WAYNE BANCORP INC /DE/
8-K, 1998-06-02
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549




                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934





Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 28, 1998




                               WAYNE BANCORP, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)




       Delaware                             0-20691                   22-3424621
- ----------------------------             --------------            -------------
(State or other jurisdiction             (SEC File No.)            (IRS Employer
     of incorporation)                                            Identification
                                                                         Number)




1195 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne, New Jersey                07474
- ----------------------------------------                -----
(Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip Code)




Registrant's telephone number, including area code:(973) 305-5500




                                 Not Applicable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last Report)



<PAGE>




                               WAYNE BANCORP, INC.

                      INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN REPORT
                      ------------------------------------



Item 5.  Other Events
- ---------------------

         The Registrant issued a press release on May 29, 1998,  announcing that
it had signed a  definitive  merger  agreement  (the  "Agreement")  with  Valley
National Bancorp  ("Valley"),  dated May 29, 1998, for the acquisition of all of
the outstanding  common stock of the Registrant.  Shareholders of the Registrant
will  receive  1.10  shares of common  stock of Valley  for each share of common
stock of the Registrant they own.

         Consummation  of the  acquisition  is subject  to  several  conditions,
including the receipt from  accountants of a letter stating that the acquisition
will  qualify  for pooling of  interests  accounting  treatment,  and receipt of
applicable  regulatory  approval and  stockholder  approval by the  Registrant's
shareholders.

         A copy of a press  release  issued May 29,  1998 by the  Registrant  is
attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is  incorporated  herein by reference in its
entirety.


Item 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Exhibits
- --------

Exhibit 99.1 -- Press Release Concerning Merger Agreement dated May 29, 1998.
- ------------
Exhibit 99.2 -- Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 29, 1998.
- ------------
Exhibit 99.3 -- Stock Option Agreement dated as of May 29, 1998.
- ------------


<PAGE>





                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                               WAYNE BANCORP, INC.



Date: June 2, 1998             By: /s/Johanna O'Connell
                                  ------------------------------
                                      Johanna O'Connell
                                      President







                                  EXHIBIT 99.1


<PAGE>

FOR:      Valley National Bancorp       Contact:  Alan Eskow
          1455 Valley Road                        (973)305-4003
          Wayne, New Jersey 07470

For Immediate Release:       May 29, 1998

                 VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP AND WAYNE BANCORP, INC.
                             ANNOUNCE PLANS TO MERGE

WAYNE, NJ -- Valley National Bancorp (NYSE:VLY) and Wayne Bancorp,  Inc. (Nasdaq
National  Market:  WYNE)  jointly  announced  today  that  they  have  signed  a
definitive  merger  agreement by which Valley will  acquire  Wayne,  the holding
company  for Wayne  Savings  Bank,  F.S.B.,  a $272  million,  six-  branch bank
headquartered  in Wayne,  New Jersey.  The merger is "in-market" and will expand
Valley's presence in Passaic and Bergen, Counties.

Pursuant to the agreement,  Wayne will be merged into Valley. The acquisition of
Wayne will be a tax-free merger accounted for as a pooling of interests in which
each of the 2,013,823 outstanding shares of Wayne common stock will be exchanged
for 1.10  shares of Valley  common  stock.  Valley is paying  2.0 times book for
Wayne.  In  connection  with the execution of the merger  agreement,  Wayne also
granted Valley an option to acquire  400,000 shares of Wayne's  authorized,  but
unissued common stock.

"Wayne will join with Valley to expand Valley's  franchise in Passaic and Bergen
Counties,  said Gerald H. Lipkin,  Chairman,  President  and CEO of Valley.  Mr.
Lipkin  further  noted,  "The  merger  with Wayne is  consistent  with  Valley's
strategy of growth  within  Northern New Jersey  through  acquisitions  of other
strong  financial  institutions.  We  believe  the  "in-market"  nature  of this
acquisition,  coupled with Wayne's high  noninterest  expenses (a 62% efficiency
ratio compared to Valley's 45%), will enable Valley to generate significant cost
savings  within  a brief  period.  Valley's  goal in  acquisitions  is to  price
transactions  so that they are accretive to Valley's per share  earnings  within
the first year of combined operations."

Mr. Harold P. Cook, III,  Chairman of the Board and Chief  Executive  Officer of
Wayne, will join Valley's Board of Directors following the merger.

The  acquisition is conditioned  upon necessary bank regulatory  approvals,  the
approval of Wayne's  shareholders  and other customary  conditions.  The parties
anticipate that the merger will be consummated in the fourth quarter of 1998.

Valley  National  Bank,  the principal  subsidiary of Valley  National  Bancorp,
currently  has $5.1  billion in assets and  operates  97 branches in 10 counties
serving 67 communities throughout Northern New Jersey.

This  release  contains  forward-looking  statements  within the  meaning of the
Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform  Act of 1995.  Such  statements  are not
historical  facts and include  expressions  about  management's  confidence  and
strategies and  management's  expectations  about new and existing  programs and
products,   relationships,   opportunities,   technology  as  "expect",  "look",
"believe",  "anticipate",  "may", "will", or similar statements or variations of
such  terms.  Such   forward-looking   statements   involve  certain  risks  and
uncertainties.  These include, but are not limited to, the direction of interest
rates,  continued  levels of loan  quality  and  origination  volume,  continued
relationships  with major  customers  including  sources  for loans,  successful
completion of the implementation of Year 2000 technology changes, as well as the
effects of economic  conditions and legal and regulatory barriers and structure.
Actual  results  may differ  materially  from such  forward-looking  statements.
Valley assumes no obligation for updating any such forward-looking  statement at
any time.






                                 EXHIBIT 99.2
<PAGE>

                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                  THIS  AGREEMENT  AND PLAN OF MERGER,  dated as of May 29, 1998
("Agreement"),  is among Valley National Bancorp,  a New Jersey  corporation and
registered  bank holding  company  ("Valley"),  Valley National Bank, a national
banking association  ("VNB"),  Wayne Bancorp,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation and
registered  unitary savings and loan holding company ("Wayne") and Wayne Savings
Bank, F.S.B., a federally-chartered savings bank (the "Bank").

                                    RECITALS

                  Valley desires to acquire Wayne and Wayne's Board of Directors
has determined,  based upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, that
the  acquisition  is in the best  interests of Wayne and its  stockholders.  The
acquisition will be accomplished by merging Wayne into Valley with Valley as the
surviving  corporation and, at the same time, merging the Bank into VNB with VNB
as the  surviving  bank,  and Wayne  stockholders  receiving  the  consideration
hereinafter set forth.  The Boards of Directors of Wayne,  Valley,  the Bank and
VNB have duly adopted and approved this  Agreement and the Board of Directors of
Wayne has directed that it be submitted to its stockholders for approval.

                  As a  condition  precedent  to entering  into this  Agreement,
Valley has  required  that Wayne grant it an option to purchase  authorized  but
unissued  shares of Wayne common stock and, as a  consequence,  Valley and Wayne
have entered into a Stock Option  Agreement,  dated the date hereof (the "Valley
Stock Option").

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  intending to be legally  bound,  the parties
hereto agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   THE MERGER

                  1.1. The Merger.  Subject to the terms and  conditions of this
Agreement,  at the Effective Time (as hereafter defined),  Wayne shall be merged
with and into Valley (the "Merger") in accordance  with the New Jersey  Business
Corporation Act ("NJBCA") and the Delaware General  Corporation Law ("DGCL") and
Valley  shall  be  the  surviving  corporation  (the  "Surviving  Corporation").
Immediately following the Effective Time, the Bank shall be merged with and into
VNB as provided in Section 1.7 hereof.

                  1.2. Effect of the Merger. At the Effective Time (as hereafter
defined),  the Surviving  Corporation  shall be considered the same business and
corporate  entity as each of Wayne and Valley and  thereafter  all the property,
rights,  powers and  franchises  of each of Wayne and  Valley  shall vest in the
Surviving  Corporation and the Surviving  Corporation shall be subject to and be
deemed to have assumed all of the debts, liabilities,  obligations and duties of
each of Wayne  and  Valley  and  shall  have  succeeded  to all of each of their
relationships,  fiduciary  or  otherwise,  as fully and to the same extent as if
such property,  rights,  privileges,  powers,  franchises,  debts,  obligations,
duties and relationships had been originally acquired,  incurred or entered into
by the Surviving Corporation.

                  1.3.   Certificate  of   Incorporation.   The  certificate  of
incorporation  of Valley as it exists  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time
shall not be amended by the Merger,  but shall  continue as the  certificate  of
incorporation of the Surviving  Corporation  until otherwise amended as provided
by law.

 <PAGE>

                  1.4.  Bylaws.  The bylaws of Valley as they exist  immediately
prior to the  Effective  Date shall  continue  as the  by-laws of the  Surviving
Corporation until otherwise amended as provided by law.

                  1.5.  Directors  and  Officers.  The directors and officers of
Valley as of the Effective  Time shall continue as the directors and officers of
the  Surviving  Corporation,  with the  addition  provided  for in Section  5.15
hereof.

                  1.6  Closing  Date,  Closing  and  Effective  Time.  Unless  a
different  date,  time  and/or  place are agreed to by the parties  hereto,  the
closing of the Merger (the  "Closing")  shall take place at 10:00  a.m.,  at the
offices of Valley,  1445 Valley Road, Wayne, New Jersey, on a date (the "Closing
Date")  which  shall be the tenth  business  day  following  the  receipt of all
necessary regulatory and governmental  approvals and consents and the expiration
of all statutory  waiting  periods in respect  thereof and the  satisfaction  or
waiver of all of the conditions to the  consummation of the Merger  specified in
Article VI hereof (other than the delivery of  certificates,  opinions and other
instruments and documents to be delivered at the Closing).  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  the Closing  shall not occur prior to October 2, 1998 unless  Valley
consents in writing. The Merger shall become effective (and be consummated) upon
the effective time specified by Valley and Wayne in the  certificates  of merger
(the "Certificates of Merger"),  which shall be prepared by Valley,  shall be in
form and substance satisfactory to Valley and Wayne, and shall be filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey and with the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware. The parties currently anticipate that the Certificates of
Merger shall specify as the effective  time the opening of business on the first
business day following  the Closing  Date. If no effective  time is specified in
the  Certificates  of  Merger,   the  Merger  shall  become  effective  (and  be
consummated) upon the later to be filed of the two Certificates of Merger.


                  1.7.  The Bank Merger.  Immediately  following  the  Effective
Time,  the Bank  shall be  merged  with and  into  VNB (the  "Bank  Merger")  in
accordance  with the  provisions of the National Bank Act, the Home Owners' Loan
Act of 1933 ("HOLA") and/or the regulations of the office of Thrift  Supervision
("OTS"),  and VNB shall be the surviving bank (the "Surviving  Bank").  Upon the
consummation of the Bank Merger,  the separate existence of the Bank shall cease
and the  Surviving  Bank shall be  considered  the same  business and  corporate
entity as each of the Bank and VNB and all of the property,  rights,  powers and
franchises of each of the Bank and VNB shall vest in the Surviving  Bank and the
Surviving  Bank shall be deemed to have  assumed all of the debts,  liabilities,
obligations  and duties of each of the Bank and VNB and shall have  succeeded to
all of each of their relationships,  fiduciary or otherwise, as fully and to the
same extent as if such property, rights, privileges,  powers, franchises, debts,
obligations,  duties and relationships had been originally acquired, incurred or
entered into by the Surviving  Bank.  Upon the  consummation of the Bank Merger,
the  articles  of  association  and bylaws of VNB shall  become the  articles of
association  and bylaws of the Surviving Bank, the officers and employees of VNB
and the officers and  employees of the Bank shall be the officers and  employees
of the Surviving Bank with such additions as the Board of Directors of VNB shall
determine, and the directors of VNB shall be the directors of the Surviving Bank
with one addition from the directors of Wayne as specified herein. In connection
with the execution of this Agreement, the Bank and VNB shall execute and deliver
a separate merger agreement (the "Bank Merger  Agreement") in substantially  the
form of Exhibit A, annexed hereto, for delivery to the Office of the Comptroller
of the Currency ("OCC") and the OTS for approval of the Bank Merger.



                                       2
<PAGE>

                  1.8.  Liquidation Account. The liquidation account established
by the Bank  pursuant to the plan of conversion  adopted in connection  with its
conversion from mutual to stock form shall, to the extent required by applicable
law,  continue to be  maintained by VNB after the Bank Merger for the benefit of
those persons and entities who were savings  account  holders of the Bank on the
eligibility and  supplemental  eligibility  record dates for such conversion and
who continue from time to time to have rights therein.  If required by the rules
and regulations of the OTS, VNB shall amend its articles to specifically provide
for the continuation of the liquidation  account  previously  established by the
Bank.

                                   ARTICLE II

                  CONVERSION OF WAYNE COMMON STOCK AND OPTIONS

                  Each share of common stock,  $0.01 par value, of Wayne ("Wayne
Common Stock"),  issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time,
and each option to purchase shares of Wayne Common Stock validly issued pursuant
to the Wayne Bancorp,  Inc. 1996  Stock-Based  Incentive Plan (the "Wayne Option
Plan") and  outstanding  immediately  prior to the Effective Time (each a "Wayne
Option")  shall,  by virtue of the Merger and  without any action on the part of
the  holder  thereof,  be  converted  or  cancelled  at the  Effective  Time  in
accordance with this Article II.

                  2.1 Conversion of Wayne Common Stock;  Exchange Ratio; Cash in
Lieu of  Fractional  Shares.  Each  share  of  Wayne  Common  Stock  issued  and
outstanding  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time,  other than shares to be
cancelled  pursuant to Section 2.4 hereof,  shall be converted into the right to
receive 1.10 (the  "Exchange  Ratio") shares of Common Stock,  no par value,  of
Valley ("Valley  Common  Stock"),  subject to adjustment as set forth in Section
2.6 below.  No fractional  shares of Valley Common Stock will be issued,  and in
lieu thereof,  each holder of Wayne Common Stock who would otherwise be entitled
to  a  fractional  interest  will  receive  an  amount  in  cash  determined  by
multiplying such fractional  interest by the Average Pre-Closing Price of Valley
Common  Stock.  "Average  Pre-Closing  Price of Valley  Common  Stock" means the
average of the Closing  Prices of Valley  Common Stock for the five  consecutive
full trading days in which such shares are quoted on the New York Stock Exchange
(the "NYSE") ending with (and including) the Determination Date. "Closing Price"
of Valley  Common  Stock  means the daily  closing  sales price of such stock as
reported on the NYSE (as reported in The Wall Street Journal or, if not reported
thereby, another authoritative source as chosen by Valley). "Determination Date"
means the date of the  correspondence  by which the OCC notifies Valley that the
OCC has granted its approval required for consummation of the Merger.

                  2.2.     Exchange of Shares.

                  (a) Wayne and Valley  hereby  appoint  Valley  National  Bank,
Trust  Department as the exchange agent (the  "Exchange  Agent") for purposes of
effecting  the  conversion of Wayne Common Stock and Wayne  Options.  As soon as
practicable  after the  Effective  Time,  the Exchange  Agent shall mail to each
holder of record (a "Record  Holder") of a Certificates or  Certificates  which,
immediately prior to the Effective Time represented  outstanding shares of Wayne
Common Stock (the "Certificates"),  a mutually agreed upon letter of transmittal
(which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title
to the  Certificates  shall pass, only upon delivery of the  Certificates to the
Exchange  Agent),  and  instructions  for use in effecting  the surrender of the
Certificates in exchange for Valley Common Stock (and cash in lieu of fractional
shares) as provided in Section 2.1 hereof.



                                       3
<PAGE>

                  (b)  Upon   surrender   of   Certificates   for  exchange  and
cancellation  to the Exchange  Agent,  together with such letter of transmittal,
duly  executed,  the Record  Holder  shall be entitled  to  promptly  receive in
exchange  for such  Certificates  the  consideration  as provided in Section 2.1
hereof and the Certificates so surrendered shall be canceled. The Exchange Agent
shall not be obligated to deliver or cause to be delivered to any Record  Holder
the  consideration to which such Record Holder would otherwise be entitled until
such Record  Holder  surrenders  the  Certificates  for  exchange or, in default
thereof, an appropriate  Affidavit of Loss and Indemnity Agreement and/or a bond
as may be reasonably  required in each case by Valley.  Notwithstanding the time
of surrender of the Certificates, Record Holders shall be deemed stockholders of
Valley for all  purposes  from the  Effective  Time,  except that  Valley  shall
withhold  the  payment of  dividends  from any Record  Holder  until such Record
Holder  effects the exchange of  Certificates  for Valley  Common  Stock.  (Such
Record Holder shall  receive such withheld  dividends,  without  interest,  upon
effecting the share exchange.)

                  (c) After the Effective  Time,  there shall be no transfers on
the stock transfer books of Wayne of the shares of Wayne Common Stock which were
outstanding  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time and, if any  Certificates
representing such shares are presented for transfer,  they shall be canceled and
exchanged for the consideration as provided in Section 2.1 hereof.

                  (d) If payment of the  consideration  pursuant  to Section 2.1
hereof  is to be made  in a name  other  than  that in  which  the  Certificates
surrendered in exchange therefor is registered,  it shall be a condition of such
payment that the  Certificates  so  surrendered  shall be properly  endorsed (or
accompanied  by an  appropriate  instrument of transfer) and otherwise in proper
form for transfer,  and that the person requesting such payment shall pay to the
Exchange  Agent in advance any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the
payment to a person other than that of the registered holder of the Certificates
surrendered,  or  required  for any  other  reason,  or shall  establish  to the
satisfaction  of the  Exchange  Agent  that  such  tax has  been  paid or is not
payable.

                  (e) With respect to each outstanding Wayne Option the Exchange
Agent shall,  after the Effective Time,  distribute to the Optionee an amendment
to the  option  grant  evidencing  the  conversion  of the grant to an option to
purchase Valley Common Stock in accordance with Section 2.7 hereof.

                  2.3. No Dissenters' Rights.  Consistent with the provisions of
the DGCL, no stockholder  of Wayne shall have  appraisal  rights with respect to
the Merger.

                  2.4.  Cancelled  Shares.  Each share of Wayne Common Stock (i)
which is held by Wayne as  treasury  stock or (ii)  which is held by Bank or any
other direct or indirect subsidiary of Bank (except as trustee or in a fiduciary
capacity) or (iii) which is held by Valley, shall be canceled and retired at the
Effective Time.

                  2.5.  Valley  Shares.   The  shares  of  Valley  Common  Stock
outstanding at the Effective Time shall not be affected by the Merger, but along
with the  additional  shares of Valley  Common Stock to be issued as provided in
Section 2.1 hereof,  shall become the outstanding  common stock of the Surviving
Corporation.

                  2.6  Anti-Dilution  Adjustments.  The  Exchange  Ratio and the
Average Pre-Closing Price of Valley Common Stock shall be appropriately adjusted
for any stock split,  stock dividend,  stock

                                       4
<PAGE>

combination, reclassification or similar transaction ("Capital Change") effected
by Valley with respect to Valley  Common  Stock  between the date hereof and the
Effective Time.

                  2.7.  Wayne  Stock  Options.   At  the  Effective  Time,  each
outstanding Wayne Option granted to an eligible individual (an "Optionee") under
the Wayne Option Plan shall be converted into a option to purchase Valley Common
Stock (a "Stock  Option"),  wherein  (x) the right to  purchase  shares of Wayne
Common Stock  pursuant to the Wayne Option shall be converted  into the right to
purchase  that same number of shares of Valley  Common Stock  multiplied  by the
Exchange  Ratio,  (y) the option exercise price per share of Valley Common Stock
shall be the  previous  option  exercise  price per share of Wayne  Common Stock
divided by the Exchange Ratio and (z) in all other material  respects the option
shall be subject to the same terms and  conditions  as governed the Wayne Option
on which it was based,  including the length of time within which the option may
be exercised and for any options which are "incentive stock options" (as defined
in Section 422 of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended (the  "Code"),
the  adjustments  shall be and are  intended to be effected in a manner which is
consistent  with  Section  424(a) of the Code.  Shares  of Valley  Common  Stock
issuable  upon  exercise  of Stock  Options  shall be  covered  by an  effective
registration  statement  on Form  S-8,  and  Valley  shall  file a  registration
statement  on Form S-8  covering  such shares as soon as  practicable  after the
Effective Time.

                                   ARTICLE III

                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF WAYNE

                  References  herein to "Wayne  Disclosure  Schedule" shall mean
all of the  disclosure  schedules  required by this Article III, dated as of the
date hereof and referenced to the specific  sections and  subsections of Article
III of this Agreement,  which have been delivered on the date hereof by Wayne to
Valley. Wayne hereby represents and warrants to Valley as follows:

                  3.1.     Corporate Organization.

                  (a) Wayne is a corporation  duly organized,  validly  existing
and in good  standing  under  the laws of the State of  Delaware.  Wayne has the
corporate  power and authority to own or lease all of its  properties and assets
and to carry on its business as it is now being  conducted  and is duly licensed
or  qualified  to do  business in each  jurisdiction  in which the nature of the
business  conducted  by it or the  character or location of the  properties  and
assets owned or leased by it makes such  licensing or  qualification  necessary,
except  where  the  failure  to be so  licensed  or  qualified  would not have a
material  adverse  effect  on the  business,  operations,  assets  or  financial
condition of Wayne on a  consolidated  basis.  Wayne is  registered as a unitary
savings and loan holding company under HOLA.

                  (b) Each of the  Subsidiaries of Wayne are listed in the Wayne
Disclosure  Schedule.  The term  "Subsidiary",  when used in this Agreement with
respect  to  Wayne,   means  any   corporation,   joint  venture,   association,
partnership, trust or other entity in which Wayne has, directly or indirectly at
least a 50% interest or acts as a general  partner.  Each Subsidiary of Wayne is
duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good  standing  under the laws of its
state of  incorporation.  The Bank is a  federally-chartered  savings bank whose
deposits are insured by the Savings  Association  Insurance Fund ("SAIF") of the
Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation  ("FDIC") to the fullest extent permitted
by law. Each Subsidiary of Wayne has the corporate power and authority to own or
lease all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now
being  conducted  and is duly  licensed  or  qualified  to do  business  in each
jurisdiction  in  which  the  nature  of  the  business  conducted  by it or the
character or location of the

                                       5
<PAGE>

properties   and  assets  owned  or  leased  by  it  makes  such   licensing  or
qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified
would not have a material adverse effect on the business,  operations, assets or
financial  condition of Wayne and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis. The
Wayne   Disclosure   Schedule  sets  forth  true  and  complete  copies  of  the
Certificates  of  Incorporation  or  Charter,  as the case may be, and Bylaws of
Wayne and each Wayne  Subsidiary as in effect on the date hereof.  Except as set
forth in the Wayne Disclosure Schedule, Wayne does not own or control,  directly
or indirectly,  any equity interest in any  corporation,  company,  association,
partnership,  joint venture or other entity and owns no real estate,  except (i)
residential  real  estate  acquired  through  foreclosure  or  deed  in  lieu of
foreclosure  in each  individual  instance  with a fair  market  value less than
$500,000 and (ii) real estate used for its banking premises.

                  3.2.     Capitalization.

                  The  authorized  capital stock of Wayne  consists of 8,000,000
shares of Wayne Common Stock and  2,000,000  shares of preferred  stock  ("Wayne
Preferred Stock").  As of the date hereof,  there were 2,013,124 shares of Wayne
Common Stock issued and  outstanding,  and 218,259 shares issued and held in the
treasury,  and no shares of Wayne  Preferred Stock  outstanding.  As of the date
hereof, there were ______ shares of Wayne Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
outstanding  Wayne  Options  (the "Option  Shares")  granted to,  directors  and
officers  of Wayne or the Bank  pursuant  to the Wayne  Option  Plan.  The Wayne
Disclosure  Schedule  sets  forth (i) all  options  which may be  exercised  for
issuance  of Wayne  Common  Stock and the terms  upon which the  options  may be
exercised,  and (ii) true and  complete  copies of each of the Wayne Option Plan
and a specimen of each form of agreement pursuant to which any outstanding stock
option was granted,  including a list of each  outstanding  stock option  issued
pursuant thereto.  All issued and outstanding  shares of Wayne Common Stock, and
all issued and  outstanding  shares of capital  stock of each Wayne  Subsidiary,
have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid, and nonassessable.
The authorized  capital stock of the Bank consists of 8,000,000 shares of common
stock, $1.00 par value and 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $1.00 par value.
All of the  outstanding  shares of capital  stock of each Wayne  Subsidiary  are
owned by  Wayne  and are free and  clear of any  liens,  encumbrances,  charges,
restrictions  or rights of third  parties.  Except for the Wayne Options and the
Valley Stock Option,  neither Wayne nor any Wayne  Subsidiary has or is bound by
any  outstanding   subscriptions,   options,  warrants,  calls,  commitments  or
agreements  of any character  calling for the transfer,  purchase or issuance of
any shares of capital stock of Wayne or any Wayne  Subsidiary or any  securities
representing  the right to  purchase  or  otherwise  receive  any shares of such
capital stock or any securities  convertible  into or representing  the right to
purchase  or  subscribe  for any such  shares,  and there are no  agreements  or
understandings  with  respect  to  voting  of  any  such  shares.  There  is  no
acceleration  of vesting of options or restricted  stock in connection  with the
Merger under the Wayne Bancorp Inc. 1996 Stock-Based Incentive Plan.

                  3.3.     Authority; No Violation.

                  (a)  Subject  to  the  approval  of  this  Agreement  and  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby by the  stockholders of Wayne, and subject to
the parties  obtaining all necessary  regulatory  approvals,  Wayne and the Bank
have full  corporate  power and authority to execute and deliver this  Agreement
and to consummate the  transactions  contemplated  hereby in accordance with the
terms hereof.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation
of the transactions  contemplated  hereby have been duly and validly approved by
the Board of Directors of each of Wayne and the Bank. The execution and delivery
of the Bank Merger  Agreement has been duly and validly approved by the Board of
Directors of the Bank.  Except for the  approvals  described  in  paragraph  (b)
below, no other

                                       6
<PAGE>

corporate  proceedings  on the  part of  Wayne  or the  Bank  are  necessary  to
consummate the transactions  contemplated  hereby.  This Agreement has been duly
and validly executed and delivered by Wayne and the Bank, and constitutes  valid
and binding obligations of Wayne and the Bank, enforceable against Wayne and the
Bank in accordance with its terms.

                  (b) Neither the  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement by
Wayne  and  the  Bank,  nor  the  consummation  by  Wayne  and  the  Bank of the
transactions  contemplated  hereby  in  accordance  with the  terms  hereof,  or
compliance  by Wayne and the Bank with any of the  terms or  provisions  hereof,
will (i)  violate  any  provision  of  Wayne's  or the  Bank's  Certificates  of
Incorporation or Charter,  as the case may be, or Bylaws, (ii) assuming that the
consents and approvals set forth below are duly  obtained,  violate any statute,
code, ordinance,  rule, regulation,  judgment, order, writ, decree or injunction
applicable to Wayne or the Bank or any of their respective properties or assets,
or (iii) except as set forth in the Wayne Disclosure Schedule, violate, conflict
with, result in a breach of any provisions of, constitute a default (or an event
which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) under,
result in the termination of, accelerate the performance  required by, or result
in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge or other encumbrance upon
any of the  respective  properties or assets of Wayne or the Bank under,  any of
the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed
of trust, license,  lease,  agreement or other instrument or obligation to which
Wayne or the Bank is a party, or by which either or both of them or any of their
respective properties or assets may be bound or affected except, with respect to
(ii) and (iii) above,  such as individually and in the aggregate will not have a
material  adverse  effect  on the  business,  operations,  assets  or  financial
condition of Wayne and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis, and which will
not prevent or delay the consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby.
Except for consents and approvals of or filings or registrations with or notices
to the OCC,  the OTS,  the Board of  Governors  of the  Federal  Reserve  System
("FRB"),  the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  ("SEC"),  applicable  state
securities  bureaus or  commissions,  the New  Jersey  Secretary  of State,  the
Delaware  Secretary  of State,  and the  stockholders  of Wayne,  no consents or
approvals of or filings or  registrations  with or notices to any third party or
any public body or  authority  are  necessary  on behalf of Wayne or the Bank in
connection  with (x) the  execution  and  delivery by Wayne and the Bank of this
Agreement  and (y) the  consummation  by Wayne and the Bank of the  transactions
contemplated  hereby and (z) the  execution and delivery by the Bank of the Bank
Merger   Agreement  and  the  consummation  by  the  Bank  of  the  transactions
contemplated thereby.

                  3.4.     Financial Statements.

                  (a) The Wayne  Disclosure  Schedule  sets forth  copies of the
consolidated  statements of condition of Wayne as of December 31, 1995, 1996 and
1997, and the related  consolidated  statements of income,  stockholders' equity
and cash flows for the periods ended December 31 in each of the three years 1995
through 1997, in each case accompanied by the audit report of KPMG Peat Marwick,
LLP,  independent  public  accountants  with respect to Wayne, and the unaudited
consolidated  statements  of condition of Wayne as of March 31, 1998 and related
unaudited consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and
cash flows for the three  months  then ended as  reported  in Wayne's  Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC under the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934,  as  amended  (the  "1934  Act")   (collectively,   the  "Wayne  Financial
Statements").  The Wayne Financial Statements (including the related notes) have
been  prepared in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles
("GAAP")  consistently  applied during the periods involved,  and fairly present
the  consolidated  financial  condition of Wayne as of the respective  dates set
forth therein, and the related consolidated statements of income,  stockholders'
equity and cash flows fairly present the results of the

                                       7
<PAGE>

consolidated  operations,  stockholders'  equity and cash flows of Wayne for the
respective periods set forth therein.

                  (b) The books and records of Wayne and its  Subsidiaries  have
been and are being  maintained in material  compliance with applicable legal and
accounting requirements, and reflect only actual transactions.

                  (c)  Except  as and  to the  extent  reflected,  disclosed  or
reserved  against  in  the  Wayne  Financial  Statements  (including  the  notes
thereto), as of March 31, 1998 neither Wayne nor any of its Subsidiaries had any
material  liabilities,   whether  absolute,  accrued,  contingent  or  otherwise
material to the business,  operations, assets or financial condition of Wayne or
any of its  Subsidiaries.  Since March 31, 1998 and to the date hereof,  neither
Wayne nor any of its Subsidiaries have incurred any material  liabilities except
in the ordinary course of business and consistent with prudent banking practice,
except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement.

                  3.5.  Brokerage Fees;  Financial  Advisor.  Other than Sandler
O'Neill &  Partners,  L.P.  ("Sandler  O'Neill"),  neither  Wayne nor any of its
Subsidiaries nor any of their respective  directors or officers has employed any
broker or finder or incurred any  liability for any broker's or finder's fees or
commissions  in connection  with any of the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement.  Copies of Wayne's  agreements  with Sandler O'Neill are set forth in
the Wayne  Disclosure  Schedule.  Sandler  O'Neill  has  delivered  to Wayne its
written opinion with respect to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of
the Exchange Ratio to the shareholders of Wayne in the Merger. There are no fees
(other than time charges  billed at usual and  customary  rates)  payable to any
consultants,   including  lawyers  and  accountants,  in  connection  with  this
transaction or which would be triggered by consummation  of this  transaction or
the  termination  of the  services  of such  consultants  by Wayne or any of its
Subsidiaries other than fees which will be payable by Wayne to Sandler O'Neill.

                  3.6.     Absence of Certain Changes or Events.

                  (a)  There  has not been any  material  adverse  change in the
business,   operations,   assets  or  financial   condition  of  Wayne  and  its
Subsidiaries  on a consolidated  basis since March 31, 1998 and,  except for the
direct or  indirect  costs of the  Merger,  to  Wayne's  knowledge,  no facts or
conditions  exist which Wayne  believes  will cause or is likely to cause such a
material adverse change in the future.

                  (b)  Except  as set forth in the  Wayne  Disclosure  Schedule,
neither  Wayne nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has taken or  permitted  any of the
actions  set forth in Section  5.2 hereof  between  March 31,  1998 and the date
hereof and Wayne and the Wayne  Subsidiaries  have conducted their business only
in the ordinary course, consistent with past practice.

                  3.7.  Legal  Proceedings.  Except  as  disclosed  in the Wayne
Disclosure  Schedule,  neither Wayne nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is a party to
any,  and there are no pending  or, to  Wayne's  knowledge,  threatened,  legal,
administrative,  arbitral or other proceedings,  claims, actions or governmental
investigations of any nature against Wayne or any of its Subsidiaries. Except as
disclosed  in the  Wayne  Disclosure  Schedule,  neither  Wayne  nor  any of its
Subsidiaries  is a party to any order,  judgment or decree entered against Wayne
or any Wayne Subsidiary in any lawsuit or proceeding.

                                       8
<PAGE>

                  3.8.     Taxes and Tax Returns.

                  (a) To the knowledge of Wayne, Wayne and each Wayne Subsidiary
have duly  filed  (and  until  the  Effective  Time  will so file) all  returns,
declarations,  reports,  information returns and statements ("Returns") required
to be filed by them in respect of any federal,  state and local taxes (including
withholding taxes,  penalties or other payments required) and each has duly paid
(and until the Effective Time will so pay) all such taxes due and payable, other
than  taxes or other  charges  which  are being  contested  in good  faith  (and
disclosed  to  Valley  in  writing).   Wayne  and  each  Wayne  Subsidiary  have
established  (and until the  Effective  Time will  establish) on their books and
records  reserves for the payment of all federal,  state and local taxes not yet
due and  payable,  but  incurred  in  respect  of Wayne or any Wayne  Subsidiary
through such date,  which reserves are, to the knowledge of Wayne,  adequate for
such purposes. Except as set forth in the Wayne Disclosure Schedule, the federal
income  tax  returns of Wayne and its  Subsidiaries  have been  examined  by the
Internal  Revenue  Service (the "IRS") (or are closed to examination  due to the
expiration of the applicable  statute of limitations)  and no deficiencies  were
asserted as a result of such examinations  which have not been resolved and paid
in full.  Except as set forth in the Wayne Disclosure  Schedule,  the applicable
state income tax returns of Wayne and its Subsidiaries have been examined by the
applicable  authorities  (or are closed to examination  due to the expiration of
the statute of  limitations)  and no  deficiencies  were asserted as a result of
such  examinations  which  have not  been  resolved  and  paid in  full.  To the
knowledge  of  Wayne,  there  are no  audits  or other  administrative  or court
proceedings presently pending nor any other disputes pending, or claims asserted
for, taxes or assessments upon Wayne or any of its  Subsidiaries,  nor has Wayne
or any of its Subsidiaries given any currently outstanding waivers or comparable
consents regarding the application of the statute of limitations with respect to
any taxes or Returns.

                  (b)  Except  as set forth in the  Wayne  Disclosure  Schedule,
neither  Wayne nor any of its  Subsidiaries  (i) has  requested any extension of
time within  which to file any tax Return which Return has not since been filed,
(ii) is a party to any  agreement  providing  for the  allocation  or sharing of
taxes, (iii) is required to include in income any adjustment pursuant to Section
481(a)  of the  Code,  by reason of a  voluntary  change  in  accounting  method
initiated by Wayne or any Wayne  Subsidiary  (nor does Wayne have any  knowledge
that the IRS has proposed any such adjustment or change of accounting method) or
(iv) has filed a consent  pursuant  to  Section  341(f) of the Code or agreed to
have Section 341(f)(2) of the Code apply.

                  3.9.     Employee Benefit Plans.

                  (a)  Except as  disclosed  in the Wayne  Disclosure  Schedule,
neither  Wayne  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  maintains  or  contributes  to any
"employee  pension  benefit plan",  within the meaning of Section 3(2)(A) of the
Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974,  as amended  ("ERISA")  (the
"Wayne Pension Plans"),  "employee welfare benefit plan",  within the meaning of
Section 3(1) of ERISA (the "Wayne  Welfare  Plans"),  stock  option plan,  stock
purchase  plan,  deferred   compensation  plan,   severance  plan,  bonus  plan,
employment  agreement or other similar  plan,  program or  arrangement.  Neither
Wayne nor any of its Subsidiaries  has, since September 2, 1974,  contributed to
any "Multiemployer Plan", within the meaning of Sections 3(37) and 4001(a)(3) of
ERISA.

                  (b) Wayne  has  delivered  to  Valley in the Wayne  Disclosure
Schedule a complete and accurate copy of each of the  following  with respect to
each of the Wayne  Pension  Plans and Wayne Welfare  Plans:  (i) plan  document,
summary  plan  description,  and  summary  of  material  modifications  (if  not
available,  a detailed  description of the  foregoing);  (ii) trust agreement or
insurance contract, if any; (iii)

                                       9
<PAGE>

most recent IRS determination letter, if any; (iv) most recent actuarial report,
if any; and (v) most recent annual report on Form 5500.

                  (c) The present value of all accrued  benefits both vested and
non-vested  under each of the Wayne  Pension Plans subject to Title IV of ERISA,
based  upon the  actuarial  assumptions  used for  purposes  of the most  recent
actuarial  valuation  prepared by such Wayne  Pension  Plan's  actuary,  did not
exceed the then  current  value of the assets of such  plans  allocable  to such
accrued benefits.  To the best of Wayne's knowledge,  the actuarial  assumptions
then  utilized for such plans were  reasonable  and  appropriate  as of the last
valuation date and reflect then current market conditions.

                  (d) During the last six years,  the Pension  Benefit  Guaranty
Corporation (the "PBGC") has not asserted any claim for liability  against Wayne
or any of its Subsidiaries which has not been paid in full.

                  (e) All premiums (and interest  charges and penalties for late
payment,  if applicable) due to the PBGC with respect to each Wayne Pension Plan
have been paid. All contributions required to be made to each Wayne Pension Plan
under the terms  thereof,  ERISA or other  applicable law have been timely made,
and all  amounts  properly  accrued  to date as  liabilities  of  Wayne  and its
Subsidiaries  which have not been paid have been properly  recorded on the books
of Wayne and its Subsidiaries.

                  (f) Except as disclosed on the Wayne Disclosure Schedule, each
of the Wayne  Pension  Plans,  the Wayne  Welfare  Plans and each other plan and
arrangement  identified  on the Wayne  Disclosure  Schedule has been operated in
compliance in all material  respects with the provisions of ERISA, the Code, all
regulations, rulings and announcements promulgated or issued thereunder, and all
other applicable  governmental  laws and regulations.  Furthermore,  the IRS has
issued a favorable determination letter, which takes into account the Tax Reform
Act of 1986  and  subsequent  legislation,  with  respect  to each of the  Wayne
Pension  Plans and Wayne is not aware of any fact or  circumstance  which  would
disqualify  any  such  plan,  that  could  not be  retroactively  corrected  (in
accordance with the procedures of the IRS).

                  (g) To the knowledge of Wayne,  within the past two plan years
no non-exempt prohibited transaction,  within the meaning of Section 4975 of the
Code or Section  406 of ERISA,  has  occurred  with  respect to any of the Wayne
Welfare Plans or Wayne Pension Plans.

                  (h) No Wayne Pension Plan or any trust created  thereunder has
been terminated, nor have there been any "reportable events", within the meaning
of Section 4034(b) of ERISA, with respect to any of the Wayne Pension Plans.

                  (i)  To  the  knowledge  of  Wayne,  no  "accumulated  funding
deficiency",  within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code,  has been  incurred
with respect to any of the Wayne Pension Plans.

                  (j)  There are no  pending,  or,  to the  knowledge  of Wayne,
threatened or anticipated claims (other than routine claims for benefits) by, on
behalf of or against any of the Wayne Pension Plans or the Wayne Welfare  Plans,
any trusts related  thereto or any other plan or  arrangement  identified in the
Wayne Disclosure Schedule.

                  (k) No Wayne Pension or Welfare Plan provides medical or death
benefits  (whether or not  insured)  beyond an  employee's  retirement  or other
termination of service,  other than (i) coverage  mandated by law, or (ii) death
benefits under any Wayne Pension Plan.

                                       10
<PAGE>

                  (l)  Except  with  respect  to  customary  health,   life  and
disability benefits or as disclosed in the Wayne Disclosure Schedule,  there are
no unfunded  benefits  obligations which are not accounted for by reserves shown
on the Wayne Financial Statements and established under GAAP, or otherwise noted
on such financial statements.

                  (m) With  respect to each Wayne  Pension and Welfare Plan that
is funded  wholly or  partially  through an insurance  policy,  there will be no
liability of Wayne or any Wayne  Subsidiary as of the  Effective  Time under any
such  insurance  policy or ancillary  agreement  with respect to such  insurance
policy in the nature of a retroactive rate adjustment,  loss sharing arrangement
or other actual or  contingent  liability  arising  wholly or  partially  out of
events occurring prior to the Effective Time.

                  (n) Except as  hereafter  agreed to by Valley in writing or as
disclosed on the Wayne Disclosure Schedule, the consummation of the transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement  will not (i)  entitle  any  current  or former
employee  of  Wayne or any  Wayne  Subsidiary  to  severance  pay,  unemployment
compensation  or any similar  payment,  or (ii)  accelerate the time of payment,
accelerate the vesting,  or increase the amount, of any compensation or benefits
due to any current  employee or former  employee under any Wayne Pension Plan or
Wayne Welfare Plan.

                  3.10.    Reports.

                  (a) The Wayne  Disclosure  Schedule lists,  and as to item (i)
below Wayne has previously delivered or made available to Valley a complete copy
of, each (i) final  registration  statement,  prospectus,  annual,  quarterly or
special report and definitive  proxy  statement  filed by Wayne since January 1,
1995 pursuant to the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended  ("1933 Act"),  or the
1934 Act and (ii) communication (other than general advertising materials, press
releases and dividend  checks)  mailed by Wayne to its  shareholders  as a class
since January 1, 1995.

                  (b) Since June 1, 1996,  (i) Wayne has filed all reports  that
it was  required to file with the SEC under the 1934 Act, and (ii) Wayne and the
Bank each has duly filed all material  forms,  reports and documents  which they
were  required to file with each agency  charged with  regulating  any aspect of
their business, in each case in form which was correct in all material respects,
and, subject to permission from such regulatory authorities, Wayne promptly will
deliver  or make  available  to  Valley  accurate  and  complete  copies of such
reports.  As of their  respective  dates,  each such form,  report,  or document
referred to in either of clauses (i) or (ii) above, and each final  registration
statement,  prospectus,  annual,  quarterly or special report,  definitive proxy
statement  or  communication  referred  to in either of  clauses  (i) or (ii) of
paragraph  (b) above,  complied in all  material  respects  with all  applicable
statutes,  rules and regulations  and did not contain any untrue  statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material  fact required to be stated  therein
or  necessary  in order to make the  statements  made  therein,  in light of the
circumstances  under  which  they  were  made,  not  misleading;  provided  that
information contained in any such document as of a later date shall be deemed to
modify  information as of an earlier date. The Wayne  Disclosure  Schedule lists
the dates of all  examinations  of Wayne or the Bank conducted by either the OTS
or the FDIC  since  January  1,  1995 and the  dates  of any  responses  thereto
submitted by Wayne or the Bank.

                  3.11. Wayne and Bank Information.  The information relating to
Wayne and the Bank to be contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (as defined
in Section 5.6(a) hereof) to be delivered to stockholders of Wayne in connection
with the  solicitation of their approval of this Agreement and the  transactions
contemplated hereby, as of the date the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is mailed to

                                       11
<PAGE>

stockholders  of  Wayne,  and up to and  including  the date of the  meeting  of
stockholders to which such Proxy Statement/Prospectus  relates, will not contain
any  untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omit to  state a  material  fact
necessary to make the statements  therein,  in light of the circumstances  under
which they were made, not misleading.

                  3.12.    Compliance with Applicable Law.

                  (a)  General.  Except  as set  forth in the  Wayne  Disclosure
Schedule,  each  of  Wayne  and  the  Wayne  Subsidiaries  holds  all  licenses,
franchises,  permits and authorizations  necessary for the lawful conduct of its
business under and pursuant to each, and has complied with and is not in default
in any respect under any,  applicable law,  statute,  order,  rule,  regulation,
policy and/or guideline of any federal,  state or local  governmental  authority
relating to Wayne or any of its Subsidiaries  (other than where such defaults or
non-compliances  will  not,  alone or in the  aggregate,  result  in a  material
adverse  effect on the business,  operations,  assets or financial  condition of
Wayne and its  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis) and Wayne has not received
notice of  violation  of,  and does not know of any  violations  of,  any of the
above.

                  (b) CRA. Without limiting the foregoing,  to its knowledge the
Bank has complied in all material  respects with the Community  Reinvestment Act
("CRA") and Wayne has no reason to believe that any person or group would object
to the  consummation  of this Merger due to the CRA  performance of or rating of
the Bank. Except as listed on the Wayne Disclosure  Schedule to the knowledge of
the Bank,  no  person  or group has  adversely  commented  upon the  Bank's  CRA
performance.

                  3.13.    Certain Contracts.

                  (a) Except as disclosed in the Wayne Disclosure Schedule under
this  Section or Section 3.5, (i) neither  Wayne nor any Wayne  Subsidiary  is a
party to or bound by any  contract or  understanding  (whether  written or oral)
with respect to the employment or termination of any present or former officers,
employees,   directors  or  consultants   and  (ii)  the   consummation  of  the
transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement will not (either alone or upon the
occurrence of any additional  acts or events) result in any payment  (whether of
severance pay or otherwise)  becoming due from Wayne or any Wayne  Subsidiary to
any officer,  employee,  director or consultant  thereof.  The Wayne  Disclosure
Schedule  sets forth true and correct  copies of all  employment  agreements  or
termination agreements with officers,  employees,  directors,  or consultants to
which Wayne or any Wayne Subsidiary is a party.

                  (b) Except as disclosed in the Wayne Disclosure Schedule,  (i)
as of the date of this  Agreement,  neither Wayne nor any Wayne  Subsidiary is a
party  to or bound  by any  commitment,  agreement  or  other  instrument  which
contemplates  the payment by Wayne or any Wayne  Subsidiary of amounts in excess
of $100,000, or which has a term extending beyond November 1, 1998 and cannot be
terminated  by  Wayne or its  subsidiary  without  consent  of the  other  party
thereto, (ii) no commitment, agreement or other instrument to which Wayne or any
Wayne  Subsidiary is a party or by which any of them is bound limits the freedom
of Wayne or any Wayne  Subsidiary to compete in any line of business or with any
person,  and (iii)  neither  Wayne nor any  Wayne  Subsidiary  is a party to any
collective bargaining agreement.

                  (c)  Except as  disclosed  in the Wayne  Disclosure  Schedule,
neither Wayne nor any Wayne Subsidiary nor, to the knowledge of Wayne, any other
party thereto, is in default in any material

                                       12
<PAGE>

respect under any material lease, contract,  mortgage,  promissory note, deed of
trust, loan or other commitment or arrangement.

                  3.14.    Properties and Insurance.

                  (a) Wayne and its Subsidiaries have good, and as to owned real
property marketable,  title to all material assets and properties,  whether real
or personal,  tangible or intangible,  reflected in Wayne's consolidated balance
sheet as of March 31, 1998, or owned and acquired  subsequent thereto (except to
the extent that such assets and properties  have been disposed of for fair value
in the  ordinary  course of  business  since  March  31,  1998),  subject  to no
encumbrances,  liens, mortgages, security interests or pledges, except (i) those
items that secure  liabilities  that are  reflected in such balance sheet or the
notes thereto or incurred in the ordinary  course of business  after the date of
such balance sheet, (ii) statutory liens for amounts not yet delinquent or which
are being contested in good faith,  (iii) such encumbrances,  liens,  mortgages,
security  interests,  pledges  and  title  imperfections  that  are  not  in the
aggregate material to the business,  operations, assets, and financial condition
of Wayne and its  Subsidiaries  taken as a whole and (iv) with  respect to owned
real property,  title  imperfections  noted in title reports delivered to Valley
prior to the date hereof.  Wayne and its  Subsidiaries as lessees have the right
under  valid and  subsisting  leases to occupy,  use,  possess  and  control all
property leased by them in all material  respects as presently  occupied,  used,
possessed and controlled by them.

                  (b) The  Wayne  Disclosure  Schedule  lists  all  policies  of
insurance covering business  operations and all insurable  properties and assets
of Wayne and its Subsidiaries  showing all risks insured  against,  in each case
under valid,  binding and enforceable  policies or bonds,  with such amounts and
such deductibles as are specified.  As of the date hereof, neither Wayne nor any
of its  Subsidiaries  has  received  any notice of  cancellation  or notice of a
material  amendment of any such insurance  policy or bond or is in default under
such policy or bond, no coverage  thereunder is being  disputed and all material
claims thereunder have been filed in a timely fashion.

                  3.15.  Minute  Books.  The  minute  books  of  Wayne  and  its
Subsidiaries  contain records that are accurate in all material  respects of all
meetings and other corporate  action held of their  respective  stockholders and
Boards  of  Directors  (including  committees  of  their  respective  Boards  of
Directors).

                  3.16.  Environmental Matters. Except as set forth in the Wayne
Disclosure Schedule:

                           (a)      Neither Wayne nor any Wayne  Subsidiary  has
received any written notice, citation, claim, assessment, proposed assessment or
demand  for  abatement  alleging  that Wayne or such  Wayne  Subsidiary  (either
directly  or  as a  trustee  or  fiduciary,  or  as a  successor-in-interest  in
connection  with the  enforcement of remedies to realize the value of properties
serving as collateral for  outstanding  loans) is responsible for the correction
or cleanup of any condition  resulting from the violation of any law,  ordinance
or  other  governmental   regulation  regarding   environmental  matters,  which
correction or cleanup would be material to the business,  operations,  assets or
financial  condition of Wayne and the Wayne Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Wayne
has no knowledge  that any toxic or hazardous  substances or materials have been
emitted,  generated,  disposed of or stored on any real property owned or leased
by Wayne or any Wayne Subsidiary,  as OREO or otherwise,  or owned or controlled
by Wayne or any  Wayne  Subsidiary  as a  trustee  or  fiduciary  (collectively,
"Properties"), in any manner that violates or, after the lapse of time

                                       13
<PAGE>

may violate,  any presently  existing federal,  state or local law or regulation
governing or pertaining to such substances and materials.

                           (b) Wayne has no knowledge that any of the Properties
has been  operated  in any manner in the three  years  prior to the date of this
Agreement that violated any applicable federal, state or local law or regulation
governing or  pertaining to toxic or hazardous  substances  and  materials,  the
violation  of which  would  have a  material  adverse  effect  on the  business,
operations,  assets or financial  condition of Wayne and the Wayne  Subsidiaries
taken as a whole.

                           (c)  To  the   knowledge  of  Wayne,   there  are  no
underground  storage  tanks  on,  in or  under  any  of  the  Properties  and no
underground storage tanks have been closed or removed from any of the Properties
while the  property  was owned,  operated  or  controlled  by Wayne or any Wayne
Subsidiary.

                  3.17.  Reserves.  As of the date hereof,  the reserve for loan
and lease losses in the Wayne  Financial  Statements is adequate based upon past
loan loss experiences and potential losses in the current portfolio to cover all
known or anticipated loan losses.

                  3.18. No Excess Parachute Payments. Except as disclosed in the
Wayne Disclosure Schedule,  no officer,  director,  employee or agent (or former
officer,  director,  employee  or  agent) of Wayne or any  Wayne  Subsidiary  is
entitled now, or will or may be entitled to as a consequence of this  Agreement,
the Merger or the Bank  Merger,  to any payment or benefit  from Wayne,  a Wayne
Subsidiary,  Valley or VNB which if paid or provided would constitute an "excess
parachute  payment",  as  defined  in  Section  280G of the Code or  regulations
promulgated thereunder.

                  3.19. Year 2000 Compliance.  Wayne and the Wayne  Subsidiaries
have taken all reasonable  steps  necessary to address the software,  accounting
and record keeping issues raised in order for the data  processing  systems used
in  the  business   conducted  by  Wayne  and  the  Wayne   Subsidiaries  to  be
substantially  Year 2000  compliant on or before the end of 1999 and,  except as
set forth in the Wayne  Disclosure  Schedule,  Wayne  does not expect the future
cost of  addressing  such  issues to be  material.  Neither  Wayne nor any Wayne
Subsidiary  has  received  a  rating  of less  than  satisfactory  from any bank
regulatory agency with respect to Year 2000 compliance.

                  3.20. Agreements with Bank Regulators.  Except as disclosed in
the Wayne Disclosure Schedule, neither Wayne nor any Wayne Subsidiary is a party
to any  agreement  or  memorandum  of  understanding  with,  or a  party  to any
commitment  letter,  board  resolution  submitted to a  regulatory  authority or
similar  undertaking  to, or is  subject to any order or  directive  by, or is a
recipient of any extraordinary  supervisory letter from, any court, governmental
authority or other regulatory or administrative  agency or commission,  domestic
or foreign ("Governmental Entity") which restricts materially the conduct of its
business,  or in any  manner  relates  to its  capital  adequacy,  its credit or
reserve policies or its management,  except for those the existence of which has
been  disclosed  in  writing  to  Valley  by  Wayne  prior  to the  date of this
Agreement,  nor has Wayne been  advised by any  Governmental  Entity  that it is
contemplating  issuing or requesting (or is considering the  appropriateness  of
issuing  or  requesting)  any  such  order,  decree,  agreement,  memorandum  of
understanding,  extraordinary  supervisory letter,  commitment letter or similar
submission,  except as disclosed in writing to Valley by Wayne prior to the date
of this Agreement. Neither Wayne nor any Wayne Subsidiary is required by Section
32 of the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Act to give  prior  notice  to a Federal
banking agency of the proposed addition

                                       14
<PAGE>

of an individual to its board of directors or the employment of an individual as
a senior  executive  officer,  except as disclosed in writing to Valley by Wayne
prior to the date of this Agreement.

                  3.21.  Disclosure.  No representation or warranty contained in
Article III of this Agreement  contains any untrue  statement of a material fact
or omits to state a material fact  necessary to make the  statements  herein not
misleading.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF VALLEY

                  References  herein to the "Valley  Disclosure  Schedule" shall
mean all of the  disclosure  schedules  required by this Article IV, dated as of
the date hereof and  referenced  to the  specific  sections and  subsections  of
Article IV of this  Agreement,  which have been  delivered on the date hereof by
Valley to Wayne. Valley hereby represents and warrants to Wayne as follows:

                  4.1.     Corporate Organization.

                  (a)  Valley  is  a  corporation  duly  organized  and  validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of New Jersey.  Valley
has the corporate  power and authority to own or lease all of its properties and
assets and to carry on its  business as it is now being  conducted,  and is duly
licensed or qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of
the business  conducted by it or the character or location of the properties and
assets owned or leased by it makes such  licensing or  qualification  necessary,
except  where  the  failure  to be so  licensed  or  qualified  would not have a
material  adverse  effect  on the  business,  operations,  assets  or  financial
condition of Valley or its Subsidiaries (defined below). Valley is registered as
a bank holding  company  under the Bank Holding  Company Act of 1956, as amended
("BHCA").

                  (b) Each of the  Subsidiaries  of  Valley  are  listed  in the
Valley  Disclosure  Schedule.  The term "Subsidiary" when used in this Agreement
with reference to Valley,  means any  corporation,  joint venture,  association,
partnership,  trust or other entity in which Valley has, directly or indirectly,
at least a 50% interest or acts as a general partner.  Each Subsidiary of Valley
is duly  organized and validly  existing and in good standing  under the laws of
the jurisdiction of its incorporation. VNB is a national bank whose deposits are
insured by the Bank Insurance  Fund of the FDIC to the fullest extent  permitted
by law. Each  Subsidiary of Valley has the corporate  power and authority to own
or lease all of its  properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is
now being  conducted  and is duly  licensed or  qualified to do business in each
jurisdiction  in  which  the  nature  of  the  business  conducted  by it or the
character or location of the  properties  and assets owned or leased by it makes
such  licensing or  qualification  necessary,  except where the failure to be so
licensed or qualified would not have a material  adverse effect on the business,
operations, assets or financial condition of Valley and its Subsidiaries.

                  4.2.  Capitalization.  The authorized  capital stock of Valley
consists  solely of 98,437,500  shares of Valley  Common Stock.  As of March 31,
1998, there were 52,763,972 shares of Valley Common Stock issued and outstanding
net of treasury stock, and 295,913 treasury shares. Since March 31, 1998, to and
including  the date of this  Agreement,  no  additional  shares of Valley Common
Stock have been issued except in connection  with  exercises of options  granted
under the Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan of Valley (the "Valley Option Plan") or
grants of  restricted  stock under the Valley Option Plan. As of March 31, 1998,
except for: (a) 1,188,547 shares of Valley Common Stock issuable

                                       15
<PAGE>

upon exercise of outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights granted
pursuant to the Valley Option Plan, and (b) 14,924 shares of Valley Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of outstanding  stock options granted to a consultant for
Valley,  there were no shares of Valley Common Stock  issuable upon the exercise
of outstanding stock options or otherwise.  All issued and outstanding shares of
Valley Common Stock,  and all issued and outstanding  shares of capital stock of
Valley's  Subsidiaries,  have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully
paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights, and are free and clear of all
liens,  encumbrances,  charges,  restrictions or rights of third parties. All of
the outstanding  shares of capital stock of Valley's  Subsidiaries  are owned by
Valley  free and clear of any  liens,  encumbrances,  charges,  restrictions  or
rights of third parties.  Except for the options and stock  appreciation  rights
referred  to above  under the  Valley  Option  Plan,  neither  Valley nor any of
Valley's Subsidiaries has or is bound by any outstanding subscriptions, options,
warrants,  calls,  commitments  or agreements  of any character  calling for the
transfer,  purchase  or  issuance  of any shares of  capital  stock of Valley or
Valley's  Subsidiaries  or any  securities  representing  the right to otherwise
receive any shares of such capital stock or any securities  convertible  into or
representing  the right to purchase or subscribe for any such shares,  and there
are no agreements or understandings with respect to voting of any such shares.

                  4.3.     Authority; No Violation.

                  (a) Valley and VNB have full corporate  power and authority to
execute  and  deliver  this  Agreement  and  to  consummate   the   transactions
contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms hereof. Valley has a sufficient
number of  authorized  but  unissued  shares of Valley  Common  Stock to pay the
consideration  for the Merger set forth in  Article  II of this  Agreement.  The
execution  and  delivery  of  this  Agreement  and  the   consummation   of  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby  have been duly and  validly  approved by the
Board of Directors of each of Valley and VNB. The  execution and delivery of the
Bank  Merger  Agreement  has been  duly and  validly  approved  by the  Board of
Directors of VNB. No other  corporate  proceedings on the part of Valley and VNB
are necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby (except for the
approval by Valley of the Bank Merger  Agreement).  This Agreement has been duly
and validly executed and delivered by Valley and VNB and constitutes a valid and
binding  obligation  of Valley and VNB,  enforceable  against  Valley and VNB in
accordance with its terms.

                  (b) Neither the  execution or delivery of this  Agreement  nor
the  consummation by Valley and VNB of the transactions  contemplated  hereby in
accordance  with  the  terms  hereof,  will (i)  violate  any  provision  of the
Certificate of  Incorporation or Bylaws of Valley or the Articles of Association
or Bylaws of VNB,  (ii) assuming that the consents and approvals set forth below
are duly  obtained,  violate any statute,  code,  ordinance,  rule,  regulation,
judgment,  order, writ, decree or injunction  applicable to Valley or VNB or any
of their  respective  properties or assets,  or (iii)  violate,  conflict  with,
result in a breach of any provision of, constitute a default (or an event which,
with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) under, result
in the termination of, accelerate the performance  required by, or result in the
creation of any lien, security interest, charge or other encumbrance upon any of
the properties or assets of Valley or VNB under, any of the terms, conditions or
provisions  of any note,  bond,  mortgage,  indenture,  deed of trust,  license,
lease,  agreement or other  instrument or obligation to which Valley or VNB is a
party,  or by which  Valley or VNB or any of their  properties  or assets may be
bound or affected,  except, with respect to (ii) and (iii) above, such as in the
aggregate will not have a material  adverse effect on the business,  operations,
assets  or  financial  condition  of  Valley  and  Valley's  Subsidiaries  on  a
consolidated  basis,  or  the  ability  of  Valley  and  VNB to  consummate  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Except for  consents  and  approvals  of or
filings or  registrations  with or notices to the OCC, the OTS, the FRB, the New
Jersey  Secretary  of  State,  the  Delaware  Secretary  of State,  the SEC,  or
applicable state securities bureaus or commissions,  no consents or approvals of
or filings or registrations with or notices to

                                       16
<PAGE>

any third  party or any public  body or  authority  are  necessary  on behalf of
Valley or VNB in connection with (a) the execution and delivery by Valley or VNB
of this  Agreement,  (b) the  consummation by Valley of the Merger and the other
transactions  contemplated  hereby and (c) the  execution and delivery by VNB of
the Bank Merger  Agreement  and the  consummation  by VNB of the Bank Merger and
other  transactions  contemplated  thereby.  To Valley's  knowledge,  no fact or
condition  exists which Valley has reason to believe will prevent it or VNB from
obtaining the aforementioned consents and approvals.

                  4.4.     Financial Statements.

                  (a) Valley has  previously  delivered  to Wayne  copies of the
consolidated  statements  of  financial  condition  of Valley as of December 31,
1995, 1996 and 1997, the related consolidated  statements of income,  changes in
stockholders' equity and of cash flows for the periods ended December 31 in each
of the three fiscal years 1995 through  1997,  in each case  accompanied  by the
audit report of KPMG Peat  Marwick  LLP,  independent  public  accountants  with
respect to Valley,  and the  unaudited  consolidated  statements of condition of
Valley as of March 31, 1998 and the related unaudited consolidated statements of
income, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for the three months then
ended as reported in Valley's  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC
under the 1934 Act (collectively, the "Valley Financial Statements"). The Valley
Financial  Statements  (including  the  related  notes),  have been  prepared in
accordance  with GAAP  consistently  applied  during the periods  involved,  and
fairly  present  the  consolidated  financial  position  of  Valley  as  of  the
respective dates set forth therein, and the related  consolidated  statements of
income, changes in stockholders' equity and of cash flows (including the related
notes,  where  applicable)  fairly  present  the  results  of  the  consolidated
operations and changes in  stockholders'  equity and of cash flows of Valley for
the respective fiscal periods set forth therein.

                  (b) The books and records of Valley and its subsidiaries  have
been and are being  maintained in material  compliance with applicable legal and
accounting requirements, and reflect only actual transactions.

                  (c)  Except  as and  to the  extent  reflected,  disclosed  or
reserved  against  in the  Valley  Financial  Statements  (including  the  notes
thereto), as of March 31, 1998 neither Valley nor any of its Subsidiaries had or
has, as the case may be, any material obligation or liability, whether absolute,
accrued, contingent or otherwise,  material to the business,  operations, assets
or  financial  condition of Valley or any of its  Subsidiaries.  Since March 31,
1998,  neither  Valley nor any of its  Subsidiaries  have  incurred any material
liabilities,  except in the  ordinary  course of business  and  consistent  with
prudent banking practice.

                  4.5.  Brokerage  Fees.  Except  for  fees  to  be  paid  to MG
Advisors,  Inc., neither Valley nor VNB nor any of their respective directors or
officers has employed  any broker or finder or incurred  any  liability  for any
broker's  or  finder's  fees  or  commissions  in  connection  with  any  of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  4.6. Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  There has not been
any material  adverse  change in the business,  operations,  assets or financial
condition  of Valley and Valley's  Subsidiaries  on a  consolidated  basis since
March 31, 1998 and to Valley's  knowledge,  no fact or  condition  exists  which
Valley believes will cause or is likely to cause such a material  adverse change
in the future.

                  4.7. Valley  Information.  The information  relating to Valley
and its subsidiaries, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby in
the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement/Prospectus (as defined in Section
5.6(a) hereof), as of the date of the mailing of the Proxy

                                       17
<PAGE>

Statement/Prospectus,  and up to and  including  the  date  of  the  meeting  of
stockholders of Wayne to which such Proxy Statement/Prospectus relates, will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements  therein,  in light of the circumstances  under
which they were made, not misleading.

                  4.8. Capital Adequacy. As of the date of this Agreement Valley
has,  and at the  Effective  Time,  after  taking into effect the Merger and the
transactions  contemplated  hereunder,  Valley will have,  sufficient capital to
satisfy all applicable regulatory capital requirements.

                  4.9.  Valley Common Stock.  At the Effective  Time, the Valley
Common Stock to be issued  pursuant to the terms of Section 2.1, when so issued,
shall be duly authorized,  validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable,  free
of  preemptive  rights  and  free  and  clear  of  all  liens,  encumbrances  or
restrictions  created by or through Valley, with no personal liability attaching
to the ownership thereof.

                  4.10.  Legal  Proceedings.  Except as  disclosed in the Valley
Disclosure Schedule,  neither Valley nor its Subsidiaries is a party to any, and
there  are  no  pending   or,  to   Valley's   knowledge,   threatened,   legal,
administrative,  arbitral or other proceedings,  claims, actions or governmental
investigations of any nature against Valley or any of its Subsidiaries which, if
decided adversely to Valley,  or any of its Subsidiaries,  would have a material
adverse  effect on the business,  operations,  assets or financial  condition of
Valley and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis. Except as disclosed in the
Valley Disclosure Schedule, neither Valley nor any of Valley's Subsidiaries is a
party to any  order,  judgment  or  decree  entered  against  Valley or any such
Subsidiary  in any lawsuit or  proceeding  which  would have a material  adverse
effect on the business,  operations, assets or financial condition of Valley and
its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

                  4.11.  Taxes and Tax  Returns.  To the  knowledge  of  Valley,
Valley and its  Subsidiaries  have duly filed (and until the Effective Time will
so file) all  Returns  required  to be filed by them in respect of any  federal,
state and local taxes (including  withholding taxes, penalties or other payments
required) and have duly paid (and until the Effective Time will so pay) all such
taxes  due and  payable,  other  than  taxes or other  charges  which  are being
contested in good faith. Valley and its Subsidiaries have established (and until
the Effective Time will  establish) on their books and records  reserves for the
payment  of all  federal,  state and local  taxes not yet due and  payable,  but
incurred  in respect of Valley and its  Subsidiaries  through  such date,  which
reserves  are,  to the  knowledge  of Valley,  adequate  for such  purposes.  No
deficiencies  exist or have been  asserted  based  upon the  federal  income tax
returns of Valley and VNB.

                  4.12.    Employee Benefit Plans.

                  (a) Valley and its  Subsidiaries  maintain  or  contribute  to
certain "employee  pension benefit plans" (the "Valley Pension Plans"),  as such
term is defined in Section 3 of ERISA, and "employee welfare benefit plans" (the
"Valley Welfare  Plans"),  as such term is defined in Section 3 of ERISA.  Since
September 2, 1974,  neither Valley nor its Subsidiaries  have contributed to any
"Multiemployer Plan", as such term is defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA.

                  (b) Except as set forth in Valley Disclosure Schedule,  to the
knowledge  of Valley,  each of the Valley  Pension  Plans and each of the Valley
Welfare Plans has been operated in compliance in all material  respects with the
provisions  of ERISA,  the Code,  all  regulations,  rulings  and  announcements
promulgated or issued thereunder, and all other applicable governmental laws and
regulations.

                                       18
<PAGE>

                  (c)  To the  knowledge  of  Valley,  no  "accumulated  funding
deficiency" within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code has been incurred with
respect to any of the Valley Pension Plans.

                  (d)  Except  with  respect  to  customary  health,   life  and
disability benefits or as disclosed on the Valley Disclosure Schedule, there are
no unfunded benefit obligations which are not accounted for by reserves shown on
the financial statements of Valley and established under GAAP or otherwise noted
on such financial statements.

                  4.13.    Reports.

                  (a) Each  communication  mailed by Valley to its  stockholders
since  January 1, 1995,  and each  annual,  quarterly or special  report,  proxy
statement or  communication,  as of its date,  complied in all material respects
with all applicable  statutes,  rules and regulations enforced or promulgated by
the applicable  regulatory  agency and did not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material  fact required to be stated  therein
or  necessary  in order to make the  statements  made  therein,  in light of the
circumstances  under  which  they  were  made,  not  misleading;  provided  that
disclosures  as of a later date shall be deemed to modify  disclosures  as of an
earlier date.

                  (b) Valley  and VNB have,  since  January 1, 1995,  duly filed
with the OCC and the FRB in correct form in all  material  respects the monthly,
quarterly  and annual  reports  required to be filed under  applicable  laws and
regulations,  and Valley, upon written request from Wayne, promptly will deliver
or make  available to Wayne  accurate and complete  copies of such reports.  The
Valley Disclosure  Schedule lists the dates of all examinations of Valley or VNB
conducted by either the OCC, the FRB or the FDIC since January 1, 1995.

                  4.14.   Compliance   with   Applicable  Law.  Valley  and  its
Subsidiaries hold all material licenses,  franchises, permits and authorizations
necessary  for the  lawful  conduct  of their  respective  businesses  under and
pursuant  to each,  and has  complied  with and is not in default in any respect
under any,  applicable law,  statute,  order,  rule,  regulation,  policy and/or
guideline  of any federal,  state or local  governmental  authority  relating to
Valley and its  Subsidiaries  (other than where such  default or  non-compliance
will not result in a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets
or financial  condition of Valley and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis)
and Valley has not received  notice of  violations  of, and does not know of any
violations  of,  any  of the  above.  Without  limiting  the  foregoing,  to its
knowledge VNB has complied in all material  respects with the CRA and Valley has
no reason to believe that any person or group would  object to the  consummation
of the Merger due to the CRA  performance  or rating of VNB. To the knowledge of
Valley,  except as listed on the Valley Disclosure Schedule,  no person or group
has adversely commented upon VNB's CRA performance.

                  4.15.    Properties and Insurance.

                  (a) Valley  and its  Subsidiaries  have good and,  as to owned
real property,  marketable title to all material assets and properties,  whether
real or personal,  tangible or  intangible,  reflected in Valley's  consolidated
balance  sheet as of March 31, 1998,  or owned and acquired  subsequent  thereto
(except to the extent that such assets and properties  have been disposed of for
fair value in the ordinary course of business since March 31, 1998),  subject to
no encumbrances,  liens,  mortgages,  security interests or pledges,  except (i)
those items that secure  liabilities that are reflected in such balance sheet or
the notes thereto or incurred in the ordinary  course of business after the date
of such balance sheet,  (ii)  statutory  liens for amounts not yet delinquent or
which are being contested in good faith, (iii) such encumbrances,

                                       19
<PAGE>

liens, mortgages,  security interests,  pledges and title imperfections that are
not in the aggregate material to the business, operations, assets, and financial
condition of Valley and its subsidiaries  taken as a whole and (iv) with respect
to owned real property,  title imperfections noted in title reports delivered to
Wayne prior to the date hereof.  Valley and its Subsidiaries as lessees have the
right under valid and subsisting leases to occupy,  use, possess and control all
property leased by them in all material  respects as presently  occupied,  used,
possessed and controlled by them.

                  (b) The business  operations and all insurable  properties and
assets of Valley and its  Subsidiaries are insured for their benefit against all
risks which,  in the  reasonable  judgment of the management of Valley should be
insured against, in each case under valid,  binding and enforceable  policies or
bonds,  with such  deductibles  and against  such risks and losses as are in the
opinion of the  management  of Valley  adequate for the  business  engaged in by
Valley and its  Subsidiaries.  As of the date hereof,  neither Valley nor any of
its Subsidiaries has received any notice of cancellation or notice of a material
amendment  of any such  insurance  policy or bond or is in  default  under  such
policy or bond, no coverage thereunder is being disputed and all material claims
thereunder have been filed in a timely fashion.

                  4.16.  Minute  Books.  The  minute  books  of  Valley  and its
Subsidiaries  contain records that are accurate in all material  respects of all
meetings and other corporate  action held of their  respective  stockholders and
Boards  of  Directors  (including  committees  of  their  respective  Boards  of
Directors).

                  4.17. Environmental Matters. Except as disclosed in the Valley
Disclosure Schedule, neither Valley nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any
written notice, citation,  claim, assessment,  proposed assessment or demand for
abatement alleging that Valley or any of its Subsidiaries (either directly or as
a  successor-in-interest  in  connection  with the  enforcement  of  remedies to
realize the value of properties  serving as collateral for outstanding loans) is
responsible  for the  correction  or clean-up of any  condition  material to the
business,   operations,   assets  or  financial   condition  of  Valley  or  its
Subsidiaries.  Except as disclosed in the Valley Disclosure Schedule, Valley has
no knowledge  that any toxic or  hazardous  substances  or  materials  have been
emitted,  generated,  disposed of or stored on any  property  owned or leased by
Valley or any of its  Subsidiaries  in any manner that  violates  or,  after the
lapse of time may violate, any presently existing federal, state or local law or
regulation  governing  or  pertaining  to such  substances  and  materials,  the
violation  of which  would  have a  material  adverse  effect  on the  business,
operations,  assets or financial  condition of Valley and its  Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis.

                  4.18.  Reserves.  As of the date hereof,  the reserve for loan
and lease losses in the Valley Financial  Statements is, to Valley's  knowledge,
adequate  based  upon past loan loss  experiences  and  potential  losses in the
current portfolio to cover all known or anticipated loan losses.

                  4.19. Year 2000 Compliance. Valley and the Valley Subsidiaries
have taken all reasonable  steps  necessary to address the software,  accounting
and record keeping issues raised in order for the data  processing  systems used
in  the  business  conducted  by  Valley  and  the  Valley  Subsidiaries  to  be
substantially  Year 2000  compliant on or before the end of 1999 and Valley does
not expect the future cost of  addressing  such issues to be  material.  Neither
Valley nor any Valley Subsidiary has received a rating of less than satisfactory
from any bank regulatory agency with respect to Year 2000 compliance.

                  4.20. Disclosures.  No representation or warranty contained in
Article IV of this Agreement contains any untrue statement of a material fact or
omits to state a  material  fact  necessary  to make the  statements  herein not
misleading.

                                       20
<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE V

                            COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES

                  5.1. Conduct of the Business of Wayne.  During the period from
the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time,  Wayne shall,  and shall cause
each of its  Subsidiaries  to,  conduct its  respective  business  and engage in
transactions permitted hereunder only in the ordinary course and consistent with
prudent banking practice, except with the prior written consent of Valley, which
consent will not be unreasonably withheld. Wayne also shall use its best efforts
to (i)  preserve  its business  organization  and that of each Wayne  Subsidiary
intact,  (ii) keep available to itself the present services of its employees and
those  of  its  Subsidiaries,  provided  that  neither  Wayne  nor  any  of  its
Subsidiaries  shall be required to take any unreasonable or extraordinary act or
any action which would conflict with any other term of this Agreement, and (iii)
preserve  for itself and Valley the goodwill of its  customers  and those of its
Subsidiaries and others with whom business relationships exist.

                  5.2.     Negative Covenants and Dividend Covenants.

                  (a) Wayne  agrees that from the date  hereof to the  Effective
Time, except as set forth in Section 5.2 of the Valley Disclosure Schedule or as
otherwise  approved  by Valley in writing or as  permitted  or  required by this
Agreement, it will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

                  (i) change any provision of its  Certificate of  Incorporation
or Charter, as the case may be, or Bylaws or any similar governing documents;

                  (ii) except for the issuance of Wayne Common Stock pursuant to
the present terms of the  outstanding  Wayne Options and the Valley Stock Option
and as disclosed in the Wayne Disclosure  Schedule,  change the number of shares
of its  authorized  or issued  common or  preferred  stock or issue or grant any
option, warrant, call, commitment,  subscription, right to purchase or agreement
of any character  relating to the authorized or issued capital stock of Wayne or
any Wayne Subsidiary or any securities convertible into shares of such stock, or
split,  combine or  reclassify  any shares of its  capital  stock,  or redeem or
otherwise acquire any shares of such capital stock, or declare, set aside or pay
any dividend,  or other distribution  (whether in cash, stock or property or any
combination thereof) in respect of its capital stock;

                  (iii)  grant any  severance  or  termination  pay (other  than
pursuant to policies of Wayne in effect on the date hereof and  disclosed in the
Wayne  Disclosure  Schedule or as agreed to by Valley in  writing)  to, or enter
into or amend any employment  agreement with, any of its directors,  officers or
employees,  adopt any new employee  benefit plan or  arrangement  of any type or
amend any such existing  benefit plan or  arrangement;  or award any increase in
compensation or benefits to its directors, officers or employees;

                  (iv) sell or  dispose of any  substantial  amount of assets or
incur any significant  liabilities other than in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices and policies;

                  (v) make any capital  expenditures in excess of $100,000 other
than  pursuant  to  binding   commitments   existing  on  the  date  hereof  and
expenditures   necessary  to  maintain   existing  assets  in  good  repair  and
expenditures  described  in business  plans or budgets  previously  furnished to
Valley;

                                       21
<PAGE>

                  (vi) file any  applications  or make any contract with respect
to branching or site location or relocation.

                  (vii) agree to acquire in any manner whatsoever (other than to
foreclose on collateral for a defaulted loan) any business or entity;

                  (viii) make any material  change in its accounting  methods or
practices, other than changes required in accordance with GAAP;

                  (ix)  take  any  action  that  would  result  in  any  of  the
representations  and  warranties  contained in Article III of this Agreement not
being true and correct in any material respect at the Effective Time; or

                  (x)      agree to do any of the foregoing.

                  (b) Valley  agrees that from the date hereof to the  Effective
Time,  except as  otherwise  approved  by Wayne in  writing or as  permitted  or
required  by this  Agreement,  it  will  not,  nor  will  it  permit  any of its
Subsidiaries to:

                  (i) take any action  that is  intended  or may  reasonably  be
expected to result in any of its  representations  and  warranties  set forth in
this Agreement  being or becoming  untrue in any material  respect,  or that may
result in any  condition,  agreement or covenant set forth in this Agreement not
being satisfied;

                  (ii)  take  or  cause  to be  taken  any  action  which  would
disqualify the Merger as a tax free reorganization under Section 368 of the Code
or as a pooling of interests for accounting purposes;

                  (iii)  consolidate  with or merge  with any  other  person  or
entity in which Valley is not the surviving entity, or convey, transfer or lease
its properties and assets  substantially  as an entirety to any person or entity
unless such person or entity shall  expressly  assume the  obligations of Valley
under this Agreement; or

                  (iv) authorize or enter into any agreement or commitment to do
any of the foregoing.

                  5.3. No  Solicitation.  So long as this  Agreement  remains in
effect,  Wayne and the Bank shall not,  directly  or  indirectly,  encourage  or
solicit or hold discussions or negotiations with, or provide any information to,
any person, entity or group (other than Valley) concerning any merger or sale of
shares of capital stock or sale of substantial  assets or liabilities not in the
ordinary course of business, or similar transactions involving Wayne or the Bank
(an "Acquisition  Transaction").  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Wayne may enter
into  discussions or negotiations  or provide  information in connection with an
unsolicited possible Acquisition Transaction if the Board of Directors of Wayne,
after  consulting  with  counsel,  determines  in the exercise of its  fiduciary
responsibilities  that such  discussions or negotiations  should be commenced or
such information should be furnished. Wayne shall promptly communicate to Valley
the terms of any  proposal,  whether  written or oral,  which it may  receive in
respect  of any such  Acquisition  Transaction  and the fact  that it is  having
discussions or negotiations with a third party about an Acquisition Transaction.

                  5.4. Current  Information.  During the period from the date of
this  Agreement  to the  Effective  Time,  Wayne  will  cause one or more of its
designated  representatives  to confer on a monthly or

                                       22
<PAGE>

more frequent basis with  representatives  of Valley regarding Wayne's business,
operations,  properties,  assets and financial condition and matters relating to
the completion of the  transactions  contemplated  herein.  Without limiting the
foregoing,  Wayne  will  send to  Valley  a  monthly  list of each  new  loan or
extension  of credit,  and each  renewal of an  existing  loan or  extension  of
credit, in excess of $100,000, made during such month, and provide Valley with a
copy of the loan  offering for any such loan,  extension  of credit,  or renewal
upon request. As soon as reasonably available, but in no event more than 45 days
after the end of each fiscal quarter (other than the last fiscal quarter of each
fiscal  year)  ending  after the date of this  Agreement,  Wayne will deliver to
Valley the Bank's call reports filed with the OTS and FDIC and Wayne's quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC under the 1934 Act,  and Valley  will
deliver to Wayne Valley's  quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC
under the 1934 Act, and VNB's call reports  filed with the OCC and the FDIC.  As
soon as reasonably available, but in no event more than 80 days after the end of
each fiscal year,  Wayne will deliver to Valley and Valley will deliver to Wayne
their respective audited Annual Reports, in each case as filed on Form 10-K with
the SEC under the 1934 Act.

                  5.5.     Access to Properties and Records; Confidentiality.

                  (a)  Wayne  and  the  Bank   shall   permit   Valley  and  its
representatives,  and Valley and VNB shall permit Wayne and its representatives,
accompanied by an officer of the respective  party,  reasonable  access to their
respective  properties,  and shall disclose and make available to Valley and its
representatives or Wayne and its  representatives as the case may be, all books,
papers  and  records  relating  to their  respective  assets,  stock  ownership,
properties, operations, obligations and liabilities,  including, but not limited
to, all books of account  (including the general  ledger),  tax records,  minute
books  of  directors'  and  stockholders'  meetings,  organizational  documents,
bylaws,   material  contracts  and  agreements,   filings  with  any  regulatory
authority,  independent  auditors'  work papers  (subject to the receipt by such
auditors of a standard access  representation  letter),  litigation files, plans
affecting  employees,  and any other  business  activities or prospects in which
Valley  and its  representatives  or Wayne  and its  representatives  may have a
reasonable interest.  Neither party shall be required to provide access to or to
disclose  information where such access or disclosure would violate or prejudice
the rights of any customer or would contravene any law, rule, regulation,  order
or judgment.  The parties  will use their best efforts to obtain  waivers of any
such  restriction  and in  any  event  make  appropriate  substitute  disclosure
arrangements  under  circumstances  in which the  restrictions  of the preceding
sentence apply.  Wayne  acknowledges  that Valley may be involved in discussions
concerning  other  potential  acquisitions  and Valley shall not be obligated to
disclose  such  information  to Wayne  except as such  information  is  publicly
disclosed by Valley.

                  (b) All information furnished by the parties hereto previously
in  connection  with  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement or pursuant
hereto  shall  be  used  solely  for  the  purpose  of  evaluating   the  Merger
contemplated  hereby  and shall be  treated  as the sole  property  of the party
delivering the information until consummation of the Merger  contemplated hereby
and, if such Merger shall not occur,  each party and each party's advisors shall
return  to  the  other  party  all  documents  or  other  materials  containing,
reflecting or referring to such information,  will not retain any copies of such
information,   shall  use  its  best  efforts  to  keep  confidential  all  such
information,  and shall not directly or indirectly use such  information for any
competitive  or  other  commercial  purposes.  In  the  event  that  the  Merger
contemplated  hereby is  abandoned,  all  documents,  notes  and other  writings
prepared by a party hereto or its advisors based on information furnished by the
other party shall be promptly destroyed. The obligation to keep such information
confidential  shall continue for five years from the date the proposed Merger is
abandoned  but  shall  not  apply to (i) any  information  which  (A) the  party
receiving the information can

                                       23
<PAGE>

establish  by  convincing  evidence was already in its  possession  prior to the
disclosure thereof to it by the other party; (B) was then generally known to the
public;  (C) became known to the public through no fault of the party  receiving
such  information;  or (D) was disclosed to the party receiving such information
by a  third  party  not  bound  by an  obligation  of  confidentiality;  or (ii)
disclosures  pursuant to a legal requirement or in accordance with an order of a
court of competent jurisdiction.

                  (c) Without limiting the rights provided under Section 5.5(a),
each of Valley and Wayne  shall  have the right to  conduct a full and  complete
acquisition  audit and to perform such due  diligence  as it deems  appropriate,
using  its own  officers  and  employees  or  third  parties,  for  purposes  of
determining whether there is a material breach of any representation or warranty
hereunder or a material adverse change in the business or financial condition of
the other party. Such acquisition audit or due diligence shall not be limited or
restricted  by virtue of any audit or due  diligence  performed  before the date
hereof or for any other reason, but shall not unduly interfere with the business
of the other party.

                  5.6.     Regulatory Matters.

                  (a)  For  the   purposes  of  holding  the  meeting  of  Wayne
stockholders  referred to in Section  5.7 hereof and  registering  or  otherwise
qualifying  under  applicable  federal and state  securities  laws Valley Common
Stock to be  issued to Record  Holders  and  Optionees  in  connection  with the
Merger,  the parties  hereto shall  cooperate in the  preparation  and filing by
Valley  of a  Registration  Statement  with  the  SEC  which  shall  include  an
appropriate   proxy   statement  and   prospectus   satisfying   all  applicable
requirements of applicable state and federal laws,  including the Securities Act
of 1933,  as  amended  (the  "1933  Act"),  the 1934  Act and  applicable  state
securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.  (Such proxy statement
and  prospectus  in the  form  mailed  by Wayne to the  Wayne  stockholders  and
Optionees together with any and all amendments or supplements thereto, is herein
referred to as the "Proxy  Statement/Prospectus" and the various documents to be
filed by Valley  under the 1933 Act with the SEC to register for sale the Valley
Common Stock to be issued to Record Holders and  Optionees,  including the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, are referred to herein as the "Registration Statement").

                  (b) Valley shall furnish  information  concerning Valley as is
necessary  in order to  cause  the  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus,  insofar  as it
relates to Valley, to comply with Section 5.6(a) hereof.  Valley agrees promptly
to advise Wayne if at any time prior to the Wayne  stockholder  meeting referred
to in  Section  5.7  hereof,  any  information  provided  by Valley in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus becomes incorrect or incomplete in any material respect and
to provide  Wayne with the  information  needed to correct  such  inaccuracy  or
omission.  Valley shall furnish Wayne with such supplemental  information as may
be  necessary  in order to cause the Proxy  Statement/Prospectus,  insofar as it
relates to Valley,  to comply with Section  5.6(a) after the mailing  thereof to
Wayne stockholders.

                  (c)  Wayne  shall   furnish   Valley  with  such   information
concerning  Wayne  and the Bank as is  necessary  in order  to cause  the  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, insofar as it relates to such corporations, to comply with
Section  5.6(a) hereof.  Wayne agrees  promptly to advise Valley if, at any time
prior to the Wayne  stockholder's  meeting referred to in Section 5.6(a) hereof,
information  provided  by  Wayne  in  the  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus   becomes
incorrect or incomplete in any material  respect and to provide  Valley with the
information  needed to correct such inaccuracy or omission.  Wayne shall furnish
Valley with such supplemental  information as may be necessary in order to cause
the Proxy Statement/Prospectus,  insofar as it relates to Wayne and the Bank, to
comply with Section 5.6(a) after the mailing thereof to Wayne stockholders.

                                       24
<PAGE>

                  (d)  Valley  shall as  promptly  as  practicable,  at its sole
expense,  make such filings as are necessary in connection  with the offering of
the Valley Common Stock with applicable state securities  agencies and shall use
all reasonable  efforts to qualify the offering of the Valley Common Stock under
applicable state securities laws at the earliest  practicable  date. Wayne shall
promptly furnish Valley with such information  regarding the Wayne  stockholders
as  Valley  requires  to  enable  it to  determine  what  filings  are  required
hereunder.  Wayne  authorizes  Valley to utilize in such filings the information
concerning  Wayne  and the Bank  provided  to  Valley  in  connection  with,  or
contained  in, the Proxy  Statement/Prospectus.  Valley shall furnish Wayne with
copies of all such filings and keep Wayne advised of the status thereof.  Valley
and Wayne shall as  promptly  as  practicable  file the  Registration  Statement
containing the Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  with the SEC, and each of Valley and
Wayne shall promptly  notify the other of all  communications,  oral or written,
with   the  SEC   concerning   the   Registration   Statement   and  the   Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.

                  (e) Valley shall cause the Valley Common Stock to be issued in
connection with the Merger to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

                  (f) The parties  hereto will cooperate with each other and use
their  best  efforts  to  prepare  all  necessary  documentation,  to effect all
necessary  filings  and to obtain  all  necessary  permits,  consents,  waivers,
approvals  and  authorizations  of all third  parties  and  governmental  bodies
necessary to consummate the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement as soon
as possible,  including, without limitation, those required by the OCC, the OTS,
the FDIC and the FRB. The parties shall each have the right to review in advance
(and shall do so promptly) all  information  relating to the other,  as the case
may be, and any of their  respective  subsidiaries,  which appears in any filing
made with, or written  material  submitted  to, any third party or  governmental
body in connection with the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement.  The
parties  hereto shall use  reasonable  business  efforts to file for approval or
waiver by the appropriate  bank  regulatory  agencies within 60 days of the date
hereof.

                  (g) Each of the parties will promptly  furnish each other with
copies of written  communications  received  by them or any of their  respective
subsidiaries  from, or delivered by any of the  foregoing  to, any  governmental
body in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby.

                  (h)  Wayne  acknowledges  that  Valley  is in or may be in the
process  of  acquiring  other  banks  and  financial  institutions  and  that in
connection with such acquisitions,  information concerning Wayne may be required
to be  included  in the  registration  statements,  if  any,  for  the  sale  of
securities  of Valley or in SEC reports in  connection  with such  acquisitions.
Wayne agrees to provide Valley with any information,  certificates, documents or
other materials  about Wayne as are reasonably  necessary to be included in such
other SEC reports or registration statements,  including registration statements
which may be filed by Valley prior to the  Effective  Time.  Wayne shall use its
reasonable  efforts to cause its attorneys and accountants to provide Valley and
any underwriters for Valley with any consents, comfort letters, opinion letters,
reports  or  information  which  are  necessary  to  complete  the  registration
statements and  applications for any such acquisition or issuance of securities.
Valley shall  reimburse  Wayne for  reasonable  expenses  thus incurred by Wayne
should this transaction be terminated for any reason. Valley shall not file with
the SEC any registration  statement or amendment  thereto or supplement  thereof
containing  information  regarding  Wayne unless  Wayne shall have  consented in
writing to such  filing,  which  consent  shall not be  unreasonably  delayed or
withheld.

                                       25
<PAGE>

                  (i) Between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time,
Wayne shall  cooperate with Valley to reasonably  conform  Wayne's  policies and
procedures regarding applicable regulatory matters, to those of Valley as Valley
may reasonably identify to Wayne from time to time.

                  5.7.  Approval of Stockholders.  Wayne will (a) take all steps
necessary  duly to call,  give  notice  of,  convene  and hold a meeting  of the
stockholders  of Wayne as soon as  reasonably  practicable  for the  purpose  of
securing the approval by such  stockholders of this Agreement,  (b) recommend to
the  stockholders  of Wayne the approval of this Agreement and the  transactions
contemplated  hereby  and use  its  best  efforts  to  obtain,  as  promptly  as
practicable,  such  approvals,  and (c)  cooperate  and consult with Valley with
respect to each of the foregoing matters.  In connection  therewith,  Wayne will
use reasonable  efforts to cause each director of Wayne to agree, (i) to vote in
favor of the Merger,  and (ii) take such action as is necessary or is reasonably
required by Valley to consummate the Merger.

                  5.8. Further  Assurances.  Subject to the terms and conditions
herein  provided,  each of the parties  hereto agrees to use its best efforts to
take,  or cause to be taken,  all  actions  and to do, or cause to be done,  all
things  necessary,  proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to
satisfy the  conditions  to Closing and to  consummate  and make  effective  the
transactions  contemplated by this  Agreement,  including,  without  limitation,
using reasonable  efforts to lift or rescind any injunction or restraining order
or other order adversely  affecting the ability of the parties to consummate the
transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  and  using its best  efforts  to
prevent the breach of any  representation,  warranty,  covenant or  agreement of
such party contained or referred to in this Agreement and to promptly remedy the
same.  Valley  will  take the  necessary  actions  to cure  appropriate  tainted
treasury  shares so that the  Merger  meets the  treasury  stock  condition  for
pooling-of-interests  accounting.  Nothing in this section shall be construed to
require  any  party  to   participate   in  any   threatened  or  actual  legal,
administrative  or  other  proceedings  (other  than  proceedings,   actions  or
investigations  to which it is otherwise a party or subject or  threatened to be
made a party or subject) in connection  with  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement unless such party shall consent in advance and in
writing  to such  participation  and the other  party  agrees to  reimburse  and
indemnify  such  party for and  against  any and all costs and  damages  related
thereto.

                  5.9. Public Announcements.  The parties hereto shall cooperate
with each other in the  development  and  distribution  of all news releases and
other  public  disclosures  with  respect  to  this  Agreement  or  any  of  the
transactions  contemplated hereby, except as may be otherwise required by law or
regulation or as to which the party releasing such information has used its best
efforts to discuss with the other party in advance.

                  5.10. Failure to Fulfill Conditions.  In the event that Valley
or Wayne  determines  that a material  condition to its obligation to consummate
the  transactions  contemplated  hereby cannot be fulfilled on or prior to March
31, 1999 (the "Cutoff Date") and that it will not waive that condition,  it will
promptly  notify  the  other  party.   Except  for  any  acquisition  or  merger
discussions  Valley  may enter into with other  parties,  Wayne and Valley  will
promptly  inform  the  other  of  any  facts  applicable  to  Wayne  or  Valley,
respectively, or their respective directors or officers, that would be likely to
prevent or materially delay approval of the Merger by any governmental authority
or which would otherwise prevent or materially delay completion of the Merger.

                  5.11. Disclosure  Supplements.  From time to time prior to the
Effective Time, each party hereto will promptly  supplement or amend (by written
notice to the other) its  respective  Disclosure  Schedules  delivered  pursuant
hereto with respect to any matter hereafter arising which, if existing,

                                       26
<PAGE>

occurring or known at the date of this Agreement, would have been required to be
set forth or  described  in such  Schedules or which is necessary to correct any
information  in such  Schedules  which has been rendered  materially  inaccurate
thereby. For the purpose of determining satisfaction of the conditions set forth
in Article VI, no  supplement  or amendment to such  Schedules  shall correct or
cure any warranty which was untrue when made, but  supplements or amendments may
be used to disclose  subsequent  facts or events to maintain the truthfulness of
any warranty.

                  5.12     Transaction Expenses of Wayne.

                  (a) For planning  purposes,  Wayne shall,  within 30 days from
the date hereof, provide Valley with its estimated budget of transaction-related
expenses  reasonably  anticipated to be payable by Wayne in connection with this
transaction based on facts and circumstances currently known, including the fees
and   expenses   of   counsel,   accountants,   investment   bankers  and  other
professionals.  Wayne shall promptly notify Valley if or when it determines that
it will expect to exceed its budget.  Wayne has  previously  disclosed to Valley
the method by which the fees of its investment bankers and counsel in connection
with this transaction are to be determined, and has disclosed to Valley the fees
of its counsel in connection with this transaction through a recent date.

                  (b)  Promptly,  but in any  event  within  30 days,  after the
execution  of this  Agreement,  Wayne shall ask all of its  attorneys  and other
professionals  to render current and correct  invoices for all unbilled time and
disbursements.  Wayne  shall  accrue  and/or pay all of such  amounts as soon as
possible.

                  (c) Wayne  shall  cause its  professionals  to render  monthly
invoices  within 30 days after the end of each month.  Wayne shall notify Valley
monthly of all  out-of-pocket  expenses  which Wayne has incurred in  connection
with this transaction.

                  (d) Valley, in reasonable  consultation with Wayne, shall make
all  arrangements  with  respect  to the  printing  and  mailing  of  the  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.

                  5.13.  Closing.  The parties  hereto shall  cooperate  and use
reasonable  efforts  to try to  cause  the  Effective  Time to occur on or about
October 30, 1998.

                  5.14. Indemnification. After the Effective Time, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, and the Certificate of Incorporation or Articles of
Association,  Valley agrees that it will,  or will cause VNB to,  provide to the
directors and officers of Wayne and the Bank indemnification  equivalent to that
provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or Charter, as the case may be, and
Bylaws of each of Wayne and the Bank with respect to acts or omissions occurring
prior to the Effective Time, including without limitation,  the authorization of
this Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  for a period of six
years from the Effective Time, or in the case of matters  occurring prior to the
Effective  Time which have not been resolved  prior to the sixth  anniversary of
the  Effective  Time,  until such  matters are finally  resolved.  To the extent
permitted by applicable law, and the Certificate of Incorporation or Articles of
Association,  Valley or VNB (as applicable) shall advance expenses in connection
with the foregoing indemnification.

                  5.15. New Valley  Director.  As of the Effective Time,  Valley
shall cause its Board of Directors and the VNB Board of Directors to take action
to appoint  Harold P. Cook,  III to the Boards of  Directors  of Valley and VNB,
respectively, at the Effective Time.


                                       27
<PAGE>

                  5.16.    Employment Matters.

                  (a) Following  consummation  of the Merger,  Valley will honor
the existing  written  employment  and  severance  contracts  with  officers and
employees  of Wayne  and the Bank  that are  included  in the  Wayne  Disclosure
Schedule.

                  (b) Following the  consummation of the Merger and for one year
thereafter,  VNB  shall,  to the  extent  not  duplicative  of  other  severance
benefits,  honor the Bank's  severance policy as specified in Section 5.16(b) of
the Wayne  Disclosure  Schedule  to pay one week of  severance  for each year of
service  completed  while  employed  by Wayne  and/or  the Bank,  with a maximum
benefit of 12 weeks. Following the expiration of the foregoing severance policy,
any years of service  recognized  for purposes of this  Section  5.16(b) will be
taken into account under the terms of any applicable severance policy of VNB.

                  (c) Valley intends,  to the extent practical,  to continue the
employment  of all  officers  and  employees  of the  Bank,  at or near the same
location,  with the same or equivalent salary and benefits.  Valley intends,  to
the extent  practical,  to have all Wayne employees  participate in the benefits
and opportunities available to all Valley employees.

                  5.17. Pooling and Tax-Free Reorganization  Treatment.  Neither
Valley nor Wayne shall  intentionally take, fail to take or cause to be taken or
not be  taken,  any  action  within  its  control,  whether  before or after the
Effective  Time,  which would  disqualify the Merger as a "pooling of interests"
for accounting  purposes or as a "reorganization"  within the meaning of Section
368(a) of the Code.

                  5.18.  Wayne Option Plan.  From and after the Effective  Time,
each Wayne  Option which is  converted  to an option to purchase  Valley  Common
Stock under Section 2.1(b) shall be administered,  operated and interpreted by a
committee  comprised of members of the Board of Directors of Valley appointed by
the Board of Directors of Valley.  Valley shall  reserve for issuance the number
of shares of Valley  Common  Stock  necessary to satisfy  Valley's  obligations.
Valley shall also register,  if not previously  registered  pursuant to the 1933
Act, the shares authorized for issuance under the Wayne Options so converted.

                  5.19.    Affiliates.

                  (a)  Promptly,  but in any  event  within  30 days,  after the
execution and delivery of this Agreement,  (i) Wayne shall deliver to Valley (x)
a letter  identifying all persons who, to the knowledge of Wayne,  may be deemed
to be  affiliates  of Wayne  under Rule 145 of the 1933 Act,  including  without
limitation  all  directors  and  executive  officers  of Wayne  and (y) a letter
identifying  all persons  who, to the  knowledge  of Wayne,  may be deemed to be
affiliates of Wayne as that term  (affiliate) is used for purposes of qualifying
for pooling-of-interests accounting treatment; and (ii) Valley shall identify to
Wayne all persons who, to the knowledge of Valley,  may be deemed  affiliates of
Valley  as that  term  (affiliates)  is used  for  purposes  of  qualifying  for
pooling-of-interests accounting treatment.

                  (b) Wayne  shall  cause each  director  of Wayne to, and Wayne
shall use its best  efforts  to cause each  executive  officer of Wayne and each
other person who may be deemed an  affiliate of Wayne (under  either Rule 145 of
the 1933 Act or the  accounting  treatment  rules) to,  execute  and  deliver to
Valley  within 30 days after the  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement,  a
letter  substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.19 hereto agreeing to be bound by
the restrictions of Rule 145 and agreeing to be bound by

                                       28
<PAGE>
the rules which  permit the Merger to be treated as a pooling of  interests  for
accounting purposes. In addition, Valley shall cause each director and executive
officer of Valley to, and Valley  shall use its best efforts to cause each other
person  who may be  deemed  an  affiliate  of  Valley  (as that term is used for
purposes of  qualifying  for pooling of  interests)  to,  execute and deliver to
Valley  within 30 days after the  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement,  a
letter  substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.19.1 hereto in which such persons
agree to be bound by the  rules  which  permit  the  Merger to be  treated  as a
pooling of interests for accounting treatment.

                  5.20. Compliance with the Industrial Site Recovery Act. Wayne,
at its sole cost and expense,  shall use its best efforts to obtain prior to the
Effective  Time,  with respect to each  facility  located in New Jersey owned or
operated by Wayne or any Wayne Subsidiary  (each, a "Facility"),  either:  (a) a
Letter  of   Non-Applicability   ("LNA")  from  the  New  Jersey  Department  of
Environmental   Protection  ("NJDEP")  stating  that  the  Facility  is  not  an
"industrial  establishment,"  as such term is defined under the Industrial  Site
Recovery Act ("ISRA");  (b) a Remediation Agreement issued by the NJDEP pursuant
to ISRA authorizing the  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement;  (c)  a  Negative  Declaration  approval,  Remedial  Action  Workplan
approval,  No Further Action letter or other document or documents issued by the
NJDEP advising that the requirements of ISRA have been satisfied with respect to
the  Facility;  or (d) an opinion  addressed  to Valley  from New  Jersey  legal
counsel  reasonably  acceptable  to  Valley  to the  effect  that  ISRA has been
complied with, or is  inapplicable,  with respect to the Facility.  In the event
Wayne  obtains  a  Remediation  Agreement,  Wayne  will  post or have  posted an
appropriate  Remediation  Funding  Source  or will  have  obtained  the  NJDEP's
approval to self-guaranty any Remediation Funding Source required under any such
Remediation Agreement.

                  5.21. Title Agency Subsidiary.  If requested by Valley, Wayne,
at  its  sole  cost  and  expense,   shall  immediately  begin  the  process  of
transferring  ownership of Wayne Title, Inc. (the "Title Subsidiary") from Wayne
to the Bank,  and  obtaining  all  regulatory  and other  approvals and consents
necessary or  desirable in order to permit the business of the Title  Subsidiary
to be operated without interruption or diminution resulting from such change.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                               CLOSING CONDITIONS

                  6.1.   Conditions  of  Each  Party's  Obligations  Under  this
Agreement.  The  respective  obligations  of each party under this  Agreement to
consummate  the  Merger  shall  be  subject  to  the  satisfaction,   or,  where
permissible  under  applicable  law, waiver at or prior to the Effective Time of
the following conditions:

                  (a) Approval of Wayne  Stockholders;  SEC  Registration.  This
Agreement and the transactions  contemplated  hereby shall have been approved by
the requisite vote of the  stockholders  of Wayne.  The  Registration  Statement
shall have been declared effective by the SEC and shall not be subject to a stop
order or any threatened stop order,  and the issuance of the Valley Common Stock
shall have been  qualified in every state where such  qualification  is required
under the applicable state securities laws. The Valley Common Stock to be issued
in connection  with the Merger,  including  Valley Common Stock to be issued for
the Wayne  Options,  shall have been  approved for listing on the New York Stock
Exchange.




                                       29
<PAGE>


                  (b)   Regulatory   Filings.   All   necessary   regulatory  or
governmental  approvals and consents  (including without limitation any required
approval of the OCC and any approval or waiver  required by the FRB) required to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained without
any term or condition which would  materially  impair the value of Wayne and the
Bank, taken as a whole, to Valley. All conditions required to be satisfied prior
to the Effective  Time by the terms of such  approvals  and consents  shall have
been satisfied;  and all statutory waiting periods in respect thereof shall have
expired.

                  (c) Suits and Proceedings.  No order, judgment or decree shall
be  outstanding  against a party  hereto or a third  party  that  would have the
effect  of  preventing  completion  of the  Merger;  no  suit,  action  or other
proceeding shall be pending or threatened by any  governmental  body in which it
is sought to restrain or prohibit  the Merger or the Bank  Merger;  and no suit,
action or other  proceeding  shall be pending  before any court or  governmental
agency in which it is sought to  restrain  or  prohibit  the  Merger or the Bank
Merger or obtain other substantial  monetary or other relief against one or more
parties  hereto in  connection  with this  Agreement  and which  Valley or Wayne
determines  in good faith,  based upon the advice of their  respective  counsel,
makes it inadvisable to proceed with the Merger because any such suit, action or
proceeding  has a  significant  potential  to be  resolved  in  such a way as to
deprive the party electing not to proceed of any of the material  benefits to it
of the Merger or the Bank Merger.

                  (d) Tax Free Exchange. Valley and Wayne shall have received an
opinion,  satisfactory  to Valley and Wayne,  of Pitney,  Hardin,  Kipp & Szuch,
counsel for Valley, to the effect that the transactions contemplated hereby will
result in a  reorganization  (as  defined  in Section  368(a) of the Code),  and
accordingly  no gain or loss will be recognized  for federal income tax purposes
to Valley,  Wayne,  VNB or the Bank or to the stockholders of Wayne who exchange
their shares of Wayne for Valley Common Stock (except to the extent that cash is
received in lieu of fractional shares of Valley Common Stock).

                  (e) Pooling of Interests.  The Merger shall be qualified to be
treated by Valley as a  pooling-of-interests  for accounting purposes and Valley
shall have  received a letter from KPMG Peat  Marwick LLP to the effect that the
Merger will qualify for pooling-of-interests  accounting treatment if closed and
consummated in accordance with the Agreement.

                  6.2.  Conditions  to the  Obligations  of  Valley  Under  this
Agreement.  The  obligations  of Valley  under this  Agreement  shall be further
subject to the satisfaction or waiver, at or prior to the Effective Time, of the
following conditions:

                  (a) Representations and Warranties; Performance of Obligations
of Wayne and Bank. The representations and warranties of Wayne contained in this
Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects on the Closing Date
as though made on and as of the Closing Date.  Wayne shall have performed in all
material  respects the  agreements,  covenants and  obligations  necessary to be
performed by it prior to the Closing Date. With respect to any representation or
warranty  which as of the Closing Date has required a supplement or amendment to
the Wayne Disclosure Schedule to render such representation or warranty true and
correct as of the Closing Date, the  representation and warranty shall be deemed
true and correct as of the Closing Date only if (i) the information contained in
the  supplement  or  amendment  to the  Disclosure  Schedule  related  to events
occurring following the execution of this Agreement and (ii) the facts disclosed
in such  supplement or amendment  would not either  alone,  or together with any
other  supplements or amendments to the Wayne  Disclosure  Schedule,  materially
adversely  effect the  representation  as to which the  supplement  or amendment
relates.


                                       30
<PAGE>



                  (b) Consents.  Valley shall have received the written consents
of any person whose consent to the transactions  contemplated hereby is required
under the applicable instrument.

                  (c) Opinion of Counsel.  Valley shall have received an opinion
of  counsel  to Wayne,  dated  the date of the  Closing,  in form and  substance
reasonably  satisfactory  to Valley,  covering the matters set forth on Schedule
6.2 hereto and any other matters reasonably requested by Valley.

                  (d) Bank  Action.  The Bank  shall  have  taken all  necessary
corporate  action  to  effectuate  the Bank  Merger  immediately  following  the
Effective Time.

                  (e) Certificates.  Wayne shall have furnished Valley with such
certificates of its officers or other  documents to evidence  fulfillment of the
conditions set forth in this Section 6.2 as Valley may reasonably request.

                  (f) Environmental  Law Compliance.  Wayne shall have obtained,
with  respect to each  Facility,  an LNA, a  Remediation  Agreement,  a Negative
Declaration  approval, a Remedial Action Workplan approval (in which event Wayne
will post or have posted an appropriate  Remediation Funding Source or will have
obtained the NJDEP's  approval to self-guaranty  any Remediation  Funding Source
required under any such  Remediation  Agreement),  a No Further Action letter or
other document or documents  issued by the NJDEP advising that the  requirements
of ISRA have been  satisfied  with  respect to the Facility or an opinion of the
type referred to in Section 5.20(d) hereof.

                  (g) Title Agency  Subsidiary.  Wayne shall have  completed the
process of  transferring  ownership  of the Title  Subsidiary  from Wayne to the
Bank, and shall have obtained all  regulatory  and other  approvals and consents
necessary or  desirable in order to permit the business of the Title  Subsidiary
to be operated without interruption or diminution resulting from such change.

                  6.3.  Conditions  to  the  Obligations  of  Wayne  Under  this
Agreement.  The  obligations  of Wayne  under  this  Agreement  shall be further
subject to the satisfaction or waiver, at or prior to the Effective Time, of the
following conditions:

                  (a) Representations and Warranties; Performance of Obligations
of Valley.  The  representations  and  warranties  of Valley  contained  in this
Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects on the Closing Date
as though made on and as of the Closing Date. Valley shall have performed in all
material respects, the agreements,  covenants and obligations to be performed by
it prior to the Closing  Date.  With respect to any  representation  or warranty
which as of the Closing  Date has  required a  supplement  or  amendment  to the
Valley  Disclosure  Schedule to render such  representation or warranty true and
correct as of the Closing Date, the  representation and warranty shall be deemed
true and correct as of the Closing Date only if (i) the information contained in
the  supplement  or  amendment  to the  Disclosure  Schedule  related  to events
occurring following the execution of this Agreement and (ii) the facts disclosed
in such  supplement or amendment  would not either  alone,  or together with any
other  supplements or amendments to the Valley Disclosure  Schedule,  materially
adversely  effect the  representation  as to which the  supplement  or amendment
relates.

                  (b) Opinion of Counsel to Valley. Wayne shall have received an
opinion  of  counsel  to  Valley,  dated  the date of the  Closing,  in form and
substance  reasonably  satisfactory to Wayne,  covering the matters set forth on
Schedule 6.3 hereto and any other matter reasonably requested by Wayne.


                                       31
<PAGE>


                  (c)  Fairness  Opinion.  Wayne shall have  received an opinion
from  Sandler  O'Neill as of the date of this  Agreement  and the date the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus  is mailed to  Wayne's  stockholders,  with  respect to the
fairness,  from a  financial  point  of  view,  of  the  Exchange  Ratio  to the
shareholders of Wayne in the Merger.

                  (d) Wayne  Director.  Each of Valley  and VNB shall have taken
all action necessary to appoint Harold P. Cook, III to its Board of Directors as
specified in Section 5.15.

                  (e) Certificates.  Valley shall have furnished Wayne with such
certificates  of its  officers  or others and such other  documents  to evidence
fulfillment  of the  conditions  set  forth in this  Section  6.3 as  Wayne  may
reasonably request.

                  (f) VNB Action.  VNB shall have taken all necessary  corporate
action to effectuate the Bank Merger immediately following the Effective Time.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                        TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

                  7.1.  Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated  prior to
the Effective  Time,  whether  before or after approval of this Agreement by the
stockholders of Wayne:

                  (a)      By mutual written consent of the parties hereto.
                  (b) By  Valley or Wayne (i) if the  Effective  Time  shall not
have  occurred  on or  prior  to the  Cutoff  Date  or  (ii)  if a  vote  of the
stockholders  of Wayne  is taken  and such  stockholders  fail to  approve  this
Agreement at the meeting (or any  adjournment  thereof)  held for such  purpose,
unless in each case the failure of such  occurrence  shall be due to the failure
of the party  seeking to  terminate  this  Agreement  to perform or observe  its
agreements  set forth  herein to be  performed or observed by such party (or, in
the case of Wayne,  to be performed or observed by the directors of Wayne) at or
before the Effective Time.

                  (c) By Valley or Wayne upon written notice to the other if any
application for regulatory or governmental  approval necessary to consummate the
Merger and the other transactions  contemplated hereby shall have been denied or
withdrawn at the request or recommendation  of the applicable  regulatory agency
or governmental  authority or by Valley upon written notice to Wayne if any such
application is approved with  conditions  which  materially  impair the value of
Wayne and the Bank, taken as a whole, to Valley.

                  (d) By Valley if (i) there  shall  have  occurred  a  material
adverse change in the business,  operations,  assets, or financial  condition of
Wayne or the Bank, taken as a whole, from that disclosed by Wayne on the date of
this Agreement; or (ii) if the net operating income excluding security gains and
losses (after tax but excluding expenses related to this Agreement) of Wayne for
any full fiscal  quarter after March 31, 1998, is less than  $375,000;  or (iii)
there was a material breach in any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement
or obligation of Wayne hereunder.

                  (e) By Wayne,  if (i) there  shall  have  occurred  a material
adverse  change in the business,  operations,  assets or financial  condition of
Valley or VNB from that disclosed by Valley on the



                                       32
<PAGE>


date  of  this   Agreement;   or  (ii)  there  was  a  material  breach  in  any
representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or obligation of Valley hereunder.

                  (f) By Valley or Wayne if any  condition to Closing  specified
under Article VI hereof  applicable to such party cannot reasonably be met on or
before the Cutoff Date after giving the other party a reasonable  opportunity to
cure any such condition.

                  (g) By Wayne if the Average Pre-Closing Price of Valley Common
Stock is less than $26.00.

                  7.2.  Effect of  Termination.  In the event of the termination
and  abandonment of this Agreement by either Valley or Wayne pursuant to Section
7.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect,  without any
liability on the part of any party or its officers,  directors or  stockholders,
except that Sections 5.5(b) and 8.1 hereof shall have  continuing  effect as set
forth therein.  Nothing contained herein,  however, shall relieve any party from
any liability for any breach of this Agreement.

                  7.3. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by mutual action
taken by the  parties  hereto  at any time  before  or  after  adoption  of this
Agreement  by the  stockholders  of  Wayne  but,  after  any such  adoption,  no
amendment  shall be made  which  reduces  or  changes  the amount or form of the
consideration  to be delivered to the stockholders of Wayne without the approval
of such stockholders.  This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument
in writing signed on behalf of Valley and Wayne.

                  7.4. Extension;  Waiver. The parties may, at any time prior to
the Effective Time of the Merger, (i) extend the time for the performance of any
of the  obligations  or other acts of the other parties  hereto;  (ii) waive any
inaccuracies in the  representations  and warranties  contained herein or in any
document delivered  pursuant thereto;  or (iii) waive compliance with any of the
agreements  or  conditions  contained  herein.  Any agreement on the part of any
party to any such  extension  or waiver  shall be valid  only if set forth in an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party against which the waiver is
sought to be enforced.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

                  8.1.  Expenses.  All costs and expenses incurred in connection
with this Agreement and the transactions  contemplated  hereby (including legal,
accounting and investment banking fees and expenses) shall be borne by the party
incurring such costs and expenses,  except that the cost of printing and mailing
the Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  shall be borne equally by the parties hereto if
the transaction is terminated.

                  8.2. Notices.  All notices or other  communications  which are
required or permitted  hereunder shall be in writing and sufficient if delivered
personally  or sent by  telecopier  with  confirming  copy  sent the same day by
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, as follows:

                  (a)      If to Valley, to:

                           Valley National Bancorp



                                       33
<PAGE>


                           1455 Valley Road
                           Wayne, New Jersey  07474-0558
                           Attn.:  Gerald H. Lipkin
                              Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
                           Telecopier No. (973) 305-0024

                           Copy to:

                           Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch
                           Attn.:  Ronald H. Janis, Esq.
                           Delivery:
                           200 Campus Drive
                           Florham Park, New Jersey  07932
                           Mail:
                           P.O. Box 1945
                           Morristown, New Jersey  07962-1945
                           Telecopier No. (973) 966-1550

                  (b)      If to Wayne, to:

                           Wayne Bancorp, Inc.
                           1195 Hamburg Turnpike
                           Wayne, New Jersey  07474
                           Attn.:  Johanna O'Connell, President
                           Telecopier No. (973) 305-1293

                           Copy to:

                           Malizia, Spidi, Sloane & Fisch, P.C.
                           One Franklin Square
                           1301 K Street, N.W., Suite 700E
                           Washington, D.C.  20005
                           Attn.:  Richard Fisch, Esq.
                           Telecopier No. (202) 434-4661

                  or such other  addresses  as shall be  furnished in writing by
any party,  and any such notice or  communications  shall be deemed to have been
given as of the date so delivered or telecopied and mailed.

                  8.3. Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and shall  inure to the  benefit  of the  parties  hereto  and their  respective
successors  and  permitted  assigns.  Nothing in this  Agreement  is intended to
confer,  expressly  or by  implication,  upon any  other  person  any  rights or
remedies  under or by  reason  of this  Agreement,  except  for the  indemnitees
covered by Section 5.14 hereof.  No  assignment  of this  Agreement  may be made
except upon the written consent of the other parties hereto.

                  8.4.  Entire   Agreement.   This  Agreement,   the  Disclosure
Schedules  hereto and the other documents,  agreements and instruments  executed
and delivered  pursuant to or in connection  with



                                       34
<PAGE>


this Agreement,  contains the entire  agreement  between the parties hereto with
respect to the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement and supersedes all
prior  negotiations,  arrangements  or  understandings,  written  or oral,  with
respect thereto.  If any provision of this Agreement is found invalid,  it shall
be considered deleted and shall not invalidate the remaining provisions.

                  8.5.  Counterparts.  This  Agreement may be executed in one or
more  counterparts,  all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement
and each of which shall be deemed an original.

                  8.6.  Governing Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by the
laws of the State of New Jersey,  without  giving  effect to the  principles  of
conflicts of laws thereof.

                  8.7.  Descriptive  Headings.  The descriptive headings of this
Agreement are for  convenience  only and shall not control or affect the meaning
or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

                  8.8. Survival. All representations,  warranties and, except to
the extent  specifically  provided  otherwise herein,  agreements and covenants,
other than those  agreements  and  covenants set forth in Sections 5.14 and 5.15
which shall survive the Merger, shall terminate as of the Effective Time.

                  8.9.   Knowledge.   Representations   made  herein  which  are
qualified  by the phrase to the best of  Wayne's  knowledge  or similar  phrases
refer as of the date hereof to the best knowledge of the Chief Executive Officer
and the  Chief  Lending  Officer  of  Wayne  and  thereafter  refer  to the best
knowledge   of  any   senior   officer   of  Wayne  or  any  Wayne   subsidiary.
Representations  made herein  which are  qualified  by the phrase to the best of
Valley's  knowledge or similar  phrases  refer as of the date hereof to the best
knowledge of the  President and Chief  Executive  Officer,  the  Executive  Vice
President/Legal  and the Chief Financial  Officer of Valley and thereafter refer
to the best knowledge of any senior officer of Valley or any Valley subsidiary.


                                       35



                                  EXHIBIT 99.3





<PAGE>

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                             ----------------------



                  THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT  ("Agreement") dated May 29, 1998,
is by  and  between  Valley  National  Bancorp,  a New  Jersey  corporation  and
registered bank holding company ("Valley"),  and Wayne Bancorp,  Inc. a Delaware
corporation  ("Wayne") and registered  unitary  savings and loan holding company
for Wayne Savings Bank, F.S.B. (the "Bank").

                                   BACKGROUND
                                   ----------

                  1. Valley,  Wayne,  the Bank and Valley National Bank ("Valley
Bank"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Valley, as of the date hereof, are prepared
to execute an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement")  pursuant to
which Valley will acquire  Wayne  through a merger of Wayne with and into Valley
(the "Merger").

                  2. As an  inducement  to  Valley  to  enter  into  the  Merger
Agreement and in consideration for such entry and negotiation,  Wayne has agreed
to grant to Valley the Option.

                                    AGREEMENT
                                    ---------

                  In consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and
agreements  set forth  herein  and in the  Merger  Agreement,  Valley and Wayne,
intending to be legally bound hereby, agree:

                  1. Grant of Option.  Wayne hereby  grants to Valley the option
to purchase up to 400,000 shares (the "Option  Shares") of Wayne's common stock,
$0.01 par value  ("Common  Stock") at an exercise price of $24.50 per share (the
"Option Price"), on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the "Option").

                  2.  Exercise of Option.  This Option shall not be  exercisable
until  the  occurrence  of a  Triggering  Event  (as  such  term is  hereinafter
defined).  Upon or after the  occurrence of a Triggering  Event (as such term is
hereinafter  defined),  Valley may exercise the Option,  in whole or in part, at
any time or from time to time  subject  to the terms  and  conditions  set forth
herein and the  termination  provisions  of Section 19 of this  Agreement.  This
Option may not be exercised if (i) Valley shall have  willfully  and  materially
breached a material covenant or agreement contained in the Merger Agreement such
that Wayne shall have the right  unilaterally to terminate the Merger  Agreement
pursuant to the terms  thereof,  (ii) prior to the  occurrence of any Triggering
Event, Wayne shall have given Valley written notice of such breach, specifically
referencing  this  Section 2, and (iii)  Valley shall not have cured such breach
prior to exercising the Option.

                          The term  "Triggering  Event" means the  occurrence of
any of the following events:

                          A person or group (as such  terms are  defined  in the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the rules
and regulations thereunder) other than Valley or an affiliate of Valley:

                                     a.  acquires   beneficial   ownership   (as
such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 as promulgated  under the Exchange Act) of at
least 15% of the then outstanding shares of Common


<PAGE>

Stock;  provided,  however,  that the continuing  ownership by a person or group
which as of the date hereof owns more than 15% of the  outstanding  Common Stock
shall not constitute a Triggering Event;

                                     b.  enters  into a letter  of  intent or an
agreement,  whether oral or written, with Wayne pursuant to which such person or
any affiliate of such person would (i) merge or  consolidate,  or enter into any
similar  transaction  with Wayne or the Bank,  (ii) acquire all or a significant
portion  of the assets or  liabilities  of Wayne or the Bank,  or (iii)  acquire
beneficial  ownership  of  securities  representing,  or the  right  to  acquire
beneficial ownership or to vote securities  representing 15% or more of the then
outstanding shares of Common Stock;

                                     c.  makes a filing  with any bank or thrift
regulatory authorities or publicly announces a bona fide proposal (a "Proposal")
for (i) any merger, consolidation or acquisition of all or a significant portion
of all the  assets or  liabilities  of Wayne or any other  business  combination
involving  Wayne or the Bank,  or (ii) a  transaction  involving the transfer of
beneficial  ownership  of  securities  representing,  or the  right  to  acquire
beneficial  ownership  or to vote  securities  representing,  15% or more of the
outstanding  shares of Common Stock,  and  thereafter,  if such Proposal has not
been Publicly  Withdrawn (as such term is hereinafter  defined) at least 15 days
prior to the meeting of  stockholders  of Wayne called to vote on the Merger and
Wayne stockholders fail to approve the Merger by the vote required by applicable
law at the meeting of stockholders called for such purpose; or

                                     d.   makes  a  bona   fide   Proposal   and
thereafter,  but before such  Proposal has been  Publicly  Withdrawn,  Wayne (i)
willfully takes any action in any manner which would  materially  interfere with
its ability to consummate the Merger or (ii)  willfully  takes any action in any
manner (other than actions taken in the ordinary course of business) which would
materially reduce the value of the Merger to Valley .

                  The term  "Triggering  Event"  also  means  the  taking of any
direct or indirect action by Wayne or any of its directors,  executive officers,
investment  bankers or other persons with actual or apparent  authority to speak
for the Wayne  Board of  Directors,  inviting,  encouraging  or  soliciting  any
proposal which has as its purpose a tender offer for the shares of Common Stock,
a merger, consolidation, plan of exchange, plan of acquisition or reorganization
of Wayne or the Bank,  or a sale of shares of Common Stock or stock of the Bank,
or any significant portion of the assets or liabilities of Wayne or the Bank.

                  The term  "significant  portion"  means  15% of the  assets or
liabilities of Wayne.

                  "Publicly  Withdrawn",  for  purposes  of clauses  (c) and (d)
above,  shall mean an unconditional bona fide withdrawal of the Proposal coupled
with a public  announcement of no further  interest in pursuing such Proposal or
in acquiring any  controlling  influence over Wayne or in soliciting or inducing
any other person (other than Valley or any affiliate of Valley) to do so.

                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Option may not be exercised
at any  time (i) in the  absence  of any  required  governmental  or  regulatory
approval or consent  necessary for Wayne to issue the Option Shares or Valley to
exercise the Option or prior to the  expiration  or  termination  of any waiting
period required by law, or (ii) so long as any injunction or other order, decree
or ruling issued

                                       2
<PAGE>

by any  federal or state  court of  competent  jurisdiction  is in effect  which
prohibits the sale or delivery of the Option Shares.

                  Wayne  shall  notify   Valley   promptly  in  writing  of  the
occurrence of any  Triggering  Event known to it, it being  understood  that the
giving of such notice by Wayne  shall not be a condition  to the right of Valley
to  exercise  the  Option.  Wayne will not take any action  which would have the
effect of preventing  or disabling  Wayne from  delivering  the Option Shares to
Valley upon exercise of the Option or otherwise performing its obligations under
this Agreement.

                  In the event  Valley  wishes to exercise  the  Option,  Valley
shall send a written notice to Wayne (the date of which is hereinafter  referred
to as the "Notice Date")  specifying the total number of Option Shares it wishes
to  purchase  and a place  and  date  for the  closing  of  such a  purchase  (a
"Closing");  provided,  however,  that a Closing  shall  not occur  prior to two
business  days nor later than 20 business days after the later of receipt of any
necessary regulatory approvals and the expiration of any legally required notice
or waiting period, if any.

                  3.  Payment  and  Delivery  of  Certificates.  At any  Closing
hereunder (a) Valley will make payment to Wayne of the  aggregate  price for the
Option Shares so purchased by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an
account  designated  by  Wayne,  (b)  Wayne  will  deliver  to  Valley  a  stock
certificate  or  certificates  representing  the  number  of  Option  Shares  so
purchased,  free and clear of all liens, claims, charges and encumbrances of any
kind or nature whatsoever created by or through Wayne, registered in the name of
Valley or its designee, in such denominations as were specified by Valley in its
notice of exercise  and bearing a legend as set forth below and (c) Valley shall
pay any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the issuance of the Option
Shares so purchased.

                  Unless  a   registration   statement  is  filed  and  declared
effective  under  Section  4  hereof,  a legend  will be  placed  on each  stock
certificate  evidencing  Option Shares issued pursuant to this Agreement,  which
legend will read substantially as follows:

                         "The transfer of shares represented by this certificate
         is subject to certain  provisions of an agreement,  dated as of May 29,
         1998,  between  the  registered  holder  hereof and Wayne and to resale
         restrictions  arising under the Securities  Act of 1933, as amended.  A
         copy of such agreement is on file at the principal  office of Wayne and
         will be provided to the holder  hereof  without  charge upon receipt by
         Wayne of a written request therefore."

                  It is  understood  and agreed that:  (i) the  reference to the
resale  restrictions  of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act")
in the above  legend shall be removed by delivery of  substitute  certificate(s)
without  such  reference  if Valley  shall have  delivered  to Wayne a copy of a
letter  from  the  staff of the  SEC,  or an  opinion  of  counsel,  in form and
substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to Wayne, to the effect that such legend is
not required for purposes of the 1933 Act; (ii) the reference to the  provisions
of this Agreement in the above legend shall be removed by delivery of substitute
certificate(s)   without  such  reference  if  the  shares  have  been  sold  or
transferred  in  compliance  with the  provisions  of this  Agreement  and under
circumstances that do not require the retention of such reference in the opinion
of counsel to Wayne; and (iii) the


                                       3
<PAGE>

legend  shall be removed in its  entirety  if the  conditions  in the  preceding
clauses (i) and (ii) are both satisfied.  In addition,  such certificates  shall
bear any other legend as may be required by law.

                  4.  Registration  Rights.  Upon or after the  occurrence  of a
Triggering Event and upon receipt of a written request from Valley,  Wayne shall
prepare and file a  registration  statement  with the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission and any state securities bureau,  covering the Option and such number
of Option Shares as Valley shall specify in its request, and Wayne shall use its
best efforts to cause such  registration  statement to be declared  effective in
order to permit  the sale or other  disposition  of the  Option  and the  Option
Shares (it being  understood and agreed that Valley will use reasonable  efforts
to effect any such sale or other  disposition  on a widely  distributed  basis),
provided that Valley shall in no event have the right to have more than one such
registration  statement  become  effective and further provided that Wayne shall
have the right to delay for up to six  months  such  registration  if the Option
Shares  can  and  will  be  registered  in  connection  with  the  filing  of  a
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (or a successor form) by any person acquiring
Wayne.

                          In  connection  with  such  filing,  Wayne  shall  use
its best efforts to cause to be delivered to Valley such certificates, opinions,
accountant's  letters and other documents as Valley shall reasonably request and
as are customarily provided in connection with registrations of securities under
the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as  amended.  All  expenses  incurred by Wayne in
complying with the provisions of this Section 4, including  without  limitation,
all registration and filing fees,  printing expenses,  fees and disbursements of
counsel  for  Wayne  and  blue sky fees  and  expenses  shall be paid by  Wayne.
Underwriting  discounts and  commissions to brokers and dealers  relating to the
Option  Shares,  fees and  disbursements  of  counsel  to  Valley  and any other
expenses incurred by Valley in connection with such registration  shall be borne
by Valley.  In  connection  with such  filing,  Wayne shall  indemnify  and hold
harmless Valley against any losses,  claims,  damages or  liabilities,  joint or
several,  to which Valley may become  subject,  insofar as such losses,  claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
upon any untrue statement with respect to Wayne or alleged untrue statement with
respect to Wayne of any  material  fact with  respect to Wayne  contained in any
preliminary  or final  registration  statement or any  amendment  or  supplement
thereto,  or arise out of a material  fact with respect to Wayne  required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein with respect to Wayne
not misleading;  and Wayne will reimburse  Valley for any legal or other expense
reasonably  incurred by Valley in connection with investigating or defending any
such loss, claim, damage,  liability or action;  provided,  however,  that Wayne
will not be liable in any case to the extent that any such loss,  claim,  damage
or  liability  arises  out of or is based  upon an untrue  statement  or alleged
untrue  statement or omission or alleged  omission made in such  preliminary  or
final registration statement or such amendment or supplement thereto in reliance
upon and in  conformity  with written  information  furnished by or on behalf of
Valley  specifically for use in the preparation thereof concerning Valley or its
plans or  intentions.  Valley will indemnify and hold harmless Wayne to the same
extent  as set  forth  in the  immediately  preceding  sentence  but  only  with
reference  to  written  information  specifically  furnished  by or on behalf of
Valley  concerning  Valley or its plans or intentions for use in the preparation
of such  preliminary  or  final  registration  statement  or such  amendment  or
supplement  thereto;  and  Valley  will  reimburse  Wayne for any legal or other
expense  reasonably  incurred  by  Wayne in  connection  with  investigating  or
defending any such loss,  claim,  damage,  liability or action.  Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein,  no indemnifying  party shall be liable for any
settlement effected without its prior written consent.

                                       4
<PAGE>

                  5. Adjustment Upon Changes in Capitalization.  In the event of
any change in the Common Stock by reason of stock dividends, split-ups, mergers,
recapitalizations,  combinations,  conversions, exchanges of shares or the like,
then  the  number  and kind of  Option  Shares  and the  Option  Price  shall be
appropriately adjusted.

                          In the event any capital  reorganization or  reclassi-
fication  of  the  Common  Stock,  or  any  consolidation,   merger  or  similar
transaction  of Wayne with  another  entity,  or in the event any sale of all or
substantially  all of the assets of Wayne  shall be  effected in such a way that
the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive  stock,  securities  or
assets with respect to or in exchange for Common Stock,  then, as a condition of
such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger or sale, lawful and
adequate provisions (in form reasonably satisfactory to the holder hereof) shall
be made whereby the holder  hereof shall  thereafter  have the right to purchase
and receive upon the basis and upon the terms and  conditions  specified  herein
and  in  lieu  of the  Common  Stock  immediately  theretofore  purchasable  and
receivable upon exercise of the rights  represented by this Option,  such shares
of stock, securities or assets as may be issued or payable with respect to or in
exchange  for the  number  of shares of  Common  Stock  immediately  theretofore
purchasable  and  receivable  upon  exercise of the rights  represented  by this
Option had such reorganization, reclassification,  consolidation, merger or sale
not taken place;  provided,  however,  that if such  transaction  results in the
holders of Common Stock receiving only cash, the holder hereof shall be paid the
difference between the Option Price and such cash consideration without the need
to exercise the Option.

                  6. Filings and Consents. Each of Valley and Wayne will use its
best  efforts to make all filings  with,  and to obtain  consents  of, all third
parties  and  governmental  authorities  necessary  to the  consummation  of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                          Exercise  of the  Option  herein  provided  shall   be
subject to compliance with all applicable laws including, in the event Valley is
the holder  hereof,  approval of the Board of Governors  of the Federal  Reserve
System and Wayne agrees to cooperate  with and furnish to the holder hereof such
information  and  documents  as  may  be  reasonably  required  to  secure  such
approvals.

                  7. Representations and Warranties of the Parties.

                  a.  Wayne.  Wayne hereby represents and warrants to Valley  as
follows:

                         i. Due  Authorization.  Wayne has full corporate  power
and authority to execute,  deliver and perform this  Agreement and all corporate
action  necessary for execution,  delivery and performance of this Agreement has
been duly taken by Wayne.

                         ii.  Authorized  Shares.  Wayne has taken and, as  long
as the  Option is  outstanding,  will  take all  necessary  corporate  action to
authorize and reserve for issuance all shares of Common Stock that may be issued
pursuant to any exercise of the Option.

                         iii.  No  Conflicts.   Neither  the   execution   and
delivery of this Agreement nor  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated
hereby (assuming all appropriate regulatory approvals) will violate or result in
any violation or default of or be in conflict with or constitute a default under
any

                                      5
<PAGE>

term of the  certificate  of  incorporation  or  by-laws  of  Wayne  or,  to its
knowledge, any agreement,  instrument,  judgment, decree, statute, rule or order
applicable to Wayne.

                  b. Valley.  Valley hereby  represents and warrants to Wayne as
follows:

                         i. Due  Authorization. Valley has full corporate  power
and  authority  to  execute  and  deliver  this  Agreement  and,  subject to any
approvals  or  consents  referred  to herein,  to  consummate  the  transactions
contemplated hereby.

                         ii.  Requisite  Corporate  Action.  The  execution  and
delivery of this  Agreement  have been  authorized  by all  requisite  corporate
action by Valley, and no other corporate proceedings are necessary therefor.

                         iii.  Binding  Obligation.   This  Agreement  has  been
duly and validly  executed and  delivered  by Valley and  represents a valid and
legally binding obligation of Valley,  enforceable  against Valley in accordance
with its terms.

                         iv. No  Distribution.  Any Wayne Common  Stock or other
securities acquired by Valley upon exercise of the Option will not be taken with
a view to the  public  distribution  thereof  and  will  not be  transferred  or
otherwise disposed of except in compliance with the 1933 Act.

                  8. Specific  Performance.  The parties hereto acknowledge that
damages  would be an inadequate  remedy for a breach of this  Agreement and that
the  obligations  of the  parties  hereto  shall  be  specifically  enforceable.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Valley shall have the right to seek money damages
against Wayne for a breach of this Agreement.

                  9. Entire  Agreement.  This Agreement  constitutes  the entire
agreement  between the parties  with  respect to the subject  matter  hereof and
supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral,
among the parties or any of them with respect to the subject matter hereof.

                  10.  Assignment  or Transfer.  Valley may not sell,  assign or
otherwise transfer its rights and obligations hereunder, in whole or in part, to
any person or group of  persons  other than to an  affiliate  of Valley.  Valley
represents that it is acquiring the Option for Valley's own account and not with
a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution of the Option.  Valley
is aware that  presently  neither  the  Option  nor the Option  Shares are being
offered by a registration  statement filed with, and declared  effective by, the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission,  but instead are being offered in reliance
upon the exemption from the registration  requirements  pursuant to Section 4(2)
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

                  11.  Amendment of Agreement.  By mutual consent of the parties
hereto, this Agreement may be amended in writing at any time, for the purpose of
facilitating  performance  hereunder or to comply with any applicable regulation
of any  governmental  authority or any applicable  order of any court or for any
other purpose.

                                       6
<PAGE>


                  12.  Validity.  The  invalidity  or  unenforceability  of  any
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or  enforceability  of
any other  provisions  of this  Agreement,  which shall remain in full force and
effect.

                  13.  Notices.  All  notices,  requests,   consents  and  other
communications  required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when delivered  personally,  by express  service,
cable,  telegram or telex, or by registered or certified mail (postage  prepaid,
return receipt requested) to the respective parties as follows:

                           If to Valley, to:

                           Valley National Bancorp
                           1455 Valley Road
                           Wayne, New Jersey  07474
                           Attn.:  Gerald H. Lipkin
                              Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
                           Telecopier No. (973) 305-0024


                           Copy to:

                           Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch
                           Attn.:  Ronald H. Janis, Esq.
                           Delivery:
                           200 Campus Drive
                           Florham Park, New Jersey  07932
                           Mail:
                           P.O. Box 1945
                           Morristown, New Jersey  07962-1945
                           Telecopier No. (973) 966-1550


                           If to Wayne, to:

                           Wayne Bancorp, Inc.
                           1195 Hamburg Turnpike
                           Wayne, New Jersey
                           Attn.:  Johanna O'Connell, President
                           Telecopier No. (973) 305-1293


                           Copy to:

                           Malizia, Spidi, Sloane & Fisch, P.C.
                           One Franklin Square
                           1301 K Street, N.W., Suite 700E
                           Washington, D.C.  20005
                           Attn.: Richard Fisch, Esq.
                           Telecopier No. (202) 434-4661


                                       7
<PAGE>

or to such other  address  as the person to whom  notice is to be given may have
previously  furnished  to the others in  writing  in the manner set forth  above
(provided  that  notice of any change of address  shall be  effective  only upon
receipt thereof).

                  14.  Governing  Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey.

                  15.  Captions.  The captions in the Agreement are inserted for
convenience and reference purposes,  and shall not limit or otherwise affect any
of the terms or provisions hereof.

                  16. Waivers and Extensions.  The parties hereto may, by mutual
consent,  extend the time for  performance of any of the  obligations or acts of
either  party  hereto.  Each  party  may waive  (i)  compliance  with any of the
covenants of the other party  contained in this Agreement  and/or (ii) the other
party's performance of any of its obligations set forth in this Agreement.

                  17. Parties in Interest.  This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure  solely to the  benefit  of each  party  hereto,  and  nothing in this
Agreement,  express or implied,  is intended to confer upon any other person any
rights  or  remedies  of any  nature  whatsoever  under  or by  reason  of  this
Agreement,  except as  provided  in Section 10  permitting  Valley to assign its
rights and obligations hereunder only to an affiliate of Valley.

                  18.  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be executed in two or
more counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed to be an original,  but all of
which shall constitute one and the same agreement.

                  19. Termination.  The Option granted hereby, to the extent not
previously exercised,  shall terminate upon either the termination of the Merger
Agreement  as  provided   therein  or  the   consummation  of  the  transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement;  provided, however, that if termination of
the Merger  Agreement  occurs after the occurrence of a Triggering  Event,  this
Agreement  and the Option  granted  hereby shall not  terminate  until 15 months
following the date of the termination of the Merger Agreement.

                                       8


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