8-K

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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                         ------------------------------

                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                         ------------------------------


       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 10, 2004

                           Jefferson Bancshares, Inc.
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)


           Tennessee                                     (45-0508261)
           ---------                                     ------------
(State of incorporation or organization)       (IRS Employer Identification No.)


120 Evans Avenue, Morristown, Tennessee                  37814
- ---------------------------------------                  -----
(Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip Code)


                                 Not Applicable
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)








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Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11 and 12.   Not Applicable.


Item 7.    Financial Statements and Exhibits

     (a) Not applicable.
     (b) Not applicable.
     (c) Exhibits.

Exhibit No.                Description
- -----------                -----------
99.1                       Press Release Dated February 10, 2004


Item 9.    Regulation FD Disclosure.

         On February 10, 2004, Jefferson Bancshares, Inc., the holding company
for Jefferson Federal Bank, announced that it has funded a trust that will
purchase up to 279,500 shares, or 3.3%, of the Company's outstanding common
stock. Shares acquired by the trust will be used to fund restricted stock awards
under the Company's 2004 Stock-Based Incentive Plan. The press release is filed
as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.







                                      -2-


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                                   SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                       JEFFERSON BANCSHARES, INC.


                                       By: /s/ Anderson L. Smith
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Anderson L. Smith
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer

Date:    February 10, 2004

EX-99

Press Release



                           JEFFERSON BANCSHARES, INC.
                       TO FUND PURCHASE OF 279,500 SHARES

         February 10, 2004, Morristown, TN. Jefferson Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq:
JFBI) today announced that the Company has funded a trust that will purchase up
to 279,500 shares, or 3.3%, of the Company's outstanding common stock. The
shares acquired by the trust will be used to fund restricted stock awards under
the Company's 2004 Stock-Based Incentive Plan, which was recently approved by
shareholders. Share purchases will be conducted by the independent trustee of
the trust through open market purchases.

         Jefferson Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for Jefferson Federal
Bank, a federally chartered stock thrift institution headquartered in
Morristown, Tennessee. Jefferson Federal is a community oriented financial
institution offering traditional financial services within its local communities
through its main office and two drive through facilities in Morristown. More
information about Jefferson Bancshares and Jefferson Federal Bank can be found
at its website: www.jeffersonfederal.com.
                ------------------------

Contact:
Anderson L. Smith, 423-586-8421
Jane P. Hutton, 423-586-8421