Exhibit 99.1

   Media Contact: Kekst & Co.             STILWELL
      Robert Siegfried (212-521-4832)     FINANCIAL INC.
      Michael Herley (212-521-4897)
                                                    920 Main Street, 21st Floor
                                                   Kansas City, Missouri  64105

Investors Contact:                                             NYSE Symbol:  SV
  Landon H. Rowland (816-218-2416)
    Chairman, President and CEO

  Douglas E. Pittman (816-218-2415)     Release No. 2000-09    December 7, 2000
    Manager of Investor Relations


                                 {NEWS RELEASE}

                        STILWELL FINANCIAL INC. ANNOUNCES

            COMPLETION OF $600 MILLION IN BANK CREDIT FACILITIES AND

                              QUARTERLY DIVIDEND


Kansas City, Missouri

Stilwell Financial Inc. ("Stilwell"; NYSE: SV) today announced the completion of
a $300 million 364-Day  Competitive  Advance and Revolving Credit Facility and a
$300 million Five-Year  Competitive  Advance and Revolving Credit Facility.  The
proceeds  of any  borrowings  under the  facilities  are to be used for  working
capital and general  corporate  purposes,  including  repurchases of outstanding
shares of common stock.

Landon H. Rowland, Chairman,  President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "With
this new credit facility now in place,  Stilwell and its  subsidiaries  have the
financial  flexibility to support the growth and to strengthen the operations of
their  businesses,   as  well  as  to  provide  the  ability  to  capitalize  on
opportunities as they arise."

In a separate matter, the Stilwell Board of Directors declared a $0.01 per share
quarterly dividend on Stilwell's  outstanding common stock. The dividend will be
payable on January 31, 2001 to  stockholders  of record at the close of business
on January 15, 2001.

The primary  entities  comprising  Stilwell are Janus  Capital  Corporation,  an
approximately 82.5% owned subsidiary; Berger LLC, of which Stilwell owns 100% of
the preferred  limited  liability company interests and approximately 88% of the
regular limited liability company  interests;  Nelson Money Managers Plc, an 80%
owned subsidiary;  and DST Systems, Inc., an equity investment in which Stilwell
holds an approximately 33% interest.

                              * * * * * * * * * *

This press  release  includes  statements  concerning  potential  future  events
involving  the  Company,  which  could  materially  differ  from the events that
actually occur. The differences could be caused by a number of factors including
those factors identified in Stilwell's  Registration  Statement on Form 10 dated
June 15,  2000 and  filed  by the  Company  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission  (Commission  file no.  001-15253).  The Company  will not update any
forward-looking  statements  in this press  release to reflect  future events or
developments.

                                                           ............. THE END