<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONDITION AND THE CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         534,192
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                             100
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               300,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  7,449,125
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       1,618,709
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         1,622,573
<LOANS>                                     31,136,891
<ALLOWANCE>                                    313,699
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              42,874,572
<DEPOSITS>                                  28,586,773
<SHORT-TERM>                                 7,310,905
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                          1,090,786
<LONG-TERM>                                  3,290,908
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    165,000
<COMMON>                                       137,876
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,292,324
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              42,874,572
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              2,510,745
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              704,784
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                47,507
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             3,263,036
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                           1,179,479
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,855,914
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        1,407,122
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  208,971
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                              28,937
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              1,314,249
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                186,622
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     115,822
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   115,822
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.69
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.25
<LOANS-NON>                                    352,002
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                74,196
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               362,849
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  276,318
<RECOVERIES>                                    18,197
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              313,699
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           313,699
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>