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under
the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.   [   ] ________

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under
the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [   ] _________

If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.   [   ]
         
   THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================

 
PROSPECTUS
UP TO 322,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

                                                 NORTH ARKANSAS BANCSHARES, INC.
                                                                200 OLIVIA DRIVE
                                                         NEWPORT, ARKANSAS 72112
                                                                  (870) 523-3611
================================================================================
    
     Newport Federal Savings Bank is converting from a federally chartered
mutual savings bank to a federally chartered stock savings bank. As part of the
conversion, Newport Federal Savings Bank will become a wholly owned subsidiary
of North Arkansas Bancshares, Inc. The Company was formed in September 1997 and
upon completion of the conversion will own all of the shares of Newport Federal
Savings Bank. The common stock of the Company is being offered to the public in
accordance with a plan of conversion. The plan of conversion must be approved by
the Office of Thrift Supervision and by a majority of the votes eligible to be
cast by members of Newport Federal Savings Bank. The offering will not go
forward if Newport Federal Savings Bank does not receive these approvals and the
Company does not sell at least the minimum number of shares.      
    
     The shares of common stock are first being offered pursuant to
nontransferable subscription rights in a Subscription Offering. Depositor and
borrower members as of certain eligibility dates will receive subscription
rights. Shares of common stock not subscribed for in the Subscription Offering
may be offered for sale in a community offering with preference given to
residents of Jackson County, Arkansas.      
================================================================================
                               TERMS OF OFFERING
    
An independent appraiser has estimated the market value of the converted Newport
Federal Savings Bank to be between $2,380,000 and $3,220,000, which establishes
the number of shares to be offered at a price of $10 per share.  Subject to
Office of Thrift Supervision approval, up to 370,300 shares, an additional 15%
above the maximum number of shares, may be offered. Based on these estimates, we
are making the following offering of shares of common stock:      

     

 
                                                              
    .     Price Per Share:                                       $10
 
    .     Number of Shares Minimum/Maximum/
          Maximum, as adjusted:                                  238,000 to 322,000 to 370,300
 
    .     Offering Expenses:                                     $400,000
 
    .     Net Proceeds to the Company
          Minimum/Maximum/Maximum, as adjusted:                  $1,980,000 to $2,820,000 to $3,303,000
 
    .     Net Proceeds Per Share
          Minimum/Maximum/Maximum, as adjusted:                  $8.32 to $8.76 to $8.92
      

PLEASE REFER TO RISK FACTORS BEGINNING ON PAGE 1 OF THIS DOCUMENT.

These securities are not deposits or accounts and are not insured or guaranteed
by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Thrift Supervision,
nor any state securities regulator has approved or disapproved these securities
or determined if this prospectus is accurate or complete.  Any representation to
the contrary is a criminal offense.

FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL THE STOCK INFORMATION CENTER AT (870)
523-3340.

                            TRIDENT SECURITIES, INC.
                   
                The date of this Prospectus is November __, 1997      

 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

     
 
                                                           Page
                                                           ----
                                                         
  Questions and Answers About the Stock Offering
  Summary
  Selected Financial and Other Data
  Risk Factors
  Proposed Purchases by Directors and Officers
  The Company
  Newport Federal Savings Bank
  Use of Proceeds
  Dividends
  Market for the common stock
  Capitalization
  Historical and Pro Forma Capital Compliance
  Pro Forma Data
  The Conversion
  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
   Financial Condition and Results of Operations
  Business of North Arkansas Bancshares, Inc.
  Business of Newport Federal Savings Bank
  Regulation
  Taxation
  Management of the Company
  Management of Newport Federal Savings Bank
  Restrictions on Acquisitions of the Company
  Description of Capital Stock
  Legal and Tax Matters
  Experts
  Additional Information
  Index to Financial Statements of Newport Federal Savings Bank
  Glossary
      

     This document contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and
uncertainties.  The Company's actual results may differ significantly from the
results discussed in the forward-looking statements.  Factors that might cause
such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in "Risk
Factors" beginning on page 1 of this document.

     Please see the Glossary beginning on page A-___  for the meaning of
capitalized terms that are not defined in this document.

 
     QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE STOCK OFFERING

Q.   WHAT IS A MUTUAL TO STOCK CONVERSION?
    
A:   The conversion is a change in our form of organization.  Currently, we
     operate as a federally chartered mutual savings bank with no stockholders.
     As a result of the conversion, we will become a federally chartered stock
     savings bank.  As part of our conversion, the Company is offering for sale
     shares of its common stock  The Company will be our sole stockholder and
     will purchase our stock in exchange for a portion of the proceeds from its
     offering.      
    
Q:   WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CONVERSION AND THE OFFERING?      
    
A:   As a stock savings association operating through a holding company
     structure, we will have the ability to plan and develop long-term growth
     and improve our future access to the capital markets.  The stock offering
     will increase our capital and the amount of funds available to us for
     lending and investment activities.  This will give us greater flexibility
     to diversify operations and expand into other geographic markets if we
     choose to do so.  If the Company's earnings are sufficient in the future,
     you might also receive dividends and benefit from the long-term
     appreciation of our stock price.      

Q:   HOW MANY SHARES OF STOCK WILL BE SOLD?
    
A:   Between 238,000 and 322,000 shares of common stock will be sold, all at a
     price of $10.00 per share.   The number of shares to be sold may be
     increased to 370,300 shares without further notice to you, subject to
     receipt of approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision, if market or
     financial conditions change prior to completion of the conversion or if
     additional shares are needed to fill the order of our employee stock
     ownership plan (the "ESOP").      

Q:   HOW DO I PURCHASE THE STOCK?

A:   You must complete and return the Stock Order Form to us together with your
     payment or your authorization for withdrawal of the payment amount from an
     account you have with us, on or before ________, 1997.  See pages ___ to
     __.

Q:   HOW MUCH STOCK MAY I PURCHASE?
    
A:   The minimum purchase is 25 shares (or $250).  The maximum purchase per
     eligible depositor in the subscription offering is 10,000 shares (or
     $100,000).  In certain instances, your purchase might be grouped together
     with purchases by persons with other accounts with whom you are affiliated
     or related and in that event the aggregate purchases may not exceed      

                                     (ii)


      
     15,000 shares ($150,000). We may decrease or increase the maximum purchase
     limitation without notifying you.      
     
     If shares are sold in a Community Offering, the maximum number of shares
     that may be purchased by any party, when combined with the number of shares
     purchased by other parties with whom your shares may be aggregated is
     15,000 shares ($150,000).  See pages ___ to ___.      

Q:   WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH SHARES TO FILL ALL ORDERS?

A:   You might not receive any or all of the shares you want to purchase.  If
     there is an over subscription, the stock will be offered on a priority
     basis to the following persons:

     .    ELIGIBLE ACCOUNT HOLDERS - Persons who had a deposit account with us
          on December 31, 1995 with a balance of at least $50.00. Any remaining
          shares will be offered to:

     .    OUR ESOP.  Any remaining shares will be offered to:
         
     .    SUPPLEMENTAL ELIGIBLE ACCOUNT HOLDERS - Persons who had a deposit
          account with us on September 30, 1997 with a balance of at least
          $50.00. Any remaining shares will be offered to:      

     .    OTHER MEMBERS - Other depositors and certain borrowers of ours, as of
          _______, 1997.

     If the above persons do not subscribe for all of the shares, the remaining
     shares will be offered to certain members of the general public with
     preference given to people who live in Jackson County, Arkansas.  See pages
     ___ to ___.

Q:   WHAT PARTICULAR FACTORS SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT TO
     BUY THE STOCK?
    
A:   Because of the small size of the offering, there may not be an active
     market for the shares, which may make it difficult to resell any shares you
     may own.  Before you decide to purchase stock, you should also read the
     Risk Factors section on pages ___ of this document.      

Q:   AS A DEPOSITOR OR BORROWER MEMBER OF NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK, WHAT
     WILL HAPPEN IF I DO NOT PURCHASE ANY STOCK?

A:   You presently have voting rights while we are in the mutual form; however,
     once we convert to the stock form you will lose your voting rights unless
     you purchase stock.  You are not required to purchase stock.  Your deposit
     account, certificate accounts and any loans you may have with us will be
     not be affected.  See pages __ to __.

                                     (iii)

 
Q:   WHO CAN HELP ANSWER ANY OTHER QUESTIONS I MAY HAVE ABOUT THE STOCK
     OFFERING?
    
A:   In order to make an informed investment decision, you should read this
     entire document.  In addition, you should contact:      

                            STOCK INFORMATION CENTER
                        NORTH ARKANSAS BANCSHARES, INC.
                                200 OLIVIA DRIVE
                               NEWPORT, ARKANSAS
                                 (870) 523-3340

                                     (iv)

 
                                     SUMMARY

     This summary highlights selected information from this document and may not
contain all the information that is important to you.  To understand the stock
offering fully, you should read carefully this entire document, including the
financial statements and the notes to the financial statements of Newport
Federal Savings Bank.  References in this document to "we," "us," and "our"
refer to Newport Federal Savings Bank.  In certain instances where appropriate,
"us" or "our" refers collectively to North Arkansas Bancshares, Inc. and Newport
Federal Savings Bank.  References in this document to "the Company" refer to
North Arkansas Bancshares, Inc.


NORTH ARKANSAS BANCSHARES, INC.
    
     North Arkansas Bancshares, Inc. was formed in September 1997 as a Tennessee
corporation to be the holding company for Newport Federal Savings Bank.   The
Company is not an operating company and has not engaged in any significant
business to date.  The holding company structure will provide greater
flexibility in terms of operations, expansion and diversification.  See page
___.      

NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

     We are a community and customer oriented federal mutual savings bank with
one office located in Newport, Arkansas.  We were originally founded in 1934 as
a federally chartered mutual savings and loan association.  In 1995, we changed
our name to Newport Federal Savings Bank  Our primary market area consists of
Jackson County, Arkansas.   Historically, we have emphasized residential
mortgage lending, primarily originating one- to four-family mortgage loans.  We
also make consumer loans, commercial real estate loans and commercial business
loans.  At June 30, 1997, we had total assets of $34.4 million, deposits of
$31.1 million, and total retained earnings of $2.3 million.  See pages ___to
___.
    
     On August 20, 1997, we entered into an agreement with NationsBank, N.A. to
purchase the deposits of the Newport branch of NationsBank as well as the real
estate on which the office is located and certain loans and other assets.  We
expect to assume approximately $6.3 million in deposits based on the balance of
deposits at the branch as of June 30, 1997 for which we will pay a deposit
premium equal to 2.26% of the deposits to be assumed.  We will also be required
to pay NationsBank $125,000 for the real estate, branch equipment and furniture
we are buying, and the book value of all loans we are buying.  We must obtain
regulatory approval before we can close this transaction.  Assuming we obtain
such approval, we expect that this transaction will  close in January 1998. 
     

THE STOCK OFFERING
    
     The Company is offering between 238,000 and 322,000 shares of common stock
at $10.00 per share.  Subject to approval by the Office of Thrift Supervision,
the number of shares to be sold       

                                      (v)


     
may be increased to 370,300 shares without further notice to you if market or
financial conditions change prior to completion of the conversion or if
additional shares are needed to fill the order of our ESOP. We would also have
to obtain      

STOCK PURCHASES
    
     The Company is first offering its shares of common stock in a Subscription
Offering.  Depositor and borrower members as of certain eligibility dates will
receive subscription rights.  The shares of common stock will be offered on the
basis of priorities.  Any remaining shares may be offered  in a Community
Offering or in a Syndicated Community Offering.  See pages __ to __.      

SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

     You may not sell or assign your subscription rights. Any transfer of
subscription rights is prohibited by law. All persons exercising their
subscription rights will be required to certify that they are purchasing shares
solely for their own account and that they have no agreement or understanding
regarding the sale or transfer of shares.

THE OFFERING RANGE AND DETERMINATION OF THE PRICE PER SHARE
    
     The offering range is based on an independent appraisal of the pro forma
market value of the common stock by Ferguson & Company ("Ferguson"), an
appraisal firm experienced in appraisals of savings institutions.  The pro forma
market value of the shares is our market value after giving effect to the sale
of shares in this offering.  Ferguson has estimated that in its opinion as of
September 2, 1997 such value ranged between $2.4 million and $3.2 million (with
a midpoint of $2.8 million) (the "Estimated Valuation Range").  The appraisal
was based in part upon our financial condition and operations and the effect of
the additional capital raised by the sale of common stock in this offering.  The
$10.00 price per share was determined by our board of directors and is the price
most commonly used in stock offerings involving conversions of mutual savings
institutions.  The appraisal will be updated prior to the consummation of the
conversion.  If the updated pro forma market value of the common stock is either
below $2.4 million or above $3.7 million, we will notify you and you will have
the opportunity to modify or cancel your order.  See pages __ to __.      

TERMINATION OF THE OFFERING

     The Subscription Offering will terminate at 12:00 p.m., Central Time, on
________, 1997.  The Community Offering, if any, may terminate at any time
without notice but no later than ___________, 1997, without approval by the OTS.

                                     (vi)

 
BENEFITS TO MANAGEMENT FROM THE OFFERING
    
     Our full-time employees will participate in the offering through purchases
of stock by our ESOP, which is a form of retirement plan.  Following the
conversion, we also intend to implement a management recognition plan ("MRP")
under which officers will be entitled to receive awards of restricted stock at
no cost to them and a stock option and incentive plan (the "Option Plan"), which
will benefit our officers and directors.  However, the MRP and Option Plan may
not be adopted until at least six months after the conversion and are subject to
stockholder approval and compliance with OTS regulations if adopted within the
first year following our conversion.  See pages ___to ___.      

USE OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF COMMON STOCK
    
     The Company will use a portion of the net proceeds from the stock offering
to make a loan to our ESOP to fund its purchase of 8% of the common stock issued
in the conversion.  The Company will use approximately 50% of the net proceeds
to purchase all the capital stock to be issued by us in the conversion. The
Company will retain the balance of the funds as its initial capitalization.
These funds will serve as a possible source of funds for the payment of
dividends to stockholders or to repurchase shares of common stock in the future
and for general corporate purposes.  See page __.      

DIVIDENDS
    
     Management of the Company has not yet made a decision regarding the payment
of dividends.  The Company will consider a policy of paying cash dividends on
its common stock following the conversion.  See page __.      

MARKET FOR THE COMMON STOCK
    
     The Company intends to list the common stock over-the-counter through the
OTC "Electronic Bulletin Board" under the symbol "NARK."  Since the size of the
offering is small, it is unlikely that an active and liquid trading market for
the shares will develop and be maintained.  Investors should have a long-term
investment intent.  Persons purchasing shares may not be able to sell their
shares when they desire or to sell them at a price equal to or above $10.00.
See page __.      

IMPORTANT RISKS IN OWNING THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK
    
     Before you decide to purchase stock in the offering, you should read the
"Risk Factors" section beginning on page one of this document.      

                                     (vii)

 
                       SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
    
     We are providing the following summary financial information about us for
your benefit.  This information is derived from our audited financial statements
for each of the fiscal years shown below.  The following information is only a
summary and you should read it in conjunction with our financial statements and
notes to our financial statements which you can find beginning on page F-1 of
this Prospectus.  Our results of operations for the fiscal year ended June 30,
1997 include a special assessment of $179,000 which we were required to pay to
recapitalize the SAIF and a nonrecurring expense of $286,000 to fund our
director's retirement plan.      

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     The following table sets forth certain information concerning our financial
position at the dates indicated.


 
                                                                    AT JUNE 30,
                                                               ---------------------
                                                                 1997          1996
                                                               -------        ------
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)

                                                                         
Total assets................................................   $34,379     $  32,446
Cash........................................................       884         1,167
Certificates of deposit with other  financial institutions..       691           890
Securities  held to maturity................................     5,923         6,310
Loans receivable, net.......................................    24,794        21,982
Deposits....................................................    31,073        29,657
Retained earnings substantially restricted..................     2,266         2,465
 

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following table sets forth certain information concerning our results
of operations for the periods shown.
 

 
                                                                YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                               ---------------------
                                                                 1997          1996
                                                               -------        ------
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
 
                                                                         
Interest income.............................................    $2,493        $2,328
Interest expense............................................     1,597         1,525
                                                                ------        ------
Net interest income.........................................       896           803
                                                                ------        ------
Provision for loan losses...................................        90            10
                                                                ------        ------
Net interest income after provision                         
 for loan losses............................................       806           793
Noninterest income..........................................        19            11
Noninterest expense.........................................     1,157           726
                                                                ------        ------
Income (loss) before taxes..................................      (332)           78
Income tax expense..........................................      (133)            6
                                                                ------        ------
Net income (loss)...........................................    $ (199)       $   72
                                                                ======        ======


                                    (viii)

 
KEY OPERATING RATIOS

     The table below sets forth certain performance ratios for us for the
periods indicated.



                                                               AT OR FOR THE
                                                            YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                       -----------------------------
                                                        1997        1996       1995
                                                       ------      ------    -------
                                                                 
                                                                     
PERFORMANCE RATIOS:                                              
   Return on assets (ratio of net earnings (loss)                
      to average total assets)......................     (.60)%       .23%      .71%
   Return on equity (ratio of net earnings (loss)                
      to average equity)............................    (8.41)       2.96      9.35
   Ratio of average interest-earning assets to                   
      average interest-bearing liabilities..........   102.60      104.12    105.15
   Ratio of net interest income, after provision                 
      for loan losses, to noninterest expense.......    69.66      109.23    156.93
   Net interest rate spread.........................     2.54        2.49      2.78
   Net yield on average interest-earning assets.....     2.77        2.70      3.01
                                                                 
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS:                                            
   Nonperforming loans to total loans                            
      at end of period..............................      .30         .14      1.60
   Nonperforming loans to total assets..............      .21         .09      1.06
   Nonperforming assets to total assets                          
      at end of period..............................      .21         .47      1.40
   Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming                    
      loans at end of period........................   202.70      243.33     19.50
   Allowance for loan losses to total loans, net....      .60         .33       .31
                                                                 
CAPITAL RATIOS:                                                  
   Equity to total assets at end of period..........     6.59        7.60      7.85
   Average equity to average assets.................     7.08        7.72      7.57
                                                                 
REGULATORY CAPITAL RATIOS:                                       
  Tangible capital..................................     6.59        7.59      7.85
   Core capital.....................................     6.59        7.59      7.85
   Total risk-based capital.........................    13.18       15.67     17.84
                                                                 
OTHER DATA:                                                      
   Number of full service offices...................        1           1         1


                                     (ix)


                                 
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS      
    
     The tables below set forth certain selected financial data for the Bank at
the dates and for the periods indicated.  The data at September 30, 1997 and for
the three months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 is unaudited, but in the
opinion of management reflects all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring
accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation.  This information at
June 30, 1997 is derived in part from, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to, the Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere
herein. The financial data for the three months ended September 30, 1997 is not
necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the entire
fiscal year.      
     

 
                                                                     AT               AT
                                                                SEPTEMBER 30,      JUNE 30,
                                                                    1997             1997
                                                                -------------      ---------- 
                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                               
FINANCIAL CONDITION DATA:
Total assets.................................................         $33,750         $34,379
Cash.........................................................             642             884
Certificates of deposit with other  financial institutions...             691             691
Securities  held to maturity.................................           5,190           5,923
Loans receivable, net........................................          30,194          24,794
Deposits.....................................................          30,341          31,073
Retained earnings substantially restricted...................           2,285           2,266

 
                                                                        THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                           SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                           -------------
                                                                        1997            1996
                                                                      -------         -------
                                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                               
OPERATING DATA:
 Interest income.............................................         $   619         $   614
 Interest expense............................................             406             391
 Net interest income.........................................             203             223
 Provision for losses on loans...............................              --              --
 Net interest income after provision
  for loan losses............................................             203             223
 Noninterest income..........................................              30              23
 Noninterest expenses........................................             224             363
 Income (loss) before provision for income taxes.............              19            (117)
 Provision for income taxes..................................              --              --
                                                                      -------         -------
 Net income (loss)...........................................         $    19         $  (117)
                                                                      =======         =======
      

                                      (x)


     
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS      
    
     We earned net income of $19,000 for the three months ended September 30,
1997 as compared to a net loss of $117,000 for the three month period ended
September 30, 1996.  The $136,000 improvement in our net income for the first
three months of fiscal year 1998 was due primarily to the absence of any SAIF
special assessment during the most recent period.  During the three months ended
September 30, 1996, we incurred a special assessment equal to $179,000.  This
special assessment was required to be paid by all institutions with deposits
insured by the SAIF.      
    
     Net interest income during the three months ended September 30, 1997
decreased by $20,000 as compared to the same period in 1996.  During the three
months ended September 30, 1997, we placed our largest loan on nonaccrual
status.  As such, we were required to deduct from interest income all previously
accrued interest that was unpaid which amounted to approximately $21,000.      
    
FINANCIAL CONDITION      
    
     Our total assets at September 30, 1997 were $33.8 million, a slight
decrease from June 30, 1997's level of $34.4 million.  The decrease was due to
the combined effects of decreases in cash and securities due to a $732,000
reduction in deposits and payments on and maturities of investment securities.
Net loans receivable increased by $5.4 million, or 21.78%, which reflected our
continued marketing efforts.  The $19,000 increase in retained earnings
reflected our earnings for the period.      

                                     (xi)

 
                                  RISK FACTORS
    
     In addition to the other information in this document, you should consider
carefully the following risk factors in deciding whether to invest in the common
stock.      


LACK OF ACTIVE MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK
    
     Due to the small size of the offering, it is highly unlikely that an active
trading market will develop and be maintained.  If an active market does not
develop, you may not be able to sell your shares promptly or perhaps at all, or
sell your shares at a price equal to or above the price you paid for the shares.
The common stock may not be appropriate as a short-term investment.  See "Market
for the common stock."      

BELOW AVERAGE RETURN ON AVERAGE EQUITY AND INCREASED EXPENSES IMMEDIATELY AFTER
CONVERSION
    
     Return on average equity (net income divided by average equity) is a ratio
used by many investors to compare the performance of a savings institution to
its peers.  As a result of the conversion, our equity will increase
substantially.  Our expenses also will increase because of the compensation
expense associated with our ESOP, MRP, and the costs of being a public company.
Because of the increases in our equity and expenses, our return on equity may
decrease as compared to our performance in previous years.  Initially, we intend
to invest the net proceeds in short term investments which generally have lower
yields than residential mortgage loans.  At June 30, 1996 and 1997 our return on
average equity was (8.41)% and 2.96%, respectively.  A lower return on equity
could reduce the trading price of our shares.      

RECENT OPERATING RESULTS
    
     Our net interest income and net income in recent years have been below what
other institutions of a similar size to us have earned.  During the year ended
June 30, 1997, we incurred certain nonrecurring expenses as a result of a
special assessment imposed on all institutions whose  deposits are insured by
the Savings Association Insurance Fund ("SAIF") of the FDIC and the adoption of
a director retirement plan.   The cost of our recently built headquarters has
also affected our net income.  While we believe that the headquarters is
necessary for our growth, it is a significant asset that does not generate
interest income like loans do.  Because of this, we have a higher percentage of
Anon-interest earning assets than our peers.  This has lowered our net interest
income below some similarly sized thrifts. While the net proceeds we receive
from the conversion will result in an increase in our interest-earning assets
and thereby interest income, we will also incur additional expenses as a result
of the implementation of the ESOP and MRP and the costs associated with being a
public company.  We cannot guarantee that our profitability will improve after
the conversion.  See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations."      

                                       1


     
LARGE DELINQUENT LOAN      
    
     Subsequent to June 30, 1997, our largest loan became delinquent.  As of
September 30, 1997, due to its past due status, we placed the loan on nonaccrual
status.  This loan, which had a balance of $625,000 at June 30, 1997, is a
participation in a larger loan which had a total principal balance of $5.8
million and is secured by a 625-room hotel located in Oklahoma City.  The loan
payments have not been made due to deteriorating cash flow from operations.
While the lead lender is attempting to resolve this problem, there can be no
assurance that the past due payments will be made or that we will return the
loan to accrual status.  Further, if the lead lender proceeds to foreclosure, we
cannot assure you that the underlying property can be sold at a price sufficient
to repay us in full.  Our net income will be reduced to the extent that such
loan remains a nonearning asset or if we are required to make additional
provisions to the allowance for loan loss as a result of such loan.  While we
believe that our allowance for loan losses is adequate based on the information
available to us at this time, there can be no assurance that we will not be
required to make additional provisions to the allowance for loan loss as a
result of this loan.      
    
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE, MULTI-FAMILY REAL ESTATE AND
CONSUMER LENDING      
    
     Although our primary lending activity is the origination of one- to four-
family mortgage loans, approximately $7.5 million, or 29.94% of our gross loan
portfolio at June 30, 1997 consisted of loans other than single-family mortgage
loans.  Such loans included $3.7 million in loans secured by commercial and
multi-family real estate, $3.6 million in consumer loans and $93,000 in
commercial business loans.  Following the conversion, we intend to continue to
grow our nonresidential lending portfolio.  Although these loans generally
provide for higher interest rates and shorter terms than permanent single-family
residential real estate loans, these loans generally have a higher degree of
credit and other risks.  Nonresidential real estate lending often involves
larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers as
compared to residential real estate lending.  The payment experience on such
loans typically is dependent on the successful operation of the real estate
project.  These risks can be significantly affected by supply and demand
conditions in the market for commercial space, and, as such, may be subject to a
greater extent to adverse conditions in the economy generally.  Consumer loans
also entail greater risk than single-family residential loans, particularly in
the case of consumer loans which are unsecured or secured by rapidly depreciable
assets, such as automobiles.  In such cases, any repossessed collateral for a
defaulted consumer loans may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the
outstanding loan balance as a result of the greater likelihood of damage, loss
or depreciation.  Commercial business loans involve a greater degree of risk
than other types of lending as payments on such loans are often dependent on the
successful operation of the business involved which may be subject to a greater
extent to adverse conditions in the economy.      

POTENTIAL IMPACT OF CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES AND THE CURRENT INTEREST RATE
ENVIRONMENT
    
     Our ability to make a profit, like that of most financial institutions, is
substantially dependent on our net interest income, which is the difference
between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets (such as
mortgage loans and investments) and the interest expense we pay      

                                       2


     
on our interest-bearing liabilities (such as deposits). Because a portion of the
loans we originate have fixed rates and have longer effective maturities than
our interest-bearing liabilities, the yield on our interest-earning assets
generally will adjust more slowly to changes in interest rates than the cost of
our interest-bearing liabilities. As a result, our net interest income could be
adversely affected by material and prolonged increases in interest rates since
our interest expense would increase at a faster rate than our interest income.
Our earnings may also be adversely affected by rising interest rates due to
decreased customer demand. Although we attempt to reduce this risk by primarily
originating adjustable-rate loans ("ARMs"), the rates on such loans are fixed
for set periods of time (e.g., one, three or five years). In addition, the terms
of such loans do not permit us to increase the rate more than 2.0% at each rate
adjustment or above a fixed Aceiling rate." In addition, we may experience an
increase in delinquencies on our ARMs when interest rates rise since the
payments that borrowers are then required to pay will increase.      
    
     The average life of loans and mortgage-backed securities can also be
affected by changes in interest rates.  As interest rates decline, borrowers
tend to refinance higher-rate, fixed rate loans at lower rates.  We also
experience an increase in prepayments on mortgage-backed securities as the loans
underlying such securities are prepaid.  Since rates will have declined, we
would not be able to reinvest such prepayments in assets earning interest rates
as high as the rates on the prepaid loans or mortgage-backed securities.  As a
result our interest income could decline.      

     Our investment portfolio is also affected by changes in interest rates
since a substantial portion of our investments carry fixed rates.  Generally,
the value of a fixed rate investment will decrease as interest rates rise.  As
of June 30, 1997, the market value of our investment portfolio exceeded the
carrying value of such investments by $28,000.
    
MARKET AREA LIMITATIONS      
    
     Our primary market area consists of Jackson County, Arkansas.  Population
growth in Jackson County is below that of the state of Arkansas as a whole.
This trend is expected to continue in the future.  Our ability to make new loans
in our market area may be limited to the extent that the rate of population
growth is flat or even declines.  In addition, within our market area, we
compete for loans and deposits with several other financial institutions.  Many
competing institutions may have resources substantially greater than ours and
may therefore be able to offer a greater variety of  loan and deposit accounts
which could give them a competitive advantage over us.  Such competition could
adversely affect us in the future.  See "Business of Newport Federal Savings
Bank--Competition."      

DEPENDENCE ON PRESIDENT

     Our successful operations depend to a considerable degree on our President,
Brad Snider and the loss of his services could adversely affect us.  We have
attempted to provide for his continued employment with us by entering into a
three-year employment agreement with Mr. Snider.  Mr. Snider could terminate his
employment at any time, however.  See "Management of Newport Federal Savings
Bank" and "-- Executive Compensation -- Employment Agreement."

                                       3

 
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS AND STATUTORY PROVISIONS THAT COULD DISCOURAGE HOSTILE
ACQUISITIONS OF CONTROL
    
     Provisions in the Company's charter and bylaws, the General Corporation Law
of the state of Tennessee, and certain federal regulations may make it
difficult, and expensive, to pursue a tender offer, change in control or
takeover attempt which we oppose.  As a result, stockholders who might desire to
participate in such a transaction may not have an opportunity to do so.  Such
provisions will also render the removal of the current board of directors or
management of the Company more difficult.  In addition, these provisions may
reduce the trading price of our stock.  These provisions include:  restrictions
on the acquisition of the Company's equity securities and limitations on voting
rights; the classification of the terms of the members of the board of
directors; certain provisions relating to the meeting of stockholders; denial of
cumulative voting by stockholders in the election of directors; the issuance of
preferred stock and additional shares of common stock without shareholder
approval; and super majority provisions for the approval of certain business
combinations.  See "Restrictions on Acquisitions of the Company".      

POSSIBLE VOTING CONTROL BY DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
    
     The proposed purchases of the common stock by our directors, officers and
ESOP (estimated to be approximately 91,400 shares, or 32.64% of the shares to be
outstanding assuming 280,000 shares are sold), as well as the potential
acquisition of common stock through the Option Plan and MRP, could make it
difficult to obtain majority support for stockholder proposals which are opposed
by us.  In addition, the voting of those shares could enable us to block the
approval of transactions (i.e., business combinations and amendment to our
charter and bylaws) requiring the approval of 80% of the stockholders under the
Company's charter.  See "Management of Newport Federal Savings Bank -- Executive
Compensation -- Employee Stock Ownership Plan," "-- Proposed Future Stock
Benefit Plans -- Stock Option Plan," "-- Management Recognition Plan,"
"Description of Capital Stock," and "Restrictions on Acquisitions of the
Company."      

POSSIBLE DILUTIVE EFFECT OF MRP AND STOCK OPTIONS
    
     If the conversion is completed and stockholders subsequently approve the
MRP and Option Plan, we will issue stock to our officers and directors through
these plans.  If the shares for the MRP and stock options are issued from our
authorized but unissued stock, your ownership percentage could be diluted by up
to approximately __% and the trading price of our stock may be reduced.  See
"Pro Forma Data," "Management of Newport Federal Savings Bank -- Proposed Future
Stock Benefit Plans -- Stock Option Plan," and "-- Management Recognition Plan."
     

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION REGULATION OF THE THRIFT INDUSTRY

     We are subject to extensive regulation, supervision, and examination by the
OTS and FDIC.  A bill has been introduced to the House Banking Committee that
would consolidate the OTS with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
("OCC").  If this regulation is approved, we could be forced to become a state
or national commercial bank.  If we become a commercial bank, our 

                                       4

 
investment authority, branching authority and the ability of the Company to
engage in, diversified activities may be limited, which could affect our
profitability. See "Regulation."

ARKANSAS USURY LAW
    
     In 1982, Arkansas adopted an amendment to its Constitution which provides,
in part, that the maximum rate of interest we can charge on consumer loans is 5%
over the Federal Reserve Discount Rate in effect at the time the loan is made up
to a maximum of 17%.  The effect of this provision is that we are unable to
charge rates on certain loans as high as our peers that are located outside the
state of Arkansas.  Loans secured by a first mortgage on residential real estate
and all commercial loans are not subject to this maximum limitation.  If we
charged an interest rate on consumer loans in excess of these limits, we could
be required to forfeit both the amount of the loan as well as any interest we
have collected.      

POSSIBLE ADVERSE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
    
     We have received the opinion of Ferguson that the subscription rights
granted to eligible members in connection with the conversion have no value.
This opinion is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), however.
Should the IRS determine that the subscription rights do have ascertainable
value, you could be taxed as a result of your exercise of such rights in an
amount equal to such value.      

BRANCH ACQUISITION
    
     On August 20, 1997, we entered into a Purchase and Assumption Agreement
with NationsBank, N.A. pursuant to which we agreed to purchase the deposits of
the Newport branch of NationsBank and to purchase the real estate on which the
office is located and certain loans and other assets.  We expect to assume
approximately $6 million in deposits based on the balance of deposits at the
branch as of June 30, 1997.  We must obtain regulatory approval before we can
close this transaction.  The impact of this transaction on our net income
depends on our ability to invest the funds we will receive in loans and
investments earning higher rates than the rates we will be required to pay on
such deposits plus the additional expense resulting from the amortization of the
premium we will pay to NationsBank to purchase such deposits.  We cannot assure
you that we will receive regulatory approval to purchase the branch nor can we
assure of the impact on our net interest income of the additional deposits. 
     
 
RESTRICTIONS ON REPURCHASE OF SHARES
    
     Generally, during the first year following the conversion, the Company may
not repurchase its shares.  During each of the second and third years following
the conversion, the Company may repurchase up to 5% of its outstanding shares.
During those periods, if we decide that additional repurchases would be a good
use of funds, we would not be able to do so, without obtaining OTS approval.
There is no assurance that OTS approval would be given.  See "The Conversion --
Restrictions on Repurchase of Shares."      

                                       5

 
                  PROPOSED PURCHASES BY DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
    
     The following table sets forth the approximate purchases of common stock by
each director and executive officer and their associates in the conversion.  The
table assumes that 280,000 shares (the midpoint of the Estimated Valuation
Range) of the common stock will be sold at $10.00 per share and that sufficient
shares will be available to satisfy their subscriptions.      

     

 
                                                                   AGGREGATE
                                                         TOTAL     PRICE OF      PERCENT
                                                         SHARES     SHARES      OF SHARES
NAME                                    POSITION       PURCHASED   PURCHASED    PURCHASED
- ----                                 ---------------   ---------   ----------   ----------

                                                                    
O. E. Guinn, Jr.                     Director             15,000    $150,000         5.36%
Kaneaster Hodges, Jr.                Director             15,000    $150,000         5.36%
Paul K. Holmes                       Director              9,000    $ 90,000         3.21%
John Minor                           Director             15,000    $150,000         5.36%
Brad Snider                          Director;            15,000    $150,000         5.36%
                                     President and
                                     Chief Executive
                                     Officer
 
All directors and executive
officers as a group (5 persons)                           69,000    $690,000        24.65%
ESOP                                                      22,400    $224,000         8.00%
MRP                                                       11,200    $112,000         4.00%
      

                                  THE COMPANY
    
     The Company was formed as a Tennessee corporation in September 1997 at our
direction for the purpose of serving as our holding company after the
conversion.  Prior to the conversion, it has not engaged and is not expected to
engage in any material operations. The Company has received the approval of the
OTS to acquire control of us upon completion of the conversion.  Upon
consummation of the conversion, the only assets the Company is expected to own
are the capital stock we will issue in the conversion, a note receivable from
our ESOP and any proceeds from the offering it retains.      
    
     As a holding company, the Company will have greater flexibility than we
would have to diversify its business activities through the formation of
subsidiaries or through acquisition. The Company will be classified as a unitary
savings and loan holding company after the conversion and will be required to
comply with OTS regulations and be subject to examination.      

     The Company's executive offices are located at 200 Olivia Drive, Newport,
Arkansas 72112 and its main telephone number is (870) 523-3611.

                                       6

 
                          NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

     We are a federal mutual savings bank operating through one office in
Newport, Arkansas.  We were founded in 1934 as a federally chartered institution
and a member of the FHLB System.  Our deposits are insured up to applicable
limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") under the Savings
Association Insurance Fund ("SAIF").  At June 30, 1997, we had total assets of
$34.4 million, total deposits of $31.1 million and total retained earnings of
$2.3 million.

     On August 20, 1997, we entered into a Purchase and Assumption Agreement
with NationsBank, N.A. pursuant to which we agreed to purchase the deposits of
the Newport branch of NationsBank and to purchase the real estate on which the
office is located and certain loans and other assets.  We expect to assume
approximately $6 million in deposits based on the balance of deposits at the
branch as of June 30, 1997.  We must obtain regulatory approval before we can
close this transaction.  Assuming we obtain such approval, we expect that this
transaction will close in January 1998.

     Our principal business consists of attracting deposits from the general
public and originating residential mortgage loans.  We also offer various types
of consumer loans and commercial business loans.

     Our executive offices are located at 200 Olivia Drive, Newport, Arkansas
72112 and its main telephone number is (870) 523-3611.


                                USE OF PROCEEDS
    
     The Company will retain 50% of the net proceeds from the offering and will
use the balance to purchase all of the capital stock we will issue in connection
with the conversion.  A portion of the net proceeds to be retained by the
Company will be lent to our employee stock plan to fund its purchase of 8% of
the shares sold in the conversion.  On a short-term basis, the balance of the
net proceeds retained by  the Company initially will be invested in short-term
investments.  The net proceeds subsequently may be used to fund acquisitions of
other financial services institutions or to diversify into non banking
activities, although we have no current plans or agreements to do so.  Subject
to applicable regulatory restrictions, the net proceeds may also serve as a
source of funds for the repurchase of shares or for the payment of dividends to
stockholders, although the Company has not yet adopted a dividend policy.  A
portion of the net proceeds may also be used to fund the purchase of 4.0% of the
shares for the MRP which is anticipated to be adopted following the conversion.
See "Pro Forma Data."      

     The funds we receive from the sale of our capital stock to the Company will
be added to our general funds and be used for general corporate purposes
including:  (i) investment in mortgages and other loans, (ii) U.S. Government
and federal agency securities, (iii) mortgage-backed securities, (iv) funding
loan commitments or (v) repaying FHLB advances.  However, initially, we intend
to invest 

                                       7

 
the net proceeds in short-term investments until we can deploy the proceeds into
higher yielding loans. The funds added to our capital will further strengthen
our capital position.
    
     The net proceeds may vary because the total expenses of the conversion may
be more or less than those estimated.  We expect our estimated expenses to be
$400,000.  Our estimated net proceeds will range from $2.0 million to $2.8
million (or up to $3.3 million in the event the maximum of the Estimated
Valuation Range is increased to $3.7 million).  See "Pro Forma Data."  The net
proceeds will also vary if the number of shares to be issued in the conversion
is adjusted to reflect a change in our estimated pro forma market value.
Payments for shares made through withdrawals from existing deposit accounts with
us will not result in the receipt of new funds for investment by us but will
result in a reduction of our liabilities and interest expense as funds are
transferred from interest-bearing certificates or accounts.      
    
     For a period of one year following the completion of the conversion, we
will not pay any dividends that would be construed as a return of capital nor
take any actions to pursue or propose such dividends.      

                                   DIVIDENDS
    
     Although no decision has been made yet regarding the payment of dividends,
the Company may consider a policy of paying cash dividends on the common stock
following the conversion.  However, declarations of dividends by the board of
directors will depend upon a number of factors, including: (i) the amount of
the net proceeds retained by the Company in the conversion, (ii) investment
opportunities available, (iii) capital requirements, (iv) regulatory
limitations, (v) results of operations and financial condition, (vi) tax
considerations, and (vii) general economic conditions.  Upon review of such
considerations, the board may authorize future dividends if it deems such
payment appropriate and in compliance with applicable law and regulation.  In
addition, from time to time in an effort to manage capital at a desirable level,
the board may determine to pay special cash dividends.  Special cash dividends
may be paid in addition to, or in lieu of, regular cash dividends.  In addition,
there can be no assurance that regular or special dividends will be paid, or, if
paid, will continue to be paid.  See "Historical and Pro Forma Capital
Compliance," "The Conversion -- Effects of Conversion to Stock Form on Savers
and Borrowers of Newport Federal Savings Bank -- Liquidation Account" and
"Regulation -- Dividend and Other Capital Distribution Limitations."      

     The Company is not subject to OTS regulatory restrictions on the payment of
dividends to its stockholders although the source of such dividends will be
dependent in part upon the receipt of dividends from us.   The Company is
subject, however, to the requirements of Tennessee law.  Under Tennessee law,
the Company may pay a dividend as long as it will not affect the ability of the
Company, after the dividend has been distributed, to pay its debts in the
ordinary course of business or result in its assets being less than the sum of
its liabilities plus the amount that would be needed (if any) to satisfy any
preferential rights upon a dissolution of the Company of any stockholders with
rights ahead of those receiving the dividend.

                                       8

 
     In addition to the foregoing, the portion of our earnings which have been
appropriated for bad debt reserves and deducted for federal income tax purposes
cannot be used by us to pay cash dividends to the Company without the payment of
federal income taxes by us at the then current income tax rate on the amount
deemed distributed, which would include the amount of any federal income taxes
attributable to the distribution.  See "Taxation -- Federal Taxation" and Note 9
to the Financial Statements.  The Company does not contemplate any distribution
by us that would result in a recapture of our bad debt reserve or otherwise
create federal tax liabilities.


                          MARKET FOR THE COMMON STOCK
    
     The Company has never issued common stock to the public.  Consequently,
there is no established market for the common stock.  Following completion of
the Offering, the Company intends to list the common stock over-the-counter
through the OTC "Electronic Bulletin Board" under the symbol "NARK" and the
Company intends to request that Trident Securities Inc. ("Trident Securities")
undertake to match offers to buy and offers to sell the common stock.  Trident
Securities has no obligation to match offers to buy and offers to sell and may
cease doing so at any time.  There can be no assurance that timely or accurate
quotations will be available on the OTC "Electronic Bulletin Board."  In
addition, the existence of a public trading market will depend upon the presence
in the market of both willing buyers and willing sellers at any given time.  The
presence of a sufficient number of buyers and sellers at any given time is a
factor over which neither the Company nor any broker or dealer has control.  Due
to the relatively small number of shares of common stock being offered in the
conversion and the concentration of ownership, it is unlikely that an active or
liquid trading market will develop or be maintained.  Further, the absence of an
active and liquid trading market may make it difficult to sell the common stock
and may have an adverse effect on the price of the common stock.  Purchasers
should consider the potentially illiquid and long-term nature of their
investment in the shares offered hereby.      
    
     The aggregate price of the common stock is based upon an independent
appraisal of the pro forma market value of the common stock.  However, there can
be no assurance that an investor will be able to sell the common stock purchased
in the conversion at or above the Purchase Price.      

                                       9

 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
    
     The following table presents our historical capitalization as of June 30,
1997 and the pro forma consolidated capitalization of Company after giving
effect to the conversion, based upon the sale of the number of shares shown
below and the other assumptions set forth under "Pro Forma Data."      

     

 
                                                                        PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED CAPITALIZATION OF
                                        CAPITALIZATION              THE COMPANY AT JUNE 30, 1997 BASED ON THE SALE OF
                                            OF THE    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           BANK AT    238,000 SHARES       280,000 SHARES        322,000 SHARES      370,300 SHARES
                                           JUNE 30,      AT $10.00           AT $10.00              AT $10.00           AT $10.00
                                             1997        PER SHARE           PER SHARE              PER SHARE           PER SHARE
                                           --------   ---------------   --------------------   -------------------   ---------------
                                                                                (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                                      
 
Deposits (1)............................    $31,073          $31,073                $31,073               $31,073           $31,073
FHLB advances...........................        618              618                    618                   618               618
                                            -------          -------                -------               -------           -------
    Total deposits and borrowed funds...    $31,691          $31,691                $31,691               $31,691           $31,691
                                            =======          =======                =======               =======           =======
 
Capital stock
  Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share:
    authorized - 3,000,000 shares;
    assumed outstanding - none..........         --               --                     --                    --                --
 Common stock, $0.01 par value per share
    authorized - 9,000,000 shares;
    shares to be outstanding - as shown.         --                2                      3                     3                 4
  Paid-in capital (2)...................         --            1,978                  2,397                 2,817             3,299
  Less: Common stock acquired by ESOP
   (3)..................................         --             (190)                  (224)                 (258)             (296)

            Common stock acquired by
             MRP (4)....................         --              (95)                  (112)                 (129)             (148)

  Retained earnings -- substantially
   restricted...........................      2,266            2,266                  2,266                 2,266             2,266
                                            -------          -------                -------               -------           -------
    Total stockholders' equity..........    $ 2,266          $ 3,961                $ 4,330               $ 4,699           $ 5,125
                                            =======          =======                =======               =======           =======
      

____________________
(1)  Withdrawals from savings accounts for the purchase of stock have not been
     reflected in these adjustments.  Any withdrawals will reduce pro forma
     capitalization by the amount of such withdrawals.
(2)  Based upon the estimated net proceeds from the sale of capital stock less
     the par value of shares sold.
    
(3)  Assumes 8% of the shares of common stock to be sold in the conversion are
     purchased by the ESOP and that the funds used to purchase such shares are
     borrowed from the Company.  See "Pro Forma Data" for additional details. 
     
    
(4)  Assumes the Company issues 4.0% of the shares sold in the offering to the
     MRP and the purchase price for the shares purchased by the MRP was equal to
     the purchase price of $10 per share and 20% of the amount contributed was
     an amortized expense during such period.  Implementation of the MRP within
     one year of conversion would require regulatory and stockholder approval at
     a meeting of our stockholders to be held no earlier than six months after
     the conversion.      

                                       10

 
                  HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA CAPITAL COMPLIANCE
    
     The following table shows our historical capital position relative to our
regulatory capital requirements as of June 30, 1997 and on a pro forma basis
after giving effect to the conversion and based upon the sale of the number of
shares shown below and the other assumptions set forth under "Pro Forma Data."
The definitions of the terms used in the table are those provided in the capital
regulations issued by the OTS.  For a discussion of the capital standards
applicable to us, see "Regulation -- Regulation of the Bank -- Regulatory
Capital Requirements."      

      
 
                                                      PRO FORMA AT JUNE 30, 1997 BASED ON THE SALE OF /(1)/:
                                                   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                         MINIMUM OF          MIDPOINT OF          MAXIMUM OF    MAXIMUM, AS ADJUSTED
                                                       238,000 SHARES       280,000 SHARES      322,000 SHARES     370,300 SHARES
                                  HISTORICAL AT          AT $10.00            AT $10.00            AT $10.00       AT $10.00
                                  JUNE 30, 1997          PER SHARE            PER SHARE            PER SHARE       PER SHARE
                               --------------------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                        PERCENT OF          PERCENT OF           PERCENT OF          PERCENT OF         PERCENT OF
                                AMOUNT  ASSETS (2)   AMOUNT ASSETS (2)    AMOUNT ASSETS (2)   AMOUNT  ASSETS (2)  AMOUNT  ASSETS (2)

                                ------  ---------    ------ ---------     ------ ----------   ------  ----------  ------  ---------
                                                                                                                
                                                                       (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                                
Capital under generally accepted
   accounting principles.....   $2,266        6.6%   $2,971        8.4%   $3,130        8.8%   $3,289       9.2%   $3,473     9.7%
                                ======       ====    ======       ====    ======       ====    ======      ====    ======    ====
                                                                                                                  
Tangible capital.............   $2,266        6.6%   $2,971        8.4%   $3,130        8.8%   $3,289       9.2%   $3,473     9.7%
Tangible capital requirement.      516        1.5       529        1.5       532        1.5       535       1.5       538     1.5
                                ------       ----    ------       ----    ------       ----    ------      ----    ------    ----
   Excess....................   $1,750        5.1%   $2,442        6.9%   $2,598        7.3%   $2,754       7.7%   $2,935     8.2%
                                ======       ====    ======       ====    ======       ====    ======      ====    ======    ====
                                                                                                                  
Core capital.................   $2,266        6.6%   $2,971        8.4%   $3,130        8.8%   $3,289       9.2%   $3,473     9.7%
Core capital requirement.....    1,031        3.0     1,058        3.0     1,064        3.0     1,070       3.0     1,076     3.0
                                ------       ----    ------       ----    ------       ----    ------      ----    ------    ----
   Excess....................   $1,235        3.6%   $1,913        5.4%   $2,066        5.8%   $2,219       6.2%   $2,397     6.7%
                                ======       ====    ======       ====    ======       ====    ======      ====    ======    ====
                                                                                                                  
Total regulatory capital.....   $2,411       13.2%   $3,119       16.8%   $3,278       17.5%   $3,437      18.3%   $3,621    19.1%
Risk-based capital requirement   1,463        8.0     1,489        8.0     1,497        8.0     1,505       8.0     1,514     8.0
                                ------       ----    ------       ----    ------       ----    ------      ----    ------    ----
   Excess....................   $  948        5.2%   $1,630        8.8%   $1,781        9.5%   $1,932      10.3%   $2,107    11.1%
                                ======       ====    ======       ====    ======       ====    ======      ====    ======    ====
- --------------------
      
    
(1)  Assumes that the Company will purchase all of our capital stock to be
     issued upon conversion in exchange for 50% the net proceeds from the
     Company offering.  Assumes net proceeds distributed to the Company or to us
     initially are invested in short-term securities that carry a risk-weight
     equal to the ratio of risk-weighted assets to total assets at June 30,
     1997.  Assumes the ESOP purchases 8% of the shares to be sold in the
     conversion and borrows  the funds needed to purchase such shares from
     theCompany. Although repayment of such debt will be secured solely by the
     shares purchased by the ESOP, we expect to make discretionary contributions
     to the ESOP in an amount at least equal to the principal and interest
     payments on the ESOP debt.  The approximate amount expected to be borrowed
     by the ESOP is not reflected in this table as borrowed funds but is
     reflected as a reduction of capital.  Assumes a number of issued and
     outstanding shares of common stock equal to 4% of the common stock to be
     sold in the conversion will be purchased by the MRP after the conversion.
     The dollar amount of the common stock possibly to be purchased by the MRP
     is based on the price per share in the conversion and represents unearned
     compensation and is reflected as a reduction of capital.  Such amounts do
     not reflect possible increases or decreases in the value of such stock
     relative to the price per share in the conversion.  As we accrue
     compensation expense to reflect the vesting of such shares pursuant to the
     MRP, the charge against capital will be reduced accordingly.  Does not
     reflect a possible increase in capital upon the exercise of options by
     participants in the Option Plan, under which directors, executive officers
     and other employees could be granted options to purchase an aggregate
     amount of common stock equal to 10% of the shares issued in the conversion
     (28,000 shares at the midpoint of the Estimated Valuation Range) at
     exercise prices equal to the market price of the common stock on the date
     of grant.  Under the MRP and the Option Plan, shares issued to participants
     could be newly issued shares or, subject to regulatory restrictions, shares
     repurchased in the market.  The MRP and the Option Plan are required to be
     approved by the Company's stockholders and will not be implemented until at
     least six months after the conversion.  See "Management of Newport Federal
     Savings Bank -- Proposed Future Stock Benefit Plans."      
    
(2)  Based on our total assets determined under generally accepted accounting
     principles for equity purposes, adjusted total assets for the purposes of
     the tangible and core capital requirements (35.5 million) and risk-weighted
     assets for the purpose of the risk-based capital requirement $18.6.      

                                       11

 
                                 PRO FORMA DATA
    
     The actual net proceeds from the sale of the common stock cannot be
determined until the conversion is completed.  However, net proceeds are
currently estimated to be between $2.0 million and $3.3 million at the minimum
and maximum, as adjusted, of the Estimated Valuation Range, based upon the
following assumptions: (i) all of the shares will be sold in the Subscription or
Community Offering; (ii) expenses, including the marketing fee to be paid to
Trident Securities, will amount to $400,000.      
    
     The following table sets forth our historical net earnings and
stockholders' equity prior to the conversion and the pro forma consolidated net
income (loss) and stockholders' equity of the Company following the conversion.
Pro forma consolidated net income (loss) and stockholders' equity have been
calculated as if the common stock to be issued in the conversion had been sold
at July 1, 1996, and the estimated net proceeds had been invested at 5.65%,
which was approximately equal to the one-year U.S. Treasury bill rate at June
30, 1997.  The one-year U.S. Treasury bill rate, rather than an arithmetic
average of the average yield on interest-earning assets and average rate paid on
deposits, has been used to estimate income on net proceeds because it is
believed that it is a more accurate estimate of the rate that would be obtained
on an investment of net proceeds from the offering.  In calculating pro forma
income, an effective state and federal income tax rate of 36% has been assumed,
resulting in an after tax yield of 3.62%.  Withdrawals from deposit accounts for
the purchase of shares are not reflected in the pro forma adjustments.  As
discussed under "Use of Proceeds," the Company expects to retain 50% of the net
conversion proceeds, part of which will be lent to the ESOP to fund its purchase
of 8.0% of the shares issued in the conversion.  No effect has been given in the
pro forma stockholders= equity calculation for the assumed earnings on the net
proceeds. Historical and pro forma per share amounts have been calculated by
dividing historical and pro forma amounts by the indicated number of shares. 
     
    
     THE STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED TO REPRESENT THE FAIR
MARKET VALUE OF THE COMMON STOCK, OR THE CURRENT VALUE OF OUR ASSETS OR
LIABILITIES, OR THE AMOUNTS, IF ANY, THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION TO
STOCKHOLDERS IN THE EVENT OF LIQUIDATION.  FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING
THE LIQUIDATION ACCOUNT, SEE "THE CONVERSION -- EFFECTS OF CONVERSION TO STOCK
FORM ON DEPOSITORS AND BORROWERS OF NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK -- LIQUIDATION
ACCOUNT" AND NOTE 15 TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  THE PRO FORMA INCOME DERIVED
FROM THE ASSUMPTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED INDICATIVE OF THE
ACTUAL RESULTS OF OUR OPERATIONS FOR ANY PERIOD.  SUCH PRO FORMA DATA MAY BE
MATERIALLY AFFECTED BY A CHANGE IN THE PRICE PER SHARE OR NUMBER OF SHARES TO BE
ISSUED IN THE CONVERSION AND BY OTHER FACTORS.      

                                       12

 
     

                                                                                   AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997
                                                                           ---------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                                                      MAXIMUM, AS
                                                                           MINIMUM OF    MIDPOINT OF    MAXIMUM OF    ADJUSTED, OF
                                                                            238,000        280,000        322,000       370,300
                                                                            SHARES         SHARES         SHARES        SHARES
                                                                           AT $10.00     AT $10.00       AT $10.00     AT $10.00
                                                                           PER SHARE     PER SHARE       PER SHARE     PER SHARE
                                                                           ----------    ------------    ----------    ------------
                                                                                         (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                                                                                           
Gross offering proceeds.............                                         $  2,380        $  2,800      $  3,220        $  3,703
Less estimated offering expenses....                                             (400)           (400)         (400)           (400)
                                                                             --------        --------      --------    ------------
   Estimated net offering proceeds..                                         $  1,980        $  2,400      $  2,820        $  3,303
                                                                             ========        ========      ========    ============
 
Less: Common stock acquired by ESOP....                                      $   (190)       $   (224)     $   (258)       $   (296)
      Common stock acquired by MRP                                                (95)           (112)         (129)           (148)
                                                                             --------        --------      --------    ------------
   Estimated investable net proceeds                                         $  1,694        $  2,064      $  2,434        $  2,859
                                                                             ========        ========      ========    ============
Net income (loss):
   Historical net income (loss).....                                         $   (199)       $   (199)     $   (199)       $   (199)
   Pro forma income on net proceeds.                                               61              75            88             103
   Pro forma ESOP adjustment (1)....                                              (12)            (14)          (16)            (19)
   Pro forma MRP adjustment (2).....                                              (12)            (14)          (16)            (19)
                                                                             --------        --------      --------    ------------
       Total........................                                         $   (162)       $   (153)     $   (144)       $   (134)
                                                                             ========        ========      ========    ============
 Net income (loss) per share:(3)
   Historical net income (loss).....                                         $  (0.90)       $  (0.77)     $  (0.67)       $  (0.58)
   Pro forma income on net proceeds.                                             0.28            0.29          0.29            0.30
   Pro forma ESOP adjustment (1)....                                            (0.06)          (0.06)        (0.06)          (0.06)
   Pro forma MRP adjustment (2).....                                            (0.06)          (0.06)        (0.06)          (0.06)

                                                                             --------        --------      --------    ------------
       Total (3)....................                                         $  (0.73)       $  (0.59)     $  (0.48)       $  (0.39)
                                                                             ========        ========      ========    ============
Number of shares used in calculating loss 
  per share.........................                                          220,864         259,840       298,816         343,638
                                                                             ========        ========      ========    ============
 
Stockholders' equity: (4)
    Historical......................                                         $  2,266        $  2,266      $  2,266        $  2,266
    Estimated net offering proceeds (2)                                         1,980           2,400         2,820           3,303
      Less: Common stock acquired by ESOP (1)                                    (190)           (224)         (258)           (296)
            Common stock acquired by MRP (2).                                     (95)           (112)         (129)           (148)

                                                                             --------        --------      --------    ------------
       Total........................                                         $  3,960        $  4,330      $  4,700        $  5,125
                                                                             ========        ========      ========    ============
 
Stockholders' equity per share:(3)(4) 
   Historical.......................                                         $   9.52        $   8.09      $   7.04        $   6.12
   Estimated net offering proceeds (2)                                           8.32            8.57          8.76            8.92
      Less: Common stock acquired by ESOP (1)                                   (0.80)          (0.80)        (0.80)          (0.80)
            Common stock acquired by MRP (2).                                   (0.40)          (0.40)        (0.40)          (0.40)
                                                                             --------        --------      --------    ------------
       Total........................                                         $  16.64        $  15.46      $  14.60        $  13.84
                                                                             ========        ========      ========    ============
 
Offering price as a percentage of
 pro forma stockholders' equity per share(4)                                     60.1%           64.7%         68.5%           72.3%
                                                                             ========        ========      ========    ============
Ratio of offering price to pro forma
   annualized net income per share(4)                                              NA              NA            NA              NA
                                                                             ========        ========      ========    ============
      

                                                  (Footnotes on succeeding page)

                                       13

 
(footnotes continued from preceding page)

- -----------------------------------------
    
(1) Assumes the ESOP purchases 8% of the shares sold in the conversion and the
    Company lends the ESOP the funds to do so. The approximate amount expected
    to be borrowed by the ESOP is reflected as a reduction of capital.  We
    intend to make annual contributions to the ESOP over a 10 year period in an
    amount at least equal to the principal and interest requirement of the debt.
    The pro forma net income assumes: (i) the ESOP loan is payable over 10
    years,  (ii) the average fair value of the ESOP shares is $10.00 per share
    in accordance with Statement of Position ("SOP") 93-6 of the American
    Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("AICPA"), and (iii) the effective
    tax rate was 36% for such period.  The pro forma stockholders' equity per
    share calculation assumes all ESOP shares were outstanding, regardless of
    whether such shares would have been released.  Because the Company will be
    providing the ESOP loan, only principal payments on the ESOP loan are
    reflected as employee compensation and benefits expense.      
    
(2) Assumes the Company issues 4.0% of the shares sold in the offering to the
    MRP and the purchase price for the shares purchased by the MRP was equal to
    the purchase price of $10 per share and 20% of the amount contributed was
    an amortized expense during such period.  As we accrue compensation expense
    to reflect the five-year vesting period of such shares pursuant to the MRP,
    the charge against capital will be reduced accordingly.  In calculating the
    pro forma effect of the MRP, an effective state and federal income tax rate
    of 36% has been assumed.  Implementation of the MRP within one year of
    conversion would require regulatory and stockholder approval at a meeting of
    our stockholders to be held no earlier than six months after the conversion.
    For purposes of this table, it is assumed that the MRP will be adopted by
    the board of directors, reviewed by the OTS, and approved by the
    stockholders, and that the MRP will purchase the shares in the open market
    within the year following the conversion.  If the shares to be purchased by
    the MRP are assumed at July 1, 1996, to be newly issued shares purchased
    from the Company at the minimum, midpoint, maximum and maximum, as adjusted,
    of the Estimated Valuation Range, pro forma stockholders' equity per share
    would have been $16.38, $15.25, $14.42, and $13.69 at June 30, 1997,
    respectively.  As a result of the MRP, stockholders' interests will be
    diluted by approximately 3.8%. See "Management of Newport Federal Savings
    Bank - Proposed Future Stock Benefit Plans - Management Recognition Plan." 
     
    
(3) Per share data has been computed based on the assumed numbers of shares sold
    in the conversion.  This treatment is in accordance with SOP 93-6.  No
    effect has been given to shares to be reserved for issuance pursuant to the
    Option Plan.  Pro forma net loss per share calculations include the number
    of shares assumed to be sold in the conversion and, in accordance with SOP
    93-6, exclude ESOP shares which would not have been released during the
    period.  Accordingly, 17,136, 20,160, 23,184 and 26,662 shares have been
    subtracted from the shares assumed to be sold at the minimum, midpoint,
    maximum, and maximum, as adjusted, of the Estimated Valuation Range,
    respectively, and 220,864, 259,840, 298,816 and 343,638 shares are assumed
    to be outstanding at the minimum, midpoint, maximum, and maximum, as
    adjusted of the Estimated Valuation Range.  See Note 1 above.      
    
(4) Consolidated stockholders' equity represents the excess of the carrying
    value of the assets of the over its liabilities.  The calculations are based
    upon the number of shares issued in the conversion, without giving effect to
    SOP 93-6.  The amounts shown do not reflect the federal income tax
    consequences of the potential restoration to income of the tax bad debt
    reserves for income tax purposes, which would be required in the event of
    liquidation.  The amounts shown also do not reflect the amounts required to
    be distributed in the event of liquidation to eligible depositors from the
    liquidation account which will be established upon the consummation of the
    conversion.  Pro forma stockholders' equity information is not intended to
    represent the fair market value of the shares, the current value of our
    assets or liabilities or the amounts, if any, that would be available for
    distribution to stockholders in the event of liquidation.  Such pro forma
    data may be materially affected by a change in the number of shares to be
    sold in the conversion and by other factors.      

                                       14

                                 THE CONVERSION

   THE OTS HAS APPROVED THE PLAN SUBJECT TO THE PLAN'S APPROVAL BY OUR MEMBERS
AT A SPECIAL MEETING OF MEMBERS, AND SUBJECT TO THE SATISFACTION OF CERTAIN
OTHER CONDITIONS IMPOSED BY THE OTS IN ITS APPROVAL.  OTS APPROVAL, HOWEVER,
DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A RECOMMENDATION OR ENDORSEMENT OF THE PLAN BY THE OTS.

GENERAL
    
   On May 29, 1997, our board of directors adopted a plan of conversion,
pursuant to which we will convert from a federally chartered mutual savings bank
to a federally chartered stock savings bank and become a wholly owned subsidiary
of the Company.  This plan was amended on October 31, 1997.  The conversion will
include adoption of the proposed Federal Stock Charter and Bylaws which will
authorize the issuance of capital stock by us.  Under the Plan, our capital
stock is being sold to the Company and the common stock of the Company is being
offered to our customers and then to the public.      
    
   The OTS has approved the Company's application to become a savings and loan
holding company and to acquire all of our capital stock to be issued in the
conversion.  Pursuant to such OTS approval, the Company plans to retain 50% of
the net proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock and to use the
remaining 50% to purchase all of the capital stock we will issue in the
conversion.      
    
   The shares are first being offered in a Subscription Offering to holders of
subscription rights.  To the extent shares of common stock remain available
after the Subscription Offering, we may offer shares of common stock in a
Community Offering.  The Community  Offering, if any, may begin anytime
subsequent to the beginning of the Subscription Offering.  Shares not subscribed
for in the Subscription and Community Offerings may be offered for sale by the
Company in a Syndicated Community Offering.  We have the right, in our sole
discretion, to accept or reject, in whole or in part, any orders to purchase
shares of common stock received in the Community and Syndicated Community
Offering.  See "-- Community Offering" and  "-- Syndicated Community Offering." 
     
    
   We must sell common stock in an amount equal to our pro forma market value as
a stock savings institution in order for the conversion to become effective.  We
must complete the Community Offering within 45 days after the last day of the
Subscription Offering, unless we extend such period and obtain the approval of
the OTS to do so.  The Plan provides that the conversion must be completed
within 24 months after the date of the approval of the Plan by our members. 
     
    
   In the event that we are unable to complete the sale of common stock and
effect the conversion within 45 days after the end of the Subscription Offering,
we may request an extension of the period by the OTS.  We cannot assure you that
the extension would be granted if requested, nor can we assure you  that our
valuation would not substantially change during any such extension.       

                                       15


     
If the Estimated Valuation Range of the shares must be amended, we cannot assure
that the OTS would approve such amended Estimated Valuation Range. Therefore, it
is possible that if the conversion cannot be completed within the requisite
period of time, we may not be permitted to complete the conversion. A
substantial delay caused by an extension of the period may also significantly
increase the expense of the conversion. We cannot sell any shares of common
stock unless the Plan is approved by our members.      
    
    The completion of the offering is subject to market conditions and other
factors beyond our control.  We cannot give you any assurances as to the length
of time following approval of the Plan at the meeting of our members that will
be required to complete the Community Offering or other sale of the shares being
offered in the conversion.  If we experience delays, our estimated pro forma
market value upon conversion could change significantly, together with
corresponding changes in the offering price and the net proceeds to be realized
by us from the sale of the shares.  In the event we terminate the conversion, we
would be required to charge all conversion expenses against current income and
promptly return any funds collected by us in the offering to each potential
investor, plus interest at the prescribed rate.      

EFFECTS OF CONVERSION TO STOCK FORM ON DEPOSITORS AND BORROWERS OF NEWPORT
FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK
    
     VOTING RIGHTS.  Currently in our mutual form, our depositor and borrower
members have voting rights and may vote for the election of directors.
Following the conversion, depositors and borrower members will cease to have
voting rights.      
    
     SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND LOANS.  The conversion will not affect the balances,
terms and FDIC insurance coverage of savings accounts, nor will the amounts and
terms of loans and obligations of the borrowers under their individual
contractual arrangements with us be affected.      
    
     TAX EFFECTS.  We have received an opinion from our counsel, Housley
Kantarian & Bronstein,  P.C. on the material federal tax consequences of the
conversion.  We have filed the opinion as an exhibit to the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part.  The opinion provides, in part,
that,:  (i) the conversion will qualify as a reorganization under Section
368(a)(1)(F) of the Code, and we will not recognize any taxable gain in either
our mutual form or our stock form as a result of the proposed conversion; (ii)
we will not recognize any taxable gain upon the receipt of money from the
Company for our stock, nor will the Company recognize any gain upon the receipt
of money for the common stock; (iii) our assets in either our mutual or our
stock form will have the same basis before and after the conversion; (iv) the
holding period of our assets will include the period during which the assets
were held by us in our mutual form prior to conversion; (v) no gain or loss will
be recognized by the Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account
Holders, and Other Members upon the issuance to them of withdrawable savings
accounts in us in the stock form in the same dollar amount as their savings
accounts in us in the mutual form plus an interest in the liquidation account of
us in the stock form in exchange for their savings accounts in us in the mutual
form; (vi) depositors will recognize gain or loss upon the receipt      

                                       16


     
of liquidation rights and the receipt of subscription rights in the conversion,
to the extent such liquidation rights and subscription rights are deemed to have
value, as discussed below; (vii) the basis of each account holder's savings
accounts in us after the conversion will be the same as the basis of his savings
accounts in us prior to the conversion, decreased by the fair market value of
the nontransferable subscription rights received and increased by the amount, if
any, of gain recognized on the exchange; (viii) the basis of each account
holder's interest in the liquidation account will be zero; and (ix) the holding
period of the common stock acquired through the exercise of subscription rights
shall begin on the date on which the subscription rights are exercised.      

     With respect to the subscription rights, we have received an opinion of
Ferguson which, based on certain assumptions, concludes that the subscription
rights to be received by Eligible Account Holders and other eligible subscribers
do not have any economic value at the time of distribution or at the time the
subscription rights are exercised, whether or not a public offering takes place.
Such opinion is based on the fact that such rights are: (i) acquired by the
recipients without payment therefor, (ii) non-transferable, (iii) of short
duration, and (iv) afford the recipients the right only to purchase shares at a
price equal to their estimated fair market value, which will be the same price
at which shares for which no subscription right is received in the Subscription
Offering will be offered in the Community Offering.  If the subscription rights
granted to Eligible Account Holders or other eligible subscribers are deemed to
have an ascertainable value, receipt of such rights would be taxable only to
those Eligible Account Holders or other eligible subscribers who exercise the
subscription rights in an amount equal to such value (either as a capital gain
or ordinary income), and we could recognize gain on such distribution.
    
    We are also subject to Arkansas income taxes and have received an opinion
from KPMG Peat Marwick LLP that the conversion will be treated for Arkansas
state tax purposes similar to the conversion's treatment for federal tax
purposes.      

     Unlike a private letter ruling, the opinions of Housley Kantarian &
Bronstein, P.C., Ferguson and KPMG Peat Marwick LLP have no binding effect or
official status, and we cannot give you any assurance that a court would sustain
the conclusions reached in any of those opinions if contested by the IRS or the
Arkansas tax authorities.  WE ENCOURAGE ELIGIBLE ACCOUNT HOLDERS, SUPPLEMENTAL
ELIGIBLE ACCOUNT HOLDERS, AND OTHER MEMBERS TO CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN TAX
ADVISERS AS TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES IN THE EVENT THE SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS ARE
DEEMED TO HAVE AN ASCERTAINABLE VALUE.

    LIQUIDATION ACCOUNT.  In the unlikely event of our complete liquidation in
our present mutual form, each depositor is entitled to equal distribution of any
of our assets, pro rata to the value of his accounts, remaining after payment of
claims of all creditors (including the claims of all depositors to the
withdrawal value of their accounts).  Each depositor's pro rata share of such
remaining assets would be in the same proportion as the value of his deposit
accounts was to the total value of all deposit accounts in us at the time of
liquidation.

                                       17


     
     Upon a complete liquidation after the conversion, each depositor would have
a claim, as a creditor, of the same general priority as the claims of all other
general creditors of ours.  Therefore, except as described below, a depositor's
claim would be solely in the amount of the balance in his deposit account plus
accrued interest.  A depositor would not have an interest in the residual value
of our assets above that amount if any.      
    
    The Plan provides for the establishment, upon the completion of the
conversion, of a special "liquidation account" for the benefit of Eligible
Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders in an amount equal to
$_________.  Each Eligible Account Holder and Supplemental Eligible Account
Holder, if he continues to maintain his deposit account with us, would be
entitled on a complete liquidation of us after conversion, to an interest in the
liquidation account prior to any payment to stockholders.  Each Eligible Account
Holder would have an initial interest in such liquidation account for each
deposit account held in us on the qualifying date, December 31, 1995.  Each
Supplemental Eligible Account Holder would have a similar interest as of the
qualifying date, ___________, 1997.  The interest as to each deposit account
would be in the same proportion of the total liquidation account as the balance
of the deposit account on the qualifying dates was to the aggregate balance in
all the deposit accounts of Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible
Account Holders on such qualifying dates.  However, if the amount in the deposit
account on any annual closing date of ours is less than the amount in such
account on the respective qualifying dates, then the interest in this special
liquidation account would be reduced from time to time by an amount
proportionate to any such reduction, and the interest would cease to exist if
such deposit account were closed.  The interest in the special liquidation
account will never be increased despite any increase in the related deposit
account after the respective qualifying dates.      

    No merger, consolidation, purchase of bulk assets with assumptions of
savings accounts and other liabilities, or similar transactions with another
insured institution in which transaction we in our converted form are not the
surviving institution shall be considered a complete liquidation.  In such
transactions, the liquidation account shall be assumed by the surviving
institution.

SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS AND THE SUBSCRIPTION OFFERING
    
     In accordance with OTS regulations, non-transferable subscription rights to
purchase shares of the common stock have been granted to all persons and
entities entitled to purchase shares in the Subscription Offering under the
Plan.  The number of shares which these parties may purchase will be determined,
in part, by the total number of shares to be issued and by the availability of
the shares for purchase under the categories set forth in the Plan.  If the
Community Offering, as described below, extends beyond 45 days following the
completion of the Subscription Offering, we will resolicit subscribers and
permit them to increase, decrease or rescind their orders.  Subscription
priorities have been established for the allocation of stock to the extent that
shares are available after satisfaction of all subscriptions of all persons
having prior rights and subject to the maximum and minimum purchase limitations
set forth in the Plan and as described below under " -- Limitations on Purchases
of Shares." The following priorities have been established:      

                                       18


     
     CATEGORY 1: ELIGIBLE ACCOUNT HOLDERS.  Each Eligible Account Holder (which
collectively encompasses all names on a joint account) will receive non-
transferable subscription rights on a priority basis to purchase that number of
shares of common stock which is equal to 10,000 shares ($100,000).   If there
are insufficient shares to satisfy the orders of all Eligible Account Holders,
shares shall be allocated among subscribing Eligible Account Holders so as to
permit each such account holder, to the extent possible, to purchase the lesser
of 100 shares or the total amount of his subscription.  Any shares remaining
shall be allocated among the subscribing Eligible Account Holders on an
equitable basis, related to the amounts of their respective qualifying deposits
as compared to the total qualifying deposits of all subscribing Eligible Account
Holders.  Subscription rights received by officers and directors in this
category based on their increased deposits in us in the one-year period
preceding December 31, 1995, are subordinated to the subscription rights of
other Eligible Account Holders.  See " -- Limitations on Purchases and Transfer
of Shares."      
    
     CATEGORY 2: ESOP. The ESOP has been granted subscription rights to purchase
up to 10% of the total shares issued in the conversion.      
    
     Although the right of the ESOP to subscribe for shares is subordinate to
the right of the Eligible Account Holders, in the event the offering results in
the issuance of shares above the maximum of the Estimated Valuation Range (i.e.,
more than 322,000 shares), the ESOP has a priority right to fill its
subscription. The ESOP currently intends to purchase up to 8.0% of the common
stock issued in the conversion.  The ESOP may, however, determine to purchase
some or all of the shares covered by its subscription after the conversion in
the open market or, if approved by the OTS, out of authorized but unissued
shares in the event of an over subscription.      
    
     CATEGORY 3: SUPPLEMENTAL ELIGIBLE ACCOUNT HOLDERS.  Each Supplemental
Eligible Account Holder (which collectively encompasses all names on a joint
account) who is not an Eligible Account Holder will receive non-transferable
subscription rights to purchase that number of shares which is equal to 10,000
shares ($100,000).  If the allocation made in this paragraph results in an over
subscription, shares shall be allocated among subscribing Supplemental Eligible
Account Holders so as to permit each such account holder, to the extent
possible, to purchase the lesser of 100 shares or the total amount of his
subscription.  Any shares not so allocated shall be allocated among the
subscribing Supplemental Eligible Account Holders on an equitable basis, related
to the amounts of their respective qualifying deposits as compared to the total
qualifying deposits of all subscribing Supplemental Eligible Account Holders.
See "-- Limitations on Purchases and Transfer of Shares."      

     The right of Supplemental Eligible Account Holders to subscribe for shares
is subordinate to the rights of the Eligible Account Holders and the ESOP to
subscribe for shares.
    
     CATEGORY 4: OTHER MEMBERS.  Each Other Member (which collectively
encompasses all names on a joint account) who is not an Eligible Account Holder
or Supplemental Eligible Account Holder, will receive non-transferable
subscription rights to purchase up to 10,000 shares ($100,000) to the extent
such shares are available following subscriptions by Eligible Account Holders,
the ESOP, and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders.  In the event there are not
enough      

                                       19


shares to fill the orders of the Other Members, the subscriptions of the Other
Members will be allocated so that each subscribing Other Member will be entitled
to purchase the lesser of 100 shares or the number of shares ordered. Any
remaining shares will be allocated among Other Members whose subscriptions
remain unsatisfied on a reasonable basis. See "-- Limitations on Purchases and
Transfer of Shares."

     MEMBERS IN NON-QUALIFIED STATES.  We will make reasonable efforts to comply
with the securities laws of all states in the United States in which persons
entitled to subscribe for the shares pursuant to the Plan reside.  However, no
person will be offered or allowed to purchase any shares under the Plan if he
resides in a foreign country or in a state with respect to which any of the
following apply: (i) a small number of persons otherwise eligible to subscribe
for shares under the Plan reside in that state or foreign country; (ii) the
granting of subscription rights or offer or sale of shares of common stock to
those persons would require either us, or our employees to register, under the
securities laws of that state or foreign country, as a broker or dealer or to
register or otherwise qualify our securities for sale in that state or foreign
country; or (iii) such registration or qualification would be impracticable for
reasons of cost or otherwise.  We will not make any payment in lieu of the
granting of subscription rights to any person.
    
     RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS AND SHARES.  Persons are
prohibited from transferring or entering into any agreement or understanding to
transfer the legal or beneficial ownership of their subscription rights.  Only
the person to whom they are granted may exercise subscription rights and only
for his account.  Each person subscribing for shares will be required to certify
that he is purchasing shares solely for his own account and has not entered into
an agreement or understanding regarding the sale or transfer of those shares.
The regulations also prohibit any person from offering or making an announcement
of an offer or intent to make an offer to purchase subscription rights or shares
of common stock prior to the completion of the conversion.      

    We will pursue any and all legal and equitable remedies in the event we
become aware of the transfer of subscription rights and will not honor orders
believed by us to involve the transfer of subscription rights.

     EXPIRATION DATE.  The Subscription Offering will expire at 12:00 p.m.,
Central Time, on ________, 1997, (Expiration Date).  Subscription rights will
become void if not exercised prior to the Expiration Date.

COMMUNITY OFFERING
    
    To the extent that shares remain available for purchase after filling all
orders received in the Subscription Offering, we may offer shares of common
stock to certain members of the general public residing in Arkansas and certain
other states with a preference to natural persons residing in Jackson County,
Arkansas under such terms and conditions as may be established by the board of
directors.  In the Community Offering, the minimum purchase is 25 shares, and no
person, together      

                                       20


     
with associates of and persons acting in concert with such persons, may purchase
more than 15,000 shares ($150,000).      

    WE MAY BEGIN THE COMMUNITY OFFERING AT ANY TIME AFTER THE SUBSCRIPTION
OFFERING HAS BEGUN.  THE COMMUNITY OFFERING ONCE COMMENCED, MAY EXPIRE AT ANY
TIME WITHOUT NOTICE BUT NO LATER THAN 12:00 P.M., CENTRAL TIME, ON __________,
1997 UNLESS WE EXTEND IT WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE OTS.  PURCHASES OF SHARES IN
THE COMMUNITY OFFERING ARE SUBJECT TO OUR RIGHT IN OUR SOLE DISCRETION, TO
ACCEPT OR REJECT SUCH PURCHASES IN WHOLE OR IN PART EITHER AT THE TIME AND
RECEIPT OF AN ORDER, OR AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE
COMMUNITY OFFERING.

     In the event Community Offering orders are not filled, we will promptly
refund funds received by us with interest at our passbook rate.  In the event an
insufficient number of shares are available to fill all orders in the Community
Offering, the available shares will be allocated on an equitable basis
determined by the board of directors, provided however that a preference will be
given to natural persons residing in Jackson County, Arkansas.  If regulatory
approval is received to extend the Community Offering beyond 45 days following
the completion of the Subscription Offering, subscribers will be resolicited.
Shares sold in the Community Offering will be sold at $10.00 per share.

SYNDICATED COMMUNITY OFFERING
    
     The Plan provides that, if necessary, we may offer shares of common stock
not purchased in the Subscription and Community Offerings for sale to the
general public in a Syndicated Community Offering through a syndicate of
selected dealers to be formed and managed by Trident Securities.  No individual
purchaser together with any associate or group of persons acting in concert may
purchase more than 15,000 shares ($150,000).    Neither Trident Securities nor
any registered broker-dealer will be obligated to take or purchase any shares in
the Syndicated Community Offering, although Trident Securities has agreed to use
its best efforts in the sales of shares in any Syndicated Community Offering.
Shares sold in the Syndicated Community Offering will be sold at the Purchase
Price.  See "-- Stock Pricing, "      

     The Syndicated Community Offering will terminate no more than 45 days
following the Expiration Date, unless the Company extends it with the approval
of the OTS.

LIMITATIONS ON PURCHASES AND TRANSFER OF SHARES
    
    The Plan provides for certain additional limitations to be placed upon the
purchase of the shares in the conversion.  The minimum purchase is 25 shares.
No persons, together with associates, or group of persons acting in concert, may
purchase more than 15,000 shares ($150,000), except for the ESOP which may
purchase up to 10% of the shares sold.  The OTS regulations governing the
conversion provide that officers and directors and their associates may not
purchase, in the aggregate, more than 35% of the shares issued pursuant to the
conversion.     

                                       21

 
     Depending on market conditions and the results of the offering, the board
of directors may increase or decrease any of the purchase limitations without
the approval of our members and without resoliciting subscribers.  If the
maximum purchase limitation is increased, persons who ordered the maximum amount
will be given the first opportunity to increase their orders.  In doing so the
preference categories in the offerings will be followed.
    
    In the event of an increase in the total number of shares offered in the
conversion due to an increase in the Estimated Valuation Range of up to 15% (the
"Adjusted Maximum"), the additional shares will be allocated in the following
order of priority: (i) to fill the ESOP=s subscription of up to 8% of the
Adjusted Maximum number of shares (the ESOP currently intends to subscribe for
8%); (ii) in the event that there is an over subscription by Eligible Account
Holders, to fill unfulfilled subscriptions of Eligible Account Holders exclusive
of the Adjusted Maximum; (iii) in the event that there is an over subscription
by Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, to fill unfulfilled subscriptions to
Supplemental Eligible Account Holders exclusive of the Adjusted Maximum; (iv) in
the event that there is an over subscription by Other Members, to fill
unfulfilled subscriptions of Other Members exclusive of the Adjusted Maximum;
and (v) to fill unfulfilled subscriptions in the Community Offering to the
extent possible, exclusive of the Adjusted Maximum.      

     The term "associate" of a person means (i) any corporation or organization
(other than us or a majority-owned subsidiary of ours) of which such person is
an officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of 10%
or more of any class of equity securities, (ii) any trust or other estate in
which such person has a substantial beneficial interest or as to which such
person serves as director or in a similar fiduciary capacity (excluding tax-
qualified employee stock benefit plans), and (iii) any relative or spouse of
such person or any relative of such spouse, who has the same home as such person
or who is a director or officer of us, or any of our subsidiaries.  For example,
a corporation of which a person serves as an officer would be an associate of
that person, and therefore all shares purchased by that corporation would be
included with the number of shares which that person individually could purchase
under the above limitations.

     The term "officer" may include our chairman of the board, president, vice
presidents in charge of principal business functions, Secretary and Treasurer
and any other person performing similar functions.  All references herein to an
officer have the same meaning as used for an officer in the Plan.

     The term "residing," as used in relation to the preference afforded natural
persons in Jackson County, Arkansas, means any natural person who occupies a
dwelling within Jackson County, has an intention to remain within Jackson County
(manifested by establishing a physical, on-going, non-transitory presence within
Jackson County), and continues to reside in Jackson County at the time of the
offering.  We may utilize deposit or loan records or such other evidence
provided to us to make the determination whether a person is residing in Jackson
County.  Such determination will be in our sole discretion.

                                       22


     
     TO ORDER SHARES IN THE CONVERSION, PERSONS MUST CERTIFY THAT THEIR PURCHASE
DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH THE PURCHASE LIMITATIONS.  IN THE EVENT THAT THE PURCHASE
LIMITATIONS ARE VIOLATED BY ANY PERSON (INCLUDING ANY ASSOCIATE OR GROUP OF
PERSONS AFFILIATED OR OTHERWISE ACTING IN CONCERT WITH SUCH PERSONS), WE WILL
HAVE THE RIGHT TO PURCHASE FROM THAT PERSON AT $10.00 PER SHARE ALL SHARES
ACQUIRED BY THAT PERSON IN EXCESS OF THE PURCHASE LIMITATIONS.  IF THE EXCESS
SHARES HAVE BEEN SOLD BY THAT PERSON, WE MAY RECOVER THE PROFIT FROM THE SALE OF
THE SHARES BY THAT PERSON.  WE MAY ASSIGN OUR RIGHT EITHER TO PURCHASE THE
EXCESS SHARES OR TO RECOVER THE PROFITS FROM THEIR SALE.      
    
     Shares of common stock purchased pursuant to the conversion will be freely
transferable, except for shares purchased by our directors and officers.  For
certain restrictions on the shares purchased by directors and officers, see " --
Restrictions on Sales and Purchases of Shares by Directors and Officers."  In
addition, under guidelines of the NASD, members of the NASD and their associates
are subject to certain restrictions on the transfer of securities purchased in
accordance with subscription rights and to certain reporting requirements upon
purchase of such securities.      

ORDERING AND RECEIVING SHARES
    
     USE OF ORDER FORMS.  Subscription rights to subscribe may only be exercised
by completion of an original order form.  Persons ordering shares in the
Subscription Offering must deliver by mail or in person a properly completed and
executed original order form to us prior to the Expiration Date.  Order forms
must be accompanied by full payment for all shares ordered.  See "-- Payment for
Shares."   Subscription rights under the Plan will expire on the Expiration
Date, whether or not we have been able to locate each person entitled to
subscription rights.  ONCE SUBMITTED, SUBSCRIPTION ORDERS CANNOT BE REVOKED
WITHOUT OUR CONSENT UNLESS THE CONVERSION IS NOT COMPLETED WITHIN 45 DAYS OF THE
EXPIRATION DATE.      

     Persons and entities not purchasing shares in the Subscription Offering
may, subject to availability, purchase shares in the Community Offering by
returning to us a completed and properly executed order form along with full
payment for the shares ordered.

     In the event an order form (i) is not delivered and is returned to us by
the United States Postal Service or we are unable to locate the addressee, (ii)
is not received or is received after the Expiration Date, (iii) is defectively
completed or executed, or (iv) is not accompanied by full payment for the shares
subscribed for (including instances where a savings account or certificate
balance from which withdrawal is authorized is insufficient to fund the amount
of such required payment), the subscription rights for the person to whom such
rights have been granted will lapse as though that person failed to return the
completed order form within the time period specified.  We may, but will not be
required to, waive any irregularity on any order form or require the submission
of corrected order forms or the remittance of full payment for subscribed shares
by such date as we specify.  The waiver of an irregularity on an order form in
no way obligates us to waive any other irregularity on that, or any irregularity
on any other, order form.  Waivers will be considered on a case by case basis.
Photocopies of order forms, payments from private third parties, or electronic
transfers of 

                                       23

 
funds will not be accepted. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of
the Plan and of the acceptability of the order forms will be final. We have the
right to investigate any irregularity on any order form.

    To ensure that each purchaser receives a prospectus at least 48 hours before
the Expiration Date in accordance with Rule 15c2-8 of the Exchange Act, no
prospectus will be mailed any later than five days prior to such date or hand
delivered any later than two days prior to such date.  Execution of the order
form will confirm receipt or delivery in accordance with Rule 15c2-8.  Order
forms will only be distributed with a prospectus.
    
    PAYMENT FOR SHARES.  Payment for shares of common stock may be made (i) in
cash, if delivered in person, (ii) by check or money order, or (iii) by
authorization of withdrawal from savings accounts (including certificates of
deposit) maintained with us or (iv) by an IRA not held by us.  Appropriate means
by which such withdrawals may be authorized are provided in the order form.
Once such a withdrawal has been authorized, none of the designated withdrawal
amount may be used by the subscriber for any purpose other than to purchase the
shares.  Where payment has been authorized to be made through withdrawal from a
savings account, the sum authorized for withdrawal will continue to earn
interest at the contract rate until the conversion has been completed or
terminated.  Interest penalties for early withdrawal applicable to certificate
accounts will not apply to withdrawals authorized for the purchase of shares;
however, if a partial withdrawal results in a certificate account with a balance
less than the applicable minimum balance requirement, the certificate evidencing
the remaining balance will earn interest at the passbook savings account rate
subsequent to the withdrawal.  Payments made in cash or by check or money order,
will be placed in a segregated saving account and interest will be paid by us at
our passbook savings account rate from the date payment is received until the
conversion is completed or terminated.  An executed order form, once received by
us, may not be modified, amended, or rescinded without our consent, unless the
conversion is not completed within 45 days after the conclusion of the
Subscription Offering, in which case subscribers may be given an opportunity to
increase, decrease, or rescind their order.  In the event that the conversion is
not consummated, all funds submitted pursuant to the offering will be refunded
promptly with interest.      

     Owners of self-directed IRAs may use the assets of such IRAs to purchase
shares in the offering, provided that such IRSs are not maintained on deposit
with us  Persons with IRAs maintained with us must have their accounts
transferred to an unaffiliated institution or broker to purchase shares in the
offering.  The Stock Information Center can assist you in transferring your
self-directed IRA.  Because of the paperwork involved, persons owning IRAs with
us who wish to use their IRA account to purchase stock in the Offering, must
contact the Stock Information Center no later than __________, 1997.
    
     DELIVERY OF STOCK CERTIFICATES.  Certificates representing shares of common
stock issued in the conversion will be mailed to the person(s) at the address
noted on the order form, as soon as practicable following consummation of the
conversion.  Any certificates returned as      

                                       24

 
undeliverable will be held until properly claimed or otherwise disposed. Persons
ordering shares might not be able to sell their shares until they receive their
stock certificates.
    
     FEDERAL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT US FROM LENDING FUNDS OR EXTENDING CREDIT TO
ANY PERSON TO PURCHASE SHARES IN THE CONVERSION.      

MARKETING ARRANGEMENTS

     We have engaged Trident Securities as our financial advisor in connection
with the offering.  Trident Securities has agreed to exercise its best efforts
to assist us in the sale of the shares in the offering.  As compensation,
Trident Securities will receive a fee in the amount of $105,000.  If shares are
offered for sale in a Syndicated Community Offering, Trident Securities will
organize and manage the syndicate of selected broker-dealers.  The commission to
be paid to any such selected broker-dealers will be at a rate to be agreed to
jointly by Trident Securities and us. Fees paid to Trident Securities and to any
other broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting fees, and Trident
Securities and such broker-dealers may be deemed to be underwriters.  We have
agreed to indemnify Trident Securities for reasonable costs and expenses in
connection with certain claims or liabilities which might be asserted against
Trident Securities.  This indemnification covers the investigation, preparation
of defense and defense of any action, proceeding or claim relating to
misrepresentation or breach of warranty of the written agreement among Trident
Securities  and us or the omission or alleged omission of a material fact
required to be stated or necessary in the prospectus or other documents.
    
     The shares will be offered principally by the distribution of this document
and through activities conducted at a Stock Information Center located at our
office.  The Stock Information Center is expected to operate during our normal
business hours throughout the offering.  A registered representative employed by
Trident Securities will be working at, and supervising the operation of, the
Stock Information Center.  Trident Securities  will assist us in responding to
questions regarding the conversion and the offering and processing order forms.
Our personnel will be present in the Stock Information Center to assist Trident
Securities with clerical matters and to answer questions related solely to our
business.      

STOCK PRICING

    We have retained Ferguson, an independent economic consulting and appraisal
firm, which is experienced in the evaluation and appraisal of business entities,
including savings institutions involved in the conversion process to prepare an
appraisal of our estimated pro forma market value.  We will pay Ferguson  a fee
of $15,000 for preparing the appraisal and will reimburse Ferguson up to $3,000
for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.  We have agreed to indemnify Ferguson
under certain circumstances against liabilities and expenses arising out of or
based on any misstatement or untrue statement of a material fact contained in
the information supplied by us to Ferguson.

                                       25

 
    Ferguson prepared the appraisal in reliance upon the information contained
herein, including the financial statements.  The appraisal contains an analysis
of a number of factors including, but not limited to, our financial condition
and operating trends, the competitive environment within which we operate,
operating trends of certain savings institutions and savings and loan holding
companies, relevant economic conditions, both nationally and in the state of
Arkansas which affect the operations of savings institutions, and stock market
values of certain savings institutions.  In addition, Ferguson has advised us
that it has considered the effect of the additional capital raised by the sale
of the shares on our estimated aggregate pro forma market value.
    
    On the basis of the above, Ferguson has determined, in its opinion, that as
of September 2, 1997 our estimated aggregate pro forma market value was
$2,800,000.  OTS regulations require, however, that the appraiser establish a
range of value for the stock to allow for fluctuations in the aggregate value of
the stock due to changing market conditions and other factors.  Accordingly,
Ferguson has established the Estimated Valuation Range from $2,380,000 to
$3,220,000 for the offering.  The Estimated Valuation Range will be updated
prior to consummation of the conversion and the Estimated Valuation Range may
increase to $3,703,000.      

     The board of directors has reviewed the independent appraisal, including
the stated methodology of the independent appraiser and the assumptions used in
the preparation of the independent appraisal.  The board of directors is relying
upon the expertise, experience and independence of the appraiser and is not
qualified to determine the appropriateness of the assumptions.

     In order for stock sales to take place, Ferguson must confirm to the OTS
that, to the best of Ferguson's knowledge and judgment, nothing of a material
nature has occurred which would cause Ferguson to conclude that the Purchase
Price on an aggregate basis was incompatible with Ferguson's estimate of our pro
forma  market value of us in converted form at the time of the sale.  If,
however, facts do not justify such a statement, an amended Estimated Valuation
Range may be established.
    
     THE APPRAISAL IS NOT A RECOMMENDATION OF ANY KIND AS TO THE ADVISABILITY OF
PURCHASING THESE SHARES.  IN PREPARING THE APPRAISAL, FERGUSON HAS RELIED UPON
AND ASSUMED THE ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS OF FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL
INFORMATION PROVIDED BY US.  FERGUSON DID NOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED BY US, NOR DID FERGUSON VALUE
INDEPENDENTLY OUR ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.  THE APPRAISAL CONSIDERS US ONLY AS A
GOING CONCERN AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS OUR LIQUIDATION VALUE.  MOREOVER,
BECAUSE THE APPRAISAL IS BASED UPON ESTIMATES AND PROJECTIONS OF A NUMBER OF
MATTERS WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK COULD
DECLINE BELOW $10.00.      

CHANGE IN NUMBER OF SHARES TO BE ISSUED IN THE CONVERSION

     Depending on market and financial conditions at the time of the completion
of the Subscription and Community Offerings, we may significantly increase or
decrease the number of 

                                       26


     
shares to be issued in the conversion. In the event of an increase in the
valuation, we may increase the total number of shares to be issued in the
conversion. An increase in the total number of shares to be issued in the
conversion would decrease a subscriber's percentage ownership interest and the
pro forma net worth (book value) per share and increase the pro forma net income
and net worth (book value) on an aggregate basis. In the event of a material
reduction in the valuation, we may decrease the number of shares to be issued to
reflect the reduced valuation. A decrease in the number of shares to be issued
in the conversion would increase a subscriber's percentage ownership interest
and the pro forma net worth (book value) per share and decrease pro forma net
income and net worth on an aggregate basis.      
    
    Persons ordering shares will not be permitted to modify or cancel their
orders unless the change in the number of shares to be issued in the conversion
results in an offering which is either less than $2,380,000 or more than
$3,703,000.      

RESTRICTIONS ON REPURCHASE OF SHARES
    
    Generally, during the first year following the conversion, the Company may
not repurchase its shares and during each of the second and third years
following the conversion, the Company may repurchase five percent of the
outstanding shares provided they are purchased in open-market transactions.
Repurchases must not cause us to become undercapitalized and at least 10 days
prior notice of the repurchase must be provided to the OTS.  The OTS may
disapprove a repurchase program upon a determination that (1) the repurchase
program would adversely affect our financial condition, (2) the information
submitted is insufficient upon which to base a conclusion as to whether the
financial condition would be adversely affected, or (3) a valid business purpose
was not demonstrated.  In addition, SEC rules also govern the method, time,
price, and number of shares of common stock that may be repurchased by the
Company and affiliated purchasers.  If, in the future, the rules and regulations
regarding the repurchase of stock are liberalized, the Company may utilize the
rules and regulations then in effect.      

RESTRICTIONS ON SALES AND PURCHASES OF SHARES BY DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
    
     Shares purchased by directors and officers of the Company may not be sold
for one year following completion of the conversion.  An exception to this rule
is a disposition of shares in the event of the death of the director or officer.
Any shares issued to directors and officers as a stock dividend, stock split, or
otherwise with respect to restricted stock shall be subject to the same
restrictions.      
    
     For three years following the conversion, directors and officers may
purchase shares only through a registered broker or dealer.  Exceptions are
available only if the OTS has approved the purchase or the purchase is an arm's
length transaction and involves more than one percent of the outstanding shares.
     

                                       27

 
INTERPRETATION AND AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN

     We are authorized to interpret and amend the Plan.  Our interpretations are
final.  Amendments to the Plan after the receipt of member approval will not
need further member approval unless required by the OTS.

CONDITIONS AND TERMINATION
    
     Completion of the conversion requires (i) the approval of the Plan by the
affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the total number of votes
eligible to be cast by our members; and (ii) completion of the sale of shares
within 24 months following approval of the Plan by our members.  If these
conditions are not satisfied, the Plan will be terminated and we will continue
our business in the mutual form of organization.  We may terminate the Plan at
any time prior to the meeting of members to vote on the Plan or at any time
thereafter with the approval of the OTS.      

OTHER
    
     ALL STATEMENTS MADE IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE HEREBY QUALIFIED BY THE CONTENTS
OF THE PLAN OF CONVERSION, THE MATERIAL TERMS OF WHICH ARE SET FORTH HEREIN.
THE PLAN OF CONVERSION IS ATTACHED TO THE PROXY STATEMENT.  COPIES OF THE PLAN
ARE AVAILABLE FROM US AND WE SHOULD BE CONSULTED FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
ADOPTION OF THE PLAN BY OUR MEMBERS AUTHORIZES US TO INTERPRET, AMEND OR
TERMINATE THE PLAN.      

         

                      MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
                OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

    Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of
operations is intended to assist you in understanding our financial condition
and results of operations. The information in this section should also be read
with our Financial Statements and Notes to the Financial Statements elsewhere in
this document.

    The Company has recently been formed and accordingly, has no results of
operations.  The following discussion relates only to our financial condition
and results of operations

    Our results of operations depend primarily on net interest income, which is
determined by (i) the difference between rates of interest we earn on our
interest-earning assets and the rates we pay on interest-bearing liabilities
(interest rate spread), and (ii) the relative amounts of interest -earning
assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  Our results of operations are also
affected by non-interest expense, including primarily compensation and employee
benefits, federal deposit insurance premiums and office occupancy costs.  Our
results of operations also are affected significantly by general and economic
and competitive conditions, particularly changes in market interest rates,
government policies and actions of regulatory authorities, all of which are
beyond our control.

                                       28


     
    Following the conversion, we believe there will be sufficient demand in our
market area to continue our policy of emphasizing lending in the one- to four-
family real estate loan area.  In addition, we hope to experience continued
growth in our non-residential mortgage, consumer and commercial loan portfolios
by modest amounts; however, there is no assurance that we will be able to do so.
See "Risk Factors  -- Nonresidential Lending" and "Business of Newport Federal
Savings Bank-- Lending Activities."      

ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

    Our assets and liabilities may be analyzed by examining the extent to which
our assets and liabilities are interest-rate sensitive and by monitoring the
expected effects of interest rate changes on our net portfolio value.

    An asset or liability is interest rate sensitive within a specific time
period if it will mature or reprice within that time period.  If our assets
mature or reprice more quickly or to a greater extent than our liabilities, our
net portfolio value and net interest income would tend to increase during
periods of rising interest rates but decrease during periods of falling interest
rates.  Conversely, if our assets mature or reprice more slowly or to a lesser
extent than our liabilities, our net portfolio value and net interest income
would tend to decrease during periods of rising interest rates but increase
during periods of falling interest rates.  Our policy has been to mitigate the
interest rate risk inherent in the historical savings institution business of
originating long-term loans funded by short-term deposits by pursuing certain
strategies designed to decrease the vulnerability of our earnings to material
and prolonged changes in interest rates.

    To manage the interest rate risk of this type of loan portfolio, we limit
maturities of fixed-rate loans to no more than five years and emphasize the
origination of ARM loans.  At June 30, 1997, the average weighted term to
maturity of our mortgage loan portfolio was approximately 14 years and the
average weighted term of our deposits was slightly less than two years.

NET PORTFOLIO VALUE

    In recent years, we have measured our interest rate sensitivity by computing
the "gap" between the assets and liabilities which were expected to mature or
reprice within certain time periods, based on assumptions regarding loan
prepayment and deposit decay rates formerly provided by the OTS.  However, the
OTS now measures an institution's interest rate risk by computing the amount by
which the net present value of cash flow from assets, liabilities and off
balance sheet items (the institution's net portfolio value or "NPV") would
change in the event of a range of assumed changes in market interest rates.
These computations estimate the effect on an institution's NPV from
instantaneous and permanent 1% to 4% (100 to 400 basis points) increases and
decreases in market interest rates.  The following table presents the interest
rate sensitivity of our NPV at June 30, 1997, as calculated by the OTS, which is
based upon quarterly information that we voluntarily provided to the OTS.

                                       29

 


 
                                   NET PORTFOLIO VALUE                      NPV AS % OF PORTFOLIO VALUE OF ASSETS
    CHANGE                         -------------------                      -------------------------------------
   IN RATES                 $ AMOUNT   $ CHANGE     % CHANGE                NPV RATIO    BASIS POINT CHANGE       
   --------                 --------   --------     --------                ----------   -------------------      
                                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)  
                                                                                 
 
      + 400 bp                 2,403       (669)         (22)%                7.26%            (151) bp            
      + 300 bp                 2,663       (408)         (13)                 7.91              (86) bp            
      + 200 bp                 2,873       (199)          (6)                 8.40              (37) bp            
      + 100 bp                 3,012        (59)          (2)                 8.70               (7) bp            
          0 bp                 3,072         --           --                  8.77               --                
      - 100 bp                 3,051        (21)          (1)                 8.63              (14) bp            
      - 200 bp                 3,002        (69)          (2)                 8.42              (35) bp            
      - 300 bp                 2,993        (78)          (3)                 8.32              (45) bp            
      - 400 bp                 3,054        (18)          (1)                 8.38              (39) bp            
 


     While we cannot predict future interest rates or their effects on our NPV
or net interest income, we do not expect current interest rates to have a
material adverse effect on our NPV or net interest income in the near future.
Computations of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are
based on numerous assumptions, including relative levels of market interest
rates, prepayments and deposit runoff and should not be relied upon as
indicative of actual results.  Certain shortcomings are inherent in such
computations.  Although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturity
or periods of repricing, they may react at different times and in different
degrees to changes in the market interest rates.  The interest rates on certain
types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market
interest rates, while rates on other types of assets and liabilities may lag
behind changes in market interest rates.  Certain assets, such as ARM loans,
generally have features which restrict changes in interest rates on a short-term
basis and over the life of the loan.  In the event of a change in interest
rates, prepayments and early withdrawal levels could deviate significantly from
those assumed in making calculations set forth above.  Additionally, an
increased credit risk may result as the ability of many borrowers to service
their debt may decrease in the event of an interest rate increase.

     The board of directors reviews our asset and liability policies.  The board
of directors meets regularly to review interest rate risk and trends, as well as
liquidity and capital ratios and requirements.  Management administers the
policies and determinations of the board of directors with respect to our asset
and liability goals and strategies.  We expect that our asset and liability
policies and strategies will continue as described so long as competitive and
regulatory conditions in the financial institution industry and market interest
rates continue as they have in recent years.

                                       30

 
AVERAGE BALANCES, INTEREST AND AVERAGE YIELDS
    
     The following table sets forth certain information relating to our average
statement of financial condition and reflects the average yield on assets and
average cost of liabilities for the periods indicated and the average yields
earned and rates paid at the date and for the periods indicated.  Such yields
and costs are derived by dividing income or expense by the average monthly
balance of assets or liabilities, respectively, for the periods presented.
Average balances are derived from quarter-end balances.  We do not believe that
the use of quarter-end balances instead of daily balances has caused any
material difference in the information presented.     
    

 
                                                                                 YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    AT JUNE 30,                 1997                              1996
                                                       1997          ------------------------------   ------------------------------
                                                 -----------------                         AVERAGE                          AVERAGE
                                                           YIELD/    AVERAGE                YIELD/    AVERAGE                YIELD/
                                                 BALANCE    COST     BALANCE   INTEREST      COST     BALANCE   INTEREST      COST
                                                 -------   -------   -------   ---------   --------   -------   ---------   --------
                                                                               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                                    
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS:
 Interest-bearing deposits....................   $ 1,295     5.56%   $ 1,767    $    72       4.07%   $ 2,519    $   129       5.12%

 Mortgage-backed securities...................     5,077     6.68      5,374        339       6.30      4,442        280       6.30
 Investment securities........................       846     8.39        976         71       7.28      1,266        105       8.29
 Loans (1)....................................    24,794     8.11     24,249      2,011       8.20     21,470      1,814       8.45
                                                 -------             -------    -------               -------    -------
Total interest-earning assets.................    32,012     7.79     32,366      2,493       7.70     29,697      2,328       7.84
                                                                                -------                          -------
Non-interest-earning assets...................     2,367               1,745                            1,644
                                                 -------             -------                          -------
Total assets..................................   $34,379             $34,111                          $31,341
                                                 =======             =======                          =======
 
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES:
 Savings deposits.............................   $30,090     5.12%   $29,684    $ 1,541       5.19%   $28,383    $ 1,517       5.34%

 FHLB advances................................       618     5.55      1,238         56       4.52        140          8       5.71
                                                 -------             -------    -------               -------    -------
Total interest-bearing liabilities............    30,708     5.20     30,922      1,597       5.16     28,523      1,525       5.35
                                                                                -------                          -------
Non-interest bearing liabilities..............     1,405                 789                              351
                                                 -------             -------                          -------
Total liabilities.............................    32,113              31,711                           28,874
Retained earnings.............................     2,266               2,400                            2,467
                                                 -------             -------                          -------
Total liabilities and retained earnings.......   $34,379             $34,111                          $31,341
                                                 =======             =======                          =======
 
Net interest income...........................                                  $   896                          $   803
                                                                                =======                          =======
Net interest rate spread (2)..................               2.59%                            2.54%                            2.49%
                                                             ====                             ====                             ====
Net interest-earning assets...................                       $ 1,444                          $ 1,174
                                                                     =======                          =======
Net interest margin (3).......................                                                2.77%                            2.70%
                                                                                              ====                             ====
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to
 average interest-bearing liabilities.........                                   104.66%                          104.12%
                                                                                =======                          =======
- --------------------
     
    
(1)  Includes nonaccrual loans.     
    
(2)  Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the average
     yield on interest-earning assets and the average rate on interest-bearing
     liabilities.     
    
(3)  Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average
     interest-earning assets.     

                                      31

 
RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS
    
     The table shows certain information regarding changes in our interest
income and interest expense of the Bank for the periods indicated.  For each
category of interest-earning asset and interest-bearing liability, information
is provided on changes attributable to: (i) changes in volume (changes in volume
multiplied by old rate); and (ii) changes in rates (change in rate multiplied by
old volume); and (iii) change in rate-volume (changes in rate multiplied by the
changes in volume) are allocated between changes in rate and changes in 
volume.     



 
 
                                                                       YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            1997          VS.        1996             1996         VS.       1995
                                           ----------------------------------   ---------------------------------------
                                                     INCREASE (DECREASE)                   INCREASE (DECREASE)
                                                            DUE TO                               DUE TO
                                           ----------------------------------   ---------------------------------------
                                                              RATE/                                  RATE/
                                           VOLUME    RATE    VOLUME    TOTAL    VOLUME     RATE     VOLUME      TOTAL
                                           -------   -----   -------   ------   -------   ------   ---------   --------
                                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                       
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS:
  Interest-bearing deposits.............    $ (39)   $(26)    $   8    $ (57)     $(14)   $  26        $ (3)      $  9
  Mortgage-backed securities............       59      --        --       59       (22)      51          (4)        25
  Investment securities.................      (24)    (13)        3      (34)      (11)      16          (2)         3
  Loans.................................      235     (34)       (4)     197       126       10           1        137
                                            -----    ----     -----    -----      ----    -----        ----       ----
    Total interest-earning assets.......      231     (73)        7      165        79      103          (8)       174
                                            -----    ----     -----    -----      ----    -----        ----       ----
 
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES:
  Deposits..............................       69     (43)       (2)      24        44      195           7        246
  FHLB advances.........................       63      (2)      (13)      48        (1)      (1)         --         (2)
                                            -----    ----     -----    -----      ----    -----        ----       ----
  Total interest-bearing liabilities....      132     (45)      (15)      72        43      194           7        244
  Increase (decrease) in net interest
    income..............................    $  99    $(28)    $  22    $  93      $ 36    $ (91)       $(15)      $(70)
                                            =====    ====     =====    =====      ====    =====        ====       ====


                                      32

 
COMPARISON OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AT JUNE 30, 1997 AND JUNE 30, 1996

     Total assets increased by $1.9 million or 5.96% from $32.4 million at June
30, 1996 to $34.4 million at June 30, 1997.  Total liabilities increased $2.1
million or 7.1%, from $30.0 million at June 30, 1996 to $32.1 million at June
30, 1997.  The increase in assets for the period was primarily attributable to
the growth in our loan portfolio of $2.8 million which was the result of
increased loan demand generally.  Loan growth was funded from a net increase in
deposits of $1.4 million, an increase in FHLB advances of $484,000, a net
reduction in cash and interest-earning deposits of $482,000 and net maturities
and repayments on investment and mortgage-backed securities of $387,000.

COMPARISON OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1996

     NET INCOME.  We incurred a net loss of $199,000 for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1997 as compared to a net profit of $73,000 for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1996.  Our loss in the current fiscal year was primarily due to a
special assessment that all thrift institutions were required to pay in order to
recapitalize the SAIF, the FDIC fund that insures our deposits.  The special
assessment amounted to $179,000 which we paid during the quarter ended December
31, 1996.  In addition, we incurred an expense of $286,000 in connection with
our adoption of a Director Retirement Plan.  We also increased our provision for
loan losses from $10,000 for fiscal year 1996 to $90,000 for fiscal year 1997.

     NET INTEREST INCOME.  Our net interest income, which is the difference
between our interest income and our interest expense, increased from $803,000
for fiscal year 1996 to $896,000 for fiscal year 1997.  The $93,000 increase was
due to an increase in the level of interest income we received on our loan and
mortgage backed securities portfolios.  Although the average yield on these
portfolios actually declined, the average balance of these assets rose which
accounted for the income growth.  Total interest expense also increased during
the fiscal year by $72,000 due to an increase in our deposits and our FHLB
borrowings, our two main categories of interest-bearing liabilities.  As with
the interest-earning assets, however, the average cost of these borrowings
decreased from fiscal year 1996 to fiscal year 1997.

     PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES.  Financial institutions are required to
establish an allowance for potential loan losses.  The balance of such allowance
depends on the risk in the institution's loan portfolio, its level of problem
loans and general economic conditions, among other factors.  Loans which cannot
be collected are charged against the allowance and thereby reduce its balance.
An institution adds to the allowance by making a provision for loan losses which
is an expense item.  During fiscal year 1997, we made a provision for loan
losses of $90,000 as compared to a $10,000 provision during the previous fiscal
year.  Although at June 30, 1997 we had not experienced any increase in the
level of our problem loans, we determined that the higher provision was
necessary based on the increased risks associated with consumer loans and other
non-mortgage loans during the year, as well as the growth in our total loan
portfolio.

                                       33


     
     Subsequent to June 30, 1997, our largest loan was placed on nonaccrual
status due to the failure of the borrower to make the requisite payments.  Based
on the information available to us as of the date hereof with respect to such
loan, we believe that our loan loss is adequate.  We cannot assure you, however,
that such reserves are, or in the future will be, adequate to absorb all loan
losses or that regulators, in reviewing our assets, will not make us increase
our loss allowance, thereby negatively affecting our reported financial
condition and results of operations.     

     NONINTEREST INCOME.  Noninterest income (e.g, loan and deposit account
fees) does not represent a significant portion of our revenues.  For fiscal year
1997, we earned $19,000 in noninterest income as compared to $11,000 in fiscal
year 1996.

     NONINTEREST EXPENSE.  Our noninterest expenses consist mainly of salaries
and employee benefits, federal deposit insurance premiums and the expenses
associated with our building and equipment.  For fiscal year 1997, total
noninterest expenses were $1.2 million as compared to $726,000 for the prior
fiscal year 1996.  The increased expense level was due mainly to the special
SAIF assessment of $179,000 and the costs associated with the adoption of the
director retirement plan of $286,000.

     We anticipate our deposit insurance premium expense to be reduced going
forward as the rate we have to pay for such insurance was significantly reduced
effective January 1, 1997.  See "Regulation--Regulation of the Bank--Deposit
Insurance."

     INCOME TAX EXPENSE.  Our income tax expense for fiscal year 1997 was
significantly reduced due to the net loss for the year.  We recognized a net
benefit of $133,000 for the year as compared to a net expense of $6,000 for the
prior fiscal year.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
    
    We are required to maintain minimum levels of liquid assets as defined by
OTS regulations.  This requirement, which varies from time to time depending
upon economic conditions and deposit flows, is  based upon a percentage of our
deposits and short-term borrowings.  The required ratio currently is 5% and our
liquidity ratio for the month ended June 30, 1997 was 5.14%.  It is our belief
that upon completion of the conversion our liquidity ratio will increase due to
the additional funds we will receive.     

    Our primary sources of funds are deposits, repayment of loans and mortgage-
backed securities, maturities of investments and interest-bearing deposits,
funds provided from operations and advances from the FHLB of Dallas.  While
scheduled repayments of loans and mortgage-backed securities and maturities of
investment securities are predicable sources of funds, deposit flows and loan
prepayments are greatly influenced by the general level of interest rates,
economic conditions and competition.  We use our liquidity resources principally
to fund existing and future loan commitments, to fund maturing certificates of
deposit and demand deposit withdrawals, to invest in other interest-earning
assets, to maintain liquidity, and to meet operating expenses.

                                       34

 
    Liquidity may be adversely affected by unexpected deposit outflows, higher
interest rates paid by competitors, adverse publicity relating to the savings
and loan industry, and similar matters.  Further, the disparity in Fico Bond
interest payments as described herein could result in us losing deposits to BIF
members that have lower costs of funds and therefore are able to pay higher
rates of interest on deposits.  Management monitors projected liquidity needs
and determines the level desirable, based in part on our commitments to make
loans and management's assessment of our ability to generate funds.

    We are subject to federal regulations that impose certain minimum capital
requirements.  For a discussion on such capital levels, see "Historical and Pro
Forma Capital Compliance" and "Regulation -- Regulation of the Bank --
Regulatory Capital Requirements."

IMPACT OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES

    Our financial statements and the accompanying notes presented elsewhere in
this document, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, which require the measurement of financial position and
operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering the change
in the relative purchasing power of money over time and due to inflation.  The
impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of our operations.  As a
result, interest rates have a greater impact on our performance than do the
effects of general levels of inflation.  Interest rates do not necessarily move
in the same direction or to the same extent as the prices of goods and services.

RECENT PRONOUNCEMENTS

    FASB STATEMENT ON ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION.  In October 1995,
the FASB issued SFAS No. 123.  SFAS No. 123 defines a "fair value based method"
of accounting for an employee stock option whereby compensation cost is measured
at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the
service period.  FASB has encouraged all entities to adopt the fair value based
method, however, it will allow entities to continue the use of the "intrinsic
value based method" prescribed by Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion
No. 25.  Under the intrinsic value based method, compensation cost is the excess
of the market price of the stock at the grant date over the amount an employee
must pay to acquire the stock.  However, most stock option plans have no
intrinsic value at the grant date and, as such, no compensation cost is
recognized under APB Opinion No. 25.  Entities electing to continue use of the
accounting treatment of APB Opinion No. 25 must make certain pro forma
disclosures as if the fair value based method had been applied.  The accounting
requirements of SFAS No. 123 are effective for transactions entered into in
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1995.  Pro forma disclosures must
include the effects of all awards granted in fiscal years beginnings after
December 15, 1994.  If the proposed Option Plan is adopted we will use the
intrinsic value method.  Accordingly, there will be no impact as a result of our
adoption of SFAS No.  123.

                                       35


     
     FASB STATEMENT ON ACCOUNTING FOR TRANSFERS AND SERVICING OF FINANCIAL
ASSETS AND EXTINGUISHMENTS OF LIABILITIES.  In June 1996, FASB issued SFAS No.
125, which will be effective, on a prospective basis, for transfers and
servicing of financial assets and extinguishment of liabilities occurring after
December 31, 1996.  SFAS No. 125 supersedes SFAS No. 122, Accounting for
Mortgage Servicing Rights.  SFAS No. 125 provides accounting and reporting
standards for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishment of
liabilities based on consistent application of a financial-components approach
that focuses on control.  SFAS No. 125 extends the "available for sale" and
"trading" approach of SFAS No. 115 to non-security financial assets that can be
contractually prepaid or otherwise settled in such a way that the holder of the
asset would not recover substantially all of its recorded investment.  In
addition, SFAS No. 125 amends SFAS No. 115 to prevent a security from being
classified as held to maturity if the security can be prepaid or settled in such
a manner that the holder of the security would not recover substantially all of
its recorded investment.  The extension of the SFAS No. 115 approach to certain
non-security financial assets and the amendment to SFAS No. 115 are effective
for financial assets held on or acquired after January 1, 1997.  The FASB has
proposed to defer the effective date of SFAS No. 125 until January 1, 1998 for
certain transactions including repurchase agreements, dollar-roll, securities
lending and similar transactions.  We adopted SFAS No. 125 on January 1, 1997.
There was no impact on our financial statements of such adoption.     

     FASB STATEMENT ON EARNINGS PER SHARE.  In February 1997, the FASB issued
SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per Share."  SFAS 128 supersedes APB Opinion No. 15,
"Earnings Per Share" and specifies the computation, presentation and disclosure
requirements for earnings per share for entities with publicly held common stock
or potential common stock.  SFAS No. 128 replaces the presentation of primary
earnings per share with a presentation of basic earnings per share and fully
diluted earnings per share with diluted earnings per share.  It also requires
dual presentation of basis and diluted earning per share on the fact of the
income statement for all entities with complex capital structures and requires
the reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic earnings per
share computation to the numerator and denominator of the diluted earnings per
share computation.  This statement is effective for financial statements issued
for periods ending after December 15, 1997, including interim periods.  SFAS No.
128 will be adopted by us in the initial period after December 15, 1997.  We do
not believe the impact of adopting SFAS No. 128 will be material to our
financial statements.

     FASB STATEMENT ON DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION ABOUT CAPITAL STRUCTURE.  In
February 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 129.  The Statement incorporates the
disclosure requirements of APB Opinion No. 15, "Earnings per Share," and makes
them applicable to all public and nonpublic entities that have issued securities
addressed by the Statement.  APB Opinion No. 15 requires disclosure of
descriptive information about securities that is not necessarily related to the
computation of earnings per share.  The statement continues the previous
requirements to disclose certain information about an entity's capital structure
found in APB Opinion NO. 10, Omnibus Opinion - 1966 and No. 15, Earnings Per
Share and FASB Statement No. 47, Disclosure of Long-Term Obligations, for
entities that were subject to the requirements of those standards.  This
Statement eliminates the exemption of nonpublic entities from certain disclosure
requirements of Opinion 15 as provided by Statement  No. 21, Suspension of the
Reporting of Earnings per Share 

                                       36

 
and Segment Information for Nonpublic Enterprises. It supersedes specific
disclosure requirements of Opinion 10 and 15 and Statement 47 and consolidates
them in this Statement for ease of retrieval and for greater visibility to
nonpublic entities. This Statement is effective for financial statements for
periods ending after December 15, 1997. SFAS No. 129 will be adopted by us in
the initial period after December 15, 1997. We do not believe the impact of
adopting SFAS No. 129 will be material to our financial statements.

     FASB STATEMENT ON REPORTING COMPREHENSIVE INCOME.  In June 1997, the FASB
issued SFAS No.  130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," which requires entities
presenting a complete set of financial statements to include details of
comprehensive income that arise in the reporting period.  Comprehensive income
consists of net income or loss for the current period and other comprehensive
income,  expense, gains and losses that bypass the income statement and are
reported in a separate component of equity, i.e., unrealized gains and losses on
certain investment securities.  SFAS No.  130 is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 1997.  We do not believe that adoption of SFAS No.
130 will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of
operations.

     FASB STATEMENT ON DISCLOSURES REGARDING SEGMENTS.  In June 1997, the FASB
issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information."  Statement 131 establishes standards for the way public
enterprises are to report information about operating  segments in annual
financial statements and requires those enterprises to report selected
information about operating segments in interim financial reports issued to
stockholders.  It also establishes standards for related disclosures about
products and services, geographic areas and major customers.  Statement 131
supersedes FASB Statement No. 14, "Financial Reporting for Segments of a
Business Enterprise" but retains the requirement to report information about
major customers.  It amends Statement No. 94, "Consolidation of all Majority-
Owned Subsidiaries" to remove the special disclosure requirements for previously
unconsolidated subsidiaries.  Statement 131 is effective for  financial
statements for periods beginning after December 15, 1997.  We do not believe the
impact of adopting SFAS No. 131 will be material to our financial statements.

                  BUSINESS OF NORTH ARKANSAS BANCSHARES, INC.
    
     The Company is not an operating company and has not engaged in any
significant business to date.  It was formed in September 1997 as a Tennessee-
chartered corporation to be the holding company for Newport Federal Savings
Bank.  The holding company structure and retention of proceeds will facilitate:
(i) diversification into non-banking activities, (ii) acquisitions of other
financial institutions, such as savings institutions, (iii) expansion within
existing and into new market areas and (iv) stock repurchases without adverse
tax consequences.  There are no present plans regarding diversification,
acquisitions or expansion or stock repurchases.     
    
     Newport Federal have operated as an independent community oriented savings
institution since 1934.  It is our intention to continue to operate as an
independent community oriented savings association following the 
conversion.     

                                       37

 
     Since the Company will own only one savings association, it generally will
not be restricted in the types of business activities in which it may engage,
provided that we retain a specified amount of our assets in housing-related
investments.  The Company initially will not conduct any active business and
does not intend to employ any persons other than officers but will utilize our
support staff from time to time.

                    BUSINESS OF NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

    The principal sources of funds for our activities are deposits, payments on
loans and borrowings from the FHLB of Dallas.  Our deposits totaled $31.1
million at June 30, 1997.  Funds are used principally for the origination of
loans secured by first mortgages on one- to four-family residences which are
located in our market area.  Such loans totaled $17.5 million, or 70.06%, of our
total loans receivable portfolio at June 30, 1997.  We also originate other
types of loans including loans secured by commercial real estate and consumer
loans and purchase investment and mortgage-backed securities.  Our principal
source of revenue is interest received on loans and investments and our
principal expense is interest paid on deposits.

MARKET AREA
    
     We consider our primary market area to be Jackson County in Northern
Arkansas.  The City of Newport, where we are located, is the County Seat of
Jackson County.  Jackson County is primarily rural in nature.  According to 1990
Census data, approximately 26.6% of the households in Jackson County had incomes
below the poverty line.  Median household income was estimated to be $16,641.
The unemployment rate calculated based on the 1990 Census data was 5.40%,
slightly below the average for all of Arkansas of 5.98% and the U.S. average of
6.24%.  Major employers in our market area are Arkansas State University-
Beebe/Newport, which is located in Newport, two hospitals, also based in
Newport, Arkansas Steel and the Norandal Aluminum Rolling Plant.  Two privately-
owned prisons are also scheduled to open shortly which are expected to add
approximately 284 new jobs to the market area according to the companies that
own the prisons.  The principal sources of employment in Jackson County as a
whole are manufacturers, trade, public administration and services.     

BUSINESS STRATEGY

     Historically, our principal business, like that of most other savings
institutions, has been that of accepting deposits from the general public and
investing those funds in one- to four-family mortgage loans.  Our loans have
typically been secured by properties located within Jackson County.

     During 1995, we decided to move our offices to our current location at 200
Olivia Drive.   We believed that this location would give us more exposure to
our potential customer base because of the proximity of a number of recently-
built retail establishments and other businesses.  Since we completed
construction and moved to the new location, our deposit base has grown from
$27.8 million at June 30, 1995 to $31.1 million at June 30, 1997.  We also
decided to expand the types of loans we offered and have since significantly
increased our nonresidential loan portfolio.

                                       38

 
     While our new location has contributed to this growth and expansion, the
costs associated with its construction have caused us to experience decreased
earnings as compared to our peer institutions since we have a greater percentage
of our assets invested in non-earning fixed assets than do our peers.  This also
limited our ability to grow in the future since our growth would have to be
financed to a large extent by deposits rather than capital.  This factor
contributed to our decision to convert from mutual to stock form.  We believe
that the proceeds we will receive from the offering will allow us to continue
our growth and diversification.

LENDING ACTIVITIES
    
    Most of our loans are mortgage loans which are secured by one- to four-
family residences.  We also make consumer, residential construction and
commercial real estate and commercial  business loans.  Following the
conversion, we believe there will be sufficient demand in our market area to
continue our policy of emphasizing lending in the one- to four- family real
estate loan area.  In addition, we hope to continue our growth in our non-
residential mortgage, and consumer and commercial loan portfolios; however,
there is no assurance that we will be able to do so.     

     At June 30, 1997, our gross loans totaled $24.9 million of which $17.5
million were mortgage loans secured by one-to four-family residences.  We
originate both fixed rate mortgage and ARM loans.  Generally, all of the
consumer loans we originate have fixed rates.
 
     The following table sets forth information concerning the types of loans
held by us at the dates indicated.



                                                           AT JUNE 30,
                                        --------------------------------------------------
                                                1997                        1996
                                        ---------------------       ----------------------
                                        AMOUNT         %            AMOUNT           %
                                        ------     ---------        ------       ---------
                                                      (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                    
Real estate loans:
  One- to four-family..............    $17,479       70.06%         $17,486        79.25%
  Multi-family.....................        136         .55              145          .66
  Non-residential..................      3,613       14.48            2,628        11.91
                                       -------      ------          -------       ------
     Total real estate loans.......     21,228       85.09           20,259        91.82
Consumer loans:
  Loans secured by deposits........        443        1.78              256         1.16
  Home improvement.................        666        2.67              763         3.46
  Automobile.......................      2,010        8.05              649         2.94
  Other consumer...................        510        2.04              138          .62
Commercial.........................         93         .37               --           --
                                       -------      ------          -------       ------
       Total loans.................     24,950      100.00%          22,065       100.00%
                                       -------      ======          -------       ======

Less:
  Deferred fees and discounts......          6                           10
  Allowance for losses.............        150                           73
                                       -------                      -------
       Loan portfolio, net.........    $24,794                      $21,982
                                       =======                      =======


                                      39

 
     The following table sets forth the estimated maturity of our loan portfolio
at June 30, 1997.  The table does not include the effects of possible
prepayments or scheduled repayments.  All mortgage loans are shown as maturing
based on the date of the last payment required by the loan agreement.


 
                                                                    
                              DUE DURING THE YEAR ENDING     DUE AFTER       DUE AFTER      DUE AFTER                             
                                        JUNE 30,             3 THROUGH       5 THROUGH      10 THROUGH     DUE AFTER 15           
                              --------------------------   5 YEARS AFTER   10 YEARS AFTER 15 YEARS AFTER    YEARS AFTER           
                                 1998     1999    2000     JUNE 30, 1997   JUNE 30, 1997   JUNE 30, 1997   JUNE 30, 1997    TOTAL 
                              ---------  ------  -------   -------------   -------------- --------------   -------------    -----
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                                     
Real estate loans:
  One- to four-family.......   $  816    $  91   $  923       $2,390          $3,192          $4,432           $5,635       $17,479
  Multi-family..............       --       --       --           --              --             136               --           136
  Non-residential...........      838       24      836          764             275             798               78         3,613
Consumer loans:
  Loans secured by
   deposits.................      414        6       --           23              --              --               --           443
  Home improvement..........        5       11       24           84             396             138                8           666
  Automobile................      103       57      195        1,618              37              --               --         2,010
  Other consumer............      188      100       39          148              35              --               --           510
Commercial..................       93       --       --           --              --              --               --            93
                                ------   -----   ------       ------          ------          ------           ------       -------
     Total...................   $2,457   $ 289   $2,017       $5,027          $3,935          $5,504           $5,721       $24,950
                                ======   =====   ======       ======          ======          ======           ======       =======
 


                                       40

 
     The next table shows at June 30, 1997, the dollar amount of all our loans
due one year or more after June 30, 1997 which have fixed interest rates and
have floating or adjustable interest rates.


 
                                                    FLOATING OR
                                     FIXED RATE   ADJUSTABLE RATES
                                     ----------   ----------------
                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                     
       Real estate loans
         One- to four-family.........    $4,285            $12,378
         Multi-family................        --                136
         Non-residential.............     1,195              1,580
       Consumer loans:
         Loans secured by deposits...        29                 --
         Home improvement............       661                 --
         Automobile..................     1,907                 --
         Other consumer..............       322                 --
       Commercial....................        --                 --
                                         ------            -------
          Total......................    $8,399            $14,094
                                         ======            =======
 


     ONE- TO FOUR-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL LOANS.  Our primary lending activity
consists of the origination of one- to four-family residential mortgage loans
secured by property located in our primary market area.  We generally originate
one- to four-family residential mortgage loans in amounts up to 80% of the
lesser of the appraised value or purchase price, with private mortgage insurance
or additional collateral required on loans with a loan to-value ratio in excess
of 80%.  The maximum loan-to-value ratio on mortgage loans secured by nonowner
occupied properties generally is limited to 80%.  We primarily originate and
retain fixed-rate balloon loans having terms of up to five years, with principal
and interest payments calculated using up to a 25-year amortization period.

     We also offer ARM loans.  The interest rate on ARM loans is based on an
index plus a stated margin.  ARM loans provide for periodic interest rate
adjustments upward or downward of up to 2% per year.  The interest rate may not
increase above a "ceiling rate" established at the time the loan is originated
and may not decrease below the original interest rate.  ARM loans typically
reprice every one, three or five years and provide for terms of up to 30 years
with most loans having terms of between 15 and 30 years.

     ARM loans decrease the risk associated with changes in interest rates by
periodically repricing, but involve other risks because as interest rates
increase, the underlying payments by the borrower increase, thus increasing the
potential for default by the borrower.  At the same time, the marketability of
the underlying collateral may be adversely affected by higher interest rates.
Upward adjustment of the contractual interest rate is also limited by the
maximum periodic and lifetime interest rate adjustment permitted by the loan
documents, and, therefore is potentially limited in effectiveness during periods
of rapidly rising interest rates.  At June 30, 1997, approximately 71% of the
one- to four-family residential loans we hold had adjustable rates of interest.

                                       41

 
     Mortgage loans originated and held by us generally include due-on-sale
clauses.  This gives us the right to deem the loan immediately due and payable
in the event the borrower transfers ownership of the property securing the
mortgage loan without our consent.

    RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION LOANS.  We make a limited number of residential
construction loans on one- to four-family residential property to the
individuals who will be the owners and occupants upon completion of
construction.  Borrowers are required to pay interest during the construction
period.  Loan proceeds are disbursed according to a draw schedule and we inspect
the progress of the construction before additional funds are disbursed.  We
charge a fixed rate of interest on our construction loans.  While we
occasionally agree to convert the balance of construction loans to a permanent
mortgage upon completion of the construction phase, we will not commit to do so
at the same time as the construction loan is granted.  Any permanent mortgage
would be granted on the same terms as other one-to four-family mortgage loans we
originate.

    Construction lending is generally considered to involve a higher degree of
credit risk than long term financing of residential properties.  Our risk of
loss on a construction loan is dependent largely upon the accuracy of the
initial estimate of the property's value at completion of construction and the
estimated cost of construction.  If the estimate of construction cost and the
marketability of the property upon completion of the project prove to be
inaccurate, we may be compelled to advance additional funds to complete the
construction.  Furthermore, if the final value of the completed property is less
than the estimated amount, the value of the property might not be sufficient to
assure the repayment of the loan.

    COMMERCIAL AND MULTI-FAMILY LOANS.  Our commercial real estate loans are
secured by churches, office buildings, and other commercial properties.  Multi-
family loans are secured by apartment and condominium buildings.  At June 30,
1997, our three largest commercial real estate loans consisted of a loan to a
hotel which had a balance of $625,000 at June 30, 1997, a loan to a nursing home
which had a balance of $491,000 at June 30, 1997 and a loan to a funeral home
which had a balance of $282,000.  At June 30, 1997, all three of these loans
were performing in accordance with their terms.  Subsequent to fiscal year end,
the hotel loan has become delinquent.  See "-- Nonperforming Assets."

    Commercial and multifamily real estate lending entails significant
additional risks compared to residential property lending.  These loans
typically involve large loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related
borrowers.  The repayment of these loans typically is dependent on the
successful operation of the real estate project securing the loan.  These risks
can be significantly affected by supply and demand conditions in the market for
office and retail space and may also be subject to adverse conditions in the
economy.  To minimize these risks, we generally limit this type of lending to
our market area and to borrowers who are otherwise well known to us.

    COMMERCIAL BUSINESS LOANS.  We offer commercial business loans to benefit
from the higher fees and interest rates and the shorter term to maturity.  Our
commercial business loans consist of 

                                       42

 
equipment, lines of credit and other business purpose loans, which generally are
secured by either the underlying properties or by the personal guarantees of the
borrower.

    Unlike residential mortgage loans, which generally are made on the basis of
the borrower's ability to make repayment from his or her employment and other
income and which are secured by real property whose value tends to be more
easily ascertainable, commercial business loans typically are made on the basis
of the borrower's ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower's
business.  As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of
commercial business loans may be substantially dependent on the success of the
business itself and the general economic environment.

    CONSUMER LOANS.  We offer consumer loans in order to provide a wider range
of financial services to our customers.  Consumer loans totaled $3.6 million, or
14.55% of our total loans at June 30, 1997.  Our consumer loans consist of
automobile, home improvement, share account and personal loans.  Our home
improvement loans are primarily originated under a program whereby the U.S.
Government guarantees 90% of the principal balance of such loans.  We have just
begun to offer personal lines of credit.  We offer both unsecured lines of
credit that are granted based upon the borrower's financial strength and home
equity lines of credit.

    Consumer loans may entail greater risk than residential mortgage loans,
particularly in the case of consumer loans that are unsecured or secured by
assets that depreciate rapidly.  Repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer
loan may not be sufficient for repayment of the outstanding loan, and the
remaining deficiency may not be collectible.

    LOAN APPROVAL AUTHORITY AND UNDERWRITING. Our President may approve all one-
to four-family mortgage loans that conform to all of our policy requirements up
to $50,000 and may approve all consumer loans.  The Executive Committee of our
board which consists of three directors may approve loans with principal
balances of up to $100,000. All other loans require the approval of our board of
directors.

    Upon receipt of a completed loan application from a prospective borrower, a
credit report is ordered.  Income and certain other information is verified.  If
necessary, additional financial information may be requested.  An appraisal or
other estimate of value of the real estate intended to be used as security for
the proposed loan is obtained.  Appraisals are prepared by outside fee
appraisers who are approved by the board of directors.

    Either title insurance or a title opinion is generally required on all real
estate loans.  Borrowers also must obtain fire and casualty insurance.  Flood
insurance is also required on loans secured by property which is located in a
flood zone.

                                       43

 
    LOAN ORIGINATIONS, PURCHASES AND SALES.  The following table sets forth
certain information with respect to our loan originations and purchases for the
periods indicated.  We did not sell any loans during the periods.


 
                                                            YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                           ---------------------
                                                             1997        1996
                                                           ---------   ---------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                 
 
Net loans, beginning of period..........................    $21,982     $20,152
 
Origination by type:
- -------------------
Real estate loans:
   One- to four-family..................................    $ 4,515     $ 3,714
   Multi-family.........................................         55          43
   Non-residential......................................        936         561
                                                            -------     -------
                                                              5,506       4,318
Consumer loans:
   Loan secured by deposits.............................        577         398
   Home improvement.....................................        115         148
   Automobile...........................................      1,840         689
   Other consumer.......................................        699         221
Commercial..............................................         93          --
                                                            -------     -------
     Total loans originated.............................      8,830       5,774
                                                            -------     -------
 
Purchases...............................................        500       1,005
                                                            -------     -------
     Total loans originated and purchased...............      9,330       6,779
                                                            -------     -------
 
Repayments..............................................      6,445       4,943
                                                            -------     -------
 
Decrease (increase) in other items, net.................        (73)         (6)
                                                            -------     -------
 
     Net increase (decrease) in loans receivable, net...      2,812       1,830
                                                            -------     -------
 
Net loans, end of period................................    $24,794     $21,982
                                                            =======     =======
 


     Most of the loans we originate are intended to be held in our portfolio
rather than sold in the secondary mortgage market.  We occasionally purchase
loan participations from other financial institutions.  These participation
interest purchases are reflected in the above table.  Generally, the purchase of
participation interests involves the same risks as would the origination of the
same types of loans as well as the additional risk that results from the fact
that we have less control over the origination and subsequent administration of
such loans.  At June 30, 1997, all of our participation loans were performing in
accordance with their terms.

     LOAN COMMITMENTS.  Written commitments are given to prospective borrowers
on all approved real estate loans.  Generally, the commitment requires
acceptance within 30 days of the date of issuance.  At June 30, 1997,
commitments to cover originations of mortgage loans were $253,000.  We believe
that virtually all of our commitments will be funded.

                                       44

 
     LOANS TO ONE BORROWER.  The maximum amount of loans which we may make to
any one borrower may not exceed the greater of $500,000 or 15% of our unimpaired
capital and unimpaired surplus.  We may lend an additional 10% of our unimpaired
capital and unimpaired surplus if the loan is fully secured by readily
marketable collateral.  Our maximum loan-to-one borrower limit was approximately
$500,000 at June 30, 1997.  At June 30, 1997, our largest loan outstanding had a
balance of $625,000.  This loan was originated prior to 1989 when we first
became subject to the limitation on loans to one borrower described above.
Subsequent to June 30, 1997, payments on this loan have become delinquent.  See
"-- Nonperforming Assets."  As of its origination, this loan was within lending
limits then in effect.

NONPERFORMING AND PROBLEM ASSETS

    LOAN DELINQUENCIES.  Generally when a mortgage loan becomes 15 days past
due, a notice of nonpayment is sent to the borrower.  If, after 20-30 days,
payment is still delinquent, the borrower will receive a letter and/or telephone
call from us and may receive a visit from one of our representatives.  If the
loan continues in a delinquent status for 90 days past due and no repayment plan
is in effect, a notice of right to cure default is sent to the borrower giving
30 additional days to bring the loan current before foreclosure is commenced.
Our loan committee meets regularly to determine when foreclosure proceedings
should be initiated.  The customer will be notified when foreclosure is
commenced.  At June 30, 1997, our loans past due between 30 and 89 days totaled
$156,000.

     Loans are reviewed on a monthly basis and are generally placed on a non-
accrual status when the loan becomes more than 90 days' delinquent or when, in
our opinion, the collection of additional interest is doubtful.  Interest
accrued and unpaid at the time a loan is placed on nonaccrual status is charged
against interest income.  Subsequent interest payments, if any, are either
applied to the outstanding principal balance or recorded as interest income,
depending on the assessment of the ultimate collectibility of the loan.

                                       45

 
    NONPERFORMING ASSETS.  The following table sets forth information regarding
nonaccrual loans and real estate owned.  As of the dates indicated, we had no
loans categorized as troubled debt restructurings within the meaning of SFAS 15
and no loans which were 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest.


                                                      AT JUNE 30,
                                                      -----------
                                                  1997         1996
                                                  ----         ----
                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                    
Loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis:
  Real estate:
    One- to four-family.......................   $  67        $  30
    Multi-family..............................      --           --
    Non-residential...........................      --           --
                                                 -----        -----
     Total real estate loans..................      67           30
Consumer loans:                                               
   Loans secured by deposits..................       7           --
   Home improvement...........................      --           --
   Automobile.................................      --           --
   Other consumer.............................      --           --
Commercial....................................      --           --
                                                 -----        -----
        Total nonperforming loans.............      74           30
                                                 -----        -----
                                                              
Foreclosed real estate........................      --          124
                                                 -----        -----
Total nonperforming assets....................      74          154
                                                 =====        =====
Total nonperforming loans as a                                
  percentage of total net loans...............     .30%         .14%
                                                 =====        =====
Total nonperforming assets as a                               
  percentage of total assets..................     .21%         .47%
                                                 =====        =====
 


     During the year ended June 30, 1997, we would have recorded additional
interest income of approximately $3,000 on nonaccrual loans if such loans had
been current throughout the period.  We did not include any income on nonaccrual
loans during the year.  In addition, we had $721,000 (which includes the
$625,000 commercial real estate loan described below) in loans which were not
classified as nonaccrual, 90 days past due or restructured, but where known
information causes us to have serious concerns as to the ability of these
borrowers to comply with their current loan terms.
    
     Subsequent to June 30, 1997, our largest loan went into delinquent status.
This loan is a participation interest in a $5.8 million loan which is secured by
a 625-room hotel located in Oklahoma City.  Our participation interest had a
balance of $625,000 at June 30, 1997.  The lead lender has demanded payment on
the loan.  There can be no assurance that this delinquency will be cured or, if
the lead lender proceeds to foreclosure, that the underlying property can be
sold at a price sufficient to repay us in full.  Based on the information
available to us as of the date hereof, with respect to such loan, we believe
that our loan loss is adequate.  We cannot assure you, however, that such
reserves are, or in the future will be, adequate to absorb all loan losses or
that regulators, in reviewing our assets, will not make us increase our loss
allowance, thereby negatively affecting our reported financial condition and
results of operations.     

                                       46

 
     CLASSIFIED ASSETS.  OTS regulations provide for a classification system for
problem assets of savings associations which covers all problem assets.  Under
this classification system, problem assets of savings associations such as ours
are classified as "substandard," "doubtful," or "loss." An asset is considered
substandard if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying
capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any.  Substandard
assets include those characterized by the "distinct possibility" that the
savings association will sustain "some loss" if the deficiencies are not
corrected.  Assets classified as doubtful have all of the weaknesses inherent in
those classified substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses
present make "collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently
existing facts, conditions, and, values, "highly questionable and improbable."
Assets classified as loss are those considered "uncollectible" and of such
little value that their continuance as assets without the establishment of a
specific loss reserve is not warranted.  Assets may be designated "special
mention" because of potential weakness that do not currently warrant
classification in one of the aforementioned categories.

     When a savings association classifies problem assets as either substandard
or doubtful, it may establish general allowances for loan losses in an amount
deemed prudent by management.  General allowances represent loss allowances
which have been established to recognize the inherent risk associated with
lending activities, but which, unlike specific allowances, have not been
allocated to particular problem assets.  When a savings association classifies
problem assets as loss, it is required either to establish a specific allowance
for losses equal to 100% of that portion of the asset so classified or to charge
off such amount.  A savings association's determination as to the classification
of its assets and the amount of its valuation allowances is subject to review by
the OTS, which may order the establishment of additional general or specific
loss allowances.  A portion of general loss allowances established to cover
possible losses related to assets classified as substandard or doubtful may be
included in determining a savings association's regulatory capital.  Specific
valuation allowances for loan losses generally do not qualify as regulatory
capital.

     At June 30, 1997, none of our assets were classified as special mention or
doubtful but we had loans classified as substandard and loss in amounts equal to
$91,000 and $5,000, respectively.
    
     FORECLOSED REAL ESTATE.  Real estate acquired by us as a result of
foreclosure is recorded as "real estate owned" until such time as it is sold.
When real estate owned is acquired, it is recorded at the lower of the unpaid
principal balance of the related loan or its fair value less estimated disposal
costs.  Any write down of real estate owned is charged to operations.  At June
30, 1997, we did not have any real estate owned.     

     ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES.  Our policy is to provide for losses on
unidentified loans in our loan portfolio.  A provision for loan losses is
charged to operations based on management's evaluation of the potential losses
that may be incurred in our loan portfolio.  The evaluation, including a review
of all loans on which full collectibility of interest and principal may not be
reasonably assured, considers: (i) our past loan loss experience, (ii) known and
inherent risks in our portfolio, (iii) adverse situations that may affect the
borrower's ability to repay, (iv) the estimated value of any underlying
collateral, and (v) current economic conditions.

                                       47

 
     We monitor our allowance for loan losses and make additions to the
allowance as economic conditions dictate.  Although we maintain our allowance
for loan losses at a level that we consider adequate for the inherent risk of
loss in our loan portfolio, future losses could exceed estimated amounts and
additional provisions for loan losses could be required.  In addition, our
determination as to the amount of its allowance for loan losses is subject to
review by the OTS, as part of its examination process.  After a review of the
information available, the OTS might require the establishment of an additional
allowance.

     The following table sets forth an analysis of our allowance for possible
loan losses for the periods indicated.


 
                                              YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
                                            ------------------------
                                               1997          1996
                                            -----------   ----------
                                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                    
 
Balance at beginning of period...........      $    73      $    63
                                               -------      -------
Charge-offs:
  One- to four-family....................          (13)          --
  Multi-family...........................           --           --
  Non-residential........................           --           --
                                               -------      -------
     Total real estate loans.............          (13)          --
Net recoveries (charge-offs).............          (13)          --
                                               -------      -------
Additions charged to operations..........           90           10
                                               -------      -------
Balance at end of period.................          150           73
                                               -------      -------
 
Allowance for loan losses to total
  Nonperforming loans at end of period...       202.70%      243.33%
                                               =======      =======
 
Allowance for loan losses to net loans
  at end of period.......................          .60%         .33%
                                               =======      =======
 
Ratio of net charge-offs to average
  loans outstanding during the period....          .05%         -- %
                                               =======      =======


                                       48

 
     The following table illustrates the allocation of the allowance for loan
losses for each category of loan.  The allocation of the allowance to each
category is not necessarily indicative of future loss in any particular category
and does not restrict our use of the allowance to absorb losses in other loan
categories.
    

                                                           JUNE 30,
                                         ---------------------------------------------
                                                  1997                    1996
                                         ---------------------   --------------------
                                                   PERCENT OF              PERCENT OF
                                                    LOANS IN                LOANS IN
                                                  CATEGORY TO             CATEGORY TO
                                         AMOUNT   TOTAL LOANS    AMOUNT   TOTAL LOANS
                                         ------   ------------   ------   ------------
                                                    (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                              
Real estate loans:
  One- to four-family.................     $105         70.06%      $58         79.25%
  Multi-family........................        1           .55        --           .66
  Non-residential.....................       22         14.48         9         11.91
                                           ----        ------       ---        ------
     Total real estate loans..........      128         85.09        67         91.82
Consumer loans:
   Loans secured by deposits..........        3          1.78         1          1.16
   Home improvement...................        4          2.67         3          3.46
   Automobile.........................       12          8.05         2          2.94
   Other consumer.....................        3          2.04        --           .62
Commercial............................       --           .37        --            --
                                           ----        ------       ---        ------
    Total allowance for loan losses...     $150        100.00%      $73        100.00%
                                           ====        ======       ===        ======
     

INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES

    INVESTMENT SECURITIES.  We are required under federal regulations to
maintain a minimum amount of liquid assets which may be invested in specified
short-term securities and certain other investments.  See "Regulation --
Regulation of the Bank -- Federal Home Loan Bank System" and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations --
Liquidity and Capital Resources." The level of liquid assets varies depending
upon several factors, including: (i) the yields on investment alternatives, (ii)
our judgment as to the attractiveness of the yields then available in relation
to other opportunities, (iii) expectation of future yield levels, and (iv) our
projections as to the short-term demand for funds to be used in loan origination
and other activities.  We classify all our investment securities as "held to
maturity" in accordance with SFAS No. 115.  At June 30, 1997, our investment
portfolio policy allowed investments in instruments such as: (i) U.S. Treasury
obligations, (ii) U.S. federal agency or federally sponsored agency obligations,
(iii) local municipal obligations, (iv) mortgage backed securities, (v) bankers=
acceptances, (vi) certificates of deposit, (vii) federal funds, including FHLB
overnight and term deposits (up to six months), and (viii) investment grade
corporate bonds, commercial paper and mortgage derivative products.  See "--
Mortgage-backed Securities."   The board of directors may authorize additional
investments.

                                       49

 
    Our investment securities at June 30, 1997 did not contain securities of any
issuer with an aggregate book value in excess of 10% of our equity, excluding
those issued by the United States Government or its agencies.

     MORTGAGE BACKED SECURITIES.  To supplement lending activities, we have
invested in residential mortgage-backed securities.  Mortgage backed securities
can serve as collateral for borrowings and, through repayments, as a source of
liquidity.  Mortgage backed securities represent a participation interest in a
pool of single-family or other type of mortgages.  Principal and interest
payments are passed from the mortgage originators, through intermediaries
(generally quasi-governmental agencies) that pool and repackage the
participation interests in the form of securities, to investors such as us.  Our
mortgage backed securities portfolio consists of participations or pass-through
certificates issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (the "FHLMC"),
the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") and the Government National
Mortgage Association ("GNMA").  GNMA certificates are guaranteed as to principal
and interest by the full faith and credit of the United States, while FHLMC and
FNMA certificates are guaranteed by those agencies only.  Our mortgage backed
securities portfolio was classified as "held to maturity" at June 30, 1997.

     Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities due to
scheduled repayments and because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay
obligations with or without prepayment penalties.

     Mortgage backed securities typically are issued with stated principal
amounts.  The securities are backed by pools of mortgages that have loans with
interest rates that are within a set range and have varying maturities.  The
underlying pool of mortgages can be composed of either fixed-rate or adjustable
mortgage loans.  Mortgage backed securities are generally referred to as
mortgage participation certificates or pass-through certificates.  The interest
rate risk characteristics of the underlying pool of mortgages (i.e., fixed-rate
or adjustable-rate) and the prepayment risk, are passed on to the certificate
holder.  The life of a mortgage-backed pass-through security is equal to the
life of the underlying mortgages.

     The following table sets forth the carrying (i.e., amortized cost) value of
our investment securities and mortgage backed securities, at the dates
indicated.  At June 30, 1997, the market value of our investment securities,
held to maturity, was $6.0 million.

     The following table sets forth the carrying value of our investment
securities and mortgage-backed portfolio at the dates indicated.


                                             AT JUNE 30,
                                             -----------
                                     1997       1996
                                    ------   -----------
                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
                                       
INVESTMENTS HELD TO MATURITY:
  U.S. Government agencies.......   $  500        $1,000
  Mortgage-backed securities.....    5,077         4,963
  Federal Home Loan Bank stock...      283           267
  Municipal securities...........       63            80
                                    ------        ------
 

                                       50

 
 

                                       
      Total......................   $5,923        $6,310
                                    ======        ======


                                       51

 
     The following table sets forth the scheduled maturities, carrying values,
market values and average yields for our investment portfolio at June 30, 1997.


 
                                                                                                                   TOTAL INVESTMENT
                                ONE YEAR OR LESS    ONE TO FIVE YEARS     FIVE TO TEN YEARS   MORE THAN TEN YEARS     PORTFOLIO    
                                ----------------    -----------------     -----------------   -------------------  ----------------
                                        WEIGHTED             WEIGHTED             WEIGHTED             WEIGHTED          WEIGHTED
                                 BOOK    AVERAGE    BOOK      AVERAGE       BOOK   AVERAGE      BOOK   AVERAGE     BOOK   AVERAGE
                                 VALUE    YIELD     VALUE      YIELD        VALUE   YIELD       VALUE   YIELD      VALUE   YIELD 
                                 -----  --------   --------   --------      -----  --------     -----  --------    -----  -------
                                                                         (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

                                                                                               
Securities held to maturity:
 U.S. government and agencies     $ --        --     $  500       6.46%    $   --        --%   $   --        --%   $  500    6.46%
 Mortgage-backed securities (1).    --        --         53      12.15      5,024      6.83        --        --     5,077    6.75
 FHLB stock..................      283      5.84         --         --         --        --        --        --       283    5.84
 Municipal securities........       --        --          9       9.46         13      9.46        41      9.46        63    9.46
                                  ----               ------                ------              ------              ------ 
                                  $283               $  562                $5,037              $   41              $5,923 
                                  ====               ======                ======              ======              ====== 

______________
(1) For purposes of the maturity table, mortgage backed securities, which are
    not due at a single maturity date, have been allocated to maturity groups
    based on the weighted average estimated life of the underlying collateral.

                                       52

 
SOURCES OF FUNDS

     Deposits are our major external source of funds for lending and other
investment purposes.  Funds are also derived from the receipt of payments on
loans and prepayment of loans and, to a much lesser extent, maturities of
investment securities and mortgage-backed securities, borrowings and operations.
Scheduled loan principal repayments are a relatively stable source of funds,
while deposit inflows and outflows and loan prepayments are significantly
influenced by general interest rates and market conditions.

     DEPOSITS.  Consumer and commercial deposits are attracted principally from
within our primary market area through the offering of a selection of deposit
instruments including regular savings accounts, money market accounts, and term
certificate accounts.  IRA accounts are also offered.  Deposit account terms
vary according to the minimum balance required, the time period the funds must
remain on deposit, and the interest rate.  The interest rates paid by us on
deposits are set weekly at the direction of our senior management.  Interest
rates are determined based on our liquidity requirements, interest rates paid by
our competitors, and our growth goals and applicable regulatory restrictions and
requirements.

     Certificates of deposit in amounts of $100,000 or more constituted $3.4
million or 10.82% of the deposit portfolio.  The majority of these certificates
represent deposits from long-standing customers.  As of June 30, 1997, we had no
brokered deposits.

     At June 30, 1997, our deposits were represented by the various types of
savings programs described below.


 
INTEREST                                       MINIMUM                                     MINIMUM      BALANCES IN   PERCENTAGE OF
RATE(1)                                          TERM               CATEGORY                AMOUNT       THOUSANDS    TOTAL SAVINGS
- -------                                        -------              --------               -------      -----------   ------------- 

                                                                                                       
 
2.95%                                         None         Passbook accounts                  $  500        $ 1,893            6.09%

 --                                           None         NOW accounts                          500          1,670            5.37
 --                                           None         Super NOW accounts                     --             --              --
2.41                                          None         Money market accounts               2,500            325            1.05
 --                                           None         Other non-interest bearing            100            983            3.16
 
                                                           CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT
                                                           -----------------------
 
4.00                                          31 days      Fixed-Term, Fixed-Rate                500             49             .16
4.43                                          91 days      Fixed-Term, Fixed-Rate                500             34             .11
5.47                                          6 months     Fixed-Term, Fixed-Rate                500          5,204           16.75
5.67                                          12 months    Fixed-Term, Fixed-Rate                500          6,106           19.65
5.60                                          15 months    Fixed-Term, Fixed-Rate                500          3,013            9.69
5.77                                          18 months    Fixed-Term, Fixed-Rate                500          1,282            4.13
5.82                                          24 months    Fixed-Term, Fixed-Rate                500            979            3.15
5.93                                          36 months    Fixed-Term, Fixed-Rate                500            942            3.03
6.08                                          60 months    Fixed-Term, Fixed-Rate                500          8,593           27.66
                                                                                                            -------         -------
 
                                              Total certificates of deposit                                  26,202           84.33
                                                                                                            -------         -------
                                              Total savings deposits                                        $31,073          100.00%

                                                                                                            =======         =======
 
- -----------------
(1)  Indicates weighted average interest rate at June 30, 1997.

                                       53

 
     The following table sets forth our time deposits classified by interest
rate at the dates indicated.
 
 
                                                      AT JUNE 30,
                                                -----------------------
                                                  1997           1996
                                                  ----           ----
                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
 
                                                           
          2 - 3.99%........................     $    --         $    49
          4 - 5.99%........................      26,202          16,666
          6 - 7.99%........................          --           9,259
                                                -------         -------
                                                $26,202         $25,974
                                                =======         =======
 
 
     The following table sets forth the amount and maturities of our time
deposits at June 30, 1997.

 
 
                                                             AMOUNT DUE
                                -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                LESS THAN          ONE TO         TWO TO          AFTER
RATE                            ONE YEAR          TWO YEARS     THREE YEARS    THREE YEARS    TOTAL
- ----                            ---------         ---------     -----------    -----------    -----
                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)   
                                                                                
2 - 3.99%...................     $    --           $    --        $    --         $   --     $    --
4 - 5.99%...................      10,787             9,962          1,135          4,318      26,202
                                 -------           -------        -------         ------     -------
                                 $10,787           $ 9,962        $ 1,135         $4,318     $26,202
                                 =======           =======        =======         ======     =======
 
 
     The following table sets forth our savings activity for the periods
indicated:
 
 
 

                                              BALANCE AT                                   BALANCE AT                  
                                               JUNE 30,        % OF           INCREASE       JUNE 30,          % OF   
                                                 1997         DEPOSITS       (DECREASE)       1996           Deposits 
                                                -------       --------       ----------      -------         --------  
                                                                          (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)                       
                                                                                                     
NOW accounts...............................     $ 1,670          5.37%         $ 4222        $ 1,448            4.88% 
Money market deposit.......................         325          1.05            (200)           525            1.77   
Savings deposits -- passbook...............       1,893          6.09             532          1,361            4.59   
Certificates of deposit....................      22,841         73.51             121         22,720           76.61   
Jumbo certificates.........................       3,361         10.82             107          3,254           10.97   
Other......................................         983          3.16             634            349            1.18   
                                                -------        ------          ------        -------          ------   
                                                $31,073        100.00%         $1,416        $29,657          100.00%  
                                                =======        ======          ======        =======          ======    

         
     Our total deposits increased by $1.4 million from June 30, 1996 to June 30,
1997.  This increase resulted from our increased marketing efforts in connection
with the relocation of our office.  Of this total increase, $634,000, or 44.77%,
was in non-interest-bearing demand deposits.     

                                       54

 
     The following table indicates the amount of our certificates of deposit of
$100,000 or more by time remaining until maturity as of June 30, 1997.


 
                                                    CERTIFICATES
                MATURITY PERIOD                      OF DEPOSIT
                ---------------                    --------------
                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                
 
                Three months or less............          $  575
                Over three through six months...             351
                Over six through 12 months......           1,058
                Over 12 months..................           1,377
                                                          ------
                  Total.........................          $3,361
                                                          ======
 


     BORROWINGS.  Advances (borrowing) may be obtained from the FHLB of Dallas
to supplement our supply of lendable funds.  Advances from the FHLB of Dallas
are typically secured by a pledge of our stock in the FHLB of Dallas, a portion
of our first mortgage loans and other assets.  Each FHLB credit program has its
own interest rate, which may be fixed or adjustable, and range of maturities.
At June 30, 1997, borrowings from the FHLB of Dallas totaled $618,000 and
consisted of a short term advance of $500,000 which matured in July 1997 and a
long term obligation of $118,000 which is due in August 2003.


 
                                                    AT OR FOR THE
                                                  YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                ------------------------
                                                  1997            1996
                                                --------        --------
                                                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                            
Amounts outstanding at end of period:
  FHLB advances..............................     $  618           $ 134
Weighted average rate paid on:
FHLB advances................................       5.58%           5.70%
 
Maximum amount of borrowings outstanding
  at any month end:
  FHLB advances..............................      2,175             147
 
Approximate average short-term borrowings
  outstanding with respect to:
  FHLB advances..............................        889              --
 
Approximate weighted average rate paid on:...       5.49%           5.70%
 


                                       55

 
COMPETITION

     We compete for deposits with other insured financial institutions such as
commercial banks, thrift institutions, credit unions, finance companies, and
multi-state regional banks in our market area.   We also compete for funds with
insurance products sold by local agents and investment products such as mutual
funds and other securities sold by local and regional brokers.  Loan competition
varies depending upon market conditions and comes from commercial banks, thrift
institutions, credit unions and mortgage bankers, many of whom have greater
resources than we have.

PROPERTIES

    The following table sets forth certain information regarding our main office
which is our only branch location.
    

 
 
                                               BOOK VALUE AT                 DEPOSITS AT
                              YEAR    OWNED OR   JUNE 30,     APPROXIMATE      JUNE 30,
                             OPENED    LEASED    1997 (1)    SQUARE FOOTAGE      1997
                             ------   --------   ---------   --------------   -----------
                                                (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

                                                               
MAIN OFFICE:                   1995    Owned     $  1,257             6,000       $31,073
     
____________
(1)  Cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization.

     We also own the property which used to serve as our main office.  Such
location is currently rented.  The book value of such property at June 30, 1997
was $230,000.

PERSONNEL

     At June 30, 1997, we had 10 full-time and three part-time employees.  None
of our employees are represented by a collective bargaining group.  We believe
that our relationship with our employees is good.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     We are, from time to time, a party to legal proceedings arising in the
ordinary course of our business, including legal proceedings to enforce our
rights against borrowers.  We are not currently a party to any legal proceedings
which are expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial
statements.

                                       56

 
                                   REGULATION

     Set forth below is a brief description of certain laws which relate to us.
The description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by references
to applicable laws and regulations.

GENERAL
    
     As a federally chartered, SAIF-insured savings institution, we are subject
to extensive regulation by the OTS and the FDIC.  Our lending activities and
other investments must comply with various federal and state statutory and
regulatory requirements, and the OTS periodically examines us for compliance
with various regulatory requirements.  The FDIC also has authority to conduct
periodic examinations of us.  We must file reports with the OTS describing our
activities and our financial condition and we must obtain approvals from
regulatory authorities before entering into certain transactions such as the
conversion or mergers with other financial institutions.  We are also subject to
certain reserve requirements promulgated by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System ("Federal Reserve System").  Our relationship with our
depositors and borrowers is also regulated to a great extent by federal and
state law, especially in such matters as the ownership of savings accounts and
the form and content of our mortgage documents.  This supervision and regulation
are primarily intended to protect depositors.   The regulatory structure also
gives the regulatory authorities extensive discretion in connection with their
supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including
policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of
adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes.  Any change in regulations,
whether by the OTS, the FDIC or any other government agency, could have a
material adverse impact on our operations.     

REGULATION OF THE BANK

     INSURANCE OF DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS.  The FDIC maintains two separate funds for
the insurance of deposits up to prescribed statutory limits.  The Bank Insurance
Fund ("BIF") insures the deposits of commercial banks and the Savings
Association Insurance Fund ("SAIF") insures the deposits of savings
associations.  We are a member of the SAIF , although the deposits we will
acquire through our purchase of the Newport branch of NationsBank, N.A.,
assuming we obtain the requisite regulatory approval, will continue to be
insured by the BIF.  The FDIC is authorized to establish separate annual
assessment rates for deposit insurance for members of the BIF and the SAIF.  The
FDIC may increase assessment rates for either fund if necessary to restore the
fund's ratio of reserves to insured deposits to its target level within a
reasonable time and may decrease such assessment rates if such target level has
been met.  The FDIC has established a risk-based assessment system for both SAIF
and BIF members.  Under this system, assessments are set within a range, based
on the risk the institution poses to its deposit insurance fund.  This risk
level is determined based on the institution's capital level and the FDIC's
level of supervisory concern about the institution.

     Because a significant portion of the assessments paid into the SAIF by
savings institutions were used to pay the cost of prior savings institution
failures, the reserves of the SAIF were below the level required by law.  The
BIF, however, met its required reserve level during the third calendar 

                                       57

 
quarter of 1995. As a result, deposit insurance premiums for deposits insured by
the BIF were substantially less than premiums for deposits such as ours which
are insured by the SAIF. On September 30, 1996, President Clinton signed into
law legislation which included provisions designed to recapitalize the SAIF and
to eliminate the significant premium disparity between the BIF and the SAIF.
Under this law, institutions with deposits insured by the SAIF were required to
pay a special assessment equal to $0.657 per $100 of SAIF-assessable deposits
held at March 31, 1995. We recognized this special assessment of $179,000 during
the quarter ended September 30, 1996 and were required to pay the assessment on
November 27, 1996.

     Beginning January 1, 1997, our annual deposit insurance premium was reduced
from 0.23% to 0.0644% of total assessable deposits.  BIF institutions still pay
lower assessments than comparable SAIF institutions because BIF institutions pay
only 20% of the rate being paid by SAIF institutions on their deposits with
respect to obligations issued by the Financing Corp., a federally chartered
corporation which provided some of the financing required to resolve the thrift
crisis in the 1980s.  Assuming we complete the acquisition of the Newport branch
of NationsBank, our overall deposit insurance expense will be somewhat less than
the minimum SAIF rate since the approximately $6 million in deposits we expect
to acquire will continue to be insured by the BIF.

     The recapitalization plan also provides for the merger of the SAIF and BIF
effective January 1, 1999, assuming there are no savings institutions under
federal law.  Under separate proposed legislation, Congress is considering the
elimination of the federal thrift charter and the separate federal regulation of
thrifts.  As a result, we might have to convert to a different financial
institution charter and be regulated under federal law as a national bank or
under Arkansas law as a state chartered commercial bank, including being subject
to the more restrictive activity limitations imposed on national banks.  We
cannot predict the impact of our conversion to, or regulation as, a bank until
the legislation requiring such change is enacted.

     REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS.  OTS capital regulations require savings
institutions to meet three capital standards: (1) tangible capital equal to at
least 1.5 % of total adjusted assets, (2) core capital equal to at least 3.0% of
total adjusted assets, and (3) risk-based capital equal to at least 8.0% of
total risk-weighted assets.  In addition, the OTS may require that a savings
institution that has a risk-based capital ratio less than 8.0%, a ratio of Tier
1 capital to risk-weighted assets of less than 4.0% or a ratio of Tier 1 capital
to adjusted total assets of less than 4.0% (3.0% if the institution has received
the highest rating on its most recent examination) take certain actions to
increase its capital ratios.   If the institution's capital is significantly
below the minimum required levels or if it is unsuccessful in increasing its
capital ratios, the OTS may significantly restrict its activities.

    Tangible capital is defined as core capital less all intangible assets
(including supervisory goodwill), less certain mortgage servicing rights and
less certain investments.  Core capital is defined as common stockholders'
equity (including retained earnings), non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock
and minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries,
certain non-withdrawable accounts and pledged deposits of mutual savings
associations and qualifying supervisory goodwill, less non-qualifying intangible
assets, certain mortgage servicing rights and certain investments.  Tier 1 has
the same definition as core capital.

                                       58

 
     Risk-based capital equals the sum of core capital plus supplementary
capital.  The components of supplementary capital include, among other items,
cumulative perpetual preferred stock, perpetual subordinated debt, mandatory
convertible subordinated debt, intermediate-term preferred stock, and the
portion of the allowance for loan losses not designated for specific loan
losses.   Overall, supplementary capital is limited to 100% of core capital.  A
savings institution must calculate its risk-weighted assets by multiplying each
asset and off-balance sheet item by various risk factors as determined by the
OTS, which range from 0% for cash to 100% for delinquent loans, property
acquired through foreclosure, commercial loans, and other assets.  At June 30,
1997, we were in compliance with all regulatory capital requirements as is shown
on the table below.


 
                                                 PERCENT
                                     AMOUNT     OF ASSETS
                                    --------   ------------
                                    (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                         
 
Tangible capital.................     $2,266          6.59%
Tangible capital requirement.....        516          1.50
                                      ------         -----
  Excess (deficit)...............     $1,750          5.09%
                                      ======         =====
 
Core capital.....................     $2,266          6.59%
Core capital requirement.........      1,375          3.00
                                      ------         -----
  Excess (deficit)...............     $  891          3.59%
                                      ======         =====
 
Risk-based capital...............     $2,411         13.18%
Risk-based capital requirement...      1,463          8.00
                                      ------         -----
  Excess (deficit)...............     $  948          5.18%
                                      ======         =====
 
 


    The risk-based capital standards of the OTS generally require savings
institutions with more than a "normal" level of interest rate risk to maintain
additional total capital.  An institution's interest rate risk will be measured
in terms of the sensitivity of its "net portfolio value" to changes in interest
rates.  Net portfolio value is defined, generally, as the present value of
expected cash inflows from existing assets and off-balance sheet contracts less
the present value of expected cash outflows from existing liabilities.  A
savings institution will be considered to have a "normal" level of interest rate
risk exposure if the decline in its net portfolio value after an immediate 200
basis point increase or decrease in market interest rates (whichever results in
the greater decline) is less than two percent of the current estimated economic
value of its assets.  An institution with a greater than normal interest rate
risk will be required to deduct from total capital, for purposes of calculating
its risk-based capital requirement, an amount (the "interest rate risk
component") equal to one-half the difference between the institution's measured
interest rate risk and the normal level of interest rate risk, multiplied by the
economic value of its total assets.

     The OTS calculates the sensitivity of an institution's net portfolio value
based on data submitted by the institution in a schedule to its quarterly Thrift
Financial Report and using the interest rate risk measurement model adopted by
the OTS.  The amount of the interest rate risk component, if any, to be deducted
from an institution's total capital will be based on the institution's 

                                       59

 
Thrift Financial Report filed two quarters earlier. Savings institutions with
less than $300 million in assets and a risk-based capital ratio above 12% are
generally exempt from filing the interest rate risk schedule with their Thrift
Financial Reports. However, the OTS may require any exempt institution that it
determines may have a high level of interest rate risk exposure to file such
schedule on a quarterly basis and may be subject to an additional capital
requirement based upon its level of interest rate risk as compared to its peers.
Due to our size and risk-based capital level, we are exempt from the interest
rate risk component.
    
    DIVIDEND AND OTHER CAPITAL DISTRIBUTION LIMITATIONS.  OTS regulations
require us to give the OTS 30 days advance notice of any proposed declaration of
dividends to the Company. The OTS may prohibit the payment of dividends by us to
the Company.  In addition, we may not declare or pay a cash dividend on our
capital stock if the effect would be to reduce our regulatory capital below the
amount required for the liquidation account to be established at the time of the
conversion.  See "The Conversion -- Effects of Conversion to Stock Form on
Depositors and Borrowers of Newport Federal Savings Bank -- Liquidation
Account."     

    OTS regulations limit upon all capital distributions by savings
institutions, such as cash dividends, payments to repurchase or otherwise
acquire its shares, payments to stockholders of another institution in a cash-
out merger, and other distributions charged against capital.  The rule
establishes three tiers of institutions based primarily on an institution's
capital level.  An institution that exceeds all of its fully phased-in capital
requirements before and after a proposed capital distribution ("Tier 1
institution") and has not been advised by the OTS that it is in need of more
than the normal supervision can, after prior notice but without the approval of
the OTS, make capital distributions during a calendar year equal to the greater
of (i) 100.0% of its net income to date during the calendar year plus the amount
that would reduce by one-half its "surplus capital ratio" (the excess capital
over its fully phased-in capital requirements) at the beginning of the calendar
year, or (ii) 75% of its net income over the most recent four quarter period.
Any additional capital distributions require prior regulatory notice.  As of
June 30, 1997, we qualified as a Tier 1 institution.

    In the event our capital falls below our fully phased-in requirement or the
OTS notifies us that we are in need of more than normal supervision, we would
become a Tier 2 or Tier 3 institution and as a result, our ability to make
capital distributions could be restricted.  Tier 2 institutions, which are
institutions that before and after the proposed distribution meet their current
minimum capital requirements, may only make capital distributions of up to 75%
of net income over the most recent four quarter period.  Tier 3 institutions,
which are institutions that do not meet current minimum capital requirements and
propose to make a capital distribution, and Tier 2 institutions that propose to
make a capital distribution in excess of the noted safe harbor level, must
obtain OTS approval prior to making such distribution.  In addition, the OTS
could prohibit a proposed capital distribution by any institution, which would
otherwise be permitted by the regulation, if the OTS determines that such
distribution would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.  The OTS has
proposed rules relaxing certain approval and notice requirements for well-
capitalized institutions.

    A savings institution is prohibited from making a capital distribution if,
after making the distribution, the savings institution would be undercapitalized
(i.e., not meet any one of its minimum 

                                       60

 
regulatory capital requirements). Further, a savings institution cannot
distribute regulatory capital that is needed for its liquidation account.

    QUALIFIED THRIFT LENDER TEST.  Savings institutions must meet a Qualified
Thrift Lender test.  We must maintain at least 65.0% of our portfolio assets
(total assets less intangible assets, property we use in conducting our business
and liquid assets in an amount not exceeding 20.0% of total assets) in Qualified
Thrift Investments to satisfy the test.  Qualified Thrift Investments consist
primarily of residential mortgage loans and mortgage-backed and other securities
related to domestic, residential real estate or manufactured housing.  The
shares of stock we own in the FHLB of Dallas also qualify as Qualified Thrift
Investments.  Subject to an aggregate limit of 20.0% of portfolio assets, we may
also count the following as Qualified Thrift Investments: (i) 50.0% of the
dollar amount of residential mortgage loans originated for sale, (ii)
investments in the capital stock or obligations of any service corporation or
operating subsidiary as long as such subsidiary derives at least 80% of its
revenues from domestic housing related activities, (iii) 200% of the dollar
amount of loans and investments to purchase, construct or develop "starter
homes," subject to certain other restrictions, (iv) 200% of the dollar amount of
loans for the purchase, construction or development of domestic residential
housing or community centers in "credit needy" areas or loans for small
businesses located in such areas, (v) loans for the purchase, construction or
development of community centers, (vi) loans for personal, family, household or
educational purposes, subject to a maximum of 10% of portfolio assets, and (vii)
shares of FHLMC or FNMA stock.

    If we satisfy the test, we will continue to enjoy full borrowing privileges
from the FHLB of Dallas.  If we do not satisfy the test we may lose our
borrowing restrictions and be subject to activities and branching restrictions
applicable to national banks.  Compliance with the Qualified Thrift Lender test
is determined on a monthly basis in nine out of every 12 months.  As of June 30,
1997, we were in compliance with our Qualified Thrift Lender requirement with
approximately 75.45% of our assets invested in Qualified Thrift Investments.

    TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.  Generally, transactions between a savings
institution and its affiliates are subject to certain limitations.  Such
transactions must be on terms as favorable to the savings institution as
comparable transactions with non-affiliates.  In addition, certain of these
transactions are restricted to an aggregate percentage of the savings
institution's capital.  Collateral in specified amounts must usually be provided
by affiliates in order to receive loans from the savings institution.   Our
affiliates include the Company and any company which would be under common
control with us.  In addition, a savings institution may not extend credit to
any affiliate engaged in activities not permissible for a bank holding company
or acquire the securities of any affiliate that is not a subsidiary.  The OTS
has the discretion to treat subsidiaries of savings institution as affiliates on
a case-by-case basis.
    
    LOANS TO DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS.  Loans
from us to our directors, executive officers and, subsequent to the conversion,
our principal stockholders may not be made on terms more favorable than those
afforded to other borrowers.  In addition, we cannot make loans in excess of
certain levels to directors, executive officers or 10% or greater stockholders
(or any of their affiliates) unless the loan is approved in advance by a
majority of our board of directors with any "interested" director not voting.
We are also prohibited from paying any overdraft      

                                       61

 
of any of our executive officers or directors. We are also subject to certain
other restrictions on the amount and type of loans to executive officers and
directors and must annually report such loans to our regulators.

    LIQUIDITY REQUIREMENTS.  All savings institutions are required to maintain
an average daily balance of liquid assets equal to a certain percentage of the
sum of its average daily balance of net withdrawable deposit accounts and
borrowings payable in one year or less.  The liquidity requirement may vary from
time to time (between 4% and 10%) depending upon economic conditions and savings
flows of all savings institutions.  At June 30, 1997, our required liquid asset
ratio was 5.0% and our actual ratio was 5.14%. Monetary penalties may be imposed
upon institution for violations of liquidity requirements.

    FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK SYSTEM.  We are a member of the FHLB of Dallas, which
is one of 12 regional FHLBs.  Each FHLB serves as a reserve or central bank for
its members within its assigned region.  It is funded primarily from funds
deposited by savings institutions and proceeds derived from the sale of
consolidated obligations of the FHLB System.  It makes loans to members (i.e.,
advances) in accordance with policies and procedures established by the board of
directors of the FHLB.

    As a member, we are required to purchase and maintain stock in the FHLB of
Dallas in an amount equal to at least 1% of our aggregate unpaid residential
mortgage loans, home purchase contracts or similar obligations at the beginning
of each year, or 1/20 of our advances from the FHLB of Dallas, whichever is
greater.  At June 30, 1997, we had $283,000 in FHLB stock, at cost, which was in
compliance with this requirement.

    FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM.  The Federal Reserve System requires all depository
institutions to maintain non-interest bearing reserves at specified levels
against their transaction accounts (primarily checking, NOW and Super NOW
checking accounts) and non-personal time deposits.  The balances maintained to
meet the reserve requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve System may be used
to satisfy the liquidity requirements that are imposed by the OTS.  At June 30,
1997, our reserve met the minimum level required by the Federal Reserve System.

HOLDING COMPANY REGULATION

    GENERAL.  The Company will be required to register and file reports with the
OTS and will be subject to regulation and examination by the OTS.  In addition,
the OTS will have enforcement authority over the Company and any non-savings
institution subsidiaries.  This will permit the OTS to restrict or prohibit
activities that it determines to be a serious risk to us.  This regulation  is
intended primarily for the protection of our depositors and not for the benefit
of you, as stockholders of the Company.

    The Company will also be required to file certain reports with, and comply
with the rules and regulations of the SEC under the federal securities laws.

                                       62

 
    ACTIVITIES RESTRICTIONS.  Since the Company will only own one savings
institution, it will be able to diversify its operations into activities not
related to banking, but only so long as we satisfy the Qualified Thrift Lender
test.  If the Company controls more than one savings institution, it would lose
the ability to diversify its operations into non-banking related activities,
unless such other savings institutions each also qualify as a Qualified Thrift
Lender and were acquired in a supervised acquisition.  See "-- Qualified Thrift
Lender Test."

     RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITIONS.  The Company must obtain approval from the
OTS before acquiring control of any other savings institution or savings and
loan holding company, substantially all the assets thereof or in excess of 5% of
the outstanding shares of another savings institution or savings and loan
holding company. The Company's directors and officers or persons owning or
controlling more than 25% of the Company=s stock, must also obtain approval of
the OTS before acquiring control of any savings institution or savings and loan
holding company.

     The OTS may only approve acquisitions that will result in the formation of
a multiple savings and loan holding company which controls savings institutions
in more than one state if:  (i) the multiple savings and loan holding company
involved controls a savings institution which operated a home or branch office
in the state of the institution to be acquired as of March 5, 1987; (ii) the
acquiror is authorized to acquire control of the savings institution pursuant to
the emergency acquisition provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act; or
(iii) the statutes of the state in which the institution to be acquired is
located specifically permit institutions to be acquired by state-chartered
institutions or savings and loan holding companies located in the state where
the acquiring entity is located (or by a holding company that controls such
state-chartered savings institutions).
    
     FEDERAL SECURITIES LAW. The Company has filed with the SEC a Registration
Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
for the registration of the common stock.  Upon completion of the conversion,
the common stock will be registered with the SEC under the Exchange Act and,
under OTS regulations, generally may not be deregistered for at least three
years thereafter. The Company will be subject to the information, proxy
solicitation, insider trading restrictions and other requirements of the
Exchange Act.     
    
     The registration under the Securities Act of the common stock does not
cover the resale of such shares.  Shares of the common stock purchased by
persons who are not affiliates of the Company may generally be resold without
registration.  Shares purchased by an affiliate of the Company will be subject
to certain resale restrictions.  As long as the Company meets the current public
information requirements, each affiliate of the Company who complies with the
other conditions would be able to sell a limited number of shares based upon the
number of shares outstanding and the average trading volume for the common
stock.     

                                       63

 
                                    TAXATION

FEDERAL TAXATION

    We are subject to the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), in the same general manner as other corporations.
However, prior to August 1996, savings institutions such as us, which met
certain definitional tests and certain other conditions prescribed by the Code
could benefit from certain favorable provisions regarding their deductions from
taxable income for annual additions to their bad debt reserve.  The amount of
the bad debt deduction that a qualifying savings institution could claim for tax
purposes with respect to additions to its reserve for bad debts for "qualifying
real property loans" could be based upon our actual loss experience (the
"experience method" or as a percentage of our taxable income (the "percentage of
taxable income method").  Historically, we used the method that would allow us
to take the largest deduction.
    
     In August 1996, the Code was revised to equalize the taxation of savings
institutions and banks.  Savings institutions, such as us, no longer have a
choice between the percentage of taxable income method and the experience method
in determining additions to bad debt reserves.  Thrifts with $500 million of
assets or less may still use the experience method, which is generally available
to small banks currently.  Larger thrifts may only take a tax deduction when a
loan is actually charged off.  Any reserve amounts added after 1987 will be
taxed over a six year period beginning in 1996; however, bad debt reserves set
aside through 1987 are generally not taxed.  A savings institution may delay
recapturing into income its post-1987 bad debt reserves for an additional two
years if it meets a residential-lending test.  This law is not expected to have
a material impact on us.  At June 30, 1997, we had $70,000 of post-1987 bad-debt
reserves.     

     Earnings appropriated to our bad debt reserve and claimed as a tax
deduction including our supplemental reserves for losses will not be available
for the payment of cash dividends or for distribution (including distributions
made on dissolution or liquidation), unless we include the amount in income,
along with the amount deemed necessary to pay the resulting federal income tax.
If such amount is used for any purpose other than bad debt losses, including a
dividend distribution or a distribution in liquidation, it will be subject to
federal income tax at the then current rate.
    
     The Code imposes a tax ("AMT") on alternative minimum taxable income
("AMTI") at a rate of 20%. AMTI is increased by certain preference items,
including the excess of the tax bad debt reserve deduction using the percentage
of taxable income method over the deduction that would have been allowable under
the experience method.  Only 90% of AMTI can be offset by net operating loss
carryovers of which we currently have none.  AMTI is also adjusted by
determining the tax treatment of certain items in a manner that negates the
deferral of income resulting from the regular tax treatment of those items.
Thus, our AMTI is increased by an amount equal to 75% of the amount by which our
adjusted current earnings exceeds our AMTI (determined without regard to this
adjustment and prior to reduction for net operating losses).  In addition, for
taxable years beginning after December 31, 1986 and before January 1, 1996, an
environmental tax of 0.12% of the excess      

                                       64

 
of AMTI (with certain modifications) over $2 million is imposed on corporations,
including us, whether or not an AMT is paid. Under pending legislation, the AMT
rate would be reduced to zero for taxable years beginning after December 31,
1994, but this rate reduction would be suspended for taxable years beginning in
1995 and 1996 and the suspended amounts would be refunded as tax credits in
subsequent years.

     The Company may exclude from its income 100% of dividends received from us
as a member of the same affiliated group of corporations.  A 70% dividends
received deduction generally applies with respect to dividends received from
corporations that are not members of such affiliated group, except that an 80%
dividends received deduction applies if the Company owns more than 20% of the
stock of a corporation paying a dividend.  The above exclusion amounts, with the
exception of the affiliated group figure, were reduced in years in which we
availed our self of the percentage of taxable income bad debt deduction method.

     Our federal income tax returns have not been audited by the IRS.

STATE TAXATION

     We will continue to be subject to Arkansas corporation income tax which is
6.5% of all taxable earnings when income exceeds $100,000.  The Company is
incorporated under Tennessee law and qualified to do business in Arkansas as a
foreign corporation.

 
                           MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

    Our board of directors consists of the same individuals who serve as
directors of Newport Federal Savings Bank.  Our charter and bylaws require that
directors be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible.
Each class of directors serves for a three-year period, with approximately one-
third of the directors elected each year.  Our officers will be elected annually
by the board and serve at the board's discretion.

    The following individuals will serve as executive officers of the Company.
     
 

        NAME                POSITION(S) WITH THE COMPANY                       
        ----                ----------------------------                       
                          
        Paul K. Holmes      Chairman                                           
        Brad Snider         President and Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer
                                                                               
        Pam Decker          Secretary/Treasurer                                 

      
                                       65

 
                  MANAGEMENT OF NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

     Our board of directors is composed of five members, each of whom serves for
a term of three years.  Our proposed stock charter and bylaws require that
directors be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible.
Each class of directors serves for a three-year period, with approximately one-
third of the directors elected each year.  Our officers are elected annually by
our board and serve at the board's discretion.
    
    The following table sets forth information with respect to our directors and
executive officers, all of whom will continue to serve in the same capacities
after the conversion.  We have no other executive officers.     


 
                                                       POSITION(S)
                                      AGE AS OF           WITH                 DIRECTOR   TERM  
NAME                                JUNE 30, 1997       THE BANK                 SINCE   EXPIRES
- ----                                -------------       --------               -------   -------
                                                                                 
                                                                                                
Paul K. Holmes, Jr.                      82         Chairman                     1947       1998
O.E. Guinn, Jr.                          68         Director                     1971       1999
Kaneaster Hodges, Jr.                    58         Director                     1979       1999
John Minor                               63         Director                     1971       1997
Brad Snider                              37         President and  Chief         1991       1997 
                                                    Executive Officer; Director



     All of the directors and executive officers live in Newport.  The business
experience for the past five years of each of the directors and executive
officers is as follows:

     PAUL K. HOLMES, JR. serves as our Chairman of the Board.  He is currently
retired.  Prior to his retirement, he was the owner of retain men's clothing
store.  He is currently a Director of the Newport Chamber of Commerce and serves
as President of the Newport Industrial Development Association.

     O.E. GUINN, JR. has been retired since 1994.  Prior to his retirement, he
was self-employed as an insurance salesman specializing in fire and casualty
insurance.  He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Newport Lions
Club.

     KANEASTER HODGES, JR. is an attorney in private practice in Newport.  He is
also involved in farming and real estate investments and operates a Newport-
based energy conservation firm, PSE, LLC.  He is a member of the Newport Relief
Society, the Newport Levee District and the Walton Family Charitable Support
Foundation.  He also serves on the White River Basin Study Commission and the
Arkansas State University-Beebe Charitable Foundation, Inc.

                                       66

 
     JOHN MINOR is an insurance and real estate salesman in Newport. He is Past
President of the Arkansas Professional Insurance Agents' [League/Society?], Past
President of the Lions Club, the Newport Booster Club and the Jackson County
Wildlife Federation.  He is a former member of the Newport School Board.

     BRAD SNIDER has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer and
Director since 1991.  He currently serves as President of the Newport Area
Chamber of Commerce and serves on the boards of the United Way of Jackson
County, the Arkansas League of Savings, the Newport Industrial Development
Association and the Arkansas State University/Newport Foundation.  He is also a
Commissioner of the Newport Housing Authority of the City of Newport and is a
member of the Rotary Club.

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.  During the year ended June 30, 1997,
the board of directors held 16 regular meetings and two special meetings.  No
director attended fewer than 75% of the total meetings of the board of directors
and committees on which such director served during the year ended June 30,
1997.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

    Each of the directors is paid an annual fee of $10,500.  Total aggregate
fees paid to the current directors for the year ended June 30, 1997 were
$52,500.

    DIRECTOR RETIREMENT PLAN. The Bank adopted the Newport Federal Savings Bank
Retirement Plan for Directors, effective May 29, 1997.  On the effective date,
we established a bookkeeping account in the name of each non-employee director,
and credited each account with an amount equal to the product of (i) $2,898, and
(ii) the director's full years of service as a director, up to 20 years.  On
each fiscal year end, each participant who is then a director and has 20 or
fewer years of service shall have his account credited with an amount equal to
the product of $2,898 and the safe performance factor, which is determined based
on our actual performance as compared to budgeted goals for return on average
equity, non-performing assets and composite regulatory rating, provided that the
safe performance factor may not exceed 1.2.  Also on the effective date, the
account of Brad Snider was credited for $60,000.  On each June 30 during each of
the years from 1998 until 2006, his account will be credited with an additional
amount equal to the product of  $19,600 and the safe performance factor.  In the
event Mr. Snider should die or become disabled, his account will be credited
with an amount equal to the difference (if any) between (i) 50% of the present
value of all benefits which would have been credited to his account if he had
otherwise remained employed by us to age 65, and (ii) the benefits which are
actually credited to his account at the time of his death or disability.  If his
employment terminates in connection with or following a "change in control" of
us, his account will be credited with an amount equal to the difference (if any)
between (i) 100% of the present value of all benefits which would have been
credited to his account if he had otherwise 

                                       67

    
remained employed by us to age 65, and (ii) the benefits which are actually
credited to his account at the time of his termination, subject to applicable
"golden parachute" limitations under federal income tax laws. At June 30, 1997,
$51,000 would have been credited to Mr. Snider's account had a change in control
occurred at such date and his employment agreement was also in effect. All
amounts credited to participants' accounts are fully vested at all times. Until
distributed in accordance with the terms of the plan, each participant's account
will be credited with a rate of return equal to our highest rate of interest
paid on certificates of deposit having a term of one year. Following the
conversion, each participant may prospectively elect to have the dividend-
adjusted rate of return on the common stock measure future appreciation.     

    Each participant may elect to receive plan benefits in a lump sum cash
payment or over a period shorter than ten years, and in the absence of an
election will receive payments in ten substantially equal installments.  In the
event of a participant's death, the balance of his plan account will be paid in
a lump sum (unless the participant elects a distribution period up to ten years)
to his designated beneficiary, or if none, his estate.

    Any compensation accrued under the plan will be paid from our general
assets.  We have established a trust in order to hold assets with which to pay
compensation.  Trust assets would be subject to claims of our general creditors.
In the event a participant prevails over us in a legal dispute as to the terms
or interpretation of the plan, he would be reimbursed for his legal and other
expenses.  Upon the implementation of the plan, we recognized compensation
expense totaling $286,000 to provide for participants' initial account balances.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

    SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE.  The following table sets forth the cash and
non-cash compensation awarded to or earned by our chief executive officer at
June 30, 1997.  No other employee earned in excess of $100,000 for the year
ended June 30, 1997.

 
 
                                 ANNUAL COMPENSATION
                                 -------------------
                                            OTHER ANNUAL      ALL OTHER
NAME              YEAR   SALARY      BONUS  COMPENSATION(1)  COMPENSATION(2)
- ----              ----   ------      -----  ---------------  ---------------

                                               
Brad Snider       1997    $71,662    $--    $10,500          $4,085
 

___________
(1)  Consists of director  fees.
(2)  Consists of premiums paid on behalf of Mr. Snider for split-dollar life
     insurance ($2,465) and disability insurance ($1,620).

                                       68

 
     PENSION PLAN TABLE.  The following table indicates the annual retirement
benefit that would be payable under the plan upon retirement at age 65 to a
participant electing to receive his retirement benefit in the standard form of
benefit, assuming various specified levels of plan compensation and various
specified years of credited service.  Mr. Snider's credited years of service
under the plan are 5.5 years.


 
       
       CAREER                             YEARS OF SERVICE
       AVERAGE               ------------------------------------------
     COMPENSATION            15        20        25        30        35
     ------------            --        --        --        --        --
 
                                                   
      $ 20,000            $ 4,500   $ 6,000   $ 7,500   $ 9,000   $10,500
        40,000              9,000    12,000    15,000    18,000    21,000
        60,000             13,500    18,000    22,500    27,000    31,500
        80,000             18,000    24,000    30,000    36,000    42,000
       100,000             22,500    30,000    27,500    45,000    52,500


     EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT.  We have entered into an employment agreement with
our President, Brad Snider.  Mr. Snider's base salary under the employment
agreement is $________.  The employment agreement has a term of three years.
The agreement is terminable by us for "just cause" as defined in the agreement.
If we terminate Mr. Snider without just cause or if Mr. Snider terminates his
employment for Agood reason", Mr. Snider will be entitled to a continuation of
his salary from the date of termination through the remaining term of the
agreement, plus an additional 12 months.  The employment agreement also contains
a provision stating that in the event of the termination of employment in
connection with any change in control of the Company or us, Mr. Snider will be
paid a lump sum amount equal to 2.99 times his five year average annual taxable
cash compensation.  If such payments had been made under the agreement as of
June 30, 1997, such payments would have equaled approximately $220,000.  The
aggregate payments that would have been made to Mr. Snider would be an expense
to us, thereby reducing our net income and our capital by that amount.  The
agreement may be renewed annually by our board of directors upon a determination
of satisfactory performance within the board's sole discretion.  If Mr. Snider
shall become disabled during the term of the agreement, he shall continue to
receive payment of 100% of the base salary for a period of up to 180 days.  Such
payments shall not be reduced by any other benefit payments made under other
disability program in effect for our employees.  If Mr. Snider's employment
terminates for a reason other than just cause, he will be entitled to purchase
from us family medical insurance through any group health plan maintained by us.
    
     EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN.  We have established an ESOP, the ESOP, for
the exclusive benefit of participating employee of ours, to be implemented upon
the completion of the conversion.  Participating employees are employees who
have completed one year of service with us (including at least 1,000 hours of
service) and have attained the age of 21.  An application for a letter of
determination as to the tax-qualified status of the ESOP will be submitted to
the IRS.  Although no assurances can be given, we expect that the ESOP will
receive a favorable letter of determination from the IRS.     

                                       69

     
     The ESOP is to be funded by contributions made by us in cash or common
stock.  Benefits may be paid either in shares of the common stock or in cash.
In accordance with the Plan, the ESOP may borrow funds with which to acquire up
to 8.0% of the common stock to be issued in the conversion.  The ESOP intends to
borrow funds from the Company.  The loan is expected to be for a term of ten
years at an annual interest rate equal to the prime rate as published in The
                                                                         ---
Wall Street Journal.  Presently it is anticipated that the ESOP will purchase up
- --------------------                                                            
to 8.0% of the common stock to be issued in the offering (22,400 shares based on
the midpoint of the Estimated Valuation Range).  The loan will be secured by the
shares purchased and earnings of ESOP assets.  Shares purchased with such loan
proceeds will be held in a suspense account for allocation among participants as
the loan is repaid.  We anticipate contributing approximately $22,400 annually
(based on a 22,400 purchase) to the ESOP to meet principal obligations under the
ESOP loan, as proposed. it is anticipated that all such contributions will be
tax-deductible.  This loan is expected to be fully repaid in approximately 10
years.     
    
     Shares sold above the maximum of the Estimated Valuation Range (i.e., more
than 330,000 shares) may be sold to the ESOP before satisfying remaining
unfilled orders of Eligible Account Holders to fill the ESOP's subscription or
the ESOP may purchase some or all of the shares covered by its subscription
after the conversion in the open market.     

     Contributions to the ESOP and shares released from the suspense account
will be allocated among participants on the basis of total compensation,
excluding bonuses.  All participants must be employed at least 500 hours in a
plan year in order to receive an allocation.  Participants will become 20%
vested in their ESOP account balances for each year of service beginning with
the second year of service, up to a maximum of 100% for six years of service.
Up to five years of service prior to the adoption of the ESOP shall be credited
for the purposes of vesting.  Vesting will be accelerated upon retirement,
death, disability, change in control of the Company, or termination of the ESOP.
Forfeitures will be reallocated to participants on the same basis as other
contributions in the plan year.  Benefits may be payable in the form of a lump
sum upon retirement, death, disability or separation from service.  Our
contributions to the ESOP are discretionary and may cause a reduction in other
forms of compensation.  Therefore, benefits payable under the ESOP cannot be
estimated.

     In the event of a change in control of us, the outstanding balance of any
loans used to finance the purchase of shares by the ESOP will be payed off
through a transfer or sale of shares held as collateral under such loan, with
any remaining shares allocated to participant accounts pro rata based on their
account balances.  Participants terminating employment on or after the change in
control will be entitled to receive a cash payment from the Company equal to the
amount, if any, which would have been allocated to the participant's account
immediately following the change in control but was precluded from allocation
based on allocation limits applicable under federal tax laws.

    The board of directors has appointed non-employee directors to the ESOP
Committee to administer the ESOP and to serve as the initial ESOP Trustees.  The
board of directors or the ESOP Committee may instruct the ESOP Trustees
regarding investments of funds contributed to the ESOP.  

                                       70

 
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.

PROPOSED FUTURE STOCK BENEFIT PLANS
    
     STOCK OPTION PLAN.  We intend to adopt a stock option plan (the Option
Plan) following the conversion, subject to approval by you and the Company's
stockholders, at a stockholders' meeting to be held no sooner than six months
after the conversion.  If the Option Plan is adopted during the first year
following the conversion, the Option Plan would be in compliance with the OTS
conversion regulations in effect.  See "-- Restrictions on Benefit Plans."  If
the Option Plan is implemented more than one year after the conversion, the
Option Plan will comply with OTS regulations and policies that are applicable at
such time.  If the Option Plan is implemented within one year after the
conversion, in accordance with OTS regulations, a number of shares equal to 10%
of the aggregate shares of common stock to be issued in the offering (i.e.,
28,000 shares based upon the sale of 280,000 shares at the midpoint of the
Estimated Valuation Range) would be reserved for issuance by the Company upon
exercise of stock options or stock appreciation rights ("SARs") to be granted to
our officers, directors and employees from time to time under the Option Plan.
The purpose of the Option Plan would be to provide additional performance and
retention incentives to certain officers, directors and employees by
facilitating their purchase of a stock interest in the Company.  Under the OTS
conversion regulations, the Option Plan, would provide for a term of 10 years,
after which no awards could be made, unless earlier terminated by the board of
directors pursuant to the Option Plan and the options would vest over a five
year period (i.e., 20% per year), beginning one year after the date of grant of
the option.  Options would expire no later than 10 years from the date granted
and would expire earlier if the Option Committee so determines or in the event
of termination of employment.  Options would be granted based upon several
factors, including seniority, job duties and responsibilities, job performance,
our financial performance and a comparison of awards given by other savings
institutions converting from mutual to stock form.     

     The Company would receive no monetary consideration for the granting of
stock options or SARs under the Option Plan.  It would receive the option price
for each share issued to optionees upon the exercise of such options.  Shares
issued as a result of the exercise of options will be either authorized but
unissued shares or shares purchased in the open market by the Company.  However,
no purchases in the open market will be made that would violate applicable
regulations restricting purchases by the Company.  The exercise of options and
payment for the shares received would contribute to the equity of the Company.
    
     MANAGEMENT RECOGNITION PLAN.  We intend to adopt the MRP following the
conversion, the objective of which is to enable us to retain personnel and
directors of experience and ability in key positions of responsibility.  The
Company expects to hold a stockholders' meeting no sooner than six months after
the conversion in order for stockholders to vote to approve the MRP.  If the MRP
is implemented within one year after the conversion, in accordance with
applicable OTS      

                                       71

     
regulations, the shares granted under the MRP will be in the form
of restricted stock vesting over a five year period (i.e., 20% per year)
beginning one year after the date of grant of the award.  Additionally, the
number of shares to be granted could not exceed 3% of the shares sold in the
conversion (4% if we had tangible capital of 10% or more) if the MRP is adopted
during the first year following conversion.  If the MRP is implemented more than
one year after the conversion, the MRP will comply with such OTS regulations and
policies that are applicable at such time.  Compensation expense in the amount
of the fair market value of the common stock granted will be recognized pro rata
over the years during which the shares are payable.  Until they have vested,
such shares may not be sold, pledged or otherwise disposed of and are required
to be held in escrow.  Any shares not so allocated would be voted by the MRP
Trustees.  Awards would be granted based upon a number of factors, including
seniority, job duties and responsibilities, job performance, our performance and
a comparison of awards given by other institutions converting from mutual to
stock form.  The MRP would be managed by a committee of non-employee directors
(the "MRP Trustees").  The MRP Trustees would have the responsibility to invest
all funds contributed by us to the trust created for the MRP (the "MRP 
Trust").     
    
    We expect to contribute sufficient funds to the MRP so that the MRP Trust
can purchase, in the aggregate, up to 4% of the amount of common stock that is
sold in the conversion.  The shares purchased by the MRP would be authorized but
unissued shares or would be purchased in the open market.  In the event the
market price of the common stock is greater than $10.00 per share, our
contribution of funds will be increased.  Likewise, in the event the market
price is lower than $10.00 per share, our contribution will be decreased.  In
recognition of their prior and expected services to us and the Company, as the
case may be, the officers, other employees and directors responsible for
implementation of the policies adopted by the board of directors and our
profitable operation will, without cost to them, be awarded stock under the MRP.
Based upon the sale of 280,000 shares of common stock in the offering at the
midpoint of the Estimated Valuation Range, the MRP Trust is expected to purchase
up to 11,200 shares of common stock.     
    
    RESTRICTIONS ON STOCK BENEFIT PLANS.  OTS regulations provide that in the
event we implement stock option or management and/or employee stock benefit
plans within one year from the date of conversion, such plans must comply with
the following restrictions: (1) the plans must be fully disclosed in the
prospectus, (2) for stock option plans, the total number of shares for which
options may be granted may not exceed 10% of the shares issued in the
conversion, (3) for restricted stock plans such as the MRP, the shares may not
exceed 3% of the shares issued in the conversion (4% for institutions with 10%
or greater tangible capital), (4) the aggregate amount of stock purchased by the
ESOP in the conversion may not exceed 10% (12% for well-capitalized institutions
utilizing a 4% management recognition plan), (5) no individual employee may
receive more than 25% of the available awards under the Option Plan or the MRP,
(6) directors who are not employees may not receive more than 5% individually or
30% in the aggregate of the awards under any plan, (7) all plans must be
approved by a majority of the total votes eligible to be cast at any duly called
meeting of the Company's stockholders held no earlier than six months following
the conversion, (8) for stock option plans, the exercise price must be at least
equal to the market price of the stock at the time of grant, (9) for restricted
stock plans such as the MRP, no stock issued in a conversion may      

                                       72

 
be used to fund the plan, (10) neither stock option awards nor restricted stock
awards may vest earlier than 20% as of one year after the date of stockholder
approval and 20% per year thereafter, and vesting may be accelerated only in the
case of disability or death (or if not inconsistent with applicable OTS
regulations in effect at such time, in the event of a change in control), (11)
the proxy material must clearly state that the OTS in no way endorses or
approves of the plans, and (12) prior to implementing the plans, all plans must
be submitted to the Regional Director of the OTS within five days after
stockholder approval with a certification that the plans approved by the
stockholders are the same plans that were filed with and disclosed in the proxy
materials relating to the meeting at which stockholder approval was received.
    
    We have not yet decided whether the Option Plan or the MRP will be
implemented during the first year after the conversion.  If they are implemented
after the first anniversary of the conversion, the above-described limitations
and provisions will not apply.     

CERTAIN RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     During the year ended June 30, 1997, certain of our officers and directors
had loans from us in amounts exceeding $60,000.  All of such loans were made in
the ordinary course of business, were made on substantially the same terms,
including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for
comparable transactions with other persons and did not involve more than the
normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.


                  RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITIONS OF THE COMPANY

     The following discussion is a general summary of the material provisions of
the charter and bylaws of the Company and certain other Tennessee corporate law
and regulatory provisions, which may be deemed to have such an anti-takeover
effect.  The description of these provisions is necessarily general and we refer
you to in each case to the charter and bylaws of the Company which are
incorporated herein by reference.  See "Available Information" as to how to
obtain a copy of these documents.
    
    While the board of directors is not aware of any effort that might be made
to obtain control of the Company after conversion, the board of directors
believes that it is appropriate to include certain provisions as part of the
Company's charter and bylaws to protect the interests of the Company and its
stockholders from hostile takeovers ("anti-takeover" provisions) which the board
of directors might conclude are not in the best interests of us or our
stockholders.  These provisions may have the effect of discouraging a future
takeover attempt which is not approved by the board of directors but which
individual stockholders may deem to be in their best interests or in which
stockholders may receive a substantial premium for their shares over the current
market prices.  As a result, stockholders who might desire to participate in
such a transaction may not have an opportunity to do so.  Such provisions will
also render the removal of the current board of directors or management of the
Company more difficult.     

                                       73

 
PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANY'S CHARTER AND BYLAWS
    
     RESTRICTION ON ACQUISITION OF COMMON STOCK; LIMITATIONS ON VOTING RIGHTS.
The charter of the Company provides that, for a period of five years after
completion of the conversion, no person may directly or indirectly, acquire or
offer to acquire beneficial ownership of more than 10% of any class of equity
security outstanding of the Company (the "Limit"), unless the "continuing"
board of directors has first approved by a two-thirds vote the offer or
acquisition.  Any shares acquired in violation of this restriction will not be
counted as shares outstanding for voting purposes, nor will the holder be
entitled to vote such shares.  After five years from the date of conversion,
should any party acquire the beneficial ownership of shares in excess of 10%,
the record holders of more than 10% of any outstanding class of equity security
of the Company who obtained such shares without the requisite approval would be
entitled to cast only one-hundredth (1/100) of a vote for each share owned in
excess of 10%, and the aggregate voting power of such holders shall be allocated
proportionately among such record holders.  A person is a beneficial owner of a
security if he has the power to vote or direct the voting of all or part of the
voting rights of the security, or has the power to dispose of or direct the
disposition of the security.  The charter of the Company further provide that
this provision limiting voting rights may only be amended upon the vote of 80%
of the outstanding shares of voting stock.    

    ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.  The Company's charter provides that the board of
directors of the Company will be divided into three staggered classes, with
directors in each class elected for three-year terms.  As a  result of this
provision, it would take two annual elections to replace a majority of the
Company's board.  The Company's charter provides that the size of the board of
directors may be increased or decreased only if two-thirds of the directors then
in office concur in such action.  The charter also provides that any vacancy
occurring in the board of directors, including a vacancy created by an increase
in the number of directors, shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired
term by a majority vote of the directors then in office.  Finally, the charter
and the bylaws impose certain notice and information requirements in connection
with the nomination by stockholders of candidates for election to the board of
directors or the proposal by stockholders of business to be acted upon at an
annual meeting of stockholders.

    The charter provides that a director may only be removed for cause by the
affirmative vote of at least 80% of the shares of the Company entitled to vote
generally in an election of directors cast at a meeting of stockholders called
for that purpose.

    RESTRICTIONS ON CALL OF SPECIAL MEETING.  The charter of the Company
provides that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only pursuant to a
resolution adopted by a majority of the board of directors, or a Committee of
the board.

    ABSENCE OF CUMULATIVE VOTING.  The Company's charter provides that
stockholders may not cumulate their votes in the election of directors.

                                       74

     
    AUTHORIZED SHARES.  The charter authorizes the issuance of 9,000,000 shares
of  common stock and 3,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock.  The shares of common
stock and Preferred Stock were authorized in an amount greater than that to be
issued in the conversion to provide the Company's board of directors with as
much flexibility as possible to effect, among other transactions, financings,
acquisitions, stock dividends, stock splits and the exercise of stock options.
However, these additional authorized shares may also be used by the board of
directors consistent with its fiduciary duty to deter future attempts to gain
control of the Company.  The board of directors also has sole authority to
determine the terms of any one or more series of Preferred Stock, including
voting rights, conversion rates, and liquidation preferences.  As a result of
the ability to fix voting rights for a series of Preferred Stock, the board has
the power, to the extent consistent with its fiduciary duty, to issue a series
of Preferred Stock to persons friendly to management in order to attempt to
block a post-tender offer merger or other transaction by which a third party
seeks control, and thereby assist management to retain its position.  The
Company's board currently has no plans for the issuance of additional shares,
other than the possible issuance of additional shares pursuant to stock benefit
plans.     

     PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN  BUSINESS COMBINATIONS.  The charter requires the
affirmative vote of at least 80% of the outstanding shares of the Company
entitled to vote in the election of director in order for the Company to engage
in or enter into certain "Business Combinations," as defined therein, with any
"Related Party" (as defined below) or any affiliates of the "Related Party",
unless the proposed transaction has been approved in advance by the Company's
board of directors, excluding those who were not directors prior to the time the
"Related Party" became the "Related Party."  Absent this provision, only the
approval of a majority of the shares outstanding would be required.

     The term "Related Party" is defined to include any person and the
affiliates and associates of the person (other than the Company or its
subsidiary) who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the
outstanding shares of voting stock of the Company.  Any amendment to this
provision requires the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the shares of the
Company entitled to vote generally in an election of directors.
    
     AMENDMENT TO CHARTER AND BYLAWS.  Amendments to the Company's charter must
be approved by the Company's board of directors and also by a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Company's voting stock, provided, however, that
approval by at least 80% of the outstanding voting stock is generally required
for certain provisions (i.e., provisions relating to restrictions on the
acquisition and voting of greater than 10% of the common stock; number,
classification, election and removal of directors; amendment of Bylaws; call of
special stockholder meetings; director liability; certain business combinations;
power of indemnification; and amendments to provisions relating to the foregoing
in the charter).     

     The bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the board of directors or
the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding shares of
the Company entitled to vote in the election of Directors cast at a meeting
called for that purpose.

                                       75

 
TENNESSEE BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT
    
     The Tennessee Business Corporation Act contains several provisions
described below which may be applicable to the Company upon completion of the
conversion.     

     THE TENNESSEE CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT prohibits a person who acquires
over specified limits of shares of our holding company (that is, 20%, 33a% or
50% of its outstanding shares) from voting those shares in excess of each
specified limit unless a majority of our holding company's disinterested
stockholders vote to approve voting rights for the excess shares.  Pursuant to
the Control Share Acquisition Act, the provisions of such Act will only apply to
a Tennessee corporation if its charter or bylaws so provides and which has:  (i)
100 or more stockholders; (ii) its principal place of business, its principal
office or substantial assets within Tennessee; and (iii) either (A) more than
10% of its stockholders resident in Tennessee, (B) more than 10% of its shares
owned by stockholders resident in Tennessee, or (C) 10,000 or more stockholders
resident in Tennessee.  Neither the Company's charter nor its bylaws contains a
provision declaring that the Company will be subject to the provisions of the
Control Share Acquisition Act, although the Company could amend its Charter or
Bylaws in the future to include such a provision.  The Company cannot determine
at this time whether it would otherwise meet the requirements to be subject to
the provisions of the Control Share Acquisition Act.

     THE TENNESSEE BUSINESS COMBINATION ACT imposes conditions on a person
owning more than 10% of a Aresident domestic corporation's outstanding voting
stock (an "interested stockholder") in connection with business combinations
with the Company for a period of five years following the date such person
became an interested stockholder, unless such business combination is otherwise
approved in accordance with the terms of the statute.  For purposes of the
Business Combination Act, the term "resident domestic corporation" is defined as
an issuer of voting stock which, as of the share acquisition date in question,
is organized under the laws of Tennessee and meets two or more of the following
requirements:  (i) the corporation has more than 10,000 or 10% of its
stockholders resident in Tennessee or more than 10% of its shares held by
stockholders who are Tennessee residents; (ii) the corporation has its principal
office or place of business located in Tennessee; (iii) the corporation has the
principal office or place of business of a significant subsidiary, representing
not less than 25% of the corporation's consolidated net sales located in
Tennessee; (iv) the corporation employs more than 250 individuals in Tennessee
or has a combined annual payroll paid to Tennessee residents which is in excess
of $5.0 million; (v) the corporation produces goods and services in Tennessee
which result in annual gross receipts in excess of $10.0 million; or (vi) the
corporation has physical assets and/or deposits, including those of any
subsidiary located within Tennessee which exceed $10.0 million in value.  The
Company does not expect that it will initially meet the definition of a resident
domestic corporation although it is possible that it will meet the definition in
the future and will be entitled to the anti-takeover protection afforded by the
Business Combination Act.

                                       76

 
     THE TENNESSEE GREENMAIL ACT makes it unlawful, under certain specified
circumstances, for the Company to purchase any of its outstanding shares of a
certain class at a price above the market value of the shares from a stockholder
owning more than 3% of the shares to be purchased, if such person has held his
shares for less than two years, unless the purchase is approved by a majority of
the outstanding shares of that class or the Company makes a similar offer to all
stockholders of that class of securities.

     THE TENNESSEE INVESTOR PROTECTION ACT imposes conditions on offerors making
a tender offer for an "offeree company" and requires such offeror file with the
Tennessee Commissioner of Insurance a registration statement containing
information similar to that required by federal law, including any plans which
the offeror has in acquiring control of the company.  For purposes of the
Investor Protection Act, an "offeree company" is defined as a corporation or
other issuer of equity securities which is incorporated or organized under the
laws of Tennessee or has its principal office in Tennessee, has substantial
assets located in Tennessee and which is or may be involved in a takeover offer
relating to any class of its equity securities.

     The Investor Protection Act also prohibits any offeror from making a
takeover offer which is not made to the holders of record or beneficial owners
of the equity securities of an offeree company who reside in Tennessee on
substantially the same terms as the offer is made to holders residing elsewhere.
The Investor Protection Act also imposes certain other restrictions on takeover
offers involving offeree companies.  Although the Company is a Tennessee
corporation, it is not anticipated at this time that the Company would satisfy
the requirement of having substantial assets located in Tennessee and therefore
would not be deemed an offeree company and entitled to the protections of the
Investor Protection Act.  It is possible that the Company could satisfy this
requirement in the future and parties seeking to make a takeover offer would be
subject to the requirements of the Investor Protection Act.

BENEFIT PLANS
    
     In addition to the provisions of the Company's charter and bylaws described
above, certain benefit plans of ours adopted in connection with the conversion
contain provisions which also may discourage hostile takeover attempts which the
boards of directors might conclude are not in the best interests for us or our
stockholders.  For a description of the benefit plans and the provisions of such
plans relating to changes in control, see "Management of Newport Federal Savings
Bank - Proposed Future Stock Benefit Plans."     

REGULATORY RESTRICTIONS

     For three years following conversion, OTS regulations prohibit any person,
without the prior approval of the OTS, from acquiring or making an offer to
acquire more than 10% of the stock of any converted savings institution if such
person is, or after consummation of such acquisition would be, the beneficial
owner of more than 10% of such stock.  In the event that any person, directly or
indirectly, violates this regulation, the securities beneficially owned by such
person in excess of 10% 

                                       77

 
shall not be counted as shares entitled to vote and shall not be voted by any
person or counted as voting shares in connection with any matter submitted to a
vote of stockholders.

     Federal law provides that no company, "directly or indirectly or acting in
concert with one or more persons, or through one or more subsidiaries, or
through one or more transactions," may acquire "control" of a savings
association at any time without the prior approval of the OTS.  In addition, any
company that acquires such control becomes a "savings and loan holding company"
subject to registration, examination and regulation as a savings and loan
holding company.  Control in this context means ownership of, control of, or
holding proxies representing more than 25% of the voting shares of a savings
association or the power to control in any manner the election of a majority of
the directors of such institution.

     Federal law also provides that no "person," acting directly or indirectly
or through or in concert with one or more other persons, may acquire control of
a savings association unless at least 60 days prior written notice has been
given to the OTS and the OTS has not objected to the proposed acquisition.
Control is defined for this purpose as the power, directly or indirectly, to
direct the management or policies of a savings association or to vote more than
25% of any class of voting securities of a savings association.  Under federal
law (as well as the regulations referred to below) the term "savings
association" includes state-chartered and federally chartered SAIF-insured
institutions, federally chartered savings and loans and savings banks whose
accounts are insured by the FDIC and holding companies thereof.

     Federal regulations require that, prior to obtaining control of an insured
institution, a person, other than a company, must give 60 days notice to the OTS
and have received no OTS objection to such acquisition of control, and a company
must apply for and receive OTS approval of the acquisition.  Control, involves a
25% voting stock test, control in any manner of the election of a majority of
the institution's directors, or a determination by the OTS that the acquiror has
the power to direct, or directly or indirectly to exercise a controlling
influence over, the management or policies of the institution.  Acquisition of
more than 10% of an institution's voting stock, if the acquiror also is subject
to any one of either "control factors," constitutes a rebuttable determination
of control under the regulations.  The determination of control may be rebutted
by submission to the OTS, prior to the acquisition of stock or the occurrence of
any other circumstances giving rise to such determination, of a statement
setting forth facts and circumstances which would support a finding that no
control relationship will exist and containing certain undertakings.  The
regulations provide that persons or companies which acquire beneficial ownership
exceeding 10% or more of any class of a savings association's stock after the
effective date of the regulations must file with the OTS a certification that
the holder is not in control of such institution, is not subject to a rebuttable
determination of control and will take no action which would result in a
determination or rebuttable determination of control without prior notice to or
approval of the OTS, as applicable.

                                       78

 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
    
     The Company is authorized to issue 9,000,000 shares of the common stock,
$0.01 par value per share, and 3,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par
value per share.  The Company currently expects to issue up to 370,300 shares of
common stock in the conversion.  The Company does not intend to issue any shares
of Preferred Stock in the conversion, nor are there any present plans to issue
such Preferred Stock following the conversion.  Each share of common stock will
have the same relative rights as, and will be identical in all respects with,
each other share of common stock.  THE COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY WILL
REPRESENT NONWITHDRAWABLE CAPITAL AND WILL NOT BE INSURED BY US, THE FDIC, OR
ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.     

COMMON STOCK
    
    VOTING RIGHTS.  Each share of the common stock will have the same relative
rights and will be identical in all respects with every other share of the
common stock.  The holders of the common stock will possess exclusive voting
rights in the Company, except to the extent that shares of Preferred Stock
issued in the future may have voting rights, if any.  Each holder of the common
stock will be entitled to only one vote for each share held of record on all
matters submitted to a vote of holders of the common stock and will not be
permitted to cumulate their votes in the election of the Company's 
directors.     
    
    LIQUIDATION.  In the unlikely event of the complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Company, the holders of the common stock will be entitled to
receive all assets of the Company available for distribution in cash or in kind,
after payment or provision for payment of (i) all debts and liabilities of the
Company (including all deposits with us and accrued interest thereon); (ii) any
accrued dividend claims; (iii) liquidation preferences of any Preferred Stock
which may be issued in the future; and (iv) any interests in the liquidation
account established upon the conversion for the benefit of Eligible Account
Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders who continue to have their
deposits with us.     
    
    DIVIDENDS.  From time to time, dividends may be declared and paid to the
holders of the common stock, who will share equally in any such dividends.  For
information about cash dividends, see "Dividends" and "Taxation."     
    
    RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITION OF THE COMMON STOCK.  See "Certain Restrictions
on Acquisition of the Company" for a discussion of the limitations on
acquisition of shares of the common stock.     
    
    OTHER CHARACTERISTICS.  Holders of the common stock will not have preemptive
rights with respect to any additional shares of the common stock which may be
issued.  Therefore, the board of directors may sell shares of capital stock of
the Company without first offering such shares to existing stockholders of the
Company.  The common stock is not subject to call for redemption, and the
outstanding shares of common stock when issued and upon receipt by the Company
of the full purchase price therefor will be fully paid and non-assessable.     

                                       79

 
SERIAL PREFERRED STOCK
    
    None of the 3,000,000 authorized shares of Preferred Stock of the Company
will be issued in the conversion.  After the conversion is completed, the board
of directors of the Company will be authorized to issue serial preferred stock
and to fix and state voting powers, designations, preferences or other special
rights of such shares and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions
thereof, subject to regulatory approval but without stockholder approval.  If
and when issued, the serial preferred stock is likely to rank prior to the
common stock as to dividend rights, liquidation preferences, or both, and may
have full or limited voting rights.  The board of directors, without stockholder
approval, can issue serial preferred stock with voting and conversion rights
which could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of the common
stock.  The board of directors has no present intention to issue any of the
serial preferred stock.     


                             LEGAL AND TAX MATTERS
    
    The legality of the common stock has been passed upon for us by Housley
Kantarian & Bronstein, P.C., Washington, D.C.   Certain legal matters for
Trident Securities may be passed upon by Silver Freedman & Taff, L.L.P.,
Washington, D.C. The federal income tax consequences of the conversion have been
passed upon for us by Housley Kantarian & Bronstein, P.C., Washington, D.C. The
Arkansas income tax consequences of the conversion have been passed upon for us
by KPMG Peat Marwick  LLP.     


                                    EXPERTS
    
     The financial statements of Newport Federal Savings Bank as of June 30,
1997 and 1996, and for the years then ended, have been included herein in
reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public
accountants, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.     

    Ferguson has consented to the publication herein of a summary of its letters
to us setting forth its opinion as to the estimated pro forma market value of us
in the converted form and its opinion setting forth the value of subscription
rights and to the use of its name and statements with respect to it appearing in
this document.

                                       80

 
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    
    The Company has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form SB-2
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the common stock
offered in this document.  As permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC,
this document does not contain all the information set forth in the registration
statement.  Such information can be examined without charge at the public
reference facilities of the SEC located at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, and copies of such material can be obtained from the SEC at
prescribed rates.  The SEC also maintains an internet address ("Web site") that
contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants, including the Company, that file electronically with the
SEC.  The address for this Web site is " http: //www. sec. gov.  " The
statements contained in this document as to the contents of any contract or
other document filed as an exhibit to the Form SB-2 describe the material
features of such contract or document but are, of necessity, brief descriptions
and are not necessarily complete; each such statement is qualified by reference
to such contract or document.     
    
    Newport Federal Savings Bank has filed an Application for conversion with
the OTS with respect to the conversion.  Pursuant to the rules and regulations
of the OTS, this document omits certain information contained in that
Application.  The Application may be examined at the principal office of the
OTS, 1700 G Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20552 and at the Midwest Regional
Office of the OTS, 122 W. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 600, Irving, Texas 75039
without charge.     
 
    A copy of the Charter and the Bylaws of the Company are available without
charge from Newport Federal Savings Bank.

                                       81

 
                          NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    

 
 
                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----
                                                                         
 
Independent Auditors' Report                                                F-1
 
Statements of Financial Condition as of June 30, 1997 and 1996              F-2
 
Statements of Operations for the Years Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996         F-3
 
Statements of Retained Earnings for the Years Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996  F-4
 
Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996         F-5
 
Notes to Financial Statements                                               F-7
     

All schedules are omitted because the required information is either not
applicable or is included in the financial statements or related notes.
    
Separate financial statements for the Company have not been included since it
will not engage in material transactions until after the conversion.  The
Company, which has been inactive to date, has no significant assets,
liabilities, revenues, expenses or contingent liabilities.     

                                       82

 
                                    GLOSSARY


ARM Loan                 Adjustable-rate mortgage loan.

BIF                      Bank Insurance Fund of the FDIC

Common Stock             The common stock, $.01 par value per share, of North
                         Arkansas Bancshares, Inc.

Community Offering       Offering for sale to certain members of the general
                         public of anyshares of common stock not subscribed for
                         in the Subscription Offering, including the possible
                         offering of common stock in a Syndicated Community
                         Offering

Company                  North Arkansas Bancshares, Inc.
    
Conversion               Simultaneous conversion of Newport Federal Savings
                         Bank, to stock form, the issuance of the Newport
                         Federal Savings Bank's outstanding capital stock to the
                         Company and the Company's offer and sale of common
                         stock     

Eligible Account
Holders                  Savings account holders of Newport Federal Savings Bank
                         with account balances of at least $50 as of the close
                         of business on December 31, 1995
 
ERISA                    Employee Retirement Income Security of 1974, as amended
 
ESOP                     Employee Stock Ownership Plan
     
Estimated
Valuation Range          Estimated pro forma market value of the common stock 
                         ranging from $2,380,000 to $3,220,000     
 
Exchange Act             Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
 
Expiration Date          12:00 p.m., Central time, on ________, 1997

FASB                     Financial Accounting Standards Board

FDIC                     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Federal Reserve System   The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

 
Ferguson                 Ferguson & Company

FHLB                     Federal Home Loan Bank

FHLMC                    Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

FNMA                     Federal National Mortgage Association

IRA                      Individual retirement account or arrangement

IRS                      Internal Revenue Service
    
MRP                      Management recognition plan to be adopted no earlier
                         than six months after the conversion     

NASD                     National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

NOW account              Negotiable order of withdrawal account

NPV                      Net portfolio value

Offering                 Subscription, Community and Syndicated Community
                         offerings, collectively
    
Option Plan              Stock option plan to be adopted within one year of the
                         conversion     

Order Form               Form for ordering stock accompanied by a certification
                         concerning certain matters
    
Other Members            Savings account holders (other than eligible account
                         holders and supplemental eligible account holders) and
                         certain borrowers (borrowers whose loans were
                         outstanding on August 21, 1997 and continue to be
                         outstanding) who are entitled to vote at the Special
                         Meeting due to the existence of a savings account or a
                         borrowing, respectively, on the Voting Record Date for
                         the Special Meeting     

OTC Bulletin Board       An electronic stock data system operated by Nasdaq

OTS                      Office of Thrift Supervision

Plan of Conversion       Plan of Newport Federal Savings Bank to convert from a
                         federally chartered mutual savings bank to a federally
                         chartered stock savings 

 
                         bank and the issuance of all of Newport Federal Savings
                         Bank's outstanding capital stock to the Company and the
                         issuance of the Company's stock to the public
    
Purchase Price           $10.00 per share price of the common stock     

SAIF                     Savings Association Insurance Fund of the FDIC

SEC                      Securities and Exchange Commission

Securities Act           Securities Act of 1933, as amended

SFAS                     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards adopted by 
                         FASB

Special Meeting          Special Meeting of members of Newport Federal Savings
                         Bank called for the purpose of approving the Plan

Subscription Offering    Offering of non-transferable rights to subscribe for
                         the common stock, in order of priority, to Eligible
                         Account Holders, tax-qualified employee plans,
                         Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and Other Members

Supplemental Eligible    Depositors, who are not Eligible Account Holders of
                         Newport
Account Holders          Federal Savings Bank, with account balances of at least
                         $50 on September 30, 1997.

Syndicated Community     Offering of shares of common stock remaining after the
                         Subscription

Offering                 Offering and undertaken prior to the end and as part of
                         the Community Offering, and which may, at our
                         discretion be made to the general public on a best
                         efforts basis by a selling group of broker-dealers.

Trident Securities       Trident Securities, Inc.

Voting Record Date       The close of business on _____________, 1997, the date
                         for determining members entitled to vote at the Special
                         Meeting.

 
                     [LETTERHEAD OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP]



                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
                          ----------------------------
                                        



The Board of Directors
Newport Federal Savings Bank:
    
We have audited the accompanying statements of financial condition of Newport
Federal Savings Bank as of June 30, 1997 and 1996, and the related statements of
operations, retained earnings, and cash flows for the years then ended. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Bank's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.    

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
    
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Newport Federal Savings Bank as
of June 30, 1997 and 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash flows
for the years then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.     



/s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

August 8, 1997

                                      F-1

 
                          NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

                        Statements of Financial Condition

                             June 30, 1997 and 1996

 
 

                                 ASSETS                                         1997             1996
                                 ------                                         ----             ----
                                                                                      
Cash and amounts due from banks, includes interest
     bearing deposits of $603,729 and $917,745 in 1997
     and 1996, respectively                                            $         884,002       1,167,202
Certificates of deposit with other financial institutions                        691,000         890,000
Investment securities held-to-maturity, at cost (notes 2 and 8)                5,922,956       6,310,348
Loans receivable, net (notes 3, 4 and 8)                                      24,794,194      21,982,108
Real estate acquired in settlement of loans, net                                   -             123,830
Office properties and equipment, net (note 5)                                  1,651,298       1,666,980
Accrued interest receivable (note 6)                                             227,356         226,995
Other assets (note 9)                                                            207,760          78,332
                                                                            ------------    ------------
               Total assets                                            $      34,378,566      32,445,795
                                                                            ============   =============

                    LIABILITIES AND RETAINED EARNINGS
                    ---------------------------------

Deposits (notes 2 and 7)                                               $      31,072,533      29,657,098
Federal Home Loan Bank advances (note 8)                                         618,389         133,916
Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance                                   57,459          58,719
Other liabilities (notes 9 and 11)                                               363,916         131,020
                                                                            ------------    ------------
               Total liabilities                                              32,112,297      29,980,753

Retained earnings - substantially restricted (notes 9, 12 and 15)              2,266,269       2,465,042

Commitments and contingencies (notes 3, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15)
                                                                            ------------    ------------
               Total liabilities and retained earnings                 $      34,378,566      32,445,795
                                                                            ============   =============
 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                       F-2

 
                          NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK
                                                          
                           Statements of Operations

                      Years ended June 30, 1997 and 1996     

     
 
                                                              1997               1996      
                                                              ----               ----      
                                                                                  
Interest income:                                                                           
     Loans receivable                                     $ 2,011,121          1,814,100   
     Deposits in other financial institutions                  72,337            128,764   
     Mortgage-backed securities                               338,621            280,201   
     Investment securities                                     71,261            105,499   
                                                            ---------          ---------   
         Total interest income                              2,493,340          2,328,564   
                                                            ---------          ---------   
                                                                                           
Interest expense:                                                                          
     Deposits                                               1,540,820          1,517,090   
     Federal Home Loan advances                                56,074              8,081   
                                                            ---------          ---------   
         Total interest expense                             1,596,894          1,525,171   
                                                            ---------          ---------   
         Net interest income                                  896,446            803,393   
Provision for loan losses (note 4)                             90,000             10,000   
                                                            ---------          ---------   
         Net interest income after provision                                               
              for loan losses                                 806,446            793,393   
                                                            ---------          ---------   
Non-interest income - other                                    19,156             10,758   
                                                            ---------          ---------   
                                                                                           
Non-interest expenses:                                                                     
     Salaries and employee benefits (note 11)                 647,478            346,550   
     Legal and professional fees                               12,032             16,050   
     Data processing fees                                      62,313             59,685   
     Federal insurance expense (note 12)                      217,054             62,739   
     Furniture and equipment expense                           32,953             20,783   
     Occupancy expense                                         58,516             39,456   
     Other expense                                            127,020            180,469   
                                                            ---------          ---------   
                                                            1,157,366            725,732   
                                                            ---------          ---------   
         Income (loss) before income taxes                   (331,764)            78,419   
Income tax expense (benefit) (note 9)                        (132,991)             5,571   
                                                            ---------          ---------   
         Net income (loss)                                   (198,773)            72,848   
                                                            =========          =========   

      

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                       F-3

 
                         NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

                        Statement of Retained Earnings

                      Years ended June 30, 1997 and 1996


Balance at June 30, 1995                                        $2,392,194

Net Income                                                          72,848
                                                                ----------

Balance at June 30, 1996                                         2,465,042

Net Loss                                                          (198,773)
                                                                ---------- 
Balance at June 30, 1997                                        $2,266,269
                                                                ==========


               See accompanying notes to financial statements.



                                     F-4 

 
                          NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

                            Statements of Cash Flows
                        
                    Years ended June 30, 1997 and 1996     

     
 

                                                                             1997              1996      
                                                                             ----              ----      
                                                                                                
Cash flows from operating activities:                                                                    
     Net income (loss)                                                $      (198,773)          72,848   
     Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to                                                       
        net cash provided by operating activities:                                                       
           Depreciation                                                        57,395           15,916   
           Loss on sale of real estate owned                                   23,208           -        
           FHLB stock dividends                                               (15,800)         (15,792)  
           Net premium amortization on investments                             10,752           23,256   
           Provision for loan losses                                           90,000           10,000   
           Increase in interest receivable                                       (361)         (13,992)  
           Increase in other assets                                          (109,428)         (28,164)  
           Increase in other liabilities                                      232,896           16,902   
                                                                            ---------        ---------   
               Net cash provided by operating                                                            
                    Activities                                                 89,889           80,974   
                                                                            ---------        ---------   
                                                                                                         
Cash flows from investing activities:                                                                    
     Purchase of held to maturity ("HTM") securities                         (850,310)      (2,020,830)  
     Proceeds from maturities/principal repayments                                                       
        of HTM securities                                                   1,242,750        2,245,363   
     Net increase in loans receivable                                      (2,427,390)        (855,164)  
     Purchase of loans                                                       (500,000)      (1,005,000)  
     Net decrease in certificates of deposit with                                                        
        other financial institutions                                          199,000          196,000   
     Purchase of office properties and equipment                              (41,713)        (758,676)  
     Proceeds from sale of real estate owned                                  105,926           -        
                                                                            ---------        ---------   
               Net cash used in investing                                                                
                  Activities                                               (2,271,737)      (2,198,307)  
                                                                            ---------        ---------   
                                                                                                         
Cash flows from financing activities:                                                                    
     Net increase in deposits and advances from                                                          
        Borrowers                                                           1,414,175        1,913,688   
     Net increase (decrease) in Federal Home Loan                                                        
        advances                                                              484,473          (14,670)  
                                                                            ---------        ---------   
               Net cash provided by financing                                                            
                    Activities                                              1,898,648        1,899,018   
                                                                            ---------        ---------   
                                                                                                         
Net decrease in cash and amounts due                                                                     
     from banks                                                              (283,200)        (218,315)  
Cash and amounts due from banks at beginning of year                        1,167,202        1,385,517   
                                                                            ---------        ---------   
Cash and amounts due from banks at end of year                        $       884,002        1,167,202   
                                                                            =========        =========   
                                                                                                         
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Noncash                                               
     investing and financing activities:                                                                 
        Transfers from loans to real estate acquired                                                     
           through foreclosure                                        $        25,304           20,224   
        Transfers from real estate acquired through                                                      
           foreclosure to other assets                                         20,000           -        
     Cash paid during the year:                                                                          
        Interest on deposits                                                1,544,363        1,525,446   
        Income taxes                                                           10,860           17,660   
                                                                            =========        =========   

      

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                       F-5

 
                          NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

                          Notes to Financial Statements
                              
                          June 30, 1997 and 1996     




(1)  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
     ------------------------------------------

     Newport Federal Savings Bank ("Bank") is a federally-chartered mutual
         savings bank. The accounting principles used and methods of applying
         them conform with generally accepted accounting principles and
         practices within the savings and loan industry. The following are
         descriptions of the more significant of the accounting and reporting
         policies.

     (a) Basis of Financial Statement Presentation
         -----------------------------------------

         In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make
           estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets
           and liabilities as of the date of the statement of financial
           condition and revenues and expenses for the period. Material
           estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in
           the near-term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan
           losses. Actual results could differ significantly from those
           estimates.

         Management believes that the allowance for losses on loans is adequate.
           While management uses available information to recognize losses on
           loans and real estate owned, future additions to the allowance may be
           necessary based on changes in economic conditions. In addition,
           regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination
           process, periodically review the Bank's allowance for losses on
           loans. Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additions to
           the allowance based on their judgments about information available to
           them at the time of their examination.

         The Bank adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
           Standards ("SFAS") No. 121, "ACCOUNTING FOR THE IMPAIRMENT OF
           LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND FOR LONG-LIVED ASSETS TO BE DISPOSED OF," in
           fiscal 1997. This Statement requires that long-lived assets and
           certain identifiable intangibles be reviewed for impairment whenever
           events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount
           of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be
           held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of
           an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the
           asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment
           to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying
           amount of the assets exceed the fair value of the assets. Assets to
           be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or
           fair value less costs to sell. Adoption of this Statement had no
           impact on the Bank's financial condition or results of operations.

    (b)  Investment Securities
         ---------------------

         Investment securities consist of mortgage-backed, U.S. Government
           agency and state and political subdivision securities. The Bank
           classifies its investment securities into one of three categories:
           trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity. Trading securities
           are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in
           the near term. Held-to-maturity securities are those securities in
           which the Bank has the ability and intent to hold the security until
           maturity. All other securities not included in trading or held-to-
           maturity are classified as available-for-sale. All investment
           securities were classified as held-to-maturity at June 30, 1997 and
           1996.

                                                                     (Continued)

                                       F-6

 
                          NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

                          Notes to Financial Statements



         Trading and available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value.
           Held-to-maturity securities are recorded at amortized cost, adjusted
           for the amortization or accretion of premiums or discounts.
           Unrealized holding gains and losses on trading securities are
           included in earnings. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the
           related tax effect, on available-for-sale securities are excluded
           from earnings and are reported as a separate component of equity
           until realized. Realized gains and losses from the sale of
           available-for-sale securities are determined on a specific
           identification basis.

         A decline in the market value of any available-for-sale or
           held-to-maturity security below cost that is deemed to be other than
           temporary results in a reduction in carrying amount to fair value.
           The impairment is charged to earnings and a new cost basis for the
           security is established. Premiums and discounts are amortized or
           accreted over the life of the related held-to-maturity security as an
           adjustment to yield using the effective interest method. Dividend and
           interest income are recognized when earned.

     (c) Allowance for Losses
         --------------------

         Effective July 1, 1995, the Bank adopted SFAS No. 114, "ACCOUNTING BY
           CREDITORS FOR IMPAIRMENT OF A LOAN," as amended by SFAS No. 118
           (collectively, "Statement 114"). Statement 114 addresses the
           accounting treatment of certain impaired loans and amends SFAS No.'s
           5 and 15. Statement 114 does not apply to large groups of
           smaller-balance homogeneous loans unless they have been involved in a
           restructuring. The adoption of Statement 114 had no effect on 1996
           earnings.

         Management, considering current information and events regarding the
           borrowers ability to repay their obligations, considers a note to be
           impaired when it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect
           all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the note
           agreement. When a loan is considered to be impaired, the amount of
           the impairment is measured using discounted cash flows, except when
           it is determined that the sole (remaining) source of repayment for
           the loans is the operation or liquidation of the underlying
           collateral. In such case, the current fair value of the collateral,
           reduced by costs to sell, will be used in place of discounted cash
           flows. If the measurement of the impaired loan is less than the
           recorded investment in the loan (including accrued interest),
           impairment is recognized by creating or adjusting an existing
           allocation of the allowance for loan losses. Statement 114 does not
           change the timing of charge-offs of loans to reflect the amount
           ultimately expected to be collected.

         The accrual of interest on a loan is discontinued when, in management's
           judgment, the interest will not be collectible in the normal course
           of business. Also, in accordance with regulatory guidelines, a loan
           is placed on nonaccrual status when it becomes 90 days past due
           (although said loan would not necessarily be considered impaired).
           When interest is discontinued, all interest previously accrued in the
           current year, but not collected, is reversed against interest income.
           Any interest accrued in prior years is charged against the allowance
           for loan losses. Subsequent cash receipts are generally applied to
           reduce the unpaid principal balance. A loan is returned to accrual
           status and is no longer considered to be impaired when it becomes
           current as to principal and interest or demonstrates a period of
           performance under the contractual terms. The Bank did not change its
           method of recognizing interest income on impaired loans upon adoption
           of Statement 114.

                                                                     (Continued)

                                       F-7

 
                          NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

                          Notes to Financial Statements




        The allowance for loan losses is increased by charges to income and
           decreased by charge-offs (net of recoveries). Management's periodic
           evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is based upon the Bank's
           past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio,
           adverse situations that may effect the borrower's ability to repay,
           the estimated value of any underlying collateral, and current
           economic conditions.

    (d) Real Estate Acquired in Settlement of Loans
        -------------------------------------------

        Real estate properties acquired through loan foreclosure are initially
           recorded at the lower of the related loan balance, less any specific
           allowance for loss, or fair value at the date of foreclosure less
           estimated costs to sell. Costs relating to development and
           improvement of property are capitalized, whereas costs relating to
           holding property are expensed.

        Valuations are periodically performed by management and an allowance for
           losses is established by a charge to operations if the carrying value
           of a property exceeds its estimated net realizable value.

    (e) Loan Origination Fees and Related Cost
        --------------------------------------
            
        Loan fees are accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 91. Loan fees
           and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred, and the net
           fee or cost is recognized in income over the contractual life of the
           loan, adjusted for estimated prepayments, using a method materially
           the same as the level-yield method.    

    (f) Interest Income
        ---------------
            
        Discounts and premiums on investment securities and loans are
           accreted/amortized over the estimated remaining lives of the
           securities and loans using a method which approximates the level
           yield method. Interest income on loans is recognized under the
           interest method, a basis which approximates a level rate of return
           over the term of the loan.    

    (g) Office Properties and Equipment
        -------------------------------
            
        Office properties and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated
           depreciation. Depreciation is computed under the straight-line method
           over a period of 5 to 30 years. Maintenance and repairs are charged
           to expense as incurred.     

    (h) Income Taxes
        ------------

        Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method.
           Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
           consequences attributable to differences between the financial
           statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and
           their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit
           carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using
           enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in
           which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or
           settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a
           change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that
           includes the enactment date.

                                                                     (Continued)

                                       F-8

 
                          NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

                          Notes to Financial Statements





    (i) Cash and Cash Equivalents
        -------------------------
        For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents are
           defined as those amounts included in the statement of financial
           condition caption "cash and amounts due from banks."

    (j) Reclassifications
        -----------------
        Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current
           year presentation.

(2) Investment Securities
    ---------------------

    The carrying value, unrealized gains, unrealized losses and estimated fair
      value of held to maturity investment securities are as follows:
 
 
                                                             Obligations
                                               U.S.           of states        Mortgage-
                                            Government          And             backed         Other
                                                             political
                                             Agencies       Subdivisions       securities     securities       Total
                                             --------       ------------       ----------     ----------       -----     
                                                                                               
    Investments held to maturity:
       June 30, 1997:
          Carrying value                    $    500,000        62,500           5,076,965      283,491        5,922,956
          Unrealized gains                             -          -                 82,837        -               82,837
          Unrealized losses                         (289)         -                (54,494)       -              (54,783)
                                             -----------       -------         -----------    ---------      -----------
             Fair value                     $    499,711        62,500           5,105,308      283,491        5,951,010
                                             ===========       =======         ===========    =========      ===========

    Investments held to maturity:
       June 30, 1996:
          Carrying value                    $  1,000,000        80,000           4,962,656      267,692        6,310,348
          Unrealized gains                             -          -                 39,016        -               39,016
          Unrealized losses                       (7,650)         -                (61,225)       -              (68,875)
                                             -----------       -------         -----------    ---------      -----------
             Fair value                     $    992,350        80,000           4,940,447      267,692        6,280,489
                                             ===========       =======         ===========    =========      ===========
 
        
    Mortgage-backed securities held by the Bank at June 30, 1997 and 1996 were 
       issued by the Government National Mortgage Association, the Federal
       National Mortgage Association or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
       Corporation.     

    As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, the Bank is required to
       maintain an investment ($282,892 and $267,092 at June 30, 1997 and 1996,
       respectively, and included in other held to maturity securities) in the
       capital stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank in an amount equal to 1% of
       its outstanding home loans. No ready market exists for such stock and it
       has no quoted market value.


                                                                     (Continued)
                                       F-9

 
                          NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

                          Notes to Financial Statements




    The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities held to
      maturity at June 30, 1997 by contractual maturity are shown below.
      Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because
      borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without
      call or prepayment penalties:
 
 
                                                                               Amortized          Estimated
                                                                                 cost             fair value
                                                                                 ----             ----------
                                                                                             
          Due in one year or less                                          $        -                    -
          Due after one year through five years                                   508,750              508,461
          Due after five years through ten years                                   12,500               12,500
          Due after ten years                                                      41,250               41,250
                                                                                ---------            ---------
                                                                                  562,500              562,211
          Mortgage-backed securities                                            5,076,965            5,105,308
          Other                                                                   283,491              283,491
                                                                                ---------            ---------
                                                                           $    5,922,956            5,951,010
                                                                                =========            =========
 

    Investment securities with a par value of approximately $1,640,300 and
      $394,700 at June 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, were pledged to secure
      public deposits.

(3) Loans Receivable
    ----------------
    Loans receivable consist of the following at June 30:
     
 
                                                                                 1997            1996
                                                                                 ----            ----
                                                                                         
          First mortgage loans                                              $  21,227,604     20,259,315
          Loans to depositors, secured by savings                                 443,472        256,208
          Property improvement loans                                              666,078        762,789
          Automobile loans                                                      2,009,779        648,895   
          Other consumer loans                                                    510,235        137,686
          Commercial loans                                                         92,938         -
                                                                               ----------     ----------
                                                                               24,950,106     22,064,843
          Less:
               Unearned discounts on loans purchased                                5,780          9,266
               Net deferred loan fees                                                 337            469
               Allowance for losses (note 4)                                      149,795         73,000
                                                                               ----------     ----------
                                                                            $  24,794,194     21,982,108
                                                                               ==========     ==========
      

   Loans serviced for others at June 30, 1997 and 1996, were $291,699 and
     $423,231, respectively.

   Approximately 65% of the Bank's loans are first mortgage loans on 1-to-4
     family residences located in Jackson County, Arkansas, which is the Bank's
     primary operating territory. These loans are expected to be repaid from the
     borrower's personal income or proceeds from the sale of the residence. The
     Bank's normal collateral policy is to require an initial loan to collateral
     value ratio of 80% or less.

                                                                     (Continued)
                                       F-10

 
                          NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

                          Notes to Financial Statements




        
    Loans to executive officers and directors are, in the opinion of management,
      made in the ordinary course of business and at substantially the same
      terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the
      time for comparable loans of like qualities and risk of collectibility. 
      The aggregate indebtedness of these individuals to
      the Bank is summarized as follows:     

     
                                                             
          Balance at June 30, 1995                             $  504,327
                                                               ----------
              Additions                                           371,125
              Repayments                                         (212,538)
                                                               ---------- 
          Balance at June 30, 1996                                662,914 
                                                               ---------- 
              Additions                                           193,207 
              Repayments                                         (130,747)
                                                               ---------- 
          Balance at June 30, 1997                             $  725,374    
                                                               ==========
      
 
(4) Allowance for Losses on Loans
    -----------------------------

    The following summarizes the activity in the allowance for losses on loans:
     
                                                              

              Balance at June 30, 1995                              $  63,000
              Provision for losses                                     10,000
                                                                      -------

              Balance at June 30, 1996                                 73,000
              Provision for losses                                     90,000
              Charge-offs                                             (13,205)
                                                                      -------

              Balance at June 30, 1997                              $ 149,795
                                                                      =======
      
(5) Office Properties and Equipment
    -------------------------------

    Office properties and equipment consist of the following at June 30:
 
 
                                                             1997                 1996
                                                             ----                 ----
                                                                          
              Land                                       $   320,866              320,866
              Buildings and improvements                   1,375,257            1,375,040
              Furniture and equipment                        501,694              460,198
                                                           ---------            ---------
                                                           2,197,817            2,156,104
              Less accumulated depreciation                 (546,519)            (489,124)
                                                           ---------            ---------
                                                         $ 1,651,298            1,666,980
                                                           =========            =========

 
     Included in office properties is land and a building with a book value of
approximately $230,000 that is being leased on a month-to-month basis.


                                                                     (Continued)

                                      F-11

 
                          NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

                          Notes to Financial Statements




(6) Accrued Interest Receivable
    ---------------------------

     Accrued interest receivable consists of the following at June 30:
 
 
                                                                                  1997             1996          
                                                                                  ----             ----          
                                                                                                        
              Loans                                                            $  180,934          168,572       
              Mortgage-backed securities                                           33,711           34,786       
              Investment securities                                                11,295           21,585       
              Certificates of deposit                                               1,416            2,052       
                                                                                  -------          -------       
                                                                               $  227,356          226,995       
                                                                                  =======          =======       
 

(7) Deposits
    --------

    Deposits consist of the following at June 30:
 
 
                                                                                     1997                1996
                                                                                     ----                ----
                                                                                               
           Money market                                                         $    325,336             524,861
           NOW accounts (2.40% in 1997 and 1996)                                   1,669,713           1,447,854
           Passbook accounts (3.00% in 1997 and 1996)                              1,892,596           1,360,861
           Other noninterest bearing/checking                                        982,720             349,016
                                                                                  ----------          ----------
                                                                                   4,870,365           3,682,592
           Certificates:
                3.00% to 3.99%                                                      -                     49,647
                4.00% to 4.99%                                                        83,631                   -
                5.00% to 5.99%                                                    26,118,537          16,666,108
                6.00% to 6.99%                                                      -                  9,258,751
                                                                                  ----------          ----------
                                                                                  26,202,168          25,974,506
                                                                                  ----------          ----------
                         Total                                                 $  31,072,533          29,657,098
                                                                                  ==========          ==========

           Weighted average cost of deposits                                        5.19%               5.24%
                                                                                    ====                ====
 
        
    The aggregate amount of certificates of deposit, each with a minimum
      denomination of $100,000, was approximately $3,360,700 and $3,254,400 at
      June 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The amount of an individual deposit
      exceeding $100,000 is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
      Corporation.     

    A summary of certificates by maturity at June 30, 1997 is approximately as
follows:
 
                                                                                     
              Less than one year                                                       $  10,787,000
              One to two years                                                             9,962,000
              Two to three years                                                           1,135,000
              Three to four years                                                          2,684,000
              Four to five years                                                           1,634,000
                                                                                          ----------
                                                                                       $  26,202,000
                                                                                          ==========
 
          
      Interest expense on deposits consists of the following at June 30:     
     
 
                                                                                     1997                1996
                                                                                     ----                ----
                                                                                               
           Money market                                                         $     10,777        $     14,700
           NOW accounts                                                               37,390              32,254
           Passbook accounts                                                          47,738              36,274
           Certificates                                                            1,444,915           1,433,862
                                                                                  ----------          ----------
                                                                                $  1,540,820        $  1,517,090
      

                                                                     (Continued)
                                      F-12

 
                         NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

                         Notes to Financial Statements




     Some of the directors, officers, and employees of the Bank are also
        customers. As such customers, at June 30, 1997 and 1996, the aggregate
        deposits of those individuals were approximately $439,000 and $243,000,
        respectively.

(8)  Federal Home Loan Bank Advances
     -------------------------------

     Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances at June 30, 1997 and 1996 consist of
        a long-term obligation of $118,389 and $133,916, respectively, which has
        a maturity date of August, 2003 and is payable in monthly installments
        of approximately $1,900, including interest at 5.7%. In addition, at
        June 30, 1997 advances include a short-term obligation of $500,000 with
        interest of 5.53% due July 1997. There were no short-term obligations of
        FHLB advances at June 30, 1996. Pursuant to a collateral agreement with
        the FHLB, advances are secured by certain investment securities and
        qualifying first mortgage loans.

(9)  Income Taxes
     ------------

     The components of income tax expense (benefit) are as follows:

     
 

                                                                      1997           1996       
                                                                      ----           ----       
                                                                                       
           Current Federal income tax                            $   (87,342)       1,406       
           Current state income tax                                        -       (1,866)      
           Deferred                                                  (45,649)       6,031       
                                                                    --------        -----       
                      Total                                      $  (132,991)       5,571       
                                                                     =======        =====       
     
         
     The actual tax expense (benefit) for 1997 and 1996 differs from the
        "expected" tax expense (benefit) for those years (computed by applying
        the U.S. Federal corporate tax rate of 34% to income (loss) before
        income taxes) as follows:     

    
 
                                                                       1997         1996     
                                                                       ----         ----     
                                                                                    
           Income tax expense (benefit) "expected" rate          $  (112,800)      26,662    
           Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:                                      
                State income taxes, net of Federal                                           
                   income tax benefit                                (12,587)        (988)   
                Adjustment for graduated rates                           -        (14,900)   
                Other, net                                            (7,604)      (5,203)   
                                                                     -------       ------    
                                                                 $  (132,991)       5,571    
                                                                     =======       ======    

           Effective tax rate                                          40.1%         7.1%
                                                                     =======       ======    
      
                                                                     (Continued)
                                      F-13

 
                         NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

                         Notes to Financial Statements




     Included in other assets are refundable Federal taxes of $115,771 and
        $26,189 at June 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Included in other
        liabilities are net deferred tax liabilities of $4,903 and $50,552 at
        June 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

     The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to significant
        portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities at June 30, 1997 and
        1996 are presented below:

 
 
                                                                          1997             1996
                                                                          ----             ----
                                                                                     
              Deferred tax assets:                                                 
                  Net operating loss carryforwards                    $   16,698              -
                  Contribution carryforwards                              11,502            6,343
                  Allowance for losses on loans                           35,239              806
                  Other                                                      903              903
                                                                          ------           ------
                          Total gross deferred tax assets                 64,342            8,052
                                                                          ------           ------
                                                                                   
              Deferred tax liabilities:                                            
                  Property and equipment, due to                                   
                     differences in depreciation                         (33,109)         (25,180)
                  Prepaid insurance, expensed as                                   
                     incurred for tax purposes                            (8,000)         (11,453)
                  FHLBB stock, primarily due to stock                              
                     dividends not recognized for tax                              
                     Purposes                                            (27,867)         (21,721)
                  Other                                                     (269)            (250)
                                                                          ------         --------
                          Total gross deferred tax liabilities           (69,245)         (58,604)
                          Net deferred tax liability (included                     
                              in other liabilities)                   $   (4,903)         (50,552)
                                                                          ======           ======
 
      
     Based on the Bank's historical ability to generate future taxable income
        exclusive of reversing temporary differences, management believes it is
        more likely than not that the Bank will realize the benefits of the
        deferred tax assets at June 30, 1997 in future periods.      

     At June 30, 1997 the Bank has net operating loss carryforwards for state
        income tax purposes of $256,888, which are available to offset future
        state taxable income, if any, through 2002.
          
     Retained earnings at June 30, 1997 includes approximately $550,000 for 
        which no deferred Federal income tax liability has been recognized. This
        amount represents an allocation of income to bad debt deductions for tax
        purposes only. Reductions of amounts so allocated for purposes other
        than tax bad debt losses may create income for tax purposes only, which
        would be subject to then current corporate income tax rates.      

                                                                     (Continued)
                                     F-14

 
                         NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

                         Notes to Financial Statements




(10)  Commitments and Contingencies
      -----------------------------
          
      The Bank is a participant in a trusteed multi-employer retirement plan.
        The defined-benefit plan has noncontributory and contributory features
        and covers substantially all employees. Because this plan is a multi-
        employer plan, separate actuarial valuations are not available for each
        employer. The retirement plan's actuarial value is such that no
        contributions were required in 1997 or 1996.     

      The Bank, from time to time, is involved in various legal actions arising
        in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management the
        ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse
        effect on the Bank's financial statements.

(11)  Director's Retirement Plan
      --------------------------
       
      Effective May 29, 1997 the Bank adopted a retirement plan for directors.
        Participants in the plan are individuals who serve on the Bank's board
        on or after the effective date. The plan awarded benefits for past
        services rendered by each participant who was a director on the
        effective date. The funding for past services totaled $286,047 and is
        included in other liabilities at June 30, 1997. The Bank will contribute
        additional amounts to the plan each year based on a defined performance
        factor.      

(12)  Regulatory Matters
      ------------------
       
      The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements
        administered by the federal agencies. Failure to meet minimum
        requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional
        discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a
        direct material effect on the Bank's financial statements. Under capital
        adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective
        action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve
        quantitative measures of the Bank's assets, liabilities, and certain 
        off-statement of financial condition items as calculated under
        regulatory accounting practices. The Bank's capital amounts and
        classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the
        regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

      Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy
        require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in
        the table below) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the
        regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier 1 and
        tangible capital (as defined) to adjusted total assets (as defined).
        Management believes, as of June 30, 1997, that the Bank meets all
        capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

      As of June 30, 1997 and 1996, the most recent notification from the Office
        of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") categorized the Bank as well capitalized
        under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be
        categorized as well capitalized, the Bank must maintain minimum total
        capital (to risk weighted assets), Tier I capital (to risk weighted
        assets), Tier I capital (to adjusted total assets) and tangible capital
        (to adjusted total assets) ratios as set forth in the table. There are
        no conditions or events since that notification that management believes
        have changed the Bank's regulatory capital category.

                                                                     (Continued)
                                     F-15

 
                         NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

                         Notes to Financial Statements



      The Bank's actual capital amounts and ratios are presented in the
        following table.

 
 
                                                                                                        Minimum required
                                                                                                           to be well
                                                                             Minimum required           capitalized under
                                                                                for capital             prompt corrective
                                                         Actual              adequacy purposes          action provisions
                                                   -----------------         ------------------         ------------------
                                                   Amount      Ratio         Amount       Ratio         Amount       Ratio
                                                   ------      -----         ------       -----         ------       -----
                                                                                                      
       As of June 30, 1997:
            Total capital (to Risk
               Weighted Assets)                  $ 2,411,064    13.2%       $ 1,463,360     8.0%     $  1,829,200     10.0%
            Tier I Capital (to Risk
               Weighted Assets)                    2,266,269    12.4            731,880     4.0         1,097,820      6.0
            Tier I Capital (to Adjusted
               Total Assets)                       2,266,269     6.6          1,375,143     4.0         1,718,928      5.0
            Tangible Capital (to
               Adjusted Total Assets)              2,266,269     6.6            515,678     1.5           515,678      1.5

       As of June 30, 1996:
            Total capital (to Risk
               Weighted Assets)                    2,523,042    15.7          1,288,400     8.0         1,610,500    10.0
            Tier I Capital (to Risk
               Weighted Assets)                    2,465,042    15.3            644,800     4.0           967,200     6.0
            Tier I Capital (to Adjusted
               Total Assets)                       2,465,042     7.6          1,297,832     4.0         1,622,290     5.0
            Tangible Capital (to
               Adjusted total Assets)              2,465,042     7.6            486,687     1.5           486,687     1.5
 
          
      Tier I and tangible capital differ from total capital at June 30, 1997 and
        1996 due to the non-specific allowance for loan losses.    
      The Bank pays annual assessments to the Savings Association Insurance Fund
        (SAIF). A one time SAIF assessment of $179,129 was recorded in
        September, 1996 and is included as Federal insurance expense in the
        accompanying 1997 statement of operations.

(13)  Financial Instruments
      ---------------------

      SFAS No. 107, "DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS"
        ("SFAS 107"), requires disclosure of fair value information about
        financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the statement of
        financial condition, for which it is practicable to estimate that value.
        The following methods and assumptions were used by the Bank in
        estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

            CASH AND AMOUNTS DUE FROM BANKS - The carrying amount of such
            -------------------------------
            instruments is deemed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value.


                                                                     (Continued)
                                     F-16

 
                         NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

                         Notes to Financial Statements





     CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT WITH OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS - The estimated
     ---------------------------------------------------------
     fair value of such instruments is based on discounted amounts receivable
     using current market rates for certificates with similar maturities.

     INVESTMENT SECURITIES - Fair values for investment securities are based on
     ---------------------
     quoted market prices.

     LOANS RECEIVABLE - Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with
     ----------------
     similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type such as
     real estate, commercial and consumer which are also segmented into fixed
     and adjustable rate interest terms and by performing and nonperforming
     loans.

     The fair value of performing loans is calculated by discounting scheduled
     cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount
     rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loan.
     The estimate of maturity is based on the Bank's historical experience with
     repayments for each loan classification, modified, as required, by an
     estimate of the effect of current economic and lending conditions.

     Fair value for any significant nonperforming secured loans is based on
     recent external appraisals. If appraisals are not available or the loan is
     unsecured, estimated cash flows are discounted using a rate commensurate
     with the risk associated with the estimated cash flows. Assumptions
     regarding credit risk, cash flows, and discount rates are judgmentally
     determined using available market information and specific borrower
     information.

     ACCRUED INTEREST RECEIVABLE - The carrying amounts of accrued interest
     ---------------------------
     approximate their fair values.

     DEPOSITS - The fair values disclosed for demand deposits are, as required
     --------
     by SFAS 107, equal to the amounts payable on demand at the reporting date
     (i.e., their stated amounts). The fair value of certificates of deposit are
     estimated by discounting the amounts payable at the certificate rates using
     the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

     FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES - The estimated fair value of advances from
     -------------------------------
     the FHLB is based on discounting amounts payable at contractual rates using
     current market rates for advances with similar maturities.



                                                                     (Continued)
                                      F-17

 
                         NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

                         Notes to Financial Statements




     The approximate stated and estimated fair value of financial instruments
are summarized below (in thousands of dollars):

 
 

                                                                                     June 30,
                                                            --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       1997                               1996
                                                            ----------------------------       ---------------------------
                                                              Stated          Estimated           Stated         Estimated
                                                              Amount          fair value          amount        fair value
                                                            ----------        ----------       ----------      -----------
                                                                                                    
     Financial assets:
         Cash and amounts due from banks                    $  884,002           884,002        1,167,202       1,167,202
         Certificates of deposit with other
              financial institutions                           691,000           691,000          890,000         890,000
         Investment securities                               5,922,956         5,951,010        6,310,348       6,280,489
         Loans receivable, net                              24,794,194        25,178,798       21,982,108      22,350,256
         Accrued interest receivable                           227,356           227,356          226,995         226,995

     Financial liabilities:
         Deposits:
             Demand accounts                                 4,870,365         4,870,365        3,682,592       3,682,592
             Certificate accounts                           26,202,168        26,272,622       25,974,506      25,956,816
         Federal Home Loan Bank advances                       618,389           613,921          133,916         127,146
 
         
     The Bank had off-statement of financial condition financial commitments at
        June 30, 1997 and 1996, which include approximately $253,000 and
        $11,000, respectively, of commitments to originate and fund loans. Of
        these off-statement of financial condition financial commitments, $4,000
        were fixed rate commitments at June 30, 1997 with a stated interest rate
        of 11.5%. No commitments at June 30, 1996 were fixed rate commitments.
        Since these commitments are based on current market rates, the
        commitment amount is considered to be a reasonable estimate of fair
        market value.    

(14) Pending Acquisition
     -------------------

     In August 1997, the Bank entered into an agreement to purchase
        deposits of approximately $6,000,000 from another institution. The
        transaction is expected to close in January 1998.

(15) Plan of Conversion
     ------------------

     On May 29, 1997, the Bank's Board of Directors formally approved a plan
        ("Plan") to convert from a federally-chartered mutual savings bank to a
        federally-chartered stock savings bank subject to approval by the Bank's
        members as of a still-to-be determined future voting record date. The
        Plan, which includes formation of a holding company, is subject to
        approval by the OTS and includes the filing of a registration statement
        with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As of June 30, 1997, the
        Bank had incurred conversion costs of approximately $14,000 which have
        been deferred. If the conversion is ultimately successful, actual
        conversion costs will be accounted for as a reduction in gross proceeds.
        If the conversion is unsuccessful, the conversion costs will be
        expensed.


                                                                     (Continued)

                                      F-18

 
                         NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

                         Notes to Financial Statements




     The Plan calls for the common stock of the Bank to be purchased by a
        holding company and for the common stock of the holding company to be
        offered to various parties in a subscription offering at a price based
        on an independent appraisal. It is anticipated that any shares not
        purchased in the subscription offering will be offered in a direct
        community offering, and then any remaining shares offered to the general
        public in a solicited offering.

     The stockholders of the holding company will be asked to approve a proposed
        stock option plan and a proposed restricted stock plan at a meeting of
        the stockholders after the conversion. Shares issued to directors and
        employees under these plans may be from authorized but unissued shares
        of common stock or they may be purchased in the open market. In the
        event that options or shares are issued under these plans, such
        issuances will be included in the earnings per share calculation; thus,
        the interests of existing stockholders would be diluted.

     The Bank may not declare or pay a cash dividend if the effect thereof would
        cause its net worth to be reduced below either the amounts required for
        the liquidation account discussed below or the regulatory capital
        requirements imposed by federal regulations.

     At the time of conversion, the Bank will establish a liquidation account,
        which will be a memorandum account that does not appear on the statement
        of financial condition, in an amount equal to its retained earnings as
        reflected in the latest statement of financial condition used in the
        final conversion prospectus. The liquidation account will be maintained
        for the benefit of eligible account holders who continue to maintain
        their deposit accounts in the Bank after conversion. In the event of a
        complete liquidation of the Bank (and only in such an event), eligible
        depositors who continue to maintain accounts shall be entitled to
        receive a distribution from the liquidation account before any
        liquidation may be made with respect to common stock.

                                      F-19

 
No dealer, salesman or other person has been authorized to give any information
or to make any representations not contained in this document In connection with
the offering made hereby, and, ff given or made, such information or
representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by Newport
Federal Savings Bank, the Company, or Trident Securities.  This document does
not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any of
the securities offered hereby to any person in any jurisdiction In which such
offer or solicitation would be unlawful.  Neither the delivery of this document
by Newport Federal Savings Bank, the Company, or Trident Securities nor any sale
made hereunder shall in any circumstances create an implication that there has
been no change in the of Newport Federal Savings Bank or the Company, since any
of the dates as of which information is furnished herein or since the date
hereof.


                        NORTH ARKANSAS BANCSHARES, INC.



                              UP TO 322,000 SHARES
                             (ANTICIPATED MAXIMUM)
                                  COMMON STOCK



                                   PROSPECTUS



                           TRIDENT SECURITIES,  INC.



                             DATED __________, 1997



                 THESE SECURITIES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR ACCOUNTS
                  AND ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED OR GUARANTEED.


UNTIL THE LATER OF _________, 1997, OR 25 DAYS AFTER COMMENCEMENT OF THE
OFFERING OF COMMON STOCK, ALL  DEALERS THAT  BUY, SELL OR TRADE THESE
SECURITIES, WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING IN THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REWARDED
TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS.  THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF DEALERS TO
DELIVER A PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING M UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD
ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.

 
                PART II: INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS



ITEM 13.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
                                                             
         *  Legal Fees and Expenses..........................   $105,000
         *  Printing, Word Processing, Postage and Mailing...     55,000
         *  Appraisal Fees and Expenses......................     17,000
         *  Business Plan Fee and Expenses...................     12,000
         *  Accounting Fees and Expenses.....................     75,000
         *  Blue Sky Filing Fees and Expenses
           (including counsel fees)..........................      8,000
         *  Transfer Agent Fees..............................      4,000
         *  Conversion Agent Fees............................      7,000
         *  Federal Filing Fees (OTS and SEC)................     11,000
         *  Other Expenses...................................      1,000
                                                                --------
          Total..............................................   $295,000
                                                                ========
- ---------------------

*  Estimated
** Does not include $105,000 in estimated underwriting fees and expenses.


ITEM 14.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

     INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF NEWPORT FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

Federal Regulations clearly define areas for indemnity coverage by Newport
Federal Savings Bank (the "Bank"), as follows:

     (a)  Any person against whom any action is brought by reason of the fact
that such person is or was a director or officer of the Bank shall be
indemnified by the Bank for:

          (i)   Reasonable costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney's
          fees, actually paid or incurred by such person in connection with
          proceedings related to the defense or settlement of such action;

          (ii)  Any amount for which such person becomes liable by reason of any
          judgment in such action;

          (iii) Reasonable costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney's
          fees, actually paid or incurred in any action to enforce his rights
          under this section, if the person attains a final judgment in favor of
          such person in such enforcement action.

     (b)  Indemnification provided for in subparagraph (a) shall be made to such
officer or director only if the requirements of this subparagraph are met:

          (i)   The Bank shall make the indemnification provided by subparagraph
          (a) in connection with any such action which results in a final
          judgment on the merits in favor of such officer or director.

          (ii)  The Bank shall make the indemnification provided by subparagraph
          (a) in case of settlement of such action, final judgment against such
          director or officer or final judgment in favor of such director or
          officer other than on the merits except in relation to matters as to
          which he shall be adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct
          in the performance of his duty, only if a majority of the directors of
          the Bank determines that such a director or officer was acting in good
          faith within what he was 

                                      II-1

 
          reasonably entitled to believe under the circumstances was the scope
          of his employment or authority and for a purpose which he was
          reasonably entitled to believe under the circumstances was in the best
          interest of the Bank or their members or stockholders.

     (c)  As used in this paragraph:

          (i)  "Action" means any action, suit or other judicial or
          administrative proceeding, or threatened proceeding, whether civil,
          criminal, or otherwise, including any appeal or other proceeding for
          review;

          (ii)  "Court" includes, without limitation, any court to which or in
          which any appeal or any proceeding for review is brought;

          (iii) "Final Judgment" means a judgment, decree, or order which is
          appealable and as to which the period for appeal has expired and no
          appeal has been taken;

          (iv)  "Settlement" includes the entry of a judgment by consent or by
          confession or upon a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere.

     First Federal has a directors and officers liability policy providing for
insurance against certain liabilities incurred by directors and officers of
First Federal while serving in their capacities as such.

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF NORTH ARKANSAS BANCSHARES, INC.

     The Tennessee Business Corporation Act requires Tennessee corporations such
as the Company to indemnify a director who was wholly successful, on the merits
or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he was a party because
he is or was a directors of the corporation against reasonable expenses incurred
by him, unless the corporation's charter provides otherwise.  The Tennessee
Business Corporation Act also generally permits Tennessee corporations to
indemnify directors and officers in the same manner as Article XIII of the
Company's Charter provides.  In no event, however, may a Tennessee corporation
indemnify a director if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the
director establishes his liability: (i) for any breach of the duty of loyalty to
the corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good
faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; or
(iii) for the approval of unlawful distributions.

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS LIABILITY INSURANCE

     Pursuant to its Charter and Tennessee law, the Company is permitted to
purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of an individual who is or was a
director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company.  The Bank currently
maintains such a policy and it is intended that the Company will become a party
to such policy.


                                  ARTICLE XIII

                                INDEMNIFICATION

     (A)  (1)  Except as provided in Section (B) of this Article XIII, the
Corporation shall indemnify any director who is made a party to any threatened,
pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, or investigative ("proceeding"), because he is or was a director
against liability incurred in such proceeding if:  (a) he conducted himself in
good faith; (b) he reasonably believed, (i) in the case of conduct in his
official capacity with the Corporation, that his conduct was in the
Corporation's best interests and (ii) in all other cases, 

                                      II-2

 
that his conduct was at least not opposed to its best interests; and (c) in the
case of any criminal proceeding, he had no reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful.

          (2) The Corporation shall further indemnify any director and any
officer who is not a director who was wholly successful, on the merits or
otherwise, in the defense of any proceedings to which he was a party because he
is or was a director or officer of the Corporation against reasonable expenses
incurred by him in connection with the proceeding.

     (B)  The Corporation shall not indemnify a director in connection with a
proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation in which the director was
adjudged liable to the Corporation or in connection with any other proceeding
charging improper personal benefit to him, whether or not involving action in
his official capacity, in which he was adjudged liable on the basis that
personal benefit was improperly received by him.

     (C)  The Corporation may pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses
incurred by a director who is a party to a proceeding in advance of final
disposition of the proceeding if: (1) the director furnishes the Corporation a
written affirmation of his good faith belief that he has met the standard of
conduct set forth in Subsection (A)(1) of this Article XIII; (2) he provides the
Corporation a written undertaking, executed personally or on his behalf, to
repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to
indemnification; and (3) a determination is made that the facts then known to
those making the determination would not preclude indemnification under this
Article XIII.

     (D)  The Corporation may not indemnify a director under Subsection (A)(1)
of this Article XIII unless authorized in the specific case after a
determination has been made that indemnification of the director is permissible
in the circumstances because he has met the standard set forth in Subsection
(A)(1) of this Article XIII. The determination shall be made:

          (1) By the board of directors by majority vote of a quorum consisting
     of directors not at the time parties to the proceeding;

          (2) If a quorum cannot be obtained under Subsection (1) of this
     Section (D), by majority vote of a committee duly designated by the board
     of directors (in which designation directors who are parties may
     participate), consisting solely of two or more directors not at the time
     parties to the proceeding;

          (3)  By independent special legal counsel;

               (a) Selected by the board of directors or its committee in the
     manner prescribed in Subsections (1) or (2) of this Section (D);

               (b) If a quorum of the board of directors cannot be obtained
     under Subsection (1) of this Section (D) and a committee cannot be
     designated under Subsection (2) of this Section (D), selected by majority
     vote of the full board of directors (in which selection directors who are
     parties may participate); or

          (4)  By the shareholders, but shares owned by or voted under the
     control of directors who are at the time parties to the proceeding may not
     be voted on the determination.

     (E)  Authorization of indemnification under Subsection (A)(1) of this
Article XIII and evaluation that indemnification is permissible under Subsection
(A)(1) of this Article XIII shall be made in the same manner as the
determination that indemnification is permissible, except that, if the
determination is made by special legal counsel, authorization of indemnification
and evaluation as to reasonableness of expenses shall be made by those entitled
under Subsection (D)(3) of this Article XIII to select counsel.

                                      II-3

 
     (F)  The Corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to an officer,
employee or agent of the Corporation who is not a director to the same extent as
a director hereunder.

     (G)  The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of an
individual who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the
Corporation, or who, while a director, officer, employee, or agent of the
Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director,
officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic
corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise, against liability asserted against or incurred by him in that
capacity or arising from his status as a director, officer, employee or agent,
whether or not the Corporation would have power to indemnify him against the
same liability hereunder.

     (H)  It is the intention of this Article XIII to provide for
indemnification of directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the
Tennessee Business Corporation Act, and this Article XIII shall be interpreted
accordingly. If this Article XIII or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on
any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall
nevertheless indemnify each director, officer, employee, and agent of the
Corporation as to costs, charges, and expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement with respect to any proceeding,
including an action by or in the right of the Corporation, to the full extent
permitted by any applicable portion of this Article XIII that shall not have
been invalidated and to the full extent permitted by applicable law. If the
Tennessee Business Corporation Act is amended or other Tennessee law is enacted
to permit further or additional indemnification of a director, officer, employee
or agent of the Corporation, then the indemnification of such director, officer,
employee or agent shall be to the fullest extent permitted by the Tennessee
Business Corporation Act, as so amended, or by such other Tennessee law.

     (I)  The indemnification and advance payment of expenses provided by this
Article XIII shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which a person may be
entitled by law, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors, or otherwise.

     (J)  The indemnification provided by this Article XIII shall be deemed to
be a contract between the Corporation and the persons entitled to
indemnification thereunder, and any repeal or modification of this Article XVII
shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any
state of facts then or theretofore existing or any action, suit or proceeding
theretofore or thereafter brought based in whole or in part upon any such state
of facts. The indemnification and advance payment provided by this Article XIII
shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer of the
Corporation and shall inure to his heirs, executors and administrators.

ITEM 15.  RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.

     Not applicable.

ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES:

     The exhibits and financial statement schedules filed as a part of this
registration statement are as follows:
    

 
          (a)  LIST OF EXHIBITS
 
          EXHIBIT NO.      DESCRIPTION
          -----------      -----------                   
                     
          1             Agency Agreement with Trident Securities, Inc.

        * 2             Plan of Conversion (Exhibit A to Proxy Statement filed
                        as Exhibit 99.2)

        * 3.1           Charter of North Arkansas Bancshares, Inc.
 
      

                                      II-4

 
     

                     
        * 3.2           Bylaws of North Arkansas Bancshares, Inc.
 
        * 4             Form of Common Stock Certificate of North Arkansas 
                        Bancshares, Inc.

        * 5             Opinion of Housley Kantarian & Bronstein, P.C. regarding
                        legality of securities being registered
 
          8.1           Federal Tax Opinion of Housley Kantarian & Bronstein, 
                        P.C.
 
          8.2           State Tax Opinion of KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP
 
          8.3           Opinion of Ferguson & Company as to the value of 
                        subscription rights for tax purposes
 
       * 10.1           Proposed North Arkansas Bancshares, Inc. 1998 Stock 
                        Option and Incentive Plan

       * 10.2           Proposed North Arkansas Bancshares, Inc. Management
                        Recognition Plan and Trust Agreement
 
       * 10.3           Newport Federal Savings Bank Retirement Plan for 
                        Directors
 
         10.4           Employment Agreement between Newport Federal Savings 
                        Bank and Brad Snider

       * 10.5           Guaranty Agreement between North Arkansas Bancshares,
                        Inc. and Brad Snider

         23.1           Consent of Housley Kantarian & Bronstein, P.C. (in 
                        opinions filed as Exhibits 5 and 8.1)
 
         23.2           Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

         23.3           Consent of Ferguson & Company
 
       * 24             Power of Attorney (reference is made to the signature
                        page of the Form SB-2)
 
       * 27             Financial Data Schedule
 
         99.1           Proposed Stock Order Form and Form of Certification

       * 99.2           Proxy Statement for Special Meeting of
                        Members of Newport Federal Savings Bank; Form
                        of Proxy
 
       * 99.3           Form of Miscellaneous Solicitation and Marketing 
                        Materials
 
       * 99.4           Appraisal Report
     
__________________
    
*    Previously filed.     

          (b)  FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

     No financial statement schedules are filed because the required information
is not applicable or is included in the consolidated financial statements or
related notes.

                                      II-5

 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS

     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

     (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

          (i)  To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
     Securities Act of 1933;

          (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
     the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-
     effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
     represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
     registration statement;

          (iii)  To include any additional or changed material information on
     the plan of distribution.

     (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement of the securities offered, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.

     (3) To file a post-effective amendment or remove from registration any of
the securities that remain unsold at the end of the offering.

  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
1933 (the "Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Act, and is therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the questions whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                      II-6

 
                                   SIGNATURES

     In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form SB-2 and authorized this amended
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, in the
City of Newport, State of Arkansas, on October 29, 1997.
 
                              NORTH ARKANSAS BANCSHARES, INC.


                              By:  /s/ Brad Snider
                                   ---------------
                                 Brad Snider
                                    President and Chief Executive Officer
                                 (Duly Authorized Representative)


     In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates stated.

     Signatures                  Title                    Date
     ----------                  -----                    ----


/s/ Brad Snider                  President, Chief Executive  October 29, 1997
- ------------------------------                                                
Brad Snider                      Officer and Director
                                 (Principal Executive, Accounting
                                 and Financial Officer)


* /s/ Paul K. Holmes             Chairman of the Board
- --------------------                                 
Paul K. Holmes


* /s/ O.E. Guinn, Jr.            Director
- ---------------------            --------
O.E. Guinn, Jr.


* /s/ Kaneaster Hodges, Jr.      Director
- ---------------------------             
Kaneaster Hodges, Jr.


* /s/ John Minor                 Director
- ----------------                 --------
John Minor


*   By: /s/ Brad Snider          October 29, 1997
        ---------------          ----------------
     Brad Snider
     Attorney-in-Fact

                                      II-7