GREEN STREET FINANCIAL CORP
S-8, 1997-08-27
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 27, 1997
                                                Registration No. 333-________


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


                           Green Street Financial Corp
           ----------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
       North Carolina                                         56-1951478
- ----------------------------------                      ------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                             (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                             Identification No.)
                                241 Green Street
                       Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301
                                 (910) 483-3681
               ------------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                           Green Street Financial Corp
                             1996 Stock Option Plan
                         -------------------------------
                            (Full Title of the Plan)

                               Richard Fisch, Esq.
                      Malizia, Spidi, Sloane & Fisch, P.C.
                               1301 K Street, N.W.
                                 Suite 700 East
                             Washington, D.C. 20005
                                 (202) 434-4660
                               -------------------
            (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

=======================================================================================
                                                         Proposed
Title of                               Proposed          Maximum          Amount of
Securities to        Amount to      Maximum Offering Aggregate Offering Registration
be Registered      be Registered    Price Per Unit      Price (2)          Fee (2)
- -------------      -------------    --------------     -----------        --------


<S>                <C>                <C>               <C>               <C>      
Common Stock       429,812 shares (1) $14.9375(2)       $6,420,317        $1,945.36
=======================================================================================
</TABLE>


(1)   The maximum  number of shares of common stock  issuable  upon  exercise of
      options  granted or to be granted  under the Green Street  Financial  Corp
      1996  Stock  Option  Plan  consists  of  429,812  shares  which  are being
      registered under this Registration  Statement and for which a registration
      fee is being paid.  Additionally,  an  indeterminate  number of additional
      shares which may be offered and issued to prevent dilution  resulting from
      stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions are being registered
      hereunder for which no additional fee is required.
(2)   Under Rule 457(h) of the 1933 Act, the registration fee may be calculated,
      inter  alia,  based  upon the  price at which  the  stock  options  may be
      exercised.  429,812 shares are being registered  hereby,  of which 429,812
      shares are under  option at an exercise  price of $14.9375 per share for a
      total offering of $6,420,317.

      Under Rule 462 of the 1933 Act,  the  Registration  Statement  on Form S-8
      shall be effective upon filing with the Commission.


<PAGE>




** THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES THE PROSPECTUS COVERING SECURITIES THAT HAVE
BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.**

PROSPECTUS

                                 429,812 Shares

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

                           GREEN STREET FINANCIAL CORP
                                  COMMON STOCK

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

                           GREEN STREET FINANCIAL CORP
                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN

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


      This  Prospectus  relates to 429,812  shares of common  stock (the "Common
Stock"),  of Green  Street  Financial  Corp (the  "Company"),  a North  Carolina
corporation which is the parent savings and loan holding company of Home Federal
Savings and Loan  Association (the "Savings  Association"),  which may be issued
from time to time by the Company to holders of options  granted or to be granted
by the Company to selected officers, directors, key employees, and other persons
of the Company and any  subsidiary  of the Company  pursuant to the Green Street
Financial Corp 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan").  Holders of options  granted
or to be  granted  under  the Plan (the  "Options")  are  referred  to herein as
"Optionees."  Each offer made under the Plan pursuant to this Prospectus is made
at the  price  and on the terms and  conditions  contained  in the stock  option
agreements entered into between the Company and each Optionee.

      This Prospectus is for use as of the date hereof and in subsequent  years.
Information  which is  likely to change  from year to year will be  included  in
appendices to this Prospectus.

      The issued and  outstanding  Common  Stock of the Company is traded in the
over-the-counter  market,  and  transactions  are reported on the NASDAQ  Market
under  the  symbol  "GSFC."  Shares  of Common  Stock  which may be issued  upon
exercise of options granted or to be granted under the Plan, will also be traded
in  over-the-counter  market.  On August 25, 1997, the last reported bid and ask
price  of the  Common  Stock on the  NASDAQ  Market  was  $17.500  and  $17.875,
respectively, per share.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED  BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 The date of this Prospectus is August 27, 1997


<PAGE>



      No  person  has been  authorized  to give any  information  or to make any
representation  not contained in this  Prospectus,  and, if given or made,  such
information or representation  must not be relied upon as having been authorized
by the  Company.  This  Prospectus  does  not  constitute  an offer to sell or a
solicitation  of an offer to buy any  securities  other  than the  Common  Stock
offered by this  Prospectus or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to
buy such Common Stock in any  jurisdiction  to any person to whom it is unlawful
to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. Neither the delivery of
this  Prospectus nor any sale made  hereunder  shall,  under any  circumstances,
create  any  implication  that  there has been no change in the  affairs  of the
Company  or that the  information  contained  herein is  correct  as of any time
subsequent to the date hereof.




<PAGE>



                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                         Green Street Financial Corp
                            1996 Stock Option Plan

                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----

General Plan Information.....................................................1

Administration...............................................................2

Purpose......................................................................2

Securities to be Offered.....................................................2

Eligibility to Participate in Plan...........................................2

Purchases of Securities Pursuant to the Plan
 and Payment for Securities Offered..........................................3

  Term of the Plan.......................................................... 3
  Stock Option Agreements....................................................3
  Option Price...............................................................3
  Limitations on Grant of Options............................................4
  Option Period..............................................................4
  Non-transferability........................................................4
  Conditions of Exercise.....................................................4
  Payment for Options........................................................5
  Cashless Exercise..........................................................5
  Issuance of Common Stock...................................................5
  Options Granted to Directors...............................................5

Recapitalization, Merger, Consolidation, Change in
 Control and Similar Transactions............................................6

Amendment and Termination of the Plan........................................7

Restrictions on Resale.......................................................7

Federal Income Tax Consequences..............................................7

Annual Report to Shareholders................................................8

Additional Information.......................................................8

Legal Opinion................................................................9


Appendix A.................................................................A-1
  Administration...........................................................A-1
  Number of Shares Subject to Plan.........................................A-1
  Participation in the Plan................................................A-1
  Outstanding Awards.......................................................A-1


<PAGE>



                           Green Street Financial Corp
                             1996 Stock Option Plan


General Plan Information
- ------------------------

      This  Prospectus  relates to 429,812  shares of the common stock  ("Common
Stock") of Green Street  Financial Corp (the  "Company"),  which will be offered
upon  exercise  of  options  granted  or to be  granted  under the Green  Street
Financial Corp 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan").

      The Company was formed  under the laws of the State of North  Carolina for
the purpose of becoming a savings and loan holding company and became the parent
corporation  of  Home  Federal  Savings  and  Loan   Association  (the  "Savings
Association")  on April 3, 1996,  at which time the Company  acquired all of the
shares of capital  stock of the Savings  Association.  The Board of Directors of
the Company  adopted the Plan at its meeting on October 17,  1996.  The Plan was
approved by the stockholders of the Company at a Special Meeting of Stockholders
on October 17, 1996 (the  "Effective  Date").  The Plan is to continue in effect
for a period of ten years from the  Effective  Date (i.e.,  October  17,  2006),
unless earlier terminated or extended by the Company.

      Pursuant to the Plan,  429,812  shares of Common  Stock were  reserved for
issuance by the Company upon  exercise of stock options  ("Options")  awarded to
officers,  directors,  key  employees  and other  persons of the Company and any
parent  and  subsidiary  corporations.  Options  granted  under  the Plan may be
Incentive  Stock  Options  within the  meaning of  Section  422 of the  Internal
Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended  (the  "Code") or options  not so  qualifying
("Non-Incentive Stock Option").

      Subject to certain limitations,  no gain or loss is recognized for federal
income tax purposes by the recipient of Options (the "Optionee")  under the Plan
upon  the  exercise  of an  Incentive  Stock  Option,  and no tax  deduction  is
available  to the Company as a result of the  exercise.  Upon the  exercise of a
Non-Incentive Stock Option, the Optionee generally recognizes ordinary income to
the extent that the  exercise  price is less than the fair  market  value of the
Common  Stock on the date of  exercise.  The  Company is  entitled  to a federal
income tax deduction  equal to the amount of ordinary  income  recognized by the
Optionee  at the  time of such  income  recognition.  See  "Federal  Income  Tax
Consequences."

      The  Plan is not  qualified  under  Section  401(a)  of the Code and it is
exempt from the  provisions of the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of
1974, as amended.

      The statements  herein concerning the terms and provisions of the Plan are
summaries and do not purport to be complete.  All such  statements are qualified
in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan document as filed as
Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.

      Additional updating and other information with respect to the Plan and the
Common Stock offered  hereby may be provided in the future to Optionees by means
of  one or  more  supplements  or  appendices  to  this  Prospectus.  Additional
information about the Plan (including a copy of the Plan), plan  administration,
and the Company may be obtained at the Company's  principal  offices,  which are
located at 241 Green Street,  Fayetteville,  North Carolina 28301. The Company's
telephone number is (910) 483- 3681 .


                                        1

<PAGE>



Administration
- --------------

      The  Plan  is  administered  by a  committee  of the  Company's  Board  of
Directors (the  "Committee").  The Plan provides that the Committee will consist
of not less than two non-employee  directors of the Company.  The members of the
Committee  are  appointed  by the Board and serve at the  pleasure of the Board.
Members of the Committee shall be "Non-employee Directors" within the meaning of
Rule 16b-3 promulgated under Rule 16(b) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "1934 Act"). 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.

      Subject to the express  provisions of the Plan and resolutions  adopted by
the Board,  the  Committee  has  authority to interpret  the Plan, to prescribe,
amend,  and  rescind  the rules and  regulations  relating  to the Plan,  and to
determine  the form and  content  of  Options  to be issued  under the Plan.  In
addition,  the Committee is authorized to make all other  determinations  deemed
necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan and shall have and may
exercise  such other power and such  authority  as may be delegated to it by the
Board from time to time. All decisions,  determinations,  and interpretations of
the Committee shall be final and conclusive to all persons affected thereby.

      Additional  information  about the Plan and the  Committee may be obtained
from the  Company at the  address of the  Company  listed  under  "General  Plan
Information."  For  a  list  of  the  current  members  of  the  Committee,  see
"Administration" at Appendix A.

Purpose
- -------

      The  purpose of the Plan is to promote  the  interests  of the  Company by
attracting  and  retaining  the  best  available   personnel  for  positions  of
substantial responsibility to serve as officers, directors, and key employees of
the Company and to provide additional incentive to such officers, directors, and
key employees of the Company to promote the success of the Company's business.

Securities to be Offered
- ------------------------

      The  aggregate  number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock  which may be issued
pursuant to Options  granted or to be granted under the Plan is 429,812  shares,
subject to certain  adjustments  for  changes in the  capital  structure  of the
Company,  as described  below.  See  "Recapitalization,  Merger,  Consolidation,
Change in Control and  Similar  Transactions."  Any shares  subject to an Option
under  the  Plan  which  expire  or are  terminated  unexercised  will  again be
available for issuance under the Plan.

Eligibility to Participate in Plan
- ----------------------------------

      Options  to  purchase  Common  Stock  under  the  Plan may be  awarded  to
officers,  directors,  key  employees,  and other  persons of the  Company,  the
Savings   Association,   and  any  present  or  future   parent  or   subsidiary
corporations.  Incentive  Stock  Options may only be granted to employees of the
Company,  the  Savings  Association,  and  any of  their  parent  or  subsidiary
corporations.  In selecting participants under the Plan (the "Participants") and
in  determining  the number of Options  to be granted to each  Participant,  the
Committee may consider the nature of the services  rendered by each Participant,
each Participant's  current and potential  contribution to the Company, and such
other factors as the Committee, in its sole discretion,  shall deem relevant. In
no event shall shares subject to Options granted to non-

                                        2

<PAGE>



employee  directors  in the  aggregate  under the Plan  exceed  30% of the total
number of shares  authorized  for delivery  under the Plan.  See  "Purchases  of
Securities  Pursuant to the Plan and Payment  for  Securities  Offered - Options
Granted to Directors."

      For  a  description  of  the  number  of  persons  currently  eligible  to
participate in the Plan and the number of persons actually  participating in the
Plan, see "Participation in the Plan" at Appendix A.

Purchases of Securities Pursuant to the Plan and Payment for Securities Offered
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Term of the Plan.  The Plan was  effective  October 17,  1996,  and unless
previously  terminated,  the Plan  shall  continue  in effect  for a term of ten
years,  after which no further awards may be granted.  The future  expiration of
the Plan, or its termination by the Board, will not affect any Option previously
granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the granting of Incentive Stock Options,
in order to qualify as such under the Code,  shall not be made  beyond ten years
after the date of adoption of the Plan by the Company.

      Stock Option Agreements.  The Options granted under the Plan are evidenced
by stock option agreements (the "Option  Agreements")  substantially in the form
of the Option  Agreements  filed as exhibits to the  Registration  Statement  of
which this  Prospectus  is a part.  Each  Option  Agreement,  and any  amendment
thereto,  will contain terms and conditions  consistent with the requirements of
the  Plan  as  the  Committee  shall  determine.  The  Option  Agreements  shall
constitute the only form of reports which  Participants shall receive related to
the status of Options granted or which are exercisable under the Plan.

      The Plan provides that the Board of Directors of the Company may authorize
the  Committee  to direct  the  execution  of an  instrument  providing  for the
modification  of any  outstanding  Option,  provided that no such  modification,
extension or renewal  shall  confer on the  Optionee any right or benefit  which
could not be conferred by the grant of a new Option at such time,  and shall not
materially  decrease  the  Optionee's  benefits  under the  Option  without  the
Optionee's  consent,  except as  provided  under  Section 18 of the Plan,  which
permits modification of the Plan. See "Amendment and Termination of the Plan."

      Option Price.  The exercise price for the purchase of shares subject to an
Incentive  Stock  Option at the date of grant  may not be less than 100  percent
(100%) of the Fair Market  Value of the shares  covered by the  Incentive  Stock
Option on that date. If an Optionee owns Common Stock representing more than ten
percent of the outstanding Common Stock at the time an Incentive Stock Option is
granted,  then the Option Price shall not be less than 110 percent (110%) of the
Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time the Incentive  Stock Option is
granted. No more than $100,000 of Incentive Stock Options can become exercisable
for the first time in any one year for any one person. Pursuant to the Plan, the
exercise price per share for  Non-Incentive  Stock Options shall be the price as
determined by the Committee,  but in no event less than the Fair Market Value of
the Common Stock on the date of grant. See "Options Granted to Directors" below.
The  exercise  price of  Options  must be paid for in full in cash or  shares of
Common Stock, or a combination of both.

      If the Common  Stock is listed on a national  securities  exchange  at the
time of granting an Option awarded pursuant to the Plan, then the exercise price
per share shall be not less than the  average of the highest and lowest  selling
price on such  exchange on the date such Option is granted;  or if there were no
sales on said date,  then the price shall be not less than the mean  between the
bid and ask price on such date. If the Common Stock is traded  otherwise than on
a national securities exchange at the time of the

                                        3

<PAGE>



granting of an Option,  then the exercise price per share shall be not less than
the mean  between the bid and ask price on the date the Option is granted or, if
there is no bid and ask price on said date,  then on the next prior business day
on  which  there  was a bid  and ask  price.  If no such  bid and ask  price  is
available,  then  the  exercise  price  per  share  shall be  determined  by the
Committee in good faith.

      Limitations on Grant of Options. Except as may be specifically provided by
the terms of the Plan, the granting of Options is made at the sole discretion of
the Committee.  Further, the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Common Stock for
which an employee may be granted  Options which become first  exercisable in any
calendar year may not exceed $100,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing limitation,
the  Committee  may grant  Options in excess of this  limitation,  provided said
Options are clearly and  specifically  designated as not being  Incentive  Stock
Options, as defined in Section 422 of the Code.

      Option Period.  The term of  exercisability of an Option granted under the
Plan shall be  established  by the  Committee,  but may not be for more than ten
years from the date of grant of the  Option,  except in the case of an  Optionee
who owns stock representing more than 10% of the Common Stock outstanding at the
time an  Incentive  Stock  Option is granted,  the term of the  Incentive  Stock
Option  shall not exceed  five years  from the date of the  grant.  In  general,
Options will not be exercisable  after the expiration of their term as set forth
in the Plan and/or the Option Agreement.

      In the  event  that an  Optionee  ceases  to serve as an  employee  of the
Company for any reason other than  permanent and total  disability or death,  an
exercisable Incentive Stock Option will generally continue to be exercisable for
three  months but in no event after the  expiration  date of the Option.  In the
event of the permanent and total  disability or death of an Optionee during such
service,  an exercisable  Incentive Stock Option will continue to be exercisable
for one year in the case of  disability  and two years in the case of death,  to
the extent exercisable by the Optionee immediately prior to his or her permanent
and total disability or death, but in no event after the expiration date of such
Options. The terms and conditions of Non-Incentive Stock Options relating to the
impact of an Optionee's  termination  of  employment  or service,  permanent and
total  disability  or death  shall be such terms as the  Committee,  in its sole
discretion,  shall  determine  at the time of the grant of such  Options  in the
Option Agreement or upon termination, permanent and total disability, or death.

      Under  the  Plan,  the  Committee's  determination  regarding  whether  an
Optionee's  employment  or service has ceased,  and the  effective  date thereof
shall be final and conclusive on all persons affected thereby.

      Non-transferability.  No Option  granted  under  the Plan is  transferable
other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

      Conditions of Exercise.  Options may be exercised  only during the periods
specified in the Plan or the Option Agreement,  certain  information as to which
is provided above (see "Option Period"). Except as described above and as may be
limited  by an  Option  Agreement,  there is no  limitation  upon the  number of
Options that may be exercised in any one year,  and Options not exercised in any
one year may be exercised in subsequent  years over the term of the Option.  The
Committee  may impose  additional  conditions  upon the rights of an Optionee to
exercise any Option which are not  inconsistent  with the terms of the Plan, and
in the case of Incentive Stock Options,  not inconsistent  with the requirements
for qualification under Section 422 of the Code. Incentive Stock Options will be
first  exercisable at the rate of 20% following one year after the date of grant
and 20%  annually  thereafter,  provided  such  individual  remains an employee,
director or director emeritus; however, the exercisability

                                        4

<PAGE>



of such Options shall be  accelerated in the event of the death or permanent and
total disability of the Optionee,  or a change in control in accordance with the
Plan. Such Options will remain  exercisable for up to ten years from the date of
grant.

      Payment for Options. Under the Plan, full payment for each share of Common
Stock  purchased  upon the  exercise of any Option  shall be made at the time of
exercise  of such 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 shareholder  of
the Company until the shares of Common Stock are issued to him or her.

      Cashless  Exercise.  An  Optionee  who has held an Option for at least six
months  may  engage in the  "cashless  exercise"  of the  Option.  In 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,  he 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.

      Issuance of Common  Stock.  Shares  issued to Optionees  upon  exercise of
Options shall be either newly issued shares of the Company,  treasury  shares or
shares purchased in the market, at the Company's discretion. In either case, the
Optionee shall not pay any fees,  commissions,  or other charges for such Common
Stock  other than the  exercise  price as stated in the Option  Agreement.  Cash
proceeds  from the sale of Common  Stock  issued  pursuant  to the  exercise  of
Options will be added to the general funds of the Company to be used for general
corporate  purposes.  Shares of Common Stock shall not be issued with respect to
any Option  granted  under the Plan  unless the  issuance  and  delivery of such
Common  Stock  shall  comply with all  relevant  provisions  of law,  including,
without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), the
rules and regulations  promulgated  thereunder,  any applicable state securities
law, and the  requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock may
then be listed.

      Inability of the Company to obtain  approval from any  regulatory  body or
authority  deemed by the  Company or counsel  thereto  to be  necessary  for the
lawful issuance and sale of any Common Stock hereunder shall relieve the Company
of any liability with respect to the  non-issuance or sale of such Common Stock.
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 any  additional
registration requirements of federal or state securities laws.

      Options  Granted to  Directors.  Non-Incentive  Stock  Options to purchase
21,490 shares of Common Stock will be granted to each  non-employee  director of
the Company 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% following one year after the date of grant
and 20% annually  thereafter,  during periods of continued service as a director
or director emeritus.  Thereafter, such Options shall remain exercisable for ten
years from the date of grant. The exercisability of such

                                        5

<PAGE>



Options  shall be  accelerated  only in the event of death or the  permanent and
total disability of the Optionee,  or a change in control in accordance with the
Plan. In the event of such  directors'  death,  such Options may be exercised by
the personal  representative of his estate or person(s) to whom his rights under
such Options  shall have passed by will or by laws of descent and  distribution.
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 the Plan.

Recapitalization,   Merger,  Consolidation,   Change  in  Control,  and  Similar
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transactions
- ------------

      Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company,  within
the sole discretion of the Committee,  the aggregate  number of shares of Common
Stock for which Options may be granted  under the Plan,  the number of shares of
Common Stock covered by each outstanding Option and the exercise price per share
of  Common  Stock of each  Option  shall  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 or the payment of
a stock  dividend on the Common  Stock or any other  increase or decrease in the
number  of  such  shares  of  Common  Stock   effected   without  a  receipt  of
consideration   by  the  Company  (other  than  by  shares  held  by  dissenting
stockholders).

      In  the  event  of  any  change  in  control,  recapitalization,   merger,
consolidation,  exchange  of shares,  spin-off,  reorganization,  tender  offer,
liquidation, or other extraordinary corporate action, the Committee, in its sole
discretion,  shall  have the power,  prior to or  subsequent  to such  action or
events, to (i) appropriately adjust the number of shares of Common Stock subject
to  each  Option,  the  exercise  price  per  share  of  Common  Stock,  and the
consideration  to be given or received by the Company  upon the  exercise of any
outstanding  Options;  (ii)  cancel  any  or  all  previously  granted  Options,
providing 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.  However,  no action may 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.

      The Committee  has at all times the power to accelerate  the exercise date
of all Options granted under the Plan; provided,  however, the exercisability of
such Options may be accelerated only in the event of death,  permanent and total
disability, or change in control in accordance with the Plan. In the case of any
change in control of the Company as determined by the Committee, all outstanding
options shall become immediately exercisable.  A change in control is defined in
the Plan as: (i) the sale of all,  or a material  portion,  of the assets of the
Company;  (ii) the merger or recapitalization of the Company whereby the Company
is not the  surviving  entity;  (iii) a change  of  control  of the  Company  as
otherwise  defined  by  the  Office  of  Thrift   Supervision   ("OTS")  or  its
regulations; and (iv) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, of the beneficial
ownership  (within  the  meaning of Section  13(d) of the 1934 Act and rules and
regulations  promulgated  thereunder) of 25% or more of the  outstanding  voting
securities of the Company by any person, trust, entity or group. This limitation
shall not apply to a transaction in which the purchase of shares by underwriters
in connection  with a public offering of Common Stock, or the purchase of shares
of up to 25% of any  class  of  securities  of the  Company  by a  tax-qualified
employee stock benefit plan. The  determination of the Committee as to whether a
change in control has occurred shall be conclusive and binding.


                                        6

<PAGE>



Amendment and Termination of the Plan
- -------------------------------------

      The Board of Directors may alter, suspend, or discontinue the Plan, except
that no action of the Board may increase 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  shareholders  of the  Company.
Unless otherwise  terminated by the Board of Directors,  the Plan shall continue
in effect for a term of ten years from the Effective Date, after which no future
awards of Options may be granted.

Restrictions on Resale
- ----------------------

      Unless specifically  included as a term and condition of any Option, there
are no  restrictions on the resale of Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of
Options.  The Plan  permits  the  Committee  to  provide as a  condition  to the
exercise of an Option that the shares acquired upon the exercise of such Options
may be subject to a "Right of  Repurchase"  by the  Company.  At this time,  the
Company has no intention to grant Options subject to such "Right of Repurchase."
Such shares of Common Stock,  however, may be resold only in compliance with the
registration requirements of the 1933 Act, and applicable state securities laws.

      Under the 1933 Act,  affiliates of the Company generally may resell shares
of Common Stock  purchased  pursuant to the Plan only (i) in accordance with the
provisions  of Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, or (ii)  pursuant  to an  applicable
current and effective registration statement under the 1933 Act.

      As defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act, an  affiliate of the Company is
a  person  who  directly,  or  indirectly  through  one or more  intermediaries,
controls,  or is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company. The
determination  of whether a person is an affiliate of the Company is primarily a
factual  one  based  upon  whether  he   possesses,   directly  or   indirectly,
individually  or in  concert  with  others,  the  power to  direct  or cause the
direction  of the  management  or policies of the Company,  whether  through the
ownership of voting stock, by executive position, by membership on the Board, by
contract or  otherwise.  Therefore,  each  Optionee  should  consult his counsel
concerning  whether  he is  an  affiliate  of  the  Company  and  the  attendant
restrictions on the resale under the 1933 Act of Common Stock acquired  pursuant
to the Plan.

      In  addition,  the  receipt of an Option to  purchase  Common  Stock by an
officer or director of the Company,  or the  beneficial  owner of 10% or more of
the outstanding  Common Stock, is a reportable  transaction  under Section 16 of
the 1934 Act, and Forms 3, 4, or 5 are required to be filed with the  Securities
and Exchange  Commission in  connection  with such  transaction.  The sale by an
officer,  director,  or 10% holder of Common Stock issued upon an exercise of an
Option  within six months after the receipt of such Option may create  liability
of such persons to the Company  under the  "short-swing  profit"  provisions  of
Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act.

Federal Income Tax Consequences
- -------------------------------

      Under  present  federal  tax  laws,  awards  under  the Plan will have the
following consequences:

      1.     The grant of an Option will not by itself result in the recognition
             of taxable  income to the  Optionee  nor  entitle  the Company to a
             deduction at the time of such grant.

                                        7

<PAGE>




      2.     The  exercise of an Option  which is an  "Incentive  Stock  Option"
             within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code  generally  will not,
             by  itself,  result in the  recognition  of  taxable  income to the
             Optionee nor entitle the Company to a deduction at the time of such
             exercise.  However,  the difference  between the exercise price and
             the fair market value of the Option  shares on the date of exercise
             is an item of tax  preference  which may,  in  certain  situations,
             trigger the alternative minimum tax for the Optionee.  The Optionee
             will  recognize  capital  gain or loss upon  resale  of the  shares
             received upon such exercise, provided that such shares are held for
             at least one year after the Option  exercise or two years after the
             grant of the Option,  whichever is later.  Generally, if the shares
             are not held for that period,  the Optionee will recognize ordinary
             income  upon  disposition  in an  amount  equal  to the  difference
             between the exercise price and the fair market value on the date of
             exercise,  or, if less, the sales  proceeds of the shares  acquired
             pursuant to the exercise of such Option.

      3.     The  exercise of a  Non-Incentive  Stock  Option will result in the
             recognition  of  ordinary  income  by the  Optionee  on the date of
             exercise in an amount equal to the difference  between the exercise
             price and the fair market  value,  on the date of exercise,  of the
             shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Option.

      4.     The  Company  will be  allowed  a tax  deduction  for  federal  tax
             purposes  equal to the amount of ordinary  income  recognized by an
             Optionee at the time the Optionee  recognizes  such ordinary income
             under either an Incentive  Stock Option or a Non-  Incentive  Stock
             Option .

      The  foregoing  provides  a general  summary  of the  federal  income  tax
consequences  applicable to Optionees  under the Plan. Each Optionee is urged to
consult his or her own tax advisor for information  regarding applicable federal
and state tax consequences.

Annual Report to Shareholders
- -----------------------------

      The  Company's  financial  statements  for the period ended  September 30,
1996, as contained in the Company's Form 10-K are  incorporated  by reference in
the Registration  Statement to which this Prospectus is a part. In addition, the
Company's  Quarterly  Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters  ended  December 31,
1996,  March 31, 1997, and June 30, 1997, are also  incorporated by reference in
the  Registration  Statement to which this  Prospectus is a part. In the future,
the  Company's  latest  Annual  Report  to  Stockholders,   including  financial
statements,  will be  mailed  to all  stockholders  of record as of the close of
business on such record date. Any person wishing to receive a copy of the Annual
Report to  Stockholders  may obtain a copy by writing the Company at the address
set forth below under "Additional Information."

Additional Information
- ----------------------

      Additional  updating  information with respect to the Common Stock and the
Plan covered  herein may be provided in the future to  Participants  by means of
appendices  to this  Prospectus.  The nature and  frequency of any reports to be
made to Participants as to their participation in the Plan will be determined by
the Committee.


                                        8

<PAGE>



      The Company upon written or oral request,  will provide  without charge to
any person to whom this  Prospectus is delivered:  a copy of the Plan, a copy of
its latest Annual Report to Stockholders  (when available) and a copy of any and
all of the documents that have been  incorporated by reference in Item 3 of Part
II of the  Registration  Statement of which this  Prospectus is a part, and that
such  documents  are deemed  incorporated  by reference in this 1933 Act Section
10(a)  Prospectus.   Further,  other  documents  required  to  be  delivered  to
Participants as specified in Item 9 of Part II of the Registration Statement are
available upon request. Any such request can be oral or in writing and should be
addressed to the  Corporate  Secretary,  241 Green Street,  Fayetteville,  North
Carolina 28301. The Registrant's telephone number is (910) 483-3681 .

Legal Opinion
- -------------

      The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby has been passed on for the
Company by Malizia,  Spidi, Sloane & Fisch, P.C., 1301 K Street, N.W., Suite 700
East, Washington, D.C. 20005.






















                                        9

<PAGE>



                                   APPENDIX A

                        ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING
                                       THE
                           GREEN STREET FINANCIAL CORP
                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                             (As of August 27, 1997)

Administration
- --------------

      The Board has appointed  non-employee  directors McCoy, Hutaff and Holt as
members of the  Committee  responsible  for  administration  of the Green Street
Financial  Corp 1996 Stock  Option Plan (the  "Plan").  Grants of Options may be
made under the Plan by the Committee.  Non-discretionary  awards under the terms
of the Plan have been made to members of the Board.

Number of Shares Subject to Plan
- --------------------------------

      On October 17, 1996,  Options covering 429,812 shares of Common Stock were
awarded,  which were granted at an exercise  price of $14.9375 per share.  As of
the date of this  Appendix A, 429,812  shares of Common  Stock  remain  issuable
under the Plan pursuant to the exercise of Options.

Participation in the Plan
- -------------------------

      As of June 30, 1997, the Company and its subsidiaries had 6 employees who,
in the opinion of the Company's  management,  are eligible to participate in the
Plan.  Of such  persons,  as of June  30,  1997,  6  executive  officers,  and 6
non-employee members of the Board of the Company held Options to purchase Common
Stock under the Plan.

Outstanding Awards
- ------------------

      The following table presents  information  with respect to the outstanding
Options under the Plan as of the date of this Appendix A.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             Number of Shares Presently      Number of Persons     Exercise Price
   Grant Date                    Subject to Options            Holding Awards         Per Share
- -------------------------    --------------------------      ------------------    --------------


<S>                                       <C>                       <C>                <C>     
October 17, 1996                          429,812                   12                 $14.9375

Total Awards Outstanding                  429,812                   12                  $14.9375

</TABLE>



                                       A-1

<PAGE>



                                     PART II

                 INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT


Item 3.  Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference
- --------------------------------------------------------

       The  Company  is  subject  to  the  informational   requirements  of  the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934  (the  "1934  Act")  and,  accordingly,  files
periodic  reports  and  other  information  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission (the "Commission").  Reports, proxy statements, and other information
concerning the Company filed with the Commission may be inspected and copies may
be obtained (at present rates) at the  Commission's  Public  Reference  Section,
Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20549.

            The following  documents filed with the Commission are  incorporated
by reference in this Registration Statement and the Prospectus constituting Part
I of this Registration Statement:

       (1)  The  Company's  Registration  Statement  on Form S-1 (No.  33-80485)
filed with the Commission on December 15, 1995 and amendments thereto;

       (2)  The Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the  Commission
for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, as filed with the Commission;

       (3)  The Company's  Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended
December  31,  1996,  March  31,  1997,  and June 30,  1997,  as filed  with the
Commission;

       (4) The  Company's  Definitive  Proxy  Statement  related  to the  Annual
Meeting of Stockholders as filed with the Commission on December 17, 1996;

       (5) The Company's  Definitive Proxy Statement  related to the October 17,
1996 Special  Meeting of  Stockholders as filed with the Commission on September
6, 1996.

       (6)  The Company's  Registration  Statement on Form 8-A as filed with the
Commission on January 22, 1996; and

       (7)  Information  as to the 1996 Stock Option Plan which will be included
in the future either in the  Company's  proxy  statements,  annual  reports,  or
appendices to this Prospectus.

       All documents filed by the Company  pursuant to Sections 13, 14, or 15(d)
of the 1934 Act  after  the date  hereof  and  prior to the  termination  of the
offering  of the shares of Common  Stock shall be deemed to be  incorporated  by
reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date
of filing of such documents.

Item 4.  Description of Securities.
- ----------------------------------

       Not applicable.

Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
- -----------------------------------------------

       Not applicable.

                                      II-1

<PAGE>



Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
- --------------------------------------------------

       Sections   55-8-50  through  55-8-58  of  the  North  Carolina   Business
Corporation  Act  set  forth  circumstances  under  which  directors,  officers,
employees and agents may be insured or indemnified  against liability which they
may incur in their capacities as such. The same Sections mandate that directors,
officers,  employees and agents must be indemnified by a corporation if they are
successful  on  the  merits  or  otherwise  in a  proceeding.  The  Articles  of
Incorporation  of  Green  Street  Financial  Corp  requires  indemnification  of
directors,  officers  and  employees  to the fullest  extent  permitted by North
Carolina law.

       The  Corporation  may purchase  and  maintain  insurance on behalf of any
person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation,
or who is or was  serving  at the  request  of the  Corporation  as a  director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,
trust or  other  enterprise  against  any  liability  asserted  against  him and
incurred  by him in any such  capacity  or  arising  out of his  status as such,
whether or not the  Corporation  would have the power to  indemnify  him against
such  liability.  The  registrant  believes  that  these  provisions  assist the
registrant in, among other things, attracting and retaining qualified persons to
serve the registrant and its  subsidiary.  However,  a result of such provisions
could be to increase the expenses of the registrant and  effectively  reduce the
ability of stockholders  to sue on behalf of the registrant  since certain suits
could be barred or amounts  that might  otherwise  be  obtained on behalf of the
registrant  could be required to be repaid by the  registrant to an  indemnified
party.

       The  Company  has in force a  Directors  and  Officers  Liability  Policy
underwritten  by  St.  Paul  Mercury  Insurance  Company  with a  $2.00  million
aggregate  limit of liability  and an aggregate  deductible  of $50,000 per loss
both for claims directly against officers and directors and for claims where the
Company is required to indemnify directors and officers.

       Insofar as indemnification  for liabilities  arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 ("1933  Act") may be permitted to  directors,  officers,  or persons
controlling the Company  pursuant to the foregoing  provisions,  the Company has
been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification  is against  public  policy as  expressed in the 1933 Act and is
therefore unenforceable.

Item 7.  Exemption from Registration Claimed.
- --------------------------------------------

       Not applicable.

Item 8.  Exhibits
- -----------------

       For a list of all exhibits filed or included as part of this Registration
Statement, see "Index to Exhibits" at the end of this Registration Statement.

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;

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


                                      II-2

<PAGE>



            (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;

            (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;

provided however,  that paragraphs  (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
registration  statement  is on Form S-3,  Form S-8 or F-3,  and the  information
required to be included in a  post-effective  amendment by those  paragraphs  is
contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant  pursuant to Section 13 or
15(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference
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  (and,  where  applicable,  each  filing of an
employee  benefit  plan's  annual  report  pursuant  to  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) The undersigned  registrant  hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to
be delivered with the prospectus,  to each person to whom the prospectus is sent
or given,  the latest annual report to security  holders that is incorporated by
reference  in  the  prospectus  and  furnished   pursuant  to  and  meeting  the
requirements  of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the  Securities  Exchange Act of
1934;  and,  where  interim  financial  information  required to be presented by
Article 3 of Regulation S-X is not set forth in the prospectus,  to deliver,  or
cause to be  delivered to each person to whom the  prospectus  is sent or given,
the latest  quarterly  report that is specifically  incorporated by reference in
the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.

       (d)  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 Securities  Act of 1933 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 by a director,  officer,
or controlling person of the registrant 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 expressed in the Securities
Act of 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.



                                      II-3

<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

       Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Green Street
Financial Corp certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing a Registration  Statement on Form S-8 and has
duly  caused  this  Registration  Statement  to be signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned,  thereunto duly authorized, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on the
26th day of August 1997.

                                    Green Street Financial Corp


                                    By:    /s/ H. D. Reaves, Jr.
                                           ----------------------------------
                                           H.D. Reaves, Jr.
                                           President, Chief Executive Officer
                                             and Director
                                           (Duly Authorized Representative)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

       We, the  undersigned  directors  and officers of Green  Street  Financial
Corp, do hereby severally  constitute and appoint H.D.  Reaves,  Jr. as our true
and lawful attorney and agent, to do any and all things and acts in our names in
the capacities indicated below and to execute any and all instruments for us and
in our names in the capacities  indicated below which said H.D. Reaves,  Jr. may
deem necessary or advisable to enable Green Street Financial Corp to comply with
the  Securities  Act of  1933,  as  amended,  and  any  rules,  regulations  and
requirements of the Securities and Exchange  Commission,  in connection with the
Registration  Statement on Form S-8  relating to the  offering of the  Company's
Common Stock, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to
sign,  for  any of us in  our  names  in the  capacities  indicated  below,  the
Registration  Statement  and any and all  amendments  (including  post-effective
amendments) thereto; and we hereby ratify and confirm all that said H.D.
Reaves, Jr. shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

       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 26th day of August 1997.



/s/ H. D. Reaves, Jr.                        /s/ John C. Pate
- -----------------------------------          ----------------------------------
H. D. Reaves, Jr.                            John C. Pate
President, Chief Executive Officer           Senior Vice President and Director
  and Director                               (Principal Financial Officer)
(Principal Executive Officer)


/s/ Robert O. McCoy, Jr.                     /s/ Jerry Robertson
- ------------------------------------         ----------------------------------
Robert O. McCoy, Jr.                         Jerry Robertson
Chairman of the Board and Director           Vice President and Treasurer
                                             (Principal Accounting Officer)



<PAGE>




/s/ Norwood E. Bryan, Jr.                    /s/ Henry G. Hutaff, Sr.
- -------------------------------------        ----------------------------------
Norwood E. Bryan, Jr.                        Henry G. Hutaff, Sr.
Director                                     Vice Chairman of the Board and 
                                              Director


/s/ Joseph H. Hollinshed                     /s/ John M. Grantham
- -------------------------------------        ----------------------------------
Joseph H. Hollinshed                         John M. Grantham
Director                                     Senior Vice President and Director


/s/ Robert G. Ray                            /s/ Henry W. Holt
- -------------------------------------        ----------------------------------
Robert G. Ray                                Henry W. Holt
Director                                     Director


<PAGE>




                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Exhibit                  Description                                            Page
- -------                  -----------                                            ----

<S>               <C>                                                            <C>
 4.1              Green Street Financial Corp                                    22
                  1996 Stock Option Plan

 4.2              Form of Stock Option Agreement to be entered into              35
                  with respect to Incentive Stock Options

 4.3              Form of Stock Option Agreement to be entered into with         40
                  Directors with respect to Non-Incentive Stock Options

 5.1              Opinion of Malizia, Spidi, Sloane & Fisch, P.C. as to the      45
                  validity of the Common Stock being registered

 23.1             Consent of Malizia, Spidi, Sloane & Fisch, P.C. (appears       45
                  in their opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)

 23.2             Consent of Independent Accountants                             47

 24               Reference is made to the Signatures section of this            --
                  Registration Statement for the Power of Attorney
                  contained therein

</TABLE>












                                   EXHIBIT 4.1

                           Green Street Financial Corp
                             1996 Stock Option Plan


<PAGE>



                           GREEN STREET FINANCIAL CORP

                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN


      1.  Purpose  of the  Plan.  The Plan  shall be known as the  Green  Street
Financial Corp ("Company")  1996 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 Company, or
any present or future parent or subsidiary of the Company 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 Company, 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  Company;   (ii)  the  merger  or
recapitalization of the Company whereby the Company is not the surviving entity;
(iii) a change in control of the Company,  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 Company 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 Company stock,
or the purchase of shares of up to 25% of any class of securities of the Company
by a tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan which is exempt from the approval
requirements,  set forth under 12 C.F.R.  ss.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 the common  stock of the Company,  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
Company or any present or future Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. Employment
shall not be considered interrupted in the case of sick leave, military leave or
any other leave of absence  approved by the Company or in the case of  transfers
between payroll  locations,  of the Company or between the Company,  its Parent,
its Subsidiaries or a successor.

            (h) "Company" shall mean the Green Street Financial Corp, the parent
corporation of the Savings Association, or any successor or Parent thereof.

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

            (j) "Director  Emeritus"  shall mean a person  serving as a director
emeritus or other similar position as may be appointed by the Board of Directors
of the Savings Association or the Company 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  Association
or the Parent in his then current capacity as determined by the Committee.

            (l) "Effective  Date"  shall mean the date  specified  in Section 14
hereof.

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

            (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, officer or key employee of the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company or any other person providing
a service to the Company 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 Green  Street  Financial  Corp 1996 Stock
Option Plan.

            (w) "Savings  Association"  shall mean Home Federal Savings and Loan
Association, Fayetteville, North Carolina, 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 12 hereof,  the aggregate number of Shares with respect to
which Awards may be made pursuant to the Plan shall not exceed  429,812  Shares.
Such  Shares  may  either  be from  authorized  but  unissued  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 Company or a Committee  which shall consist of not
less than two Directors of the Company 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
ss.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 Company  and such other  officers as shall be
designated by the Committee are hereby authorized to execute written  agreements
evidencing  Awards on behalf of the Company 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, 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 Company 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  Company or any  present  or future  Parent or  Subsidiary  of the
Company) 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
17 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 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 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 Company 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 Stock

                                        5

<PAGE>



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 shall give 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.

            (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 21,490 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  Association or the Company,  provided that such accelerated  vesting is
not inconsistent with applicable regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision
or other  appropriate  banking  regulator 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

                                        6

<PAGE>



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.

            (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 shall give 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
continuing status as a

                                        7

<PAGE>



Director or Director  Emeritus of the Savings  Association  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.   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 or
other appropriate  banking  regulator 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
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:


                                        9

<PAGE>



                   (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 or other
appropriate banking regulator then in effect.

      Except as  expressly  provided  in  Sections  12(a) and 12(b)  hereof,  no
Optionee  shall have any rights by reason of the occurrence of any of the events
described in this Section 12.

      13. 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.

      14.  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.

      15.  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.

      16.  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 17 hereof.

      17.   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 12 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.

                                       10

<PAGE>




            (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.

      18.   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
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.

      19.   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.

      20.  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.


                                       11

<PAGE>


      21.  Withholding  Tax. The Company shall have the right to deduct from all
amounts paid in cash with respect to the cashless  exercise of Options under the
Plan  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.

      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  Association or
other Subsidiaries.

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




                                       12











                                   EXHIBIT 4.2

                Form of Stock Option Agreement to be entered into
                     with respect to Incentive Stock Options


<PAGE>


                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

                  FOR INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS UNDER SECTION 422
                          OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
                                 PURSUANT TO THE
                           GREEN STREET FINANCIAL CORP
                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN




      STOCK OPTIONS for a total of _____________ shares of Common Stock of Green
Street Financial Corp (the "Company"), which Option is intended to qualify as an
Incentive  Stock Option under Section 422 of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended,  is hereby granted to (the  "Optionee")  at the price  determined as
provided  in,  and  in  all  respects  subject  to the  terms,  definitions  and
provisions  of the 1996 Stock  Option Plan (the  "Plan")  adopted by the Company
which  is  incorporated  by  reference  herein,   receipt  of  which  is  hereby
acknowledged.

      1.    Option Price. The Option price is  $_______________  for each Share,
being 100% of the fair market  value,  as determined  by the  Committee,  of the
Common Stock on the date of grant of this Option.

     2.    Exercises of Option.  This Option shall be  exercisable in accordance
with provisions of the Plan,  provided the holder of such Option is an employee,
director or director emeritus of the Company as of such date, as follows:

            (a)   Schedule of Rights to Exercise.

                     Date                          Percentage of Total Shares
                                                        Awarded Which Are
                                                         Non-forfeitable
                                                         ---------------

Upon grant.....................................                0%
As of                 , 1997...................                20%
      ------------ ---
As of                 , 1998...................                40%
      ------------ ---
As of                 , 1999...................                60%
      ------------ ---
As of                 , 2000...................                80%
      ------------ ---
As of                 , 2001...................               100%
      ------------ ---


      Notwithstanding  any  provisions in this Section 2, in no event shall this
Option be exercisable  prior to six months following the date of grant.  Options
shall be 100%  vested  and  exercisable  upon the  death  or  disability  of the
Optionee,  or upon a Change in Control of the Company,  subject to non-objection
by the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS").



<PAGE>




            (b)   Method of  Exercise.  This Option  shall be  exercisable  by a
written notice which shall:

                    (i) State the election to exercise the Option, the number of
      Shares with  respect to which it is being  exercised,  the person in whose
      name the stock certificate or certificates for such Shares of Common Stock
      is to be registered,  his address and Social  Security  Number (or if more
      than one,  the  names,  addresses  and  Social  Security  Numbers  of such
      persons);

                   (ii) Contain such  representations  and  agreements as to the
      holder's  investment intent with respect to such shares of Common Stock as
      may be satisfactory to the Company's counsel;

                  (iii) Be signed by the person or persons  entitled to exercise
      the Option and, if the Option is being  exercised by any person or persons
      other than the Optionee, be accompanied by proof,  satisfactory to counsel
      for the  Company,  of the right of such person or persons to exercise  the
      Option; and

                   (iv) Be in writing and  delivered  in person or by  certified
      mail to the Treasurer of the Company.

      Payment  of the  purchase  price of any Shares  with  respect to which the
Option is being  exercised  shall be by certified or bank  cashier's or teller's
check.  The certificate or  certificates  for shares of Common Stock as to which
the Option shall be exercised  shall be  registered in the name of the person or
persons exercising the Option.

            (c)  Restrictions  on Exercise.  This Option may not be exercised if
the issuance of the Shares upon such  exercise  would  constitute a violation of
any applicable federal or state securities or other law or valid regulation.  As
a condition to the Optionee's  exercise of this Option,  the Company may require
the person exercising this Option to make any representation and warranty to the
Company as may be required by any applicable law or regulation.

      3.  Non-transferability  of Option.  This Option may not be transferred in
any manner otherwise than by will or the laws of descent or distribution and may
be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee. The terms
of this  Option  shall be binding  upon the  executors,  administrators,  heirs,
successors and assigns of the Optionee.


                                        2

<PAGE>



      4. Term of Option.  This  Option may not be  exercised  more than ten (10)
years  from the date of grant of this  Option,  as set forth  below,  and may be
exercised  during  such term only in  accordance  with the Plan and the terms of
this Option.

      5.   Related  Matters.  Notwithstanding  anything  herein to the contrary,
additional  conditions or restrictions  related to such Options may be contained
in the Plan or the resolutions of the Plan Committee  authorizing  such grant of
Options.


                                                Green Street Financial Corp



Date of Grant:                                   By:
               ------------------------              --------------------------



Attest:


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



[SEAL]


                                        3

<PAGE>



                      INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION EXERCISE FORM

                                 PURSUANT TO THE
                           GREEN STREET FINANCIAL CORP
                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN


                                                       ----------------
                                                            (Date)


Green Street Financial Corp
241 Green Street
Fayetteville, North Carolina  28301-5051

Dear Sir:

      The undersigned  elects to exercise the Incentive Stock Option to purchase
______________  shares of Common Stock of Green Street  Financial Corp under and
pursuant to a Stock Option Agreement dated _________, 19____.

      Delivered  herewith is a certified  or bank  cashier's  or teller's  check
and/or shares of Common  Stock,  valued at the fair market value of the stock on
the date of exercise, as set forth below.


                     $           of cash or check
                      --------
                                 of Common Stock
                      --------
                     $           Total
                      ========



      The name or names to be on the stock  certificate or certificates  and the
address and Social Security Number of such person(s) is as follows:

      Name
           ----------------------------------------

      Address
              -------------------------------------

      Social Security Number
                             ----------------------

                                Very truly yours,



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













                                   EXHIBIT 4.3

                Form of Stock Option Agreement to be entered into
                   with respect to Non-Incentive Stock Options


<PAGE>





                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

                         FOR NON-INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS
                                 PURSUANT TO THE
                           GREEN STREET FINANCIAL CORP
                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN




      STOCK  OPTIONS for a total of  ________________  shares of Common Stock of
Green Street Financial Corp (the "Company") is hereby granted to  ______________
(the  "Optionee")  at the price  determined  as provided in, and in all respects
subject to the terms,  definitions  and provisions of the 1996 Stock Option Plan
(the "Plan") adopted by the Company which is  incorporated by reference  herein,
receipt of which is hereby  acknowledged.  Such Stock Options do not comply with
Options  granted  under  Section 422 of the Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as
amended.

      1.    Option Price. The Option price is  $_______________  for each Share,
being 100% of the fair market  value,  as determined  by the  Committee,  of the
Common Stock on the date of grant of this Option.

      2.    Exercise of Option.  This Option shall be  exercisable in accordance
with provisions of the Plan as follows:

            (a)   Schedule of Rights to Exercise.

               Date 
               ----                                   Percentage of Total Shares
                                                           Awarded Which Are
                                         Number             Non-forfeitable
                                         ------             ---------------

Upon grant........................                                 0%
                                          ----
As of                , 1997.......                                20%
      ------------ --                     ----
As of                , 1998.......                                40%
      ------------ --                     ----
As of                , 1999.......                                60%
      ------------ --                     ----
As of                , 2000.......                                80%
      ------------ --                     ----
As of                , 2001.......                               100%
      ------------ --                     ----


      Options shall continue to vest annually  provided that such holder remains
an employee,  director or  director's  emeritus of Home  Federal  Savings or the
Company.  Notwithstanding  any  provisions  in this Section 2, in no event shall
this  Option be  exercisable  prior to six months  following  the date of grant.
Options shall be 100% vested and exercisable upon the death or disability of the
Optionee, or upon a Change in Control of the Company,  subject to non- objection
by the Office of Thrift Supervision.



<PAGE>




            (b)   Method of  Exercise.  This Option  shall be  exercisable  by a
written notice which shall:

                    (i) State the election to exercise the Option, the number of
      Shares with  respect to which it is being  exercised,  the person in whose
      name the stock certificate or certificates for such Shares of Common Stock
      is to be registered,  his address and Social  Security  Number (or if more
      than one,  the  names,  addresses  and  Social  Security  Numbers  of such
      persons);

                   (ii) Contain such  representations  and  agreements as to the
      holder's  investment intent with respect to such shares of Common Stock as
      may be satisfactory to the Company's counsel;

                  (iii) Be signed by the person or persons  entitled to exercise
      the Option and, if the Option is being  exercised by any person or persons
      other than the Optionee, be accompanied by proof,  satisfactory to counsel
      for the  Company,  of the right of such person or persons to exercise  the
      Option; and

                   (iv) Be in writing and  delivered  in person or by  certified
      mail to the Treasurer of the Company.

      Payment  of the  purchase  price of any Shares  with  respect to which the
Option is being  exercised  shall be by certified or bank  cashier's or teller's
check.  The certificate or  certificates  for shares of Common Stock as to which
the Option shall be exercised  shall be  registered in the name of the person or
persons exercising the Option.

            (c)  Restrictions  on Exercise.  This Option may not be exercised if
the issuance of the Shares upon such  exercise  would  constitute a violation of
any applicable federal or state securities or other law or valid regulation.  As
a condition to the Optionee's  exercise of this Option,  the Company may require
the person exercising this Option to make any representation and warranty to the
Company as may be required by any applicable law or regulation.

      3.  Non-transferability  of Option.  This Option may not be transferred in
any manner otherwise than by will or the laws of descent or distribution and may
be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee. The terms
of this  Option  shall be binding  upon the  executors,  administrators,  heirs,
successors and assigns of the Optionee.


                                        2

<PAGE>



      4. Term of Option.  This  Option may not be  exercised  more than ten (10)
years  from the date of grant of this  Option,  as set forth  below,  and may be
exercised  during  such term only in  accordance  with the Plan and the terms of
this Option.

      5.    Related  Matters.  Notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary,
additional  conditions or restrictions  related to such Options may be contained
in the Plan or the resolutions of the Plan Committee  authorizing  such grant of
Options.

                                                Green Street Financial Corp




Date of Grant:                                   By:
               ------------------------              -----------------------



Attest:
        -------------------------------





[SEAL]













                                        3

<PAGE>


                    NON-INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION EXERCISE FORM

                                 PURSUANT TO THE
                           GREEN STREET FINANCIAL CORP
                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN


                                                         --------------
                                                            (Date)


Green Street Financial Corp
241 Green Street
Fayetteville, North Carolina  28301-5051

Dear Sir:

      The  undersigned  elects to exercise  the  Non-Incentive  Stock  Option to
purchase _______ shares of Common Stock of Green Street Financial Corp under and
pursuant to a Stock Option Agreement dated __________, 19___ .

      Delivered  herewith is a certified  or bank  cashier's  or teller's  check
and/or shares of Common  Stock,  valued at the fair market value of the stock on
the date of exercise, as set forth below.

                     $             of cash or check
                      --------
                                   of Common Stock
                      --------
                     $             Total
                      ========


      The name or names to be on the stock  certificate or certificates  and the
address and Social Security Number of such person(s) is as follows:

      Name
           -----------------------------------------

      Address
              --------------------------------------

      Social Security Number
                             -----------------------

                                Very truly yours,




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







                                   EXHIBIT 5.1

              Opinion of Malizia, Spidi, Sloane & Fisch, P.C. as to
                the validity of the Common Stock being registered



<PAGE>

                      MALIZIA, SPIDI, SLOANE & FISCH, P.C.
                               One Franklin Square
                               1301 K Street, N.W.
                                 Suite 700 East
                             Washington, D.C. 20005

                            Telephone: (202) 434-4660
                           Telecopier: (202) 434-4661

                                                    WRITER'S DIRECT DIAL NUMBER



August 25, 1997

Board of Directors
Green Street Financial Corp
241 Green Street
Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301

      RE:   Registration Statement on Form S-8:
            ----------------------------------
            Green Street Financial Corp 1996 Stock Option Plan

Members of the Board:

      We have acted as special  counsel to Green Street  Financial Corp, a North
Carolina corporation (the "Company"),  in connection with the preparation of the
Registration  Statement on Form S-8 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the  "Registration  Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended,  relating to 429,812 shares of common stock (the "Common Stock") of the
Company which may be issued upon the exercise of options granted or which may be
granted  under the Green  Street  Financial  Corp 1996  Stock  Option  Plan (the
"Plan"),  as more  fully  described  in the  Registration  Statement.  You  have
requested  the opinion of this firm with respect to certain legal aspects of the
proposed offering.

      We have examined such  documents,  records,  and matters of law as we have
deemed  necessary for purposes of this opinion and based thereon,  we are of the
opinion  that the Common  Stock when issued  pursuant to the exercise of options
granted  under  and in  accordance  with the  terms of the Plan will be duly and
validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

      We hereby  consent  to the  filing of this  opinion  as an  exhibit to the
Registration  Statement and to references to our firm included under the caption
"Legal Opinion" in the Prospectus which is a part of the Registration Statement.

                                          Sincerely,


                                          /s/ Malizia, Spidi, Sloane & Fisch
                                          Malizia, Spidi, Sloane & Fisch, P.C.






                                  EXHIBIT 23.1

                 Consent of Malizia, Spidi, Sloane & Fisch, P.C.
                 (appears in their opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)









                                  EXHIBIT 23.2

                       Consent of Independent Accountants



<PAGE>





                                                                  EXHIBIT 24.1




                      CONSENT OF McGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP



      We hereby  consent to  incorporation  by  reference  in this  Registration
Statement on Form S-8 of our report  dated  October 14, 1996 except for Note 18,
as to which the date was October 17,  1996,  appearing  on page 14 of the annual
report to shareholders of Green Street Financial Corp (the Company) for the year
ended  September  30,  1996,  which is  incorporated  by reference in the annual
report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended September 30, 1996.


                                    /s/ McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
                                    McGladrey & Pullen, LLP





Richmond, Virginia

August 26, 1997





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