EXHIBIT 41


      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.

          *  On June 13 -- in just 15 days -- you will have the
             opportunity to vote on and approve Great Western's
             strategic merger with Washington Mutual.

          *  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.

          *  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.

          *  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 29, 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.