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 March 31, 2003
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: May 9, 2003