SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

          Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
                      Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.)

                          Filed by the Registrant /X/
                 Filed by a party other than the Registrant / /

                           Check the appropriate box:
                        / / Preliminary Proxy Statement
     / / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
                                  14a-6(e)(2))
                         /X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
                      / / Definitive Additional Materials
             / / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12

                             DOWNEY FINANCIAL CORP.

                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

               PAYMENT OF FILING FEE (CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX):

                              /X/ No fee required.

             / / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules  14a-6(i)(1)
                 and 0-11.

(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to
Exchange  Act Rule  0-11  (set  forth the  amount  on which  the  filing  fee is
calculated and state how it was determined):

(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

(5) Total fee paid:

/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange  Act Rule
0-11(a)(2)  and  identify  the  filing  for  which the  offsetting  fee was paid
previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration  statement  number, or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

(1) Amount Previously Paid:

(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

(3) Filing Party:

(4) Date Filed:



                             DOWNEY FINANCIAL CORP.
                               3501 JAMBOREE ROAD
                            NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660
                                 (949) 854-0300

                                                                  March 18, 2002

                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                            WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2002
                                   10:00 A.M.

                             IRVINE MARRIOTT HOTEL
                            18000 VON KARMAN AVENUE
                               IRVINE, CALIFORNIA

Dear Friend and Shareholder:

     The Board of Directors and officers of Downey  Financial  Corp.  ("Downey")
are  pleased to extend to you a cordial  invitation  to attend  Downey's  Annual
Meeting of Shareholders at the time and place shown above to:

     1.   Elect three Class 1 Directors for terms of three years each;

     2.   Ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as auditors for the year 2002; and

     3.   Transact  such other  business as may properly  come before the Annual
          Meeting and any adjournments thereof.

     The Board of Directors  has  selected  March 1, 2002 as the record date for
the Annual Meeting.  Only those  shareholders of record at the close of business
on that date will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual  Meeting or
any adjournments  thereof.  Information about the matters on which  shareholders
will act is included in the attached  Proxy  Statement.  Downey's  directors and
executive officers will be available at the meeting to meet with shareholders.

     Your vote is important  regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether
or not you expect to attend the meeting,  we ask that you PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN
THE ENCLOSED  PROXY CARD IN THE  POSTAGE-PAID  ENVELOPE  PROVIDED.  Thank you in
advance for your cooperation.

     We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

                                Sincerely yours,


     /s/ MAURICE L. McALISTER                    /s/ CHERYL E. OLSON
       MAURICE L. McALISTER                         CHERYL E. OLSON
       Chairman of the Board                   Vice Chairman of the Board

                             /S/ DANIEL D. ROSENTHAL
                               DANIEL D. ROSENTHAL
                      President and Chief Executive Officer



TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           PAGE
                                                                          ------
Proxy Statement ..........................................................     1
Record Date and Voting of Shares .........................................     1
Voting and Revocation of Proxies .........................................     1
Solicitation of Proxies ..................................................     1
Proposal 1.  Election of Directors .......................................     2
  o Information Concerning Nominees and Directors ........................     2
  o Nominees for Election at this Meeting, as Class 1 Directors,
     to Terms Expiring in 2005 ...........................................     3
  o Directors Whose Present Terms Continue until 2003 ....................     3
  o Directors Whose Present Terms Continue until 2004 ....................     4
Board Committees and Meeting Attendance ..................................   5-6
Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers ...................     7
Executive Officers .......................................................  8-10
Audit Committee Report ...................................................    11
  o Audit Philosophy .....................................................    11
  o Fees .................................................................    12
Proposal 2.  Ratify the Appointment of Auditors ..........................    12
Compensation Committee Report ............................................    13
  o Compensation Philosophy ..............................................    13
  o 2001 Compensation Programs ........................................... 13-15
Compensation .............................................................    16
  o Executive Compensation ...............................................    16
  o Option Exercises and Holdings ........................................    17
  o Director Compensation ................................................ 17-18
Performance Graph ........................................................    19
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions ...........................    20
  o Transactions with Management and Certain Business Relationships ......    20
  o Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation ..........    20
  o Indebtedness of Management ...........................................    20
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners ..........................    21
  o Principal Shareholders ...............................................    21
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance ..................    22
Proposals of Shareholders ................................................    22
Annual Report to Shareholders ............................................    22
Other Business ...........................................................    22
  o Presented by Management ..............................................    22
  o Presented by Shareholders ............................................    22

                                       i


                             DOWNEY FINANCIAL CORP.
                               3501 JAMBOREE ROAD
                         NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92660

                                PROXY STATEMENT

     This proxy statement  ("Proxy  Statement") and the accompanying  proxy card
are furnished in  connection  with the  solicitation  of proxies by the Board of
Directors (the "Board") for use at the Annual Meeting of  Shareholders of Downey
Financial Corp., a Delaware  corporation  ("Downey"),  to be held at 10:00 a.m.,
local time, on Wednesday,  April 24, 2002, at the Irvine Marriott  Hotel,  18000
Von Karman Avenue,  Irvine,  California 92612, and any adjournments thereof (the
"Annual Meeting").  Certain of the information  provided in this Proxy Statement
relates to Downey Savings and Loan Association,  F.A. and any predecessor entity
(the "Bank"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Downey.  This Proxy Statement and the
accompanying  form of proxy are being mailed to  shareholders  on or about March
18, 2002. The mailing address of the principal office of Downey is 3501 Jamboree
Road,  Newport  Beach,  California  92660.  Downey's  telephone  number is (949)
854-0300.

                        RECORD DATE AND VOTING OF SHARES

     On March 1, 2002, the record date for determining the shareholders entitled
to notice of and to vote at the Annual  Meeting,  28,213,048  shares of Downey's
common  stock  ("Common  Stock")  were  outstanding.  A  majority  of the shares
entitled  to vote will  constitute  a quorum at the  Annual  Meeting.  The three
nominees for director  receiving the highest number of affirmative  votes at the
Annual Meeting will be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted for
purposes of  determining  a quorum,  but are not  considered as having voted for
purposes of determining the outcome of a vote.

                        VOTING AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES

     All  shares  represented  by a  properly  executed  proxy  will be voted in
accordance  with the  directions on such proxy.  If no directions are specified,
such shares will be voted FOR the election of the Board's nominees for directors
presented under Proposal 1 and FOR the  ratification of KPMG LLP as auditors for
the year 2002  presented  under Proposal 2. If for any reason one or more of the
nominees  should be unable or refuse to serve as a director  (an event which the
Board of  Directors  does not  anticipate),  the persons  named in the  enclosed
proxy, in their  discretion,  will vote for substitute  nominees of the Board of
Directors  unless  otherwise  instructed.  If any  other  matters  are  properly
presented to the Annual  Meeting for action  (including  any proposal to adjourn
the Annual Meeting),  the persons named in such proxy and acting thereunder will
vote in accordance with their best judgment on such matters.

     Any  shareholder may revoke his or her proxy at any time before it is voted
by filing with the Corporate  Secretary of Downey a written instrument  revoking
it or by filing a duly executed proxy bearing a later date. The execution of the
enclosed  proxy will not affect the right of a shareholder  to vote in person if
such shareholder  should decide to attend the Annual Meeting and desires to vote
in person.

                             SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

     Downey will bear the cost of soliciting proxies.  Directors and officers of
Downey and  directors,  officers and  employees of the Bank may solicit  proxies
personally,  by mail,  telephone,  telecopier or other electronic  transmission.
Such  directors,  officers or employees will receive no  compensation  for their
solicitation  services other than their regular salaries,  but may be reimbursed
for  out-of-pocket  expenses.  Downey  will  request  record  holders  of shares
beneficially  owned by  others to  forward  this  Proxy  Statement  and  related
materials to the beneficial owners of such shares and will reimburse such record
holders for their reasonable expenses incurred in doing so.


                                       1


                        PROPOSAL 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     The directors of Downey are divided into three classes,  as nearly equal in
number as possible,  with one class to be elected annually.  The members of each
class are  elected  for terms of three  years and  until  their  successors  are
elected and qualified,  with one of the three classes of directors being elected
each year.  Article III,  Section 3.2 of Downey's Bylaws provides that the Board
of  Directors  shall be  composed  of not less  than  seven  nor more  than nine
members, the exact number to be fixed by the Board.

     Accordingly,  at this Annual  Meeting,  three  Class 1 Directors  are to be
elected to serve  three-year  terms and until their  respective  successors  are
elected and qualified. The following persons have been nominated by the Board of
Directors to serve as directors, as set forth below:

     For  election  as Class 1 Directors  to hold  office  until the 2005 Annual
     Meeting of  Shareholders,  and until their  successors are duly elected and
     qualified: Maurice L. McAlister, Sam Yellen and Daniel D. Rosenthal.

     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY  RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF
EACH OF THE NOMINEES.

INFORMATION CONCERNING NOMINEES AND DIRECTORS

     Certain  information  concerning each nominee for director and each current
director is set forth  below.  For  information  regarding  ownership  of Downey
Common Stock by nominees and  directors of Downey,  see  "Security  Ownership of
Directors and Executive  Officers." There are no arrangements or  understandings
between any director, or any nominee, or any other person pursuant to which such
director or nominee is or was nominated to serve as director.

     The following table sets forth certain information concerning (i) the three
nominees  standing for election to the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting,
and (ii) all other  directors  whose terms as directors  will continue after the
Annual Meeting.



                                                                         Director of    Year
                                Age At                                    Downey        Term
 Name                       March 1, 2002    Position(s) Currently Held   Since (1)    Expires
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION
Maurice L. McAlister ......      76          Director/Chairman             1994         2002
Sam Yellen ................      71          Director                      1994         2002
Daniel D. Rosenthal .......      49          Director, President and
                                               Chief Executive Officer     1998         2002
CONTINUING DIRECTORS
Cheryl E. Olson ...........      45          Director/Vice Chairman        1994         2003
Lester C. Smull ...........      69          Director                      1994         2003
Michael B. Abrahams .......      49          Director                      1999         2003
Dr. Paul Kouri ............      80          Director                      1994         2004
Brent McQuarrie ...........      50          Director                      1994         2004
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1)  Downey was organized on October 21, 1994. Prior thereto,  except for Daniel
     D. Rosenthal and Michael B. Abrahams,  each of the directors was a director
     of the Bank.



                                       2


NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AT THIS MEETING,  AS CLASS 1 DIRECTORS,  TO TERMS EXPIRING
  IN 2005

     Maurice  L.  McAlister  - Mr.  McAlister  is the  Chairman  of the Board of
Directors of both Downey and the Bank and was a co-founder  of the Bank together
with the  other  co-founder,  the late  Gerald H.  McQuarrie.  Since  1957,  Mr.
McAlister has been actively  involved in the growth and management of Downey and
the Bank.  Mr.  McAlister  served as  President  of the Bank from 1957 until his
retirement  in  September  1991.  In addition,  Mr.  McAlister is a director and
President of McAlister Investments, Inc., an affiliate of Downey.

     Sam Yellen - Mr.  Yellen is a director of Downey and the Bank.  Mr.  Yellen
has  served  as a  director  of the  Bank  since  1992.  Mr.  Yellen  has been a
consultant  since his retirement as a partner from the  accounting  firm of KPMG
LLP in December  1990.  Mr. Yellen served KPMG LLP and its  predecessors  for 35
years preceding his retirement from the firm. While a partner with the firm, Mr.
Yellen  was also a member of its Board of  Directors.  Mr.  Yellen is the former
President of both the  California  State Board of  Accountancy  and the National
Association  of State  Boards of  Accountancy.  Currently,  in  addition  to his
service  to Downey and the Bank,  Mr.  Yellen  serves as a  director  of Beverly
Funding Corporation, LTC Properties, Inc. and Wedbush Morgan Securities.

     Daniel D.  Rosenthal - Mr.  Rosenthal is the President and Chief  Executive
Officer  of Downey and the Bank.  Mr.  Rosenthal  joined  the Bank in 1975,  was
appointed a director of DSL Service  Company,  a subsidiary of the Bank, in 1991
and was  appointed  as DSL  Service  Company's  Acting  President  in 1993.  Mr.
Rosenthal was named President of DSL Service Company in 1994 and was Senior Vice
President and Director of Major Loans of the Bank.  During 1998,  Mr.  Rosenthal
served as the  Chief  Operating  Officer  of the Bank and was  appointed  to the
Boards of Directors  of Downey and the Bank and assumed his current  position in
November 1998.

DIRECTORS WHOSE PRESENT TERMS CONTINUE UNTIL 2003

     Cheryl E. Olson - Ms.  Olson is the Vice  Chairman  of the Boards of Downey
and the Bank.  Ms.  Olson has served as a director of the Bank since  1987.  Ms.
Olson is actively involved in a variety of real estate  development,  management
and  consultant  activities.  Ms. Olson also serves on the Board of Directors of
Arrow Records, Inc. Ms. Olson is the daughter of Maurice L. McAlister,  Chairman
of the Board of both Downey and the Bank.

     Lester C. Smull - Mr.  Smull is a  director  of Downey and the Bank and has
served as a director since 1994. In 1970, Mr. Smull founded Business  Properties
Development Company ("Business  Properties"),  a real estate development company
with offices in Irvine,  California and Phoenix,  Arizona.  Business Properties'
activities consist of the development, construction and management of commercial
shopping  centers,  office and industrial  buildings  throughout  California and
Arizona, in addition to land acquisition, planning, design, property management,
marketing and asset  management  services.  Mr. Smull is also a licensed general
contractor and operates Business Properties Construction Company.

     Michael B.  Abrahams - Mr.  Abrahams has served as a director of Downey and
the Bank since 1999.  Mr.  Abrahams  is a Managing  Director at Hoefer & Arnett,
Inc., a San Francisco based  investment  banking firm  specializing in financial
institutions.  Mr. Abrahams was a senior  research  analyst for Sutro & Co. from
1996 to 1999 and a Senior Vice President,  Investment Banking with Oppenheimer &
Co.,  Inc.  from 1991 to 1996.  In addition to serving as a research  analyst at
Bateman  Eichler,  Hill Richards from 1988 to 1991 and Johnston,  Lemon & Co. in
Washington,  DC from 1986 to 1988,  Mr.  Abrahams  was a policy  analyst  in the
Executive Office of the President,  Office of Management and Budget, Washington,
DC from 1981 to 1986.

                                       3


DIRECTORS WHOSE PRESENT TERMS CONTINUE UNTIL 2004

     Dr. Paul Kouri - Dr. Kouri is a director of Downey and the Bank.  Dr. Kouri
has served as a director  of the Bank since  1959.  Dr.  Kouri also is  actively
involved in a variety of real estate development and management activities.  Dr.
Kouri is a retired physician having practiced for more than 45 years.

     Brent  McQuarrie - Mr.  McQuarrie is a director of Downey and the Bank. Mr.
McQuarrie  has served as a  director  of the Bank since  1987.  Mr.  McQuarrie's
principal  occupation  for more than the past five years has been  President and
director  of  Legacy  Realty  and  Investment  Corp.,  a Utah  real  estate  and
development company, formerly known as Seven Peaks Development.

                                       4


                     BOARD COMMITTEES AND MEETING ATTENDANCE

     Currently, Downey has four Board Committees: Audit, Compensation, Executive
and Nominating.  Membership in the committees, as of the record date of March 1,
2002, is as follows:

     AUDIT                    COMPENSATION                NOMINATING
     ----                     ------------                ----------
     Sam Yellen, Chair        Brent McQuarrie, Chair      Cheryl E. Olson, Chair
     Michael B. Abrahams      Michael B. Abrahams         Maurice L. McAlister
     Dr. Paul Kouri           Cheryl E. Olson             Sam Yellen
     Brent McQuarrie          Lester C. Smull

     EXECUTIVE
     ---------
     Maurice L. McAlister, Chair
     Cheryl E. Olson
     Brent McQuarrie


AUDIT COMMITTEE                                            FIVE MEETINGS IN 2001

     o    Responsible  for  recommending to the Board the engagement of Downey's
          and the Bank's independent accountants and assuring their independence
          and objectivity;

     o    Reviews  the scope of the audit plans of the  independent  accountants
          and the internal auditors;

     o    Oversees   Downey's  and  the  Bank's   policies   pertaining  to  the
          effectiveness of internal controls,  financial  reporting,  compliance
          and risk management;

     o    Reviews the objectivity,  effectiveness  and resources of the internal
          audit and internal asset review functions which report directly to the
          Audit Committee;

     o    Reviews  non-audit   services  to  be  performed  by  the  independent
          accountants;

     o    Reviews the  appropriateness  of fees for audit and non-audit services
          performed by the independent accountants; and

     o    Composed  of  "independent"  members  as defined in the New York Stock
          Exchange ("NYSE") listing standards.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE                                    THREE MEETINGS IN 2001

     o    Establishes the overall  compensation and benefits policies for Downey
          and the Bank;

     o    Reviews  and  recommends  to  the  Board,  the  salary  and  incentive
          compensation for the President and Chief Executive Officer;

     o    Reviews and approves the salaries and incentive  compensation  for all
          other executive and senior officers of Downey and the Bank; and

     o    Reviews  and  approves  the   short-term   and   long-term   incentive
          compensation programs, including individual performance goals.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE                                         ONE MEETING IN 2001

     Reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding:

     o    Oversight  of Board  activities  related to corporate  governance  and
          organization structure;

     o    Qualifications for director candidates;

     o    Candidates for election and re-election to the Board;

                                       5


     o    Candidates  for the position of Chairman of the Board,  and  President
          and Chief Executive Officer; and

     o    The  performance  of the President  and Chief  Executive  Officer,  in
          conjunction with the Compensation Committee.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE                                          NO MEETINGS IN 2001

     o    Exercises  the powers of the Board  when the Board is not in  session,
          except for the authority to approve the  declaration  of dividends and
          except as may  otherwise  be limited or  restricted  under  applicable
          Delaware law or under Downey's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws.

     Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Downey at an annual
meeting of  shareholders  may be made by any  shareholder of Downey  entitled to
vote for the election of directors at such annual  meeting who complies with the
notice  procedures set forth in Downey's Bylaws. No person shall be elected as a
director of Downey unless  nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth
in this section.

     To be timely,  a shareholder's  notice shall be delivered to or received at
Downey's principal executive offices not less than 20 days prior to the meeting;
provided,  however,  that if Downey gives shareholders less than 30 days' notice
of the date of the  meeting  (which  notice  must be  accompanied  by a proxy or
information statement which identifies the nominees of the Board), notice by the
shareholder  to be  timely  must be so  received  not  later  than the  close of
business on the 10th day  following  the day on which such notice of the date of
the meeting was mailed.  Such  shareholder's  notice  shall set forth as to each
person whom the shareholder  proposes to nominate for election or re-election as
a director (i) the name,  age,  business  address and residence  address of such
person,  (ii) the principal  occupation or employment of such person,  and (iii)
such person's  written consent to serving as a director,  if elected;  and as to
the shareholder  giving the notice (i) the name and address of such shareholder,
and (ii) the class and  number of shares of Downey  which are owned of record by
such shareholder. At the request of the Board, any person nominated by the Board
for  election  as a  director  shall  furnish  to the  Secretary  of Downey  the
information  required to be set forth in a  shareholder's  notice of  nomination
which  pertains to the nominee  together  with the  required  written  consents.
Ballots bearing the names of all persons  nominated by the Nominating  Committee
and by  shareholders  shall be provided  for use at the annual  meeting.  If the
Nominating  Committee  fails or  refuses  to act at  least 20 days  prior to the
annual  meeting,  nominations for directors may be made at the annual meeting by
any shareholder entitled to vote and shall be voted upon.

     Actions taken by any of the foregoing committees are reported to the Board,
usually at its next meeting.

     During 2001,  the Board met 13 times:  12 regular  meetings and one special
meeting.  All directors  attended at least 75% of the aggregate of meetings held
during  2001 by the Board and the  committees  of the Board on which they serve.
Directors meet their  responsibilities not only by attending Board and committee
meetings,  but also through  communication  with the  Chairman,  Vice  Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer and other members of management on matters
affecting Downey and the Bank.

                                       6


             SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

     The following  table sets forth, as of March 1, 2002,  certain  information
regarding the  beneficial  ownership of shares of Common Stock by each director,
each of the executive  officers named in the Summary  Compensation Table on Page
16 and by all  directors  and executive  officers as a group.  Unless  otherwise
stated,  the beneficial  owner  exercises sole voting and investment  power over
their shares.



                                  AGGREGATE NUMBER OF             PERCENT OF
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER        SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED     OUTSTANDING SHARES
------------------------        -------------------------     ------------------
                                                               
Maurice L. McAlister ............     5,653,205 (1)                  20.0
Cheryl E. Olson .................       566,580 (2)                   2.0
Brent McQuarrie .................       432,017 (3)                   1.5
Daniel D. Rosenthal .............       106,252 (4)                   *
Dr. Paul Kouri ..................        13,639 (5)                   *
Sam Yellen ......................         4,472                       *
Michael B. Abrahams .............         4,000                       *
Lester C. Smull .................           598                       *
Jane Wolfe ......................        17,605 (6)                   *
Thomas E. Prince ................        13,022 (7)                   *
John R. Gatzke ..................         3,825                       *
All Directors and Executive
 Officers as a Group (16 persons)     6,820,621 (8)                  24.2%
------------------------

(1)  Mr.  McAlister  with his spouse,  Dianne S.  McAlister,  as Co-trustor  and
     Co-trustee  of the  McAlister  Family  Trust,  exercise  shared  voting and
     investment power over all shares.
(2)  Includes  16,294 shares over which Mrs.  Olson shares voting and investment
     power.
(3)  Includes  187,100  shares  held  by Mr.  McQuarrie  as  Trustee  for  Jared
     McQuarrie,  Jennifer McQuarrie,  Justin McQuarrie and Jamie McQuarrie (Four
     Jays, Ltd.). In addition,  Mr. McQuarrie shares voting and investment power
     with his spouse,  Kathryn  McQuarrie,  as Co-trustor  and  Co-trustee  with
     respect to 40,900 shares, all of which are held in trust for the benefit of
     their  children.   Mr.  McQuarrie  holds  2,967  shares  in  an  Individual
     Retirement  Account.  Mr.  McQuarrie holds sole voting and investment power
     with respect to 1,050 shares and Mr. McQuarrie's spouse, Kathryn McQuarrie,
     holds sole voting and  investment  power with  respect to 660  shares.  Mr.
     McQuarrie  holds  200,000  shares  through  Next  Generation,  Ltd., a Utah
     limited partnership, in which he serves as General Partner.
(4)  Includes  options  covering  26,373 shares that are  exercisable  within 60
     days.
(5)  Dr. Kouri shares voting and investment power with respect to 4,687 shares.
(6)  Includes  options  covering  15,921 shares that are  exercisable  within 60
     days.
(7)  Includes  options  covering  13,022 shares that are  exercisable  within 60
     days.
(8)  Includes shared voting and investment power over 5,926,229 shares. Includes
     options covering 58,901 shares that are exercisable within 60 days.
*    Less than 1% of outstanding Common Stock at March 1, 2002.



                                       7


                               EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

     Executive  officers  are elected  annually and serve at the pleasure of the
Board.

     The following table sets forth the names of the current executive  officers
of Downey and the Bank,  along with certain other  information  relating to such
persons:



                                   Age At
Name                            March 1, 2002                        Current Position
----                            -------------    ---------------------------------------------------
                                           
Daniel D. Rosenthal (1) .......       49         President and Chief Executive Officer of Downey and
                                                   the Bank
Thomas E. Prince ..............       55         Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
                                                   of Downey and the Bank
Gary F. Torrell ...............       46         Executive Vice President, General Counsel and
                                                   Corporate Secretary of Downey and the Bank
Jane Wolfe ....................       56         Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative
                                                   Officer of Downey and the Bank
Stanley M. Tarbell ............       41         Senior Vice President and Tax Director of Downey
                                                   and the Bank
John R. Gatzke ................       41         Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer
                                                   of the Bank
Lillian E. Gavin ..............       39         Executive Vice President and Director of Compliance
                                                   and Risk Management of the Bank
Richard D. Grout ..............       46         Executive Vice President and Director of Retail
                                                   Banking of the Bank
Cliff J. Piscitelli ...........       52         Executive Vice President and Director of Asset
                                                   Management of the Bank
Kendice K. Briggs .............       34         Senior Vice President and Director of Human
                                                   Resources of the Bank
Kevin W. Hughes ...............       40         Senior Vice President and Director of Portfolio
                                                   Management and Secondary Marketing of the
                                                   Bank
Kent J. Smith .................       40         Senior Vice President and Controller of the Bank
Charles Symmonds ..............       45         Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer
                                                   of the Bank
-------------------------------

(1)  See "Information  Concerning Nominees and Directors - Nominees for Election
     at this Meeting,  as Class 1 Directors,  to Terms Expiring in 2005",  for a
     description of Mr. Rosenthal's business background.



     Thomas E. Prince - Prior to joining the Bank as  Executive  Vice  President
and Chief  Financial  Officer in May 1992, Mr. Prince spent 24 years at Security
Pacific  Corporation  and Security  Pacific  National Bank in various  financial
capacities,  the  last  eight  years  of  which as  Senior  Vice  President  and
Controller.

     Gary F.  Torrell - Prior to joining the Bank as Executive  Vice  President,
General Counsel and Corporate  Secretary in January 2002, Mr. Torrell was senior
counsel at City  National  Bank.  From 1983  through  1999,  Mr.  Torrell was in
private practice, including six years as a partner at Paul, Hastings, Janofsky &
Walker, LLP.

                                       8


     Jane Wolfe - Ms. Wolfe was  appointed  Executive  Vice  President and Chief
Administrative  Officer of the Bank on January 24, 2001. Prior to re-joining the
Bank as Executive  Vice  President and Chief Lending  Officer in April 1994, Ms.
Wolfe  served as Senior  Vice  President  and  Manager of  Mortgage  Lending for
Liberty  National Bank from  September  1993 to April 1994. Ms. Wolfe acted as a
mortgage lending consultant to several financial institutions from November 1992
to September  1993.  Prior to such time,  Ms.  Wolfe  served as  Executive  Vice
President  and Chief  Lending  Officer of the Bank from  August 1978 to November
1992.

     Stanley M.  Tarbell - Mr.  Tarbell has been Tax  Director of the Bank since
1989 and was appointed  Senior Vice  President in June 1998.  Mr. Tarbell joined
the Bank as Tax Manager in 1987, and prior thereto,  was a practicing  Certified
Public Accountant with the firm of Kenneth Leventhal and Company.

     John R. Gatzke - Mr.  Gatzke was  appointed  Executive  Vice  President and
Chief Lending  Officer of the Bank in January 2001.  Prior  thereto,  Mr. Gatzke
served as Senior Vice President and Assistant  Chief Lending Officer of the Bank
from June 1998 to January  2001.  Prior  thereto,  Mr. Gatzke served as Regional
Manager of Wholesale and Retail Lending,  and in 1997 was appointed  Senior Vice
President  and  Director  of  Wholesale  Lending.  Mr.  Gatzke  previously  held
positions with the Bank from 1986 to 1990 and served as a loan officer. Prior to
re-joining the Bank in 1992, Mr. Gatzke was employed by Knight Ridder Newspapers
from  1990  to  1991,  responsible  for  marketing  and  sales  of  real  estate
advertising.

     Lillian  E.  Gavin - Ms.  Gavin was  appointed  Executive  Vice  President,
Director of Compliance and Risk  Management of the Bank in December 1998.  Prior
to joining the Bank as Senior Vice  President,  Director of Compliance  and Risk
Management  in 1997,  Ms. Gavin was a senior  examiner with the Office of Thrift
Supervision and its predecessor,  the Federal Home Loan Bank Board,  since 1987,
and  was a bank  liquidation  specialist  with  the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance
Corporation from 1984 to 1987.

     Richard  D.  Grout - Mr.  Grout was  appointed  Executive  Vice  President,
Director  of Retail  Banking of the Bank on March 1, 2000.  Prior to his current
position,  Mr. Grout was with Union Bank of California and was  responsible  for
the bank's mortgage origination for Los Angeles County. Prior thereto, Mr. Grout
was with Home  Savings of America  from 1995 to 1998 and  American  Savings Bank
from 1984 to 1995, where he held various retail banking management positions.

     Cliff  J.  Piscitelli  -  Mr.  Piscitelli  was  appointed   Executive  Vice
President,  Director  of  Asset  Management  of the Bank in  April  2001.  Prior
thereto, Mr. Piscitellli served as Director of Mortgage Banking of the Bank from
October  2000 to April  2001.  Prior  thereto,  Mr.  Piscitelli  served as Chief
Executive  Officer  of KATL  Properties  from April  1995 to April  2000.  Prior
thereto,  Mr.  Piscitelli  served as Chief  Executive  Officer  and  co-owner of
Frontline Mortgage Company from December 1989 to January 1995.

     Kendice  K.  Briggs - Ms.  Briggs  was  appointed  Senior  Vice  President,
Director of Human  Resources of the Bank in November 2000. Ms. Briggs joined the
Bank in 1995 as an employment  supervisor  and was appointed  Vice President and
Manager of Human Resources in July 1998.  Prior thereto,  Ms. Briggs managed the
Human Resources Department for Imperial Thrift and Loan Association from 1991 to
1995 and, prior thereto,  worked for the accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand in
their Professional Personnel Department.

     Kevin W. Hughes - Mr. Hughes was appointed Senior Vice President,  Director
of Portfolio  Management  and Secondary  Marketing in February  2000. Mr. Hughes
joined the Bank as Vice  President  and Director of Secondary  Marketing in 1998
and prior thereto,  was Vice President,  Portfolio Manager for Washington Mutual
Bank from 1997. Prior thereto,  Mr. Hughes held various  positions with American
Savings Bank from 1988 to 1997, with American  Savings and Loan Association from
1984 to 1988, and with State Savings and Loan Association from 1982 to 1984.

                                       9


     Kent J. Smith - Mr. Smith was appointed  Senior Vice President,  Controller
of the Bank in January 2001. Prior thereto,  Mr. Smith served as Vice President,
Acting  Controller  of the Bank from August 2000 and Vice  President,  Assistant
Controller of the Bank from June 1998 to July 2000. Mr. Smith joined the Bank in
October 1992 as a Senior Internal Auditor and was appointed  Financial Reporting
Manager in February 1996.

     Charles Symmonds - Mr. Symmonds was appointed Senior Vice President,  Chief
Information  Officer of the Bank in August 2000.  Prior  thereto,  Mr.  Symmonds
served as Acting Chief Information Officer of the Bank from April 2000 to August
2000. Prior thereto, Mr. Symmonds was Director of PC Operations of the Bank from
August 1999 to April 2000.  Mr.  Symmonds  joined the Bank in May 1989 as Senior
Technical/LAN Analyst and was subsequently  appointed Manager PC/LAN Support and
Manager of PC Programming between 1991 and August 1999.

                                       10


                             AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

     The  Audit  Committee  of the  Board  is  responsible  for  monitoring  the
integrity  of  Downey's  financial  reporting  process  and  systems of internal
controls  regarding  financial  reporting,  accounting and legal compliance.  In
addition, the Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring the independence and
performance of Downey's independent  auditors,  the internal auditing department
and the internal asset review  function.  The Audit  Committee also  facilitates
communication among the independent auditors,  management, the internal auditing
department,  the  internal  asset  review  department  and the Board.  The Audit
Committee is currently  composed of four directors,  none of whom is employed by
Downey.

AUDIT PHILOSOPHY

     During 2000, the Audit Committee revised its written charter to comply with
new rules relating to the functioning of corporate audit committees  promulgated
by the Securities  Exchange  Commission  ("SEC") and NYSE. The Audit Committee's
charter was  approved  by Downey's  Board of  Directors  in January  2001 and is
attached to Downey's 2001 proxy statement as Appendix A.

     During  2001,  the Audit  Committee  met five  times.  The Audit  Committee
reviewed and discussed  with  management  Downey's  quarterly and annual audited
financial  statements.  The  Audit  Committee  discussed  with  the  independent
auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards
No. 61.

     Communications with Audit Committee

     The Audit  Committee  discussed with the  independent  auditors  changes in
significant  accounting policies,  the process used by management in formulating
material  accounting  estimates  and  the  independent   auditor's   conclusions
regarding the reasonableness of such policies, estimates and adjustments arising
from  the  audit,  if any,  and  any  disagreements  with  management  over  the
application of accounting principles.

     The Audit Committee  received,  reviewed and discussed with the independent
auditors,  the auditor's  written  disclosures  regarding  independence  and the
letter from the auditor required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1,
Independence  Discussions  with  Audit  Committees.  Based on the review of such
disclosures and giving  consideration to the non-audit services provided by KPMG
LLP during 2001,  the Audit  Committee has concluded that  independence  has not
been impaired or compromised.

     Based on the Audit Committee's review and discussions  described above, the
Audit Committee  recommended to the Board that the audited financial  statements
be included in Downey's Form 10-K filed with the SEC.


                                       Respectfully submitted,

                                       Sam Yellen, Chairman
                                       Michael B. Abrahams
                                       Dr. Paul Kouri
                                       Brent McQuarrie

                                       11


FEES

     During  2001,  the Company paid the  following  amounts to KPMG LLP for the
services as described below:

     Audit Fees

     Downey paid a total of $210,000  for the audit and review of Downey's  2001
financial statements.

     Financial Information Systems Design and Implementation

     None.

     All Other Fees

     Downey paid a total of $98,413  for all other  services  performed  by KPMG
LLP, the majority of which were related to tax projects.

                 PROPOSAL 2. RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS

     The Board has appointed KPMG LLP as Downey's auditors for the year 2002 and
this appointment is being submitted to the shareholders for ratification. In the
event the  appointment is not ratified by a majority of votes cast, in person or
by proxy,  it is  anticipated  that no change in auditors  would be made for the
current year because of the  difficulty and expense of making any change so long
after the beginning of the current year. However,  such vote would be considered
in connection with the appointment of auditors for the next year.

     KPMG LLP was Downey's  auditor for the year ended  December  31, 2001,  and
their  representative is expected to attend the meeting,  respond to appropriate
questions and if such representative desires, which is not now anticipated, make
a statement.

     In 1989, the Board engaged KPMG LLP as Downey's independent auditor and the
relationship  which has existed has been the customary  relationship  between an
independent accountant and client.

     THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS  VOTE "FOR" THIS PROPOSAL.  PROXIES,
UNLESS INDICATED TO THE CONTRARY, WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THIS PROPOSAL.

                                       12


                         COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

     The   Compensation   Committee  of  the  Board   establishes   the  overall
compensation policies and programs of Downey and its subsidiaries.  In addition,
the  Compensation  Committee  recommends the  compensation  of the President and
Chief  Executive  Officer,  subject to the Board's  approval.  The  Compensation
Committee is composed of four directors, none of whom is employed by Downey.

COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY

     The Compensation  Committee's goal is to align  compensation  programs with
the strategic  direction of Downey and to attract,  motivate and retain the best
qualified  employees.  In carrying out its duties,  the  Compensation  Committee
evaluates  compensation  and benefits  programs,  including  both  qualified and
nonqualified  programs,  as well as medical,  dental and other benefits programs
affecting all employees to ensure they are cost effective, competitive and fair.

     The Compensation  Committee  periodically compares Downey's pay policies to
peer  group  institutions.  The  Compensation  Committee  strives  to  implement
benefits programs which, based upon competitive and cost considerations, deliver
the highest level of value consistent with corporate and shareholder  interests.
Total compensation (including benefits) is established in the context of overall
job responsibilities,  achieving corporate and individual  performance goals and
objectives, as well as competitive compensation conditions.

2001 COMPENSATION PROGRAMS

     During 2001, the components of the  compensation  programs  included a base
salary, a bonus program ("Annual Incentive Plan"), the 1994 Long-Term  Incentive
Plan, a Deferred Compensation Plan, a Section 125 Cafeteria Plan (i.e., medical,
vision, dental and life coverages) and an Employees' Retirement and Savings Plan
(401(k) Plan).

     Base Salary

     During 2001, the Compensation  Committee reviewed base salaries of selected
employees,   including  executive  officers.   Based  on  such  review  and  the
Compensation   Committee's  assessment  of  market  conditions  and  competitive
factors, the Compensation Committee recommended adjustments to base salaries for
such employees and executive  officers.  This recommendation was based on salary
survey data supplied by third party  nationally  recognized  salary  surveys and
salary surveys among the Bank's competitors.

     Annual Incentive Plan

     During 2001, the Compensation  Committee reviewed and the Board approved an
Annual  Incentive  Plan  for  Downey.  Individual  performance  objectives  were
established  for all eligible  participants  in the Annual  Incentive Plan based
upon their  individual  responsibilities  and Downey's 2001  approved  corporate
performance target for net income, which aligned each participant's compensation
with Downey's  approved  business plan.  During 2001, bonus incentives  targeted
under  the  Annual  Incentive  Plan for the  President  (who is also  the  Chief
Executive Officer),  and the Chief Administrative  Officer were targeted at 120%
and 100% of their  base  salary,  respectively.  Other  executive  officers  and
eligible  participants of Downey and the Bank were targeted at 10%-100% of their
base salary.  Pursuant to the Annual  Incentive Plan, those targeted amounts may
be  adjusted  based  upon   individual,   department,   business  and  corporate
performance  goals which provide for a potential  bonus payment of up to 168% of
an  individual's  targeted  bonus  amount.  However,  to the extent  that actual
corporate  performance was 80% or below the approved corporate performance goal,
no  bonus  amounts  were to be  paid  to  participants  pursuant  to the  Annual
Incentive Plan.

                                       13


     After obtaining the 2001 year-end results,  the Compensation  Committee met
with the  President  and Chief  Executive  Officer and reviewed  the  individual
performance  contribution  of each  participant  in the Annual  Incentive  Plan.
During 2001,  Downey achieved 101% of its corporate  performance  target.  Based
upon 2001  corporate  and  individual  participant  performance,  bonuses  paid,
relative to the  targeted  amounts for all such  participants,  represented,  on
average, 115% of the bonus target.

     1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan

     In 1994, the Bank's Board approved a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP").
The LTIP was  submitted  to the Bank's  shareholders  for  approval at a special
meeting of  shareholders  held on December  21, 1994.  Thereafter,  the LTIP was
adopted and ratified by Downey and, pursuant thereto, shares of Downey are to be
issued  upon the  exercise  of options  or  payments  of other  awards for which
payment is to be made in stock.

     The LTIP was adopted to promote and advance the interests of Downey and its
shareholders by providing a means by which selected officers and employees would
be given an  opportunity  to acquire  stock in Downey and other  incentive-based
awards,  to assist in attracting and retaining the services of employees holding
key positions and to provide  incentives for such key employees to exert maximum
efforts  toward  results  that are in the best  interests  of all  shareholders.
Incentive  stock  options may be granted under the LTIP only to officers and key
employees, including directors if they are employees.  Currently,  approximately
38 officers and key employees are eligible to receive awards under the LTIP. The
LTIP is  administered by the  Compensation  Committee and, during 2001, no stock
option grants or other awards were made under the LTIP.

     Deferred Compensation Program

     During 1995,  the  Compensation  Committee  reviewed and the Board approved
implementation of a Deferred  Compensation Plan for key management employees and
directors.  The  Deferred  Compensation  Plan is  considered  to be an essential
element in a comprehensive  competitive benefits package designed to attract and
retain  individuals  who contribute to the success of Downey.  Participants  are
eligible to defer compensation on a pre-tax basis,  including director fees, and
earn a competitive interest rate on the amounts deferred. During 1999, the Board
terminated the 1995 Deferred  Compensation Plan and a 1999 Deferred Compensation
Program was approved for key management employees and directors.  Currently,  72
management  employees  and seven  directors are eligible to  participate  in the
program.  During 2001, 22 management employees and one director elected to defer
compensation pursuant to the 1999 Deferred Compensation Program.


     Employees' Retirement and Savings Plan

     The Bank  offers to its  employees a 401(k)  plan.  It is called the Downey
Savings  Employees'  Retirement and Savings Plan.  Participants are permitted to
make  contributions  on a pre-tax  basis,  a portion  of which is matched by the
Bank. In addition,  a discretionary  contribution  may be made on behalf of each
eligible  participant  according to a formula  which takes into account the age,
years of service and  compensation  of the participant as well as achievement of
an  annual  corporate   performance  target,  but  excludes   commissioned  loan
production and Annual Incentive Plan participants. For 2001, total contributions
consisted of the Bank's discretionary contribution ($1,967,992) and the employer
match ($443,091) to the Downey Savings Employees' Retirement and Savings Plan.

     Employee Stock Purchase Plan

     Downey  offers its  employees  participation  in  Downey's  Employee  Stock
Purchase  Plan.  Downey  believes that  ownership of Downey's stock by employees
will  foster  greater  employee  interest  in  Downey's   success,   growth  and
development and will be to the mutual benefit of the employee and

                                       14


Downey.  The Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan is designed to provide  employees a
continued  opportunity  to purchase  Downey  stock  through  systematic  payroll
deductions.  Downey bears all costs of administering the Employee Stock Purchase
Plan,  including  broker's fees,  commissions,  postage and other costs incurred
with stock  purchases.  If an employee elects to terminate  participation in the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or sells stock acquired through the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan, the employee is responsible for the associated costs.

     President and Chief Executive Officer Compensation

     During 2001,  Daniel D. Rosenthal  served as President and Chief  Executive
Officer of Downey and the Bank. In accordance with the Annual Incentive Plan and
achievement  of Downey's 2001 corporate  performance  target,  the  Compensation
Committee  recommended  and Downey's  Board  approved an incentive  compensation
payment to Mr.  Rosenthal  of  $477,360,  which  amount  represents  122% of the
targeted incentive amount.

     The Compensation  Committee  believes that the management team is dedicated
to  achieving   significant   improvement   in  Downey's   long-term   financial
performance.   The  Compensation   Committee   further  believes  that  Downey's
compensation  policies are designed to align closely the financial  interests of
senior executive management with the interests of Downey's  shareholders and, as
administered by the Compensation Committee, will enhance management's efforts in
these areas.

                                              Respectfully submitted,

                                              Brent McQuarrie, Chairman
                                              Michael B. Abrahams
                                              Cheryl E. Olson
                                              Lester C. Smull

                                       15


COMPENSATION

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The following Summary  Compensation  Table sets forth all compensation paid
by Downey and its subsidiaries for services rendered during 2001, 2000, and 1999
to Downey's Chief Executive Officer, and each of Downey's four other most highly
compensated executive officers as of the end of 2001, (collectively,  the "Named
Executives").



                                          SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

                                           ANNUAL COMPENSATION                   LONG-TERM  COMPENSATION
                                 ---------------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                                                 AWARDS             PAYOUTS
                                                                          ----------------------    -------
                                                                                      NUMBER OF
                                                               OTHER      RESTRICTED  SECURITIES
                                                               ANNUAL       STOCK     UNDERLYING     LTIP       ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION      YEAR   SALARY     BONUS    COMPENSATION    AWARDS     OPTIONS      PAYOUTS   COMPENSATION
---------------------------      ----   ------     -----    ------------  ---------- -----------    -------   ------------
                                                                                        
Daniel Rosenthal ............... 2001  $325,000  $477,360     $5,098(1)      --          --           --        $    0 (1)
 President and Chief Executive   2000   300,000   492,624      4,643(1)      --          --           --         3,000 (1)
 Officer                         1999   250,008   300,000      3,724(1)      --          --           --         4,808 (1)

Jane Wolfe ..................... 2001  $275,016  $336,600     $4,689(2)      --          --           --        $    0 (2)
 Executive Vice President and    2000   250,008   373,200      4,416(2)      --          --           --             0 (2)
 Chief Administrative Officer    1999   225,000   275,000      4,715(2)      --          --           --        52,390 (2)

John Gatzke .................... 2001  $198,008  $242,352     $4,088(3)      --          --           --        $1,127 (3)
 Executive Vice President and    2000   180,006   268,704      3,733(3)      --          --           --             0 (3)
 Chief Lending Officer           1999   150,006   206,768      3,836(3)      --          --           --        12,981 (3)

Thomas E. Prince ............... 2001  $203,708   $50,925     $4,221(4)      --          --           --        $    0 (4)
 Executive Vice President and    2000   194,007    53,350      4,042(4)      --          --           --             0 (4)
 Chief Financial Officer         1999   184,007    51,060      4,708(4)      --          --           --        19,101 (4)

Cliff Piscitelli ............... 2001  $175,007   $78,520     $2,699(5)      --          --           --        $    0
 Executive Vice President and    2000    43,191    21,770          0         --          --           --             0
 Asset Management Director
--------------------------------

(1)  The amounts shown for Mr.  Rosenthal for 2001 include flex benefit  credits
     contributed by Downey ($3,398),  and Mr.  Rosenthal's  interest ($1,700) in
     Downey's 2001 401(k) plan contributions;  and for 2000 include flex benefit
     credits contributed by Downey ($2,943),  Mr. Rosenthal's  interest ($1,700)
     in Downey's 2000 401(k) plan  contributions,  and a service award ($3,000);
     and for 1999 include flex benefit credits  contributed by Downey  ($2,124),
     Mr.   Rosenthal's   interest   ($1,600)  in   Downey's   1999  401(k)  plan
     contributions, and cashed out Personal Time Off ($4,808).
(2)  The amounts  shown for Ms.  Wolfe for 2001  include  flex  benefit  credits
     contributed by Downey ($2,943),  Ms. Wolfe's interest  ($1,700) in Downey's
     2001  401(k) plan  contributions  and  reportable  interest  from  deferred
     compensation  ($46); and for 2000 include flex benefit credits  contributed
     by Downey  ($2,716),  and Ms.  Wolfe's  interest  ($1,700) in Downey's 2000
     401(k)  plan  contributions;  and for 1999  include  flex  benefit  credits
     contributed by Downey ($2,397),  Ms. Wolfe's interest  ($1,600) in Downey's
     1999  401(k)  plan   contributions,   reportable   interest  from  deferred
     compensation ($718),  cashed out Personal Time Off ($10,817),  and interest
     paid and balance of deferred compensation ($41,573).
(3)  The amounts  shown for Mr.  Gatzke for 2001 include  flex  benefit  credits
     contributed by Downey ($2,306),  Mr. Gatzke's interest ($1,700) in Downey's
     2001  401(k)  plan   contributions,   reportable   interest  from  deferred
     compensation  ($82), a service award ($1,000) and a prize award ($127); and
     for 2000 include flex benefit credits  contributed by Downey ($2,033),  and
     Mr. Gatzke's interest ($1,700) in Downey's 2000 401(k) plan  contributions;
     and for 1999 include flex benefit credits  contributed by Downey  ($1,760),
     Mr. Gatzke's interest ($1,600) in Downey's 1999 401(k) plan  contributions,
     reportable  interest  from  deferred  compensation  ($476),  and cashed out
     Personal Time Off ($12,981).
(4)  The amounts  shown for Mr.  Prince for 2001 include  flex  benefit  credits
     contributed by Downey ($2,433),  Mr. Prince's interest ($1,700) in Downey's
     2001  401(k) plan  contributions  and  reportable  interest  from  deferred
     compensation  ($88); and for 2000 include flex benefit credits  contributed
     by Downey  ($2,342),  and Mr. Prince's  interest  ($1,700) in Downey's 2000
     401(k)  plan  contributions;  and for 1999  include  flex  benefit  credits
     contributed by Downey ($2,342),  Mr. Prince's interest ($1,537) in Downey's
     1999  401(k)  plan   contributions,   reportable   interest  from  deferred
     compensation ($829), and cashed out Personal Time Off ($19,101).
(5)  The amounts shown for Mr.  Piscitelli for 2001 include flex benefit credits
     contributed by Downey  ($2,261),  and Mr.  Piscitelli's  interest ($438) in
     Downey's 2001 401(k) plan.



                                       16


OPTION EXERCISES AND HOLDINGS

     The  following  table  provides  information  with  respect  to  the  Named
Executives  concerning  the  exercise  of options  during  2001 and  unexercised
options held by the Named Executives as of December 31, 2001:



                         AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 2001
                              AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES

                          Number of                                              Value of Unexercised
                           Shares                  Number of Unexercised        In-the-Money Options at
                          Acquired                  Options at 12/31/00              12/31/01(1)
                            on          Value    --------------------------   --------------------------
Name                      Exercise     Realized  Exercisable  Unexercisable   Exercisable  Unexercisable
----                     ----------    --------  -----------  -------------   -----------  -------------
                                                                           
Daniel D. Rosenthal .....   --            --       26,373        11,794         $525,668     $186,463
Jane Wolfe ..............   --            --       15,921        10,615          251,711      167,823
Thomas E. Prince ........   --            --       13,022         5,787          260,240       91,492
-------------------------

(1)  Value of unexercised  "in-the-money"  options is the difference between the
     market  price of the Common  Stock on December  31, 2001 ($41.25 per share)
     and the exercise  price of the options,  multiplied by the number of shares
     subject to the  option.  The number of options and the  exercise  price per
     share have been adjusted for a 5% stock  dividend paid in December  1995, a
     three-for-two  stock split effected in the form of a stock dividend paid in
     December 1996, a 5% stock dividend paid in May 1997 and a 5% stock dividend
     paid in May 1998.



DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

     Annual Compensation

     Currently,  directors who are not employees  receive (i) an annual retainer
of $24,000  payable  monthly or quarterly,  at the  director's  option,  (ii) an
attendance  fee of $1,000 for each Board meeting held on a regular Board meeting
day, and (iii) an attendance  fee of $1,000 for each meeting of a Downey or Bank
committee or $500 for each meeting of DSL Service  Company's Board held on a day
other than a regular  Board meeting day.  Non-employee  directors who review the
Thrift Financial Reports and Consolidated  Maturity/Rate Reports, required to be
filed quarterly with the Office of Thrift  Supervision,  also receive a $500 fee
per quarter in  connection  with the review and  execution  of those  regulatory
reports. The Chairmen of Downey's Audit and Compensation Committees each receive
an additional annual retainer of $5,000 and $3,000,  respectively.  The Chairman
of Downey's and the Bank's  Boards is entitled to receive an  additional  annual
retainer of $2,500, respectively.  Downey's and the Bank's Chairman has declined
to accept these  additional  annual  retainers.  Directors  are  reimbursed  for
reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
Furthermore,  directors are entitled to  participate  in and receive the medical
benefit coverage provided to the Bank's employees, or payment in lieu thereof.

     Director Retirement Benefits

     A retirement benefit (the "Director  Retirement  Benefits") will be paid to
each  non-employee  director  or his or her  designated  beneficiary,  in  equal
monthly installments for a period of 60 months beginning the month following his
or her retirement.  The aggregate Director Retirement Benefits for each director
will equal  one-third  of the number of months of service as a director  by such
individual  (up to a maximum of 15 years of service)  multiplied  by the average
monthly qualified  (non-employee)  director compensation paid to such individual
during the three years preceding  cessation of service as a director.  Qualified
director compensation includes the annual retainer plus all meeting fees for the
Boards and committees of Downey, the Bank and their respective subsidiaries. The
right of each

                                       17


director to begin to receive such Director Retirement Benefits is subject to the
individual  director  having (i) ceased  serving as a director of Downey and the
Bank,  and (ii)  served as a director  for at least three  years.  If a majority
interest of Downey's outstanding stock is transferred or acquired (other than by
will or by the  laws of  descent  and  distribution),  then  the  entire  earned
Director  Retirement  Benefits becomes payable  immediately,  and the three-year
minimum service  requirement  does not apply. If a retired director so requests,
Downey,  at its  option,  may make a single  lump-sum  payment  of the  Director
Retirement  Benefits.  Any such  accelerated  payment would be discounted at the
interest rate then in effect for the Bank's five-year certificate of deposit.

     Founder Retirement Agreement

     On December 21, 1989,  the Bank  entered into a retirement  agreement  (the
"Founder  Retirement  Agreement")  with Mr.  McAlister,  pursuant  to which  Mr.
McAlister's  compensation was $32,167 per month,  which payments  commenced upon
Mr. McAlister's  retirement as President of DSL Service Company, a subsidiary of
the Bank, in 1993. The Founder Retirement  Agreement provides for adjustments to
compensation  payments every three years,  based on the Consumer Price Index, as
defined under the Founder Retirement  Agreement.  Pursuant to these adjustments,
Mr. McAlister's  compensation was adjusted to $35,688.27 per month, effective as
of July 1, 1999.

     During 2000, in  consideration  and in recognition of Mr.  McAlister having
completed more than thirty years of service and his continuing  involvement with
the  growth  of  Downey  and the Bank,  the Bank  agreed  to amend  the  Founder
Retirement  Agreement  pursuant to which Mr.  McAlister and the Bank agreed that
Mr.  McAlister would be entitled to receive monthly  compensation for so long as
Mr.  McAlister  lives but not less than 120 months  from June 28,  2000.  During
2001, Mr. McAlister received $428,259 under the Founder Retirement Agreement. If
a majority  interest of Downey's  Common Stock is transferred or acquired,  then
such compensation shall continue as scheduled or, at Downey's option, a lump-sum
payment equal to the then present value of any remaining  compensation  shall be
paid.

                                       18


                               PERFORMANCE GRAPH

     The table below compares the performance of Downey with that of the S&P 500
composite  index and the selected Peer Group.  The Peer Group  consists of those
thrifts  based in western  states  followed by Merrill Lynch & Co. The companies
included in the Peer Group change from time to time as Merrill Lynch & Co. makes
adjustments  in the  institutions  it  follows.  As of the  date of  this  Proxy
Statement,  this Peer Group consists of two California-based  companies:  Golden
State Bancorp and Golden West Financial Corp.; and one Washington-based company:
Washington Mutual.  This Peer Group was selected because it has a representative
number of publicly held financial institutions which are competitors in Downey's
market areas.  The following table assumes $100 invested on December 31, 1996 in
Downey,  the S&P 500 and equally in the companies in the Peer Group, and assumes
a reinvestment of dividends on a daily basis.



                  COMPARISON OF 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
                      DOWNEY, S&P 500 Index and Peer Group

                  1996        1997        1998        1999        2000        2001
                                                          
Downey          100.00      154.27      146.60      118.30      326.28      246.82
S&P 500         100.00      133.36      171.47      207.56      188.66      166.24
Peer Group      100.00      146.80      131.50      105.11      211.11      194.80


                                       19


                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS

     During  2001,  employees  of Downey and the Bank  provided  accounting  and
related  services  to  Maurice  L.  McAlister,  Chairman  of  Downey's  Board of
Directors,  certain  members  of  Mr.  McAlister's  family  and  certain  of his
controlled  affiliates.  The aggregate value of these services was approximately
$62,382.  Downey  and the Bank  have  been  fully  reimbursed  for the  services
provided.

     Mr. Smull, a director of Downey and the Bank,  has a business  relationship
that is discussed in the following paragraph.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

     On February 27, 2002, the Bank's Board  approved a proposed  transaction in
which the Bank would enter into a commercial lease with Business Properties #22,
a California  General  Partnership ("BP #22"), to lease premises from BP #22 for
use by the Bank as a Huntington Beach branch office. Lester C. Smull, a director
of Downey and the Bank,  and one of the four  members of  Downey's  Compensation
Committee,  is the managing  general  partner of BP #22. It is expected that the
definitive lease agreement will contain customary terms and conditions,  provide
for a term of 10 years, charge rent at the rate of $8,000 per month,  subject to
increases  of 10% every five years,  and provide for two  consecutive  five-year
options to extend the term.  Management  believes that the terms of the proposed
lease arrangement,  including the monthly rent, are at least as favorable to the
Bank as prevailing terms that could be obtained from a non-affiliated person.

INDEBTEDNESS OF MANAGEMENT

     The Bank offers loans to directors,  officers and employees of Downey,  the
Bank and their  respective  subsidiaries.  These loans are made in the  ordinary
course of business and, in the judgment of management,  do not involve more than
the normal risk of  collectability or present other  unfavorable  features.  The
loans are made on  substantially  the same terms,  including  interest rates and
collateral,  as  those  prevailing  at  the  time  for  comparable  transactions
involving non-affiliated persons.

     Over a period of approximately 25 years, the Bank has made various loans to
Lester C. Smull,  a director,  in his individual  capacity,  to the Smull Family
Trust  and to a number of  California  partnerships  as to which Mr.  Smull is a
managing  general  partner.  As  of  December  31,  2001,  the  Bank  had  loans
outstanding to Mr. Smull or his related  partnerships in an aggregate  amount of
approximately  $21.2  million.  Each of the  loans to Mr.  Smull or his  related
partnerships  (i) was  made in the  ordinary  course  of  business,  (ii) and on
substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral,  as those
prevailing  at the time for  comparable  transactions  involving  non-affiliated
persons,  and (iii) did not involve more than the normal risk of  collectability
or present other unfavorable features.

                                       20


                SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

     At the close of business  on March 1, 2002,  the record date for the Annual
Meeting,  there were 28,213,048  shares of Downey's Common Stock outstanding and
entitled to vote,  all of one class,  and each having one vote. The holders of a
majority  of the shares  outstanding  and  entitled to vote,  either  present in
person or represented by proxy, constitute a quorum for the Annual Meeting.

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

     Information concerning the owners of more than 5% of the outstanding Common
Stock as of the record date for the Annual Meeting follows:



                                                                     Percent  of
                                             Amount/Nature of        Outstanding
Name/Address                               Beneficial Ownership         Stock
------------                               --------------------      -----------
                                                                   
McAlister Family Trust (1) ..............       5,653,205                20.0%
  3501 Jamboree Road
  Newport Beach,  CA 92660
Perkins, Wolfe, McDonnell & Company (2) .       1,623,060                 5.8%
  53 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 722
  Chicago, IL  60604
Gerald H. McQuarrie Family Trusts (3) ...       1,557,684                 5.5%
  Hawkins, Cloward & Simister
  1095 South 800 East, Suite #1
  Orem, UT  84097
Westport Asset Management, Inc. (4) .....       1,520,631                 5.4%
  253 Riverside Avenue
  Westport, CT  06880
-----------------------------------------

(1)  See footnote (1) on page 7.
(2)  Information is based upon Schedule 13G, filed on february 25, 2002 with the
     SEC by Perkins,  Wolfe,  McDonnell & Company. These securities are owned by
     various  individual  and  institutional  investors  which  Perkins,  Wolfe,
     McDonnell  & Company  serves as  investment  advisor  with  power to direct
     investments  and/or sole power to vote the securities.  For purposes of the
     reporting  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  Perkins,
     Wolfe,  McDonnell  & Company  is deemed  to be a  beneficial  owner of such
     securities.   However,   Perkins,  Wolfe,  McDonnell  &  Company  expressly
     disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such securities.
(3)  Oneida B.  McQuarrie-Gibson  serves as Trustee for the Gerald H.  McQuarrie
     Family  Trusts.  Includes  60,926 shares held by the Survivor  Trust of the
     Gerald H. McQuarrie  Trusts;  7,216 shares held by the By-Pass Trust of the
     Gerald H. McQuarrie Family Trusts; 76,150 shares held by the Exempt Marital
     Trust of the Gerald H. McQuarrie  Family Trusts;  1,088,255  shares held by
     the  Non-Exempt  Marital Trust of the Gerald H.  McQuarrie  Family  Trusts;
     108,379 shares held by OBM-Brent,  Ltd.;  108,379 shares held by OBM-Scott,
     Ltd.; and 108,379 shares held by OBM-Sandy, Ltd.
(4)  Information is based upon Schedule 13G, filed on February 14, 2002 with the
     SEC by  Westport  Asset  Management,  Inc.  These  securities  are owned by
     various  individuals  and  institutional  investors  which  Westport  Asset
     Management,  Inc.  serves  as  investment  advisor  with  power  to  direct
     investments  and/or sole power to vote the securities.  For purposes of the
     reporting  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  Westport
     Asset  Management,  Inc.  is  deemed  to  be a  beneficial  owner  of  such
     securities.  However,  Westport Asset Management,  Inc. expressly disclaims
     that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such securities.



                                       21


            SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

     Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires Downey's and,
as may be determined,  the Bank's and their respective  subsidiaries'  executive
officers,  directors  and  holders of more than 10% of the Common  Stock to file
with the Securities  and Exchange  Commission  initial  reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership of the Common Stock and other equity  securities
of Downey.  Such persons and holders are required to furnish  Downey with copies
of all reports filed pursuant to such requirement.

     Based solely on review of the copies of such forms  furnished to Downey and
written  representations  from  certain  reporting  persons that no Forms 5 were
required, Downey believes that during the period January 1, 2001 to December 31,
2001, all Section 16 filing requirements were complied with.


                           PROPOSALS OF SHAREHOLDERS

     It is presently  anticipated  that the 2003 Annual Meeting of  Shareholders
will be held in April 2003. Shareholders desiring to exercise their rights under
the proxy rules to submit shareholder proposals are advised that their proposals
must be  received  by Downey no later than  November  15,  2002,  in order to be
eligible for  inclusion in Downey's  proxy  statement  relating to that meeting.
Shareholders  desiring to submit  proposals  pursuant to the proxy rules  should
submit their proposals to the Corporate Secretary,  Downey Financial Corp., 3501
Jamboree Road, Newport Beach, California 92660.


                         ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

     Downey's  Annual  Report to  Shareholders  and Report on Form  10-K,  which
includes  the  consolidated  financial  statements  and related  notes  thereto,
accompanies this Proxy Statement.

     SINGLE COPIES OF DOWNEY'S ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS, AND REPORT ON FORM
10-K (WITHOUT  EXHIBITS) MAY BE OBTAINED,  FREE OF CHARGE,  UPON WRITTEN REQUEST
TO: DOWNEY  FINANCIAL  CORP.,  3501 JAMBOREE ROAD,  NEWPORT  BEACH,  CALIFORNIA,
92660, ATTENTION: CORPORATE SECRETARY.


                                 OTHER BUSINESS

PRESENTED BY MANAGEMENT

     As of the date of this Proxy  Statement,  the management of Downey does not
know of any other  matters  that are to be  presented  for  action at the Annual
Meeting.  Should  any other  matters  come  before  the  Annual  Meeting  or any
adjournment  thereof,  the  persons  named  in  the  enclosed  proxy  will  have
discretionary  authority  to vote all proxies  with  respect to such  matters in
accordance  with their  judgment.  Additional  business may be properly  brought
before  the Annual  Meeting by or at the  direction  of a majority  of  Downey's
Board.

PRESENTED BY SHAREHOLDERS

     Pursuant to Downey's  Bylaws,  only such business  shall be conducted,  and
only such  proposals  shall be acted upon at the Annual  Meeting as are properly
brought before the Annual Meeting.  For any new business  proposed by management
to be properly  brought  before the Annual  Meeting such new  business  shall be
approved  by the  Board,  either  directly  or  through  its  approval  of proxy
solicitation materials related thereto, and shall be stated in writing and filed
with the  Corporate  Secretary of Downey at least 60 days before the date of the
Annual  Meeting,  and all  business  so  stated,  proposed  and  filed  shall be
considered at the Annual Meeting. Any shareholder may make any other proposal at
the Annual  Meeting and the same may be  discussed  and  considered,  but unless
properly brought before

                                       22


the Annual Meeting, such proposal shall not be acted upon at the Annual Meeting.
For a proposal to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder,
the  shareholder  must have  given  timely  notice  thereof  in  writing  to the
Corporate  Secretary of Downey.  To be timely,  a  shareholder's  notice must be
delivered to or received at the principal  executive  offices of Downey not less
than 120 calendar days before the date of Downey's proxy  statement  released to
shareholders   in  connection   with  the  previous  year's  annual  meeting  of
shareholders, except that, if no annual meeting was held in the previous year or
if the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than 30 calendar days
from the date  contemplated at the time of the previous year's proxy  statement,
notice by the  shareholder  to be timely  must be so  received no later than the
close of business on the 10th day  following the day on which such notice of the
date of the annual meeting was mailed.  A shareholder's  notice to the Corporate
Secretary  shall set forth as to each matter the  shareholder  proposes to bring
before the annual meeting (i) a brief  description of the proposal desired to be
brought before the annual meeting,  (ii) the name and address of the shareholder
proposing  such  business,  and (iii)  the class and  number of shares of Downey
which are owned of record by the  shareholder.  Notwithstanding  anything in the
Bylaws to the  contrary,  no business  shall be conducted  at an annual  meeting
except in accordance with the procedures set forth in Downey's Bylaws.



                                        /s/ Gary F. Torrell
                                            Gary F. Torrell
                                            Corporate Secretary



                                       23


                                REVOCABLE PROXY

                             DOWNEY FINANCIAL CORP.
                ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS - APRIL 24, 2002
               THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     The undersigned  shareholder(s)  of Downey  Financial Corp. (the "Company")
hereby nominates,  constitutes and appoints Cheryl E. Olson and Brent McQuarrie,
and each of them, the attorney,  agent and proxy of the  undersigned,  with full
power of substitution, to vote all stock of the Company which the undersigned is
entitled  to vote at the Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders  of the  Company  (the
"Annual  Meeting") to be held at the Irvine  Marriott,  18000 Von Karman Avenue,
Irvine,  California,  on April  24,  2002 at 10:00  a.m.,  local  time,  and any
adjournments  thereof,  as  fully  and with the same  force  and  effect  as the
undersigned might or could do if personally thereat, as follows:

THIS  PROXY  WILL BE VOTED  "FOR" THE  ELECTION  OF ALL  NOMINEES  AND "FOR" THE
RATIFICATION  OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS AUDITOR FOR THE YEAR 2002 UNLESS
AUTHORITY TO DO SO IS WITHHELD.

                      PLEASE SIGN AND DATE ON REVERSE SIDE




                        PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND MAIL YOUR
                      PROXY CARD BACK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!


                         ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                             DOWNEY FINANCIAL CORP.

                                 APRIL 24, 2002

                Please Detach and Mail in the Envelope Provided

A /X/ PLEASE MARK YOUR
      VOTES AS IN THIS EXAMPLE.

         PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE
                   IN THE POSTAGE PREPAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED.

            For all the Company             Withhold
          nominees listed at right       Authority to vote
           (except as marked to         for all nominees
            the contrary below)         listed at right

1. Elect three   /   /                    /    /            NOMINEES:
   Class 1                                                  Maurice L. McAlister
   Directors for terms of three years each:                 Sam Yellen
(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any one    Daniel D. Rosenthal
or more nominees, write that nominee's or nominees'
name(s) in the space provided below)

--------------------------------------------------------


                                               FOR     AGAINST     ABSTAIN
2. Ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as       /  /      /  /         /  /
   auditors for the year 2002; and


3. OTHER BUSINESS.  In their  discretion,  the  proxyholders are authorized to
   transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting
   and any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

     THE BOARD OF  DIRECTORS  RECOMMENDS A VOTE OF "FOR" THE ELECTION OF EACH OF
THE NOMINEES LISTED AT LEFT. ALL PROPOSALS TO BE ACTED UPON ARE PORPOSALS OF THE
COMPANY. IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS IS PRESENTED AT THE MEETING,  THIS PROXY SHALL BE
VOTED BY THE PROXYHOLDERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE  RECOMMENDATIONS  OF A MAJORITY
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

     The  undersigned  hereby  ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys and
proxyholders,  or either of them,  or their  substitutes,  shall  lawfully do or
cause to be done by  virtue  hereof,  and  hereby  revokes  any and all  proxies
heretofore  given by the  undersigned  to vote at the Meeting.  The  undersigned
hereby  acknowledges  receipt  of the  Notice  of Annual  Meeting  and the Proxy
Statement accompanying said notice.


Number of Shares
                --------------------


                                I (We) do                I (We) do
                                 expect     /  /         not expect  /  /
                                to attend                to attend
                                the Meeting              the Meeting


----------------------------         ------------------------
NAME OF SHAREHOLDER, PRINTED         SIGNATURE OF SHAREHOLDER


----------------------------         ------------------------      ------
NAME OF SHAREHOLDER, PRINTED         SIGNATURE OF SHAREHOLDER       DATE

NOTE:(Please  date this  Proxy and sign your name as it  appears  on your  stock
     certificate(s). Executors, administrators, trustees etc., should give their
     full titles. All joint owners should sign.)