AMBANC HOLDING CO INC
S-8 POS, 1999-04-02
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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<PAGE>

      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 1999
                                                      Registration No. 333-59721
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

                        POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. ONE
                                   ON FORM S-8
                                   TO FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


                            AMBANC HOLDING CO., INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Delaware                                      14-1783770
 (State or other jurisdiction               (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)

11 Division Street, Amsterdam, New York                    12010-4303
(Address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code)

                              AFSALA BANCORP, INC.
                             1997 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                            (Full title of the plan)

                            James S. Fleischer, P.C.
                              Craig M. Scheer, Esq.
                         Silver, Freedman & Taff, L.L.P.
      (a limited liability partnership including professional corporations)
                             7th Floor - East Tower
                            1100 New York Avenue, NW
                              Washington, DC 20005
                     (Name and address of agent for service)

                                 (202) 414-6100
          (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

=====================================================================================================================
                                                          Proposed             Proposed
                                                           maximum              maximum
   Title of Securities to be         Amount to be      offering price          aggregate               Amount of
           registered               registered(1)       per share(2)       offering price(2)      registration fee(2)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                     <C>                  <C>                      <C>
Common Stock, par value             155,658 shares           N/A                  N/A                     N/A
  $.01 per share
=====================================================================================================================
<FN>
(1)      Pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,
         this Registration Statement covers, in addition to the number of shares
         set forth above, an indeterminate  number of shares which, by reason of
         certain events specified in the Plan, may become subject to the Plan.
(2)      All filing fees payable in connection  with the  registration  of these
         securities were paid in connection with the filing of the  Registrant's
         Form S-4 Registration Statement (333-59721) on July 23, 1998.
</FN>

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
                              PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT

         The purpose of this post-effective amendment is to register on Form S-8
shares of common  stock,  par value  $0.01 per share (the  "Common  Stock"),  of
Ambanc Holding Co., Inc. (the "Company")  previously registered on Form S-4 (No.
333-59721) for issuance  pursuant to options granted under the 1997 Stock Option
Plan (the "Plan") of AFSALA Bancorp, Inc. ("AFSALA"),  pursuant to the terms and
conditions of the Reorganization and Merger Agreement,  dated April 23, 1998 and
amended as of June 26,  1998,  by and among the  Company and  Amsterdam  Savings
Bank, FSB, AFSALA and Amsterdam Federal Bank. The merger of AFSALA with and into
Ambanc,  with Ambanc as the surviving  corporation,  was consummated on November
16, 1998.

                                     PART I
              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

         The document(s)  containing the information specified in Part I of Form
S-8 will be sent or  given to  participants  in the  Plan as  specified  by Rule
428(b)(1)   promulgated  by  the  Securities   and  Exchange   Commission   (the
"Commission")  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended (the  "Securities
Act").

         Such  document(s)  are  not  being  filed  with  the  Commission,   but
constitute  (along  with  the  documents  incorporated  by  reference  into  the
Registration  Statement  pursuant to Item 3 of Part II hereof) a prospectus that
meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.

                                       I-1

<PAGE>



                                     PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


Item 3.  Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.

         The  following  documents  previously or  concurrently  filed by Ambanc
Holding Co., Inc. (the "Company") with the Commission are hereby incorporated by
reference  into this  Registration  Statement  and the  Prospectus to which this
Registration Statement relates (the "Prospectus"),  which Prospectus has been or
will be delivered to the  participants in the Plan covered by this  Registration
Statement:

(a)      the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the  fiscal  year ended
         December 31, 1998 (File No. 0-27306) filed pursuant to Rule 13a-1 under
         the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act");

(b)      all other  reports  filed by the Company  pursuant to Section  13(a) or
         15(d) of the  Exchange  Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by
         the Annual Report referred to above;

(c)      the  description of the common stock,  par value $.01 per share, of the
         Company contained in the Company's  Registration  Statement on Form 8-A
         (File No.  0-27306)  filed on October 20, 1995,  and all  amendments or
         reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

         All  documents  filed by the Company  with the  Commission  pursuant to
Sections 13(a),  13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date hereof,
and prior to the filing of a  post-effective  amendment which indicates that all
securities  offered  hereby have been sold or which  deregisters  all securities
then  remaining  unsold,  shall be deemed  incorporated  by reference  into this
Registration  Statement and the  Prospectus  and to be a part hereof and thereof
from the date of the filing of such  documents.  Any statement  contained in the
documents  incorporated,  or deemed to be  incorporated,  by reference herein or
therein  shall be deemed to be  modified  or  superseded  for  purposes  of this
Registration  Statement  and  the  Prospectus  to the  extent  that a  statement
contained  herein or therein or in any other  subsequently  filed document which
also is,  or is deemed  to be,  incorporated  by  reference  herein  or  therein
modifies  or  supersedes  such  statement.  Any such  statement  so  modified or
superseded  shall  not be  deemed,  except  as so  modified  or  superseded,  to
constitute a part of this Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

         The Company  shall  furnish  without  charge to each person to whom the
Prospectus is delivered,  on the written or oral request of such person,  a copy
of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference, other than exhibits to
such documents (unless such exhibits are specifically  incorporated by reference
to the  information  that is  incorporated).  Requests  should  be  directed  to
Secretary,  Ambanc Holding Co., Inc., 11 Division  Street,  Amsterdam,  New York
12010- 4303, telephone number (518) 842-7200.

         All  information  appearing  in  this  Registration  Statement  and the
Prospectus is qualified in its entirety by the detailed  information,  including
financial statements,  appearing in the documents incorporated herein or therein
by reference.



                                      II-1

<PAGE>



Item 4.  Description of Securities.

         Not Applicable.

Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

         Not Applicable.

Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

         Article ELEVENTH of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides
for  indemnification of directors and officers of the Registrant against any and
all liabilities,  judgments,  fines and reasonable settlements,  costs, expenses
and attorneys' fees incurred in any actual,  threatened or potential proceeding,
except to the extent that such  indemnification  is limited by Delaware  law and
such law cannot be varied by contract or bylaw.  Article  ELEVENTH also provides
for the authority to purchase insurance with respect thereto.

         Section  145 of the  General  Corporation  Law of the State of Delaware
authorizes a  corporation's  board of directors to grant indemnity under certain
circumstances  to directors and  officers,  when made, or threatened to be made,
parties to certain  proceedings  by reason of such status with the  corporation,
against judgments,  fines, settlements and expenses,  including attorneys' fees.
In addition, under certain circumstances such persons may be indemnified against
expenses  actually and  reasonably  incurred in defense of a proceeding by or on
behalf  of  the  corporation.   Similarly,   the   corporation,   under  certain
circumstances,  is  authorized  to  indemnify  directors  and  officers of other
corporations  or  enterprises  who are  serving  as such at the  request  of the
corporation,  when such persons are made, or  threatened to be made,  parties to
certain  proceedings  by  reason  of  such  status,  against  judgments,  fines,
settlements  and  expenses,   including   attorneys'  fees;  and  under  certain
circumstances,  such persons may be indemnified  against  expenses  actually and
reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of a proceeding
by or in the right of such other corporation or enterprise.  Indemnification  is
permitted  where such person (i) was acting in good faith,  (ii) was acting in a
manner he reasonably  believed to be in or not opposed to the best  interests of
the corporation or other corporation or enterprise,  as appropriate,  (iii) with
respect to a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct
was unlawful, and (iv) was not adjudged to be liable to the corporation or other
corporation  or enterprise  (unless the court where the  proceeding  was brought
determines that such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity).

         Unless ordered by a court, indemnification may be made only following a
determination that such  indemnification is permissible because the person being
indemnified has met the requisite standard of conduct. Such determination may be
made (i) by the corporation's  board of directors by a majority vote of a quorum
consisting of directors not at the time parties to such  proceeding;  or (ii) if
such a quorum cannot be obtained or the quorum so directs,  then by  independent
legal counsel in a written opinion; or (iii) by the stockholders.

         Section 145 also permits expenses incurred by directors and officers in
defending a  proceeding  to be paid by the  corporation  in advance of the final
disposition  of such  proceeding  upon  the  receipt  of an  undertaking  by the
director or officer to repay such amount if it is ultimately  determined that he
is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation against such expenses.


                                      II-2

<PAGE>



Item 7.  Exemption from Registration Claimed.

         Not Applicable.

Item 8.  Exhibits.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

 Regulation                                                   
    S-K                                                        Reference to Prior
  Exhibit                                                       Filing or Exhibit
   Number                  Document                           Number Attached Hereto
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>                                                        <C>

    4.1    Specimen form of common stock certificate of                *
           Ambanc Holding Co., Inc.
    4.2    Certificate of Incorporation of Ambanc Holding              *
           Co., Inc.
    4.3    Bylaws of Ambanc Holding Co., Inc.                          *
    5      Opinion of Silver, Freedman & Taff, L.L.P.                  **
   23.1    Consent of Silver, Freedman & Taff, L.L.P.         Contained in Exhibit 5
   23.2    Consent of  KPMG LLP                               Attached as Exhibit 23.2
   24      Power of Attorney                                  Contained on Signature
                                                              Page
   99      AFSALA Bancorp, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan        Attached as Exhibit 99

- ---------------
<FN>

*        Filed as exhibits to the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement on Form
         S-1 (File No.  33-96654) filed with the Commission on September 7, 1995
         pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933.  All of such  previously  filed
         documents  are hereby  incorporated  herein by reference in  accordance
         with Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

**       Previously filed.

</FN>

</TABLE>

                                      II-3

<PAGE>



Item 9.  Undertakings.

(a)      The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

         (1)      To file,  during any period in which offers or sales are being
                  made,  a   post-effective   amendment  to  this   registration
                  statement:

                                            (i)  To    include   any  prospectus
                           required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
                           1933;

                                            (ii) To  reflect  in the  prospectus
                           any facts or events  arising after the effective date
                           of the  registration  statement  (or the most  recent
                           post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually
                           or in the aggregate,  represent a fundamental  change
                           in the  information  set  forth  in the  registration
                           statement;   notwithstanding   the   foregoing,   any
                           increase or decrease in volume of securities  offered
                           (if the  total  dollar  value of  securities  offered
                           would not exceed that which was  registered)  and any
                           deviation  from the low or high end of the  estimated
                           maximum  offering  range may be reflected in the form
                           of prospectus  filed with the Commission  pursuant to
                           Rule  424(b)  if, in the  aggregate,  the  changes in
                           volume and price  represent no more than a 20% change
                           in the maximum aggregate  offering price set forth in
                           the  "Calculation of  Registration  Fee" table in the
                           effective registration statement.

                                            (iii)  To   include   any   material
                           information  with respect to the plan of distribution
                           not   previously   disclosed   in  the   registration
                           statement or any material change to such  information
                           in the registration statement.

         (2)      That, for the purpose of determining  any liability  under the
                  Securities  Act of 1933,  each such  post-effective  amendment
                  shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
                  the  securities  offered  therein,  and the  offering  of such
                  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
                  fide offering thereof.

         (3)      To  remove  from  registration  by means  of a  post-effective
                  amendment any of the securities  being registered which remain
                  unsold at the termination of the offering.

(b)      The  undersigned  Registrant  hereby  undertakes  that, for purposes of
         determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing
         of the Registrant's  annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section
         15(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 that is  incorporated  by
         reference  in the  registration  statement  shall be deemed to be a new
         registration  statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
         the offering of such  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
         initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c)      Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
         Act of 1933 may be permitted  to  directors,  officers and  controlling
         persons of the  Registrant  pursuant to the  foregoing  provisions,  or
         otherwise,  the  Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
         Securities  and Exchange  Commission  such  indemnification  is against
         public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
         In the event that a claim for indemnification  against such liabilities
         (other than the payment by  the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid

                                      II-4

<PAGE>



          by  a  director,  officer  or  controlling person of the Registrant of
          expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person
          in the  successful  defense  of any  action,  suit or  proceeding)  is
          asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection
          with the securities being  registered,  the Registrant will, unless in
          the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by  controlling
          precedent,  submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question
          whether  such  indemnification  by  it is  against  public  policy  as
          expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
          such issue.

                                      II-5

<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES


        Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
the  requirements for filing on Form S-8 and the Registrant has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,  thereunto
duly authorized in the City of Amsterdam, State of New York, on April 2, 1999.

                             AMBANC HOLDING CO., INC.




                             By:  /s/JOHN M. LISICKI
                                  ------------------------------------
                                  JOHN M. LISICKI, President and Chief
                                  Executive Officer
                                  (Duly Authorized Representative)



                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below   constitutes   and  appoints  John  M.  Lisicki,   his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and re-substitution,
for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments  (including  post-effective  amendments) to this Registration
Statement,  and to file the  same,  with all  exhibits  thereto,  and all  other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and  necessary  to be done,  as
fully to all  intents  and  purposes  as he might or could do in person,  hereby
ratifying and confirming all said  attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitutes
or substitute may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


                                      II-6

<PAGE>




        Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
Registration  Statement  has been signed below by the  following  persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated.



/s/ JOHN M. LISICKI                      /s/ LAUREN T. BARNETT
- --------------------------------         ------------------------------------
JOHN M. LISICKI                          LAUREN T. BARNETT
President, Chief Executive               Chairman of the Board and Director
Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)


Date: April 2, 1999                      Date:  April 2, 1999
      --------------------------                -----------------------------


/s/ PAUL W. BAKER                        /s/ ROBERT J. DUNNING               
- --------------------------------         ------------------------------------
PAUL W. BAKER                            ROBERT J. DUNNING                   
Director                                 Director                            
                                                                             
                                                                             
Date: April 2, 1999                      Date:  April 2, 1999                 
      --------------------------                -----------------------------
                                                                             
                                                                             
/s/ JOHN J. DALY
- --------------------------------          ------------------------------------ 
JOHN J. DALY                              DANIEL J. GRECO                      
Director                                  Director                             
                                                                               
                                                                               
Date: April 2, 1999                       Date:                                
      --------------------------                ------------------------------ 
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                         
/s/ LIONEL H. FALLOWS
- --------------------------------         
LIONEL H. FALLOWS                        
Director                                 


Date: April 2, 1999                      
      --------------------------         





                                      II-7

<PAGE>






/s/ MARVIN R. LEROY, JR.                 /s/ CHARLES S. PEDERSON 
- --------------------------------         ------------------------------------
MARVIN R. LEROY, JR.                     CHARLES S. PEDERSON
Director                                 Director



Date: April 2, 1999                      Date: April 2, 1999
      --------------------------               ------------------------------



/s/ CARL A. SCHMIDT, JR.                 /s/ RONALD S. TECLER
- --------------------------------         ------------------------------------
CARL A. SCHMIDT, JR.                     RONALD S. TECLER
Director                                 Director



Date: April 2, 1999                      Date: April 2, 1999 
      --------------------------               ------------------------------



/s/ JOHN A. TESIERO, JR.
- --------------------------------         ------------------------------------
JOHN A. TESIERO, JR.                     WILLIAM A. WILDE, JR.
Director                                 Director


Date: April 2, 1999                      Date: 
      --------------------------               ------------------------------



/s/ JAMES J. ALESCIO
- --------------------------------
JAMES J. ALESCIO
Senior Vice President, Treasurer
 and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and
 Accounting Officer)


Date: April 2, 1999                          
      --------------------------





                                      II-8

<PAGE>


                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549












                                    EXHIBITS


                                       TO


                                    FORM S-8


                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT


                                      UNDER


                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933










                            AMBANC HOLDING CO., INC.




<PAGE>





                                  EXHIBIT INDEX






Exhibit
Number                 Document
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


23.2         Consent of KPMG LLP

99           AFSALA Bancorp, Inc. 1997 Stock Option
             Plan




<PAGE>







                            [LETTERHEAD OF KPMG LLP]



               Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants


The Board of Directors
Ambanc Holding Co., Inc.


We consent to incorporation by reference in the Post-Effective Amendment No. One
on Form S-8 to Form S-4  Registration  Statement  of Ambanc  Holding  Co.,  Inc.
relating to the AFSALA Bancorp, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan, of our report dated
February  12,  1999,  relating  to  the  consolidated  statements  of  financial
condition of Ambanc Holding Co., Inc. and  subsidiaries  as of December 31, 1998
and 1997,  and the related  consolidated  statements of  operations,  changes in
shareholders'  equity  and cash  flows for each of the  years in the  three-year
period ended  December 31, 1998,  which report  appears in the December 31, 1998
Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ambanc Holding Co., Inc.

                                                      /S/ KPMG LLP

                                                      KPMG LLP


Albany, New York
April 1, 1999



<PAGE>



                            AFSALA BANCORP, INC.

                            1997 STOCK OPTION PLAN


      1. Purpose of the Plan. The Plan shall be known as the AFSALA Bancorp Inc.
("Corporation")  1997 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). The purpose of the Plan is
to  attract  and  retain  qualified   personnel  for  positions  of  substantial
responsibility and to provide additional incentive to officers,  directors,  key
employees  and other  persons  providing  services  to the  Corporation,  or any
present or future parent or subsidiary of the Corporation to promote the success
of the  business.  The Plan is intended  to provide for the grant of  "Incentive
Stock Options,"  within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal  Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and Non-Incentive  Stock Options,  options that
do not so  qualify.  The  provisions  of the Plan  relating to  Incentive  Stock
Options shall be  interpreted to conform to the  requirements  of Section 422 of
the Code.

       2.  Definitions.  The following  words and phrases when used in this Plan
with an initial capital letter,  unless the context clearly indicates otherwise,
shall have the meaning as set forth below. Wherever  appropriate,  the masculine
pronoun  shall include the feminine  pronoun and the singular  shall include the
plural.

            (a) "Award" means the grant by the  Committee of an Incentive  Stock
Option or a Non-Incentive Stock Option, or any combination  thereof, as provided
in the Plan.

            (b) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation, or
any successor or parent corporation thereto.

            (c)  "Change  in  Control"  shall  mean:  (i) the sale of all,  or a
material  portion,  of the  assets  of  the  Corporation;  (ii)  the  merger  or
recapitalization of the Corporation whereby the Corporation is not the surviving
entity;  (iii) a change in control of the Corporation,  as otherwise  defined or
determined by the Office of Thrift Supervision or regulations promulgated by it;
or (iv) the  acquisition,  directly or indirectly,  of the beneficial  ownership
(within  the  meaning  of  that  term  as it is used  in  Section  13(d)  of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934  and the  rules  and  regulations  promulgated
thereunder)  of  twenty-five  percent  (25%) or more of the  outstanding  voting
securities  of the  Corporation  by any  person,  trust,  entity or group.  This
limitation  shall  not  apply to the  purchase  of  shares  by  underwriters  in
connection  with a public  offering of  Corporation  stock,  or the  purchase of
shares  of up to  25%  of any  class  of  securities  of  the  Corporation  by a
tax-qualified  employee  stock  benefit  plan which is exempt from the  approval
requirements, set forth under 12 C.F.R. Section 574.3(c)(1)(vi) as now in effect
or as may hereafter be amended.  The term  "person" refers to an individual or a
corporation,  partnership,  trust, association,  joint venture, pool, syndicate,
sole proprietorship, unincorporated organization or any other form of entity not
specifically listed herein. The decision of the Committee as to whether a Change
in Control has occurred shall be conclusive and binding.

            (d) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
and regulations promulgated thereunder.


                                        1

<PAGE>



            (e) "Committee"  shall mean the Board or the Stock Option  Committee
appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 5(a) of the Plan.

            (f)  "Common  Stock"  shall mean  common  stock,  par value $.10 per
share, of the Corporation, or any successor or parent corporation thereto.

            (g)  "Continuous  Employment" or "Continuous  Status as an Employee"
shall mean the absence of any interruption or termination of employment with the
Corporation  or any present or future Parent or  Subsidiary of the  Corporation.
Employment  shall  not be  considered  interrupted  in the  case of sick  leave,
military leave or any other leave of absence  approved by the  Corporation or in
the case of transfers between payroll  locations,  of the Corporation or between
the Corporation, its Parent, its Subsidiaries or a successor.

            (h)  "Corporation"  shall mean the AFSALA  Bancorp Inc.,  the parent
corporation of the Savings Bank, or any successor or Parent thereof.

            (i) "Director"  shall mean a member of the Board of the Corporation,
or any successor or parent corporation thereto.

            (j) "Director  Emeritus"  shall mean a person  serving as a director
emeritus,  advisory director,  consulting  director or other similar position as
may  be  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Directors  of the  Savings  Bank  or the
Corporation from time to time.

            (k) "Disability"  means (a) with respect to Incentive Stock Options,
the "permanent and total  disability" of the Employee as such term is defined at
Section  22(e)(3)  of the Code;  and (b) with  respect  to  Non-Incentive  Stock
Options,  any  physical  or mental  impairment  which  renders  the  Participant
incapable of continuing in the  employment or service of the Savings Bank or the
Parent in his then current capacity as determined by the Committee.

            (l) "Effective  Date"  shall mean the date  specified  in Section 15
hereof.

            (m) "Employee"  shall mean any person employed by the Corporation or
any present or future Parent or Subsidiary of the Corporation.

            (n) "Fair  Market  Value"  shall  mean:  (i) if the Common  Stock is
traded otherwise than on a national  securities  exchange,  then the Fair Market
Value per Share shall be equal to the mean between the last bid and ask price of
such  Common  Stock on such  date or,  if there is no bid and ask  price on said
date,  then on the  immediately  prior business day on which there was a bid and
ask price. If no such bid and ask price is available, then the Fair Market Value
shall be determined by the Committee in good faith;  or (ii) if the Common Stock
is listed on a national  securities  exchange,  then the Fair  Market  Value per
Share shall be not less than the average of the highest and lowest selling price
of such Common Stock on such exchange on such date, or if there were no sales on
said date,  then the Fair Market  Value shall be not less than the mean  between
the last bid and ask price on such date.

            (o)  "Incentive  Stock  Option"  or "ISO"  shall  mean an  option to
purchase  Shares granted by the Committee  pursuant to Section 8 hereof which is
subject to the limitations and  restrictions of Section 8 hereof and is intended
to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.


                                        2

<PAGE>



            (p)  "Non-Incentive  Stock Option" or "Non-ISO" shall mean an option
to purchase  Shares  granted  pursuant to Section 9 hereof,  which option is not
intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Code.

            (q) "Option" shall mean an Incentive  Stock Option or  Non-Incentive
Stock Option  granted  pursuant to this Plan providing the holder of such Option
with the right to purchase Common Stock.

            (r) "Optioned  Stock" shall mean stock subject to an Option  granted
pursuant to the Plan.

            (s)   "Optionee" shall mean any person who  receives  an  Option  or
Award pursuant to the Plan.

            (t)  "Parent"  shall mean any  present or future  corporation  which
would be a "parent  corporation"  as defined in  Sections  424(e) and (g) of the
Code.

            (u) "Participant" means any director,  Director Emeritus, officer or
key employee of the  Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary of the  Corporation
or any other person  providing a service to the  Corporation  who is selected by
the  Committee to receive an Award,  or who by the express  terms of the Plan is
granted an Award.

            (v)   "Plan" shall mean the AFSALA Bancorp, Inc. 1997 Stock  Option
Plan.

            (w) "Savings Bank" shall mean Amsterdam Federal Bank, Amsterdam, New
York, or any successor corporation thereto.

            (x)   "Share" shall mean one share of the Common Stock.

            (y) "Subsidiary"  shall mean any present or future corporation which
constitutes a "subsidiary  corporation" as defined in Sections 424(f) and (g) of
the Code.

       3.  Shares  Subject  to the Plan.  Except as  otherwise  required  by the
provisions of Section 13 hereof,  the aggregate number of Shares with respect to
which Awards may be made pursuant to the Plan shall not exceed  145,475  Shares.
Such Shares may either be from authorized but unissued  shares,  treasury shares
or shares purchased in the market for Plan purposes.

      If an Award shall expire,  become  unexercisable,  or be forfeited for any
reason  prior to its  exercise,  new Awards  may be granted  under the Plan with
respect to the number of Shares as to which such expiration has occurred.

      4.    Six Month Holding Period.

            Subject to vesting requirements,  if applicable, except in the event
of death or  disability  of the  Optionee,  a minimum of six months  must elapse
between  the  date of the  grant  of an  Option  and the date of the sale of the
Common Stock received through the exercise of such Option.


                                        3

<PAGE>



       5.   Administration of the Plan.

            (a) Composition of the Committee.  The Plan shall be administered by
the Board of Directors of the  Corporation or a Committee which shall consist of
not less  than two  Directors  of the  Corporation  appointed  by the  Board and
serving at the pleasure of the Board.  All persons  designated as members of the
Committee shall meet the  requirements of a "Non-Employee  Director"  within the
meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as
found at 17 CFR Section 240.16b-3.

            (b) Powers of the Committee.  The Committee is authorized  (but only
to the  extent  not  contrary  to the  express  provisions  of  the  Plan  or to
resolutions adopted by the Board) to interpret the Plan, to prescribe, amend and
rescind  rules and  regulations  relating to the Plan, to determine the form and
content of Awards to be issued  under the Plan and to make other  determinations
necessary or advisable for the  administration  of the Plan,  and shall have and
may  exercise  such other power and  authority  as may be delegated to it by the
Board from time to time. A majority of the entire  Committee shall  constitute a
quorum and the action of a majority  of the  members  present at any  meeting at
which a quorum is present  shall be deemed the  action of the  Committee.  In no
event may the Committee  revoke  outstanding  Awards  without the consent of the
Participant.

            The President of the Corporation and such other officers as shall be
designated by the Committee are hereby authorized to execute written  agreements
evidencing Awards on behalf of the Corporation and to cause them to be delivered
to the Participants.  Such agreements shall set forth the Option exercise price,
the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Option, the expiration date
of such Options, and such other terms and restrictions  applicable to such Award
as are determined in accordance with the Plan or the actions of the Committee.

            (c)   Effect of Committee's Decision. All decisions,  determinations
and  interpretations  of the  Committee  shall be final  and  conclusive  on all
persons affected thereby.

       6.   Eligibility for Awards and Limitations.

                   (a) The  Committee  shall  from  time to time  determine  the
officers,  Directors,  Directors  Emeritus,  key employees and other persons who
shall be granted  Awards  under the Plan,  the number of Awards to be granted to
each such persons, and whether Awards granted to each such Participant under the
Plan  shall be  Incentive  and/or  Non-Incentive  Stock  Options.  In  selecting
Participants  and in  determining  the  number of  Shares of Common  Stock to be
granted to each such  Participant,  the Committee may consider the nature of the
prior and anticipated  future services rendered by each such  Participant,  each
such  Participant's  current and potential  contribution  to the Corporation and
such other factors as the Committee may, in its sole discretion,  deem relevant.
Participants  who have been  granted an Award may,  if  otherwise  eligible,  be
granted additional Awards.

                  (b) The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date
the Option is  granted)  of the Shares  with  respect to which  Incentive  Stock
Options are  exercisable for the first time by each Employee during any calendar
year (under all Incentive  Stock Option plans,  as defined in Section 422 of the
Code,  of the  Corporation  or any present or future Parent or Subsidiary of the
Corporation) shall not exceed $100,000.  Notwithstanding the prior provisions of
this  Section 6, the  Committee  may grant  Options  in excess of the  foregoing
limitations,  provided said Options shall be clearly and specifically designated
as not being Incentive Stock Options.

                                        4

<PAGE>




                  (c) In no event  shall  Shares  subject to Options  granted to
non-employee  Directors in the aggregate under this Plan exceed more than 30% of
the total number of Shares  authorized  for delivery under this Plan pursuant to
Section 3 herein or more than 5% to any individual  non-employee Director. In no
event shall Shares subject to Options  granted to any Employee  exceed more than
25% of the total number of Shares authorized for delivery under the Plan.

       7. Term of the Plan.  The Plan shall continue in effect for a term of ten
(10) years from the Effective Date, unless sooner terminated pursuant to Section
18 hereof.  No Option shall be granted  under the Plan after ten (10) years from
the Effective Date.

       8. Terms and  Conditions  of Incentive  Stock  Options.  Incentive  Stock
Options may be granted only to  Participants  who are Employees.  Each Incentive
Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by an instrument in
such form as the Committee shall from time to time approve. Each Incentive Stock
Option  granted  pursuant to the Plan shall comply with,  and be subject to, the
following terms and conditions:

            (a)   Option Price.

                   (i) The price per Share at which each Incentive  Stock Option
granted by the  Committee  under the Plan may be exercised  shall not, as to any
particular  Incentive  Stock  Option,  be less than the Fair Market Value of the
Common Stock on the date that such Incentive Stock Option is granted.

                  (ii)  In  the  case  of an  Employee  who  owns  Common  Stock
representing more than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding  Common Stock at the
time the Incentive Stock Option is granted,  the Incentive Stock Option exercise
price  shall not be less than one  hundred  and ten  percent  (110%) of the Fair
Market Value of the Common Stock on the date that the Incentive  Stock Option is
granted.

            (b) Payment.  Full payment for each Share of Common Stock  purchased
upon the exercise of any Incentive  Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be
made at the time of exercise of each such  Incentive  Stock  Option and shall be
paid in cash (in United States  Dollars),  Common Stock or a combination of cash
and Common  Stock.  Common  Stock  utilized  in full or  partial  payment of the
exercise price shall be valued at the Fair Market Value at the date of exercise.
The Corporation shall accept full or partial payment in Common Stock only to the
extent  permitted by  applicable  law. No Shares of Common Stock shall be issued
until full payment has been received by the  Corporation,  and no Optionee shall
have any of the  rights of a  stockholder  of the  Corporation  until  Shares of
Common Stock are issued to the Optionee.

            (c) Term of Incentive Stock Option.  The term of  exercisability  of
each Incentive Stock Option granted  pursuant to the Plan shall be not more than
ten (10)  years  from the date  each such  Incentive  Stock  Option is  granted,
provided that in the case of an Employee who owns stock  representing  more than
ten percent  (10%) of the Common  Stock  outstanding  at the time the  Incentive
Stock  Option is granted,  the term of  exercisability  of the  Incentive  Stock
Option shall not exceed five (5) years.

            (d) Exercise  Generally.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 10
hereof,  no Incentive  Stock Option may be exercised  unless the Optionee  shall
have  been in the  employ of the  Corporation  at all times  during  the  period
beginning with the date of grant of any such  Incentive  Stock Option and ending
on the date three (3) months prior to the date of exercise of any such Incentive


                                        5

<PAGE>

Stock Option.  The Committee may impose additional  conditions upon the right of
an Optionee to exercise any Incentive  Stock Option granted  hereunder which are
not   inconsistent   with  the  terms  of  the  Plan  or  the  requirements  for
qualification as an Incentive Stock Option.  Except as otherwise provided by the
terms of the Plan or by action of the  Committee at the time of the grant of the
Options,  the Options  will be first  exercisable  at the rate of 20% on the one
year  anniversary of the date of grant and 20% annually  thereafter  during such
periods of service as an Employee, Director or Director Emeritus.

            (e)  Cashless  Exercise.   Subject  to  vesting   requirements,   if
applicable,  an Optionee who has held an Incentive Stock Option for at least six
months may engage in the  "cashless  exercise"  of the  Option.  Upon a cashless
exercise,  an Optionee gives the  Corporation  written notice of the exercise of
the Option  together with an order to a registered  broker-dealer  or equivalent
third party,  to sell part or all of the Optioned Stock and to deliver enough of
the  proceeds  to the  Corporation  to pay the  Option  exercise  price  and any
applicable  withholding  taxes. If the Optionee does not sell the Optioned Stock
through a registered  broker-dealer  or equivalent third party, the Optionee can
give the Corporation  written notice of the exercise of the Option and the third
party  purchaser of the Optioned Stock shall pay the Option  exercise price plus
any applicable withholding taxes to the Corporation.

            (f)  Transferability.  An Incentive Stock Option granted pursuant to
the Plan shall be exercised  during an Optionee's  lifetime only by the Optionee
to whom it was granted and shall not be  assignable  or  transferable  otherwise
than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

       9.  Terms  and   Conditions  of   Non-Incentive   Stock   Options.   Each
Non-Incentive Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by an
instrument in such form as the Committee  shall from time to time approve.  Each
Non-Incentive Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall comply with and be
subject to the following terms and conditions.

            (a) Options  Granted to  Directors.  Subject to the  limitations  of
Section 6(c),  Non-  Incentive  Stock Options to purchase 7,273 shares of Common
Stock  will  be  granted  to  each  Director  who is not an  Employee  as of the
Effective  Date,  at an exercise  price  equal to the Fair  Market  Value of the
Common Stock on such date of grant. The Options will be first exercisable at the
rate of 20% on the one year  anniversary  of the Effective Date and 20% annually
thereafter  during such  periods of service as a Director or Director  Emeritus.
Upon the death or Disability of the Director or Director  Emeritus,  such Option
shall be deemed immediately 100% exercisable.  Such Options shall continue to be
exercisable for a period of ten years following the date of grant without regard
to the continued  services of such Director as a Director or Director  Emeritus.
In the event of the  Optionee's  death,  such  Options may be  exercised  by the
personal  representative  of his  estate or person or persons to whom his rights
under  such  Option  shall  have  passed by will or by the laws of  descent  and
distribution.  Options may be granted to newly appointed or elected non-employee
Directors  within the sole  discretion of the Committee.  The exercise price per
Share of such  Options  granted  shall be equal to the Fair Market  Value of the
Common Stock at the time such Options are granted.  All outstanding Awards shall
become  immediately  exercisable  in the  event of a Change  in  Control  of the
Savings  Bank or the  Company,  provided  that such  accelerated  vesting is not
inconsistent with applicable  regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision at
the  time  of  such  Change  in  Control.  Unless  otherwise  inapplicable,   or
inconsistent with the provisions of this paragraph, the Options to be granted to
Directors hereunder shall be subject to all other provisions of this Plan.

            (b)   Option Price. The exercise price per Share of Common Stock for
each  Non-Incentive  Stock Option granted  pursuant to the Plan shall be at such
price as the  Committee  may  determine in its sole discretion,  but in no event
less  than  the  Fair Market  Value of such Common Stock on the date of grant as
determined by the Committee in good faith.

                                        6

<PAGE>

            (c) Payment.  Full payment for each Share of Common Stock  purchased
upon the exercise of any Non-Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan shall
be made at the time of  exercise  of each such  Non-Incentive  Stock  Option and
shall be paid in cash (in United States Dollars),  Common Stock or a combination
of cash and Common Stock.  Common Stock  utilized in full or partial  payment of
the  exercise  price  shall be  valued at its Fair  Market  Value at the date of
exercise.  The Company shall accept full or partial payment in Common Stock only
to the extent  permitted by  applicable  law. No Shares of Common Stock shall be
issued until full payment has been received by the Company and no Optionee shall
have any of the  rights of a  stockholder  of the  Company  until the  Shares of
Common Stock are issued to the Optionee.

            (d) Term. The term of  exercisability  of each  Non-Incentive  Stock
Option  granted  pursuant to the Plan shall be not more than ten (10) years from
the date each such Non-Incentive Stock Option is granted.

            (e)  Exercise   Generally.   The  Committee  may  impose  additional
conditions upon the right of any Participant to exercise any Non-Incentive Stock
Option granted  hereunder which is not inconsistent  with the terms of the Plan.
Except  as  otherwise  provided  by the  terms of the Plan or by  action  of the
Committee  at the time of the grant of the  Options,  the Options  will be first
exercisable at the rate of 20% on the one year  anniversary of the date of grant
and 20%  annually  thereafter  during  such  periods of service as an  Employee,
Director or Director Emeritus.

            (f)  Cashless  Exercise.   Subject  to  vesting   requirements,   if
applicable,  an Optionee who has held a Non-Incentive  Stock Option for at least
six months may engage in the "cashless  exercise" of the Option. Upon a cashless
exercise,  an Optionee  gives the Company  written notice of the exercise of the
Option together with an order to a registered  broker-dealer or equivalent third
party,  to sell part or all of the Optioned  Stock and to deliver  enough of the
proceeds  to the  Company to pay the Option  exercise  price and any  applicable
withholding  taxes.  If the Optionee does not sell the Optioned  Stock through a
registered  broker-dealer  or equivalent  third party, the Optionee can give the
Company  written  notice of the  exercise  of the  Option  and the  third  party
purchaser of the  Optioned  Stock shall pay the Option  exercise  price plus any
applicable withholding taxes to the Company.

            (g) Transferability. Any Non-Incentive Stock Option granted pursuant
to the  Plan  shall be  exercised  during  an  Optionee's  lifetime  only by the
Optionee  to whom it was  granted and shall not be  assignable  or  transferable
otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

      10.   Effect  of  Termination  of  Employment,   Disability  or  Death  on
Incentive Stock Options.

            (a)  Termination  of  Employment.  In the event that any  Optionee's
employment  with  the  Company  shall  terminate  for  any  reason,  other  than
Disability or death, all of any such Optionee's Incentive Stock Options, and all
of any such  Optionee's  rights to  purchase or receive  Shares of Common  Stock
pursuant  thereto,  shall  automatically  terminate on (A) the earlier of (i) or
(ii): (i) the respective  expiration  dates of any such Incentive Stock Options,
or (ii) the  expiration of not more than three (3) months after the date of such
termination  of  employment;  or (B) at such later date as is  determined by the
Committee  at the time of the  grant of such  Award  based  upon the  Optionee's

                                        7

<PAGE>

continuing  status as a Director or Director Emeritus of the Savings Bank or the
Company,  but only if, and to the extent  that,  the  Optionee  was  entitled to
exercise any such  Incentive  Stock Options at the date of such  termination  of
employment,   and  further  that  such  Award  shall   thereafter  be  deemed  a
Non-Incentive  Stock  Option.  In the  event  that a  Subsidiary  ceases to be a
Subsidiary  of the Company,  the  employment of all of its employees who are not
immediately  thereafter  employees  of the Company  shall be deemed to terminate
upon the date such Subsidiary so ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company.

            (b) Disability. In the event that any Optionee's employment with the
Company shall  terminate as the result of the Disability of such Optionee,  such
Optionee  may  exercise  any  Incentive  Stock  Options  granted to the Optionee
pursuant  to the Plan at any time  prior to the  earlier  of (i) the  respective
expiration  dates of any such Incentive  Stock Options or (ii) the date which is
one (1) year after the date of such termination of employment,  but only if, and
to the extent that,  the  Optionee  was entitled to exercise any such  Incentive
Stock Options at the date of such termination of employment.

            (c) Death.  In the event of the death of an Optionee,  any Incentive
Stock Options granted to such Optionee may be exercised by the person or persons
to whom the  Optionee's  rights under any such  Incentive  Stock Options pass by
will or by the laws of descent and distribution (including the Optionee's estate
during the period of administration) at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the
respective expiration dates of any such Incentive Stock Options or (ii) the date
which is two (2) years after the date of death of such Optionee but only if, and
to the extent that,  the  Optionee  was entitled to exercise any such  Incentive
Stock  Options at the date of death.  For  purposes of this Section  10(c),  any
Incentive  Stock Option held by an Optionee  shall be considered  exercisable at
the  date of his  death  if the  only  unsatisfied  condition  precedent  to the
exercisability  of such  Incentive  Stock  Option  at the  date of  death is the
passage of a specified period of time. At the discretion of the Committee,  upon
exercise  of  such  Options  the  Optionee  may  receive  Shares  or  cash  or a
combination thereof. If cash shall be paid in lieu of Shares, such cash shall be
equal to the  difference  between the Fair  Market  Value of such Shares and the
exercise price of such Options on the exercise date.

            (d) Incentive  Stock  Options  Deemed  Exercisable.  For purposes of
Sections  10(a),  10(b) and 10(c) above,  any Incentive Stock Option held by any
Optionee  shall  be  considered  exercisable  at  the  date  of  termination  of
employment if any such  Incentive  Stock Option would have been  exercisable  at
such date of termination of employment without regard to the Disability or death
of the Participant.

            (e)  Termination  of  Incentive  Stock  Options.  Except  as  may be
specified by the Committee at the time of grant of an Option, to the extent that
any  Incentive  Stock  Option  granted  under  the  Plan to any  Optionee  whose
employment with the Company  terminates shall not have been exercised within the
applicable period set forth in this Section 10, any such Incentive Stock Option,
and all rights to purchase or receive Shares of Common Stock  pursuant  thereto,
as the case may be, shall terminate on the last day of the applicable period.

      11.  Effect  of  Termination   of  Employment,   Disability  or  Death  on
Non-Incentive  Stock Options.  The terms and conditions of  Non-Incentive  Stock
Options relating to the effect of the termination of an Optionee's employment or
service,  Disability  of an  Optionee  or his  death  shall  be such  terms  and
conditions as the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, determine at the time
of termination of service,  unless specifically provided for by the terms of the
Agreement at the time of grant of the Award.


                                        8

<PAGE>



      12.  Withholding  Tax. The Company shall have the right to deduct from all
amounts paid in cash with respect to the cashless  exercise of Options any taxes
required  by law to be  withheld  with  respect to such cash  payments.  Where a
Participant  or other  person is  entitled  to receive  Shares  pursuant  to the
exercise  of an  Option,  the  Company  shall  have  the  right to  require  the
Participant  or such  other  person to pay the  Company  the amount of any taxes
which the Company is required to withhold  with respect to such  Shares,  or, in
lieu  thereof,  to retain,  or to sell without  notice,  a number of such Shares
sufficient to cover the amount required to be withheld.

      13.   Recapitalization, Merger, Consolidation, Change in Control and Other
Transactions.

            (a) Adjustment.  Subject to any required action by the  stockholders
of the Company,  within the sole  discretion  of the  Committee,  the  aggregate
number of Shares of Common Stock for which Options may be granted hereunder, the
number of Shares of Common Stock  covered by each  outstanding  Option,  and the
exercise  price  per Share of Common  Stock of each  such  Option,  shall all be
proportionately  adjusted  for any  increase or decrease in the number of issued
and  outstanding  Shares  of  Common  Stock  resulting  from  a  subdivision  or
consolidation   of  Shares   (whether   by  reason  of  merger,   consolidation,
recapitalization,   reclassification,   split-up,   combination  of  shares,  or
otherwise) or the payment of a stock  dividend (but only on the Common Stock) or
any other  increase or  decrease  in the number of such  Shares of Common  Stock
effected  without the receipt or payment of  consideration by the Company (other
than Shares held by dissenting stockholders).

            (b)  Change  in  Control.   All  outstanding   Awards  shall  become
immediately  exercisable in the event of a Change in Control of the Company,  as
determined  by the  Committee,  provided  that such  accelerated  vesting is not
inconsistent with applicable  regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision at
the time of such  Change in  Control.  In the event of such a Change in Control,
the Committee and the Board of Directors  will take one or more of the following
actions to be effective as of the date of such Change in Control:

            (i)  provide  that such  Options  shall be  assumed,  or  equivalent
options  shall  be  substituted,  ("Substitute  Options")  by the  acquiring  or
succeeding  corporation (or an affiliate  thereof),  provided that: (A) any such
Substitute  Options  exchanged  for  Incentive  Stock  Options  shall  meet  the
requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code, and (B) the shares of stock issuable
upon  the  exercise  of such  Substitute  Options  shall  constitute  securities
registered in accordance  with the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  ("1933
Act") or such  securities  shall be exempt from such  registration in accordance
with  Sections  3(a)(2) or 3(a)(5) of the 1933 Act,  (collectively,  "Registered
Securities"),  or in  the  alternative,  if the  securities  issuable  upon  the
exercise of such Substitute Options shall not constitute Registered  Securities,
then the  Optionee  will  receive  upon  consummation  of the  Change in Control
transaction a cash payment for each Option  surrendered  equal to the difference
between (1) the Fair Market Value of the  consideration  to be received for each
share of Common Stock in the Change in Control  transaction  times the number of
shares  of  Common  Stock  subject  to  such  surrendered  Options,  and (2) the
aggregate exercise price of all such surrendered Options, or

            (ii) in the  event of a  transaction  under  the  terms of which the
holders  of the Common  Stock of the  Company  will  receive  upon  consummation
thereof a cash  payment  (the  "Merger  Price")  for each share of Common  Stock
exchanged in the Change in Control transaction, to make or to provide for a cash
payment to the Optionees  equal to the  difference  between (A) the Merger Price
times the number of shares of Common Stock  subject to such Options held by each


                                        9

<PAGE>



Optionee (to the extent then  exercisable  at prices not in excess of the Merger
Price) and (B) the aggregate  exercise price of all such surrendered  Options in
exchange for such surrendered Options.

            (c) Extraordinary  Corporate Action.  Notwithstanding any provisions
of the Plan to the contrary,  subject to any required action by the stockholders
of the Company, in the event of any Change in Control, recapitalization, merger,
consolidation,  exchange  of Shares,  spin-off,  reorganization,  tender  offer,
partial or  complete  liquidation  or other  extraordinary  corporate  action or
event,  the Committee,  in its sole discretion,  shall have the power,  prior or
subsequent to such action or event to:

                   (i) appropriately adjust the number of Shares of Common Stock
subject to each Option, the Option exercise price per Share of Common Stock, and
the  consideration  to be given or received by the Company  upon the exercise of
any outstanding Option;

                  (ii) cancel any or all previously  granted  Options,  provided
that appropriate  consideration is paid to the Optionee in connection therewith;
and/or

                   (iii) make such other adjustments in connection with the Plan
as  the  Committee,  in  its  sole  discretion,   deems  necessary,   desirable,
appropriate or advisable;  provided,  however,  that no action shall be taken by
the Committee which would cause Incentive Stock Options granted  pursuant to the
Plan to fail to meet the  requirements  of Section  422 of the Code  without the
consent of the Optionee.

            (d) Acceleration. The Committee shall at all times have the power to
accelerate  the  exercise  date of Options  previously  granted  under the Plan;
provided  that such  action is not  contrary to  regulations  of the OTS then in
effect.

             (e)  Non-recurring  Dividends.  Upon the  payment  of a special  or
non-recurring  cash  dividend  that has the effect of a return of capital to the
stockholders,   the  Option   exercise   price  per  share   shall  be  adjusted
proportionately.

      Except as expressly provided in Sections 13(a), 13(b) and 13(e) hereof, no
Optionee  shall have any rights by reason of the occurrence of any of the events
described in this Section 13.

      14. Time of  Granting  Options.  The date of grant of an Option  under the
Plan  shall,  for all  purposes,  be the date on which the  Committee  makes the
determination of granting such Option. Notice of the grant of an Option shall be
given to each  individual  to whom an Option is so granted  within a  reasonable
time after the date of such grant in a form determined by the Committee.

      15. Effective  Date.  The Plan shall  become   effective  upon the date of
approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company,  subject to approval or
non-objection by the Office of Thrift Supervision,  if applicable. The Committee
may make a determination related to Awards prior to the Effective Date with such
Awards to be effective upon the date of stockholder approval of the Plan.

     16. Approval by Stockholders. The Plan shall be approved by stockholders of
the  Company  within  twelve  (12)  months  before or after the date the Plan is
approved by the Board.


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<PAGE>



      17.  Modification of Options. At any time and from time to time, the Board
may authorize  the Committee to direct the execution of an instrument  providing
for the modification of any outstanding  Option,  provided no such modification,
extension  or renewal  shall  confer on the  holder of said  Option any right or
benefit  which  could not be  conferred  on the  Optionee  by the grant of a new
Option at such time, or shall not materially  decrease the  Optionee's  benefits
under the Option  without  the  consent of the holder of the  Option,  except as
otherwise permitted under Section 18 hereof.

      18.   Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

            (a) Action by the Board. The Board may alter, suspend or discontinue
the  Plan,  except  that no action of the  Board  may  increase  (other  than as
provided  in Section 13 hereof)  the maximum  number of Shares  permitted  to be
optioned  under  the  Plan,   materially   increase  the  benefits  accruing  to
Participants   under  the  Plan  or  materially   modify  the  requirements  for
eligibility for  participation in the Plan unless such action of the Board shall
be subject to approval or ratification by the stockholders of the Company.

            (b) Change in Applicable  Law.  Notwithstanding  any other provision
contained  in the Plan,  in the event of a change in any  federal  or state law,
rule  or  regulation  which  would  make  the  exercise  of all or  part  of any
previously  granted Option  unlawful or subject the Company to any penalty,  the
Committee may restrict any such exercise  without the consent of the Optionee or
other holder thereof in order to comply with any such law, rule or regulation or
to avoid any such penalty.

      19.   Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares;  Limitations on Option Exercise;
Cancellation of Option Rights.

      (a) Shares  shall not be issued with respect to any Option  granted  under
the Plan unless the  issuance  and delivery of such Shares shall comply with all
relevant  provisions of  applicable  law,  including,  without  limitation,  the
Securities  Act of 1933,  as  amended,  the  rules and  regulations  promulgated
thereunder,  any applicable  state  securities laws and the  requirements of any
stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed.

      (b) The inability of the Company to obtain any  necessary  authorizations,
approvals  or letters of  non-objection  from any  regulatory  body or authority
deemed by the Company's  counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale
of any Shares issuable hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability with
respect to the non-issuance or sale of such Shares.

      (c) As a condition to the  exercise of an Option,  the Company may require
the person exercising the Option to make such  representations and warranties as
may  be  necessary  to  assure  the   availability  of  an  exemption  from  the
registration requirements of federal or state securities law.

      (d) Notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary, upon the termination
of employment or service of an Optionee by the Company or its  Subsidiaries  for
"cause" as  defined  at 12 C.F.R.  563.39(b)(1)  as  determined  by the Board of
Directors, all Options held by such Participant shall cease to be exercisable as
of the date of such termination of employment or service.

      (e) Upon the  exercise  of an Option  by an  Optionee  (or the  Optionee's
personal  representative),  the Committee,  in its sole and absolute discretion,
may make a cash  payment to the  Optionee,  in whole or in part,  in lieu of the


                                       11

<PAGE>


delivery  of shares of Common  Stock.  Such cash  payment  to be paid in lieu of
delivery  of Common  Stock  shall be equal to the  difference  between  the Fair
Market  Value of the  Common  Stock on the date of the Option  exercise  and the
exercise  price per share of the Option.  Such cash payment shall be in exchange
for the cancellation of such Option.  Such cash payment shall not be made in the
event that such  transaction  would  result in  liability to the Optionee or the
Company under Section 16(b) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and regulations promulgated thereunder.

       20.  Reservation of Shares. During the term of the Plan, the Company will
reserve  and keep  available  a number  of  Shares  sufficient  to  satisfy  the
requirements of the Plan.

      21.  Unsecured  Obligation.  No Participant  under the Plan shall have any
interest  in any fund or special  asset of the  Company by reason of the Plan or
the grant of any  Option  under the Plan.  No trust  fund  shall be  created  in
connection with the Plan or any grant of any Option hereunder and there shall be
no required funding of amounts which may become payable to any Participant.

      22. No Employment Rights. No Director, Employee or other person shall have
a right to be selected as a Participant under the Plan. Neither the Plan nor any
action taken by the Committee in  administration  of the Plan shall be construed
as giving any  person any rights of  employment  or  retention  as an  Employee,
Director or in any other  capacity  with the Company,  the Savings Bank or other
Subsidiaries.

      23.   Governing  Law.  The Plan  shall be  governed  by and  construed  in
accordance  with the laws of the State of New York,  except to the  extent  that
federal law shall be deemed to apply.


                                   Amendment
                                     to the
                              AFSALA BANCORP, INC.
                             1997 Stock Option Plan
                             ----------------------

1.   Revision  to the  Plan  by  addition  of the  following  Section  24 in its
     entirety as follows:

     24. Plan Provisions Effective as of February 24, 1998.

         (a)  Immediate  Vesting  Upon  a  Change  in  Control.  Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary,  upon a Change in Control of the Company or the
Savings Bank, all outstanding  Awards shall be immediately  100% exercisable and
non-forfeitable.

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