EXHIBIT 99.1


                   CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

  Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350)

     The undersigned executive officer of First Federal Bancshares of
Arkansas, Inc. (the "Registrant") hereby certifies that the Registrant's Form
10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2002 fully complies with the
requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that
the information contained therein fairly presents, in all material respects,
the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.



                                      /s/Larry J. Brandt
                                      ---------------------------------
                                      Larry J. Brandt
                                      President/Chief Executive Officer

Date: November 14, 2002