<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated balance sheets and statements of income found on pages 3 and 4 of
the Company's unaudited financial statements for the three months ended 
March 31, 1999.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>   0001071000
<NAME>  Golden State Holdings Inc.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY>   US $
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                  MAR-31-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                         1
<CASH>                                            568,576
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                             25,009
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                        0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                        0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    15,259,918
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          2,835,769
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            2,893,417
<LOANS>                                        32,831,655<F1>
<ALLOWANCE>                                       583,214
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 56,154,321
<DEPOSITS>                                     23,819,931
<SHORT-TERM>                                   14,802,807
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             1,133,537
<LONG-TERM>                                    14,013,631
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                   0
<PREFERRED>                                             0
<COMMON>                                                1
<OTHER-SE>                                      1,790,935
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 56,154,321
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                   601,921
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                 290,916
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                        0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                  892,837
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                221,996
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                584,867
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                             307,970
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       5,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                    298
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                   253,571
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   155,482
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                         73,897
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                         0
<CHANGES>                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                       73,897<F2>
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0.00
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                       7.01
<LOANS-NON>                                       219,050
<LOANS-PAST>                                            0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   31,196
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                    92,323
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                  588,533
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      10,304
<RECOVERIES>                                          655
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                 583,214
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                               16,943
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                     0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                           566,271
        

<FN>
<F1> Tag 17 - Loans includes Loans held for sale of $2,111,735 and Allowance
              for loan losses of $583,214
<F2> Tag 43 - Net income available to common stockholders:  $73,897
</FN>


</TABLE>