PEEKSKILL FINANCIAL CORP
DEF 14A, 1996-09-30
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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<PAGE>
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                            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(c)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12

                         Peekskill Financial Corporation
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

                                      N/A
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
      (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other that Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

/X/ $125 per Exchange Act Rules 6-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(j)(2).

/ / $500 per each party to the  controversy  pursuant  to  Exchange  Act Rule
    14a-6(i)(3).

/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) 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:


       ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    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:

    ___________________________________________________________________________
    
<PAGE>






                  [PEEKSKILL FINANCIAL CORPORATION LETTERHEAD]




                               September 24, 1996




Dear Fellow Stockholder:

         On behalf of the Board of Directors and management of Peekskill
Financial Corporation (the "Company"), we cordially invite you to attend the
Company's first Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The meeting will be held at 3:45
p.m., Peekskill, New York time, on October 23, 1996 at the Main office of the
Company located at 1019 Park Street, Peekskill, New York 10566.

         An important aspect of the meeting process is the stockholder vote on
corporate business items. We urge you to exercise your rights as a stockholder
to vote and participate in this process. Stockholders are being asked to
consider and vote upon the election of three directors of the Company and the
ratification of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as auditors of the Company for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1997. The Board of Directors has carefully considered both
of these proposals and unanimously recommends that you vote "For" both of the
proposals.

         We encourage you to attend the meeting in person. Whether or not you
plan to attend, please read the enclosed Proxy Statement and then complete, sign
and date the enclosed proxy card and return it in the accompanying postage
prepaid return envelope as promptly as possible. This will save the Company
additional expense in soliciting proxies and will ensure that your shares are
represented at the meeting.



                                          Sincerely,




                                          /s/ Eldorus Maynard
                                          --------------------------
                                          Eldorus Maynard
                                          Chairman of the Board and
                                           Chief Executive Officer


<PAGE>



                         Peekskill Financial Corporation
                                1019 Park Street
                            Peekskill, New York 10566
                                 (914) 737-2777


                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                         To be Held on October 23, 1996


         Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the
"Meeting") of Peekskill Financial Corporation (the "Company") will be held at
the Main office of the Company located at 1019 Park Street, Peekskill, New York
10566, at 3:45 p.m., Peekskill, New York time, on October 23, 1996.

         A Proxy Card and a Proxy Statement for the Meeting are enclosed.

         The Meeting is for the purpose of considering and acting upon:

         1. The election of three directors of the Company; and

         2. The  ratification of the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the
auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1997; and

such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting, or any adjournments
thereof. The Board of Directors is not aware of any other business to come
before the Meeting.

         Any action may be taken on the foregoing proposals at the Meeting on
the date specified above, or on any date or dates to which the Meeting may be
adjourned or postponed. Stockholders of record at the close of business on
September 12, 1996 are the stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting and any
adjournments thereof.

         You are requested to complete and sign the enclosed form of proxy,
which is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors, and to mail it promptly
in the enclosed envelope. The proxy will not be used if you attend and vote at
the Meeting in person.

                                       BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS



                                       Eldorus Maynard
                                       ---------------------------
                                       Eldorus Maynard
                                       Chairman of the Board and
                                       Chief Executive Officer



Peekskill, New York
September 24, 1996



- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT:  THE PROMPT RETURN OF PROXIES WILL SAVE THE COMPANY THE EXPENSE
OF FURTHER REQUESTS FOR PROXIES TO ENSURE A QUORUM AT THE MEETING.  A SELF-
ADDRESSED ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE.  NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED
IF MAILED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES.
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



<PAGE>



                                 PROXY STATEMENT

                         Peekskill Financial Corporation
                                1019 Park Street
                            Peekskill, New York 10566
                                 (914) 737-2777

                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                October 23, 1996


         This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation
on behalf of the Board of Directors of Peekskill Financial Corporation (the
"Company"), the parent company of First Federal Savings Bank ("First Federal" or
the "Bank"), of proxies to be used at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the
Company (the "Meeting") which will be held at the Main office of the Company
located at 1019 Park Street, Peekskill, New York 10566 on October 23, 1996, at
3:45 p.m., Peekskill, New York time, and all adjournments or postponements of
the Meeting. The accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and this Proxy Statement
are first being mailed to stockholders on or about September 24, 1996. Certain
of the information provided herein relates to First Federal Savings Bank (the
"Bank"), a wholly owned subsidiary and the predecessor of the Company.

         At the Meeting, stockholders of the Company are being asked to consider
and vote upon the election of three directors of the Company and the
ratification of the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick as the auditors of the
Company for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1997.

Vote Required and Proxy Information

         All shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Common Stock"), represented at the Meeting by properly executed proxies
received prior to or at the Meeting, and not revoked, will be voted at the
Meeting in accordance with the instructions thereon. If no instructions are
indicated, properly executed proxies will be voted for the proposals set forth
in this Proxy Statement. The Company does not know of any matters, other than
those described in the Notice of Annual Meeting, that are to come before the
Meeting. If any other matters are properly presented at the Meeting for action,
the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy and acting thereunder will have
the discretion to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

         Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes present in
person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote on the
election of directors. Approval of the ratification of the appointment of KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP requires the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present
in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the
matter. Proxies marked to abstain with respect to a proposal have the same
effect as votes against the proposal. Broker non-votes have no effect on the
vote. A majority of the shares of the Common Stock, present in person or
represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for purposes of the Meeting.
Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining a
quorum.

         A proxy given pursuant to the solicitation may be revoked at any time
before it is voted. Proxies may be revoked by: (i) filing with the Secretary of
the Company at or before the Meeting a written notice of revocation bearing a
later date than the proxy, (ii) duly executing a subsequent proxy relating to
the same shares and delivering it to the Secretary of the Company at or before
the Meeting, or (iii) attending the Meeting and voting in person (although
attendance at the Meeting will not in and of itself constitute revocation of a
proxy). Any written notice revoking a proxy should be delivered to William
LaCalamito, Corporate Secretary, Peekskill Financial Corporation, 1019 Park
Street, Peekskill, New York 10566.

Voting Securities and Certain Holders Thereof

         Stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 12,
1996 will be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock then held. As
of that date, the Company had 3,863,763 shares of Common Stock issued and
outstanding.


                                        1

<PAGE>



         The following table sets forth information regarding share ownership of
(i) those persons or entities known by management to beneficially own more than
five percent of the Common Stock, (ii) each member of the Company's board of
directors, (iii) each officer of the Company and the Bank who made in excess of
$100,000 (salary and bonus) during the fiscal period ended June 30, 1996 (the
"Named Officers"); and (iv) all directors and executive officers of the Company
and the Bank as a group.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    Shares
                                                                                 Beneficially
                                                                                   Owned at         Percent
                                 Beneficial Owner                            September 12, 1996     of Class
                                 ----------------                            ------------------     --------
Principal Owners
- - ----------------
<S>                                                                                <C>                 <C> 
Peekskill Financial Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan(1)                   327,980             8.5%
1019 Park Street                                                                                  
Peekskill, New York  10566                                                                        
                                                                                                  
Thomson, Horstmann & Bryant, Inc.(2)                                               240,000             6.2
Park 80 West, Plaza Two                                                                           
Saddle Brook, NJ  07663                                                                           
                                                                                                  
Directors and Named Officers(3)                                                                   
- - -------------------------------
                                                                   
Eldorus Maynard, Chairman of the Board and                                          56,767             1.5
 Chief Executive Officer                                                                          
                                                                                                  
William LaCalamito, President and                                                   57,101             1.5
  Chief Operating Officer and Director                                                            
                                                                                                  
Dominick Bertoline, Director                                                        19,535              .5
                                                                                                  
Edward H. Dwyer, Director                                                           33,975              .9
                                                                                                  
John Patrick Fay, Director                                                          23,376              .6
                                                                                                  
Robert E. Flower, Director                                                          30,699              .8
                                                                                                  
Directors and executive officers of the Company and the Bank, as a group                          
(6 persons)(4)                                                                     221,453              .6

</TABLE>
- - ----------------
(1) The amount reported represents shares held by the Employee Stock Ownership
    Plan ("ESOP"), 8,200 of which have been allocated to accounts of
    participants. First Bankers Trust, Quincy, Illinois, the trustee of the
    ESOP, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares held by the ESOP which
    have not been allocated to accounts of participants. Participants in the
    ESOP are entitled to instruct the trustee as to the voting of shares
    allocated to their accounts under the ESOP. Unallocated shares held in the
    ESOP's suspense account or allocated shares for which no voting instructions
    are received are voted by the trustee in the same proportion as allocated
    shares voted by participants.
(2) Amount shown is as reported on Schedule 13-G by Thomson, Horstmann & Bryant,
    Inc., an investment advisor registered under Section 203 of the Investment
    Advisors Act of 1940 on January 12, 1996. Such corporation reported sole
    voting power over 148,100 shares, shared voting power over 3,500 shares,
    sole dispositive power over 240,000 shares and no shared dispositive power.
(3) Amount includes shares held directly, as well as shares allocated to such
    individuals under the ESOP, shares held jointly with family members, shares
    held in retirement accounts, shares held in a fiduciary capacity or by
    certain family members, with respect to which shares the group members may
    be deemed to have sole voting and/or investment power. The amounts reported
    exclude shares awarded to such individuals pursuant to the Stock Option Plan
    which shares are not exercisable within 60 days of September 12, 1996 and
    includes 40,997, 40,997 and 8,199 shares granted to Chairman Maynard,
    President LaCalamito and each outside director, respectively over which each
    grantee has voting power over the entire award and no dispositive power.
(4) The address of each Director and Named Officer is the same as that of the
    Company.




                                        2

<PAGE>



                        PROPOSAL I. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

General

    The Company's Board of Directors currently consists of six members, each of
whom is also a director of the Bank. The Board is divided into three classes,
each of which contains approximately one-third of the Board, and approximately
one-third of the directors are elected annually. Directors of the Company are
generally elected to serve for a three-year term or until their respective
successors are elected and qualified.

    The following table sets forth certain information, as of September 12,
1996, regarding the Company's Board of Directors, including each director's term
of office. The Board of Directors acting as the nominating committee has
recommended and approved the nominees identified in the following table. It is
intended that the proxies solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors (other
than proxies in which the vote is withheld as to one or more nominee) will be
voted at the Meeting FOR the election of the nominees identified below. If a
nominee is unable to serve, the shares represented by all valid proxies will be
voted for the election of such substitute nominee as the Board of Directors may
recommend. At this time, the Board of Directors knows of no reason why the
nominees may be unable to serve, if elected. There are no arrangements or
understandings between any director or nominee and any other person pursuant to
which such director or nominee was selected.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                        Shares of
                                                                                      Common Stock     Percent
                                       Position(s) Held       Director    Term to     Beneficially       of
        Name                Age         in the Company        Since(1)    Expire        Owned(2)        Class
- - -------------------------  -----       ----------------       --------   --------      ----------      ------
                                                       NOMINEES
<S>                         <C>                                 <C>        <C>          <C>             <C> 
William J. LaCalamito        37    President, Chief              1995       1997         57,101(3)        1.5%
                                   Operating Officer and
                                   Director
Edward H. Dwyer              70    Director                      1973       1999         33,975            .9
John Patrick Fay             70    Director                      1981       1999         23,376            .6

                                       DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE

Eldorus Maynard              61    Chairman of the Board         1993       1998         56,767(3)        1.5
                                   and Chief Executive
                                   Officer
Dominick Bertoline           50    Director                      1986       1997         19,535            .5
Robert E. Flower             59    Director                      1987       1998         30,699            .8

</TABLE>

(1)      Includes service as a director of the Bank prior to the formation of
         the Company.
(2)      Includes shares held directly, in retirement accounts, in a fiduciary
         capacity or by certain affiliated entities or members of the named
         individuals' families, with respect to which shares the named
         individuals may be deemed to have sole or shared voting and/or
         dispositive powers. Also includes 40,997, 40,997 and 8,199 shares
         granted to Chairman Maynard, President LaCalamito and each outside
         director, respectively. Amounts exclude options awarded pursuant to the
         Stock Option Plan which are not exercisable within 60 days of September
         12, 1996.
(3)      Includes 1,355 and 1,313 shares allocated to Chairman Maynard and
         President LaCalamito, respectively pursuant to the ESOP.



                                        3

<PAGE>



         The business experience of each nominee and Director for at least the
past five years is set forth below.

         William J. LaCalamito is President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief
Financial Officer and Secretary of the Company and the Bank. Mr. LaCalamito
joined the Bank in 1988 as Vice President. In 1993, Mr. LaCalamito was named
Secretary of the Bank and in 1995 he was also named Chief Financial Officer. In
his capacity as President and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. LaCalamito is
responsible for overseeing all the primary business functions of the Bank.

         Edward H. Dwyer is the owner of Dwyer Agency, a Real Estate and
Insurance Agency. Mr. Dwyer has been a member of the Board of Directors since
1973.

         John Patrick Fay is the President of Mechtrol, a manufacturer of
industrial lubricants. Mr. Fay has been a member of the Board of Directors since
1981.

         Eldorus Maynard is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
the Bank. Mr. Maynard first joined the Bank as a teller and bookkeeper in 1958.
Mr. Maynard served as Secretary of the Bank beginning in 1964, Assistant Vice
President and Secretary beginning in 1977, and Vice President and Secretary
beginning in 1985. Mr. Maynard was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in
1995 following the death of the Bank's longtime Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, Raymond Doehler.

         Dominick Bertoline is President and Chief Executive Officer of D.
Bertoline & Sons, Inc., an Anheuser-Busch product distributor. Mr. Bertoline
has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1986.

         Robert E. Flower is the owner of Bliss Manufacturing, Inc., a
manufacturer of women's clothing. Mr. Flower has been a member of the Board of
Directors since 1987.

Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors

         The Company. The Company's Board of Directors has standing Audit and
Compensation Committees which meet and act in conjunction with the like
committees of the Bank's Board of Directors. The Board of Directors met 10 times
in fiscal 1996. During fiscal 1996, no incumbent director of the Company
attended fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings held by the Board of
Directors.

         The entire Board of Directors acts as a nominating committee for
selecting nominees for election as directors. While the Board of Directors will
consider nominees recommended by stockholders, the Board has not actively
solicited such nominations. Pursuant to the Company's Bylaws, nominations by
stockholders generally must be delivered in writing to the Secretary of the
Company at least 30 days prior to the date of the Meeting. The Board of
Directors met once during fiscal 1996 in its capacity as a nominating committee.

         The Bank. The Bank's Board of Directors met 14 times during the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1996. During fiscal 1996, no incumbent director of the Bank
attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate of the total number of Board meetings
and the total number of meetings held by the committees of the Board of
Directors on which he served.

         The Bank has standing Executive, Audit and Compensation Committees.

         The Bank's Executive Committee meets on a monthly basis and exercises
the powers of the full Board of Directors between Board meetings. The Executive
Committee is composed of Directors Maynard, Dwyer and Flower. The Executive
Committee met 12 times during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996.

         The Audit Committee is responsible for recommending the selection of
the independent auditors of the Company and the Bank and meeting with the
independent auditors to outline the scope and review the results of the annual
audit. The current members of this committee are Directors Bertoline, Dwyer, Fay
and Flower. This committee held one meeting during the fiscal year ended June
30, 1996.

                                        4

<PAGE>

         The Bank's Compensation Committee is responsible for the design and
administration of the Bank's overall compensation program. In addition, the
committee reviews and approves all executive officers' compensation plans,
evaluates executive performance, and considers other related matters. The
current members of this committee are Directors Bertoline, Dwyer, Fay and
Flower. The Compensation Committee held one meeting during the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1996.

Director Compensation

         The Board of Directors of the Company are paid a fee of $500 for each
Board meeting attended. The Board of Directors are also paid a fee of $500 for
each regular meeting of the Bank's Board attended. Executive Committee Members
also receive $150 per month for attendance at Executive Committee Meetings.

Executive Compensation

         The Company has not paid any compensation to its executive officers
since its formation. The Company does not presently anticipate paying any
compensation to such persons until it becomes actively involved in the operation
or acquisition of businesses other than the Bank.

         The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation
paid to the Named Officers for services in all capacities to the Company for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Summary Compensation Table
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        Long-Term
                                                                                      Compensation
                                                    Annual Compensation                  Awards
                                        ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------
                                                                                                Options/
                                                                                                  Stock
                                                                                 Restricted    Appreciation
                                                                Other Annual        Stock         Rights           All Other
Name and Principal Position    Year(1)  Salary($)   Bonus($)  Compensation($)(2) Award($)(3)   ("SARs")(#)(3)  Compensation($)(4)
- - ------------------------------ ------- ------------ --------- ------------------ -----------  --------------- --------------------

<S>                              <C>    <C>          <C>         <C>             <C>          <C>             <C>    
Eldorus Maynard, Chairman of     1996   $126,175(5)    9,308         $ ---            ---          $ ---          $39,573
the Board and Chief Executive    1995    108,875(5)    7,807           ---            ---            ---            6,641
Officer

William LaCalamito,              1996   $118,500(5)   $9,038         $ ---            ---          $ ---           27,099
President and Chief              1995     98,798(5)    7,500           ---            ---            ---            6,379
Operating Officer
</TABLE>

- - ------------------
(1)      In accordance with the revised rules on executive officer and director
         compensation disclosure adopted by the Securities and Exchange
         Commission, Summary Compensation information is excluded for the year
         ended June 30, 1994, as the Bank was not a public company during such
         periods.

(2)      Neither Mr. Maynard nor Mr. LaCalamito received additional benefits or
         perquisites which, in the aggregate, exceeded 10% of their salary and
         bonus.

(3)      Amounts exclude 40,997 shares granted to Mr. Maynard and Mr. LaCalamito
         pursuant to the Company's Recognition and Retention Plan on July 3,
         1997 and excludes 102,494 options granted to Mr. Maynard and Mr.
         LaCalamito pursuant to the Company's Stock Option and Incentive Plan on
         July 3, 1996. All of such awards vest in equal installments over a five
         year period.

(4)      Fiscal 1996 amounts include contributions by the Company on behalf of
         the employee to the ESOP, 401(k) Plan and SERA as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        ESOP                           401(k) Plan                          SERA
                                       ------                         -------------                         ----
                                  1996             1995              1996           1995               1996           1995
                              ------------    -------------     ------------    -------------    --------------     --------
<S>                            <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>              <C>            <C>     
Eldorus Maynard                $15,921          $   ---           $3,338           $6,641           $20,314        $    ---
William LaCalamito              15,428              ---            3,225            6,379             8,446             ---
</TABLE>

(5)      Amounts include directors fees paid to Mr. Maynard of $10,050 and
         $6,000, respectively for fiscal years 1996 and 1995 and $6,000 paid to
         Mr. LaCalamito for fiscal year 1996.

                                        5

<PAGE>



Employment Agreements

         The Bank has entered into employment agreements with Eldorus Maynard
and William LaCalamito. The agreements have been filed with and approved by the
OTS as part of the application of the Holding Company to become a savings and
loan holding company. The agreements have initial terms of three years and
provide for annual extensions, subject to a performance evaluation by
disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Holding Company. The
employment agreements require the payment of the employees' annual salaries,
bonuses and benefits from the Holding Company and the Bank for the remaining
term of the contract unless the employee dies, voluntarily resigns or is
terminated for cause.

         The employment agreements provide for payment to the employee (in
addition to, if applicable, his salary, bonus and benefits for the remainder of
the term of the contract) of an amount equal to 299% of the employee's
compensation in the event that his employment terminates (whether voluntarily or
otherwise) in connection with a "change in control" of the Bank or the Holding
Company or within eighteen months thereafter. For the purposes of the employment
agreements, a "change in control" is defined to include, among other things, any
event which would require the filing of an application for acquisition of
control or notice of change in control pursuant to 12 C.F.R. ss. 574.3 or 4.
Such events are generally triggered upon the acquisition or control of 10% of
the Company's common stock. Based on their current salaries, if the employment
of Messrs. Maynard and LaCalamito had been involuntarily terminated as of June
30, 1996 under circumstances entitling them to severance pay as described above,
they would have been entitled to receive cash payments of as much as $843,000
and $784,000, respectively, depending on the remaining term of the agreements.

         Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreements. The Bank has entered into
a non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement (a "SERA") with
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Maynard to provide him with a supplemental
retirement benefit equal to what would have been provided to him under the
Retirement Income Plan but for the limitations contained in Sections 401, 414
and 415 of the Code. In addition, the Bank has entered into a SERA with
President LaCalamito. Under this SERA, the Bank will provide for payment of a
monthly supplemental retirement benefit equal to up to 24% of his average
monthly compensation during the three highest 12-month periods prior to
retirement. Such benefit shall be payable upon normal retirement at age 65 or,
under certain circumstances, age 55 if his termination is without cause. Upon
the employee's death, 50% of the amount payable under the Agreement shall be
payable to his spouse until her death.

         The Bank plans to establish an irrevocable grantor trust in connection
with the SERAs. This trust will be funded with contributions from the Bank for
the purpose of providing the benefits promised under the terms of the SERAs.
Under such circumstances, the SERA participants will have only the rights of
unsecured creditors with respect to the trust's assets, and do not recognize
income with respect to benefits provided by the SERA until such benefits are
received by the participants. The assets of the grantor trust will be considered
part of the general assets of the Bank and will be subject to the claims of the
Bank's creditors in the event of the Bank's insolvency. Earnings on the trust's
assets will be taxable to the Bank. The trustee of the trust may invest the
trust's assets in the Company's stock.

         The Agreements described above are unfunded and all obligations arising
thereunder are payable from the general assets of the Bank.

Benefit Plans

         General. First Federal currently provides insurance benefits to its
employees, including health, life, dental, short and long term disability and
major medical, subject to certain deductibles and copayments by employees.

         Savings and Investment Plan. The Bank maintains a Savings and
Investment Plan for the benefit of its employees (the "401(k) Plan"). The Plan
and its related Trust comply with the applicable provisions of Sections 401(a),
401(k) and 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. An employee is eligible
to participate in the Plan after completing three months of service.


                                        6

<PAGE>



         Participants are permitted to make salary reduction contributions to
the 401(k) Plan of between 2% and 16% of the participant's annual salary. Each
participant's salary reduction contribution is matched by the Bank in an amount
equal to 100% of the participant's salary reduction contribution up to a maximum
of 6% of the participant's compensation for the payroll period.

         The Bank's contributions to the 401(k) plan on behalf of an employee
vest to that employee in the amount of 20% for each succeeding year up to five
years, after which the employee is fully vested. Participants' contributions to
the 401(k) Plan are fully and immediately vested. Withdrawals are not permitted
before age 59 and six months except in the event of death, disability,
termination of employment or reasons of proven financial hardship. Upon
termination of employment, the participant's account will be distributed, unless
he or she elects to defer the payment.

         The funds included in the 401(k) Plan are invested at the direction of
the participant into one of the investment options available under the 401(k)
Plan. Changes in investment directions among the funds are permitted on a
quarterly basis pursuant to procedures established by the Plan Administrator.
Each participant receives a quarterly statement which provides information
regarding, among other things, the market value of his investments and
contributions made to the 401(k) Plan on his behalf. Upon the implementation of
the Company's ESOP, the 401(k) Plan was frozen and all contributions to the Plan
ceased. Management is considering reactivation of the 401(k) Plan, however,
without matching contributions.

         Retirement Income Plan. The Bank sponsors a Retirement Income Plan for
its employees (the "Retirement Plan"). This non-contributory defined benefit
retirement plan covers all employees who have completed one year and 1,000 hours
of service and have attained age 18.

         The Retirement Plan is funded solely by contributions made by the Bank.
The Bank's contribution to the Pension Plan for the plan year ended December 31,
1995 was $61,547. Employees become fully vested after 5 years of service or
after attaining age 65.

         A participant may receive upon normal retirement either a lump sum
payment or a level monthly benefit payment. The normal retirement age is 65 and
the early retirement age is under most circumstances after age 55. Employees who
terminate employment after becoming vested will be eligible to receive a pension
benefit.

         Normal retirement benefits are equal to 50% of: (i) average earnings
(not to exceed $150,000 adjusted annually for the cost of living) for any three
consecutive calendar years during the ten years prior to termination,
retirement, or death multiplied by (ii) the ratio of number of years credited
service (up to a maximum of 15 years) to 15 or (iii) the ratio which the number
of years of credited service bears to the greater of 15 years or the number of
years of credited service an employee would have had at normal retirement date
had his service not ceased.

         The following table illustrates annual pension benefits payable upon
normal retirement, which are not subject to offset for Social Security payments,
based on various levels of compensation and years of service and assuming
payment in the form of a straight-line annuity.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     Years of Service
      Average Annual                       --------------------------------------------------------------------    
       Compensation                          10         15        20        25         30        35        40
       ------------                        ------     ------    ------    ------     ------    ------    ------ 
<S>                                       <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>   
        $ 40,000.......................   $13,333     20,000    20,000    20,000     20,000    20,000    20,000
          60,000.......................    20,000     30,000    30,000    30,000     30,000    30,000    30,000
          80,000.......................    26,667     40,000    40,000    40,000     40,000    40,000    40,000
         100,000.......................    33,333     50,000    50,000    50,000     50,000    50,000    50,000
         120,000.......................    40,000     60,000    60,000    60,000     60,000    60,000    60,000
         140,000.......................    46,667     70,000    70,000    70,000     70,000    70,000    70,000
         160,000.......................    53,333     80,000    80,000    80,000     80,000    80,000    80,000

</TABLE>

                  At June 30, 1996, Messrs. Maynard and LaCalamito had 38.2, and
7.7 years of credited service under the Plan, respectively.

                                        7

<PAGE>



Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation

         Under rules established by the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC"), the Company is required to provide certain data and information in
regard to the compensation and benefits provided to the Company's Chief
Executive Officer and other executive officers of the Company. The disclosure
requirements for the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers
include the use of tables and a report explaining the rationale for and
considerations that led to fundamental executive compensation decisions
affecting those individuals. In fulfillment of this requirement, the
Compensation Committee of the Bank, at the direction of the Board of Directors,
has prepared the following report for inclusion in this proxy statement.

         General. The Board of Directors of the Bank has delegated to the
Compensation Committee the responsibility and authority to oversee the general
compensation policies of the Bank, to establish compensation plans and specific
compensation levels for executive officers, and to review the recommendations of
management for compensation and benefits for other officers and employees of the
Bank. The Compensation Committee is composed solely of independent outside
directors.

         In light of the Conversion of the Bank from a mutually owned to a
publicly owned financial services company, the Compensation Committee developed
an executive compensation policy designed to: (i) offer competitive compensation
packages in order to attract, motivate, retain and reward those key executive
officers who are crucial to the long-term success of the Bank; and (ii)
encourage decision making that maximizes long-term stockholder value. The
Compensation Committee's primary compensation objective is to ensure that such
compensation be tied to the achievement of both short term and longer term
objectives established in conjunction with the Company's annual planning
process.

         Executive Compensation Policy. The compensation package provided to the
executive officers of the Bank is composed principally of base salary and annual
incentive bonus awards. Executive officers also participate in other benefit
plans available to all eligible employees including the ESOP. The Compensation
Committee periodically reviews the various elements of the compensation package
available to executive officers in consideration of the policies described
above. The Compensation Committee met two times in fiscal 1996 to review
employee related compensation/benefit issues in general and to review and
recommend the base salary and bonuses of the Chief Executive Officer and the
President.

                  Base Salary. It is the policy of the Compensation Committee to
annually review executive compensation packages, including base salaries paid or
proposed to be paid, with compensation packages and base salaries offered by
other financial institutions with total assets and performance results
comparable to those of the Bank, as well as to compare the complexities of the
positions under consideration with similar jobs in other financial institutions
regardless of asset size. This information is primarily derived from third party
sources that provide compensation data and analysis from publicly held companies
in the Bank's market area. Specific factors considered include the level of
responsibility delegated to a particular officer, the complexity of the job
being evaluated, the position's impact on both short term and long term
corporate objectives, the expertise and skill level of the individual under
consideration, the degree to which the officer has achieved his management
objectives for the plan year, and the officer's overall performance in managing
his area of responsibility. The Compensation Committee's decisions are
discretionary and no quantifiable formula is utilized in the decision making
process.

                  Benefit Plans. The Compensation Committee's policy with
respect to employee benefit plans is to provide competitive benefits to
employees of the Bank, including executive officers. Additionally, the ESOP will
provide employees, including executive officers, with an additional equity-based
incentive to maximize long-term shareholder value. The Compensation Committee
believes that a competitive employee benefit package is essential to achieving
the goals of attracting and retaining highly qualified employees.

         Chief Executive Officer. Total compensation paid to the Chief Executive
Officer for fiscal 1996 (including directors' fees) was $135,483 and reflects a
16% increase from fiscal 1995. In determining total compensation paid to the
Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee considered factors relating
to the performance of the Bank including (i) the successful completion of the
Bank's conversion to stock form, (ii) the level of operating profit

                                        8

<PAGE>



and (iii) goals relating to efficiency ratios, fee income, loan volume, asset
quality, Community Reinvestment Act compliance and the Bank's infrastructure.

                                                     Dominick Bertoline
                                                     Edward Dwyer
                                                     John Patrick Fay
                                                     Robert E. Flower


Stock Performance Presentation

         The Company completed its initial public offering of common stock at a
price of $10.00 per share on December 29, 1995. Accordingly, it is not possible
to provide a performance graph comparing the yearly percentage change in the
Company's cumulative total stockholder return with indices at this point in the
Company's history. The closing bid price of the common stock as reported on the
Nasdaq National Market on September 12, 1996 was $13.375.

Certain Transactions

         The Bank follows a policy of granting loans to eligible directors,
officers, employees and members of their immediate families for the financing of
their personal residences and for consumer purposes. Under current policy, all
loans to directors and executive officers are required to be made in the
ordinary course of business and on the same terms, including collateral and
interest rates, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions and
do not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility at the time of
origination. At June 30, 1996, the Bank's loans to directors, officers,
employees and members of their immediate families totaled approximately $379,000
or .6% of stockholders' equity. All of these loans were current at June 30,
1996.

              PROPOSAL II - RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS

         The Board of Directors of the Company has appointed KPMG Peat Marwick
LLP, independent accountants, to be the Company's auditors for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1997. Representatives of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP are expected to
attend the Meeting to respond to appropriate questions and to make a statement
if they so desire.

         THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP AS THE COMPANY'S
AUDITORS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1996.


                              STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

         In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Company's proxy materials
for the next annual meeting of stockholders, any stockholder proposal to take
action at such meeting must be received at the Company's office located at 1019
Park Street, Peekskill, New York 10566 by May 31, 1997. Any such proposal shall
be subject to the requirements of the proxy rules adopted under the Exchange
Act.



                                        9

<PAGE>


                                  OTHER MATTERS

         The Board of Directors is not aware of any business to come before the
Meeting other than those matters described above in this Proxy Statement.
However, if any other matter should properly come before the Meeting, it is
intended that holders of the proxies will act in accordance with their best
judgment.

         The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. The
Company will reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred by them in sending proxy materials
to the beneficial owners of Common Stock. In addition, directors, officers and
regular employees of the Company and/or the Bank may solicit proxies personally
or by telegraph or telephone without additional compensation.

Peekskill, New York
September 24, 1996






                                       10

<PAGE>

                                REVOCABLE PROXY
                       PEEKSKILL FINANCIAL CORPORATION 
/X/ PLEASE MARK VOTES
    AS IS THIS EXAMPLE

                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                OCTOBER 23, 1996

The undersigned hereby appoints the Board of Directors of Peekskill Financial
Corporation (the "Company"), with full powers of substitution, to act as
attorneys and proxies for the undersigned to vote all shares of capital stock of
the Company which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders (the "Meeting") to be held at the main office of the Company,
located at 1019 Park Street, Peekskill, New York on October 23, 1996 at 3:45
p.m. and at any and all adjournments and postponements thereof.


Please be sure to sign and date    --------------------------------
  this Proxy in the box below.       Date
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------

- - ---Stockholder sign above----------Co-holder (if any) sign above---
                                                               Vote
                                                     For     Withheld
1.  The election as directors of all nominees       /   /      /   /
    listed below (except as marked to the 
    contrary) 

    INSTRUCTION: To withhold your vote 
    for any individual nominee, strike a line 
    in that nominee's name below. 
WILLIAM J. LACALAMITO       EDWARD H. DWYER       JOHN PATRICK FAY 
                                                                         Vote
                                                     For     Against   Withheld
2. The ratification of the appointment of KPMG      /   /     /   /      /   /
   Peat Marwick LLP, as auditors of the Company 
   for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1997. 

In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote on any other business 
that may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement 
thereof. 

- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, BUT IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE SPECIFIED, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSALS AND EACH OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE. IF
ANY OTHER BUSINESS IS PRESENTED AT THE MEETING, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED BY
THOSE NAMED IN THIS PROXY IN THEIR BEST JUDGMENT. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS KNOWS OF NO OTHER BUSINESS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" the proposal
                 and the election of the nominees listed above.

          THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

   The undersigned acknowledges receipt from the Company, prior to the execution
of this proxy, of notice of the Meeting, a Proxy Statement and an Annual Report
to Stockholders. 

   Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) to the left. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your full
title. If shares are held jointly, each holder should sign.

- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detach above card, sign, date and mail in postage paid envelope provided.

   Should the undersigned be present and choose to vote at the Meeting or at any
adjournments or postponements thereof, and after notification to the Secretary
of the Company at the Meeting of the stockholder's decision to terminate this
proxy, then the power of such attorneys or proxies shall be deemed terminated
and of no further force and effect. This proxy may also be revoked by filing a
written notice of revocation with the Secretary of the Company or by duly
executing a proxy bearing a later date.

- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE 
                        ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE 
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------




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