Exhibit 52

                              [Press Release]


[Great Western Logo]
                                                                  NEWS
                                                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                          June 3, 1997

Contact:   Ian Campbell        818-775-3773
           Charlie Coleman     818-775-3766


           COURT REJECTS AHMANSON'S ATTEMPT TO DELAY VOTE ON
                       WASHINGTON MUTUAL MERGER

       Washington Mutual/Great Western Merger Vote to Be Held On
                         June 13 As Scheduled


         CHATSWORTH, Calif. - Great Western Financial Corporation
(NYSE: GWF) announced today that the Delaware Chancery Court has
denied Ahmanson's motion to delay the vote of Great Western
stockholders on the Washington Mutual merger. The vote on the merger
will take place as scheduled at Great Western's Special Meeting of
Stockholders on June 13, 1997.

         Great Western stated, "We are, of course, very pleased that
the Court rejected Ahmanson's effort to delay the merger vote. We
believe that Ahmanson, in an effort to pursue its own agenda, was
prepared to disadvantage the Great Western stockholders by delaying
their opportunity to vote on the Washington Mutual merger and receive
the benefits of the superior economic value from a Washington
Mutual/Great Western combination. Clearly, Ahmanson has its own
interests in mind and not the best interests of Great Western
stockholders. Now, the Great Western stockholders will have the
opportunity to vote on the superior Washington Mutual/Great Western
merger on June 13."

         With assets of $42.9 billion, Great Western Financial
Corporation is a diversified financial services company operating more
than 1,150 mortgage lending, retail banking, and consumer finance
offices nationwide. Great Western's principal subsidiary, Great
Western Bank, is a mortgage-oriented consumer bank with banking branch
networks in California and Florida.

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