<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Gateway
Bancorp Inc's balance sheet as of March 31, 1997 and the related statement of
income for the three months the ended and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         347,386
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                       2,872,350
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                          0
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                      41,881,070
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                        41,386,850
<LOANS>                                     20,090,019
<ALLOWANCE>                                     80,758
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              65,794,931
<DEPOSITS>                                  48,358,410
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            270,965
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        10,758
<OTHER-SE>                                  17,154,803
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              65,794,931
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                364,119
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              713,260
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                37,268
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             1,114,647
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             583,904
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             589,633
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          525,014
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                        0
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                239,455
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                289,928
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     289,928
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   193,259
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .19
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    2.03
<LOANS-NON>                                    393,527
<LOANS-PAST>                                   117,969
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                80,758
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        0
<RECOVERIES>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               80,758
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            80,758
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>