<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
CoreStates Financial Corp. consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 1996,
and the related consolidated statement of income, changes in shareholders'
equity, and other financial data included within management's discussion and
analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the year ended
December 31, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such 
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                       3,462,287
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                       2,443,154
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               509,694
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               122,317
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  2,394,166
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       1,689,058
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         1,692,243
<LOANS>                                     32,777,032
<ALLOWANCE>                                    710,327
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              45,494,194
<DEPOSITS>                                  33,727,156
<SHORT-TERM>                                 2,633,157
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                          1,661,162
<LONG-TERM>                                  3,049,297
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       223,599
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,472,095
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              45,494,194
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              2,871,233
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              277,766
<INTEREST-OTHER>                               149,205
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             3,298,204
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             841,780
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,156,720
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        2,141,484
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  228,767
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                              59,512
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              1,776,828
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,034,964
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     649,144
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   649,144
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.97
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.97
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    5.53
<LOANS-NON>                                    220,770
<LOANS-PAST>                                   113,268
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                    18
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               670,265
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  281,690
<RECOVERIES>                                    92,985
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              710,327
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           675,327
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                             35,000
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>