EXHIBIT 99.3

                  CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
                       PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

In connection with the accompanying Form 10-K of Golden West Financial
Corporation for the annual period ended December 31, 2002, I, Russell W.
Kettell, President and Chief Financial Officer of Golden West Financial
Corporation, hereby certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant
to ss. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1)   such Form 10-K of Golden West Financial Corporation for the annual
     period ended December 31, 2002 fully complies with the requirements of
     section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2)   the information contained in such Form 10-K of Golden West Financial
     Corporation for the annual period ended December 31, 2002 fairly presents,
     in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
     of Golden West Financial Corporation.





March 26, 2003                             /s/ Russell W. Kettell
-------------------------------------      -------------------------------------
Date                                       Russell W. Kettell
                                           President and Chief Financial Officer
                                           Golden West Financial Corporation