Exhibit 36

[Newspaper Advertisement]

To All Great Western Stockholders:


                               AFTER 100 DAYS
                            THE END IS IN SIGHT


In mid-February, H. F. Ahmanson & Company made an unsolicited proposal to
acquire Great Western Financial Corporation. Your Board responded by
finding a superior merger with Washington Mutual, Inc. Now, 100 days later,
the end is in sight. With your vote and the receipt of regulatory
approvals, which are expected shortly, you can be in a position to RECEIVE
YOUR WASHINGTON MUTUAL SHARES BY EARLY JULY.

        o  On June 13 -- in just 16 days -- you will have the opportunity
           to vote on and approve Great Western's strategic merger with
           Washington Mutual.

        o  Both companies continue to move forward toward consummating
           the merger. Our joint proxy statement/prospectus has been sent
           to stockholders -- and GREAT WESTERN AND WASHINGTON MUTUAL ARE
           ON A FAST TRACK TOWARD DELIVERING TO STOCKHOLDERS THE BENEFITS
           OF THE MERGER.

        o  On May 20, the Office of Thrift Supervision declared that
           Washington Mutual's application to acquire Great Western was
           informationally complete. THIS IS YET ANOTHER IMPORTANT STEP
           TOWARD REGULATORY APPROVAL, WHICH WE EXPECT BY LATE JUNE OR
           EARLY JULY.

        o  After the merger closes, it is anticipated that Washington
           Mutual would integrate the two companies quickly and begin to
           achieve the expected cost savings, operating efficiencies and
           revenue enhancements. WASHINGTON MUTUAL HAS A LONG TRACK RECORD
           OF SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATING BOTH IN-MARKET AND OUT-OF-MARKET
           ACQUISITIONS OF BANKS AND THRIFTS OF VARYING SIZES.


Remember, Ahmanson has gone to Court in an effort to prevent you from
voting on the merger on June 13. IF AHMANSON HAD ITS WAY, THE MERGER VOTE
WOULD BE DELAYED UNTIL LATE SUMMER -- POSSIBLY UNTIL AFTER LABOR DAY -- and
your opportunity to receive your Washington Mutual shares in the merger
could be delayed for MONTHS!




                          PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT.
                 VOTE THE GREEN AND GOLD PROXY CARDS TODAY!

                     GREAT WESTERN/WASHINGTON MUTUAL--
        SUPERIOR MERGER . . . SUPERIOR PARTNER . . . SUPERIOR VALUE

                            [Great Western logo]

May 28, 1997

                                 IMPORTANT

 If you have any questions, please call our solicitor, GEORGESON & COMPANY INC.
    Call toll free: 800-223-2064. Banks and brokers call: 212-449-9800.