Westcorp Announces Cash Dividend

    IRVINE, Calif.--Oct. 31, 2001--Westcorp , the diversified financial services company whose principal subsidiaries are WFS Financial Inc and Western Financial Bank, declared on Oct. 31, 2001, a cash dividend of $0.11 per share for shareholders of record as of Nov. 7, 2001 with a payable date of Nov. 27, 2001. Information about Westcorp can be found at its Web site, www.westcorpinc.com.
    Westcorp, through its subsidiary, WFS, is one of the nation's largest independent automobile finance companies. WFS specializes in originating, securitizing, and servicing new and pre-owned prime and non-prime credit quality automobile contracts through its nationwide relationships with automobile dealers. Information about WFS can be found at its Web site at http://www.wfsfinancial.com.
    Westcorp, through its subsidiary, Western Financial Bank, operates 25 retail bank branches throughout California and provides commercial banking services in Southern California. Information on the products and services offered by the Bank can be found at its Web site at http://www.wfb.com.