EXHIBIT 32
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      CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
            PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


John R. Valaas, Chief Executive Officer, and Roger A. Mandery, Chief Financial
Officer, of First Mutual Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company"), each certifies,
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002:

1.   the Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarterly period ended September 30,
     2004 (the "Form 10-Q"), fully complies with requirements of Section 13(a)
     or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d));
     and

2.   the information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material
     respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: November 12, 2004

                                        By /s/ John R. Valaas
                                           ----------------------------
                                           John R. Valaas
                                           President and
                                           Chief Executive Officer


                                        By /s/ Roger A. Mandery
                                           ----------------------------
                                           Roger A. Mandery
                                           Executive Vice President and
                                           Chief Financial Officer