<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>         9
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE QUARTERLY
REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>      1,000

<S>                           <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                  6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                               OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                 MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                          111,349
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          101,524
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                      0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                      0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           0
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                           15,100
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                             14,539
<LOANS>                                       4,704,045
<ALLOWANCE>                                       4,688
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                7,607,206
<DEPOSITS>                                    3,979,336
<SHORT-TERM>                                          0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              66,428
<LONG-TERM>                                   2,550,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                           0
<COMMON>                                            915
<OTHER-SE>                                      384,834
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                7,607,206
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 161,304
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                72,145
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                  4,405
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                237,854
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               99,909
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              155,327
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            82,527
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       494
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                    0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  29,166
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  59,726
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       59,726
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                     37,179
<EPS-BASIC>                                      0.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      0.43
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                     4.69
<LOANS-NON>                                       5,292
<LOANS-PAST>                                     15,618
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                      0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                       0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                  4,407
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        36
<RECOVERIES>                                          1
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                 4,866
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                              4,866
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                   0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              24


</TABLE>