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Westar Financial Reports First Quarter Lease Volumes Increase 66%

7 August 1998

Westar Financial Reports First Quarter Lease Volumes Increase 66%

    OLYMPIA, Wash., Aug. 6 -- Westar Financial Services
Incorporated (OTC: WEST), a prime-credit auto lessor, reported it funded
$8.04 million of new leases for its first fiscal quarter of 1999 ended
June 30, 1998, an increase of 66% over the $4.8 million leases funded in first
fiscal quarter of 1998.
    "This year, our momentum has accelerated with improvement in dealer
penetration, higher credit quality and better margins in each successive
month.  The introduction of new leasing products has contributed nicely to
improved productivity and profitability," said Robert W. Christensen, Jr.,
Chairman & CEO.
    Westar Financial Services Incorporated is a fast-growing, Washington-based
automobile finance company focused solely on the prime-credit segment of the
$110-billion auto-lease finance market.  Strategic partners include The
Industrial Bank of Japan, Bank One and MBIA Insurance Corporation.  Full-scale
activities through Westar's innovative Dealer-Direct Retail Leasing(TM) (DDRL)
program began in October 1995 to selected, high-quality automobile dealers in
the Pacific Northwest.  WEST shares are traded over-the-counter by
Hoefer & Arnett, San Francisco; Hill Thompson, Jersey City; and Monroe
Securities, Rochester, NY.