EXHIBIT 99

                                 April 16, 2004

FMR Corp
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109

Attention. Mr. Ed Corrao

Re:   Southwest Bancorp, Inc. 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
      Vote with respect to amendment of the 1999 Stock Option Plan

To Whom It May Concern:

         I am writing this in response to the discussions between Mr. Corrao and
James I. Lundy, III of the firm of Kennedy, Baris & Lundy, special counsel to
Southwest Bancorp, Inc., and Kerby E. Crowell, Southwest's Executive Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary regarding FMR Corp's guidelines
for voting in favor of company stock-based plans and amendments thereto.

         Please be advised that I will propose to the Compensation Committee of
the Board of Directors and to the full Board at their next meetings that the
following amendments be made to the 1999 Stock Option Plan:

1. That the Stock Option Committee will consist entirely of independent
directors as defined in the Listing Standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.
(or exchange upon which Southwest's Common Stock is traded in the future);

2. That no awards under the Plan will be repriced or exchanged for awards with
lower exercise prices without the approval of shareholders;

3. That the minimum vesting period for restricted stock will be three years if
the vesting is based solely on the passage of time and continued employment, and
that vesting may occur ratably over such period;

4. That the minimum measurement date for vesting of restricted stock based upon
performance criteria will be one year; and

5. That neither Stock Option Committee nor the Board will have the authority,
without shareholder approval, to accelerate the vesting period of restricted
stock other than in the event of a change in control of Southwest or death,
disability, retirement, or termination of employment of the participant.

         I understand that this will satisfy your criteria, and that you will
vote in favor of the proposal to increase the number of shares authorized for
issuance under the plan based upon the above.

         If you have any additional concerns, please contact Mr. Lundy on
301-229-3400, facsimile 301-229-2443, e-mail JLundy@KBLBankLaw.com.

                                           Sincerely.

                                           Rick Green
                                           ---------------------
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer


cc:   Mr. Rodgers, Chairman of the Board
      Mr. Teubner, Chairman of the Compensation Committee
      Mr. Crowell
      Mr. Lundy