8-K

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):   April 18, 2005

_________________

Meta Financial Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

_________________

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) 0-22140
(Commission File
Number) 42-1406262
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

Fifth at Erie, Storm Lake, IA 50588
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (712) 732-4117

_________________

        Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

      ¨    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

      ¨    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

      ¨    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d- 2(b))

      ¨    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4 (c))

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Exhibit 99.1

i

Section 8 – Other Events

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On April 19, 2005, the Registrant issued the attached press release announcing the completion, by the plan’s Trustee, of the ESOP stock purchase announced August 24, 2004.

Section 9 – Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01 Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits.

The following Exhibits are being furnished herewith:

99.1    Registrant’s Press Release dated April 19, 2005

SIGNATURE

        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.

By:


META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

/s/ Ronald J. Walters                                       
Ronald J. Walters
Senior Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer
and Chief Financial Officer

Dated: April 19, 2005

Exhibit Index

Exhibit
Number

99.1
                        Description of Exhibit

Registrant's Press Release dated April 19, 2005.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Investor Relations
Telephone: 712.732.4117

META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. REPORTS THE COMPLETION
OF THE STOCK PURCHASE BY ESOP

Storm Lake, Iowa – (April 19, 2005) Meta Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQNM:CASH) today reported that the Trustee of the Company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) had completed the purchase of 40,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. This purchase, which was announced on August 24, 2004, was completed on April 18, 2005 at a total cost of $896,600, or $22.41 per share.

At March 31, 2005, assets of Meta Financial Group totaled $795.8 million. Shareholders’ equity totaled $44.9 million, or $17.98 per common share outstanding. Meta Financial Group is the holding company for MetaBank and MetaBank West Central.

Corporate Profile: Meta Financial Group, Inc. (doing business as Meta Financial Group) is the holding company for MetaBank and MetaBank West Central. MetaBank is a federally-chartered savings bank with four market areas: Northwest Iowa Market, Brookings Market, Central Iowa Market, Sioux Empire Market; and the Meta Payment Systems prepaid debit card division. MetaBank West Central is a state-chartered commercial bank in the West Central Iowa Market. Sixteen offices support customers throughout northwest and central Iowa, and in Brookings and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

This release contains forward-looking statements which reflect management’s expectations regarding future events and speaks only as of the date of this release. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. A list of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or underlying, the Company’s forward-looking statements is detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as its annual and quarterly reports.

(End)