WHG BANCSHARES CORP
DEF 14A, 1996-08-27
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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                           WHG BANCSHARES CORPORATION
                                 1505 York Road
                           Lutherville, Maryland 21093

August 27, 1996

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

     On  behalf of the  Board of  Directors  and  management  of WHG  Bancshares
Corporation (the "Company"),  I cordially invite you to attend a Special Meeting
of  Stockholders  ("Meeting")  to be held at the  Holiday  Inn,  located at 2004
Greenspring Drive, Timonium,  Maryland on Tuesday, October 8, 1996 at 10:00 a.m.
local time. The attached Notice of Special Meeting and Proxy Statement  describe
the formal business to be transacted at the Special Meeting.

     The matters to be considered by  stockholders  at the Meeting are described
in the accompanying Notice of Special Meeting and Proxy Statement.  The Board of
Directors of the Company has determined that the matters to be considered at the
Meeting are in the best  interest of the Company and its  stockholders.  For the
reasons set forth in the Proxy  Statement,  the Board of  Directors  unanimously
recommends a vote "FOR" each matter to be considered.

     WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND  THE  MEETING,  PLEASE  SIGN AND DATE THE
ENCLOSED  PROXY  CARD AND  RETURN  IT IN THE  ACCOMPANYING  POSTAGE-PAID  RETURN
ENVELOPE  AS  PROMPTLY  AS  POSSIBLE.  This will not  prevent you from voting in
person at the  Meeting,  but will  assure  that your vote is  counted if you are
unable to attend the Meeting. YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

                                          Sincerely,



                                          /s/Peggy J. Stewart
                                          Peggy J. Stewart
                                          President


<PAGE>



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           WHG BANCSHARES CORPORATION
                                 1505 YORK ROAD
                           LUTHERVILLE, MARYLAND 21093
                                 (410) 583-8700
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                          To be Held on October 8, 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Meeting of Stockholders (the "Meeting") of
WHG  Bancshares  Corporation  (the  "Company")  will be held at the Holiday Inn,
located at 2004  Greenspring  Drive,  Timonium,  Maryland  on October 8, 1996 at
10:00 a.m.  local time. A proxy card and a proxy  statement  for the Meeting are
enclosed.

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

      1.   The approval of the WHG Bancshares Corporation 1996 Stock Option Plan
           (the "1996 Stock Option Plan" or "Option Plan"); and

      2.   The approval of the Heritage  Savings  Bank, F.S.B. Management  Stock
           Bonus Plan (the "Management Stock Bonus Plan" or "MSBP").

      The  transaction  of such other  business as may properly  come before the
Meeting or any  adjournments  thereof may also be acted upon. If necessary,  the
Meeting will be adjourned to solicit additional proxies with respect to approval
of the 1996 Stock Option Plan and the Management  Stock Bonus Plan. The Board of
Directors is not aware of any other business to come before the Meeting.

      Action may be taken on any one of the  foregoing  proposals at the Meeting
on the date specified  above,  or on any date or dates to which,  by original or
later  adjournment,  the Meeting  may be  adjourned.  Pursuant to the  Company's
Bylaws,  the Board of  Directors  has fixed the close of  business on August 20,
1996, as the record date for determination of the stockholders  entitled to vote
at the Meeting and any adjournments thereof.

      EACH STOCKHOLDER, WHETHER OR NOT HE OR SHE PLANS TO ATTEND THE MEETING, IS
REQUESTED TO  COMPLETE,  SIGN,  DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED  PROXY CARD WITHOUT
DELAY IN THE ENCLOSED  POSTAGE-PAID  ENVELOPE.  ANY PROXY GIVEN BY A STOCKHOLDER
MAY BE REVOKED BY FILING WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY A WRITTEN  REVOCATION
OR A DULY EXECUTED  PROXY BEARING A LATER DATE. ANY  STOCKHOLDER  PRESENT AT THE
MEETING  MAY REVOKE HIS OR HER PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON ON EACH  MATTER  BROUGHT
BEFORE THE  MEETING.  HOWEVER,  IF YOU ARE A  STOCKHOLDER  WHOSE  SHARES ARE NOT
REGISTERED IN YOUR OWN NAME, YOU WILL NEED  ADDITIONAL  DOCUMENTATION  FROM YOUR
RECORD HOLDER TO VOTE IN PERSON AT THE MEETING.

                                    BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS



                                    
                                    Diana L. Rohrback
                                    Corporate Secretary

Lutherville, Maryland
August 27, 1996


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


<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 PROXY STATEMENT
                                       OF
                           WHG BANCSHARES CORPORATION
                                 1505 YORK ROAD
                           LUTHERVILLE, MARYLAND 21093
                                 (410) 583-8700
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                 October 8, 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     GENERAL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection  with the  solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors of WHG Bancshares  Corporation (the "Company")
to be used at a Special Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held at the
Holiday Inn, located at 2004 Greenspring Drive, Timonium, Maryland on October 8,
1996,  at 10:00 a.m.  local time (the  "Meeting").  The  accompanying  Notice of
Special Meeting of Stockholders  and this Proxy Statement are being first mailed
to  stockholders  on or about August 27, 1996. The Company is the parent company
of Heritage  Savings  Bank,  F.S.B.  (the  "Bank").  The Company was formed as a
Maryland  corporation  in December  1995 at the direction of the Bank to acquire
all of the  outstanding  stock of the Bank issued in connection  with the Bank's
mutual-to-stock conversion completed on March 29, 1996 (the "Conversion").

      At the Meeting,  stockholders will consider and vote upon (i) the approval
of the WHG Bancshares Corporation 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "1996 Stock Option
Plan" or "Option Plan"),  and (ii) the approval of the Bank's  Management  Stock
Bonus Plan (the "Management Stock Bonus Plan" or "MSBP"). The Board of Directors
knows of no additional  matters that will be presented for  consideration at the
Meeting.  Execution of a proxy, however,  confers on the designated  proxyholder
the  discretionary  authority  to vote the shares  represented  by such proxy in
accordance  with their best  judgment on such other  business,  if any, that may
properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

      "Proposal  I -  Approval  of the 1996  Stock  Option  Plan"  provides  for
authorizing the issuance of an additional  162,006 shares of common stock of the
Company  ("Common  Stock") upon the  exercise of stock  options to be awarded to
officers,  directors,  key employees and other persons providing services to the
Company or any present or future  parent or  subsidiary of the Company from time
to time.  "Proposal II - Approval of the  Management  Stock Bonus Plan" provides
for  authorization  to issue up to an  additional  64,802 shares of Common Stock
upon  awards  to  personnel  of  experience  and  ability  in key  positions  of
responsibility  with the Bank and its  subsidiaries  from  time to time.  At the
present  time,  the Bank intends to acquire such Common Stock for MSBP  purposes
through open-market purchases. The MSBP has the authority,  however, to buy such
Common Stock  directly from the Company.  Approval of Proposal I and Proposal II
may be deemed to have certain  anti-takeover effects with regard to the Company.
See "Proposal I -- Approval of the 1996 Stock Option Plan - Effect of Merger and
Other  Adjustments,  and  -Possible  Dilutive  Effects of the  Option  Plan" and
"Proposal II -- Approval of the Management Stock Bonus Plan - Possible  Dilutive
Effects of MSBP."


<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       VOTING AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Stockholders  who execute  proxies  retain the right to revoke them at any
time. Unless so revoked, the shares represented by such proxies will be voted at
the  Meeting  and all  adjournments  thereof.  Proxies may be revoked by written
notice to the  Secretary of the Company at the address above or by the filing of
a later dated proxy prior to a vote being taken on a particular  proposal at the
Meeting.  A proxy will not be voted if a  stockholder  attends  the  Meeting and
votes in person.  Proxies  solicited by the Board of Directors  will be voted in
accordance  with  the  directions  given  therein.  Where  no  instructions  are
indicated,  signed  proxies will be voted "FOR" Proposal I and "FOR" Proposal II
at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Employees,  officers,  and  directors  of the Company  have an interest in
certain  matters being  presented for  stockholder  approval.  Upon  stockholder
approval,  employees,  officers,  and  directors of the Company would be granted
stock options and restricted stock awards pursuant to the 1996 Stock Option Plan
and the Management  Stock Bonus Plan. The approval of the 1996 Stock Option Plan
and the MSBP are being  presented as Proposal I and  Proposal II,  respectively.
See "Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof" for information  regarding
the number of shares of Common Stock  beneficially  owned by executive  officers
and directors.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 20, 1996 (the
"Voting Record  Date"),  are entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock
then held.  As of the Voting Record Date,  the Company had  1,620,062  shares of
Common Stock issued and outstanding.

      The Articles of Incorporation of the Company ("Articles of Incorporation")
provides that in no event shall any record owner of any outstanding Common Stock
which  is  beneficially  owned,   directly  or  indirectly,   by  a  person  who
beneficially  owns in  excess  of 10% of the then  outstanding  shares of Common
Stock (the  "Limit") be entitled or  permitted  to any vote with  respect to the
shares held in excess of the Limit.  Beneficial ownership is determined pursuant
to  the  definition  in  the  Articles  of  Incorporation  and  includes  shares
beneficially  owned by such person or any of his or her affiliates or associates
(as such terms are defined in the Articles of Incorporation),  shares which such
person or his or her affiliates or associates have the right to acquire upon the
exercise of conversion rights or options, and shares as to which such person and
his or her  affiliates or associates  have or share  investment or voting power,
but shall not include shares  beneficially owned by any employee stock ownership
plan or similar plan of the issuer or any subsidiary.

      The  presence  in  person  or  by  proxy  of at  least  one-third  of  the
outstanding  shares of Common  Stock  entitled  to vote (after  subtracting  any
shares held in excess of the Limit,  if any) is necessary to constitute a quorum
at the  Meeting.  With  respect  to any  matter,  any  shares for which a broker
indicates on the proxy that it does not have discretionary  authority as to such
shares to vote on such matter (the "Broker  Non-Votes")  will not be  considered
present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is

                                     -2-


<PAGE>



present.  In the event there are not sufficient  votes for a quorum or to ratify
any proposals at the time of the Meeting,  the Meeting may be adjourned in order
to permit the further solicitation of proxies.

      As to  matters  being  proposed  for  stockholder  action  as set forth in
Proposal I and Proposal  II, the proxy being  provided by the Board of Directors
enables  a  stockholder  to check the  appropriate  box on the proxy to (i) vote
"FOR" the item, (ii) vote "AGAINST" the item, or (iii) vote to "ABSTAIN" on such
item.  An  affirmative  vote of the  holders  of a majority  of the total  votes
eligible  to be cast at the  Meeting,  in  person or by proxy,  is  required  to
constitute  stockholder  approval  for  each  of  Proposals  I  and  II.  Broker
Non-Votes,  shares as to which the "ABSTAIN"  box is selected on the proxy,  and
shares  for  which no vote is cast will have the  effect of a vote  against  the
matter.

      Persons and groups owning in excess of 5% of the Common Stock are required
to file certain  reports  regarding  such  ownership  pursuant to the Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended (the "1934 Act").  The  following  table sets
forth,  as of the Voting Record Date,  persons or groups who own more than 5% of
the Common Stock.  Other than as noted below,  management  knows of no person or
group that owns more than 5% of the  outstanding  shares of Common  Stock at the
Voting Record Date.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                Amount and Nature   Percent of Shares of
                                                of Beneficial           Common Stock
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner            Ownership               Outstanding
- ------------------------------------            ---------               -----------
                                                                        
Heritage Savings Bank, F.S.B.                       
Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust ("ESOP")
<S>                                                 <C>                     <C>  
1505 York Road                                      129,604(1)              8.00%
Lutherville, Maryland 21093

Jerome H. Davis and Susan B. Davis                                        
200 Park Avenue, #4515
New York, NY  10166                                 161,133(2)              9.95%
                                                    161,133(2)
</TABLE>

- ---------------------------------
(1)   The  ESOP  purchased  such  shares  for  the  exclusive  benefit  of  plan
      participants  with funds borrowed from the Company.  These shares are held
      in a  suspense  account  and will be  allocated  among  ESOP  participants
      annually  on the basis of  compensation  as the ESOP debt is  repaid.  The
      Board  of  Directors   has   appointed  a  committee   consisting  of  the
      Compensation  and  Benefits  Committee  of the Savings  Bank  comprised of
      non-employee  directors  Chase,  Davis,  Lauterbach,  Francis and Muhly to
      serve as the ESOP administrative committee ("ESOP Committee") and to serve
      as the ESOP trustees  ("ESOP  Trustee").  The ESOP  Committee or the Board
      instructs the ESOP Trustee regarding  investment of ESOP plan assets.  The
      ESOP Trustee must vote all shares allocated to participant  accounts under
      the ESOP as directed by  participants.  Unallocated  shares and shares for
      which no timely  voting  direction is received,  will be voted by the ESOP
      Trustee as directed by the ESOP  Committee.  As of the Voting Record Date,
      4,320 shares have been allocated under the ESOP to participant accounts.

(2)   Based upon Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                       -3-


<PAGE>



      The  following  table sets forth the amount of Common  Stock  beneficially
owned by each director, each of the named executive officers of the Company, and
all directors and executive  officers of the Company as a group as of the Voting
Record Date.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                      Common Stock Beneficially
                                                           Owned (1)(2)(3)
                                                           ---------------
  Name of Individual or                                   Shares           %
Number of Persons in Group         Title                  ------         -----
- --------------------------         -----

<S>                         <C>                          <C>            <C>
Peggy J. Stewart            President, Chief             25,000         1.5
                              Executive Officer
                              and Director
John E. Lufburrow           Chairman of the Board        10,000            (5)
Philip W. Chase, Jr.        Director                     13,000(4)         (5)
Herbert A. Davis            Director                     20,000(4)(6)   1.2
Urban P. Francis, Jr.       Director                     15,300(4)         (5)
D. Edward Lauterbach, Jr.   Director                     10,000(4)         (5)
Hugh P. McCormick           Director                     20,000         1.2
Edwin C. Muhly, Jr.         Director                     10,500(4)         (5)
August J. Seifert           Director                      2,600            (5)
Herbert W. Spath            Director                     25,000         1.5
Robin L. Taylor             Controller                    2,000            (5)
Diana L. Rohrback           Vice President and            1,000            (5)
                              Corporate Secretary
John Scott Lindsay          Vice President and                0            (5)
                              Treasurer
Nicholas C. Tracht          Vice President                  275            (5)
Harry E. Finck              Vice President                    0            (5)
                                                                       
All executive officers
and directors (15 persons)                              154,675         9.5%
                                                   
</TABLE>


- ------------------
(1)   Beneficial  ownership  as of August 20,  1996.  Includes  shares of Common
      Stock held directly as well as by spouses or minor children, in trust, and
      other indirect  ownership,  over which shares the individuals  effectively
      exercise  sole or shared voting and  investment  power,  unless  otherwise
      indicated.
(2)   Excludes  proposed  stock  options  to  purchase  shares of  Common  Stock
      pursuant to the 1996 Stock Option Plan,  the granting of which are subject
      to  stockholder  approval  of the  1996  Stock  Option  Plan  and  are not
      exercisable  within 60 days of the Voting  Record Date.  See "Proposal I -
      Approval of the 1996 Stock Option Plan."
(3)   Excludes shares of Common Stock proposed to be awarded under the MSBP, the
      granting of which are subject to stockholder  approval  of  the Management
      Stock Bonus Plan.  See  "Proposal II - Approval  of  the  Management Stock
      Bonus Plan."
(4)   Excludes 129,604 shares of Common Stock held under the ESOP for which such
      individual  serves as either a member of the ESOP  Committee or as an ESOP
      Trustee.  Such individual  disclaims  beneficial ownership with respect to
      shares held in a fiduciary capacity. The ESOP Trustee must vote all shares
      allocated  to  participant  accounts  under the ESOP as  directed  by ESOP
      participants.  Unallocated  shares and  shares for which no timely  voting
      direction is received will be voted by the ESOP Trustee as directed by the
      ESOP  Committee.  As of the Voting  Record  Date,  4,320  shares have been
      allocated under the ESOP to participant accounts.
(5)   Represents ownership of less than 1.0% of the Common Stock outstanding.
(6)   Includes, 10,000 shares for which Mr. Davis holds power  of  attorney  for
      shares held in the name of Ms. Georgia Davis, his mother.


                                     -4-


<PAGE>



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Directors Compensation

      Directors Fees. For fiscal year 1995, each  non-employee  director and the
Chairman of the Board of Directors  of the Bank  received a monthly fee of $700,
and $300 for each meeting attended. Each member of the Compensation and Benefits
Committee  received an additional  $300 for  attendance at each of two meetings.
The two  non-employee  members of the Loan  Committee  are each paid $50 for the
first loan reviewed and $25 for each additional loan reviewed.  Employee members
of the Loan  Committee  are not paid for  reviewing  applications  or  attending
meetings.  No fees are paid for Audit  Committee  meetings.  For the year  ended
September  30,  1995,  total fees paid by the Company and the Bank to  directors
were $106,750.

      Future Stock Awards.  Directors  will receive  awards of stock options and
restricted  stock under the 1996 Stock Option Plan and the MSBP upon stockholder
approval of these plans.  See  "Proposal I - - Approval of the 1996 Stock Option
Plan" and "Proposal II -- Approval of the Management Stock Bonus Plan" herein.

Executive Compensation

      Summary   Compensation   Table.   The  following   table  sets  forth  the
compensation  paid to the chief  executive  officer during the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1995. All compensation  paid to directors,  officers and employees
is paid by the Bank. No other executive  officer  received cash  compensation in
excess of $100,000 during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1995.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             Annual Compensation (1)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------         All
Name and                                            Other Annual        Other
Principal Position Year      Salary      Bonus    Compensation (2)   Compensation
- ------------------ ----      ------      -----    ----------------   ------------

<S>                           <C>        <C>            <C>             <C>    
Peggy J. Stewart,  1995       $95,000    $ 3,269        $ --            $ --
President and
  CEO
</TABLE>

- ----------------
(1)   The Company  first issued Common Stock  registered  under Section 12(g) of
      the 1934 Act effective March 29, 1996, therefore, less than three years of
      compensation data is presented.  All compensation set forth above was paid
      by the Bank.
(2)   For fiscal  year 1995,  there were no (a)  perquisites  over the lesser of
      $50,000 or 10% of the named  executive  officer's total salary and bonuses
      for the year;  (b)  payments  of  above-market  preferential  earnings  on
      deferred compensation;  (c) payments of earnings with respect to long term
      incentive  plans  prior  to  settlement  or  maturity;   (d)  tax  payment
      reimbursements; or (e) preferential discounts on stock.

     Employment  and Severance  Agreements.  In December  1995, the Bank entered
into an  employment  agreement  with  Peggy  J.  Stewart,  President  and  Chief
Executive  Officer of the Bank  ("Agreement").  The  Agreement  has a three year
term. Ms. Stewart's base compensation under the Agreement is $95,000.  Under the
Agreement,  Ms.  Stewart's  employment  may be  terminated by the Bank for "just
cause" as defined in the Agreement.  If the Bank  terminates Ms. Stewart without
just cause,  Ms. Stewart will be entitled to a  continuation  of her salary from
the date of  termination  through the remaining  term of the  Agreement.  In the
event of the termination of employment in connection with any change

                                     -5-


<PAGE>



in control of the Bank during the term of the  Agreement,  Ms.  Stewart  will be
paid in a lump sum an amount  equal to 2.99  times the five year  average of her
annual compensation.  In the event of a change in control at September 30, 1995,
Ms.  Stewart  would have been  entitled to a lump sum  payment of  approximately
$285,000.  The  Bank  also  entered  into  severance  agreements  with  Diana L.
Rohrback,  Nicholas C. Tracht,  Robin L. Taylor and John Scott  Lindsay,  all of
whom are executive  officers of the Bank,  with terms of two years and severance
protection upon a termination of employment  without cause following a change in
control equal to two times the current annual  compensation of such individuals.
Upon a change in  control,  severance  payments to all  executive  officers as a
group as of September  30, 1995,  would have  totalled  approximately  $645,000,
including proposed payments to Ms. Stewart.

Other Compensation

      Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan.  The Bank  maintains  an employee  stock
ownership plan ("ESOP") for the exclusive  benefit of  participating  employees.
Participating  employees are  employees  who have  completed one year of service
with  the  Bank  and  have  attained  the  age of 21.  The  ESOP  is  funded  by
contributions of cash made by the Bank. The ESOP borrowed funds from the Company
with  which  to  acquire  129,604  shares  of the  Common  Stock  issued  in the
Conversion,  representing  8.0% of the  Common  Stock  outstanding.  The loan is
secured by the shares  purchased and earnings of ESOP assets.  Shares  purchased
with such loan proceeds will be held in a suspense  account for allocation among
participants  as  the  loan  is  repaid.   The  Bank  anticipates   contributing
approximately  $129,000 annually to the ESOP to meet principal obligations under
the ESOP loan,  plus  related  interest  payments to the  Company.  This loan is
expected to be fully repaid in approximately 10 years. For the 1995 fiscal year,
the Bank recognized no expense attributable to the ESOP.

      The  Board of  Directors  has  appointed  the  Compensation  and  Benefits
Committee  of the  Bank  to  serve  as the  ESOP  Trustee.  The  ESOP  Committee
administers  the ESOP,  and its members  consist of the same  individuals as the
ESOP Trustee. The Board of Directors or the ESOP Committee may instruct the ESOP
Trustee regarding investments of funds contributed to the ESOP. The ESOP Trustee
must  vote  all  allocated  shares  held in the  ESOP  in  accordance  with  the
instructions of the participating  employees.  Unallocated  shares and allocated
shares  for  which no timely  direction  is  received  will be voted by the ESOP
Trustee as directed by the Board of Directors or the ESOP Committee,  subject to
the Trustee's  fiduciary duties. At September 30, 1995, no shares were allocated
under the ESOP to participants.

      Pension  Plan.  The Bank  maintains a pension  plan for the benefit of its
employees  (the  "Pension  Plan").  Any employee  who became an employee  before
August 1, 1993 is eligible to  participate  in the Pension Plan on the first day
of the  month  coinciding  with  or  next  following  his or  her  first  day of
employment  with the Bank.  Any employee  who became an employee  after July 31,
1993 is eligible to participate on the August 1 or February 1 coinciding with or
next  following  his or her  completion  of one  year  of  eligible  service.  A
qualifying  employee becomes fully vested in the Pension Plan upon completion of
three years of service or when the normal retirement age of 65 is attained.  The
Pension Plan is intended to comply with the Employee  Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA").

      The Pension Plan  provides  for monthly  payments or a lump sum payment to
each participating employee at normal retirement age. The maximum annual benefit
payable to a  participant  under the Pension Plan shall not exceed the lesser of
$120,000 or 100% of the  participants  average  annual  compensation  during the
three consecutive  calendar years when total compensation paid to him or her was
the  highest.  The  Pension  Plan also  provides  for  payments  in the event of
disability or death. At September 30, 1995, Ms. Stewart,  President and CEO, had
42 years of credited  service  under the Pension Plan.  Pension  expense for the
1995 and 1994 fiscal years was $19,102 and $53,805, respectively.

                                     -6-


<PAGE>




      The following table shows the estimated  annual benefits payable under the
Pension Plan based on the  respective  employee's  years of benefit  service and
applicable  average  annual  salary,  as  calculated on the basis of single life
annuity amounts under the Pension Plan.  Benefits under the Pension Plan are not
subject to offset for Social Security benefits.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                       Years of Benefit Service
                      -----------------------------------------------------------
                         15           20          25          30           35
                      ---------  ------------  --------  ------------  ----------
<S>                   <C>            <C>       <C>           <C>         <C>     
$ 20,000............  $ 1,950        $  2,600  $  3,250      $  3,900    $  4,500
$ 40,000............    5,209           6,946     8,682        10,419      12,155
$ 60,000............    9,019          12,026    15,032        18,039      21,045
$ 80,000............   12,829          17,106    21,382        25,659      29,935
$100,000............   16,639          22,186    27,732        33,279      38,825
$120,000............   20,449          27,266    34,082        40,899      47,715

</TABLE>


      1996 Stock Option Plan.  The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted
the 1996 Stock Option Plan for the benefit of its directors,  officers,  and key
employees.  The 1996 Stock Option Plan is subject to stockholder  approval.  See
"Proposal I - Approval of the 1996 Stock  Option Plan" for a summary of the 1996
Stock Option Plan. See Exhibit A for a copy of the 1996 Stock Option Plan.

      Management  Stock Bonus Plan.  The Board of  Directors  of the Company has
adopted a restricted  stock  program for the benefit of personnel of  experience
and  ability  in key  positions  of  responsibility  with the Bank.  The MSBP is
subject to stockholder  approval.  See "Proposal II - Approval of the Management
Stock  Bonus  Plan" for a summary of the MSBP.  See  Exhibit B for a copy of the
Management Stock Bonus Plan.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

      The Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Bank during the fiscal year
ended  September 30, 1995  consisted of  non-employee  Directors  Chase,  Davis,
Lauterbach, Francis and Muhly.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

      No directors,  executive  officers,  or immediate  family  members of such
individuals  were  engaged  in  transactions  with  the  Bank or any  subsidiary
involving  more  than  $60,000  during  the  year  ended   September  30,  1995.
Furthermore,  the Bank had no "interlocking"  relationships  existing during the
year ended September 30, 1995 in which (i) any executive  officer is a member of
the  Board of  Directors/Trustees  of  another  entity,  one of whose  executive
officers  is a member  of the  Bank's  Board  of  Directors,  or where  (ii) any
executive  officer is a member of the compensation  committee of another entity,
one of whose executive officers is a member of the Bank's Board of Directors.

      The Bank,  like many  financial  institutions,  has  followed  a policy of
granting various types of loans to officers, directors, and employees. All loans
to executive  officers and  directors of the Bank have been made in the ordinary
course of business and on substantially the same terms and conditions, including
interest rates and  collateral,  as those  prevailing at the time for comparable
transactions  with the Bank's other customers,  and do not involve more than the
normal risk of collectibility nor present other unfavorable features.  All loans
by the Bank to its directors and executive  officers are subject to  regulations
of the  Office  of  Thrift  Supervision  ("OTS")  restricting  loans  and  other
transactions with affiliated persons of the Bank.

                                     -7-


<PAGE>




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              PROPOSAL I -- APPROVAL OF THE 1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

General

      The  Company's  Board of Directors has adopted the 1996 Stock Option Plan.
The Option  Plan is subject to approval by the  Company's  stockholders  and any
necessary  regulatory  approvals.  Pursuant  to the Option  Plan,  up to 162,006
shares of Common  Stock equal to up to 10% of the total  Common  Stock issued in
the Conversion  are to be reserved  under the Company's  authorized but unissued
shares for issuance by the Company upon  exercise of stock options to be granted
to officers,  directors,  key employees and other persons from time to time. The
purpose of the Option  Plan is to attract  and retain  qualified  personnel  for
positions of substantial  responsibility and to provide additional  incentive to
certain  officers,  directors,  key  employees  and other persons to promote the
success of the Company's and the Bank's  business.  The Option Plan, which shall
become  effective  upon the date of  stockholder  approval  ("Effective  Date"),
provides  for a term of ten  years,  after  which no  awards  may be  made.  The
following  summary of the  material  features of the Option Plan is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the complete provisions of the Option Plan which is
attached hereto as Exhibit A.

      The  Option  Plan  will be  administered  by the Board of  Directors  or a
committee of not less than two non-employee directors appointed by the Company's
Board of  Directors  and  serving  at the  pleasure  of the Board  (the  "Option
Committee").  Members of the Option  Committee  shall be deemed  "Non-  Employee
Directors" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 pursuant to the 1934 Act.  Directors
Chase,  Davis,  Lauterbach,  Francis  and Muhly  serve as  members of the Option
Committee.  The Option  Committee  may select the officers and employees to whom
options  are to be granted  and the  number of options to be granted  based upon
several  factors   including  prior  and  anticipated   future  job  duties  and
responsibilities,  job  performance,  the  Bank's  financial  performance  and a
comparison  of awards  given by other  institutions  which have  converted  from
mutual to stock form.  A majority of the members of the Option  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 Option
Committee.

      Officers, directors, key employees and other persons who are designated by
the Option  Committee will be eligible to receive,  at no cost to them,  options
under the Option Plan (the  "Optionees").  Each option  granted  pursuant to the
Option  Plan  shall be  evidenced  by an  instrument  in such form as the Option
Committee  shall  from time to time  approve.  It is  anticipated  that  options
granted under the Option Plan will  constitute  either  Incentive  Stock Options
(options that afford  favorable tax treatment to recipients upon compliance with
certain  restrictions  pursuant  to Section  422 of the  Internal  Revenue  Code
("Code") and that do not normally  result in tax  deductions  to the Company) or
Non- Incentive Stock Options  (options that do not afford  recipients  favorable
tax treatment  under Code Section  422).  Option shares may be paid for in cash,
shares of Common Stock,  or a combination  of both.  The Company will receive no
monetary  consideration for the granting of stock options under the Option Plan.
Further,  the  Company  will  receive  no  consideration  other  than the option
exercise  price per share for Common Stock issued to Optionees upon the exercise
of those Options.

      Options to be awarded  to  employees,  officers,  and  directors  shall be
conditioned  upon receipt of  stockholder  approval of the Option Plan.  Options
awarded to employees, officers, and directors become first exercisable at a rate
of 20% annually  commencing  on the one year  anniversary  of the date of grant,
except upon the death or disability of the Optionee, or upon a change in control
of the Company.  In the event of the death or  disability  of an Optionee,  or a
change in control (as such term is  described in the Option  Plan),  the options
granted to such Optionee shall become immediately  exercisable without regard to
any vesting schedule.

                                     -8-


<PAGE>




      Shares  issuable under the Option Plan may be from authorized but unissued
shares,  treasury shares or shares purchased in the open market. An Option which
expires,  becomes  unexercisable,  or is  forfeited  for any reason prior to its
exercise will again be available  for issuance  under the Option Plan. No Option
or any right or interest therein is assignable or transferable except by will or
the laws of descent and  distribution.  The Option Plan shall continue in effect
for a term of ten years from the Effective Date.

Stock Options

      The  Option   Committee  may  grant  either  Incentive  Stock  Options  or
Non-Incentive  Stock Options.  In general,  if an Optionee ceases to serve as an
employee  of the  Company  for any reason  other than  disability  or death,  an
exercisable  Incentive  Stock  Option may continue to be  exercisable  for three
months but in no event after the  expiration  date of the option,  except as may
otherwise be determined by the Option Committee at the time of the award. In the
event  of  the  disability  or  death  of  an  Optionee  during  employment,  an
exercisable  Incentive Stock Option will continue to be exercisable for one year
and  two  years,  respectively,  to  the  extent  exercisable  by  the  Optionee
immediately prior to the Optionee's  disability or death but only if, and to the
extent that, the Optionee was entitled to exercise such Incentive  Stock Options
on  the  date  of  termination  of  employment.  The  terms  and  conditions  of
Non-Incentive Stock Options relating to the effect of an Optionee's  termination
of employment or service, disability, or death shall be such terms as the Option
Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine at the time of termination of
service,  disability  or death,  unless  specifically  determined at the time of
grant of such options.

      The exercise  price for the purchase of Common Stock  subject to an Option
may not be less than one hundred  percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the
Common  Stock  covered  by the Option on the date of grant of such  Option.  For
purposes of determining the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, if the Common
Stock is traded otherwise than on a national  securities exchange at the time of
the granting of an Option, then the exercise price per share of the Option shall
be not less  than the mean  between  the last 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
immediately  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 in good faith by the Option Committee.  If the Common Stock is listed
on a national  securities exchange at the time of the granting of an the Option,
then the  exercise  price  per  share of the  Option  shall be not less than the
average of the  highest  and lowest  selling  price of the Common  Stock on such
exchange  on the date such  Option is granted or, if there were no sales on said
date,  then the exercise  price shall be not less than the mean between the last
bid and ask price on such date.  If an officer or  employee  owns  Common  Stock
representing  more than ten percent of the outstanding  Common Stock at the time
an Incentive Stock Option is granted,  then the exercise price shall not be less
than one hundred and ten 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.  The Option Committee may impose additional  conditions
upon the right of an Optionee to exercise any Option granted hereunder which are
not  inconsistent  with the terms of the  Option  Plan or the  requirements  for
qualification  as an  Incentive  Stock  Option,  if such  Option is  intended to
qualify as an incentive stock option.

      No shares of Common  Stock shall be issued upon the  exercise of an Option
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 such  Optionee.  Upon the exercise of an Option by an Optionee (or
the Optionee's personal  representative),  the Option 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

                                     -9-


<PAGE>



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 and the Company  under
Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act, and regulations promulgated thereunder.

      The Option Plan  provides  that the Board of  Directors of the Company may
authorize  the  Option  Committee  to  direct  the  execution  of an  instrument
providing for the modification,  extension or renewal 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 on the Optionee 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
otherwise provided under the Option Plan.

Awards Under the Option Plan

      The Board or the Option  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 any Participant  under the
Plan, and whether Awards granted to each such  Participant  under the Plan shall
be Incentive  Stock Options and/or  Non-Incentive  Stock  Options.  In selecting
Participants  and in determining the number of shares of Common Stock subject to
Options  to be  granted  to each  such  Participant,  the  Board  or the  Option
Committee  may  consider  the  nature  of the  services  rendered  by each  such
Participant,  each such Participant's current and potential  contribution to the
Company and such other factors as may be deemed relevant.  Participants who have
been granted an Award may, if otherwise eligible,  be granted additional Awards.
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,  and no more than 5% of total Plan
shares may be awarded 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.

      Pursuant to the terms of the Option Plan,  Non-Incentive  Stock Options to
purchase  6,075  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.  Options may be
granted to newly  appointed or elected  non-employee  Directors  within the sole
discretion of the Option Committee, and the exercise price shall be equal to the
Fair Market Value of such Common Stock on the date of grant. The Options granted
to  non-employee  Directors  on the  Effective  Date  will be first  exercisable
commencing on the one year  anniversary  of  stockholder  approval of the Option
Plan and 20% annually thereafter, during such period of service as a Director or
a Director Emeritus.  Such Options granted to non-employee Directors will remain
exercisable  for up to ten years  from  such  date of  grant.  Upon the death or
disability  of a Director or Director  Emeritus,  such  Options  shall be deemed
immediately  100%  exercisable for their remaining term. All outstanding  option
awards shall become immediately  exercisable in the event of a change in control
of  the  Company  or  the  Bank,   provided  such  accelerated  vesting  is  not
inconsistent  with  applicable  OTS  regulations  or other  appropriate  banking
regulations  at  the  time  of  such  change  in  control.  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.

                                     -10-


<PAGE>



      The table  below  presents  information  related  to stock  option  awards
anticipated to be awarded upon stockholder  approval of the Option Plan, subject
to OTS non-objection, if applicable.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 NEW PLAN BENEFIT
                              1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                              ----------------------
                                                                 Number of Options
Name and Position                      Dollar Value(1)             to be Granted
- -----------------                      ---------------           -----------------

John E. Lufburrow
<S>                                          <C>                   <C>   
  Chairman of the Board .............        N/A                   32,401(2)(3)(4)
Peggy J. Stewart
  Director, President and CEO........        N/A                   32,401(2)(3)(4)
Executive Officer Group (7 persons)..        N/A                   64,802(2)(3)(5)
Non-Executive Director Group
  (8 persons)........................        N/A                   48,600(4)
Non-Executive Officer Employee Group         N/A               To be determined(6)
Reserved.............................        N/A                   48,604(6)
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(1)   The exercise price of such Options shall be equal to the Fair Market Value
      of the  Common  Stock on the date of  stockholder  approval  of the Option
      Plan. Accordingly, the dollar value of the options was not determinable at
      the time of mailing this Proxy  Statement.  On August 20,  1996,  the last
      reported sale price on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market was $11.00 per share.
(2)   Options  awarded to officers and  employees  are  exercisable  as follows:
      Options awarded at the time of stockholder  approval are first exercisable
      at the rate of 20% on the one year  anniversary from the date of grant and
      20%  annually  thereafter  during  periods  of  continued  service  as  an
      employee,  Director  or  Director  Emeritus.  Such  awards  shall  be 100%
      exercisable  in the  event  of death or  disability,  or upon a change  in
      control of the Company or the Bank.  Options  awarded to  employees  shall
      continue  to be  exercisable  during  continued  service  as an  employee,
      Director or Director  Emeritus.  Options not exercised within three months
      of  termination  of  service as an  employee  shall  thereafter  be deemed
      non-incentive stock options.
(3)   Awards  shall vest during  periods of  continued  service as an  employee,
      director,  or  director  emeritus.   Upon  vesting,  awards  shall  remain
      exercisable  for ten  years  from  the  date of grant  without  regard  to
      continued service as an employee, director, or director emeritus.
(4)   Options awarded to directors are first exercisable at a rate of 20% on the
      one year  anniversary of  stockholder  approval of the Option Plan and 20%
      annually  thereafter,  during  such  period of service  as a  director  or
      director  emeritus,  and shall remain  exercisable  for ten years  without
      regard to  continued  service as a director  or  director  emeritus.  Upon
      disability  or death or a change in  control  of the  Company or the Bank,
      such awards shall be 100% exercisable.
(5)   Includes awards to Mr. Lufburrow  and  Ms. Stewart  of 32,401 Options each
      for a total  of  64,802  Options.  Awards  to  other  executive  officers 
      (5 persons) have not yet been determined.
(6)   Available reserve of options may be awarded to  directors,  officers,  and
      employees in the future.

                                     -11-


<PAGE>



Effect of Mergers, Change of Control and Other Adjustments

      Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company,  within
the sole discretion of the Option  Committee,  the aggregate number of shares of
Common Stock for which Options may be granted  hereunder or the number of shares
of Common Stock represented by each outstanding  Option will 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  or any other  increase  or decrease in the
number of shares of Common  Stock  effected  without  the  receipt or payment of
consideration by the Company. 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 Option 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 such  Option,  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,  provided that appropriate  consideration is paid to
the Optionee in connection  therewith;  and/or (iii) make such other adjustments
in  connection  with  the  Option  Plan as the  Option  Committee,  in its  sole
discretion, deems necessary,  desirable,  appropriate or advisable.  However, no
action may be taken by the Option  Committee  which would cause  Incentive Stock
Options granted  pursuant to the Option Plan to fail to meet the requirements of
Section 422 of the Code without the consent of the Optionee. Upon the payment of
a special  or  non-recurring  cash  dividend  that has the effect of a return of
capital  to the  stockholders,  the  Option  exercise  price per share  shall be
adjusted proportionately.

      The Option  Committee  will at all times have the power to accelerate  the
exercise  date of all Options  granted  under the Option Plan.  In the case of a
Change in Control of the  Company as  determined  by the Option  Committee,  all
outstanding  options  shall  become  immediately   exercisable   (provided  such
accelerated  vesting is not inconsistent with applicable  regulations of the OTS
or other appropriate banking regulator at the time of the change in control).  A
Change in  Control is  defined  to  include  (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 OTS or its
regulations; or (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 the  purchase  of  shares  by  underwriters  in
connection  with a pubic  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).

      In the event of such a Change in  Control,  the Option  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

                                     -12-


<PAGE>



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.

      The power of the Option  Committee to  accelerate  the exercise of Options
and the immediate  exercisability  of Options in the case of a Change in Control
of the Company could have an anti-takeover effect by making it more costly for a
potential  acquiror to obtain control of the Company due to the higher number of
shares outstanding  following such exercise of Options.  The power of the Option
Committee to make  adjustments  in  connection  with the Option Plan,  including
adjusting the number of shares subject to Options and canceling  Options,  prior
to or after the  occurrence of an  extraordinary  corporate  action,  allows the
Option  Committee to adapt the Option Plan to operate in changed  circumstances,
to adjust the Option Plan to fit a smaller or larger company,  and to permit the
issuance of Options to new  management  following such  extraordinary  corporate
action.  However,  this power of the Option  Committee also has an anti-takeover
effect,  by allowing the Option  Committee to adjust the Option Plan in a manner
to allow the present management of the Company to exercise more options and hold
more shares of the Company's Common Stock,  and to possibly  decrease the number
of Options available to new management of the Company.

      Although the Option Plan may have an anti-takeover  effect,  the Company's
Board of Directors did not adopt the Option Plan  specifically for anti-takeover
purposes.  The Option Plan could render it more  difficult to obtain support for
stockholder  proposals  opposed by the  Company's  Board and  management in that
recipients of Options could choose to exercise such Options and thereby increase
the number of shares for which they hold voting  power.  Also,  the  exercise of
such  Options  could  make it easier for the Board and  management  to block the
approval of certain  transactions  requiring  the voting  approval of 80% of the
Common Stock in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation.  In addition, the
exercise  of  such  Options  could  increase  the  cost of an  acquisition  by a
potential acquiror.

Amendment and Termination of the Option Plan

      The Board of Directors may alter,  suspend or discontinue the Option Plan,
except that no action of the Board shall  increase the maximum  number of shares
of Common Stock issuable under the Option Plan, materially increase the benefits
accruing  to  Optionees   under  the  Option  Plan  or  materially   modify  the
requirements  for eligibility for  participation  in the Option Plan unless such
action  of the  Board  shall be  subject  to  approval  or  ratification  by the
stockholders of the Company.

Possible Dilutive Effects of the Option Plan

      The Common Stock to be issued upon the exercise of Options  awarded  under
the Option Plan may either be authorized but unissued  shares of Common Stock or
shares purchased in the open market.  Because the stockholders of the Company do
not have  preemptive  rights,  to the extent that the  Company  funds the Option
Plan, in whole or in part, with authorized but unissued shares, the interests of
current  stockholders  will be  diluted.  If  upon  the  exercise  of all of the
Options, the Company delivers newly

                                     -13-


<PAGE>



issued shares of Common Stock (i.e.,  162,006 shares of Common Stock),  then the
dilutive effect to current stockholders would be approximately 9.1%.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

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

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

     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 an Optionee nor entitle
          the Company to a deduction at the time of such exercise.  However, the
          difference between the Option exercise price and the Fair Market Value
          of the Common  Stock on the date of Option  exercise is an item of tax
          preference which may, in certain  situations,  trigger the alternative
          minimum tax for an Optionee.  An Optionee will recognize  capital gain
          or loss upon resale of the shares of Common Stock received pursuant to
          the exercise of Incentive Stock Options, provided that such shares are
          held for at least one year after  transfer  of the shares 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 Option  exercise  price and the Fair  Market  Value of the
          Common Stock on the date of exercise,  or, if less, the sales proceeds
          of the shares acquired pursuant to the 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 of the Common  Stock  acquired  pursuant to the
          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.

Accounting Treatment

      Neither  the grant nor the  exercise  of an Option  under the Option  Plan
currently   requires  any  charge  against  earnings  under  generally  accepted
accounting principles. In certain circumstances,  Common Stock issuable pursuant
to  outstanding  Options  which are  exercisable  under the Option Plan might be
considered outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per share on a fully
diluted basis.

Stockholder Approval

      Stockholder approval of the Option Plan is being sought in accordance with
regulations of the OTS. Additional purposes of requesting  stockholder  approval
of the Option Plan are to qualify the Option Plan for the  granting of Incentive
Stock  Options in accordance  with the Code, to enable  Optionees to qualify for
certain exemptive treatment from the short-swing profit recapture  provisions of
Section   16(b)  of  the  1934   Act,   to  meet   the   requirements   for  the
tax-deductibility of certain compensation items

                                     -14-


<PAGE>



under Section  162(m) of the Code,  and to meet the  requirements  for continued
listing of the Common Stock under the Nasdaq  SmallCap  Market.  An  affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the total votes  eligible to be cast at the
Meeting is required to constitute stockholder approval of this Proposal I.

      THE OTS IN NO WAY ENDORSES OR APPROVES THE OPTION PLAN.

      A VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE OPTION PLAN ALSO  AUTHORIZES THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TO AMEND THE OPTION  PLAN TO COMPLY  WITH ANY FUTURE OTS  INTERPRETATIONS  UNDER
APPLICABLE  REGULATIONS,  PROVIDED  ANY SUCH  AMENDMENTS  DO NOT HAVE A MATERIAL
ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE COMPANY'S STOCKHOLDERS AS A GROUP.

      THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE APPROVAL OF
THE 1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           PROPOSAL II -- APPROVAL OF THE MANAGEMENT STOCK BONUS PLAN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

General

      The Board of  Directors of the Company has adopted the MSBP as a method of
providing directors,  officers, and key employees of the Bank with a proprietary
interest in the Company in a manner designed to encourage such persons to remain
in the  employment or service of the Bank. The Bank will  contribute  sufficient
funds  to  the  MSBP  to  purchase  Common  Stock  representing  up to 4% of the
aggregate  number of shares  issued in the  Conversion  (i.e.,  64,802 shares of
Common  Stock)  in the open  market,  or  alternatively,  the MSBP may  purchase
authorized  but  unissued  shares of Common  Stock or  treasury  shares from the
Company.  All of the Common  Stock to be purchased by the MSBP will be purchased
at the Fair Market Value of such stock on the date of purchase. Awards under the
MSBP will be made in recognition of expected  future services to the Bank by its
directors,  officers and key employees  responsible  for  implementation  of the
policies  adopted by the Bank's Board of Directors and as a means of providing a
further retention incentive. The following is a summary of the material features
of the MSBP which is  qualified  in its  entirety by  reference  to the complete
provisions of the MSBP which is attached hereto as Exhibit B.

Awards Under the MSBP

      Benefits  under the MSBP ("Plan Share  Awards") may be granted at the sole
discretion  of a committee  comprised of not less than two directors who are not
employees  of the Bank or the Company  (the "MSBP  Committee")  appointed by the
Bank's Board of Directors. The MSBP is managed by trustees (the "MSBP Trustees")
who are  non-employee  directors  of the  Bank or the  Company  and who have the
responsibility  to invest all funds contributed by the Bank to the trust created
for the  MSBP  (the  "MSBP  Trust").  Unless  the  terms of the MSBP or the MSBP
Committee  specifies  otherwise,  awards  under  the MSBP will be in the form of
restricted  stock  payable  as  the  Plan  Share  Awards  shall  be  earned  and
non-forfeitable.  Twenty  percent  (20%)  of such  awards  shall be  earned  and
non-forfeitable on the one year anniversary of the date of grant of such awards,
and 20% annually thereafter, provided that the recipient of the award remains an
employee,  Director or Director Emeritus during such period. A recipient of such
restricted  stock will not be entitled  to voting  rights  associated  with such
shares prior to the  applicable  date such shares are earned.  Dividends paid on
Plan Share  Awards shall be held in arrears and  distributed  upon the date such
applicable Plan Share Awards are earned. Any shares held by the MSBP Trust which
are not yet earned shall be voted by the MSBP Trustees,  as directed by the MSBP
Committee.  If a recipient of such  restricted  stock  terminates  employment or
service for reasons other than death, disability,  or a change in control of the
Company or the Bank, the recipient forfeits all rights

                                     -15-


<PAGE>



to the awards under restriction. If the recipient's termination of employment or
service is caused by death, disability, or a change in control of the Company or
the Bank  (provided  that such  accelerated  vesting  is not  inconsistent  with
applicable  regulations of the OTS or other appropriate banking regulator at the
time  of such  change  in  control),  all  restrictions  expire  and all  shares
allocated  shall become  unrestricted.  Awards of restricted  stock to directors
shall be immediately  non-forfeitable in the event of the death or disability of
such director, or a change in control of the Company or the Bank and distributed
as soon as practicable thereafter. The Board of Directors can terminate the MSBP
at any time,  and if it does so,  any shares not  allocated  will  revert to the
Company.

      Plan Share Awards under the MSBP will be determined by the MSBP Committee.
In no event shall any Employee receive Plan Share Awards in excess of 25% of the
aggregate  Plan  Shares  authorized  under the Plan.  Plan  Share  Awards may be
granted  to  newly  elected  or  appointed  non-employee  Directors  of the Bank
subsequent to the effective date (as defined in the MSBP) provided that the Plan
Share Awards made to  non-employee  directors shall not exceed 30% of total Plan
Share  Reserve  in the  aggregate  under the Plan or 5% of the total  Plan Share
Reserve to any individual non-employee Director.

      The aggregate number of Plan Shares available for issuance pursuant to the
Plan Share Awards and the number of shares to which any Plan Share Award relates
shall be  proportionately  adjusted  for any  increase  or decrease in the total
number of outstanding  shares of Common Stock issued subsequent to the effective
date (as defined in the MSBP) of the MSBP resulting from any split,  subdivision
or  consolidation  of the Common Stock or other  capital  adjustment,  change or
exchange of Common Stock, or other increase or decrease in the number or kind of
shares effected without receipt or payment of consideration by the Company.

      The following table presents  information related to the anticipated award
of Common Stock under the MSBP as  authorized  pursuant to the terms of the MSBP
or the anticipated actions of the MSBP Committee.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               NEW PLAN BENEFITS
                          MANAGEMENT STOCK BONUS PLAN
                          ---------------------------

Name and Position                       Dollar Value (1)  Number of Shares (2)(3)
- -----------------                       ----------------  -----------------------
John E. Lufburrow
<S>                                        <C>                          <C>     
  Chairman of the Board........            $142,560                     12,960  
Peggy J. Stewart                           
  Director, President and CEO..            $142,560                     12,960             
                                                       
Executive Officer Group (7 persons)        $285,120                  25,920(4)
Non-Executive Director                                 
  Group (8 persons)............            $213,840                  19,440(5)
Non-Executive Officer Employee                         
  Group........................                 N/A       To be determined (6)
Reserved.......................            $213,862                  19,442(6)
                                                    
</TABLE>

- ------------------
(1)   These  values  are based on the last  reported  sale  price for the Common
      Stock as reported on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market on August 20, 1996,  which
      was $11.00 per share.  The exact dollar value of the Common Stock  granted
      will equal the market  price of the Common Stock on the date of vesting of
      such  awards.  Accordingly,  the  exact  dollar  value  is  not  presently
      determinable.

                                     -16-


<PAGE>



(2)   All Plan Share Awards  presented herein shall be earned at the rate of 20%
      on the one year  anniversary of  stockholder  approval of the MSBP and 20%
      annually thereafter.  All awards shall become immediately 100% vested upon
      death, disability, or termination of service following a change in control
      (as defined in the MSBP).
(3)   Plan Share Awards shall  continue to vest during  periods of service as an
      employee, director, or director emeritus.
(4)   Includes awards to Mr. Lufburrow and  Ms. Stewart  of  25,920  shares  of 
      Common  Stock  in  the  aggregate.  Awards  to  other  executive  officers
     (5 persons) have not yet been determined.
(5)   Each of eight (8)  non-employee  directors  shall be awarded  2,430 shares
      upon the date of stockholder approval, subject to applicable vesting.
(6)   Available  reserve of shares of Common Stock may be awarded to  directors,
      officers and employees in the future.

Amendment and Termination of the Plan

      The Board may amend or terminate the MSBP at any time.  However, no action
of the Board may  increase  the maximum  number of Plan Shares  permitted  to be
awarded  under the MSBP,  except  for  adjustments  in the  Common  Stock of the
Company,  materially  increase the benefits  accruing to Participants  under the
MSBP or materially  modify the requirements for eligibility for participation in
the MSBP unless such action of the Board shall be subject to ratification by the
stockholders of the Company.

Possible Dilutive Effects of MSBP

      The MSBP  provides  that Common Stock to be awarded may be acquired by the
MSBP through  open-market  purchases or from  authorized but unissued  shares of
Common  Stock from the  Company.  In that  stockholders  do not have  preemptive
rights,  to the extent that the Company utilizes  authorized but unissued shares
to fund MSBP awards, the interests of current  stockholders will be diluted.  If
all Plan Share Awards are funded with newly issued shares,  the dilutive  effect
to existing  stockholders  would be  approximately  3.85%.  It is the  Company's
present  intention  to fund the MSBP  through  open-market  purchases  of Common
Stock.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

      Common Stock awarded under the MSBP is generally  taxable to the recipient
at the time that such awards become earned and  non-forfeitable,  based upon the
Fair Market Value of such stock at the time of such  vesting.  Alternatively,  a
recipient  may make an election  pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code within 30
days of the  date of the  award  to elect to  include  in gross  income  for the
current  taxable  year the Fair Market Value of such stock as of the date of the
award.  Such election must be filed with the Internal  Revenue Service within 30
days of the date of the granting of the stock award. The Company will be allowed
a tax deduction for federal tax purposes as a compensation  expense equal to the
amount of ordinary income  recognized by a recipient of Plan Share Awards at the
time the recipient  recognizes  taxable  ordinary  income. A recipient of a Plan
Share Award may elect to have a portion of such award withheld by the MSBP Trust
in order to meet any necessary tax withholding obligations.

Accounting Treatment

      For accounting purposes, the Company will recognize a compensation expense
in the amount of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to Plan Share
Awards at the date of the award pro rata over the period of years  during  which
the awards are earned.

                                     -17-


<PAGE>



Stockholder Approval

      The  Company  is  submitting  the MSBP to  stockholders  for  approval  in
accordance with regulations of the OTS. The MSBP and awards made thereunder will
not  be  effective  until  receipt  of  stockholder  approval  of  Proposal  II.
Additional purposes of requesting stockholder approval of the MSBP are to enable
recipients of Plan Share Awards to qualify for certain exemptive  treatment from
the short-swing profit recapture provisions of Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act, to
meet the requirements for the tax  deductibility of certain  compensation  items
under Section  162(m) of the Code,  and to meet the  requirements  for continued
listing of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market.  The affirmative vote
of holders of a majority of the total  votes  eligible to be cast at the Meeting
is required to constitute stockholder approval of this Proposal II.

      THE OTS IN NO WAY ENDORSES OR APPROVES THE MSBP.

      A VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE MSBP  ALSO  AUTHORIZES  THE BOARD OF  DIRECTORS  TO
AMEND THE MSBP TO COMPLY WITH ANY FUTURE OTS  INTERPRETATIONS  UNDER  APPLICABLE
REGULATIONS,  PROVIDED SUCH AMENDMENTS DO NOT HAVE A MATERIAL  ADVERSE EFFECT ON
THE COMPANY'S STOCKHOLDERS AS A GROUP.

      THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE APPROVAL OF
THE MANAGEMENT STOCK BONUS PLAN.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  OTHER MATTERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The Board of  Directors  is not aware of any  business  to come  before the
Meeting  other  than those  matters  described  above in this  Proxy  Statement.
However,  if any other matters  should  properly come before the Meeting,  it is
intended that proxies in the accompanying  form will be voted in respect thereof
in  accordance  with  the  judgment  of  the  person  or  persons  named  in the
accompanying proxy.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Company's proxy materials for
the Annual  Meeting of  Stockholders  for the fiscal year ending  September  30,
1996, any  stockholder  proposal to take action at such meeting must be received
at the  Company's  executive  offices at 1505 York Road,  Lutherville,  Maryland
21093,  in accordance  with 17 C.F.R.  ss.240.14a-8 of the Rules and Regulations
under the 1934 Act. Any such proposals  shall be subject to the  requirements of
Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act.

                                     -18-


<PAGE>




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      The cost of  solicitation  of proxies  will be borne by the  Company.  The
Company  will  reimburse  brokerage  firms and other  custodians,  nominees  and
fiduciaries for reasonable  expenses incurred by them in sending proxy materials
to the beneficial  owners of Common Stock. In addition to solicitations by mail,
directors,  officers and regular  employees  of the Company may solicit  proxies
personally  or  by  telegraph  or  telephone   without   payment  of  additional
compensation.  The Company has retained  D.F.  King & Co., Inc. to assist in the
solicitation of proxies at a cost which is not anticipated to exceed $2,500 plus
reimbursement of certain incurred expenses,  however, actual expenses may exceed
estimated costs.

                                    BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS




                                   
                                    Diana L. Rohrback
                                    Corporate Secretary

Lutherville, Maryland
August 27, 1996



                                     -19-





<PAGE>

                                                                     Exhibit A

                           WHG BANCSHARES CORPORATION

                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN

      1.  Purpose  of the Plan.  The Plan  shall be known as the WHG  Bancshares
Corporation  ("Corporation") 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
Corporation, or any present or future parent or subsidiary of the Corporation to
promote  the  success of the  business.  The Plan is intended to provide for the
grant of  "Incentive  Stock  Options,"  within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and  Non-Incentive  Stock
Options,  options that do not so qualify. The provisions of the Plan relating to
Incentive  Stock Options shall be interpreted to conform to the  requirements of
Section 422 of the Code.

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

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

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

            (c)  "Change  in  Control"  shall  mean:  (i) the sale of all,  or a
material  portion,  of the  assets  of  the  Corporation;  (ii)  the  merger  or
recapitalization of the Corporation whereby the Corporation is not the surviving
entity;  (iii) a change in control of the Corporation,  as otherwise  defined or
determined by the Office of Thrift Supervision or regulations promulgated by it;
or (iv) the  acquisition,  directly or indirectly,  of the beneficial  ownership
(within  the  meaning  of  that  term  as it is used  in  Section  13(d)  of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934  and the  rules  and  regulations  promulgated
thereunder)  of  twenty-five  percent  (25%) or more of the  outstanding  voting
securities  of the  Corporation  by any  person,  trust,  entity or group.  This
limitation  shall  not  apply to the  purchase  of  shares  by  underwriters  in
connection  with a public  offering of  Corporation  stock,  or the  purchase of
shares  of up to  25%  of any  class  of  securities  of  the  Corporation  by a
tax-qualified  employee  stock  benefit  plan which is exempt from the  approval
requirements,  set forth under 12 C.F.R.  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.

                                     A-1


<PAGE>



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                     A-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
Corporation  or any Parent or Subsidiary of the  Corporation or any other person
providing  a service to the  Corporation  who is selected  by the  Committee  to
receive an Award, or who by the express terms of the Plan is granted an Award.

            (v) "Plan"  shall  mean the WHG  Bancshares  Corporation  1996 Stock
Option Plan.

            (w)  "Savings  Bank"  shall  mean  Heritage  Savings  Bank,  F.S.B.,
Lutherville, Maryland, 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  162,006.  Such
Shares may either be from  authorized but unissued  shares,  treasury  shares or
shares purchased in the market for Plan purposes.

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

      4.    Six Month Holding Period.

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

                                     A-3


<PAGE>



       5.   Administration of the Plan.

            (a) Composition of the Committee.  The Plan shall be administered by
the Board of Directors of the  Corporation or a Committee which shall consist of
not less  than two  Directors  of the  Corporation  appointed  by the  Board and
serving at the pleasure of the Board.  All persons  designated as members of the
Committee shall meet the  requirements of a "Non-Employee  Director"  within the
meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as
found at 17 CFR 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 Corporation and such other officers as shall be
designated by the Committee are hereby authorized to execute written  agreements
evidencing Awards on behalf of the Corporation and to cause them to be delivered
to the Participants.  Such agreements shall set forth the Option exercise price,
the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Option, the expiration date
of such Options, and such other terms and restrictions  applicable to such Award
as are determined in accordance with the Plan or the actions of the Committee.

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

       6.   Eligibility for Awards and Limitations.

                   (a) The  Committee  shall  from  time to time  determine  the
officers, Directors, 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 services  rendered by
each  such   Participant,   each  such   Participant's   current  and  potential
contribution  to the Corporation and such other factors as the Committee may, in
its sole discretion, deem relevant.  Participants who have been granted an Award
may, if otherwise eligible, be granted additional Awards.

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

                                     A-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 Corporation shall accept full or partial payment in Common Stock only to the
extent  permitted by  applicable  law. No Shares of Common Stock shall be issued
until full payment has been received by the  Corporation,  and no Optionee shall
have any of the  rights of a  stockholder  of the  Corporation  until  Shares of
Common Stock are issued to the Optionee.

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

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

                                     A-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 Corporation written notice of the exercise
of the Option together with an order to a registered broker-dealer or equivalent
third party,  to sell part or all of the Optioned Stock and to deliver enough of
the  proceeds  to the  Corporation  to pay the  Option  exercise  price  and any
applicable  withholding  taxes. If the Optionee does not sell the Optioned Stock
through a registered  broker-dealer  or equivalent third party, the Optionee can
give the Corporation  written notice of the exercise of the Option and the third
party  purchaser of the Optioned Stock shall pay the Option  exercise price plus
any applicable withholding taxes to the Corporation.

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

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

            (a) Options  Granted to  Directors.  Subject to the  limitations  of
Section 6(c),  Non-Incentive  Stock  Options to  purchase 6,075 shares of Common
Stock  will  be  granted  to  each  Director  who is not an  Employee  as of the
Effective  Date,  at an exercise  price  equal to the Fair  Market  Value of the
Common Stock on such date of grant. The Options will be first exercisable at the
rate of 20% on the one year  anniversary  of the Effective Date and 20% annually
thereafter  during such  periods of service as a Director or Director  Emeritus.
Upon the death or Disability of the Director or Director  Emeritus,  such Option
shall be deemed immediately 100% exercisable.  Such Options shall continue to be
exercisable for a period of ten years following the date of grant without regard
to the continued  services of such Director as a Director or Director  Emeritus.
In the event of the  Optionee's  death,  such  Options may be  exercised  by the
personal  representative  of his  estate or person or persons to whom his rights
under  such  Option  shall  have  passed by will or by the laws of  descent  and
distribution.  Options may be granted to newly appointed or elected non-employee
Directors  within the sole  discretion of the Committee.  The exercise price per
Share of such  Options  granted  shall be equal to the Fair Market  Value of the
Common Stock at the time such Options are granted.  All outstanding Awards shall
become  immediately  exercisable  in the  event of a Change  in  Control  of the
Savings Bank or the Corporation,  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

                                     A-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 Corporation  shall accept full or partial payment in Common Stock
only to the extent  permitted by applicable law. No Shares of Common Stock shall
be issued  until  full  payment  has been  received  by the  Corporation  and no
Optionee shall have any of the rights of a stockholder of the Corporation  until
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 Corporation written notice of the exercise
of the Option together with an order to a registered broker-dealer or equivalent
third party,  to sell part or all of the Optioned Stock and to deliver enough of
the  proceeds  to the  Corporation  to pay the  Option  exercise  price  and any
applicable  withholding  taxes. If the Optionee does not sell the Optioned Stock
through a registered  broker-dealer  or equivalent third party, the Optionee can
give the Corporation  written notice of the exercise of the Option and the third
party  purchaser of the Optioned Stock shall pay the Option  exercise price plus
any applicable withholding taxes to the Corporation.

            (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  Corporation  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

                                     A-7


<PAGE>



Director or Director  Emeritus of the Savings Bank or the Corporation,  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 Corporation, the
employment of all of its employees who are not immediately  thereafter employees
of the Corporation shall be deemed to terminate upon the date such Subsidiary so
ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Corporation.

            (b) Disability. In the event that any Optionee's employment with the
Corporation  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 Corporation  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.

                                     A-8


<PAGE>



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

            (a) Adjustment.  Subject to any required action by the  stockholders
of the Corporation,  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  Corporation
(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 Corporation,
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  Corporation  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  Corporation,  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:

                                     A-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 Corporation 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.

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

            (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.

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

      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 Corporation, 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  Corporation  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

                                     A-10


<PAGE>



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 Corporation.

            (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  Corporation 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   Corporation   to  obtain  any   necessary
authorizations,  approvals or letters of non-objection  from any regulatory body
or authority deemed by the  Corporation's  counsel to be necessary to the lawful
issuance and sale of any Shares issuable hereunder shall relieve the Corporation
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  Corporation  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  Corporation 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
Corporation  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 Corporation
will  reserve and keep  available a number of Shares  sufficient  to satisfy the
requirements of the Plan.

                                     A-11


<PAGE>


      20.  Unsecured  Obligation.  No Participant  under the Plan shall have any
interest in any fund or special asset of the  Corporation  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.

      21.  Withholding Tax. The Corporation  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 Corporation  shall have the right to
require the  Participant or such other person to pay the  Corporation the amount
of any taxes which the  Corporation 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  Corporation,  the Savings  Bank or
other Subsidiaries.

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



                                     A-12


<PAGE>

                                                                     Exhibit B

                          Heritage Savings Bank, F.S.B.
                           Management Stock Bonus Plan
                               and Trust Agreement

                                    Article I
                                    ---------

                       ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PLAN AND TRUST

      1.01 Heritage Savings Bank, F.S.B. ("Savings Bank") hereby establishes the
Management  Stock Bonus Plan (the "Plan") and Trust (the "Trust") upon the terms
and conditions  hereinafter stated in this Management Stock Bonus Plan and Trust
Agreement (the "Agreement").

      1.02 The Trustee  hereby  accepts  this Trust and agrees to hold the Trust
assets  existing on the date of this  Agreement and all additions and accretions
thereto upon the terms and conditions hereinafter stated.

                                   Article II
                                   ----------

                               PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

      2.01 The  purpose  of the Plan is to  reward  and to retain  personnel  of
experience and ability in key positions of responsibility  with the Savings Bank
and its  subsidiaries,  by providing  such personnel of the Savings Bank and its
subsidiaries  with an equity  interest in the parent  corporation of the Savings
Bank, WHG Bancshares  Corporation  ("Parent"),  as compensation for their future
professional contributions and service to the Savings Bank and its subsidiaries.

                                   Article III
                                   -----------
                                   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.

      3.01  "Beneficiary"   means  the  person  or  persons  designated  by  the
Participant to receive any benefits  payable under the Plan in the event of such
Participant's  death.  Such person or persons  shall be designated in writing on
forms provided for this purpose by the Committee and may be changed from time to
time by similar  written  notice to the  Committee.  In the absence of a written
designation,  the Beneficiary  shall be the  Participant's  surviving spouse, if
any, or if none, the Participant's estate.

      3.02  "Board"  means the Board of Directors  of the Savings  Bank,  or any
successor corporation thereto.

      3.03  "Cause"  means  the  personal  dishonesty,   incompetence,   willful
misconduct,  breach of fiduciary duty involving  personal  profits,  intentional
failure to perform stated duties,  willful violation of a material  provision of
any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic violations and similar offense),
or a material  violation of a final  cease-and-desist  order or any other action
which results in a substantial financial loss to the Parent, Savings Bank or its
Subsidiaries.

                                     B-1

<PAGE>

      3.04  "Change in Control"  shall mean:  (i) the sale of all, or a material
portion,  of the  assets  of the  Parent or  Savings  Bank;  (ii) the  merger or
recapitalization of the Parent or the Savings Bank whereby the Parent or Savings
Bank is not the  surviving  entity;  (iii) a change in  control of the Parent or
Savings  Bank,  as  otherwise  defined  or  determined  by the  Office of Thrift
Supervision  ("OTS") 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  1934  Act  and  the  rules  and
regulations  promulgated thereunder) of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the
outstanding  voting  securities  of the  Parent or Savings  Bank by any  person,
trust,  entity or group.  This  limitation  shall not apply to the  purchase  of
shares of up to 25% of any class of  securities of the Parent or Savings Bank 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.

      3.05  "Committee"  means  the  Board of  Directors  of the  Parent  or the
Management Stock Bonus Plan Committee appointed by the Board of Directors of the
Parent pursuant to Article IV hereof.

      3.06 "Common  Stock" means shares of the common stock,  $.10 par value per
share, of the Savings Bank or any successor corporation or Parent thereto.

      3.07  "Conversion"  means the  effective  date of the stock charter of the
Savings Bank and simultaneous acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of the
Savings Bank by the Parent.

      3.08  "Director" means a member of the Board of the Savings Bank.

      3.09 "Director  Emeritus"  means a person serving as a director  emeritus,
advisory  director,  consulting  director,  or other similar  position as may be
appointed  by the Board of Directors of the Savings Bank or the Parent from time
to time.

      3.10  "Disability"  means any physical or mental  impairment which renders
the  Participant  incapable of  continuing  in the  employment or service of the
Savings  Bank  or the  Parent  in his  current  capacity  as  determined  by the
Committee.

      3.11  "Employee" means any person who is employed by the Savings Bank or a
Subsidiary.

      3.12 "Effective  Date" shall mean the date of stockholder  approval of the
Plan by the Parent's stockholders.

      3.13  "Parent"   shall  mean  WHG  Bancshares   Corporation,   the  parent
corporation of the Savings Bank.

      3.14 "Participant" means an Employee or Director who receives a Plan Share
Award under the Plan.

      3.15 "Plan  Shares"  means  shares of Common Stock held in the Trust which
are awarded or issuable to a Participant pursuant to the Plan.

                                     B-2

<PAGE>

      3.16 "Plan Share Award" or "Award"  means a right granted to a Participant
under this Plan to earn or to receive Plan Shares.

      3.17 "Plan  Share  Reserve"  means the shares of Common  Stock held by the
Trust pursuant to Sections 5.03 and 5.04.

      3.18 "Savings Bank" means Heritage Savings Bank, F.S.B., and any successor
corporation thereto.

      3.19 "Subsidiary" means those subsidiaries of the Savings Bank which, with
the consent of the Board, agree to participate in this Plan.

      3.20  "Trustee"  or "Trustee  Committee"  means that  person(s)  or entity
nominated by the Committee  and approved by the Board  pursuant to Sections 4.01
and 4.02 to hold  legal  title to the Plan  assets  for the  purposes  set forth
herein.

                                   Article IV
                                   ----------

                           ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

      4.01 Role of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered and interpreted
by the Board of Directors of the Parent or a Committee  appointed by said Board,
which  shall  consist  of not less than two  non-employee  members of the Board,
which shall have all of the powers allocated to it in this and other sections of
the  Plan.  All  persons  designated  as  members  of  the  Committee  shall  be
"Non-Employee  Directors"  within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities
Exchange  Act  of  1934,  as  amended  ("1934  Act").  The   interpretation  and
construction by the Committee of any provisions of the Plan or of any Plan Share
Award granted  hereunder shall be final and binding.  The Committee shall act by
vote or written  consent of a majority  of its  members.  Subject to the express
provisions  and  limitations  of the Plan,  the  Committee may adopt such rules,
regulations  and  procedures  as it deems  appropriate  for the  conduct  of its
affairs.  The Committee  shall report its actions and decisions  with respect to
the Plan to the Board at appropriate  times,  but in no event less than one time
per  calendar  year.  The  Committee  shall  recommend  to the Board one or more
persons or entity to act as Trustee in  accordance  with the  provision  of this
Plan and Trust and the terms of Article VIII hereof.

      4.02 Role of the Board. The members of the Committee and the Trustee shall
be appointed  or approved  by, and will serve at the pleasure of the Board.  The
Board  may in its  discretion  from time to time  remove  members  from,  or add
members to, the Committee,  and may remove,  replace or add Trustees.  The Board
shall have all of the powers  allocated to it in this and other  sections of the
Plan,  may take any action under or with respect to the Plan which the Committee
is authorized to take,  and may reverse or override any action taken or decision
made by the Committee under or with respect to the Plan, provided, however, that
the Board may not revoke any Plan Share Award already made except as provided in
Section 7.01(b) herein.

      4.03 Limitation on Liability. No member of the Board, the Committee or the
Trustee shall be liable for any determination made in good faith with respect to
the Plan or any Plan Share Awards granted.  If a member of the Board,  Committee
or any Trustee is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or  completed  action,  suit or  proceeding,  whether  civil,  criminal,
administrative or  investigative,  by any reason of anything done or not done by
him in such capacity under

                                     B-3

<PAGE>

or with  respect to the Plan,  the Parent and the Savings  Bank shall  indemnify
such member against expenses (including attorney's fees),  judgments,  fines and
amounts paid in  settlement  actually and  reasonably  incurred by him or her in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in good faith
and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the
Parent,  the Savings Bank and its Subsidiaries and, with respect to any criminal
action or  proceeding,  had no  reasonable  cause to  believe  his  conduct  was
unlawful.

                                    Article V
                                    ---------

                        CONTRIBUTIONS; PLAN SHARE RESERVE

      5.01 Amount and Timing of  Contributions.  The Board of  Directors  of the
Savings  Bank  shall  determine  the  amounts  (or the method of  computing  the
amounts) to be  contributed by the Savings Bank to the Trust  established  under
this  Plan.  Such  amounts  shall  be  paid  to  the  Trustee  at  the  time  of
contribution.  No contributions to the Trust by Participants  shall be permitted
except with respect to amounts necessary to meet tax withholding obligations.

      5.02 Initial  Investment.  Any funds held by the Trust prior to investment
in the Common  Stock shall be  invested by the Trustee in such  interest-bearing
account or accounts at the Savings  Bank as the Trustee  shall  determine  to be
appropriate.

      5.03  Investment  of  Trust  Assets.  Following  approval  of the  Plan by
stockholders  of the  Parent  and  receipt  of any  other  necessary  regulatory
approvals,  the Trust  shall  purchase  Common  Stock of the Parent in an amount
equal to up to 100% of the Trust's  assets,  after  providing  for any  required
withholding as needed for tax purposes,  provided, however, that the Trust shall
not purchase  more than 64,802 shares of Common  Stock,  representing  4% of the
aggregate  shares of Common  Stock issued by the Parent in the  Conversion.  The
Trustee  may  purchase  shares of  Common  Stock in the open  market  or, in the
alternative,  may purchase authorized but unissued shares of the Common Stock or
treasury shares from the Parent sufficient to fund the Plan Share Reserve.

      5.04  Effect of  Allocations,  Returns  and  Forfeitures  Upon Plan  Share
Reserves. Upon the allocation of Plan Share Awards under Sections 6.02 and 6.05,
or the decision of the  Committee to return Plan Shares to the Parent,  the Plan
Share Reserve shall be reduced by the number of Shares  subject to the Awards so
allocated  or  returned.  Any Shares  subject  to an Award  which are not earned
because of forfeiture by the Participant pursuant to Section 7.01 shall be added
to the Plan Share Reserve.

                                   Article VI
                                   ----------

                            ELIGIBILITY; ALLOCATIONS

      6.01  Eligibility.  Employees  are  eligible to receive  Plan Share Awards
within the sole  discretion  of the  Committee.  Directors who are not otherwise
Employees shall receive Plan Share Awards pursuant to Section 6.05.

      6.02 Allocations. The Committee will determine which of the Employees will
be granted  Plan Share  Awards and the number of Shares  covered by each  Award,
provided,  however, that in no event shall any Awards be made which will violate
the Charter or Bylaws of the Savings Bank or its Parent or  Subsidiaries  or any
applicable federal or state law or regulation. In the event Shares are forfeited
for any

                                     B-4

<PAGE>

reason or  additional  Shares are purchased by the Trustee,  the Committee  may,
from time to time,  determine  which of the Employees will be granted Plan Share
Awards to be awarded from forfeited Shares. In selecting those Employees to whom
Plan  Share  Awards  will be granted  and the  number of shares  covered by such
Awards, the Committee shall consider the position,  duties and  responsibilities
of the  Employees,  the  value of their  services  to the  Savings  Bank and its
Subsidiaries, and any other factors the Committee may deem relevant. All actions
by the Committee  shall be deemed final,  except to the extent that such actions
are revoked by the Board. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no
event  shall any  Employee  receive  Plan  Share  Awards in excess of 25% of the
aggregate Plan Shares authorized under the Plan.

      6.03 Form of Allocation.  As promptly as practicable after a determination
is made  pursuant to Section  6.02 or Section 6.05 that a Plan Share Award is to
be made, the Committee  shall notify the  Participant in writing of the grant of
the Award,  the number of Plan Shares  covered by the Award,  and the terms upon
which the Plan Shares subject to the award may be earned.  The date on which the
Committee  makes its award  determination  or the date the Committee so notifies
the  Participant  shall be considered the date of grant of the Plan Share Awards
as determined by the Committee.  The Committee shall maintain  records as to all
grants of Plan Share Awards under the Plan.

      6.04 Allocations Not Required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary at
Sections 6.01,  6.02 or 6.05, no Employee shall have any right or entitlement to
receive a Plan Share Award  hereunder,  such Awards being at the sole discretion
of the Committee  and the Board,  nor shall the Employees as a group have such a
right.  The Committee may, with the approval of the Board (or, if so directed by
the Board) return all Common Stock in the Plan Share Reserve to the Savings Bank
at any time, and cease issuing Plan Share Awards.

      6.05 Awards to Directors. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
upon the  Effective  Date,  a Plan Share Award  consisting  of 2,430 Plan Shares
shall be awarded to each  Director of the Savings Bank that is not  otherwise an
Employee. Such Plan Share Award shall be earned and non- forfeitable at the rate
of  one-fifth  as of the  one-year  anniversary  of the  Effective  Date  and an
additional  one-fifth  following each of the next four  successive  years during
such periods of service as a Director or Director Emeritus.  Further,  such Plan
Share Award shall be immediately  100% earned and non-  forfeitable in the event
of the death or  Disability  of such  Director or Director  Emeritus,  or upon a
Change in Control of the Savings Bank or Parent;  provided that such accelerated
vesting is not inconsistent with applicable  regulations of the Office of Thrift
Supervision  ("OTS") or other appropriate  banking regulator at the time of such
Change in Control.  Subsequent to the Effective  Date,  Plan Share Awards may be
awarded to newly  elected or  appointed  Directors  of the  Savings  Bank by the
Committee,  provided  that  total  Plan Share  Awards  granted  to  non-employee
Directors  of the  Savings  Bank  shall not  exceed  30% of the total Plan Share
Reserve in the aggregate under the Plan or 5% of the total Plan Share Reserve to
any individual non-employee Director.

                                   Article VII
                                   -----------

             EARNINGS AND DISTRIBUTION OF PLAN SHARES; VOTING RIGHTS

      7.01  Earnings Plan Shares; Forfeitures.

       (a) General Rules.  Unless the Committee shall  specifically state to the
contrary at the time a Plan Share Award is  granted,  Plan Shares  subject to an
Award shall be earned and non-forfeitable by

                                     B-5

<PAGE>

a  Participant  at the rate of one-fifth of such Award  following one year after
the granting of such Award,  and an additional  one-fifth  following each of the
next four successive years;  provided that such Participant remains an Employee,
Director,  or Director  Emeritus  during such period.  Notwithstanding  anything
herein to the contrary,  in no event shall a Plan Share Award granted  hereunder
be earned and non- forfeitable by a Participant more rapidly than at the rate of
one-fifth of such Award as of the one year  anniversary of the date of grant and
an additional one-fifth following each of the next four successive years.

      (b)  Revocation for  Misconduct.  Notwithstanding  anything  herein to the
contrary,  the  Board  may,  by  resolution,  immediately  revoke,  rescind  and
terminate any Plan Share Award,  or portion  thereof,  previously  awarded under
this Plan, to the extent Plan Shares have not been  delivered  thereunder to the
Participant,  whether or not yet  earned,  in the case of a  Participant  who is
discharged  from  the  employ  or  service  of the  Parent,  Savings  Bank  or a
Subsidiary for Cause,  or who is discovered  after  termination of employment or
service to have engaged in conduct  that would have  justified  termination  for
Cause.  A  determination  of Cause  shall be made by the Board  within  its sole
discretion.

      (c) Exception for Terminations Due to Death or Disability. Notwithstanding
the general rule contained in Section 7.01(a) above,  all Plan Shares subject to
a Plan Share Award held by a  Participant  whose  employment or service with the
Parent,  Savings Bank or a  Subsidiary  terminates  due to death or  Disability,
shall be deemed earned and  nonforfeitable as of the Participant's  last date of
employment or service with the Parent,  Savings Bank or Subsidiary  and shall be
distributed as soon as practicable thereafter.

      (d) Exception for Termination  after a Change in Control.  Notwithstanding
the general rule  contained in Section 7.01 above,  all Plan Shares subject to a
Plan Share Award held by a Participant  shall be deemed to be  immediately  100%
earned and  non-forfeitable in the event of a Change in Control of the Parent or
Savings  Bank  and  shall  be  distributed  as soon as  practicable  thereafter;
provided  that such  accelerated  vesting is not  inconsistent  with  applicable
regulations  of the OTS or other  appropriate  banking  regulator at the time of
such Change in Control.

      7.02  Accrual and Payment of  Dividends.  A holder of a Plan Share  Award,
whether or not earned,  shall also be entitled to receive an amount equal to any
cash  dividends  declared  and paid with  respect  to  shares  of  Common  Stock
represented  by such Plan Share Award  between the date the relevant  Plan Share
Award  was  granted  to such  Participant  and the  date  the  Plan  Shares  are
distributed. Such cash dividend amounts shall be held in arrears under the Trust
and  distributed  upon the  earning of the  applicable  Plan Share  Award.  Such
payment  shall also include an  appropriate  amount of earnings,  if any, of the
Trust assets with respect to any cash dividends so distributed.

      7.03  Distribution of Plan Shares.

      (a)  Timing  of  Distributions:   General  Rule.  Except  as  provided  in
Subsections  (d)  and  (e)  below,  Plan  Shares  shall  be  distributed  to the
Participant or his Beneficiary, as the case may be, as soon as practicable after
they  have  been   earned.   No   fractional   shares   shall  be   distributed.
Notwithstanding  anything  herein  to the  contrary,  at the  discretion  of the
Committee,  Plan  Shares  may be  distributed  prior to such  Shares  being 100%
earned,  provided  that such Plan  Shares  shall  contain a  restrictive  legend
detailing the applicable limitations of such shares with respect to transfer and
forfeiture.

                                     B-6

<PAGE>

      (b)  Form of  Distribution.  All Plan  Shares,  together  with any  shares
representing stock dividends,  shall be distributed in the form of Common Stock.
One share of Common  Stock shall be given for each Plan Share  earned.  Payments
representing  cash  dividends  (and  earnings  thereon)  shall  be made in cash.
Notwithstanding  anything  within  the Plan to the  contrary,  upon a Change  in
Control  whereby  substantially  all of the Common Stock of the Company shall be
acquired for cash, all Plan Shares  associated with Plan Share Awards,  together
with any shares representing stock dividends  associated with Plan Share Awards,
shall  be,  at the  sole  discretion  of the  Committee,  distributed  as of the
effective  date of  such  Change  in  Control,  or as  soon as  administratively
feasible thereafter,  in the form of cash equal to the consideration received in
exchange for such Common Stock represented by such Plan Shares.

      (c) Withholding. The Trustee may withhold from any payment or distribution
made  under  this Plan  sufficient  amounts  of cash or  shares of Common  Stock
necessary to cover any applicable  withholding and employment  taxes, and if the
amount of such  payment or  distribution  is not  sufficient,  the  Trustee  may
require the Participant or Beneficiary to pay to the Trustee the amount required
to be  withheld in taxes as a  condition  of  delivering  the Plan  Shares.  The
Trustee shall pay over to the Parent,  Savings Bank or Subsidiary  which employs
or  employed  such  Participant  any such  amount  withheld  from or paid by the
Participant or Beneficiary.

      (d) Timing: Exception for 10% Shareholders. Notwithstanding Subsection (a)
above,  no Plan Shares may be distributed  prior to the date which is five years
from the  effective  date of the  Conversion  to the extent the  Participant  or
Beneficiary,  as the case may be,  would  after  receipt  of such  Shares own in
excess of ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock
held by parties other than Parent,  unless such action is approved in advance by
a majority vote of disinterested  directors of the Board of the Parent. Any Plan
Shares  remaining  undistributed  solely  by  reason  of the  operation  of this
Subsection (d) shall be distributed to the Participant or his Beneficiary on the
date which is five years from the effective date of the Conversion.

      (e) Regulatory Exceptions.  No Plan Shares shall be distributed,  however,
unless and until all of the  requirements  of all  applicable law and regulation
shall have been fully  complied  with,  including the receipt of approval of the
Plan by the  stockholders of the Parent by such vote, if any, as may be required
by applicable law and regulations as determined by the Board.

       7.04 Voting of Plan  Shares.  After a Plan Share Award has become  earned
and non-forfeitable,  the Participant shall be entitled to direct the Trustee as
to the voting of the Plan Shares which are associated  with the Plan Share Award
and which have not yet been  distributed  pursuant to Section  7.03,  subject to
rules and  procedures  adopted by the Committee for this purpose.  All shares of
Common  Stock held by the Trust as to which  Participants  are not  entitled  to
direct, or have not directed,  the voting of such Shares,  shall be voted by the
Trustee as directed by the Committee.

                                  Article VIII
                                  ------------

                                      TRUST

      8.01 Trust. The Trustee shall receive, hold,  administer,  invest and make
distributions and disbursements from the Trust in accordance with the provisions
of the  Plan  and  Trust  and the  applicable  directions,  rules,  regulations,
procedures and policies established by the Committee pursuant to the Plan.

                                     B-7

<PAGE>

      8.02  Management of Trust. It is the intention of this Plan and Trust that
the Trustee shall have complete  authority  and  discretion  with respect to the
management,  control and  investment  of the Trust,  and that the Trustee  shall
invest all assets of the Trust, except those attributable to cash dividends paid
with respect to Plan Shares not held in the Plan Share Reserve,  in Common Stock
to the  fullest  extent  practicable,  except  to the  extent  that the  Trustee
determines  that the holding of monies in cash or cash  equivalents is necessary
to meet the obligations of the Trust. In performing  their duties,  the Trustees
shall have the power to do all things and  execute  such  instruments  as may be
deemed necessary or proper, including the following powers:

      (a) To invest up to one hundred  percent (100%) of all Trust assets in the
      Common Stock without  regard to any law now or hereafter in force limiting
      investments for Trustees or other fiduciaries.  The investment  authorized
      herein may constitute the only investment of the Trust, and in making such
      investment,  the Trustee is authorized  to purchase  Common Stock from the
      Parent or from any other source, and such Common Stock so purchased may be
      outstanding, newly issued, or treasury shares.

      (b) To invest any Trust assets not otherwise  invested in accordance  with
      (a) above in such deposit accounts, and certificates of deposit (including
      those  issued by the  Savings  Bank),  obligations  of the  United  States
      government  or  its  agencies  or  such  other  investments  as  shall  be
      considered the equivalent of cash.

      (c) To sell,  exchange or  otherwise  dispose of any  property at any time
      held or acquired by the Trust.

      (d) To cause  stocks,  bonds or other  securities  to be registered in the
      name of a nominee,  without  the  addition of words  indicating  that such
      security  is an  asset  of  the  Trust  (but  accurate  records  shall  be
      maintained showing that such security is an asset of the Trust).

      (e) To hold cash without interest in such amounts as may be in the opinion
      of the Trustee reasonable for the proper operation of the Plan and Trust.

      (f)   To employ brokers, agents, custodians, consultants and accountants.

      (g) To hire counsel to render advice with respect to their rights,  duties
      and obligations hereunder, and such other legal services or representation
      as they may deem desirable.

      (h)  To  hold  funds  and  securities   representing  the  amounts  to  be
      distributed  to a Participant  or his  Beneficiary  as a consequence  of a
      dispute as to the disposition thereof,  whether in a segregated account or
      held in common with other assets.

      Notwithstanding  anything  herein  contained to the contrary,  the Trustee
shall not be required to make any  inventory,  appraisal or settlement or report
to any court,  or to secure any order of a court for the  exercise  of any power
herein contained, or to maintain bond.

      8.03  Records  and  Accounts.  The Trustee  shall  maintain  accurate  and
detailed records and accounts of all  transactions of the Trust,  which shall be
available at all reasonable  times for inspection by any legally entitled person
or entity  to the  extent  required  by  applicable  law,  or any  other  person
determined by the Committee.

                                     B-8

<PAGE>

      8.04 Earnings. All earnings, gains and losses with respect to Trust assets
shall be allocated in  accordance  with a  reasonable  procedure  adopted by the
Committee, to bookkeeping accounts for Participants or to the general account of
the Trust,  depending on the nature and allocation of the assets generating such
earnings,  gains and losses.  In  particular,  any  earnings  on cash  dividends
received  with  respect to shares of Common Stock shall be allocated to accounts
for Participants,  except to the extent that such cash dividends are distributed
to  Participants,  if such  shares  are the  subject of  outstanding  Plan Share
Awards, or, otherwise to the Plan Share Reserve.

      8.05  Expenses.  All costs and  expenses  incurred  in the  operation  and
administration of this Plan,  including those incurred by the Trustee,  shall be
paid by the Savings Bank.

      8.06  Indemnification.  Subject to the  requirements  and  limitations  of
applicable  laws  and  regulations,  the  Parent  and  the  Savings  Bank  shall
indemnify, defend and hold the Trustee harmless against all claims, expenses and
liabilities  arising out of or related to the exercise of the  Trustee's  powers
and the  discharge  of their duties  hereunder,  unless the same shall be due to
their gross negligence or willful misconduct.

                                   Article IX
                                   ----------

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

      9.01 Adjustments for Capital Changes.  The aggregate number of Plan Shares
available  for  issuance  pursuant  to the Plan  Share  Awards and the number of
Shares to which any Plan Share Award relates shall be  proportionately  adjusted
for any increase or decrease in the total number of outstanding shares of Common
Stock issued  subsequent to the effective  date of the Plan  resulting  from any
split,  subdivision  or  consolidation  of the  Common  Stock or  other  capital
adjustment,  change or  exchange  of the  Common  Stock,  or other  increase  or
decrease in the number or kind of shares effected  without receipt or payment of
consideration by the Parent.

      9.02 Amendment and  Termination of the Plan. The Board may, by resolution,
at any time,  amend or terminate  the Plan.  The power to amend or terminate the
Plan shall  include  the power to direct the Trustee to return to the Parent all
or any part of the assets of the Trust, including shares of Common Stock held in
the Plan  Share  Reserve,  as well as shares of  Common  Stock and other  assets
subject to Plan Share Awards which have not yet been earned by the  Participants
to whom they have been awarded.  However, the termination of the Trust shall not
affect a Participant's  right to earn Plan Share Awards and to the  distribution
of Common Stock relating thereto, including earnings thereon, in accordance with
the  terms  of  this  Plan  and  the  grant  by  the  Committee  or  the  Board.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  no action of the Board may increase (other than
as provided in Section 9.01 hereof) the maximum number of Plan Shares  permitted
to be awarded under the Plan as specified at Section 5.03,  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 ratification by the stockholders of the Parent.

                                     B-9

<PAGE>

      9.03  Nontransferable.  Plan Share  Awards and rights to Plan Shares shall
not  be  transferable  by  a  Participant,   and  during  the  lifetime  of  the
Participant,  Plan Shares may only be earned by and paid to the  Participant who
was notified in writing of the Award by the Committee  pursuant to Section 6.03.
No Participant or Beneficiary  shall have any right in or claim to any assets of
the Plan or Trust,  nor shall the Parent,  Savings  Bank,  or any  Subsidiary be
subject to any claim for benefits hereunder.

      9.04 No Employment Rights.  Neither the Plan nor any grant of a Plan Share
Award  or Plan  Shares  hereunder  nor any  action  taken  by the  Trustee,  the
Committee  or the Board in  connection  with the Plan  shall  create  any right,
either  express or implied,  on the part of any  Participant  to continue in the
employ or service of the Parent, Savings Bank, or a Subsidiary thereof.

      9.05 Voting and Dividend Rights.  No Participant  shall have any voting or
dividend  rights of a stockholder  with respect to any Plan Shares  covered by a
Plan Share Award,  except as expressly provided in Sections 7.02 and 7.04 above,
prior to the time said Plan Shares are actually distributed to such Participant.

      9.06  Governing Law. The Plan and Trust shall be governed by and construed
under the laws of the State of  Maryland,  except to the extent that Federal Law
shall be deemed applicable.

      9.07  Effective  Date.  The  Plan  shall  be  effective  as of the date of
approval of the Plan by  stockholders  of the Parent,  subject to the receipt of
approval or non-objection by the OTS or other applicable banking  regulator,  if
applicable.

      9.08 Term of Plan.  This Plan shall  remain in effect until the earlier of
(i) termination by the Board,  (ii) the distribution of all assets of the Trust,
or (iii) 21 years from the  Effective  Date.  Termination  of the Plan shall not
effect any Plan Share  Awards  previously  granted,  and such Plan Share  Awards
shall  remain  valid and in effect  until they have been earned and paid,  or by
their terms expire or are forfeited.

      9.09 Tax Status of Trust. It is intended that the Trust established hereby
shall be treated as a grantor trust of the Savings Bank under the  provisions of
Section 671 et seq. of the  Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended,  as the
same may be amended from time to time.



                                     B-10


<PAGE>
                                                                        ANNEX A


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           WHG BANCSHARES CORPORATION
                                 1505 YORK ROAD
                           LUTHERVILLE, MARYLAND 21093
                                 (410) 583-8700
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                 October 8, 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      The  undersigned  hereby appoints the Board of Directors of WHG Bancshares
Corporation (the "Company"),  or its designee, with full powers of substitution,
to act as  attorneys  and  proxies  for the  undersigned,  to vote all shares of
Common  Stock of the Company  which the  undersigned  is entitled to vote at the
Special Meeting of Stockholders (the "Meeting"),  to be held at the Holiday Inn,
2004 Greenspring Drive, Timonium, Maryland on October 8, 1996, at 10:00 a.m. and
at any and all adjournments thereof, in the following manner:

                                               FOR        AGAINST    ABSTAIN
                                               ---        -------    -------

1.     The approval of the
       WHG Bancshares Corporation
       1996 Stock Option Plan.                 |_|          |_|        |_|

2.     The approval of the
       Heritage Savings Bank, F.S.B.
       Management Stock Bonus Plan.            |_|          |_|        |_|

In their discretion, such attorneys and proxies are authorized to vote upon such
other  business as may  properly  come  before the  Meeting or any  adjournments
thereof.  If  necessary,  the Meeting will be  adjourned  to solicit  additional
proxies with respect to approval of the WHG  Bancshares  Corporation  1996 Stock
Option Plan and the Heritage Savings Bank, F.S.B. Management Stock Bonus Plan.

      The Board of  Directors  recommends  a vote "FOR" all of the above  listed
propositions.

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


<PAGE>



                THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

      Should the undersigned be present and elects to vote at the Meeting, or at
any adjournments thereof, and after notification to the Secretary of the Company
at the Meeting of the stockholder's  decision to terminate this proxy, the power
of said attorneys and proxies shall be deemed terminated and of no further force
and effect.  The undersigned may also revoke this proxy by filing a subsequently
dated proxy or by written notification to the Secretary of the Company of his or
her decision to terminate this proxy.

      The  undersigned  acknowledges  receipt  from  the  Company  prior  to the
execution  of this proxy of a Notice of Special  Meeting of  Stockholders  and a
Proxy Statement dated August 27, 1996.

                                          Please check here if you
Dated:                        , 1996      |_|   plan to attend the Meeting.
       -----------------------






- ------------------------------      --------------------------------------------
PRINT NAME OF STOCKHOLDER           PRINT NAME OF STOCKHOLDER



- ------------------------------      --------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER            SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER

Please sign  exactly as your name  appears on this proxy card.  When  signing as
attorney, executor,  administrator,  trustee, or guardian, please give your full
title. If shares are held jointly, each holder should sign.

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


<PAGE>
                                                                        ANNEX B


                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (Rule 14a-101)

                     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

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

Filed by the registrant |X| 
                           
Filed by a party other than the registrant |_|

Check the appropriate box:
|_| Preliminary Proxy Statement   |_|   Confidential, for use of the Commission
                                        Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

|X| Definitive Proxy Statement
|_| Definitive Additional Materials
|_| Soliciting Material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12

                           WHG Bancshares Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

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

Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
  |X| $125 per Exchange Act Rule 0-11(c)(1)(ii),  14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2) or
      Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
  |_| $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a-
      6(i)(3).
  |_| Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

      (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      (3) Per unit  price  or other  underlying  value of  transaction  computed
pursuant  to Exchange  Act Rule 0-11.  (Set forth the amount on which the filing
fee is calculated and state how it was determined.)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      (5)  Total fee paid:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  |_|   Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  |_| Check box if any part of the fee is offset as  provided  by  Exchange  Act
Rule  0-11(a)(2)  and identify the filing for which the  offsetting fee was paid
previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration  statement  number, or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

      (1) Amount previously paid:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      (3) Filing Party:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      (4) Date Filed:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



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