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Westar Financial Services at Investors Conference

19 September 1998

Westar Financial Services at First Securities Northwest Investors Conference

    OLYMPIA, Wash., Sept. 19 -- Westar Financial Services
Incorporated (OTC: WEST), a prime-credit auto lessor, will update investors at
the 1998 Northwest Investors Conference about its recent successes and plans
for the future.  The Conference, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland,
is sponsored by First Securities Northwest, Inc.
    After more than two years of development, Westar is currently originating
leases at an annual rate exceeding $60 million, thereby capturing more than 3%
of the Pacific NW auto lease market.  Westar currently has dealer commitments
with nearly one-half the franchised dealers in the region.  At these
origination levels, and after several years of extensive start-up expenses,
Westar's business has reached profitable performance.
    "Since the January 1998 introduction of several new products geared to the
highest quality lessees, our annualized lease approval rate has surged while
credit quality also improved," said Robert W. Christensen, Jr., President
& CEO.  "These new programs and our proprietary technology have given us the
ability to grow Westar's portfolio aggressively."  Among the company's recent
developments, Christensen notes:

    * Westar completed a $27.5 million securitization of prime auto lease
receivables, its largest ever, in August 1998.  Due to the company's excellent
track record, cost ratios were a fraction of previous packages and the
securitization was both profitable and cash flow positive.
    * Westar funded $8.04 million of new leases in its June 30, 1998 quarter,
an increase of 66% over the year-ago period.  Lease originations continue to
accelerate and are on track for $12 million this quarter.
    * Even with its rapid growth, credit quality continues to trend upward
from its already-strong levels.  Westar is committed to maintaining the
highest quality business standards while achieving optimum risk-reward ratios.
    * Westar is rapidly expanding and diversifying its financial resources.
The company expects to complete another $30 million securitization shortly.
Westar also is structuring an innovative flow funding capability.  Each of
these developments will enable the company to generate positive cash flow on
every asset originated.
    * Westar has added senior management with significant experience and
national reputations in the financial services industry including senior
managers formerly with NationsCredit Corporation and The Industrial Bank of
Japan, Ltd.

    Westar Financial Services Incorporated is a fast-growing, innovative,
Washington-based automobile finance company.  Until now it has focused solely
on the prime-credit segment of the $110-billion auto-lease finance market and
has completed three securitizations of auto lease receivable certificates for
the prime credit market.  WEST is the only publicly-traded automobile lease
finance company focused solely on this huge market.
    Westar's shares are traded over-the-counter by Hoefer & Arnett,
San Francisco; Hill Thompson, Jersey City; and Monroe Securities, Rochester,
NY.
    Statement regarding "Forward Looking Statements":  This announcement
includes statements that include forward-looking statements which are subject
to a number of risks and uncertainties.  These include the ability to
successfully develop and market new products, retain high quality dealers and
lessors, and complete future financings, which might cause actual results to
differ materially from stated expectations.