Exhibit 99.1


        Golden West Files a Shelf Registration under the SEC's New Rules
                         for Well-Known Seasoned Issuers


     OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 1, 2005--Golden West Financial
Corporation (NYSE:GDW), parent of World Savings Bank, today announced the filing
with the Securities and Exchange Commission of an immediately effective shelf
registration statement under the new rules for well-known seasoned issuers. The
shelf registration provides flexibility to issue from time to time up to $2
billion of debt securities.
     "The new shelf registration gives the Company more flexibility when
accessing the capital markets," stated Russell W. Kettell, President and Chief
Financial Officer of Golden West. Kettell added: "The SEC's new rules make it
advantageous for well-known seasoned issuers to have a shelf registration on
file to take advantage of market opportunities."
     Golden West currently has an unsecured, senior debt rating of A1 from
Moody's Investors Services and A+ from Standard & Poor's. Any debt securities
issued under the new shelf will be unsecured obligations of Golden West and will
not be guaranteed by any of its affiliates. Golden West may sell securities
directly to investors or appoint dealers to assist in the distribution. This
press release does not constitute an offer of any securities for sale.
     Headquartered in Oakland, California, Golden West is one of the nation's
largest financial institutions with assets over $120 billion as of October 31,
2005. The Company has one of the most extensive thrift branch systems in the
country, with 283 savings branches in 10 states and lending operations in 38
states. Golden West's stock is listed on the New York Stock and Pacific
Exchanges under the ticker symbol GDW. Options on the Company's stock are traded
on the Chicago Board Options Exchange and the Pacific Exchange.
     Golden West investor information is available at www.gdw.com. Information
about the Company's home loans and savings and checking accounts can be found at
www.worldsavings.com and about its proprietary no-load mutual funds and
annuities at www.atlasfunds.com.

     Information in this Press Release may contain various forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Forward-looking statements include projections, statements of the plans
and objectives of management for future operations, statements of future
economic performance, assumptions underlying these statements and other
statements that are not statements of historical facts. Forward-looking
statements are subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks,
uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company's control.
Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or contingencies materialize,
or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary
materially from those anticipated. Among the key risk factors that may have a
direct bearing on Golden West's results of operations and financial condition
are competitive practices in the financial services industries; operational and
systems risks; general economic and capital market conditions, including
fluctuations in interest rates; economic conditions in certain geographic areas;
and the impact of current and future laws, governmental regulations, and
accounting and other rulings and guidelines affecting the financial services
industry in general and the Company's operations in particular. In addition,
actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in any
forward-looking statements.


    CONTACT: Golden West Financial Corporation
             William C. Nunan, 510-446-3614