<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, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000928358
<NAME> FIRST NATIONWIDE HOLDINGS INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US $
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         379,831
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                             128
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  6,683,370
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       1,309,063
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         1,309,063
<LOANS>                                     20,865,633<F1>
<ALLOWANCE>                                    419,130
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              32,187,985
<DEPOSITS>                                  16,403,429
<SHORT-TERM>                                 8,950,149
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            699,027
<LONG-TERM>                                  4,272,736
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     875,833
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              32,187,985
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                412,056
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              121,366
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               533,422
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             178,175
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             368,463
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          164,959
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   10,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 170
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                144,752
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 99,985
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      99,985
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    61,801<F2>
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    7.47
<LOANS-NON>                                    179,947
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                43,398
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 54,817
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               418,674
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   11,399
<RECOVERIES>                                     1,855
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              419,130
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             6,317
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                        412,813
<FN>
<F1>Tag 17 - Loans includes Loans held for sale of $1,887,856 and Allowance for
loan losses of $419,130
<F2>Tag 43 - Net income available to common stockholders: $61,223
</FN>
        


</TABLE>