EXHIBIT 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 25, 1998

Contacts:
at GLB Bancorp, Inc. at Maple Leaf Financial, Inc.
(440) 974-0000 (440) 564-9441
Mr. Richard T. Flenner, Jr. Ms. Betty L. Kimbrew
President and Chief Executive Officer President

GLB BANCORP, INC. AND MAPLE LEAF FINANCIAL, INC.
AGREE TO MERGE

Mentor, Ohio, November 25, 1998 -- Richard T. Flenner, Jr., President
and Chief Executive Officer of GLB Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq/SmallCap: GLBK) and
Betty L. Kimbrew, President of Maple Leaf Financial, Inc., today announced the
signing of a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Maple Leaf Financial,
Inc. in a merger for cash and stock. Approved by the board of directors of each
company, the merger agreement provides that GLB Bancorp, Inc. will pay
approximately $18 million in cash and issue 375,000 shares to shareholders of
Maple Leaf Financial, Inc. and holders of warrants to acquire Maple Leaf
Financial, Inc. common stock.

GLB Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for Great Lakes Bank, a
commercial bank with seven offices in Lake County, Ohio, including its main
office in Mentor, and two more offices in Lake County to be opened in 1999.
Maple Leaf Financial, Inc. is the holding company for Geauga Savings Bank, an
Ohio-chartered savings bank with two offices, both in Geauga County, Ohio. The
merger will result in an institution with combined assets of $203 million and a
network of full-service banking locations in Lake and Geauga Counties, Ohio.

GLB Bancorp, Inc. and Great Lakes Bank have grown from total assets of
$19 million in 1994 to total assets of approximately $92 million as of September
30, 1998. GLB Bancorp, Inc. went public in May 1998, raising approximately $18
million to finance its strategy of internal growth and growth through
acquisitions. Maple Leaf Financial, Inc., parent company of Geauga Savings Bank,
had approximately $112 million in assets as of September 30, 1998.

Richard T. Flenner, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of GLB
Bancorp, Inc. and Great Lakes Bank, stated, "The acquisition of Maple Leaf
Financial, Inc. and its subsidiary Geauga Savings Bank is a natural extension of
our geographical area and fits well into our expansion plans. The merger will
for the first time extend Great Lakes Bank's reach and market share beyond Lake
County and into Geauga County, one of the fastest growing counties in the state.
We are enthusiastic about the prospects for this transaction, and we couldn't be
more pleased to have Geauga Savings Bank join our family. Betty Kimbrew and her
board have done an excellent job in growing their bank to its present level."

Jerome T. Osborne, Chairman of the Board of GLB Bancorp, Inc., stated,
"This transaction joins two institutions with distinguished records of service
to their markets. Taking advantage of the highly complementary resources and
expertise of Great Lakes Bank and Geauga Savings Bank, the merger will promote
the best interests of the customers and shareholders of the combined
institution." Great Lakes Bank's main office on Center Street in Mentor will
continue to be the main office of the combined organization following the
merger.

Betty L. Kimbrew, President of Maple Leaf Financial, Inc. and Geauga
Savings Bank, said, "The combination will provide Geauga Savings Bank customers
with additional services delivered in a community bank environment, which places
the highest value on maintaining close relationships with customers. The
strength of the resulting institution will allow both institutions to better
compete in an ever changing financial services environment. Providing superior
customer service through outstanding employees will be the foundation of our
future success as a combined company. Our future prospects as a combined company
far exceed what we could accomplish alone." Ms. Kimbrew will be Senior Vice
President of Corporate Development and serve as a director of GLB Bancorp, Inc.
and Great Lakes Bank.

Subject to regulatory approval and approval of shareholders of Maple
Leaf Financial, Inc., closing of the merger is anticipated to occur in the
second quarter of 1999. The merger will be accounted for under the purchase
method of accounting. Following the merger, GLB Bancorp, Inc. expects to
continue to have capital levels in excess of regulatory minimums.

****

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including
estimates of future operating results and other forward-looking financial
information for GLB Bancorp, Inc. and Maple Leaf Financial, Inc. These estimates
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. As such, the estimates involve
significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially due to
such factors as: (1) expected cost savings from the merger not materializing
within the expected time frame; (2) revenues following the merger not meeting
expectations; (3) competitive pressures among financial institutions increasing
significantly; (4) costs or difficulties related to the integration of the
businesses of GLB Bancorp, Inc. and Maple Leaf Financial, Inc. being greater
than expected; (5) general economic conditions being less favorable than
anticipated; and (6) legislation or regulatory changes adversely affecting the
business in which the combined company will be engaged.

# # #

EXHIBIT 1
TRANSACTION SUMMARY

- - - Merger of Maple Leaf Financial, Inc. into GLB Bancorp, Inc.

- - - assuming a price of $13.50 for GLB Bancorp, Inc. stock*:
- $734.90 in cash and 15.31 shares of GLB Bancorp, Inc.
stock for each Maple Leaf Financial, Inc. Class A and
Class B share;
- $982.00 in cash and 20.46 shares of GLB Bancorp, Inc.
stock for each 1991 Warrant to acquire two shares of
Maple Leaf Financial, Inc. stock (exercisable at
$312.50 per share);
- and $825.90 in cash and 17.21 shares of GLB Bancorp,
Inc. stock for each 1996 Warrant to acquire two
shares of Maple Leaf Financial, Inc. stock
(exercisable at $412.50 per share)

- - - Purchase method of accounting

- - - Total transaction value: $18 million cash and 375,000 shares of GLB
Bancorp, Inc. common stock

- - - Approvals: Maple Leaf Financial, Inc. shareholders and regulatory
authorities

- - - Expected closing: Second Quarter 1999

______________________
* The merger consideration payable for each share of Class A and Class B common
stock of Maple Leaf Financial, Inc., and each warrant to acquire shares of Maple
Leaf Financial, Inc. common stock is subject to adjustment based upon the price
of GLB Bancorp, Inc. stock prior to closing and certain other items.

EXHIBIT 2
FACT SHEET

Quarter Ended September 30, 1998
(Unaudited)
GLB BANCORP, MAPLE LEAF
------------ ----------
INC. FINANCIAL, INC.
---- ---------------
(In thousands, except per share
data)
FINANCIAL CONDITION:

Total Assets..................................... $92,305 $111,512
Cash and Cash Equivalents........................ 27,836 7,112
Investment Securities............................ 4,077 17,062
Loans Receivable - net........................... 56,199 84,084
Deposits......................................... 58,817 55,137
FHLB Advances.................................... 7,500 42,948
Shareholders' Equity............................. 25,256 8,725
OPERATIONS:
Interest Income.................................. $ 4,243 $ 6,723
Interest Expense................................. 1,780 4,029
----- -----
Net Interest Income..................... 2,463 2,694
Provision for loan losses........................ 90 42
------ ------
Net Interest Income After
Provision............................... 2,373 2,652
Non-Interest Income.............................. 492 103

Non-Interest Expense............................. 2,120 1,471
Income Before Federal ----- -----
Income Taxes............................ 745 1,284

Federal Income Tax Expense....................... 288 444
----- -----
Net Income.............................. $ 457 $ 840
SELECTED RATIOS: ===== =====
Return on Average Assets......................... 0.75% 1.09%
Return on Average Equity......................... 3.95% 14.66%
Earnings per share basic......................... $0.34 $57.98
Earnings per share fully
diluted.......................................... $0.34 $26.69
Book Value per share............................. $11.84 $605.03
Book Value per share fully
diluted.......................................... $11.84 $484.97
Weighted Average shares
outstanding...................................... 2,133,906 14,487

EXHIBIT 3
INTEGRATION OBJECTIVES

ENHANCE THE MARKET POSITION OF THE COMBINED COMPANY

Expand Great Lakes Bank's and Geauga Savings Bank's deposit share in
Geauga County

Further expand Great Lakes Bank's and Geauga Savings Bank's loan
programs

Bring a full-service community bank to Geauga County

ACHIEVE OPERATING ECONOMIES

Integrate back office operations in an orderly manner for maximum
efficiency and effectiveness

Integrate branch system for maximum cost savings and customer
retention/service

CONTINUE THE EXCELLENT CREDIT QUALITY STANDARDS AND EXPERIENCE OF BOTH COMPANIES