SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
                   PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A)
                    OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

  Filed by the Registrant {X}

  Filed by a Party other than the Registrant {_}

  Check the appropriate box:
  {_}  Preliminary Proxy Statement 
  {_}  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
       Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
  {_}  Definitive Proxy Statement 
  {X}  Definitive Additional Materials
  { }  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12

                      GREAT WESTERN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                  -----------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

                  -----------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

  Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

  {X}  No fee required.

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       (1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

       (2)  Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

       (3)  Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
            pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which
            the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): ___

       (4)  Proposed maximum aggregate value of transactions: ________________

       (5)  Total fee paid.
  --------
  {_}  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

  {_}  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
       Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
       paid previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration statement
       number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

       (1)  Amount Previously Paid: __________________________________________

       (2)  Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: ____________________

       (3)  Filing Party: ____________________________________________________

       (4)  Date Filed: ______________________________________________________


                            [NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENT]

          Thank you, Florida, for your warm support of Washington
          Mutual and Great Western.

          [Graphic: Excerpts from letters.]

          "The numerous commitments made by the Washington
          Mutual/Great Western Partnership should not only be
          commended, but highly encouraged and emulated by others
          in the industry...We at Miami-Dade Neighborhood Housing
          Services, Inc., proudly support the proposed merger..."
                                                     Gail Williams-
                   Miami-Dade Neighborhood Housing Services, 5/5/97

          "Great Western has been a terrific corporate citizen in
          Dade County and south Florida...it appears that
          Washington Mutual will continue to follow the leadership
          established by Great Western."
                                                 William O. Cullom-
                      The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, 5/5/97

          "I am writing in support of the proposed merger of Great
          Western Bank and Washington Mutual...the Orlando
          Neighborhood Improvement Corporation strongly supports
          the proposed merger of Great Western Bank and Washington
          Mutual."
                                                  Robert E. Ansley-
              Orlando Neighborhood Improvement Corporation, 4/16/97

          "We truly appreciate Great Western/Washington Mutual's
          commitment to diversity as reflected in its current
          minority-owned business program."
                                                     Windell Paige-
          Florida Regional Minority Purchasing Council, Inc.,
          5/2/97

          "We are writing to express our support for the merger of
          Great Western and Washington Mutual."
                                                   Donald E. Bowen-
                      Urban League of Broward County, Inc., 4/16/97

          These are just a few of the many letters we have received
          supporting Washington Mutual and Great Western.

          The community has spoken.

          WASHINGTON MUTUAL/GREAT WESTERN FINANCIAL: BUILDING A
          PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY

          [Washington Mutual logo]             [Great Western logo]

          May 19, 1997