Exhibit 99.1


[First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. Logo]
                                                                           FOR
                                                                     IMMEDIATE
                                                                       RELEASE


1401 Highway 62-65 North                      FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
P. O. Box 550                                    Larry J. Brandt/President-CEO
Harrison, AR  72601                                   Tommy Richardson/EVP-COO
                                                       Sherri Billings/EVP-CFO
                                                                  870-741-7641



              FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC.
                 ANNOUNCES A QUARTERLY CASH DIVIDEND

Harrison, Arkansas - May 26, 2005 - (NASDAQ NMS:FFBH) First Federal Bancshares
of Arkansas, Inc. (the "Corporation"), a unitary savings and loan holding
company for First Federal Bank of Arkansas, FA (the "Bank") announced today
that its Board of Directors declared a $.12 (twelve cents) cash dividend on
the common stock of the Corporation payable on June 22, 2005 to the
stockholders of record at the close of business on June 8, 2005.

Larry J. Brandt, President/CEO of the Corporation, stated, "This will be our
34th consecutive cash dividend.  Our strong capital base and continued
profitability afford us the opportunity to pay another consecutive quarterly
cash dividend.  Such action demonstrates our commitment to and confidence in
our future prospects."

The Bank, in its 71st year, conducts business from 15 full-service branch
locations and 24 ATMS located in Northcentral and Northwest Arkansas.  At
March 31, 2005, the Corporation had total assets of $782.0 million, total
liabilities of $706.5 million and stockholders' equity of $75.6 million.

























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