<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains information extracted from the consolidated financial
statements of NS&L Bancorp for the year ended September 30, 1999 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                       2,317,000
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                       1,664,000
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    183,000
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                      22,878,000
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                        23,112,000
<LOANS>                                     40,233,000
<ALLOWANCE>                                     63,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              69,228,000
<DEPOSITS>                                  51,547,000
<SHORT-TERM>                                 2,354,000
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            814,000
<LONG-TERM>                                  3,856,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           10,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                  10,656,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              10,656,000
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              2,898,000
<INTEREST-INVEST>                            1,175,000
<INTEREST-OTHER>                               287,000
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             4,360,000
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                           2,111,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,341,000
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        2,019,000
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   12,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              1,703,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                755,000
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     508,000
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   508,000
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .73
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    2.41
<LOANS-NON>                                     37,000
<LOANS-PAST>                                   255,000
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                52,000
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   12,000
<RECOVERIES>                                         1
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               63,000
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            63,000
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0


</TABLE>