Ahmanson Starts PushFor Great Western Seats

H.F. Ahmanson & Co. announced Thursday that it has commenced a proxy solicitation of Great Western Financial Corp. stockholders to elect three directors to the Great Western board.

The move is designed to pressure the Great Western board into negotiating with Ahmanson, which made a hostile bid for the thrift in February.

Ahmanson's nominees are Wolfgang Shoellkopf, 64, the retired vice chairman of First Fidelity Bancorp; Lawrence A. Del Santo, 63, the retired chairman of Vons Cos.; and Robert T. Gelber, 61, a former partner in Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.

Four directors are up for election to the 11-member Great Western board at the thrift's annual meeting June 13.

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